“Senior Brother Gu, why don’t you go into the room to rest?”
Mo Xiaonian tilted her head, looking at Gu Shenzhi leaning against the wall, and asked with a puzzled expression.
Although she appeared harmless on the surface, she secretly had her own little schemes.
Ever since Gu Shenzhi defeated her with a single strand of hair at the sect’s minor competition, he had “honorably” become the primary obstacle on Mo Xiaonian’s path to immortality.
To defeat an enemy, one must first understand them.
Once she learned all of her foolish Senior Brother’s sword techniques, she would surely trample him underfoot and thoroughly humiliate him.
Gu Shenzhi waved his hand helplessly.
“As the saying goes, men and women should not be too close. It’s not quite appropriate for me to stay with you all.”
If he dared to enter the room again, given Yuexi’s temperament, she would probably half-kill him and then go tattle to Huang’er.
Gu Shenzhi could already imagine the Red Lotus Saintess smiling gently while wielding [Evil Phoenix].
“I didn’t expect you to be so conservative, Senior Brother.”
Though she said this, Mo Xiaonian inwardly cursed: You talk about propriety between men and women, but who was it that grabbed my foot in public and refused to let go?!
Gu Shenzhi slowly stood up, stretching his body leisurely.
“Enough talk. I need to go find the innkeeper to book another room.”
But after taking just a couple of steps, he hurriedly turned back, a flattering smile on his face.
“The innkeeper said extra expenses won’t be reimbursed by the sect, so I’ll have to pay for it myself. So, Junior Sister…”
“How much?” Mo Xiaonian crossed her arms, getting straight to the point.
“Not much, just five low-grade spirit stones.”
“No problem, but Senior Brother Gu can’t just take advantage of me. So, what are you going to offer in return? Let me make it clear—I’m not interested in spirit stones,” Mo Xiaonian said with a sly smile, her cherry lips curving upward.
Besides sword techniques, what else could she want?
Surely not that kind of compensation.
Seeing through his Junior Sister’s intentions, Gu Shenzhi initially thought to teach her a couple of moves to brush her off.
There wasn’t a single sword scripture in the Spirit Sword Sect he didn’t know.
But now, he had a better idea.
With a troubled expression, he hesitated before saying, “My sword skills are mediocre. I fear I’d hinder your progress. But if I could invite the Red Lotus Saintess to guide you, would that suffice to repay your kindness today?”
“Really? It’s a deal then!” Mo Xiaonian was thrilled, her voice trembling with excitement.
“A gentleman’s word is his bond, as unyielding as four horses.”
Seeing her Senior Brother’s sincerity, Mo Xiaonian generously handed over a bag of high-grade spirit stones—nearly a thousand of them, enough to sustain an ordinary Core Formation cultivator’s practice for a century.
The Nine Star Chamber of Commerce, under the Mo family, had branches across Muyun, and even in Youyun and Xiyue.
Their business spanned everything from ores and spiritual plants to silks, taverns, brothels, and auction houses.
In Mo Xiaonian’s eyes, spirit stones were as abundant as she desired.
With her family’s wealth, buying an entire city wouldn’t even dent their fortune.
To receive guidance from the peerless prodigy, the Red Lotus Saintess, a mere few thousand high-grade spirit stones were nothing.
Mo Xiaonian had admired Su Linghuang for a long time, dreaming of one day discussing the Dao with her on equal footing.
Moreover, her choice to join the Moon Shadow Sect was not only due to its reputation as the leading demonic sect in Muyun but also largely because of Su Linghuang.
“Junior Sister Mo is truly generous.”
Gu Shenzhi praised her, gazing at the sparkling spirit stones in the bag, suddenly feeling a bit guilty.
After all, it was Huang’er’s own idea to teach Mo Xiaonian swordsmanship.
But necessity called for flexibility.
Besides, he had guided her in sword techniques for two months, so charging a small fee was reasonable.
“It’s just a small sum, consider it a gift for Senior Brother.”
Seeing her foolish Senior Brother’s silly grin, Mo Xiaonian could barely contain her amusement.
After training with the Red Lotus Saintess for a few days, wouldn’t she easily defeat him?
And with more time, she’d beat him with just a single strand of hair, thoroughly washing away her past humiliation.
As their gazes parted, both burst into laughter almost simultaneously.
In the dead of night, inside a spacious and comfortable guest room.
Gu Shenzhi sat cross-legged on a bamboo bed, his mind focused inward, his consciousness roaming his inner landscape.
Amid the swirling vortex of spiritual energy around him, a true spirit existed, its released pressure already reaching the Spirit Manifestation stage.
After absorbing all the spirit stones in the bag, his Spirit Manifestation realm was finally stabilizing.
The current Gu Shenzhi was like a phoenix reborn.
Paired with his spirit sword [Falling Plum], even an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator might not be his match.
Knock, knock, knock.
A sudden series of knocks interrupted the silence.
Gu Shenzhi calculated the time—it was just past midnight.
At this hour, it was likely a thief.
But in the worst-case scenario, their group from the Moon Shadow Sect, or even this entire stronghold, might have been exposed.
Opening his heavy-pupil eyes, Gu Shenzhi immediately recognized the visitor—it was Senior Sister Yuexi.
Her face was as delicate as a peach blossom in March, clad in a thin, cicada-wing-like nightgown that revealed her exquisite collarbone.
Her long hair reached her waist, her figure graceful and alluring, exuding a captivating charm.
Though not as breathtakingly beautiful as Huang’er, she was undoubtedly a femme fatale capable of toppling kingdoms.
A beautiful woman was far more dangerous than a ferocious man.
Especially after what had happened earlier, Gu Shenzhi didn’t dare lower his guard.
He silently drew [Falling Plum] from its sheath.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me,” a soft, melodious voice came from outside.
“So it’s Senior Sister Yuexi. May I ask what brings you here so late?” Gu Shenzhi asked politely.
At the same time, his fingertips brushed the blade, infusing it with true spirit, amplifying the sword’s power several times over.
One could never be too prepared for danger, even if it seemed excessive.
“I brought you some intelligence about the City Lord’s Mansion and Wei Xingfeng that you haven’t seen yet.”
Intelligence in the middle of the night?
Gu Shenzhi felt she was practically insulting his intelligence.
“A man and woman alone in a room at night goes against propriety. Please write the intelligence on paper and slip it under the door, Senior Sister.”
Hearing his response, Yuexi pursed her lips, her tender lips pressing tightly against her teeth, her heart conflicted.
“Actually, I came to talk about… Linghuang.”
Yet the door remained firmly shut, cold as frost-covered iron, unwelcoming to her presence.
After waiting for a long time, Yuexi could only leave in disappointment.
Forcing her way in wouldn’t achieve her original goal.
In the quiet corridor, a faint creak suddenly drew attention.
As Yuexi turned, a chilling sensation appeared at her snow-white, swan-like neck.
Under the cold moonlight, [Falling Plum] gleamed with deadly intent, its sharp edge reflecting the black-clad youth holding the sword.
“Leaving so soon, Senior Sister? Won’t you come in for a chat?”
Gu Shenzhi snatched the recording stone hidden at Yuexi’s waist and tossed it aside, teasing, “I didn’t expect Senior Sister to bring me a gift. It’s just… a bit too unique. You should keep it for yourself.”
He knew this scheming woman was up to no good.
Step by step, Gu Shenzhi pressed forward until Yuexi obediently entered his room.
Yuexi’s face paled, retreating step by step, her heart gripped by terror.
She desperately tried to resist, only to find she couldn’t muster a single trace of spiritual energy, like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
The might of his heavy pupils was not something a mere Core Formation cultivator could withstand.
In her panic, she tripped over scattered spirit stones on the floor, falling heavily onto Gu Shenzhi’s bed.
Her face flushed, her breath soft as orchids, her eyes filled with despair.
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