Chapter 38: [Resentment] and [Sword]

Pushing open the half-closed door, Gu Shenzhi stepped into the room alone.

Having been away for several days, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of caution.

Prudence ensures longevity, and though the Moon Shadow Sect treated him well, it never hurt to be careful.

His dark purple eyes narrowed slightly, scanning every corner of the west wing room.

Confirming nothing was amiss, Gu Shenzhi slowly sat on the peachwood chair, casually lifting a cup to take a sip of clear tea.

But the moment the tea touched his tongue, he spat it out, not swallowing a single drop.

It wasn’t poisoned, but the tea had clearly been sitting for days, its taste bitter and astringent.

In his mind, the image of a delicate, jade-like face gradually surfaced, along with the memory of a stunningly beautiful girl in pale red robes.

If Taoyao were still by his side, the tea in his cup would never have gone cold.

Suddenly, Gu Shenzhi let out a soft chuckle.

As moments passed, his laughter didn’t fade but grew wilder, unrestrained.

The black-clad youth lowered his head, covering his face, yet all he did was laugh.

Taoyao had left him to cultivate the Dao at Qingyan Peak, guided by Senior Sister Yuexi.

With his former maid’s talent, he was certain she’d form a second-grade or higher golden core within three years, becoming a Core Formation cultivator.

Though Core Formation was only one realm above Foundation Establishment, the difference in status was vast.

Foundation Establishment cultivators were as common as dust in Muyun Continent—toss a brick from a mountain and it might hit one. But Core Formation cultivators were rare.

Since ancient times, countless cultivators had been stuck at the peak of Qi Refining, with only a few lucky enough to form a core.

In smaller sects, a Core Formation cultivator could serve as an elder or even sect leader.

In Muyun Continent, reaching Core Formation meant being halfway to true strength, with some ability to protect oneself.

In this world, one could rely on heaven, earth, or allies, but ultimately, only oneself was truly dependable.

By all logic, as the young master of the Spirit Sword Sect, Gu Shenzhi should be happy for Taoyao.

Yet, without her meticulous care, gentle warmth, and playful affection in his arms, he felt an indescribable sense of loss.

But Taoyao was gone, and he was the one who had tricked her into leaving.

Gu Shenzhi could only sigh—after all, this was undoubtedly the best outcome for both of them.

As he boiled water to brew tea, he couldn’t help but recall Taoyao’s radiant smile, calling him “Young Master.”

Memories were always so unreasonably beautiful, trapping people in their allure.

Gu Shenzhi gazed at the steam rising from the teapot, his eyes following the mist teased by the evening breeze, lost in thought.

Normally, he valued time above all, often meditating on his bed before dusk, focusing his spirit and channeling energy into his dantian, storing spiritual power in his limbs while others rested.

If Mo Xiaonian pushed herself by cutting sleep to cultivate, Gu Shenzhi turned sleep into cultivation, entering a state of selflessness where he both practiced and rested.

Yet, past midnight, Gu Shenzhi remained slumped over the table, brooding over life’s philosophies—or perhaps, stirred by youthful impulses, unable to focus on cultivation.

If Bai Qi saw him like this, she’d likely scold him for slacking, though what the white-robed immortal truly thought of him remained a mystery to the youth.

He didn’t understand her intentions, but from the moment they met, she had always held him in her grasp.

Life was inherently bitter; what harm was there in a little indulgence?

She was no longer his master, so what did it matter if he idled for half an hour?

Gu Shenzhi thought to himself.

“Hey, kid, can you hear this immortal speaking?”

A low, hoarse voice came from behind him—the voice of none other than the remnant soul of the [Grudge] Immortal, who should have died by Gu Shenzhi’s sword in Wu’an City.

Yet Gu Shenzhi wasn’t surprised, merely responding coolly, “The [Grudge] Immortal is truly magnanimous. Wei Xingfeng, your chosen one, died by my hand. Are you now offering me an immortal’s opportunity?”

When great cultivators ascend, they invariably leave behind a few remnant souls in the mortal world to pass down their painstakingly crafted immortal techniques.

This wasn’t out of kindness but the work of the intangible, imperceptible “Dao.”

The Dao was the foundation of this world, the supreme law governing all things, the goal every cultivator sought to touch.

Yet, in tens of thousands of years, only twelve had glimpsed it.

“Well said. This immortal does intend to pass on the Art of Soul-Binding and Body-Forging. The strong prey on the weak—that’s the law of nature. Since you killed Wei Xingfeng, this opportunity is yours.”

“Sorry, but I have no interest in your evil art of refining living people. This opportunity is better suited for someone else,” Gu Shenzhi said casually.

“Don’t be so quick to refuse. I know you’ve inherited the [Sword] legacy and think highly of yourself, looking down on the supreme Art of Soul-Binding and Body-Forging. But do you know that the final [Origin of the Dao] move in Sword One’s seven sword techniques has long been lost? Without it, the remaining six are barely at the threshold of immortal techniques, far inferior to my flawless refining art.”

Gu Shenzhi sneered, “So, [Grudge] Immortal, you’re suggesting I abandon the sword and take up refining?”

“Exactly. You have a supreme wood spirit root, not a supreme metal one—why cling to the sword path? Trust me, if you switch to refining, your achievements will be far greater.”

The remnant soul’s words echoed temptingly in his ears, but Gu Shenzhi ignored them, carefully brewing his tea.

Brewing and sipping tea was one of his few hobbies when idle, though when Taoyao was around, she’d taken over the task.

Truth be told, after three years without brewing tea himself, his skills had grown rusty.

“Thank you for your kindness, [Grudge] Immortal, but I’m too dull for anything but the sword. As for refining, I’m afraid it’s not my fate. Please forgive me.”

Gu Shenzhi brushed off the soul, uninterested in wasting time with it.

The [Grudge] Immortal’s path was too dark and cruel—refining evil artifacts from thousands of living people was something Gu Shenzhi utterly despised.

He wanted revenge and to grow stronger, but as a human, he had to hold onto his bottom line.

Without a conscience, no matter how powerful, one was just a mad beast.

“Very well, you’re the first to reject my legacy. I’ll give you one last chance. If you refuse again, you’ll regret it one day…”

“I refuse,” Gu Shenzhi cut in decisively, not letting the soul finish.

But unexpectedly, the response wasn’t the hoarse voice but a soft, enchanting complaint.

“My lord~ It’s so late, and you’re still awake. Could you be thinking of some other lady?”