The newborn Sacred Infant gradually calmed down, its appearance fair and dignified, surrounded by a golden light that protected its body, and its features were indistinguishable from Gu Shenzhi’s.
After several breaths of energy intake and release, Gu Shenzhi slowly opened his eyes, revealing dark purple pupils—clear and bright like a shimmering lake. At this moment, he had reached an entirely new realm.
With his extraordinary talent, bordering on prodigy, combined with the Heavenly Dao Sacred Infant, even facing a Nascent Soul cultivator, he would not fall behind.
Yet he did not rush to stand. Instead, he gathered spiritual power at his fingertips and lightly flicked it out. The force was immense and overwhelming, causing the distant mountaintop to crack open with a thunderous sound, the rock walls shattered—it was merely a casual strike.
Seeing this scene, the young man smiled faintly, silently acknowledging that the Heavenly Dao Sacred Infant was indeed extraordinary. Although his heart was filled with ecstatic joy, his expression only shifted slightly, the corner of his mouth curling upwards.
He lazily stretched, then slowly stood up, walking to the edge of the stone cave and gazing at the distant scenery. He sighed softly, “One must ascend the peak to overlook all the smaller mountains. Now that the Heavenly Dao Sacred Infant has been formed, the day will come to knock on the gate of Nascent Soul.”
With that, Gu Shenzhi activated his profound step technique and vanished into the vast mountains. He could have flown by sword, but having just broken into a new realm, his body had yet to adapt and required time to acclimate.
The mountain breeze brushed against his face, his white robes billowing as he floated leisurely through the air, moving like the wind with a carefree spirit.
About a quarter of an hour later, he had already returned to Yunhai City but did not enter the Mo Residence. Instead, he casually stepped into a tavern, his steps light.
“Honored guest, what would you like to order? We have the best Osmanthus Wine in all of Yunzhou.”
Seeing the visitor’s distinguished aura, the waiter who had just been wiping tables quickly stopped, slung the rag over his shoulder, and immediately greeted him with a smiling face.
“…”
Gu Shenzhi originally wanted to refuse—he had abstained from alcohol for years—but after a moment’s thought, he changed his mind, “Then bring a pot.”
A little drink to celebrate a joyous occasion wasn’t so bad after all.
“Right away, sir. Please follow me; there’s a large table available—very grand indeed.”
“No need. I’ll sit with that snow-haired girl. She can’t finish thirty dishes on her own. With good food and fine wine, and the company of a beauty, isn’t that perfect?”
Gu Shenzhi pointed toward Su Linghuang, who was pretending to look at the scenery but was actually watching him. He smiled gently. Though the fairy blush was blooming faintly on her cheeks, the snow-haired woman acted as if she hadn’t noticed.
Then he took two or three low-grade spirit stones from his sleeve and handed them to the waiter as payment, telling him to keep the change.
The waiter happily accepted but then his expression shifted oddly. He quietly pulled Gu Shenzhi into a corner, whispering, “Sir, that girl is not easy to deal with. Just a moment ago, three guests who tried to take advantage of her were beaten into the street. You’d better not go over there.”
“Is that so?” Gu Shenzhi feigned surprise, smiling lightly as he patted the waiter on the shoulder, “I brought Osmanthus Wine over. Having a bite of her dishes isn’t taking advantage. Besides, I’m a gentleman who cherishes beauties—I can’t bear to see such a lovely woman lonely.”
With that, Gu Shenzhi put his hands behind his back and briskly walked over to the Scarlet Lotus Saintess, sitting down without even asking.
“You ordered so many dishes; you can’t finish them. Give me a pair of chopsticks.”
Hearing the all-too-familiar voice, Su Linghuang didn’t even turn her head, sulking, “I’m not in the mood. Don’t want to talk to you.”
First, that despicable scoundrel had abandoned her for Mo Zhe. Then Mo Xiaonian was going to visit her father, leaving her all alone in the Mo Residence. How could she feel cheerful?
“What now?” Gu Shenzhi asked with a wry smile.
“The food here tastes bad,” the Scarlet Lotus Saintess said, trying to cover up her real feelings. She didn’t want Gu Shenzhi to know she was lonely because of his temporary absence.
Hearing this, he borrowed Su Linghuang’s chopsticks, picked up a piece of roast goose, and chewed slowly. The meat was savory and fragrant; the skin crisp and reddish; the flesh tender and fresh, leaving a lingering taste.
“Feng’er, that demand is a bit too high. Though the taste isn’t peerless in the world, ‘delicious’ is still well deserved.”
“It’s not as good as the teahouse last time anyway.”
The flavors were similar to before, but the way of eating was somewhat different.
“Then let’s try another place. Yunhai City is bustling, with countless taverns. We’ll definitely find one you like.”
The Scarlet Lotus Saintess lifted her delicate brows, her clear, captivating eyes shining with just the right amount of charm. Her long lashes curled up beautifully as she bravely met his gaze. But the tides had turned—this time, Gu Shenzhi deliberately avoided looking at her.
Embarrassed and angry, Su Linghuang puffed up her rosy cheeks, quietly lifted her leg under the table, and gathered some spiritual power, sharply poking Gu Shenzhi’s knee with her soft, fair toes.
Though she used only Foundation Establishment-level power, that poke was enough to shatter a mortal’s kneecap.
“Ah~ It hurts! My bone’s broken. What are you going to pay me?” Gu Shenzhi pretended to cry out, hurriedly covering his knee and at the same time grabbed the beauty’s foot.
Skillfully, he removed her white cloth boots, fingertips stroking the smooth, tender instep, occasionally pinching her ankle or flicking her toes with practiced deftness, causing the beauty to softly moan.
Faced with the young man’s bold and audacious actions, the Scarlet Lotus Saintess did not pull back her leg. Instead, she allowed him to freely play with her exquisite, slender jade feet.
Once awkward, now familiar; after being teased by Gu Shenzhi so many times, Su Linghuang had grown accustomed to it, even starting to enjoy the sensation a little.
“Cut it out. I know exactly how capable you are, Gu Gongzi, even if others don’t.”
“Not necessarily!” Gu Shenzhi laughed lightly.
Just then, he tapped the table with his fingers, and the pressure of the Heavenly Dao Sacred Infant suddenly exploded outward, directly pressing onto Su Linghuang. Even the Scarlet Lotus Saintess felt a bit suffocated under such immense pressure.
“Nascent Soul stage—and the Heavenly Dao Sacred Infant at that! You… have been in Foundation Establishment less than three months, right? How is this possible?” Su Linghuang exclaimed, shock turning to panic.
“Anything is possible. I’m just lucky,” Gu Shenzhi said flatly, his weary tone making it sound like a trivial matter.
Though he appeared calm and composed, countless doubts swirled in his heart. He felt that breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm was not entirely his own will, but pushed forward by unseen hands behind the scenes.
Whether it was the rapid cultivation improvement, the sacred fruit, or the Heavenly Dao spiritual aura—none of it could escape the shadow of that woman.
What exactly do you want, “Dear” Master?
“There’s no such thing as that much luck! Sacred fruits and Heavenly Dao spiritual aura are once-in-a-century treasures. From the initial Foundation Establishment to completion is an extremely long road. Ordinary cultivators spend at least sixty years. Even for a prodigy like you, three years is the bare minimum!”
The Scarlet Lotus Saintess’s words dragged him back to reality again. The white-robed youth waved his hand and smiled slyly, “Whether you believe it or not, the outcome is already set. There’s no point in getting tangled up. Better think about how to catch up with me.”
“Ugh, you’re so annoying! Hey, you’re not seriously here to show off, are you?” Su Linghuang tugged at her beautiful snow-white hair, annoyed.
“Maybe a little, but mostly I’m here to remind the Scarlet Lotus Saintess not to forget her promise,” Gu Shenzhi said, resting his chin in his hands, looking at the blushing girl before him with a teasing smile.
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