Translator: Anubis Translations
Qu Yanran, who had been walking away, stumbled upon hearing Gu Feng's voice and accelerated her departure without looking back, heading straight for the city gate.
Gu Feng, holding a heavy storage pouch, grinned carefreely, his eyes sparkling, reflecting the glimmer of spirit stones.
His nonchalant demeanor made Elder Liu, standing nearby, twitch at the corner of his mouth and furrow his brows. Seeing Gu Feng still engrossed in counting the spirit stones, Elder Liu couldn't help but speak up.
"You brat, you really value money over your life! With such a large sum of spirit stones, aren't you afraid of choking on them?" Though he said this, his eyes shone with appreciation.
"No worries, Qu Yanran is from a reputable sect. Why would she assassinate me?" Gu Feng smiled, revealing a row of white teeth, completely unconcerned.
At this, everyone, including Elder Liu, couldn't help but roll their eyes.
This was pure naive thinking, utterly lacking in worldly experience. Qu Yanran might not cause trouble due to her pride, but that didn't mean others wouldn't. After all, beauties are often surrounded by sycophants and opportunists, eager to make an impression.
Take the young cultivator who came with Qu Yanran, for example. His fierce gaze as he left made one wonder if he would ambush Gu Feng in the outskirts of Cloud Dwelling City, waiting for the right moment to strike.
After all, everyone in Cloud Dwelling City knew Gu Feng was bound to leave.
"What are your plans for the future?" Elder Liu, not believing Gu Feng to be so foolish, changed the subject without further warning.
"Leave Cloud Dwelling City, find a place to live, start a business, and live out my days in obscurity."
Elder Liu glared at him. This kid was joking again. Someone who had the audacity to swindle millions of spirit stones from an inner disciple of the Sunset Glow Sect couldn't possibly be content with a mundane life.
"Haha, just kidding. Any advice, Elder Liu?"
As he spoke, Gu Feng separated a portion of the spirit stones and openly bribed Elder Liu in front of everyone.
"You brat, do you think I'm a beggar? Keep your spirit stones!" Elder Liu refused with a bitter smile, then changed his tone, his expression turning serious.
"How about coming with me to the Sunset Glow Sect as an outer disciple?"
"Sure, but does my cultivation meet the standards for an outer disciple of the Sunset Glow Sect?"
If it were just a regular outer disciple, Gu Feng wouldn't be interested. After all, his predecessor was an inner sect genius. Joining the Sunset Glow Sect would be like walking into a trap, at the mercy of others.
But now, things were different.
Elder Liu's personal invitation meant he would be taken care of. Qu Yanran, a mere inner disciple, wouldn't have the authority to command an outer sect elder.
Having such a powerful backer was undoubtedly a significant advantage compared to struggling on his own.
"Whether you can enter the outer sect is entirely up to me," Elder Liu said proudly. With 100,000 outer disciples in the Sunset Glow Sect, arranging for one or two to join wouldn't be questioned by the sect. Many elders did the same.
Gu Feng was clever and knew how to handle things. Elder Liu needed someone like him by his side, hence the invitation.
"Although you're only at the first level of the Body Tempering Realm, I sense a strong vitality in you. May I examine you to see if you have any special constitution or bloodline?"
"Then I'll trouble Elder Liu."
Gu Feng also found his cultivation progress strange. His parents were quite talented, at least among the top in Cloud Dwelling City. With such lineage, he shouldn't be so weak!
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Elder Liu sent a wisp of energy into Gu Feng's body with two fingers.
Gradually, his expression turned serious, his brows furrowed, and his eyes filled with shock.
After a while, he withdrew the energy and sighed, shaking his head.
"Elder Liu, don't sigh like that. I can face reality. Is my talent really that bad?"
With the three incense burners in his mind, Gu Feng believed that regardless of his talent, it wouldn't hinder his future rise. Thus, he remained relaxed, without a trace of nervousness or anxiety.
"If I'm not mistaken, your constitution is the utterly shit!"
"What does that mean?"
"It's shit!"
Now it was Gu Feng's turn to roll his eyes. Elder Liu was being flippant, joking about his misfortune.
"Let's go. I'll explain more when we get to the Sunset Glow Sect."
At this, the people of Cloud Dwelling City were filled with envy. A first-level Body Tempering Realm nobody had not only swindled four million spirit stones from inner disciple Qu Yanran but also gained the favor of Elder Liu, directly being admitted as an outer disciple.
In previous years, only about 200 people from the relatively weak Cloud Dwelling City managed to enter the Sunset Glow Sect, and all as outer disciples.
Gu Feng's actions had catapulted him to success, turning the tide in his favor. Even if the Gu family wanted to harm him, they would have to consider the powerful Elder Liu backing him.
The Gu family members wore gloomy expressions. Leaving roots unsevered would allow weeds to grow back. Although Gu Feng's talent was garbage, the world was full of miracles. Who knew if he might rise one day and return to Cloud Dwelling City?
If they had known, they should have killed him earlier to avoid future worries.
Just as everyone thought Gu Feng would leave Cloud Dwelling City with Elder Liu, Gu Feng shook his head and refused.
"Elder Liu, I'll settle matters with the Gu family first, then head to the Sunset Glow Sect."
"Huh?"
Facing Elder Liu's puzzled gaze, Gu Feng explained, "After all, I'm still the nominal young master of the Gu family. There are necessary procedures to handle.
I'm afraid that when I become successful in the future, they'll come crawling to curry favor!"
Pfft—
Elder Liu almost spat out blood upon hearing this.
This kid really thought highly of himself. With such garbage talent, it would be a miracle if he achieved anything in martial arts. Yet, he feared the Gu family, these ants, would come to ingratiate themselves.
Please, without a miracle, your cultivation would probably never catch up to the current head of the Gu family.
"You don't value your life?"
"To me, apart from spirit stones, life is the most precious. My parents were heroes of the Gu family, having shed blood for it. They won't harm me!" Gu Feng said with a smile.
Elder Liu's eyes burned as he stared at the young man before him. In his pupils, he saw confidence, a sense of security that was particularly reassuring.
"Here's the outer sect token. Come find me directly when you arrive at the Sunset Glow Sect!"
"Thank you, Elder Liu!"
Watching Elder Liu's retreating figure, the crowd looked at Gu Feng as if he were a fool.
This kid must have something wrong with his brain. The Gu family might not harm you out of fear for Elder Liu, but your four hundred thousand spirit stones might not be so easy to take away.
Someone who seemed so shrewd, how could he be so foolish at this critical moment?
Amidst the sighs of the crowd and the laughter of the Gu family elders, Gu Feng followed the Gu family entourage away from the arena.
Along the way, Gu Feng kept his head down, a strange curve on his lips.
The Gu family had bullied him for so long. How could he leave without giving them a taste of their own medicine? Only then would his heart be at peace.
(End of the Chapter)
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