Entering the cultivation room, he immediately sensed how different it was from the outside world.
The concentration of star force inside the room was about 1.5 times that of the outside. Whether absorbing materials or cultivating, the results would be much better in here.
Once inside, he removed his outer clothing, baring his upper body.
He found a comfortable spot to sit, took out the Purple Blood Fruit, and swallowed it in a few bites.
As soon as the fruit entered his stomach, a warm current surged through his body. Without hesitation, Gu Zhen began absorbing its medicinal power.
Gradually, his skin turned red, and white steam began rising from his body. Despite this, he felt warm and comfortable.
Time passed slowly, and six hours later, his skin gradually returned to its normal flesh tone, his body fully restored.
He opened his eyes slowly, exhaling a long breath of turbid air. As he stretched, a series of satisfying cracks echoed from his bones.
Clenching his fist, he felt his strength had increased significantly, and his physical durability surpassed what it had been before.
As expected, his physical realm had likely reached Realm 1, Intermediate.
With this improvement, he would no longer suffer injuries just from using Iron Fist once. His arms wouldn't become paralyzed afterward either.
However, if he combined Star Gathering skill with Iron Fist to channel star power for a full-force strike, he'd still sustain injuries that would prevent movement.
After absorbing the Purple Blood Fruit, he didn't rush to leave. Instead, he continued cultivating, staying until the full 24 hours were up before leaving.
The Yunfan Chamber of Commerce was wealthy—no one would mind a customer using the full time they have paid for.
As Gu Zhen left the Chamber, Gu Feng and his two lackeys, who had been waiting outside for some time, suddenly jumped out, blocking his path.
"Come back with us quietly, or don't blame me for getting rough," Gy Feng said, arms crossed, his expression haughty and voice cold. His two followers mirrored his arrogance, smirking at Gu Zhen.
'so childish,' Gu Zhen sighed, preparing to walk around them. He had no interest in wasting time with these idiots.
He'd rather spend the time cultivating or practicing star techniques.
"Gu Yi, the rumors are true. You really are a coward. Showed up for one weekly competition and ran off the next week—so you must've cheated."
Seeing that Gu Zhen still refused to engage, Gu Feng taunted him, hoping to goad him into a fight and bring him back by force after defeating him.
"Yeah, Gu Yi, you orphan. No wonder you got kicked out of the Gu family."
"The Gu family doesn't need trash like you. Get lost already!"
The lackeys chimed in, their voices full of venom.
But they underestimated Gu Zhen mindset. He didn't care about reputation.
Words like these had no effect on him.
Even as he heard their insults, he continued walking as if they were nonexistent.
Seeing the provocation fail, Gu Feng expression darkened, his eyes glinting coldly as he glared at Gu Zhen retreating figure.
"Let's go," he said after a moment, a cold smirk crossing his face as he turned and left.
He'd done his part—whatever happened next was no longer his concern.
Gu Zhen didn't bother thinking too much about this minor annoyance. To be cautious, he avoided the side alleys and opted to take the main road back to the academy.
He boarded a public bus and sat by the window, watching the scenery fly by.
With the star skill sold and resources converted into strength, his next step was to steadily improve, aiming to reach Realm 1, sub-Level 7 as soon as possible.
A year from now, the entrance exams for the Advanced Star Martial Academies would begin. Real 1, sub-Level 7 was the minimum requirement—Anything less, and no advanced academy would accept him.
Of course, there were special cases. Some academies conducted early recruitment at the end of the first academic year, regardless of how far students had progressed.
Though Initial star martial academies had a two-year curriculum, students could be admitted to advanced academies as soon as they met the criteria, without needing to complete the full term.
Talents like Gu Lingling had long been reserved by the prestigious Three Great Academies—the first year was just a formality.
Naturally, Gu Zhen had no desire to stay here any longer than necessary.
He wanted out as soon as possible.
After all, the resources at an Advanced Star Martial Academy far surpassed those available here.
As Gu Zhen pondered, a scruffy man in a black trench coat suddenly patted his shoulder and sat beside him.
Gu Zhen was puzzled.
The next moment, his mind grew hazy, and he slumped against the seat in front of him.
'What skill is this?
Spirit-type again!'
"Sigh... why do I have to personally handle brats like you? Such a hassle."
The middle-aged man—Gu Liqing—leaned back casually, crossing his legs with a sigh.
Hearing Gu Liqing words, Gu Zhen began analyzing his origins and motives.
'The Gu family—what's their goal?'
"You had your chance. If you'd just obediently returned to the clan for punishment, none of this would've been necessary. But no—you had to be difficult"
He was a member of the Gu family, and carrying out their orders was his duty. Whether Gu Zhen was guilty or not didn't matter—what mattered was that the family wanted him back.
"Alright, come with me quietly back to the Gu family to face your punishment."
At that moment, the bus reached a stop. Gu Liqing stood, preparing to leave the bus.
Beside him, Gu Zhen stood stiffly, his expression blank and eyes vacant, following Gu Liqing like a puppet.
The bus was mostly empty, and the few passengers aboard were all occupied with their own affairs. No one paid him any attention.
The two soon got off.
Gu Liqing pulled out his phone, making a call as he walked.
[Hello, this is Gu Liqing]
[I'm at a bus stop near the academy—pretty remote spot]
[Yeah, yeah, hurry up and send a car over]
[Okay, that's all. Just get here quickly]
Beside him, Gu Zhen stood there blankly, his eyes dull and lifeless like a wooden doll.
Inside, Gu Zhen inside his consciousness was struggling fiercely.
He could still see and think clearly—but he couldn't move his body.
His resistance superpower triggered automatically, boosting his mental resistance.
But even after reaching the peak of his resistance, he still couldn't break free of Gu Liqing control.
This bus stop was far from the main road and rarely saw few people. That's exactly why Gu Liqing had chosen to get off here.
Stop resisting. My mental realm is at Intermediate Stage, sub-level 2. You're just a rookie who's barely awakened—there's no way you can break my control.
Gu Liqing had clearly noticed Gu Zhen internal struggle and offered some unsolicited advice, a smirk playing on his lips.