After that, Gu Zuo felt sad again.
With Tianheng’s appearance, strength, aptitude, and position, he had long known that other people would certainly adore his big brother. However, despite knowing this, he still felt depressed when it really happened.
Unfortunately, he also didn’t dare to confess his feelings to Tianheng!
Okay. In actuality, he felt that confessing would be pointless. Think about it — This would be a long-distance relationship, and this was a world of so many straight men. If there was only one of these two points, he would’ve given it a try. But with these two points coming together, how could he still have the courage?
An aching heart could only grieve by itself.
Gu Zuo silently rubbed his face.
When he thought about how another person would show up next to his big brother sooner or later, he became even sadder.
He also understood that even if the Ice Phoenix Goddess hadn’t shown up, who was to say that there wouldn’t be a Red Phoenix Goddess or a Blue Phoenix Goddess in the future?! Most of all, when his big brother was born, he gained a constitution and experienced many things while growing up. This was assuredly the standard allocations for a story’s main lead. Perhaps, it would even be a stallion novel! At that time, if Gu Zuo was given more than one sister-in-law, like a second, third, or fourth… His heart would be crushed.
With such thinking, when Gu Zuo looked at Tianheng again, his eyes unconsciously carried a trace of grief.
Tianheng: “…Ah Zuo, what’s making you unhappy?”
Gu Zuo abruptly snapped out of it, and forced a smile: “N-nothing’s wrong…”
He carelessly allowed his thoughts to run wild!
The person he was secretly in love with would easily scatter his thoughts. Haha.
Fortunately, Tianheng didn’t intend to ask any further questions. He only solemnly warned Gu Zuo: “In the future, Ah Zuo also needs to learn how to distinguish entrapments. For those like the Ice Phoenix Goddess who would offer more than half of the benefits when both parties have equivalent positions, they usually have other plans and can’t be easily trusted. But on the contrary, those like Qi Xuanao who get straight to the point and distribute benefits properly are people who make better friends. Ah Zuo, can you remember this?”
Gu Zuo promptly nodded his head: “I’ll remember, big brother!”
Tianheng softly pinched Gu Zuo’s cheek, and smiled: “In the future, you also can’t let your mind wander around while listening to proper business.”
Gu Zuo’s face was burning hot as he nodded earnestly: “I’ll remember this, too.”
— Afterwards.
Although Tianheng refused the Ice Phoenix Goddess’ invitation and accepted Qi Xuanao’s proposition, because this was a matter of “first come, first served”, the Ice Phoenix Goddess didn’t express her disapproval. Instead, before leaving, she conveyed that there would be opportunities to work together again in the future. Tianheng naturally replied that they would meet again one day, but he still didn’t give a definitive reply to the hint in the Ice Phoenix Goddess’ words.
And when the Ice Phoenix Goddess left, that Fan Meng followed as well. It seemed that he had some kind of an arrangement with this goddess, but it also appeared like he was deliberately chasing after her… However, this wasn’t important. It also wasn’t within the scope of what they had to understand.
Later on, besides Bao Hong who still had some visitors to receive, Tianheng and Qi Xuanao finally reached the agreed-upon time. Two teams of troops charged towards another direction.
This time around, Tianheng only brought along three hundred battle slaves and some Ascendant and Atomic Realm powerhouses. Meanwhile, the other battle slaves escorted the remaining spoils of war, and returned to Ten Ultimates Sect.
The journey would take as long as ten days.
In the small palace hall.
Gu Zuo sat in meditation on the side while watching Gongyi Tianheng and Qi Xuanao who were currently sitting across from one another.
They were in the middle of discussing martial disciplines. During this discussion, they would occasionally practice the moves they talked about — Of course, they didn’t utilize any qi energy, and only performed the moves. However, with just this, it could be seen that the two had benefited from it.
This situation continued for quite a few days.
Initially, these two prodigies were still somewhat estranged. Although both parties’ troops were traveling together, they also kept to their own sides and didn’t acknowledge each other.
After traveling for two days, Gu Zuo had just finished cooking a medicinal cuisine. The strong fragrance enticed the senses. At that time, Tianheng had been looking outside the palace hall, and happened to see Qi Xuanao looking in his direction. Hence, Tianheng courteously invited Qi Xuanao to share a meal. Unexpectedly, Qi Xuanao accepted.
Thus, Qi Xuanao successfully established a presence inside the small palace hall. The relationship between both sides was no longer stiff and indifferent like in the beginning. After that, Qi Xuanao seemed intent on making friends, and Tianheng naturally responded in kind. From this martial arts exchange, the ice began to break, and the atmosphere between the two gradually became somewhat harmonious.
Compared to the Ice Phoenix Goddess, Gu Zuo didn’t regard Qi Xuanao as a love rival.
Besides the fact that Gu Zuo felt that Qi Xuanao was a straight man, this prodigy’s bearing wasn’t the least bit ambiguous — At the very least, Gu Zuo didn’t unabashedly think there was that type of closeness between them!
As a result, from the bottom of his heart, Gu Zuo also felt that his big brother could make such a friend.
However, Gu Zuo didn’t consider this in depth. Tianheng wouldn’t make friends with someone so easily.
Just like this, after a total of ten days, they arrived at the location Qi Xuanao pointed out.
It was a stretch of overgrown forest.
From the small palace hall, Qi Xuanao took the initiative to go out and lead the way. He stood directly in front of the overgrown forest, and pointed towards the interior: “Brother Gongyi, the cave abode this Qi mentioned is over there.”
Tianheng and Gu Zuo jumped down, and looked into the overgrown forest.
Gu Zuo was a bit puzzled.
Where could one see a cave abode in this place? Shouldn’t things like so-called cave abodes exist on mountains? It was truly strange…
Very quickly, Gu Zuo realized that his way of thinking was correct.
One would only see Qi Xuanao walking straight into that overgrown forest. He nicked his finger, and smeared the blood onto a certain small yet tenacious sapling. However, this sapling didn’t undergo any changes. It left people a little confused. However, the very next moment, Qi Xuanao suddenly reached out his hand and made a grabbing motion. A large saber appeared in the hollow of his palm, and he slashed down on the blood-smeared area of that sapling!
In a split second, the sapling was chopped down, and this huge stretch of overgrown forest transformed into a mountain range covered in trees. This mountain range winded and meandered for several hundred kilometers. It was arduous, steep, and secluded.
Gu Zuo stared blankly.
As it turned out, this place had been using some kind of mechanism or illusion?
How unusual!
At this time, Qi Xuanao explained to Tianheng: “This Qi once came to this place while locked in a fierce fight with someone. I accidentally discovered that this tree couldn’t be harmed.” The one he pointed at was that sapling, “This Qi had received some wounds after the fight. By lucky coincidence, blood had splattered onto this tree. The next moment, I don’t know what thoughts were turning through my mind, but I used my blade to chop down the bloodstained area of this tree… After I slashed out, the tree was cut down, revealing this mountain range.”
Afterwards, it was only natural that Qi Xuanao tried many times, and the situation would be the same every time. When he entered the overgrown forest and did nothing, the forest would remain unchanged. However, once he performed today’s actions, the overgrown forest would turn into a mountain range. When he walked out of the mountain range, it would turn back into a forest.
In brief, there seemed to be an ingenious formation that enveloped this place. It was probably set up by the owner of that cave abode. Only special candidates could have the luck to come across it.
Qi Xuanao sighed and said: “The blood of ordinary people is useless, but my blood can be used. As for those who have worser aptitudes and higher realms than me, their blood can also be used, but only if their ages don’t exceed thirty years. When in front of the cave abode, only this Qi has been able to get a reaction. Therefore, I speculate that the owner of this cave abode is extremely proud. It’s basically impossible for commoners to acquire the remaining treasures. This overgrown forest has obstructed numerous talents, and the restrictions of that cave abode stringently tests the potential and aptitude of any explorers… It’s unknown what kind of personage left that cave abode behind.”
Tianheng listened to Qi Xuanao’s speculation, and slightly nodded his head: “Perhaps, the owner of that cave abode is a prodigy, too.”
Gu Zuo also felt that this made sense.
Because the owner was a prodigy, maybe they were only willing to give their things to other prodigies.
Qi Xuanao nodded as well: “Whatever the case may be, we’ll have to climb these mountains first.”
Tianheng had no objections: “Okay.”
After this, the group passed through the forest ahead, and followed Qi Xuanao as they climbed up to the cave abode.
At this time, because the mountain paths were narrow, all of the wild beasts were temporarily set aside. The battle slaves escorting the two prodigies fully utilized their body techniques, and advanced swiftly.
As for Gu Zuo… He was carried on Tianheng’s back.
He only heard the whistling sounds of the surrounding winds as if the entire world had been separated from him. All that remained was him and his big brother in this narrow and relatively still space.
Due to this kind of sensation, he couldn’t help hugging Tianheng’s neck a little tighter. This was just like when they were on the Roads of Heaven’s Chosen — The Roads of Death. They relied on one another, and were practically tied at the hips at all times.
However, when all was said and done, this place wasn’t as dangerous. It didn’t take long for Tianheng’s footsteps to come to a halt. Soon after, Gu Zuo didn’t dare to tarry, and immediately jumped down from Tianheng’s back.
Qi Xuanao stood on the side, and opened his mouth at this moment: “Brother Gongyi treats this adoptive younger brother quite well.”
Tianheng smiled: “Ah Zuo is the person I trust the most. It’s only natural that I treat him this way.”
Qi Xuanao listened to Tianheng admit this, and gave a long glance at Gu Zuo: “Since it’s like this, Pharmacist Gu must have outstanding qualities. In the future, I hope that there’ll be a chance for this Qi to experience it for himself.”
Tianheng also glanced at Gu Zuo, but he only smiled and didn’t say anything else.
Gu Zuo kept silent, and quietly stood behind Tianheng.
In any case, he absolutely didn’t want to make his big brother lose face…
This casual conversation wasn’t important right now. Thus, Qi Xuanao also didn’t intend to linger over how good the relationship was between Tianheng and Gu Zuo. He pointed at the smooth mountainside in front, and immediately said: “This is the location of the cave abode.”
Tianheng and Gu Zuo heard what was said, and looked in the direction he was pointing at.
There was a smooth stone wall that was covered in vines. It was situated between crevices and mountain stones, and there were numerous trees hiding it from view. Qi Xuanao was able to find this place, but it wasn’t known how much physical and mental effort was spent to determine its location.
Qi Xuanao extended a hand to make a grabbing motion. Qi energy burst forth, which tore down the numerous vines.
At this moment, Gu Zuo saw the surface of that mountainside. Among the areas sheltered by the vines, there were two different handprints… Eh, both were right hands?
Clearly, this required two people.
Qi Xuanao said: “These vines were also left behind by that predecessor, and they’ve concealed the palm prints for countless years. I have to remove the vines every time I come here. However, once I leave this place, the vines will return to this state upon my return, no matter how long or short the time of my absence. Therefore, one would be even more convinced. In the beginning, this phenomenon was what helped me recognize it.”
No wonder.
Gu Zuo inwardly nodded his head.
But regardless of how it happened, this was considered a prodigy’s good luck. If it was an ordinary person, even if they came inside, it might’ve still been hard to discover the cave abode. To say nothing of being able to figure out the method of entering the cave abode. However, this wasn’t only based on luck. If Qi Xuanao wasn’t a daring and scrupulous individual, what use was there even for a prodigy?
— No. Perhaps, it couldn’t be put that way.
Maybe, it was precisely because Qi Xuanao and his big brother were people who had multiple strong points and the perseverance to become prodigies. They turned their luck into strength and paid it back, which further increased their good karma… Whatever. If he thought about it too much, his head would explode.
Gu Zuo wiped his face, and silently treated himself as an invisible person.
The two prodigies were decisive.
At this moment, Tianheng opened his mouth: “Brother Qi, do you know how many people can enter the cave abode once it’s opened?”
Gu Zuo blanked.
Right. It was said earlier that two prodigies were needed to open the cave abode, but what about afterwards? It didn’t necessarily mean that only the two who opened it could enter.
It was clear that Qi Xuanao had also thought about this problem. Thus, he didn’t hesitate: “After it’s opened, we’ll test it out before anything else.”
Tianheng smiled: “Alright.”
The two came to a decision, and moved to the left and right. They stood separately in front of the two palm prints on that mountainside.
In the back, Gu Zuo was a bit nervous.
Qi Xuanao also hadn’t gone inside, but there wouldn’t be any issues appearing the moment it was opened, right?
At this time, Qi Xuanao and Tianheng simultaneously stretched out their right hands. They placed their hands onto those palm prints at the same time, and injected a trace of profound qi.
In a split second, the handprints produced glaring, white lights, and the mountainside trembled. Many rock fragments showered down amid the shaking. Meanwhile, a crack appeared between the two palm prints on the mountainside. It constantly tore open in both directions, and formed the shape of a door that was six meters tall and three meters wide.
Tianheng and Qi Xuanao saw that the cave abode had opened, and promptly withdrew.
It was just that it was already too late for them to retreat!
The instant that the door appeared, the very moment that the two pulled their hands away and moved backwards, the doorway ejected two rays of extremely terrifying, pale-white light! These rays of light carried putrid and fearsome qi emissions. It seemed that so long as these rays touched the two people, they would be sliced apart. Their intestines would be run through and their guts would be scrambled!
Gu Zuo couldn’t help crying out in a low voice: “Be careful!”
He was aghast to realize that, even with his Core Psyche Realm’s psychic power, he hadn’t detected any sense of danger when the mountainside split open. It was only the instant that the door formed and the attack burst forth that he perceived the danger!
However, by the time he sensed it, there was basically nothing he could do…
That attack was already drawing near. In a moment, it was going to harm his big brother!
Tianheng instantly slapped out a palm.
An enormous Blood Palm surged out, and directly pressed down onto that pale-white light. Meanwhile, that radiance struck the Blood Palm with incomparable vengeance as if it wanted to smash right through Tianheng’s move — However, the Blood Palm’s might was stronger. It gripped that ray of light almost immediately. The Blood Palm slightly closed its fingers, and the light was crushed until it dissipated.
Not a single hair on Tianheng’s head was displaced.
On the other side, Qi Xuanao had taken his saber out right away. The tip of his saber directly sliced through the white light. One would only hear a few swishing sounds, and that white light was chopped into pieces by that saber. The radiance scattered in all directions, and disappeared without a trace.
Qi Xuanao also wasn’t injured in the least.
The attacks that these two people received were actually dispatched with such ease. Sure enough, they were worthy of the titles of a prodigy!
At this time, Gu Zuo sighed in relief.
Fortunately, the owner of this cave abode wasn’t that vile… Just when that attack appeared, he almost thought that this place specially chose prodigies to kill them.
Luckily, he was overthinking things.
At this moment, the cave abode overflowed with an extremely dense ambient qi. Gu Zuo was farther away than Tianheng and Qi Xuanao, but when these qi streams poured out, he felt that his entire body was being immersed in lukewarm water. From inside out, he felt comfortably warm. Gradually, he felt somewhat hot and drowsy. His inner cultivation method automatically circulated without end, and power instantly poured into his qi ocean. It was like his qi ocean was continuously being developed and filled.
Tianheng said: “Let’s go in.”
While he spoke, he beckoned to Gu Zuo.
Gu Zuo swiftly moved next to Tianheng.
Qi Xuanao also instructed his subordinates: “Follow me.”
Soon, the group walked towards that doorway.
Gongyi Tianheng, Gu Zuo, and Qi Xuanao all went inside. However, when it was an Ascendant Realm battle slave’s turn, he wasn’t able to enter.
This battle slave was one of Qi Xuanao’s men. He waved his hand, and ordered this person to fall back. This battle slave was exchanged for one at the Immortal Realm. Who would’ve thought that this Immortal Realm martial artist also wasn’t able to go in.
How odd.
Tianheng slightly pondered, and instructed his Ascendant, Atomic, and Immortal Realm subordinates to try one after another. Unexpectedly, all of them couldn’t enter.
But if everyone, excluding the two of them who activated the cave abode, couldn’t go inside, then what was going on with Gu Zuo?
Tianheng’s gaze slightly moved.
Perhaps it was due to the contract between both of them. Or maybe it was due to Gu Zuo’s identity… In the presence of another prodigy, he sincerely hoped that the latter was the cause.
Off to the side, Qi Xuanao also thought that Gu Zuo’s identity might’ve been the issue. Hence, he called over his own subordinated pharmacist. This pharmacist’s spiritual path realm was at the Core Psyche Realm, and his profound qi realm was at the Atomic Realm. This person wasn’t able to enter. Qi Xuanao dismissed him, and switched to an Immortal Realm pharmacist. It was just that his spiritual path realm hadn’t reached the Core Psyche Realm, and was still at the Coalescing Psyche Realm.
This time around, the pharmacist was suddenly able to go inside.
Qi Xuanao sighed and said: “This cave abode can only accommodate pharmacists whose profound qi realms are at the Immortal Realm. Moreover, if it’s a martial artist, only the people who opened the cave abode can enter. I wonder — If it wasn’t this Qi who found this place, but a pharmacist, perhaps the entry conditions wouldn’t have been limited to just prodigies?”
His words were rather regretful.
If he had known earlier, Qi Xuanao would’ve used pharmacists to test things out. Only, it was a pity that there was an error in his previous thoughts, and he didn’t anticipate that this cave abode could’ve been related to pharmacists. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have invited Tianheng to come along… The palm prints on that mountainside had misguided him.
Gu Zuo understood what Qi Xuanao meant, and could only sigh along with him.
There was nothing to be done. Granted that they were both prodigies, his big brother was the combination of an all-star prodigy and the Tiandu Body. His luck was assuredly much better than that of a pure prodigy!
He already started to feel that the reason why Qi Xuanao’s brain short-circuited was to pave the way for his big brother… When he thought about it, Qi Xuanao was the unlucky one.
Fortunately, while Qi Xuanao was lamenting on the side, he didn’t have any intentions of becoming hostile here. He himself invited Tianheng, and he naturally had his own pride. He wouldn’t go back on his own word, nor would he allow his inner thoughts to be stained with filth.
Tianheng slightly smiled, but didn’t make any comments about this.
— He was the one who had inadvertently taken advantage of the situation. The more he spoke, the likelier he was to say the wrong things.
Afterwards, Qi Xuanao called upon another pharmacist to enter, too — There was no other way. The pharmacists who could follow beside him for a long time were all golden-level at the very least. Their spiritual path realms were at the Core Psyche Realm, but to ensure proper pill rates, their internal qi realms were all basically at the Atomic Realm. Apart from these pharmacists were their juniors who had potential. As a result, the Immortal Realm pharmacists who could come on this trip numbered only two. And the spiritual path realms of these two pharmacists were only at the Coalescing Psyche Realm.
Of course, Immortal Realm pharmacists whose spiritual path realms could reach the Core Psyche Realm were extraordinarily rare. More often than not, they would be meticulously nurtured in large medicine refining clans. Those who ventured out at a young age to work for others would be a rarer sight. Even for prodigies, not everyone could meet this type of person. After all, pharmacists who possessed such potential would usually prefer to select adherents to protect themselves instead of following someone else. Wasn’t that so?
Consequently, besides heaving a sigh, Qi Xuanao had no other choice but to use quantity to make up for quality… Although, the numbers also weren’t quite sufficient either.
Inside the cave abode, Tianheng spoke to his subordinates: “All of you wait outside. Don’t let other people come inside to disturb us.”
Qi Xuanao also gave similar orders to his own battle slaves. After that, a group of five people cautiously and solemnly moved towards the depths of the cave abode.
Just as they turned away, their receding forms had already disappeared from the battle slaves’ gazes. It was like they suddenly entered another space.
Gu Zuo was clutching at his dear big brother’s robe sleeve. As they walked, each and every step was very stable and secure.
Qi Xuanao and Gongyi Tianheng walked side by side. As for those two young pharmacists who followed on either side, their complexions were somewhat pale, and their walking speed was very slow.
After going inside, the sights of the five had blurred. Then, they immediately set foot upon a road laid with flagstones.
This flagstone road was quiet, and some fresh and green plants were growing on both sides. It was just that the plants and the flagstone road didn’t exist in the same space. One could only look at the plants, but not a whiff of their scents could be smelled.
However, this wasn’t the important point.
What was important was that the group sensed the arrival of surging pressure the moment they stepped onto the flagstone road. It surrounded them from all sides like an ocean of water. The squeezing sensation was crushing.
Gu Zuo subconsciously discharged his psychic power, and it swept across his whole body.
Instantly, most of that pressure was dispersed, and its negative effects became extremely faint. Soon after, he saw that his family’s big brother and Qi Xuanao’s bodies were also releasing qi energy to separate themselves from the pressure. It seemed that they also weren’t affected. But it was different for those two young pharmacists. It appeared that they received the brunt of the suppressive might. In a split second, their foreheads beaded with sweat — Even though they quickly unleashed their psychic powers, they still didn’t feel much better here.
Qi Xuanao slightly furrowed his brows.
Altogether, the flagstone road was three hundred meters long. These two young pharmacists hadn’t crossed more than fifty meters before they started slowing down more and more. He couldn’t waste time waiting here all the while.
Thus, when Qi Xuanao saw that Tianheng and Gu Zuo were walking farther ahead, he simply said: “The fact that you two could enter this place can also be considered your good luck. Only, since this road’s surface is hard to traverse for you, I have no other alternative but to let you guys walk slowly in this place. I’ll move ahead first.”
Those two young pharmacists suddenly discovered that they wouldn’t be of any help at all. How could they dare to refuse? Both of them hurriedly responded: “Once we get through here, we’ll do our best to find treasures for you!”
Qi Xuanao slightly nodded at the two. After that, he chased after Tianheng and Gu Zuo with large steps.
It didn’t take longer than a few breaths for him to catch up.
Gu Zuo was still unhurriedly following Tianheng. His state was totally unlike the sorry figures of those two pharmacists. Even though the pride in Qi Xuanao’s heart hadn’t diminished, his eyes flickered with a hint of admiration and envy.
Tianheng smiled and said: “How about we pick up the pace?”
Qi Xuanao said: “After you!”
Following this, the two prodigies took large strides and swiftly advanced.
Gu Zuo watched them move ahead, and circulated his psychic power. He trailed closely behind them with a fleet-footed scamper.
He never lagged far behind them.
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa!
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