Although Qingzhou, where the Gu Family is located, is remote, it has abundant Cultivation resources and is close to the Yao Beast territory. Many Loose Cultivators come here to risk their lives and get rich. If the news were to leak, high-level Loose Cultivators might truly attempt Possession on Gu Changhuan.
Even if the Human Race didn't target Gu Changhuan, the Yao Race wouldn't allow a Spiritual Body user to grow under their noses.
After all, a Spiritual Body user, no matter how useless the Spiritual Body, can smoothly Cultivate to the Golden Core Stage.
In Qingzhou, there are only two Nascent Soul Ancestors.
Golden Core experts are the main force against the Yao Race. If Gu Changhuan's Spiritual Body also provides benefits in combat, it would be a considerable threat to the Yao Race.
Therefore, from every perspective, the fewer people who know about Gu Changhuan's Spiritual Body, the better. The best long-term strategy is to keep this information strictly confidential.
While Gu Wanchang and Gu Wanhao conversed, Gu Changhuan stood obediently to the side, without any of the usual childish restlessness.
Gu Wanchang nodded to himself. For a Cultivator, Aptitude is important, but temperament and disposition are also key.
It was truly excellent that Gu Changhuan, at such a young age, could be so patient.
"There's still half a year until the next Spiritual Root Testing Ceremony. Cultivators must avoid wasting time.
During this period, why not send Gu Changhuan to the Scripture Pavilion for Twenty-first Uncle to teach him Cultivation?"
The Twenty-first Uncle Gu Wanchang referred to was the most senior and highest Cultivation individual in the Gu Family, named Gu Xuanzhan. He currently possessed a Cultivation of Foundation Establishment Stage Layer Nine and was the Gu Family's stabilizing force.
"That's a good place."
Gu Wanhao nodded. He was the Family's only Medium Grade Tier 2 Alchemist. Besides Cultivating, he spent his days on Alchemy, often going into seclusion for several days, making it highly unlikely for him to personally teach Gu Changhuan.
Gu Changhuan thought to himself, would that Great Grandfather also have a long white beard like his grandfather?
"Then I'll take Gu Changhuan to see Twenty-first Uncle later. I'm sure he won't mind."
Gu Wanhao said.
Gu Wanchang called Gu Changhuan to his side and took out a soul lamp emitting an orange light from his Storage Pouch.
He snapped off a strand of Gu Changhuan's hair and placed it on the soul lamp to light it. The soul lamp's light turned fluorescent blue.
Soul lamps can reflect the state of a Cultivator: if the person is alive, the lamp burns; if the person dies, the lamp extinguishes.
After putting away the soul lamp, Gu Wanchang took out a booklet,
"This is the Azure Cloud Qi Cultivation Technique. Gu Changhuan, keep it safe."
Gu Changhuan held his hands above his head, receiving the Cultivation Technique given by Gu Wanchang.
A phrase suddenly appeared in his mind: An Immortal touched my head, granting me eternal life with a haircut.
After leaving Gu Wanchang, Gu Wanhao took Gu Changhuan to the General Affairs Hall to collect some necessities;
These included a low-grade Storage Pouch, an identity jade token, a Medium Grade Tier 1 Spirit Sword, a bottle of Grain Abstinence Pills, a bottle of Nourishing Qi Pills, and twenty low-grade Spirit Stones.
Gu Changhuan held the items, but he hadn't yet learned how to use a Storage Pouch!
"Grandpa…" Gu Changhuan held a pile of spiritual items and sought help from Gu Wanhao.
Gu Wanhao helped Gu Changhuan put all the items into the Storage Pouch, smiling as he said:
"Huan'er doesn't need to rush. Before long, Huan'er will be able to become a Cultivator just like Grandpa.
Once you become a Cultivator, you'll be able to use a Storage Pouch."
Gu Wanhao looked at Gu Changhuan. This was the key to the Gu Family's future prosperity.
With Gu Changhuan, it was only a matter of time before the Gu Family regained the glory of the Old Ancestor's era.
"Grandpa will take Huan'er to see our Gu Family's Old Ancestor. The Old Ancestor is one generation higher than Grandpa; he is Huan'er's Great Grandfather.
He is the person with the highest Cultivation in our Gu Family. Huan'er, when you see Great Grandfather later, you must bow properly. Do you understand, Huan'er?"
Gu Wanhao instructed. Gu Xuanzhan was advanced in years and very fond of humble and polite descendants.
However, Gu Changhuan wasn't a mischievous child; he was just a bit whimsical sometimes.
"Huan'er understands. Huan'er will bow properly to Great Grandfather."
It was already dark, but all the roadsides on Bifeng Mountain were illuminated by luminous pearls, and there were also glowing trees, allowing Gu Changhuan, who had not yet Cultivated, to see the way clearly and avoid tripping.
The two arrived outside Gu Xuanzhan's Immortal Cave. Although Gu Xuanzhan's Immortal Cave also had abundant Spiritual Qi, it was not as abundant as the Clan Chief's Immortal Cave, which was one of the most Spiritual Qi-rich places on the entire Bifeng Mountain.
This did not mean that Gu Xuanzhan's status was lower than Gu Wanchang's; on the contrary, Gu Xuanzhan, at Foundation Establishment Stage Layer Nine, was the Gu Family's stabilizing force. It was just that Gu Xuanzhan's current Cultivation could no longer advance further solely by relying on Spiritual Qi.
Before Gu Wanhao could announce their presence, the Formation of the Immortal Cave opened.
"Twelfth brat is here. Come in and speak if you have something to say."
Gu Wanhao was ranked twelfth in the Gu Family, so the "twelfth brat" Gu Xuanzhan referred to was naturally Gu Wanhao.
Gu Wanhao stroked his beard to hide his embarrassment. He was over a hundred years old, yet Twenty-first Uncle still called him "twelfth brat," and his grandson was right there!
Gu Changhuan stood behind Gu Wanhao, his head bowed and silent, but with a smile in his eyes.
Gu Xuanzhan was dressed like a scholar, looking like a middle-aged man from the mortal world, with the demeanor of a mortal teacher, but he possessed an Aura that transcended the mundane.
"Greetings, Twenty-first Uncle."
Gu Wanhao dared not be careless and bowed to Gu Xuanzhan. Despite Gu Xuanzhan's scholarly appearance, he was the strongest Foundation Establishment Stage expert in the Nine Serenity Mountain Range.
This Old Ancestor, when he had just entered the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, had once single-handedly slain a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Yao Beast and two Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Yao Beasts, becoming famous in one battle.
Although he was also in the Foundation Establishment Stage, in terms of combat power, he was far inferior to this Clan Uncle of his.
"Gu Changhuan greets Great Grandfather."
Gu Changhuan bowed to the middle-aged scholar, his expression respectful and his gaze unwavering.
Gu Xuanzhan raised a hand, and Gu Changhuan felt an irresistible force supporting him. He was secretly startled, but his expression remained unchanged, and his demeanor became even more respectful.
"No need for formalities. Is this child your junior?
Good, not arrogant or impatient, and acts with courtesy. He is a good child."
Gu Xuanzhan praised. It was rare for such a young child not to be afraid when facing his Aura. Or rather, it wasn't that he wasn't afraid, but that he could control his emotions and not let them show.
He truly was a promising talent!
"Thank you for the praise, Great Grandfather. Gu Changhuan is unworthy."
Gu Changhuan breathed a sigh of relief.
"Twenty-first Uncle is too kind, but this child is indeed good.
I came today hoping that Twenty-first Uncle could teach Gu Changhuan until the next Spiritual Root Testing Ceremony. I wonder if Twenty-first Uncle has the leisure?"
Gu Wanhao asked with a smile.
The Spiritual Root Testing Ceremony Gu Wanhao mentioned was a triennial event held by the Gu Family in various mortal towns, where all age-appropriate children underwent Spiritual Root testing, hence the name Spiritual Root Testing Ceremony. There was still nearly half a year until the next one.
Gu Xuanzhan had not managed Family affairs for a long time, so he naturally didn't know when the next Spiritual Root Testing Ceremony would be held. However, he didn't mind such a small matter as guiding a Family junior;
He spent his days guarding the Family's Scripture Pavilion and was quite leisurely.
Moreover, this child didn't seem like the mischievous type, and he had taught juniors before, so it wasn't difficult for him.
For Gu Changhuan, embarking on the path of Cultivation under Gu Xuanzhan's guidance was also a good thing.
After all, with a good Master, a disciple can avoid many detours.
"This is fine. Tomorrow, have someone send Gu Changhuan to the Scripture Pavilion, and then have someone pick him up at noon."
"Thank you, Great Grandfather." Gu Changhuan's eyes narrowed into slits from smiling. He wasn't foolish; he naturally understood the benefits of having a powerful Master.
Gu Xuanzhan looked at the happily smiling Gu Changhuan and found him quite pleasing. He took out a green cicada jade pendant from his Storage Pouch.
"This is a meeting gift from me, your Great Grandfather, to Gu Changhuan. Gu Changhuan, keep it safe. It can help you block a full-power strike from a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator."
Gu Changhuan looked at Gu Wanhao.
Gu Wanhao feigned resistance, but even his beard couldn't hide his smile; it trembled slightly.
Such a good item, even he, a Medium Grade Tier 2 Alchemist, couldn't produce.
"Gu Changhuan, you cannot accept this!
Twenty-first Uncle, this is too valuable. Gu Changhuan is still young and doesn't need such an item yet."
