In the night alley, hurried footsteps echoed, a dark figure flashed by, and the rats on the ground hadn't even realized they had turned into pancakes.
Gu Wen was running at full speed, the true qi in his body surging without any restraint, pressing on the potential of his flesh time and time again.
Although his speed had not reached an inhuman level, he could still maintain it with some strength to spare.
Maintaining high-speed movement without revealing any signs of decline was the key.
Foundation of Jade Clear Dao, First Layer: Endless Vitality.
'Who exactly is it? Friend or foe?'
As Gu Wen ran along the escape route he had rehearsed countless times before, he pondered while still having some spare energy.
He had sensed the mysterious person entering the courtyard the moment it happened.
After all, in the entire Bianjing, Gu Wen had only encountered people with spiritual fluctuations.
Even Zhao Feng had a unique aura, but there were no traces of cultivation on his body.
In Gu Wen's eyes, someone with cultivation was no different from a light bulb.
He wasn't sure if the other party was a friend or a foe.
But coming alone in the dead of night, the possibility of malice was greater.
Suddenly, a pure white figure appeared in Gu Wen's mind.
'Could it be her?'
Yu Hua Immortal, currently the most likely person with cultivation.
Gu Wen couldn't discern her cultivation level, which could only mean she was above him.
With this thought, although Gu Wen didn't stop running, the urgency in his heart lessened slightly.
It might sound ridiculous at this point.
He had been mingling in this cannibalistic dynasty for years, accustomed to seeing people in a negative light.
But Gu Wen still believed that the celestial maiden who came from the sky was a good person.
Perhaps she gave him the technique, or perhaps being from the heavens, she didn't have to abide by mortal rules.
'I'm already a villain, yet I hope for a good person to help me.
How absurd.'
Buzz!
A crisp sound of dripping water suddenly sounded in his ears, layers of dark clouds were dispersed, and pure silver light fell into the muddy alley of the world.
Gu Wen stood still in place, his right foot lifted only a fist's distance from the ground.
He stopped in a posture that a normal person would find hard to maintain.
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
He couldn't move, but it was as if the whole world had stopped.
"Why run away?"
A soft voice came from above.
Gu Wen looked up, the bright moon in the sky was like a huge silver plate, a fairy descended gracefully, the gentle breeze lifting her veil, revealing a glimpse of her true appearance.
It was just a fleeting glance.
Gu Wen only saw a pair of eyes as serene as the night, as bright as the moon, with three flowers gathered at the brow, resembling an exiled immortal.
Truly beautiful, not of this world.
Then the veil fell, Yu Hua stood five steps away from Gu Wen, taking two light steps closer.
"Can I devour you?"
The moonlight shrouded the alley at night, the moon tonight was unusually large and round for some unknown reason.
Yu Hua looked at Gu Wen in front of her.
Although there were no words or actions, for some reason, this descendant of the Gu family, who was supposed to be humble and submissive, underwent a tremendous change, like a quiet pond, cold and undisturbed.
Perhaps this was his true face as a servant under the Gu family.
Gu Wen bowed and said, "Greetings, Immortal Yu Hua."
"Greetings?" Yu Hua's lips curled up, "You didn't seem so respectful when you were running away."
Gu Wen still bowed his head and explained, "I have been in business for many years, faced numerous assassination attempts. If I'm not cautious, I might have turned into bones long ago."
This was the truth.
He didn't know who the visitor was, but it was always wise to run first.
At least to call back the royal guards and place himself in a secure position, rather than meeting a practitioner of unknown intentions in the dark of night.
If the visitor was Yu Hua, it was somewhat intriguing.
He changed the subject and asked, "May I know the reason for Immortal's visit to this humble abode at night?"
"I have come to impart a simpler method of cultivating qi. Perhaps in a few decades, you can use it to cultivate and live for hundreds of years. Even if your cultivation stagnates, you can still extend your life by decades."
Yu Hua extended her hand towards Gu Wen for the second time, speaking calmly and lightly, "Hold my hand, just for a moment."
Gu Wen could confirm at this moment that Yu Hua must have noticed something, this was a test for him.
He had prepared for his cultivation to be discovered.
It was inevitable, especially since the technique itself was given by Yu Hua.
He just didn't expect this day to come so soon, nor did he expect her attention to exceed his expectations.
Perhaps in her eyes, I am not a servant.
From the moment she gave me the technique, this disguise was shattered.
He shook his head, "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm afraid I don't need a simpler method of cultivation."
"Oh, so you have mastered the Jade Clear Heart Technique?" Yu Hua's eyes narrowed slightly, showing a hint of anticipation.
Gu Wen nodded frankly, "I have only learned the basics."
Unable to hide, he had to show some talent to make the other party see his value.
There was never unfounded favor, and the benefits brought by his surname were probably exhausted by now.
But he had no room for failure, he had to be cautious.
And in the eyes of Yu Hua, Gu Wen's thoughts were like a wary cat in the shadows, alert and guarded against everything approaching him.
Yu Hua nodded, "Consider carefully and come find me. I will have someone escort you out of Da Gan in four days."
She could understand these matters.
It was indeed necessary to keep the Zhao family in the dark.
However, Gu Wen's guarded thoughts were somewhat annoying, especially after he had cultivated the Jade Clear Foundation.
As she was about to leave, Gu Wen pretended to detain her, but Yu Hua interrupted with a light laugh, "If you truly wanted to entertain me, you wouldn't be so guarded. Cultivation is like rowing against the current, it's impossible to be perfect in everything."
Gu Wen, who had been interrupted twice, was not embarrassed.
His gaze became even calmer, and he said quietly to Yu Hua, "Being born in humble circumstances is not a disgrace. Adaptability is a virtue. I come from a humble background, and calling myself 'small' is a necessity for my livelihood."
Yu Hua's jealousy seemed to vanish in that instant.
The phrase 'Being born in humble circumstances is not a disgrace, adaptability is a virtue' had struck a chord with her, causing a pang in her heart.
She slightly lowered her bamboo hat and said, "I misspoke."
Driven by a sense of shame, she hurriedly turned to leave.
After taking a few steps, a faint breeze suddenly blew behind her.
The subtle spiritual energy was stirred, like the clear sound of water droplets in a jade lake.
She turned back abruptly, her eyes filled with disbelief.
The mental barrier she couldn't cross had cracked open at this moment, and the person hiding behind the barrier reached out to her through the crack.
Not an initiation, but... building the first level of the Dao!
Gu Wen reached out his hand, a strand of auspicious light and feathered Dao rhyme appeared, revealing part of his cultivation.
Foundation of Jade Clear Dao, First Layer.
She was right, perfection was impossible.
If everything was perfect, then he should be Zhao Feng, not Gu Wen.
He was like a vine spreading in the gutter, used to hiding in the shadows.
But to grow strong, he had to eventually face the sun.
"Immortal Yu Hua, how would the first level of the Jade Clear Heart Technique's Dao Building rank in the world after four days?"
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