Do I even need to consider?
Nearby, the old donkey lifted its head, sending out a faint mental prompt to Yu Hua.
"Little ancestor, don't scare him away. Do you know our current situation? Although Yunmiao Sect is holding off the outsiders, there's no wall in the world that can block all information. Those old monsters always have ways to sneak in."
Dozens, even hundreds of old monsters, is not an exaggeration.
The cultivation world spans millions of miles, and a true cultivator might take ten years of flying to cross it.
Their caves are as numerous as the stars.
Who knows if a secluded valley hides a peerless expert, or if there are hidden paradises like the Peach Blossom Spring?
Moreover, human cultivators have long lifespans.
A prodigy with a seven-layered Dao foundation has a high chance of becoming a true cultivator, which might only take a thousand years.
And true cultivators live for three thousand years, with each of the three layers of the fourth realm extending life by another thousand years.
Though they may not compare to many innate divine beasts' bloodlines, human cultivation is fast and has a complete inheritance system.
If a sect operates smoothly, it can guarantee the regular emergence of true cultivators.
If the system fails, it will be eliminated.
Similarly, most people don't live to old age, often dying from battles, failed breakthroughs, or hidden injuries.
Once, there was a true cultivator named Wuyuan, extremely adept at avoiding harm.
To avoid karma, he neither accepted disciples nor formed relationships, possessing not even a single spirit stone or treasure.
He lived to be five thousand years old, with over a hundred true cultivators attending his death, not out of friendship, but just to witness a true cultivator dying of old age.
Survival of the fittest.
Even mortals rarely live to their full lifespan, let alone cultivators burdened with karma.
Dying of old age becomes a rarity.
Gu Wen gave the impression of someone like Wuyuan, adept at evading danger.
The old donkey feared scaring him away, especially since he was an unparalleled prodigy with the Five Elements Aspect.
Such a prodigy was more valuable than the second-generation disciples of Sanqing Dao.
The old donkey couldn't imagine the bright future if it swapped places with Yu Hua.
It would be like nurturing the future leader of the sect.
Seeing Yu Hua's serious expression, Gu Wen asked, "Besides protecting you, what else does a protector need to do?"
He had known about the protector's role from the beginning, and Yu Hua had mentioned it more than once.
Normally, one becomes a protector first, then benefits from the immortal sect's resources.
Now, even though the sequence was reversed, Gu Wen wouldn't go back on his word.
The techniques, the knowledge, the gratitude for saving his life—all these debts couldn't be ignored.
He couldn't just walk away, and Yu Hua's strength suggested she didn't need much help, at least not as a babysitter.
Meeting a true cultivator might even require him to protect her, making the protector role more symbolic than functional.
Ignoring the old donkey's exaggerated expressions, Yu Hua said directly, "I'm already being targeted by all the sects. In the future, they will definitely hunt me down. Every cultivator you saw in Bianjing, even those you haven't seen, could be our enemies."
She knew Gu Wen's cautious nature but also understood his character better than the old donkey.
Moreover, the more dangerous the situation, the more important trust becomes.
Gu Wen asked, "Can I know the reason?"
There can't be unprovoked hostility.
It's hard to make everyone your enemy without a significant cause.
"The world is bustling for profit, and all the hustle is for benefits. Why would someone target you without a reason?"
Yu Hua shook her head. "If you agree, I'll tell you everything. But if you don't want to get involved, knowing might entangle you in karma. I fear dragging you into this."
Gu Wen pondered for a moment.
Although curious, he understood the implications.
Being associated with Yu Hua might bring unforeseen troubles, but the bond between them was already strong.
He nodded slowly, "Alright, I agree. Tell me everything."
Yu Hua looked at him seriously and began to explain. "The reason why all the sects are targeting me is because I possess the secret to the 'Heavenly Pillar.' This secret, once revealed, could disrupt the balance of power in the cultivation world."
Gu Wen's eyes widened. "The 'Heavenly Pillar'? Isn't that a legend?"
"It's real," Yu Hua continued. "And its power is beyond imagination. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could spell disaster for the entire world. That's why I must protect it at all costs."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Gu Wen felt a newfound respect for Yu Hua's determination. "I see. Then I'll stand by your side, no matter what."
Yu Hua smiled, relieved. "Thank you, Gu Wen. With you by my side, I feel we have a better chance."
The old donkey, witnessing this exchange, sighed in relief. "Finally, a protector."
With their resolve strengthened, Gu Wen and Yu Hua prepared for the challenges ahead, knowing that their journey would be fraught with peril, but they were ready to face it together.
The old donkey, watching, was agitated, stomping its feet in frustration.
This conversation was unraveling all the karmic ties.
There is a saying that only the person who tied the knot can untie it, and all of Gu Wen's karma was tied to Yu Hua.
If she let him go, he would truly be free.
However, to its surprise, Gu Wen did not refuse.
Instead, he smiled and said, "Do you even know my current status, Daoist friend? I killed the Crown Prince in broad daylight, and the court has placed a bounty of ten thousand taels on my head. I've heard that all the imperial troops of Great Qian have been authorized to kill me on sight. The Dog Emperor isn’t even afraid of causing a rebellion, handing over military power just to kill me."
Gu Wen had learned this in the nearby county town.
Ten thousand taels were enough to mobilize local troops for a siege, and those soldiers hadn't been paid in years.
The decree from the Daoist Emperor was unprecedented, practically handing the knife to rebels.
Granting the troops autonomy accelerated the process towards chaos, but it seemed unavoidable.
Great Qian had reached such a state; in history, various dynasties also delegated military power in their final years.
Those in power knew the consequences, that once military power was delegated, it was hard to regain.
But if they didn't delegate, they would die even sooner.
"Wherever I go, the imperial troops will follow. I'm more worried about implicating you in your quest for immortality."
The old donkey inhaled sharply, unable to keep its composure.
You brat, are you flirting with our sect’s celestial maiden?
No, these two kids aren't treating me like a third wheel, are they? You’re worried about implicating her, and she’s worried about implicating you?
Neither Gu Wen nor Yu Hua paid attention to the old donkey’s reaction.
The firelight illuminated their faces as they exchanged a smile, speaking volumes without words.
"You are against the Great Qian, and I am against the sects. It seems we cancel each other out; neither of us is dragging the other down," Yu Hua extended her hand and said, "Hold my hand, and you will be my protector."
"Aren't we supposed to refine the jade pendant first?"
Gu Wen reached out and took her hand without hesitation or awkwardness.
It wasn't the first time.
He always grasped lightly, while she reciprocated firmly, her hand smaller but surprisingly assertive.
"The jade pendant is just an object. With or without it, you are my protector. It’s not because of your surname but because it's you," Yu Hua tilted her head slightly and smiled, her voice gentle yet proud.
"I am already the top of the celestial ranking; my protector must be the best in the world, the first among all."
Gu Wen was momentarily stunned.
Then a faint, cold sensation entered his qi sea, and a soft light spread, carrying countless thoughts and information.
In an instant, he understood Yu Hua's quest for immortality and why all the sects would be her enemies.
She sought the greatest opportunity for immortality, the elixir of life—a treasure that could resurrect the dead and extend life for thousands of years.
Yu Hua intended to use it to revive an immortal, Qingcang Daoist, the ancestor of the Yuqing Sect.
This was why the sects would hunt her down.
She also disclosed the karma involving the Gu and Zhao families to Gu Wen.
He felt indifferent towards the family he had never met; moreover, his original body came from a distant branch of the Gu family, a middle-class farmer with just over ten acres.
Life was sustainable but far from affluent.
However, one piece of information caught Gu Wen's attention: the Sanqing Dao Sect had agreed to provide the Daoist Emperor with the elixir of life’s root.
Now that the protector was in his hands, didn't that mean he could also get it?
Life-extending items were always top-tier treasures.
Gu Wen was now half a step away from "blind cultivation." He knew that any elixir capable of extending life would significantly increase in grade, let alone one that could resurrect the dead.
Even just the root of the elixir might be worth thousands of tian sui, and Gu Wen needed the elixir to gather the ten thousand years of tian sui.
Yu Hua's quest was crucial.
She had the perfect cultivation base, enough to use techniques to sense the world’s energies, essentially a super radar.
However, using it excessively would shorten her lifespan, hence the need for protectors and guardians.
Normally, these two roles would accompany Yu Hua on her journey, but unexpectedly, Yu Hua could harness the power of Qingcang.
Currently, there was no clear location for the elixir of life, but it was certain that the elixir, seeking perfection, was looking for the extremes of the five elements.
The places could be deduced.
Bianjing was the extreme of water, Tianquan Mountain the extreme of metal, and Linchuan the extreme of wood.
Each of these places was rich in treasures.
Gu Wen suddenly realized that his path coincided perfectly with Yu Hua’s, or rather, it was the best choice for his own path to immortality.
She needed to find the elixir of life, and where it stayed, countless treasures would be nurtured.
Gu Wen was invincible at the same level but no match for a true name.
Yu Hua could kill true names as easily as slaughtering dogs, though it would hurt her foundation and couldn’t be done lightly.
He was hunted by the dynasty, and she by the sects.
From a purely pragmatic perspective, they were a perfect match!
"This is the whole story," Yu Hua's voice pulled him back to reality.
Gu Wen returned to his senses and opened his eyes, saying, "You are not the source of the problem. Your ancestor's enmity isn't either. Most people are after the elixir of life."
Extending life for ten thousand years and resurrecting the dead was an irresistible temptation.
Even without his connection to Yu Hua, Gu Wen would be driven to seize the elixir.
"Perhaps, but it's all the same," Yu Hua said indifferently, continuing, "As my protector, you will also get a share of the elixir. Let me introduce you to the Sanqing protector, a true dragon, Ao Tang." She pointed to the donkey.
Ao Tang grinned, his face lewd, and said, "Just call me Tang."
"Greetings, Senior Ao," Gu Wen said, cupping his hands.
He knew how to be respectful.
One word of respect made the old donkey very comfortable.
It hadn’t felt this respected in a long time.
From its belly fur, it pulled out a pill and gave it to Gu Wen, saying, "This is a small gift from me to help you cultivate."
Gu Wen swallowed it directly, gaining five years of tian sui.
Tian Sui: 26 years
"Senior, this pill is truly excellent. I've never had such a good pill in my life."
"Hahaha, my pills are naturally excellent, all made from top-grade ingredients."
"Senior, you can refine pills?"
Gu Wen remembered he still had a batch of herbs with Lu Chan, feeling a bit pained that he hadn't tasted a single one.
Refining herbs into pills was undoubtedly the most efficient use.
Ao Tang proudly said, "Of course, I have a true flame in my belly that can refine any herb into pills."
Gu Wen suddenly felt uneasy and asked, "How do you retrieve the pills, Senior?"
The old donkey demonstrated.
It had a pouch like a kangaroo's, where the pills were formed and stored.
The herbs didn’t enter its stomach but a place called the meat furnace.
In short, it was clean and hygienic.
Gu Wen was astounded by Ao Tang, feeling that the name "Tang" (meaning soup) was incredibly apt, considering the donkey's abilities.
After receiving Ao Tang's permission, Gu Wen reached into its pouch, finding it vast and seemingly endless, even larger than his own Qiankun Bag.
This mythical beast, capable of refining pills, fleeing swiftly, and storing items, was indeed the perfect companion for any journey, whether lawful or otherwise.
"Alright, enough chit-chat. Come over here, and I'll teach you new techniques," Yu Hua called Gu Wen back to her side.
The old donkey, eager to impress Gu Wen and build a good relationship with this potential second-generation Sanqing Daozi, wanted to showcase more of its abilities.
However, a stern look from Yu Hua made it recline again, not daring to compete for favor.
With Yu Hua's guidance, Gu Wen entered a meditative state.
Given his status as a peerless genius, Yu Hua no longer introduced techniques one by one but replaced them all at once.
Besides mental cultivation techniques, she provided new ones for body movement ("Moon-Step"), healing ("Soft Breathing Technique"), body protection ("Mystic Three-Yuan Qi"), and spear technique ("Heavenly Spear").
These were all top-tier techniques for the second realm.
Though not the absolute pinnacle, they were undoubtedly the most suitable for Gu Wen, far more practical than granting some supreme divine abilities.
For instance, the current "Zhaolie Spear" divine technique would take Gu Wen at least hundreds of years to comprehend, making it less practical compared to enhancing his fourth-level Dao foundation to perfection.
Yu Hua's soft voice guided him, "I suggest you start with the 'Heavenly Spear.' While it might not match your own insights, its moves can complement and enhance your understanding."
[Heavenly Spear: First Move, Break the Law]
[Condense the spear qi to break through armor, piercing clouds and splitting rocks]
This technique could strengthen the armor-piercing attributes of spear qi, a more refined method of condensing qi.
Though it didn't match the essence of the "Zhaolie Spear," its moves were superior, as the "Zhaolie Spear" had no predefined moves.
[Learning requires three years of Tian Sui, integrating with Zhaolie Spear requires five years]
Gu Wen sat cross-legged on the ground.
The "Heavenly Spear" was not an ordinary technique; it didn't require physical spear practice but focused on refining the qi.
Using Tian Sui to refine the "Heavenly Spear" and integrating it into the Crimson Dragon, insights arose rapidly, and in an instant, the spear techniques were mastered.
Outside, Yu Hua and Ao Tang observed Gu Wen.
An image of a crimson dragon coiled around him, the Heavenly Spear qi not forming instantaneously but growing visibly.
It was as if a normal person's progress in mastering techniques was accelerated a hundredfold, but Gu Wen's progress was slowed a hundredfold, making it appear normal.
Most geniuses exhibited such rapid growth, but Gu Wen stood out even among the exceptional.