In the inn.
Aotang transformed back into a donkey, carrying the already unconscious Gu Wen on its back, returning through the gentle morning rain.
Along the way, countless gazes were cast upon them, with less greed than before and more caution.
Jiu Zhenjun followed beside, his steps much lighter than before, chuckling, “It seems that the Sanqing Dao Sect is about to produce another Yunmiao Tianzun.”
Tianzun is a title generally reserved for the leaders of a sect, often only the strongest within a sect can be called such.
However, as the leader of the Xuanmen, the Sanqing Dao Sect has three Tianzun positions due to the unification of the three sects, with the highest being called the Zhangjiao Tianzun.
“I think it’s more than that.”
Aotang sighed slightly, “Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have let him out. With such talent, isn’t he afraid of attracting the jealousy of Heaven? He might as well be sent directly to Sanqing Mountain and locked away for a thousand years, and then he would emerge as a generation’s Zhangjiao Tianzun.”
But by now, the Sanqing Dao Sect had little energy left to arrange for Gu Wen.
The two strongest Tianzun, Yunmiao and Huayang, were already occupied with many old monsters, and in turn, they were also being held back.
“I think this might be a good thing,” Jiu Zhenjun shook his head, “The deterrence that strength can provide has its limits. Even a Celestial Maiden cannot prevent greed, and this young friend is the most fearsome variable.”
He was not afraid of the current Gu Wen, but rather the future Gu Wen.
Once the Immortal Pill appears, under the siege of the world, the Celestial Maiden would undoubtedly perish.
In the end, perhaps only a portion of people would survive, but this causal relationship would also vanish.
However, now there was a protector with such extraordinary talent, what if Gu Wen ultimately did not die?
He understood why the Celestial Maiden needed a protector; it was not to guard the present, but the future.
If Gu Wen possessed the qualifications to condense the Ninefold Perfect Dao Foundation, then after seizing the Immortal Pill, there would still be the concern of an immortal who could ascend without relying on the Immortal Pill.
What was originally a one in a thousand chance now had an additional layer of risk after success.
Jiu Zhenjun asserted, “I believe he might achieve the Ninefold Perfection.”
“…”
Aotang’s brows twitched; he had entertained similar thoughts in his heart.
“The Daojun Emperor exhausted everything to compete for the Ninefold Perfection, which even Yunmiao Tianzun could not attain. Do you think he can do it?”
“Did those two Tianzun have his level of talent back then?”
“Yunmiao with a Fourfold Dao Foundation might be able to manage.”
“They might only have a chance, but he has already achieved it.”
Aotang felt somewhat pessimistic, “But you’re only speaking of the benefits. Conversely, why can’t we crush him in the bud?”
Wait, did Yuhua give him the cultivation method half a year ago?
A thought flashed through his mind, causing his scalp to tingle, and he quickly restrained his unusual feelings.
——
Upon returning to the inn, Yuhua had long been waiting on the first floor.
She said to Jiu Zhenjun, “Please prepare hot water for my bath, along with some towels and face cloths.”
Then Yuhua picked up Gu Wen and went upstairs, entering the room and placing him on the bed.
Gentle qi flowed through the meridians, touching Gu Wen’s body in various places, a stream of warm magical power soothing the pain that had been pushed to the limit, and Gu Wen’s tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, his breathing becoming more even.
After a life-and-death struggle, it was natural for a cultivator to experience pain in their meridians.
Using magical power to nourish could alleviate the pain.
However, even with all one’s strength, it could only ease the pain, as the hidden injuries beyond the pain could not be healed by ordinary means.
This was an extremely laborious and thankless task, yet Yuhua was meticulous, as if treating a rare treasure.
Aotang stood silently to the side.
In the past, he did not understand Yuhua’s affection for Gu Wen, merely attributing it to simple romantic feelings.
But the two had never been ambiguous, nor had there been any flirtation between them.
Now he understood; this was how one treated a rare treasure, fearing it would melt in one’s mouth or break in one’s hands.
Aotang whispered, “Little Ancestor, was your first encounter with him really half a year ago?”
“I was originally just an obscure direct disciple, who accidentally entered the place of my master’s inheritance. Before this, you probably wouldn’t even remember me.”
Yuhua did not answer directly, but everything was self-evident.
In just half a year, the seemingly ordinary man on the bed had risen from a mere servant to someone capable of defeating a Sevenfold True Monarch with his Sixfold combat power.
Though he was only one level short, that level was called True Monarch.
Even the weakest True Monarch was still a True Monarch.
The gap between Gu Wen and the others was the Golden Core and body refinement, the reserve of magical power, and the foundation built over thousands of years.
And the difference in between was his extraordinary talent, which was simply beyond Aotang’s comprehension.
“He is abnormal.”
Aotang’s voice was heavy, and Yuhua did not raise her head as she asked, “Is it abnormal for a mediocre person?”
“Not at all. There are countless prodigies in the world, like carp crossing the river. The top three on the three rankings are all stronger than him, yet none could grow to this level in just half a year. Strong as the previous generation’s Yunmiao and Huayang were, they occupied the first positions on the Human and Earth Rankings respectively. They have been the pinnacle for thousands of years, yet they…”
She slightly raised her gaze, looking at Aotang, interrupting, “Are you saying that Gu Wen cannot be stronger than them?”
“No, it’s just… even if he were to become an immortal, he shouldn’t have such talent.”
Aotang was somewhat incoherent.
There were no outsiders here, and he could avoid the scrutiny of the Listening Truth Divine Ability.
He could vent all his confusion, his doubts, and his disbelief.
But he was asking the wrong person; Yuhua at this moment was the most unfathomable person in the realm of immortals.
She softly asked, “You can understand the two uncles Yunmiao and Huayang from back then, yet cannot understand that Gu Wen is stronger than them. I ask you, have they become immortals now?”
Become an immortal.
These two words seemed to carry immense weight, causing Aotang to take two steps back, saying, “Did you always think this way? That he could become an immortal?”
“Why not? Since the beginning of the world, there have been thirty-six immortals. Why can’t he become the thirty-seventh? Who has decreed that someone named Gu Wen cannot become an immortal?”
Yuhua seemed somewhat puzzled, as if what was obvious to her was utterly inconceivable to others.
Clearly, every sect claimed they wanted to contend with Heaven, and clearly countless prodigies had always been self-important for millennia, yet when a truly extraordinary person appeared, they seemed to be offended as if their interests had been violated, leading to hatred, confusion, and resistance.
In the depths of the human heart, there existed an insurmountable hierarchy.
She tilted her head, even more confused, and asked, “Are you feeling inferior?”
All beings strive for excellence, yet it is difficult for the heart to admit one’s shortcomings, and then seek commonalities and differences with those who are more outstanding, finding reasons to comfort oneself.
Aotang felt like he could spit blood; Yuhua’s sharp tongue had surprisingly become somewhat enlightening this time.
These monsters were like this; they only needed to continuously surpass common sense.
Meanwhile, they, the mediocre, had to consider much more, needing to justify the reasons for their genius while not harming their own Dao heart.
Damn, it really was like that.
He vaguely recalled that when he faced Yunmiao back then, he had similar emotions, just not as intense as today.
A feeling of ‘living this life like a dog.’
Aotang said in a resigned manner, “Yes, yes, yes, Little Ancestor, you are right. I don’t care how talented he is, but now you must consider one thing: how to protect him.”
From Jiu Zhenjun’s reaction, it was evident that Gu Wen’s display of talent had both advantages and disadvantages.
The good side was that Gu Wen might prevent some True Monarchs from taking action, such as those who were not adept at fighting or those who placed great importance on causality.
But conversely, Gu Wen would become a second target, and he himself had yet to grow.
The two who were killed today were called True Monarchs, but could they compare to a starving refugee and a fierce soldier raised on fine rice and flour?
Cultivation can be stacked with medicinal herbs, especially in the realm of immortals.
The real focus lies in perfection; only with perfection can one stand on the stage.
Today it’s a True Monarch with a Onefold Perfection, tomorrow it could be a Twofold Perfection, Threefold Perfection, Fourfold Perfection, Fivefold Perfection, all the way to Daojun Emperor at the Eightfold Perfection.
Yuhua said matter-of-factly, “I will always be by his side.”
Aotang asked again, “What if you are held back, and I am also held back? What then?”
This was a foolish question, akin to asking what to do if one encountered a strong enemy without magical power.
Yet he still had to ask, for Gu Wen’s talent made him feel the need for contingency plans.
This kid should not be protected; the Dao Sect should send a protector for you.
“We must call someone else down, at least to seek a life-saving treasure for him. I want to inform the Dao Sect about this, including the fact that he has only been cultivating for half a year, so I need to obtain your consent.”
At this moment, the outside world was unaware of Gu Wen’s cultivation time; no one had decreed that a servant could not secretly cultivate, nor did anyone think that the Dao Sect should follow the arrangements of the Daojun Emperor.
Yuhua said, “Wait until he wakes up, you can ask him yourself.”
The morning sunlight poured down, and bucket after bucket of hot water was poured into the bathing tub.
Gu Wen’s clothes were removed piece by piece; the fierce battle had turned them into rags, and Yuhua simply discarded them.
Beside her, Aotang tugged at the corner of his mouth and said, “How about I do it? You should avoid it a bit; I’m more suited for this.”
Yuhua frowned slightly, displeased, “Are you saying you are closer to him than I am?”
When she was teaching Gu Wen cultivation, this old fellow was still consuming Zhao Feng’s pills!
“Men and women should not touch hands when they give or receive things.”
“Is that what the Ancestor said, or is it written in the Sanqing rules? You still need to adhere to the mortal etiquette, yet you want to pursue longevity and the Dao?”
“…”
Aotang chose to avoid the battle; he could not compete with this little ancestor in terms of tongue.
Looking cold and aloof, she was actually quite sharp-tongued.
Opening her mouth was like aiming to break one’s Dao heart.
(End of Chapter)