Farewell to an Acquaintance

The next day.

After a night of arduous cultivation, Gu Qingfeng successfully broke through to the third level of the Human Yuan Divine Core. However, there was not a trace of joy on his face.

In just that short night, his wealth had shrunk by a thousandth.

The reason for his rapid breakthrough was that he had cultivated using spirit stones.

Spirit stones were not only currency but also cultivation resources, containing dense primordial energy of heaven and earth. Cultivating with them was not only incredibly fast but also free of side effects.

If primordial energy were compared to moisture in the air, spirit stones would be the water condensed from that moisture—there was no need to say which was more quenching.

Of course, the reason he could break through in a single night wasn’t just due to the spirit stones. Gu Qingfeng’s terrifying physique and divine soul played a crucial role as well. With these two advantages, he could endlessly absorb the energy from the spirit stones without worrying about overloading his body.

After all, his weakest aspect was his cultivation base.

"I can’t keep going like this—even a wealthy landlord runs out of grain eventually!" Gu Qingfeng lamented.

"A single night cost me a thousandth of my wealth. If this continues, I’ll end up a pauper. I need demons and monsters to aid my cultivation!"

Just then, Meng Yan’s voice came from outside the door.

"Junior Brother Gu, today I’ll take you to meet the disciples of the Reverse Scale Peak."

"Coming, Old Meng."

Gu Qingfeng stepped out and saw Meng Yan, who wore a kindly smile.

Meng Yan was startled. "Junior Brother Gu, you’ve broken through in cultivation?"

Gu Qingfeng nodded. He had long stopped hiding his cultivation level—after revealing his Innate Sacred Body and Seven-Aperture Exquisite Body, his meager cultivation base was hardly worth concealing.

"Just one night, and you’ve advanced a whole level. The power of a dual-saint physique is truly terrifying!"

Gu Qingfeng smiled but said nothing. While the dual-saint physique was indeed fearsome, what was even more terrifying was his reckless spending!

"Let’s go, Old Meng. We shouldn’t keep the disciples of Reverse Scale Peak waiting."

With that, the two set off.

A short while later, under Meng Yan’s guidance, they arrived at an open clearing already crowded with disciples.

Each wore the sect’s uniform, a sword strapped to their waist, standing tall with an air of extraordinary grace.

This was one of the benefits of cultivation. While it couldn’t change one’s facial features, it refined one’s temperament, improved skin, and enhanced physique. As the saying went, "Fair skin hides a hundred flaws." Even the average-looking disciples appeared decent under the glow of healthy, fair complexions.

In simpler terms, these cultivators came with built-in beauty filters.

As Meng Yan and Gu Qingfeng arrived, murmurs spread among the disciples, and soon, all eyes were fixed on Gu Qingfeng.

He was like a magnet, irresistibly drawing everyone’s attention.

Ever since arriving at the Sword Sect, Gu Qingfeng had never turned off his "effects." Bathed in sacred light, wreathed in multicolored mist, and surrounded by swirling Dao Rhyme, he looked like an immortal descended to the mortal realm under the triple-layered beauty filter.

It was no exaggeration to say that if Gu Qingfeng stood among flowers for too long, they’d grow two inches taller from sheer inspiration.

Thus, when he stood before the disciples of Reverse Scale Peak, they could feel the Dao Rhyme flowing from him, subtly accelerating the circulation of their divine energy.

"Is this the new Junior Uncle? Is he an immortal descended from the heavens?"

"How can there be such a breathtakingly handsome man in this world? I wonder if he’s looking for a Dao companion…"

Some female disciples felt their hearts race, too flustered to meet Gu Qingfeng’s gaze.

Gu Qingfeng wasn’t surprised by their reactions. In his past life, mere celebrities could evoke such fervor—let alone someone like him now.

The fact that these female disciples hadn’t rushed forward to feel his abs was a testament to their strong Dao hearts.

In the Cangming Realm, strength reigned supreme. With a dual-saint physique, high seniority, and striking looks, Gu Qingfeng was the equivalent of a top-tier wealthy heartthrob in the modern world—women would line up to throw themselves at him.

Ahem. Meng Yan coughed twice, noticing the disciples’ distracted gazes. "This is your Junior Uncle Gu. From today onward, he will also be cultivating at Reverse Scale Peak."

"Greetings, Junior Uncle Gu!" the disciples chorused.

"Hello, everyone." Gu Qingfeng smiled warmly, his expression as soothing as a spring breeze.

That smile alone made some of the shyer female disciples blush.

"Junior Uncle Gu smiled at me! Does he like me?"

"Nonsense! He was clearly smiling at me!"

"His smile is so beautiful—it’s like flowers blooming in spring."

Seeing the situation veering toward chaos again, Meng Yan hastily delivered a few platitudes and tried to dismiss the disciples for cultivation.

But Gu Qingfeng wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip. With so many admirers around, why leave now?

"Dear nephews and nieces, as a newcomer to Reverse Scale Peak, I’m still unfamiliar with the surroundings. Would any of you be willing to show me around?"

His words instantly halted the dispersing crowd.

The female disciples went wild, clamoring to volunteer.

"Junior Uncle Gu, let me take you around!" A fair-faced female disciple rushed forward first.

The others quickly shed their restraint, surging toward Gu Qingfeng like a tidal wave.

In moments, he was surrounded.

A wave of fragrant scents enveloped him as soft curves pressed against his chest, back, and arms.

"Junior Uncle, I’ll guide you! I’ve lived on Reverse Scale Peak since childhood—"

"Uncle~ Don’t listen to her! She only joined a few years ago. Let me take you instead!"

......

The male disciples, witnessing Gu Qingfeng’s treatment, wore expressions of agony before retreating to cultivate in bitter solitude.

Meng Yan observed this, a subtle glint in his eyes.

With this kind of temperament, he’ll probably be spellbound the moment he meets Ling Fei’er. This is almost too easy.

I must report to Lord Sword Demon at once.

With that thought, he bid Gu Qingfeng farewell and prepared to leave.

However, after calling out twice with no response from the swarm of admirers, Meng Yan simply left without another word.

Just as Meng Yan departed, Gu Qingfeng spotted a familiar figure among the disciples—one who was trying to slip away unnoticed.

A mischievous grin curled his lips. "Junior Apprentice Sister Wen, where are you off to in such a hurry?"

Not far away, a well-endowed young woman froze mid-step.

She turned stiffly, her face a picture of deer-in-headlights panic. "J-Junior Uncle Gu… I-I was just going back to cultivate."

"No need to rush. Since I need a guide, why don’t you take on the task, Junior Apprentice Sister Wen?"

Just as she was about to refuse, Gu Qingfeng’s voice transmission reached her.

"If you dare say no, I’ll play the recording in the memory crystal for everyone to see."

Her face paled. Resigned, she nodded and trudged toward him.

Gu Qingfeng smiled in satisfaction before addressing the crowd. "Junior Apprentice Sister Wen and I are old acquaintances, so there’s no need to trouble the rest of you."

With that, he approached her and gently patted her delicate shoulder. "I’ll be in your care, then."

The other female disciples were seething with anger at the sight, feeling as though their beloved idol had been snatched away by some shameless hussy, yet none dared to make a scene.