The True Colors of Lao Liu

With a flick of his finger, he tossed the spirit fruit to the little black bird on his shoulder. "Your aptitude is Heaven-grade, right?"

Shen Jinghong nodded and said, "Yes."

Gu Changge twitched the corners of his mouth, his tone carrying a hint of self-deprecation.

"But look at me, my cultivation base is merely at the early stage of the Core Condensation Realm, and my cultivation experience is quite shallow. If I took you as my disciple, wouldn't I be delaying your future?"

These words were half true and half false.

With his abilities, even teaching a Great Emperor Realm expert would be a piece of cake; he was just too lazy to put in the effort.

However, using his "low cultivation" as an excuse couldn't be more fitting.

Shen Jinghong was stunned; she had never thought this would be the reason.

In her impression, a Peak Master who could guard such a treasure trove of spiritual energy should at least be at the Purple Mansion Realm, no matter how bad their cultivation was. How could he only be at the Core Condensation Realm?

When people gossiped back then that Martial Uncle Gu was only at the Core Condensation Realm, she had refused to believe it.

But Gu Changge's tone was flat, and there were no ripples in his eyes; he didn't seem to be lying.

"But... but you are a Peak Master..."

She was still somewhat unconvinced.

"Can't a Peak Master have low cultivation?"

Gu Changge raised an eyebrow.

"I've only been in the sect for ten years, and I'm about the same age as you. It was just a lucky coincidence that I inherited Purple Bamboo Peak. If you don't believe me, go ask the Sect Master. He knows my background best."

He wasn't lying about this. Xuanyangzi indeed knew about his "Core Condensation Realm" cultivation—as for his true cultivation base, let Xuanyangzi boldly guess.

Shen Jinghong frowned, half-believing and half-doubting in her heart.

If Martial Uncle Gu really was only at the Core Condensation Realm, then when the Sect Master said "what a pity," did he really just mean she missed out on the spiritual energy of Purple Bamboo Peak?

"This disciple understands."

Shen Jinghong put away her doubts and cupped her hands toward Gu Changge.

"Thank you for answering my questions, Martial Uncle. The medicinal pills have been delivered, so this disciple will take her leave."

As she turned to leave, she couldn't help but look back at Xiao Ruobai, only to see the young man still lowering his head, as if the conversation just now had nothing to do with him.

But for some reason, she always felt that within that seemingly frail figure, there was an indescribable calmness hidden.

Only after her figure disappeared deep into the bamboo forest did Xiao Ruobai lift his head, though the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

He looked at Gu Changge, a hint of smugness hidden in his eyes, and secretly muttered in his heart.

Master just said he was at the early stage of the Core Condensation Realm, but clearly, just two days ago, he secretly told me that he was actually at the middle stage of the Core Condensation Realm.

I'm the only one who knows this secret; others definitely wouldn't be able to guess it.

Master really dotes on me the most; he only tells me about these kinds of things.

The more he thought about it, the more delighted he felt. He almost laughed out loud and quickly lowered his head, pretending to cough.

How could Gu Changge not see through his little thoughts? He reached out and flicked him on the forehead. "What are you giggling about?"

Xiao Ruobai covered his forehead and chuckled. "Nothing, Master. I just feel... you are right."

The little black bird chirped on the side, tilting its head to look at Xiao Ruobai, as if saying, "What is this kid so happy about?"

Gu Changge grabbed its wing. "Chirp again, and I'll pluck your feathers to make a duster."

The little black bird immediately shrank its neck, pretending to be well-behaved.

Watching this scene, Xiao Ruobai felt even happier.

Master only told him his true realm. This feeling of being treated specially made him happier than getting any kind of treasure.

"What are you still standing there for?"

Gu Changge kicked him.

"Hurry up and go cultivate."

Xiao Ruobai replied and left.

On the other side, Shen Jinghong returned to Azure Cloud Peak and quickly walked into Xuanyangzi's study.

At this time, Xuanyangzi was sitting at his desk, leafing through some scrolls. Seeing her enter, he raised his eyes and smiled. "You're back? Did you gain anything from your trip to Purple Bamboo Peak?"

Shen Jinghong bowed in greeting. "Master, the medicinal pills have been delivered to Martial Uncle Gu."

She paused, but couldn't help asking, "But the spiritual energy on Purple Bamboo Peak is so dense, and Martial Uncle Gu is only at the Core Condensation Realm. Can he hold onto Purple Bamboo Peak?"

Xuanyangzi put down the scroll, gently tapping his fingertips on the desk, his gaze profound.

"Do you know Junior Brother Gu's origins? Ten years ago, he was taken in by Daoist Zizhu and cultivated on Purple Bamboo Peak. Later, Daoist Zizhu left to wander the world, passing Purple Bamboo Peak down to him."

He sighed. "Daoist Zizhu has shown great kindness to our Azure Profound Sect. If he hadn't intervened back then, I probably wouldn't be standing in front of you now. Therefore, looking after Purple Bamboo Peak nowadays is merely my duty."

Shen Jinghong suddenly understood. "So that's how it is. But why is the spiritual energy on Purple Bamboo Peak so dense?"

"Now that is something worth pondering."

Xuanyangzi raised his gaze slightly, a trace of inquiry flashing in his eyes.

"When Daoist Zizhu was here, although the spiritual energy on the peak was superior to other places, it was far from what it is today. After he left, the spiritual energy suddenly surged several times over, mixed with a wisp of mysterious Dao rhythm that is of great benefit to cultivation."

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and continued, "According to my deduction, this might be a backup plan Daoist Zizhu set up for Junior Brother Gu, to help him make steady progress while nourished by the spiritual resonance."

When his line of sight turned to Shen Jinghong, a bit more certainty had appeared in Xuanyangzi's eyes.

"Your Martial Uncle Gu is not yet twenty. Having cultivated in such a spiritual land for ten years, how could he only be hovering at the Core Condensation Realm?"

"In my opinion, he might have already reached the Purple Mansion Realm."

Speaking of this, a wise light shone in Xuanyangzi's eyes, as if he had already seen through everything.

Shen Jinghong's pupils shrank slightly. "Then why did he say he was at the Core Condensation Realm?"

"It's just that he has a detached temperament and dislikes showing off. Perhaps he doesn't want to attract too much attention, or perhaps he has other considerations."

Xuanyangzi shook his head. "Moreover, Daoist Zizhu left behind many treasures back then. For him to value Gu Changge, the boy must certainly be extraordinary."

He said earnestly, "Jinghong, Junior Brother Gu appears lazy, but in reality, he hides his depths well. In the future, you should visit Purple Bamboo Peak more often. Even if you just soak up some of the spiritual energy there, it will be of great benefit to your Jinghong Sword Body."

Having said that, Xuanyangzi flipped open the scroll again, a look of understanding between his brows, secretly thinking in his heart that his deductions definitely weren't wrong.

As wise as he was, he had long seen through Gu Changge's little thoughts.

Yet he didn't know that all of this was exactly what Gu Changge wanted him to see.

Xuanyangzi was still complacent, thinking he had seen through to the second layer.

In reality, Gu Changge was already on the third layer. No, he was already way up in the heavens.

Xuanyangzi suddenly raised his eyes to look at Shen Jinghong, his expression turning serious.

"Jinghong, the path of cultivation is filled with hidden dangers everywhere. The tree that stands out in the forest will surely be destroyed by the wind.

You have extraordinary talent and possess the Jinghong Sword Body, so you must know how to hide your brilliance. You absolutely must not be too ostentatious, lest you attract unnecessary trouble.

Just like your Martial Uncle Gu, with such talent, he only reveals a portion of his cultivation. This is great wisdom."

Shen Jinghong nodded seriously. "This disciple understands. Thank you for your teachings, Master."