I Still Want a Few More Years of Peace and Quiet

Gu Changge sighed helplessly, his tone full of reluctance.

"These past few years, the Sect Master has urged me to take on a disciple at every disciple recruitment ceremony. But I have only been cultivating for a few years and have just reached the Core Condensation Realm. How could I possibly have the ability to teach anyone else?"

Gu Changge thought to himself that since only a few genius disciples in the sect had reached the Core Condensation Realm, showing his cultivation at the Core Condensation Realm after only joining the sect ten years ago was not too outrageous, right?

If he claimed to be any higher, it would be far too high-profile.

Listen to this, are these the words of a human?

When others hid their cultivation, they would conceal one or two realms at most. This guy, however, directly shrank his cultivation base down by nine major realms from the Great Emperor Realm.

Li Xuanfeng's hands paused on the jade slip, a trace of doubt flashing quickly through his eyes.

He could clearly sense the Core Condensation Realm aura radiating from Gu Changge, yet he still could not quite believe it.

"Martial Uncle Gu, you are being too modest."

Li Xuanfeng still wore a gentle smile on his face, but his heart was beating like a drum.

Gu Changge was the Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak. How could he possibly only be at the Core Condensation Realm?

Could it be that he had already touched the threshold of the Purple Mansion Realm?

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was likely.

After all, as the successor of Daoist Zizhu, his talent must be extraordinary. Coupled with the incredibly dense spiritual energy here, it was merely his low-key nature that made him unwilling to show off.

Gu Changge cast a slight glance at Li Xuanfeng, as if seeing right through the boy's thoughts.

This kid was actually sharper than he had imagined. Keep guessing all you want; if you can actually figure out my realm, I will give you credit.

"Let's not talk about this anymore."

Gu Changge changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the main peak shrouded in distant clouds and mist.

"How has the Sect Master been lately?"

"Master is doing well. He was just talking about you a few days ago."

Li Xuanfeng naturally went along with the conversation, his tone becoming much brisker.

In the early years, when Gu Changge first arrived at Purple Bamboo Peak, he had just entered the Body Refining Realm. The various Peak Masters truly doted on him as if he were their own child.

Back then, the Sect Master would frequently come over carrying cultivation method jade slips. He would hold Gu Changge's hand to teach him breathing techniques, personally correcting even the angle at which spiritual energy gathered at his fingertips.

The Peak Master of Qingyue Peak was even more straightforward. Every now and then, he would stew a pot of body-tempering spiritual soup and say in a gruff voice that growing boys needed nourishment. In reality, he would stare at Gu Changge until he finished every last drop before leaving.

At that time, they were all great cultivators of the Cave Heaven Realm. The fact that they were willing to lower themselves to act as enlightenment teachers for a little brat was a kindness that Gu Changge always kept in his heart.

Later on...

Everyone gradually realized something was off.

He had secretly embedded a top-grade spiritual vein, obtained through his system sign-ins, beneath Purple Bamboo Peak. The spiritual energy concentration of the entire mountain had long become a hundred times that of other places.

Coupled with the Dao aura exuded by various supreme treasures, this place had practically become a natural holy land for cultivation.

While teaching him, the Sect Master started sitting cross-legged at the peak to comprehend the Dao, claiming he was keeping him company while he cultivated.

After delivering the soup, the Peak Master of Qingyue Peak would always say he needed to stay and supervise him drinking it. As a result, he would sit there for more than half a day, rubbing his belly before leaving and saying that the aroma of the spiritual soup was so refreshing.

Over time, everyone came to a tacit understanding.

Gu Changge glanced at Li Xuanfeng, who was secretly circulating his spiritual energy beside him, and a faint smile touched the corners of his mouth.

This kid probably wanted to take the opportunity to absorb some spiritual energy as well. However, considering he was the Sect Master's personal disciple, letting him stay a little longer would not hurt.

A twenty-year-old at the Core Condensation Realm was already a chosen child of heaven in the Qingxuan Sect. But placed in the entire Eastern Region, there were still many who reached the Core Condensation Realm at this age.

As the new generation's chief disciple of the Qingxuan Sect, this level of cultivation was still a bit low.

Oh well, I will give him some extra private tutoring later, Gu Changge thought to himself.

"I heard your master had another breakthrough recently?"

Li Xuanfeng paused for a moment, then nodded and smiled. "Yes, Master was just talking about it last month. He said that after staying here for half a day, he had a sudden flash of insight and broke through."

Gu Changge understood perfectly in his heart.

It was the cup of Dao Comprehension Tea he had casually brewed for the Sect Master that did the trick.

Back when he first started signing in, the treasures rewarded by the system piled up like mountains.

Gu Changge picked out some of the more inconspicuous ones and claimed they were relics left behind by Daoist Zizhu.

At first, the several Peak Masters politely declined. Later, when they realized Gu Changge had an endless stream of treasures, they accepted them with half-hearted reluctance.

Today, the Peak Masters of the Qingxuan Sect were still outwardly at the Cave Heaven Realm, but in secret, they had all uniformly stepped into the King Realm. Each of them hid it strictly, deeply afraid of arousing the jealousy and wariness of other sects.

Even the few ancestors in secluded death-meditation within the sect's forbidden grounds had consecutively broken through their current realms, secretly aided by a few treasures Gu Changge would occasionally drop.

Their lifespans had been greatly extended as a result.

However, after breaking through, not a single one of these old geezers came out of seclusion.

They continued to maintain their decrepit appearances, looking as if their lifespans were nearing the end. Seeing this made Gu Changge internally praise them for being absolute pros.

Even the Sect Master had quietly touched the peak of the King Realm. He spent his days happily dispensing motivational chicken soup to everyone, preaching about moving steadily and accumulating strength for a profound breakthrough.

Just like Li Xuanfeng right in front of him. He clearly had excellent aptitude, yet he had been constantly suppressing his cultivation base. It was likely the Sect Master's idea.

"You people..."

Gu Changge shook his head and picked up a jade box from the stone table.

"These are Clear Heart Lotus Seeds I found while organizing the storehouse a few days ago. Take them and brew some tea; it will be good for stabilizing your state of mind."

Li Xuanfeng's eyes lit up, and he quickly received them with both hands.

He had seen records of these Clear Heart Lotus Seeds in ancient texts. It was said they could cleanse inner demons and increase cultivation speed, making them a supreme treasure for breaking through realms.

He was just about to say some words of polite refusal, but seeing that Gu Changge had already turned around and was walking toward the bamboo cabin, he could only swallow his gratitude back down.

Over the years, he had followed his master to Purple Bamboo Peak quite a few times, and every time, he would receive some treasures left behind by Daoist Zizhu.

As time passed, he also figured out the pattern. Martial Uncle Gu seemed casual, but he was actually very measured in his generosity. The things he gave always managed to perfectly solve their current predicaments.

"Martial Uncle, about the disciple recruitment ceremony..."

Li Xuanfeng followed behind, his tone carrying a hint of probing.

Gu Changge picked up a plain-colored Daoist robe from the corner of the room, draped it over his shoulders, and leisurely tied the sash.

"Let's go. It wouldn't hurt to take a look. But let me be clear first, I might not necessarily take in a disciple."

His mind was as clear as a mirror. The Sect Master sending Li Xuanfeng over was probably not just about taking in a disciple.

This kid had been stuck at the Core Condensation Realm for some time now. Letting him stay at Purple Bamboo Peak for a short while might just help him achieve a breakthrough.

A bright smile immediately bloomed on Li Xuanfeng's face. He quickly stepped forward. "Right this way, Martial Uncle. This disciple will lead the way for you."

The two walked down along the bamboo path.

Li Xuanfeng took a deep breath of the spiritual energy tinged with the fragrance of bamboo. Feeling the spiritual energy within his dantian become increasingly active, he could not help but sigh in admiration inwardly.

No wonder Master said that being able to visit Purple Bamboo Peak often was an enormous stroke of fortune.

Gu Changge glanced at Li Xuanfeng, whose steps were brisk and light beside him, and an imperceptible smile touched the corners of his mouth.

Take a disciple? Forget it. He still wanted to enjoy a few more years of peace and quiet.

However, considering that Li Xuanfeng brought osmanthus cakes every time he visited, joining in on the liveliness would not hurt.