The Rules of Purple Bamboo Peak

Xiao Ruobai stepped into Gu Changge's footprints, treading with extraordinary firmness with every step.

Over the years, labels like "Inferior Mortal Grade," "Crippled Physique," and "Destined for Mediocrity" had been branded onto him like hot iron.

He had thought he would spend his entire life as an ordinary mortal, merely eking out a miserable existence in this world.

That was until the disciple acceptance ceremony just moments ago. The words "Are you willing to take me as your master?" had struck like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through the darkness of his bleak life.

He told himself inwardly: Xiao Ruobai, remember this day.

Remember this life-changing grace, and more importantly, remember—from today onward, you no longer have the right to be weak.

He did not know why the mysterious Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak had chosen him, but he knew this was his one and only chance to break free from his destiny.

"Master..."

Xiao Ruobai's voice was slightly hoarse as he quickened his pace to catch up with Gu Changge.

"Why did you choose me?"

Hearing this, Gu Changge casually replied, "I simply found you pleasing to the eye."

These few nonchalant words instantly made Xiao Ruobai's eyes grow red.

He sniffled hard, forcing back the moisture welling up in the corners of his eyes, and clenched his fists, making a silent vow.

Gu Changge led Xiao Ruobai step by step toward Purple Bamboo Peak.

He cast a sidelong glance at the youth beside him, pondering inwardly.

He already had all the spiritual treasures needed to repair the War God Physique, and he was genuinely looking forward to seeing it in its complete form.

He only hoped this disciple wouldn't be completely blinded by hatred, and would settle down peacefully once he had exacted his revenge.

That way, his own peaceful days could continue uninterrupted.

Passing through the mist-shrouded mountain path, the scenery ahead abruptly changed.

Expansive groves of purple bamboo pierced the clouds like swords. The morning dew condensed on their joints refracted iridescent halos in the sunlight.

The air was thick with a crisp, sweet spiritual energy. Just a single breath made Xiao Ruobai's dantian grow faintly warm.

He couldn't help but slow his pace, his fingertips lightly brushing against a bamboo stalk beside him. The coarse bark surprisingly carried a gentle, jade-like warmth.

Gu Changge shot him a glance and said nonchalantly, "That's the only good thing about Purple Bamboo Peak—the spiritual energy is a bit richer."

Passing through the dense purple bamboo grove, an elegant bamboo cabin came into view.

On the stone table in front of the cabin sat fresh spiritual fruits. Beside it, an alchemy furnace emitted curling wisps of azure smoke, and a faint, fruity fragrance drifted through the air.

Gu Changge lazily leaned back into a bamboo chair, casually picking up a spiritual fruit and tossing it in his hand.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, dappling his plain white Daoist robe, giving him the aura of a free-spirited immortal.

"From today onward, you are the head disciple of Purple Bamboo Peak."

He took a bite of the spiritual fruit, its juice crisp and sweet.

"Although you're my only disciple right now, rules must still be set."

Xiao Ruobai hurriedly stood up straight, holding his breath as he listened attentively.

"First!"

Gu Changge held up a single finger, his tone casual.

"Do not go looking for trouble, but if trouble comes knocking, do not be afraid of it."

"I know you have enemies. If it ever comes to blows, remember to wipe your tracks clean. If you kill someone, scatter their ashes and grind their bones to dust. Don't leave any loose ends to cause me trouble."

Xiao Ruobai was stunned. His master actually knew he had enemies...

His clenched fists trembled slightly, and his heart felt as though it had been struck by something heavy.

He had buried his hatred so deeply all these years that he ground his teeth even in his dreams, yet he had never spoken of it to anyone. How could this master, who had only just taken him in, know about it?

Did he see it in the hidden hostility in his eyes?

Or had this mysterious Peak Master already investigated his background inside and out?

A wave of complex emotions surged within him—a sense of embarrassment at being seen through, but more so, an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

Even knowing that he had enemies, his master hadn't rejected him and still took him in as a disciple.

"Second!"

Gu Changge held up a second finger, the look in his eyes suddenly turning rather peculiar.

"Before you have truly grown into your strength, if you encounter anyone with the surname Ye, Xiao, or Chu... especially those who look incredibly ordinary but constantly stumble upon lucky encounters, avoid them at all costs."

Xiao Ruobai grew even more confused. "Why?"

Gu Changge waved his hand dismissively, his words vague.

"Don't ask, just do as I say. These surnames have a tendency to produce individuals who defy all logic and reason. Purple Bamboo Peak only wishes to live in peace; there's no need to get caught up in their mess."

Inwardly, however, Gu Changge was grumbling. In the novels he had read in his past life, nine out of ten people with the surnames Ye or Xiao were the Chosen Ones. Not only did they come with plot armor, but they also loved leaving a trail of absolute chaos in their wake. Playing it safe was the only right answer.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, he caught a glimpse of Xiao Ruobai's tense profile out of the corner of his eye, and it suddenly dawned on him—this kid's surname was also Xiao.

Gu Changge's heart skipped a beat.

This kid had borne a blood feud since childhood, had his aptitude crippled, and yet, in his absolute darkest hour, he had encountered an expert like himself who could repair his hidden War God Physique...

Wasn't this the textbook opening of a trash-to-god protagonist?!

A bitter blood feud? Check. A crippled aptitude? Check. A chance encounter with a supreme expert? Check. A hidden, heaven-defying physique? Check. The tropes were so complete they couldn't be any more perfect.

Gu Changge couldn't resist using his Delusion-Shattering Divine Eyes to scan Xiao Ruobai once more. Although the golden battle qi within the youth's body was weak, it was like a spark buried beneath the ashes, faintly threatening to ignite a blazing prairie fire.

He suddenly felt a headache coming on.

He only wanted to lay low on Purple Bamboo Peak and live a peaceful life. How did he end up taking in a disciple who was a suspected protagonist?

Forget it.

Gu Changge shook his head, tossing the worry to the back of his mind.

So what if he was a protagonist?

On his Purple Bamboo Peak, they had to play by his rules.

If the day ever came when this kid stirred up trouble, with his own invincible strength in this realm, could he not suppress it?

"Third, and also the most important rule."

Gu Changge dropped his nonchalant demeanor. He tapped his fingertips lightly against the armrest of the bamboo chair, his gaze landing on Xiao Ruobai's tense shoulders.

"No matter how much your cultivation advances in the future, you must always remember to conceal your edge and hide your true strength."

Xiao Ruobai's head snapped up, his eyes filled with bewilderment.

In this dog-eat-dog cultivation world where the strong preyed on the weak, wasn't strength the very foundation of survival?

If he hid it, wouldn't he just continue to suffer humiliation?

Gu Changge saw right through his thoughts, the corners of his lips curving into a half-smile.

"Do not think that having great strength means you can run rampant without consequence. The tallest tree in the forest is the first to face the wind. Especially when your foundation is not yet secure, being overly ostentatious will only invite fatal disaster."

He picked up a spiritual fruit, intending to toss it to Xiao Ruobai, but after a moment's thought, he put it back, took out an ordinary spiritual fruit instead, and threw it over.

The spiritual fruit Gu Changge was currently eating was a Celestial Peach. With Xiao Ruobai's current level of strength, even a single bite would likely be too much for his body to handle.

Watching the youth catch it on reflex, he continued.

"In your future cultivation, revealing only thirty percent of your strength in front of others is more than enough. Always leave yourself some leeway, and always prepare a few escape routes."

"Even if you face an opponent weaker than yourself, you must always consider how to escape 'in case you capsize in a shallow ditch.' Remember, only those who know how to lay low live long."

Xiao Ruobai gripped the cool spiritual fruit, his knuckles turning slightly white.

Although he didn't understand why his master placed such heavy emphasis on concealment, he could hear the earnest gravity in his words and nodded solemnly. "Your disciple will remember."

Seeing his deadly serious expression, Gu Changge suddenly thought of something. A glint of slyness flashed through his eyes, making him look like a fox that had just stolen a chicken.

He beckoned Xiao Ruobai over, lowering his voice with a touch of conspiratorial excitement.

"Disciple, come a little closer."

Xiao Ruobai stepped forward as instructed. Just as he leaned in, he heard his master whisper.

"Let me tell you a secret—on the surface, your master here is only at the early stage of the Core Condensation Realm, but in truth, I reached the mid-stage a long time ago..."