"Tch." Little Wei hurried to follow him.
The jade steps were numerous, but fortunately, the two of them practically flew down.
After about half an hour, they finally reached the bottom.
The base resembled a glass door. Little Wei pushed it open, and with a rumbling sound, she and Chi Mu stepped inside.
Outside the courtyard, green bricks encircled the area, and willow trees draped around—it looked like an old residence from the past, devoid of any sect's grandeur.
Yet it was fresh and elegant, exuding the demeanor of a secluded retreat.
Only after entering did Little Wei realize that a massive spirit-gathering array had been set up here, drawing all the spiritual energy from the sea. No wonder this place could remain stable.
Where there was spiritual energy, people could survive.
"Will there be anyone here?" Little Wei hesitated as she reached the courtyard gate.
Her father from her past life… should already be…
Even if she didn’t want to think it, aging and death were the natural order of life.
"Don’t make it so sentimental. I’ll knock."
Chi Mu rapped loudly on the door.
Before long—though it felt like quite a while—someone finally opened it.
It was a young woman who appeared to be in her twenties. She timidly glanced at the outsiders, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
"How… did you get in?"
Meanwhile, Chi Mu was surprised to see such a young girl.
Had the Huaiyang Sect grown so impressive?
This girl in her twenties clearly hadn’t even reached the stage of fasting cultivation.
"I… I’m Chi Mu." Chi Mu quickly introduced himself.
The girl’s pupils trembled slightly, and she scrutinized Chi Mu again in disbelief.
"Then… please wait a moment. I’ll report to the sect master."
With that, the girl hurried off.
A short while later, she returned and reopened the door.
"The sect master requests your presence."
Little Wei and Chi Mu exchanged glances before following the girl into the courtyard.
The residence wasn’t overly large, but it could easily accommodate a hundred people—assuming each had their own room.
In ordinary small chambers, two disciples usually shared a space. The Qingdao Sect had many peaks, which was why each disciple had their own bedroom.
But here, it was eerily quiet, as if barely anyone lived here.
This made Little Wei’s heart ache with bitterness.
Too desolate.
Compared to the Qingdao Sect, the Huaiyang Sect truly didn’t resemble a proper sect.
"Don’t overthink it. We’re almost there." Chi Mu patted the back of Little Wei’s hand.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Little Wei said nothing more. Soon, they arrived at the main hall, where a man in his thirties or forties sat—about the same age as Helian Chi.
His brows carried a trace of bewilderment, and when he heard footsteps, he looked up.
Upon seeing Chi Mu, his hand trembled, and the teacup he was holding clattered to the ground.
"Gu Yu, I never thought you’d still be alive." Chi Mu walked up to Gu Yu and grinned, patting his shoulder. "You’ve become the sect master? Looks like you’re doing well."
Gu Yu stood up, clearing his throat. "How did you return? Didn’t you ascend?"
Chi Mu’s eyes curved into crescents as he took a few steps back, positioning himself behind Little Wei. He patted her shoulder and gently pushed her forward toward Gu Yu.
"Take a guess—who is this to you?"
Chi Mu asked with a playful smile.
Gu Yu studied the person before him carefully.
"Is she a descendant of the daughter I sent away?" Gu Yu quickly recalled the matter.
The Huaiyang Sect could seclude itself from the world, but the Gu family couldn’t be left without heirs. Many years ago, Gu Yu had sent his second daughter and her husband out of the Huaiyang Sect, providing them with a substantial amount of high-grade and top-tier spirit stones.
"Ah, partly, yes. But there’s another part—guess who she really is?" Chi Mu pondered for a moment. Gu Tianyi could indeed be considered Gu Yu’s descendant.
"This girl…" Gu Yu scrutinized her closely. "I can’t place her."
"She’s your elder brother."
Chi Mu’s words landed like a thunderclap on the green stone bricks. Gu Yu froze.
"You… you’re saying she’s my brother?" Gu Yu was dumbfounded.
Was something like this even possible?
He knew how his brother had died. Back then, their father had been furious—an incident that directly led to the Huaiyang Sect’s seclusion.
But given the circumstances at the time, his brother should have been utterly annihilated, body and soul.
How could he have had the chance to reincarnate?
"The Huaiyang Sect must have artifacts that can reveal a person’s past lives," Chi Mu said with a smirk.
"No, that won’t be necessary." Gu Yu stepped closer to Little Wei, studying her intently.
"I’ll need to personally verify this. If you truly are my brother…" Gu Yu looked down at her.
"Fine by me." Little Wei agreed readily.
Hearing this, Gu Yu immediately drew a talisman in the air and pressed it against Little Wei.
Suddenly, a celestial screen materialized above the hall, displaying scenes from Little Wei’s past lives.
There was a princess who choked to death while eating, a baby who died moments after birth, and someone who drowned after falling into a river while walking…
In short, it was nothing but misery.
Finally, among the last few images, Gu Wei’s first life was revealed.
It was his brother.
Gu Yu pressed his lips together.
He hadn’t expected that in just a thousand years of the cultivation world, his brother had already reincarnated so many times.
Gu Yu felt a sting in his eyes and rubbed them with his fingers.
"Brother." The address was heartfelt.
Gu Yu embraced Little Wei.
"I’m sorry, brother. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you back then." As he spoke, a sphere of light shot into Little Wei’s mind.
She remembered her past life in the Huaiyang Sect.
"That boy of mine—he’s not just any genius. He’s destined to become the number one in the Canglan Continent."
Father Gu had said this with unbridled pride in his eyes.
At the time, Gu Wei had just claimed first place in the inter-sect competition, earning fame across the land as a peerless prodigy.
When Gu Wei reached the Divine Transformation stage, Gu Yu was born.
From childhood, Gu Yu had been raised under Father Gu’s relentless expectation to surpass his elder brother.
"Brother, you watched me grow up." Gu Yu looked down at Little Wei.
"Even if you say that, it still feels a little awkward right now." Little Wei found it somewhat amusing.
After all, there was a clear age gap between them now.
"Alright, Gu Yu has done well to survive this long." Chi Mu patted Gu Yu’s shoulder.
"How’s your cultivation?" Little Wei looked up at him.
"Father’s decision was wise. Over the years at the bottom of the sea, with the Huaiyang Sect’s techniques, I’ve progressed faster than most. Now, I’m at the Great Completion stage of the Mahayana realm."
Gu Yu’s eyes gleamed with pride as he spoke.
Though his talent couldn’t match Chi Mu’s or his brother’s, the fact that he could attain divinity made the past hardships worthwhile.
"And… Father?" Little Wei ventured cautiously.
At this, Gu Yu’s expression dimmed.
"Father is still in seclusion. He’s at a critical juncture in his ascension to godhood. I estimate it’ll take a while longer."
"Ascension?" Little Wei glanced at Chi Mu. "If it’s about ascension, he has experience."
"Ascension requires enduring eighty-one heavenly tribulations. No one can help with that. But rest assured—the Huaiyang Sect’s foundation is deep. We have artifacts capable of withstanding them." Chi Mu patted Little Wei’s shoulder.
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