One of Our Own

Cold sweat seeped from Jiang Qingshan's back.

He looked at Gu Chengyin, his gaze now holding a complex mix of awe and reverence.

After Chen Busha lowered his hand, the experts of the inspection team dropped their guard.

But they still swept their vigilant gazes over the surrounding disciples of the Azure Sword Sect.

Swept by these gazes, the disciples immediately felt as if there were thorns in their backs. They lowered their heads one after another, not daring to meet their eyes.

An eerie silence fell over the plaza.

Only the sound of the wind blowing through the banners could be heard, snapping loudly in the air.

Jiang Qingshan took a deep breath, suppressing the terror in his heart, and swept his gaze around.

The disciples who had knelt down had already stood up, but all of them were pale and their eyes were evasive.

The elders and high-ranking officials behind him also barely managed to stand firm, but their trembling hands clearly betrayed their inner fear.

Finally, Jiang Qingshan's gaze fell on one person.

Jiang Jianli.

When that bloodline suppression erupted just now, everyone had knelt down. She was the only one left standing.

Not because her cultivation was that high, but because she was Shangguan Yunying's mother.

Therefore, Gu Chengyin had spared her.

Jiang Qingshan suddenly understood something in his heart.

Gu Chengyin intentionally bypassed Jiang Jianli. Apart from Shangguan Yunying being the main reason,

he also expressed a clear intention:

He would only give face to Jiang Jianli.

As for the others, even though Jiang Qingshan was Shangguan Yunying's maternal grandfather,

Gu Chengyin still wouldn't give them a single shred of face.

This was an establishment of dominance, and also a division tactic.

Jiang Qingshan sighed inwardly.

This young man looked ten steps ahead with every single step he took.

He pondered for a moment before finally speaking, Jianli.

Jiang Jianli was slightly startled and looked at Jiang Qingshan.

Jiang Qingshan's gaze carried a somewhat complex meaning. You make the arrangements. You will be fully responsible for the daily lives of Junior Preceptor Gu and Lord Jingzhe.

Jiang Jianli froze for a moment, suddenly understanding something, and stepped forward to make an inviting gesture.

Junior Preceptor Gu, Lord Jingzhe, please.

Only at this moment did a sincere smile finally appear on Gu Chengyin's calm face.

Madam, there is no need to be so polite. We are all family.

Gu Chengyin deliberately emphasized the last word.

Family.

Jiang Jianli smiled without a word and stepped forward to lead the way.

Gu Chengyin followed suit, with Lin Qingyan walking side by side right next to him.

As the two walked past Jiang Qingshan, Lin Qingyan's gaze lightly swept over the Azure Sword Sect Master.

There was no expression, but that single glance made Jiang Qingshan's back turn cold again.

Jingzhe of the Heavenly Master Mansion.

Invincible in the Golden Core realm.

These words finally settled into his heart today.

The three walked all the way into the depths of the sect, leaving behind a plaza full of fearful gazes.

But no matter what they thought in their hearts, no one dared to speak.

They could only watch the backs of the three people walk further and further away, gradually disappearing among the pavilions.

It was not until they had completely escaped the scrutiny of those gazes that Jiang Jianli finally let out a sigh of relief.

She quietly glanced back, confirming that there was no one else around, before lowering her voice and saying,

You brat, you scared me to death just now.

Her voice carried a bit of reproach, a bit of lingering fear, and an indescribable sense of intimacy.

Hearing this, Gu Chengyin also lowered his voice and replied,

Ah, please forgive me, Madam. I had no other choice.

Jiang Jianli paused her steps slightly, turning her face to glare at Gu Chengyin.

Tell me honestly, what exactly are you trying to do?

Gu Chengyin was not in a hurry to answer, but instead asked,

Madam, before I answer you, I would like to ask a question first.

Jiang Jianli was taken aback and subconsciously asked, What question?

Gu Chengyin said unhurriedly, Do you want to be the Sect Master?

Jiang Jianli blinked, not quite registering what he said.

Sect Master?

Sect Master of the Azure Sword Sect?

Her?

Jiang Jianli replied very hesitantly, But I am only at the Foundation Establishment realm...

Before she could finish her sentence, Gu Chengyin interrupted her.

Isn't that because the Azure Sword Sect did not give you any resources?

Jiang Jianli immediately stopped. She looked at Gu Chengyin, a look of surprise revealing itself in her eyes.

Her eyes clearly said: How did you know?

Looking at Jiang Jianli's reaction, Gu Chengyin sighed silently in his heart.

As expected.

The reason he asked this was because he remembered a previous incident.

It was what Shangguan Yunying had told him the first time he visited the Shangguan Manor:

My mother is my grandfather's only daughter. She practiced the sword from a young age and has extremely high talent.

She didn't rely on pills and resources to pile up her cultivation, but instead genuinely cultivated to the late stage of the Foundation Establishment realm all by herself.

At that time, Gu Chengyin felt a bit puzzled upon hearing this, but he did not show it.

Jiang Jianli was Jiang Qingshan's only daughter.

Jiang Qingshan was the Sect Master of the Azure Sword Sect.

Why would the only daughter of a Sect Master not rely on pills and resources to build her cultivation?

Was it to show off her high talent?

Or...

Did she simply not have any at all?

Based on Gu Chengyin's understanding of Jiang Jianli, she wasn't someone who wouldn't use resources.

She was Shangguan Yuan's wife, and Shangguan Yuan treated her extremely well.

Whenever there was something good, Jiang Jianli would definitely have it, and she would never just leave it unused.

This meant that before meeting Shangguan Yuan, it wasn't that she didn't want to use resources, but that she simply had no resources to use.

This was very bizarre.

Jiang Qingshan was the Sect Master of the Azure Sword Sect, yet his only daughter, Jiang Jianli, actually had no resources available to her?

She could only rely on pure talent to cultivate step by step on her own?

But the reasons behind this were only known to the person herself.

Gu Chengyin continued, I only have a few guesses, but I don't know the specific reasons behind it.

The surprise in Jiang Jianli's eyes gradually turned into complexity, and she couldn't help but sigh,

Now I know why my Yun'er likes you so much.

When she said this, Jiang Jianli intentionally or unintentionally cast a glance at Lin Qingyan next to them.

This glance was quick, but it was still caught by Lin Qingyan.

She didn't speak, just watched quietly, her gaze as cold and clear as usual.

After looking around, Jiang Jianli signaled, This is not a place to talk. Let's go up first.

Gu Chengyin immediately agreed.

The three continued forward, following a long mountain path, until they arrived in front of a hall.

This hall stood at the peak of the mountains and had two floors.

Standing in front of the hall, one could take in all the surrounding scenery.

In the distance were rolling peaks, shrouded in clouds and mist.

Nearby were green pines and emerald bamboos, with the mountain breeze brushing against their faces.

It could be said that the scenery was excellent, offering a sweeping view of the smaller mountains below.

The hall itself was not considered grand, but it was extremely elegant.

The carved doors and windows, exquisite ornaments, and clean and tidy furnishings made it obvious at a glance that someone frequently maintained and cleaned the place.

But none of the three paid much attention to the surrounding scenery.

After entering the hall, going up to the second floor, and sitting down as host and guests, Jiang Jianli finally spoke slowly:

This matter... is actually a long story.

Jiang Jianli's tone carried a bit of emotion and a bit of melancholy.

Gu Chengyin did not rush her, just listened quietly.

Lin Qingyan also sat upright to the side, her gaze falling on Jiang Jianli, revealing no emotion.

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Jianli said slowly:

My father was not originally a cultivator.

As soon as these words came out, Gu Chengyin's eyes flickered slightly.

Not a cultivator?

Then how did Jiang Qingshan reach the Golden Core realm?

Jiang Jianli continued, He was originally just an ordinary odd-job worker in the sect, responsible for chores like sweeping the sword terrace and clearing fallen leaves.

"At that time, my father did not even know what a Golden Core was."

"Originally, someone like him had no qualifications to cultivate the Azure Sword Art."

"But..."

Jiang Jianli paused, a trace of complex emotion flashing through her eyes.

"Because my father frequently watched the sect disciples practice their sword techniques, just by watching, he learned it."

Gu Chengyin was slightly taken aback.

He learned it just by watching?