On the Way

The voice grew softer, the last words almost inaudible.

Gu Chengyang watched her like this, and the smile at the corner of his lips deepened.

Ever since the Crown Prince’s Palace, he had been very proactive toward Shangguan Yunying.

First, to solidify their relationship—after all, her importance to him was beyond doubt.

Second, to subtly test the reactions of Lin Qingyan and Luo Zhao.

Given the true personalities of these two, neither could tolerate him being affectionate with Shangguan Yunying in front of them.

Lin Qingyan had a strong possessiveness, and Luo Zhao’s possessiveness was even stronger.

Thus, this was a very interesting test.

But it wasn’t deliberate; it was merely done on a whim. Being cautious never hurt.

For now, however, it seemed the two were still under hypnosis.

Since that was the case, Gu Chengyang saw no reason to hold back.

After all, his path was one of forgetting emotions, not being without them.

When one cultivates the forgetting of emotions, one must first have emotions to forget.

If there were no emotions, what would there be to forget?

So Gu Chengyang would no longer avoid his feelings.

He needed genuine fondness, the feeling of a racing heart, the emotions that bring both joy and sorrow.

Only by truly experiencing them could he truly let go.

And the moment he fully let go would be the moment of his ascension.

As for Shangguan Yunying, she appeared in the right place at the right time.

Looking at her flushed earlobes, a trace of tenderness flickered in the depths of Gu Chengyang’s eyes.

Then he thought of something and asked casually:

“How is your cultivation of the Azure Cloud Art progressing?”

At the mention of this, Shangguan Yunying immediately shifted her gaze back. Her previous shyness was replaced by excitement.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, and she said enthusiastically:

“I’m about to break through to the Great Perfection!”

Gu Chengyang raised an eyebrow.

So fast?

Hadn’t Shangguan Yunying only just advanced to the late stage?

How long had it been since then? And she was already reaching the Great Perfection?

While a complete Heaven-grade technique was certainly terrifyingly powerful, Shangguan Yunying’s own efforts were likely the real key.

Born into a noble family, she was never spoiled.

She always took cultivation seriously, never slacking off.

Especially after Lin Qingyan appeared. Gu Chengyang squinted slightly.

Under Lin Qingyan’s stimulation, Shangguan Yunying had probably been cultivating day and night, without pause.

Afraid of being overshadowed, afraid of not being good enough, afraid...

Gu Chengyang’s heart softened at the thought.

He raised his hand and gently stroked Shangguan Yunying’s head.

Her hair was soft and smooth, like running his hand over the finest silk.

“Cultivation is good,”

Gu Chengyang said gently, his tone carrying a hint of concern:

“But don’t push yourself too hard. Otherwise, I’ll worry.”

Shangguan Yunying froze. Meeting his tender gaze, she felt her heart skip a beat.

A Gu Chengyang this tender. Words this gentle. A look this warm.

She couldn’t resist; she had absolutely no defenses against it.

At this moment, she would do whatever he asked.

Even the most excessive demands, Shangguan Yunying would follow without hesitation.

As long as it made Gu Chengyang happy, as long as he was satisfied.

So, almost instinctively, she buried herself in Gu Chengyang’s arms.

Pressing her face against his chest, she mumbled softly:

“Mm!”

Her voice was tender, with a hint of playful coquettishness, like a kitten nuzzling into her owner’s embrace.

Gu Chengyang chuckled softly, reached out, and pulled her closer, encircling her in his arms.

Outside the window, lanterns gleamed brilliantly. Inside, warmth and affection filled the air.

But in a place the two could not see,

an icy gaze was fixed on this scene.

Lin Qingyan stood in the void, her aura concealed to the limit.

Her eyes were cold as she watched Shangguan Yunying acting spoiled in Gu Chengyang’s arms.

Her gaze was like tempered ice, yet also like burning fire. She wished she could kill this senior female official on the spot.

Damn it.

If it weren’t for the unexpected accident, she would be the one playfully leaning in Gu Chengyang’s arms right now!

Those gentle words, that look of sympathy, that hand on the shoulder—

should all be hers!

Lin Qingyan clenched her jaw so hard her fingers turned white.

If only she hadn’t been so impulsive.

If she hadn’t gotten carried away back then, wanting more, how would things have ended up like this?

Now she could only hide in the shadows, helplessly watch another woman act spoiled in Gu Chengyang’s embrace.

This was an insult she could not swallow.

Nevertheless, Lin Qingyan didn’t forget to fix her attention on Shangguan Yunying.

Given her cultivation level, as long as she didn’t deliberately expose herself after learning of Gu Chengyang’s breakthrough in his Dao heart,

he wouldn’t be able to detect her presence.

But even with that confidence, Lin Qingyan still despaired inwardly.

No.

What if Shangguan Yunying didn’t return tonight?

What if after dinner, the two went for a walk, then watched the moon, and then discussed Dao?

Lin Qingyan dared not think further.

Gu Chengyang was hers, and if anyone was going to discuss Dao, it would be with her!

She had to get Luo Zhao to find an excuse to call Shangguan Yunying back.

And it had to be a reason that couldn’t be refused.

Just as Lin Qingyan’s mind was racing,

a sharp sense of danger suddenly burst from within her.

Someone was about to attack her!

Lin Qingyan’s figure flickered, and she disappeared instantly from her spot.

A sharp claw mark flashed past where she had been, carrying chilling hostility, tearing through the void.

This sudden strike made it impossible for Lin Qingyan to suppress her spiritual energy. She had no choice but to reveal herself from the void.

Gaining some distance, Lin Qingyan then glared coldly at the small figure that had attacked her.

Gu Xiaoli.

At this moment, Gu Xiaoli did not look at all like the usual calm, world-weary little girl.

Her nails had grown sharp and long, glinting with icy light under the moonlight, like ten miniature daggers.

On top of her head, two fuzzy cat ears had popped out—triangular, with tips trembling slightly, the fine fur ruffling in the night breeze.

Behind her, a long cat tail was stretched taut, a clear sign of being unnerved.

But most terrifying of all were her eyes.

Those large, dull, uncaring eyes had narrowed into long, slit-like cat pupils—vertical like needles, gleaming in the faint green light of the moon.

Her gaze was fierce, staring fixedly at Lin Qingyan, full of vigilance and hostility.

Gu Xiaoli was in a full-on back-off stance; her body slightly arched, baring two sharp little canines.

A low hissing sound came from her throat. She looked like a little tiger ready to pounce and tear into someone.

Lin Qingyan watched her like this, frowning slightly.

Where had this wretched cat come from?

Ever since she had glimpsed the Memory of the Heart Demon, Lin Qingyan knew who Gu Xiaoli was.

She also knew about the conflicts between herself and Gu Xiaoli in the past—though she hadn’t told Gu Chengyang.

But she hadn’t tried to provoke Gu Xiaoli. Why had Gu Xiaoli suddenly attacked her?

Meanwhile, Gu Chengyang and Shangguan Yunying also noticed Lin Qingyan, who had suddenly appeared.

Shangguan Yunying’s eyes widened, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.