Chapter 379 - A Date?

Chapter 379 – A Date?

At this time, just as Gu Zuo finished refining a furnace of True Yang Pills, there was suddenly a billowing swell inside his qi ocean. The psychic core within his Tianfu Acupoint was also blossoming with intense rays of light. This caused countless strands of psychic power to surge and rage!

At once, he silently thought: Not good!

This couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time. He was about to make a breakthrough!

It was probably because he was so industrious during the recent pill refining. On top of the previous experiences, it was only logical that his internal qi realm would advance to the mid Immortal Realm.

But, as it just so happened…

His big brother had come over to call him!

With this going on, how was he supposed to respond?

Gu Zuo had to choke back his words.

There was nothing he could do about it. The breakthrough was fast approaching, and no words could be spoken. He had no other choice but to swiftly pacify his profound qi, withdraw the Earthen Core Flame underneath the pill furnace, and prepare for the breakthrough.

All of Gu Zuo’s mental and physical efforts were focused on breaking through, which was also why he couldn’t answer Gongyi Tianheng’s voice in their consciousness — One couldn’t look at how it would merely be a telepathic conversation, it would also consume his psychic power!

As a result, his big brother called out to him several times outside, but he still didn’t respond.

Immediately following this, the medicine refining room’s large doors suddenly disintegrated.

Soon after, a slender figure came into view, and entered in the blink of an eye.

As it turned out, since Tianheng saw that no one was answering him, he wanted to rush inside to see what was wrong. Only, because he was also worried of negatively affecting Gu Zuo, he directly used that reddish-gold power to melt the doors. This way, he could enter safely.

…It was fortunate that he was prudent.

During a breakthrough, if anything too shocking occurred, it might impact the person undergoing the breakthrough.

After Tianheng came inside, he realized that Gu Zuo was breaking through.

One would only see that numerous invisible energies were bundling around Gu Zuo, which caused his long hair and clothes to gently flutter in the wind. As for Gu Zuo’s facial expression at this moment, it was completely different from the usual lovable and well-behaved look he wore when in front of Tianheng. Rather, he actually seemed a little…divine and saintly?

His face, which was veiled in rays of white light, and his body, which was cloaked in incomparably pure qi emissions, created a scene that would inevitably cause some misunderstandings.

Upon seeing this, Tianheng knew that Gu Zuo was in the middle of a critical juncture. He faintly smiled, and didn’t take a single step further.

He only went back to the medicine refining room’s empty doorway, and acted as Gu Zuo’s gate guardian.

Gu Zuo’s qi emissions changed extremely quickly.

The breakthroughs after generating a qi ocean needed to be mentioned — Unless the qi ocean produced a manifestation, every individual change wouldn’t be significant. From one major realm to the next, the qi ocean would expand, and its surface area would multiply in size. As for the minor realm breakthroughs within each major realm, the focus would be on the qi ocean’s depths. And with each minor breakthrough, the depths would also increase several times over.

Whether it was martial artists or pharmacists, what they relied upon were qi oceans.

The larger and deeper their qi oceans, the greater their strengths and the longer their lifespans.

At the same time, there were also transformations to the physical body, but these were all imperceptible influences, and didn’t have any special displays.

The profound qi within Gu Zuo’s qi ocean was boiling. It was like countless strands of profound qi were continuously pressing downwards. Unwittingly, the depths of the qi ocean seemed incapable of containing these streams of profound qi. Thus, they were like a flood. One wave after another crashed down and washed away!

After that, an explosion echoed out — Boom!

The qi ocean instantly underwent a gigantic change!

It looked like the bottom of the qi ocean had been blown apart. In a flash, an extremely large cavity appeared. The profound qi, which had originally been pressing downwards, abruptly poured in like a torrent. The profound qi filled the empty space before dashing against the walls!

One time, two times, three times!

After innumerable waves of attacks, the “layers of silt” were finally knocked down. Gu Zuo’s qi ocean suddenly became twice as deep. This was the mid Immortal Realm!

At this moment, the psychic power that was still raging inside Gu Zuo’s Tianfu Acupoint also calmed down.

At long last, he broke through without a hitch.

Gu Zuo opened his eyes. The veil of white light on his face disappeared, and the qi emissions around his body stabilized. Soon after, he remembered the previous calls of his dear big brother. He hurriedly stood up, wanting to go out — When he lifted his head, he was greeted with the smiling eyes of his big brother.

Tianheng laughed and said: “Congratulations for reaching the mid Immortal Realm, Ah Zuo.”

Gu Zuo couldn’t restrain his emotions, and revealed a smiling expression alongside Tianheng: “I finally caught up with big brother! Later on, when I’m refining medicinal pills, it’ll go much more smoothly!”

When Tianheng looked at Gu Zuo, his gaze naturally softened: “Ah Zuo has always been amazing.”

Gu Zuo was praised so openly, and he was a little embarrassed. However, he quickly thought of something. He fished up several long-necked jade bottles on the side, and arrived in front of Tianheng with scampering steps.

Then, he took the initiative to shove one of the bottles into Tianheng’s hands: “Big brother, these are the True Yang Pills I’ve refined using Golden Crow Grass.”

Tianheng received the bottle, and uncorked it to take a look. There were as many as three hundred flawless True Yang Pills inside this bottle… In addition to the remaining bottles, according to the calculation of nine medicinal pills per one furnace, Gu Zuo must’ve refined at least a couple hundred furnaces of pills. Also, these True Yang Pills weren’t as simple as ordinary medicinal pills. With the refinement of each furnace, the time it took wouldn’t have been short. One could well imagine the amount of meticulous care that Gu Zuo spent in here.

No wonder… A flower of warmth bloomed in Tianheng’s heart. He carefully put away the True Yang Pills.

Upon seeing this, Gu Zuo became even happier. After that, he felt somewhat awkward: “Big brother, there’s also two bottles of grade ten True Yang Pills and three bottles of grade eleven True Yang Pills. Each bottle has about three hundred pills. These product grades are too lousy, so big brother shouldn’t eat them. How should we deal with them?”

Tianheng chuckled and said: “Grade ten and eleven are among the top three grades. If these were placed outside, not even the disciples of gold-ranked organizations would be able to pick them up. Yet, in Ah Zuo’s eyes, these pills have all become lousy product grades.”

Gu Zuo stared blankly.

He truly felt that anything containing impurities were no good…

Seeing Gu Zuo’s appearance, Tianheng smiled: “I don’t have any subordinates who can also cultivate the power of the sun, so it wouldn’t be a good idea to put them inside the public storehouse for resource distribution. But, has Ah Zuo forgotten about Medicine Heart Pavilion?”

Gu Zuo understood: “In that case, I’ll sell them to Medicine Heart Pavilion. That’ll earn a tidy sum.”

Tianheng said: “Right now, Shopkeeper Fang Anfu is already aware of our identities, so there’s no need for Ah Zuo to go personally. For such matters, Ah Zuo only has to hand it over to Wu Xing in the future. He’ll properly discuss things with Fang Anfu to obtain a suitable price.”

Gu Zuo nodded his head: “Then, I’ll have the shadow cat race deliver these to Wu Xing.”

Tianheng gave another smile: “This younger brother can be taught.”

The matter of the True Yang Pills was settled. Gu Zuo also brought out those Innate Mending Pills he refined before: “I’ve used up all of the medicinal ingredients for the Innate Mending Pills. I got ninety-six prismatic pills and thirty-nine flawless pills. These can be given to big brother to supplement his body.”

Gu Zuo considered something, and continued: “I previously promised to give one flawless pill to Ming Wanzhu and the others… Though, what I want to give is a prismatic pill to provide critical care for Xue Shen.

“I don’t know whether they’ve made some contributions yet. Have they worked hard? Originally, I felt that they should’ve been very loyal, but if they haven’t reached our expectations, then it would be better to just give them the flawless pill. If they have met expectations, when does big brother think it would be a good time to give the prismatic pill?”

Tianheng slightly pondered: “Ming Wanzhu and the others have done a good job, and they’ve performed to the best of their abilities. For a little more than a month, they’ve completed some practical matters. I’ve also had someone watch over that Xue Shen. If he wasn’t encumbered by his health, he would be a talent.”

Gu Zuo asked: “Big brother’s intentions are?”

Tianheng smiled: “I have some notions, but they haven’t fully formed yet. Let me think things through, and I’ll talk to Ah Zuo about them.”

While he spoke, he accepted the few bottles of Innate Mending Pills that Gu Zuo handed over. His smiling expression deepened: “Leaving that aside… Ah Zuo hasn’t left this place for twenty days. Now that you’ve had a breakthrough, you should get some rest.”

Gu Zuo was a bit shocked: “I’ve been refining pills for twenty days?”

Tianheng faintly nodded his head: “That’s right. After I returned, I saw that Ah Zuo was busy, so I went into secluded cultivation for several days. However, when I came out, I still didn’t see Ah Zuo. Hence, today’s intrusion.”

Shortly thereafter, he reached out a hand to ruffle Gu Zuo’s hair: “Speaking of which, we previously made a bet in the leyline. This elder brother lost, so I’ll accompany Ah Zuo to stroll around town.

Carefully setting an auspicious date doesn’t beat seizing an opportunity.

Why don’t we do it today? And since Ah Zuo lost…” His tone carried a smiling expression, “Will Ah Zuo warm my bed tonight?”

Gu Zuo: “…”

Ah, he didn’t need to bring this up so suddenly!

…After freshening up, Tianheng and Gu Zuo went out on a date.

The area covered by Ten Ultimates City was incredibly vast. Gu Zuo himself had once gone to take a stroll, but when he came out, he didn’t even finish walking down two streets. There was still more than ninety-nine percent that he had yet to visit.

This time around, Gongyi Tianheng was keeping him company. Gu Zuo didn’t go shopping with a destination in mind like before. As a result, the two of them were walking at an unhurried pace. There was a somewhat leisurely and comfortable feeling.

Gu Zuo kept walking and walking. Suddenly, he felt a bit shy.

What should he say? Didn’t a date need to have topics to talk about? But he talked with his big brother during normal times. There was basically nothing that they didn’t discuss. Were there any new topics to talk about?

It seemed that there were none.

For a moment, Gu Zuo’s shy and careful thoughts disappeared.

Without anything to talk about, what kind of a date was that?!

Furthermore, were they really going to go shopping? For these two grown men, what the hell were they going to shop for? If he was just going to buy medicinal ingredients or something, then it wouldn’t be like a date at all! What’s more, he currently wasn’t short of medicinal ingredients.

Gu Zuo was a bit conflicted.

Tianheng watched as Gu Zuo’s facial expressions changed several times, and raised his eyebrow: “Ah Zuo, are you feeling bored?”

Gu Zuo snapped out of it: “Ah? No.”

Tianheng asked: “Does Ah Zuo have something weighing on his mind?”

Gu Zuo shook his head: “There’s nothing.”

Tianheng sighed: “Is it because I called you out of your medicine refining room, and made you unhappy with me?”

Gu Zuo immediately said: “How can that be possible?”

Tianheng lowered his eyes, and met Gu Zuo’s gaze.

Gu Zuo: “…”

If he really revealed his inner thoughts, his big brother definitely wouldn’t smack him, right?

Ah, he didn’t dare to talk about it!

Moreover, how did he have the qualifications to confess right now…

Tianheng saw him acting like this, reached out a hand, and flicked Gu Zuo’s forehead: “It doesn’t matter. Since we’re out, this elder brother will bring Ah Zuo to a certain place.”

Gu Zuo shook off the sour thoughts that had just resurged, and asked curiously: “What place?”

Tianheng smiled and said: “When I first arrived at Ten Ultimates Sect, in order to join the sect for cultivation, I had to undergo assessments at the Sect Offering Academy. As of now, although the time hasn’t arrived for another sect recruitment drive, perhaps Ah Zuo would like to go to this academy and take a look around?”

Sure enough, this piqued Gu Zuo’s interest: “I’ll go with big brother’s suggestion!”

Tianheng simply smiled, moved his arm behind Gu Zuo’s neck, and gently hung his hand on Gu Zuo’s other shoulder. With this half-embrace, he steered their steps in a different direction.

Gu Zuo’s heart warmed.

Although his big brother wasn’t aware of his inner thoughts, this was also considered as his big brother taking the initiative to find a “dating” venue, right?

Even though the Sect Offering Academy was in the outer perimeter of Ten Ultimates Sect, the two were still far apart. Both sides weren’t interconnected, and the entrances to either establishment weren’t close together.

At this time, Gongyi Tianheng and Gu Zuo were heading towards the Sect Offering Academy. They needed to traverse several roads before they could see the large gates of that academy.

The space that the Sect Offering Academy took up was extremely wide. There were many students studying martial arts here. Just the official students totaled no fewer than a hundred thousand. Apart from the period of time when Ten Ultimates Sect recruited disciples, the academy would admit students annually. So long as one reached the Houtian Realm and could pass the corresponding tests, they could smoothly enter the academy and study martial arts. Besides this, some clans and schools would send their younger generations from among the smaller organizations, which provided them an easier time getting into the academy.

When Gu Zuo arrived in front of the academy’s gates, what he saw was a sea of people.

He couldn’t help being somewhat surprised: “Big brother, this is?”

Tianheng gave a sweeping glance, and said: “What a coincidence. It just so happens to be the time when the academy is admitting students, and many outsiders have gathered here. Right now, they’re probably in the middle of registering for the entrance examinations.”

Gu Zuo understood: “Then, we’ll…”

Tianheng continued: “Since we’re here, let’s watch how their assessments go, and see whether there are any good seedlings.”

Gu Zuo also didn’t object to this. It was just that…

“Big brother, are we going to mingle with them?”

Tianheng laughed involuntarily: “There’s no need for that. Ah Zuo, just follow your elder brother inside.”

Shortly thereafter, Tianheng pulled Gu Zuo’s forearm, and led him through the crowd.

Because the temperaments of the pair were different from these people who congregated around this place, when they wanted to move ahead, everyone spontaneously made way for them, allowing them an easy way to pass through.

It didn’t take long for Tianheng to lead Gu Zuo to the large gates. They walked before an armored martial artist who solemnly stood with a deadpan expression. Tianheng flashed a decree token.

Upon seeing this, that armored martial artist’s expression changed immediately.

After that, he swiftly took measure of Gu Zuo. The look in his eyes was incredibly deferential. Once he paid the proper courtesies, he spoke in a low and deep voice: “Does this young master have any instructions?”

Tianheng stated: “Today, while this place is enrolling students, I would like to take a look around.”

The armored martial artist didn’t dare to neglect anything. His deep voice resounded again: “Would the young master please follow me?”

Tianheng slightly nodded his head: “Thank you for your trouble.”

Gu Zuo didn’t say anything, and simply followed along.

Very quickly, the armored martial artist brought the pair to a side door and went inside. Then, he swiftly led them to the front of a large hall. Soon after, he said: “Would these two sirs please wait here for but a moment. I will go find a teacher to come over.”

Tianheng said: “Very well.”

Gu Zuo turned his head to glance at that rapidly-departing, armored martial artist. He opened his mouth, and asked: “Big brother, what’s he going to ask the teacher to do?”

Tianheng smiled and said: “That person has other responsibilities, and can’t accompany us. Thus, he has to find someone capable of receiving and guiding us as guests.”

Gu Zuo understood instantly.

So, the guard went to find a tour guide.

The two walked to the side of the hall, and stood in a corner while quietly looking around.

In the center of the large hall, the first round of assessments were underway. The applicants’ bone ages were being measured.

Tianheng carefully explained how he had been tested back then, and pointed to the huge, horizontal pillar in the hall. He said: “When I was tested, they were using a bone wheel. Perhaps, because there are so many people now, there’s no need to be that meticulous. It only takes a few dozen people to advance together. Then, they strike that pillar one after another. The ones who can make it change color are allowed to pass.”

Gu Zuo carefully looked over.

He discovered that the lights everyone produced were all the same color. Although some were darker or lighter than others, they were all red lights. Did the deepness of the hues represent the differences in the applicants’ ages?

Tianheng continued to explain to him: “At that time, not only was I tested on my bone age, I was also tested in terms of realm, foundation, and aptitude. Currently, this pillar is just a filter. If there’s anyone who can’t produce a red light, and their bone age exceeds thirty years old, this person won’t be able to enter the academy. In addition, any martial artists who’ve reached the Immortal Realm also can’t go in.”

Gu Zuo expressed his understanding.

He heard his family’s big brother mention the matter of these tests before. At this time, the comparison was even more detailed and clear. Sure enough, there was still a big difference between the recruitment of disciples to Ten Ultimates Sect and the enrollment of students to the Sect Offering Academy.

After watching here for a while, Gu Zuo was still observing those who passed the test. Suddenly, his gaze subconsciously fell upon a few people to the side.

Those people were gathered together, and it wasn’t known what they were talking about. Clearly, there was something secretive going on. However, the location where they hid was quite clever. If it wasn’t for Gu Zuo’s inadvertent glimpse, there probably would’ve been very few people who could’ve taken notice.

Gu Zuo was curious.

They weren’t scheming something, were they?

This place was the subordinate academy of Ten Ultimates Sect. Every year, it had to deliver large quantities of talents to Ten Ultimates Sect. If these people really were here to scheme… How much courage did they have?

Without a second thought, Gu Zuo tugged on Tianheng’s sleeve cuff: “Big brother…”

Tianheng lowered his head: “What’s wrong, Ah Zuo?”

Gu Zuo quietly pointed at those people: “It’s them…”

Tianheng’s eyes followed the direction Gu Zuo pointed at, and looked over. He chuckled in his heart, and plainly said: “If Ah Zuo wants to know, just send out your psychic power. You’ll naturally know then.”

Gu Zuo tried to restrain himself, but he couldn’t endure his inquisitive mind. Subsequently, a silk strand of psychic power burst forth from the space between his brows. In the blink of an eye, it had already transformed into a sheet of light muslin, and enshrouded that place.

Naturally, the conversation of those people also fell into his ears.

“We must be on the lookout! We absolutely can’t let that kid enter the academy!”

“But he’s sixteen years old. He’ll certainly be able to pass the bone age test.”

“Testing the bone age is something that the great majority of martial artists can pass. It’s not worth mentioning. But during the second checkpoint coming up, we have to do everything we can to block him. Otherwise, the second young master won’t forgive us…”

“I also don’t know why, but the second young master really hates this kid.”

“Isn’t it normal for the son of the second wife to hate the original wife? Unfortunately, this child’s aptitude is better than that of the second young master. Since the second young master has long viewed the Yu Family as his own possession, he naturally isn’t willing to let this child learn any piece of ultimate knowledge inside the academy and return to compete for the family properties…”

“The family head’s bias is another reason.”

“What a pity. If the family had portioned its resources to nurture this child, his strength would’ve definitely far surpassed that of the second young master. Sadly, he was suppressed. Now, it’s far too late. The second young master has been clued in, and he won’t endure the resentment in his heart…”

As Gu Zuo listened, he gained a general understanding.

As it turned out, this was a story of

gaining a stepmother and getting a stepfather

?

In this world, which respected strength and valued aptitude above all else, this was quite a novelty.

T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.

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