Chapter 748 - 398: Makeup Kit

Ji Ziyue turned her head, looking at Gu Sheng with a complicated expression in her eyes.

"Don’t worry, Ji Ye. I’m fine. You go back first—I have my own plans, so don’t worry about me."

Ji Ziyue softly instructed Ji Ye.

"But, miss, the family is searching for you, so you should return as soon as possible."

Ji Ye said with a pleading tone, his face crestfallen.

"Tell them I’m fine. I’ll return soon."

Ji Ziyue seemed a little impatient. After speaking, her face turned serious as she said, "Remember, do not disclose my whereabouts to them. Otherwise, when I return, I won’t forgive you."

Ji Ye knew Ji Ziyue’s temperament—once she decided something, it was hard to change her mind.

"Alright, miss, I’ll do as you say. But please be careful; if anything happens, send someone to notify me at once."

Ji Ye nodded, looking quite helpless.

Ji Ziyue smiled and nodded back, "Don’t worry, I will. Now, go back and tell them all is well with me."

Ji Ye gave Gu Sheng one last glance and then turned to leave, disappearing into the forest.

Ji Ziyue stood quietly in the woods, watching Ji Ye’s figure slowly vanish among the lush trees.

Sunlight seeped through the gaps in the leaves, scattered across Ji Ziyue’s face in mottled patches.

"Hah..."

Ji Ziyue let out a deep breath.

Gu Sheng looked at her—her expression, caught in the interplay of light and shadow, seemed very complex.

Ji Ziyue knew that, though Ji Ye verbally agreed, based on her understanding of him, he wouldn’t withstand interrogation from the Ji family elders.

So, Ji Ye was likely to reveal her whereabouts.

Thinking this, a trace of unease rose in Ji Ziyue’s heart.

Beside her, Gu Sheng seemed to sense her thoughts and spoke softly, "Your servant might become a liability. Why don’t I take care of her now?"

Ji Ziyue froze for a moment before shaking her head to stop him.

"No, you can’t do that. Ji Ye is a servant, but she’s innocent. I don’t want to kill indiscriminately."

Ji Ziyue fluttered her sincere eyes as she spoke.

"I don’t understand. I don’t understand why you don’t want to return to your family."

Gu Sheng shook his head, his eyes filled with puzzlement.

"Hah..."

Ji Ziyue took a deep breath and gazed at the distant sky.

"This... you wouldn’t understand. In the Ji family, though my status is noble, I feel stifled. The family struggles, the power contests—they exhaust me. Besides, some people covet me, as you know, wanting to eliminate me."

As Ji Ziyue said this, her eyes were filled with melancholy.

Well, it made sense—Gu Sheng had no background in a prominent family, let alone the so-called noble status like Ji Ziyue’s.

These insidious machinations were best left unexperienced.

"Then what do you plan to do?"

Gu Sheng asked.

Ji Ziyue suddenly laughed.

She turned her head to look at Gu Sheng. "What’s this? Now you’re willing to follow my orders?"

"Hehe..."

Gu Sheng chuckled sheepishly, "You’re more capable than me; I’ll follow your arrangements. Besides, you’re more familiar with this area than I am."

"That’s true."

Ji Ziyue said as she pointed northwest with her finger.

"Look, three hundred miles in that direction is the territory of the Supreme Mysterious Sect. We’re going to join the Supreme Mysterious Sect."

Ji Ziyue explained her plan.

Gu Sheng was momentarily stunned and looked at Ji Ziyue with a face full of confusion.

"Supreme Mysterious Sect? I’ve never heard of it."

"Tch!"

Ji Ziyue’s mouth curved slightly upward in a look of disdain.

"The Supreme Mysterious Sect is the largest sect within several hundred miles—a formidable power that even the Ji family wouldn’t casually provoke. I heard they’re recruiting talents widely these days, seemingly because of a secret technique surfacing."

Ji Ziyue explained.

Upon hearing the words "secret technique surfacing," Gu Sheng’s eyes immediately lit up.

As a practitioner, the pursuit of secret techniques and manuals was endless.

"Really? If the Supreme Mysterious Sect truly has secret techniques, then going there indeed sounds like a good choice."

Gu Sheng said, looking visibly excited.

Ji Ziyue nodded and affirmed, "My information is absolutely trustworthy. The Supreme Mysterious Sect is always mysterious; their widespread recruitment this time must mean something significant is happening. If we can join, we might have a chance to access those precious secret techniques."

Gu Sheng rubbed his fists, clearly enticed by the news.

"Alright, then let’s head to the Supreme Mysterious Sect and pick up some skills along the way."

Gu Sheng said with a cheerful grin.

Ji Ziyue rolled her eyes. "The Supreme Mysterious Sect has always been strict about recruiting disciples. They not only require martial arts talent but also evaluate character and temperament. Looking at your uncouth self, it’s far-fetched."

"Uh... far-fetched for me? Take a good look—my dashing appeal, my noble and refined physique, and you say I’m uncouth?"

Gu Sheng gave Ji Ziyue a disdainful glance in return.

"Hey now, you’re offended already? Haha..."

Ji Ziyue laughed out loud, amused.

And so, the two journeyed side-by-side toward the Supreme Mysterious Sect.

Along the way, they bantered and joked, creating a much more relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

Though Ji Ziyue occasionally teased Gu Sheng, their rapport increasingly deepened.

After several days of trekking, they finally arrived at the entrance to the Supreme Mysterious Sect.

It was a massive gorge surrounded by soaring peaks that pierced the clouds. At the mouth of the valley stood an ancient stone gate, engraved with three large characters—Supreme Mysterious Sect.

At this moment, nearly tens of thousands of practitioners were entering the sect’s entrance.

Just as Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue were about to enter the valley, they suddenly felt an intense fluctuation of energy.