Nightfall descended upon Zhuo Peak, the cool evening breeze sweeping through.
Compared to the main peaks, lush and bustling, this place seemed much quieter.
Gu Sheng arrived at the very summit of Zhuo Peak under the cover of darkness.
Gazing toward the other main peaks, he caught sight of the most luminous Spiritual Peak, shrouded in drifting Immortal Energy, as if stars danced in harmony with its presence.
Gu Sheng gently churned his Divine Power.
In an instant, surges of radiance emanated from beneath his feet.
Yet, to avoid detection from others, Gu Sheng quickly extinguished the brilliance, restoring the surroundings to pitch-black silence.
"Zhuo Peak, a perfect place for cultivation."
Gu Sheng muttered to himself.
He then sat cross-legged and began to softly adjust his breathing.
Morning came, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.
"Whoosh!"
A streak of light descended from the heavens.
The light fell upon Gu Sheng, vanishing in an instant.
Simultaneously, Gu Sheng felt a warm current flowing gently within him.
The warmth surged directly toward his inner seas of turbulence, soothing his Spiritual Energy.
"Hoo..."
Gu Sheng took a deep breath and tried once more to stir his Divine Power.
This time, the intensity of his strength felt noticeably more overwhelming than ever before.
A force so potent, it almost frightened himself!
However, as Gu Sheng immersed himself in the joy of his newfound power, a piercing, deep gaze had already locked onto his form.
Li Ruoyu, that enigmatic and profound cultivator, had long noticed Gu Shengâs unusual activity.
Yet, he did not interrupt Gu Shengâs cultivation, choosing instead to silently linger in the shadows of the night.
At this moment, he resembled a vigilant guardian, silently watching over Gu Sheng.
"Perhaps, this youngster is teachable..."
Li Ruoyu mused inwardly, then retreated into the distance.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Gu Shengâs Divine Sense detected faint fluctuations in the air.
"Someoneâs here!"
Alerted, Gu Sheng bolted toward the direction of the disturbance.
But upon reaching the spot, he found... nothing.
The surroundings were utterly silent, save for the passing breezeâno other presence.
Gu Sheng furrowed his brows as a small thread of doubt began to stir in his heart.
Just then, his poignant Divine Sense picked up on a trace of an unusual aura.
It was deep, ancient, brimming with endless power.
"Him?"
Gu Shengâs heart trembled.
This aura unmistakably belonged to Li Ruoyu.
Zhuo Peak, the nine-tier Mystical Tower, the humble elders of other main peaks...
Everything seemed to openly proclaim Li Ruoyuâs status.
Gu Sheng decided to wait patiently until dawn before taking further action.
Night gradually receded, and the east horizon shimmered with a glimmer of light.
Gu Sheng stood up, tidied his robe, and made his way toward Li Ruoyuâs dwelling.
Upon arrival, he saw Li Ruoyu still seated atop the meditation mat, eyes closed in meditation.
Gu Sheng stood outside the door, quietly observing for a while, then softly greeted, "Good morning, elder."
Li Ruoyu opened his eyes slowly, glanced at Gu Sheng, and nodded lightly.
"Come in."
Gu Sheng walked inside, standing respectfully before Li Ruoyu, and said, "Elder, the sun has risen high; the morning meal..."
"Go down the mountain, fetch water, and start the fire to cook the meal."
Li Ruoyu spoke briefly, then closed his eyes once more.
...
Gu Sheng stood there, speechless.
He had thought that after entering the Supreme Mysterious Sect, food and drink would no longer be a worry.
But hearing Li Ruoyuâs wordsâdid this mean heâd have to fend for himself?
Seeing Li Ruoyuâs retreat into Withered Zen once again, Gu Sheng chose not to disturb him further.
"Understood."
Gu Sheng responded simply, then turned to leave.
Making his way down the mountain, he muttered to himself.
"Fetching water, cooking... What a bitter fate I have..."
"Had I known Iâd be cooking for myself here, I wouldnât have come to Zhuo Peak. Ah..."
"But whatâs done is done. Letâs keep going. Struggle on, wage slave!"
Gu Sheng seemed to transform into a walking bundle of contradictions.
Suddenly, an enticing aroma wafted through the air.
He looked up, only to see a flock of cranes gliding gracefully through the clouds.
On their backs were exquisite food containers, evidently delivering meals to the other main peaks.
"What the... The other peaks get that kind of treatment?"
Gu Shengâs mind sparked with an opportunity.
Quickly employing his movement technique, he darted forward in a few swift motions to intercept one of the cranes.
The cranes, clearly unaccustomed to being confronted, seemed disoriented and flustered.
Gu Sheng gently stroked the feathers of one crane, soothing it with tender words.
"Donât panic, little one. I wonât hurt you. Iâm here to lighten your burden."
Saying this, he promptly removed the food container from its back.
"Seriously?! Braised lionâs head, stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, and spicy bamboo shoots!"
"This... This is just irresistible!"
Gu Sheng gazed at the delicacies inside the container and couldnât help but swallow hard.
After releasing the crane back into the skies, he found a flat spot to unpack the food and savor the dishes.
"Elder, oh elder... my stomach was empty. I promise Iâll bring the rest to you after Iâve eaten my fill."
As he spoke, Gu Sheng began devouring the meal with gusto.
After satisfying his hunger, he carefully repacked the remaining portions into the container and brought it to Li Ruoyuâs dwelling.
Li Ruoyu, still sitting in meditation, appeared oblivious to Gu Shengâs return.
Gu Sheng placed the container before Li Ruoyu and said softly, "Elder, the morning meal is ready."
Li Ruoyu slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the food container, and asked, "Where did this come from?"
"Reporting to elder, it was prepared personally by this discipleâs own hands."
Gu Shengâs heart clenched, but outwardly he maintained composure as he replied.
"Hm?"
A flicker of intrigue flashed across Li Ruoyuâs eyes. He shook his head slightly, as if uncertain about Gu Shengâs claim.