Chapter 755 - 401: Robbing the Crane_2

"Really?"

Li Ruoyu asked seriously.

"Well... I saw a mystical crane delivering meals from the sky, so I took some over for you. You should eat while it’s hot."

Gu Sheng finally admitted the truth.

"I... sigh..."

With a heavy sigh, Li Ruoyu’s figure suddenly blurred and vanished into thin air.

"Senior! Senior!"

Gu Sheng called out twice.

But the desolate Zhuo Peak gave no response, as if even the mountain wind had stopped answering.

"Why run away? Is it not to your liking?"

Gu Sheng muttered, then began tasting the food himself.

"The flavor’s not bad, huh. That old man, seriously, even persnickety with food."

While he was puzzling, a furious shout came from outside: "Who dares to intercept the mystical crane of Ling Peak!"

"Ling Peak?"

Gu Sheng was startled, realizing his actions might have violated the Supreme Mysterious Sect’s rules.

He then quickly stepped outside, only to see a middle-aged cultivator in a green robe glaring at him furiously.

"Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!"

At the same time, several young cultivators appeared before Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng hurriedly saluted and explained, "Senior, please calm down. Disciple Gu Sheng, I was simply overcome with hunger and had no choice but to stop the mystical crane. I beg your understanding."

The middle-aged cultivator’s expression softened slightly. "Gu Sheng, you just joined the Supreme Mysterious Sect and already dare to do such a thing. If it weren’t for your Uncle Li Ruoyu’s reputation, I’d teach you a harsh lesson."

"Phew..."

Gu Sheng’s heart sank, realizing the trouble he’d caused was bigger than anticipated.

He quickly saluted again and earnestly promised, "Senior, your reprimand is just. I will be more careful in the future and not repeat such mistakes."

"Hmph!"

The middle-aged cultivator snorted, extending his hand. "Return the meal to me!"

Return?

How to return?

It’s been almost an hour; the food had already turned into waste and passed through his body. How could he return it?

Seeing Gu Sheng frozen in place, the middle-aged cultivator shouted again: "Didn’t you hear me? Where’s the lunchbox?"

Feeling helpless, Gu Sheng turned back into the house.

Without a care for the leftover soup or crumbs, he hastily stuffed the remaining bowls and plates into the lunchbox.

"You want the lunchbox? Fine, here. What’s the big deal..."

Soon, Gu Sheng hurried back holding the lunchbox and respectfully handed it to the middle-aged cultivator. "Senior, please accept this."

"Hmm."

The middle-aged cultivator snatched the lunchbox, his expression easing a little.

But as he opened it and saw only scraps and leftovers inside, his face instantly turned ashen.

"Whoosh!"

He slammed the lid shut, roaring, "You brat! Dare to mock me like this? Unforgivable!"

Without delay, he turned to the young cultivators behind him and commanded, "Capture this insolent boy at once and teach him a lesson!"

"Understood!"

The young cultivators stepped forward immediately, surrounding Gu Sheng.

They all glared menacingly, clearly infuriated by Gu Sheng’s affront.

Gu Sheng smirked faintly, and his movements suddenly turned ethereal and elusive.

The young cultivators rushed forward.

But after several exchanges, they didn’t even manage to touch his clothes.

The middle-aged cultivator was taken aback, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

Without hesitation, he began chanting an incantation, and the surrounding Spiritual Energy quickly gathered, forming a transparent, circular Barrier.

Inside the Barrier, Gu Sheng felt the space around him compressing.

He realized he couldn’t escape and would have to face them head-on.

"Ganging up on me, huh!"

Gu Sheng shouted.

"Stop making excuses! Let’s see what you’re capable of!"

The middle-aged cultivator replied coldly.

Suddenly, the group of young cultivators attacked Gu Sheng again.

With the middle-aged cultivator backing them, their moves became sharper and more ruthless, clearly intending to leave no room for mercy.

"Fine, you asked for it!"

Gu Sheng declared, unleashing his Divine Power.

...

After a few exchanges, cries of pain echoed.

The young cultivators from the main peak were all knocked to the ground, utterly defeated.

Some were clutching their chests, others holding their legs, their faces contorted in pain and frustration.

"This..."

The middle-aged cultivator’s complexion turned grim.

He hadn’t anticipated Gu Sheng’s strength to be so formidable, even defeating several main peak disciples in a group fight.

If word spread across the peaks, Ling Peak’s reputation would be utterly disgraced.

"Prepare yourself!"

The middle-aged cultivator took a deep breath, about to strike personally, when a voice suddenly called out from afar: "Stop!"

The middle-aged cultivator and Gu Sheng both turned to the voice’s source, seeing Li Ruoyu approaching slowly.

His face carried a gentle smile, but his eyes exuded authority and strength.

Li Ruoyu walked up to the middle-aged cultivator and said coolly, "What brings you all to my Zhuo Peak?"

The middle-aged cultivator was stunned, not expecting Li Ruoyu to show up in person.

He quickly saluted respectfully. "Uncle Li, junior greets you."

"Greet me? This is your idea of greeting, barging on Zhuo Peak and attacking my people?"

Li Ruoyu said coldly.

"I..."

The middle-aged cultivator was left speechless and flustered.

"Master, it’s mainly because..."

The middle-aged cultivator attempted to explain but was cut off by Li Ruoyu.

"Because of what? Don’t you know that inter-peak visits require formal notice? Did you notify today?"

Li Ruoyu’s stern tone was filled with reproach.

"No... we didn’t..."

The middle-aged cultivator lowered his head, muttering those words with great difficulty.

"How shameful!"

Li Ruoyu scoffed, turning his gaze to the Barrier imprisoning Gu Sheng and the others.

With a wave of his hand, the Barrier dissipated instantly.

The middle-aged cultivator looked embarrassed, bowing deeply to Li Ruoyu.

"Uncle Li, it was my oversight. I promise this will never happen again."

He spoke earnestly.

He hurriedly turned to the young cultivators, commanding frantically, "Let’s leave. Make sure to notify next time we set foot on Zhuo Peak!"

"Yes!"

The young cultivators responded, saluting Li Ruoyu before retreating hastily.

Gu Sheng watched them leave, then grinned mischievously as he approached Li Ruoyu.

"Senior, they seem quite respectful of you."

Li Ruoyu didn’t answer but instead gave Gu Sheng a sharp glare.

"You brat, don’t stir up trouble from now on, got it?"

Li Ruoyu’s tone carried reproach, though Gu Sheng felt there was a hint of amusement hidden within.

Scratching his head, Gu Sheng replied with a laugh, "Understood, Senior, I got it."

Then he produced two buns from his pocket.

"Senior, these buns were originally for myself, but since you haven’t eaten, please have them."

He handed Li Ruoyu the oil-paper-wrapped buns.

"You’re not completely hopeless, seems you do have a bit of conscience."

Li Ruoyu accepted the buns.

Seeing Li Ruoyu looking slightly pleased, Gu Sheng couldn’t resist asking curiously, "Senior, you saw everything just now. Why didn’t you step in earlier?"

"You’re new to the Supreme Mysterious Sect, so you might not realize it yet. Other main peaks look down on us here at Zhuo Peak, thinking our disciples are weak and insignificant. This incident was deliberately set up to test you and knock you down a peg."

Li Ruoyu glanced at Gu Sheng, explaining calmly.

"I see..."

Gu Sheng’s eyes lit up with understanding and an underlying anger.

"Senior, don’t worry. I’ll work harder on my cultivation so that they’ll never dare to underestimate Zhuo Peak again!"

Gu Sheng clenched his fists, showing resolute determination.

"Alright, alright, just try not to cause trouble in the future."

Li Ruoyu waved his hand dismissively.

"Rest assured, I promise."

Gu Sheng vowed sincerely.

"No more nonsense. The morning hours are prime for Spiritual Energy growth; go and cultivate quickly!"

Li Ruoyu motioned toward the highest point of Zhuo Peak with his chin.