Chapter 785 - 416: Past Experiences_2

Ji Ziyue hadn’t finished speaking when Gu Sheng interrupted her.

"Hey, their greed is so heavy, what does it have to do with me? Besides, these cultivators have decent cultivation—if they can’t overcome their greed, sooner or later, they’ll harm society and become even more troublesome."

Gu Sheng said with a hint of disdain.

"You... you..."

Ji Ziyue was rendered speechless by his sharp words.

Because she admitted that Gu Sheng wasn’t wrong.

If cultivators can’t rid themselves of greed, their misdeeds would become all the more heinous.

"Well, that’s that. The old madman is lost too. Are you heading back?"

Gu Sheng turned his head and looked at Ji Ziyue as he asked.

"Yes."

Ji Ziyue responded, and together with Gu Sheng, flew toward Zhuo Peak of the Supreme Mysterious Sect.

Before they even landed, Gu Sheng spotted Li Ruoyu meditating atop Zhuo Peak’s summit.

Soon, the two arrived beside Li Ruoyu.

"Senior."

Gu Sheng stepped forward, softly calling out.

Li Ruoyu opened his eyes and glanced at Gu Sheng: "You two are back?"

"Mm."

Ji Ziyue nodded.

Then Gu Sheng asked, "Senior, has the old madman... has he left Zhuo Peak?"

"Yes."

Li Ruoyu nodded.

"Where did he go?"

Gu Sheng continued to ask.

Li Ruoyu looked at Gu Sheng, and a complicated mix of emotions stirred within him.

"I don’t know. When he woke up, he didn’t say a word—he just flew away on a seven-colored light."

Li Ruoyu spoke while gazing in the direction where the old madman had departed.

"Alright then."

Gu Sheng suddenly felt a sense of loss. He merely nodded and stared into the distance.

A gentle breeze brushed past as Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue sat in quiet meditation alongside Li Ruoyu.

In the following days, Zhuo Peak became lively once more.

Compared to a few days ago, the visitors were not prominent figures from different regions.

More ordinary cultivators arrived.

Their only purpose was to learn more from Gu Sheng regarding the Bronze Immortal Palace.

Gu Sheng hadn’t expected that the words he had casually spoken at Ling Peak would spread across the entirety of East Desolation overnight.

The rumors varied—some claimed Gu Sheng had already become immortal,

some said he possessed a treasure map related to the Bronze Immortal Palace,

and others even suggested Gu Sheng was the Gatekeeper of the Bronze Immortal Palace, handpicking immortals in East Desolation.

All of this evidenced the immense impact the Bronze Immortal Palace held in East Desolation.

However, this also unknowingly increased Gu Sheng’s burdens.

To someone who preferred peace and quiet, this was undoubtedly a torment.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

That day, loud rumbling reverberated from the gate below Zhuo Peak.

Gu Sheng could tell—the sound came from someone intentionally attacking the mountain gate.

"Senior, the mountain gate... it seems someone’s attacking it."

Gu Sheng spoke with a trace of remorse in his tone.

If only he hadn’t spoken so much about the Bronze Immortal Palace at the time, there wouldn’t be so much trouble now.

"Mm. I’ve placed spells on the mountain gate; outsiders cannot enter."

Li Ruoyu replied.

Gu Sheng bit his lip. He felt that letting this continue wasn’t a solution.

"Senior, to avoid dragging Zhuo Peak into this mess, I think... I must leave."

Gu Sheng took a deep breath, making his decision.

Li Ruoyu showed no surprise at Gu Sheng’s suggestion.

He merely nodded lightly, as though everything was within his expectations.

Gu Sheng was even more astonished by the senior’s calm demeanor.

He hadn’t expected this figure to be so composed, as if unaffected by the outside world.

Even his departure from Zhuo Peak seemed to leave no impression on him.

"Senior, I..."

Gu Sheng bit his lip, his eyes filled with apology. "It’s me who has brought trouble to Zhuo Peak."

"Heh..."

Li Ruoyu chuckled softly and shook his head, "Gu Sheng, these are Zhuo Peak’s karmic ties—there’s no distinction between good and bad. There’s no need for you to blame yourself."

"Senior..."

Gu Sheng felt a warmth in his heart.

He knew Li Ruoyu’s words were sincere, and this magnanimity lessened the burden on his mind.

"Thank you, Senior."

Gu Sheng bowed deeply, expressing gratitude for Li Ruoyu’s understanding and support.

Soon, Gu Sheng’s figure transformed into a streak of light, flying away from Zhuo Peak.

At that moment, Li Ruoyu’s gaze betrayed a hint of unwillingness.

He looked in the direction where Gu Sheng had left and softly murmured: "I hope you can find your own path."

After Gu Sheng’s departure, Ji Ziyue began searching for him all over Zhuo Peak.

Ultimately, she arrived at Li Ruoyu’s place hoping for a clue.

"Senior Li, have you seen Gu Sheng? Is he slacking off somewhere again? Or is he deliberately..."

Ji Ziyue didn’t manage to finish her words, as Li Ruoyu interrupted her.

"He’s already left."

Li Ruoyu replied indifferently.

"Le... Left?"

Ji Ziyue felt a sinking sensation in her heart and asked, somewhat dejected.

"Yes."

Li Ruoyu nodded.

"Senior, when you say he left, do you mean Gu Sheng has completely left Zhuo Peak and won’t come back?"

Ji Ziyue froze in place, half her expression stiffened.

"That’s correct."

Li Ruoyu nodded again in response.

"This... how could he just leave like that? Even if he wanted to go, he should have at least told me!"

Ji Ziyue frowned deeply, a mix of heartbreak, frustration, and exhaustion washing over her.

"No, I’ve got to find him."

Ji Ziyue bit her lip and stated resolutely.

Just then, a voice sounded behind her: "Ziyue, you cannot go."

Ji Ziyue turned around to see Elder Ji Hong already standing behind her. His severe expression was borderline terrifying.

"Elder, I..."

Ji Ziyue wanted to explain, but the elder cut her off with a wave of his hand.

"You should know the family’s rules, and with the world outside in turmoil, you cannot leave."

Elder Ji Hong’s tone was firm and left no room for negotiation.

Li Ruoyu saw Elder Ji Hong and smiled. "Elder Ji, you’ve arrived."

Elder Ji Hong nodded toward Li Ruoyu. "Sorry for disturbing your cultivation, Daoist Ruoyu."

"No trouble at all."

Li Ruoyu said, then turned to Ji Ziyue: "Ziyue, Elder Ji is here. You should discuss things with him."

With that, Li Ruoyu took flight and left.

"Elder, why won’t you let me go find Gu Sheng?"

Once they were alone, Ji Ziyue asked with anger in her voice.

Elder Ji Hong looked at Ji Ziyue, his gaze tinged with helplessness.

"Ziyue, you should realize that Gu Sheng possesses the Divine Body. He is not aligned with the Ji family."

Elder Ji Hong stepped forward and spoke.

"So what? These are your rules—I couldn’t care less about them!"

Ji Ziyue turned her body away, adopting a defiant stance.

"You..."

Elder Ji Hong faced Ji Ziyue’s temper tantrum and looked conflicted.

"Ziyue, do you understand? Because of the Bronze Immortal Palace, powerful figures from all sides are converging on Zhuo Peak. This place will soon become a battlefield soaked in blood."

"What does that matter?"

Ji Ziyue retorted indignantly, "Gu Sheng hasn’t done anything wrong, and he’s even been kind to our Ji family."

Elder Ji Hong shook his head. He understood Ji Ziyue’s temperament—once she made up her mind, changing it was nearly impossible.

"Ziyue, you’re too naive. The world isn’t as simple as you think. Gu Sheng’s existence has already drawn too much attention. He is in grave danger, and you following him would only increase that risk."

"I’m not afraid of danger!"

Ji Ziyue’s determination seemed to grow stronger upon hearing this.

"Sigh..."

Elder Ji Hong sighed.

He knew no amount of persuasion would alter her decision.

"Swoosh!"

Suddenly, a beam of light emanated from Elder Ji Hong’s palm and directly ensnared Ji Ziyue.

Ji Ziyue struggled, twisting her body, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t break free.

"Elder, what are you doing?"

Ji Ziyue shouted angrily.

"Ziyue, I must take you back to the Ji family."

Elder Ji Hong’s voice carried a resolute tone. "You’ve been away for too long. I cannot let you fall into danger."

With that, Elder Ji Hong took the restrained Ji Ziyue and flew away from Zhuo Peak.

"Let me go! Let me go!"

Ji Ziyue struggled, but even using all her strength, she couldn’t free herself in the slightest.

At that moment, the entrance below the Supreme Mysterious Sect was suddenly buzzing with noise.