Chapter 258: Return to Qinglu Sect
Just as Gu Mo had anticipated, once the news spread, the sects and powers of the Qinghe Immortal Realm all came to pay their respects.
However, none of those sects mentioned joining forces against the Fenghua Sect. In their view, although Gu Mo was indeed a dragon crossing the river, he ultimately did not belong to the Qinghe Immortal Realm.
Joining forces to strike at Fenghua Sect might feel satisfying in the moment, but unless Fenghua Sect could be completely crushed, it would only bring disaster upon them later.
If this true disciple of Shennong Valley failed to subdue Fenghua Sect, he could always simply leave. No matter how unwilling Fenghua Sect might be, they could not chase him beyond the realm. But those local sects had no such luxury; they could not just run away.
What's more, while Gu Mo and Fenghua Sect had indeed clashed, it was not yet common knowledge that their feud was one of life and death. Under such circumstances, naturally no one was willing to stand out and ally with Gu Mo against Fenghua Sect.
"Looks like I'll have to provoke Fenghua Sect further."
Realizing the thoughts of those sects, Gu Mo knew he had been too optimistic. He and Fenghua Sect were bound by a mortal grudge, but others did not know this, and Gu Mo could not reveal his true identity now.
Since that was the case, he could only increase his entanglement with Fenghua Sect, so that everyone would see their enmity had already reached the point of irreconcilability.
At that time, those sects oppressed by Fenghua Sect would likely rally to his side. The question was how to deepen this enmity.
Storming into Fenghua Sect to kill and destroy would be the simplest way, but that would not earn him the recognition of other sects. It might even backfire.
It was not impossible that Fenghua Sect would then unite with other sects to crush him as a rampaging devil.
Therefore, the way to intensify their feud had to be reasonable, and preferably with him holding the moral ground. Only then could it strike a chord with the other sects suffering under Fenghua Sect's tyranny. When the time came to unite against Fenghua Sect, it would seem both natural and justified.
"I've heard Fenghua Sect's new immortal city is about to open, with an auction to build momentum." Suddenly, Gu Mo thought of an excellent opportunity.
If he could ruin Fenghua Sect's grand auction, they would surely hate him to the bone. But of course, he could not use brute force to sabotage it—it had to be done legitimately.
After pondering for a moment, Gu Mo rose and headed for the City Lord's Manor. He already had an idea in mind and now needed to discuss it with City Lord Yun.
Cloudsky Immortal City was Fenghua Sect's greatest rival in the Qinghe Immortal Realm. After all, the founding of a new immortal city by Fenghua Sect had directly threatened its core interests.
City Lord's Manor, reception hall.
"True Disciple Gu Ge! Are you serious?" Yun Chen leapt to his feet in excitement. The words Gu Mo had just spoken carried explosive weight.
"Of course."
Gu Mo nodded. As for the name "Gu Ge," it was merely an alias. Since he could not expose his true identity, he chose this name deliberately.
Gu Ge, Gu Mo—similar enough to spark suspicion, yet not enough for certainty. It was meant to sow doubt in Fenghua Sect's heart, forcing them to probe him. That, too, would serve to deepen their karmic ties.
"Excellent, excellent! With True Disciple Gu Ge lending his hand, this city's auction will surely triumph." Yun Chen pressed down his excitement.
For Gu Mo had just promised to refine Nascent Soul Pills in Cloudsky Immortal City, and to place them in the upcoming auction.
Not only that, he also agreed to refine other breakthrough elixirs—Foundation Establishment Pills, Core Condensation Pills, and so on—though Cloudsky Immortal City would need to provide the ingredients.
Yun Chen agreed without hesitation. With such elixirs in play, he could already imagine the overwhelming scene to come. No matter what treasures Fenghua Sect brought forth, they would be eclipsed. After all, what cultivators longed for most was advancement in realm.
As for whether Gu Mo could truly refine them, Yun Chen had not the slightest doubt. The title of true disciple of a top sect was endorsement enough.
Before long, the news spread, shaking the entire Qinghe Immortal Realm. Countless cultivators flocked to Cloudsky Immortal City, eager to witness Gu Mo's refinement of the Nascent Soul Pill.
Amidst the bustling crowds, however, Gu Mo and Chu Feifei quietly slipped away.
Qiuyue Sect.
This small sect in a remote corner of the Qinghe Immortal Realm had always kept a low profile. Its disciples acted discreetly, and aside from nearby cultivation families, few even knew of its existence.
For Qiuyue Sect was in fact none other than Qinglu Sect under another name. With Fenghua Sect in its heyday, Qinglu Sect's disciples had no choice but to hide their true identity and live quietly.
But low profile did not mean slow. When it came to intelligence gathering, Qiuyue Sect was faster than most. A single piece of vital intelligence might save them from calamity.
"Sect Master, the Shennong Valley true disciple will be refining Nascent Soul Pills in Cloudsky Immortal City. Should we try to contend for one?" In the grand hall, a Core Formation elder's voice trembled with excitement. "With your foundation, as long as you obtain such a pill, stepping into the Nascent Soul realm would be guaranteed."
The other elders nodded. If Qinglu Sect wished to rise again, Nascent Soul-level strength was indispensable.
"Our sect cannot compete with others right now. I will make my own preparations and begin my breakthrough attempt in due course. I don't need the Nascent Soul Pill." Sitting on the high seat, Zhuo Suzhu shook her head.
Since Hundred Blossoms Sect's Mei Qiuyuan had resolved the issue of her heart fire, there had been no further obstacles in her path. Yet stepping into that realm required thorough preparation.
A fourth-grade spiritual land, arrays and treasures to resist the Nascent Soul tribulation—all of these were essential. Without them, she could still force her breakthrough, but it would be far more dangerous.
Even if she succeeded, she would spend a long time recovering her strength afterward. The breakthrough's commotion could not be concealed, and once the attempt began, word would spread.
That meant once she succeeded, Fenghua Sect's Nascent Soul cultivators would come immediately. Her post-tribulation condition would be crucial.
Only with full preparation, minimizing the toll of the tribulation and restoring herself swiftly, could she withstand Fenghua Sect's inevitable strike.
This would be Qinglu Sect's first step toward revival. As long as Fenghua Sect could not subdue Zhuo Suzhu after her breakthrough, Qinglu Sect would have truly regained a foothold.
Though Fenghua Sect would send wave after wave of attacks thereafter, as long as their top power remained unshaken, nothing else would matter.
"Sect Master, you must not!"
Hearing Zhuo Suzhu intended to break through unprepared, the elders all urged against it. The survival of the sect hinged on her success; no carelessness could be allowed.
"By the way, our Qinglu Sect does have some connection to Shennong Valley. Why not send someone to reach out to that true disciple? Perhaps we can invite his help in refining a Nascent Soul Pill?" one elder suggested.
Qinglu Sect had once failed in refining such a pill, but still retained some leftover materials. Over the years they had quietly collected more, enough to assemble one full set.
And the "connection" that elder mentioned was naturally Qi Chunde.
"That is a true disciple. Elder Qi is leagues away from such a status. How could we climb that high?" another elder shook his head.
"Enough. That set of Nascent Soul Pill ingredients is reserved for Yuan Niya. It must not be touched lightly." Zhuo Suzhu cut off the discussion at once.
If Zhuo Suzhu was the hope that allowed Qinglu Sect to stand again, then Yuan Niya was the cornerstone of its future rise.
"Silence. Outsiders have entered the sect's territory."
Suddenly, Zhuo Suzhu raised her hand with a grave expression. At her words, the elders present quickly dispersed. Although Qiuyue Sect was located in a remote area, it wasn't rare for people to pass by.
To avoid arousing suspicion, whenever outsiders approached, Qinglu Sect's people would immediately hide. After all, Qiuyue Sect was nominally a Golden Core sect, but if it were discovered that it housed multiple Golden Core elders, that would clearly be abnormal.
Should outsiders take notice and uncover that this was Qinglu Sect's base, it would spell big trouble. Everyone in the Qinghe cultivation world now knew that anyone who provided information on Qinglu Sect could claim rich rewards from Fenghua Sect.
In the underground chamber of Qiuyue Sect.
Several Golden Core elders watched the outside world through the formation's light curtain. Soon, the figures of a man and a woman appeared upon the screen.
"They're heading straight for us. Has our location been leaked?" Staring at the two heading directly for Qiuyue Sect, the elders' expressions grew heavy.
Qiuyue Sect rarely interacted with outsiders, so anyone coming directly to them was cause for wariness.
"Stay calm."
Zhuo Suzhu's voice was soft.
"Gu Mo, we're here."
Chu Feifei pointed at the small mountain gate before them. Returning to this place, her heart was filled with emotion.
"This is Qiuyue Sect. May I ask what business the two of you have here?" The Qinglu Sect disciple guarding the gate had already received the message. When he saw Gu Mo and Chu Feifei, he immediately stepped forward to inquire.
"To visit a friend."
Gu Mo smiled faintly.
"V-visit a friend? May I ask your names, Daoist friends? I'll go report it right away." The disciple's heart sank. Qinglu Sect disciples were in no position to make friends, let alone reveal their base's location to them.
"Gu Mo."
Gu Mo spoke his true name.
"Then please wait a moment, Daoist Gu."
At his words, the guard left quickly to report inside. Clearly, this was beyond his authority to handle.
"Hm? Did that Daoist just say his name was Gu Mo? Why does that sound familiar?" The disciple frowned slightly, but he had no time to think further.
He rushed straight into the Qiuyue Sect's main hall. A Golden Core elder was seated there — the nominal sect master of this supposed Golden Core sect.
"What are those two people's origins?"
Seeing the guard return, the elder asked.
The disciple quickly explained the situation. When the elder heard that they had come to "visit a friend," his face darkened. "Which fool leaked our sect's location to outsiders?!"
But when he heard the man's name was Gu Mo, the elder froze for a moment, then suddenly reacted. However, the appearance described didn't match the Gu Mo he knew of, so he dared not confirm it.
He immediately reported the matter to Zhuo Suzhu in the underground chamber.
"What? Gu Mo?"
Zhuo Suzhu was also taken aback. She hadn't expected Gu Mo to actually find them. "Right, what about the female cultivator at his side?" she suddenly asked, realizing something.
"Ah, this disciple will go ask at once."
The guard rushed back out, but quickly returned again, because Gu Mo and Chu Feifei had already entered.
As for Qiuyue Sect's protective formation, it naturally posed no barrier to Gu Mo, who held Qinglu Sect's true disciple token.
The moment Gu Mo revealed that token, the matter was settled. After stepping into Qiuyue Sect, both Gu Mo and Chu Feifei shed their disguises.
In the next instant, the elders hiding in the underground chamber emerged, their faces alight with joy as they looked at Gu Mo and Chu Feifei.
"Gu Mo, Feifei, welcome back!"
Zhuo Suzhu gazed at them, her heart full of emotion.
"I've returned."
Gu Mo swept his gaze around, spotting many familiar faces, though one in particular was missing.
"Niya isn't here. She's cultivating elsewhere." Seeing the doubt in Gu Mo's eyes, Zhuo Suzhu explained. You couldn't put all your eggs in one basket.
Yuan Niya was another precious egg of Qinglu Sect. To prevent Fenghua Sect from wiping them out in one sweep, Zhuo Suzhu had arranged for her, along with some of the sect's elite disciples, to remain in another location.
"Feifei, did your master come this time as well?" one elder asked. Everyone knew Chu Feifei had become the disciple of Baihua Sect(Hundred Blossoms Sect)'s Nascent Soul True Lord.
If her master had also come, that would be an enormous boon for Qinglu Sect.
"My master did not come this time." Chu Feifei shook her head.
Hearing that Baihua Fairy had not come, Qinglu Sect's people couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"Feifei, how could your master allow you to come here alone?" Zhuo Suzhu asked, remembering very clearly how much Baihua Fairy valued Chu Feifei.
"Because I came with Gu Mo." Chu Feifei turned her gaze toward him. The reason her master allowed her to leave was not only because her strength was enough to fight a Nascent Soul True Lord, but also because of Gu Mo.
Her words left the Qinglu Sect members puzzled. What did this have to do with Gu Mo?
"Ah, of course — Gu Mo, you've apprenticed under Elder Qi, so you're already a disciple of Shennong Valley. Since a Shennong Valley true disciple has come, the two of you must have come alongside him, right?" Suddenly, an elder smacked his forehead, having pieced the story together.
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