The Little Fairy Doctor's thoughts were clear.
Even though she knew her teacher had taken her as a disciple because of her Woeful Poison Body, she harbored no resentment.
Born with the Woeful Poison Body, she had always been drawn to studying poisons. One day, the latent power of her physique would inevitably awaken.
Without her teacher's guidance, she would likely have become a Poison Maiden, feared and reviled by all.
Her teacher's appearance had saved her—and fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a high-ranking alchemist.
With such profound kindness, how could she possibly resent him?
In her heart, the Little Fairy Doctor had already made a decision: in this lifetime, she would serve her teacher faithfully and honor him with all her devotion.
Naturally, Gu He had no idea what was going through the Little Fairy Doctor's mind.
At that moment, a figure in white flashed through his thoughts.
'Nalan Yanran wants to become my disciple… which means Yun Yun has returned.'
Moreover, she must have discussed the matter of apprenticeship with Nalan Yanran.
This proved that Yun Yun still remembered the agreement they had made in the cave back then.
And if Yun Yun was willing to let Nalan Yanran become his disciple…
'Does this mean she has forgiven me?'
It must be so.
The thought brought an inexplicable joy to Gu He's heart.
'It seems Yun Yun still holds me in her thoughts.'
With a cheerful expression, Gu He turned to the Little Fairy Doctor and asked, "When did the Sect Leader returned?"
After a brief pause, the Little Fairy Doctor replied, "The Sect Leader returned about ten days ago."
Gu He nodded and said to the two girls, "Both of you, return to your cultivation. If you make a breakthrough, I will reward you."
The Little Fairy Doctor bowed slightly, then left alongside Qing Lin, who seemed somewhat reluctant.
…
Once they were gone, Gu He recalled the Heavenly Snake Art he had just obtained.
With a thought, his consciousness entered the ''System Space''.
Inside the void, a cyan scroll hovered silently.
'This must be the Heavenly Snake Art.'
"System, extract the Heavenly Snake Art," Gu He commanded inwardly.
As soon as the words left his mind, the cyan scroll trembled slightly before transforming into a streak of light that shot straight into Gu He's consciousness.
A flood of profound knowledge filled his mind—the complete contents of the Heavenly Snake Art.
Closing his eyes, Gu He absorbed the information.
After a while, he had fully comprehended the technique.
The Heavenly Snake Art was a cultivation method practiced by the ancient Heavenly Snake Clan. When learned to its peak, it allowed the practitioner to evolve into a legendary Ancient Heavenly Snake.
Gu He's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.
From what he knew, the Ancient Heavenly Snake Clan was one of the most formidable magical bloodlines, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with supreme bloodlines like the Ancient Void Dragon and the Heaven Demon Phoenix.
It was a ninth-tier monster bloodline—an existence of unparalleled might.
To think this Heavenly Snake Art, when cultivated to perfection, could allow one to evolve into such a being!
This technique was perfect for Qing Lin.
Gu He had no intention of practicing it himself. Instead, he planned to gift it to Qing Lin once she broke through to the Dou Practitioner Realm, ensuring the dou technique was put to its best use.
After lingering in the pavilion for a while, Gu He glanced at the darkening sky and rose to return to his chambers.
Having traveled tirelessly for a month, he was exhausted.
Now that he was back, a good night's rest was in order.
…
Perhaps it had been too long since he last slept properly.
Gu He slept soundly—until noon the next day.
"Sect Leader, Senior Sister Nalan… why are you here?"
The Little Fairy Doctor's soft voice in the courtyard finally roused him.
'Yun Yun brought Nalan Yanran here?'
'Is it about the apprenticeship?'
The thought jolted him awake.
"You're looking for teacher? I'll call him right away."
The Little Fairy Doctor's voice sounded again, followed by approaching footsteps.
'Creak—'
Before she could knock, Gu He pushed the door open.
"No need to call."
The Little Fairy Doctor blinked in surprise before bowing. "Teacher, the Sect Leader and Senior Sister Nalan are here."
Gu He nodded and stepped into the courtyard.
His gaze immediately fell upon Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, seated gracefully in the pavilion.
Today, Yun Yun was dressed in a flowing white robe.
The breeze played with the hem of her skirt, lifting it gently.
Her eyes were serene, carrying an air of detachment, yet the faint curve of her lips held a smile—one that seemed to embrace all living things.
Her snow-white attire contrasted with her ink-black hair, cascading down to her waist like a waterfall.
Her features were exquisite, her demeanor calm yet profound—like an unfathomable ocean.
Her beauty was transcendent, as if she were a celestial being descended from the heavens.
The cold aura around her was reminiscent of an icy peak, yet it carried an elegance that made her seem untouchable.
Gu He's eyes gleamed.
'Today, Yun Yun is especially captivating.'
Clearly, she had taken great care in her appearance before coming here.
The realization made the corners of his lips curl slightly.
'A scholar would die for one who truly understands him.'
Yun Yun, who usually paid little attention to her looks, had dressed meticulously today—for the first time.
This could only mean one thing: She now had someone in her heart worth dressing up for.
And Gu He had no doubt who that person was.
Suppressing his delight, he steadied his expression before approaching the pavilion.
"Greetings, Elder Gu He."
The moment he appeared, Nalan Yanran noticed him and immediately stood to bow, her attitude one of utmost respect.
Gu He acknowledged her with a slight nod before turning to Yun Yun.
"Sect Leader." Gu He's voice was gentle, his demeanor refined.
"It has been a long time. How have you been?"
Yun Yun's eyes flickered with complex emotions, but she quickly regained her composure.
After a brief silence, her red lips parted.
"I've brought Yanran to formally become your disciple. Does Elder Gu He consent?"
Nalan Yanran's heart skipped a beat at her teacher's blunt words.
Though she knew Elder Gu He had already agreed in principle, she couldn't help but feel anxious.
'At least exchange a few pleasantries first!'
Elder Gu He was being so warm and polite—couldn't her teacher respond in kind?
'Must she be so direct?'
Seeing Yun Yun's cool, indifferent expression, Nalan Yanran suddenly feared that this apprenticeship might not go as planned.
...
Nalan Yanran was anxious.
Upon hearing Yun Yun's words, Gu He was also slightly taken aback. Seeing her calm and indifferent expression, he sighed inwardly.
'It seems Yun Yun still holds a grudge over what happened in the cave of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.'
'Right.'
'Any woman would struggle to accept such a thing—let alone Yun Yun, who has always kept herself pure and never allowed a man to touch her.'
'I really went too far that day.'
Yet, despite his thoughts, Gu He felt no regret.
Truthfully, if it had been any other woman, he might have resisted the temptation. But facing Yun Yun—the stunning beauty who had long occupied his heart—Gu He had been utterly powerless to hold back.
Now, as he gazed at her slightly aloof demeanor, he felt no anger. After a brief silence, a refined smile returned to his face.
"I accept," he said slowly.
Beside them, Nalan Yanran: "???"
She was utterly dumbfounded, her beautiful eyes widening in shock. A sea of question marks flooded her mind.
'He… accepted?'
'Elder Gu He actually agreed?!'
Earlier, seeing Gu He fall into silence after her teacher's words, Nalan Yanran had thought it was over—she must have failed in her attempt to become his disciple.
Her heart ached as she looked at Yun Yun.
'If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have come alone.'
She believed that if she had shown enough sincerity, Elder Gu He—who already seemed inclined to take her as a disciple—would not have refused.
But now, it was too late.
Just as despair began to settle in, Gu He's unexpected agreement left her stunned.
Nalan Yanran glanced between Gu He and her teacher in confusion, her mind spinning with questions.
"Yan Ran, why are you standing there in a daze? Don't you want to be Elder Gu He's disciple?"
Yun Yun's voice, cool and detached, snapped her back to reality.
Nalan Yanran blinked, studying her teacher's expression. 'Something feels off about her today.'
She quickly composed herself, adopting a respectful expression as she turned to Gu He. But before she could speak, he beat her to it.
"From today onward, Yan Ran, you are my fourth disciple."
Nalan Yanran stared blankly at the elegantly smiling elder.
'Wait… I haven't even performed the formalities yet!'
'Why is Elder Gu He skipping the proper procedure?'
'At least let me go through the rites!'
Of course, Gu He had no idea what she was thinking. With a gentle smile, he retrieved over a dozen jade bottles from his storage ring and placed them on the table.
"This is Jade Bone Powder, refined by your master. Consider it my gift to you."
Nalan Yanran's dazed eyes finally gleamed with recognition.
'Jade Bone Powder—a fourth-grade pill!'
Not only did it nourish the skin and enhance beauty, but it also improved cultivation and strengthened the body. A single bottle was worth nearly 150,000 gold coins!
Back at the Miteer Auction House, she had envied her junior sister Xian'er for using it in her daily cultivation. Even moments ago, that envy had lingered.
It was precisely this longing that had made her readily agree when Yun Yun suggested she become Gu He's disciple.
Now, she no longer needed to envy anyone.
'From now on, I can cultivate with Jade Bone Powder too!'
Her heart swelled with excitement and gratitude as she prepared to thank him. But before she could utter a word—
Poof!
The dozen bottles on the table vanished.
"Yan Ran, let's go."
Yun Yun swiftly swept the Jade Bone Powder into her own ring and pulled Nalan Yanran toward the courtyard's exit.
"???"
Before Nalan Yanran could react, she was dragged away.
In the entire apprenticeship process, she hadn't spoken a single word beyond her initial greeting: "This disciple pays respects to Elder Gu He."
'This is absurd!'
It was as if the two had prearranged everything, exchanging a few cryptic words before settling the matter like child's play.
Once outside, Nalan Yanran finally regained her senses. She turned to Yun Yun, bewildered.
"Teacher, I—"
"Now that you've successfully become his disciple," Yun Yun interrupted, "you'll train with Elder Gu He daily from now on."
Without another word, she lifted Nalan Yanran and soared toward the main peak of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Left in the gust of wind, Nalan Yanran's mind was in complete disarray.
Gu He watched Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran depart, a trace of helplessness tugging at his lips.
'It seems Yun Yun still harbors deep resentment toward me.'
Then, recalling the apprenticeship, he sighed inwardly.
'I still had two more gifts to give…'
But Yun Yun had already whisked Nalan Yanran away.
'Well, no matter.'
Now that Nalan Yanran was officially his disciple, there would be plenty of opportunities later.
Just as this thought crossed his mind—
[Ding! Detected that the host has gifted Nalan Yanran twelve bottles of Jade Bone Powder. Congratulations on triggering a 1,500x refund: Eighteen bottles of Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Core Body Tempering Milk have been deposited into the system space. Please check, Host]
'Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Core Body Tempering Milk?'
Gu He's mind flashed into the system space, where eighteen exquisite jade bottles hovered before him. A surge of joy rose in his chest as information about the treasure flooded his thoughts.
The Earth Core Body Tempering Milk was an extremely rare treasure, born deep within the earth's core. It formed under immense pressure over countless years, condensing into a liquid of pure earth essence.
Ordinary Earth Core Body Tempering Milk could cleanse the marrow and temper the body, even helping peak-level cultivators break through bottlenecks.
But what Gu He had obtained was the Ten-Thousand-Year variant—its effects were beyond imagination!
…
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