"Wow!"
Bai Ling was not the only one taken aback— even the ever-gentle Chen Yihan looked genuinely surprised.
Gu Qingli scratched her head and chuckled sheepishly.
Indeed, having a venerable master was something to be proud of. Without her master, she might not even be acknowledged as a member of the Gu family today.
Though she'd never harbored much affection for the Gu family, they had, at the very least, offered her a safe haven. These years had passed without too many storms.
"To think that Xiaoli is a disciple of Dongfang Kunlun—what an unexpected revelation. With such a master, she hardly needs any help from us. With Dongfang Kunlun at her back, she can walk unchallenged across the Eastern Sacred Nation."
Rather than feeling embarrassed, Bai Ling laughed freely.
"Such prodigious talent—Dongfang Kunlun has truly found a rare treasure," Chen Yihan remarked sincerely.
"Indeed. In all these years, I've only seen one other child with a gift like Xiaoli's. I daresay the Eastern Sacred Nation has only two such geniuses. Her future is boundless."
As Bai Ling spoke, she seemed to recall something.
Gu Qingli, however, felt a strange sense of déjà vu… It was as if she'd heard all of this somewhere before.
"Speaking of which, Chen Sheng should be fifteen by now. I wonder if he still keeps that frosty little face of his," Chen Yihan mused, his voice soft and touched with complexity, as if stirring up old memories.
A trace of melancholy crossed Bai Ling's otherwise enchanting expression.
Gu Qingli noticed the trio had fallen into some deep recollection—clearly, memories that lingered painfully in their hearts.
"It's been so many years since we parted ways," Shao Yan sighed, his tone wistful.
"He has secluded himself all these years… It seems the fire for vengeance still burns within him. If not for Chen Sheng being just a child back then, I doubt he would've survived. I had hoped that, now he's older, he might have let go. But clearly, he has not…"
Bai Ling bit her crimson lip, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Gu Qingli listened in silence, growing more and more certain—Chen Sheng… wasn't that Chu Chen Sheng? That cold-eyed boy in black from years ago!
Her master had mentioned him before. His mother had passed, and he was out for revenge. Could it be that this boy they were speaking of was the same Chu Chen Sheng?
Wasn't the Shen'gu Continent vast and boundless? Why did the world feel so small?
"Enough, Bai Ling. There's still a child here. He may be reckless with his life, but I doubt he'd risk failing his revenge."
"Uh… Are you talking about Chu Chen Sheng? From Myriad Stars Valley? Wait a minute—Myriad Stars…"
Gu Qingli suddenly realized the auction house and the valley shared the same name.
"You know Chen Sheng?" Shao Yan was visibly surprised. To his knowledge, Chu Chen Sheng had never been to Loulan City.
"Uncle Shao, tell me—why do the Myriad Stars Valley and Myriad Stars Auction House share the same name? I'm really curious."
"It's not all that mysterious. Both were founded by the Chu family. They're different branches now, but still intricately connected," Shao Yan explained.
"Oh, I see. I met Chu Chen Sheng when I first encountered my master. It wasn't exactly a pleasant meeting," Gu Qingli said.
She then recalled the memory—how that little boy, despite being so young, acted like an aged man. Even now, she thought he deserved a good smack for it.
And never mind that she had looked even younger than him.
"Hahaha! I never imagined such a tale. That boy always had such a cold expression, I thought he was born with a frozen face. Who knew he'd ever be flustered!"
Chen Yihan chuckled with unhidden amusement.
"Exactly! Seems only Xiaoli can truly put him in his place," Bai Ling agreed with a knowing smile.
"I had nearly forgotten—Dongfang Kunlun and he were old friends. That makes sense. But if Kunlun helps him, then perhaps… there's hope," Shao Yan suddenly said.
Bai Ling's eyes lit up. "That's right! With Dongfang Kunlun at his side, even if he doesn't succeed, he'll make it out alive!"
Gu Qingli went still. Was she accidentally dragging her master into trouble?
Revenge—such a dangerous endeavor… How could she let her master get involved? What a misstep this was.
"I'll go find Dongfang Kunlun right away. With their bond, he's bound to agree."
"Bai Ling, don't act rashly. You know as well as I do—the bond between them runs deep. This is their matter to settle. Even if you say nothing, Kunlun will know."
"…Fine. I get it. I know I can't stop him. And I don't have the strength to fight alongside him either. He's always been so damned stubborn…"
Bai Ling sighed, deeply dejected.
"Well, you still like him, stubbornness and all," Shao Yan muttered.
He exchanged a glance with Chen Yihan. Both men's eyes carried the same helpless resignation. After all these years, it wasn't just "him" who couldn't let go—Bai Ling had never truly moved on either.
Gu Qingli's heart twisted slightly. Knowing her master, he would absolutely rush in without hesitation for a friend.
What she didn't know was that this one moment—this conversation—would become the spark for a future filled with hidden dangers and looming challenges.