Mu Zhe's meridians were being filled with spiritual energy, and his injuries were gradually healing. However, Shen Gurong had inexplicably fallen into a deep sleep.
He didn't seem to grasp the common sense of cultivators—that even in sleep, one should circulate spiritual energy—and the bleeding on his back wouldn't stop.
Mu Zhe picked up Shen Gurong, hurriedly said a few words to Jing Zhuchen, and quickly entered the Chaos Realm, carrying Shen Gurong away from this dangerous place.
As soon as Shen Gurong left, Jing Zhuchen stepped forward and kicked Chao Jiuxiao, who was lying on the ground, saying, "Alright, stop holding back, he's gone."
Chao Jiuxiao, who had been lying on the ground pretending to be dead, immediately let out a vicious dragon roar, raging, "It hurts so much, it hurts so much—"
Jing Zhuchen: "..."
"It hurts like hell!" Chao Jiuxiao almost rolled on the ground, even his dragon tail drooping, "It hurts so much, Senior Brother, save me!"
Jing Zhuchen sighed, took out a pipe from his sleeve, flicked out a cluster of flames, slowly took a puff, exhaled a puff of white smoke, and said calmly, "Take it yourself. I've never seen you scream this much when you shed your skin."
Chao Jiuxiao was on the verge of death, forcibly urging the spiritual power in his spiritual veins to shed the last layer of charred skin. He said with difficulty, "I... I usually only shed one layer of skin at a time..."
"Do you know how many layers I shed just now?"
Jing Zhuchen didn't seem to care much, casually guessing, "Two layers?"
Chao Jiuxiao: "..."
Chao Jiuxiao almost fainted from anger.
Shedding skin is extremely painful for a dragon; normally, one shed skin takes ten to fifteen days, let alone being struck by lightning and forced to shed several layers. It's a miracle he's still conscious.
Chao Jiuxiao has a volatile temper. The pain in his body caused him to start cursing and swearing. He cursed the Heavenly Dao, then Shen Gurong, and finally even uttered the term "idiot dog."
Jing Zhuchen tapped his charred scales with his pipe and sighed, "Fool, you should shed your skin and transform into a dragon first. Once you transform, your cultivation can rival Eleven. Fighting then is much better than you arguing here."
Chao Jiuxiao was easily coaxed and immediately mustered all his strength to shed his skin and transform into a dragon.
Even dragons undergo tribulations, but a Jiao is already half a dragon, a favored child of Heaven, so his tribulations won't be as terrifying as those of human cultivators.
As long as Chao Jiuxiao can survive the dragon transformation, the tribulation will be negligible.
"Senior brother, the tribulation will depend on you then," Chao Jiuxiao said.
Jing Zhuchen smiled faintly, puffing out smoke, his lips a vibrant red. He said softly, "Alright, as long as you stay with your senior brother..."
Chao Jiuxiao suddenly became serious, "I suddenly feel like I can handle it myself."
Jing Zhuchen: "..."
Shen Gurong knew nothing of the events at the Gu Hong Secret Realm. He seemed to be in an endless nightmare, surrounded by darkness, with occasional glimpses of blood-red light peeking through a crack, looking utterly eerie.
Someone was breathing heavily beside his ear, seemingly injured.
Shen Gurong listened intently, suddenly desperately lunging forward to peek through the crack at the outside world.
His breath was tinged with blood, and the person's breathing grew increasingly faint.
Shen Gurong murmured, "Are you still there?"
The person chuckled softly, replying gently, "I'm still here."
After an unknown amount of time, he asked again, "Are you still there?"
"Still here."
"You...are you still there?"
"..." After a long silence, the person finally said, "Yes."
"Are you still there? Are you still there?"
"..." No one answered, no one responded.
Shen Gurong suddenly felt a surge of inexplicable panic. He struggled desperately to crawl forward, but his legs felt like lead, completely immobile.
He turned around in a daze and found himself surrounded by hideous demons, all roaring and lunging at him, dragging him backward by his ankles as if to pull him to hell.
"Ah—!" Shen Gurong screamed suddenly, desperately trying to push away the vengeful ghosts, but his fingers touched something warm.
Shen Gurong opened his eyes blankly, staring at the ceiling in shock. After a long while, he vaguely recognized the person in front of him as Mu Zhe.
Mu Zhe was still holding his hand, whispering, "Don't be afraid, it's just a nightmare, Master..."
Shen Gurong stared at him blankly for a long time, then suddenly sat up abruptly and hugged Mu Zhe's neck.
Mu Zhe stiffened.
Shen Gurong was probably genuinely frightened; he was trembling all over. Mu Zhe hesitated for a moment before gently hugging him back, his hand stroking his back.
Shen Gurong buried his face in Mu Zhe's neck, trembling for a long time before slowly relaxing, gradually pulling himself out of the nightmare.
Only then did he realize that he had shamelessly thrown himself into his disciple's arms. Shen Gurong coughed, immediately pushed Mu Zhe away, and turned his head away, not daring to look at him.
'I'm...embarrassing. I beg for a quick death.'
Mu Zhe: "..."
Seeing that he was joking again, Mu Zhe finally relaxed.
He asked softly, "Did you have a nightmare, Master?"
Shen Gurong hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying in a muffled voice, "Yes."
Mu Zhe: "What did you dream about?"
Shen Gurong: 'I dreamed that a ghost was pulling my ankle.'
But the idea that such a trivial matter could frighten him so much that he threw himself into his disciple's arms for a hug was untenable; after all, it would damage his master's dignity.
Shen Gurong coughed lightly, then feigned composure, saying, "I dreamt that you failed your Great Ascension Tribulation, and I, a white-haired man, buried a black-haired one..."
Mu Zhe: "..."
After speaking, Shen Gurong belatedly realized, "Ah! You're already in the Great Ascension stage?"
Mu Zhe nodded, saying reservedly, "Yes."
Mu Zhe's luck was truly extraordinary. Although countless spiritual herbs in his childhood failed to help him enter the Dao, he unexpectedly obtained Shen Feng Xue's yuandan, achieving a meteoric rise. He also easily obtained the most top-tier Heavenly Dao opportunity in the Gu Hong Secret Realm, successfully advancing to the Great Ascension stage.
From then on, the Three Realms had two Great Ascension cultivators, both from Liren Peak.
Shen Gurong was very satisfied, feeling that he and his disciple had truly brought honor to Liren Peak.
He would definitely show off his disciple to Xi Guxing when they returned.
He was basking in his own thoughts when he heard Mu Zhe say, "Master, I want to leave Liren Peak."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong, who had already imagined Xi Guxing praising him with a frustrated expression, 'Your disciple is truly a genius,' immediately felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
He asked expressionlessly, "Why?"
Seeing his master's nonchalant demeanor, Mu Zhe felt it necessary to remind him that he had already confessed his love to him before the tribulation.
"Master, didn't you say we were master and disciple, and couldn't become Daoist partners?"
Mu Zhe said, "If I leave Liren Peak, I can pursue you openly."
That way, the senior masters on Liren Peak wouldn't be able to interfere with him.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong froze for a long time before his eyes widened and he gasped sharply.
He had completely forgotten about that!
Mu Zhe sighed. His master could even forget something like this; he didn't know whether to call him carefree or heartless.
"You..." Shen Gurong said with difficulty, "You'd better not...don't leave Liren Peak."
If he were to return one day, and Shen Feng Xue were to re-enter this body and see that his beloved disciple, whom he had always cherished and protected, was lost, wouldn't he drag him back and fight him to the death?
Mu Zhe asked, "Then, Master, are you willing to accept me?"
Shen Gurong awkwardly turned his head away again, looking left and right but refusing to look at Mu Zhe.
It seemed like a rejection.
Mu Zhe took a deep breath and stubbornly said, "Fine, then when I return to Liren Peak this time, I will tell the Sect Leader about leaving Liren Peak."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Is this child dim-witted? Why is he so stubborn? Shen Gurong had no choice but to reason with him: "Mu Zhe, listen to your master, in this world, the harmony of Yin and Yang is the righteous path..."
Mu Zhe retorted: "The righteous path? What is the righteous path? Who decided that the harmony of Yin and Yang is the righteous path? Why can't the harmony of Yang and Yang be the righteous path? The righteous path is ultimately defined by people themselves. If I can manipulate the Three Realms, then what I say is the righteous path."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong stared at him in shock, never having imagined that her obedient disciple would harbor such rebellious thoughts.
What I say is the righteous path.
Is there anyone in this world who dares to utter such arrogant words?!
Mu Zhe was the first such person Shen Gurong had ever encountered. Even the Holy Lord of the Three Realms, Shen Feng Xue, had never entertained such thoughts.
After speaking, Mu Zhe, seeing Shen Gurong's astonishment, felt a pang of regret.
However, his regret wasn't for his words themselves, but for speaking such arrogant words to Shen Gurong.
His little master was so timid; even a dream about ghosts could make him tremble for half a day. Naturally, he couldn't bear to hear such words that defied the natural order.
Mu Zhe coughed lightly before saying, "I was just saying it casually. If Master rejects me because of our master-disciple relationship, then I'll have no choice but to betray the sect."
Shen Gurong: "But..."
Mu Zhe seemed to know what his master was about to say and interrupted, "Does Master not like me?"
Shen Gurong was at his wit's end: "My affection for you is just the affection a master has for his disciple, like a father's affection for his child..."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and covered Shen Gurong's mouth, making him swallow back the words "a father's affection for his child."
Caught off guard by having his mouth covered, Shen Gurong glared at Mu Zhe with displeasure.
His eyes still held the mist from his earlier fright, the corners of his eyes as if painted with crimson, making him look exceptionally alluring.
That glare, to Mu Zhe, seemed like a bewitching spell.
Mu Zhe's breathing quickened for a moment.
Shen Gurong shook off his hand and stopped looking at Mu Zhe. After thinking for a while, he exclaimed, "Ah!" and suddenly said, "Someone's looking for you."
Mu Zhe was startled and followed his gaze.
The two were currently in the mustard seed Fanjiang Residence. A barrier had been placed at the entrance, preventing outsiders from entering, but those inside could see the scene outside.
Shen Gurong had been unconscious for two whole days. Su Fangyi and Miao Qingfeng had already emerged from the Gu Hong Secret Realm and were now standing at the entrance waiting for someone, whispering to each other.
Su Fangyi: "I'm so stupid, really stupid. I confidently provoked them before, and even cried so many times. Thinking about it carefully, sigh, I'm so stupid."
Miao Qingfeng said coldly, "You're really stupid. I already know. There's no need to say it so many times."
Su Fangyi pouted.
Seeing her so dejected, Miao Qingfeng could only say, "Go and call someone. How long are you going to wait here?"
Su Fangyi reluctantly went to knock on the protective barrier of the mustard seed Fanjiang Residence.
Mu Zhe, wrapped in a jet-black robe with his hood pulled high, obscuring his fox ears and revealing only half his face, emerged expressionlessly. He coldly asked, "What is it?"
Su Fangyi blushed inexplicably and took out several bright red inspiration fruits from her storage ring, handing them to Mu Zhe.
Shen Gurong had already come out of the room and was now peeking furtively through the door of the mustard seed Fanjiang Residence.
Because of the barrier, he could only see the actions outside but couldn't hear what the two were saying.
After Su Fangyi handed the inspiration fruits to Mu Zhe, he said something with a cold expression. Su Fangyi quickly said something in return, and Mu Zhe paused slightly, his expression softening considerably as he took the fruits.
This time, Shen Gurong recognized him clearly as saying, "Thank you."
Shen Gurong was somewhat shocked; he hadn't expected his disciple to be so gentle with strangers.
Mu Zhe probably had a bit of a "childlike complex" towards his master. He was inherently cold and aloof, never showing any kindness to others, only pouring out his tenderness towards his master.
Shen Gurong had always thought he possessed that special tenderness, but unexpectedly…
Shen Gurong felt inexplicably dissatisfied, but upon reflection, perhaps Mu Zhe liked that child. In that case, wouldn't the matter of being confessed to be easily resolved?
Since it was resolved, what was there to be dissatisfied about?
But knowing this didn't change the fact that he knew it; the displeasure in his heart still spread like weeds.
By the time Mu Zhe returned with the fruit, Shen Gurong was so sour he felt like he was bubbling over, his entire being radiating gloom and irritability.
Mu Zhe paused for a moment.
When Shen Gurong saw him turn around, he found it harder to smile than ever before. He forced himself to remain calm, struggling many times.
'Relax. It's a good thing Mu Zhe likes women. As his master, I should bless him and let him understand his true feelings so he won't betray the sect again.'
Mu Zhe: "..."
He comforted himself like this, finally allowing the gloom on his face to slowly fade.
Shen Gurong revealed a gentle smile, but said sarcastically, "Our Mu Zhe is really popular; someone even comes up to deliver spirit fruits."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Shen Gurong was so easy to understand; there was no need for mind reading. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, completely unable to disguise himself.
Mu Zhe suppressed a laugh and stepped forward to offer the washed fruit to Shen Gurong's lips.
Shen Gurong turned his head away. He found it sour, and the fruit looked sour too; he wouldn't eat it.
After laughing enough, Mu Zhe said softly, "Su Fangyi said she heard someone say that someone shielded me from a lightning tribulation..."
Su Fangyi: "Heard someone shielded you from a lightning tribulation? Willing to risk their life for you, it must be your Daoist partner."
Mu Zhe was taken aback.
Su Fangyi handed him the fruit, saying, "Consider this spiritual fruit my apology. Take it to your Daoist partner to heal."
Mu Zhe didn't quite understand why she would apologize to him, but he instinctively felt that if he asked, Su Fangyi would definitely answer with "Because I misunderstood you for not speaking human language," so he let it go.
Besides... the words "your Daoist partner" were too pleasant to hear. Mu Zhe's expression softened involuntarily, and he didn't refuse, accepting the fruit and thanking her.
After giving it to her, Su Fangyi seemed somewhat regretful for not seeing the legendary Daoist partner, and left with Miao Qingfeng.
Mu Zhe gently touched the fruit to Shen Gurong's lips and smiled, "I like the way she said you're my Daoist partner, that's why I smiled, it's not what Master thinks."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong froze, instinctively asking, "What do I think?"
Mu Zhe was about to speak when a violent surge of spiritual energy emanated from outside the mustard seed Fanjiang Residence, shaking the entire mustard seed house.
Mu Zhe frowned, turning his head to look, and saw a gigantic dragon head roaring fiercely at the entrance of the mustard seed Fanjiang Residence, seemingly declaring war.
Shen Gurong finally realized that he had been jealous.
He was furious, but unsure whether he was angry at Mu Zhe or himself. Seeing Chao Jiuxiao, who had already transformed into a dragon outside, his face darkened, and he snatched Mu Zhe's Jiu Xi Sword, charging out aggressively.
Mu Zhe: "Master!"
Shen Gurong coldly replied, "Don't follow."
With that, he vanished from the Fanjiang Residence.
As soon as he stepped out of the Fanjiang Residence, Chao Jiuxiao's voice filled his ears.
"Shen Eleven! Get out here! The dragon knows you're in there! Get out and get beaten up!"
"The dragon will definitely make you cry this time!"
"You two bastards, come out! Are you hiding in there having your babies?!"
Shen Gurong: "..."
After Chao Jiuxiao transformed into a dragon, his scales were beautiful, and a small horn protruded from his head. It was expected that a horn would grow on his next transformation. His aura was stern and cold. He claimed to have transformed from a "jiao" into a "dragon," and he looked murderous, intending to avenge himself for being beaten to tears several times.
Shen Gurong looked at him expressionlessly, gripping the Jiu Xi Sword. His Mahayana stage spiritual power surged, and a cold light flashed across the blade.
Perfect timing. I was just getting angry.
Shen Gurong: Ah perfect, a punching bag has delivered itself to me.
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