Chapter 135: Lu Yu

"The Thunder Stone is truly formidable; it has already enabled you to easily strike down a third-tier cultivator."

Just as Gu Cang used the Thunder Stone to kill Wu Nan, a voice suddenly echoed from behind.

The voice came so abruptly that Gu Cang, having sensed nothing beforehand, felt a sudden chill in his heart. He raised the Thunder Stone, intending to strike, but paused abruptly as he recognized the owner of the voice.

"Sir?" Gu Cang turned, his face lighting up with pleasant surprise.

Qing Yuan smiled and nodded.

He had actually arrived earlier and witnessed Gu Cang’s move. He had intended to step in and assist, but upon seeing the fierce power of Gu Cang’s Thunder Stone, he held back and allowed it to play out. In the end, both a third-tier spirit beast and a third-tier cultivator had perished on the spot beneath that stone.

"This object is nearly a superior-grade dharma treasure, and it is even referred to as a nascent artifact. As your cultivation grows and you nourish it day and night, it has the potential to become a true dharma treasure." Qing Yuan walked over, patted its head, and smiled. "Very good."

Gu Cang chuckled, then suddenly remembering something, asked, "And your affairs, sir?"

Qing Yuan’s eyes grew slightly distant. "Though there were many unexpected twists, I managed to obtain what I sought and resolved my own hidden troubles. From here on out, I shall be free and at ease."

Hearing this, Gu Cang was overjoyed.

"Let us go." Qing Yuan looked up at the sky; the blue expanse was clear and vast. He exhaled and said, "The mountains have crumbled, and the Shou Zheng Dao Sect’s formations have been destroyed. I checked just now—the traces of the divine thunder have almost vanished, and many cultivators have already left Mount Fuzhong."

Gu Cang nodded, stowed the Thunder Stone, and went over to search Wu Nan’s body for belongings. Finally, he used the Ancient Immortal Bag to store the carcass of the spirit beast.

...

The two made their way out of Mount Fuzhong.

Along the way, there were indeed no obstacles. Apart from Wu Nan, no other cultivators were to be seen; birds and beasts scattered in confusion, but they were of no concern.

Halfway there, Qing Yuan took out two divine thunders and handed them to Gu Cang.

"These divine thunders are a great opportunity, but now is not the time to linger. Once we have left, you shall refine them." Qing Yuan said, "Whether it be thunder arts, thunder-based cultivation methods, or spells, they are all extraordinary and far beyond common secular Daoist techniques. You must cherish them."

Gu Cang nodded in agreement and took them. Qing Yuan also took the Ancient Immortal Bag from Gu Cang, removing all the divine weapons, sharp blades, and common artifacts within, storing them into the Ancient Mirror to lay the foundation for the "River of Divine Treasures."

"Hmm?" Qing Yuan flipped his hand and pulled out a small booklet. "This is..."

The mark on the booklet was clearly that of the Seven Spirits Sect.

He flipped it open and was immediately stunned. The booklet contained records on how to decipher the cultivation methods of the Seven Spirits Sect.

Qing Yuan knew this had been taken from Wu Nan by Gu Cang, so he asked in confusion, "How could this fellow possess the techniques of the Seven Spirits Sect?"

Surprised, he sifted through all of Wu Nan’s possessions and discovered that many items bore the seal of the Seven Spirits Sect. Among them were two dharma artifacts which, while not superior-grade, were certainly not items a typical third-tier cultivator should possess.

Qing Yuan stored these artifacts into his Ancient Mirror, cataloging them into the River of Divine Treasures. Looking closer, he found another booklet detailing a technique for concealment.

"A method of concealment?" Qing Yuan frowned. "Could this man be skilled in stealth, having infiltrated the Seven Spirits Sect to steal these techniques?"

...

Outside Mount Fuzhong.

The ten disciples of the Shou Zheng Dao Sect had all crossed the threshold to become fourth-tier masters. Now, acting under the orders of Daoist Hong Yang, they stood guard around Mount Fuzhong, sealing the area tightly and allowing no one to enter or leave.

During this time, some cultivators had grown resentful. Among them were the unruly, those with ulterior motives, and others who stirred up trouble by spreading rumors that the Shou Zheng Dao Sect intended to seize all the divine thunder and trap and kill everyone.

The Shou Zheng Dao Sect offered no verbal response.

In a short span of time, they had executed over twenty cultivators, striking fear into the hearts of everyone in Mount Fuzhong.

Independent cultivators without sects were naturally trembling, while those with backing—such as the Sun family or the Seven Spirits Sect—remained barely composed. Beyond them, there were the disciples of the three masters who had originated as rogue cultivators: Han Yu had no disciples, Jin Lan had two, and Gan Huan, who originally had many, now had only one remaining.

At this moment, Lu Yu, the sole disciple of Gan Huan, was sitting in a newly constructed pavilion.

Surrounded by low-level second-tier cultivators who fawned over him like stars around the moon, he raised his cup in celebration, listening to their obsequious flatteries and respectful words.

These rogue cultivators acted this way not only to befriend a talent who had reached the third tier at such a young age but also to forge a connection, however tenuous, with the master Gan Huan.

Being masterless and rogue-born, they had navigated the path of cultivation entirely on their own and knew its hardships all too well; thus, they valued opportunity above all else. In the pursuit of such opportunities, they had become well-versed in the ways of the world.

In matters of worldly sophistication, no disciple from a major sect or family could compare to these rogue cultivators.

Although Lu Yu was also a rogue cultivator, his status as Gan Huan's only disciple placed him higher than the average sect or family disciple. He had no need to flatter or grovel, and he was accustomed to being pursued.

Though Lu Yu did not place much weight on such vanity, he found the atmosphere quite pleasant.

...

He tilted his head and drank, feeling quite at ease with his backing. It was only a pity there were no women present; the fine wine lacked the company of a beauty, which was a slight regret.

...

The greenery was lush, though the scene remained chaotic due to the earlier disturbances. Two figures emerged from the depths of the mountain.

"Sir." From afar, Gu Cang spotted the figure in the pavilion halfway up the mountain. Its golden eyes flashed with ferocity as it tightened its grip on the Thunder Stone, pointing toward the area. "That man... he is the one who snatched my divine thunder."

Qing Yuan’s brows furrowed slightly. "Gan Huan’s disciple, Lu Yu?"

Gu Cang scratched its head, gripping the Thunder Stone, ready to charge forward.

"Wait."

Qing Yuan held it back and looked to the side, where a figure in Daoist robes could be seen standing on high, overlooking the area.

It was one of the ten masters of the Shou Zheng Dao Sect.

"The Shou Zheng Dao Sect has always made it their mission to subdue demons and eliminate evil." Qing Yuan shook his head slightly. "As a spirit creature, you cannot reveal yourself. If your identity is exposed, you will draw the attention of their disciples. Furthermore, you cannot leave Mount Fuzhong for the time being."

Gu Cang’s eyes widened in shock for a moment.

"Return to Mount Fuzhong for now, go back to that place from before, and meditate on your cultivation." Qing Yuan pondered for a moment before adding, "In a few days, once this matter has calmed down, I will come to find you."

Gu Cang nodded, then looked toward Lu Yu, clearly unwilling to let it go.

"This fellow..."

Qing Yuan smiled. "I shall reclaim justice for you."

Hearing this, Gu Cang grinned, its face beaming with satisfaction.