Lingyan immediately gave the order.
The disciples suddenly realized what was happening. Some used swords, some rode the wind, and some used talismans to escape, all abandoning their boats and leaving.
Only Gu Zhong remained standing there helplessly.
Lingyan naturally couldn't ignore her, but right now she was only focused on cultivating her Qi and couldn't control objects in such a critical situation.
"hold me."
After a moment's hesitation, Lingyan stepped forward and pulled the still dazed little white rabbit into her arms. She then summoned her star chart as a means of transportation and swiftly left the dangerous area.
When Lingyan placed her hand on his waist, Gu Zhong's mind went blank for a moment, and the next second he was pulled into a warm embrace.
A cool, refreshing fragrance lingered around my nose, just like the person before me, intoxicating.
Her jet-black hair brushed against her cheek in the wind, stirring her heartstrings.
She tentatively reached out and boldly hugged the person's slender waist, and was not rejected.
So he went a step further, burying his head in Lingyan's neck with longing, completely ignoring the thunder and storm around him, and simply enjoying this brief and peaceful embrace.
"Today is truly strange; it's rare to see Xingxuan-jun in such a sorry state."
A hostile and sarcastic remark suddenly broke in, causing Gu Zhong to raise his head unhappily, glare fiercely at the source of the voice, and then quickly suppress all his emotions.
"Yun Yaojun, it's been a long time."
Upon hearing that shrill yet familiar voice, Lingyan immediately recognized who it was.
Yun Yao, the head disciple of the Shangyin Sect, had never gotten along with Ling Yan for various reasons. Whenever she had the chance, she would always belittle her to show her superiority, but Ling Yan never bothered to argue with her.
"Junior sister! How dare you be rude!"
Another gentle male voice came from the side and sternly rebuked them.
"Senior brother!"
Yun Yao let out a dissatisfied cry, but ultimately did not speak again.
"Xingxuan-jun, I apologize for my bluntness."
The man was dressed in a green robe, with a green bamboo headband tied around his forehead and a green flute hanging from his waist. His temperament was calm and unassuming, and at first glance, he truly resembled bamboo, resilient and clear, which made him instantly likable to those who saw him for the first time.
"Qingzhu-jun, how have you been?"
Lingyan bowed again, this time much more sincere than the previous one.
Qingzhu is the undisputed next sect leader of the Shangyin Sect, truly deserving the title of a chosen one, and is one of the few people Lingyan admires.
If it weren't for the two sect leaders insisting on bringing them together, she would have been happy to be his close friend, sharing tea and conversation. But now it's better to keep them at a distance.
"Did you encounter a thunderstorm?"
Seeing Lingyan remain indifferent as always, a hint of disappointment flashed in Qingzhu's eyes, but she showed no emotion on her face.
Only Gu Zhong, whose mind was on high alert from the moment he appeared, noticed this subtle emotion.
"Indeed, we encountered it. I was caught off guard, and the flying boat has been destroyed."
This was obvious, and Ling Yan, unafraid of Yun Yao's continued mockery, answered truthfully.
"In that case, would you be willing to join us, Lord Xingxuan?"
Having received a definite answer, Qingzhu immediately invited Lingyan to ride with her.
Chapter 79 Astrologers and Defiant Ones (Part 8)
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Using the astrolabe as a seat does not preclude one from reaching the entrance to the secret realm.
However, considering that Gu Zhong's cultivation level was only at the Qi Refining stage, and that he would likely suffer again if he encountered another thunderstorm, Ling Yan nodded in agreement after a moment's thought.
"Master..."
Seeing that Ling Yan readily agreed, Gu Zhong's heart tightened, and he quickly tugged at her sleeve, calling out weakly.
"What happened? Were you injured just now?"
Gu Zhong rarely showed such a vulnerable side, which made Ling Yan worry.
"Is this Xingxuan-jun's newly accepted...disciple?"
Qingzhu then looked directly at Gu Zhong, whom he hadn't noticed at all, her eyes revealing a hint of surprise and disdain, and she spoke haltingly.
It seems he really doesn't want to admit that Gu Zhong is Xing Xuanjun's disciple. In the eyes of most people, it's also hard to understand why Ling Yan would take in a good-for-nothing as her sole successor.
People tend to judge others' affairs by their own standards.
In response to Qingzhu's question, Lingyan only nodded vaguely.
His entire focus was on Gu Zhong, and he pulled his little apprentice over to check if he was injured anywhere.
Anyone with eyes can see how much she cherishes this apprentice.
"Master, I'm alright."
Gu Zhong blushed deeply after being touched by her, feeling extremely embarrassed, and hurriedly pushed her away.
Seeing this, Qingzhu's eyes flickered, and in the blink of an eye, a gentle smile appeared on her face. She took out a scale from her sleeve and handed it to Gu Zhong as a gesture of goodwill.
"Since it's our first meeting, I don't have anything good to offer. These scales are the reverse scales of the East Sea dragon, so please consider them a small gift."
The reverse scale of a dragon is an excellent material for forging immortal artifacts. Back then, the Shangyin Sect suffered heavy losses in the process of slaying that dragon, and Qingzhu casually took out a scale to give away, which can be considered a valuable gift.
Gu Zhong glanced at the scales, then at the green bamboo, and finally fixed his gaze on Ling Yan's face, as if asking whether he should accept it.
Lingyan hadn't expected Qingzhu to be so generous, trying to curry favor indirectly. But since the gift was for Gu Zhong, she had no right to object.
However, Qingzhu's actions also reminded her that since taking Gu Zhong under her wing, apart from sending him to the sword spirit to cultivate and casually pulling out a spirit sword, she had been busy searching for medicinal herbs to rebuild her spiritual roots, and had indeed neglected other aspects.
She hadn't acquired any magical artifacts, immortal weapons, or protective gear, which made her, as the master, incompetent. This reverse scale, however, was quite suitable for refining weapons.
"It seems that when Lord Qingzhu accepts disciples, I will also have to prepare a grand gift."
These words signified that Lingyan had accepted the favor.
"Not at all, it's just a mere scale, Lord Xingxuan, you don't need to worry about it."
Qingzhu was overjoyed upon hearing this, but quickly pretended to be modest and indifferent.
"Thank you for the gift, Qingzhu."
Knowing that Lingyan owed Qingzhu a favor, Gu Zhong felt a lump in his throat, but he still had to bite the bullet and thank her.
Seeing that Qingzhu Jun had given Xingxuan Jun, this good-for-nothing disciple, a gift, the other members of Shangyin Sect could not remain silent. Whether they were willing or forced, they all took out some of their personal treasures and gave them to Gu Zhong.
In an instant, Gu Zhong was showered with gifts; she had never been treated like this in her life. She became the center of attention, the focus of everyone's gaze.
This was also the first time she had experienced just how much benefit one could gain by being a disciple of Xingxuanjun.
Even if you look down on someone in your heart, you still have to put on a flattering face.
However, Gu Zhong was not happy. With his status and position, he could never be on par with Ling Yan or stand at the same level as her.
Comparable? Gu Zhong was startled by the thought that suddenly popped into his mind. How could he have such an unrealistic fantasy?
Even if she were fortunate enough to repair her spiritual root, how could she possibly catch up with Ling Yan's current level? Gu Zhong had never been confident in his own talent.
But there was one thing she truly understood: she wanted to stay by Lingyan's side forever.
Seeing that Qingzhu was rambling on and on with Lingyan, Gu Zhong moved closer to Lingyan with displeasure, trying to draw her attention back to himself.
Noticing her little apprentice's deliberate approach, Ling Yan, as she had hoped, turned her gaze to Gu Zhong once again.
"Master, I feel a little dizzy..."
He put on an innocent yet uncomfortable expression and continued acting on his own, completely ignoring the surprise or disdain of others—after all, no one had ever heard of a cultivator getting seasick while riding a flying boat.
Although Lingyan also found it strange, given Gu Zhong's boundless tolerance and doting, all she could do was worry.
"Take this dew and rest for a while."
Lingyan was the first person to take out the Tranquilizing Dew, a substance that ordinary cultivators might never see in their entire lives, and give it to her disciple as a calming medicine.
Her actions once again drew astonishment and envy from everyone towards Gu Zhong, and Qingzhu's assessment of Gu Zhong rose to another level.
After drinking the dew with an obedient expression, Gu Zhong boldly and recklessly took Ling Yan's arm, leaned on her shoulder, and closed his eyes.
The moment Gu Zhong leaned against her, Ling Yan stiffened, her heart skipped a beat, and then began to pound wildly uncontrollably.
He radiated heat from within, yet he had to maintain a calm and composed demeanor on the surface.
"Xingxuan-jun..."
Qingzhu opened her mouth as if to say something more.
"Shh..."
Lingyan placed her index finger to her lips, her gaze falling on the face that often appeared in her dreams beside her. Unconsciously, she blended starlight and the Milky Way into her eyes, mingling with endless tenderness, and showered it all upon her beloved.
Qingzhu wisely kept quiet, and no one on the flying boat dared to speak again. A profound silence descended, broken only by the whistling air currents as the flying boat swept past and the occasional distant rumble of thunder.
The journey was smooth and uneventful.
The flying boat carrying the disciples of the Shangyin Sect and two guests arrived at the entrance to the Heavenly Thunder Realm.
Most of the disciples of the Starry Sky Sect who had been separated by accident had also arrived, mingling with disciples from other immortal sects and chatting idly with each other.
Some people, bored while waiting, even set up stalls to exchange for the spiritual materials they needed, turning the entrance to the secret realm into a mini-market.
Gu Zhong also "woke up" at the right time. For the first time, she was grateful for her Qi cultivation, which made her appear weak and delicate, and also attracted the most attention and care from Ling Yan.
Qingzhu was in charge of this secret realm event. After disembarking from the flying boat, he no longer had time to continue entangled with Lingyan, which relieved Gu Zhong.
"The situation in this secret realm is unclear and may be extremely dangerous. Ah Chong, you must stay close to me."
As the gap in the sky gradually widened under the magic of the immortals, the immortal sects were all ready to go, and the time for them to enter the realm was approaching. Lingyan added one more word of advice.
"I will stay by your side at all times."
Gu Zhongyan spoke with absolute certainty.
"Walk!"