"These people from the Hidden Clans are extremely secretive. They rarely show their faces in public. Even when they do, no one knows who they are."
"But they've always existed. I only learned that this group of mysterious Noble Families existed because my martial uncle happened to mention them once."
"...A group?" Gu Zheng repeated, his tone heavy. "There are many of these Hidden Clans?"
"Yes." Li Cunyi nodded, coughed twice, and continued, "My martial uncle didn't say exactly how many there are, but it's a significant number. He only knew they existed because he'd had dealings with them. It's just that my martial uncle passed away early, so I never had the chance to learn more."
"Although I formally studied under my master, I actually spent more time with my martial uncle. His lifelong obsession, the one thing he wanted to do most, was to break through the realm beyond Grandmaster. However, Grandmaster is the limit for a Martial Artist, a barrier that cannot be broken by human effort. Unless... there is a Celestial Change."
"Celestial Change?" Gu Zheng's eyes lit up. "Are the Demon Fiends appearing a consequence of this Celestial Change?"
"Correct. But the Celestial Change isn't just about Demon Fiends. It involves other, greater transformations on a higher level." Li Cunyi frowned and coughed softly. "This is what my martial uncle learned from those people of the Hidden Clans. Only with the Celestial Change can the limits of a Martial Artist be broken. Once the Celestial Change occurs, the people of the Hidden Clans will no longer remain in hiding. It seems their power is deeply connected to it."
"There's no mistake, they are definitely connected!"
Li Cunyi spoke as he recalled, "Before the Celestial Change, the people of the Hidden Clans could use their strange powers, but they faced great restrictions, and the might they could unleash was limited. Only after the Celestial Change can they fully wield their power with the fewest restrictions."
'...The fewest restrictions, so there are still some limits?' Gu Zheng mused.
"That's what my martial uncle said." Li Cunyi took a breath. "Only the people of the Hidden Clans know what the Celestial Change truly is, but it's said to be a great opportunity..."
"And a great disaster."
Gu Zheng frowned. "Based on the few Demon Fiends I've encountered, even a Grandmaster would struggle to kill one alone. They all possess Demon Techniques—some are invisible to the naked eye, others are so fast you can't even see their shadow. Right now, the Demon Fiends are trapped by a mysterious power on Great Dragon Mountain, unable to leave a five-li radius. But if that restriction disappears and the Demon Fiends break out, it will bring untold devastation. The mortal realm will no longer be fit for humans!"
Li Cunyi fell silent.
Having said his piece, Gu Zheng also lapsed into silence.
The more he learned about this Celestial Change, the more powerless he felt.
The Gu Family was in the town, but no one knew what the situation was on Great Dragon Mountain. If the Demon Fiends—or even more of them—were to charge out, it would be praiseworthy if Qingshi County Town's walls could hold for even half a day.
And if the town fell, the Gu Family would not be able to escape either.
As for moving, that was an option.
However, since it was a Celestial Change, it couldn't possibly be confined to a single place or a specific region.
It was bound to be a cataclysm that swept across the world, a great transformation of the entire land.
In other words, nowhere was truly safe!
...
"Let's not talk about this anymore."
After a long while, Gu Zheng let out a breath, composing himself. He looked at Li Cunyi and said with a light chuckle, "Li, you've met my older sister, haven't you?"
"...Ping'an, are you referring to Miss Pan'Er?" Li Cunyi asked, confused.
"Yes, Miss Pan'Er." A smile played on Gu Zheng's lips. "Li, what do you think of my older sister?"
"She's wonderful," Li Cunyi said instinctively. "Dignified and graceful, talented and beautiful, and a skilled businesswoman. I heard from Wan'Er that Miss Pan'Er has been managing your Gu Family's business. She's a rare business genius."
"Don't you think, Li, that it's improper for a woman to show her face in public like that?" Gu Zheng raised an eyebrow.
"That's a prejudiced and backward custom." Li Cunyi coughed twice and said with a serious expression, "It's all oppression deliberately created by those in power to consolidate their own positions. Those officials want to control everything. The common folk, women, not to mention servants—they all have to obey their commands and satisfy their disgusting, absolute lust for power."
"Whenever an outstanding woman rises up and achieves a high position, they attack without hesitation, swiftly bringing her down. They couldn't even tolerate a hero like General Han. COUGH—COUGH..."
The more Li Cunyi spoke, the more agitated he became. His breathing grew unstable on the spot, and he began to cough violently.
Gu Zheng quickly reached out, channeling the Divine Wondrous energy within him into a warm current that flowed into Li Cunyi's body, calming his breathing.
"HUFF... HUFF!"
As Li Cunyi caught his breath and stabilized, he stared at Gu Zheng in astonishment. "What you just did was..."
"That's the opportunity I gained on my trip to Great Dragon Mountain," Gu Zheng said calmly, retracting his hand. "If I'm not mistaken, this is the same kind of power the Hidden Clans possess."
"This power... it truly is miraculous."
Li Cunyi could feel the warm current still circulating within him, nourishing his organs and bringing him a sense of comfort he hadn't felt in a long time.
"So, Li, your illness isn't incurable," Gu Zheng said with a light laugh. "When I go to Great Dragon Mountain again, I'll see if I can find any Treasure Medicine that can cure you completely."
"Things are never that easy." Li Cunyi gave a weak smile, not pressing Gu Zheng about the nature of his fortuitous encounter.
"Ping'an, you mentioned Miss Pan'Er earlier. Was there something you wanted to say?"
"Nothing special." Gu Zheng blinked and stood up. "I just wanted to know what you thought of my older sister. Alright, Li, you should rest. I'll be going."
With that, he walked toward the door. After a few steps, he seemed to remember something, turned back, and said with a smile, "My older sister said she has a very good impression of you, Li."
He said no more, turned, and left, opening the door, stepping out, and closing it behind him.
Inside the room, Li Cunyi was left with a puzzled expression. 'What does he mean? Impression?'