Gu Qinghe streaked through the sky atop his flying sword, both hands resting behind his back.
His robe fluttered wildly in the wind. From his posture alone, the air of a true Young Master radiated outward—calm, confident, and completely unbothered by his surroundings.
The moment he entered the territory of the Yin-Yang Sect, the once-noisy atmosphere gradually quieted.
Cultivators who had been training stopped one after another. Swords were lowered, hand seals were released, and countless gazes lifted toward the sky.
Those looks were anything but friendly. Gu Qinghe sensed it clearly.
He narrowed his eyes, letting his gaze sweep across the faces below.
There was curiosity. There was jealousy. And most of all—open hostility.
Gu Han had been right. They disliked people from major clans.
Another question surfaced in his mind.
Why did these sects harbor such deep resentment toward great clans like the Gu Clan? Was it ancient grudges? Or resentment born from an unequal distribution of resources that had never truly been balanced?
Gu Qinghe had no intention of finding the answer right now.
He didn't care if they hated him. As long as they didn't try to kill him, he wouldn't go out of his way to stir trouble.
The cultivation world had always worked this way—malice only became real once it was written in blood.
His flying sword descended and landed before the Sect Master's Pavilion. Gu Han followed closely beside him.
The sect elder who had escorted them earlier stopped not far away, his face filled with vigilance.
Gu Qinghe gave him a brief glance, then ignored him entirely.
The two stepped into the pavilion.
The main hall was vast and imposing. Stone pillars rose high into the air, carved with intricate Yin-Yang patterns.
A black-and-white carpet stretched from the entrance to the throne, symbolizing balance and harmony of nature.
There were few colors in use, yet that very restraint made the place feel suffocating.
Seven sect elders stood in a neat line on the right side of the hall, clad in their sect robes. Their auras were tightly restrained, but it was obvious they were far from ordinary.
Gu Qinghe glanced at them briefly before shifting his gaze forward.
Atop the sect throne sat an elderly man with a hunched back. His hair was completely white, his face lined with deep wrinkles of age, yet his eyes were sharp and clear.
He wore a Yin-Yang robe and held a black iron staff in his hand.
Just as Gu Han and Gu Qinghe were about to step forward, the old man raised a hand.
They stopped.
"I didn't expect Gu Zhen to send his son to me," the old man said. His voice was calm, yet filled with authority.
He rose from his throne.
In an instant, everyone in the hall lowered their heads and clasped their hands in salute.
Everyone—except two people.
The representatives of the Gu Clan remained standing straight.
The old man stepped down from the throne. With each step, a subtle yet dense fluctuation of qi spread outward.
Small ripples appeared in the fish pond near the hall. The water trembled, as if unable to withstand the pressure.
Gu Qinghe narrowed his eyes.
Through his soul perception, he sensed the old man's aura—stronger than his own, even stronger than Gu Han's.
That qi momentum reminded him of someone he knew very well.
Similar to Gu Zhen. They were likely in the same realm.
"I was expecting Yanxue to come," the old man continued, his gaze locking onto Gu Qinghe. "It seems Gu Zhen has finally lost patience with your attitude, Qinghe."
"The Sect Master is well-informed," Gu Qinghe replied evenly. "This junior is impressed."
"Haha!" The old man let out a short laugh. "Receiving a representative of the Gu Clan is a blessing for the Yin-Yang Sect."
Gu Han stepped forward and presented a sealed letter bearing the mark of the Gu Clan Patriarch, Gu Zhen.
The old man accepted the letter—yet his next action made Gu Qinghe frown.
Without even reading it, the old man burned the letter with a surge of qi flame. He smiled as he looked back at Gu Qinghe.
Ash scattered through the air.
Gu Qinghe sensed something strange in that act. Gu Han noticed it as well.
"No need for formalities," the old man said. "You are Gu Zhen's son. You are accepted as a disciple of my sect."
He smiled, yet his gaze remained sharp as it bore into Gu Qinghe.
"Thank you, Sect Master of the Yin-Yang Sect," Gu Han said.
The old man nodded and returned to his throne. He lifted a hand lightly—a subtle signal for them to leave.
Only Early Nascent Soul. Why so arrogant?
The two took several steps back, then turned and exited the hall.
They stood outside the Sect Master's Pavilion, waiting for something Gu Qinghe didn't quite understand.
"What was the meaning of their attitude just now?" Gu Qinghe asked.
"It's complicated," Gu Han replied. "But I'm not surprised you chose the Yin-Yang Sect."
"Be careful, Young Master Gu Qinghe."
Gu Qinghe fell silent. There was a hidden meaning behind those words.
Gu Han seemed to know far more—perhaps even the mastermind behind the Ice Meridian Curse afflicting Wang Yunxi.
Not long after, the pavilion doors opened.
A woman stepped out, dressed in black-and-white robes. Her long black hair fell freely, her expression cold and flat.
"My name is Ya Fei. I've been assigned to guide you around."
She turned to Gu Han. "Elder Gu Han, you may leave Gu Qinghe to us."
Gu Han nodded, exchanged a brief farewell, then mounted his flying sword and departed, disappearing into the distance.
Gu Qinghe was now alone.
No clan. No special treatment.
In this sect, he could rely only on his own abilities and experience.
"The Sect Master has placed you as an inner disciple," Ya Fei said as she walked.
"And you?" Gu Qinghe asked.
"Yes. My focus is pill refinement."
Her tone was flat, devoid of emotion.
"Follow me."
They flew south, leaving the main valley behind. Outer disciples could be seen training below under the guidance of seniors. Not a single one spoke.
The environment shifted. Spring turned into winter.
A cold aura pierced to the bone. Yin energy was extremely dense. If one failed to adapt quickly, their meridians could freeze within minutes.
Gu Qinghe flinched slightly, then immediately wrapped his body in qi. Ya Fei glanced at him, her eyes sharpening as if she had noticed something unusual.
They landed before a wooden house atop a snow-covered hill. Qi here was fresh and abundant, yet the Yin element was overwhelming.
The moment Gu Qinghe stepped closer—
The door burst open.
A sword shot out.
Gu Qinghe reacted instantly. His sword appeared and blocked the strike. A burst of qi shook the air, forcing him back half a step—uninjured.
A woman stepped out. Her eyes were sharp and mocking, her brows angled fiercely.
"Why did you bring him here?" she snapped.
"Orders from the Sect Master," Ya Fei replied calmly. "He'll be staying with you."
"I refuse! I'd rather die!"
Hand seals formed rapidly. Gu Qinghe reflexively raised two fingers.
[Heavenly Path Insight Technique]
[Mode: Combat]
[Target: Li Xiaoman || Stage: Mid Foundation Establishment]
[Target Locked!]
[Qi Efficiency: Mid] [Core Vitality: Normal] [Soul Stabilization: Normal]
[Technique Detected: Sword Cloud Technique (Spirit Grade)]
[Conclusion: High qi consumption. Recommended to defend with spirit-grade techniques and seek an opening to counterattack]
[Victory Probability: 85%]
Li Xiaoman swung her sword toward the sky. Thousands of sword shadows fell like rain.
Gu Qinghe formed hand seals and activated a defensive technique. A massive golden bell appeared, blocking strike after strike.
[Consequence: Host qi rapidly decreasing due to spirit-grade defense technique and Yin-element interference]
The Yin element here was truly troublesome.
An explosion erupted. Li Xiaoman's momentum faltered.
[Conclusion: Target suffered backlash from technique failure. Offensive momentum weakened]
[Victory Probability: 94%]
Gu Qinghe seized the initiative. He formed hand seals. A golden palm shot into the sky, shattering the golden bell as it descended.
Li Xiaoman gasped. She raised both hands, forming a qi barrier.
Her defense cracked—then shattered. Her body was sent flying, crashing into the snow.
[Target: Li Xiaoman || Stage: Mid Foundation Establishment]
[Qi Efficiency: Mid] [Core Vitality: Low] [Soul Stabilization: Normal]
Gu Qinghe halted his technique—yet soul essence began to gather at his fingertips.
He intended to end everything with a soul attack.
Ya Fei's eyes widened. She knew exactly how terrifying the consequences of a soul attack could be. She hadn't expected Gu Qinghe to possess such a technique.
"Enough, Gu Qinghe!" she shouted.
The soul attack was forcibly stopped. Gu Qinghe stared coldly as Ya Fei intervened.
"Soul attacks… are fatal to Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"Killing fellow sect members carries severe punishment. I'm saving you," Ya Fei said firmly.
"Hahaha!"
A man appeared, his voice ringing clearly. Both of them turned toward him instinctively.
"A cultivator skilled in soul attack techniques. Impressive," the man said.
"I am Li Hao, Elder of the Pill Refinement Hall."
"Li?" Gu Qinghe echoed, reflexively glancing at Li Xiaoman.
"She's my daughter. I apologize—her temper is unstable," Li Hao replied.
Gu Qinghe looked at him calmly.
Good thing I didn't release it.
Li Hao smiled. "Your talent is extraordinary. I'm impressed."
"Would you like to join my hall?"
His attitude was strange. He was friendly, but wasn't this decision too sudden?
"I've just arrived at the sect and don't yet understand the halls," Gu Qinghe said. "I ask Elder Li Hao for some time."
Li Hao smiled, raised his hand, and patted Gu Qinghe's shoulder in a friendly manner.
"Of course. If you need anything, don't hesitate to come find me."
Gu Qinghe nodded silently and bowed in respect.
Li Hao left, while Gu Qinghe continued to watch his departing figure.
They're suspicious. I can't afford to be careless.