***
Two days later.
Gu Qinghe's new objective was set with absolute clarity.
He had no intention of wasting time on the second floor of the Yin-Yang Sect Library.
The techniques and pills stored there might have been priceless treasures to ordinary disciples, but to him, they had already lost their appeal.
Without becoming the Sect Master's Core Disciple, none of it was worth pursuing.
For now, the only thing that truly mattered was cultivation.
Twenty days remained before the Talent Evaluation Trial began.
It sounded like a long stretch of time, but to a cultivator, twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.
Gu Qinghe knew better than anyone that he could not be certain he would break through to Peak Foundation Establishment within that period.
That uncertainty pushed him toward a different decision.
Rather than gambling on a breakthrough that might fail, he chose to solidify his foundation.
His signature techniques needed to be refined to their absolute limits.
If his cultivation level could not advance further, then his combat power had to be strong enough to compensate for it.
With that decision made, Gu Qinghe turned and left the Yin-Yang Sect Library.
However, before he could get far, his steps came to a halt.
Two cultivators approached from the front.
Both were young men wearing inner disciple robes, the gleaming badges on their chests clearly distinguishing them from outer disciples.
"Li Xiaoman!" one of them shouted loudly.
The call was not meant for him.
Gu Qinghe remained where he was, observing calmly.
From their expressions alone, it was obvious that the two cultivators were suppressing their anger.
Their stiff gazes and unnaturally intense eyes betrayed emotions that were barely under control.
When Gu Qinghe glanced to the side, he saw Li Xiaoman standing not far away.
She wore the same expression—cold, alert, and showing no intention of backing down.
There was clearly history between them.
"You injured Yan Luo so badly that he has to stay in full recovery!" one of them shouted.
"He got injured because he was weak," Li Xiaoman replied flatly, without the slightest trace of guilt.
"You ambushed him using your father's inherited technique!" the other man snapped.
"How was Yan Luo supposed to withstand an attack like that?"
"You're nothing but a coward hiding behind your father's name!" they yelled, their voices rising.
Gu Qinghe remained silent.
He did not intervene.
Instead, he focused on the details—the fluctuations in their qi, the tension in their shoulders, the irregular rhythm of their breathing.
Their emotions were completely dominating them.
This was not a planned duel.
This was a resentment.
One of them began forming hand seals. Qi swirled violently, shaping into an attack technique that was clearly not meant as a warning.
Li Xiaoman reacted instantly. Without hesitation, she activated her defensive technique.
Qi condensed into a transparent layer before her, solidifying into a pale, mirror-like barrier.
A white flying sword shot forward. A loud collision rang out.
The qi mirror trembled violently, but the attack was deflected, failing to break through.
"Just as expected," one of the cultivators sneered. "Another gift from your father."
Gu Qinghe still did not move.
He had no intention of helping. His first impression of Li Xiaoman had been poor, and nothing since then had given him a reason to step in.
If she wanted to settle her own troubles, it had nothing to do with him.
But the situation changed rapidly.
The two cultivators attacked at the same time.
A qi-coated palm strike surged straight ahead, while a slashing sword technique swept in from the side.
Fierce winds accompanied both attacks, carrying terrifying pressure.
Li Xiaoman's eyes widened.
She maintained her qi mirror, but Gu Qinghe could see it clearly—the combined attack carried power comparable to a Peak Foundation Establishment technique.
At Li Xiaoman's current level, her defense would not last.
She would lose.
Gu Qinghe raised his right hand.
Qi ignited at the tips of two fingers, trembling faintly yet remaining perfectly stable.
He activated his own defensive technique—not to attack, but to contain the impending surge of energy.
He remained motionless, waiting.
Cracks began to spread across the surface of the qi mirror.
Li Xiaoman staggered, blood spraying from her mouth as backlash tore through her defense. Her face turned pale, her breathing ragged.
Finally, Gu Qinghe moved.
He stepped forward and stood beside Li Xiaoman, calmly forming hand seals. The Golden Bell Technique manifested.
Qi condensed into a bell-shaped barrier that enveloped both of them.
The attacks slammed into the new defense, triggering a violent energy explosion that shook the surrounding area.
Li Xiaoman finally managed to breathe. She deactivated her technique and focused on stabilizing her qi.
"You! Who are you?!" one of the cultivators shouted in shock.
"The sect rules are clear," Gu Qinghe said calmly. "Disciples are forbidden from killing each other."
"A wise decision, Junior Gu Qinghe."
The voice came from behind.
A secondary explosion followed. The two attack techniques shattered, injuring both cultivators.
Gu Qinghe stood unscathed, while Li Xiaoman continued recovering her qi.
The figure approaching from behind finally came into view.
It was Li Hao—Li Xiaoman's father, Elder of the Pill Refinement Hall, and a Core Formation cultivator.
His arrival brought the conflict to an immediate halt. The two inner disciples bowed deeply, clearly lacking the courage to challenge Li Hao's presence.
"Wasn't Junior Yan Luo's matter already resolved?" Li Hao asked calmly, though his voice carried invisible pressure.
"Why, then, did you come here to threaten Li Xiaoman?"
Without waiting for an answer, Li Hao released his qi pressure.
The two cultivators were instantly crushed under it. Their bodies trembled, heads lowered, unable to move. The gap in strength was undeniable.
They hurriedly apologized and fled.
Peace returned.
Li Hao turned toward Gu Qinghe and Li Xiaoman.
"The last time I saw you, you were still at Mid Foundation Establishment," Li Hao said with a smile.
"I didn't expect you to break through this quickly."
"Thank you, Elder Li Hao," Gu Qinghe replied, bowing slightly.
"You saved Li Xiaoman. I should be the one thanking you," Li Hao said, patting his shoulder.
"I only prevented a violation of sect rules," Gu Qinghe answered.
Li Hao nodded in satisfaction.
Li Xiaoman stated that she was fine and left without a word, as cold as ever. Li Hao could only sigh softly.
"She's stubborn," he said. "Just like her mother."
He looked at Gu Qinghe. "Despite her arrogance, she's actually a caring girl."
"Try to befriend her."
Gu Qinghe simply nodded.
Impossible.
As a token of gratitude, Li Hao handed him a technique scroll. The dual colors marked it as a sect technique.
Gu Qinghe accepted it.
On his way back, he opened the scroll. It was titled Yang Golden Light Technique.
He activated the system.
[Heavenly Path Insight Technique Activated]
[Identifying Yang Golden Light Technique]
[Technique: Yang Golden Light Cultivation | Grade: Spirit]
[Description: Absorbs Yang-element energy and refines it into qi, increasing cultivation efficiency]
[Conclusion:]
[Cultivation ineffective due to Yin–Yang method conflict. Not recommended.]
As expected.
Gu Qinghe put it away.
When he arrived back in the winter region, he saw Li Xiaoman standing at the edge of the snowy hill.
"Don't expect me to thank you!" she shouted.
Gu Qinghe paused briefly.
"I doubt that," he replied curtly.
He stepped inside while Li Xiaoman continued yelling and calling his name. Gu Qinghe did not care.
He had twenty days to prepare techniques suitable for the Talent Evaluation Trial.
With my comprehension, defeating them shouldn't be difficult.
Still, I need to be wary of those with special status, like Li Xiaoman.
I need to be careful.