Above the sea of clouds, the massive immortal boat traveled at an extremely fast speed. Even so, it still took a full three days to reach Xinnan Immortal Sect.
As an attendant, Gu Changhuai should have served at Rong Ye's side.
But he was unilaterally burning with rage, plotting grand assassination plans. So on the immortal boat, as long as Rong Ye didn't summon him, he wouldn't go. Of course, Rong Ye hadn't called for him this entire journey either.
When the immortal boat landed, everyone had to return to their positions. Disembarking with the large group of disciples, Gu Changhuai was thinking that once he got settled, he'd find another chance to set up traps.
Who knew that mixed in the crowd, Kong Huai found him at a glance, walking over with a complex expression. "I originally wanted to ask my master to transfer you to serve in the inner sect, but I didn't expect Qing Lian Immortal Lord to actually accept you into Supreme Peak. That's also good fortune."
As he spoke, he handed over a small, delicate wooden token. "I currently have some say in the Ten Directions Court. If Junior Brother encounters difficulties in the future or subordinates don't do their jobs properly, remember to bring this token to find me at Ten Directions Court."
Ten Directions Court at Xinnan Immortal Sect managed miscellaneous matters—from major things like organizing sect competitions and arranging travel schedules for various sects, to minor things like distributing spirit stones or food to outer and inner disciples.
The bigger the immortal sect, the more complicated the affairs. There were always a few people who stepped on the low while fawning over the high, reading the wind and steering accordingly. Kong Huai was also afraid that Gu Changhuai would be envied for being transferred to Supreme Peak and thus provoke trouble and suffer hidden losses.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Kong." Gu Changhuai thought for a while and asked: "Can I bring other people to Supreme Peak together?"
Hearing this, Kong Huai's expression became difficult for a moment. "Supreme Peak isn't on Ten Directions Court's registry. The Immortal Lord has never liked too much coming and going, so the peak's miscellaneous affairs are all managed by Inner Disciple Jin."
Gu Changhuai hesitated. "Brother Jin? Jin Shuang?"
Kong Huai smiled. "Looks like Junior Brother has already met Brother Jin."
The immortal boat landed before the mountain gate. Now people were coming and going here. Gu Changhuai looked around but didn't see Jin Shuang's figure. His gaze paused—he did meet eyes with the handsome youth who'd just walked down from the cabin.
This was the youth who'd been pulled from the cocoon—Pei Tianyi.
Pei Tianyi met his gaze, first freezing, then sizing him up.
Gu Changhuai responded with a smile. Who knew that at his smile, the youth's brows suddenly furrowed tightly. Looking displeased, he shot a sideways glare at Kong Huai, then glared at Gu Changhuai, twitched the corner of his mouth, let out a heavy "Hmph!" and swept past the two with large strides.
What a temper.
"The three trapped in cocoons last time were just you, me, and him. He thinks making a fool of himself was embarrassing. He's just a kid—don't mind him." Kong Huai explained quietly.
Gu Changhuai tucked his sleeves. "I see."
The youth probably thought he was being mocked, which is why he suddenly turned hostile.
Kong Huai reminded: "No need to look for people here either. Brother Jin should have returned to the hall to submit the commission first. The Immortal Lord has already returned to Supreme Peak. If you want to bring people into Supreme Peak residence together, you need the Immortal Lord's approval."
Gu Changhuai sighed. "Alright, thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Kong."
As he parted ways with Kong Huai, the people around had mostly dispersed. Only then did Hua Mei slowly descend from the boat. Gu Changhuai stood in place, speechless.
Hua Mei was wrapped up tightly, ensuring every inch of skin was bound with cloth strips, barely exposing his facial features. Even so, the blackness on his eyelids could still be seen when he blinked.
"This makes you look very strange," Gu Changhuai said.
"It's fine. Someone will understand me." Perhaps because it was wrapped too tightly, Hua Mei had some difficulty walking, struggling as he moved. "I just heard everything. You go ahead first. Don't worry about me."
Gu Changhuai was at a loss for words. "I'm not worried about you. I'm worried about other people."
Those who could survive in the Demon Realm and have some reputation were no easy lamps to light. Hua Mei going to Xinnan Immortal Sect's outer sect was like a weasel falling into a chicken coop. But if he attracted the sect elders' attention, that would probably be bad.
"Pay attention to your limits. Don't reveal yourself." Gu Changhuai warned uneasily.
While speaking, he suddenly felt the dangerous sensation of being watched by a fierce beast. He imperceptibly glanced sideways. The source of the gaze was from the rooftop eaves in the distance. There, a flash of red light disappeared in an instant at the corner of the eaves. A pitch-black crow appeared, standing brazenly within the immortal sect, flapping its wings.
Gu Changhuai: "..."
Seems that rock really couldn't kill it. But how did it get into Xinnan Immortal Sect?
As a famous major sect of the cultivation world, Xinnan Immortal Sect's protection formation was no joke—it isolated all demon clan members. Without a disciple token bound by blood, it wouldn't have been easy for him and Hua Mei to infiltrate.
Following Gu Changhuai's line of sight, Hua Mei turned his head and also saw the cold crow. After sizing it up for a while, he clicked his tongue. "Wow, it's quite arrogant."
"That's not a good thing. It's here to rush me." Gu Changhuai pushed Hua Mei. "Wait for me. I'll go find Qing Lian Immortal Lord to approve you going to Supreme Peak."
Hua Mei: "...The way you say that sounds like we're meeting in the next life."
Gu Changhuai waved his hand. "Then I'll make him passively agree."
_____
Supreme Peak was located on the north side of Xinnan Immortal Sect. The peak stood towering and majestic, surrounded by an invisible ethereal essence to prevent people from mistakenly entering.
Following the long stairway all the way up, there were several branching paths. Spiritual light could be seen everywhere along the way, flickering and flying like fireflies. The spiritual energy was quite abundant.
Without anyone to guide him, Gu Changhuai just wandered around Supreme Peak, observing the surroundings and scenery. Passing by the mountainside, he finally saw several standing pavilions and towers—guest rooms, with figures moving inside to tidy up.
Perhaps because Supreme Peak rarely had strangers visit, Gu Changhuai's arrival was immediately noticed. Before he even approached, the disciples sweeping inside frequently cast glances his way.
Someone bold asked: "Are you the attendant the Immortal Lord specifically requested?"
The cultivation world respected strength above all. Many people were eyeing the position of disciple under Qing Lian Immortal Lord's name. Even an attendant position would do. So as soon as there was any change, news spread quickly throughout Xinnan Immortal Sect.
Gu Changhuai wasn't surprised someone knew. "That's me."
Another person pointed the way from a distance. "You went the wrong way. Go back, turn left, and keep going up. The Immortal Lord is at Waterside Residence. You need to walk all the way to the end." After a pause, he asked curiously: "But how did an outer disciple like you catch the Immortal Lord's eye? This is the first time the Immortal Lord has specifically requested an attendant."
Gu Changhuai smiled, spreading his hands helplessly. "Perhaps I'm too impressive? And he appreciates me?"
At these words, he received eye-rolls from everyone. They waved their hands to shoo him away. "Tch, enough of that showing off. Go on, go on."
Gu Changhuai shrugged, bidding farewell to everyone. With someone having pointed out the route, naturally he wouldn't get lost on Supreme Peak. He quickly climbed up to Waterside Residence along the path.
A thin, cool mist covered the mountaintop. Flying cranes swept past the mirror-like lake surface amidst the mist, stirring up ripples. Pavilions and courtyards stood around the lake shore. On the winding bridge surface, the lake floated with bright red Hundred-Year Fire Lotuses. Countless stalks swayed together, making the lake surface glow brilliantly.
What a grand display.
Gu Changhuai raised an eyebrow. As far as he knew, Hundred-Year Fire Lotuses were rare spiritual treasures in the cultivation world. One stalk could be worth five hundred top-grade spirit stones—at least half the value of that night-luminescent pearl. Yet they were casually planted in the lake to stabilize the spiritual power of the entire mountain, not afraid of being picked clean.
...Should he find a chance to secretly pick one?
Harboring the mindset of changing careers to become a thief, Gu Changhuai circled past the lake surface and crossed the courtyard gate. The moment his front foot stepped in, a sword wind stabbed toward him. The sword intent was fierce and unrestrained, instantly causing his entire body to break out in goosebumps. As if being targeted by a vicious beast, his nerves instantly tensed with alertness, instinctively about to draw his blade to meet it.
Wait.
Gu Changhuai's eyes flickered slightly. As if unaware, he raised his eyes and continued walking forward. The sword wind that had been stabbing straight at him also silently curved away. The wind ceased and stopped. Rong Ye sheathed his sword and looked over. "You're here."
Gu Changhuai said with lingering fear: "Mm... I'm here." After a pause, he asked: "Immortal Lord, where should I stay? Can I not live at the bottom of the mountain? Climbing is tiring."
Watching Gu Changhuai's appearance of wanting to explode but forcibly maintaining composure, Rong Ye's eyes moved slightly. He pointed to the nearby courtyard. "If you want convenience, you can stay there."
"The Immortal Lord truly is a good person." Gu Changhuai rolled up his sleeves seriously. "It's almost nightfall. I'll go make a bowl of porridge for the Immortal Lord to try. Wait for me."
Without waiting for Rong Ye to speak, he turned and ran to find the kitchen next door. Supreme Peak had people come to tidy up every few days, so nothing was lacking. Spirit rice, spirit meat, oil and salt were all available.
Gu Changhuai closed the kitchen door, smiling as he pulled out a handful of colorful mushrooms from his storage pouch.
Obedience Mushroom. For ordinary cultivators, eating one would take effect, but with Rong Ye's cultivation level... feeding him a handful wasn't excessive.
Though these mushrooms didn't look great—all different colors and strange shapes—the taste was truly first-rate. Even in the Demon Realm, some people would stir-fry them to eat. It's just that the poison effect was a bit impolite. Sleep one night and it would pass.
...
Cultivators practiced fasting and didn't need to eat mundane food. Rong Ye wanted to see what this shadow demon was planning to do, so he sat in the pavilion and quietly waited for a while.
Night quietly fell. Sitting on the mountaintop, he could see the stars filling the sky.
Before long.
Gu Changhuai returned carrying a pot emitting hot steam, setting it before Rong Ye. Lifting the lid, he said expectantly: "Immortal Lord, quickly try it."
Rong Ye's fingertip lightly tapped the table surface as he glanced at the porridge.
The five-colored porridge swirled into a vortex, emitting a clear, fragrant rice aroma. At the end, two bubbles even popped up.
Rong Ye: "..."
Gu Changhuai ladled a bowl and placed it before Rong Ye, urging: "Immortal Lord, here. Especially delicious!" He'd been drooling while cooking it. After using the Obedience Mushroom to torment Rong Ye, he'd eat the rest.
Rong Ye raised his eyes to meet Gu Changhuai's bright, clear gaze. After a moment of silence, he nodded. "Alright."
Gu Changhuai nervously watched Rong Ye's hand holding the spoon. It must be said, a sword cultivator's hands were extremely beautiful—pale, slender, and exuding a cold air.
Just as the spoon was about to reach his lips, Rong Ye suddenly stopped and put it down. "Now that you're at Supreme Peak, you can't neglect your studies."
Gu Changhuai nodded indifferently. "Okay, okay, got it."
Just as Rong Ye picked up the spoon again.
Gu Changhuai pressed his lips nervously.
Rong Ye put down the spoon.
Gu Changhuai frowned anxiously.
Rong Ye picked up the spoon.
Gu Changhuai pressed his lips nervously.
Rong Ye put down the spoon.
Gu Changhuai frowned anxiously.
After going back and forth twice, Gu Changhuai looked at Rong Ye suspiciously.
Had he discovered something? The Obedience Mushroom's toxicity was strange. He'd even crushed the mushrooms and squeezed them into juice. It shouldn't be detectable.
Fortunately, the next moment Rong Ye didn't put down the spoon again. He finally saw two mouthfuls of porridge enter Rong Ye's mouth.
Saying "try it" meant just trying. After using two spoonfuls of porridge, he put down the bowl, wiping his lips with a handkerchief before raising his eyes to Gu Changhuai. "Not bad."
Gu Changhuai smiled. "I think so too."
He looked at Rong Ye's eyes. Those calm amber eyes' pupils were slowly transforming into purple. Obedience Mushroom took effect extremely fast, and once effective, the pupil color would present as glazed purple.
Instantly Gu Changhuai smiled even more sincerely, standing up and raising his hand.
He snapped his fingers.
Particularly crisp in the spacious courtyard. Rong Ye closed his eyes at the sound. Gu Changhuai said: "Open your eyes."
Rong Ye's eyelids lifted, raising his head, his eyes fixedly gazing at Gu Changhuai. His deep eyes were like a pool of stagnant water, as if wanting to swallow someone whole. Being stared at so suddenly, Gu Changhuai's scalp tingled for a moment. Looking more carefully, Rong Ye's eyes had already lost focus and spirit.
It's working.