Chapter 1: Caught on the Spot

In the Tianlin Continent, in the town of Yuanyang.

The celebration at the Gu Family, one of the town's three major cultivation families, was particularly lively. Today marked the 70th birthday of Gu Wenhai, the patriarch of the Gu Family. The other two cultivation families in the city, the Tian Family and the Lu Family, were present to offer their congratulations.

Although there was competition among the three families, they cooperated to prevent other forces from rising, sharing the resources for cultivation. Through generations, intermarriage continued among the three families. For example, Gu Yao, the legitimate grandson of the Gu Family's patriarch, and Lu Minzhu from the Lu Family were engaged since childhood.

However, the commoners in Yuanyang Town, who lacked spiritual roots, knew that this engagement was destined to be broken. Why? Because Gu Yao, despite his status as the legitimate grandson, lost his mother early, and with a stepmother in the picture, he had a stepfather, which was accepted in the cultivation world. Moreover, Gu Yao's spiritual roots were only slightly better than the five elemental roots, making him less valued in the Gu Family. His life was even worse than that of collateral disciples. How could he be worthy of Lu Family's beautiful daughter? If Gu Yao had any sense, he should proactively break off this engagement.

The guests filled the Gu Family residence. The three sons of the Gu Family's patriarch, along with a dozen grandchildren and outstanding disciples, were busy entertaining the guests who came to celebrate the patriarch's 70th birthday. Gu Zhixiao, the eldest son, pulled aside his second brother, Gu Zhiming, with a serious expression, and asked, "On the occasion of the old man's 70th birthday, all the descendants of the Gu Family are here. Except for your son, Gu Yao, where is he? He hasn't shown up until now. Doesn't he realize what day it is?"

Gu Zhiming, the least talented among the three brothers, had an older son who received the patriarch's attention and a younger son who could sweet-talk and please the patriarch. Gu Zhiming, stuck in the middle, could only pin his hopes on his own children. Gu Yao, his son, was a disgrace—a four-attribute root cultivator! Born into a cultivation family, he was only slightly better than ordinary people, practically no different from being useless. So, on normal days, Gu Zhiming kept his distance from Gu Yao and didn't think much about him on a day like this.

"Who knows where this troublemaker went. Big brother, wait; I'll send someone to find him!" Gu Zhiming sighed. If Gu Yao didn't appear on such an occasion, it would reflect poorly on Gu Zhiming as a father. So, he reluctantly prepared to send someone to search for him.

"Dad, you entertain the guests. I'll go get big brother," volunteered Gu Chen, Gu Zhiming's second son, with a hint of excitement in his eyes.
"That Chen'er comes and goes early; if your big brother had half of Chen'er's determination, Dad wouldn't have to worry." Gu Zhiming's most favored son was this one, who, at the age of thirteen, had already reached the fourth level of Qi refinement, somewhat restoring his father's pride. His wife, who had recently entered the family, had just given birth to a pair of twins. Although Xing'er's cultivation was weaker, she possessed a transcendent beauty, ensuring a good marriage in the future. She would support her younger brother, ensuring prosperity for their branch of the family.

"Dad, rest assured. I'll talk to big brother and ask him not to trouble you. Uncle, I'll go down now," Gu Chen said after paying his respects, leaving the main hall.

In a secluded courtyard in the northwest corner of the Gu Family, contrasting with the lively scene in front, not a soul could be seen. Suddenly, a group of a dozen young men and women, escorted by maids and guards, approached. Gu Chen came out and directed his attendants, "Go and knock on the door, call Gu Yao out!"

"The smell here seems off." Tian Fei, from the Tian Family, wrinkled his nose, detecting a familiar fragrance that, for someone frequenting brothels like him, was well-known. A hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.

As soon as he spoke, the attendant who kicked open the door ran out, trembling, pointing and stammering, "Young Master Yao, he, he, he..."

With an expression that was difficult to describe, the attendant left the rest to the imagination. Tian Fei and others were now even more curious, wasting no time and rushing into the room with Gu Chen. There, they saw a person lifting the blanket, wrapping themselves up. Those who walked faster could still catch a glimpse of two naked bodies with numerous marks. Combined with the scent filling the room, even those unfamiliar with such matters knew that before their arrival, some intense activity had taken place.

It seemed that the young master of the Gu Family, Gu Yao, was unexpectedly overpowered by an unknown person!

"Ah!" Lu Minzhu, Gu Yao's fiancée, screamed, "Gu Yao, I didn't expect you to be like this! I'm breaking off the engagement! We're leaving! Staying here would defile our eyes!"

Lu Minzhu's older brother, Lu Minbai, gritted his teeth and said, "My little sister is right. We can't afford this dirty thing. Gu Yao, I tell you, from today on, my little sister and you are done!" The Lu Family members left, and the Tian Family members remained, enjoying the spectacle. As part of prominent families, they were aware of the underlying dynamics. They got a free show arranged during the Gu Family's celebration.

Gu Yao was furious! If possible, he hated not poisoning the entire room. Waking up to such a humiliating scene, clearly orchestrated by someone, left him extremely infuriated.

"Get out! All of you, get out!" Gu Yao's voice was hoarse.

"Gu Yao, have some shame! Do you know what day it is today?" Gu Chen sternly reprimanded.

"Haha, what day is it? Second brother, you really put in a lot of effort, staging such a drama on a day like this. How much face does Gu Yao have left, and how much face does the Gu Family lose? You should ask my good second brother about that! Get out, all of you!" Gu Yao tore off the facade, sternly ordering them to leave.

"The face of our Gu Family was lost because of you, Gu Yao. You are the culprit harming the Gu Family. Hmph, now that Minzhu wants to break off the engagement, see how you'll explain this to Dad and Grandfather! Second brother, let's go!" Gu Xing scornfully said.

Tian Fei was the last to leave. Before leaving, he sniffed and muttered, "It seems to be the scent of the Fragrant Pavilion's Drunken Beauty, not cheap at all." With a mocking glance at Gu Yao, he walked out.

Waiting outside, Tian Fei waited for his younger brother. When he walked out, he said in a low voice, "Hurry up. Watching the show is enough; don't get involved in the Gu Family's matters."

Whether it was the eldest or second son of the Gu Family, neither was a good person. Gu Zhiming was notorious for his lack of fidelity in Yuanyang City. Gu Yao's mother died because of Gu Zhiming, but not long after her death, a new wife entered. Allowing the Gu Family members to mistreat the child left by the previous wife, Tian Fei held strong disdain for Gu Zhiming.

"That's familiar with the Fragrant Pavilion's Drunken Beauty," Tian Fei Rong smiled and shook his fan, "that's specifically used for intimate matters with men. A small bottle costs a thousand taels of silver. I wonder what kind of beauty made Gu Yao willing to spend so much silver to use it on himself."

He reminded Gu Yao before leaving; now, it was up to him. Previously, Gu Yao had a relatively soft personality, but the look he just gave was quite frightening.

"You're quite knowledgeable about these things," Tian Fei Yang scolded his younger brother without mercy, "from what I see, the main and second branches of the Gu Family colluded in this matter. However, the main branch members are clever; they didn't show up in this situation, letting the second branch members take the lead. Foolish!"

"Brother, I know. It's probably Gu Yan, that kid, colluding with Lu Minzhu early on. Who knows, maybe she's already pregnant?" Tian Fei Rong covered his mouth with a fan, speaking quietly.

"Evil words lead to evil deeds!" Tian Fei Yang sternly reprimanded. Although he didn't deny this speculation, he felt that this matter was not as simple as it seemed. The Gu Family went to great lengths to scheme against Gu Yao, just to tarnish his reputation and smoothly break off the engagement? Tian Fei Yang wondered what was on Gu Yao that was worth such scheming by the Gu Family.