Chapter 81: Strange Old Man

Rising to fame in a single battle comes with many benefits. For example, being with Chi Changye means fewer students glaring at him, and no one tries to "buy" his followers with spirit stones anymore. Also, Chi Changye smoothly transitioned to a common student identity without any trouble. Furthermore, the four of them don't need to set up a stall anymore. On the second day of the alchemy competition, Zhou Li delivered the deed of that shop to their courtyard.

Surprisingly, the shop wasn't rented; it belonged to them personally. Now, under the name of Gu Yao, it could easily fetch tens of thousands of spirit stones if put up for sale. After hearing Zhou Li's explanation, Gu Yao almost couldn't resist selling it off. Tens of thousands of spirit stones—how long would it take to earn that by selling elixirs?

Of course, there are troublesome aspects, like receiving enthusiastic greetings from many students when they go out, mostly unfamiliar faces. This starkly different attitude from before troubles Gu Yao, strengthening his determination to be a "cultivator at home." Besides going to the transmission hall and the repository, he rarely steps out of their courtyard. The shop is entirely entrusted to Tian Feirong and the chubby guy.

Zhou Li walks into the shop named "Gu Chi," and every time he sees the name, he is speechless. Is it laziness or an attempt to flaunt their close relationship?

On the first day of the reopening of the Gu Chi shop, students who used to come for elixirs found that the shop not only sells elixirs but also spirit talismans of high quality. The talismans drawn by the talisman master are no less impressive than Gu Yao, the alchemist. However, no talisman master dares to challenge the talisman master behind the shop. After the alchemy competition, there are rumors that Li Shurong and Liu Lingge have closed up, and they won't appear for a short time.

But people like Zhou Li know who the talisman master is. Who would have thought that Chi Changye, a sword cultivator, is skilled at drawing talismans? Zhou Li wasn't too concerned about the previous intermediate spirit talismans, but this time, he bought quite a few advanced ones for self-defense.

"Is it just you guys again? Are they, as usual, absent?" Zhou Li asks with a smile.

The chubby guy rolls his eyes. "Isn't that obvious? Gu Yao and Young Master Chi always avoid dealing with people."

Tian Feirong comes over. "Senior Zhou, out of elixirs again? Coming to buy more?"

Zhou Li rolls his eyes in return. "You've practically emptied my spirit stones. Can't afford it anymore." Then he adds a gossiping tone, saying, "Have you heard? Recently, there's a rumor circulating outside the academy. Remember the mysterious person in Tenfang City who sold high-grade Azure Essence Pills? It blamed Hu Gu's grandson after the alchemy competition. Since then, some say that the person who framed Hu Gu's grandson is none other than Gu Yao, who was in Tenfang City at the time. What do you think?"

"Ahem..." The chubby guy coughs violently, deciding not to pay attention to this matter anymore. Who is this troublemaker bringing up this issue? He hasn't said anything himself.

In fact, when the results of the competition came out, he guessed it. Besides Gu Yao, there was no one else who could have framed him. Before he could confirm it with Gu Yao, Gu Yao himself knocked on his door and confessed. The chubby guy couldn't blame Gu Yao; it was not Gu Yao who made the mistake, but those guys in Tenfang City who were blind. Even if Gu Yao had come forward at that time to admit that he was the alchemist, he would probably be regarded as crazy or suffering from delusions.

Tian Feirong hasn't confirmed it with Gu Yao, but she also thinks it's probably him. For what? To raise spirit stones to enter the academy, but there's no need to explain such things clearly to friends. Moreover, when they were in Tenfang City at that time, there were eavesdroppers everywhere. Letting others know could lead to unpredictable consequences.

With Gu Yao's personality, it's better to have one less thing to worry about.

Tian Feirong raises an eyebrow. "What does this prove? Even if that person is Gu Yao, so what? If it's not Gu Yao, then what? Right, chubby guy?" He kindly pats the chubby guy on the back, thinking he's shocked.

Zhou Li responds matter-of-factly, "Of course, I'm curious. That person is the one Hu Gu announced would be accepted as his direct disciple. So, although some people outside are saying it's Gu Yao, there are also many who oppose the idea, thinking it's impossible for someone to refuse becoming Hu Gu's disciple. But I have a different view."

"Oh? What is it?" The chubby guy, now catching his breath, asks curiously.

Zhou Li asserts, "It must be that Gu Yao has another master, so he can't casually accept another one! Think about it, if this rumor spreads outside and reaches other sects and even Cuiyan Valley, how would they feel when they learn that Gu Yao chose to enter our Tianfu Academy rather than join Cuiyan Valley? It's intriguing."

Okay, this person definitely thrives on stirring up trouble! Tian Feirong pushes him out. "Certainly not our Gu Yao. Don't follow along for the excitement. We are people who know ourselves."

"Why doesn't Gu Yao enter Cuiyan Valley?" Tian Feirong can guess the reasons. Firstly, Gu Yao's spiritual root talent is too poor to avoid standing out and being rejected. Secondly, Gu Yao carries his own inheritance and secrets. If the transformation elixirs were exposed, it could cause significant repercussions.

With his own inheritance, Gu Yao naturally has no interest in being a disciple of Hu Gu, and he can keep a low profile. If exposed, it's uncertain if he can even leave Tenfang City.

After Zhou Li leaves, Tian Feirong and the chubby guy exchange glances and quickly use a communication talisman to inform Chi Changye of the situation. Gu Yao, in their consensus, is someone who needs special protection. They wonder if Zhou Li's visit was to test their stance.

Zhou Li returns to the Star Moon Trading Company and confidently tells Jiang Yan, "It seems that the high-grade Azure Essence Pills in Tenfang City were made by Gu Yao. Gu Yao's choice is indeed unexpected."

Jiang Yan smiles, "This shows that Gu Yao is very clear-headed and calm. Haven't you heard the discussions outside? Many people are talking about Gu Yao's poor spiritual root talent, saying that even with high alchemical talent, he is limited by his spiritual root qualification. It's difficult to achieve greatness. If he really entered Cuiyan Valley, whether he would continue to receive Hu Gu's attention is uncertain. Moreover, since Hu Gu couldn't protect his own grandson and had to flee Cuiyan Valley, it indicates that the place is not as peaceful as it seems."

Those who talk about talent are either jealous of Gu Yao or trying to save face for Dan Peak, according to Jiang Yan's analysis.

"Was it Hu Weicai who was forced to leave Cuiyan Valley? Is someone harming Hu Weicai?" Zhou Li asks in surprise.

Jiang Yan glances at him. "What's so surprising? Hu Weicai's reputation inside and outside Cuiyan Valley isn't great. With his talent, who could he threaten, leading to rumors of him stealing elixirs? It's a pity; I wonder if Hu Gu himself realizes the issues inside Cuiyan Valley. If he doesn't solve them, Hu Weicai won't willingly go back."

Zhou Li chuckles. "Senior Brother, since Gu Yao has come to our Tianfu Academy, could it be that Hu Weicai will also come here? If that's the case, Cuiyan Valley and Hu Gu might become a joke throughout the entire Tianlin Continent."

"It won't be that coincidental," Jiang Yan says, momentarily surprised but then thinks again. This is indeed a good hiding place. Without Zhou Li's reminder, who would guess that Hu Gu's grandson came to Tianfu Academy? Hu Gu probably wouldn't think of it even if he searched the entire Tianlin Continent.

---

Gu Yao and Chi Changye come out together from the repository. Gu Yao curiously asks, "Brother Night, was there a monumental upheaval in the cultivation world hundreds of thousands of years ago? A war that engulfed all races and cultivators, reshaping the entire cultivation world. Is that true?"

He had read a book about the history of the cultivation world in the repository, mostly recording biographies and legends, whose authenticity couldn't be verified and remained neglected in a corner.

Hundreds of thousands of years, for Tianlin Continent, had seen countless changes through the ages. Since there were no cultivators with the same lifespan as the heavens and the earth, living for thousands or tens of thousands of years, the shifts in history were likely lost in the river of time, beyond anyone's clear understanding.

However, Chi Changye, having been in different places, should have a more enriched knowledge.

Chi Changye nods and says, "The place I originally came from also had such legends. It is said that those great battles caused a tremendous change in the heavens and the earth, leading to a decline in the entire cultivation environment of the cultivation world. I think it's very likely true because there are several places there that are ancient ruins. These ruins are probably connected to the ancient era."

"It's said that those great battles caused a tremendous change, dividing the cultivation world into pieces. This Tianlin Continent is very likely a piece that was split off in those ancient times."

When Chi Changye speculated about this after arriving here, it was related to whether he could return to his original place. The Tianfu Academy's repository was rich in books, and his willingness to spend a long time reading with Gu Yao was driven by the desire to find clues.

"Do you think the existence of the ancient hundred races is also true? What kinds of races were there?" Gu Yao continues to ask.

Chi Changye shakes his head and says, "That's not very clear. But it's said that the special physiques appearing among cultivators nowadays are related to the ancient hundred races. It's likely that these physiques are inherited bloodlines from that time, although they have long since blended with the human race."

Just as Gu Yao was about to ask more about the various special physiques, a message from Tian Feirong arrives. Chi Changye listens to her worried words and furrows his brow.

"Brother Night, what's wrong?"

Just as he was thinking about how to explain this matter to Gu Yao, a figure blocks their way. When they focus on the person, it turns out to be a small, white-haired and white-bearded old man. He gazes at Chi Changye with intense eyes, then seems to want to glare at Gu Yao but reluctantly retracts his gaze.

"What a strange old man," Gu Yao mutters to himself.