Chapter 26: Surely Rise to Great Heights

Gu Xu had no idea that he was the reason behind the premature demise of the Exorcism Bureau's treasured Heavenly-Origin Stone.

He was also unaware that in tomorrow's practical assessment, he would face a targeted and challenging test personally set by Chief Luo Chuan.

Tonight, Gu Xu simply wanted to quietly cultivate.

Shi Xiaohan had once given him fifteen bottles of Tranquil Heart Pills all at once.

So, for the time being, his cultivation would not be limited by a lack of pills.

Now, Gu Xu had already reached the peak of the first stage, the "Ghost Gate," with only a step away from the second stage, the "Yellow Springs Road."

The majestic true qi surged and boiled within his body.

What he was waiting for now was an opportune moment that would naturally arise.

The night passed quickly.

Gu Xu's bottle of Tranquil Heart Pills was three pills fewer.

...

In late autumn, the sun rose late.

When Chu Fengge walked out of the official post gate, Yishui County was still enveloped in darkness.

At this moment, his face, once bruised and swollen, completely returned to its original state, once again becoming the refined countenance of a noble young master, with rosy lips and white teeth.

In the vast wilderness, after a cultivator with exceptional talent advanced to the third stage, there was a certain probability of awakening a special innate ability.

The innate ability Chu Fengge awakened was called "Wild Grass."

The "Wild Grass" ability bestowed Chu Fengge with extremely strong vitality and self-healing abilities—no matter how severe his injuries, as long as there was a glimmer of life left, he could recover to his original state within a short period of time without any medical treatment.

In short, he had a tough exterior and exceptional endurance.

This was undoubtedly an important asset for Chu Fengge to act arrogantly on a daily basis.

But now, Chu Fengge was in a very bad mood.

The reasons were simple.

On one hand, he had gone to the Lu Mansion eagerly that day, intending to slay demons and gain fame.

However, he didn't even get a clear look at the ghostly creature before he received a severe beating. If he hadn't used the life-saving treasure given to him by Chief Luo Chuan in time, he would probably have died in that haunted mansion.

On the other hand, Senior Luo Chuan's message last night, delivered by Shangguan Jin, said, "That young man named Gu Xu has talent far surpassing yours. Within three years at the latest, his cultivation will surpass yours."

Chu Fengge was infuriated!

He always prided himself as the "Number One Genius of Great Qi" believing that his exceptional talent would allow him to dominate the world and have no equals.

If someone else had said those words, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.

But unfortunately, those words were spoken by Chief Luo Chuan.

It was well known that Chief Luo Chuan, the head of the Exorcism Bureau, was most skilled in the art of divination—his eyes, as deep as ancient wells, could always see the unknown future.

So Chu Fengge was panicking.

In his understanding, if he couldn't become the best in the world, then what was the point of living?

He decided that today he would personally visit the Yishui County Bureau to see this Gu Xu, who had attracted the attention of Chief Luo Chuan, and assess how much of a threat he posed to his future position as the best in the world.

"Let's go!" Chu Fengge stood on the stone steps with his hands behind his back, raising his head and chest proudly as he instructed his entourage with an indifferent tone.

"Yes, sir." Xu San and Wang Wu responded with trembling voices, bowing their heads.

At this moment, Xu San and Wang Wu both wore smiles of relief on their faces—Chu Fengge didn't cut off our heads; that's really great!

...

At the same time, Gu Xu had already arrived early at the Exorcism Bureau.

Perhaps because of the grandeur of the phenomenon caused by the Heavenly-Origin Stone yesterday, there were many more spectators today than yesterday.

Not only were the cultivators and Bureau officials gathered here, but even the officials from the county bureau across the street, such as the County Magistrate and the scream-loving Zhou Jiaoyu, had put aside their work and rushed over to watch.

In their eyes, the young clerk named Gu Xu from the Exorcism Bureau had clearly attracted the attention of important figures in the capital.

If everything went smoothly, he would surely rise to great heights and achieve success.

If they could establish a good relationship with Gu Xu now, perhaps in the future, they could have him speak well of them before those important figures in the capital... who knows, maybe they would have opportunities for promotion and wealth.

"Mr. Gu, it's been a few days, and your elegance has surpassed the past!" As soon as he saw Gu Xu, Zhou Jiaoyu walked up with a smile on his face and greeted him, "That night when the county school was haunted, I felt that Mr. Gu was not an ordinary person. Now it seems that my instincts were correct, truly remarkable."

"Mr. Zhou, you flatter me." Gu Xu humbly smiled.

Zhou Jiaoyu, as a scholar who had once passed the imperial examination, truly knew how to speak nicely—as long as he wasn't scared by ghosts, his words were truly pleasant to hear.

Seeing Gu Xu chatting and laughing with Zhou Jiaoyu, the County Magistrate Jiang didn't want to be outdone and immediately squeezed through the crowd to approach Gu Xu, saying with a smile, "Ever since Zhou Jiaoyu returned from the haunted county school that day, he has been mentioning Mr. Gu's name every day, saying that Mr. Gu is an exceptional young hero he has never seen before. I thought he was exaggerating, but seeing you today, I realize that Mr. Gu is indeed talented and remarkable."

"I dare not accept such praise." Gu Xu shook his head modestly, without boasting.

Then, the County Office's Luo Steward squeezed his way through the crowd and came to stand in front of Gu Xu, wearing a smile. He said, "May I ask if Mr. Gu is married? I have a daughter at home who just reached marriageable age half a month ago. She is as beautiful as a flower. If Mr. Gu doesn't mind, perhaps we can consider..."

Gu Xu glanced at Luo Steward's rat-like face and thought that if this guy's daughter really was as beautiful as a flower, then his head should have turned bright green from envy by now.

But Gu Xu was busy cultivating right now.

He had no interest in wasting time on such matters as marriage.

Just as Gu Xu was about to find an excuse to refuse, Shi Xiaohan suddenly appeared by his side and tugged at his sleeve, pulling him out of the circle of county officials and saving him from the situation.

"I have an important matter to discuss with him." She used an authoritative tone, leaving a simple and rough explanation.

"Please proceed, Madam Shi." The officials bowed their heads.

They dared not show the slightest disrespect in their attitudes toward Shi Xiaohan, the Eighth-Rank Inspector of the Exorcism Bureau, who had both formidable strength and a deep background.

Thus, Shi Xiaohan effortlessly led Gu Xu to a secluded corner of the inner courtyard, away from any disturbances.

Like performing magic, she pulled a food box out of her sleeve and handed it to Gu Xu, smiling mischievously as she said, "Gu Xu, this is the breakfast prepared for you today—Crystal Dumplings, Golden Spring Rolls, and Eight Treasure Rice Cakes. They respectively symbolize 'attracting wealth and treasures,' 'a golden fortune,' and 'prospering every year.'

"Today's assessment, you must give it your all!"

"Young Lady Shi has given her orders; how could I not comply?" Gu Xu's lips curled slightly as he received the food box from her.

The first rays of morning sunlight fell upon his handsome profile, and his smile radiated like the glow of the sunrise.