Chapter 61: A Familiar Face

The gathering organized by Peak Master Tie Shan for the Forging Masters of the sect had lingered in Gu Yuan’s thoughts for some time.

He planned to ignore it, troubles seemed to be brewing everywhere in the sect, and his focus was on breaking through to the Spiritual Core Realm.

It had already been twenty years since he stepped into the Golden Core Realm, yet he was only at the Sixth Stage. Yet, the longer he dwelled on it, the more he felt that perhaps he should go.

Back when he was still in the Qi Refinement Realm, shortly after meeting the twins, there had been a similar gathering, and Deacon Zhao had attended it on his own.

Perhaps this time, they could attend together.

After spending five years practicing the Blood Moon Severing Saber, a change of pace might not be a bad thing either.

With that thought, Gu Yuan finally stood up and left his cave abode.

As he walked through the Inner Sect, he gradually began to understand what Lin Hao had meant when he spoke about the tense situation within the sect.

At first, Gu Yuan thought Lin Hao had exaggerated slightly. The atmosphere had been far more tense back when the battle between the Sect Master and the Heavenly Twin Stars was about to take place.

Or at least, that was what he thought at first.

The moment he reached the Outer Sect, however, his thoughts changed completely.

The place was teeming with cultivators who were concealing their cultivation. If he could sense them, then the sect’s Elders should be able to detect them too.

So why were they being left alone?

Gu Yuan couldn’t think of an answer.

As he made his way toward Deacon Zhao’s forge, he appraised one of the suspicious cultivators.

[Threads of Providence]

Name: Cui Zhenyu

Age: 94

Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm, Ninth Stage

Spiritual Root: Fire and Wood Root (First Grade)

Providence: Medium (High)

Special Note: Cui Zhenyu, a disciple of the North River Sect of the Chu Kingdom. He entered the Black Desolation Sect to scout its current condition in preparation for the upcoming attack.

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Back then, most of the spies he encountered had come to investigate the condition of the Heavenly Twin Stars.

Now, they were here for an entirely different reason: they were scouting the Black Desolation Sect itself, preparing for an attack.

Gu Yuan suddenly remembered Ji Yue’s words.

The situation around the sect may become somewhat chaotic.

This is somewhat chaotic?

Gu Yuan glanced at the cultivators around him and began wondering whether attending a gathering at Hundred Refinements Peak at a time like this was really a good idea.

Perhaps he should simply return to his cave abode and continue cultivating.

Before Gu Yuan could make up his mind, however, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Senior Brother Gu."

Hearing the playful tone, Gu Yuan already had a good idea who it was. He didn’t particularly want to turn around, but ignoring her would be rude, so he reluctantly looked back.

"Bai Qing?"

"Yes, it’s me, Senior Brother." Bai Qing approached him with the same carefree smile he remembered. "It’s been a long time. I see you’ve become even more handsome."

Gu Yuan looked at her silently. Bai Qing had once been part of his patrol team, back when he was still an Outer Sect disciple.

The woman seemed just as carefree as he remembered her. Fortunately, this time, she made no attempt to press herself against him.

After exchanging a few more words with her, Gu Yuan finally took his leave and continued toward the forge.

When he arrived, however, Deacon Zhao was nowhere to be found. After asking around, Gu Yuan learned that he had left the sect to attempt a breakthrough and had yet to return.

"Maybe I’m really not meant to participate in this gathering?" Gu Yuan muttered as he made his way back toward the Teleportation Array.

Waiting for him there was another familiar face.

"Junior Brother..."

I’m really meeting all kinds of people today.

Gu Yuan felt helpless, but he still cupped his hands politely. "Greetings, Senior Brother."

"Yes, it’s been a while." Mo Chen nodded, a smile already appearing on his face. "So, how is it? Have you finally stopped getting involved with spies? Or is that a little difficult considering the current situation of the sect?"

The disciple of the Disciplinary Hall seemed to be enjoying himself immensely, and he made no attempt to hide the amusement in his smile.

"Luckily, my time in the Inner Sect has been quite peaceful," Gu Yuan replied.

Exactly how his time in the Inner Sect could be called peaceful, Gu Yuan wasn’t entirely sure himself.

But considering it was Mo Chen asking, it was probably better to describe it that way.

"That’s good." Mo Chen nodded. Then he glanced toward the Teleportation Array. "Anyway, I see you’re already returning to the Inner Sect even though you just came out. Finished with your business already?"

"Yes. I wanted to meet Deacon Zhao, but he was out."

"Ah, I thought you came here because you wanted to attend the gathering at Hundred Refinements Peak. So, you’ve changed your mind?"

So, you already know everything? Then why are you asking?

Gu Yuan frowned inwardly before answering, "Considering the current situation, I feel it’s better if I don’t go."

Mo Chen chuckled at his answer. There was something in his expression that made Gu Yuan instinctively feel that trouble was about to follow.

Quietly, Gu Yuan activated his ability.

[Threads of Providence]

Name: Mo Chen

Age: 110

Cultivation: Spiritual Core Realm, Third Stage

Spiritual Root: Lightning Root (Top Grade)

Physique: Unfettered Spirit Physique

Providence: High (Low)

Special Note: Mo Chen, a disciple of the Disciplinary Hall of the Black Desolation Sect. After obtaining the inheritance of a Severing Realm cultivator, he came to the Black Desolation Sect because he believed that chaos and war would be more interesting than ordinary cultivation. He grew bored quickly and considered leaving, but the appearance of the Heavenly Twin Stars and you, made the situation far more interesting, so he stayed. He is currently assisting the Disciplinary Hall in investigating the spies who have infiltrated the sect.

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Does this man have some problem in his head? Gu Yuan wondered as he concealed the shock he felt after seeing Mo Chen’s information.

A Top Grade Spiritual Root. A special physique. And an inheritance from a Severing Realm cultivator.

This guy was far more talented than he had expected.

Before Gu Yuan could think about it any further, Mo Chen spoke again.

"Okay, how about this? I’ll go with you. If you’re afraid of going alone."

I’m even more afraid of going with you...

Despite thinking that, Gu Yuan didn’t immediately refuse.

He looked at Mo Chen for a moment.

Going alone was dangerous.

Going with Mo Chen was probably even more dangerous.

But he had already decided to attend the gathering, and having someone from the Disciplinary Hall accompany him, bizarre personality or not, was not necessarily a bad thing.

"Alright. Let’s go." Gu Yuan finally said.