Forgotten Self Village

Forgotten Self Mystic Realm, hidden within an isolated village.

The village was surrounded by layers of illusions, keeping it sealed off for centuries. No living soul had resided there for hundreds of years.

But today, the long-silent village had come alive with noise and activity.

Gu Xunhe stood with his hands behind his back, accompanied by only two loyal subordinates.

“Well, well, isn’t this the esteemed Young Master Gu?” A man with blood-red hair and a devilish grin crossed his arms, speaking mockingly. “I didn’t expect the Seed Demon Holy Sect to stick its nose into the Forgotten Self Mystic Realm.”

Gu Xunhe shot him a sharp glare, his tone icy. “How the Holy Sect acts is none of your concern, Blood Ridge.”

The red-haired man sneered. “Oh, really? Do you still think the Seed Demon Holy Sect is the glorious first-rate sect it was centuries ago? Too good to mingle with the likes of us small sect disciples?”

“Watch your words, Chi Yuchao,” Gu Xunhe warned, his voice cold.

“Watch my words?” Chi Yuchao laughed, patting his chest. “If it weren’t for the fear of triggering the Mystic Realm’s restrictions, I’d have already taken your head, Young Master Gu. Now that would be overstepping!”

“How dare you!” Gu Xunhe’s eyes burned with killing intent, and his two subordinates tensed, ready to strike at his command.

Chi Yuchao and his three followers stood their ground, their gazes equally sharp, the tension palpable.

***

“Big Brother.”

At that moment, Gu Yinjiao, the bald-headed Second Young Master of the Seed Demon Holy Sect, arrived with three companions.

“Yinjiao!” Gu Xunhe’s face lit up with joy.

“How long have you been here, Big Brother?” Gu Yinjiao asked, embracing him warmly.

“A few hours,” Gu Xunhe replied. He cast a disdainful glance at Chi Yuchao, who remained unbothered. “Why are you still here?”

Chi Yuchao smirked. “What’s the matter, Young Master Gu? Do you think having more people means I’ll run away with my tail between my legs?”

Gu Xunhe chuckled and shook his head. “Truly, women and petty men are the hardest to deal with.”

Chi Yuchao’s eyes turned blood-red with fury. “Say that again, Gu Xunhe!”

Gu Xunhe smirked but didn’t respond. He knew he’d hit a nerve with Chi Yuchao, who was notorious for disguising herself as a man.

***

After scanning the area, Gu Yinjiao asked, “Big Brother, has Third Sister arrived yet?”

“I haven’t seen her,” Gu Xunhe replied with a cold smile. “And given her situation, I doubt she’ll make it in time.”

“What do you mean?” Gu Yinjiao asked, puzzled.

“Wait, the Third Miss of the Seed Demon Holy Sect is coming here too?” Chi Yuchao’s eyes lit up with interest. “What are you talking about, Gu Xunhe? Don’t leave us hanging.”

Gu Xunhe glared at Chi Yuchao before pulling Gu Yinjiao aside. “Let’s go.”

***

Behind a Large Boulder.

Gu Yinjiao frowned. “Big Brother, did you do something to Third Sister?”

Gu Xunhe’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Of course. I couldn’t say much earlier with outsiders around, but let’s just say Third Sister might not even make it back to the sect this time.”

“Big Brother, if Father finds out…” Gu Yinjiao began, his voice filled with worry.

“Don’t worry,” Gu Xunhe said dismissively. “It wasn’t one of our people who acted. Do you think I wouldn’t consider the consequences, my foolish brother?”

Relieved, Gu Yinjiao nodded. “That’s good. With Third Sister out of the picture, the position of Young Master is now between the two of us.”

“Exactly. Remember, Yinjiao, once we’re inside the Mystic Realm, I’ll be giving it my all. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you and stand in my way,” Gu Xunhe said, his hands clasped behind his back, his smile tinged with menace.

Gu Yinjiao laughed heartily, patting his bald head. “Don’t worry, Big Brother. I wouldn’t dare compete with you. My only wish is to make Mother proud. And now that the position of Young Master is within our grasp, my wish is as good as fulfilled.”

“Good. That’s my brother,” Gu Xunhe said, extending his hand.

“Big Brother!” Gu Yinjiao replied, clasping his hand warmly.

As their hands met, Gu Xunhe felt a surge of emotion, his eyes almost welling with tears.

***

“Splash!”

Suddenly, the boulder beside them split open like a door, and a stream of tea poured down, drenching both brothers.

Qin Gou emerged, a wooden toothbrush in his mouth, his eyes half-closed. “Young Master Gu? Second Young Master? What a coincidence.”

“You—you—you…” Gu Xunhe stammered, looking as if he’d seen a ghost.

Behind Qin Gou, Gu Feiyan, Liu Ying, and the Hu brothers stepped out of the boulder-turned-room.

“Big Brother, Second Brother,” Gu Feiyan said lazily, stretching her arms. Her devilish curves were on full display as she smirked coldly. “Being woken up so early is quite unpleasant, don’t you think?”

The massive boulder rapidly shrank, transforming into a small, round, black fruit that disappeared into Qin Gou’s palm.

“Is that… the Little Poison Box?” Gu Yinjiao exclaimed, recognizing the fruit’s true nature.

The Little Poison Box, originally called the Sheath Fruit, was a Yellow Rank plant with a small internal space. Though inedible, it was commonly used by poison cultivators to house their venomous pets, as storage rings and bags couldn’t store living creatures. However, Qin Gou had enlarged it to the size of a house, making it far more versatile.

“You… didn’t encounter that…” Gu Xunhe began, his voice trembling, but he stopped himself, the words stuck in his throat.

Qin Gou raised an eyebrow. “What are you trying to say, Young Master? Are you curious why we weren’t wiped out by Qiu Qianyue, that calamity of a woman?”

Gu Xunhe hesitated before sneering. “Yes.” Now that the pretense was gone, he didn’t bother hiding his intentions.

“See, Little Yan? I told you this fool was behind it! I win the bet. Don’t forget, you owe me a landscape painting,” Qin Gou said to Gu Feiyan and the others.

“You bastard! Qin Gou, how dare you speak to me like that!” Gu Xunhe roared, his fury boiling over.

Qin Gou turned to face him, his voice steady and cold. “Not only do I dare speak to you like this, but I’m about to give you another slap. Do you believe me?”