Her Blood

“No matter. I believe his aptitude will far exceed Saintess Gu Caihe’s expectations,” Gu Jinghong said confidently, a faint smile on his face.

At that moment, Qin Gou sent a discreet voice transmission to Gu Jinghong. “For personal reasons, Sect Master, please refrain from revealing my real name in front of Gu Caihe.”

Gu Jinghong glanced at Qin Gou briefly before nodding slightly.

—

Gu Caihe placed the compass-like artifact on the table and smiled warmly at Qin Gou. “Come, young man, infuse your spiritual energy into this. The compass will determine your aptitude.”

“You may call me Qin Yue,” Qin Gou said calmly before channeling his spiritual energy into the artifact. After all, his aptitude wasn’t something he could change, so there was no need to worry.

—

“Four-element… mid-grade?”

Gu Caihe’s expression immediately darkened. “Sect Master Gu, surely you’re joking. You’re introducing someone with mere four-element mid-grade aptitude as the most outstanding disciple of your sect? Or is this your way of expressing dissatisfaction with the Mystic Maiden Palace’s decision?”

“Impossible,” Gu Jinghong said with a laugh. “Qin Yue possesses the Enlightened Body, a rare and unparalleled talent. How could he possibly have four-element mid-grade aptitude? The Saintess must be mistaken.”

“This compass was personally crafted by the Palace Master. It cannot be wrong,” Gu Caihe insisted confidently.

—

Qin Gou shrugged. “The test result isn’t wrong. I do have four-element mid-grade aptitude. But with the Enlightened Body, I’ve never found cultivation particularly difficult.”

“How about this,” Gu Jinghong sighed. “Qin Yue, show the Saintess your life-bound spiritual tool.”

A pale purple Universal Seed floated above Qin Gou’s palm.

—

Gu Caihe’s eyes widened in shock. “He… cultivates the Green Emperor’s Scroll?”

Gu Jinghong smiled proudly. “Indeed.”

Gu Caihe’s gaze lingered on Qin Gou, her expression shifting as she reevaluated him. Finally, she spoke softly, “Truly, a remarkable talent.”

“Am I still qualified to be invited to the Mystic Maiden Palace?” Qin Gou asked.

Gu Caihe smiled apologetically. “I must apologize for my earlier rudeness. If even someone like you isn’t qualified, I doubt I’d be able to bring anyone back. Rest assured, I’ll return in two days after visiting other allied sects to select candidates. I’ll personally escort you then.”

—

Two Days Later.

Gu Feiyan had disappeared.

After a night of intimacy, Qin Gou couldn’t find her anywhere—not in her cave, not at the sparring arena, not even at the Jade Dew Pool.

Despite questioning Elder Yuan Zhen and even Sect Master Gu Jinghong, Qin Gou received no useful answers.

He couldn’t tell if she was deliberately avoiding him or if she had urgent matters to attend to.

—

Outside the Sect’s Gates.

“Master, this is as far as you need to go,” said Mu Man’er, dressed in a moon-white robe and carrying a longsword. She turned back with a sweet smile.

Qin Gou smiled indulgently. “Remember to be careful on your journey to the Tian Kun Dynasty. Don’t cause any trouble that’ll give me a headache. But if you do face difficulties, don’t hesitate to seek refuge with your Second Senior Sister at the Mystic Maiden Palace. I won’t blame you. Then, find a way to contact me.”

Mu Man’er placed her hands on her hips, grinning. “Don’t worry, Master. I’ve turned over a new leaf!”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Qin Gou said, his tone half-threatening.

“Hehe… Master, aren’t you forgetting something?” Mu Man’er asked playfully, tilting her head.

Qin Gou looked puzzled.

“This is the second time you’ve seen me off recently, isn’t it? And once again, you’ve forgotten to do that,” she teased, leaning closer to Qin Gou and planting a quick kiss on his cheek.

Just like the scene at the base of Arc Moon Mountain days ago, except this time, she didn’t need to stand on tiptoes.

Qin Gou gently ruffled her hair, and Mu Man’er skipped away happily.

“Goodbye, Master!”

—

Noon.

Gu Caihe’s large spirit boat descended once more upon the Seed Demon Holy Sect.

“Is everything ready?” Gu Caihe asked, glancing at Gu Jinghong and Elder Yuan Zhen, who had come to see Qin Gou off.

Qin Gou pointed to the chubby Chen Keshua beside him. “He’s my attendant, responsible for my daily needs. I’m used to having him around. Can I bring him to the Mystic Maiden Palace?”

Gu Caihe smiled faintly. “Normally, this wouldn’t be allowed. But for you, it’s fine. Just make sure this little fatty behaves. The Mystic Maiden Palace isn’t a place he can wander freely.”

“You heard her?” Qin Gou asked Chen Keshua.

Chen Keshua nodded excitedly. “As long as I can stay with Brother Qin, I’ll do anything!”

“Then let’s board the spirit boat and set off,” Gu Caihe said.

—

Before stepping onto the boat, Qin Gou glanced back, hoping to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure. But no matter how hard he looked, Gu Feiyan was nowhere to be seen.

It had been two days since her disappearance, and Gu Jinghong and the others didn’t seem concerned. It was clear she was deliberately avoiding him. But Qin Gou still couldn’t figure out what he had done to upset her so much that she wouldn’t even show up to see him off.

“Let’s go,” Qin Gou sighed, his eyes filled with disappointment as he and Chen Keshua boarded the spirit boat.

—

“Wait!”

A clear, melodious voice called out, stopping Qin Gou in his tracks. He turned around sharply.

—

Gu Feiyan, dressed in a flowing black dress, approached him. Her eyes, bright as the autumn moon, were filled with reluctant affection. Her reddened eyes betrayed her emotions as she held out a small white jade bottle.

“I hate goodbyes,” she said with a self-deprecating smile. “That’s why I hid. But I couldn’t help myself.”

She pressed the jade bottle into Qin Gou’s hand, her voice soft and full of emotion. “Inside… is my blood.”

—

Without hesitation, Qin Gou pulled Gu Feiyan into a passionate embrace, kissing her deeply.

Elder Yuan Zhen stood frozen, his mouth agape. Turning to Gu Jinghong, he stammered, “W-When did this happen?”

Gu Jinghong’s face was a mix of shock and disbelief. “How the hell should I know?! What a disgrace! Thank goodness Mu Man’er left this morning. How am I supposed to explain this to her?!”