Chapter 413

Chapter 413: Leaving the Wan Gu Sect

No matter how the outside world discussed it, as soon as Zhou Luo and Yao Wu left the small building, they were picked up by a beam of golden light.

When they came to their senses, they had returned once more to the main peak hall.

The sect leader of Wan Gu Sect, seated above, remained shrouded in radiance, making his face indistinct.

The floating cushions on both sides each seated a Golden Core master with awe-inspiring presence; though they did not deliberately release their auras, the pressure alone was enough to terrify and cause trembling.

Zhou Luo quietly activated the Water Spirit Heart Method to stabilize his mind, and with his right hand, he held his wife’s hand to ease her restless heart.

Not everyone could respond with such calm to so many Golden Core masters.

"Yao Wu, now that you have passed the trial, remain in this mountain and cultivate from today onward." The sect leader’s voice fell from high above, carrying a vast and ethereal authority.

According to the prior stipulations, she was now the Mountain Master of Lieyang Mountain; only if she achieved mastery in her studies later could she inherit everything of the sect.

But was this process really as simple as it seemed?

Zhou Luo turned his head slightly, gazed at her tense, anxious face, and involuntarily tightened his grip on her right hand.

He had helped her pass the trial, but the days ahead would require her to endure alone.

The immense Lieyang Mountain was now under her sole command, and many problems remained to confront.

"Thank you, Sect Leader." Yao Wu knelt on the ground and bowed solemnly.

"Prepare to move ahead; you shall reside on the main peak from now on." The sect leader spoke plainly and let the two withdraw.

Stepping out of the main peak hall, with the given signal, Xuanqing was waiting silently outside with Zhou Shixin.

Seeing the two appear, Xuanqing approached with a broad smile and said: "Congratulations to Friend Zhou and Mountain Master Yao."

Although Yao Wu was merely a Qi Refinement cultivator, she was now the Mountain Master of Lieyang Mountain, on par with a Golden Core master; thus, even though Xuanqing was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had to respectfully call her ‘Mountain Master’; failure to do so would be a crime of disrespectful defiance.

"Mother."

Before the words faded, Zhou Shixin also hurried forward and hugged Yao Wu tightly, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears.

"It’s alright, it’s alright." Yao Wu comforted her softly.

Zhou Luo bowed unfraternally in return and said: "From now on, my daughter will trouble Friend Xuanqing."

Zhou Shixin had already become Master Ling An’s disciple and was Xuanqing’s Junior Sister.

"Easy enough, easy enough, Friend Zhou, let’s go." Xuanqing smiled as he formed a technique; a burst of spiritual light flashed, and a light bird made from condensed mana appeared on the ground.

The four stood atop it, soaring through the sky as they flew toward Ling An Mountain.

After returning to the residence, Xuanqing gave a few instructions and departed.

Along the way, Zhou Shixin learned from her mother about the perils of Lieyang Mountain and inwardly admired her father even more.

After Xuanqing left, Zhou Luo left the mother and daughter in the room and began to outline the coming matters.

This trial’s conclusion also marked the temporary completion of his mission.

Next, he was about to leave soon.

Moreover, the matter of the implanted Gu insects in him and Zhou Shixin since the start remained unresolved, indicating that people lurked in the shadows with ulterior motives.

This posed a challenge for Yao Wu.

He couldn’t stay at the Wan Gu Sect forever, so he would soon have to depend only on himself.

Yao Wu listened intently.

Having endured everything at Lieyang Mountain, this woman knew exactly what awaited her and understood she couldn’t remain stagnant.

She didn’t want Zhou Luo always shielding her from the front; she wished to possess the strength herself to uphold an entire clan.

Thus, when Zhou Luo revealed his thoughts, she didn’t blindly comply. Instead, she tactfully voiced her own opinions and questions.

This somewhat surprised Zhou Luo.

It seemed his wife’s mindset had shifted, realizing that relying on others is inferior to relying on oneself.

He felt deeply gratified and left her with multiple hidden cards—even bestowing the Third Level spiritual potion obtained from the ancient ruins.

That Third Level spiritual potion was a tonic for enhancing cultivation and power. With his long lifespan, Zhou Luo had little need for such auxiliary potions.

It was far better given to her, accelerating her ascent to greater heights.

This would also aid her in establishing firm footing within the Wan Gu Sect.

As for Zhou Shixin, Zhou Luo had little to add beyond what was already said.

He merely urged her not to squander her innate gifts.

The sky’s height and the sea’s breadth offered uniquely splendid vistas—yet only strength allows one to glimpse a broader world.

These arrangements spanned two days.

During this time, Zhou Luo spent most hours in dual cultivation with Yao Wu—a final assistance before his departure.

After tenderness was shared, Yao Wu finally prepared to journey to the main peak and follow the sect leader’s path of cultivation.

Zhou Shixin had long since followed Xuanqing into the art.

Perhaps because Yao Wu passed her trial, the shadow who planted Gu insects took no further action.

Only after witnessing all affairs properly set did Zhou Luo finally prepare to leave.

"Friend Zhou Luo, I’d thought you might linger a few more days."

Xuanqing escorted him outward, chuckling lightly.

Zhou Luo didn’t look at him. His gaze drifted across receding landscapes, cloud veils curling mistily as sect disciples flew along mountain trails. Gently he responded, "After all, I am no Immortal Sect disciple."

"In truth, with your abilities, friend, you’re well qualified to remain," Xuanqing observed intently.

Earlier, Zhou Luo had single-handedly shattered the sword formation, showcasing extraordinary swordsmanship talent.

Though his spiritual roots ranked low, even a Golden Core master acknowledged him, extending recruitment after the event as a potential apprentice.

Regrettably, Zhou Luo had politely declined.

While fascinated by Gu techniques, he detested sect constraints and the intricate webs of their factional strife.

"Friend Xuanqing, I have an entire family to protect—my wife and daughter rely wholly upon you henceforth." Zhou Luo uttered a helpless smile.

Beyond Yao Wu and Zhou Shixin, he had many children, wives and concubines—how could he simply discard them?

Sensing resolve in his words, Xuanqing pressed no further.

Escorting him beyond the mountain gates, Xuanqing declared, "Friend Zhou Luo, guard every step in your journey back to Qinyuan Domain. If trouble arises, present my Wan Gu Sect token."

At departure, Master Ling An had instructed Xuanqing to grant Zhou Luo a token.

This token represented the Wan Gu Sect, engraved with a Second Level formation. If peril truly struck, the formation’s defenses could be unleashed.

"Understood, friend Xuanqing. Till we meet again," Zhou Luo cupped his hands in farewell.

Instantly, a glow shimmered behind him—an airship manifested. He stepped aboard, soaring toward distant horizons.

Watching his departure deepen, Xuanqing stifled a laugh, eyes glittering. "He understands restraint."

With such displayed abilities, Zhou Luo’s presence would surely provoke schemers among the sect members.

Moreover, being an outsider to Wan Gu Sect marked him—if ambushed, the sect would never intervene.

His discreet retreat proved a prudent choice.

This fact hadn’t escaped Zhou Luo either.

Standing aboard the airship, he navigated toward the Biquan True Sect.