Chapter 256

Chapter 256: Settling Affairs

After Zhu Quancheng opened his eyes and saw Zhou Luo, he struggled to get up.

Zhou Luo immediately comforted him, saying, "Gu Master Zhu, your injuries are too serious now, you should not move recklessly."

"Sigh…" Zhu Quancheng sighed deeply, his gaze dim.

He was not unaware of his injuries. Given his current state, unless a Foundation Establishment strong person transmitted spiritual energy to him and aided him with a Second Level healing pill, recovery would be impossible.

But this was simply an impossible scenario. Even if he could invite a Foundation Establishment strong person, time was insufficient.

"Thank you for the potion, Pill Master Zhou," Zhu Quancheng expressed gratitude.

If not for that potion, he might not even have awakened.

"Gu Master Zhu, is there anything else you need to say?" Zhou Luo inquired.

The other party’s injuries were too severe; his waking depended entirely on his powerful will to survive. By appearances, he would persist for only a day or two at most.

Zhu Quancheng’s turbid eyes were dim as he gazed at Zhou Luo before him, his aged face gradually revealing an expectant expression.

"Pill Master Zhou, may I request one thing of you?"

"You may speak," Zhou Luo said gently.

Faced with a dying person, if the matter was not difficult, he did not mind helping.

After all, the other party had previously gifted him an entry-level Gu techniques ancient text.

"I hope you can look after Yao Wu," Zhu Quancheng said word by word.

His weak voice became slightly higher-pitched at that moment.

He had once discovered Yao Wu in a village and noticed her talent in Gu techniques, taking her as his disciple over ten years ago.

Their relationship was both master and mentor. Now approaching death, his greatest concern was Yao Wu.

Because she was still young, her Gu techniques were only at middle level, and with no one to care for her, her talent might be squandered.

A glint flashed in Zhou Luo’s eyes as he responded earnestly, "Gu Master Zhu, I know no Gu techniques."

If it involved simple care, even if Zhu Quancheng had not mentioned it, he would assist generously based on their acquaintance.

But for deeper involvement, he dared not pledge readily, so he offered that reason.

Zhu Quancheng understood his implication and emphasized, "Yao Wu possesses considerable talent; she is not incapable of reaching the Second Level."

"But she is inherently young; lacking support, her path may falter."

"I only wish that after my death, Pill Master Zhou can grant more attention."

Though he had known Zhou Luo briefly, their short interactions convinced him the other was trustworthy, especially as Zhou Luo had saved Yao Wu.

Zhou Luo sat on the bed without speaking.

"Pill Master Zhou, I understand your difficulties. Agree to help me watch over Yao Wu, and I can provide something," Zhu Quancheng said, observing him and speaking again.

He knew deeply their bond was a fleeting acquaintance—though neighbors, his demand felt excessive.

Thus, he offered to trade other items for his disciple’s lifelong security.

Hearing these words, Zhou Luo finally spoke. "Gu Master Zhu, I do not covet your possessions. But Yao Wu has grown up now, and I am merely staying temporarily in this Immortal City. I may not be able to fulfill your request in the future."

The Immortal City was just a temporary stop; eventually, he had to return to the Lin Family.

Moreover, he still hadn’t determined why Hehuan Sect coveted them. Bringing Yao Wu to his side recklessly could easily make them targets.

"I trust you, Pill Master Zhou," Zhu Quancheng said weakly.

He then produced a storage bag. "Inside lies a token, an object from my former sect. I am willing to entrust it to you. Should you ever cross paths with my sect in the future, you may use this token to contact my master."

"Besides that, there are some Gu insects I refined, jade slips, and other items. I can give them all to you, as long as you are willing to take care of Xiao Wu."

These things represented his life’s work. Now, at the moment of his death, he chose to part with them all.

He understood clearly that leaving them with Yao Wu was impossible; with her limited strength, she could never defend them.

The principle of the owner suffering for their treasure was one he knew well, especially with Hehuan Sect watching them from the shadows.

It was better to hand them over to Zhou Luo for him to decide than to let Yao Wu attract envy and danger because of them.

Had he more time, he might have deliberated further.

But now, Zhou Luo was his only option.

For Yao Wu, the disciple who felt closer to him than his own daughter, he brought them out.

Zhou Luo’s expression remained unreadable, his eyes calm, betraying not a hint of greed.

"Gu Master Zhu, I can agree to help look after her. However, I will not take her in myself. To be honest, my cultivation level is too low; I truly cannot ensure her safety."

"As for the things inside, you should hand them directly to her and let her decide."

Zhou Luo spoke very plainly.

The legacy of a top-grade Gu master was undoubtedly valuable, but placing himself in peril for it would not be worth the cost.

Zhu Quancheng’s heart tightened slightly. He recognized this as the furthest concession Zhou Luo could make. He nodded faintly. "Pill Master Zhou, I must trouble you with this matter henceforth."

Few people could resist such a great temptation and remain true to themselves. Zhou Luo’s restraint surprised him. Perhaps this was for the best. At least he needn’t worry that Zhou Luo would take advantage of the situation. As long as Xiao Wu had some support, as long as she stayed safely within the Immortal City.

"Gu Master Zhu, shall I call Yao Wu in?" Zhou Luo asked.

Yao Wu seemed to have gone to concoct healing Gu insects and was absent from the room.

"No need, Pill Master Zhou. I believe your word. If there is anything inside that catches your eye, feel free to take it. And that token, you absolutely must keep it safe," Zhu Quancheng said earnestly.

Hearing this, Zhou Luo’s curiosity about Zhu Quancheng’s origin peaked. He couldn’t help but ask, "Gu Master Zhu, forgive my bluntness, but where do you hail from?"

A look of reminiscence crossed Zhu Quancheng’s face, followed by deep emotion. "Wan Gu Sect."

Wan Gu Sect—one of the Six Major Immortal Sects of the Jin Yun Domain.

He hadn’t expected this frail old man before him to be a disciple of Wan Gu Sect.

Zhu Quancheng then began recounting his history.

His story was commonplace: a humble cultivator who once offended a powerful figure, suffered persecution from fellow disciples, was unjustly framed and expelled from the sect, spending decades adrift.

Though his master knew he was innocent, he was banished for the sake of sect stability. However, his master gave him the token upon his departure.

His master had said at the time, if he ever faced dire peril, he could use this token to find him at Wan Gu Sect.

Unfortunately, this was the Qinyuan Domain, vastly distant from the Jin Yun Domain. And Zhu Quancheng no longer had the strength or time for such a journey.

Zhou Luo watched him silently, yet inwardly felt immense shock.

According to Zhu Quancheng, his master was a Golden Core master.

Possessing that token meant a potential connection to a Golden Core master. In case of future calamities, he might appeal for help using that token.

Though of course, such things were far from certain.

What if the man simply refused to acknowledge it?

But it still offered some foothold, some security.

Zhu Quancheng and Zhou Luo conversed for a long while, continuing until Yao Wu reappeared.

"Xiao Wu, retrieve that token from the storage bag and give it to Pill Master Zhou," Zhu Quancheng said to his disciple, his voice barely a whisper.

The spiritual energy within him was nearly spent; he couldn’t even access the storage bag anymore.

Yao Wu was startled. She knew of her master’s past and understood the token’s profound value.

Never had she imagined her master would wish to give it to Zhou Luo today.

She looked at Zhou Luo, her beautiful eyes flickering uncertainly. Unknown what the two had discussed during her brief absence.

But she still approached the bedside, picked up the storage bag, and extracted a token-shaped object.