(TL/n: You guys are awesome. Thanks a lot for the reviews and the support. I've decided to release all the chapters I've saved up. As a result you guys also managed to avoid a couple cliffhangers lol. Enjoy! These upcoming chapters are spicy!)
In the palace of the Jia Ma Empire on the northwest continent, the atmosphere in the grand hall was tense.
"Who would have thought that old guy Yun Shan actually broke through to become a Dou Ancestor..."
"The Jia Ma Empire hasn't seen a Dou Ancestor powerhouse in who knows how long..."
Jia Xing Tian's face was grim. He knew very well that with Yun Shan's breakthrough to Dou Ancestor, the entire Jia Ma Empire would undergo a massive upheaval. As the de facto rulers of the empire, the Jia Ma royal family would likely face significant challenges to their power.
"Grandfather, this means that the Misty Cloud Sect will hold all the power in the Jia Ma Empire..."
Yao Ye spoke the harsh truth, and Jia Xing Tian could only smile wryly.
"Grandfather, you've been at the peak of Dou Emperor for many years now. Perhaps, with continued effort, you might break through soon."
"The closer one gets to a breakthrough, the more they understand how difficult it is."
"Even if I can't break through, the Misty Cloud Sect only has Yun Shan as a Dou Ancestor. If we unite the three major families, we may still have a chance to challenge them!"
"Yao Ye, I know your intentions are good, but I'm the closest to a breakthrough and also the most aware of how powerful a Dou Ancestor is. If Yun Shan truly has become a Dou Ancestor, even several Dou Emperors joining forces wouldn't be his match."
Jia Xing Tian's words dampened Yao Ye's fighting spirit.
Could they really do nothing but submit to the Misty Cloud Sect?
With the Sect's ambition and methods, the royal family of the Jia Ma Empire would inevitably face decline. The Sect would not allow any other force to share power with them.
As Yao Ye pondered, she suddenly thought of someone.
"Grandfather, do you remember there was another Dou Ancestor powerhouse in the Jia Ma Empire?"
"Are you talking about Young Master Gu Fei?!"
Jia Xingtian's eyes lit up at the mention of this name.
"If Young Master Gu Fei is willing to help us, why should we fear Yun Shan?"
At that time, when he saw Gu Fei, he immediately recognized him as a genuine Dou Ancestor powerhouse, and not just an ordinary one- Gu Fei was a high-level Dou Ancestor, capable of instilling fear even in someone as experienced as himself.
"But... even if Young Master Gu Fei were willing to help, just finding him would be a challenge."
Yao Ye felt discouraged, thinking her idea was unrealistic, but Jia Xing Tian didn't agree.
"Solving the problem doesn't necessarily require bringing Young Master Gu Fei here."
"Luckily, we previously hosted Young Master Gu Fei for some time, establishing a relationship. With that connection, the Misty Cloud Sect might hesitate to act rashly."
"Furthermore, the Seventh-Tier Alchemist Manual that Young Master Gu Fei left for Yue'er has bound the Alchemist Association to our royal family. If the Misty Cloud Sect moves against us, the Alchemist Association won't stand idly by."
"With these two layers of protection, even Yun Shan should be wary."
Yao Ye analyzed all the pros and cons in one breath, revealing her almost blind admiration for Gu Fei.
...
In the back mountains of the Misty Cloud Sect, two graceful figures stood among the trees, their voices like silver bells ringing through the forest.
"Master, now that Grandmaster has returned, you seem much more at ease!"
"With my teacher breaking through to Dou Ancestor and becoming the strongest in the Jia Ma Empire, those who once eyed the Misty Cloud Sect covetously have quieted down. Moreover, with Master resuming control of the Cloud Sect's affairs, I naturally have more free time. But lately, I've been feeling uneasy..."
Yun Yun paused, looking at Nalan Yanran beside her.
"Uneasy? Does it have to do with Elders Yun Leng, Yun Du, and Yun Sha breaking through to Dou Emperor one after another?"
Nalan Yanran guessed.
"Yes, I know the talents of Elders Yun Leng, Yun Du, and Yun Sha well. Even if they spent their entire lives trying, breaking through to Dou Emperor would have been nearly impossible. But they broke through in just a few months. And my teacher has been meeting with them privately, even keeping me out. Since my teacher came out of seclusion, he's been distant with me. I feel like there's a lot he's hiding from me..."
Yun Yun's concern was evident, her delicate brows furrowed with worry. She had a strong sense that a storm was brewing within the Misty Cloud Sect.
...
In the Gu Realm, Gu Sacred Mountain Range.
A streak of light shot across the sky, and with a loud "boom," a slender figure landed in front of Gu Qing Yang- it was Xun'er.
"I know you just broke through and became stronger, but there's no need to show off like this!"
Gu Qing Yang teased, waving away the dust stirred up by Xun'er's landing.
But as soon as he spoke, he quickly grew serious, noticing the cold aura surrounding Xun'er.
"Xun'er, your face looks pale. Did you have another fight with Gu Fei?"
Gu Qing Yang asked with concern, genuinely worried about her.
Xun'er had just said she was going to see Gu Fei, and now she returned like this, so his guess was reasonable.
Xun'er shook her head firmly.
"No, I didn't even see him!" Xun'er replied coldly.
"Not Gu Fei?" Gu Qing Yang thought for a moment, and then another possibility came to mind.
"If you didn't see Gu Fei, then you must have seen the woman he brought with him!"
At his words, Xun'er's gaze grew even colder. Although Gu Qingyang didn't look directly at her, he still felt uneasy.
'It seems the woman Gu Fei brought back isn't simple.'
Gu Qing Yang hadn't wanted to say more, but seeing Xun'er looking so cold and pale, he couldn't help but continue.
"Enough, you've already divorced him, so why get involved in his affairs anymore?"
"Gu Fei has already distanced himself. If you keep entangling yourself, you'll only get dragged deeper into the mess. Even the elders might not stand by you. It's not worth sullying yourself over someone who doesn't care."
"Brother Qing Yang makes a good point!"
Before Gu Qing Yang could finish, a voice sounded from nearby, and a figure appeared in the air- it was Gu Yao.
"Let the past stay in the past; it's time to move on!" Gu Yao smiled, looking at Xun'er with clear affection.
If anyone was happy about Gu Fei and Xun'er's divorce, it was Gu Yao. Only with Xun'er away from Gu Fei could Gu Yao openly pursue her. He had liked Xun'er since they were young, but Gu Fei proposed first and succeeded, so Gu Yao had backed off.
"I have no interest in listening to your nonsense!"
"If you were involved, you'd understand just how infuriating this situation is!"
Xun'er snapped at Gu Yao, showing no kindness.
But Gu Yao wasn't disheartened. He continued with a carefree, optimistic tone, "Gu Fei has made up his mind. Why not let it go? Instead of wasting energy on something unattainable, why not appreciate the scenery you've overlooked?"
Gu Yao's meaning was clear- he was the "scenery" she'd overlooked.
"After staying in the Gu Realm for so long, what scenery could there possibly be to miss?"
Xun'er replied impatiently.
Having said that, she no longer bothered to deal with Gu Yao, disappearing in a few quick movements.
Seeing her leave, Gu Yao remained undeterred, silently vowing to win her over.
"He's back; let's go see him too!" Gu Qing Yang said to Gu Yao.
Gu Yao paused for a moment, then joined Gu Qing Yang as they headed towards the mountain where Gu Fei resided.