Gatekeeper Disciple: "????"
He felt that Yu Mu seemed different. The previous Yu Shixiong was gentle and courteous, resembling a scholar.
The later Elder Brother Yu, whom he had seen from afar, always gave off a somewhat oppressive feeling.
But now, the Young Master… was carefree, as if he had let go of something, yet carried an aura that rightfully belonged to him. Especially those eyes, which seemed to hold the depth of a being that had existed for a thousand years, radiating wisdom.
"Yes, Young Master, please wait a moment."
He quickly bowed and ran up the long steps.
In Ziyun Hall, upon hearing that Yu Mu was visiting, Zi Li couldn't help but feel delighted. Had Mu'er fully recovered from his injuries? He… he finally wanted to see her?
"Quick… please invite him in."
She adjusted her appearance, honestly resembling a mortal girl eager to meet her lover.
Recently… the nightmares had diminished significantly, mainly because the Dao spirit could no longer draw strength to trouble her. She felt that it was because she had taken a shot from Mu'er and that he had let go of some of his inner turmoil.
Before long, she saw Yu Mu in blue and white attire coming down the long steps. His casually tied black hair looked more carefree compared to his previous meticulous style. His face remained handsome, not resembling the sorrowful figure from her dreams. His eyes also exuded a sense of rebirth, devoid of stubbornness and only retaining depth.
"Mu'er!"
Zi Li sprinted forward, not even realizing she had lost her composure.
"Elder Zi Li calling me like this seems inappropriate."
Yu Mu smiled faintly: "And Elder's gaze is quite charming; as a high-ranking elder, you shouldn't be so flirty. Have you perhaps developed other feelings for this Yu Mu?"
With a smile on his lips, Yu Mu pierced Zi Li's heart with his words. Once he let go and looked back, everything once beautified by emotions revealed its true nature.
Zi Li herself wasn't as innocent as she appeared. How could Mu'er say such things about me!
Zi Li bit her lip but quickly smiled: "What brings you here today, Young Master? Why not discuss it inside the hall?"
"Perhaps not; it wouldn't be appropriate for a lone man and woman," Yu Mu glanced at the restored Ziyun Hall.
"Months ago, I caused significant losses to you due to my own recklessness; I feel quite guilty about it. Now that I've just healed from my injuries, I thought to come and make amends. Elder Zi Li shouldn't refuse."
Without waiting for Zi Li to respond, Yu Mu tossed a low-grade spirit stone into her arms, still smiling: "Let's go in and talk."
He then walked towards the main hall with his hands behind his back while Zi Li stared blankly at the low-grade spirit stone in her hands. Many disciples nearby were filled with rage!
Yu Mu! He clearly came to provoke!
But this anger was swiftly quelled by a single glance from Zi Li; they could only lower their heads. What else could they do?
They were merely inner disciples; their status was worlds apart from Yu Mu's. In terms of cultivation level, aside from two high-ranking elders and the sect leader, who could suppress Yu Mu now?
Inside the hall, Xiao Yu and Liu He stood behind Zi Li. They looked at Yu Mu with emotions they couldn't quite articulate.
"Hmm, Elder Zi Li's tea is still as terrible as ever."
Yu Mu took a sip of the tea offered by Liu He and promptly spat it back into the cup. Liu He's eyes instantly turned red.
"Senior Brother…"
"This disciple has overstepped; which one is your senior brother?" Yu Mu didn't even lift his head but could hear Xiao Yue grinding her teeth.
"Young Master, are you here to provoke us?"
"Elder, look at your disciple; she seems quite displeased with me." Yu Mu innocently shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't here to provoke; he simply wanted to annoy them a little.
"Do not be rude."
Zi Li gently reprimanded her, her displeasure rising: "Mu'er, why have you come? Is it merely to humiliate your former hall?"
"My master is aware of the situation," Yu Mu replied evasively. "I have already compensated for the losses of Ziyun Hall, so I ask Elder Zi Li to compensate for the losses incurred by my master and me."
"Fine, take this."
With gritted teeth, Zi Li handed over a storage ring, her palm open and her gaze challenging Yu Mu, urging him to take it himself.
"That's good. My master's items should be inside."
"Indeed."
Getting the answer he wanted, Yu Mu unhesitatingly reached for the storage ring. He then pulled out a cloth from somewhere to wipe his hands vigorously before also wiping the ring, discarding the cloth on the ground.
The white cloth was quite glaring.
"I'm going to see Ye Tian; after all, I injured him that day."
With that, Yu Mu stood up slightly bowed and headed towards the cultivation room he once occupied.
He knew that now that he was gone, Ye Tian would undoubtedly try every means to occupy what had once belonged to him, including the cultivation room.
"Young Master! Are you still unwilling to let go of your junior brother?" Xiao Yue blocked Yu Mu's path. Upon seeing her, Yu Mu smirked; she was in the mid-stage of Golden Core.
"Bang."
With a single impact, Xiao Yue was knocked down to the ground. At that moment, a very uncomfortable feeling filled Zi Li's heart. Yu Mu… no longer cared about them at all.
The person he once respected most, his beloved junior sister, and the senior sister he had cherished for so long… did he no longer want any of them?
But they hadn't done anything wrong! Why could he be so heartless?
"No need to stop him; he won't harm Tian."
Seeing Xiao Yue get up with a spirit sword in hand, Zi Li spoke softly, her voice filled with sorrow.
However… because of the matter regarding the earth vein's energy, they had arrived at this point. But it seemed that the events within the nightmare wouldn't happen again with this version of Mu'er.
She must! She must have a good talk with Mu'er!
...…
"Yu Mu!! I will kill you!!"
In the cultivation room, Ye Tian roared in his heart.
The Pure Spirit Spring had washed away too much of his master's power! Although it didn't harm his essence, enduring it in that state was extremely uncomfortable.
Most importantly was Yu Mu! He now regarded Yu Mu as a great enemy—one where it was a matter of life and death.
Just then, the previously closed door was suddenly kicked open. The blinding sunlight illuminated a tall figure, causing Ye Tian's heart to race!
But his expression remained unchanged as he stood up and saluted respectfully without losing his composure.
"May Young Master be well."
Yu Mu stepped into the cultivation room with his hands behind his back. He looked at Ye Tian—his almost fated rival—and suddenly smiled. That smile carried a hint of carefree ease.
"Generally well."
"By the way, how are your injuries?" He glanced at the cushion on the floor; Ye Tian… truly worked hard. Most likely, he spent all his time training, eagerly waiting for revenge against him.