After Ye Mingcheng left, Guo Xingyue strolled alone in the courtyard, enjoying the sight of blooming flowers and lush green grass, which greatly relaxed his mood. Suddenly, he spotted a girl flying through the air in a red dress. She had bright eyes and white teeth, her hair styled into an elegant bun adorned with a phoenix hairpin, and she stood on a red flying sword as she landed quickly in the courtyard. With a wary expression, she looked at Guo Xingyue and asked, "Who are you? Why are you in my home?"
Guo Xingyue scanned her with his spiritual sense and noticed that the girl's cultivation was only at the early Nascent Soul stage. Upon hearing her question, he realized she must be his brother's daughter. Feeling playful, he decided to tease her a bit and replied, "This is my home! Who are you, and why have you come to my house?"
The girl was furious at his response. "You stop your nonsense! If you don't leave right now, I won't be polite!"
Guo Xingyue chuckled, "Oh? What do you plan to do to be 'not polite'?"
The girl was genuinely angry now. Ignoring the fact that her cultivation was far inferior to his, she summoned her flying sword and attacked Guo Xingyue. Given the vast difference in their strengths, her flying sword posed no threat to him. Guo Xingyue easily danced around the courtyard, changing directions with each swift move. No matter how hard the girl tried to command her sword, it couldn't get within three feet of him.
The girl became anxious and yelled, "You bully! Just because you have a higher cultivation level doesn't make you impressive! If you have the guts, don't dodge!"
Guo Xingyue laughed, "Alright, I won't dodge. Feel free to attack me!"
Seeing Guo Xingyue standing still, the girl shouted and sent her fiery red flying sword racing toward him. Guo Xingyue merely smiled, remaining motionless as he slightly activated his spiral true essence, forming a protective barrier around himself. The flying sword halted just one foot from him, unable to advance any further.
Seeing this, the girl frantically tried to urge her sword closer, but it was futile. When she attempted to retract it, she found it stuck and couldn't pull it back, her face turning red from frustration. Just then, Guo Xingyue noticed his brother Ye Mingcheng flying back with a practitioner from the Jingshi Sect, who was at the mid-stage of Fusion. Understanding that this was likely an elder from the sect, he decided not to continue teasing the girl. As he withdrew his true essence, she finally managed to retract her sword.
Before she could attack again, Ye Mingcheng landed beside them and scolded, "Yue'er, why are you fighting with your second uncle? Weren't you supposed to be with your mother?"
The girl immediately complained to her father, "Dad! This person is bullying me! You have to stand up for me!"
Ye Mingcheng's expression turned stern. "You're talking nonsense! Your second uncle just arrived. How could he bully you? Now, come here and greet your second uncle." Turning to Guo Xingyue, he added, "My daughter is quite headstrong; please don't take offense."
Guo Xingyue chuckled, "No worries; I was just having some fun with her."
The girl, seeing that her father wasn't siding with her, stomped her foot in annoyance and stormed back into the house.
Ye Mingcheng introduced the elder who had accompanied him, saying, "This is the Grand Elder of the Jingshi Sect, Dongxu."
Guo Xingyue quickly bowed, "I am Guo Xingyue, honored to meet the Grand Elder."
Dongxu waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need for formalities, just call me Dongxu."
Guo Xingyue repeatedly expressed his reluctance to do so, but Dongxu smiled gently, "You're still young and have advanced quite impressively. Your future prospects are limitless." After a pause, he continued, "Although you are brothers with Mingcheng, I can't presume too much; just call me 'older brother.'"
Guo Xingyue was naturally straightforward and accepted without hesitation. He clasped his hands and said, "Alright, I'll be counting on you in the future, older brother."
Dongxu laughed heartily, "In truth, I should be relying on you in the future!" The two exchanged smiles, sharing a moment of camaraderie.
Ye Mingcheng interjected, "Second brother, my master wishes to meet you. Will you accompany me to see him?"
Guo Xingyue replied with a grin, "Of course! If I've come to the Jingshi Sect, I should pay my respects to the sect leader."
The sect leader, Lingxu, had cultivated for over four thousand years and had reached the mid-stage of tribulation, just a step away from transcending. He had long since ceased to manage sect affairs, focusing solely on preparing for his impending tribulation. The heavenly tribulation was no trifling matter; historically, only a small fraction of practitioners had successfully navigated it. Lingxu felt uncertain about his upcoming tribulation.
Today, his disciple Ye Mingcheng unexpectedly presented him with a tribulation elixir, stirring even his calm demeanor. Tribulation elixirs were not only difficult to gather materials for, but even when combined by skilled alchemists, the success rate was typically low. The rarity of a tribulation elixir could incite significant upheaval in the cultivation realm, bringing with it bloodshed.
Upon learning that his disciple's sworn brother not only possessed a tribulation elixir but also had the ability to refine them, Lingxu felt compelled to meet such a remarkable individual to forge a positive connection, sending the Grand Elder Dongxu alongside Ye Mingcheng to greet Guo Xingyue.
Guo Xingyue followed Dongxu and Ye Mingcheng to a grand hall atop the mountain. The interior was simply furnished, containing only a few tables and some white jade cushions, creating a spacious atmosphere. At the far end of the hall sat an unassuming white-haired elder with bright green eyes that sparkled with intelligence.
Dongxu quickly approached, saying, "Master, this is my second brother, Guo Xingyue."
Guo Xingyue stepped forward to pay his respects, "I am Guo Xingyue, here to greet the sect leader."
Lingxu raised his hand, stopping Guo Xingyue's bow with a wave of gentle true essence. "There's no need for such formality. I owe you gratitude for the tribulation elixir; it is I who should be bowing to you."
Guo Xingyue smiled, "A mere tribulation elixir is insignificant, esteemed elder; please don't take it to heart."
Lingxu smiled slightly. "Please sit; let's have a conversation."
After Guo Xingyue settled onto a cushion, Lingxu regarded him and said, "You're still quite young, yet you've reached the early stage of Spirit Division. This is truly impressive. However, there is an ancient saying: 'Haste makes waste.' Rapid advancement in cultivation is certainly a good thing, but if your foundation is not solid and you lack experience, it will be challenging to face the great tribulation in the future."
Guo Xingyue bowed and replied, "I have no sect or school to guide me, and my advancement has been entirely accidental. Each step forward in my cultivation has come without my conscious effort, so I'm not entirely sure how I've come this far."
Lingxu nodded, "When the heart follows the will, and tranquility comes naturally, your mind is free of distractions. It's only natural that you progress swiftly. Since I've received your generous gift, I must reciprocate."
Lingxu took out a jade pendant, saying, "Within this pendant are some insights I've gained over the years. It may be of some help to you. If you do not mind, please take it as a reference."
Guo Xingyue thanked Lingxu and accepted the pendant. As he examined it with his spiritual sense, he was surprised to find the first section was actually the Tao Te Ching, a text he was quite familiar with. He had read it back on Pangu Star but had never thought to associate it with his cultivation, which left him stunned. "Isn't this the Tao Te Ching? I've read it during my time on Pangu Star."