On the way back, Gu Xuan looked for a few opportunities that he had recorded before.
Although it took some time, after all, three days later, he returned to the Holy Land of Absolute Beginning smoothly.
"Hand in the task!"
He went to the Hall of Rewards and submitted the task of destroying the cottage.
He received 120 Merit points.
Merit can be exchanged for various heaven and earth treasures and cultivation resources in the Holy Land Treasure House, but with only 120 points, it cannot be exchanged for any good treasures.
Gu Xuan didn't care.
This time he went out and gained a lot of treasures.
Not only had his realm been raised to the eighth level of the True Spirit Realm, but he had also integrated the primordial dao embryo!
There was also an earth-level magic sword, Qingsuo!
Heaven and earth treasures, Tianyuan Lingjing!
Cyan Fate [Genius Root Bone]!
In addition, there were some miscellaneous cultivation resources!
It can be said that the harvest was huge!
Leaving the Hall of Rewards, Gu Xuan walked towards the outer gate peak.
"Senior Brother Gu!"
"Hello, Senior Brother Gu!"
On the way, many outer disciples greeted him respectfully and eagerly.
The story of Gu Xuan first defeating Zhao Hu, and then beheading the inner disciple Zhao Feng on the stage of life and death, had already spread.
It shocked many outer disciples.
None of them would have imagined that Gu Xuan, who had mediocre qualifications in the past, possessed such terrifying strength due to his seniority.
This was simply incredible!
But whether they believed it or not, the facts were in front of them.
Zhao Hu was in a state of panic all day, fearing Gu Xuan's revenge, and the scene of Zhao Feng being beheaded by a sword had been witnessed by many, making it undeniable.
Everyone knew that Gu Xuan's reputation as a big brother from the outer sect was well-deserved.
Even after the outer door competition, he would likely be promoted to the inner door.
Among warriors, strength is respected.
The strength that Gu Xuan had now could not be ignored by them, and they must show respect.
Yes, this is what was happening now.
Gu Xuan was well aware of the transformation of these people, but he didn't care.
It was human nature to be drawn to the strong, and to favor those who were powerful.
There was nothing to blame.
As long as he continued to grow stronger, he would always be invincible.
The contempt, malice, and ridicule of the past would all fade away, leaving only flattery, respect, and admiration around him.
...
"Master, are you back?"
Just before returning to his wooden house, he heard a pleasant voice.
Following the sound, he saw a surprised little servant.
"I'm back."
Gu Xuan nodded and asked, "You've been okay these days? No one has been looking for trouble, right?"
"No," Su Lianyue shook her head.
Then she said happily, "Young Master, after you killed Zhao Feng, many of the outer sect disciples respected you and treated me much more kindly. Now that I'm at the outer sect peak, those outer sect disciples will take the initiative to speak to me when they see me!"
"It's good not to be bullied."
Gu Xuan deliberately rubbed Su Lianyue's head, causing her face to turn crimson. Her body stiffened in place, and she instinctively showed a move to struggle.
Noticing this, Gu Xuan quickly diverted her attention: "By the way, this time out, I also brought you a gift."
These words successfully shifted Su Lianyue's focus, and her original instinct to push Gu Xuan away faded.
At that moment, Gu Xuan took a bracelet out of the storage bag.
The bracelet was blue, clear all over, with dense patterns carved into it, giving it a very delicate appearance.
This is a protective treasure that Gu Xuan bought at Zongmenfang City for 1,000 spirit stones when he returned to the Holy Land. The quality is not high; it is just a yellow rank.
The bracelet comes with a shield that can block the full blow of a martial artist below the ninth level of body forging.
This price is a bit high for a yellow-level magic weapon, but Gu Xuan saw that it was quite beautiful and thought of buying it for Su Lianyue to win her favor.
As predicted, after seeing this bracelet, Su Lianyue's eyes suddenly lit up.
But then she hesitated: "Young Master, this is too precious... I'm just a handyman disciple serving you. How can I be qualified to wear such a treasure?"
The more she spoke, the lower her voice became, and the dimmer the light in her eyes.
"I said you are qualified, so you are qualified!" Gu Xuan said warmly, then took her wrist. "Come on, I'll put it on for you!"
Knowing he had to act decisively, he didn't give her a chance to protest and put the bracelet on her wrist with an unquestionable gesture.
"How is it? Do you like it?" Gu Xuan asked.
"Young Master..." Su Lianyue lowered her head, wanting to say something.
Gu Xuan interrupted her directly: "You can just answer whether you like it or not. If you really don't like it, then I'll take it back!"
"I... I like it," Su Lianyue finally replied after a long silence.
Her voice was low and nearly inaudible, like a whisper.
"Just like it? Then take it with you, and don't lose it!" Gu Xuan resumed his smile, rubbed Su Lianyue's head, and said softly.
She responded quietly, lowering her head and not daring to look at Gu Xuan, her exposed neck blushing.
Taking this opportunity, Gu Xuan glanced at the message.
[Name]: Su Lianyue
[Realm]: Nine-layer Forging Realm
[Fate]: Reincarnation of the Empress (Gold), Allure (Gold)
[Fate Abilities]: Protagonist Halo (Gold), Daughter of Destiny (Gold), Wangfu (Gold), Shenfeng Liancai (Gold)...
[Life Script]: (The protagonist of "The True Phoenix Empress")
[Favorability]: 55
[Recent Turning Point]: One month later, she will participate in the outer door talent test, wash away the lead, show extraordinary talents, and be established as a saint by the headmaster of the Holy Land. Since then, she will soar into the sky.
...
Seeing the favorability increase from 45 points to 55 points, a smile appeared on Gu Xuan's face.
All his previous actions were intentional.
Although Su Lianyue is the daughter of destiny with unparalleled fate, it has not yet been revealed.
In her past days, she had always lived alone and had never experienced what it felt like to be loved and relied upon.
And Gu Xuan, first by touching her head, tested her limits. After she subconsciously resisted, he used conversation to draw her attention. Then he took out the bracelet and put it on her wrist with an air of indifference.
These actions may seem overbearing and unquestionable, but they gave Su Lianyue a sense of security she had never had before.
Thus, the distance between them was invisibly reduced, and her goodwill naturally increased.
"At the moment, the goodwill is over halfway, and it is not far from completing the strategy!" Gu Xuan thought, feeling good about it.
With just the yellow-rank bracelet worth 1,000 spirit stones, he had increased her favorability by 10 points—so worth it!
If he waited for Su Lianyue to fully awaken and show her extraordinary talent, not to mention a mere yellow-rank bracelet, even a heaven-rank treasure would likely not affect her mood at all.
"But..."
"How did Su Lianyue's cultivation level improve so quickly?"
At this moment, Gu Xuan suddenly noticed her realm and displayed a look of surprise.