Chapter Five: I Think It's Worth a Try
“I truly didn’t expect that after not paying attention to this boy for some time, his mind would have matured so much.”
The Third Elder sighed deeply.
“Alas, I have failed him and your Second Uncle. This child lost his mother at a young age and has been bullied ever since.”
“But recently, Brother Xuan’s once frequent scornful smiles have all but disappeared. Today, someone insulted his mother, and he simply couldn’t control himself and lashed out.”
Gu Ling’er remained silent for a moment, then turned to face Gu Fenglin.
“Father, what exactly is Brother Xuan’s background? Do you know?”
Gu Fenglin glanced at his daughter and shook his head.
“My dear, you will naturally learn about these matters in time. Your main focus now is to cultivate your skills and achieve good results in the clan competition.”
He paused.
“As for that boy, rest assured. Seeing his character and spirit today, I’m confident he will overcome these hardships. You need not worry too much.”
The father walked over and patted Gu Ling’er’s shoulder gently.
“By the way, did you find any clues in the book I gave you yesterday?”
Gu Ling’er shook her head helplessly.
“Not much progress. I’ll review the rest carefully when I return to my room later.”
“Your father knows you worry about that boy, but you must take care of your health as well…”
“What do you mean by that, Father?” Gu Ling’er blushed and turned away.
Gu Fenglin chuckled softly, stroking his beard.
“I saw it clearly — even late into the night, your room’s light was still on. You must have barely slept, trying to find clues in that book, right?”
“Oh, stop it. I’m going back now. I won’t talk to you anymore.”
With that, Gu Ling’er left, leaving Gu Fenglin seated there, sipping his tea.
…
Night draped over the entire Gu family estate, serene and peaceful.
Within the small courtyard where Gu Xuan lived, in a delicate pavilion, father and son—Gu Tianya and Gu Xuan—sat facing each other on stone benches.
The moonlight poured down like a silver river, passing through their silhouettes and casting a warm, tender scene upon the ground.
Gu Tianya broke the silence first, speaking softly:
“I heard you had a conflict with Gu Yun today, even coming to blows?”
Gu Xuan nodded slightly, answering without hesitation:
“Yes, Father. But I do not regret it.”
Gu Tianya sighed gently, his tone grave and earnest:
“Child, with your current strength, you are no match for Gu Yun. You must not act so rashly in the future.”
Yet Gu Xuan clenched his fists, a fierce gleam flashing in his eyes, resentment burning within.
“Father, that Gu Yun is utterly despicable! To slander mother openly before everyone is intolerable. Even if I am weak, I won’t let him off so easily!”
His words hung in the air, his eyes ablaze with anger, difficult to quell.
Gu Tianya’s expression grew serious as he slowly took a heavy gold coin from his chest and placed it on the stone table.
“Child, it is my fault that you and I were both placed in this remote courtyard, and the clan refused to teach you the authentic Gu family techniques. But your perseverance and determination from childhood have not gone unnoticed by me.”
As he spoke, he tenderly stroked Feng Xuan’s hair.
“The secret movement skills I taught you privately—I never imagined you could cultivate them to such perfection through your own efforts. It truly brings me great comfort. Yet your level of mystic energy has stagnated, unable to break through the bottleneck, which baffles me deeply.”
He frowned, worry shadowing his face.
“Now, with only three months left until the clan competition, take these coins and head to the New Universe Guild in New City. See if there are any suitable cultivation methods or medicinal pills. Perhaps you’ll find the breakthrough you seek.”
Gu Tianya looked at Feng Xuan with hope and unwavering trust.
---
Gu Xuan gripped the gold coins tightly, feeling their weight and warmth, deeply moved.
“Thank you, Father. I will not disappoint your expectations!”
Seeing his father’s prematurely aged face from hardship, a pang of sorrow rose in Gu Xuan’s chest.
After a moment of silence, Gu Xuan finally mustered the courage to ask:
“Father, after all these years, do you truly have no news about Mother’s whereabouts? Where did she go? Why did she abandon us...?”
Gu Tianya rose without answering, merely patting Gu Xuan’s shoulder before walking away with a solemn expression.
“Remember, child, your mother never abandoned us…”
With those words, Gu Tianya’s figure vanished into the courtyard.
Gu Xuan’s heart churned wildly. He looked up at the bright moon overhead.
“Mother, where are you? I miss you…”
---
The next morning.
Gu Xuan changed into light, comfortable clothes, his hand resting on the cloth pouch at his waist, a bright smile lighting his face.
He planned to find Gu Ling’er and invite her to accompany him to the New Universe Guild.
“Brother Xuan…”
Before he stepped out of the courtyard, he heard Gu Ling’er calling from outside.
Quickening his pace, Gu Xuan stepped out just in time to meet her.
Seeing his fresh attire, Gu Ling’er’s eyes sparkled.
“Brother Xuan, are you heading out?”
“Yes, Ling. I’m inviting you to come with me to the New Universe Guild in New City’s center. Father gave me some gold coins yesterday—I want to see if there are any cultivation methods suitable for me there.”
His eyes shone with anticipation.
“By the way, Ling’er, why are you here so early?”
“Of course, I have good news to tell you.”
Gu Ling’er’s face beamed with pride, teasing him.
“Stop beating around the bush. What’s the good news?”
Glancing around cautiously, she grabbed Gu Xuan’s arm.
“Come on, Brother Xuan, let’s go inside to talk.”
Gu Xuan was thus drawn inside.
“Now you can tell me, what’s this mysterious matter...?”
“Brother Xuan, I know of a rare herb called Spirit Gathering Grass. It might help you improve your slow cultivation progress…”
“Spirit Gathering Grass? Really? How have I never heard of it before?”
Gu Xuan’s eyes lit up with hope, excitement unmistakable.
Then, he sobered, shaking his head helplessly.
“Ling’er, thank you.”
He stood and faced the window.
“I’ve cultivated mystic energy for years, stuck at the third stage, unable to break through. Lately, I can’t even feel any energy. Honestly, I was about to give up...”
He paused.
“Although I’m stubborn in clan council, at the competition in three months, I fear I won’t break through. I may disappoint you, Ling’er…”
Gu Ling’er smiled softly, her eyes steady with resolve:
“Brother Xuan, don’t lose heart. I’ve always seen your efforts.”
Just as Gu Xuan was about to speak further, Gu Ling’er pulled a slip of paper from her bosom and handed it to him.
It was evidently torn from the book on medicine she had been reading.
---
“What’s this?”
Gu Xuan took it, speechless.
He looked up abruptly, meeting Gu Ling’er’s clear, watery eyes, a warm surge flooding his heart.
“Ling’er, is this true?”
He could hardly believe his eyes, clutching the paper as if it were a treasure.
She smiled gently.
“Of course it’s true, Brother Xuan.”
“Spirit Gathering Grass has deep purple leaves that emit a faint glow, very beautiful. Its roots contain rich mystic energy, and drinking the decoction made from them can help break through cultivation bottlenecks.”
“How did you get this paper? Such information must be hard to find.”
Gu Xuan’s voice brimmed with gratitude.
Ling’er shook her head.
“It’s from the book Father gave me. I found it while flipping through.”
She lied deliberately, not wanting Gu Xuan to know she had only discovered it after two nights of searching.
“Thank you for the trouble. Do you know where it grows? The paper doesn’t specify.”
Ling’er smiled slightly, gently holding Feng Xuan’s hand.
“Brother Xuan, don’t worry. I’ve asked Father. This herb usually grows in forests rich with mystic energy.”
“Forests abundant in mystic energy…”
Gu Xuan pondered.
“Oh, Brother Xuan, have you forgotten? Not far from New City, beneath Qingyun Mountain, there’s a forest called Qinglin. Father said it might be where Spirit Gathering Grass grows.”
Gu Xuan suddenly realized.
“My mind fails me when I get excited…”
“But…”
Ling’er hesitated.
“Qinglin was declared a forbidden zone by the New City Lord long ago. One careless step, and you could be torn to pieces.”
Gu Xuan saw her concern.
“Ling’er, thank you for the information. This is an opportunity worth trying. I want to go to Qinglin and see if I can find this miraculous herb.”
“But… Brother Xuan, Qinglin is extremely dangerous. There are many third-stage high-level beasts inside, said to rival peak Grand Mystic Masters. Even the outskirts are swarmed with second-stage beasts comparable to third-stage mystics.”
“Don’t worry, Ling’er. I won’t act recklessly. Now that there’s a chance to change my fate, how could I let it slip? You’ve done so much for me—I truly don’t know how to repay you.”
Ling’er shook her head softly.
“Brother Xuan, no need to say that. We grew up together. Your matters are mine. I only hope you break through the bottleneck soon and shine brightly at the clan competition in three months, giving those people a hard slap in the face!”
“I promise I’ll tell Father about this and discuss the details with him.”
Relieved, Ling’er finally let down her guard. She feared that if Gu Xuan heard this news and rushed to Qinglin recklessly, it would only bring him harm.
“So, Brother Xuan, are you still going to the New Universe Guild?”
“No, this matter is more important. I’m going to see Father now and tell him. What are your plans afterward?”
Gu Xuan glanced at Ling’er.
“I still have to train with Father today. Once you and Second Uncle fix a time, we’ll go together.”
“Alright.”
They nodded, sharing a smile.