Chapter Thirty-Five: The Emperor's Inquiry

"Who knows if it's telling the truth?" Gu Weiyu pouted, still in low spirits.

"Ayu, describe that tree to me in detail!" Gu Qingshou spoke seriously.

As for the Fruit of Purifying Spirit, in all his years, he'd only seen references to it in jade scrolls left by their ancestors. It was a rare treasure said to enhance one's spiritual roots—a fortune for any cultivator. If it truly was the Fruit of Purifying Spirit, then it was undoubtedly a stroke of luck for the Gu family!

"That tree didn't seem particularly special. About a meter tall, bearing nine fruits of different colors. The fruits were quite beautiful, their hues reminiscent of the colors of spiritual energy," Gu Weiyu recalled carefully.

Gu Qingshou felt ever more certain that the Fruit of Purifying Spirit existed. He glanced at Gu Weiyu—this girl was always blessed with good fortune. According to Xiao Wu, last time she ventured out for her first mission, she earned over a thousand contribution points.

The task to explore Qilin Mountain had been posted for over a year now, and no one had managed to uncover anything. Yet the moment she arrived, she found the Fruit of Purifying Spirit!

Unbeknownst to Gu Qingshou, Gu Weiyu's smooth success was largely due to the Beast Taming Technique he had gifted her in a jade scroll.

Yet he also remembered she had an uncanny ability to stir up trouble. The thought made him shake his head, somewhat helpless.

"Ancestor, what are you thinking?" Gu Weiyu asked curiously, puzzled by his alternating smiles and head shakes.

Gu Qingshou returned to himself, withdrawing a porcelain vial and handing it to her. "These are Nourishing Pills. Take one each day, and in three days you'll be lively again."

Gu Weiyu's eyes lit up with joy as she accepted the Nourishing Pills—such fine medicine, and her ancestor was always generous!

"Alright, go rest now," Gu Qingshou resumed his lazy, reclining posture, waving her away.

"Ancestor, does this mean I've completed my mission?" Gu Weiyu shamelessly edged closer to his couch. A thousand contribution points! If she could claim them, she could finally obtain the flying artifact she'd long coveted.

Gu Qingshou took out a pale green paper crane, spoke a few words to it, and sent it fluttering from Nanshan Residence towards the Task Hall.

"All done. Go report to Xiao Wu," he said lazily.

Hearing her ancestor call the prematurely gray Fifth Granduncle 'Xiao Wu,' Gu Weiyu couldn't help but twitch the corners of her mouth. But in the world of cultivation, such things were common.

After leaving Nanshan Residence, Gu Weiyu hurried to the Task Hall. Fifth Granduncle had already received word from the elder, and promptly transferred the contribution points to her wooden token. "Little Eleven, impressive! You have two thousand contribution points now!"

Fifth Granduncle recalled when he was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, two thousand points seemed astronomical. Little Eleven had earned them in just two missions—truly, luck and timing!

Gu Weiyu grinned, producing a string of purple spirit fruits, and sweetly said, "Granduncle, I found these fruits on Qilin Mountain. They're quite tasty, please try one!"

She had picked these spirit fruits when she first arrived at Qilin Mountain, thinking to bring some back for Ninth Sister and Twelfth Brother to try, so she had gathered quite a few.

Fifth Granduncle accepted the purple spirit fruit, patted her head, and smiled broadly. "Spirit fruit hand-picked by Little Eleven? Then I must try it."

"Granduncle, I'll head back now," Gu Weiyu waved, returning to Emerald Bamboo Court, her heart full of joy.

Fifth Granduncle watched her departing figure, popped a purple fruit into his mouth—it was sweet and tangy, with plenty of juice. He closed his eyes in enjoyment, reclined on a lounge chair in the Task Hall, and hummed a little tune.

At Emerald Bamboo Court, Crescent was startled to see Gu Weiyu return covered in wounds. "Miss, what happened to you?"

Gu Weiyu was unconcerned. Her ancestor had assured her she'd be lively again in three days, so there was nothing to worry about.

"I'm fine," she pouted, pointing to her stomach. "Crescent, is there anything to eat? I'm starving!"

"Miss, have some pastries first? I'll fetch dinner from the kitchen," Crescent replied, quickly bringing over a plate of pastries. Miss had just returned, so the kitchen probably didn't know yet. She would have to fetch dinner herself.

"Alright!" Gu Weiyu sat at the table, grabbed a pastry and stuffed it into her mouth. As she ate, sleepiness overwhelmed her, and her little head drooped towards the table.

When Crescent returned with the dinner box, she found Gu Weiyu fast asleep at the table.

Though reluctant to wake her, sleeping at the table was not ideal. She set down the meal, gently called, "Miss, have a bit of dinner and sleep in bed?"

Half-awake, Gu Weiyu heard Crescent's voice. She struggled to open her eyes, ate a little with Crescent's help, then let Crescent support her as she staggered upstairs.

She was truly exhausted, but before sleeping she remembered one thing: she took out the Nourishing Pill her ancestor had given her and swallowed one, then fell into a deep slumber.

The next morning, Gu Weiyu woke to find all the wounds on her hands had scabbed over, itching slightly.

She stretched, noticing her back was still sore, but only faintly.

These Nourishing Pills were remarkable. The day before, her injuries had been quite severe, but after just one night, most had healed.

After breakfast, she returned to her meditation room to cultivate. Having been busy with tasks, she'd barely trained in days.

Time flew as she immersed herself in cultivation. When she finally emerged from the meditative state, her stomach protested loudly. She stood, rubbing her belly. "So hungry!"

She opened the door and stepped out. Crescent, who had been dutifully waiting outside, hurried over. "Miss, it's already quarter past two—you must be starving!"

"Thank you, Crescent," Gu Weiyu nodded. She hadn't realized she'd missed lunchtime entirely—no wonder she was so hungry!

"Miss, I'll fetch lunch right away," Crescent smiled, turning to go downstairs. Gu Weiyu followed at a leisurely pace.

After lunch, Gu Weiyu wandered into the bamboo grove in the courtyard. She hadn't visited in a while, and now many new bamboo shoots had sprouted—plump and round, quite delightful.

She remembered the bamboo shoot and pork dish she'd enjoyed last year, and instantly craved it. She was about to pull up some shoots for a taste, but her hands were still injured, and she felt a pang of regret.

Just then, there was a knock at the gate. "Eleventh Sister, Eleventh Sister..."

Gu Weiyu's face blossomed with a bright smile as she turned toward the bamboo grove's edge. Free labor had arrived!