Chapter 47: The Dominant Fourth Sister

So, it turned out that the Gu family was actually an immortal cultivation clan from the higher realms, and their ancestors had once produced a Nascent Soul powerhouse! There truly were realms beyond Foundation Establishment: Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and even Divine Transformation. The world outside was vaster than they could ever imagine!

Inside the room, the four members of the Gu family were swept up in a surge of emotion, unable to digest the full meaning of Gu Jun's words for a long while.

“But all that is the glorious history of the Gu clan,” Gu Jun sighed, casting his gaze over the four of them. “Nowadays, the Gu family—let alone Golden Core cultivators—has fewer than five who have even broken through to Foundation Establishment.”

He continued, “You four are the most outstanding of your generation, the hope for the future of the Gu clan.”

Unconsciously, all four straightened their backs. At this moment, they felt the weight of their responsibility to revitalize the family press heavily upon their shoulders.

“Our ancestors, after all, produced Nascent Soul cultivators. The Gu family once enjoyed days of splendor. Though we've now relocated to Qin Prefecture, our forebears never abandoned us. They left their legacy within the clan’s ancestral grounds, which open every ten years. Any clan member who reaches the fifth level of Qi Refining before the age of fifteen is granted a chance to enter.”

“For hundreds of years, countless clan members have entered the ancestral lands—some return empty-handed, others are richly rewarded.”

“In ten days, the ancestral grounds will open again. Go back and prepare yourselves. Whether you can obtain the ancestors’ legacy depends on your own fortune.”

The four’s eyes lit up simultaneously. Did they truly have the chance to inherit their ancestors’ legacy?

“That is all I have to say. You may go now,” Gu Jun waved his hand, raising a teacup to his lips for a gentle sip.

The four rose, respectfully saluted Gu Jun, and then departed from the inner chamber.

“Why does it feel as if I’m still dreaming?” Gu Qingsong pulled out a folding fan, his expression dazed.

“Third Brother, it’s the dead of winter—could you not fan yourself right now?” Gu Qinghao muttered, exasperated.

Was that really the point? Gu Qingsong’s face darkened as he put the fan away.

“I’ll head back first,” Gu Weilan said coldly, her face emotionless.

“Fourth Sister, our residences are in the same direction. Can I walk with you?” Gu Weiyu quickly asked.

Gu Weilan nodded almost imperceptibly, and Gu Weiyu happily trotted after her. “Third Brother, Sixth Brother, I’ll be off.”

Watching Gu Weiyu and Gu Weilan leave, Gu Qingsong and Gu Qinghao exchanged a glance and walked home shoulder to shoulder, perfectly in sync.

On the road, Gu Weilan strode forward in silence, while Gu Weiyu hesitated, then broke the quiet.

“Fourth Sister, your swordsmanship is amazing. I’m learning to use the sword now—could I come to you for sparring?”

She had expected Gu Weilan to refuse outright, but to her surprise, Gu Weilan lifted her head, a faint look of confusion on her face.

“Are you not afraid I’ll beat you into a pulp?”

Gu Weiyu heard the deeper meaning in her words and smiled brightly. “I’m not afraid. Even if you beat me to a pulp, I’d gladly accept it.”

Gu Weilan paused, sensing the sincerity in Gu Weiyu’s words.

“Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll wait for you,” she said coolly.

Gu Weiyu was about to say more when the gate to Peach Blossom Cottage creaked open.

Gu Weiyu’s eyes widened. This was the third person she’d seen, aside from the ancestor and the clan head, to manipulate objects at a distance!

Fourth Sister truly deserved to be the foremost talent of their generation.

She watched Gu Weilan’s figure disappear, worshipful admiration on her face, as the gate closed once more.

Ninth Sister had been right—Fourth Sister was merely cold on the surface. In reality, she was a passionate soul. Perhaps her icy demeanor was just a shield, Gu Weiyu thought, as she resumed her walk.

At Bamboo Grove, Gu Weiyu barely knocked before the gate opened, revealing Moonlit, her face pale as a crescent moon. “I thought you’d be home soon, and here you are!”

Gu Weiyu’s heart warmed. Moonlit must have been waiting for her at the gate all this time. “Sister Moonlit, next time wait for me inside. It’s too cold to stay outside in winter!”

“I really haven’t been waiting long,” Moonlit replied with a smile, but before she finished, she sneezed repeatedly.

Gu Weiyu immediately took her hand, which was icy cold, devoid of any warmth.

“Sister Moonlit, hurry inside!” Gu Weiyu insisted, dragging her quickly into the house.

Inside, Gu Weiyu conjured a small fireball and lit the fireplace. “Come warm yourself!”

Moonlit sat beside the hearth, basking in the steady heat, her face blissful. “Miss, you’re so good to me.”

Moonlit always felt lucky that her mistress was the Eleventh Miss.

She’d heard that the Fifth Miss often beat and scolded her personal maid, and even the Ninth Miss wasn’t as affectionate to Lotus as her own mistress was.

“Sister Moonlit, if you don’t start taking care of yourself, I’ll get angry!” Gu Weiyu scolded sternly.

Moonlit wasn’t frightened in the least—she knew Miss was concerned for her.

Gu Weiyu sighed, only relaxing once Moonlit’s cheeks had grown rosy.

“Sister Moonlit, rest early,” she said, rising to her feet. Gu Jun’s words had left her so shaken that sleep seemed impossible; she decided to cultivate for a while before bedding down.

“Yes, Miss, you rest early too,” Moonlit replied gently.

Gu Weiyu went upstairs to the quiet chamber, sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, closed her eyes to clear her mind, and entered a state of cultivation.

“Miss, dawn is near!” Moonlit’s voice called from outside.

Gu Weiyu opened her eyes, the first light of day filtering in through the window.

She stood from the mat. A new day had begun.

At dawn, as usual, she went to South Mountain Residence to study the sword.

In the afternoon, she arrived punctually at Peach Blossom Cottage, and sure enough found Fourth Sister Gu Weilan in the peach orchard.

Gu Weilan stood lightly atop a snow-laden peach branch. The branch was slender and fragile, seemingly about to snap at the slightest breeze, yet she stood there unmoving, steady as a mountain.

“Fourth Sister, I’m here!” Gu Weiyu called out.

“Draw your sword!” Gu Weilan suddenly turned, raising her long sword and attacking Gu Weiyu.

So it began? Gu Weiyu hurriedly drew her wooden sword, meeting Gu Weilan’s blade.

Bang—a surge of force traveled down the blade, making Gu Weiyu’s hand tremble and the wooden sword fly from her grasp.

Gu Weilan’s assault continued, her blade mercilessly striking for Gu Weiyu’s waist.

“Ah!” Gu Weiyu was sent flying, her limbs flailing as she landed on a peach branch nearby.

Terrified, she thought: Is Fourth Sister really going to beat me into a pulp?

“Get down. Continue!” Gu Weilan’s cold voice rang out.

Gu Weiyu scrambled down from the tree, looking at her with fear and trembling.

Watching Fourth Sister from below the stage, she had seemed heroic and inspiring.

Now, facing Fourth Sister’s “training” directly, she was like a little demon king.