Chapter Fifty-Four: Speak with Caution, Act with Care

Gu Weiyu staggered, and from sheer momentum landed heavily on the ground. The scent of fresh grass and flowers filled the air, mingling with the chirping of birds and insects. A figure in crimson robes came into view.

She looked up and saw the Ancestor seated cross-legged upon a meditation cushion. Beside him, her third and sixth brothers sat in similar fashion, imitating his posture.

Climbing to her feet, Gu Weiyu wondered silently if she had finally emerged from the ancestral grounds.

At the commotion, three pairs of eyes snapped open, fixing intently on her.

Gu Qingzhou’s gaze fell upon her, sensing that she had broken through to the seventh level, and having taken so long to emerge, had likely gained much.

A new cushion materialized at his side. “The fourth has yet to come out. Come, rest here for a while,” he said.

Gu Weiyu seated herself. Gu Qingsong winked at her and sent a voice transmission, “Eleventh, you’re really something—all the way to the seventh level of qi refining!”

Gu Weiyu shot him a sidelong glance and smiled, “Third brother, keep working at it! You’ll break through soon.”

Still stuck at the fifth level, Gu Qingsong nearly choked on his own frustration. Did she think breakthroughs were as effortless for everyone as eating or drinking?

Gu Qinghao gave her a complicated look before closing his eyes and returning to his cultivation.

Having maintained a constant vigilance inside the ancestral grounds, Gu Weiyu indeed felt weary. She sat on her cushion, gathering her energy, and quickly entered meditation.

A sudden thump jarred her from her cultivation. She looked up to see a young woman in tattered blue robes sprawled awkwardly on the grass not far away.

Her clothes were so shredded they could barely be called garments—just scraps of cloth clinging to her.

Was this Fourth Sister? In her memory, Fourth Sister was always valiant and imposing, never so disheveled.

Gu Weiyu’s heart leapt. Since only Fourth Sister remained, it could be none other than her.

She hurried over, calling, “Fourth Sister, are you all right?”

At the sound of her voice, Gu Weilan’s hand twitched. She managed to lift her head, looked at Gu Weiyu, then, her tension finally broken, fainted dead away.

Gu Qingzhou came over and knelt to examine her. “She’s fine, just exhausted,” he pronounced.

Relieved, Gu Weiyu watched as Gu Qingsong and Gu Qinghao also gathered around, concern plain in their eyes.

“Now that everyone is here, let’s return,” Gu Qingzhou said. He summoned the flying boat and pointed at Gu Weilan. “Weiyu, you and Third Brother help her inside and change her into fresh clothes.”

Gu Weiyu and Gu Qingsong carefully lifted Gu Weilan. Once inside the boat, they found a wooden bed on the lower deck and laid her down. Gu Qingsong then left the cabin.

Taking advantage of the moment, Gu Weiyu cast a cleanliness spell on Fourth Sister, then dressed her in her own spare clothes. Though a bit small, they were far better than tattered rags.

On the journey home, Gu Weilan slowly regained consciousness. After swallowing a Restoration Pill, she too sat to meditate and heal.

“Remember this, all four of you: regardless of what fortune you gained in the ancestral grounds, once we return, you must keep your silence. Do not speak of your opportunities to anyone,” Gu Qingzhou instructed.

The four siblings took his words to heart.

The flying boat soon returned safely to the Gu manor and stopped at South Mountain Residence.

Gu Weiyu reached out to support Fourth Sister, but was gently refused. “Fourth Sister, your injuries…” she asked, worried.

Gu Weilan straightened her back and replied coolly, “Don’t worry, I’m fine now.” With that, she disembarked alone, her steps unsteady as she headed away.

“Qingtuan!” Gu Weiyu called inwardly. Instantly, the spirit orb flew from her dantian and hovered before her.

“Fourth Sister, let me take you,” Gu Weiyu offered, climbing onto Qingtuan and catching up.

Gu Weilan glanced at the spirit orb, then, without protest, accepted. In the blink of an eye, they arrived before Peach Blossom Nook. Gu Weilan dismounted and said softly, “Thank you, Eleventh.”

“Fourth Sister, it’s I who should thank you for looking after me,” Gu Weiyu replied, waving her hands.

Without another word, Gu Weilan walked into Peach Blossom Nook.

Gu Weiyu watched her disappear before finally returning to Emerald Bamboo Courtyard.

The next morning at dawn, in South Mountain Residence—

For the Nth time, Gu Weiyu was sent flying to the ground by the Ancestor, only to get up again, panting.

Gu Qingzhou sheathed his sword, lounged on the couch, and said, “That’s enough for today.”

Gu Weiyu cast a cleanliness spell on herself, put away her wooden sword, and sat on the cushion next to him. “Ancestor, in the ancestral—”

But Gu Qingzhou abruptly sat up, interrupting her. “Did you forget what I told you yesterday?”

“Oh…” Gu Weiyu shut her mouth. To her, Ancestor was no outsider at all. “Then… can I start learning alchemy now?”

“Your cultivation is still shallow. When you have successfully built your foundation, you may choose a craft to specialize in. Now is not yet the time for alchemy,” Gu Qingzhou cautioned. “Your cultivation comes first—never put the cart before the horse!”

Gu Weiyu nodded obediently. So, for now, she could set aside the ‘Ninefold Heavenly Thunder Alchemy Method’.

“Ancestor, I…” She wanted to ask about spiritual sense, but saw that he had already reclined again.

Well, maybe she had indeed asked too many questions today. She’d wait for another time.

Still, she had her own plans. Learning alchemy consumed time, energy, and spirit stones, requiring a constant supply of herbs. But cultivating the ‘Ninefold Spirit Refinement’ to strengthen her spiritual sense cost little time—an hour a day would not hinder her progress.

She rose from her cushion, bowed to the Ancestor, and left quietly.

Life returned to its old rhythm: daily cultivation, sword practice, spellwork, and spiritual sense training. Her days were full and satisfying.

The sun rose and set, one day after another.

In Emerald Bamboo Courtyard, the golden rays of dusk bathed every corner of the bamboo grove, gilding the young girl seated serenely within.

“Miss, it’s the evening hour—time for supper,” came Crescent’s voice from outside the grove.

Gu Weiyu withdrew from meditation and walked out. Crescent, carrying a food box, accompanied her indoors and laid out the dishes.

“Miss, tomorrow is the Ninth Miss’s day off. Shall we visit Lotus Residence?” Crescent suggested, concerned that her mistress spent all day cooped up cultivating.

Gu Weiyu did not object. “Very well, we’ll visit Lotus Residence tomorrow.”

Crescent’s face brightened, and she began chattering about the latest news from the manor.

Gu Weiyu ate as she listened, until her chopsticks paused midair. “Crescent, what did you just say?”

“Hm?” Crescent, slightly surprised, repeated her earlier words.

“The wedding date for Tenth Aunt and Cousin Lu is about to be set?” Gu Weiyu echoed unconsciously. Time had flown—her Tenth Aunt was getting married.

“Yes, it’s a grand occasion for the house. Master Lu and our Tenth Miss are a perfect match, truly made for each other…”

Crescent’s voice carried on, while a trace of melancholy flickered in Gu Weiyu’s eyes. She silently wished her Tenth Aunt happiness and fulfillment in her new life.