Chapter 10

The rainy season in the Red Clay District lasts quite long, and the puddles in the ground always look like pools of fresh red blood.

"Uncle Zhang, Guzi was only twenty-one years old, and now, now even his body is..." On a small hill not far from the forest, Muyu choked up, unable to continue.

"I thought that with his abilities, he would be fine, but I didn't expect..." Even in his grief, Muyu couldn't stop his chatty nature.

Zhang the blacksmith stood beside him, expressionless like Xiulan. In front of them was a small mound of earth, with a wooden plaque beside it bearing the name Gu Xuyao, serving as a makeshift grave.

"This place is where he started his training. Xuyao hardly had a childhood, and this is probably his only memory. I'll bury you here, and I don't think you would mind, Xuyao..." Zhang the blacksmith looked much older. The blacksmith shop had not reopened these past few days, and perhaps the weapons he forged in the future would not be as good.

As they spoke, Xiulan gently placed a hand axe into the mound of earth.

"Xuyao, this is your favorite thing. You valued it more than your life. Now that you're gone, it will rest here with you. I hope you can transform into a cloud in the sky and leave the Red Clay District..."

Muyu cried even harder upon hearing this. Due to his frail body, Muyu could not become a hunter, so he was often bullied by the other children in the village. No one wanted to play with Muyu, but Gu Xuyao never looked down on him. Their friendship was pure and sincere.

"Alright, it's about time. We should bury the earth. It wouldn't be good to delay the best time for the funeral..." Zhang the blacksmith clenched his teeth and gently pushed the red clay down, burying the hand axe he had forged himself, along with his thoughts of Gu Xuyao.

"Uncle Zhang..." Gu Xuyao, who was thought to be dead by several people in the Red Clay District, was now lying on a bed, groaning.

Beside him was a middle-aged man sitting in meditation with his eyes closed. He had hawk-like eyes, a hooked nose, and a gloomy demeanor. His neatly trimmed mustache and white robe, embroidered with a Bagua mirror on the back, gave him a mysterious air.

"I can't give up..." Gu Xuyao, in a coma, kept muttering, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his face contorted in pain.

The man slowly opened his eyes and frowned.

"Father... Mother..." The things Gu Xuyao called out changed rapidly, as if he was being tormented by nightmares.

The man let out a low shout, and a stream of white energy entered Gu Xuyao's forehead. Immediately, Gu Xuyao stopped struggling and relaxed, no longer muttering.

Soon, Gu Xuyao gradually opened his eyes, and in the haze, he smelled sandalwood.

"You're awake." The man spoke, slowly standing up.

Gu Xuyao's muddled mind quickly cleared, and the memories before he climbed the steps rushed back.

"Are you... the cultivator, sir?"

The man nodded slightly.

This nod immediately reminded Gu Xuyao of more important matters. He quickly got out of bed, knelt down, and bowed.

"Thank you, sir, for saving me. I am Gu Xuyao, and I am deeply grateful. I lost my parents when I was young and have always had the grand wish to leave the Red Clay District and become a cultivator to find my parents. Now, thanks to you, I have left the Red Clay District, which is already a great favor. But I humbly request that you teach me some cultivation techniques, even if I have to work like a horse, I am willing!"

A long-held wish, now so close, Gu Xuyao was determined to become a cultivator, no matter what!

The man's face showed no expression, and he gently raised his hand, a force lifting Gu Xuyao up.

"I know you have a strong resolve. I chose you because I sensed this resolve in you. It is a necessary quality for cultivators like us. I saw your performance on the Misty Staircase, and you are fully qualified to become a member of the Taiheng Sect."

Gu Xuyao's heart almost leaped out of his throat. Just as he was about to thank the man and ask to be his disciple, the man's next words poured cold water on him.

"But unfortunately, whether you can join the Taiheng Sect is not up to me. Although I have some status in the Taiheng Sect, I cannot directly take you as a disciple. I can only be your recommender, and you must face the sect's tests." The man took a gourd from his waist.

"You come from the Mortal Zone and know little about cultivation and the Lingxiao Realm. This book contains many basic facts. If you want to join the sect, this is your second test." The man unscrewed the gourd's cap, gently shook it, and a brand new book appeared on the table.

Gu Xuyao was taken aback. Reading a book was not too difficult for him; he had at least learned to read with Xiulan in the Red Clay District. However...

"Sir... you said this is the second test, so what was the first one?"

The man shook his head.

"Calling you to climb the Misty Staircase to the upper level of Taiheng was the first test." As he spoke, the man shook the gourd again, and a green token appeared in his hand.

"My name is Tuye. You have not yet become my disciple, so call me the Head of the Academy. Do not use titles like 'sir' anymore." Tuye then threw the green token and the book titled "Basic Entry" to Gu Xuyao.

"This token allows you to freely ascend and descend the Misty Staircase. Do not lose it." As he spoke, Gu Xuyao felt a strong wind, and the scenery before him changed rapidly. When it stabilized, he was outside the room.

"Go back to your room and study this book. Wait for me at my Daoist chamber at the first hour of the fifth day. I will take you for the second test." Tuye's voice echoed.

Holding the token and the book, Gu Xuyao found it hard to believe this was real. After a moment of shock, he turned around and shouted loudly.

"Thank you, Head of the Academy. Xuyao will not disappoint you!" With that, Gu Xuyao turned and left.

When Gu Xuyao looked up from below, he felt this place was as beautiful as a fairyland. Now, being in it, he had even more to marvel at. Strands of mist drifted through his body, and the plants on both sides of the path were strange and beautiful.

However, as the saying goes, "The more flowers, the more they dazzle the eye." After getting lost for a while, Gu Xuyao lost interest in the scenery, thinking about the test in five days. Wandering in the mist was too luxurious.

"Miss, please wait..." Just as he was worried about not finding his way out, a white figure appeared ahead, with a Bagua pattern on the back of the robe, clearly a member of the Taiheng Sect.

The woman stopped when she heard the call, and Gu Xuyao quickly caught up in three steps.

"Miss, I am Gu Xuyao, a mortal saved by Head of the Academy Tuye. I have the honor of participating in the Taiheng Sect's test, but I don't know how to leave the upper level and return to the lower level. If you could tell me, I would be very grateful." Gu Xuyao stopped five steps away from the woman. Although he had always been a villager, Gu Xuyao adapted quickly and adopted the polite manners of the village scholars.

The woman's white robe, though loose, could not hide her graceful figure. Her long hair reached her waist, and she was exceptionally beautiful.

However, the woman did not turn around but spoke softly.

"Look at the trees by the roadside. Walk in the direction where there are no trees, and you will see an array. Hold the token and enter it, and the gentle wind will take you back down." Her voice was as soft as a feather, enchanting.

After speaking, the woman ignored Gu Xuyao and disappeared from his sight in a few steps.

"Thank you, miss..." Gu Xuyao had just raised his fist when the woman vanished.

Gu Xuyao knew that as a mere mortal, it was normal for others to treat him this way. He did not dwell on it and followed the path.

Sure enough, following the direction without trees, he soon arrived at the Misty Staircase. He then noticed that there was an array identical to the one he had used to ascend.

"Hold the token and enter the array..." Gu Xuyao looked at the token in his hand, walked to the edge of the Misty Staircase, and looked down. The mist obscured his view, and he could not see the bottom.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at the token, then at the array, and thought of the test in five days. Gu Xuyao did not hesitate and stepped into the array.

The token glowed, and streams of energy flowed into the array beneath his feet. The ground trembled slightly, and the strange patterns on the array were colored.

When all the patterns on the ground were lit, a gentle wind lifted Gu Xuyao, as if a pair of gentle hands were carrying him down from the top of the staircase.

In no time, Gu Xuyao safely landed on the array he had stepped on before.

"Little brother, it seems you have passed the test. Congratulations." The green-robed woman he had seen before seemed to have been waiting by the array. Seeing Gu Xuyao come down, she smiled warmly.

Gu Xuyao felt uncomfortable at her manner and smiled awkwardly.

"I am Gu Xuyao. Miss, I have not yet learned your name. Also, it seems you were waiting for me. May I ask why?"

The green-robed woman did not answer but lightly walked to Gu Xuyao's side, her fragrance enveloping him. Her soft, willow-like arm wrapped around his neck, and her red lips, like orchids, whispered in his ear.

"Little brother, asking someone's name like that is quite impolite, you know. Although I like you, you shouldn't be so direct..." She pinched his shoulder as she spoke.

Gu Xuyao winced in pain but did not want to hurt the woman, so he endured it, his face turning red.

"Ha ha ha, little brother, I like you more and more. Your cute appearance makes me like you." The woman laughed, increasing the pressure on his shoulder.

Unable to bear it any longer, Gu Xuyao gently shrugged his shoulders, freeing himself from the woman's fingers. However, looking at her delicate face, he did not know what to say.

"Don't be angry. My name is Zibi. I am here on my master's orders to guide you to your residence." The woman's smile faded, but she could not completely suppress it, covering her mouth.

Gu Xuyao awkwardly bowed. "Then, please lead the way, Miss Zibi."

Zibi played with her hair and turned around. "Little brother Gu, follow me quickly. You don't have to keep calling me 'miss.' Just call me Zibi. Who knows, we might become fellow disciples in the future..."