Chapter 85

Gu Xuyao was already at a stage where he could break through at any moment before entering the White Mist Cloud Marsh. Although he had no time to practice after entering, the experiences he gained were equally important for a cultivator's progress.

In fact, the most crucial factor was the rule of the White Mist Cloud Marsh, where time flowed a thousand times faster. The mere sixty days felt like over a hundred years to Gu Xuyao, and his mental state naturally matured, which was a significant reason for his breakthrough.

Sitting upright, his primordial energy rose, and Gu Xuyao had already regained consciousness. When he realized he was in the process of breaking through, he fully devoted himself to it. Breaking through from the first level of the Root Birth Realm to the second level was essentially a process of accumulation. After the breakthrough, a cultivator's strength would greatly increase. The maximum lifespan of a Root Birth Realm cultivator was four hundred years, and this realm was divided into three levels. Each level increase granted thirty more years of life. Besides these, strength and physical resilience would also improve significantly.

However, this process required a considerable amount of time, as it involved enhancing the entire divine root. Fortunately, the White Mist Cloud Marsh had a bad reputation and a vast border, so no one came near during the two months, allowing Gu Xuyao to safely improve his cultivation.

"Ha!"

On this day, the marsh was as calm as usual, but Gu Xuyao suddenly let out a roar. The surging primordial energy spread wildly in all directions, bending the short trees, but the white mist behind him remained unaffected.

After a while, the energy waves subsided, and Gu Xuyao looked up at the sky. The short trees were bent, allowing the sunlight to penetrate the leaves and shine directly on him.

"I actually didn't die and even gained a cultivation breakthrough, this... " Gu Xuyao himself found it hard to believe what had happened just two months ago. At that time, he was an old man on the verge of death, and a lightning bolt as thick as a child's arm struck his crown.

Retracting his gaze, Gu Xuyao scanned his surroundings. On a bent short tree, there was a clear scratch mark, which he had left before entering the White Mist Cloud Marsh. It seemed that the White Mist Cloud Marsh was fair, as it returned him to the same spot.

Smiling slightly, he enjoyed the joy of rebirth and unconsciously touched his waist, where he found a new treasure gourd.

"Right! Liao Wu Manor!"

He suddenly remembered that he was still responsible for a human life. Forgetting how much time had passed, Gu Xuyao had no time to think much. He took out the hexagonal stone given to him by Ru Hongming before his departure and quickly returned, following the terrain. After reaching the second level of the Root Birth Realm, his speed had increased, and the trees flashed by rapidly. For a moment, Gu Xuyao was captivated by the feeling of abundant power.

Due to his improved cultivation, the return trip took only three days. When he arrived at Liao Wu Manor, he heard a loud commotion inside, but it was not clear from the outside.

Seeing Gu Xuyao return, the young cultivator at the gate trembled as if he had seen a ghost.

"You, you are the ancient contributor, you actually really came out of the White Mist Cloud Marsh..."

Seeing the young cultivator's terrified eyes, Gu Xuyao was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

"Little brother, do you know if Lady Ru is well?"

Hearing Gu Xuyao's question, the young cultivator's mouth formed a circle, and his face showed a look of sudden realization. "Right, right, the ancient contributor has returned, Lady, Lady is saved!"

Without much thought, the young cultivator pulled Gu Xuyao and ran into Liao Wu Manor, arriving at the main hall.

"Head, Head of the family, the ancient contributor has returned!"

The main hall of Liao Wu Manor was usually used for discussing important matters and was not very large. At this moment, it was filled with people, with dozens on each side, neatly arranged. Ru Hongming was at the forefront of one group, his face red with anger. It was easy to guess that the intense argument just now must have included him.

"What!" Ru Dongsheng, sitting in the main seat, suddenly stood up. After confirming that the person behind the young cultivator was indeed Gu Xuyao, he flashed over to Gu Xuyao.

"Brother Gu, since you have returned safely, I wonder if you can..."

Ru Dongsheng placed his hands on Gu Xuyao's shoulders, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Gu Xuyao smiled slightly and nodded. He took out a treasure gourd from his waist, shook it gently, and a fresh deer antler and a plain-looking small grass appeared in his hand.

"Gu Xuyao has not let the head of the family down and has obtained the deer antler of the Cloud Marsh deer and the mature inert grass." After saying this, Gu Xuyao handed the two items to Ru Dongsheng.

Ru Dongsheng's face immediately lit up with joy. After thoroughly examining the items and finding no signs of falsification, he hurriedly nodded and left the main hall, heading towards his residence.

The departure of the head of the family immediately ended the meeting, which seemed to be discussing something. The cultivators on both sides left one after another. The cultivators on Ru Hongming's side all showed unfriendly expressions as they passed by Gu Xuyao, while the cultivators on the other side mostly praised Gu Xuyao for his youth and talent.

Following the crowd out of the main hall, Gu Xuyao returned to his small house. Soon, a graceful figure burst through the door and threw herself into Gu Xuyao's arms.

"Big Brother Gu, sniff, sniff, I was so worried about you. Why, why did you leave without a word, and to such a dangerous place, sniff, sniff..."

Ru Liumeng cried and hit Gu Xuyao with her small fists, which were fragrant. Gu Xuyao felt more pleasure than pain.

At this moment, he said nothing, just gently placed a hand on Ru Liumeng's shoulder, letting her tears wet his chest.

After a while, Ru Liumeng calmed down, her face flushed as she left Gu Xuyao's embrace and sat down beside him.

"Big Brother Gu, thank you, thank you for obtaining such precious items to treat my mother..."

Gu Xuyao shook his head. "It's nothing. Since I am a contributor to the Ru family, I must step forward when the Ru family needs me. However, that place is indeed terrifying."

Ru Liumeng loved new things, and Gu Xuyao said this to attract her attention and ease the slightly awkward situation.

"Ah? Really? Tell me, tell me what dangers there were!"

As expected, Ru Liumeng fell into the trap Gu Xuyao had set. However, just as Gu Xuyao was about to speak, Ru Liumeng covered his mouth.

"Wait, Big Brother Gu, before you say anything, I have something else to say..."

Gu Xuyao was somewhat surprised that something could distract her from her interest in a new story, so he nodded, signaling her to continue.

"Do you remember, before you left, Mother once talked to me? She has mentioned it many times, but I didn't know what to do at the time. Today, I have finally made my decision..."

This statement was somewhat confusing, and Gu Xuyao remained silent, listening to Ru Liumeng continue.

"Mother told me that I am the only direct descendant of the Ru family, and I am a woman. According to the Ru family's rules, a woman cannot inherit the position of head of the family. Therefore, my husband will take over the Ru family. Although Father is not old, he is still not comfortable handing the entire family to an outsider. So Mother asked me to find a partner quickly and let Father observe for a while. If he is suitable, he will eventually take over the entire Ru family..."

As she spoke, Ru Liumeng's head lowered, and her face flushed red, making her even more attractive.

"Big Brother Gu, do you know, before you returned, two families had already proposed to Father, and Ru Hongming also proposed. But I don't like them, and Father couldn't force me, so he rejected them one by one. However, Ru Hongming, for some reason, caused a commotion in the main hall today, saying that Father was biased and preferred outsiders over family members. This led to the cultivators in the family splitting into two factions: one faction of Ru surname cultivators and the other of external cultivators who joined the family later..."

Speaking of this issue, Ru Liumeng's eyes filled with sorrow, clearly indicating that these matters also troubled her.

"But, Big Brother Gu, now that you are back, everything is better. When I heard the news of your return, I felt... well, I don't know how to describe it, but..."

Ru Liumeng covered her face with her hands.

"It's embarrassing, I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore, Big Brother Gu, I'll go back first..."

Without waiting for Gu Xuyao to say anything, Ru Liumeng ran off. Gu Xuyao did not chase after her but waited until she left and then spoke to himself.

"Come out, with your cultivation, you can hide from her, but not from me."

Soon, a figure emerged from the wall, and it was none other than Ru Hongming.

"You heard everything just now. I just don't understand, do you really like Liumeng?"

Glancing at Ru Hongming, who had been bold enough to use his Dao techniques to eavesdrop after not seeing him for half a year.

"I and Liumeng grew up together. You are just an outsider. What right do you have to ask me this? I don't know what Liumeng sees in you, but if you want to marry her, you are dreaming!"

Ru Hongming, who had been timid in the past, now had the confidence to stand up to Gu Xuyao. Although he knew his cultivation was inferior, his气势 (momentum) was not lacking.

"Is that so? I didn't say anything about what I want. I know I am just a passerby, but I won't allow anyone to deceive Liumeng. You are capable of such low tactics as eavesdropping, which shows your poor character. How can I let Liumeng follow you?"

Ru Hongming's pupils dilated.

"Nonsense! My character is not for you to judge. Besides, who Liumeng will ultimately choose is not up to you. We'll see!"

Page break for AD start

Page break for AD end