The man was clad in flowing white robes, his wide sleeves billowing like drifting clouds. Though his steps appeared unhurried, he traversed the distance in the blink of an eye, arriving before the gates of the Gu residence as if borne by the wind.
Dongfang Kunlun's mastery of the legendary art of "shrinking the earth into inches" filled the eyes of the Gu clan with awe and reverence.
"I am Gu Yifeng, head of the Gu family, and I humbly welcome Master Kunlun on behalf of the younger generation," Gu Yifeng declared, hastily bowing with clasped fists. His gaze briefly swept over the little girl in Dongfang Kunlun's arms, and inwardly, he was shaken—so the news brought by Gu Ming was indeed true. The godlike figure that was Dongfang Kunlun had truly taken this seemingly unremarkable child as his disciple.
Behind him, the others bowed in unison, though their faces barely concealed their envy. What stroke of absurd fortune had befallen this foolish girl, Gu Qingli?
Dongfang Kunlun gently set Gu Qingli down and offered Gu Yifeng a faint, courteous nod. "Master Gu, I appreciate your trouble."
Given Dongfang Kunlun's exalted standing, such pleasantries were more than generous.
Gu Qingli's lively phoenix eyes darted playfully. She sensed countless hostile, envious stares converging on her—save for one. A single gaze was warm, tinged with joy.
Following it, she saw Gu Qingche. Though they had little interaction, he had always treated her kindly. That he could still feel genuine joy for her in such a setting—he clearly stood apart from the rest of the Gu clan.
Gu Qingli beamed at him, flashing a grin.
Gu Qingche's eyes softened further, the silent exchange between them warm and wordless.
Dongfang Kunlun, without preamble, informed Gu Yifeng of his intention to accept Gu Qingli as his disciple. Originally, he had planned to take her straight to Kunlun City, but as Gu Zhan and Ouyang Qian were unwilling to leave Loulan City—and Ouyang Qian, especially, was reluctant to part with her so young a daughter—what was meant to be a mission of retribution turned instead into a negotiation.
After more than two hours of conversation, Dongfang Kunlun finally nodded in satisfaction, having secured a proper arrangement for Gu Qingli's future peace and security.
Under the sheltering wings of this legendary figure, Gu Qingli's family was swiftly brought back into the Gu household. They returned to their former residence, now with significantly improved living conditions.
Yet they remained subtly isolated. No one dared to provoke them, but the undercurrent of jealousy was palpable.
Gu Zhan and Ouyang Qian had already lost faith in the Gu clan. They took nothing from the family coffers—Gu Zhan earned a living by taking mercenary missions, while Ouyang Qian rarely left their courtyard, spending her days sewing and caring for Gu Qingli.
Were it not for Dongfang Kunlun's insistence that the young girl required a quiet and secure environment to cultivate, they would not have returned at all. Still, the Gu family remained a formidable power in Loulan City—a place of relative safety.
Dongfang Kunlun stayed at the Gu household for several days before departing. During that time, he declined all visits, dedicating himself solely to instructing Gu Qingli in the art of cultivation.
With his vast experience and profound insight, Dongfang Kunlun painted a grand vision for Gu Qingli—one that gave her a deep and vivid understanding of both the Shen Valley Continent and the path of cultivation.
Nor did she disappoint him. In just a few days, with her extraordinary comprehension and prodigious memory, she devoured the knowledge he imparted like parched earth drinking in rain.
After his departure, Gu Qingli began a secluded life of cultivation.
Aside from meals, she rarely left her chambers. Her body, too, began to change under the rigors of training—at first, she noticed the pores on her skin opening when she entered a meditative state, and soon after, she realized they were subtly drawing in the essence of heaven and earth.