Meanwhile, at Wai City – Gao Residence – Evening
Gu Ye sat cross-legged on the guest room bed, his expression calm and composed. A faint aura lingered around him, despite his cultivation seeming stuck to the Body Tempering – Ninth Layer.
Across the room, Gao Shui sat on a chair, her chin resting on her palm as she studied him.
Senior Gu Ye is only at Body Tempering Ninth Layer… yet he feels so much stronger than his level. How is that even possible?
She let out a soft sigh, closing her eyes briefly. "When will I become as powerful as Senior Gu Ye?" she whispered under her breath.
Just then, Gu Ye's eyes snapped open. His deep gaze locked onto her as he spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"Do you want to become powerful?"
Gao Shui froze, blinking rapidly as her heart skipped a beat.
D-Did I hear that right? Did he really just ask me that?
Before she could gather her thoughts, Gu Ye rose from the bed with unhurried steps, his presence filling the small room. He repeated, this time with a trace of a smile,
"I asked you—do you want to become powerful?"
She's Gao Tian's sister. Helping her is the same as helping him… and the Gao Clan will need strong people.
Gao Shui jumped to her feet, excitement lighting up her eyes. "Yes! I want to!" she exclaimed, her fists clenched tightly.
Gu Ye studied her for a long moment, then asked with a thoughtful tone, "Which element do you believe suits you the most? The one you truly want to master?"
Gao Shui touched her chin, pondering seriously. She recalled her years of cultivation, her affinity with spiritual energy.
There are five basic elements—Fire, Water, Wind, Thunder, and Earth. Every cultivator can manipulate them to some degree, but only one can become their true Dao… the essence they perfect. For me… it's always been water. From the beginning, I relied on water arts more than anything else.
Her voice rang with certainty as she answered, "Senior, I think water is best for me."
Gu Ye tilted his head back, gazing at the ceiling for a moment before a faint smile curved his lips.
Ice Queen's Inheritance… Should I give it to her? She entrusted me to find someone worthy. Gao Shui… she might be the one. But the power of Ice Queen is chaotic, intoxicating, and can lead to bloodlust. If I seal it within her and let her awaken it slowly… she can grow strong without losing herself.
Lowering his gaze, he spoke firmly, "Gao Shui, I will grant you the Inheritance of the Ice Queen. But remember this—use it only to advance yourself. Do not harm the innocent… unless there is no other choice."
The room seemed to freeze for an instant, an unseen chill stirring in the air as the weight of his words settled between them.
Gao Shui's eyes widened, a mixture of confusion and disbelief washing over her.
"Inheritance of Ice Queen…?" she whispered, her voice barely steady.
Gu Ye nodded, his expression calm yet serious. "Yes. But remember, this power is not meant for wanton destruction. It is a tool for growth, for protection. Never lose yourself to it."
Gao Shui's hands trembled slightly as she clenched them into fists. "I… I promise. I won't abuse it."
Gu Ye raised his hands and traced intricate seals in the air. A faint, icy mist began to curl around them, swirling with a cold brilliance that made the room shiver. Slowly, a shimmering snowflake mark appeared on Gao Shui's forehead, glowing softly.
Immediately, an overwhelming surge of energy flowed through her body. Frosty power tingled across her skin, her veins pulsing with strength far beyond what she had ever known. Her heartbeat raced, and her mind seemed to expand as if she could sense every breath of air and every droplet of water in the room.
"This… this power…" Gao Shui gasped, still trying to comprehend it. Her fingers emitted faint frost, tiny shards dancing between them, and her eyes shone with a new intensity.
Gu Ye stepped back, his gaze steady. "The inheritance is sealed within you. It will awaken gradually. You must train carefully; the Ice Queen's power is wild and relentless. If you lose control, it could consume you."
Gao Shui nodded fiercely, feeling the responsibility settle in her chest alongside the exhilarating power. "I understand, Senior. I will master it… and I'll become stronger."
A soft smile touched Gu Ye's lips. "Good. With this, the Gao Clan will grow stronger. Train well, and do not let your heart waver."
The snowflake mark shimmered one last time before fading slightly, leaving only a faint trace of frost that lingered in the air. Gao Shui felt the cold energy settling within her, a constant reminder of the inheritance now part of her being.
Gu Ye's eyes softened as he looked at her, a rare warmth in his gaze. "This is only the beginning. Use your power wisely, and one day you will surpass even the strongest expectations."
Gao Shui closed her eyes, feeling the pulse of the Ice Queen's inheritance within her, and a determined smile formed on her lips.
I will become powerful. I will protect my clan. And I will not fail.
Gao Shui knelt before the second body, her voice firm yet respectful.
"Senior, I want to ask for permission to leave the clan and train outside."
The second body looked at her with calm eyes, his thoughts drifting for a moment.
Well, I was about to suggest the same thing… but she asked before I could say it. Heh, not bad.
He nodded slowly. "Very well, you can go. Inform your father, and after that, you are free to leave."
Gao Shui's face lit up with joy. She jumped to her feet and ran toward the door with excitement. Just as she reached it, the second body raised his hand slightly. A thin stream of red spiritual energy shot from his fingertips and silently entered her body without her noticing.
This will let me know if she is ever in danger. Still, I should send a guardian to watch over her in secret.
The door creaked open, and two figures stepped inside. Guardian Xuan entered first, his face carrying an awkward expression, and there was a visible bump on his forehead. Behind him walked Guardian Zui, arms folded across his chest, an amused smirk playing on his lips.
Both men stopped and bowed slightly before the second body. Guardian Xuan forced a smile.
"Senior, we have brought what you asked for."
The second body leaned back on the bed, his gaze resting on the large bump on Xuan's head. "What happened to your forehead? Did someone hit you?"
Guardian Xuan's forced smile grew stiffer, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face. "Oh… it's nothing."
The second body raised an eyebrow, then turned his eyes toward Guardian Zui. "What really happened? Tell me."
Guardian Zui's smirk widened as he glanced at Xuan, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Senior Gu Ye, Xuan here was about to start a fight, so I stopped him… and gave him a nice tap on the head."
She chuckled mockingly and added, "Isn't that right, Xuan?"
Guardian Xuan turned his face away in humiliation, refusing to meet Zui's eyes. He quickly changed the subject and reached into his spatial ring. "Senior Gu Ye, this is what you requested."
With a wave of his hand, he laid out the items: an alchemy cauldron and piles of spiritual herbs. The second body's eyes immediately locked onto the cauldron, and his brows rose in surprise.
"Well, well… you managed to bring a mortal-grade cauldron. Where did you find this?"
Guardian Xuan puffed his chest out proudly, his left hand resting against it. "I saw it with a merchant. I asked him to sell it to me, but he refused… so I drew my heavy sword. After that, he knelt and agreed to sell it."
The second body stared at him for a moment, speechless. Just say you threatened the merchant instead of making it sound so heroic…
Gu Ye's second body faced Guardian Zui with a solemn expression.
"I have something important to ask, and I can't afford for it to fail."
Guardian Zui tilted her head, curiosity flashing in her sharp eyes. "What is it? If it's within my power, I'll see it done."
"First," Gu Ye asked, "are you like Guardian Xuan—sworn to protect someone?"
Zui shook her head. "No. I serve no one."
"Good," Gu Ye said, his tone firm. "I need you to shadow Gao Shui in secret. When she faces a life-or-death moment, protect her."
He added inwardly, She's the perfect choice. Both are women; Gao Shui will trust her if the time comes.
Guardian Xuan, who was listening from the corner, muttered in his heart, Finally, that creepy woman is leaving. Good riddance.
Guardian Zui bowed slightly. "Understood, Senior Gu Ye. I'll carry out your order."
In the next instant, her figure vanished like mist, leaving the room silent.