Chapter 40: Why Didn't You Say So Earlier
"System, summon my attribute panel. Also, mark my divine ability progress and add the Space God Pattern."
Gu Qing gave his instructions to the system. He realized his so-called godfather was getting lazy—unless he spoke up, it wouldn't move.
[Name]Gu Qing
[Realm]Mysterious Dan Realm, Ninth Layer Peak
[Constitution]Supreme Dao Bone, Chaos Star Body (undergoing transformation… 27%)
[Talent]Innate Dao Seed, brilliance across the ages!
[Fate Pattern]Variable
[Destiny]Unknown
[Fortune]321,000
[Innate Divine Abilities]Chaos Treasure Seal, Yin-Yang Wheel, Star-Plucking Hand
[Divine Abilities]Small Thousand Sword Art (entry), Shatter Eight Desolations (entry), Spatial Shift (entry)
[Artifacts]Cycle God Halberd, Golden Gourd, Space God Pattern
[Heavenly Flame]Icefire Heart
[Innate Spirit Root]Nine-Color Soul Lotus
[Cultivation Method]Chaos Undying Sutra (initial creation)
Gu Qing looked away from the panel with a pleased expression.
His talent was so high that even without focused cultivation, he could break through a minor realm within a month. Shatter Eight Desolations had already reached entry level, its might nearly equal to the Small Thousand Sword Art.
As for Spatial Shift, that ability had been something he accidentally comprehended while meditating on Shatter Eight Desolations. With his current strength, he could step across ten thousand miles in an instant. It was strong indeed.
But for him, it was somewhat redundant—after all, he already had the Space God Pattern.
With that thought, Gu Qing opened his seclusion chamber. Waiting outside was Chu Yao, sitting gracefully, her posture enchanting, her beauty radiant. Her delicate figure was flawless, her snow-white skin faintly visible beneath her robes.
"Master Gu, you finally deigned to come out."
She rested her chin on her hand, her foxlike eyes filled with grievance. Her long lashes fluttered as if she had been wronged by a heartless man.
"What is it?"
Gu Qing, unsettled by her gaze, asked softly.
"My identity is special. I fear certain people will covet me. If that happens, I hope Master Gu will lend me aid."
Her expression grew serious. If it was ever revealed that she carried the Virgin Yin Body, countless not only among the younger generation, but also ancient monsters, would scheme to claim her as their plaything.
This was why she had delayed joining the Starry Sky Temple. If not for her shared interests with Gu Qing, she wouldn't have dared step foot here. If captured, not even the Chu clan could save her.
"A small matter."
Gu Qing didn't take it seriously. She had helped him greatly, and she was still useful to him. Even if she hadn't asked, he would have aided her.
"By the way, do you have a master in mind?" Gu Qing asked.
"I want to join your lineage as an ordinary disciple. Would that be allowed?"
"You don't want to formally take a master?"
Gu Qing was surprised, his gaze sweeping over her elegant and curvaceous figure. Taking a master brought countless benefits—who would willingly forgo it unless restricted by their body? By all rights, Chu Yao's qualifications as a female lead shouldn't have been poor.
"System, show me her attributes."
[Name]Chu Yao
[Realm]Spirit Refining Realm, Sixth Layer
[Constitution]Virgin Yin Body, Born with Alluring Bones
[Talent]Skilled in Intrigue, Extraordinary Genius
[Fate Pattern]Destined Heroine
[Destiny]Fortune everlasting, brings prosperity to husband and children
[Fortune]80,000
"So it's a furnace body… but with that extraordinary talent and eighty thousand fortune, her future achievements won't be low," Gu Qing thought to himself.
"It's not that I don't want to," Chu Yao said with a bitter smile, "but that I can't." If she could, she would have gladly thrown away such a cursed body.
"Very well. I'll take you to register now."
As senior disciple, Gu Qing had the authority to recruit an ordinary disciple into their branch. He didn't even need to report to Zhimeng.
"Thank you. Whatever you command in the future, I will obey without hesitation."
Chu Yao's heart was deeply moved. For Gu Qing, it might have been nothing more than lifting a hand, but for her, it was a leap through the dragon gate—a chance of a lifetime.
"No need for thanks. Come on, let's go."
Gu Qing raised the purple-gold token in his hand, signaling that she need not say more.
With it, the entire Wanbao Tower's business empire was essentially at his service.
"Good!"
Chu Yao's face lit up with a genuine smile of joy.
Though she and Gu Qing hadn't interacted much, true character was revealed in trials and through interests. Gu Qing never tried to exploit her for benefits, which made him someone she could absolutely trust.
Looking at the strikingly handsome, radiant Gu Qing, Chu Yao's heart quivered, and her recent worries melted away.
"Senior brother."
Seeing him, Su Qingyue skipped forward happily, her face blooming with a sweet, innocent smile.
"Junior sister!"
Gu Qing patted her hair, then led the two women straight to the Fire Peak of the Starry Sky Temple to register Chu Yao's entry.
Very soon, the paperwork was complete. Chu Yao officially became an inner disciple of the temple, placed under Zhimeng's Divine Maiden Peak.
"Thank you!" She clutched the inner disciple token, eyes brimming with tears.
The temple's standards for recruitment were notoriously strict. To enter as an inner disciple was like reaching the heavens in a single step. Countless prodigies had perished in the brutal outer sect competition.
Yet she had entered effortlessly—and not just anywhere, but the strongest peak of all.
With enough contribution points, she could now study techniques, divine arts, cultivation insights, and exchange for heaven-and-earth treasures.
"Congratulations."
Su Qingyue's gaze at her was complicated.
She still disliked Chu Yao, but could not deny that Chu Yao was helpful to Gu Qing.
Being on Divine Maiden Peak was not so intolerable after all.
Gu Qing also offered congratulations, then hurried away with Su Qingyue to find Zhimeng.
…
He Ni had been suppressing her progress in remolding her body, waiting for the Starfruit. But now she could barely hold back any longer.
"Master!"
Inside the Divine Maiden Hall, Zhimeng stood like a celestial goddess, divine radiance enveloping her, profound Dao aura flowing around her, ancient and mysterious like a deity from ages past.
"Mm."
Zhimeng nodded softly, her probing gaze falling on Gu Qing.
"Your cultivation has risen too quickly. Though your foundation is firm, if you temper it further, your roots and background will become even deeper.
Do not rush into breaking through. Focus on polishing your base."
For someone like Gu Qing, advancing too fast would consume the potential of his Zhou Tian Star Body.
"Thank you, Master. That was exactly my thought."
"This time, I wish to enter the Scripture Pavilion to study techniques, divine arts, and cultivation notes to strengthen my foundation.
Also, Master, during this journey I obtained the Solar Dao Scripture, and a remarkable technique, the Flame Mantra…"
Gu Qing briefly explained, then presented two jade slips.
"You… truly have great fortune."
Zhimeng swept them with her divine sense, inwardly astonished.
The temple had searched for the Solar Dao Scripture for countless years without success.
Yet Gu Qing had found it in just a few days outside. His luck was beyond belief.
And the Flame Mantra was extraordinary, filled with the power of creation, a peerless art of immense use even to her.
Thinking this, Zhimeng looked at him with satisfaction. Truly, this filial disciple had not been raised in vain.
"Master, my constitution can evolve once more. Does the temple still have the Three Radiance Divine Water and Starfruit?"
Gu Qing asked.
"Yes. You are a disciple we cultivate with full effort. Whatever you need, go and claim it."
"Master, you mean…"
"That's right. The treasures of the temple's vault are yours to choose. You may also visit the forbidden grounds and consult those ancient beings on cultivation problems."
Zhimeng smiled.
Why didn't you say this earlier…?
Gu Qing was ecstatic, though also a little bitter.
If Zhimeng had told him sooner, he would have already plundered the temple's vault by now.
This was an eternal Dao lineage, with countless treasures gathered since antiquity.
"Congratulations, senior brother."
Su Qingyue's eyes shone with delight.
To freely select treasures and visit the forbidden grounds—this was a privilege not even granted to Holy Sons and Daughters.
Gu Qing was about to soar.
With the temple's full support, he would surely ascend to godhood.
"Mm. And if my junior sister ever needs treasures, just come to me."
Since it was all from the temple's vault, Gu Qing would not be stingy.
"Senior brother, senior sister!"
At that moment, a peerless goddess entered the hall.
She wore a phoenix crown and robe, her every movement exuding majesty and dominance, like a supreme empress descended to the world.
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