The days at Xinnan Immortal Sect were calm. Gu Changhuai took time to visit Ten Directions Court several times.
Only after walking through did he know that Ten Directions Court was called such because it was divided into ten districts, with hundreds of people in total. It not only specifically managed sect miscellaneous matters but also provided personal and sect missions for disciples to earn spirit stones.
In the cultivation world, having spirit stones meant having resources. Everything depended on ability.
Ten Directions Court also specifically set aside an area for immortal sect disciples' private transactions, located near the mountain gate. Both inner and outer disciples would come browse when free. You could clearly see disciples wearing other immortal sect robes coming to join the excitement. Buildings stood in disorder like a bustling marketplace.
The only strange thing was that in the less than two quarter-hours Gu Changhuai browsed here, almost everyone passing by cast glances at him. Expressions varied—some frowned, some showed realization, some glared angrily, some shook their heads and sighed while watching, and some even looked back repeatedly after passing.
Making Gu Changhuai lose confidence.
"?"
Gu Changhuai looked down to examine himself.
Clothes neat and tidy, elegant and graceful as always. So what exactly were they looking at?
"Hey." Suddenly his shoulder felt heavy. Someone patted Gu Changhuai's shoulder. He turned back to face Pei Tianyi's fair, tender, handsome young face—though his expression was somewhat sour. "Come with me."
Ten Directions Court's marketplace also had places to rest. He brought Gu Changhuai into a tea room. Upon entering, the noisy sounds and gazes from outside were isolated.
Gu Changhuai was still wondering about those gazes, saying in confusion: "Why are they all looking at me?"
"They're not looking at you. They're looking at the person the Immortal Venerable specifically requested to go to Supreme Peak. And someone's gossiping behind backs!"
Speaking of this seemed to touch Pei Tianyi's sore spot. Sitting across from Gu Changhuai with an awkward expression, avoiding eye contact but speaking hatefully: "Saying things like the Immortal Venerable covets beauty so he specifically requested an attendant to Supreme Peak. Making up all sorts of nonsense—absolutely disgraceful!"
"...Wait." Gu Changhuai hesitated. "They? Who? How do they know my appearance, and what exactly are they saying?"
Pei Tianyi's anger hadn't subsided. He still handed over a jade token, swiping his finger across it. A small crystal immediately jumped into the void. "Put your divine sense in to perceive."
Gu Changhuai hesitated for a moment, reaching out to tentatively tap it. His divine sense entered, instantly hearing real-time voice transmissions from all directions—
Alchemy Peak: "Alchemy Peak's Marrow Cleansing Pills, ten percent off! Opportunities don't come twice!"
Book Study: "Extra, extra! The Gu-surnamed attendant by the Immortal Venerable's side, Gu Changhuai himself, has appeared at Ten Directions Court marketplace. Those interested can go encounter and observe. Additionally, 'The Runaway Little Wife Begs the Immortal Lord for Mercy' is currently on hot presale. Those interested, contact Ten Directions Court Book Study. First release only one mid-grade spirit stone. Stay tuned for more!"
After a pause, someone said: "The news is outdated. Junior Brother Gu was just taken away by Young Master Pei!"
"I saw it too."
"I deliberately walked back and forth several times just now. He's a supreme beauty, can top this year's number one beauty ranking. Remember to save a portrait for me in the beauty registry—I'll come get it another day."
"Wait, I also looked. How does he qualify to be specifically requested to Supreme Peak? Just because of his face? I don't believe the Immortal Venerable is that shallow!"
"Non-shippers, get out of the Heaven-Reaching Device!"
"Heretics! Leave!"
...
...
Gu Changhuai felt a bit embarrassed, silently withdrawing his divine sense, refreshing his understanding of the major immortal sects.
Turns out the cultivation world had developed this far—no longer limited to one-on-one voice transmission, they'd developed real-time group voice chat...
He asked: "Who's usually in the Heaven-Reaching Device?"
"Mostly inner and outer disciples of Xinnan Immortal Sect. No other immortal sects." Pei Tianyi said: "News about you just coming down the mountain exploded in the Heaven-Reaching Device."
Exploding all the way to Ten Directions Court marketplace, then exploding another round at the marketplace.
Gu Changhuai was also confused. "Being taken as Supreme Peak's attendant—not being taken as the Immortal Lord's disciple—why does it attract so much attention?"
As soon as the words fell, he felt Pei Tianyi's gaze change. Emotions could be said to be written on his face—jealousy and anger merged into one. Gritting his teeth: "What do you mean 'just an attendant'? Do you know what an enormous honor it is to be guided by the Immortal Venerable once? Huh?! Born into fortune yet ignorant of it!"
Though his voice was deliberately suppressed, it still couldn't restrain his anger.
Gu Changhuai, afraid he'd get too angry, gently soothed him. "Okay, okay, calm down first." After a pause, he smiled and raised his eyes. "You like Qing Lian Immortal Lord?"
He looked at Pei Tianyi with great interest.
But he saw the young man's complexion instantly change again, frowning and sternly denying: "Who said that? I respect the Immortal Venerable as a teacher and elder! I like..."
As he spoke, his tone suddenly softened, his ears turning completely red. He glanced at Gu Changhuai two or three times hesitantly, then panickedly withdrew his gaze, saying viciously: "None of your business who I like!"
Unfortunately, Gu Changhuai couldn't read a young man's thoughts, saying inexplicably: "Why are you glaring at me? Just a casual question. Who told you to disregard your own safety and follow the Immortal Lord to dangerous places? You almost got eaten by the spider. Those who know say you respect your teacher and elder. Those who don't know might think you're chasing love across a thousand li."
"..." Pei Tianyi turned his head away without speaking.
Gu Changhuai said: "Where can I buy a Heaven-Reaching Device?"
Pei Tianyi looked back incredulously, emphasizing: "I'm angry!"
Gu Changhuai matter-of-factly said: "I know you're angry. So where can I buy a Heaven-Reaching Device?"
Pei Tianyi's eyes reddened, even his breathing became several degrees heavier. He stood up, raised his hand and waved angrily: "Here, here! Take it! You're so annoying!"
After finishing, he turned and ran away, bumping into Kong Huai entering. Kong Huai said "Ouch," looking at the running Pei Tianyi, then turning back to look at Gu Changhuai, saying curiously: "...What happened? What did you do to anger Young Master Pei so much? Looks like he's about to cry. Usually it's only him bullying others."
Gu Changhuai shrugged. "I just reminded him not to keep chasing Qing Lian to dangerous places. He got angry. I didn't even scold him."
The Heaven-Reaching Device jade token spun once in his hand. "Is this Heaven-Reaching Device for sale?"
"This is managed by Enforcement Hall, not for sale. Inner and outer disciples must at least pass Foundation Establishment to get one." Kong Huai sat across from Gu Changhuai. "Enforcement Elder is incorruptible—you can't pull strings through him. But if you need one, you can ask Pei Tianyi for one. Coax him a bit and he'll give it. He has plenty."
Gu Changhuai: "..."
Thinking of those red-rimmed eyes, he felt the guilt of bullying a child.
He guiltily touched his nose. If he'd known earlier, he would have been more tactful. The young master's temper wasn't small—the difficulty of coaxing him should be quite high... Fortunately, he now had one Heaven-Reaching Device, which was enough.
Clutching the Heaven-Reaching Device, Gu Changhuai returned to Supreme Peak. Given his current situation of being watched everywhere he went in Xinnan Immortal Sect, it was best to go out less recently. After all, his purpose for coming to the immortal sect wasn't very friendly.
After returning to his room, he reconnected his divine sense to the Heaven-Reaching Device.
——
Book Study: "Extra, extra! Young Master Pei and Attendant Gu suspected of having a private relationship. Young Master Pei left the tea room with red eyes looking wronged. Attendant Gu returned alone to Supreme Peak looking exhausted. Seems to have produced a love triangle! For follow-up, please follow 'Xinnan Minor Works' serialization. 'Former follower transforms into love rival. Does the Immortal Venerable preparing scholarly lectures know?' Stay tuned!"
Gu Changhuai: "..."
Really, they should have their mouths sewn shut.
Author's Note:
Pei Tianyi fell in love at first sight.
____
TL:
Man's picking up husbands faster than I can pick up my webnovels