Chapter 26: Where’d This Ugly Crow Come From? It’s Ugly in Its Own Way…

During the Heaven Discussion Assembly, everything remained calm as usual.

Except inside the Tongtian Instrument.

Zhao Shuzhai’s writing flowed like a fountain, producing works like Married for Love, Runaway Wife: The Young Manor Lord’s Heart-Tip Favorite, Supreme Fate: Immortal Venerable, Slow Down with the Pain, Xin Nan Tidbits: Quadrangle Entanglements, and Those Years When Pei Minor Official Had No Choice But to Speak in just half a month. They caused a huge uproar in the Xinnan Immortal Sect, selling like hotcakes.

As for why Gu Changhuai knew about it.

First, he wasn’t deaf.

The Book Pavilion’s announcements in the Tongtian Instrument blared like a megaphone every half hour—it was impossible not to hear.

Second.

Gu Changhuai silently watched Hua Mei, who was sprawled over the desk hugging a pile of books and reading with relish. He commented objectively, “I’ve never seen you study this hard before.”

“Don’t say it—he actually has some talent. I’m almost convinced.” Hua Mei’s eyes gleamed as he read, unable to tear his gaze away, while cracking melon seeds. “How can he twist right and wrong so well? It’s a pity he’s not from my Demon Clan. What a shame!”

His tone was full of regret.

Gu Changhuai turned away, out of sight, out of mind. Sometimes he really suspected Zhao Shuzhai was a transmigrator too—otherwise, how could those book titles reek so much of melodramatic web novel vibes?

What a blood loss.

He should have charged royalties.

During the Heaven Discussion Assembly, Gu Changhuai chose to hole up in Waterside Residence without stepping out. Since he didn’t go anywhere, Pei Tianyi and Xuan Yao had no way to enter Supreme Peak to find him and could only message him daily via the Tongtian Instrument.

Xuan Yao didn’t have a Tongtian Instrument; he hired one from a senior brother on Pill Peak for money.

In response, Gu Changhuai had once criticized in the Tongtian Instrument: “Everyone on Pill Peak, from top to bottom, has stars in their eyes at the sight of spirit stones. Can’t you have a little backbone?”

Pill Peak replied: “Making money isn’t shameful.”

Zhao Shuzhai: “Brother, well said!”

Pill Peak: “You’re too kind.”

Gu Changhuai: “…”

Tch.

Birds of a feather.

…

However, this peaceful life only lasted until the eve of the Heaven Discussion Assembly’s end.

It was an utterly ordinary day.

Gu Changhuai lay by the lake guarding his fishing rod and sunbathing when suddenly two gusts of wind brushed past him, hurrying toward Rong Ye’s courtyard.

Gu Changhuai raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at the anxious backs racing one after the other.

Hm?

The Sect Master and Pei Tianyi?

Seeing their solemn expressions with faint panic in their eyes, he immediately set aside his fishing and silently followed to see what was up.

“Immortal Lord! Something’s happened!” As soon as Gu Changhuai entered, he heard Pei Tianyi’s slightly trembling voice.

It seemed the situation was quite serious.

Gu Changhuai quietly found a seat, propped his chin, and observed silently.

The young man couldn’t keep his cool after all. He held a flickering Life Tablet and presented it to Rong Ye, saying gravely, “Immortal Lord, please look—my father’s Life Tablet has changed.”

Every disciple of Xinnan Immortal Sect had a Life Tablet linked to the sect members’ souls, which could monitor their status. If someone died, the tablet would dim.

But this one flickered on and off, as if the soul might dissipate at any moment.

Rong Ye flicked his sleeve, and a ray of spiritual light flashed over the Life Tablet, instantly stabilizing its erratic glow. His voice was calm. “The Enforcement Elder’s life is not in immediate danger for now, but there may be risks later. Does anyone know where he went?”

“He took a team of disciples to the Mortal Realm to exterminate demons,” the Xin Nan Sect Master said. He raised his hand, and a dozen or so Life Tablets appeared in midair, all faintly glowing. “However, none of these Enforcement Hall disciples can be contacted, and their Life Tablets show no anomalies.”

One elder whose life hung in the balance, and a group of disciples with unknown statuses—including traces of Xue Lao Er.

Gu Changhuai pondered.

Could it be the Demon Venerable’s doing?

No reason for that…

While he mulled it over, the others quickly decided on a plan and prepared to set off immediately to search for the missing Enforcement Elder and disciples.

The Compass could track the location where the Enforcement Elder’s aura last vanished.

To reach the Mortal Realm, they had to pass through the steep southernmost mountain forest, which stretched for tens of thousands of li. Such a journey was enough to block most people from entering the Cultivation World—it was the first barrier to cultivation.

The group was small, so it doubled as training.

Thus, besides Pei Tianyi, they brought two inner sect disciples. Adding Gu Changhuai and Hua Mei, plus Rong Ye, made six in total.

One of the inner sect disciples was an acquaintance, though.

Gu Changhuai waved cheerfully at Kong Huai. As Kong Huai approached, he said worriedly, “This trip is dangerous. Immortal Lord, you’re taking him along?”

“No worries.” Gu Changhuai said calmly, “I’m just going to broaden my horizons. If there’s danger, the Immortal Lord will protect me.” He smiled at Rong Ye. “Right, Immortal Lord?”

Rong Ye gave a low “Mm” and summoned the Qiankun Sword. Without needing Rong Ye to grab him, Gu Changhuai walked over and hopped onto the Qiankun Sword.

Rong Ye, holding the Compass ahead, reminded him, “Hold steady.”

Gu Changhuai paused in stuffing his hands into his sleeves and instead wrapped them around Rong Ye’s waist. “Steady now.” Familiarity bred ease—he’d done this before.

Kong Huai: “…”

What the hell!

The Immortal Lord didn’t even slap Gu Changhuai off!

“I want to ride the Qiankun Sword too.” Hua Mei stood behind Pei Tianyi’s sword, eyeing Gu Changhuai’s feet with envy.

This was the sword that had swept across the Demon Realm battlefield in a single stroke back in the day.

Whoever rode it basked in glory!

“Picky.” Pei Tianyi turned his head and grumbled, “This young master doesn’t even want you on my sword. This is my baby—originally I wanted to…”

He trailed off, sneaking a glance at Gu Changhuai, then deflated. “Forget it.”

In the meantime, Han Ya flapped its wings and landed on Gu Changhuai’s shoulder.

Pei Tianyi sneered in disgust. “Where’d this ugly crow come from?”

Gu Changhuai replied, “Mine.”

Pei Tianyi coughed twice lowly and changed tack. “It’s ugly in a unique way.”

Seeing his weathervane attitude, Hua Mei scoffed disdainfully.

After waiting a moment, they still hadn’t moved.

Gu Changhuai poked his head out. “Waiting for what?”

“Red Feather Manor’s direction aligns with the Mortal Realm, so Manor Lord Xuan asked us to escort him partway,” Kong Huai explained. “Since it’s a sudden departure, the young manor lord is rushing over.”

Someone was targeting Xuan Yao, and it was on the way, so caution was warranted.

Oh, wait.

Gu Changhuai scanned around. “We’re missing someone.” There were only five here; one inner sect disciple hadn’t arrived.

“It’s Jin Shuang,” Pei Tianyi rolled his eyes. “He loves being late. Last time at the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, he waited until the countdown to descend from the sky. What’s that about?”

“He deserves to die then,” Hua Mei teased. “I heard you were his opponent on stage. Must’ve been fun for nothing.”

Pei Tianyi snorted coldly.

After a pause.

Gu Changhuai looked up at the horizon, where a figure streaked toward them, adorned with familiar tail feathers and tinkling ornaments all over. Amusement flickered in his eyes as he smiled. “He’s here.” He asked Rong Ye, “Wait for Jin Shuang?”

“No need.” Rong Ye lowered his gaze and formed a hand seal, his voice low. “He’ll catch up on his own.”