Chapter Forty-One: Sudden Enlightenment

“Eleventh Sister, did you just have a breakthrough?” Although Gu Qingyun looked rather burly and straightforward, he was actually quite perceptive at times.

As soon as he approached Gu Weiyu, he sensed that she was somehow different from before, radiating an even stronger presence!

Gu Weiyu nodded. “Yes, I secluded myself to break through.” Now that she was out, it naturally meant her efforts had succeeded.

Gu Qingyun’s feelings were difficult to describe. Back when he and his Eleventh Sister first joined the main family, they began their cultivation journey together. Yet now, his Eleventh Sister had already advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refinement, while he was still struggling at the second level.

He’d also been training diligently! At this moment, a deep sense of powerlessness welled up inside him.

“Twelfth Brother—” Gu Weiyu noticed the sudden gloom clouding his face and understood that he was stuck in a rut, though she did not know how to comfort him.

The quality of one’s spiritual roots was innate, and the pace of cultivation naturally varied. Everyone understood this in theory, but when confronted with it themselves, few could truly accept it.

“What’s going on here?” A voice from outside the courtyard broke the heavy silence.

Gu Weiyu looked up toward the gate and saw Gu Weihuan entering with Lianzhi in tow.

“Ninth Sister, you’re here too! Please, come in!” Gu Weiyu hurried over to greet her, lowering her voice to plead, “Twelfth Brother hasn’t said a word since hearing I broke through to the sixth layer. Please, help me talk to him.”

Gu Weihuan understood at once—she herself had once felt such discouragement.

But later she realized that some people are born with extraordinary talent, and all one can do is gaze at their backs as they surge ahead. Rather than wallowing in self-pity, it’s better to walk steadfastly on one’s own path.

She suddenly laughed and said in a clear voice, “Eleventh Sister, I’ve come today to share some wonderful news with you!”

Gu Weiyu was momentarily surprised, but quickly went along with her. “Ninth Sister, what good news is it?”

“Fourth Sister successfully broke through to the tenth level of Qi Refinement some time ago!” Gu Weihuan’s face beamed with genuine delight—she truly felt happy for her Fourth Sister.

“Really? That’s wonderful news!” Gu Weiyu was delighted as well.

She had heard that among the younger generation of the other three clans, none had surpassed the ninth level of Qi Refinement. Now, with the great competition approaching, Fourth Sister’s breakthrough to the tenth layer was certainly a great boon for the Gu family!

“Exactly!” Gu Weihuan glanced meaningfully behind her, then continued, “The Gu family is one at heart; we share both honor and disgrace. Fourth Sister’s breakthrough brings glory to all of us, doesn’t it?”

Gu Qingyun had been standing in silence since Gu Weihuan entered, listening quietly. When he heard that Fourth Sister had reached the tenth layer, his heart filled with bitterness—was this truly an insurmountable chasm?

But then, he couldn’t understand why Ninth and Eleventh Sister looked so genuinely happy upon hearing the news.

Until Gu Weihuan’s words reached his ears, and in a flash, everything became clear—

Yes, they all shared the Gu surname; they were all members of the Gu family!

He suddenly flushed with shame for having harbored such selfish thoughts. Fourth and Eleventh Sister were both outstandingly talented, their elders had placed great hopes in them, and they worked diligently every day. With the competition looming, their pressure must be immense.

Unlike himself—though he, too, trained hard, he was far behind compared to Fourth and Eleventh Sister. Even Sixth Brother, whose talent was mediocre, had broken through to the fifth level through sheer persistence.

With this realization, his heart opened, and he finally understood the care and intention behind Ninth Sister’s words.

“Eleventh Sister, I was mistaken just now. Please don’t hold it against me.” Gu Qingyun stepped forward and bowed to Gu Weiyu.

Gu Weiyu took his hand in hers. “Twelfth Brother, it’s good that you’ve thought it through.”

Gu Qingyun smiled faintly, then turned to bow to Gu Weihuan. “Thank you, Ninth Sister, for your guidance.”

“All right, there’s no need to be so formal. Let’s go sit over there!” Gu Weihuan pointed to the bamboo grove nearby.

A gentle breeze swept in, bringing a hint of summer heat. It was midsummer now, and though it was still early morning, the air was already warm. Sitting amid the lush bamboo, a breath of wind dispelled all the heat.

“Eleventh Sister, it’s always so comfortable here in your bamboo grove during summer,” Gu Weihuan sighed contentedly.

“Ninth Sister, the lotus pond at your Hibiscus Residence is also a wonderful place to escape the heat!” Gu Weiyu replied with a bright smile.

“Your residences are all delightful. Mine, Ling Frost Pavilion, has nothing but a plum grove.” Gu Qingyun couldn’t help but complain.

“Twelfth Brother, your plum grove is the highlight of the estate in winter!” Gu Weiyu praised. “After a fresh snowfall, red plums against the snow—what a beautiful sight!”

Gu Qingyun couldn’t help but smile at her words.

“Twelfth Brother, let’s have a little spar!” After chatting for a while, Gu Weiyu got up and proposed, “Let me see if you’ve been slacking off lately!”

“Eleventh Sister, just don’t hit my face!” Gu Qingyun wasn’t afraid of getting beaten, but he cared about his looks.

The two immediately began to spar, while Gu Weihuan watched with a cheerful smile.

The day drifted by in tranquility and peace.

The next morning, as usual, Gu Weihuan and the others went to Yanqi Hall to cultivate at dawn, leaving Gu Weiyu alone once more.

With the four-clan competition approaching, she adjusted her schedule to focus more on spell practice.

Now, she only spent an hour each day cultivating, devoting the rest of her time to practicing spells.

She checked her spell jade slip. At present, she could practice the offensive lightning spell Thunderclap, the fire-based Fire Dragon Dance, and the wood-based Net of Heaven and Earth. For defense, she had Fire Wall Shield and Wood Wall Shield, and for movement, there was Thunder Flash!

By this reckoning, her time was still very tight!

Gu Weiyu felt that every day was full and rewarding, and her efforts had not been in vain.

At first, she had only barely managed to use Thunderclap, Fire Dragon Dance, Net of Heaven and Earth, and the Fire and Wood Wall Shields—she could cast them, but not skillfully.

After countless repetitions, she could now wield all her spells and escape techniques deftly, switching between them seamlessly. As for basic spells like Fireball and Vine Command, she could now cast them instantly.

Most notably, her movement technique, Thunder Flash, had finally advanced to the second level, allowing for short-range teleportation.

“Ayu, come here for a moment.” A pale green paper crane fluttered in, carrying the voice of her great-grandfather.

Gu Weiyu paused her cultivation and made her way to Southern Mountain Residence.

“Great-grandfather, what’s all this…” As usual, Gu Weiyu sat on the meditation cushion, but was stunned by the pile of talismans before her.

“These are just some practice talismans I made in my spare time. Take them and have some fun!” Gu Qingshou waved his hand dismissively. “And take this wooden sword too—it served me well during Qi Refinement, but I have no use for it now. You should have it.”

A smile bloomed on Gu Weiyu’s face. Great-grandfather was always the most thoughtful. With so many talismans and her arsenal of spells, wouldn’t she breeze through the third round?

“Remember, unless it’s a matter of life and death, do not reveal your lightning spiritual root!” Gu Qingshou said, watching her happily gather up the talismans and wooden sword.

Huh?!

Gu Weiyu’s face darkened. Why did it feel like Great-grandfather had set her up again?

Her Thunderclap and Thunder Flash were supposed to be her trump cards!