Chapter Forty-Six: The Gu Family's Hidden Secrets

Bang—Gu Weiyu took Yun Fengdan’s palm head-on, her body thrown backward from the force, but just as she steadied herself, a net of Heaven and Earth swept in, binding Yun Fengdan tightly.

She stood upright, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and pointed her wooden sword directly at his throat. “You’ve lost!”

Yun Fengdan, for reasons unknown, actually breathed a sigh of relief, though a trace of frustration lingered—why had he felt so stifled even though she hadn’t used any talismans against him?

He forced a bitter smile. “Yes, you won.”

Even Elder Lian San hadn’t expected Gu Weiyu to be so brave and fierce; a look of admiration flashed in his eyes. Many cultivators nowadays, he mused, lacked such spirit.

“Gu Weiyu is victorious!” Elder Lian San announced in a clear voice.

Gu Weiyu let out a breath of relief, staggering so that she nearly toppled to the ground.

The shield over the arena had disappeared, and Gu Qingsong, waiting below, hurried onto the stage to support her.

“Little Eleven, it’s all right to lose in the tournament. Don’t ever push yourself so hard again!” Gu Qingsong’s gentle voice reached her.

Gu Weiyu replied softly, following him back to their seats.

Though she had won with difficulty and sustained grave injuries, her heart was filled with a joy she’d never felt before—certainly not when she had used talismans to win easily in previous matches.

Gu Qingyun and the others looked at her with concern. “Eleventh Sister, are you all right?”

Gu Weiyu shook her head. “I’m fine, just a minor injury.”

“Look—Fourth Sister’s about to win!” On another stage, the contest had reached a fever pitch.

“Fourth Sister, you’re amazing!”

“Go, Fourth Sister!”

The shouts echoed louder and louder, and Gu Weiyu looked on with admiration at Gu Weilan, heroic and poised on the arena.

She had managed to take third place—a hard-earned achievement—whereas Fourth Sister was about to claim first with ease. Truly, it was a matter of strength.

Her gaze lingered on the stage; Gu Weilan’s moves were clean and direct, each sword aimed at her opponent’s vital points.

Gu Weiyu watched intently, pondering quietly—she excelled at long-range attacks, but close combat was her weakness.

While she was lost in thought, the outcome on the stage became clear—Gu Weilan had unsurprisingly taken first place.

The top three had been decided; it was time for the rewards.

The Four Symbols Killing Array was contained in a wooden box. Gu Weiyu cradled her prize, scarcely believing she had truly received this formation!

This tournament had brought great glory to the Gu clan—two of the top three, three of the top eight—a veritable outpouring of talent.

“Eleventh Sister, let me see!” Gu Qingyun crowded closer, curiosity shining in his eyes as he stared at the wooden box.

Gu Weiyu smiled, opening the box to reveal a set of formation flags, the bases needed for the array, and instructions for deploying the Four Symbols Killing Array.

Gu Qingyun glanced inside, quickly losing interest and looking disappointed. “So this is the Four Symbols Killing Array?”

“Don’t be silly! The array only shows its power when it’s properly set up!” Gu Weihuan poked him in the head.

Gu Weiyu closed the box. “Let’s go, Sixteenth Uncle is calling us.”

Gu Qingyun and the others turned to see Gu Hui beckoning everyone onto the spirit boat.

Just as they had come, they boarded the spirit boat and returned to the Gu residence.

“You want to learn swordsmanship?” At Nanshan Residence, Gu Qingzhou lounged lazily on the couch, speaking unhurriedly.

“Yes, Ancestor, please teach me!” Gu Weiyu replied gravely. She had resolved to learn the sword.

“Swordsmanship is unlike spellcraft—it requires persistence, constant practice, and intuition.” Gu Qingzhou mused for a moment. “From tomorrow, come at dawn every day, and practice swordsmanship with me for an hour.”

Gu Weiyu beamed with joy—she didn’t fear hardship, only the absence of a teacher. “Thank you, Ancestor, for granting me this!”

“Go on now.” Gu Qingzhou waved her away, eyes returning to the bamboo scroll before him.

Gu Weiyu quietly bowed and left Nanshan Residence.

From the next day, she rose each morning at dawn, going to Nanshan Residence to learn swordsmanship for an hour from her ancestor. She spent three hours in cultivation, another hour practicing spellcraft—her schedule was packed to the brim.

Yet for reasons unknown, she always felt a sense of unease, an urgent desire to grow stronger.

Time flowed like water. Before she knew it, the year’s end approached—after the New Year, she would be nine!

As in years past, the family gathered for the New Year’s banquet. When the meal was nearly over, Gu Jun raised his voice: “Third, Fourth, Sixth, Eleventh—stay behind. The rest may go.”

Gu Qingsong and the other three remained seated, while the rest rose and departed.

“Come with me, all four of you,” Gu Jun said, standing and heading toward Taihe Residence.

It was New Year’s Eve; the Gu residence was festooned with lanterns, Taihe Residence ablaze with light.

Gu Jun led them into the inner chamber, taking the seat of honor, his expression solemn as he surveyed them. “Sit down.”

The four quietly chose seats, holding their breath as they looked at him.

“Today I’ve gathered you to share the Gu clan’s secret history,” Gu Jun began, his words astonishing.

Secret history?!

The four exchanged bewildered glances. If it was secret, why tell them?

Gu Jun saw their confusion and smiled faintly, stroking his beard as he continued: “Remember well: what you hear today must enter your ears and your hearts. Never speak of it to others.”

“Yes!” the four replied in unison.

“Good!” Gu Jun nodded with satisfaction and continued, “The Gu clan has been passed down for thousands of years. Do you know its origins?”

The group shook their heads. All they knew was that the Gu clan had a long legacy, handed down by word of mouth. Nothing more.

“The Qin Prefecture where we now live is actually a remote district within the Voidless Realm, and the Voidless Realm itself is but a minor world.

The Gu clan, a thousand years ago, was not native to the Voidless Realm, but a family of cultivators from the Upper Realm.

Unfortunately, after Ancestor Qiyu, our clan failed to produce another Nascent Soul cultivator. Those at the Golden Core stage became scarce. Forced to retreat again and again from the Upper Realm, the clan eventually migrated to the Voidless Realm, settling in the out-of-the-way Qin Prefecture. And here we have remained for a thousand years!”

Gu Jun’s expression was grave, his somber voice echoing through the quiet chamber...

The four were shaken to their core. No wonder the clan leader had warned them to keep this secret—it was almost beyond belief!

Voidless Realm, Upper Realm, Nascent Soul, Golden Core... these terms stirred up waves in their hearts. They realized how narrow their previous view had been, like frogs at the bottom of a well, utterly unaware of the vastness beyond.

They had only known Qin Prefecture, only known their Gu clan as one of the four great families there, and had even felt proud of their lineage. Now, it seemed laughable—an absurdity beyond measure.