Chapter Sixty-Three: Star Brother Has Your Back

“Go, go, go—get out of the way!”
Gu Weiyu had barely approached a shop to take a closer look when the clerk inside shooed her away as though she were an annoying fly.
After being chased off like a beggar for the nth time, Gu Weiyu found a quiet corner and changed back into her own clothes.
As expected, clothes do make the person; this time, she was no longer subjected to such unpleasant treatment.
Danyang City was indeed a grand metropolis in the Voidless Realm—its shops offered an astonishing variety of wares, leaving her tempted at every turn. Unfortunately, she had no spirit stones at all.
After some inquiries, Gu Weiyu learned that even the most ordinary inn in Danyang City cost ten spirit pearls a night, and plain meals without a trace of spiritual energy required three spirit pearls—with portions so small that hunger was a real concern.
With only about twenty spirit stones on her, even the basics of food and lodging were a problem!
As for more upscale inns—she’d best not even dream about them.
Watching the sun sink toward the west, Gu Weiyu couldn’t help but regret entering the city after noon; hadn’t she just wasted three spirit pearls for nothing?
Standing at the city gate, she hesitated for a long while between leaving the city and staying, but in the end, she gritted her teeth and headed deeper inside.
Her cultivation was so poor—she couldn’t go back to Qin Prefecture. That left only one option: to remain in Danyang and do her utmost to improve her abilities!
If nothing else, the spiritual energy within Danyang City was on a completely different level compared to outside.
Remembering that the city would impose a curfew after dusk, Gu Weiyu quickened her pace unconsciously.
A quarter of an hour later, she stopped in front of an extravagantly decorated shop—Treasure Pavilion.
The entire pavilion glittered with gold and jewels, living up to its name.
Pushing open the doors, Gu Weiyu felt a twinge of embarrassment—earlier, she’d gone out of her way to avoid this place, and now she was brazenly walking right in.
When they’d queued up before, Chu Liuxing had spoken most about Treasure Pavilion. His father was not only a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator but also the branch master here in Danyang City.
“Hello, may I help you?” Inside, a young clerk in a blue robe was counting inventory, preparing to close the shop. Upon seeing Gu Weiyu, he put on a professional smile and greeted her warmly.
“Uh…” Gu Weiyu hesitated, but forced herself to ask, “Is Young Master Chu here?”
The clerk looked her up and down. “What business do you have with Young Master Chu?”
You could hardly blame him for his reaction; people came here every day looking for Chu Liuxing, most hoping to freeload.
Gu Weiyu was at a loss for words. She stammered, “Could you please let him know that Hu Xiaoyu wishes to thank him for his help upon entering the city today…”

The clerk saw her embarrassed and awkward expression, and since her request was not excessive, his demeanor softened. “Wait here, please.”
With that, he strode off to the back, returning shortly thereafter—alone.
Seeing that he’d come back alone, Gu Weiyu was a bit disappointed. Perhaps she really was being too thick-skinned.
She forced a smile, turned, and prepared to leave.
“Hey, don’t go! Brother Xing will be right here!” the clerk called after her.
Before his words had even faded, a figure in white swept in like a whirlwind, flinging an arm familiarly around Gu Weiyu’s shoulders. “Brother, you finally remembered me!”
Gu Weiyu stiffened, but remembering that she had a favor to ask, she relaxed. “Brother Chu—”
“Come on, let’s go!” Chu Liuxing grinned enthusiastically, leading Gu Weiyu toward the rear of the pavilion. “Tonight, your big brother is treating—you can’t say no.”
Gu Weiyu breathed a sigh of relief. Judging by his tone, it seemed she’d have a place to stay tonight after all.
The rear courtyard of Treasure Pavilion, unlike the opulent front, was elegant and serene—pavilions, winding corridors, arched bridges, and flowing water created a scene of exquisite beauty.
Chu Liuxing led Gu Weiyu to his private quarters and called out for his attendant Sanshui to prepare wine and dishes.
He sat casually in the courtyard, while Gu Weiyu took a seat across from him. After some hesitation, she spoke up. “May I ask you something?”
“Of course!” Chu Liuxing responded heartily. “You’re my brother, after all!”
“Why are you being so—uh—nice to me?” Gu Weiyu found it strange; she’d only met Chu Liuxing once by chance.
His smile grew even brighter. He’d never had many hobbies, except for making friends, and he did so entirely by feel.
“Because I like your vibe!”
So it was that simple and willful a reason.
But she liked it!
Suddenly, Gu Weiyu found Chu Liuxing much more agreeable—even if he was a bit of a chatterbox, he was a true friend.
Soon, a sumptuous meal was set before them.
“This is fruit wine—it won’t get you drunk,” Chu Liuxing explained, pointing to the colored wine in the glass cups. “Shall we share a drink?”
Gu Weiyu didn’t refuse. She picked up her glass and took a small sip—the wine was sweet and pleasant, prompting her to take another.

Amid the clinking of cups and chopsticks, Chu Liuxing suddenly asked, “Brother, are you in some kind of trouble?”
Gu Weiyu paused with her chopsticks halfway to her mouth, surprised that beneath his easygoing exterior, Chu Liuxing was actually quite perceptive.
Just as well—she’d been meaning to ask him for advice. “Brother Chu, I do have a bit of a problem.”
“Tell me—if there’s anything I can help with, I won’t refuse!” Chu Liuxing thumped his chest in assurance.
“Well…” Gu Weiyu was a little embarrassed. “I’m running a bit low on funds lately…”
Chu Liuxing waved it off without a second thought, his tone brimming with generosity. “What’s so hard about that? Just tell me—how many spirit stones do you need?”
If he was anything, it was wealthy; in his view, any problem that could be solved with spirit stones wasn’t really a problem.
Gu Weiyu quickly shook her head. “No, that’s not what I meant.”
She didn’t want to borrow spirit stones—after all, they wouldn’t last forever.
Chu Liuxing looked up in surprise. “You don’t want to borrow spirit stones?”
“Brother Chu, I wanted to ask if you know of any ways to earn spirit stones. It doesn’t matter how much, as long as I can get by in Danyang City.” Gu Weiyu spoke a bit nervously.
Chu Liuxing’s expression grew serious; his opinion of Gu Weiyu rose. “I do know quite a few ways to make spirit stones. But tell me, do you have any skills you can rely on?”
Skills to rely on? Gu Weiyu couldn’t help but recall the Heavenly Thunder Nine-Turn Alchemy Method.
Her ancestor had once warned her not to dabble in alchemy before establishing her foundation, lest it delay her cultivation. But now, for the sake of survival, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and try.
“To tell you the truth, Brother Chu, I know a little about alchemy—though my skills are rather unrefined…” Gu Weiyu admitted sheepishly.
A trace of guilt rose within her. Was she lying? She had never actually practiced alchemy before.
Chu Liuxing’s eyes lit up. His instincts had proven correct—a true alchemist!
“You know how to refine pills? Wonderful! I’ll ask around for you tomorrow!” Chu Liuxing replied with great enthusiasm.
Gu Weiyu fell silent. Brother, I think you may be misunderstanding—I’m really just a half-baked, pretend alchemist!