173: Chapter 173 Yun Yun: How did you get in! Elders' Meeting

"A beautiful Alchemist delivered right to my door—there's no reason not to accept."

Gu Han decided to respect Jia Xingtian's choice and give Princess Yao Yue some face.

Since they had taken the initiative to approach him, he couldn't be too aloof.

With that thought, Gu Han stood up to stretch his muscles.

After a busy day, it was time to take a bath and relax.

"Why are you here?!"

Inside the cave on the cliff, Yun Yun was soaking in the hot spring when she keenly sensed Gu Han's sudden entry.

"I clearly remember that this is our shared place, right?"

Gu Han took off his clothes and stepped into the hot spring.

The massive stone slab was still there, dividing the hot spring into two areas where their lines of sight were obstructed.

"Besides, we are Dao companions now; we just can't announce our status to the public. There's no need to lie to ourselves."

Gu Han sat down in the hot spring, his words causing Yun Yun's heart to race.

At this time and place, saying such things... was he trying to hint at something?

Today's hot spring seemed much hotter than usual.

"Of course you can come for a soak, but I'm already finished," Yun Yun said, her heart fluttering as she instinctively wanted to flee.

It wasn't out of resistance or dislike, but rather a fear that she wouldn't be able to control herself.

"Finished? Then I'll talk some business with you." Gu Han acted as if he didn't catch Yun Yun's meaning and followed her lead: "Since we are Dao companions, aside from the interactions between Sect Master and Elder, we should also have interactions between Dao companions."

"W-What do you mean?" Yun Yun's voice trembled, and her beautiful face instantly turned red—it was unclear whether from embarrassment or the heat.

"I mean, as my Dao companion, it's only natural for you to enjoy some benefits I provide. Of course, if you give me benefits, I won't be polite with you either." Gu Han couldn't see Yun Yun's face and didn't know what she was thinking.

He chose to be direct and get straight to the point.

"I will give you another pill to increase your Dou Huang cultivation; it's different from a Huangji Pill."

"There are also some natural treasures to enhance your talent; take them and use them."

"And a wind-attribute quasi-Di-rank Dou Technique for you to practice."

While speaking, Gu Han tossed a pre-prepared storage ring to Yun Yun.

Looking at the items inside the storage ring, Yun Yun was clearly in a daze: ???

Which one of us is actually the Dou Huang and the Sect Master of Yunlan Sect?

Why does it feel like you are so much wealthier than me?

"You don't have to..." Yun Yun wanted to refuse.

One should not accept rewards without merit.

"You are my Dao companion. Refusing means you haven't accepted it from your heart." Gu Han's words completely shut down Yun Yun's protest.

Giving things before confirming a relationship is called pursuing—though some might call it 'simping.'

But giving things after confirming the relationship is called pampering one's wife, as long as the lady is obedient.

"I don't have that many things to give you." Yun Yun felt a bit troubled. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I'll give you all the Rank 5 and Rank 6 exotic flowers and herbs I've collected, and my inner armor too."

"There's also a High-level Xuan Rank ice-attribute palm technique I recently acquired."

"You aren't allowed to refuse either!"

I definitely won't refuse.

Gu Han calmly accepted the items Yun Yun gave him and then said, "There is a secret technique in the storage ring called Qiankun One Night."

"Open it now to familiarize yourself; I'll teach you personally in a moment."

Hearing this, Yun Yun showed none of her Sect Master's air; she was completely an obedient wife, finding the scroll and beginning to learn.

But when she finished reading the contents of the secret technique, she felt her whole body grow even hotter: "D-Dual Cultivation technique?!"

"That's right. Didn't I tell you I could ensure that refining the Huangji Pill would 100% increase your cultivation by two stars?" Gu Han answered very honestly. "In a bit, you'll also consume the Rank 6 spiritual herb that enhances talent."

"Combined with our Dual Cultivation, your cultivation will be able to break through further."

"With any luck, you can break through directly to Dou Huang Seven Stars this time."

"A high-level Dou Huang can begin to dabble in the power of space; I will help you with that when the time comes."

Yun Yun: "..."

I, the dignified Sect Master of Yunlan Sect, actually feel like I'm being 'kept.'

However, by this point in the conversation, Yun Yun stopped being coy and began to familiarize herself with the technique.

Once she understood how to circulate it, a layer of mist appeared in her eyes: "Gu Han, I'm ready."

Boom!

Gu Han struck out with a palm, directly shattering the obstruction in front of him.

Yun Yun's graceful body, clad in thin gauze, was completely exposed before him.

"You!"

Yun Yun hadn't expected Gu Han to be so direct.

"Come, Yun'er, I'll lead you through the cultivation."

Gu Han stepped forward and picked Yun Yun up, the Dou Qi within his body surging.

The Yin Yang Twin Flames appeared, forming a special energy barrier that enveloped the cave.

Under the blessing of Yin and Yang power and with Gu Han's guidance, Yun Yun gradually became familiar with and mastered the method of Dual Cultivation.

She instinctively operated her own cultivation technique while simultaneously condensing a layer of sword intent.

Gu Han was truly very considerate, and his guidance was tailored to the individual.

Since Yun Yun used a sword, he also produced a sword, his extreme Yang power transforming into a Heaven-Slashing Longsword.

Though there were obstacles at first, they were all broken through under the powerful sword technique, plunging deep into the heavenly abyss.

---

A night of silence.

The sun rose high in the sky.

"Almost at Eight Stars?"

Gu Han opened his eyes, feeling the Dou Qi within his body, and revealed a satisfied smile.

With the Yin Yang Twin Flames acting as a barrier, the effects of Dual Cultivation were indeed better.

While his foundation became increasingly solid, his cultivation could also improve rapidly.

Gu Han looked at Yun Yun in front of him and found a layer of sword intent swirling around her.

Vast amounts of worldly energy were constantly flowing into her body, all condensing into Dou Qi.

"Looking at this momentum, she's preparing to take the opportunity to break through to Dou Huang Seven Stars."

Gu Han did not disturb Yun Yun and quietly left the cave.

Yun Yun seemed to sense something; her eyelids flickered, but she didn't open them.

Yesterday's Dual Cultivation was originally a very serious way to increase cultivation.

But in the end, Gu Han said that as his Dao companion, she hadn't yet handed over her most precious and unique thing.

At first, she wanted to resist, but in the end, she couldn't find the heart to refuse.

"You little rascal!"

---

Inside the Cloud Mist Sect's Elders' Hall.

Except for the head seat, which was still empty, the other eight seats and the additional observer seats in the back were all filled.

Looking at the sky outside, many elders' expressions began to turn ugly, represented by Great Elder Yun Ling.

This Elders' Council meeting was proposed by Gu Han himself.

As the newly appointed Great Elder, this was a reasonable request.

But now, he was late, seemingly trying to give everyone a show of authority.

Just as the appointed time was about to arrive, a burst of cold air suddenly filled the entire Elders' Hall.

In the next moment, snowflakes appearing out of thin air gathered at the head seat, quickly condensing into a human form—it was Gu Han.

The elders: !

They naturally understood that this was not a spatial technique.

Rather, Gu Han's speed was so fast that it exceeded their perception.

Was this entrance the real show of authority?

"Elders, I thank you all for giving this Elder face and attending this council meeting."

"I had a slight epiphany yesterday, and my cultivation improved today, so I'm a bit late."

"I presume no one has any objections?"

The elders immediately expressed that they had none.

Whether it was a real improvement or an excuse, if he was willing to give an explanation, they should just be happy about it.

"Actually, rather than a meeting, it's more that the Sect Master and I have decided to enact some new sect regulations and establish several new branch halls."

Gu Han prepared to cut through the red tape immediately.

Seeing this, Yun Ling's eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke: "Great Elder, let's not be in a hurry to discuss the proposals."

"This Elder received a message yesterday; I would like the Great Elder to give everyone an explanation."

Hearing this, Gu Han tilted his head slightly and leaned back against his seat: "What message? Let's hear it."

"The Mo Family!" the Great Elder uttered heavily. "I heard that yesterday, the Great Elder directly ordered the Mo Family to cooperate and hand over all their industries to the Xiao Family's management. Is this true?"

Gu Han's expression remained unchanged as he nodded and replied, "That's right."