126: Gu Ding's whereabouts were determined when an old acquaintance suddenly appeared.

The morning light dispersed the gloom of the night rain. Inside the Listening Bamboo Cottage, Spiritual Qi was dense. After a night of rest, the four people had all recovered their state, and their cultivation levels had even improved due to the continuous pressure and battles of the past few days.

Lin Xuan and Su Wanqing pushed open their doors almost simultaneously. Su Wanqing had changed into a plain white, practical combat outfit, her black hair simply tied up, her icy eyes clear, and the aura around her becoming increasingly refined. Lin Xuan nodded slightly at her; a silent understanding flowed between their gazes.

Qu Feiyan leaned languidly against the doorframe. Her red dress outlined a breathtaking figure. She yawned, her seductive eyes sweeping over Lin Xuan and Su Wanqing, and she teased, "You two are quite in sync, even waking up at the same time."

Gongsun Yu was the last to emerge, having changed into a clean goose-yellow dress. Her small face was rosy again. Upon seeing Lin Xuan, her eyes immediately curved into crescent moons, and she quickly approached him, her voice clear and crisp: "Big Brother Lin, good morning!"

"It seems everyone has recovered well." Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the Three women, and his heart felt slightly relieved. "We need to leave this place quickly, find a new base, and begin investigating the movements of the Guixu Cult."

He looked at Gongsun Yu: "Xiaoyu, what are the specific location and conditions of the Ziyun Valley you mentioned earlier?"

Gongsun Yu quickly nodded and began describing it in detail: "Ziyun Valley is about thirty li east of my family home, hidden in a mountain range shrouded in mist. The entrance is very concealed, and there's a secret path I found when I was little that leads inside. The Spiritual Qi inside the valley is denser than outside, and there's a small pool, making it very suitable for temporary hiding."

"Alright, then let's tentatively set Ziyun Valley as our base." Lin Xuan made the decision. "First, we'll secretly observe the situation of the Gongsun Family, then plan the follow-up."

The group had no objections. Just as they were about to set off, the layer of concealing and warning Formation outside the courtyard, which Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan had jointly set up, suddenly transmitted a strange fluctuation. This fluctuation was not a forceful impact; rather, it carried a tentative rhythm, like the gentle plucking of a zither string, mild yet precisely touching the Formation nodes.

"Someone's here!" The four instantly grew alert, restraining their aura, and sharply looking towards the outside of the courtyard.

Lin Xuan's Divine Sense quietly spread out like mercury flowing across the ground. Outside the courtyard gate stood a woman wearing a light cyan flowing cloud dress. Her figure was graceful, her appearance stunningly beautiful and otherworldly, and her temperament ethereal, as if she did not belong to the mortal world. She still held the ancient scroll in her arms, and there was a trace of lingering, lazy weariness between her brows. It was none other than Gu Qingqing, whom he had met once before in the Western District of Tianzhu City!

How could she be here?!

Lin Xuan's heart trembled. This woman's identity was mysterious. The System had previously indicated that she had a faint Karma connection with him, that her Divine Soul was incomplete, and that she harbored a natural affinity and curiosity toward him. How could she find this place so accurately?

Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan also recognized Gu Qingqing, and their expressions tightened. They were deeply impressed by this woman and knew she was far from simple.

Gongsun Yu curiously scrutinized the beautiful older sister outside the door, who possessed a unique temperament.

Gu Qingqing seemed unconcerned by the vigilance inside the courtyard. She lifted her pair of hazy Sleepy Phoenix Eyes, her gaze seemingly penetrating the Formation and landing directly on Lin Xuan. Her soft, gentle voice carried a hint of surprise and understanding: "Fellow Daoist Lin? It really is you. It seems my intuition was correct."

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment, then waved his hand, opening a corner of the Formation. If it's a blessing, it cannot be averted; if it's a disaster, it cannot be avoided. He decided to see what she intended.

"Fairy Gu, I trust you are well. May I ask how you found this place, and what guidance you might offer?" Lin Xuan cupped his hands, his tone calm and steady.

Gu Qingqing gracefully walked into the courtyard, her gaze sweeping over Lin Xuan, Su Wanqing, Qu Feiyan, and Gongsun Yu one by one. She paused especially on Su Wanqing for a moment, a faint, indescribable light flashing in her eyes, resembling remembrance or perhaps emotion. She slightly bowed to Lin Xuan: "I dare not offer guidance. Qingqing followed a subtle pull of Karma to arrive here. I apologize for the intrusion, and I hope Fellow Daoist Lin does not mind."

She paused, looked at Lin Xuan, and her Sleepy Phoenix Eyes were rarely clear for a moment: "I observe that Fellow Daoist seems to be in trouble. Is it related to the 'nether ghost seal' and the Guixu Cult?" She had directly pointed out the key issue!

Lin Xuan's pupils contracted slightly, and his vigilance increased greatly. "Fairy, why do you say that?"

Gu Qingqing gently caressed the scroll in her arms, her tone still gentle but carrying a detachment that came from insight into worldly affairs: "There is no need to be nervous. I also have no goodwill toward the Guixu Cult; pursuing them is one of my objectives. Perhaps... we can exchange information?"

Her gaze swept over Su Wanqing again, meaning something specific: "Furthermore, regarding certain... traits on Miss Su, I might be able to offer some clues."

As soon as she said this, Su Wanqing's icy eyes suddenly sharpened, her Frost Silence Sword Intent hidden but ready, locking onto Gu Qingqing. Her traits? Was she referring to the Supreme Yin Body, or... the Bloodline throbbing that she herself hadn't fully understood yet?

Thoughts spun rapidly in Lin Xuan's mind. Gu Qingqing was mysterious and her allegiance hard to determine, but she seemed to possess crucial information. Rather than letting her operate in the shadows, it was better to keep her in the open.

"It seems Fairy Gu knows quite a few things." Lin Xuan looked at her with deep eyes. "Since that is the case, why not speak plainly?"

Gu Qingqing smiled lightly, like a secluded orchid in an empty valley: "This is not the place for conversation. If Fellow Daoist Lin trusts Qingqing, shall we change locations to talk in detail? I know of a teahouse called 'Quiet Heart Studio' a hundred li south of Luofeng Town, which is quite peaceful."

Lin Xuan exchanged a glance with Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan. Su Wanqing nodded slightly, while Qu Feiyan pouted, neither confirming nor denying.

"Alright." Lin Xuan finally nodded. "We shall follow the Fairy's suggestion."

Thus, the group of four, who had originally planned to head to Ziyun Valley, temporarily diverted south due to Gu Qingqing's sudden appearance. What kind of variables would the addition of this mysterious woman bring to their path forward? And what secret did the clues about Su Wanqing's "traits" she mentioned point towards?