39: Master, I want to discuss something with you.

The next morning, Xiao Ruobai slowly walked out from the back mountain, his plain robe already soaked in Yao Beast blood, congealed into dark red hard clumps.

His hair was disheveled and stuck to his forehead, yet his brows exuded an unprecedented sharpness, like a drawn sword, its edge fully revealed.

A strong scent of blood emanated from him, a trace of continuous fighting with Yao Beasts for three days and three nights.

His gaze was more composed than before, and his every Move subtly carried a decisive Aura of killing, as if he had been reborn.

Gu Changge stood in front of the bamboo house, his gaze falling on Xiao Ruobai, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

He sighed in his heart, "As expected of someone with Emperor-tier Aptitude, in less than a month, he Cultivated from having no Cultivation to the Core Formation Realm Middle Stage, and this is even after I deliberately suppressed him."

However, he also knew that Xiao Ruobai's rapid progress, besides the talent of his War God Body, was also inseparable from the abundant resources of Zizhu Peak.

Xiao Ruobai turned his head and found his Master leaning against a purple bamboo, holding a string of candied haws and eating them with relish.

"Master!"

Xiao Ruobai excitedly ran over.

"I've had a Breakthrough! I can now single-handedly fight Purple Mansion Realm Middle Stage Yao Beasts!"

Gu Changge glanced at him, disdainfully saying, "Don't come too close, you smell like Yao Beast saliva."

Xiao Ruobai: "..."

"Go wash up first, change your clothes, then come back."

Gu Changge waved his hand.

Xiao Ruobai scratched his head, chuckled, and turned to rush towards the mountain stream.

The spring water was icy cold, washing away the bloodstains on him and gradually relaxing his taut nerves.

He looked down at his hands, his palms calloused from holding a blade for a long time, and a few small scars still lingered on his knuckles.

Recalling when he first entered the sect, his Master had quietly told him that his Master's Cultivation had reached the Core Formation Realm Middle Stage.

Now, he himself had reached this Realm so quickly, and even showed faint signs of Breaking Through to the Late Stage.

"Am I now at the same Cultivation as Master?"

This thought suddenly popped into Xiao Ruobai's mind.

After all, his Master usually just ate melon seeds or drank tea; he never saw him Cultivate.

Perhaps he was still stuck in the Core Formation Realm Middle Stage.

With such a good Cultivation environment on Zizhu Peak, Master didn't seem to cherish it or Cultivate properly.

At this moment, Xiao Ruobai inexplicably felt a sense of disappointment, as if Master was not living up to his potential.

He couldn't help but quietly send out a wisp of Divine Sense, extending it towards Gu Changge, wanting to probe his Master's true Cultivation.

Gu Changge was sitting on a bamboo chair, closing his eyes to rest, and when he sensed the faint fluctuation of Divine Sense, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"You cheeky brat, daring to probe your Master's Cultivation? You're still too green."

Xiao Ruobai's Divine Sense circled around Gu Changge, but only sensed the spiritual Qi fluctuations of the Core Formation Realm Early Stage, causing him to feel puzzled.

"It seems Master has Cultivated the 'Can't See Through Me' Cultivation Technique to a profound level. I'll have to Cultivate more too, so others can't easily see through my strength."

Thinking of this, he felt a little smug.

"Now that I've reached the Core Formation Realm Middle Stage, and can even kill Purple Mansion Realm Yao Beasts, have I surpassed Master in strength?"

Thinking of this, Xiao Ruobai immediately felt inflated.

"Hehe, maybe I really am stronger than Master now?"

He rubbed his hands, already fantasizing about Master's shocked expression after he "defeats Master."

Once I defeat Master, I'll have a reason to urge him to Cultivate, hehehe... However, everything I have was given by Master. Even if Master's Cultivation doesn't increase in the future, I will still protect him well.

"Master, from now on, let me protect you!"

After showering, Xiao Ruobai changed into clean robes and, looking refreshed, walked up to Gu Changge, respectfully bowing.

"Master, Disciple has washed up."

Gu Changge opened his eyes and looked at him with a half-smile: "Finished probing?"

Xiao Ruobai froze, then his face flushed slightly, and he awkwardly lowered his head: "Master, Disciple knows his mistake."

Gu Changge waved his hand, not dwelling on it, and simply said, "It's good to have progress in Cultivation, but remember not to become arrogant."

Xiao Ruobai nodded, and after a moment of hesitation, a hint of Battle Intent flashed in his eyes.

"Master, Disciple would like to spar with you."

Gu Changge raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Want to test your Master's strength?"

Xiao Ruobai chuckled: "I wouldn't dare, Disciple just wants to see the gap between myself and Master."

Gu Changge chuckled softly and stood up: "Alright, I'll play along."

The two walked to the open space in the bamboo forest. Xiao Ruobai took a deep breath, and the Aura of a Core Formation Realm Middle Stage Cultivator instantly erupted, Battle Qi swirling around him, like a War God descending.

He stomped his foot, his figure like lightning, and instantly charged towards Gu Changge, his fist wind fierce, aiming straight for his Master's chest.

However, Gu Changge merely shifted his body slightly, easily dodging the punch.

Xiao Ruobai was not reconciled and continuously unleashed various Moves, his fist shadows raining down, yet he couldn't even touch Gu Changge's sleeve.

Gu Changge consistently used only Core Formation Realm Middle Stage Cultivation, yet his footwork was incredibly profound, as if he had already anticipated Xiao Ruobai's every Move.

An incense stick later... "Master, stop hitting, stop hitting, Disciple knows his mistake."

Xiao Ruobai, with a bruised and swollen face, pleaded indistinctly.

Gu Changge lightly tapped the ground with his toe, withdrew his hand suspended in mid-air, and slowly tidied his sleeves.

"Know your mistake? Who was it just now who said they wanted to see the gap?"

Xiao Ruobai clutched his swollen, bun-like cheeks, mumbling indistinctly.

"Disciple originally thought..."

His words were cut short by his own gasp; Master was truly ruthless, hitting exactly where it hurt.

"Master, you are clearly also in the Core Formation Realm Middle Stage, why can't I even touch the hem of your clothes?"

Gu Changge stood with his hands behind his back, calmly saying, "Cultivation is just the foundation; true strength lies in the control of power and the grasp of opportunities. Although your progress is swift, your combat experience is still shallow, and you need more tempering."

Xiao Ruobai lowered his head in sincere admiration: "Disciple understands."

Gu Changge nodded, his tone softening a bit: "However, for you to reach the Core Formation Realm Middle Stage in such a short time already far surpasses ordinary people."

"Next, I will impart to you a set of combat techniques suitable for the War God Body, named 'Nine Forms of Battling Heaven.' Cultivate it well."

Xiao Ruobai's eyes lit up, and he quickly cupped his hands: "Thank you, Master!"

Gu Changge raised his hand and pointed, a golden light entering Xiao Ruobai's glabella, and the Cultivation method for the "Nine Forms of Battling Heaven" was instantly imprinted in his Sea of Consciousness.

Xiao Ruobai closed his eyes to comprehend for a moment, and when he opened them again, the Battle Intent in his eyes was even stronger: "Master, Disciple will not let you down!"

Gu Changge smiled contentedly, turned and walked towards the bamboo house, leaving only one sentence drifting in the wind.

"Your Master looks forward to your next challenge..."

Xiao Ruobai suddenly felt his teeth hurt even more.