7: Rules of Zizhu Peak

Xiao Ruobai stepped in Gu Changge's footsteps, each step taken with unusual force.

For years, "Low Grade Mortal," "Defective Physique," and "Incapable of Great Achievements" were branded upon him like an indelible mark.

He thought he would only ever be an ordinary person, barely surviving in this world.

Until just now, at the Disciple recruitment assembly, the question, "Are you willing to take me as your Master?" struck him like a bolt of lightning, cleaving open his bleak life.

He told himself in his heart: Xiao Ruobai, remember today.

Remember this kindness of recognition, and even more, remember — from today onwards, you have no right to be weak again.

He didn't know why this mysterious Purple Bamboo Peak Lord chose him, but he knew this was his only Opportunity to escape his fate.

"Master..." Xiao Ruobai's voice was a little hoarse as he quickly followed Gu Changge's steps.

"Why did you choose me?"

Gu Changge casually replied, "You looked pleasing to the eye."

These four understated words instantly brought tears to Xiao Ruobai's eyes.

He sniffed hard, forcing the moisture at the corners of his eyes back, and clenched his fists, secretly vowing.

Gu Changge led Xiao Ruobai step by step towards Zizhu Peak.

He turned his head to glance at the young man beside him, pondering in his heart.

He had all the Spiritual Qi treasures needed to restore the War God Body, and he was quite looking forward to a complete War God Body.

He just hoped this Disciple wouldn't be blinded by hatred and could settle down a bit after taking his revenge.

Then his own peaceful days could continue.

Passing through the cloud-shrouded mountain path, the scene before them suddenly changed.

Patches of Purple Bamboo shot straight into the sky like swords, and the morning dew clinging to their nodes refracted a colorful halo in the sunlight.

The air was filled with sweet Spiritual Qi, and even a single breath made Xiao Ruobai's Dantian slightly warm.

He couldn't help but slow his steps, his fingertips lightly brushing the bamboo stalks beside him; the rough bamboo skin actually carried a warm, gentle touch.

Gu Changge glanced at him and said nonchalantly, "This is the only good thing about Zizhu Peak; the Spiritual Qi is a bit richer."

Passing through the expanse of Purple Bamboo forest, an elegant bamboo house appeared before their eyes.

Fresh spiritual fruits were placed on the stone table in front of the house, a Pill Furnace next to it emitted wisps of green smoke, and a faint fruity aroma drifted in the air.

Gu Changge leaned back lazily in a bamboo chair, casually picking up a spiritual fruit and tossing it.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, dappling his plain white Dao robe, giving him an air of a carefree hermit.

"From today onwards, you are the Head Disciple of Zizhu Peak."

He bit into the spiritual fruit; its juice was sweet and refreshing.

"Although you are my only Disciple right now, rules must still be established."

Xiao Ruobai immediately straightened his body, listening with bated breath.

"First!"

Gu Changge extended a finger, his tone nonchalant.

"Do not actively seek trouble, but if someone comes looking for it, do not be afraid to face it."

"I know you have enemies. If it really comes to a fight, remember to clean up thoroughly — killing should involve grinding them to dust; don't leave any traces to cause me trouble."

Xiao Ruobai was stunned. Master actually knew he had enemies... His clenched fists trembled slightly, and his heart felt as if it had been struck by something.

For years, he had hidden his hatred extremely deeply, even grinding his teeth in his dreams, yet he had never spoken of it to anyone. How could this Master, who had just taken him as a Disciple, know?

Did he see it in the murderous intent in his eyes?

Or... had this mysterious Peak Lord already investigated his background thoroughly?

A complex emotion welled up within him, a mix of embarrassment at being seen through, and a strange sense of reassurance.

Master knew he had enemies, yet he did not disdain him and still took him as a Disciple.

"Second!"

Gu Changge extended another finger, his gaze suddenly becoming a bit subtle.

"Before you truly grow strong, if you encounter people surnamed Ye, Xiao, or Chu... especially those who seem ordinary but always stumble upon Opportunities, avoid them if you can."

Xiao Ruobai was even more confused: "Why?"

Gu Changge vaguely waved his hand.

"Don't ask, just do it. These surnames... tend to produce guys who don't play by the rules. Zizhu Peak just wants to live peacefully; there's no need to get involved in their excitement."

Gu Changge, however, was muttering in his heart, in the novels he read in his previous life, those surnamed Ye or Xiao were almost certainly chosen ones. Not only did they have their own halos, but they also always attracted a lot of trouble. Lying low was definitely the right move.

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than his peripheral vision caught Xiao Ruobai's taut profile, and he suddenly remembered that this kid was also surnamed Xiao.

Gu Changge's heart skipped a beat.

This kid, bearing deep blood feuds since childhood, with his Aptitude crippled, yet in a desperate situation, he met him, a "Master," who restored his hidden War God Body... Wasn't this the classic opening for a Trash-to-hero protagonist?!

Deep hatred was there, crippled Aptitude was there, meeting a Master was there, a hidden Physique was there... all the elements were perfectly complete.

Gu Changge couldn't help but scan Xiao Ruobai with his Eye of Illusory Breaking again. The golden battle Qi within the young man, though faint, was like a spark buried in ashes, subtly hinting at a prairie fire.

He suddenly had a headache.

He just wanted to Cultivate peacefully on Zizhu Peak, how did he end up taking a Disciple who was possibly a protagonist?

Never mind, never mind.

Gu Changge shook his head, casting this worry aside.

So what if he's a protagonist?

On his Zizhu Peak, he had to abide by his rules.

If this kid really caused trouble one day... with his unrivaled strength in this realm, couldn't he suppress it?

"Third, and most important."

Gu Changge shed his nonchalant expression, tapping his fingertip lightly on the armrest of the bamboo chair, his gaze fixed on Xiao Ruobai's tense shoulders and back.

"No matter how much your Cultivation improves in the future, remember to conceal your sharpness and temper your edge."

Xiao Ruobai suddenly looked up, his eyes full of confusion.

In this Cultivation world where the strong prey on the weak, wasn't strength the Foundation of survival?

Should he hide it and continue to suffer humiliation?

Gu Changge saw through his thoughts, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"Don't think that strong strength allows you to act recklessly. A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind, especially when your Foundation is unstable; being overly ostentatious will only invite disaster."

He picked up a spiritual fruit, intending to toss it to Xiao Ruobai, but after thinking about it, he took out an ordinary spiritual fruit instead and threw it to Xiao Ruobai.

The spiritual fruit Gu Changge was currently eating was a flat peach; with Xiao Ruobai's current strength, even a single bite would probably be too much for him to bear.

Watching the young man instinctively catch it, he continued.

"In your future Cultivation, revealing thirty percent of your strength in front of others is enough. Always leave yourself some leeway and prepare several backup plans."

"Even if you encounter an opponent weaker than you, you must think about how to escape 'if you unexpectedly capsize in a ditch.' Remember, only by enduring can you live long."

Xiao Ruobai clutched the cold spiritual fruit, his knuckles slightly white.

Although he didn't understand why Master valued "concealment" so much, he could feel the solemnity in the words, and he nodded solemnly: "Disciple has noted it."

Gu Changge looked at his serious expression, then suddenly thought of something, a hint of slyness flashing in his eyes, like a fox that had stolen a chicken.

He beckoned to Xiao Ruobai, lowering his voice, with a hint of mysterious excitement.

"Disciple, come closer."

Xiao Ruobai stepped forward as instructed. As he bent down, he heard Master whisper.

"Let me tell you a secret — on the surface, your Master is in the Early Stage of Core Formation Realm, but actually, I've already reached the Middle Stage of Core Formation Realm..."