376: Chapter 377 Your Master Needs to Go into Seclusion for a While!

The two exited the main hall, and the heavy stone door slowly closed behind them, emitting a dull, grating sound.

Nangong Zili did not stop, leading Ling Xiaotang straight towards the end of the corridor, the afterglow of her Wash-Purple Silk fluttering slightly around her, like a thin layer of purple mist.

"Revered Master... that Phoenix Gu the Sect Leader mentioned just now..." Ling Xiaotang followed behind her Revered Master, speaking cautiously.

"It is only ten years; it is worth the wait." Nangong Zili's tone was indifferent, but her pace was a few notches faster than usual, as if she did not wish to linger on this topic.

Ling Xiaotang opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed her words.

She couldn't shake the feeling that her Revered Master's state today was very off, though she couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

It was an extremely subtle change—the tone of her Revered Master's voice, the speed of her gait, and even the frequency of her breathing all had subtle differences from the past.

It was like... like a lazy, carefree cat that had suddenly become alert, constantly guarding against everything around it.

The two exited the corridor and arrived at a wide plaza.

Around the plaza were planted several tall, blood-colored banyan trees, with dense clusters of Gu sacs hanging between their branches.

Nangong Zili activated the Wash-Purple Silk, wrapping it around Ling Xiaotang, and turned into a streak of purple light, speeding towards the northwest of the Sect.

Not long after, the two landed at the entrance of the Myriad Gu Cave.

"Granny Hua." Nangong Zili cupped her hands in a salute.

The old woman slowly opened her eyes, which were murky with a hint of scarlet, and swept a glance over the two, her voice dry and hoarse: "You have arrived."

Nangong Zili nodded, took an exquisite jade box from her sleeve, and presented it with both hands: "The Sect Leader has ordered that I collect the Heart-Devouring Gu for my unworthy Disciple. This is the Sect Leader's warrant."

She simultaneously produced a black token engraved with the Five Gu Sect mark and presented it as well.

The old woman took the token and the jade box, her murky gaze lingering on the token for a moment, and after confirming it was correct, she nodded slightly.

She raised a withered, thin finger and lightly traced it across the surface of the stone door.

The stone door silently opened a crack, and a cold, sinister Qi surged out from the gap, accompanied by the low buzzing sound of countless Gu insects.

The old woman handed the jade box back to Nangong Zili: "Go ahead. The Heart-Devouring Gu is in the twelfth cave; collect it yourself."

Nangong Zili took the jade box and, with Ling Xiaotang, stepped into the stone door.

Ling Xiaotang followed behind her Revered Master, curiously observing her surroundings. Although she had grown up in the Five Gu Sect since childhood, this was her first time entering a Forbidden Ground like the Myriad Gu Cave.

The stone walls on both sides were densely embedded with countless jade compartments, and in each compartment lay a Gu insect quietly, each with a different shape and colorful appearance.

The two walked along the stone steps for about the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, arriving at a relatively spacious stone chamber.

In the center of the stone chamber stood a black stone platform half a person's height, upon which were placed a dozen jade boxes, each engraved with a number.

Nangong Zili stood before the stone platform, her gaze sweeping over the jade boxes, and she quickly found the one marked with the number "Twelve."

She reached out to pick it up and opened the lid to take a look—inside lay a thumb-sized Gu insect, jet-black and shimmering with a ghostly light, curled into a ball and emitting a faint, chilling aura.

"This is the one." Nangong Zili closed the lid and turned to look at Ling Xiaotang.

The young girl was standing behind her, waiting obediently, her clear, bright eyes filled with both curiosity and a trace of nervousness.

She looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, with a petite figure, a fair and delicate oval face, curved eyebrows, red lips, and white teeth; standing amidst the eerie green Gu light, she resembled a freshly bloomed white camellia.

Nangong Zili looked at the Disciple she had raised with her own hands, and a complex emotion suddenly welled up in her heart.

She steadied herself, handed the jade box to Ling Xiaotang, and spoke in a rare, gentle tone:

"Xiao Tang, with this Heart-Devouring Gu, your 'Thousand Threads' Divine Ability can reach Major Achievement. By then, even if you encounter a Cultivator at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, you will have the strength to fight."

Ling Xiaotang received the jade box with both hands, her eyes instantly lighting up, and a brilliant smile bloomed on her face: "Thank you, Revered Master!"

Nangong Zili watched her joyful expression, the corners of her lips curving slightly, before she immediately returned to her usual indifference.

She was silent for a few moments before slowly speaking:

"Xiao Tang, I am going to enter deep seclusion for a while."

Ling Xiaotang's smile froze slightly.

She raised her eyes to look at her Revered Master, and that flicker of unease in her heart surged up again. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but heard Nangong Zili continue:

"The affairs of Heavenly Spider Peak will be left to you to manage for the time being. If you encounter anything you cannot handle, you may go find Granny Hua or seek your Junior Martial Uncle Qin at the Hall of Affairs."

She paused, her tone indifferent: "During my period of seclusion, do not disturb me unless it is a matter of life and death."

The doubts in Ling Xiaotang's heart grew deeper and deeper.

She understood her Revered Master.

Her Revered Master's injuries were clearly more than half healed.

Ever since being treated by Ye Changge, her Revered Master's Qi had become steadier with each passing day; her hidden injuries had fully recovered, and her blood and Qi were abundant.

In such a state, there was simply no need for any deep seclusion.

What's more... Ling Xiaotang keenly sensed that her Revered Master's temperament seemed different from before.

On the road escaping back from the Zhao State, she had vaguely felt something was wrong.

If it were according to her Revered Master's usual temperament, she definitely would have chosen the shortcut that crosses through the Myriad Beast Mountain Range.

Although it was dangerous, with her Revered Master's Core Formation Stage strength and endless array of Gu insect methods, ordinary Tier 3 Yao Beasts could not stop her.

She had traveled that road more than once; she knew it well, and at most, she could return to the Yu Kingdom in seven days.

Yet this time, her Revered Master had chosen a long route that was nearly twice the distance. She had bypassed all areas that could potentially have risks, preferring to spend more time to ensure everything was foolproof.

Along the way, her Revered Master's expression had always carried a hint of... anxiety that she had never seen before.

As if she were in a rush.

And as if she were avoiding something.

Ling Xiaotang's thoughts churned.

She just obediently nodded, her voice crisp: "Alright, Revered Master, rest assured, leave it to Xiao Tang."

Nangong Zili looked at her obedient appearance, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

She reached out and gently rubbed the top of Ling Xiaotang's head, her movements a few notches softer than usual: "...Alright."

She did not say anything more and turned to walk up the stone steps. Ling Xiaotang held the jade box, following behind her Revered Master, and looking at that slender, graceful purple back, she couldn't help but feel that her Revered Master's footsteps were faster than when they arrived, as if she were in a hurry to do something.

After exiting the Myriad Gu Cave, Nangong Zili gave Ling Xiaotang a few instructions, then turned into a streak of purple light, flying straight towards Heavenly Spider Peak.

Heavenly Spider Peak, Peak Revered Master's Immortal Cave.

Nangong Zili's figure landed inside the Immortal Cave, and she casually activated layer upon layer of Restrictions. Purple spiritual light wove into a net around the Immortal Cave, completely isolating everything from the outside world.