39: This is just a small token of my appreciation!

The wooden doors of the attic slid open silently to both sides, and a cold, ethereal female voice, devoid of any worldly aura, drifted out from within.

"Come in."

Gu Changsheng felt a jolt in his heart. He bowed deeply toward the attic before leading Li Yan, who was behind him, and stepped inside.

Inside the attic, incense smoke curled, and the Spiritual Qi was so dense it had almost solidified. In the center, on a prayer mat, Wen Yuechan sat cross-legged, dressed in white.

Her aura was even more profound and vast than it had been over a year ago, with faint spiritual light circulating around her body, clearly indicating that her cultivation had advanced once more.

Gu Changsheng did not dare to look too much and bowed again.

"Disciple Gu Changsheng greets Senior Sister Wen."

He kept his posture extremely low, every movement exuding genuine respect and humility.

"What is it?"

Wen Yuechan did not open her eyes, merely uttering these two words coldly, as if saying even one more word would be a waste.

Gu Changsheng was already accustomed to her coldness and went straight to the point. He turned to the side and pulled Li Yan, who had been hiding behind him with a pale face and looking nervous enough to cry, in front of him.

"Reporting to Senior Sister, while I was down the mountain executing a Sect mission, I encountered a child in Yunhe Commandery who is exceptionally intelligent and possesses excellent bone structure. Not daring to keep her for myself, I have brought her back to offer to you, Senior Sister, hoping she may add to the strength of our Hundred Herbs Peak."

Upon hearing the four words "excellent bone structure," Wen Yuechan's statue-like figure finally underwent a subtle change. She slowly opened her eyes.

What cold eyes they were, appearing to contain ten thousand years of black ice, freezing any emotion within them instantly.

Her gaze did not fall on Li Yan at first, but instead passed over the trembling little girl and fixed directly onto Gu Changsheng's face.

It was a pure, emotionless scrutiny that pierced through to the heart.

"One who offers favors without a reason is either a traitor or a thief."

Under this gaze, Gu Changsheng even slowed his breathing, yet his heart remained completely calm.

He had already anticipated this moment. There are no benefits in this world without cause; to obtain a reward, one must first demonstrate sufficient value.

Wen Yuechan's gaze lingered on Gu Changsheng for a full three breaths. Confirming that he showed no guilt or abnormality, she slowly shifted her gaze to Li Yan.

Her vast Divine Sense, like an invisible tide, gently yet irresistibly enveloped Li Yan.

In just an instant.

On Wen Yuechan's eternally frozen, jade-like face, a flash of uncontrollable emotion suddenly appeared. Immediately following, that emotion transformed into undisguised surprise and fervor!

"High Grade Spiritual Root!"

Her voice was no longer cold; instead, it held a faint, subtle tremor due to excitement.

"Gu Changsheng, you have done very well!"

Wen Yuechan stood up, her lotus steps moving lightly, and arrived in front of Li Yan in an instant.

She extended a finger, crystalline like jade, and gently tapped Li Yan's brow. A gentle flow of magical power entered, instantly soothing all of the little girl's fear.

"From this day forth, you are my, Wen Yuechan's, Named Disciple."

She said this to Li Yan, but her gaze turned toward Gu Changsheng.

This True Disciple of Hundred Herbs Peak was clearly in an excellent mood. She waved her jade hand.

A green jade bottle and an ancient-looking Jade Slip transformed into two streaks of light, hovering steadily in front of Gu Changsheng.

"You have found such a talent for me; you deserve a reward."

Wen Yuechan's voice regained some of its coldness, but the satisfaction contained within could not be hidden.

"Inside the bottle are thirty peiyuan pills. Within this Jade Slip is a Cultivation Technique called the 'Azure Origin Sword Art'. Although it is not a technique of our Hundred Herbs Peak, it is a top-tier killing sword art, sufficient for you to Cultivate until Foundation Establishment."

Gu Changsheng's heart shook violently.

Thirty peiyuan pills! This was no small fortune; it was enough to support his Cultivation until the Middle Stage or even Late Stage of Qi Refining!

What moved him even more was that 'Azure Origin Sword Art'!

The 'Withered Wood Meets Spring Scripture' he Cultivated was good for endurance but weak in offense. His battle with the Black Snake Recluse had exposed this shortcoming. He was just worrying about how to make up for it, and Wen Yuechan had delivered the perfect solution.

Borrowing a chicken to lay eggs—this deal was an absolute steal!

Gu Changsheng suppressed the wild joy in his heart, maintaining that just-right level of respect on his face. He extended both hands and solemnly stored the jade bottle and Jade Slip into his Storage Pouch.

"Many thanks for your generous reward, Senior Sister!"

He bowed deeply once more.

Wen Yuechan waved her hand, signaling that he could withdraw. Her entire focus had been completely captivated by Li Yan, this unpolished gem.

Having achieved his goal, Gu Changsheng did not linger for a moment. After bowing, he quietly retreated from the attic.

Having gotten rid of Li Yan, that "hot potato," and exchanged her for a reward far exceeding his expectations, his mood was unprecedentedly buoyant.

He walked down the stone steps of Hundred Herbs Peak with a light step. However, he did not return to his Immortal Cave located in the Ding-grade area.

Seclusion? Not yet.

Getting the resources was only the first step. How to convert these resources into his own strength in the safest and most efficient way was the key.

Gu Changsheng, familiar with the route, turned and headed straight toward the deacon's residence on another peak.

There, another greedy fat man was waiting for him.

A moment later, he arrived in front of Zhang Ling's courtyard gate.

Gu Changsheng raised his hand and knocked gently on the gate.

With a creak, the gate opened, and Zhang Ling's face, packed with fat, poked out. When he saw that the visitor was Gu Changsheng, a shocking gleam instantly erupted in his small eyes.

The moment Zhang Ling saw Gu Changsheng, the fat on his face crinkled into a blooming chrysanthemum, his enthusiasm almost enough to melt a person.

"Oh! Junior Brother Gu! You've finally returned!"

He grabbed Gu Changsheng's arm and dragged him into the courtyard without a word, his posture as if he had just seen his long-lost father.

"I have been waiting day and night, hoping for your safe return, Junior Brother!"

Gu Changsheng let himself be dragged into the house. He reached back into his Storage Pouch, took out a small bag containing ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and slipped it into Zhang Ling's hand without leaving a trace.

He said calmly.

"Many thanks for your help last time; a small token, not much to speak of."

As soon as Zhang Ling's hand touched the heavy bag, the smile on his face became three parts more sincere. He quickly weighed it in his hand, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and felt completely reassured.

He understood Gu Changsheng's meaning in an instant.

These ten Spirit Stones were not a bribe, but a settlement of the favor for helping to secure the mission last time.

The favor was settled, but the "relationship" remained.

This Gu Changsheng was too well-versed in the rules! Dealing with such a person was worry-free and offered long-term benefits!

"Junior Brother, what are you doing! You are being too much of a stranger!"

Zhang Ling was polite with his words, but his hand moved with lightning speed, instantly stuffing the Spirit Stone bag into his bosom, then patted his chest firmly, swearing an oath.

"In the future, if you have any matters, Junior Brother, just ask! As long as it is within this Taiqing Sect, there is nothing I cannot handle!"

Gu Changsheng exchanged pleasantries with the fat man. Having confirmed the stability of this connection, he did not stay any longer and rose to take his leave.