72: Chapter 72 The True Purpose of the Two

The fake celebratory atmosphere in the banquet hall vanished in an instant. The air turned cold immediately.

Everyone's movements froze, and even their breathing slowed intentionally, as if afraid to disturb this dead silence.

The gazes of Pei Xiuyuan and Chu Jing, two Qi Refining Perfection Cultivators, converged into two invisible mountains, pressing heavily upon Gu Changsheng, filled with desperate pleas.

This was blatant moral kidnapping.

Using righteousness and the lives of countless Disciples to force him, this "Alchemist," to step forward and become a world-shaking savior.

Ridiculous.

Gu Changsheng's heart was indifferent. Saviors were the type of people who died the fastest.

He ignored those two gazes that were almost burning and didn't look at Chu Jing's face, which was twisted with pain and humiliation.

He simply extended his slender fingers and picked up the cup of spiritual tea in front of him, which had already turned slightly cool.

The warm, smooth sensation of the teacup traveled through his fingertips.

He brought the teacup to his lips, blew on the non-existent curling steam, and took a gentle sip.

This action was casual, yet filled with an unspeakable arrogance.

It silently declared: your despair and your anxiety have nothing to do with me. I, Gu Changsheng, have my own pace.

Pei Xiuyuan and Chu Jing's hearts sank abruptly with his action.

It's over.

This Genius Alchemist has a haughty temperament; he might be difficult to deal with.

At the very moment deeper despair welled up in their hearts, Gu Changsheng set down the teacup.

"Though the situation is dire, despair is the emotion a Cultivator should have the least."

His voice was flat, without a hint of ripple, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears, tearing a hole through the extremely oppressive atmosphere.

Pei Xiuyuan and Chu Jing snapped their heads up to look at him.

Gu Changsheng looked back at them; in those eyes as calm as an ancient well, there was no sympathy, no pity, only a pure, business-like scrutiny.

"Instead of sighing here, why don't you tell me what you need most right now."

These words made Pei Xiuyuan and Chu Jing feel like drowning men grasping at a final straw.

"Medicinal Pills! Master Gu, we urgently need healing Medicinal Pills!" Chu Jing rushed to speak, his voice somewhat distorted with excitement. "Especially Medicinal Pills that can neutralize Devilish Qi erosion! Many Disciples of my Zhenyue Sect have Devilish Qi in their bodies, and their spiritual power is stagnating. If this continues, their Foundations will be destroyed!"

"And Medicinal Pills to restore spiritual power!" Pei Xiuyuan hurriedly added. "Those Devilish Cultivators are fearless of death, their attacks are relentless. Our manpower has no chance to catch their breath, and spiritual power consumption is immense. We're relying entirely on Spirit Stones to hold on, but the Spirit Stones... are almost gone!"

Gu Changsheng listened quietly without interrupting.

After they finished speaking, he slowly reached out and lightly brushed his Storage Pouch.

With a flash of light, a snow-white jade bottle appeared in his palm.

He placed the jade bottle on the table and gave it a gentle push with his fingertip; the bottle slid steadily in front of Chu Jing.

"Inside are Qinglu Pills, which I refined in my spare time; the quality is acceptable."

His words were casual, as if he had only brought out a bottle of worthless candy.

"Though they aren't miracle Spirit Pills, they should be enough to neutralize mere Devilish Qi erosion and stabilize injuries."

Chu Jing's hand trembled as he picked up the jade bottle. He pulled out the stopper, and an elegant, vibrant medicinal fragrance instantly filled the entire banquet hall.

With just one sniff, he felt the cold Devilish Qi that had been lingering in his body like a maggot on a bone ease up.

"This... this is..." Chu Jing's eyes instantly turned red. He looked at Gu Changsheng, his lips trembling, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.

How was this just "acceptable quality"!

This medicinal fragrance is so mellow and the spiritual energy so pure—it is clearly a High Grade Medicinal Pill!

Behind him, Zhao Tuo, Zhou Tong, and the others were also holding their breath.

They looked at their Master Gu, feeling that his back, which wasn't particularly burly, now seemed incredibly tall.

A "spare-time creation" he produced at will was already of such quality. What would it be like if he exerted his full effort?

A massive wave surged in Zhou Tong's heart.

Seeing their shocked expressions, Gu Changsheng couldn't help but find it amusing; it really was something he had refined casually, and it wasn't even the best he could do—just average.

It seems Shuyu Sect has been on the front lines all these years and has suffered great losses.

"Thank you, Master Gu! Thank you, Master Gu!"

Chu Jing could no longer restrain himself; he stood up abruptly and was about to perform a full kowtow to Gu Changsheng.

"No need."

Gu Changsheng only uttered two words.

A soft but irresistible force appeared out of thin air, supporting Chu Jing's kneeling body so that he couldn't bow down no matter what.

Chu Jing was startled, and then deeper awe and gratitude appeared on his face.

"Rest assured, everyone." Gu Changsheng stood up and looked around the room. His calm gaze swept over everyone, putting their hearts at ease.

"Tonight, everyone rest well. Gather all the Spiritual Plants and medicinal materials you can find and deliver them to my residence."

"At the mao hour tomorrow, I will naturally open the furnace for Alchemy."

These words, like a heavenly Decree, struck everyone's hearts with unquestionable authority.

At the mao hour tomorrow!

Pei Xiuyuan and Chu Jing exchanged a look, both seeing wild joy in each other's eyes.

"We obey the Great Master's Decree!" Pei Xiuyuan and Chu Jing bowed together in a ninety-degree salute, their attitude respectful to the extreme.

"We obey the Great Master's Decree!"

In the banquet hall, whether they were Shuyu Sect Cultivators, Zhenyue Sect Disciples, or the Guard Squad Gu Changsheng had brought himself, everyone bowed in unison at this moment, their voices almost lifting the roof.

Gu Changsheng didn't say another word and turned to walk out of the hall.

"Fellow Daoist Pei, lead the way."

"Yes! Yes! Master Gu, this way please!" Pei Xiuyuan snapped out of it and hurriedly trotted after him, personally leading the way. His posture was even more respectful than it would be toward a Sect Elder.

Gu Changsheng's group left the banquet hall under countless reverent gazes.

Pei Xiuyuan led him to the deepest part of the City Lord's Mansion, to an independent and secluded courtyard.

The courtyard covered a vast area, complete with pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and flowing water.

Most importantly, a small Spirit Gathering Array was arranged in the center of the courtyard, making the concentration of Spiritual Qi here far exceed the outside world.

"Master Gu, this is the 'Listening to Rain Pavilion' prepared for you; it is the place with the most abundant Spiritual Qi in this city. Are you satisfied with it?" Pei Xiuyuan rubbed his hands, looking sycophantic.

Gu Changsheng just gave it a casual glance.

"It's acceptable."

He waved his hand.

"Withdraw. Without my permission, no one is allowed to step foot into this courtyard."

"Yes! We will absolutely not disturb the Great Master's secluded cultivation!" Pei Xiuyuan felt as if he had been granted a great reprieve and hurriedly led his people out, thoughtfully closing the courtyard gate.

The entire courtyard became quiet instantly.

Gu Changsheng walked into the courtyard, feeling the Spiritual Qi gathered by the Spirit Gathering Array.

It was indeed the best place in this city.

But he just twitched the corner of his mouth.

This bit of Spiritual Qi was more than ten times thinner than in his Immortal Cave at the Taiqing Sect's Hundred Herbs Peak.

He didn't rush into the room to rest but stood in the courtyard, and with a thought.

"Deduction: The real motives of the two at this banquet."

He directly consumed thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Pale gold text slowly emerged in his mind.