30: Chapter 30 A Sudden Change in the Weather: An Invitation to the Central Plains Sword Sect's Dao Discussion Conference!

The morning mist at the bottom of Guhan Cliff had yet to disperse, with wisps of milky white vapor coiling around the warm, smooth jade stones.

Beneath a large, black fox-fur cloak, Gu Yi slowly opened his eyes.

On his left was his Revered Master, Fei Yuechan, whose aura was unfathomable yet permeated with warmth and softness; on his right was the aloof Senior Sister Mu Qingxue, curled up like an obedient young deer.

This absurd yet extremely harmonious night had left the Origin of the Creation Immortal Body within Gu Yi filled to an unprecedented degree, to the point where even his breaths carried a hint of the Dao's resonance.

"Dong——"

A dull, distant, and extremely heavy bell toll pierced through layers of Formation and the dense fog at the bottom of the cliff, reverberating in Gu Yi's ears.

Immediately after, "Dong——Dong——"

The bell tolled continuously, ringing a full nine times. These nine tolls seemed to carry a magical power capable of piercing the Soul, causing the entire Sect-protecting Formation of the Xuantian Sect to ripple with layers of golden waves.

Inside the fox-fur cloak, Fei Yuechan, who had been fast asleep, instantly opened her eyes.

The lingering sleepiness and laziness in her beautiful eyes vanished completely in a tenth of an instant, replaced by a sharpness and gravity resembling ten-thousand-year black ice.

"It is the Sect's Nine Dragon General-Gathering Bell."

Fei Yuechan sat up directly from Gu Yi's arm, and the formidable True Qi of a Soul Transformation Stage expert instantly circulated throughout her body.

In just one breath's time, the ice-blue moon-patterned long dress that had been scattered on the ground was already neatly worn on her body.

The majesty of the Lanyue Peak Revered Master, aloof and inviolable, once again shrouded her like a tangible force, as if the little woman who had coyly compromised under the fox-fur cloak last night had never existed at all.

Watching her execute this seamless "face-changing" skill, a hint of hidden amusement flashed in the depths of Gu Yi's eyes.

His Revered Master's ability to put on airs in front of others was truly mastered to perfection.

On the other side, Senior Sister Mu Qingxue was also awakened by the bell. She likewise quickly donned her flowing cloud-white long dress and re-hung her white jade sword at her waist.

However, when her gaze touched Gu Yi, this peerless Sword Cultivator, who had just broken through from the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul, felt an uncontrollable, incredibly charming crimson flush spread across her fair earlobes. She hurriedly averted her gaze and obediently stood behind Fei Yuechan.

"Sect Head Senior Brother has struck the Nine Dragon General-Gathering Bell; something major must have happened to the Sect."

Fei Yuechan's gaze swept over Gu Yi, her tone returning to its usual cold and dignified key, "Gu Yi, your period of confinement and punishment is temporarily suspended. Quickly tidy yourself up and accompany your Revered Master to the Shuangyue Great Hall for a meeting."

After saying this, she waved her large sleeve, and a beam of ice-blue Spiritual Qi enveloped the three of them, breaking through the barrier at the bottom of Guhan Cliff and heading straight for the main Peak of the Xuantian Sect.

Inside the Shuangyue Great Hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt as if it could drip water.

The Xuantian Sect Leader, Xuanjizi, clad in purple-gold Daoist robes, was pacing back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back. On the white jade chairs on both sides of the hall, the Peak Revered Masters of the other branches and the Enforcement Elders were already seated, with expressions of impending doom on everyone's faces.

Accompanied by a cool breeze sweeping across the hall doors, Fei Yuechan entered the hall with Gu Yi and Senior Sister Mu Qingxue.

Just as the three of them stepped into the hall, Sect Head Xuanjizi's footsteps came to a sudden halt, his gaze locked firmly onto Fei Yuechan, who was walking at the very front.

It wasn't just the Sect Head; the Elders who had been sitting on both sides also gasped in unison, almost all standing up from their seats at the same time. Their eyes were filled with disbelief and deep reverence.

"Junior Sister Fei... not only has the cold poison in your body been cured, but this aura..."

Xuanjizi's fingers, which were clutching a horsetail whisk, trembled slightly, his voice filled with unconcealable ecstasy, "You have broken through to the Soul Transformation Stage?!"

Once these words were spoken, the entire hall became so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.

Fei Yuechan's expression was indifferent; she nodded slightly and, without any hesitation, revealed the vast pressure belonging to a Soul Transformation Stage expert within the hall for a brief moment.

"It was a matter of Opportunity; I had a sudden realization last night and luckily crossed that threshold."

Her voice was cold and steady, without the slightest ripple.

But the Elders present all knew very well what the birth of a Soul Transformation Stage expert meant for the Xuantian Sect.

This meant that the Xuantian Sect's status in the Central Plains cultivation world would undergo a qualitative leap; this was truly a heaven-shaking joyous event capable of shocking the entire Righteous Path Alliance!

Xuanjizi threw his head back and laughed three times, repeating "Good" several times.

After everyone had returned to their seats, the ecstasy on Xuanjizi's face gradually faded, replaced by a deep sense of worry.

He waved his large sleeve, and a golden Jade Slip emitting a dense Geng Metal Sword Qi floated in the center of the hall.

"Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters, the reason I struck the General-Gathering Bell today is that the situation at the border has changed. This Jade Slip is an urgent secret letter sent by the Central Plains Sword Sect this morning via a Ten-Thousand-Mile Flying Sword."

Xuanjizi looked around, his tone heavy as he spoke: "The Demonic Path is rampant. As the leader of the Righteous Path, the Central Plains Sword Sect has decided to hold a 'Dao Discussion Assembly' in Sword King City next month. Nominally, it is for the younger generation of various Sects to spar and discuss the Dao, but in reality, it is to consolidate the strength of all parties and form an anti-Demonic Alliance. At the same time, it is also a silent contest for the major Sects to display their foundations."

Speaking up to this point, Xuanjizi's gaze fell upon Fei Yuechan, a hint of contemplation flashing in his eyes.

"In previous Dao Discussion Assemblies, a Peak Revered Master was always responsible for leading the team. I originally intended to have Junior Sister Fei lead the team to Sword King City. However... Junior Sister Fei has now broken through to the Soul Transformation Stage and is a strategic asset of our Xuantian Sect. According to the rules of the cultivation world, Soul Transformation Stage experts cannot easily interfere in the conflicts of the younger generation; they need to sit in the Sect to deter those Demonic Path scoundrels lurking in the shadows."

Fei Yuechan nodded slightly, agreeing with the Sect Head's concerns. Once a Soul Transformation Stage expert takes action, it is a Sect-exterminating level war. Going to participate in a Dao Discussion Assembly for the younger generation would indeed be beneath her status and a waste of talent.

"Since Junior Sister needs to hold down the fort, then this position of team leader..."

Xuanjizi's gaze swept over the young Disciples in the hall, and finally, it rested steadily on Gu Yi.

At this moment, although Gu Yi was trying his best to restrain his aura, his profound foundation, having just broken through to the Peak of the Golden Core Stage, was still as dazzling as a torch in the dark night to an old Nascent Soul monster like Xuanjizi.

A bright light of surprise flashed in Xuanjizi's eyes. He looked at this Genius Disciple who had once almost been severely punished for "secretly meeting a demonic woman," stroked his beard, and praised: "Gu Yi, your cultivation... has actually reached the Peak of the Golden Core Stage?! It seems that your confinement at Guhan Cliff not only did not make you decadent but instead allowed you to break through and rebuild."

Gu Yi stepped forward, performed a respectful Daoist salute, and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: "It is entirely due to my Revered Master's proper guidance. This Disciple has been reflecting day and night at the bottom of the cliff and has gained some insights."

This phrase "proper guidance" sounded like respect for one's Revered Master to others, but to Fei Yuechan and Senior Sister Mu Qingxue, it caused both of them to stiffen imperceptibly, a hidden blush spreading deep into their earlobes.

Xuanjizi made a prompt decision, took a purple jade token representing the team leader's status from his sleeve, flicked his wrist, and the token turned into a stream of light, landing steadily in Gu Yi's hand.

"Gu Yi, hear my order! Given your improved cultivation and steady Heart-Nature, I hereby appoint you as the chief team leader for this mission to the Central Plains Sword Sect! Senior Sister Mu Qingxue has impressive cultivation, so she shall accompany you as the deputy team leader to assist in managing the accompanying Disciples. You must display the might of our Xuantian Sect at this Dao Discussion Assembly; you must not tarnish the Sect's reputation!"

Gu Yi held the warm purple jade token, a calm smile curling the corner of his lips, and accepted the order in a clear voice.

The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.

At nightfall, in the main hall of Lanyue Peak.

The cold moonlight shone through the carved window lattices, casting a layer of silver frost on the floor covered with top-grade warm jade. A faint scent of calming incense permeated the hall.

Fei Yuechan was wearing a thin, moon-white silk nightgown, sitting cross-legged on a soft couch. Although her eyes were closed, her slightly trembling eyelashes revealed the unrest in her heart at this moment.

A trace of extremely subtle Spiritual Qi fluctuation flashed outside the window.

Immediately after, the window with a defensive Formation capable of withstanding a blow from a Nascent Soul Stage expert was pushed open silently, as if it were non-existent.

A tall, upright figure slid into the hall like a ghost and closed the window behind him.

"Your courage is growing larger and larger."

Fei Yuechan did not open her eyes. Her cold, clear voice rang out in the empty hall, carrying a hint of majesty, "Tomorrow you are to lead the team to depart for the Central Plains Sword Sect. With such a long journey ahead, why are you not returning to your own Immortal Cave to properly meditate and recharge? Why are you sneaking into my bedchamber in the middle of the night?"

Gu Yi chuckled.

He didn't even hide his footsteps, walking straight to the soft couch and sitting down beside Fei Yuechan without ceremony. An extremely aggressive pure Yang Qi instantly enveloped Fei Yuechan.

"This Disciple is setting out on a long journey tomorrow, and this trip will take at least several months. The mountains are high and the road is long; this Disciple truly misses his Revered Master, so naturally, I have come to 'pay the public grain'... cough, to bid you farewell."

Gu Yi said this with righteous confidence, and extremely dangerous flames danced in his deep eyes.

Fei Yuechan opened her eyes and glared at him fiercely, and two blushes instantly flew onto her cold, beautiful face.

"You foul-mouthed little beast! Is the foundation of your Creation Immortal Body a bottomless pit? We just... last night at the bottom of Guhan Cliff, and you dare to come and cause trouble again today!"

Although she was scolding him, her Soul Transformation Stage True Qi was obediently tucked away in her Dantian, and she did not launch any substantial counterattack against Gu Yi.

Gu Yi reached out and wrapped his arms around her slender, supple waist, and with a slight tug, he pulled this aloof Soul Transformation Stage expert into his embrace.

"Is Revered Master feeling sorry for this Disciple?"

Gu Yi lowered his head, his scorching breath spraying onto Fei Yuechan's fair neck, "Those Sword Cultivators at the Central Plains Sword Sect are all thorns, and the Demonic Path is even more sinister and cunning. This journey is extremely dangerous; if this Disciple doesn't absorb a little more 'guidance' from Revered Master, how can I have the confidence to deter the heroes?"

Fei Yuechan was amused by his fallacious arguments.

She extended her white jade-like finger and tapped gently on Gu Yi's solid chest. The coldness in her eyes melted completely, turning into a pool of glistening autumn water.

"Slick-tongued. When you go to the Central Plains, remember to be careful in everything and do not force yourself. If you encounter an old monster that even you cannot handle..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Gu Yi's kiss had already landed domineeringly, sealing all her exhortations and worries.

The calming incense in the hall was gradually replaced by an amorous atmosphere.

The moonlight hid behind the clouds. The gauze curtains on the soft couch swayed gently without wind. In this quiet night, there were only a few deliberately suppressed soft cries and heavy panting.

The next morning.

On the square outside the Xuantian Sect's mountain gate, it was bustling with noise.

A huge Spiritual Qi flying boat, a hundred zhang long and engraved with countless profound defensive Formations, was floating quietly in mid-air. The deck of the flying boat was filled with elite Disciples who had been selected to go to the Dao Discussion Assembly.

Fei Yuechan stood on the white jade steps at the highest point of the square.

Today, she had changed into a complex palace dress symbolizing her status as a Peak Revered Master, wrapping her perfect figure tightly. Her whole person exuded an aloof and inviolable supreme majesty, and one could not see even a hint of the tenderness from the soft couch last night.

"This trip to the Central Plains concerns the hundred-year reputation of our Xuantian Sect. All your actions must follow the orders of the team leader, Gu Yi. Those who disobey orders will be severely punished according to the Sect rules!"

Fei Yuechan's cold, clear voice spread across the entire square, shocking the minds of every Disciple.

Her gaze slowly swept across the crowd and finally landed on Gu Yi, who was standing at the very front of the team. Their gazes met briefly in mid-air.

Gu Yi understood the worry and attachment hidden deep in her eyes beneath her majesty.

He smiled slightly, clenched his right hand into a fist against his chest, and performed an impeccable Sect salute to Fei Yuechan on the high platform.

"This Disciple accepts the order and will definitely not tarnish the Sect's reputation!"

Beside Gu Yi, Senior Sister Mu Qingxue wore white clothes that were whiter than snow, with a white jade sword on her back. She did not look at her Revered Master on the high platform; her clear eyes were fixed unblinkingly on Gu Yi's profile, her eyes full of obedience and submissiveness.

"Board the ship, depart!"

Gu Yi turned around, waved his large sleeve, and was the first to step onto the flowing light staircase leading to the flying boat.

Accompanied by a deafening roar of the Formation, the huge flying boat slowly rose into the air, breaking through layers of clouds and turning into a brilliant meteor, speeding towards the direction of the Central Plains Sword Sect.