220: Top-tier cattle and horses Gu Yun

Meanwhile.

Undercurrents were already surging in the outside world.

Rumors about the mysterious overnight destruction of the Lin Clan had already spread to every corner of the Spirit Realm.

“Have you heard? The Lin Clan is gone! Every last member, not a single one left!”

“How is that possible? The Lin Clan is an Immortal Emperor Clan with a Great Emperor presiding over it. Who could have wiped them out so silently?”

“It’s absolutely true! I have a distant relative who lives near the Lin Clan’s territory. He said that when he passed by a few days ago, the entire Lin Clan ancestral land was dead silent, without even a gatekeeper.”

“Could it be a blood feud? But the Lin Clan has acted cautiously over the years; I haven’t heard of them offending any major figures.”

By the third day, the news had reached the Demon State.

In restaurants, teahouses, and on street corners, countless Cultivators were discussing it fervently, yet no one knew the truth.

Three days later.

Outside Eternal Night City.

Atop a lonely peak, surrounded by swirling clouds and mist.

Huan Ying and Shen Youye each clung to one of Cao Bu's arms, their eyes filled with reluctance to part.

“Cao Bu, can't you stay for a few more days?” Huan Ying pressed her face against his shoulder, her voice soft and sweet.

Shen Youye also softly persuaded him, “Huan Ying is right. I’ve already arranged everything with the Chamber of Commerce. Why don't you stay a bit longer? It would also give me more time to search for more yin yang jade.”

Cao Bu looked at the two women's longing expressions, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth. “Sure, then let’s go back to the Time Wheel Emperor Palace right now and... continue?”

Upon hearing this, both women's faces paled in alarm, and they simultaneously retreated several steps.

“You beast!”

They scolded him in unison, though a rosy flush crept onto their cheeks.

Cao Bu spread his hands and laughed. “See? I want to stay, but you aren't willing.”

Huan Ying and Shen Youye glanced at each other, both seeing the helplessness and embarrassment in the other's eyes.

Although only three days had passed in the outside world, the time flow within the Time Wheel Emperor Palace was different; they had spent a full three hundred days inside.

During those days, they were nearly tormented to the point of falling apart by this bastard Cao Bu, and he actually wanted to continue?

“Go on, just go.”

In the end, it was Shen Youye who waved her hand.

Huan Ying hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice, “Cao Bu, once you leave this time, you won't just not come back, will you?”

Cao Bu reached out and ruffled the top of her hair, smiling. “Didn't I tell you to keep collecting yin yang jade for me? Once you're ready, I'll naturally come to collect it.”

Pausing, he said seriously, “Rest assured, since you are my, Cao Bu's, women, you will be for a lifetime. No matter where you are, I will always return.”

Hearing this, the two women felt slightly more at ease.

Just as they were about to say something more.

A thought was transmitted directly into Cao Bu's Sea of Consciousness through the ten thousand fragrances paying homage to the phoenix diagram:

“Cao Bu, the Yin Hour Yang Day is next month. Return quickly!”

It was Su Li's voice, cold yet carrying a hint of urgency.

A look of joy appeared on Cao Bu's face, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, three years had actually passed.

The time had finally come.

He immediately said to Huan Ying and Shen Youye, “Alright, I really must go now.”

“Be careful with everything in the Demon State. If anything happens, contact me through the ten thousand fragrances paying homage to the phoenix diagram at any time.”

Under their reluctant gazes, Cao Bu reached out and made a slicing motion.

Space tore open, revealing the pitch-black and deep Void Realm turbulence behind it.

He turned and stepped into it, his robes snapping in the turbulent flow.

The rift slowly closed, and the last trace of his silhouette disappeared from the mountaintop.

Looking at the now empty peak, both women sighed softly at the same time.

Huan Ying suddenly nudged Shen Youye with her elbow and grumbled, “Bad woman, stealing my man.”

After saying that, she turned and left, her blood-red hair rising in the wind.

Shen Youye shouted at her back, huffing, “Who stole whom? He’s the one who provoked me first! You’re the bad woman!”

...Half a day later.

Inside the Scholarly Fragrance Courtyard.

Su Li had dismissed all the Maidservants and guards.

Dressed in red, she stood beneath an ancient tree in the courtyard, looking up at the mottled light and shadows filtering through the branches.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned around.

Cao Bu pushed open the door and entered, looking travel-worn.

“How is it?” he asked, getting straight to the point.

Su Li nodded and flicked her sleeve, causing a screen of light to unfold before her.

The light screen revealed the image of a towering, massive mountain.

The mountain was inverted, its peak pointing downward and piercing into the sea of clouds—a truly magnificent sight.

“The Formation has been properly arranged.” Su Li pointed to the light screen and said, “The eye of the Two Extremes Sun Moon Gathering Formation is set at the peak of Inverted Mountain.”

“I have already ordered The Black and White Elders to guard it day and night; nothing will go wrong.”

“Inverted Mountain.” Cao Bu narrowed his eyes. “The place where Gu Qingtian achieved Ascension back then?”

“Correct.” Su Li nodded. “Inverted Mountain is the highest peak in the Spirit Realm. Its inverted shape is itself a miraculous Formation formed by the heaven and earth. Setting the Two Extremes Sun Moon Gathering Formation here can maximize the convergence of Yin and Yang Spiritual Qi from the entire Spirit Realm, increasing its effectiveness by at least thirty percent.”

Cao Bu walked forward and gently pulled her into his arms. “With you arranging things, I can save a lot of worry.”

Su Li leaned against his chest, the unique scent on him lingering around her nose.

She looked up, her eyes shimmering with a hint of mischief. “Then how should you thank me?”

Cao Bu curled his lips and whispered into her ear, “One day, two days, three days... ten days, or a year? Take your pick.”

Su Li's face paled, and she quickly reached out to cover his mouth, scolding, “Don't! Ten days is enough! A year? Do you want me to die in bed?”

Cao Bu let out a low laugh and suddenly swept her up in his arms.

“Ah!”

Su Li gave a soft cry, her hands instinctively wrapping around his neck.

Cao Bu strode toward the stone table in the courtyard and gently placed her on it.

The table was cold, and Su Li couldn't help but shiver slightly.

“Then let’s start with today.”

Ten days later.

Inside Su Li's bedroom.

While tidying his robes, Cao Bu looked at Su Li, who was applying makeup nearby. “By the way, has Gu Yun's whereabouts been found?”

Su Li was drawing her eyebrows in the mirror and didn't stop her movements upon hearing this. “Found him.”

“Three days ago, he entered the Youming Abyss Secret Realm, seemingly searching for something.”

“My people have been following from a distance, not daring to get too close.”

Cold light flashed in Cao Bu's eyes. “He is looking for the Essence Blood left behind by Jun Muqing. Have your people keep a close watch, but remember, don't let the Jun Muqing within him notice.”

Su Li put down the eyebrow pencil, turned around, and said calmly, “Don't worry.”

“I placed three layers of Restrictions on Aunt Xue, one of which is the Heaven-Deceiving Restriction I learned from an ancient Incomplete Manual.”

“Set with my current cultivation, it’s impossible for Jun Muqing to discover it unless she recovers to her peak state.”

“That’s good.” Cao Bu walked to the window and looked out at the distant sea of clouds. “Once Jun Muqing begins Undergoing Tribulation, we will intercept her.”

Su Li stood up and walked behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her cheek against his back. “I see. The reason you didn't kill Gu Yun back then was that you wanted him to work for you for free, helping you find the Essence Blood needed to reconstruct Jun Muqing's Physical Body.”

Her voice was gentle, yet it hit the mark perfectly.

Cao Bu turned around and gently hooked his finger under her chin. “You're right.”

“I indeed have a trump card that can kill Gu Yun, but that thing has a time limit.”

“If Gu Yun fails to help Jun Muqing recover her Physical Body within a hundred days, I would have to go find the Essence Blood myself.”

He paused and sneered, “Thinking it over, it’s better to let him do the searching.”

“We only need to send people to watch him. Once he has painstakingly gathered everything, we’ll just step in and reap the rewards. Isn't that much easier?”

“As for him personally.” A flash of killing intent passed through Cao Bu's eyes. “The day Jun Muqing's Physical Body is reconstructed will be the day he dies.”

Su Li nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly asked again, “What about Gu Feng? How long do you plan to keep him?”

She looked up and said seriously, “Leng Yue's current attitude clearly shows she no longer views him as her son.”

“You could perhaps take action now, and then before Elder Sister finishes her secluded cultivation, Leng Yue and I can help you truly take the position of Gu Clan Clan Chief.”

Cao Bu rubbed his chin, lost in thought for a long time.

Ultimately, he shook his head. “No rush. I still need the emperor bone on him.”

He extended his palm, and a golden rune appeared in his palm.

As the rune rotated, the faint sound of a howling hurricane could be heard.

“This is the Emperor Art I comprehended from that piece of emperor bone, called the Wind God Leg. It can be said that with one kick, ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers will shatter. Its power is truly astonishing.”

Su Li realized, “You want to keep him around, wait for his emperor bone to continue growing, and then slowly extract its value?”

“Correct.” Cao Bu put away the rune, a calculating look flashing in his eyes. “Once he has no more value...”

He didn't finish his sentence, but the chill in his words was self-evident.

“Alright, I’m leaving now.” Cao Bu planted a kiss on her forehead. “Notify me immediately if there’s any movement from Gu Yun’s side.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the courtyard, his figure soon disappearing into the morning mist.