30: Guiding Gu Chuyan to cultivate demonic arts

Hearing him say this, the smile on Gu Chuyan's face deepened.

"Did Third Godmother not agree to your request?" Cao Bu guessed.

Gu Chuyan gave a soft "Mn" of acknowledgement, a trace of disappointment flashing in her eyes: "Third Mistress said my killing intent is too heavy. If I continue to Cultivate the Law of Slaughter, I will easily lose myself, so she advised me to give up."

Cao Bu frowned: "Sister Chuyan, you are only in the Dharma Body Realm, right? You are still three major Realms away from the World King Realm. Being in such a rush to comprehend Laws now will do your Cultivation no good."

His tone was sincere: "Even a Cultivation novice like me knows that if your Realm isn't high enough, forcing yourself to comprehend Laws will only drag down your Cultivation base. You should first find a way to Breakthrough to the Void Breaking Realm."

Gu Chuyan pursed her lips, her eyes stubborn: "Cultivation base can be improved slowly, but if I can comprehend Laws while in the Dharma Body Realm or even the Divine Power Realm, I will be able to fight against those of higher Realms!"

Cao Bu sighed: "But comprehending Laws is much harder than improving your Cultivation base."

This sentence left Gu Chuyan speechless for a moment, not knowing how to refute it.

Cao Bu added: "Besides, even if you truly comprehended a Law, with your strength in the Dharma Body Realm, it would be impossible to kill a World King."

He was implying something, and Gu Chuyan naturally understood.

In the entire Gu Clan, perhaps only Cao Bu knew that she wanted to kill Gu Yun.

"Think about it carefully yourself." Cao Bu did not try to persuade her further. He turned around, cupped his hands in a salute toward the courtyard, and said in a clear voice: "Third Godmother, Bu'er requests an audience!"

Before long, the courtyard gate opened with a "creak."

Aunt Xue stood at the entrance. Upon seeing Cao Bu, a gentle smile appeared on her face: "Steward Cao, is something the matter?"

Cao Bu nodded slightly, his tone respectful yet composed: "I have come to report some matters to Adoptive Mother."

Aunt Xue swept her gaze across his face, then stepped aside: "Please, come in."

Before stepping inside, Cao Bu looked back at Gu Chuyan and whispered: "Shall I put in a good word for you with Adoptive Mother?"

A flash of surprise crossed Gu Chuyan's eyes, and she quickly said: "Thank you, Brother Cao!"

Cao Bu nodded at her and strode into the courtyard.

Under Aunt Xue's guidance, he arrived at the reception hall in the outer courtyard.

Since he was here openly, he naturally could not enter the inner courtyard directly.

Even if he stepped inside by just half a step, rumors unfavorable to Su Li might spread tomorrow.

After all, even the family members Su Li brought with her could not enter or leave her inner courtyard at will. If Cao Bu could enter, the implications would be quite intriguing.

"Steward Cao, please wait a moment. I will go ask Young Miss to come over." After saying this, Aunt Xue turned and left.

Cao Bu was not in a rush; he leisurely picked up his teacup and began to sip the tea slowly.

Not long after, Su Li walked slowly into the hall.

Cao Bu immediately stood up and performed a standard salute: "Bu'er greets Adoptive Mother."

Su Li's expression was indifferent as she nodded slightly: "Bu'er, you came over today, is there something the matter?"

Cao Bu took out a list and presented it with both hands: "Reporting to Adoptive Mother, this is the budget list for the Succession Ceremony submitted by Ninth Elder. Please have a look."

Su Li took it and glanced at it: "Fifty million Spirit Crystals. Go to the Clan treasury and withdraw them."

After speaking, she casually tossed a token to Cao Bu.

Cao Bu took the token and hesitated for a moment before saying: "Adoptive Mother, Gu Chuyan is still kneeling outside the courtyard. Perhaps…"

Before he could finish, Su Li's sharp gaze swept over him, and she secretly transmitted her voice: "Did you lead her here?"

Cao Bu transmitted his reply: "It was me."

Su Li frowned slightly: "What is your intention?"

Cao Bu explained via voice transmission: "Just refuse her directly."

Su Li nodded slightly and did not question Cao Bu's intentions.

She immediately raised her voice: "Go tell her, the same words apply: she is not suited to Cultivate the Law of Slaughter. Furthermore, her Cultivation base is still low; forcing herself to Cultivate will only produce the opposite of the desired result."

Outside the courtyard gate, Gu Chuyan's body swayed upon hearing this.

She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms: "Is there truly no Cultivation Technique in this world that allows one to reach the pinnacle without relying on talent?"

Inside the reception hall.

Su Li stood up and waved her sleeve, her tone cold: "See the guest out."

Cao Bu wanted to say something more, but Aunt Xue had already blocked his path: "Steward Cao, please return."

Watching Su Li's determined retreating figure, Cao Bu could only feign a helpless sigh.

Outside the courtyard gate.

Seeing Cao Bu come out, Gu Chuyan could not stop her tears from falling.

"Brother Cao." Her voice was choked with sobs: "Is there really no Cultivation Technique in this world that can make one supreme without needing talent?"

Cao Bu squatted down in front of her, took a handkerchief from his bosom, and gently wiped away her tears: "Silly girl, I'm still looking for a Cultivation Technique that allows one to Cultivate without a Dantian."

"Pfft."

Gu Chuyan could not help but laugh, crystalline teardrops still hanging from the corners of her eyes.

Cao Bu gently stroked her damp face with the handkerchief, and the two of them unconsciously leaned closer and closer.

Gu Chuyan raised her eyes to gaze at Cao Bu, her eyes shimmering with moisture, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

The air was filled with a subtle, ambiguous atmosphere.

Cao Bu gave a light cough and quietly withdrew the handkerchief: "Alright, stop crying. Tears cannot solve problems."

After speaking, he turned to leave.

Having taken only a few steps, he heard Gu Chuyan's urgent call from behind: "Brother Cao!"

Cao Bu paused his steps. He saw that Gu Chuyan had already caught up and grabbed his sleeve, her eyes full of pleading: "Brother Cao, you have followed the old Clan Chief for so many years and are knowledgeable; you must know of a Cultivation Technique that allows one to become strong without needing talent, right?"

Looking at Cao Bu's complex expression, a spark of hope ignited in Gu Chuyan's eyes.

She tightly gripped Cao Bu's sleeve, her voice trembling: "Brother Cao, as long as you tell me, I will do anything!"

Cao Bu's brows were tightly locked, and in the end, he shook his head: "First Smoke, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that…"

The words stopped abruptly on his lips, as if touching upon a taboo.

"First Smoke, don't ask anymore."

After these words, he turned to leave.

Who knew that Gu Chuyan would grab his arm tightly, making a move to kneel: "Brother Cao, I beg you!"

Cao Bu quickly reached out to support her: "Get up quickly! Let's talk properly!"

"If you don't tell me, I won't get up!" Gu Chuyan lifted her face stubbornly.

Cao Bu gritted his teeth and said heartlessly: "No, this really cannot be said."

After speaking, he forcefully broke free and walked away.

Gu Chuyan fell to the ground, watching Cao Bu's retreating figure, her heart filled with despair.

Could it be that she would never be able to kill Gu Yun in this lifetime?

No!

She absolutely could not admit defeat!

Gu Chuyan gritted her teeth, rushed to Cao Bu again, and knelt, tightly hugging his legs as tears streamed down her face.

"Brother Cao, I beg you to help me."

"First Smoke, why must you do this?" Cao Bu's face was full of helplessness.

Gu Chuyan looked up with teary eyes: "As long as you tell me, First Smoke will be your person from now on. You can do whatever you want; I only ask that you do not despise me for being unclean."

Cao Bu shook his head: "It's not that I don't want to say it; it's that once you step onto this path, there is no turning back."

"I have no path to turn back!"

Gu Chuyan choked out: "The only meaning of my living is… you know it."

"You gave me the Hibernating Dragon Heart Sutra, wasn't it because you wanted me to kill that beast with my own hands?"

Suddenly, Gu Chuyan's eyes became ruthless: "Brother Cao, if you don't agree, I will say that you defiled me."

"I will make it so you cannot stay in the Gu Clan."

"You should know that with your Cultivation base, surviving after leaving the Gu Clan will be extremely difficult."

Gu Chuyan suddenly stood up, her eyes carrying a playful mockery: "Brother Cao, you wouldn't want the matter of you defiling me to become a big deal, would you?"

Cao Bu was stunned, clearly not expecting this turn of events.

This woman seemed to have slipped out of his control.

But fortunately, things were developing in the direction he had anticipated.

"First Smoke, I, Cao Bu, believe I have done nothing to wrong you."

Gu Chuyan sneered: "Brother Cao, do not blame your sister for being heartless."

"As long as you tell me, not only will I not tell anyone, but I will also reward you well."

"But if you don't tell me, tomorrow the entire clan will know that you defiled me."

"Do you think my grandfather will let you off?"

Cao Bu stared fixedly at Gu Chuyan, a flicker of struggle flashing in the depths of his eyes.

Gu Chuyan stared back at him just as intensely, her eyes full of expectation.

She did not want to drag Cao Bu into this, but in order to become stronger, she had no other choice.

Even if Cao Bu truly did not tell her, she would not actually harm him.

At worst, she would just think of other ways.

"Fine, I will tell you."

Hearing Cao Bu relent, a light of surprise burst forth in Gu Chuyan's eyes: "Brother Cao, I knew you wouldn't ignore me!"

Cao Bu shook his head helplessly, looked around vigilantly to confirm no one was there, and then lowered his voice: "First Smoke, I will ask you one last time: do you really want to embark on this path of no return?"

"Certainly and definitely." Gu Chuyan said decisively.

"Fine!" Cao Bu took a deep breath: "Actually, everyone knows about this path."

"Everyone knows?" Gu Chuyan frowned in confusion.

Cao Bu slowly spat out two words: "Cultivate Demonic Techniques!"

In an instant, Gu Chuyan's expression changed.

Cao Bu continued: "Now do you understand why I didn't want to say it?"

"Once you Cultivate Demonic Techniques, you will not be tolerated by the Righteous Path and will be hunted down for all eternity."

"Furthermore, once the matter is exposed, the Gu Clan will not be able to keep you either."

"By then, you will truly be abandoned by everyone."

"Originally, there were some Demonic Techniques inside the Scripture Pavilion, but they were later destroyed by Adoptive Father."

"If you are determined to walk this path, you can only go outside to search for them."

Gu Chuyan lowered her head, silent.

Cao Bu patted her shoulder: "Take care of yourself!"