198: Chapter 190: Using This to Test Officials?_2 198: Chapter 190: Using This to Test Officials?_2 After all, he eventually had to temper himself a few times, and he wasn’t considered weak among those of the same rank.
But longevity was very important.
Especially when extracting magic through hard cultivation, it was likely based on one’s remaining lifespan.
If he ever hit a bottleneck in his realm and didn’t have enough lifespan left, it would be very dangerous.
So, the more lifespan, the better.
No matter how good the Blood Transformation Method was, it wasn’t as good as the Innate Longevity Technique.
Since the other party didn’t know it, Gu An didn’t bother to ask, simply saying, “Then, senior, just stay here at ease.”
“Are you busy, brother?
Remember to bring some Spiritual Liquid over; the tree needs nutrients too,” Blood Demon Divine Monarch said seriously.
Gu An nodded.
As for whether he’d deliver it, that was another matter.
After giving some food to the noodle, Gu An planned to head to the Outer Peak.
But just as he was about to use Sword Control, he saw Yang Qi acting sneakily in the distance.
With one step, a flash of golden light passed by.
In a breath, he appeared behind Yang Qi, who was hiding behind a tree.
“Junior Brother, are you looking for me?”
Gu An suddenly spoke up, causing Yang Qi to jump in surprise.
Turning around, he saw it was Gu An, which put him at ease.
“When did Senior Brother get back?” Yang Qi asked.
“I came back today.
There’s a task at the Outer Peak in a couple of days,” Gu An replied.
Yang Qi looked around and said, “I heard there are a lot of people watching this place, and my fellow from home advised me not to enter your residence as it might draw unwanted attention.”
Gu An nodded, “Your fellow wasn’t lying, especially within the Sect, where it’s easiest to be targeted.”
The Outer Peak was slightly better.
After all, within the Sect, relationships were complex and one could be targeted anywhere.
At the Outer Peak, there were tasks to be done, which meant there were only occasional free moments, and he might not even know what he was being targeted for.
Tasks poorly done could jeopardize one’s future prospects.
Targeting others couldn’t compare to one’s own future.
Moreover, the Outer Peak was more dangerous than inside the Sect.
Being distracted without the requisite strength could lead to irreparable disaster.
Ultimately, people at the Outer Peak wouldn’t be idly bored.
“Has Senior Brother been killing people at the Outer Peak lately?” Yang Qi curiously asked.
Gu An looked at him and said, “Do I look like I enjoy killing people?”
“Not really, but it just seems like someone as legendary as you is always causing big changes somewhere,” Yang Qi said with a smile.
Gu An: “…”
The Outer Peak indeed saw significant changes, but it had nothing to do with him.
The Blood Refining Sect had attacked.
This incident would last a few more days, and he was still being watched.
Additionally, the news of Law Enforcement Hall obtaining the key hadn’t been spread, so he still risked being inquired after.
“The Junior Sister you introduced is still relatively stable, but she seems to have family in Qingmu City.
It seems like she’s doing something futile,” Yang Qi said.
Gu An nodded, “Everyone makes their own choices, no need to mind them.”
“And then there’s Junior Brother Yu Tu.
He truly is a genius, but his childhood friend is quite a story,” Yang Qi lamented, “Yu Tu said his childhood friend urged him to quickly promote to Foundation Establishment, saying it’s also a test for him.
But I think his foundation is solid, and he does have a certain chance of success.
It’s just that he feels like an honest person being bullied.
His childhood friend didn’t even give him a Foundation Establishment Pill, just ordinary elixir pills.
He bought Spirit Stones from her.
She even said that something as precious as a Foundation Establishment Pill is naturally part of the test as well.”
Gu An couldn’t intervene in this matter; everyone values different things.
Yu Tu hadn’t suffered any obvious setbacks on this path, so it was natural he didn’t understand whether he could continue.
Besides, he was quite simple-minded and had limited understanding of people.
He thought childhood friends were inherently good; it couldn’t be helped.
But in the end, Gu An couldn’t say for sure.
What if the childhood sweetheart turned out to be good?
So it was also inappropriate to advise him against it.
Whether it was Yang Qi or Zeng Lan.
They all understood this principle, so none could speak directly.
Life’s journey has countless landscapes; no one’s experiences are identical, and encounters are vastly different.
Good or bad depends on whether one can move on or steer clear.
Beauty is like a knife, love is like an abyss.
The former can be blocked, the latter is inescapable.
Gu An didn’t know what Yu Tu’s situation was.
Later, Yang Qi spoke about the opinions of Qianchen Peak regarding Gu An.
Many people despised him, cursed him.
Called him a despicable person, saying he trapped everyone for his own benefit.
If it weren’t for the purge, they wouldn’t have faced such hardships, nor would they live in fear.
Had it not been for inciting a major Sect purge, the higher-ups wouldn’t be so angry, blaming the ordinary disciples.
It wouldn’t have led to the price hikes in talismans, elixir pills, magic treasures.
“The price hike was clearly due to the Blood Refining Sect’s attack, having nothing to do with Senior Brother.
These people just blame everything on Senior Brother whenever things don’t go smoothly,” Yang Qi said with some exasperation.
“No wonder my fellow advised me not to associate with these people too much; it really does make one dumber.”
Gu An: “….”
Your fellow even said not to associate with me.
The way you phrased it makes it sound like you’re scolding me too.
*Gu An thought to himself.*
After listening to some more ramblings, Gu An decided to leave.
Yang Qi curiously asked, “Senior Brother, aren’t you angry?”
Gu An looked at him and said, “Why would I be angry?
I never acted to gain their gratitude.”
“But they despise you, curse you, slander you,” Yang Qi said.
“It’s not good to be slandered for things you didn’t do; that’s adding insult to injury.”
“Isn’t that even better?” Gu An said softly.
In the future, when he runs out of Spirit Stones, he’ll rely on these people’s generous donations.
If they constantly praised him, how would he ever retrieve Spirit Stones?
After bidding farewell to Yang Qi, he returned to the Outer Peak.
The next day.
Gu An summoned all members of the second team.
Since he became the leader, he needed to understand these members first.
There were five members in total.
Golden Core Early Stage Pang Wen, whose appearance was quite ordinary, still had a swollen face.
But there was not a hint of defiance in his eyes.
Thus, Gu An felt more at ease.
Then there were three with Perfect Foundation Establishment.
The first was Ruan Huan, the Junior Sister who sought him out yesterday, who seemed a bit timid.
The second was Ran Xin, with a hint of ambition in his eyes, and appeared to be in his early twenties, considered a promising young man.
The third was Shu Ci, loosely dressed but solidly clothed.
Appearing unremarkable, she actually hid her cultivation, being at the Golden Core Middle Stage.
This name was mentioned in the list, said to be a person from the Demon Sect, likely from the Joy Sect.
The records indicated that she appeared unremarkable, often getting close to various Senior and Junior Brothers, and was said to have relations with many people.
Currently, her purpose was unclear, and she hadn’t done anything substantial.
Leader Hou indicated that if things couldn’t be managed, she could be reported.
Controlled well, there was no issue; controlled poorly, it could lead to disaster.
The last one was Late-stage Foundation Establishment, Shang Huo, with some stubble, not young.
His talent should be the worst among the five.
The only advantage might be his honesty and diligence.
But this also made him easy to bully.
“Originally, our second team had more people, but now only these are left.
In the future, the workload will probably be significant.
If any of you want to leave, you can do so now.
Of course, you also have the option to transfer.
If there’s someone to take you in, that’s fine.
If you don’t leave today, after the task starts, it’ll be harder for me to speak kindly,” Gu An said calmly, looking at them.
For a moment, everyone looked at one another, but no one spoke up.
Coming to the Outer Peak wasn’t easy either.
To obtain Spirit Stones, naturally, one must put in ample effort.
“If that’s the case, I’ll assume you want to stay and work hard,” Gu An said, gazing at them.
“Our second team has little influence, so in the future, you may hear some unfavorable comments, but there’s no need to mind them.
Additionally, logging is a mandatory task for every team.
In your spare time, if you wish to log, go ahead, and if not, focus on improving your cultivation with ease.
If I don’t give the word, logging is a flexible task.”
For a moment, everyone didn’t know what to say; the leader himself logging.
Telling others would only invite ridicule.
But they couldn’t say anything about it.
“The task starts in a few days, so you can rest during this time,” Gu An said.
After that, Gu An said some customary words and let them go.
Only one person stayed behind.
It was the problematic Shu Ci.
“Is there something you need?” Gu An asked.
“Leader, I’m wondering if there is a place in the Sect where I can purchase an immortal dress,” Shu Ci pointed at her clothes, “This outfit is a bit loose.”
Saying this, she pulled her loose clothing back in front of Gu An, revealing her graceful figure in an instant.
The curves were full, the chest prominently curved, ready to burst, with a waist slim enough to be grasped.
Gu An: “….”
Was this a test for the official?