Soon, Mark Gu led Ambrose Lu and Old Turtle to a serene courtyard.
The courtyard was nestled between two massive rock formations, shrouded in mist, with birds chirping and flowers in bloom.
It was truly a tranquil place.
“Sir, is this place suitable?” Mark Gu turned and asked respectfully.
This secluded courtyard was specially built by the sect for him, as an alchemist. However, Mark Gu had never lived here, except for occasionally letting Christopher Tong clean it. He preferred staying in his cave.
Ambrose Lu glanced around and smiled, “It’s acceptable.”
Mark Gu sighed in relief and gestured invitingly, “Please, sir.”
Ambrose Lu nodded and stepped inside.
Seeing this, Old Turtle and Mark Gu were about to follow when Ambrose Lu said, “You go about your business, and Old Turtle, you guard the gate.”
Old Turtle’s raised foot froze, and he coughed awkwardly before retracting it. He looked at Mark Gu displeased and said, “Didn’t you hear the master tell you to go? What, you want to keep your Grandpa Turtle company at the gate?”
Mark Gu’s body trembled, and he took two steps back, bowing awkwardly, “Then, senior, I’ll take my leave!”
Without waiting for Old Turtle to say anything, he disappeared in a flash.
Watching Mark Gu vanish, Old Turtle suddenly regretted it. If he had known, he would have kept Mark Gu to chat with him. Now, with no one to talk to, it felt suffocating.
“Sigh, might as well sleep,” Old Turtle sighed, reverting to his original form. His limbs and head retracted into his palm-sized shell, which rocked like a cradle. Soon, soft snoring came from within the shell.
Meanwhile, Mark Gu had arrived at the Cyan Cloud Sect’s main hall.
At this moment, besides the Grand Elder who had gone to the Western Region with Jose Shen and a few elders still guarding the secular towns, Megan Shen and the other elders were all present.
“Old Gu, what’s the meaning of this? Didn’t you say that senior had come to our Cyan Cloud Sect? We’ve been waiting here with the Sect Master, where is he?” An elder asked as soon as Mark Gu entered.
Hearing this, everyone looked at him, waiting for an explanation.
That senior was a Divine Transformation True Lord, on par with their ancestor. Such a distinguished guest, it would be impolite not to bring him to the hall specially prepared for honored guests.
Mark Gu smiled wryly and bowed to Megan Shen, “Sect Master, elders, the sir said he was tired, so I took him to a place to rest.”
Megan Shen pursed her lips, “Didn’t you tell the senior that all the high-ranking members of Cyan Cloud Sect were waiting in the hall to welcome him?”
Mark Gu shook his head, “I only mentioned that the hall was for receiving honored guests and asked if he wanted to take a look. The sir declined, and I didn’t have a chance to say you were waiting.”
In truth, Mark Gu had his own reasons. After all, there had been some unpleasantness between the Sect Master and the sir outside Moyu Town. It was better if they didn’t meet, to avoid souring the sir’s mood and sparing the Sect Master any awkwardness. It was a win-win.
“Alright, as long as you invited the senior to the hall. Since he didn’t want to come, it’s not our fault for being impolite… Wait, Elder Gu, did you advance to the Elemental Infant stage?” Megan Shen’s eyes suddenly lit up with surprise.
“What? Old Gu advanced to the Elemental Infant stage?” The elders were shocked and quickly sensed Mark Gu’s aura. Their eyes widened in disbelief.
Mark Gu coughed, his face proud, “Indeed!”
But soon, his pride faded, and he sighed with lingering fear, “I faced the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation during my Elemental Infant stage advancement. If it weren’t for the sir’s help, I would have perished by the third wave.”
The Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation!
Everyone gasped.
“Old Gu, you…”
An elder was about to ask when Mark Gu shook his head, “Don’t ask. I don’t know why my Elemental Infant tribulation was the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation.”
“Wait, you said the senior helped you? But it’s known that during tribulations, no one can attack or assist the one undergoing it!” An elder suddenly caught a detail.
Everyone’s expressions changed slightly.
Especially Megan Shen, whose eyes flashed with disbelief.
Mark Gu was startled and quickly sighed, “Sect Master, elders, you misunderstand. The sir didn’t help with external force but motivated me with words. At that moment, it was like a revelation. My will to live became unprecedentedly strong, and I barely survived the tribulation, though gravely injured.”
So that’s how it was. That made sense…
Everyone nodded in understanding, feeling relieved. If someone could interfere with a tribulation, it would be terrifying and completely overturn their understanding.
Megan Shen nodded heavily and asked, “So what did the senior say?”
She was very curious about what kind of words could motivate Mark Gu to overcome the terrifying Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation.
The elders also looked at Mark Gu expectantly.
Mark Gu’s body stiffened, but fortunately, he was quick-witted. He immediately said with reverence, “The sir said, ‘My fate is mine to control, not the heavens’.”
Gasp!
Everyone inhaled sharply and exchanged shocked glances.
What a defiant statement.
“Well said! ‘My fate is mine to control, not the heavens!’ The senior’s words are profound! The path of cultivation is indeed about fighting against the earth, against the heavens, for that sliver of hope!”
“Yes, these words are truly enlightening. I feel my path ahead has become clearer. I must find an opportunity to thank the senior for such a great gift!”
“Wonderful, my Heart Demon Tribulation is approaching. Whether it’s the Heart Demon Tribulation or the Elemental Infant Tribulation, as long as I remember the senior’s words, I believe I’ll pass with ease.”
“…….”
The elders’ faces were flushed with excitement, and the entire hall was filled with enthusiasm.
Even Megan Shen stood there, speechless for a long time.
What a statement, ‘My fate is mine to control, not the heavens!’
Seeing this, Mark Gu was dumbfounded. He opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. Soon, panic set in. If these elders went to thank the sir, wouldn’t he be in trouble? Because the sir never said those words! What would the sir think of him then? Would he even kill him?
And more importantly, if these elders died in their tribulations because of his nonsense, the sir would be wrongfully blamed as the culprit. The consequences would be unimaginable!
Mark Gu’s face turned pale, and he hesitated, “Sect Master, elders, actually, I…”
“Ah, Old Gu, enough. We understand! You could have kept the senior’s words to yourself, but you selflessly shared them with us. Don’t worry, we know the rules. Visit my cave later.”
“Yes, Old Gu, come to my cave later.”
“Ah, right, visit my cave later too. But for now, we want to meet the senior.”
“Better not. Didn’t Old Gu say the senior was tired? Let’s visit tomorrow.”
“Agreed.”
“Alright, elders, let’s disperse for now. We’ll discuss this further tomorrow.”
Watching the elders and the Sect Master leave the hall, no longer paying him any attention, Mark Gu stumbled, his face ashen.
“Sir, I misspoke…”
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