Three days later.
Gu He's Courtyard.
At this moment, Gu He sat leisurely inside the gazebo. Outside, four figures stood waiting—Liu Ling, Little Fairy Doctor, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin.
"Teacher, you suddenly called us all together. Do you have any instructions?" Liu Ling couldn't help but ask, puzzled.
Early that morning, Gu He had summoned him to the courtyard. However, upon arrival, he found his junior sisters already present. Instinctively, Liu Ling sensed that his teacher had something significant to announce.
Beside him, Little Fairy Doctor, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin also watched Gu He with questioning eyes.
Truthfully, this was the first time since their apprenticeship that such a gathering had taken place. Each of them silently wondered what task their teacher had in store.
Seeing that all his disciples had arrived, Gu He slowly rose to his feet. His gaze swept over the four of them before he spoke calmly, "From today onward, all of you will descend the sect."
"Descend the sect?"
The four were taken aback, their faces filled with confusion.
"Teacher, why must we go down the sect? Is there something you need us to do?" Liu Ling hesitated before asking.
Without mincing words, Gu He replied bluntly, "From birth until now, none of you have ever experienced a true life-and-death battle. Human potential only erupts like a volcano when life is threatened. With your current mediocre cultivation, you will never become true powerhouses!"
"Therefore, the purpose of summoning you here is to send you down the mountain for a period of training."
"Training… outside?"
The four were stunned, finding the decision rather abrupt.
Why had their teacher suddenly decided they must leave?
"Teacher, our strength is still weak. Wouldn't it be dangerous to venture out now?" Liu Ling voiced his concern timidly.
Since childhood, he had never left the Imperial Capital, let alone embarked on a journey of cultivation.
To him, the outside world was a place of endless peril—where the slightest misstep could cost one's life. This ingrained fear made him apprehensive about Gu He's sudden decree.
"Coward!"
Seeing the fear on Liu Ling's face, Gu He's expression darkened with displeasure.
'Have I sheltered them too much and made their lives too comfortable?'
They lacked the heart of a true cultivator.
"The daily training I provide isn't meant for you to remain trapped in this tiny Jia Ma Empire forever."
"A cultivator must possess the heart of a powerhouse."
"In the future, I expect all of you to step beyond the borders of Jia Ma and venture into the Central Plains—where the strong gather like clouds!"
"Your current attitude disappoints me."
"If you refuse to descend the sect, then leave. I, Gu He, have no need for such a useless disciple!"
This time, Gu He showed no mercy, his furious reprimand striking like a whip.
Liu Ling trembled, thoroughly shaken.
This was the first time he had seen his teacher so enraged.
"Teacher, this disciple understands his mistake."
His face flushed with shame, Liu Ling lowered his head in remorse. Then, with a thud, he dropped to his knees, his voice trembling. "Please… do not cast me out."
"Liu Ling, as the senior brother, you must set an example and shoulder responsibility."
Gu He's tone softened slightly, though his words remained firm.
"This time, you will take the lead in this expedition."
Liu Ling clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. "This disciple obeys."
Only then did Gu He nod in satisfaction before turning to Nalan Yanran and Little Fairy Doctor.
"And you two? Any objections?"
The two shook their heads resolutely. "None."
A small, timid voice followed half a beat later.
"I… I also have no objections."
Gu He glanced over—it was Qing Lin, her expression uneasy. Clearly, his earlier outburst had frightened her.
A pang of guilt struck him. 'I shouldn't have lost my temper in front of her.'
His gaze softened as he addressed her gently. "Qing Lin, you are still young. This time, you will remain in the sect."
Qing Lin blinked her emerald-green eyes, glancing at Nalan Yanran and Little Fairy Doctor with reluctance.
"Teacher… can't I go with Senior Sisters?"
Gu He shook his head, his expression stern. "No. This training mission is no child's play. Your cultivation is still too weak—you would only hold them back."
Seeing her downcast expression, he softened his tone. "Focus on your training here. Once you reach the Five-Star Dou Practitione level, I will permit you to descend the sect."
Qing Lin nodded, her eyes alight with determination.
With her current progress, reaching Five-Star Dou Practitioner wouldn't take long.
Gu He's gaze returned to Liu Ling, Nalan Yanran, and Little Fairy Doctor.
"Since none of you object, I will now assign your training missions."
He motioned to Liu Ling. "As the senior brother, step forward first."
Without hesitation, Liu Ling approached the gazebo.
"Your training ground will be the Great Tagore Desert," Gu He stated coolly.
The desert's abundant fire-attributed energy made it the ideal environment for Liu Ling. In fact, Gu He had already considered this during his own time there.
"The Great Tagore Desert?!"
Liu Ling's heart lurched. 'That's the territory of the Snake-People Tribe!'
With his current strength, survival would be a challenge.
Fear flickered in his chest, but he suppressed it, unwilling to provoke his teacher's wrath again.
Gu He continued, "Your mission has three objectives: First, establish the strongest mercenary group in Stone Desert City. Second, reach the Dou Spirit level in cultivation. Third, advance to a Fifth-Rank Alchemist."
Liu Ling had never engaged in real combat. Yet, among mercenary groups, conflict was inevitable—whether between rival factions or against the Snake-People.
Gu He's intention was clear: forge Liu Ling in the fires of battle.
Hearing this, Liu Ling took a deep breath before responding firmly—
"This disciple obeys!"
…
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