After reading the two pieces of opportunity intelligence, Gu Han furrowed his brows into a deep frown.
The first piece of intelligence, seemingly ordinary, actually concealed hidden complexities.
Nalan Yanran's matter of breaking off the engagement—Yun Yun had already agreed, yet she still sought the opinion of an outsider like him, indicating she felt this course of action was improper.
Clearly, Yun Yun hoped for Nalan Yanran's marriage to be dissolved, but not through the Cloud Mist Sect assisting Nalan Yanran in personally breaking off the engagement.
He could consider in advance how to respond, striving to find a solution that satisfied both sides.
If he could achieve this, not only would half the trigger for the conflict between Xiao Yan and the Cloud Mist Sect be resolved, but he could also seize the opportunity to ask Yun Yun for a reward—perhaps even a chance to obtain the Ice Toad Snow Pearl.
"Nalan Yanyun..."
Gu Han pondered the second piece of intelligence.
A woman from the Nalan family with talent surpassing even Nalan Yanran's, yet her cultivation had stagnated due to poisoning, and the solution lay with Yao Chen.
The Black Tortoise Shell would not provide useless intelligence; telling him this surely meant it would be of use.
"Perhaps it can be done this way."
An idea rose in Gu Han's mind, and the more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
He believed that fellow townsman would appreciate his arrangement.
"Achoo!"
In the Xiao family of Wutan City, Xiao Yan, who was cultivating in his own small courtyard, suddenly sneezed.
Noticing the Dou Qi he had just condensed in his dantian dissipate once again, he cursed in frustration.
"Damn heavens, damn heavens, damn heavens."
Did bringing him to this world where cultivation was possible mean he was destined to be a waste?
Moreover, he had been a prodigy first, only to become a waste later, tasting the fickleness of human relationships.
"Only one year left until I turn sixteen. Without reaching the seven-star Dou Disciple level, I'll have to leave the family. Is this all there is to my life, Xiao Yan?" Despair enveloped Xiao Yan's heart.
Human joys and sorrows do not interconnect.
While Xiao Yan felt his future was bleak, Gu Han, holding the Ice Jade, meditated and cultivated earnestly, clearly feeling his strength improving.
At this rate, he was confident he could break through to Dou Master within six months—a speed even faster than Xiao Yan's one-year progression from one-star Dou Fighter to Dou Master.
However, the Burning Mantra Xiao Yan cultivated in the early stages was initially Low-Rank Yellow Level, then Mid-Rank Yellow Level, which couldn't compare to his own Low-Rank Profound Level technique.
The Ice Jade and Jade Spirit Fruit body tempering were even greater advantages.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Gu Han ended his cultivation and went to the study in the small courtyard to wait quietly.
"Is Junior Brother Gu here?"
At the third mark of the Chen hour, a young man's voice sounded outside the courtyard.
"I am here," Gu Han replied. "Who is looking for me?"
"Core disciple, Yun Liu," Yun Liu answered.
Creak.
Gu Han pushed the door open and stepped out of the study, saluting Yun Liu. "Greetings, Senior Brother."
"Greetings, Junior Brother," Yun Liu returned the salute with a smile. "The Sect Master wishes to see you. Come with me to the main hall."
"Thank you for leading the way, Senior Brother."
Gu Han's expression remained calm as he made a gesture of invitation.
Yun Liu found his behavior somewhat surprising but didn't comment further.
The two proceeded one after another toward the Cloud Mist Sect's main hall, soon arriving at the staircase path.
The steps stretched as far as the eye could see, extending from the mountain's base all the way to the summit where the main hall stood. From above, they resembled a winding, coiling dragon. Each step was broad and substantial, imparting a sense of solid reliability.
Under the morning sunlight, two figures steadily ascended the stairs. At regular intervals, disciples could be seen standing guard or patrolling, their numbers increasing the higher they climbed.
Finally, they reached the plaza before the main hall. It spread out like an endless plain—vast, magnificent, and smooth as a mirror.
Towering stone pillars and majestic structures rose around them, evoking a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
At the far end of the plaza stood the main hall, imposing and majestic, inspiring awe in all who beheld it.
Guided by Yun Liu, Gu Han passed unimpeded to the left side of the main hall, entering a corridor through a side door that led to the rear sect leader's hall.
"Wait here. I'll inform the sect leader," Yun Liu instructed Gu Han before turning inward without waiting for a reply.
Gu Han stood in place for about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea before Yun Liu returned. "You may enter now, junior brother."
"Acknowledged," Gu Han responded with a respectful gesture.
Following Yun Liu, Gu Han entered the inner hall, which served as the sect leader's usual office.
The hall was elegantly arranged, with luminous pearls embedded along the walls. Bookshelves lined either side, filled with ancient texts, and chairs and desks were positioned a short distance in front of them.
On the leftmost chair, Nalan Yanran sat wearing disciple robes, distractedly sipping tea and occasionally glancing forward.
At the forefront stood a desk equipped with writing implements, behind which sat Yun Yun, draped in luxurious brocade robes that emphasized her noble bearing.
"Sect Leader, Gu Han has been brought," Yun Liu reported with a bow.
"Good, you may leave now," Yun Yun replied, her tone distant as she waved a hand.
"This disciple takes his leave," Yun Liu said before withdrawing.
Once he was gone, Gu Han, under Nalan Yanran's curious and puzzled gaze, bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Sect Leader."
"Greetings?" Yun Yun's lips curved slightly as she regarded Gu Han with interest. "Who is greeting whom?"
It suddenly dawned on her.
Returning to her quarters the previous night, she had been unable to pinpoint the source of the peculiar feeling Gu Han evoked.
It wasn't until this morning, when Nalan Yanran came to see her and began with, "Disciple pays respects to Master. Is Master well?" that it struck her: although Gu Han addressed her as "Sect Leader," he never referred to himself as "disciple," consistently using "I" instead.
Even Nalan Yanran adhered strictly to her status in her presence. What did that make Gu Han?
"Outer Sect Disciple, Gu Han."
"Paying respects to the Sect Leader."
Gu Han performed a bow, his movements precise and aesthetically pleasing.
"So you do remember your status as an outer sect disciple?" A hint of amusement flickered in Yun Yun's eyes, her tone carrying a subtle admonishment.
The more the young man avoided something, the more she wanted to press it.
Gu Han stood straight, lifting his head to meet Yun Yun's gaze, and asked with confusion, "What does the Sect Leader mean by that?"
Seeing him feign ignorance, Yun Yun decided to be direct. "Last night, did you ever refer to yourself as 'disciple'?"
"Upon first meeting the Sect Leader last night, I stated my identity: Outer Sect Disciple Gu Han," Gu Han replied, neither subservient nor defiant.
"You know that's not what I meant." Yun Yun deliberately released a trace of pressure.
Gu Han visualized the Black Tortoise Shell in his mind, remaining completely unaffected as he stubbornly insisted, "I don't understand."
His reaction made Yun Yun
secretly admire him once again.
With such temperament, Gu Han could go far in the future.
Nalan Yanran watched her teacher and Gu Han locking eyes, feeling utterly superfluous.
"Teacher!"
I was here first!