"Junior Brother." Zhang Chuchen was the first to approach Gu Han, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. If anything, it's good news." A faint smile seemed to appear on Gu Han's cool expression. "A nine-star Dou Emperor expert wants to take me as his disciple."
Everyone present: !
"But I refused." Gu Han said it as casually as if he had declined a meal invitation.
"Refused!?" Zhang Chuchen reached out and grabbed Gu Han's arm. "Why would you refuse?"
This was an opportunity to become the disciple of a peak Dou Emperor expert, and moreover, a cultivator of the same attribute who could perfectly inherit their legacy.
Xiao Zhan and the others also showed expressions of disbelief and incomprehension.
"He's from Central Province and will be returning soon," Gu Han appeared very calm, even somewhat indifferent. "If I were to become his disciple, I would have to leave Cloud Mist Sect and follow this senior to Central Province."
"But Cloud Mist Sect has been kind to me. I still want to represent the sect in the Sect Tournament two and a half years from now. If I become his disciple and immediately go to Central Province, I would lose my eligibility to compete."
Hearing this, Zhang Chuchen's lips moved, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
From the perspective of human nature seeking advantage and avoiding harm, he thought Gu Han's decision was extremely foolish.
But as a disciple of Cloud Mist Sect, he couldn't voice such thoughts, his heart filled with a special emotion.
"I must report this matter to our master and the sect leader when we return to the sect! The sect absolutely cannot let Junior Brother down!" Zhang Chuchen secretly resolved in his heart.
Xiao Zhan, Nalan Su, and the others remained silent, but admiration appeared in their eyes.
In their view, Gu Han's decision was truly foolish, yet they found themselves increasingly approving of this person.
"Teacher, what do you think?" Xiao Yan's mind was shaken as he communicated with Yao Lao in the ring.
"If he's not boasting, then this person is worth your deep friendship, whether in terms of character, temperament, or talent and comprehension," Yao Lao sighed with emotion.
He thought of his closest friend Feng Xian. Although he had been blind once with Han Feng, his brother was absolutely reliable.
"Then teacher, do you think he's boasting?" Xiao Yan asked again.
"Don't you already have the answer?" Yao Chen chuckled in response.
Xun Er's mysterious identity was a fact, the appearance of two Dou Emperor experts was a fact, and Xun Er testing Gu Han was also a fact.
Faced with these facts, if there was to be a reasonable explanation, then Gu Han's words must be true.
"I understand, teacher." Xiao Yan mentally labeled Gu Han as someone worth befriending.
But he was still "trash" now and didn't have the qualifications to be friends with a genius like Gu Han.
Everything would have to wait until later.
"Everyone, it's getting late. Please return now."
Gu Han made a gesture of invitation, which was effectively a dismissal.
Everyone took their leave one after another, their attitudes extremely friendly, all thinking that they must build good relations with Gu Han in the future.
Being just a genius or having good character alone might not necessarily be worth befriending, but a genius with good character must be actively befriended.
After the miscellaneous people had dispersed, Gu Han returned to his bedroom, lay on the bed staring blankly at the ceiling, unusually not cultivating.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly smiled slightly, closed his eyes, and began visualizing the Black Tortoise Shell.
[Your outstanding performance last night earned you high praise from Gu Xun'er. Both she, Ling Xiao, and Ling Ying have decided to invest in you. Ling Xiao has chosen to pass down to you the quasi-earth tier cultivation method "Ice Soul Mystic Classic" and the quasi-earth tier Dou Skill "Heavenly Cold Seal."]
"Still want to invest in me?"
This piece of information took Gu Han by surprise.
After finding an excuse to refuse, he thought the matter would end there.
What astonished him even more was that not only did Ling Xiao want to invest in him, but Gu Xun'er and Ling Ying also seemed to have the same idea.
"Is it because I refused that they think I'm a decent person?"
Gu Han experienced firsthand the saying, "Sometimes the best things happen unintentionally."
However, since Ling Xiao was willing to bet on him, he certainly wouldn't let her lose—it would ultimately be a win-win situation.
What surprised him was that the information didn't mention what Gu Xun'er and Ling Ying planned to invest in him.
Perhaps the two parties involved hadn't made up their minds yet.
[Xiao Yan and Yao Lao find you trustworthy. Yao Chen recalled his close friend Venerable Feng Xian, and Xiao Yan decided to become friends with you when the opportunity arises in the future.]
On the surface, this seemed like an ordinary piece of information about an opportunity.
But for Gu Han, who knew the script, this was good news.
Xiao Yan was the Child of Destiny, cultivating the "Flame Mantra" that Tuo She Ancient Emperor had coincidentally obtained in the past.
Yao Lao was not only an eighth-tier Alchemist but also a former peak Dou Venerable with top-tier connections and background.
Building a good relationship with these two would be extremely reliable, even if he were to venture into the Great Thousand World in the future.
"The Black Tortoise Shell guides me to opportunities—it merely transports resources and doesn't generate opportunities itself."
"The Dou Qi Continent once had many Dou Gods, but now, due to the lack of original Emperor Qi, no new ones can emerge. It's an aging plane."
"Unless something unexpected happens, the only remaining opportunities to become a Dou God on the Dou Qi Continent are the Emperor Grade Pill Embryo and the Ancient Emperor's legacy."
"The Ancient Emperor's legacy is most suitable for Xiao Yan, who cultivates the Flame Mantra. As for the Emperor Grade Pill Embryo, it still needs to be elevated to an Emperor Pill."
"Moreover, relying on a pill to break through such a critical realm is ultimately an inferior method. It's better to wait for the Plane Passage to open and rely on one's own efforts to break through to Dou God with the original energy."
"If I befriend Xiao Yan, and he obtains the Ancient Emperor's legacy to become a Dou God in the future, I could lend a hand and also use the opportunity to break through in the Great Thousand World."
These thoughts were based on Gu Han's current circumstances, but his true reliance was still the Black Tortoise Shell.
For instance, by meditating on the Black Tortoise Shell, he could elevate his soul realm. Given enough time, he could even reach the Emperor Realm soul, and who knows what higher levels lay beyond? Perhaps by then, his soul alone could rival a Dou God.
Additionally, as his strength grew, the Black Tortoise Shell would gradually restore more of its energy.
It might even be possible that by the time he became a Dou Venerable, the Black Tortoise Shell itself could condense the Emperor's original energy.
All these thoughts did not represent his final decision.
"Time to meditate."
Gu Han focused his mind, concentrating his soul power on the Black Tortoise Shell.
Time flew by, and the next day arrived. The entire Xiao Family was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and all clan members were bustling with activity.
Ya Fei and Gu Ni from the Miteer Auction House, core members of the Jia Lie and Ao Ba families, as well as representatives from various family factions in nearby towns, had all come to congratulate Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanyun on their engagement.
As a disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect and its representative, Gu Han naturally did not appear from the start.
He only made an appearance when the engagement ceremony began and was even invited by Xiao Zhan and Nalan Su to serve as a witness.
"Certainly."
Gu Han did not refuse. Instead, he enthusiastically took on the responsibility.
After all ceremonies were completed, he took out a box and handed it to Xiao Yan: "This is a Fourth-Grade Qi Gathering Powder refined by Pill King, which our sect leader entrusted to me in advance, stating that if the Xiao Family and Nalan Family were to form a marriage alliance, this would be her congratulatory gift."
Upon hearing this, the heads of various forces present showed expressions of envy.
This was a Fourth-Grade Pill—not only a considerable fortune to them but more importantly, something rarely available on the market.
While this pill only made them envious, Gu Han's next words would make them apprehensive and fearful.
"In addition, the sect leader has granted me discretionary authority. If the Xiao Family has disciples with suitable talent, I may bring them to Cloud Mist Sect for cultivation."
"The founding ancestor of our Cloud Mist Sect was a Dou Venerable powerhouse who once dominated the Northwestern region of Dou Qi Continent and was renowned throughout the land."
"Although our sect has declined somewhat over time, our foundational heritage remains intact."
"The sect's inheritance is most suitable for wind-attribute practitioners."
"Based on my observations during this period at Xiao Family,"
"and after consulting Xiao Yan's opinion,"
Gu Han looked toward Xiao Mei at his side: "Are you willing to join Cloud Mist Sect?"
Everyone: !!!