For the past few days, Gu Changqing had attacked while Gu Changhuan defended. He was using only seventy percent of his ability, but even barely holding him off was an achievement.

"Whatever else I can say, you'd have no trouble beating an ordinary seventh-layer cultivator now, Seventeenth Brother," Gu Changming said.

Over the past few days, he had noticed that Gu Changhuan's spells were far stronger than those of others at his level. His foundation was solid, and his reserves of Spiritual Power far exceeded theirs.

Gu Changhuan laughed lightly and exchanged a few more courteous words with Gu Changming. Just as he was about to leave Hundred Battles Valley, Gu Changqing spoke up.

"I have accepted an assignment."

It had been nearly half a year since Gu Changqing returned to Emerald Maple Mountain, and it was time for him to carry out clan duties. He had accepted a clan assignment to slay a Demon Beast and would set out in a few days.

Learning of this, Gu Changhuan privately handed several bottles of pills to Gu Changqing.

"These are for healing and restoring Spiritual Power. Take them, Ninth Brother. We'll get together when you're back."

After accepting them, Gu Changqing patted his shoulder and said, "Thank you."

With his sparring partner leaving and his fighting skills much improved, Gu Changhuan decided to visit the market. First, he stopped at the clan's Hundred Treasures Hall. Training had shown him that he needed a defensive artifact for regular use.

The disciple on duty was delighted to see him. Here was one of their best customers! He bought nothing below high-grade first-tier artifacts and cared about quality, not price. Last time, he had bought two such weapons, earning the disciple a handsome commission.

"Back again, Seventeenth Brother? Just tell me what you need. Your Fifth Brother will find you the perfect thing!" Gu Changning promised, patting his chest.

"Fifth Brother, I want a reliable defensive Magical Artifact. Do you have any suitable First-Tier High Grade items?"

Gu Changning's eyes lit up. "Yes, we do! Wait here. I'll get them!"

He turned and hurried into an inner room, returning shortly with a shield and a mirror.

"This is the Thick Earth Shield, which excels at defending against physical attacks, though its drawback is that it only guards a single direction. The mirror is called the Haotian Mirror. It provides all-around defense and can immobilize anyone caught in its spiritual light. It is a rare Magical Artifact that combines offense and defense, though it does consume a considerable amount of Spiritual Power."

Gu Changhuan considered this for a moment.

"How many Clan Contribution Points for both together?"

Gu Changning grinned from ear to ear.

"The Thick Earth Shield is two hundred Clan Contribution Points. The Haotian Mirror is more costly at three hundred and fifty points, bringing the total to five hundred and fifty points."

Reflecting on his upcoming journey, Gu Changhuan decided he would also need some Spiritual Talismans for self-defense.

"Include some Spiritual Talismans as well."

Half a quarter-hour later, Gu Changning saw him warmly to the door. Gu Changhuan had spent a thousand Contribution Points from the balance recorded on his clan Identity Jade Token.

After leaving the hall, Gu Changhuan sought out Gu Wanchang. Upon meeting the Patriarch, he stated his intent.

"You wish to go to the market?"

Gu Wanchang looked at him, knowing that Gu Changhuan had been sharpening his combat skills in Hundred Battles Valley of late and had achieved commendable results.

"Go then, but mind your safety on the road."

After Gu Changhuan departed, Gu Wanchang's expression turned inscrutable before he let out a long sigh.

Twenty-first Uncle meant well. Every cultivator would have to face something like this sooner or later. Better a trap of their own devising than a real attempt on Changhuan's life.

Over at Nine Perches Market, Gu Wanhao opened his pill furnace and burst into loud laughter at the sight of three crimson pills resting inside.

Known as Crimson Blood Pills and rated as Second-Tier High Grade, they were refined from the essence blood of multiple Demon Beasts alongside several varieties of Spirit Grass, capable of replenishing a cultivator's vitality and blood.

Gu Wanhao stored the pills away and stroked his beard with considerable satisfaction. Becoming a Second-Tier High Grade alchemist while still in the Middle Foundation Establishment stage was no small feat, and his swift breakthrough was largely thanks to the manual Gu Changhuan had provided.

Had Changhuan come out of seclusion yet? Gu Xuanzhan had asked him to arrange a test to make the boy more wary of people. Before leaving Emerald Maple Mountain, Gu Wanhao had told Gu Wanchang, who agreed with Gu Xuanzhan's suggestion and offered to handle it. Gu Wanhao had accepted.

Meanwhile, Gu Changhuan rode upon the back of a Barbarian Bull Beast, consulting a map in his hand.

At the beast's current pace, he would reach Nine Perches Market by noon tomorrow. This was his first time traveling alone, and he found the experience novel. Putting away the map, he produced the Tongxian Map to see if he might stumble upon some hidden mineral vein through sheer luck.

As they passed through a forested area near a barren mountain, a faint sound reached his ears.

"Halt!"

The Barbarian Bull Beast had been trained to understand basic commands and halted immediately.

Someone was calling for help?

Gu Changhuan felt puzzled. In such a desolate wilderness, could they have encountered a Demon Beast?

He used the Heavenly Eye Technique, one of the spells he had recently learned, to see what was happening in the distance.

A fairly pretty female cultivator stumbled out, supporting an unconscious man. His clothes were soaked with blood from a wound on his back, apparently inflicted by an artifact. His chances looked poor.

The female cultivator had not yet realized the extent of his injuries; she supported him as best she could, casting frequent, terrified glances backward as if pursued by a fierce beast.

"Fellow Daoist! Please save us! A cultivator at the Middle Qi Condensation realm is hunting us down!"

At the sight of Gu Changhuan, she pleaded with him as though he were her last hope.

Gu Changhuan looked down at them, unmoved.

"Please, Fellow Daoist! I'll do anything to repay you. Anything you ask!"

She was hoarse from pleading and seemed to be running out of Spiritual Power. At only the third layer of Qi Condensation, the long flight had already exhausted her reserves.

"Run! Do you still dare run? In this godforsaken wilderness, let's see where you little bitch and that good-for-nothing sickly wretch think you can hide!"

A rough, boorish voice suddenly reverberated through the mountain forest.

Gu Changhuan swept his gaze across the area. The approaching figure possessed Qi Condensation Sixth Layer cultivation.

A burly, dark-faced man, seven chi tall, emerged with a huge sword over his shoulder. He spotted Gu Changhuan on the Barbarian Bull Beast and sneered,

"So you had someone waiting to receive you! Pretty boy, you've picked the wrong person to cross. That little whore and this sickly bastard injured my brother, and I am taking their heads back today!"

Without another word, the burly man swung his heavy sword toward the female cultivator. She managed a desperate dodge, though her left arm was still grazed by the blade.

Gu Changhuan leaped down from the bull, drew the Azure Cloud Sword, and flashed to her side, parrying the heavy blow.

The female cultivator seized the chance to scramble out of range.

The burly man felt a jolt of shock. His massive sword weighed several hundred jin, and ordinary Qi Condensation Seventh Layer cultivators could not withstand its force-which was why he had acted with such unbridled confidence.

Gu Changhuan vaulted back to the side of the Barbarian Bull Beast.

"Get out of here, and I'll spare you."

The man glared resentfully at the woman and her unconscious companion, but seemed ready to leave.

"Just you wait. This isn't over."

He snarled the threat and began backing away, still facing them.

Gu Changhuan's expression chilled as he drew five Spiritual Talismans and hurled them at the retreating figure.

Explosions mingled with screams. Gu Changhuan went to inspect the spot, but to his disappointment, there was no body.

The fellow had actually managed to escape.

Those were five First-Tier Middle Grade Spiritual Talismans wasted. It seemed the ruffian possessed some genuine skill in fleeing.

Seeing the attacker retreat, the female cultivator hurried over to offer her gratitude.

"Thank you for saving us, Fellow Daoist. I'll never forget your kindness."

Noticing the sweat dampening her temples and the wound on her arm, Gu Changhuan asked, "Aren't you going to check on your companion?"

As if waking from a dream, she scrambled to the man's side. The terrible wound on his back made her burst into tears. She pulled out several bottles of Pills and stuffed some of each into his mouth.

"He is already dead."

"No! Impossible! You're lying, he's only injured!" She collapsed over the corpse, weeping hysterically.

After a long while, her tears finally subsided.

Gu Changhuan watched silently as she cremated the man, buried his remains, erected a memorial stone, and knelt before it.

With those tasks finished, she approached him with reddened eyes.

"My name is Zhao Pin'er. Thank you for saving me, Fellow Daoist. May I ask your name?"

"Miss Zhao. My surname is Wang."

Gu Changhuan lied without batting an eye.