"A person surnamed Gu?"
The several elders of the Crescent Moon Sect were all taken aback upon hearing this, then exchanged glances, seeing the confusion and bewilderment in each other's eyes.
Surnamed Gu?
This surname was not common, and among the disciples of the Crescent Moon Sect, they had never heard of anyone with the surname Gu.
Had they found the wrong person, the wrong place?
The many cultivators and beings on the long street, hearing this question, were equally surprised and perplexed, completely unable to understand.
"Could it be that clan?"
A few very old cultivators seemed to have faintly guessed something. Looking at this group of young men and women of extraordinary origin, shock and disbelief surged in their eyes.
Ji Yu and his Uncle Lan stood beside the Purple Star Great Sage, watching this scene. One had an extremely unsightly expression, while the other was exceedingly grim.
One of them was a disciple of the Eternal Life Dao Lord, the Sect Master of the Heaven-Overthrowing Sect in the Ninth Heaven, and moreover the true legitimate bloodline of the former Radiant Ancestral Court, a background of special significance.
The other was a genuine Ancestral Dao Realm existence. Even the Eternal Life Dao Lord would treat him with great courtesy when facing him.
Thus, the two of them had a far deeper understanding of the secrets of the Nine Heavens than ordinary inhabitants. It was precisely because of this that they felt something was very wrong...
That Gu Clan rarely moved about in the Land of the Nine Heavens, almost perpetually maintaining an otherworldly stance of indifference to external affairs.
Why would they suddenly dispatch clansmen, and even come deliberately to the First Heaven, to search for someone surnamed Gu?
And it just so happened to be right when they had brought the Crescent Moon Sect group to the Land of the Nine Heavens?
This could absolutely not be without reason. Even Uncle Lan, whose cultivation was at the Ancestral Dao Realm, felt a faint sense of trepidation when facing that genially smiling old man.
His strength was definitely above Uncle Lan's own.
An ancient figure who had very likely passed eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations personally appearing to search—such treatment and importance was simply inconceivable.
"An ordinary clansman of the Gu Clan would definitely not receive such treatment." Uncle Lan's gaze was heavy, a speculation forming in his mind.
Ji Yu clenched his fists tightly and said in a low voice, "Perhaps it's related to that woman in white that Gu Xian'er brought back. Isn't her strength something even you, Uncle Lan, cannot see through?"
Uncle Lan remained silent upon hearing this, merely shaking his head.
The Purple Star Great Sage, clad in purple robes, was also deep in thought. "Yesterday, there was a moment when it seemed an immensely powerful existence was reviving, its aura sweeping across the Nine Heavens, startling me awake from my closed-door cultivation and leaving me drenched in cold sweat. Could it be connected to this matter?"
"The outside world is now in an eventful autumn, and even the Land of the Nine Heavens is not at peace. For this clan to begin moving means a great, shocking event is about to occur."
On the surface, it seemed that each layer of the Nine Heavens had a ruler. But in truth, many beings who had lived for an exceedingly long time knew that this was only an appearance.
The waters of each heaven were very deep. No one could be certain that a cave abode or ruin, or some secluded spot in a mountain forest or field, didn't conceal a hidden figure like a qilin or true dragon.
Some deeply concealed orthodoxies and even clans never revealed themselves to the world with any fanfare.
For example, take the Eternal Life Dao Lord, the Sect Master of the Heaven-Overthrowing Sect. The Purple Star Great Sage knew very well that the Eternal Life Dao Lord was merely someone who had emerged from an extremely secretive and ancient sect within the Land of the Nine Heavens...
What that sect was called, what foundations it had, what its origins were—he knew absolutely nothing. The only thing he knew was that it seemed to involve "Heaven."
And the clan before his eyes—its origins and foundations were even greater than that sect's, to the point that in some places within the Land of the Nine Heavens, faint myths and legends about them could be heard.
As the ruler of the First Heaven, the Purple Star Great Sage wasn't even qualified to have them give him a proper glance.
In front of the inn, the several elders of the Crescent Moon Sect held their breath in concentration, not daring the slightest carelessness. They then honestly reported their current situation: among both their disciples and elders, there was absolutely no one surnamed Gu.
"Impossible. For so many years, this is the first time in the truest sense that people from the outside world have come to the Land of the Nine Heavens, and they are all here. The sensing cannot be wrong."
Those several young men and women of extraordinary bearing, their bodies wreathed in divine radiance, could not help but shake their heads upon hearing this.
One of them, his gaze deep with brilliant divine light flickering, carefully probed the few Crescent Moon Sect elders before him, wanting to confirm whether they were lying.
The several elders of the Crescent Moon Sect broke out in cold sweat on their foreheads. Although they sensed that the young men and women before them should not yet have reached the Dao Realms, under their scrutiny, they still felt considerable pressure.
"Do not be rude."
It was the old man in the grayish-white robe who waved his hand, casually glancing at the few young men and women beside him, before turning to the Crescent Moon Sect elders with a kind expression. "We bear no ill will. We merely sensed that a bloodline of my Gu Clan is here, and so we have come to inquire."
At this moment, the disciples of the Crescent Moon Sect inside the inn also came out.
Gu Xian'er walked very slowly, falling behind Lan Xin and the others, her face showing a hint of confusion and puzzlement.
In truth, when she had been inside the inn earlier, she had already heard the commotion outside and knew these people were searching for someone surnamed Gu.
While at the Crescent Moon Sect, she had always gone by the alias Gu Xian'er and had never revealed her true name.
Everyone, including Lan Xin and Ji Yu, had always thought her name was Gu Xian'er.
So she truly could not understand why, the moment they arrived in the Land of the Nine Heavens, someone would come looking for her.
Could there be another Gu Family here?
Because of the experiences in her childhood, Gu Xian'er actually had very little interaction with the Gu Family of the Dao Prosperity True World. She rarely even visited, spending most of her time in Peach Village.
Naturally, she had never learned from those ancestors that the Gu Family of the Dao Prosperity True World was merely a branch lineage of the Gu lineage within the vast Vast Expanse.
At this moment, Gu Xian'er was also hesitating, wondering whether she should directly reveal her identity and origins.
In truth, if there was also a Gu Family in the Land of the Nine Heavens, it would greatly improve her current situation.
But why had they come with such a great show of force to find her? This was also something she was puzzled by.
"May I ask this young lady's name?"
And the very instant Gu Xian'er stepped out of the inn, that old man in the grayish-white robe, who had been speaking gently with the Crescent Moon Sect elders, immediately turned his gaze towards her.
His whole body trembled slightly, as if he had sensed something, his slightly stooped frame quivering. His clear eyes could not conceal his excitement.
But to avoid attracting unnecessary attention and trouble, he forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart and asked in the most gentle tone he could manage.
Hearing this, the cultivators and beings along the long street all looked over.
Many people's eyes even lit up, a sense of amazement flashing through them.
This young woman in white had brows like a painting, a countenance like an immortal. Her clear eyes were pure, her snowy skin like porcelain. She was delicately beautiful, with an otherworldly aura like lustrous immortal jade.
"My name is Gu Xian'er. I should be the person surnamed Gu that you, Senior, are looking for."
In her heart, various thoughts flashed by. Without hesitating, Gu Xian'er directly spoke her real name.
In a place like the Land of the Nine Heavens, she suspected that even if she tried her utmost to hide her real name, she would still be discovered eventually.
Moreover, the old man before her exuded a kind and gentle aura, making her instinctively trust him, believing he bore no ill will.
The moment they heard Gu Xian'er's words, the Crescent Moon Sect elders and disciples were all stunned and shocked.
Including Lan Xin, who also looked at Gu Xian'er in surprise.
"Gu Xian'er? Gu Xian'er?"
"I should have realized long ago. This fellow has been hiding in the Crescent Moon Sect, coveting the legacy of the Heaven-Restraining Sect. There's no way he'd use his real name either."
Ji Yu's gaze was dark and malicious. He clenched his fists tightly, filled with unwillingness.
In truth, he had held onto a sliver of hope just moments ago, guessing whether the person surnamed Gu that the Gu Clan was searching for might be that amnesiac woman in white.
"Young Master, regarding that legacy, we must devise a plan from scratch."
"Try not to provoke the Gu Clan if possible. If we can avoid getting entangled in their karma, then avoid it." Beside him, Uncle Lan's expression was heavy. He sighed inwardly and transmitted his voice.
As an Ancestral Dao Realm existence, he knew very clearly the terror of this clan.
For them to have gone to such lengths to come and find Gu Xian'er was enough to show the degree of importance attached. No matter what was special about Gu Xian'er, she was not someone they could lay a hand on now.
Ji Yu took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and replied, "Uncle Lan, I understand. I won't overestimate my capabilities and throw an egg against a rock."
"I knew it wouldn't be wrong. This aura is indeed the purest bloodline of my Gu Family."
The old man in the grayish-white robe looked at Gu Xian'er with a gentle smile and spoke in an incomparably kind tone. "You should come from a branch of my Gu Clan's lineage in the outside world. Don't worry, I am the current Fifth Ancestor of the Gu Family. If you've met your external Gu Family's ancestor, he should know of me."
Gu Xian'er currently had no mind to pay attention to the shocked and astonished expressions of the Crescent Moon Sect members. She merely shook her head at his words. "I have never met my ancestor. Coming to the Land of the Nine Heavens was also a coincidence."
The Gu Family's Fifth Ancestor nodded, still smiling. "It's of no matter. Whether it's the Gu Family of the outside or the Gu Family of the Nine Heavens, we are all of the same Gu lineage. The same blood flows in our veins."
The matter of the Gu Family's Ancient Ancestor's true spirit reappearing was of great importance. Though the entire Gu Family had been stirred, currently only some of the higher-ups truly knew of this.
Before bringing Gu Xian'er back to the Gu Family, it was naturally best not to cause any extraneous complications.
Thus, the Fifth Ancestor of the Gu Family did not reveal too much.
"Since ancient times, my Gu Family has strictly adhered to the clan rules, placing utmost importance on every clansman. So you needn't have too many concerns. Once we return to the Gu Family, I will answer all your questions for you." The Fifth Ancestor's attitude was gentle as he continued, as if knowing all the doubts and questions currently in Gu Xian'er's heart.
Gu Xian'er nodded thoughtfully.
In the Land of the Nine Heavens, with a force like the Gu Family backing her, her situation would be much improved.
At the very least, Ji Yu should no longer be able to set his sights on the legacy she carried.
For the Gu Family to have come searching for her with such a great show of force could not be without reason. They would certainly find a way to bring her back to the Gu Family as well.
Thus, the best course of action now was to agree with the Fifth Ancestor before her and follow him back to the Gu Family.
The Fifth Ancestor did not rush to urge Gu Xian'er, giving her ample time to consider and choose.
Many of the elders and disciples of the Crescent Moon Sect had still not recovered from their shock.
Although they did not understand what the Gu Family of the Nine Heavens truly signified, they could faintly guess that its origins were absolutely terrifying and boundless.
Gu Xian'er—no, Gu Xian'er—actually had such a connection.
As for the matter of Gu Xian'er hiding her real name, few people actually cared.
Because from the very beginning, Gu Xian'er had been brought to the Crescent Moon Sect by that Mad Granny and only later became a disciple of the sect. A great part of that was coincidence.
Lan Xin, on the other hand, felt genuinely happy for Gu Xian'er. With such a background, Ji Yu probably wouldn't dare to do anything to Gu Xian'er...
In the end, Gu Xian'er did not hesitate long and agreed to return to the Gu Family with the Fifth Ancestor, on the condition that she could bring Lan Xin, Qing Nan, and the others beside her.
As for the elders and disciples of the Crescent Moon Sect, her relationship with them could not be described as either good or bad. It could only be said that they once shared the nominal bond of being fellow sect members.
She was not so overflowing with a savior complex as to care about their futures. Along this journey, she had seen the true faces of each side very clearly.
The Fifth Ancestor naturally did not refuse Gu Xian'er's request, agreeing with a smile and guaranteeing that Lan Xin and the others would be treated as honored guests in the Gu Family.
Qing Nan had originally wanted to decline Gu Xian'er's goodwill, because she actually did not know much about the Land of the Nine Heavens either.
The waters of this Gu Family seemed very deep at first glance. She did not want to take the risk, worried she might slip up and end up trapped.
Along this journey, although she had left behind various markings and auras that managed to escape the notice of Gu Xian'er and the others, she had still been seen through by that Gravekeeper.
Who knew if there were existences even more powerful and mysterious than the Gravekeeper within the Gu Family?
However, considering that the legacy of the Heaven-Restraining Sect's ruins was currently still in Gu Xian'er's hands, if she stayed alone in the Land of the Nine Heavens, it would actually just be a waste of time.
With that time, she could do many things in the outside world.
If the Gu Family eventually discovered her abnormality, she could just forcibly escape. Although the Land of the Nine Heavens and the Nightmare Demon Domain were separated by endless space-time, as long as she activated the power within the Coffin of World Burial, easily tearing open a space-time passage to leave safely should not be a problem.
The people of the Gu Clan came quickly and left just as quickly.
The elders and disciples of the Crescent Moon Sect were still somewhat bewildered and regretful. If they had only befriended Gu Xian'er a little earlier, perhaps that Gu Clan would have taken them along today as well...
And now, with Gu Xian'er and the others gone, Ji Yu, who was left standing there, also had an incredibly ugly expression. Even if he had ten thousand resentments, he could only forcibly suppress them in the end.
Gu Xian'er had deliberately taken Lan Xin away, not giving him the chance to make a move against Lan Xin.
In this way, all his schemes and calculations over these many years would turn to nothing.
"She's connected to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, and also related to the Gu Family..."
"What other identities does she have? What right did that Mad Granny have to choose her and give her that legacy?" A flash of madness and malice surfaced in Ji Yu's eyes.
News of the Gu Clan's appearance in the First Heaven spread rapidly through the Land of the Nine Heavens, causing great waves and commotion.
An ancient existence claiming to be the Fifth Ancestor of the Gu Clan had personally descended to search. This was enough to show the importance the Gu Clan placed on this.
The woman named Gu Xian'er was also quickly noticed by the various clan forces across the various heavens of the Land of the Nine Heavens, giving rise to many different speculations and discussions.
However, perhaps it was because the Gu Clan was too mysterious and transcendent, such speculations and attention did not last long.
Very quickly, it seemed an invisible force suppressed all of it. Even for the many cultivators and beings who had personally seen Gu Xian'er's true appearance outside the inn that day, the related memories in their minds subsequently began to fade.
Not even the ruler of the First Heaven, the Purple Star Great Sage, was an exception. After realizing there was a problem with his memory, his face paled. Then, very decisively, without any hesitation, he personally cut away all memories related to that day, leaving behind no karma whatsoever.
For merely having laid eyes on her true appearance to involve such immense karma—if one carelessly became entangled in it, then all his years of bitter cultivation would likely be utterly wasted.
In the grand hall of the Heaven-Overthrowing Sect within the Ninth Heaven.
Ji Yu, his face filled with dejection, stood behind the Eternal Life Dao Lord, who was dressed in a Grand Luo Daoist robe, recounting to him the many experiences and events during his time at the Crescent Moon Sect.
"I know you are unwilling. However, do not meddle in the affairs of the Gu Clan. You are the legitimate bloodline of the Radiant Ancestral Court, but my recent deductions have revealed that a former princess of the Radiant Ancestral Court has seemingly reappeared in the Vast Expanse..."
"With your current strength, wanting to revive the Radiant Ancestral Court is truly a heavy burden with a long road ahead. From now on, focus on cultivating with dedication. Breaking through to the Dao Realms as soon as possible is the most important matter."
"Your strength is truly far too weak. I wonder why that senior insisted I teach you diligently. But never mind. Once your cultivation breaks through to the Dao Realms, I will send you over to that side. Strive to catch up quickly."
The Eternal Life Dao Lord shook his head slightly. Within his deep, profound eyes, many scenes were evolving, as if he were seeing many vistas of the future.