Gu Jian slunk close to Gu Xuan, lifting her head to gently nuzzle his cheek. The small, sharp dragon-sword on her forehead was only a hair's breadth away from the back of Gu Xuan's head, a testament to her absolute precision and trust. Gu Xuan raised his hand to stroke the dragon's head, his fingers tracing the cool, hard scales. "Things have been far too hectic lately," he whispered softly. "But I'll be cultivating here at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for a while now. I can properly spend some time with you."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jian chirped and hopped with visible joy, her wings rustling. 'Papa! I missed you so much!' To Gu Xuan, her voice was milky and childish, filled with an innocent longing that tugged at his heart. It was a pity, however, that Dugu Yan and the others lacked the direct mental link to understand her. In their eyes, the silver dragon had simply let out a few rhythmic, guttural purrs that vibrated through the air of the valley.
As Gu Jian's greeting subsided, the four guardians of the well—Dugu Bo, Yang Wudi, Ye Haitang, and Zhang Jinyuan—emerged from the medicinal mist. Seeing Gu Xuan and the group of youngsters, their faces broke into genuine, warm smiles. Dugu Bo and the couple, Ye Haitang and Zhang Jinyuan, had been sequestered in the Sunset Forest for months. They hadn't seen their precious granddaughters in a long time, and the sight of them arriving safely brought immense joy to the elders' hearts.
Yang Wudi, the head of the Alchemy Hall and Gu Xuan's dedicated teacher, looked at his disciple with a gaze that balanced pride with his usual sternness. He knew that without Gu Xuan, he would never have realized his lifelong dream. Meanwhile, the group noted that Long Wu had already returned to the clan. The Bone Douluo, Gu Rong, was currently mobilizing to track down Tang Hao's location based on the map Gu Xuan had provided to Ning Fengzhi. As a Rank 97 Titled Douluo with a mastery over spatial power, Gu Rong was the only one suited for such a high-stakes reconnaissance mission. Long Wu had taken over the duty of guarding Ning Fengzhi, a prestigious position usually held only by the Sword or Bone Douluos.
"Grandfather, Teacher, Second Grandfather, Grandmother," Gu Xuan said, performing a respectful bow to the four elders. Having solidified his status with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, his ties to these four powerhouses were now deeply familial. Since Ye Lingling called Ye Haitang "Grandmother," Gu Xuan had adopted the term, though he used a more formal version to show proper respect. Zhang Jinyuan became his "Second Grandfather," and Dugu Bo remained the ever-familiar "Grandfather."
Gu Xuan didn't fuss over the hierarchy of his greetings; in this valley, they were all one family. Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling certainly didn't bother with formalities. Dugu Yan, now twenty years old, threw herself into Dugu Bo's arms with a girlish abandon that made Ma Bao and the other boys look away in mild embarrassment. "Grandpa! Yan Yan missed you so much!" Seeing the usually cold and commanding "Big Sister" acting like a spoiled child was a rare sight indeed.
Ye Lingling was more reserved but no less affectionate, taking Ye Haitang's arm. Standing together, the two looked more like mother and daughter than two generations apart.
"Grandmother," Ye Lingling whispered, her voice leaning into the elder's ear. "I've already reached Rank 56." The announcement caused Ye Haitang's eyes to widen in shock. She knew Gu Xuan wouldn't let Lingling use any foundation-damaging methods, which meant this growth was pure and supported by the highest quality of cultivation. To jump to Rank 56 in such a short window was incredible.
At this moment, Ye Haitang and Zhang Jinyuan were completely convinced they had made the right choice in joining the clan. Now that You Mingluo had broken through to the Titled Douluo realm, they felt that they, too, might reach that peak in the future. Seeing Ye Lingling's progress filled them with heartfelt satisfaction. Yang Wudi stepped toward Gu Xuan with a grin. "You rascal, you finally remembered to visit your old teacher?"
Gu Xuan chuckled, stepping forward with a cheeky grin. "What kind of talk is that, Teacher? A teacher for a day is a father for life. How could I forget the man who taught me the secrets of the cauldron? Besides, I didn't come empty-handed. I brought back the championship trophy from the tournament. I figured you'd want to see what a winning disciple looks like." Yang Wudi snorted, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward. He didn't doubt the claim for a second; in his mind, Gu Xuan's talent surpassed even that of Tang Hao during his youth.
As the rest of the group—Ning Rongrong, Li Li, Zhu Zhuqing, and the boys—exchanged greetings with the elders, the valley became lively. The elders had been isolated for nearly two years, and the arrival of these youngsters was the perfect mental tonic.
During the exchange, they learned that Gu Xuan had single-handedly suppressed a Rank 74 Soul Saint possessing a God-level Six-Winged Angel martial soul. The news caused a heavy silence to fall over the well. They realized that the boy standing before them wasn't just a genius; he was a monster who would one day stand at the absolute peak of the continent and charge toward the realm of the Gods.
As the group settled in, Gu Xuan took Gu Jian for a patrol around the perimeter. He marveled at the transformation Ye Haitang had wrought upon the valley. The medicinal plots were perfectly partitioned, with rare spirit grasses arranged according to their elemental needs. The Well was being utilized with perfect efficiency, providing a constant stream of high-level herbs. During their walk, Gu Xuan checked on Gu Jian's state and finally understood the secret to her explosive growth.
When she hatched, he had infused her with a drop of his own essence blood, which granted her the ability to resist the extreme temperatures of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Since her return, she had been meditating at the very edge of the springs, absorbing the lingering aura of the two fallen Dragon Kings. Because her bloodline was now intertwined with Gu Xuan's and nourished by the primal essence of the dragons, her evolution had surpassed all natural limits.
In just a few months, she had reached the five-thousand-year level. Her combat power was even more absurd; Gu Xuan estimated that she could likely hold her own against a Soul Emperor in a direct confrontation. Gu Xuan was delighted—the faster she grew, the more powerful the clan's guardian beast would be. This was her lucky break, but it also made Gu Xuan more excited about his own training. With his Dragon King inheritance marks, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, and the Infernal Delicate Apricot, he was like a fish in water within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
(End of Chapter)
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