Liu Ruyi could say with certainty that Gu Qing and Jiang Yu definitely had something going on between them.
Actually, she had suspected this for a long time.
After all, Jiang Yu's attitude toward Gu Qing was simply too good—the deep affection in her eyes, her unconditional indulgence—treating him countless times better than her own disciples.
In no way did this look like how an elder should treat a junior.
It was just that Gu Qing was Zhimeng's disciple, and the gap in their status and age was so vast that she had never dared to confirm her suspicions.
She had even guessed that Jiang Yu was doing this to poach from Zhimeng, using Gu Qing against her.
But now, seeing how Jiang Yu and Gu Qing had both disappeared for ten years continuously, what was there not to understand?
Regardless of Jiang Yu's initial intentions toward Gu Qing, the two were definitely together now, and might even have children.
"You have some nerve, daring to gossip about your master. Aren't you afraid of being expelled from the sect?" Gu Qing looked at her deeply, his answer seemingly pointing elsewhere.
Liu Ruyi was a sinister, cunning, and extremely skilled at disguising herself—truly a mad demoness.
That she thought he had something going on with Jiang Yu didn't surprise Gu Qing; after all, he and Jiang Yu had indeed grown quite close.
Being misunderstood was normal.
But for Liu Ruyi to actually say it out loud—was she trying to threaten him?
Let alone the fact that nothing was happening between him and Jiang Yu, even if there were, it wasn't something Liu Ruyi could use to threaten him.
That Liu Ruyi dared to scheme against him—he really needed to put her in her place, or she might actually think he was a pushover.
Liu Ruyi's expression shifted upon hearing these words.
She had indeed wanted to use this matter to get Gu Qing to help her a little, but seeing his confident, unbothered demeanor...
He didn't care at all about the secret being exposed.
Liu Ruyi began to panic. After all, Gu Qing truly had the capability and strength to eliminate her.
Liu Ruyan hurriedly apologized: "I'm sorry, Senior Brother. I spoke inappropriately. I was just momentarily curious. Please, Senior Brother, don't hold it against a lowly one like me."
"Mm!"
Gu Qing acknowledged with a sound, his gaze sweeping over her from top to bottom.
He had to admit, Liu Ruyi was truly beautiful.
Her figure was graceful and alluring, her snow-white skin practically glowing.
Her features were pure and sweet—every smile and frown exuded elegance and nobility, like a fairy untouched by worldly dust.
Without knowing her true nature, no one would ever guess that Liu Ruyi was a demoness wrapped in fairy's skin.
Harboring a demon seed within, born to be wicked.
"You can go now. Stay out of my affairs in the future—let's coexist peacefully."
Gu Qing waved his hand; he had nothing more to say to Liu Ruyi.
Hearing this, Liu Ruyi's gaze immediately dimmed, her expression wilting.
Liu Ruyan's talent was monstrous, her cultivation already on par with hers, and with Jiang Yu's protection, she had no opportunity to make a move against her.
The only person who could help her was Gu Qing.
But Gu Qing held an transcendent position and feared nothing—simply not someone she could scheme against.
Moreover, while Gu Qing was fond of beautiful women, he wouldn't bend for them.
Getting Gu Qing to help her was essentially impossible.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. After Liu Ruyan bid farewell to Jiang Yu, she was absolutely overjoyed.
Along the way, she kept grinning from ear to ear, sharing her experiences from the past ten years with Gu Qing.
In short, she had beaten every notable genius in the Xuantian Continent and had essentially become the number one genius of the land.
"Gu Qing, you probably don't know this, but I'm now the goddess of the entire Xuantian Continent with countless admirers, but I haven't given any of them the time of day."
"Some of them were so shameless, forcing treasures on me—I accepted them all, planning to take them back and feed them to the pigs for Sister Qingyue."
Liu Ruyan boasted proudly about how many admirers she had.
And how thoroughly she had rejected each one.
As she spoke, Liu Ruyan slightly lowered her head, lifting one eyelid to secretly observe Gu Qing's expression.
"Beautifully done." Gu Qing's eyelid twitched.
Feeding treasures to pigs—if Liu Ruyan's admirers knew about this, he wondered how they would feel.
Gu Qing completely agreed with Liu Ruyan's approach. This was exactly how simps should be treated—left with nothing, losing both the lady and the army, and ideally even their lives.
Though such behavior was quite scummy, it was undeniably satisfying.
"You don't think there's anything wrong with me doing this?"
Upon hearing Gu Qing's praise, Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes filled with shock.
She had thought Gu Qing wouldn't like this behavior of hers. After all, he treated his own women very well, so surely he would have some sympathy for those affectionate and generous men—they should appreciate each other.
She had already prepared her arguments to convince Gu Qing.
"Why would I?"
"You did very well. Of course, it would be even better if you actively swindled their treasures and then had them killed."
Gu Qing hated simps more than anything in this life.
No treatment was too harsh for them.
Day after day, instead of honoring their parents and families, they shamelessly pursued women.
And they even had the audacity to call it "for love."
It couldn't be more disgusting.
Gu Qing treated Lin Chuqing and the others well because they were his women.
He gave treasures to Chu Yao because she helped him accomplish things, and he genuinely appreciated her character.
He gave treasures to the Lin family because they had raised him.
As for using treasures to pursue women—that would never happen in this lifetime.
"Ah?"
Liu Ruyan was dumbfounded with shock.
Swindle their treasures and then take their lives too—wasn't that a bit too vicious?
"I'm just giving a suggestion. As for what you do, follow your own heart. You're my junior sister—whatever you do is right." Gu Qing smiled and spoke gently.
Hearing this, Liu Ruyan pursed her red lips, deeply moved.
Did this count as Gu Qing taking her side?
It definitely did.
Regardless of the reason, right or wrong, whether she was a good person or bad, Gu Qing firmly stood on her side.
Thinking this, Liu Ruyan's pink lips moved as if to speak, her expression conflicted, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to say the words of gratitude.
She turned her face away, not wanting to look at Gu Qing.
"By the way."
Gu Qing's expression suddenly turned serious: "You need to be careful of Liu Ruyi. I can see she still hasn't given up on tormenting you. You need to guard against her in the future."
Hearing this, Liu Ruyan's expression darkened as if water might drip from it, her whole body trembling, her eyes filled with anger and sorrow.
"Don't overthink it. She's just a lunatic, psychologically twisted and dark. She's not worth your mental energy."
Gu Qing patted her little head.
In his heart, he sighed—being a protagonist wasn't something just anyone could do.
Anyone who encountered such a crazy, obsessive type would probably break down.
"Mm!" Liu Ruyan nodded heavily.
She knew exactly what kind of person Liu Ruyi was. Even after all these years of tender care and constant attention, Liu Ruyan had never let her guard down.
She had always been on guard against Liu Ruyi.
But after so many years of Liu Ruyi's careful nurturing and companionship, to say she had no positive feelings toward her would be a lie.
Yet Liu Ruyi was still Liu Ruyi—born wicked, dark and twisted.
Thinking this, Liu Ruyan asked curiously: "What does 'mental energy consumption' mean?"
"It means you don't need to dwell on it—just treat her as if she doesn't exist." Gu Qing explained briefly.
"Treat her as if she doesn't exist?" Liu Ruyan murmured, a thoughtful look appearing in her eyes.
Indeed, Liu Ruyi was like a piece of dog-skin plaster that couldn't be shaken off. If she just treated her as nonexistent, perhaps she wouldn't feel so troubled and conflicted.
The more Liu Ruyan thought about it, the brighter her beautiful eyes became. Her phoenix eyes seemed filled with little stars as she looked at Gu Qing with admiration.
Gu Qing was truly a beam of light in her life, illuminating her dark and painful childhood, helping her soar to the heavens.
If Gu Qing hadn't taken her away, she never would have been able to become Jiang Yu's disciple, nor would she have achieved what she had today.
It was also Gu Qing who had helped her sever ties with her parents.
And now he was directly enlightening her, freeing her from being troubled by Liu Ruyi.
Without Gu Qing, Liu Ruyan couldn't imagine how long she would have remained entangled with the Liu family and Liu Ruyi.
"Ahem!"
Gu Qing cleared his throat and changed the subject: "Ruyan, do you remember He Ni?"
"I remember."
The light in Liu Ruyan's eyes immediately dimmed as she responded sullenly.
She knew it—Gu Qing going to Liu Family Village must have been for He Ni.
Gu Qing was good in every way, except for being too much of a playboy. She hated it.
"Back then she left without saying goodbye. Senior Yang Dieyi might know the reason. When the time comes, please put in a good word for me."
"Oh, I understand."
Liu Ruyan responded reluctantly.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Gu Qing felt Liu Ruyan's emotional shift was a bit inexplicable.
But he couldn't be bothered to investigate further—his objective was achieved, and that was enough.
Soon, Gu Qing brought Liu Ruyan to Liu Family Village.
"Daya, Erya, I'm back..."
Seeing the familiar scenes and familiar faces, Liu Ruyan shouted excitedly and swooped down.
She was completely acting like a wild girl now—where was even a trace of that cold, world-weary demeanor?
Gu Qing shook his head helplessly and arrived beneath the hollow willow tree.
"Junior pays respects to Senior Yang."
"Saint Realm Third Level Peak..."
In the alternate dimension, Yang Dieyi's figure was hazy, bathed in immortal light.
Upon hearing Gu Qing's voice, she raised her eyes to look at him, and even her cool, magnetic voice showed signs of cracking.
She found it somewhat unbelievable.
Yang Dieyi carefully examined Gu Qing's bones and the aura of his Dao.
She fell silent.
She couldn't understand how anyone in the world could have a foundation more profound than an innate deity.
Even with the help of an innate spirit treasure, reaching such heights should be impossible.
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