CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 40: SWEET ATMOSPHERE

Hearing the words "woke up," Jun Wu rushed in, only to halt immediately at the entrance, turning around and blocking Rong Ye and the others who were trying to enter.

"Boy, why are you stopping us?" Nan Hua was a bit displeased, attempting to bypass Jun Wu to check on Gu Qingqing, but was blocked once again, his gaze turning unfriendly.

"Geng Geng... didn’t..." Jun Wu hesitated for a moment, his cheeks turning slightly red, "didn’t wear any clothes."

Nan Hua was stunned for a moment, only realizing then that earlier, to let Gu Qingqing soak in the Cold Pool, Mu Chen had asked those maidservants to help Gu Qingqing undress. Once he figured it out, he also turned around.

Mu Chen and Yue Zhao, who were already behind, did not see anything after being blocked. Upon hearing this, they also turned around.

"Saint Heir, you can come in now," Aunt Gui’s voice sounded from inside.

Jun Wu lowered his hands, adjusted his expression, and then quickly walked in, with Nan Hua and the others following behind him.

Gu Qingqing was lying on the Jade Bed at the moment, her clothes had been changed. Although her face was still pale and she looked quite unwell, she was indeed awake and couldn’t help but smile upon seeing Jun Wu and the others.

"Jun Wu, Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother." Gu Qingqing’s voice was very light, sounding extremely weak, but the smile on her face was rather lovely.

"Geng Geng, how are you feeling now?" Jun Wu was the first to reach the bedside, squatting next to it, asking with concern.

"I feel okay." Gu Qingqing’s gaze followed Jun Wu, speaking softly.

Mu Chen took Gu Qingqing’s hand, channeling Spiritual Power into her body to examine her internal condition. He discovered that her previously severely injured meridians had healed significantly, and her Dantian’s condition had also improved a lot, which immediately relaxed his expression.

"The Cold Pool effect is indeed good, your injuries have healed a lot, in about three more days, you will be completely fine," Mu Chen looked at Gu Qingqing, "How is your Divine Sense feeling?"

"The injury to my Divine Sense is almost healed, it won’t take long to recover completely." Since waking up, Gu Qingqing also felt her body’s condition, all of which was within her expectations, and even better than she expected, so she felt very calm at the moment.

"That’s good, it wasn’t in vain for Second Senior Brother to play the Soul Suppressing Song for an entire night." Mu Chen glanced at Yue Zhao, who still wore a smiling expression, and couldn’t help but say.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingqing was a bit surprised, "Second Senior Brother?" She looked at Yue Zhao, "Thank you, Second Senior Brother."

She was just wondering how her Divine Sense injury could heal so quickly. It turned out to be because of Yue Zhao, and she felt very touched.

"As long as Geng Geng is well, that’s good," Yue Zhao shook his head, "Besides, I also gained something, so don’t worry about it."

He understood Gu Qingqing’s nature; she would surely remember this matter in her heart. However, he didn’t feel that playing music for a night for Gu Qingqing was a hardship. As he had said before, Gu Qingqing was extremely important to him, important enough that he would give his life for her, so playing music for a single night was really nothing!

Gu Qingqing also understood Yue Zhao’s character and said nothing more, simply keeping this matter silently in her heart.

"Where are First Senior Brother and Fifth Senior Brother?" Not seeing Si Lin and Rong Ye, Gu Qingqing couldn’t help but ask.

"They took the others back to Lingxi Sacred Land to report. If they know you have woken up, they will come to Yunlan Sacred Land soon." Yue Zhao gently explained to Gu Qingqing.

Gu Qingqing nodded, indicating she understood.

"This is a new Elixir I developed for you, specifically for your condition. Take one pill every day, and your injuries will heal faster." Mu Chen handed a Jade Bottle to Gu Qingqing, explaining.

"Thank you, Fourth Senior Brother." Gu Qingqing took the Jade Bottle and put it away immediately.

Mu Chen reached out and patted Gu Qingqing’s head.

Gu Qingqing, just waking up, was still very weak, and after not saying much to them, she was already feeling fatigued. Yue Zhao and Mu Chen immediately suggested leaving her to rest. Although Jun Wu was reluctant to leave, with Yue Zhao and the others present, naturally they wouldn’t let him stay alone with Gu Qingqing. He could only leave reluctantly, instructing Aunt Gui to take good care of Gu Qingqing before he left.

When Gu Qingqing woke up again, it was in the afternoon. After consuming the Elixir that Mu Chen provided, she felt much more spirited. With Aunt Gui’s help, she sat in the Cold Pool and began cultivating on her own to expedite her recovery.

On the night of her second day awake, Jun Wu’s cultivation broke through to rank nine.

On her fourth day awake, she was still healing and cultivating in the Cold Pool.

When the meridians in her body were fully restored, the surrounding Spiritual Energy surged crazily into her body, quickly forming a vortex of Spiritual Power above her head. She closed her eyes, slightly furrowed her brow, and continuously activated her cultivation technique, absorbing the Spiritual Energy.

Outside the Cold Pool, Aunt Gui and the maidservants were startled by the commotion.

"Aunt Gui, is this... is Miss Gu advancing in rank?" A round-faced maidservant stood beside Aunt Gui, usually liked by Aunt Gui, boldly asked.

Aunt Gui was also somewhat surprised. Hearing the little maid’s words, she nodded and said nothing further.

As Shen Shuyi’s trusted aide, she was aware of some of Gu Qingqing’s background.

The Spirit Fox Saint Master had taken a closed-door disciple in the Lower Realm, reportedly having excellent talent. Young Master Si Lin and the five disciples of the Spirit Fox Saint Master all adored her. She was the childhood friend of their Saint Heir and much loved by the Spirit Fox Saint Master, who even specially organized a master-apprentice ceremony for her, introducing her to all factions!

At only fifteen, she, like their Saint Heir, had already reached the eighth rank in cultivation. Their Saint Heir just advanced to the ninth rank, and unexpectedly, Gu Qingqing immediately followed with a breakthrough.

High cultivation, high status; even that would be enough. The main point was, she was incredibly beautiful!

Although she knew their Saint Heir was exceptional, the best among his peers, Aunt Gui couldn’t help but worry about their Saint Heir. She had seen how fond Jun Wu was of Gu Qingqing, and if Gu Qingqing were snatched away by someone else, Jun Wu would probably go insane!

Feeling that her thoughts were somewhat dangerous, Aunt Gui quickly shook her head, instructing the little maid beside her to inform Jun Wu about Gu Qingqing’s advancement, while she kept a close watch on Gu Qingqing to prevent any accidents.

Jun Wu arrived quickly, but waited outside the cave.

Although Gu Qingqing hadn’t been at the eighth rank for long, she benefitted from misfortune. After being injured, her meridians widened, and at the Cold Pool, where Spiritual Energy was abundant, she managed to advance to the ninth rank.

The process of promotion went smoothly. After half an hour, the vortex of spiritual energy above her head was completely absorbed into her body. A strong pressure burst from her body, causing Aunt Gui and the others nearby to stiffen momentarily, then it quickly disappeared as she opened her eyes.

"Congratulations, Miss Gu, on successfully advancing to the ninth tier. The Saint Heir is waiting outside," Aunt Gui promptly brought clothes to Gu Qingqing, smiling as she congratulated her.

"Thank you, Aunt Gui." Gu Qingqing smiled and stood up from the Cold Pool.

She quickly changed into a set of clothes, and with the help of Aunt Gui and others, she tidied her hair and inserted the hairpin that Jun Wu had given her. Then, she walked out of the cave.

"Qingqing, congratulations on advancing to the ninth tier," Jun Wu was always gentle in his interactions with Gu Qingqing, and especially now, seeing Gu Qingqing wearing the hairpin he gifted her, his tone became even more tender.

"So, where’s my promotion gift?" Gu Qingqing looked at Jun Wu, suddenly blinking playfully, extending her hand to him.

Jun Wu was taken aback, completely unprepared for Gu Qingqing’s request, and immediately began contemplating what gift to prepare for her.

Seeing her success in startling Jun Wu, Gu Qingqing felt very pleased and started laughing, "Haha, just teasing you! Got you stumped, huh?"

Jun Wu’s thoughts were interrupted, and seeing Gu Qingqing laughing so happily, he couldn’t help but smile.

He extended his hand, and a brocade box appeared in it, which he handed over to Gu Qingqing, "Here, a promotion gift."

"You actually have one?" Gu Qingqing was surprised, looking at Jun Wu, not expecting him to actually have a gift prepared, "I was just kidding, you don’t have to take it so seriously!"

Jun Wu raised an eyebrow, his extended hand unmoving.

"Is it really for me?" Gu Qingqing hesitantly reached out her hand, uncertainly asking.

"Of course." Jun Wu nodded, pulling Gu Qingqing’s outstretched hand over, placing the brocade box in it, "See if you like it?"

Gu Qingqing took the box, opened it in front of Jun Wu, and found inside a bracelet. The bracelet was silver, embedded with purple gemstones, appearing noble and mysterious, very beautiful, instantly captivating Gu Qingqing’s heart.

"Is this Purple Bird Stone? It’s so pretty!" She picked up the bracelet and placed it on her wrist, the combination of white and purple looking very lovely.

"Yes," Jun Wu nodded, stepping forward to Gu Qingqing, "Let me help you put it on."

He took the bracelet from Gu Qingqing’s hand and bowed his head, helping her wear it.

The two were very close at the moment, Jun Wu’s face right next to Gu Qingqing’s. Gu Qingqing slightly raised her eyes and could see Jun Wu’s magnified face; from her angle, his skin looked very fair, his eyelashes long and dense like little fans, his nose was quite high, and his lips were a healthy pink, currently pressed lightly together.

Gu Qingqing suddenly felt a bit hot and her mouth dry, unable to resist licking her lips. Just at that moment, Jun Wu finished helping her with the bracelet, raised his head intending to speak to her, and her tongue ended up licking his cheek, leaving her stunned, her face instantly turning beet red!

Jun Wu only felt a mere hint of moisture on his cheek. It wasn’t until his gaze captured Gu Qingqing’s tongue not yet retracted that he realized what that moistness was just now!

An inexplicable wave of heat rose in him, his gaze fixed on Gu Qingqing’s lips, his cheeks growing warm, as a desire he didn’t quite understand slowly fermented!

The two of them just stared at each other, their faces red, looking from a distance they were very close. They were both very good-looking, making the scene appear very comforting, even the air seemed to emit a sweet aroma.

Of course, this was from Aunt Gui’s perspective.

But not in the eyes of the three people approaching: Mu Chen, Yue Zhao, and Nan Hua.

Yue Zhao’s usually perfect smile stiffened on his face, Nan Hua’s hand, waving a fan, halted, and Mu Chen’s eyes went wide, appearing shocked by what he was seeing!

"Qingqing." Yue Zhao was the first to react, his face reclaiming a hint of a smile, unusually loudly asking, "What are you doing?"

The ambiguous atmosphere between Gu Qingqing and Jun Wu was immediately broken, both hurriedly withdrew, turning to look at Yue Zhao and the others.

"Brother Yue, why did you come over?" Gu Qingqing dropped her hand, walked two steps forward, pretending to ask naturally.

"We heard you broke through to the ninth tier, came over to see." Nan Hua put away his fan, walked to Gu Qingqing’s side, glared at Jun Wu where she couldn’t see, then turned with a playful smile to Gu Qingqing, "Congratulations, you’ve advanced another tier, now you’re like us!"

"That’s right, Qingqing worked hard, what gift would you like?" Mu Chen discreetly positioned himself to separate Gu Qingqing from Jun Wu, asking with a smile.

"I like whatever my brothers gift me," Gu Qingqing was feeling guilty at the moment, so she didn’t notice that she was distanced from Jun Wu, and showed a smile, saying.

"Then this newly developed sugar pill will be gifted to Qingqing, it’s great for beauty, isn’t it what you girls like most?" Mu Chen’s hand appeared with a Jade Bottle, which he handed to Gu Qingqing.

Gu Qingqing accepted with a smile, very happy, "Thank you, Fourth Brother, I really like it."

"There’s a Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in Yunlan City outside Yunlan Sacred Land. I’ll have them send over the latest clothes and accessories later," being the richest among the five brothers, Nan Hua used to send things to his romantic interests, but ever since Gu Qingqing became his junior sister, he’s been buying things for her!

"Thank you, Third Brother." Clothes and accessories are irresistible to any girl, including Gu Qingqing. Her eyes lit up at his words, and she immediately smiled and said.

"Brother recently learned how to make a delicacy, I’ll make it for Qingqing tomorrow." Of all the things Yue Zhao had, Gu Qingqing didn’t particularly fancy, but his delicacies were the best, so he said with a smile at this time.

Gu Qingqing became even more delighted, immediately walking to Yue Zhao’s side, nudging against him, showing a very dependent expression.

Yue Zhao gently patted Gu Qingqing’s head, yet his eyes looked at Jun Wu with a very cold expression.

"Jun Wu, I want your help with something, come with me." Yue Zhao looked at Jun Wu, the smile on his face remained perfect.

Jun Wu, unlike Gu Qingqing, was not unfamiliar with seeing Yue Zhao’s smile like this, knowing what he meant. He looked at Gu Qingqing, saw her look at him then quickly look away, smiled slightly, and turned to Yue Zhao, "Sure, Brother Yue."

Yue Zhao and Jun Wu left one after the other. Gu Qingqing wanted to ask Yue Zhao what he needed Jun Wu for, but feeling guilty about what had just happened and afraid of Yue Zhao bringing up those moments, she could only keep quiet and chat with Nan Hua and Mu Chen.