CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 27: CHASING CLOUD CITY

EDITOR: DRAGON BOAT TRANSLATION

"I’ll help you find it too." Jun Wu tugged at Gu Qingqing’s sleeve and said earnestly once she turned around.

He had only just discovered the seal within Gu Qingqing. Although he wasn’t particularly regretful about Gu Qingqing’s inability to speak once he knew about her Word Spirit Talent, knowing now that she could speak if the seal were lifted made him hopeful.

As the Saint Heir of Yunlan Sacred Land, he had known from a young age of his responsibilities, and he was aware of the attitudes of the people around him. Because of this, he maintained a stern demeanor and never responded to the approach of others his age. But Gu Qingqing was different; he could feel that her interest in him was not because of his status, but because of who he was as a person.

In his heart, Gu Qingqing was different!

The Saint Heir cannot promise lightly, but he was willing to find those runes for Gu Qingqing!

As soon as he spoke, the room fell silent.

Gu Qingqing didn’t quite understand the significance of Jun Wu’s words from his position, but Si Lin and the others did. They originally thought Jun Wu and Gu Qingqing hadn’t known each other for long, and despite studying together, their relationship should be ordinary. To their surprise, Gu Qingqing had caught Jun Wu’s eye and made him promise personally.

Si Lin and the others exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat peculiar.

As one of the people involved, Gu Qingqing hadn’t thought that deeply. She just felt Jun Wu was very loyal for helping her so greatly, and was moved to directly hug Jun Wu.

Caught off guard, Jun Wu froze entirely; his body stiffened, his face expressionless, but his ears turned red as if they might bleed.

Witnessing this, Si Lin and the others all darkened their expressions, including Wen Guiyun, who previously favored Jun Wu, whose face also turned completely dark.

"Ahem!" Seeing Gu Qingqing not letting go, Wen Guiyun glared at Jun Wu and lightly coughed twice.

Hearing Wen Guiyun’s cough, Gu Qingqing quickly let go of Jun Wu and ran to Wen Guiyun’s side, looking at him with concern.

"I’m fine, just a dry throat." Seeing that Gu Qingqing was still more concerned about him, Wen Guiyun’s face softened a bit, and he spoke gently.

Seeing that Wen Guiyun indeed didn’t look too uncomfortable, Gu Qingqing finally felt at ease.

After arranging for Si Lin and the others to help Gu Qingqing find the runes, Wen Guiyun instructed Gu Qingqing to continue learning with Si Lin and the others, and Spirit Hidden Mountain temporarily returned to calm.

Nan Hua returned the next day and immediately expressed his willingness to help once he learned about Gu Qingqing’s situation, bringing up another matter.

"Master, today I heard something outside which might help Little Qingqing," Nan Hua stated seriously, putting aside his usual frivolity while speaking to Wen Guiyun.

At that moment, the two were in the main peak’s grand hall, with only the two of them present. Hearing this, Wen Guiyun paused in the middle of brewing tea.

"What is it?" Lately, he had been sensitive to anything about Gu Qingqing. Hearing Nan Hua’s words, he promptly inquired.

"Disciple heard that a Mist Forest appeared outside Chasing Cloud City, and those who ventured in never came out. Even the City Lord sent experts, but they didn’t return. Now the mist is spreading, and I thought it might hold what Little Qingqing needs," Nan Hua spoke with reliability when discussing important matters.

After thinking for a moment, Wen Guiyun said, "If that’s the case, you and Rong Ye should take Little Qingqing to Chasing Cloud City to see if that’s true. If there’s danger, remember to call for help!"

"Yes, Master, I understand. As long as we don’t encounter a creature like the Jiuying, Rong Ye and I can handle it!" Nan Hua rose from his seat, unfolded his fan, and resumed his roguish gentleman demeanor, shaking the fan as he turned to leave.

Wen Guiyun was long accustomed to Nan Hua’s nature. He shook his head, not blaming him, and continued brewing tea.

At the time, Gu Qingqing was at Rong Ye’s fifth peak, and Nan Hua went there directly to find her.

"Little Qingqing, your senior brother already knows, rest assured that he’ll definitely help you find those runes so you can quickly speak!" Nan Hua shook his folding fan, his expression more serious than ever.

[Thank you, senior brother.] Gu Qingqing looked at Nan Hua and thanked him with hand gestures.

"You didn’t come here just to say that, right?" Rong Ye, who always had a strained relationship with Nan Hua, couldn’t help but ask when he saw Gu Qingqing smiling at Nan Hua.

"Of course not, I brought good news for Little Qingqing." Nan Hua rolled his eyes at Rong Ye, ignoring him, and turned to Gu Qingqing, "A Mist Forest has appeared near Chasing Cloud City, very strange, and Master and I guess it might hold what you need. Master instructed me and Rong Ye to take you to check it out."

Gu Qingqing’s eyes lit up, and she immediately nodded her head.

She also very much hoped to speak soon; she wouldn’t let any chance pass by!

"I’ll go too," Jun Wu quickly interjected when neither Nan Hua nor Rong Ye indicated they’d bring him along.

Rong Ye glanced at Jun Wu, his expression unfavorable. Although Nan Hua didn’t witness Gu Qingqing hugging Jun Wu the previous night, he wasn’t fond of Jun Wu either, as Jun Wu usually stayed inseparably with Gu Qingqing, which dissatisfaction them both.

Both wanted to go without Jun Wu, but his special status meant even Wen Guiyun couldn’t casually dismiss him, so ultimately, Jun Wu tagged along.

...

Chasing Cloud City was over three hundred li away from Qingfeng City, covering a larger area but less prosperous. However, the city had quite a few cultivators, incomparable to smaller towns.

A month ago, a Mist Forest mysteriously appeared outside Chasing Cloud City, supposedly overnight, whereas the place was perfectly fine before. Once people entered, they never came out, leading to an increasing number of strange tales about the Mist Forest.

Some believed it might contain treasures, prompting many to adventure there, ironically making the Mist Forest more infamous, as those who went never returned, instilling fear in it.

These already troubled the City Lord of Chasing Wind City, whose worries about the continuously expanding Mist Forest increased until the arrival of Nan Hua and the others.

"Lord Nan, Lord Rong, this way please." The City Lord, surnamed Han, followed behind Nan Hua with utmost respect.

"Lord Han, let’s cut to the chase. Tell us exactly what’s going on with the Mist Forest," Rong Ye, arms crossed over his chest, inquired directly while looking at Lord Han.