CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: JUN WU LEAVES

Spirit Hidden Mountain, Main Peak Great Hall.

Wen Guiyun, knowing that Gu Qingqing and the others were about to arrive, was waiting for them in the great hall. Besides him, Si Lin and Yue Zhao, who had just emerged from seclusion, were also present, along with another man.

The man wore a jade crown on his head, his sword-like eyebrows extended to his temples, and his charming eyes gave an impression of deep affection, yet his gaze was sharp, making people feel thoroughly seen through! He was tall, dressed in a black brocade robe with silver-thread embroidered auspicious clouds on the cuffs and hem, appearing and disappearing with changes in the light.

Standing there, he exuded an aura that compelled others to submit; Si Lin and Yue Zhao were visibly excited upon looking at him.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed, and Gu Qingqing and the five others walked in from the entrance.

Upon seeing the man, all five were somewhat surprised, especially Jun Wu, whose usually stern face showed a rare change in expression.

"Disciple greets Master!"

"Greetings to Master Wen!"

Nan Hua and the other four, along with Jun Wu, first bowed and greeted Wen Guiyun.

"Alright, all of you rise, no need for so much formality." Wen Guiyun waved his hand, and a gentle force lifted the five of them.

"Qingqing, Hua’er, Achen, and Little Ye, come, meet Saint Master Jun of Yunlan Sacred Land." As the host, Wen Guiyun stood up, beckoning his disciples with his hand.

Hearing this, Nan Hua and the others instinctively glanced at Jun Wu, then stepped forward to salute Jun Yutian.

Jun Yutian nodded, his gaze steadily on Jun Wu.

"Child, greet your father!" Jun Wu took a step forward, standing before the man, his expression excited.

"Ah Wu, I’m here to take you home!" Facing Jun Wu, Jun Yutian’s expression became much more animated.

Jun Wu was momentarily stunned, instinctively looking towards Gu Qingqing, then back at Jun Yutian.

"Father, has the matter of the Holy Land been resolved?" It was because Jun Yutian had to handle some matters of Yunlan Sacred Land that Jun Wu was sent to Spirit Hidden Mountain; now he couldn’t help but ask.

"Naturally, it’s been resolved. You’ve been imposing on Spirit Hidden Mountain for some time now, and your mother misses you. It’s time to go home." Jun Yutian did not miss Jun Wu’s glance, casting a brief look towards Gu Qingqing, speaking softly.

"I understand." Jun Wu’s expression dimmed slightly, "Father, can you give me a bit of time? I have something I wish to discuss with Qingqing."

Jun Yutian regarded Jun Wu with a bit of surprise, then looked at Gu Qingqing, nodding.

Jun Wu turned, said something to Wen Guiyun, and took Gu Qingqing outside the hall.

[Jun Wu, are you going home?] The conversation between Jun Yutian and Jun Wu wasn’t hidden from the others, so Gu Qingqing naturally heard it as well. Her large, bright eyes looked at Jun Wu as she signaled.

Jun Wu nodded.

[Will you come back to Spirit Hidden Mountain again in the future?] Gu Qingqing’s expression visibly dropped quite a bit, her eyes even starting to well up.

Seeing Gu Qingqing on the verge of tears, Jun Wu pursed his lips, feeling uncomfortable inside as well.

For as long as he could remember, Gu Qingqing was his only friend, held in high regard in his heart. Although he knew he would eventually have to leave, he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

"I am the Young Master of Yunlan Sacred Land, with much to learn, and Spirit Hidden Mountain isn’t a place one can visit freely. In the future, it’s unlikely I’ll appear here again." Though difficult, Jun Wu slowly spoke.

Upon hearing this, the tears Gu Qingqing had been holding back finally fell.

Having spent so much time with Jun Wu, she had long placed him in an important spot in her heart. Knowing Jun Wu was leaving, and that they might not meet again, naturally, she felt extremely sad.

"Don’t, don’t cry." Jun Wu clumsily but carefully helped Gu Qingqing wipe away her tears, "Although I can’t come here, you can come to the Sub-immortal Realm to find me, with your talent, you’ll reach the seventh tier in no time, and Master Wen and your senior brothers will also return to the Sub-immortal Realm; you can find me then."

Hearing Jun Wu say this, Gu Qingqing paused, looking at him with tear-dimmed eyes.

[Really, really?]

"Of course, when have I ever lied to you?" Jun Wu quickly assured her, taking a copper mirror from his Qiankun Ring and handing one to Gu Qingqing, "This is an Immortal Artifact for communication. As long as you input Spiritual Power and write what you want to say on the copper mirror, I can receive it."

Gu Qingqing wiped her tears, hugging the copper mirror as if it were a treasure.

[Then, we have a deal. When I reach the seventh tier in cultivation, we’ll meet in the Sub-immortal Realm!] She looked at Jun Wu, her expression more serious than ever before.

"Yes!" Jun Wu nodded vigorously.

He looked at Gu Qingqing, hesitated for a moment, then gently hugged her, quickly releasing her again.

Having set their meeting time, Jun Wu helped Gu Qingqing dry her tears before returning to the great hall together.

Jun Wu returned to Jun Yutian’s side, while Gu Qingqing prepared to go to Wen Guiyun’s side but was called by Jun Yutian.

"You’re called Gu Qingqing, right?" He bent down to meet Gu Qingqing’s gaze, "I heard from your master that you’re Ah Wu’s good friend. Since it’s our first meeting, uncle will give you this as a gift." As he spoke, he handed her a Jade Scroll, "Enclosed within is my Spiritual Power, which can protect you from three ninth-tier attacks."

Gu Qingqing glanced at Wen Guiyun, and upon his nod, accepted the Jade Scroll.

[Thank you, uncle!] She signaled with her hands.

A trace of astonishment flashed in Jun Yutian’s eyes, followed by a wave of his hand as he straightened up, guiding Jun Wu towards Wen Guiyun.

"Gui Yun, thank you for taking care of Ah Wu during this time. We’ll take our leave now." Jun Yutian appeared much more relaxed in front of Wen Guiyun.

"Alright, hurry and go." Although fond of Jun Wu, Wen Guiyun was uncomfortable with Gu Qingqing being with Jun Wu all the time. Now that Jun Wu was leaving, he was quick to agree!

"Very well, farewell for now!" Jun Yutian didn’t delay; coming personally this time wasn’t easy, and he couldn’t stay long.

Wen Guiyun nodded, watching as Jun Yutian tore a piece of talisman paper with Jun Wu, disappearing in front of them.

The departure of Jun Wu was met with cheer by Nan Hua and the others; only Gu Qingqing was sullen. Even though she had the copper mirror, losing someone by her side so abruptly left her somewhat uneasy.

Wen Guiyun and the rest comforted Gu Qingqing for a while, and seeing that her mood had slightly improved, they began discussing the matter of the Secret Realm.

"I never imagined that the Xuantian Continent would really have an Immortal Secret Realm!" Yue Zhao couldn’t help but exclaim after hearing Rong Ye’s description.

"What do you mean by this?" Nan Hua caught the flaw in Yue Zhao’s words, asking.

"I previously performed a divination, and the hexagram indicated that an opportunity would appear on the Xuantian Continent, but I didn’t expect this opportunity to be an Immortal Secret Realm!" Yue Zhao was surprised himself, not expecting the opportunity to be so grand!

Si Lin and the others held Yue Zhao’s divination skills in high regard, so they didn’t question further.

"The Secret Realm will likely take some time to appear. During this time, Qingqing, you should not leave the mountain. Focus on your cultivation on the mountain, and when the Secret Realm appears, your senior brothers will take you into the Secret Realm." Wen Guiyun patted Gu Qingqing’s head, his tone gentle.

Thinking of her agreement with Jun Wu, Gu Qingqing nodded, determined to quickly reach the seventh tier in cultivation and find Jun Wu as soon as possible!