The voice coming from the jade talisman trembled noticeably.

"The people from the Enforcement Hall suddenly took her away this morning, saying she was suspected of harming a fellow disciple."

Harming fellow disciples? Gu Sheng immediately thought of the Blood Refining Evil Cultivator who was pierced through the heart by Shen Qingtan's sword that night.

Although that person practiced evil arts, he did indeed bear the title of a disciple of the Great Wilderness Holy Academy.

"Specific location."

His voice turned somber.

"I'll be there right away."

There was a teahouse outside the teleportation array in the eastern district of Tiancheng. I was wearing a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

Qin Yurou spoke very quickly.

"Young Master Gu, please be very careful, things are hot in the city lately."

Before he could finish speaking, the jade talisman suddenly dimmed.

Gu Sheng tried to contact them again, but found that his spiritual energy had vanished without a trace, indicating that something was wrong on the other end.

After an incense stick had burned, the Heavenly City teleportation array flashed with white light.

Disguised as a middle-aged scholar, Gu Sheng stepped out, his muscles slightly taut beneath his blue robe.

An unusual tension filled the air, and dozens of figures piloting flying magical artifacts could be seen patrolling at low altitudes.

They wore standard black armor and the emblem of the Great Wilderness Holy Academy on their chests.

"I heard that all three hundred members of the Wanliu Sect were wiped out overnight."

Two people dressed as vendors were whispering to each other, but immediately fell silent when the patrolmen approached.

Gu Sheng subtly adjusted his straw hat.

It seems that what happened that night has already escalated, but I never expected it would involve Shen Qingtan.

He quickened his pace toward the agreed-upon teahouse, when he suddenly noticed a flash of pale yellow at the street corner.

It was a young girl with her hair in two buns, pretending to be interested in the rouge on the stall, but her eyes kept glancing at the passersby.

As Gu Sheng approached, she suddenly widened her eyes and blurted out.

"Gu"

"The girl has the wrong person."

Gu Sheng interrupted in a low voice, revealing half of a jade amulet made of a phoenix from his sleeve.

Qin Yurou understood and casually picked up a box of rouge and tossed two spirit stones to the stall owner.

"wrap up."

Then, as if by accident, he walked along the alley.

Gu Sheng followed at a distance and noticed that the girl would change her pace every time she passed a fork in the road, clearly trying to evade being followed.

After winding their way through the maze, the two arrived at a courtyard covered in vines.

As soon as you push open the mottled wooden door, a strong, fishy smell hits you.

Various strange animals roam freely in the yard, including rabbits with scales, three-tailed foxes, and even a small, snow-white flying dragon lying in the corner.

"Sorry, the smell is awful."

Qin Yurou locked the courtyard gate, then suddenly turned around and stared straight at Gu Sheng.

"But how did you do that? Even the Golden-Eyed Beast couldn't see through your disguise, yet I could smell it from three streets away."

Gu Sheng shed his disguise and revealed his true colors.

"The talent of the Beast Taming style?"

"It's the smell."

The girl wrinkled her nose smugly.

"You have a unique medicinal scent, mixed with, well, the smell of thunder."

She suddenly lowered her voice.

"Sister Qingtan said that you used thunder magic when you killed that evil cultivator."

Gu Sheng's gaze sharpened.

It seems that Shen Qingtan considers this girl a true confidante.

"Let's get down to business."

He looked around.

"Is it safe here?"

Qin Yurou whistled, and the white dragon immediately spread its wings and soared up, forming a semi-transparent barrier in the sky above the courtyard.

"It's safe now. Six Earth Martial Realm experts arrived at the Enforcement Hall this morning, carrying the Vice Dean's token."

It turned out that in the early morning, Shen Qingtan was tending to the spiritual plants in the herb garden when she was suddenly surrounded by law enforcement officers who broke down the door.

The cold-faced man at the head of the group produced a blood-red jade slip, claiming it contained evidence of her "harming her fellow disciples."

"Jiang Feihong? The top disciple among the ten inner court disciples?"

Gu Sheng frowned slightly, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the stone table, producing a crisp sound.

Qin Yurou nodded, her black hair swaying gently in the wind.

“He went to inspect the battlefield three days ago, and when he came back, he insisted that Qingtan had colluded with outsiders to kill his brother.”

She bit her lower lip.

“When you made your move that day, you did leave behind an aura that did not belong to the Holy Academy.”

Gu Sheng's eyes were filled with frustration.

When he killed those evil cultivators that day, he did not deliberately conceal his aura.

Who could have imagined that this unintentional act would implicate Shen Qingtan?

"What is the Enforcement Hall's attitude now?"

he asked in a deep voice.

"Jiang Feihong wields considerable influence within the inner courtyard. The Enforcement Hall will temporarily detain Qingtan for investigation."

Qin Yurou's eyes were filled with worry.

"But if no evidence can be found to prove her innocence..."

The words were not finished, but the meaning was already clear.

A cold glint flashed in Gu Sheng's eyes, which he quickly concealed.

He has never liked owing favors, especially since this matter arose because of him.

"I need detailed information about Jiang Feihong."

Gu Sheng was straightforward.

"Cultivation level, martial arts, interpersonal relationships, the more detailed the better."

Qin Yurou's eyes lit up.

"I'll go collect it right away. Little White will bring it to you."

She paused.

"Young Master Gu, what are your plans?"

"Since it was my fault that Miss Shen was wronged, I should naturally clear her name."

Gu Sheng's tone was calm, yet it conveyed an unquestionable authority.

Qin Yurou gave him a deep look and said softly.

"Thank you."

"No need."

Gu Sheng waved his hand and then asked.

"How strong are the true disciples of the Great Wilderness Holy Academy?"

Qin Yurou was slightly taken aback, but then realized that he was assessing the opponent's strength level.

“True disciples are at least at the Sect Realm level. The top ten on the True Disciple Ranking are all above the King Realm, and Senior Brother Chu, who is at the top of the list, has even reached the mid-King Realm.”

Gu Sheng's pupils contracted slightly.

He originally thought that although the Great Wilderness Holy Academy was strong, he should be able to deal with it with his current strength.

In retrospect, we underestimated the profound heritage of this sacred academy, which has a history spanning thousands of years.

"Is there a venerable one overseeing this?"

he continued to ask.

"There are several, but their actual strength..."

Qin Yurou shook her head.

Even Qingtan doesn't know.

Gu Sheng fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he looked up and said.

"I haven't thought of a specific solution yet, but I will do my best. Miss Shen has been wronged because of me, and I will not stand idly by."

Qin Yurou's eyes were filled with gratitude.

“I can take you into the Holy Academy. Inner Academy disciples have the authority to bring people in.”

Gu Sheng nodded.

“Perfect timing, one of my purposes for this trip is to find Gu Ningshuang.”

"Senior Sister Ning Shuang?"

Qin Yurou asked in surprise.

"Do you know?"

"She is my senior sister."

Gu Sheng's lips curled up slightly, revealing a rare gentleness.

Qin Yurou suddenly realized, and then smiled.

"Then I'll take you to see her now."

The two got up and left the pavilion.

Qin Yurou took out a jade tablet, infused it with spiritual power, and a portal of light appeared out of thin air.

After passing through the portal of light, the view suddenly opened up before my eyes.

Nestled among the mountains, magnificent buildings are scattered in a well-organized manner.

A streak of light occasionally flashed across the sky; those were the Holy Academy disciples flying through the air.

A distant, deep, resonant chime seemed to cleanse the soul.

"This way."

Qin Yurou led Gu Sheng through several stone-paved paths to a magnificent school.

The entire school was constructed of jade, which gleamed with a warm luster in the sunlight. Two lifelike stone beast statues stood before the entrance, their eyes seemingly sparkling with spiritual light.

Through the open doors and windows, dozens of young men and women could be seen cultivating inside. Some were meditating cross-legged, while others were practicing martial arts. The air was filled with a rich spiritual energy.

A woman dressed in blue was patrolling the school, occasionally stopping to offer a few words of guidance.

She has a beautiful face, exquisite features, and an ethereal quality in every gesture.

Gu Sheng's gaze bypassed everyone and landed on a slender figure in the corner.

The woman, dressed in white, was intently practicing a sword technique.

The sword light flowed like water around her, like a dynamic painting.

"Senior Sister Ning Shuang's swordsmanship has improved again."

Qin Yurou praised softly.

Just then, three melodious bells rang out from deep within the academy.

The disciples in the academy stopped their cultivation and gathered in twos and threes to chat and rest.

"I'll go and call Senior Sister Ning Shuang out."

Qin Yurou walked into the school as she spoke.

Gu Sheng stood outside the door, watching Qin Yurou walk towards the woman in green. After exchanging a few words, the woman in green nodded and left the school.

Qin Yurou then walked straight to Gu Ningshuang in the corner.

Gu Ningshuang sheathed her sword and was somewhat surprised to see Qin Yurou approaching.

"Yu Rou? What brings you here? Has Qing Tan's matter been resolved?"

Qin Yurou shook her head and smiled mysteriously.

"I brought someone with me to see you."

"Who?"

Gu Ningshuang looked around in confusion. When her gaze swept over Gu Sheng, who was standing outside the door, she paused slightly but did not linger for long.

"Ning Shuang, come with me quickly!"

Qin Yurou grabbed Gu Ningshuang's wrist, her usually smiling eyes now gleaming with a mysterious light.

Gu Ningshuang stumbled as she was pulled, and the "Complete Mirror of Elixirs" in her hand almost fell to the ground.

"Yu Rou, what are you doing?"

Gu Ningshuang frowned slightly, her voice clear and cold, yet tinged with helplessness.

"There's still alchemy class this afternoon."

"Oh, what's schoolwork!"

Qin Yurou turned around and winked at her, her red lips curving into a sly smile.

There's someone you'd never expect to see!

Gu Ningshuang was pulled out of the school by her. The sunlight shone on the two of them, casting two slender shadows.

Just as she was about to ask another question, she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her that made her heart race.

"Senior sister, long time no see."

The voice struck Gu Ningshuang's heart like a thunderbolt.

She turned around abruptly, her black hair billowing in the wind, revealing a pretty face that was slightly pale with shock.

The young man standing under the crabapple tree wore a long black robe, with handsome features and a faint smile on his lips.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on him, creating an otherworldly scene.

"Qin Tian?!"

Gu Ningshuang's voice trembled slightly.

"Really you?!"

Gu Sheng nodded, his eyes filled with warmth.

"It's me, senior sister."

Gu Ningshuang rushed to him in three steps, reaching out to touch his shoulder, but stopped in mid-air, as if afraid that the person in front of her would disappear like a bubble.

"Where have you been during this time?"

Her voice carried suppressed anger and barely concealed worry.

"I've tried contacting you countless times using the communication jade talisman, but there's been no response!"

Gu Sheng looked at her slightly reddened eyes and his heart softened.

"It's a long story."

"Do you know how worried I am?"

Gu Ningshuang interrupted him, her voice gradually rising.

"Especially after hearing about your direct confrontation with Shen Qingyun, I..."

Her voice stopped abruptly as she calmed herself down.

"Forget it, I'm glad you're okay."

Qin Yurou watched with great interest and couldn't help but chime in.

"Oh dear, Ning Shuang, if you looked like this, anyone would think you were a young bride seeing her long-lost husband!"

"What nonsense!"

Gu Ningshuang's ears turned red, and she glared at her.

Gu Sheng coughed lightly.

"Senior sister, why don't we find somewhere to talk in detail? It's not very convenient here."

Gu Ningshuang looked around and noticed that several passing disciples were casting curious glances at her.

She thought for a moment.

"Let's go to my place. I still have classes this afternoon, and there are fewer people in the residential area."

The three walked along the winding stone path and came to a secluded courtyard.

Three crabapple trees stand in front of the courtyard gate, their pink and white blossoms in full bloom. A gentle breeze blows, and the petals fall like snow.

Gu Sheng stopped and stared, a look of reminiscence appearing in his eyes.

"Crabapple tree"

"I remember the first time we met was also under the crabapple tree."

Gu Ningshuang's voice softened as she reached out and caught a petal.

"You were only this tall back then."

She gestured to a height of her shoulder.

Gu Sheng chuckled.

"My senior sister was already a beauty back then."

"Glib tongue!"

Gu Ningshuang rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't help but smile.

She pushed open the courtyard gate.

"come in."

The courtyard is simply furnished, with an old plum tree leaning against the corner of the wall, and the stone table and benches are spotless.

Gu Ningshuang led them through the front yard to the training ground at the back.

"My senior sister's life is quite elegant."

Gu Sheng looked around, his gaze lingering for a moment on the weapon rack at the edge of the training ground.

Gu Ningshuang gave a soft snort.

"Stop interrupting. Now you can tell me, right? What exactly have you been up to these past few days?"

"Sister."

Gu Sheng suddenly interrupted her, a sly glint in his eyes.

"How about we practice our swordsmanship first? It's been a long time, let me see if Senior Sister's swordsmanship has improved."

Gu Ningshuang was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"You're still so unpredictable."

She shook her head, but did not refuse.

"Alright, let me see if you've been slacking off lately."

Qin Yurou crossed her arms and retreated to the sidelines with great interest.

"Interesting, I'll be the referee."

Gu Ningshuang took out a long sword that was pure white from her storage ring. The blade gleamed with a cold, sharp light.

"The Snow-Slaying Sword was given to me by my master last year."

With a flick of her wrist, the sword drew a graceful arc in the air.

"I am now at the first level of the Earth Martial Realm, so you'd better be careful."

Gu Sheng nodded, but showed no intention of taking out his weapon.

He simply raised his hand slightly, and a semi-transparent sword of energy condensed at his fingertips.

"Is this what you're using?"

Gu Ningshuang raised an eyebrow.

"That's enough."

Gu Sheng smiled.

Gu Ningshuang said no more, and suddenly rushed forward, her sword, Zhanxue, bringing with it a biting cold wind, aiming straight for Gu Sheng's throat.

This sword strike was as fast as lightning; wherever the blade passed, the air seemed to freeze.

Qin Yurou gasped in shock on the sidelines.

"Ning Shuang is serious now!"

However, Gu Sheng simply turned slightly to the side and casually flicked his sword, deflecting the fierce attack.

The moment the two swords clashed, Gu Ningshuang felt as if her sword strike had hit an invisible wall, and seven-tenths of its force was dissipated.

"Senior Sister's swordsmanship has indeed improved a lot."

Gu Sheng praised him, his footwork shifting as he easily dodged the three consecutive thrusts that followed.

Gu Ningshuang's eyes showed surprise, but it was quickly replaced by fighting spirit.

Stop with the sweet talk! Take this!

She shifted her body, and her swordplay suddenly changed, transforming from a sharp, direct thrust into a dense, rain-like net of swords.

This is the "Flying Snow Sword Technique" she recently mastered; the sword light is like snowflakes fluttering in the air, seemingly gentle but actually concealing deadly intent. (End of Chapter)

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