Starting with a blind date with a female constable, you acquire the Nine Swords of Dugu.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Mingyu Gong

As evening fell, the light inside the Four Symbols Cave became increasingly soft.

Sunlight poured down from the natural crack overhead, no longer as bright and dazzling as at noon, but transformed into a warm, hazy yellow, like a thin layer of golden gauze, gently covering every inch of land in the mountain's belly.

A gentle breeze blew in through the cracks, brushing past the flowers and plants, bringing with it a delicate fragrance that permeated the air.

In front of the cabin, Gu Guanqi and Xue Fuling sat side by side on the wooden steps.

Xue Fuling leaned on Gu Guanqi's shoulder, her long black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, a few strands of hair gently blowing in the evening breeze, brushing against Gu Guanqi's neck.

Her eyes were slightly closed, her eyelashes casting soft shadows in the twilight, and a faint smile played on her lips. The smile was light and gentle, yet it conveyed an indescribable sense of satisfaction and peace.

Gu Guanqi sat beside her, gently putting one arm around her shoulder, his head slightly tilted and resting on Xue Fuling's head.

His gaze fell on the medicinal herb garden in the distance, yet he seemed to see nothing at all. He simply sat quietly, feeling the warmth on his shoulder and the gentle breath of the person beside him.

"If only I could stay by your side forever," Xue Fuling said. "Guanqi, tell me, if I didn't have that poisonous body, would we already be married?"

"Mm," Gu Guanqi replied.

Xue Fuling sat up straight, looked at Gu Guanqi, and said, "Tell me, if we got married, would I already be pregnant? Would it be a boy or a girl?"

"Twins, I suppose!" Gu Guanqi chuckled.

A blush crept across Xue Fuling's face, but then her eyes filled with disappointment as she said, "But there are no 'what ifs.' It's hard to say whether I'll ever have the chance to leave the Four Symbols Cave again!"

"It should be quite fast," Gu Guanqi said. "This time, Senior Sister An and I brought back something: the lost Heavenly Medicine Poison Manual of your Medicine King Valley. According to Senior Sister An, if you cultivate the Heavenly Medicine Poison Manual, it can create a balance between your poisonous intent and your ability to fight poison with poison, and it can also accelerate the mastery of the Heavenly Medicine Divine Manual."

Xue Fuling's eyes lit up, and she said, "You really found the Heavenly Physician's Poison Manual?"

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and then gave a brief account of what had happened.

After hearing this, Xue Fuling wasn't too happy. Instead, she held Gu Guanqi's hand tenderly, her voice filled with concern, and said, "It must have been very dangerous!"

Gu Guanqi said, "It's alright."

Xue Fuling hugged Gu Guanqi and leaned against his chest, saying sadly, "It was so dangerous, but I couldn't be by your side to face it with you."

Gu Guanqi gently patted Xue Fuling on the back.

Xue Fuling then asked, "Why do you call your senior sister 'senior sister'?"

"Of course we'll call you whatever you want," Gu Guanqi said.

A slight blush rose to Xue Fuling's cheeks as she whispered, "Then... you're not married yet, are you?"

"Mm." Gu Guanqi nodded.

Xue Fuling hugged him tighter, and after a while, she sighed and said, "But even with the Heavenly Physician's Poison Manual, I don't know when I will be able to regain my freedom."

Gu Guanqi said, "It should be soon!"

Xue Fuling shook her head slightly and said, "Cultivation is unpredictable." She slowly raised her head, looked at Gu Guanqi, and said, "Guanqi, if you meet the right person, don't wait for me. But... if you get married, could you find someone who can accept me? If... if one day I regain my freedom, I'll marry you then, okay?"

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly but did not speak.

As dusk deepened, the sunlight changed from golden yellow to orange-red, and then from orange-red to dark red. The leaves and flowers swayed, their shadows intertwining, like a natural ink painting.

The two of them nestled together quietly, as if time had frozen at that moment, as if only the two of them remained in the world.

A gentle mountain breeze, carrying the fragrance of flowers and the warmth of twilight, swept past the two of them before disappearing into the darkness in the distance.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Four Symbols Cave.

An Yi stood in the shadows outside the cave entrance, her gaze fixed on the two figures embracing each other in the distance.

The twilight light streamed down from above, illuminating the scene in front of the little wooden house like a painting.

An Yi watched quietly, without moving.

Her face was expressionless, except for her eyes, which appeared exceptionally deep in the twilight.

Her gaze lingered on the two figures for a long time, so long that she herself lost track of how much time had passed.

"They're such a perfect match..."

She said it softly, so softly that she could barely hear it herself.

She looked at Gu Guanqi's profile, at Xue Fuling nestled on his shoulder, and at the natural intimacy and tacit understanding between the two, and sighed softly.

She recalled the scene in the carriage when Gu Guanqi treated her wounds; the awkwardness of the two of them huddled together in the wardrobe; the moment when she was naked and pinned to the ground by Gu Guanqi at the Liu family home; and the fleeting flutter in her heart every time she looked into Gu Guanqi's eyes these past few days.

At last,

All of this turned into a long sigh.

"Now that we have the Heavenly Medicine Poison Manual, Junior Sister will soon regain her freedom. They will definitely be able to rekindle their relationship and be together."

"I can no longer have those shameful thoughts!"

She raised her head, her gaze falling once again on the two figures.

"I absolutely cannot let my junior sister down again!"

She took a deep breath to calm herself, then her expression returned to normal as she walked towards the cabin.

At this moment,

A familiar electronic voice suddenly echoed in Gu Guanqi's mind—

[Blind date event concluded]

[Reward: Max level of "Mingyu Gong" has been issued]

Do you want to claim the reward?

Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback.

I never expected that the blind date would end at this time.

He understood,

It seems that An Yi is no longer conflicted.

In fact, during his time with An Yi, he could sense her inner conflict. She had feelings for him, but she was also clearly worried about Xue Fuling. She always wanted to take things further but didn't dare to.

……

Gu Guanqi did not immediately accept the Mingyu Gong.

Because the fusion of internal energy takes a long time, and there will be some abnormal changes in the power.

"Junior Sister!"

At this moment,

An Yi's voice came from the cave entrance.

Xue Fuling quickly stood up straight, her cheeks slightly flushed as she looked at An Yi walking over, feeling both shy and nervous.

Gu Guanqi couldn't help but laugh when he saw Xue Fuling's posture.

Xue Fuling's reaction was strikingly similar to that of young girls in his previous life who were caught dating by their parents.

"Big...Senior Sister." Xue Fuling was very nervous.

An Yi walked over, nodded slightly, then looked at Gu Guanqi, cupped her hands and said, "Junior Brother Gu, it's getting late, you should leave."

"Alright!"

Gu Guanqi stood up.

Although An Yi hadn't explicitly stated how long he could stay in the Four Symbols Cave, he knew in his heart that it would be no more than before dark. After all, no matter how enlightened Medicine King Valley was, it wouldn't allow him to be alone with a female disciple overnight.

"Fuling, I'm leaving," Gu Guanqi said.

"Hmm... okay, okay!"

When Xue Fuling responded, she couldn't help but secretly glance at An Yi.

It's clear that this senior sister holds a great deal of authority in her heart.

in fact,

After entering Medicine King Valley today, Gu Guanqi immediately felt the majesty of An Yi, the senior disciple of Medicine King Valley. She was truly respected among the younger disciples of Medicine King Valley.

"Fuling," An Yi said, "you should cultivate diligently. I don't know if Junior Brother Gu has told you that the Heavenly Medicine and Poison Manual has been retrieved. After the elders have read it through, if there are no problems, it will be given to you to cultivate."

"At that time, by cultivating both the Heavenly Healing Divine Scripture and the Heavenly Healing Poison Scripture, not only will your poisonous body problem be resolved, but you will also gain a direct path to becoming a Grandmaster. Cultivate diligently and do not disappoint your master and the elders' expectations."

"Understood, Senior Sister, I will." Xue Fuling replied quickly.

An Yi nodded slightly and said, "Okay, I'll come see you again in a few days."

Xue Fuling breathed a slight sigh of relief and said, "Take care, Senior Sister." She then looked at Gu Guanqi and said, "Guanqi, you take care too!"

Gu Guanqi reached out and hugged Xue Fuling, saying softly, "After I finish what your elders asked me to do, I'll go and plead with them to give me a chance to get in, and then I'll come see you again."

Xue Fuling was hugged by Gu Guanqi and looked at An Yi nervously. An Yi turned around, and Xue Fuling also reached out to hug Gu Guanqi, whispering in his ear, "I'll wait for you."

After saying that, she gently tapped Gu Guanqi's cheek, and then hurriedly broke free from Gu Guanqi's embrace.

"I'm leaving," Gu Guanqi said.

"Mm," Xue Fuling replied, bowing her head.

Subsequently,

Gu Guanqi then left the Four Symbols Cave with An Yi.

Xue Fuling stood there for a long time, until Gu Guanqi was out of sight, before she looked away.

……

After leaving the Four Symbols Cave, An Yi took Gu Guanqi to the small courtyard where Gu Guanqi was arranged to stay, and then left to return to her own residence.

however,

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw her master, Su Qingxing, standing at the door.

"Master," An Yi asked, somewhat puzzled, "Is there something you need to tell me?"

Su Qingxing opened her hand, revealing a small jade bottle in her palm. She slowly said, "This is a Heavenly Spirit Pill. Keep it safe and make sure to hand it to Sect Leader Tang personally. I won't go into the details of how precious this pill is; you should be well aware of it."

An Yi nodded slightly. As the senior disciple of Medicine King Valley, she naturally knew the value of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, one of the six treasures of Medicine King Valley. This Heavenly Spirit Pill is also called the Enlightenment Pill. When taken when breaking through a bottleneck, it can play an immeasurable role.

The Heavenly Spirit Pill is highly sought after in the martial arts world; however, it is extremely difficult to refine, and even Medicine King Valley only has a handful.

She took the Heavenly Spirit Pill with a solemn expression and said, "Master, don't worry, I will definitely keep the Heavenly Spirit Pill safe."

Su Qingxing handed the jade bottle to An Yi and said, "I trust you to handle things."

An Yi said, "Master, there's something I don't understand."

Su Qingxing nodded slightly and said, "Go ahead."

An Yi said, "The elders' test for Junior Brother Gu to enter the Four Symbols Cave was indeed not difficult for him. But is the timing inappropriate? It happens to be Sect Master Tang's birthday, but Junior Brother Gu doesn't know Sect Master Tang and they don't have any dealings."

Su Qingxing nodded slightly and said, "It's alright. I will prepare an extra gift, which you can send to the gate in Gu Guanqi's name."

"Okay." An Yi nodded.

"Alright, it's getting late. You must be tired from your journey, you should get some rest!"

After saying that, Su Qingxing turned and left.

An Yi escorted Su Qingxing to the door and watched him leave, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

However, she was indeed a little tired, so without thinking too much, she turned around and went inside to rest.

Under the cover of night,

As Su Qing walked along the road, Elder Mu Fenghua, leaning on his cane, came out and said with a chuckle, "So, did An Yi object?"

Su Qingxing chuckled and said, "What can she object to? She has some concerns, so she hesitates and wants to avoid Gu Guanqi, but deep down, she really wants to spend time with Gu Guanqi."

Mu Fenghua chuckled and said, "I'm afraid she might not like Gu Guanqi, so we can't force her. But since you said she likes Gu Guanqi, we'll naturally try to bring them together."

Su Qingxing nodded and said, "I could tell as soon as they arrived today that An Yi has taken a liking to Gu Guanqi. Eyes don't lie. I deliberately tested her with words, and she was worried about the relationship between Fuling and Gu Guanqi, so she didn't dare to face them directly."

Mu Fenghua said, "Gu Guanqi is elegant, highly skilled in martial arts, and famous throughout the martial arts world. He is also so young and has a very good temperament. Under these circumstances, and with his heroic rescue and companionship all the way, it's normal for An Yi to be moved."

So, when you mentioned arranging a test for Gu Guanqi a couple of days ago, I suggested that he also go to the Mechanism Gate, so that An Yi could continue to spend time with him. Our Medicine King Valley wants to win over Gu Guanqi; relying solely on Fu Ling isn't enough. Even with the Heavenly Physician's Poison Manual, she won't regain her freedom anytime soon.”

Su Qingxing chuckled, "Gu Guanqi is indeed good, but he's just too sentimental!"

"Hey," Mu Fenghua waved his hand and said, "If we weren't so affectionate, our Medicine King Valley probably wouldn't have had a chance."

As she spoke, Mu Fenghua sighed and said, "Qingxing, you know the current situation. In the court, the Empress Dowager is ruling from behind the curtain, the eunuch faction controls the government, and the officials are divided into numerous factions. In the countryside, the eight major sects are like warlords ruling their own territories. What a sight this is!"

Mu Fenghua said in a low voice, "This is the scene of the end times!"

Su Qingxing quickly said, "Elder, please be careful with your words!"

Mu Fenghua waved his hand and said, "It's just the two of us here, so there's no problem with us speaking the truth."

Mu Fenghua sat down on the bench next to him and said, "It is inevitable that the world will be in chaos. Once it comes to that, if a sect like Medicine King Valley, which is not good at fighting, wants to survive in the great wave or seize the opportunity to rise to a higher level, it must make a bet in advance. Otherwise, later on, we will not be qualified to make a bet and can only become a vassal."

Su Qingxing remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Elder, you think so highly of Gu Guanqi? You haven't even met him yet?"

Mu Fenghua chuckled and said, "I've lived for over eighty years, what haven't I seen? Although I've never seen Gu Guanqi in person, I've investigated what he's been doing in the past year since he entered the martial world."

What's most noteworthy about this person isn't actually how powerful his martial arts talent is, but rather his experiences. In just one year, he went through so much—more exciting than most people's entire lives spent wandering the martial world.

Su Qingxing nodded slightly and said, "That's true, but what does that have to do with your opinion of him?"

Mu Fenghua chuckled, "You don't understand. This is great fortune. Every experience he's had a potential benefit behind it. And now, with his reputation, martial arts skills, and connections in both the martial arts world and the government of Qingzhou, if he were to agree, who else but him would be the leader of the Qingzhou martial arts alliance?"

"This??" Su Qingxing was slightly taken aback.

Mu Fenghua continued, "You have to understand, he's only been in the martial arts world for a year now, and he's encountered one thing after another, yet he's managed to turn the tide. That's true luck!"

At this point, Mu Fenghua chuckled and said, "A person with unparalleled martial arts skills, extremely strong martial arts talent, and most importantly, great fortune, is someone that Medicine King Valley has the opportunity to bet on. This is Medicine King Valley's chance."

"Qingxing, if you read more history books, you'll discover that in times of chaos, there are always those with great fortune who emerge. These people are rare and hard to come by!"

Su Qingxing said, "Even if what you say is right, Elder, aren't you afraid it's too early? Perhaps someone more worthy of your bet will appear in the future? Why not wait for a better price?"

Mu Fenghua chuckled and said, "People should know their own limitations. Medicine King Valley isn't one of the Eight Great Sects, so how can it be picky? Besides, there are some things that I can understand, and naturally, others can understand them as well."

You must understand, when we bet on someone with truly great fortune, it's not because they're lucky, but because we're lucky enough to have the opportunity to place a bet. Not everyone can get a chance. Trying to play the role of the eight major schools or top-tier clans, waiting for the highest bidder, will most likely only lead to you realizing they've already looked down on you.

Su Qingxing nodded and said, "I understand."

Mu Fenghua said, "Therefore, I have always hoped that An Yi could marry Gu Guanqi, because she is better able to represent Medicine King Valley. However, these things cannot be forced, but now that An Yi herself likes it, we should go with the flow and make this a good thing."

Su Qingxing nodded slightly and said, "If it can be accomplished, that would be excellent. I'm just worried about what will happen to Fuling and An Yi later..."

Mu Fenghua said dismissively, "Then let them all marry. It'll be a good opportunity for them to support each other. With Gu Guanqi's resources, all it takes is an opportunity for many forces to be willing to invest, and marriage is the most direct way."

By then, Gu Guanqi's household will also be a battlefield. With Xue Fuling and An Yi joining forces, who knows, our Medicine King Valley might still be able to fight for the position of the principal wife.

Su Qingxing was slightly taken aback, and asked in surprise, "Elder, aren't you overestimating Gu Guanqi's future?"

Mu Fenghua slowly rose and said, "Just you wait and see. I haven't lived these past eighty years in vain. A person with great destiny, once they reach the stage of rising power, is beyond reason! You, sometimes you shouldn't just look at the martial arts world!"

Su Qingxing said, "But what if An Yi ultimately can't overcome her concerns and doesn't end up with Gu Guanqi?"

Mu Fenghua chuckled, "Then let Gu Guanqi go into the Four Symbols Cave every day and eventually make it a fait accompli. Anyway, this old guy of mine is a stubborn old man one minute and a heretic the next, what can't I do? Ancestral precepts? I'll break those ancestral precepts!"

Su Qingxing: "..."

……

the other side,

After dinner, Gu Guanqi went back to her room to rest.

Back in his room, after closing the door, he couldn't wait to summon the system:

"receive"

In an instant,

A system notification sounded:

[Please select whether to allow compatibility and repair?]

"Yes."

……

In an instant, the profound and mysterious internal energy secrets of Mingyu Gong flooded into his mind like a sudden enlightenment.

At the same time, the three internal energy techniques within his body—the Innate Skill, the Purple Cloud Divine Skill, and the Embracing Yuan Strength—seemed to sense this higher-level power and began to circulate on their own. The four streams of true energy converged, merged, and refined in his dantian, like four rivers flowing into the sea, a convergence of all streams.

A warm, smooth, and continuous power surged from the depths of his dantian, like a bright moon rising from the sea, enveloping, purifying, and sublimating the true energy of the three internal cultivation techniques layer by layer.

That newly generated true energy was long and inexhaustible, and it carried a warm and jade-like aura, as if it had merged with heaven and earth, with no distinction between them.

At this moment, his skin faintly glowed with a jade-like luster.

Time just kept flowing by.

Gu Guanqi sat cross-legged in his room all night.

Finally, Mingyu's true energy was condensed and formed in his dantian.

this moment,

He arrived at a realm of boundless Asura, the Nirvana of Yi Jin, and carefree bliss.

……

After a long time,

Gu Guanqi slowly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in them disappearing in an instant before returning to calm, like the still waters of a deep pool.

He circulated his true energy.

A chill was faintly felt.

Gu Guanqi felt the several streams of true energy within his body. Previously, he mainly relied on the Innate Skill. Although the Purple Cloud Divine Skill contained Yang-attribute true energy, it was mostly the balanced and harmonious true energy of the Daoist school.

As for the Innate Skill, it goes without saying that it is the most authentic Taoist true energy, which is the return from the acquired to the innate. It is the original primordial energy without attributes and is most adept at compatibility.

Mingyu Gong is an extremely Yin true energy. If one only has Zixia Divine Skill, there might be a conflict. However, with Xiantian Gong, it can be peacefully compatible with both.

……

By this time, dawn had broken.

After washing up, Gu Guanqi went out.

Many disciples of Medicine King Valley were already active outside the courtyard; some were rushing to their morning classes, while others were starting their missions.

Gu Guanqi decided to go and see Yan Wangchuan first.

As soon as he stepped outside, he heard Su Qingxing's voice: "Master Gu, you're up so early?"

Gu Guanqi turned around and saw Su Qingxing and An Yi walking towards them.

And this moment,

Su Qingxing and An Yi were both slightly taken aback when they saw Gu Guanqi turn around.

"Huh!"

Su Qingxing let out a soft "Huh?" and walked over to look Gu Guanqi up and down, then asked in a puzzled tone, "That's strange!"

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands and said, "Senior Su?"

Su Qingxing looked at Gu Guanqi and said, "It's the same face. It hasn't changed at all. Why do I feel that you look so handsome today, Master Gu?" Then, she looked at An Yi and said, "Right, An Yi?"

An Yi didn't dare look at Gu Guanqi any longer. Hearing Su Qingxing's words, she quickly replied, "Yes...right?"

While speaking,

She stole a glance at Gu Guanqi and immediately felt her ears burning. She quickly looked away, thinking to herself:

Junior Brother Gu looks really good today!

I'd like to take another look, is that alright? I'm not going to do anything to betray Poria cocos!

As she pondered this, she glanced up again, then immediately looked down again.

Seeing An Yi's expression, Su Qingxing laughed and said, "Well, it seems it wasn't my imagination." She smiled and looked Gu Guanqi up and down, saying, "There's no trace of seductive arts either?"

Gu Guanqi smiled and explained, "Senior Su, I cultivate Taoist internal energy. As you should know, the internal energy cultivation methods of Buddhism and Taoism are very typical. After a breakthrough, there will be some subtle changes in temperament."

"I see," Su Qingxing nodded slightly and said, "So, you broke through because you saw Fuling yesterday, had a sudden realization, and then achieved a breakthrough?"

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Hmm, more or less!"

"No wonder he's so sentimental," Su Qingxing muttered, "So he's walking the path of love!"

"What?" Gu Guanqi didn't hear clearly.

"It's nothing," Su Qingxing said. "By the way, I came to see you because I wanted to give you a heads-up. You're supposed to be delivering some pills to the Mechanical Gate for Medicine King Valley, right? An Yi is also going to the Mechanical Gate, so I was thinking we could go together on the way. Do you want to go together, or go alone later?"

Gu Guanqi immediately said, "Let's go together, so we can go and come back sooner!"

After all, he was still thinking that once this matter was over, he would go to the elders of Medicine King Valley and plead with them for a second chance to enter the Four Symbols Cave.

However, since the first attempt hasn't even been made yet, I'm already a little embarrassed to ask for a second chance.