Fairy, please don't do this!

If there were a stat allocation system, Gu Jinzhao would choose the first option.

But now, without the system, although his cultivation has reached the sixth rank, it is still far from enough to contend with the King of Zhenbei and the Underworld God Sect.

Therefore, he chose the second option.

Gu Jinzhao instantly got into character, looking at Ning Wujiu with a mixture of surprise, resentment, and complex emotions in his eyes, as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat.

But in the end, he took a deep breath and said calmly, "If Your Highness has nothing else to say, I will return to Baicaotang."

Ning Wujiu waved his hand: "Go!"

Gu Jinzhao said no more, got up, lifted the carriage curtain, and jumped down from the carriage.

Watching his retreating figure, Ning Wujiu narrowed his eyes, a faint smile curving his lips.

This was pretty much the result he had expected!

Gu Jinzhao couldn't believe him for no reason; the complexity and struggle in his eyes proved that his words had worked.

But as long as we can use this to open a crack in their defenses, we will have ways to win them back in the future.

The reason for feigning honesty with Gu Jinchao was naturally because this fake son was becoming increasingly powerful and difficult to control.

Especially now, the other party is deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, and even the newly appointed Director of the Imperial Observatory has come to offer his congratulations.

This network and foundation are no longer the naive thing that could be easily manipulated.

If left unattended, it will eventually become a major problem.

If fate has not yet smiled upon you and the time is not right, forcibly killing someone to seize their fortune will only put you in a passive position.

It would be better to first try to appease them and then proceed gradually.

……

As Gu Jinzhao stepped into the back hall of Baicaotang, he had just breathed a sigh of relief when the voice of the ghost wife rang in his mind: "Why did the Prince of Zhenbei suddenly return from the border?"

Gu Jinchao sat down in the chair, picked up a cup of tea and took a leisurely sip: "With the Empress Dowager's birthday approaching, it is only natural to invite this prince back to the capital for the banquet."

"This old man is being frank with me today, saying that there are other secrets about the real and fake princes back then. He just wants to gain my trust and prepare for killing and seizing the throne in the future."

An Wanxi said, "I'm afraid his purpose is not just that, is it?"

"Of course not!" Gu Jinzhao sneered, "I'm afraid he also knows that the Zen Realm sent a Vajra to attack me, and he's afraid that something might happen to me and ruin his plans."

On the Empress Dowager's birthday, people from all directions came to offer their congratulations.

As a member of the imperial family, the Prince of Zhenbei was naturally among those invited.

This old fox chose to visit today, probably because he had already planned his move in advance.

The goal is to appease this restless pawn while ensuring it isn't destroyed by others.

An Wanxi was silent for a moment, then asked softly, "So what will my little husband do next?"

Gu Jinzhao said calmly, "Play along with him and buy yourself time to develop."

"It's all just playing along, who doesn't know how to do that?"

The child who nearly froze to death in the dead of winter has survived to this day, and it's not just luck that saved him.

Just then, a young apprentice rushed in, panting, and said, "Young master, several wives of officials have come to the front hall of Baicaotang with their daughters. They say they are suffering from incurable diseases and need your personal diagnosis."

Gu Jinzhao's expression changed slightly, and he almost dropped the teacup in his hand: "Just say I had to go out on business."

Before he finished speaking, he had already gotten up and rushed out of the Hundred Herbs Hall. His speed was so fast that even the medicine boy couldn't react.

After what happened this morning, he no longer wanted to face those passionate wives of officials and noblewomen.

"That was close!"

Back at the Gu residence, Gu Jinzhao closed the door and finally let out a long sigh of relief.

He took out the Crimson Cloud, sat cross-legged, and slowly immersed his mind in it.

As the scene before my eyes began to distort and the light and shadow shifted, when I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a simple bungalow.

On the bed, a petite figure sat cross-legged, eyes slightly closed, breathing long and even, clearly meditating.

Gu Jinchao watched quietly without disturbing them.

Only after his disciple finished her breathing exercises and slowly opened her eyes did he say gently, "Ling'er's progress is very fast. She has already reached the threshold of entering the first rank and can now cultivate the 'Taiyin Sword Nourishing Chapter'."

Upon hearing this, Luo Ling'er paused slightly, and asked uncertainly, "Is it really possible?"

"nature."

Gu Jinchao smiled and gently touched her brow with his finger.

A faint light flickered at her fingertips, transforming all the "Taiyin Sword Nourishing Chapter" she had memorized into words and incorporating them into her sea of ​​consciousness.

This girl's talent for cultivation is truly remarkable.

Even compared to Mu Yiren and Lin Qingci, she is not inferior.

In recent days, Gu Jinzhao taught her several minor spells, which she quickly mastered. With this, she completed the chores assigned to her by the Luo family, thus having more time to cultivate.

Its progress can be described as rapid, which is truly surprising.

Just a few days ago, Xiao Qingyi had Jing Shu deliver the "Taiyin Sword Nourishing Chapter," so it was the perfect time to begin her cultivation.

"Is this the Taiyin Sword Nourishing Chapter?"

Luo Ling'er closed her eyes and carefully wrote down each word, her little face full of seriousness.

As Master said, as long as one cultivates this technique, one can gradually control the cold poison in one's body and transform it into the Taiyin Sword Intent.

By then, the cold poison will no longer be a torment, but a secret treasure for her cultivation.

After a long silence, Gu Jinzhao withdrew his fingertips: "Have you memorized everything?"

Luo Ling'er tapped her little head: "I've got it!"

"Then let's begin our training tomorrow."

Why not tonight?

Gu Jinzhao reminded her, "Ling'er, have you forgotten?"

"Tonight is the night of the full moon, and the cold poison in your body will erupt."

As soon as she finished speaking, Luo Ling'er was about to say something when she felt a chill surge from her body, like thousands of ice needles piercing her bone marrow.

Instantly, a thin layer of frost enveloped her petite body, even causing tiny ice crystals to condense on her eyelashes.

But just as the cold began to spread, a scorching heat enveloped her.

She didn't even know when her master had already taken her into his arms.

Gu Jinzhao was enveloped in a layer of crimson flames, illuminating the entire room as bright as day and dispelling all the chill.

Luo Ling'er instinctively snuggled closer to his warm embrace, resting her small head against his chest.

In the past, when the cold poison flared up, she would be tormented to the point of wishing she were dead, curled up in the corner of the bed, shivering, and enduring the long, dark night alone.

But ever since she had a master, the onset of the cold poison has become the thing she looks forward to the most.

Because at this moment, it is only natural to snuggle in the master's arms, and no longer have to bear that coldness and loneliness alone.

Gu Jinzhao looked down at her: "Ling'er, would you like to hear a story?"

Luo Ling'er obediently replied, "Yes!"

Gu Jinzhao cleared his throat and said slowly, "Then I'll tell you a story called 'The Adventures of the Little Carp'."

"Once upon a time, there was a little carp named Bubble. It lived with its grandma in a carp lake surrounded by mountains."

"The aquatic plants there are lush, and sunlight shines through the lake, casting shimmering golden spots on the water's surface..."

Luo Ling'er blinked her adorable big eyes and listened quietly.

After the beautiful Carp Lake was ravaged by a wicked snake, Bubble the little carp set out to find the legendary power of the dragon in order to save his hometown.

During the process, it met the timid two-faced turtle, the arrogant Aku, and the delicate Meimei.

Together they traversed rivers, lakes, and mountains, overcame numerous perilous obstacles, and finally defeated the scoundrel snake, crossed the Dragon Gate, and transformed into a true dragon.

After the story was finished, Luo Ling'er was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up at him and asked, "Master, can a carp really turn into a dragon?"

Gu Jinzhao did not answer directly, but said: "Plants and trees absorb rain and sunlight and can grow into towering trees, providing shade for a region."

"Stubborn rocks, having endured the elements of fire, earth, wind, and water, can nurture the essence of beautiful jade, giving it a warm and lustrous sheen."

Even the smallest insect can break free of its cocoon and become a butterfly, soaring into the sky.

"Carp are born in shallow water, and their scales are just beginning to form; they are only in the initial stage of life."

"Yet it has the desire to leap and the strength to fight with its fins and tail, so it goes against the current, unafraid of dangers, and crashes into the seemingly insurmountable Dragon Gate time and time again."

"The scales and armor are being honed to become more resilient, the flesh and blood are undergoing transformation, and the soul is being sublimated."

He gazed into Luo Ling'er's increasingly bright eyes and said, word by word, "When the time is right, when the accumulation is complete, at that opportune moment, leap with all your might—"

"Then it can break free from its old form, shed its mortal scales, and transform into a true dragon, soaring through the clouds and commanding wind and rain!"

Luo Ling'er gripped Gu Jinzhao's clothes tightly with her small hands, a small flame burning in her heart, enough to dispel all the gloom and confusion.

She knew that her master was telling her something.

With diligent practice, one day one will be able to break free from the cocoon and transform into one's true self, shedding the body tormented by the cold poison.

Just like the little carp bubble, it eventually transformed into a real dragon.

Her master never lied to her.

If he says it's possible, then it definitely is.

Luo Ling'er asked the question that concerned her most: "Master, will you walk with me on this journey?"

Gu Jinzhao replied with a smile, "I live inside the sword. As long as Ling'er keeps the sword with her, I can always be with you."

"Besides, I also want to see what a stunning sight it will be when my Ling'er breaks free from her cocoon and transforms into an unparalleled ice fairy."

He knew what Luo Ling'er was worried about.

Because he had lost everything, he cherished his master all the more.

Since he had accepted Luo Ling'er as his disciple, he would naturally fulfill the responsibilities of a master.

Watching her slowly walk forward.

Watching her continuously transform and become stronger.

Watching her one day amaze the world...

Luo Ling'er pursed her lips, then suddenly raised her small hand: "Then let's pinky swear."

Gu Jinzhao also raised his hand and gently hooked his pinky finger with hers: "Pinky promise, never to change for a hundred years."

"Whoever turns into a puppy..."

Luo Ling'er finally revealed a sweet smile: "Whoever turns into a puppy is the one who gets turned into a puppy!"

She made a decision: she would work even harder in her spiritual practice from now on.

Not only must she master the Xuan Yin Cha Body and transform into a beautiful butterfly, but she must also repay her master.

Take him with you to see the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Go eat the best food in the world.

Go wherever he wants to go.

Then, it will be her turn to protect her master...

Chapter 207, Mu Yiren: "Gu Lang, let's go to the bridal chamber!" (3K)

The night was as dark as ink, quietly enveloping the capital city.

The daytime hustle and bustle has settled into a few scattered barks of dogs in the deep alley.

After taking a bath, Gu Jinzhao intended to cultivate for a while, but then he heard the sound of a door opening in the next room.

Clearly, Si Ruoyu had just finished dealing with the Baicaotang matter.

Thinking of how Aunt Ruo had been busy all day, greeting the guests who came to offer their congratulations and taking the pulses and prescribing medicines for the patients who came for treatment, without a moment's rest, I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her.