Upon arriving at the Jade Cauldron Tower, Gu Yuan immediately noticed that the glances directed at him were clearly different from before.

Astonishment, confusion, shock, awe, disbelief...

In short, he became quite the focal point, and wherever he went, Gu Yuan could feel the eyes constantly on him.

When he turned to meet their gaze, they averted their eyes quickly, as if he were a fearsome beast.

"Junior Brother Gu, you've finally arrived."

At this moment, Feng Shaojie came striding over.

"Senior Brother Feng."

Gu Yuan cupped his hands in salute.

"No need to be so polite, Junior Brother Gu. Come with me."

Feng Shaojie smiled, leading the way, though a complex expression flickered in his eyes.

When he first met Gu Yuan, he hadn't paid him much mind.

After all, being accepted as a disciple by Situ Yan meant his own talent and enlightenment were formidable.

It's true Gu Yuan had outstanding talent, but not extraordinarily so.

Moreover, there was a disparity in their masters' status and position.

Situ Yan was a veteran at Medicine King Mountain, an Alchemy Master, with cultivation, prowess, and status surpassing that of He Ling True Master.

Hence, he never viewed Gu Yuan too highly.

Talent is one thing, but growing step by step is not easy.

If, below the Celestial Human Realm, cultivation depends on talent, patience, and perseverance, then beyond it, much more is needed.

For example, resources, enlightenment, even luck...

Even when Gu Yuan displayed astounding talent in Alchemy, Feng was merely somewhat surprised.

However, the longer he interacted with Gu Yuan, the more astonished he became.

Especially upon learning a few days ago that Gu Yuan had personally slain a Golden Core Demon, he was stunned for a long time.

Only then did he realize he had underestimated Gu Yuan.

The two of them arrived at the Alchemy Room and, after exchanging greetings, entered respectfully.

Inside, Situ Yan was the same as always, wearing a tattered robe, his hair and beard disheveled, neglectful of appearance, seated motionlessly before the pill furnace.

"Master, Junior Brother Gu is here."

Feng Shaojie announced.

"Mm, you may step out."

Situ Yan waved a hand, his voice calm.

"Yes!"

With a respectful bow, Feng Shaojie then turned and left, closing the door behind him.

"Uncle Master."

Gu Yuan saluted.

"Alright, no need for formalities."

Unconcerned, Situ Yan gestured for Gu Yuan to come over, not inquiring about recent events; instead, he excitedly pointed at the elixir in the pill furnace:

"Gu Yuan, quickly! Come take a look at this elixir, how does it seem?"

"Sigh.

Gu Yuan was momentarily startled, words stuck in his throat, he promptly nodded.

The two of them immediately delved into discussing the medicinal materials in the pill furnace, the changes in properties, and the application of pill principles.

"Yes, indeed, just so..."

Listening to Gu Yuan, Situ Yan continuously nodded in agreement, looking increasingly satisfied with Gu Yuan.

"Now, tell me, what exactly happened those few days ago."

After their discussion, they addressed the main issue, and Situ Yan directly asked.

A few days ago, when Gu Yuan came, he had already explained the situation to Situ Yan.

Situ Yan knew Gu Yuan had been targeted and deliberately acted as bait to lure the enemy out.

Considering Gu Yuan's talent in Alchemy, Situ Yan had given him a special jade pendant.

In case of danger, Situ Yan would be alerted instantly and come to his aid.

For this reason, Gu Yuan felt completely at ease, confidently setting out to "draw the snake from its hole." With a Golden Core Great Cultivator close to the Yin Spirit as his backer, what was there to fear?

However, Gu Yuan evidently didn't encounter too perilous a situation, or if he did, he managed it himself.

"Uncle Master, it's like this, at that time..."

Aside from matters regarding his other Spirit Pets besides Xiao Qing, Gu Yuan didn't withhold anything else.

Upon hearing it all, Situ Yan nodded, giving Gu Yuan a profound look, and said with a hint of admiration, "You're quite something; He Ling indeed took on a fine disciple."

He had said this the first time he met Gu Yuan, but the meaning was entirely different.

Back then, he marveled at Gu Yuan's extraordinary talent in the Alchemy Dao, thus praising him based on that.

But now, his praise for Gu Yuan was entirely due to his displayed prowess, divine techniques, grasp of timing, and ruthlessness!

Daring to use himself as bait, luring the enemy, he's truly a ruthless person, harsh on others, even harsher on himself.

For if a mistake were made, it meant death!

Crucially, Gu Yuan won the bet.

He not only slew the enemy but managed to kill a Golden Core Great Cultivator as a Celestial Human Realm cultivator, gaining immensely.

"Uncle Master, you're too kind."

Gu Yuan said modestly, pausing a moment, about to speak then hesitating.

Who was Situ Yan? Though engrossed for years in the art of Alchemy, to cultivate to such a level, how could he be simple?

He could naturally tell what Gu Yuan wished to say and bluntly replied:

"Enough, just say what's on your mind. Why hold back with me?"

Gu Yuan gave a sheepish smile, knowing this uncle master sincerely regarded him as one of his own, thus held nothing back, openly voicing his suspicions and conjectures:

"It's like this, Uncle Master, previously on our Medicine King Mountain's suspended Dragon Boat, someone tried to harm me using 'Six Yin Earth Sediment Immortal Qi.' At that time..."

Next, Gu Yuan recounted how he was previously schemed against, and after arriving at Qiongming Market, his encounter with Cyan Wood True Master and how Lv Kun approached him.

He even mentioned intentionally visiting the Jade Cauldron Tower days ago to be seen by Cyan Wood True Master, using him to inform others.

Fact proved, it was indeed Cyan Wood True Master who reported. In other words, he had secretly colluded with the Gu God Sect, framing his own sect's disciples.

After Gu Yuan finished speaking, Situ Yan lapsed into silence, remaining speechless for a long time.

He merely nodded, "Alright, I understand."

Seeing this, Gu Yuan felt a chill in his heart, but said nothing more, wisely changing the topic.

...

Even after Gu Yuan departed, Situ Yan didn't mention the matter of Cyan Wood True Master, though Gu Yuan's storage pouch now held several "little items."

In the days that followed, Gu Yuan spent his time earnestly, immersed either in understanding divine techniques or crafting elixirs, quite content and joyful.

As for Big Mouth, since devouring the demon core of the black owl, he seemed quite lethargic, behaving lazily as if overstuffed, moving much slower than before.

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