Duan Chen seemed to see through Gu Yuan's thoughts and laughed heartily, "Is Brother Gu perhaps wondering why I haven't concealed my identity?"

Ji Canghai remained expressionless upon hearing the words, but a slight smile appeared on his face.

Gu Yuan nodded in agreement and said, "Indeed, Fellow Daoist Ji's identity is quite special, so..."

"Hehe..."

Duan Chen explained with a smile, "Although Fellow Daoist Ji's sect is different from ours, he himself has no blemishes in his life. Both of our sects are aware of this, and there's no harm in traveling with him. Moreover, being a true disciple, I don't have many concerns."

Gu Yuan understood and nodded silently, realizing the meaning behind Duan Chen's words, and then glanced at Ji Canghai with surprise.

He hadn't expected that Ji Canghai's reputation was so positive, even in the eyes of Great Immortal Sects like Medicine King Mountain and Star River Sword Sect.

Evidently a True Inheritance disciple of the Demon Dao, yet without any blemishes - it indeed seemed a bit unusual.

Another implication was that Duan Chen, being a true disciple of the Star River Sword Sect with a prestigious status, wouldn't be affected even if he associated with Demon Dao cultivators unless he blatantly committed evil or betrayed his sect.

Gu Yuan also felt he had been somewhat presumptive.

Currently, he was still an Inner Sect Disciple of Medicine King Mountain; if he were a true disciple, he wouldn't need to go through the hassle of changing his disguise and hiding his identity either.

What is a true disciple?

A disciple in a sect who has received the core inheritance, the best training, the most resources, is highly valued, and is destined to become a pillar within the sect in the future.

Ultimately, Gu Yuan's current status was somewhat lacking, which had caused him some concerns.

However, Gu Yuan believed that his talent, cultivation, and strength were already sufficient to become a true disciple.

Hmm, after returning to the sect from the Red Dragon Immortal Palace this time, I'll find a way to pass the true disciple's evaluation.

The three chatted for a short while, gradually becoming more familiar with one another.

Before long, another escape light flew over, not particularly fast but as ethereal as smoke and mist.

Soon, the escape light landed, revealing the graceful and elegant figure of a woman.

Her appearance was exceptionally beautiful, her eyes bright and clear, seeming almost able to speak.

She was truly a woman of extraordinary beauty.

A light fragrance, akin to orchids, wafted gently through the air, bringing a sense of comfort.

"I am Su Qiuyue, greetings to the three fellow Daoists."

Su Qiuyue slightly bowed.

The three of them naturally returned the courtesy, exchanging formal pleasantries while introducing themselves secretly.

Upon hearing Gu Yuan introduce himself as a disciple of Medicine King Mountain, Su Qiuyue couldn't help but take a closer look, her gaze noticeably changing.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Gu. I've long heard of your name."

Gu Yuan's name had come up no less than three or five times recently.

First, he had joined Medicine King Mountain with the talents of two spirit bodies, then publicly slew a Golden Core demon at a Celestial Human Realm.

Then, he engaged in a magical battle with the Gu God Sect's True Inheritance disciple Lv Kun on the Life and Death Platform and even killed him.

Moreover, he raised Cyan Shadow Sword Butterfly, the descendant of ancient exotic insects.

Gu Yuan himself might not realize that these feats had already made him one of the most renowned young talents in Qinzhou.

His reputation hardly paled in comparison to the likes of Li Changsheng or Ji Canghai.

Gu Yuan responded modestly, "I dare not, Fairy Su praises me too highly."

The young woman before him was a disciple of Taixu Temple, Su Qiuyue.

Gu Yuan had long heard of her name, on par with Li Changsheng of Medicine King Mountain, Ji Canghai of Primordial Nether Sect, Shen Yuming of Poison Dragon Cave, and Wang Zhu, disciple of the White Ape Sword Immortal.

Now that Gu Yuan had met Ji Canghai, Shen Yuming, and Li Changsheng, the aura around Su Qiuyue seemed subtle, not as aggressive as Ji Canghai's or Duan Chen's, yet he felt a sense of hidden mystery about her.

Clearly, anyone who was famous as Ji Canghai and others was by no means ordinary.

As for Taixu Temple, unlike the major sects like Medicine King Mountain and Gu God Sect, it was not large but an ancient Daoist branch with few members.

It was said that the temple's heritage traced back to ancient times.

Although small, each of its mere dozen disciples was outstanding.

The Observatory Master was a Dragon Gate Realm Yang Spirit, reportedly only a step away from the Primordial Spirit True Immortal Realm.

The other few elders were either Yang Spirits or Yin Spirits.

Su Qiuyue was said to be the grand-disciple of the Observatory Master of Taixu Temple.

In terms of renown and scale, Medicine King Mountain might not necessarily surpass Taixu Temple.

It could be said that none of the four present were simple individuals; they were either true disciples of major sects or renowned figures.

Ji Canghai then transmitted with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Su, both I and Fellow Daoist Duan have been cultivating for over twenty or thirty years, making us older. Your calling yourself junior sister is fine, but Fellow Brother Gu is only eighteen this year, six or seven years younger than you..."

Before he finished, seeing Su Qiuyue's eyebrows furrow and eyes flash with cold light, with a touch of hostility, Ji Canghai immediately laughed awkwardly, "Uh... ignore what I said, ignore what I said."

Gu Yuan merely smiled without speaking.

It seemed that both ordinary women and female cultivators in the cultivation realm cared about matters of their age.

Ji Canghai adopted a serious face and put away his smile, "Alright, back to business. Now that all of us are here, if there's nothing else, how about we head out now?"

Gu Yuan asked, puzzled, "Brother Ji, the Red Dragon Order can accommodate nine, yet there are only four of us. Isn't that wasteful?"

Ji Canghai shook his head, "The four of us are enough. This is not about numbers; more people can lead to unexpected complications."

"True enough."

Gu Yuan nodded.

With that, they each took to their escape light, heading toward the towering red giant gate in the sky.

Gu Yuan squinted as the pressure mounted the closer they got to the massive gate.

This enormous gate stood a hundred feet high, its surface covered with various mysterious and archaic patterns, exuding a grand and majestic aura, ancient and natural, like a gateway to the legendary Immortal Realm.

With this giant gate's presence, the surrounding space seemed even more solidified, like one solid iron wall.

Ji Canghai flipped his hand, revealing a palm-sized red token—the Red Dragon Order.

At that moment, sensing something, the Red Dragon Order emitted a bright red light, resonating with the crimson giant gate.

The light on the Red Dragon Order grew more dazzling, soon enshrouding Gu Yuan, Ji Canghai, and the others, then carrying them toward the giant gate.

At the moment of impact with the gate, Gu Yuan felt his body lighten before suddenly becoming heavy, his view broadening, as the four appeared above an ancient forest.

In the distance, faintly came the chirps of birds and roars of beasts, echoing one after another.

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