Chapter Ninety-Seven: Matters of Great Importance

“Xu... Xu Tianjiao?”

A killer instantly recognized Xu Zhe and exclaimed in surprise.

They had been stationed outside the Burial Immortal Valley for so many days, firmly believing Xu Zhe couldn’t have survived.

After all, he had self-destructed his Golden Core, suffered severe injuries, and was relentlessly pursued by the Mo family into the notorious forbidden Burial Immortal Valley. No matter how gifted he was, surviving this long seemed impossible.

Yet, Lu Yangyun showed no sign of retreating and continued to keep them there, waiting it out.

Both major assassin organizations were more than happy to profit from such an easy gig and naturally did not protest.

But now, Xu Zhe had actually come out.

And not only alone—he brought a woman with him!

Goodness, a woman out of nowhere?

“Wait, the woman beside him...” someone suddenly realized something was off.

The stunning woman next to Xu Zhe looked vaguely familiar.

“Gu... Master Gu!” someone shouted, their face turning pale.

The Sacred Lord of Putuo Holy Land in Nantian Continent—Gu Jia’er!

Hadn’t she disappeared hundreds of years ago?

How could she emerge from Burial Immortal Valley together with Xu Zhe?

“Gu Jia’er?” Lu Yangyun was equally shocked, his face full of disbelief.

Others might not know, but he had heard some secrets over the years and was almost certain that those who had entered Burial Immortal Valley back then were already dead.

But now, not only was Xu Zhe alive, he even brought Gu Jia’er out.

Could they be two ghosts emerging?

“This is big news! Something major is about to happen!”

Lu Yangyun suddenly realized the gravity of the situation and hurriedly took out the All-Seeing Jade Tablet, sending several messages immediately.

The Jing Shen Organization and Blood Garment Tower assassins also reported the news to their organizations at once.

For centuries, the Putuo Holy Land had been in decline, even affecting Nantian Continent’s standing among the four continents. But now that Gu Jia’er had returned, things might be different.

“Huh? Jing Shen assassins and Blood Garment Tower assassins?”

Gu Jia’er frowned as she was brought out by Xu Zhe from Burial Immortal Valley, barely having a chance to savor the fresh air.

What could it mean when dozens of Spirit Fragment-stage assassins surrounded them?

“Is this all because of you?”

Gu Jia’er glanced at Xu Zhe with a faint, enigmatic smile.

Inside Burial Immortal Valley, suppressed by the Yuan Yang Golden Mist, her cultivation was almost nullified, her life dependent on Xu Zhe.

But now, seeing so many Spirit Fragment-stage killers surrounding them, she felt a hint of pleasure.

Though Xu Zhe could instantly kill creatures comparable to the Out-of-Body stage, facing so many Spirit Fragment-stage assassins here, she didn’t believe he could win.

So now, it was her turn to show her strength.

“More precisely, they’re here to protect me.”

Xu Zhe replied calmly.

At the moment he emerged from the valley and saw Lu Yangyun, he understood the situation—it was clearly another group sent by Chu Xiaotong.

Good brothers!

But it seemed unnecessary. He had hoped to settle things with the Mo family right after coming out, but now that seemed impossible, and he’d probably have to make another trip later.

“Team leader, Master Gu... cough, Sacred Lord Gu, what’s going on here?”

Lu Yangyun quickly approached, nearly calling her “Nanny,” a nickname they had given Gu Jia’er in private—whether in games or reality, healers were always appreciated.

“This is a long story. Lu Yangyun, you’re to escort her to Nantian Continent. Ask her along the way. I have urgent matters to attend to; we’ll talk another day.”

Xu Zhe nodded in thanks, then decisively turned and headed back into Burial Immortal Valley.

Gu Jia’er froze momentarily, grabbing the hem of Xu Zhe’s robe in surprise.

“You’re going back in?”

“Yes. You go to Nantian Continent and find Chu Xiaotong. She can keep you safe. If I find anything, I’ll come to discuss it with you later.”

Xu Zhe answered calmly.

He didn’t know what faction Gu Jia’er belonged to or her status. After all, she had been missing for three hundred years and now emerged from Burial Immortal Valley. Many would likely be interested in her, so for now, only Chu Xiaotong could protect her.

“Chu Xiaotong can keep me safe? What a joke! Do you even know who I am?”

Gu Jia’er glared, feeling underestimated by a Golden Core-stage handsome guy.

Back in the day, her Putuo Holy Land was courted by many factions, including Chu Xiaotong’s Vermilion Bird Army. Without the various elixirs provided by her Putuo Holy Land, Chu Xiaotong wouldn’t have risen so quickly to dominate Nantian Continent.

“Who else could you be?”

Xu Zhe looked at Gu Jia’er in puzzlement, shaking his head as he advised, “If you can’t resist the Yuan Yang Golden Mist and your talent is dull, unless you want to be captured and interrogated by others, it’s best to follow Lu Yangyun and find Chu Xiaotong.”

With that, he pulled his robe and vanished into the golden mist of Burial Immortal Valley once more.

Previously, to break through the Golden Core stage, he had already traversed most of the valley’s center. Now that he had escorted Gu Jia’er out, he could fully focus on investigating further and finding the sea region Wang Jianguo mentioned.

Of course, he could also collect more of the precious Yuan Yang Golden Mist—such a rare treasure should not be wasted.

“Hey, team leader, team leader, don’t leave!”

Lu Yangyun shouted as he rushed forward.

But Xu Zhe had already disappeared into the golden mist, leaving no trace of his breath.

Lu Yangyun’s face turned grim. This was bad.

Chu Xiaotong had told him that if he successfully brought Xu Zhe to Nantian Continent, all the expenses for hiring assassins would be reimbursed double.

But if he failed, not even half a spirit stone would be paid.

“Buzz!”

At that moment, Lu Yangyun’s All-Seeing Jade Tablet vibrated with an incoming communication request from Chu Xiaotong.

“Hey, Brother Tong!” Lu Yangyun quickly answered.

“Is the news you just sent true? Did Master Gu really get brought out from Burial Immortal Valley by Xu Zhe?” Chu Xiaotong’s astonished voice came through.

Gu Jia’er stood aside, instantly furious upon hearing this.

“Chu Xiaotong, you’re no younger than me, so why do you call me that?” she snapped, disliking the nickname.

“Heh, so she’s not dead after all, good...” Chu Xiaotong paused briefly before continuing, “Where’s Xu Zhe? Tell him to come, I have something to discuss.”

“Well, Brother Zhe just went back into Burial Immortal Valley. He said he has things to handle and asked me to bring Master Gu back to Nantian Continent to find you,” Lu Yangyun replied grimly.

“He went back in? Again?”

Chu Xiaotong’s voice rose noticeably.

“Yes! I can’t stop him, and frankly, I dare not. But he’s at Golden Core stage now, looking even more formidable than before,” Lu Yangyun said helplessly.

“Master Gu, did you say something to him... Never mind. This is serious. You both come to Nantian Continent immediately. I’ll meet you at the border,” Chu Xiaotong said in a low, grave tone.

Gu Jia’er seemed to sense that something was amiss.

Chu Xiaotong actually asked if she had told Xu Zhe something.

Was there something she wasn’t supposed to say?

She was somewhat puzzled but, seeing so many Jing Shen and Blood Garment Tower assassins present, wasn’t foolish enough to ask outright.

“All right, let’s head back to Nantian Continent first.”

She nodded in agreement.

Lu Yangyun didn’t waste words. After speaking with Chu Xiaotong, he ended the call and cast a cold glance at the assassins from both organizations.

“Everyone, things happened suddenly just now. I know some of you have already passed on the information. Since you accepted payment, I expect you to honor your commitment and do your best to escort Sacred Lord Gu back to Nantian Continent.”

He warned sternly.

“You can rest assured, Lu Tianjiao. Our Jing Shen Organization has a reputation to uphold; we won’t tarnish our name,” replied the Jing Shen assassin leader.

“Our Blood Garment Tower also follows the rules. No worries,” added the Blood Garment Tower’s deputy.

With Chu Xiaotong in charge, none dared to cause trouble openly.

Soon, the group set off swiftly.

Along the way, Lu Yangyun restrained his curiosity and didn’t ask Gu Jia’er about her time in Burial Immortal Valley. To be cautious, he didn’t even use telepathic communication.

However, Gu Jia’er grew increasingly uneasy.

“That’s not right. I remember Xu Zhe and Lin Keyi were a pair back then, right? How come he’s now with Chu Xiaotong? They...” Gu Jia’er suspiciously looked at Lu Yangyun.

“Don’t spread nonsense. Our team leader and Brother Tong are good brothers. As for that lady from Yaochi, it seems it’s over,” Lu Yangyun shook his head.

He had heard some rumors about Xu Zhe and Lin Keyi’s matter and had even probed Chu Xiaotong a few times to glean information, piecing together some clues.

“Broken up? No way, that’s such a pity. They looked so good together back then,” Gu Jia’er said, smiling brightly.

“...” Lu Yangyun stared at Gu Jia’er expressionlessly, shaking his head and sighing inwardly.

Such a shallow woman, only caring about appearances.

“By the way, who broke up with whom? It can’t be Lin Keyi, right? Xu Zhe’s talent is amazing. He’s only been awakened for at most three hundred years, and his strength is extraordinary. Lin Keyi wouldn’t look down on him.”

Gu Jia’er asked curiously again.

Lu Yangyun was dumbfounded, and even the nearby Spirit Fragment-stage assassins glanced at Gu Jia’er in confusion.

Xu Zhe has only been awakened for three hundred years?

Where did the three hundred years come from?

Just a rookie, and she’s already this bold?

“Why is everyone staring at me like that? Did I say something wrong?” Gu Jia’er was stunned.

“Has the team leader not told you?” Lu Yangyun asked with a strange expression.

“Told me what?”

“...”

Lu Yangyun shrugged and calmly said, “Nothing much. He’s just the last person to awaken, and by now, it’s only been about ninety days. Oh, and by the way, before entering Burial Immortal Valley, he self-destructed his Golden Core and wiped out the Mo family.”

...

[Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, health and peace to all, and success in the Year of the Ox. With the Lunar New Year and Spring Festival coming up, I’ve been a bit busy, so here’s just one chapter for now. I’ll have more updates starting the day after tomorrow.]