◇ 【121】 The cultivation team grows (2)
Li Ruicheng swallowed his saliva and said, "Real Kung Fu..."
Gu Juan picked up a pen from the pen holder and squeezed it gently, and the pen turned into dust.
Xi Lang held his hand and said, "Today is not a day for joking. Xiao Juan and I are both cultivators now."
Gu Juan gave them some time to digest it.
"Some time ago, the old man and I often went to other places. We not only traveled, but also dealt with other cultivators several times. I asked you to come here today to ask if you want to practice Taoism with us. The old man and I have tested your physiques. Brother Han has dual spiritual roots of earth and wood, Brother Li has dual spiritual roots of earth and gold, and Brother Zhang has dual spiritual roots of fire and gold. Your physiques are all good and very suitable for practicing Taoism..." After he explained the pros and cons of practicing Taoism, he continued, "If you want to practice Taoism, I have a technique that suits you. The old man and I will help you build a foundation. If you don't want to, it doesn't matter. You can live your life as usual. However, whether you like it or not, I hope you can keep this matter confidential and don't disclose it to anyone, including your family and lovers. This is a matter that concerns your whole life, so you should think about it carefully." The reason why he asked Han Lin and the others to arrange two days was because he was worried that they would be too shocked and it would be unsafe to drive back that day.
After saying what needed to be said, Gu Juan and Xi Lang left together.
The study was quiet.
Han Lin leaned on the sofa without any image, took out a cigarette, lit it, and thought quietly.
"Give me one." Zhang Muheng stretched out his hand towards him.
Li Ruicheng supported his chin with his hands clasped together, his eyes fixed unfocused on a certain spot on the carpet, lost in thought.
Gu Juan and Xi Lang came to the private space on the third floor.
Xi Lang gave Gu Juan a kiss and sat down at the desk, picking up an open book. There were several other books scattered on the desk.
It was unknown what he had been researching lately; all he read was information on the Bermuda Triangle, the Egyptian pyramids, and Mount Everest. Gu Juan didn't bother him, but went to the window, gazing at the distant scenery, wondering what Han Lin and the others would choose. Li Ruicheng and Gu Yinyin were very close and had recently been considering getting engaged. He would probably choose cultivation. Han Lin, being single and playful, would likely also choose cultivation. As for Zhang Muheng, Gu Juan was unsure. Zhang Muheng was an only child and had considerable interest in the Zhang family's assets. Furthermore, Zhang Muheng's girlfriend, Gao Zuoqiong, was a factor. For at least three to five years, Gu Juan wouldn't drag her into cultivation. This probationary period was essential to ensure their unity and cohesion. The same would apply if Han Lin found a partner in the future.
With a rough idea in mind, Gu Juan turned around. The old man was still reading, his brows slightly furrowed, his face thoughtful, his deep eyes fixed on the book, with a hint of realization, and his lips pursed tightly. They say that serious men are the most attractive. It's true.
He pulled the phone out of his back pocket and took a picture of him, admiring it for a moment before putting the phone away.
Xi Lang ignored him. He was a little bored, so he opened his laptop, took out an apple from the space, ate it while finding a movie to watch.
Xi Lang heard a crisp "click" sound and turned around to see his lover sitting cross-legged on the sofa, staring at the computer screen with headphones on. Perhaps because he was watching something exciting, his right big toe was moving.
He closed the book and walked over, unplugged his headphones, and sat down next to his lover.
"Don't you want to read anymore?" Gu Juan handed the half-eaten apple to his mouth.
Xi Lang took a bite and said, "To accompany you. Are you bored?"
"A little. What are you pondering while reading those books?" Gu Juan asked. Right now, he just had to deal with Han Lin and the others, as well as Tian Yuanzhi's cultivation matters, before he and the old man would retreat. Apart from that, there wasn't much else to do.
Xi Lang said, "I made a surprising discovery while practicing formations not long ago. I read those books to find more evidence."
Gu Juan looked at him in surprise. "If you were reading the Book of Changes, I'd agree with you. But what you read can only be considered scientific journals at best."
Xi Lang chuckled and tapped his forehead. "Once I find more evidence, you'll understand what's going on. Once I can confirm my suspicions, I can say that if a formation master of my skill level set up the same formation as me, my formation would be even more powerful. And that's not all. I won't tell you anything else yet; I'll give you a surprise later. All I can say is, humans are truly incredibly intelligent and amazing creatures."
Gu Juan was completely confused by what he said, blinking his eyes like a seducer.
Xi Lang couldn't help but pull him into his arms, holding his lips, inserting the tip of his tongue into his mouth, entwining his tongue, and continuously swallowing the mixed saliva of the two.
Gu Juan cooperated and fell on the sofa.
Xi Lang immediately used his long legs to hold him completely. He loved to hold his lover in his arms. The happiness and satisfaction brought by such intimacy was incomparable to anything else.
The masculine aura enveloped Gu Juan, catalyzing his affection like a catalyst. His heart was filled with unbearable restlessness. He raised his foot and gently rubbed Xi Lang's buttocks. He was a little moved, but also a little hesitant. "Brother Han and the others will knock on the door at any time."
"You can't get in." Xi Lang blocked his mouth.
The computer was filled with the sounds of gunfire and a commotion. The story had clearly reached its climax, but neither of the two people on the sofa cared to pay attention...
For dinner, Xi Lang made red wine steak.
Han Lin and the other two hadn't come down yet, and Gu Juan and Xi Lang hadn't called them either. The two of them set up the dining table in the yard, enjoying steak, drinking red wine, feeling the evening breeze, and smelling the fragrance of flowers. It was truly a pleasant experience.
"I'm so hungry."
Han Lin and the other two walked out of the room one after another, sat down on three empty seats, picked up their knives and forks and started eating.
After finishing the meal, Gu Juan asked, "How are you thinking about it?"
Han Lin looked around.
Gu Juan smiled and said, "Don't worry, there's no one else around."
Han Lin said bluntly: "I practice Taoism with you guys, and my blood boils at the thought of traveling around like in novels!" There is no doubt that this is a restless guy.
Li Ruicheng asked: "Yinyin?"
Gu Juan said: "Yinyin is already practicing."
Li Ruicheng breathed a sigh of relief, "I also practice Taoism."
Zhang Muheng smiled and said, "You all practice cultivation, how can I be left behind? My choice is the same as Linzi and Ruicheng's."
Xi Lang said: "Mu Heng, Miss Gao's place—"
Zhang Muheng said without waiting for him to finish, "Don't worry, I won't mention it to her." His eyes were hesitant and confused, as if something had gone wrong between him and Gao Zuoqiong.
But since he didn't want to talk more, the others didn't ask any further questions. If there was anything Zhang Muheng needed help with, he would naturally ask.
Gu Juan picked up the red wine and poured five glasses. "Come on, let's have a drink together."
Everyone raised their glasses and smiled at each other, "Cheers!"
At this moment, the five people's hearts were closer than ever before.
Next, Gu Juan and Xi Lang gave Han Lin and the others a detailed introduction to cultivation knowledge, recounting their encounters with other cultivators. They explained that while cultivation can grant them immense power, immortality, and even immortality, it also carries dangers that are unimaginable to the average person.
But Han Lin and the other two did not back down. Since they had made their choice, they had no regrets.
The next day, the five of them returned to the imperial capital together.
Gu Juan and Xi Lang called Tian Yunzhi to the Xi family again. After having Han Lin and the other two as well as Tian Yunzhi arrange a few days, the two of them worked together to build the foundation for the four of them and taught them the cultivation techniques.
Since then, Gu Juan and Xi Lang's team of cultivators has expanded to nine people, which is already a considerable team.
Therefore, Gu Juan realized that the Xi family was no longer suitable for use as a training base. Too many people frequently entered and exited the Xi family, and they stayed there for long periods of time. This would definitely arouse suspicion in the long run.
Gu Juan and Xi Lang discussed and decided to place the practice site on the back mountain of the flower base.
The two dug a massive cave deep in the forest, carving out a large hall and nine rooms. They then set up the Ten Thousand Year Formation and the Void Formation outside, ensuring a foolproof existence. The time inside the Ten Thousand Year Formation was a 5:1 ratio compared to the time outside. That meant that for every five days inside, only one day passed outside. Xi Lang's current skill level was limited to this, but it was sufficient. The Void Formation, on the other hand, would make the place invisible, so even if someone stumbled in, they would return dazed and lost.
After arranging all this, Gu Juan and Xi Lang went into seclusion in the space together.
Time flies and seasons change.
Half a month later, Gu Juan and Xi Lang emerged from retreat. Gu Juan had leapt into the final stages of the Heartbeat stage, while Xi Lang, even more advanced, had reached the early stages of the Golden Core stage. Within his Dantian, a fiery sphere shone as brightly as the rising sun. Inwardly observing it, one could see that this "rising sun" was fluid, a concentrated force of zhenyuan (true energy). Once unleashed, it would unleash a terrifying power.
The Golden Core Stage is the second watershed in cultivation. Once a cultivator reaches the Golden Core Stage, their lifespan can reach 500 years. In a sense, this is considered immortality.
While Gu Juan's cultivation still couldn't match Xi Lang's, it was still formidable. The crescent moon in his dantian had nearly reached half its full size, its bright silver hue restrained and tranquil. Gu Juan's demeanor had also undergone a noticeable shift, from aloof to gentle, yet his eyes were bright and intimidating, their shimmering light making one dare not look directly at them.
Both of them experienced the benefits of actual combat.
They did not leave the space immediately, but stayed in it for a while before leaving.
The first thing I did after coming out of seclusion was to check on the progress of Han Lin and the others.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
