Chapter 119: Ancient Feather

Gu Ling was in a good mood today, and it brightened even further when he spotted the breathtaking girl in green at the Treasure Pavilion. As the young master of the Gu family, Gu Ling naturally held a very high status in the Ancient Realm. His good looks, prestigious background, and exceptional cultivation talent naturally made him a prominent figure among his peers in the region. Having encountered countless beauties over the years, Gu Ling was confident he could maintain his composure in front of any woman.

Until today, when he saw this girl in green. That single, stunning glance instantly shattered his composure. Gu Ling swore he had never seen a girl who could so profoundly captivate someone at first sight. Her cool, mysterious, and ethereal aura ignited a deep desire within him, despite his long-standing lack of interest in women.

So, he naturally stepped forward to strike up a conversation. Unfortunately, the girl in green showed no reaction whatsoever to the young master of the Gu family. She didn't even glance up, her gaze fixed intently on the fragmented source patterns displayed in the crystal cabinet. His highly unusual failure to strike up a conversation only intensified Gu Ling's interest.

However, Gu Ling was a seasoned charmer and quickly found another approach: "Are you very interested in these incomplete source patterns, young lady? Haha, as it happens, I am the manager of this Treasure Pavilion. If you like them, I can arrange for anything you set your eyes on to be given to you as a gift."

Gu Ling gently fanned himself with his silver fan, a calm and gentle smile adorning his face. His poised demeanor, coupled with his lavish generosity, was certainly capable of charming many women. The girl in green before him seemed to flicker her eyes, finally looking up at him and asking, "You'll give them all to me?"

Gu Ling lightly tapped his palm with his silver fan, a subtle hint of pleasure in his heart. Maintaining his gentle smile, he nodded slightly and said softly, "They are simply gathering dust here. If you appreciate them, young lady, you would truly be giving them purpose." The girl in green seemed to offer a faint smile, then, without further ado, she began to walk on.

Gu Ling unhesitatingly demonstrated his lavishness. With a wave of his hand, a maidservant promptly began collecting all the fragmented source patterns the girl in green had paused to examine. As they continued, the maidservant's arms were soon laden with items. This scene drew considerable attention. However, those present seemed to know Gu Ling's identity, as they discreetly shook their heads and cast sympathetic glances towards the girl in green. Any woman targeted by the young master of the Gu family ultimately could not escape his grasp.

When Zhou Yuan arrived at this point, he happened to witness this scene. Although he wasn't privy to what had transpired earlier, Zhou Yuan, being a man, instantly recognized the covetousness in the white-robed youth's eyes directed at Yaoyao. The man clearly believed such tactics would impress her.

"Sigh, both of you are troublemakers," Zhou Yuan said helplessly, pinching Tun Tun's ear. On his side, Tun Tun had attracted a perplexing green-haired girl, while Yaoyao, it seemed, had drawn a swarm of persistent admirers due to her beauty and demeanor. Shaking his head, Zhou Yuan also walked forward.

As Zhou Yuan approached, Yaoyao sensed him, immediately lifting her beautiful face to look at him. Her rosy lips curved slightly as she asked, "Have you bought everything?" Zhou Yuan nodded.

Standing nearby, Gu Ling watched the scene, his eyes narrowing. He could naturally sense that Yaoyao spoke to Zhou Yuan with more animation, clearly indicating their relationship was more than ordinary. However, Gu Ling maintained his gentle smile, cupping his hands towards Zhou Yuan and saying, "I am Gu Ling, from the Gu family."

"From the Gu family, huh..." Zhou Yuan's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "Zhou Yuan."

Gu Ling appraised Zhou Yuan, his face still adorned with a gentle smile, though a hint of almost imperceptible disdain flickered deep in his eyes. It was clear he had already ascertained that Zhou Yuan possessed merely Qi Nourishing stage cultivation. This level of strength was truly commonplace in the central region, which was teeming with prodigies. Such strength also suggested that Zhou Yuan likely lacked a powerful backing, otherwise, his achievements would not be so modest.

Gu Ling shifted his gaze from Zhou Yuan to Yaoyao, smiling faintly as he said, "I haven't had the pleasure of asking for your name yet, young lady." Yaoyao pointed with her delicate finger at the fragmented scrolls held by the maidservant behind her. "Are these all for me?" she asked.

Gu Ling smiled and said, "Of course."

"Take them," Yaoyao said, then looked at Zhou Yuan. Zhou Yuan's mouth twitched. He stepped forward, took the fragmented scrolls from the maidservant's arms, and placed them all into his Qiankun Pouch. When Gu Ling saw Yaoyao accept the gift, the smile on his face widened even further. In his view, this was already a successful first step; the girl in green would soon become his plaything.

"Heh heh, young lady, you seem new here. You must have just arrived. How about I host you and extend some local hospitality?" Gu Ling chuckled.

"Let's go." However, no sooner had he finished speaking than Yaoyao calmly told Zhou Yuan, "Let's go," and turned to walk away.

The expression on Gu Ling's face finally froze, a bewildered look spreading across it. This wasn't how the script was supposed to go... Hadn't she accepted his gift? Shouldn't that lead to further progress? What kind of behavior was this, taking the gift and then just leaving?

Zhou Yuan shot him a sideways glance. Did this man truly believe Yaoyao was the type to feel indebted or yield after accepting a gift? In her view, her taking his things was his good fortune. Zhou Yuan secretly shook his head, ignoring Gu Ling, and followed Yaoyao.

After a moment of stiffness, Gu Ling quickly regained his composure. How could he allow such a prize, practically within his grasp, to escape? He immediately quickened his pace, stepping in front of Yaoyao to block her path.

"Something else?" Yaoyao frowned, looking at him coldly.

Gu Ling paused, then his eyes flickered, and he resumed his gentle smile. "It's fate that you two have come here. How about this: our Gu family's Soul Refining Pagoda will open tomorrow. Many geniuses wish to enter it to temper their divine souls, but the spots are limited. If you two are interested, I can arrange to give you two spots. Consider it a gesture of friendship." From his sleeve, Gu Ling produced two copper tokens, each bearing the Gu family's emblem and engraved with a black pagoda design.

"Enter the Soul Refining Pagoda?" Zhou Yuan was momentarily stunned, looking at Gu Ling with surprise and suspicion. The Soul Refining Pagoda was the very treasure that had propelled the Gu family to prominence; would they truly be willing to open it to outsiders? Could the Gu family be so kind-hearted?

"Take them. That Soul Refining Pagoda seems rather interesting," Yaoyao's faint voice suddenly whispered into Zhou Yuan's ear amidst his surprise and suspicion. Zhou Yuan glanced at Yaoyao. Knowing her intelligence, she likely also suspected Gu Ling's motives, but since she spoke, she must have a plan.

So, Zhou Yuan smiled at Gu Ling and said, "Then I thank Young Master Gu." He reached out and took the copper tokens. Yaoyao still said nothing to Gu Ling, simply casting a fleeting glance before striding out of the Treasure Pavilion.

Gu Ling watched Yaoyao and Zhou Yuan's retreating figures. The gentle smile on his face gradually vanished, replaced by a chillingly severe expression. "Find out where they're staying. Don't let them slip away," he said faintly, tilting his head slightly. "My things aren't so easily taken." Gu Ling lightly tapped his palm with the silver fan in his hand, a strange smile curling on his lips.

"Spots for the Soul Refining Pagoda... I doubt anyone can refuse that."

"But... there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world..."