Chapter 230: Skill

Inside the hall, Zhu Yue was furious, his face twisted in rage. All the other outer mountain disciples were silent, fearing to provoke him. At that moment, Zhu Yue was undoubtedly a volcano about to erupt.

Despite his fury, Zhu Yue still retained a shred of rationality. He took a deep breath, knowing that as an inner mountain disciple, if he were to attack Zhou Yuan blindly and in anger, it would likely violate the rules.

More importantly, the mysterious small beast by Zhou Yuan's side was extremely powerful, in no way inferior to him. Therefore, attacking would gain him no advantage.

Zhu Yue's breathing gradually calmed, but his expression remained grim. He glanced at the others and said flatly, "Continue with your cultivation."

"This is Gu Hongyi's own choice; no one can stop her."

"I hope she finds a 'master' who can make her Illusory Art advance by leaps and bounds."

Zhu Yue's tone was clearly laced with sarcasm. Evidently, he believed Gu Hongyi was inviting trouble, having been completely infatuated by Zhou Yuan.

The other disciples also nodded, their gazes somewhat strange.

"Why would Gu Hongyi choose to cultivate with Zhou Yuan?"

"Could it be... she actually has feelings for that boy?"

As soon as this was said, someone retorted sourly, "How is that possible? What's Gu Hongyi's status? How could she ever be interested in that country bumpkin?"

"Then why would she do this?"

"This..."

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, unable to come up with an answer.

"Brother, don't worry. Once Gu Hongyi comes to her senses, she'll see Zhou Yuan for what he is, and she'll definitely come back," Zhu Feng reassured Zhu Yue.

Zhu Yue snorted coldly and said indifferently, "This is her own choice; she must bear the consequences herself."

"Originally, with her talent, under my guidance, she could have mastered the first level of Illusory Art within a month..." He shook his head, seemingly regretting.

"Who would have thought she would actually damage her own prospects."

"I'd like to see how far she can learn the Illusory Art by following Zhou Yuan... Hmph, if this matter reaches Gu Hongyi's elder, that person might not spare Zhou Yuan either."

A sarcastic curl formed on Zhu Yue's lips, as if he could already envision Zhou Yuan's miserable fate.

By the mountain stream.

Zhou Yuan stood on a blue stone, looking at the red-clad girl before him. "You've now opened the tenth vital point for your Illusory Art?" he asked.

Gu Hongyi nodded, her slender eyebrows slightly furrowed. "But the further I go, the harder it is to sense the vital points. I've spent an entire day and still haven't sensed the eleventh one."

She looked at Zhou Yuan skeptically. "How can you help me?"

"Sit down," Zhou Yuan said, pointing to the blue stone.

Gu Hongyi sat down cross-legged, her back straight. Her red robes draped over her curves; her chest rose and fell gently, and her waist narrowed subtly, revealing a remarkably fiery figure.

Zhou Yuan then sat down cross-legged in front of her.

"Extend your palms."

Gu Hongyi stared at Zhou Yuan, her gaze somewhat sharp.

Zhou Yuan sighed helplessly. "Will you listen to me, please?"

Gu Hongyi scoffed softly and gave Zhou Yuan a sharp look. "If I find out you're deliberately taking advantage of me, I won't let you off."

With that, she extended both hands, her palms facing Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan pursed his lips and extended his own palms, making contact with Gu Hongyi's delicate ones.

As their palms met, a cool sensation emanated. Gu Hongyi's heart fluttered slightly, and although her beautiful eyes still fixed intensely on Zhou Yuan, a blush crept onto her cheeks.

"Activate your Illusory Art," Zhou Yuan said, closing his eyes.

Seeing that Zhou Yuan seemed to have no ill intentions, Gu Hongyi suppressed the discomfort from their touching palms. She closed her beautiful eyes slightly, forced herself to calm her mind, and then began to circulate her Genesis Qi along the cultivation path of the Illusory Art.

The Genesis Qi flowed in circles.

Gu Hongyi also began to sense the location of the eleventh vital point.

Zhou Yuan's eyes were slightly closed, and the Obscurity Breaking Saint Rune vibrated, radiating power as it began to search within Gu Hongyi's body...

By the stream, water flowed, and the two figures sat cross-legged facing each other, the atmosphere tranquil.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Gu Hongyi gradually grew disappointed. She still hadn't sensed the eleventh vital point. After a moment of hesitation, she intended to exit her cultivation state.

"Don't get distracted, don't resist. Next, I will guide the circulation of your Genesis Qi." Just then, Zhou Yuan's voice reached her ears.

Gu Hongyi's slender eyebrows knitted tightly in hesitation. Entrusting the guidance of her internal Genesis Qi to an outsider was extremely dangerous. If the person harbored any ill intent, leading the Genesis Qi astray could result in the dreadful consequence of destroyed meridians.

Zhou Yuan seemed to understand Gu Hongyi's hesitation, so he didn't rush her, waiting for her answer. After all, if Gu Hongyi didn't cooperate with such a matter, he would be completely helpless.

Of course, he also understood her reluctance; if it were him, he wouldn't easily allow someone else to guide the circulation of his internal Genesis Qi either.

The silence lasted for dozens of breaths. Suddenly, Zhou Yuan felt Gu Hongyi's Genesis Qi slow down, as if control was receding.

"Zhou Yuan, let me see if you're a fraud or truly capable," Gu Hongyi's calm voice resounded.

She was a decisive person. Since she had chosen to trust Zhou Yuan, she wouldn't be overly suspicious. However, if Zhou Yuan truly deceived her, she would make him understand the price he would pay.

Zhou Yuan inwardly marveled at Gu Hongyi's decisiveness. Then, without another word, he moved his thoughts and began subtly guiding the Genesis Qi within Gu Hongyi's body.

The Genesis Qi flowed along the meridians. The next instant, it suddenly accelerated, striking forcefully at a specific location.

Gu Hongyi's delicate body tensed, and her heart pounded faster.

The Genesis Qi struck, and a faint, subtle sound was heard. Then, to Gu Hongyi's shock, she realized that a vital point within her body had been forced open.

Moreover, as this vital point emerged, the ten vital points she had previously opened subtly vibrated in resonance.

This reaction revealed the outcome... she had found the eleventh vital point!

Zhou Yuan had actually done it?!

Gu Hongyi was filled with shock. Something she had struggled with for over a day, Zhou Yuan had accomplished in just a short while?

How did he do it?

In her shock, Gu Hongyi even forgot to refine the vital point.

"You'll have to refine the vital point yourself; I can't help with that." Zhou Yuan's voice reaching Gu Hongyi's ears finally snapped her back to attention. She immediately circulated her Genesis Qi, letting it flow into the vital point bit by bit to refine it.

By the stream, Zhou Yuan retracted his hands. He looked at Gu Hongyi, whose Genesis Qi was rising around her, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that it worked out; otherwise, given Gu Hongyi's temper, he probably wouldn't have had a pleasant outcome.

"Fifty Origin Jade acquired... I can continue to buy Cloud Mist Essence. But unfortunately, the 'Nine Dragons Scripture' in the Scripture Repository still can't be exchanged. Looks like I still need to work harder," Zhou Yuan murmured to himself.

An hour later, Gu Hongyi completed her cultivation. The eleventh vital point in her body was thoroughly refined, and with the integration of Cloud Mist Essence, Gu Hongyi took another step forward on the path to mastering the Illusory Art.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.

On the blue stone in front of her, Zhou Yuan stood tall, gazing at her.

"How was it? You must believe I'm not a fraud now, right?" Zhou Yuan smiled.

Gu Hongyi's pretty face flushed slightly. Her gaze at Zhou Yuan was complex. After a long moment, she finally said, "How did you do it?"

"My perception is simply quite sharp," Zhou Yuan said casually.

Gu Hongyi didn't press for more details. After a brief hesitation, she softly said, "Thank you."

She knew she had gained a huge advantage this time. With Zhou Yuan's assistance, her efficiency had greatly improved, something Zhu Yue definitely couldn't achieve.

Zhou Yuan waved his hand. "You pay, I put in the effort. We each get what we need."

"It's getting late today. For the next ten days, you can come here to find me. I'll do my best to help you master the first level of Illusory Art within ten days..."

With that, he waved his hand, turned elegantly, and walked away, leaving Gu Hongyi with his retreating back.

Gu Hongyi watched his departing figure, gently biting her red lips with her pearly teeth. After a long moment, she softly murmured to herself.

"This guy... he actually has some skill..."