Chapter 35: The Calm Before the Storm-Acha que não posso cultivar e quer cancelar o noivado? Na verdade, já alcancei o Estágio de Fundação.(Guerreira Bela Jovem)

A faint scent of gunpowder lingered in the air, mingled with the dust stirred up by the departing crowd, silently marking the conclusion of the gathering.

The once-bustling venue now stood empty, save for a few trampled stalls and scattered, discarded trinkets that lay still, as if recounting the events that had just transpired. The surrounding clamor had faded, leaving only the occasional cry of an unidentified bird echoing through the desolate space, lending it a stark, chilly air.

Elder Zhao, looking like a defeated rooster, his face ashen, helped the battered and swollen Guard Wu limp away from the site. He dared not even look back, fearing he might catch the contemptuous gaze of Gu Liuyun. Cultivator Qian and Miss Sun also slunk away in disgrace; their supposedly flawless plot had been shattered like glass before Gu Liuyun. As she left, Miss Sun cast a venomous glare at Gu Liuyun and Chen Jiaojiao, but Gu Liuyun simply ignored her. To him, she was nothing more than a clown, unworthy of his attention.

Watching the backs of these villains as they fled in disarray, a disdainful curl played on Gu Liuyun’s lips. These self-proclaimed cultivators were nothing more than this. Was that all they had? To think they dared to challenge him, a former Immortal Venerable? It was pure delusion. This gathering had, without a doubt, elevated his prestige to new heights—or, to use an internet term, he was "overflowing with swagger."

After the assembly dispersed, Gu Liuyun turned to look at Chen Jiaojiao, only to find her gazing at him with eyes full of fervor. Gu Liuyun smiled faintly and said softly, "Let’s go."

"Mm," Chen Jiaojiao replied gently. She took his arm, and they strolled side-by-side through the empty grounds, the glow of the setting sun casting their long shadows across the earth.

Gu Liuyun suddenly stopped, looking into the distance with deep, contemplative eyes. "From here on out..." he began, his voice low, as if speaking to himself or perhaps to Chen Jiaojiao, "it seems I must carefully plan my future... in this world of cultivation."

Chen Jiaojiao leaned against him, her eyes filled with happiness; she seemed as though she wished to cling to him entirely. Gu Liuyun felt the warmth of her body and the unreserved love she radiated, stirring a sense of tenderness within his heart. A few remaining cultivators, witnessing their intimate display, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy: "I'll accept this heap of dog food with a toast!"

Just then, a somewhat wretched-looking figure cautiously approached. It was Zhou, the stall owner from earlier. With a face full of sycophancy, he nodded and bowed before Gu Liuyun, much like a fawning lapdog.

"Senior... Senior Gu," Zhou stammered, rubbing his hands together with shifty eyes. "I... I have a request!"

Gu Liuyun arched an eyebrow, watching him with interest. "Oh? What is it?"

"Senior Gu’s divine power is peerless, and I am in complete awe of you!" After a barrage of obsequious flattery, Zhou spoke cautiously, "I am willing to provide you with more information regarding the fragments of the Seven-Colored Stone, if only... if only I could receive your protection!"

Gu Liuyun chuckled inwardly. This stall owner was certainly shrewd, knowing exactly whose coattails to cling to. It also made him realize that he had already begun to exert significant influence in this cultivation world. It seemed his "cool act" had been quite successful.

"Very well," Gu Liuyun nodded calmly, granting his request.

Zhou was overjoyed, nodding like a woodpecker. "Thank you, Senior! Thank you!"

Watching Zhou scamper away in high spirits, Gu Liuyun’s lips curved upward. It seemed the efficiency of collecting the Seven-Colored Stone fragments would be greatly improved from now on. He turned to Chen Jiaojiao and gave her a gentle smile. "Let’s go, too."

Chen Jiaojiao beamed and nodded lightly. The two walked away together, leaving silence in their wake. Suddenly, Gu Liuyun halted, his eyes narrowing as he gazed into the distance.

"Jiaojiao..." Gu Liuyun said in a low tone, "I sense..."

Sensing his mood, Chen Jiaojiao tightened her grip on his hand and whispered, "Don't worry, we will face it together."

Gu Liuyun smiled, though a trace of concern lingered in his eyes. He felt the weight of future challenges, but also the warmth and support of the person by his side. The atmosphere grew heavy, but Gu Liuyun chose not to let this negativity mar the beauty of the moment.

Suddenly, he swept Chen Jiaojiao up and spun her around in the middle of the grounds. She erupted into joyful laughter, and the surrounding cultivators were infected by their happiness. The evening glow bathed them, as if draping them in a golden veil. In this moment, they were the final focus of the gathering, marking a further deepening of their bond.

Setting her down, Gu Liuyun took a deep breath and declared loudly to the sky, "I, Gu Liuyun, shall not only collect the fragments of the Seven-Colored Stone to restore my primordial spirit, but I shall also explore the highest realms of cultivation, until all bow before me in awe!"

His voice rang out like a great bell, causing the very air around them to tremble. The onlookers were stunned by his ambition, stopping in their tracks to cast looks of reverence.

The gathering was officially over. Gu Liuyun and Chen Jiaojiao left hand-in-hand, walking toward a future steeped in legend. As they strolled along the path under the sunset, Gu Liuyun’s voice was low and firm: "Jiaojiao, with you by my side, I have the confidence to face anything..."

Just then, a breeze stirred, carrying a few fallen leaves—as if heralding the arrival of new challenges. The sunset, like an overturned palette, stained the horizon a brilliant orange-red. The breeze brushed against their robes, and everything felt so serene and beautiful, as if the clamor and excitement of moments ago were nothing but passing smoke.

*Crack!*

Suddenly, a crisp sound shattered the tranquility. A dazzling barrier of light appeared out of thin air, like a massive glass dome, instantly encasing the entire venue. Upon the barrier, complex runes flickered, emitting a stifling and powerful surge of spiritual energy.

"What the hell is going on?"

"A restriction! Someone has set a restriction!"

"The intensity of this spiritual energy—this is definitely the work of a master!"

The cultivators erupted in panic. The venue, which had been so lively, was now shrouded in tension and unease. The air grew thick with the scent of gunpowder, like the silence before a storm.