Chapter 233: Thunder Tribulation

The Old Sect Master didn’t have time to mourn the escape of his two-hundred-pound Silver Dragon Fish. He hurriedly turned to face Gu Yunyun, her expression cool and resolute.

It was common for cultivators to travel after a breakthrough, especially in a small sect like Green Cloud, where resources were limited. Gu Yunyun’s ninth-grade Golden Core gave her the talent to aim for Nascent Soul, but she’d need to seek out her own resources. Still, her sudden decision, right after her breakthrough and without prior mention, had to be linked to yesterday’s visit from the Divine Will Sect’s Grand Elder, An Miaoli.

“You’re not waiting for Ye Chen?” the Old Sect Master sighed.

Gu Yunyun shook her head. “No. I have little left to teach him, and now that he’s reaching Golden Core, I can no longer shield him. I’ll return in twenty years. With the Misty Sect gone, the sect has no enemies. Ye Chen’s strength and ties to Divine Will Sect ensure he can protect Green Cloud if anything arises. I’ll leave this Concentric Sword Talisman. If the sect faces true danger, crush it, and I’ll return as fast as I can.”

Her resolve was firm, her arrangements meticulous. The Old Sect Master had no counterargument. The sect was indeed free of threats, and he could still live another twenty years. Plus, there was Ye Chen. While it was unclear what grade of Golden Core he’d form, his success was almost certain. Two Golden Core cultivators were enough to secure Green Cloud Sect’s stability. Gu Yunyun’s travels to grow stronger would only benefit the sect.

He nodded. “Alright, but take this.” He handed her a jade talisman. “If you encounter danger, use it. The sect will know your location and come to your aid. Remember, you’re always part of Green Cloud Sect. No matter how big the trouble you stir outside, you can always return. We may not be able to fully protect you, but we’ll never abandon you.”

Gu Yunyun accepted the talisman with a solemn nod. Then, from her storage ring, she produced a pile of items and handed them to the Old Sect Master. “Please pass these to Ye Chen for me.”

He accepted them with a nod. Gu Yunyun took a step, ascending into the sky, and returned to her small courtyard. Peach blossoms bloomed vibrantly, and a spring bubbled gently.

Gu Yunyun surveyed her surroundings, her gaze lingering. With a gentle lift of her hand, she plucked a purple wind chime from a tree, its crisp notes ringing softly. With a thought, the chime shrank, and she fastened it to her wrist. A slight shake produced a delicate jingle.

Ascending into the sky, she cast one final, deep glance at Ye Chen’s seclusion chamber. She’d always liked the story he once told her. If she couldn’t accept his complexities, she’d leave for twenty years. If, upon her return, Ye Chen still waited for her with unwavering devotion, she’d embrace it all. If his passion had cooled, that wouldn’t be a bad outcome either—she’d remain his master forever.

Her departure wasn’t solely to escape her conflicted feelings. The Sword Peng’s inheritance she’d received was incomplete. If she could complete it, not only could she break through to Nascent Soul, but she might even reach Deity Transformation. As a sword cultivator, her sword heart was clear. Once decided, she harbored no regrets.

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Withdrawing her gaze, Gu Yunyun tossed out her sword and soared away on its edge. No one in Green Cloud Sect noticed her departure. Only the faint chime of the wind bell lingered, carried away by the breeze.

…

In the blink of an eye, a year passed since Ye Chen entered seclusion. Lu Jing and Lin Ke’er visited daily. Sun Ruoxin even managed a trip back to Green Cloud Sect. Yao Xi’s cultivation deepened steadily.

An Miaoli returned once more, this time with An Yuyi, who had successfully broken through to Golden Core, only to leave disappointed when Ye Chen remained in seclusion.

People came and went, all concerned for him, but his seclusion chamber remained silent, stirring anxiety in their hearts.