Little Bai and the others had been wandering outside, but they were suddenly brought to this place by the so-called "clawed ones." Even though nothing had been done to them, they were still deeply frightened inside.
However, Gu Yan's arrival today brought an immense warmth to each child's heart, reigniting hope in their lives.
They were led by the death warriors, holding their hands as they walked toward the dormitory.
As they walked, each child kept glancing back at Gu Yan.
The latter wore a faint smile on his face.
It wasn't until the children were out of sight that Gu Yan's smile slowly faded.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
Zhua Zhua emerged from Gu Yan's fingertip, making a sound as if seeking praise.
Gu Yan nodded lightly. "I know you did well. I'll allow you to have a little."
"Chirp!"
Zhua Zhua twitched excitedly, then its three miniature claws plunged into Gu Yan's finger, greedily sucking his blood.
It seemed utterly obsessed, as if Gu Yan's blood were some kind of potent elixir.
Gu Yan silently observed the oddly behaving Zhua Zhua.
Hmm, another strange thing to add to the list. Recently, Zhua Zhua had become even more attached to his blood.
Oh well, no point dwelling on it.
Gu Yan shook his head, his thoughts drifting to the candies he had just handed out.
In truth, when he gave the candies to the five children, Zhua Zhua's cells had already infiltrated them.
Starting the infection from childhood allowed Zhua Zhua's cells to penetrate deeper.
Of course, his gentle, considerate, and kind demeanor wasn't without reason...
It was because those siblings were extremely important...
Though they seemed ordinary now, they were actually one of the key antagonists in the later stages of the original story. Yes, they were also subordinates of Leng Qingqiu in the original work.
Recognizing their talent and temperament, Gu Yan had recruited them.
He had given them a cultivation technique called the "Twin Demon Art," which had stringent requirements.
It could only be practiced by two individuals of the same bloodline. Once mastered, the two would share a single mind and body.
Moreover, they would gain two lives! As long as one of the siblings remained alive, the other could be resurrected within their body and reborn!!
In the original story, this pair of antagonists nearly wiped out the protagonist's group. Fortunately, their weakness was discovered, allowing them to be defeated in one fell swoop.
As for the others, they were just ordinary orphans with cultivation potential.
However, they too would play a significant role in his future plans.
Thinking of this, Gu Yan glanced at the sky. There was still some time before Little Bai and the others finished washing up and settling in. Now would be a good time to inspect the future headquarters of his organization.
After a thorough inspection, he could make the necessary renovations.
After all, this place would house more than just five children in the future.
With this in mind, Gu Yan smiled slightly and said, "Let's go, Old Gao, Zhua Zhua. Accompany me on a tour of this place."
"Yes, young master."
"Yes, sir."
Time passed slowly.
Gu Yan finished touring the area.
If he had to describe his impression of the place... it was simply too run-down.
The facilities consisted of a derelict playground, a dilapidated school building, and crumbling dormitories, surrounded by barren land.
If only he had Qingqiu's ability to casually create spatial black holes, he could summon Long Zaitian right now.
After showing him the place, Long Zaitian could arrange for the construction of a suitable base.
Of course, he could just mention it to him later.
Entering the dormitory, Gu Yan shook his head in disgust. The place was in shambles.
The glass windows were all shattered, and the staircase connecting the fourth and fifth floors had collapsed onto the first floor.
It seemed everything would need to be rebuilt from scratch.
Once the renovations were complete, he would need to find teachers to educate the children.
After all, he didn't want a bunch of battle-crazed brutes with no sense of propriety under his command.
Thinking of this, Gu Yan realized he also needed to recruit talented individuals.
While martial artists were essential, humans needed more than just combat skills to live fulfilling lives. Therefore, he would also need specialists to improve their quality of life.
This wouldn't be difficult for the Gu Family. Gu Yan couldn't help but marvel once again at the perks of being part of a powerful family.
"That's enough for now. Let's go check on the children."
Gu Yan had a rough plan in mind, but the specifics would have to wait until after the renovations were complete.
......
......
Meanwhile, deep in a remote mountain forest.
Mei Xue looked somewhat surprised at You Xingxue, who was panting heavily with her hands on the ground. "I didn't expect you to last this long. I underestimated you."
"However, you're still far from being able to cultivate true qi."
You Xingxue gasped for breath, looking up. Honestly, she hadn't expected to endure this either.
Perhaps because she had been running through the forest for so long, she felt a bit unwell and turned to Mei Xue. "Can't I... start learning how to cultivate true qi now?"
Mei Xue shook her head and sneered, "Do you think I don't want to?"
"But your physical condition is too poor."
"This level of training is just to improve your physical fitness to meet the minimum requirements for cultivating true qi."
"For example, look at me. Cultivating true qi is simple. I just need to focus my mind and circulate the technique to extract true qi."
"Like this..."
Mei Xue opened her palm, and a buzzing sound followed. A swirling vortex of black true qi gradually formed in her hand. "See? This is the true qi I've cultivated using my technique."
"True qi has many uses. I've also prepared a suitable technique for you. Once your physical condition improves, you can start practicing it."
You Xingxue watched intently, feeling an itch in her eyes. She rubbed them, her expression turning peculiar.
Mei Xue didn't notice You Xingxue's odd behavior. Instead, she glanced at the sky and continued, "Alright, before noon, you need to complete another 10-kilometer cross-country run. Don't worry, even if you pass out, I'll heal you."
"Um..."
At this moment, You Xingxue spoke up timidly, "I think... I might not need to train anymore..."
"Huh?"
Mei Xue frowned, turning her cold gaze toward You Xingxue, ready to mock her. "Are you giving up already...?"
But before she could finish, Mei Xue froze.
There, in You Xingxue's palm, was a swirling vortex of black true qi, identical to her own.
Looking at Mei Xue's increasingly stiff expression, You Xingxue raised her hand weakly and asked, "Um... Miss Mei, does this mean I've become a martial artist?"
At these words...
Wait, what?
Mei Xue felt her worldview shaking.
Hold on... It took me a whole week to cultivate true qi back then. How did this kid manage it just by watching? What's going on? Is You Xingxue a genius?
No, no... No genius can learn something like this just by seeing it once...
Wait, could she be a natural-born martial artist? Yes, that must be it! She must have already awakened her true qi naturally!
Mei Xue tried to console herself. Originally, her plan was to train You Xingxue's body and mind simultaneously.
By the time You Xingxue could cultivate true qi, she would already be a beginner martial artist.
But now...
She looked at You Xingxue, who seemed both embarrassed and timid.
She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. This girl didn't look like someone who could meet the standards of a beginner martial artist!
Handing her over like this would likely be unacceptable to Gu Yan.
Well, at least she's a natural-born martial artist...
Mei Xue began to scheme. Maybe she could convince Gu Yan to recruit her if she proved talented enough.
Then... once Gu Yan revealed the whereabouts of her brother, she could expose Gu Yan's true nature.
Afterward, she could send You Xingxue to infiltrate Gu Yan's circle and strike at the right moment.
Perfect!
With this in mind, she turned to You Xingxue. "Since you've cultivated true qi, I'll take you to a good place."
"Okay..."
You Xingxue nodded, then added hesitantly, "But I need to go home to take care of my dad before mealtime..."
Mei Xue: "........."