The crowd listened to Tan Zhengzhi's words, clicking their tongues in amazement.

  Achieving sudden enlightenment and instantly reaching the Nascent Soul stage—this is the kind of plot you only hear from storytellers in the mortal world.

  Who would have thought such a mystical event would happen right before their eyes?

  Regardless of Gu Liangyuan's future accomplishments, at least this feat will be passed down through generations, enduring for ages.

  As they were talking, a graceful figure not far away suddenly caught everyone's attention.

  "Is that... Meng Yao?"

  "Yes, it's the woman our Martial Uncle Ancestor was infatuated with."

  "When Martial Uncle Ancestor said he was severing all ties with the Meng family, I thought it was just a tactic to make Meng Yao submit. Now it seems it's a true act of Emotion Severance."

  "Well, this is going to be interesting to watch."

  "After all that Martial Uncle Ancestor did for her, she showed no gratitude and even fooled around with other men. Today's outcome is the result of yesterday's actions!"

  "Who would have thought? I don't know how Martial Uncle Ancestor ever fancied someone like her."

  "I just remembered, there's news from the Jade Pool that they disapproved of her conduct and have expelled her from the Holy Land."

  "Serves her right! Such a heartless and ungrateful person deserves this fate."

  "Hey, she's heading towards Emotionless Peak."

  "Let's go and see."

  The disciples spoke openly, not bothering to hide their words, and every bit of it reached Meng Yao's ears.

  If it were the old Meng Yao, she would have retorted back fiercely.

  But now, she was completely enveloped in unease, with no mind for anything else.

  How could this be?

  Is everything they said true?

  Did Gu Liangyuan pursue me for so long just to cultivate?

  Looking at the path leading to Emotionless Peak, Meng Yao hesitated.

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  This path, which she had walked countless times, now seemed so unfamiliar to her.

  In the past, she walked it with a sense of disdain.

  Now, her heart was filled with anxiety.

  She had thought that everything Gu Liangyuan did, all the harsh words, were just to get her body.

  She had come prepared this time.

  Before entering the Supreme Holy Land, she had comforted herself, thinking it was like being bitten by a dog.

  But now, the situation had developed beyond her imagination.

  For the first time, she felt fear. What if Gu Liangyuan truly didn't accept her? What would she do then?

  Impossible, he clearly loved her so much.

  He even said he would willingly give up his cultivation for her.

  This news must have been arranged by him on purpose, to make her submit!

  Whether Meng Yao truly believed this or was deceiving herself, her anxious heart calmed a bit, and she stepped forward.

  Meng Yao arrived at the mountain gate of Emotionless Peak, flipped her hand, and took out a palm-sized token.

  This token was a special gift from Gu Liangyuan, who had already regarded Meng Yao as the mistress of Emotionless Peak.

  But Gu Liangyuan's deep affection was met with Meng Yao's insatiable demands and betrayal.

  As soon as Meng Yao activated the Mountain Protection Array, Gu Liangyuan, who was meditating on Emotionless Peak, sensed it and abruptly opened his eyes.

  Counting the days, there were still three days left until the ten-day deadline.

  What was she doing here at this time?

  Had she sorted out the assets?

  With this thought, Gu Liangyuan left the cultivation room and went to the Emotionless Hall.

  Before long, Meng Yao's figure appeared in the hall.

  As soon as Meng Yao entered, her eyes fell on Gu Liangyuan sitting above.

  At this moment, Gu Liangyuan sat on a gilded wooden chair. Having just broken through, he hadn't fully restrained his aura, and the pressure of a Nascent Soul was faintly present, commanding respect without anger.

  Even in simple blue robes, he couldn't hide his ethereal aura.

  Meng Yao felt as if Gu Liangyuan could ascend to the celestial realm at any moment.

  This left her dazed; how had she never noticed how handsome Gu Liangyuan was before?

  Perhaps... giving herself to him wasn't a loss.

  Before she could speak, Gu Liangyuan spoke first, his tone indifferent, devoid of any emotion:

  "Did you bring the assets?"

  Hearing this as his first words, Meng Yao's heart skipped a beat.

  But she forced a smile, took two steps forward, and said in a deliberately relaxed tone:

  "What's the rush? I came this time to show you a treasure."

  With that, she gestured, and the doors of the hall behind her slammed shut.

  She bit her lip and walked step by step towards Gu Liangyuan.

  With each step, an article of clothing fell to the ground.

  By the time she reached Gu Liangyuan, she was completely bare.

  Meng Yao's emotions were complex, a mix of shyness, resentment, and perhaps... anticipation?

  But Gu Liangyuan looked at Meng Yao as if she were a mere commodity, without a trace of desire.

  Seeing that Gu Liangyuan didn't react as she had imagined, Meng Yao gritted her teeth and moved closer:

  "You win."

  "Isn't this what you've always wanted? I'm giving it all to you."

  Gu Liangyuan frowned slightly, and the pressure of his Nascent Soul burst forth, sending Meng Yao flying backward!

  Bang!

  She only stopped when she crashed into a pillar in the hall.

  Sliding down the pillar, she lay sprawled on the ground.

  The physical pain was the least of Meng Yao's concerns now.

  Her eyes were filled with shock!

  The pressure of a Nascent Soul!

  So, the Holy Land disciples were right!

  Everything Gu Liangyuan did was for cultivation!

  How could this be!

  While feeling humiliated, Meng Yao also felt a tinge of regret.

  Breaking through two realms in one day, a Once-in-Eternity feat!

  If she had stayed with Gu Liangyuan, she could have shared in this glory.

  And she wouldn't have lost her status as a Holy Land disciple; she might even have become the Saintess.

  All of this could have been hers.

  But her momentary decision led to today's situation...

  Gu Liangyuan finally understood that even now, Meng Yao thought he would still fawn over her like before.

  How could she be so conceited?

  Looking at the disheveled Meng Yao, Gu Liangyuan coldly said:

  "Remember, you have three days left!"

  With that, he didn't spare Meng Yao another glance and turned to leave.

  Seeing Gu Liangyuan's attitude, Meng Yao truly panicked.

  She had said she would return everything to Gu Liangyuan, but that was just to provoke him.

  All those resources had been used by her and the Meng family; what could she return?

  Gu Liangyuan clearly knew Meng Yao couldn't repay him and never intended to collect. This was just a pretext to destroy the Meng family.

  After all, as a Martial Uncle Ancestor of the Holy Land, he had to maintain some reputation.

  In the righteous path, even if you commit murder and arson, as long as you can justify it nobly, you're considered virtuous.

  Just as Gu Liangyuan was about to leave, a dull thud of a kowtow came from behind, accompanied by Meng Yao's tearful voice:

  "Gu Liangyuan, I realize my mistakes. Please don't be like this. Can't we go back to how we were?"

  Gu Liangyuan paused slightly but didn't turn back:

  "You haven't realized your mistakes; you've only realized that you're about to lose everything."