Gu Liangyuan hadn't expected that due to the auction, too many cultivators had been drawn to the area, and after checking dozens of inns, there were no rooms available.
With Qian Qiu and the others' cultivation levels, they could go without sleep for a short period, but the days spent on the jade carriage had already left them exhausted.
Not to mention, there was the return journey after the auction.
Without a good night's rest, it would be unbearable.
Just as Gu Liangyuan was about to use his financial prowess, he finally found an empty room at the last inn.
The Inn Attendant was enthusiastically introducing the place:
"Timing is everything, sir, you're in luck!"
"To be honest, because of the auction, there haven't been any vacant rooms in the entire Ghost City for three days, and even with money, you couldn't buy one."
"Even the caves within a hundred miles have been occupied by rogue cultivators."
Mo Chen was puzzled, "As far as I know, entering the auction requires wealth verification. How did those rogue cultivators get entry?"
The Inn Attendant was quite chatty, "They naturally don't have the qualifications to enter the auction. Most rogue cultivators are just here to take advantage of the crowds to sell their own items."
"With all this coming and going, it's no wonder the place is full."
"The room we have left was actually reserved, but the guest had to cancel at the last minute."
Mo Chen looked at Gu Liangyuan, "Master, what should we do now?"
Gu Liangyuan didn't respond, glanced at the yawning Qian Qiu and Song Xian'er behind him, and tossed a mid-grade spirit stone to the attendant.
"One night, the extra is your tip."
The attendant took the spirit stone with a sheepish smile, "Sir, that's not enough, at least three stones."
Seeing Gu Liangyuan about to frown, the attendant quickly explained:
"Our inn's rooms are equipped with a Defensive Grand Array and a Gathering Spirit Array, and we have a Nascent Soul Expert personally overseeing things. Both comfort and safety are top-notch. Moreover, with the inns in Ghost City fully booked, three spirit stones is a fair price."
Gu Liangyuan tossed over two more high-grade spirit stones, and the attendant beamed with joy, bowing and introducing the inn's benefits again before going to prepare the room.
Mo Chen scratched his head, "Master, there are four of us, how do we fit in one room?"
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Gu Liangyuan gave him a flick on the forehead:
"You're a grown man, you can manage for one night."
"The room is for your two Senior Sisters. With my cultivation, I could go a hundred years without sleep. Figure it out yourself and meet here in the morning."
Mo Chen rubbed his head, looking quite aggrieved, "Master, if you keep flicking me like this, I'll end up silly."
Seeing Gu Liangyuan raise his hand again, Mo Chen sidestepped slightly and dashed out:
"I'm off."
Watching Mo Chen's retreating figure, Gu Liangyuan's mind moved, and a piece of white jade shot out, landing in Mo Chen's arms:
"There are many eyes in Ghost City. This piece of white jade contains a full-force strike from me. If you encounter danger, just crush it."
"Understood, Master."
"Ding, host has bestowed a full-force strike at the Nascent Soul Stage, triggering an eight-thousand-fold return, reward: Pseudo-Immortal Strike."
"Pseudo-Immortal Strike: Invincible Below Immortal."
Looking at the jade bead in the system space exuding a powerful aura, Gu Liangyuan was overjoyed!
The charm of returns lies here; you never know when you'll get something formidable in return.
With this Pseudo-Immortal Strike in hand, Gu Liangyuan felt his confidence soar.
Just then, the Inn Attendant returned:
"Sir, the room is ready, please follow me."
Gu Liangyuan waved to Qian Qiu and Song Xian'er, "You two go ahead."
To Gu Liangyuan's surprise, neither Qian Qiu nor Song Xian'er moved.
Qian Qiu bit her lip and then spoke:
"A disciple should respect their master; there's no reason for a master to yield to a disciple."
"If Master stays outside in the cold wind while we rest in the room, how could we sleep peacefully?"
Song Xian'er echoed, "Master treats us like his own children. If Master stays outside, we'd rather not sleep."
Gu Liangyuan was slightly moved, "You have good hearts. It's not in vain that I've cared for you. But at my level, a night without sleep is nothing. Go rest."
Hearing Gu Liangyuan's words, Song Xian'er hesitated, but seeing Qian Qiu unmoved, she stayed put.
At that moment, Qian Qiu instructed the attendant:
"Xiao Er, bring us two more sets of bedding. My Junior Sister and I will sleep on the floor."
The attendant looked at the three of them and sighed:
"In the deceitful world of cultivation, it's rare to see such deep bonds between master and disciples like you."
He then looked at Gu Liangyuan, "Rest assured, sir, the room is large enough, and there are plenty of covers. You can all sleep comfortably."
Gu Liangyuan thought for a moment and didn't refuse:
"Alright, go prepare."
"Got it."
Gu Liangyuan looked at Qian Qiu and Song Xian'er, "Let's go."
With that, he led the way, and the two followed behind.
However, Gu Liangyuan didn't notice the sly glint in Qian Qiu's eyes.
Oh, Master, it's all thanks to you teaching me The Art of War.
Sun Tzu said, "Beloved yet Troubled."
It means if a ruler is particularly fond of his people, he will be burdened by them. To deal with such a person, one can use moral coercion.
This was exactly the strategy she used on Gu Liangyuan!
Qian Qiu's devotion value towards Gu Liangyuan had always been full.
Previously, due to her inferiority complex about her appearance and status, she didn't dare get too close to Gu Liangyuan.
After months of cultivation, although she still felt inferior when facing Gu Liangyuan, it was much better than before.
Now, with this heaven-sent opportunity, she naturally wanted to get closer to her Master.
Meanwhile, Song Xian'er, with the lowest cultivation level, was physically exhausted and just wanted to sleep, not thinking much else.
After the three entered the room, the attendant soon brought the bedding.
Once the door was closed and the defensive array activated, Qian Qiu removed her veil, revealing her breathtakingly beautiful face.
It seemed the entire room brightened a bit.
She then rolled up her sleeves, brought a wooden basin, and approached Gu Liangyuan's bed.
Unlike before, when Qian Qiu had to chop wood and boil water for hot water, now she only needed to point her finger, and the water would heat up.
Gu Liangyuan, sitting cross-legged, slowly opened his eyes and looked at Qian Qiu kneeling below.
Qian Qiu slightly raised her eyes, her lips naturally red, her brows perfectly shaped.
Her bright eyes sparkled.
She spoke softly, her breath fragrant:
"Master, I will never forget your great kindness. But now, with my limited strength, all I can do is help you with small tasks like massaging your shoulders and washing your feet."
"I hope Master won't mind."
Gu Liangyuan pinched Qian Qiu's cheek, "Silly girl, your hard work in cultivation is the best reward for me."
Though he said that, he still placed his feet in the wooden basin.
Qian Qiu chuckled and got to work.
On the other side, Song Xian'er was initially at a loss seeing this.
Then she realized and came to Gu Liangyuan's back to massage his shoulders.
Gu Liangyuan relaxed, suppressing his power, making his state no different from a mortal.
Once, he was just an overworked employee, but now he was a Martial Uncle Ancestor of a sacred land.
In a daze, it felt like a dream.
Gradually, Gu Liangyuan lay on Song Xian'er's lap, drowsy, slipping into a dream.
And the Dao Essence around him, instead of diminishing, grew denser as he slept, enveloping the entire room in a mysterious state.
If a master were present, they would instantly recognize that Gu Liangyuan was having another enlightenment!
Judging by the look, it seemed to be Dream Enlightenment!
Pawread.
