Gu Qinghe stepped out of the arena. The elder referee immediately moved on to the next match.
The remaining participants refocused, fighting fiercely to secure one of the eight quarterfinal slots. Gu Qinghe stood at the edge of the arena, calmly observing every battle.
Li Xiaoman secured her victory after a hard-fought match. No artifacts. No strange techniques. She won purely through her own ability.
The other two disciples from the Winter Region were not so fortunate. They fell one after another in consecutive matches.
Now, only two people remained from the Winter Region.
Gu Qinghe and Li Xiaoman.
"Eight participants have advanced to the quarterfinals," the elder referee's voice echoed across the arena.
"The core matches up to the finals will be held tomorrow."
"Participants may rest."
The Spring Region disciples slowly left the arena. Before long, only Gu Qinghe and Li Xiaoman were still standing there.
Li Xiaoman turned and walked toward him, "Gu Qinghe. I need to talk to you."
Gu Qinghe looked at her flatly, "About what?"
"The quarterfinals," Li Xiaoman said bluntly, "I want you to train with me today."
She paused, then pointed at him, "I'll set aside our rivalry for now. But once we reach the semifinals… I'll treat you as an enemy again."
Gu Qinghe could see it clearly. Li Xiaoman looked exhausted after her previous fight.
It was obvious she had deliberately held back and had not used her father's artifact.
"I'm truly impressed by your growth, Young Master Gu Qinghe."
The voice came from behind them.
Gu Qinghe turned and saw Gu Han walking into the arena.
"Elder Gu Han."
Gu Han smiled faintly, then shifted his gaze to Li Xiaoman, "I need to speak with him. You don't mind, Lady Li?"
Li Xiaoman shook her head casually, "Not at all."
"Thank you."
Soon after, Li Xiaoman summoned her flying sword and returned to the Winter Region.
Gu Han gestured for Gu Qinghe to follow him toward the sect's guest residence.
Gu Qinghe nodded and flew after him.
Gu Han's guest residence was located on one of the hills in the Spring Region. The building was neat, the garden spacious, and the qi in the surroundings abundant—an ideal place for cultivation.
However, Gu Qinghe was slightly surprised when he saw two Gu Clan guards stationed at the entrance.
That meant Gu Han had not come to the Yin-Yang Sect alone.
They landed in the front courtyard. The two guards immediately bowed, hands clasped.
"Greetings, Young Master Gu Qinghe."
"Greetings, Elder Gu Han."
They entered a simple room. In the center stood a wooden table with a teapot and two cups—clearly prepared in advance.
"Take a sit, Qinghe."
Gu Han poured tea into Gu Qinghe's cup using qi. The two drank together.
Moments after taking a sip, a faint green glow spread across Gu Qinghe's body.
Haoliang Tea.
A special tea used to restore stamina and qi, commonly consumed by cultivators after intense battles. The effect was immediate—Gu Qinghe felt lighter, and his qi flow stabilized.
"What is your purpose in coming here?" Gu Qinghe asked directly.
Gu Han took another slow sip, "It's about Second Madam Gu."
"Mother?" Gu Qinghe's voice changed instantly.
"Clan Head Gu Zhen has made a decision," Gu Han continued, "He cannot allow Madam Wang Yunxi to remain in a sick state any longer."
"The choice is… to send her back to the Wang Clan, without stripping her of her status as Second Madam Gu."
Gu Qinghe felt his chest burn.
His eyes sharpened. His fists clenched. Qi surged violently, shattering the ceramic cup in his hand.
A burst of qi shook the room.
Gu Han was not surprised. He had expected this reaction.
"Gu Zhen…" Gu Qinghe hissed.
"He simply refuses to admit that he failed to protect Wang Yunxi."
Gu Han poured more tea, "Raise your head, Qinghe. Thanks to your Yin-Yang Balancing Pill, Madam Wang Yunxi's lifespan has been extended."
"When is Mother being sent back?"
"Tomorrow."
Anger and sorrow filled Gu Qinghe's chest. He could not be there.
Tomorrow was a crucial match—a match that would determine whether he could become a Core Disciple.
"I… can't go."
"Madam Wang Yunxi knows," Gu Han replied gently, "She understands."
Gu Han tapped his storage pouch and took out a letter, "This is from her."
Gu Qinghe immediately opened it. Every line contained advice, calm reassurance, and hope. There were no complaints. No regrets.
His chest felt unbearably tight.
Still, he forced himself to calm down. His mother was not going far—she was only returning to the Wang Clan Mansion.
"Has Qingyin been told?" he asked.
Gu Han fell silent, "Not yet."
"What?!" Gu Qinghe's voice rose sharply. "Why?! She's my sister! Wang Yunxi's daughter!"
Gu Han remained silent for a long moment. Everyone in the Gu Clan knew who Gu Qingyin was.
Her talent surpassed both Yanxue and Qinghe, nearly rivaling Gu Yanxing. Her spiritual roots were strong, her comprehension profound, her mind calm and sharp.
"Gu Zhen forbade it," Gu Han finally said, "He doesn't want Qingyin's focus disturbed."
"Just because she's cultivating at the Tianyun Sect doesn't mean she should be kept ignorant of everything."
Gu Han finished the rest of the Haoliang Tea, then stood and stepped closer, "I don't fully agree with the Clan Head, but my position doesn't allow me to oppose him."
"Lady Qingyin knows nothing about the Ice Meridian Curse. Right now… you are the last hope to cure Madam Wang."
"Perhaps, if you succeed in healing her, Gu Zhen will finally acknowledge your ability."
Gu Qinghe brushed Gu Han's hand aside and walked out of the guest residence. Gu Han followed behind him.
"I don't need his acknowledgment," Gu Qinghe said coldly.
Gu Han fell silent. Gu Qinghe's change was obvious—and to him, it was not a bad thing.
No matter what happened, Gu Han knew one thing.
He would stand on Gu Qinghe's side.
"I will heal Mother myself," Gu Qinghe said firmly.
"If Gu Zhen wants her back… then he'll have to face me."
Gu Qinghe turned sharply to look at Gu Han. "I will never again allow Mother to suffer helplessly in the Gu Clan Mansion."