Not wanting to linger, Gu Qinghe activated his flying sword and left the area.
Several female disciples turned to watch him depart.
They felt that Grand Elder Lin and Grand Elder Ming were treating Qinghe far too favorably. Everyone knew that Gu Qinghe was still just a core disciple.
"Why does Grand Elder Ming let him come and go as he pleases?" Li Xiaoman asked.
"Grand Elder Ming must see something different in Junior Gu Qinghe. Don't forget, he's the first core disciple of our generation to break through to Core Formation so quickly."
Li Xiaoman clenched her fists in response. Earlier, she had assumed Gu Qinghe's absence was for something trivial.
Yet when he returned, he had already broken through to Core Formation, shocking all the core disciples.
The old rivalry that had once quieted down was now rising again—stronger than ever—the moment Li Xiaoman realized the gap between herself and Gu Qinghe.
Gu Qinghe… I won't let you win!
Elsewhere, Gu Qinghe landed lightly in front of the sect library. Several sect disciples were gathered there.
Their steps halted, but their mouths did not.
"Isn't that Gu Qinghe? I heard he disappeared for over a year. I didn't expect him to come back."
"Don't be reckless. His cultivation is on par with a hall elder. You'll only suffer if you challenge him."
"I know. I'm not stupid."
Gu Qinghe stepped inside while enduring their meaningless chatter. Weaklings who could only stare at his back.
Fighting them wasn't worth his time. It would only waste energy.
He entered the library and encountered a middle-aged man. The man immediately sensed someone with cultivation equal to his own approaching.
When he looked up, he saw not an elder—but a core disciple.
"You? Who are you?" asked the sect's library elder.
Gu Qinghe took out his core disciple token and tossed it forward. The man caught it at once.
"Gu Qinghe? Young Master of the Gu Clan and runner-up of yesterday's Talent Trial?"
"You've already broken through to Core Formation. Impressive," the man said, returning the token.
Gu Qinghe accepted it and stored it in his bag of holding. His gaze shifted forward—to the staircase connecting the floors of the library.
"You can access the top floor by placing your core disciple token against the door wall," the elder explained.
Gu Qinghe gave a brief nod and promptly walked away.
His eyes swept across the first and second floors, where many disciples lingered. The entrance to the third floor, however, was tightly sealed.
When he arrived at the second floor, several disciples noticed him standing before the door that led to the stairs of the third floor.
Gu Qinghe took out his token and pressed it against the door wall. A green light spread across the surface, and the door opened on its own.
"Woah… he's going up to the third floor?"
"I heard there are many rare techniques and formations there. Core disciples really are fortunate."
Gu Qinghe stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He climbed the stairs until he stood fully on the third floor.
He had imagined it would be as dull as the first and second floors.
But the moment his foot touched the third floor, his eyes froze.
The room was circular. Scrolls of techniques and formations were neatly arranged along curved wall shelves. That was only the outer section—the center was entirely different.
A small circular pond lay in the middle, patterned with Yin and Yang. Lotus flowers floated on the surface, and two small pavilions stood at opposite points—one at Yin, one at Yang.
Unique. I didn't expect a pavilion and a pond inside a sect library.
Gu Qinghe stepped aside toward the shelves—techniques, formations, and… curses.
He searched for quite some time before finally finding a formation scroll related to the Meridian Ice Curse.
Nine Fire Dragons Formation?
He opened the scroll and read carefully. In short, the formation was used to alleviate the symptoms of meridian ice within a victim's body.
Flames would fall like rain, warming the skin, melting the ice within the meridians, calming the body and bringing peace.
It was a formation meant to delay the curse's effects—not remove it entirely.
Gu Qinghe's eyes gleamed as a translucent panel from the Heavenly Insight Path appeared before him.
[Heavenly Insight Path Technique]
[Detecting:]
[1x Earth-Tier Nine Fire Dragons Formation]
[Conclusion:]
[Formation useful for defense and protection, representing the power of fire dragons]
[Can also be used for cultivation and to relieve symptoms of those afflicted by Extreme Yin]
[Nine Fire Dragons Formation suitable for easing Meridian Ice Curse symptoms]
Through the technique, Gu Qinghe obtained a clear conclusion regarding its usefulness.
At the very least, this formation would be far more effective than a Yin-Yang Balancing Pill.
He stored the scroll and continued searching. In the techniques and formations section, there was nothing else related to the Meridian Ice Curse.
He arrived at the curses section.
Nothing.
No information whatsoever.
His hand clenched, and a burst of qi rippled outward, sending waves across the surface of the Yin-Yang pond.
"Where can I find information about that curse?"
The door to the third floor opened. Li Hao entered alone and turned toward Gu Qinghe.
Gu Qinghe sensed someone entering but did not expect it to be Li Hao.
"Greetings, Elder Li Hao."
Li Hao smiled. He had come only to store a pill recipe. The elder downstairs had informed him that a core disciple was on the third floor.
"I thought it was Li Xiaoman. Turns out it's you."
"I came to study some of the sect's techniques and formations," Gu Qinghe replied, cupping his hands respectfully.
"Have you found what you need?"
Gu Qinghe shook his head. "Not yet."
Li Hao's gaze shifted to the formation scroll in Gu Qinghe's hand. He could clearly see its name.
"Nine Fire Dragons Formation. Not effective for defense, but highly effective against Extreme Yin."
"Yes, Elder Li," Gu Qinghe said.
Li Hao fell silent for a moment. His eyes narrowed as he stared at Gu Qinghe, curiosity flickering within them.
"A formation to counter Extreme Yin. What are you planning to do, Gu Qinghe?" Li Hao asked.
"My apologies, Elder Li. I cannot tell you."
"Junior takes his leave."
Gu Qinghe walked past Li Hao. Before he could open the door, his steps halted when Li Hao spoke again.
"Are you… trying to save Senior Yunxi?"