After Changing to the Ruthless Way, the Brothers Cried and Begged for Forgiveness Chapter 48: Elder Gus Gift

The Archive Pavilion was tucked away in the tranquil and secluded part of the Five Elents Dao Sect, where the bustle of the mountain gate couldn’t disturb its peace.

“Elder Gu.”

Elder Gu was seated at the entrance of the pavilion, absorbed in an ancient to. When he heard his na, he raised his head absentmindedly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as recognition dawned.

“Ah, it’s you, Yu Zhao. Have you finished your training?”

“Yes,” she replied respectfully.

Though Yu Zhao had only t Elder Gu a few tis, she held him in great esteem. When he addressed her, she answered with utmost respect, avoiding any superfluous gestures.

Stroking his beard, Elder Gu seed quite pleased. Like a senior family mber, he asked kindly, “Did the training yield any results?”

Yu Zhao nodded. “I gained so experience and also found two materials for crafting my Life-Bonded Artifact.”

Elder Gu’s eyes lit up. “Which two?”

“Starry Sky Stone and Geng Essence,” she answered earnestly.

As the one who had taught her the Illusory Tides Technique, Yu Zhao felt no need to conceal anything from him.

Elder Gu laughed heartily. “Excellent, excellent! I was planning to surprise you, but you’ve given this old man a great surprise instead.”

Yu Zhao looked puzzled.

Elder Gu flicked his fingers, and a silver light flashed.

Yu Zhao instinctively caught the incoming light. Opening her hand, she found a silver bamboo-segnt bracelet resting in her palm.

She looked at Elder Gu in confusion.

“Try using your Divine Sense to examine it,” Elder Gu encouraged her.

Following his suggestion, Yu Zhao sent her Divine Sense into the bracelet. She quickly realized it was a storage bracelet, its inner space ten tis larger than her current storage pouch. However, the vast storage space was mostly empty, with only a few items occupying a small corner.

As she focused, she noticed the items were materials required for crafting her Life-Bonded Artifact, including a piece of Starry Sky Stone. With only three more materials needed, her artifact could be completed.

Yu Zhao withdrew her Divine Sense and solemnly handed the bracelet back to Elder Gu. “Elder Gu, the contents of this bracelet are too valuable. I can’t accept such a gift without earning it. Please take it back.”

Elder Gu had already done more than enough by guiding her toward a suitable cultivation technique. She felt it inappropriate to accept more.

Elder Gu clasped his hands inside his sleeves, casting a sidelong glance at her. “What? Are you afraid this old man harbors ill intentions, so you dare not accept it?”

Yu Zhao’s thoughts were laid bare, and she smiled awkwardly. “I… feel unworthy of such generosity.”

Elder Gu snorted. “You foolish girl. Do you think just anyone in the Five Elents Dao Sect catches my eye? Let tell you, among all the disciples in the sect, only you and the sect master’s eldest disciple—yes, that Zhou girl—are worth ntioning. The rest? Not even worth a ntion.”

Hearing herself compared to Senior Sister Zhou, Yu Zhao couldn’t help but smile with pride.

“What are you so smug about?”

Her satisfaction lasted re seconds before Elder Gu’s scolding made her bow her head in embarrassnt.

“You wandered aimlessly for so many years, and only recently started setting yourself straight. If not, this old man wouldn’t even bother to look at you. You could cry, wail, or throw tantrums for all I care!”

Yu Zhao mumbled apologetically, too ashad to argue. She knew she had made grave mistakes in the past—blemishes on her life she could never erase.

After a long tirade, Elder Gu finally cald down, seeing her sincere remorse.

“Yu Zhao,” he said with a stern, commanding tone.

“Yes, Elder Gu,” she responded, standing upright.

“The Illusory Tides Technique has been in the pavilion for over a thousand years, yet few have ever mastered even its first level. But you, after training in the notoriously difficult Bright Moon Over the Sea Technique, have managed to make remarkable progress with the Illusory Tides Technique in a short ti. This proves your talent is exceptional.”

Elder Gu’s gaze grew distant, as though looking at soone else through her.

“You started far behind your peers, but now that you’ve chosen to change, I wish to help you. I want to see how far you can go and what heights you can reach.”

His words carried significant aning.

Yu Zhao took a mont to process them before lifting her head. “Elder Gu, is there anything you need to do?”

Elder Gu fixed her with a serious look. “Cast aside distractions, focus on your cultivation, and achieve the Dao!”

“Understood!”

eting his fiery gaze, Yu Zhao answered with firm resolve. His aspirations for her mirrored her own. In this lifeti, she would not fail herself.

“Take the bracelet. This is all the help this old man can offer you.”

Elder Gu seed drained after their exchange, waving her off as he returned to his ancient to.

Yu Zhao clutched the bracelet tightly, stepped back, and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Elder Gu. Your guidance and generosity will forever be rembered.”

The sun shone brightly outside as Yu Zhao stepped out of the pavilion. The sunlight warmly embraced her, blending with her figure.

Elder Gu, sitting in the shadows at the pavilion’s entrance, watched as she rged with the light.

“Go on,” he murmured. “Move forward boldly. Your ti lies ahead.”

…

Though her initial visit to the Archive Pavilion was to check on Elder Gu, Yu Zhao left with unexpected gains. Feeling the cool touch of the bracelet, her emotions were a mix of gratitude and unease. She always felt compelled to repay kindness tenfold, and Elder Gu’s unreciprocated generosity left her restless.

As she contemplated how to repay him, Su Ming appeared from nowhere, blocking her path with a mischievous grin.

“Yu Zhao, you’re dood! You caused trouble during your trip. You’d better start thinking about how to calm Master’s anger.”

Su Ming’s glee at her predicant was plain.

Yu Zhao gave him a cool glance and brushed past him.

“Hey, Yu Zhao! Where are you going? I didn’t say you could leave!” Su Ming yelled, grabbing her arm.

He sneered. “Do you think running away solves anything? Master is furious. If you dare talk back like last ti, even the Black Prison will be too kind a punishnt!”

Yu Zhao seed to tremble, her face showing a pitiful, pleading expression. “Third Senior Brother, you must have a way to help , right? Please, I’m begging you…”

Her soft, sweet voice made Su Ming’s heart lt.

Wow, so Yu Zhao can act cute too!