Everyone Says I’m Cold and Aloof, But I Just Have Social Anxiety! - Chapter 19

The moment they stepped out of the inn, the sunlight poured down, casting a golden fringe upon the silhouettes of Gu Qingzhi and Yan Luochen. The streets were bustling, with a constant flow of people.

“Senior Brother, where are we heading?”

“You will know when we arrive!”

Gu Qingzhi and Yan Luochen walked side-by-side with a clear goal, heading toward the apothecary shop opened by the Danxia Sect on the street—the Lingdan Pavilion.

[Since Father said I should be wary of the Danxia Sect, I ought to first inquire at their shop about the antidote. I don’t want to be dismissed later with some nonsensical pill by the sect itself. I refuse to be a sucker and end up a laughingstock!]

Gu Qingzhi muttered to himself internally.

Yan Luochen couldn’t help but praise him silently: Senior Brother’s mind is quite meticulous.

The moment they stepped inside the shop, a rich medicinal fragrance assailed their nostrils, far more potent than the scent outside. The interior was decorated elegantly, with shelves lining the walls filled with a dazzling array of multicolored pill bottles.

“Yo, young masters! What kind of pills do you require?”

The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up. Seeing the pair’s clothing and extraordinary bearing, he hurried over with a face full of smiles to greet them.

Gu Qingzhi turned his head slightly to look at Yan Luochen, the meaning in his eyes self-evident.

Yan Luochen took the hint. He snapped his folding fan shut against his palm and took a step forward, asking, “Shopkeeper, do you have the antidote for Spirit-Consuming Powder?”

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper’s expression shifted instantly. A trace of apology flickered across his smiling face. “This… I am truly sorry. The antidote for Spirit-Consuming Powder is the Nine-Yang Spirit-Restoring Pill. Recently, many people have come to this shop seeking that medicine. We only had three in stock, and they were sold out long ago.”

Having said that, he scrutinized the two of them carefully. After a moment of hesitation, he continued, “However, seeing that you two young masters are truly extraordinary, you could try inquiring at our main sect. As for whether you can obtain it, that depends on your own luck. I am merely reminding you out of kindness; you must not say that I told you.”

The two exchanged a look. Gu Qingzhi gave a slight nod, and Yan Luochen cupped his hands, bowing respectfully in thanks. “In that case, many thanks to you, Shopkeeper.”

The shopkeeper waved them off casually and let out a deep, dejected sigh. As he walked toward the back room, he muttered to himself: “I thought I was going to have another massive order, but it’s another person seeking out-of-stock items. There goes a big business deal.”

As they walked away, the two wore different expressions. Gu Qingzhi whispered the name under his breath: “Nine-Yang Spirit-Restoring Pill…”

Hearing this, Yan Luochen asked curiously, “Senior Brother, why are so many people seeking the Nine-Yang Spirit-Restoring Pill? Could it be…”

Gu Qingzhi’s face turned solemn. “Yes. When we rescued those people from the basement of the Prince of Anyang’s manor, aside from the defenseless mortals, the other cultivators had bodies in exactly the same state as yours—though your condition is more severe!”

“So that’s how it is!” Yan Luochen knit his brows, his fists clenching and سپس relaxing. “Then shall we head to the Danxia Sect to inquire now?”

“Mhm.”

Gu Qingzhi nodded, his gaze looking firmly toward the direction of the Danxia Sect.

The two arrived at the foot of the Danxia Sect’s mountain. Looking up, the winding, zigzagging staircase seemed to have no end, extending all the way to the mist-shrouded summit. The scenery appeared much the same as the Yuqing Immortal Sect—peaks piercing the clouds, lush green trees, and a pervasive immortal aura.

Perhaps this is the common characteristic of all Immortal Sect mountains?

The mountain was high. Gu Qingzhi was about to grab Yan Luochen’s arm to fly up when he suddenly heard Yan Luochen call out: “Senior Brother.”

Gu Qingzhi followed his gaze and saw a stone tablet standing there. Upon it was engraved a line of eye-catching characters: “No flying. Walk up the mountain. Seeking the pill and buying medicine, sincerity leads to success.”

Gu Qingzhi stared fixedly at the words on the tablet. For him, walking up the mountain was a trivial matter. But for someone afflicted with Spirit-Consuming Powder, it was an arduous task.

He turned to look at Yan Luochen, his brow furrowing slightly. “Was this rule here before?”

Yan Luochen shook his head. “I have never heard of it.”

Gu Qingzhi still wanted to clarify the current situation. He quickly took out a communication disc from his storage ring and sent a thread of spiritual energy into it. A moment later, the phantom image of Gu Yuan slowly manifested, and a gentle voice came through: “Qingzhi, what is it you need from your father? Have you obtained Luochen’s antidote?”

Seeing the phantom, Yan Luochen hurriedly bowed respectfully. “Master!”

Gu Yuan gave an “Mhm” in response and turned his gaze to Gu Qingzhi.

“No, Father. We are still at the foot of the mountain, preparing to ascend,” Gu Qingzhi replied. He showed his father the words on the stone tablet and asked, “Father, did the Danxia Sect have this rule in the past?”

“Never! Usually, flying is only prohibited once you reach the sect gates.” Gu Yuan let out a cold huff and said indignantly, “What ‘sincerity leads to success’? I’ve heard of ‘sincerity leads to results,’ but this is clearly a deliberate hurdle.”

Hearing this, a look of doubt appeared on Yan Luochen’s face, mixed with a hint of anger. He muttered to himself, “A deliberate act?”

He thought to himself: If this ‘rule’ was only established recently, and it just so happens that most of the people coming for the antidote lately are victims of Spirit-Consuming Powder, then the Danxia Sect must be aware of their condition and is intentionally making things difficult.

Gu Yuan’s voice rang out again: “My son, what do you intend to do?”

Gu Qingzhi took a moment to consider before responding firmly, “Father, now is not the time to start a conflict. We must obtain the antidote for Luochen first!”

“It is easy enough for you to walk up,” Gu Yuan said. “But it will be difficult for Luochen. Help him along.”

Gu Qingzhi nodded. “Understood.”

“Go then,” Gu Yuan said.

The phantom vanished, and Gu Qingzhi tucked the communication disc back into his storage ring. He noticed Yan Luochen’s hands were empty, so he took out another storage ring from his own and handed it over. “For you. Your daily necessities are inside as well. However, you cannot use it yet.”

With a face full of gratitude, Yan Luochen put the ring on his hand and said joyfully, “Thank you, Senior Brother! I shall wear it for now. Once we find the antidote and clear the poison, and my spiritual energy recovers, I will be able to use it.”

“Mhm,” Gu Qingzhi nodded slightly. “Let’s go.”

Yan Luochen followed Gu Qingzhi onto the long stairs. The mountain path was rugged, and the trees on both sides were lush and green. Occasionally, a mountain breeze blew past, bringing a wave of coolness.

As time passed, Gu Qingzhi maintained a steady pace, frequently looking back at Yan Luochen and slowing down to wait for him to catch up. Yan Luochen gritted his teeth, struggling to keep up, and beads of sweat gradually covered his forehead.

As they climbed higher, the stairs became even steeper. Yan Luochen’s breathing grew rapid, and his steps became heavier. Sensing Yan Luochen’s exhaustion, Gu Qingzhi reached out to steady his arm. “Junior Brother, how about we rest for a while?”

Gasping for breath, Yan Luochen said with a hint of stubbornness, “Senior Brother, I can make it.”

After walking another section of stairs, Yan Luochen truly could not hold on any longer and leaned against a tree by the path to rest. Gu Qingzhi stood to the side, then suddenly turned his back to him and crouched down. “Get on.”

Yan Luochen shook his head. “No need, Senior Brother. I can walk by myself.”

Gu Qingzhi ignored his words. His voice carried a trace of undeniable authority as he said flatly, “Stop talking nonsense. Get on!”

Seeing Gu Qingzhi’s firm attitude, Yan Luochen stopped refusing and carefully climbed onto his back. Gu Qingzhi hoisted him up without hesitation, his steps steady and powerful as he continued the ascent toward the summit.

Yan Luochen lowered his voice and said softly, “Senior Brother, I’ve troubled you.”

“Speak less and save your energy,” Gu Qingzhi replied, turning his head slightly.

The path was rugged and the stairs were long, yet Gu Qingzhi’s steps remained stable and light. Yan Luochen lay quietly on his senior brother’s back, his gaze focused on the resolute profile of his face. An involuntary, beautiful curve formed on the corners of his mouth.

He silently resolved in his heart: Once the poison is cleared, I must cultivate diligently to stand side-by-side with my senior brother, and never cause him trouble again.