Everyone Says I’m Cold and Aloof, But I Just Have Social Anxiety! - Chapter 3

No one knew his son better than Gu Yuan.

Since childhood, Gu Qingzhi had always been a loner. No one wanted to play with him, and he showed a complete disdain for the company of others. His usual lack of smiles, his cold and aloof demeanor, and his refusal to acknowledge people were all due to his incomplete soul. Coupled with his Mutated Ice Spirit Root, his chilling aura made it difficult for anyone to get close to him.

Two years ago, Gu Yuan had sought a calculation from the Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. The result was a binary fate: either Gu Qingzhi would enter seclusion to charge for the Golden Core stage, allowing his soul to return to its complete state; or he would fail and face the cycle of reincarnation.

It was essentially a case of “try it and you might die-it”!

After agonizing for a long time, Gu Yuan finally decided to let his son take the risk. Clearly, Gu Qingzhi was lucky. He had found life within the jaws of death!

Previously, even though Gu Qingzhi possessed a top-grade Mutated Ice Spirit Root and was an exceedingly rare genius, Gu Yuan never felt at ease letting him leave the sect. After all, the boy was simple-minded and lacked any sense of guile.

But now, things seemed different.

Gu Yuan stood up, walked slowly to Gu Qingzhi’s side, and lightly patted his shoulder.

“Others at your age are barely at the Foundation Establishment stage at best. You, on the other hand, took one giant leap straight into the Golden Core. Normally, one should go out for experiential training upon reaching Foundation Establishment, yet you have never even set foot outside the sect. In your current state, it is time for you to team up with your fellow disciples and head out for some training!”

Gu Qingzhi: “…”

He froze instantly where he stood.

Talk if you want to talk, but why do you have to get so close? And keep your hands to yourself!

Wait—

Experiential training? Teaming up with others?

Does that mean I can’t stay in my room and live my comfortable life anymore? And I’ll have to communicate and interact with people constantly!

He had originally thought this new identity would allow him to live a better life than in his original world. Who knew he would still have to deal with people and go out to struggle? And this was the cruel world of immortal cultivation…

Fine, there was no escaping it!

Ultimately, Gu Qingzhi proposed that he could go out for training, but he would go alone no teaming up with anyone.

This was his final stand!

After leaving the Great Hall, Gu Qingzhi let out a long sigh of relief. He felt as though his back was drenched in sweat, though it was merely a sensation. In reality, he still appeared entirely unruffled!

However, things had been truly dangerous just now. He felt as if his “cheap father” had noticed he wasn’t the original occupant of this body. He secretly vowed to survive well in this world and never let anyone discover his secret.

The next morning, Gu Qingzhi quietly left the sect alone.

Since he had already communicated the details with his father the previous day, he didn’t go to disturb him again. Upon stepping out of the sect, he realized he had no clear memory of the outside world, leaving him with no choice but to wander aimlessly.

His only goal was to go where there were no people, so he unhesitatingly headed deep into the mountain forests.

“Since I’m out for training but don’t want to go to crowded places, the most suitable task is undoubtedly finding some demon beasts to fight. Simple, direct, violent, and effective!”

Sure enough, he encountered several low-level demon beasts along the way. He killed them with ease but found it quite boring. As he moved deeper into the forest, the aura of demon beasts grew increasingly heavy!

Gu Qingzhi shook himself alert and moved forward with increased vigilance.

Suddenly, a massive Two-Headed Wolf pounced from a nearby thicket. Its fangs were sharp and wicked, and a murderous light flickered in its eyes, as if it intended to tear him apart instantly.

Gu Qingzhi’s heart skipped a beat. He knew well that such strange species weren’t rare in this world, but this was his first time seeing such a spectacle in person; he was genuinely a bit terrified.

On the surface, however, he remained calm and composed.

Back in school, whenever his class watched horror movies, everyone would scream their heads off. He was the only one who, despite being terrified, never made a sound. Consequently, everyone mistakenly believed he was fearless…

There were even rumors later that the movie had scared someone to death, and it was eventually banned.

Thinking of this, he quickly adjusted his thoughts and instantly entered a combat state. Following his memories, he executed a set of sharp and swift Qingling Sword techniques, engaging in a thrilling and fierce battle with the Two-Headed Wolf.

The wolf’s movements were incredibly agile. Because Gu Qingzhi lacked combat experience, he was nearly injured several times.

Unexpectedly, the Two-Headed Wolf actually spoke: “Kid, I didn’t expect you to have such cultivation at such a young age. No wonder you dared to barge into this peril-filled Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts alone. I underestimated you.”

Gu Qingzhi: “…”

His body stiffened, and he lamented inwardly: I avoided interacting with humans, but now I have to interact with a beast?!

At that moment, the Two-Headed Wolf showed a successful, cunning grin and lunged at Gu Qingzhi with its claws! Gu Qingzhi was quick and dodged it just in time.

Simultaneously, a folding fan flew through the air from nearby. It acted like a spiritual boomerang, imbued with powerful spiritual energy. After slamming the Two-Headed Wolf aside, it returned precisely to the hand of a youth.

The youth wore a vibrant, striking red robe. He had sword-like eyebrows and eyes like stars, with silken black hair flowing in the wind. He held the fan, swaying it gently; he possessed the grace of a refined young master with a hint of romantic charm.

“I say, young master, why did you fall into a daze in the middle of a fight? It’s very easy to lose out that way, you know.”

Gu Qingzhi: “…”

Why is there someone else here? And who is this guy?

He didn’t respond out loud, but a deep question echoed in his mind.

Hearing these questioning words, a look of confusion appeared on the red-robed youth’s face. He clearly hadn’t seen Gu Qingzhi speak. He looked around but found no one else.

Before he could ponder further, the Two-Headed Wolf scrambled up from the ground and roared in annoyance: “Another one! Truly meddlesome!”

With that, it launched another fierce attack on the two of them. However, the red-robed youth didn’t strike again. Instead, he leisurely fanned himself and strolled to a nearby tree, watching with an air of nonchalance.

Seeing this, Gu Qingzhi gripped his longsword and engaged in another intense battle with the wolf.

“To the left”

The red-robed youth watched the exchange, occasionally offering a reminder.

I can actually do this myself, you really don’t need to do that…

Gu Qingzhi spoke silently in his heart.

The red-robed youth noticed once again that the other party hadn’t opened his mouth, yet he could hear his inner thoughts. He couldn’t help but think: “This is truly interesting!”

The corners of his mouth curled into an intrigued smile.

Relying on his flexible movements and exquisite swordsmanship, Gu Qingzhi gradually gained the upper hand. With one fierce thrust, he pierced the heart of the Two-Headed Wolf.

“You need to cut off its necks and sever its heads. If you only pierce the heart, it will regenerate.”

The red-robed youth spoke up once more to remind him.

Heeding the advice, Gu Qingzhi accepted it humbly. He struck again, and with one swift blow, he severed the necks of the Two-Headed Wolf.

The massive body of the wolf was instantly split in two and crashed to the ground, kicking up a large cloud of dust.