Everyone Says I’m Cold and Aloof, But I Just Have Social Anxiety! - Chapter 4

As the dust gradually settled, the youth in red who had been observing from the sidelines witnessed Gu Qingzhi’s earlier execution of the Pure Spirit Sword Technique. Noticing the white jade pendant hanging from Gu Qingzhi’s waist, the youth realized that he was a person of noble status within the Yuqing Immortal Sect.

Intending to strike up an acquaintance, the youth snapped his folding fan shut and stepped forward. Folding his hands in a respectful greeting, he said, “I am Yan Luochen. Might I ask how I should address you, brother? Encountering each other here today is surely a stroke of fate; why don’t we become friends?”

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhi felt a hint of discomfort. However, as he looked at Yan Luochen from a closer distance, he couldn’t help but offer a silent compliment in his heart.

This person is truly good-looking, but… I probably don’t need friends.

Outwardly, he merely said a faint “Thank you,” before turning to continue his journey deeper into the Myriad Beast Forest.

Yan Luochen heard his inner voice. Upon hearing the compliment regarding his appearance, he couldn’t help but feel quite pleased with himself.

He thought privately, “I naturally know that I am good-looking. However, it seems a certain someone doesn’t realize that he himself possesses bright eyes, white teeth, and a face as beautiful as a crown jade his personality is just a bit cold.”

While he admired Gu Qingzhi’s looks, he felt the other man was far too distant, giving off an aura that warned strangers not to approach. Their personalities formed a remarkably sharp contrast.

Yan Luochen let out a light chuckle. Seeing Gu Qingzhi turn to leave, he hurried to catch up and continued to chatter incessantly. “Brother, don’t be in such a hurry to leave! The depths of this mountain forest are fraught with danger. If we travel together, we can look out for one another.”

Gu Qingzhi’s brow furrowed slightly, but he did not stop walking.

Yan Luochen didn’t mind the cold reception at all. He remained by Gu Qingzhi’s side, rambling on, “I am quite familiar with this area. If you follow me, you certainly won’t go wrong.”

In this manner, the two continued toward the heart of the forest.

Listening to Yan Luochen’s constant nagging, Gu Qingzhi grew increasingly irritable. However, because Yan Luochen had lent a hand earlier, it was difficult for him to lose his temper.

Yan Luochen, seemingly oblivious to Gu Qingzhi’s mood, spoke to himself, “The further one goes into the Myriad Beast Forest, the more powerful the demonic beasts become. A creature like that Two-Headed Wolf from earlier is merely a small fry. Brother, are you really not considering teaming up with me? I promise I won’t hold you back.”

Gu Qingzhi remained silent, but his pace quickened.

Seeing this, Yan Luochen ran a few steps ahead to block Gu Qingzhi’s path. “Don’t be so impatient. Even if you don’t need a partner, it’s good to hear some intelligence about this forest.”

Gu Qingzhi finally couldn’t help but speak: “Move.”

His voice was icy, devoid of any warmth.

Yan Luochen gently unfurled his folding fan, a gentle smile appearing on his face. “Don’t be so fierce; I’ll move. But if you run into danger, don’t be too embarrassed to call for help.”

As he spoke, he stepped aside to clear the path.

Gu Qingzhi did not respond and continued forward.

They hadn’t gone far when a sudden, violent, fishy wind swept toward them. A gargantuan Three-Headed Python, resembling a small mountain, abruptly appeared before them.

The Three-Headed Python’s body was exceptionally thick, like a massive stone pillar. Its scales shimmered with an eerie, dark light, each one exuding a chilling aura.

Gu Qingzhi’s gaze instantly sharpened. He gripped his sword hilt tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

Yan Luochen also immediately withdrew the smile from his face. His expression became incredibly solemn as his eyes locked onto the giant beast.

The Three-Headed Python was the first to speak in human tongue: “Was it you two who killed my sworn second brother?”

Yan Luochen’s eyes darted around quickly as he spoke up, “Are you talking about that Two-Headed Wolf? Hey, he was the one who killed him! I didn’t lift a finger.”

Upon hearing this, the Three-Headed Python’s eyes nearly split with rage. It glared fiercely at Gu Qingzhi and roared, “Hmph! If that is the case, then give me your life!”

With that, it launched an attack, lunging toward Gu Qingzhi with the force of a thunderbolt.

Gu Qingzhi reacted agilely, quickly dodging to the side while swinging his sword to strike the python.

However, the python’s scales were incredibly hard—practically invulnerable to blades and spears. The long sword in Gu Qingzhi’s hand was knocked back by a powerful reactionary force. He followed up with a clean, sharp backflip, stabilizing his stance and landing gracefully.

At the same time, Yan Luochen no longer stood by as a spectator.

With a sudden wave of his folding fan, several sharp rays of light instantly shot toward the Three-Headed Python, successfully drawing its fury toward himself.

“Aaargh… Damnable brats! You both shall die!”

The Three-Headed Python roared in uncontrollable rage. Its emotions instantly spiraled out of control, entering a state of frenzied, indiscriminate attacking as it incessantly spat fire in all directions.

Although the two fought hard to block the attacks, the nearby demonic beasts had long since fled in terror, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

However, the surrounding environment suffered. The flowers, plants, and trees were all engulfed in swirling flames and billowing smoke from the python’s fire, leaving the area in a state of ruin.

Seeing this, a bone-chilling aura suddenly erupted from within Gu Qingzhi. This aura spread rapidly, causing everything in the vicinity to freeze instantly, which extinguished the raging fire.

“I didn’t expect you to actually have a Mutated Ice Spirit Root?! You have a boundless future!”

“No wonder you always give people such a cold impression.”

Yan Luochen stood by his side, talking while coordinating his attacks.

Gu Qingzhi: “…” He still didn’t want to speak.

Under their combined assault, the Three-Headed Python gradually fell into a disadvantage. Suddenly, it spat out a cloud of black smoke and took advantage of the chaos to escape into the nearby woods.

Yan Luochen sighed helplessly and slowly spread his hands with a look of annoyance. “Tsk, it got away. This Three-Headed Python is the type to hold a grudge over the smallest slight; it will definitely come back to cause us trouble.”

Gu Qingzhi gave him a cold look, leaned down to pick up his sword, and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Yan Luochen hurried to follow, still muttering, “I’m serious, we have to be careful.”

The two continued forward. As they walked, Gu Qingzhi suddenly seemed to sense something. He stopped abruptly, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Yan Luochen also sensed something and was just about to ask what was wrong when the ground beneath them suddenly gave way without warning. Both of them instantly fell into a hidden trap.

The bottom of the trap was lined with sharp spikes that glinted coldly in the dim light, exuding a hint of danger.

Fortunately, both reacted swiftly. They immediately channeled their spiritual power to suspend themselves in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the misfortune of being impaled.

Right then, a burst of arrogant laughter echoed from the surroundings as a group of people dressed in black quickly revealed themselves.

Aside from a group of practitioners at the Foundation Establishment Stage, there was a Golden Core Stage expert who appeared to be the leader. He shouted at Yan Luochen, “Yan Luochen, I’d like to see where you can run to now! Come back with us obediently and become our Prince’s male plaything. That way, you might be spared from death.”

It turned out that this group of people had come specifically for Yan Luochen.

When the leader caught sight of Gu Qingzhi standing beside Yan Luochen, he was momentarily stunned by Gu Qingzhi’s extraordinary attire and his cold, otherworldly temperament. A flash of surprise and apprehension crossed his eyes before he cautiously asked, “Who are you?”

Gu Qingzhi kept his lips pressed tight, not saying a word, responding only with silence.

Seeing that he did not respond and that his expression was extremely cold, the leader finally noticed the white jade pendant hanging from Gu Qingzhi’s waist. The words “Yuqing” were clearly visible. The leader’s pupils contracted in shock, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.

[Cultivation Realms Division]:

Qi Refining

Foundation Establishment

Golden Core

Nascent Soul

Soul Transformation

Void Refinement

Body Integration

Great Perfection/Mahayana

Tribulation Transcendence

There are nine major realms in total; additionally, each realm is divided into Early, Mid, and Late stages.