Chapter 368: Sword Master’s Challenge (1)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

After the breakthrough, Gu Qiuyue promptly arrived at Lu Yuan’s side.

“Congratulations, Daoist, on successfully reaching the Apotheosis Stage,” she said with a congratulatory tone.

In response to Gu Qiuyue s well-wishing words, Lu Yuan replied politely, “Your Majesty, you are too kind. I was just lucky.1‘

Gu Qiuyue countered, “It’s not just luck, Daoist. I’ve witnessed your innate talent, and I must say I may have underestimated your potential. Your position as my consort might be insufficient considering your exceptional talents. With your innate gifts, even without my assistance, it s uncertain whether you would have any trouble transcending the Tribulation Crossing Stage and ascending to Immortality.”

Lu Yuan humbly remarked, “Transcending the Tribulation Crossing Stage to become an immortal is far from easy.”

“Don’t tell me you think I’m jesting? Given the circumstances, you must have realized the extent of your potential, Daoist.”

“If even you cannot ascend to immortality through the Tribulation Crossing Stage, then I wonder who else could.”

Seeing that Gu Qiuyue had emphasized the matter, Lu Yuan refrained from prolonging the discussion.

After all, excessive modesty would be needless. Ills previous humility was founded on his relative weakness.

Now, his cultivation had reached the Apotheosis Stage, combined with his unique capabilities.

He was a force to be reckoned with, capable of taking on Ethereal Stage cultivators, let alone Apotheosis Stage ones.

In the broader Upper Realm, Ethereal Stage cultivators were already highly formidable.

Hence, Lu Yuan’s claim that he could travel anywhere in the vast universe wasn’t an idle boast.

He had the power to back up such statements.

However, despite his strength, Lu Yuan remained modest, refraining from assuming invincibility.

He retained his sense of prudence.

He didn’t feel the need to overly strategize his interactions with Gu Qiuyue, considering there were no conflicting interests between them.

Moreover, she required his aid to complete the Phoenix sword intent.

This indicated that, to some extent, they shared mutual interests, making them partners in pursuit of common benefits.

Such a relationship was more reliable than many others, a fact that reinforced Lu Yuan s trust in Gu Qiuyue.

Gu Qiuyue was aware of this too, as her attitude toward Lu Yuan had been cordial from the outset.

Now that Lu Yuan demonstrated potential akin to that of a true immortal, Gu Qiuyue recognized the wisdom of her investment in him.

The value of supporting someone like him far exceeded the idea of merely enhancing an already favorable situation.

Her initial assistance to him could be likened to sending warmth to someone in dire need.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Gu Qiuyue shifted the conversation to more serious matters.

“Daoist, your cultivation has now reached a level where you can begin cultivating the Phoenix sword intent of this Sword Domain. Once you have mastered the Phoenix sword intent, 1 will honor my initial promise to you.”

“However, if you are not inclined to become my Practitioner partner, I will not impose any pressure. The decision rests entirely with you.”

With this statement, a rare hint of embarrassment appeared on Gu Qiuyue’s face.

The reason she had been able to maintain a relatively cold and solemn attitude towards Lu Yuan was that she thought Lu Yuan, despite his potential, might not become much stronger than he already was at the Ethereal Stage.

To a large extent, this gave her a psychological advantage when dealing with Lu Yuan.

However, after witnessing Lu Yuan’s Apotheosis Stage Heavenly tribulation, Gu Qiuyue changed her perspective.

Because anyone with good judgment, after witnessing that terrifying Heavenly tribulation, would understand just how terrifying Lu Yuan’s potential was.

Not to mention his potential, even Lu Yuan s current strength was enough to make her take notice.

Gu Qiuyue’s perception was not restricted. She could sense a dangerous aura from Lu Yuan.

This indicated that he now possessed a certain level of power that posed a threat.

A cultivator who had recently broken through to the Apotheosis Stage could now threaten an Ethereal Stage cultivator.

While it might be hard for others to believe, Gu Qiuyue trusted her instincts.

She believed that Lu Yuan possessed such strength.

He was a cultivator she could treat as an equal.

Faced with Gu Qiuyue’s changed attitude, Lu Yuan naturally didn’t say much.

Regarding the matter of becoming the consort of the Phoenix Empire, while it might not hold as many benefits for him as before, he wasn’t someone to burn bridges.

The reason he was able to progress so quickly was linked to Gu Qiuyue’s assistance along the way.

So, Lu Yuan smiled and replied, “It’s an honor for me to become your Practitioner partner, Daoist Gu.”

With Lu Yuan’s current strength, this statement instantly impacted Gu Qiuyue.

This feeling was quite subtle and left her with a rare uncertainty about how to approach Lu Yuan.

After a brief hesitation, Gu Qiuyue spoke, “Daoist, focus on your cultivation. I have matters to attend to, so I ll take my leave/’

Saying this, Gu Qiuyue promptly departed from the parasol tree as though escaping.

Lu Yuan gazed after her and smiled without uttering a word.

Whether he should say anything or not, the present demeanor of Gu Qiuyue seemed somewhat intriguing.

She didn’t have that overbearing feeling anymore, but instead had the gentleness of a normal female cultivator.

This change in attitude undeniably had much to do with the strength he had exhibited.

At this moment, Lu Yuan increasingly fell that his decision to opt for a stable developmental strategy had been remarkably wise.

If he was like an ordinary person and came up to put himself in the open, how could there be such a stable cultivation process?

One had to know that since he started cultivating until now, he had rarely encountered any danger..