In Danxia Valley, Jiang Chen passed through without any trouble by virtue of his Core Disciple identity token. However, the entourage he brought along was quite conspicuous.
The Qiao brothers and Guo Jin, in particular, were only at the first or second level of the Spirit Realm, which stood out sharply in Danxia Valley.
After all, every core disciple in Danxia Valley was at the Yuan Realm. Most were at the Earth Yuan Realm, and a select few had even reached the Heaven Yuan Realm.
These geniuses, even if they were to take on attendants, would never recruit people with such low cultivation on a whim.
Their attendants, at the very least, would be at the Heavenly Spirit Realm — or even Spirit Kings.
People like Xue Tong at the Minor Spirit Realm were virtually unseen in Danxia Valley. Even the alchemy servants doing menial tasks there mostly cultivated at the Earth Spirit Realm.
So when the valley guards saw the batch of attendants Jiang Chen had brought, they couldn't help but exchange looks of helpless amusement and surprise, finding the situation rather peculiar.
Gouyu was a forthright character, but even she could sense that their cultivation was bringing shame to Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen, however, was perfectly calm. The so-called gap was merely temporary. These people simply had better backgrounds and had enjoyed access to Danqian Palace's superior resources.
If Gouyu and Xue Tong had been born here, even if they couldn't become core disciples, becoming inner disciples would have been well within reach.
After Gouyu consumed a Mystic Radiance Fruit, her cultivation had risen rapidly, bringing her to the peak of the Earth Spirit Realm. But that level of cultivation was nothing compared to the attendants of Danqian Palace's core disciples.
Along the way, the people obviously wearing attendant attire were, without exception, at least at the Heavenly Spirit Realm.
When these people saw Gouyu and the others, undisguised mockery appeared on their faces.
Some even muttered: "Where did these stray cats and dogs come from? When did Danxia Valley lower its standards this much?"
"Exactly. Danxia Valley is the exclusive domain for core disciples. How can people who aren't even qualified to sweep the floors get in?"
"Tch. Trash like them doesn't deserve to set foot in Danxia Valley. They'll be thrown out sooner or later."
Though these whispers weren't loud, they were pitched just loud enough for Jiang Chen and his group to hear.
Jiang Chen's gaze turned cold as it swept toward the offenders.
Faced with Jiang Chen's Yuan Realm pressure, the attendants didn't dare act up. They shrank back and slunk away dejectedly.
Clearly, gossiping about Gouyu and the others hadn't cost them any peace of mind.
But in front of Jiang Chen, they still didn't dare cause trouble.
If Jiang Chen decided to beat them up, they'd have nowhere to appeal. Sure, their own masters could step forward to save face — but the beating would have been for nothing. Hardly worth it!
Gouyu said dejectedly: "Young Master, we've embarrassed you."
Jiang Chen smiled carelessly: "They're just dogs looking down on people. That's all they'll ever be in their lives. Is it worth keeping score with people who can't see past their own noses?"
Huang'er gently took Gouyu's arm: "Sister Gouyu, these people have foul mouths and no martial bearing. Young Master Jiang is right — there's no need to lower ourselves to their level. I believe that in a few years, Sister Gouyu will far surpass them."
Huang'er was always so understanding. Her every word and action carried the warmth of a spring breeze.
Though Gouyu had been upset, hearing Huang'er's words made her feel much better right away.
She squeezed Huang'er's hand, a determined look flowing into her eyes: "Little sister Huang'er is right. How could I, Gouyu, ever bow down to people like them? They just happened to be born into better circumstances. Give me a few years, and I'll make them look up at me!"
She had never been one to yield to anyone, and being looked down upon had dealt a sharp blow to her pride.
Huang'er smiled softly: "That's the spirit. Sister Gouyu is brilliant and clever — you'll definitely succeed."
Gouyu laughed: "I think you're the brilliant and clever one! If I were a man, I'd certainly fall for you."
"What a shame that Sister Gouyu isn't a man, then."
Their banter had lifted Gouyu's spirits considerably by the time the group arrived at Jiang Chen's dwelling.
Danxia Valley was vast, and each dwelling was spaced far apart from the next, giving everyone ample privacy and freedom from disturbance.
In terms of terrain, Jiang Chen's dwelling wasn't particularly impressive — in fact, it was among the lower-ranked dwellings in Danxia Valley.
After all, Jiang Chen was only at the first level of the Yuan Realm and hadn't yet earned the qualification for a higher-grade dwelling.
But even a lower-ranked dwelling here dwarfed anything at the Treasure Tree Sect in grandeur.
The moment they stepped inside, Gouyu and the rest lit up with excitement, all traces of their earlier frustration vanishing in an instant.
The compound was designed with impressive scale. Training area, living quarters, leisure zone, reception hall, alchemy room, artifact forging room — every facility was present and accounted for.
Forget just a handful of attendants; even ten or twenty more could live here in complete comfort.
"Sister Huang'er, look at this herb garden — from now on, you'll have plenty of space to plant your herbs!" Gouyu was practically bouncing with excitement.
Huang'er smiled faintly, strolling leisurely as she wandered around the grounds of the dwelling.