I Have 10 Equipment Slots-Chapter 172 - 116: The 7th Piece of Equipment?

That way, even if some Demon Fiends wander over, they won’t be able to harm anyone.

But the Gu Family must be at the very top!

...

See a rescue through to the end.

Gu Zheng didn’t rush home. Instead, he stayed with the group to escort them on the final leg of their journey.

Only after they entered the county seat at dawn did he bid farewell to Lu Guangbei.

「Back home.」

Gu Zheng didn’t disturb anyone else, only calling over Gu Sihai and Gu Pan’Er.

He told them the origin of the True Skill, the Thunderous Waves Skill, and its cultivation method.

He also gave them a few Anomalous Pills.

"Father, Big Sis, the situation outside is growing more and more chaotic. We can only protect ourselves and our family by strengthening ourselves."

Gu Zheng said sternly, "I created this Thunderous Waves Skill specifically for the Gu Family. It must never be taught to outsiders! If it gets out, the repercussions will be immense! It could even lead to the destruction of the Gu Family, and I would die as well."

"Then we won’t cultivate it! We won’t!" Gu Sihai’s face paled, and he quickly tried to refuse the cultivation technique.

Gu Pan’Er also said nervously, "Ping’an, Father is right. We won’t cultivate it."

"As long as it’s our own people cultivating it, it’ll be fine."

Gu Zheng smiled. "When I said the repercussions would be immense, I meant if it gets out and we do nothing about it. If someone really does steal it and learn it, we’ll be fine as long as we cripple their cultivation."

"I understand now." Gu Sihai let out a breath, his expression turning solemn. "Ping’an, don’t worry. For now, only the three of us will know about this."

"Um, maybe I shouldn’t cultivate it after all?" Gu Pan’Er said awkwardly. "I’m not really cut out for martial arts, and I don’t particularly like it..."

"You don’t have to go deep into it if you don’t like it, but you must learn it!"

Gu Zheng interrupted. "If we want to stand firm in the future, Divine Wondrous will be indispensable."

"Well... alright then," Gu Pan’Er sighed.

"..." Gu Zheng glanced at her. "Big Sis, how many invitations did you send out, asking our family’s business partners to come to Qingshi County?"

"Ah? Does this affect you, Ping’an?" Gu Pan’Er was stunned. "I sent out over a dozen, but so far, only three families have arrived."

"I ran into Yang XianDa outside the county last night."

Gu Zheng replied, "It doesn’t affect me. This could also be considered an act of rescue, but... during the migration, even more people will die."

"Just because only three families have arrived doesn’t mean the others haven’t set out. They’ve likely started their journey as well, but died on the way."

"I... I..." Gu Pan’Er’s expression froze, her face gradually turning pale.

"It has nothing to do with you," Gu Sihai comforted her. "Pan’Er, you had good intentions. But life and death are up to fate. If they died on the road, that was simply their destiny."

Despite his words, Gu Pan’Er didn’t feel much better.

Her face remained ashen, her eyes filled with self-reproach.

This was something she would have to sort out on her own.

Gu Zheng didn’t offer any more comfort.

Just as he was about to leave, Gu Sihai remembered something. "Oh, right, Ping’an, Li Cunyi came back for a visit a few days ago. He left something for you."

"Hm?"

Gu Zheng was curious. "Li came back and then left again?"

"Yes."

Gu Sihai nodded, a strange expression on his face. "When Li Cunyi returned this time, something felt off about him. I can’t put my finger on it, but I just got the feeling that he was exhausted."

"Exhausted?"

Gu Zheng’s brow arched. "Physically exhausted, or mentally?"

"Ah, that’s it."

Realization dawned on Gu Sihai. "In terms of his physical aura, I felt that Li Cunyi had gotten stronger. But his eyes held a deep weariness, and his brow was furrowed with sorrow and dejection. I couldn’t see anything else. In short, he was exhausted—soul-weary."

"I see."

Gu Zheng nodded. "It seems he’s encountered something major and is struggling to handle it."

"Most likely."

Gu Sihai smiled. "Let’s not worry about him for now. Come on, let’s go to my room. I’ve kept the thing Li Cunyi left. I haven’t touched it."

Gu Zheng immediately followed Gu Sihai to his bedroom.

Gu Sihai retrieved a sealed Jade Box from a hidden compartment and handed it to Gu Zheng.

There was a lock on the Jade Box.

Gu Sihai took out the key Li Cunyi had given him.

Gu Zheng took them, undid the lock, and opened the Jade Box.

A black ring instantly came into view. It had a simple, ancient design, was embroidered with mysterious patterns, and was stained with a fair amount of blood, yet it exuded an intangible aura.

"This is... a ring?" Gu Sihai asked, surprised and suspicious. "Why would Li Cunyi give you a ring?"

Gu Zheng said nothing, but inwardly, he was shaken.

Because—

[Equippable Item Discovered]

[Ring of Power]

[Equipment Requirement: None]

[Equipment Effect: Strength In Me]

[Strength In Me: Constantly increases Physical Strength.]

[Equip?]