Gusu

Gusu can refer to several things, most notably a historical region in China and a fictional sect within a popular web novel. Historically, Gusu was an ancient state in what is now Jiangsu province, China. It existed during the Spring and Autumn period and was later absorbed by the state of Yue. The name Gusu is often associated with the city of Suzhou, which was its capital.

In modern popular culture, Gusu is prominently featured as the home of the Lan clan, one of the major cultivation sects in the immensely popular Chinese web novel "Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation" (Mo Dao Zu Shi) and its adaptations. This fictional Gusu Lan Sect is known for its strict adherence to rules, its emphasis on scholarly pursuits and discipline, and its iconic white robes and forehead ribbons. Their main residence is the Cloud Recesses, a secluded and picturesque mountain estate renowned for its beauty and its extensive library. The Gusu Lan Sect plays a significant role in the narrative, often representing order and righteousness within the cultivation world depicted in the story.