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Translator: Pres
Proofreader: Silavin
Wang Zijin donned a male outfit, and her slender figure and silky hair resembled that of a charming prince; her snow skin glowed vibrantly and her smiling eyes carried a supernatural sensation.
She walked on and initiated a greeting with Gu Changge. It caused my young prodigies to be surprised when they saw Wang Wushuang, the Successor of the Immortal Wang Family, following behind her.
In other words, Wang Zijin’s position was higher than that of Wang Wushuang, yet no cultivators had ever seen her before.
“Knowing Gu Changge must mean that she is no ordinary person!” At once, young prodigies started guessing as their interest was piqued by Wang Zijin.
As a matter of fact, among the guests, there wasn’t just one old expert from the Immortal Wang Family, there were many more. There were also young prodigies from other factions, including the mysterious Wang Zijin as well as the eye-grabbing Wang Wushuang.
And now, seeing how Wang Wushuang was subservient to this unfamiliar person, the crowd couldn’t help but think that Wang Zijin was some strange being that was kept hidden for a long time by the Immortal Wang Family.
“Welcome, Lady Zijin!” Gu Changge didn’t seem to be surprised by her attendance and simply received the guests into the palace with a light smile. After all, it was his mother’s birthday banquet, so as her son, there was nothing wrong with greeting her guests. Besides, it was a perfect opportunity to see which one of these young prodigies could make a perfect scapegoat.
Half a month ago, when he brought Gu Xianer to shop in Skyward Ancient City, she finally understood how it felt to be wealthy. Having been poor, hence thrifty, since she was a child, she had a reality check upon seeing Gu Changge’s limitless wealth. Though, what he spent was hardly a fraction of what he possessed, so that sum of money meant nothing to him.
As such, she was disappointed. A rich man’s life was totally out of her imagination, and her resentment towards Gu Changge accordingly escalated.
Forget the other factors, Gu Changge’s wealth alone was enough to suffocate her, and because of his terrifying wealth, she could only whine and complain that he was a shameless, sly man, yet ironically, she wished to take all his wealth. She even tried to come up with plans to seize all of Gu Changge’s wealth to herself.
Unfortunately for her, Gu Changge easily saw through her, but out of her expectation, he responded with words suggesting that his wealth would eventually be hers, and that left her bewildered given how he implied as though she wanted to be his Successor.
*Zoom!* While Gu Changge was tending to his guests, a group of cultivators arrived at the palace, descending from a divine bridge from another direction, and their leader was the very Successor of the Ancient Ye Family, Ye Langtian. Behind him was his sister, Ye Liuli, whose figure was glowing as though she was the Goddess of the Sun.
“Greetings, Brother Gu!” Walking towards the palace, Ye Langtian greeted Gu Changge.
Followingly, he scanned across the many young prodigies of the Gu Family behind Gu Changge and found himself stunned. Just by their auras, the young prodigies of the Immortal Gu Family were more daunting than the young cultivators of the Ye Family.
That clearly reflected how frightening the power of the Immortal Gu Family was. Despite being dominant forces in the Beyond, the two families were obviously still out of each other’s league, and obviously, the Immortal Gu Family was the force that stood above all, being able to destroy the world at their will.
“Brother Ye.” Gu Changge’s face was passionate yet calm. Donning an unstained white garment, he greeted the young prodigies that visited as guests.
Upon such behaviour of his, young prodigies that had never met him couldn’t help but be fond of him despite having heard that he was a ruthless, boastful fellow. Now, however, they found themselves pleased by his humble attitude.
“This is…” At that moment, Ye Langtian noticed the unfamiliar face of Wang Zijin, who appeared as though she was the leader of the young prodigies from the Wang Family.
“This is my older sister, Yang Zijin,” Wang Wushuang clarified, thinking an introduction alone would suffice.
At once, the young prodigies faltered as guesses and ideas flashed across their minds.
Later, everyone socialised at the palace doors, and Gu Changge would smilingly nod from time to time, and so did the alluring Wang Zijin, as if they were sharing a good time.
To others, it may not be anything out of the ordinary, but their interaction was caught by Yue Mingkong, who was entertaining a noble, beautiful matron. Tensing her brows, she immediately figured out that Wang Zijin was a woman currently disguised as a man.
Nevertheless, Yue Mingkong hadn’t the faintest idea as to how Gu Changge knew that woman. Due to the fact that Gu Changge was completely different in her previous life, she didn’t know who Wang Zijin was. It just seems like another vixen had her eye on him when she wasn’t looking.
First it was Yin Mei, who still clung to Gu Changge despite having received a warning from her, and now, another mysterious woman popped up. As such, Yue Mingkong visibly grew disaffected as she assiduously observed Wang Zijian, intending to remember her face.
Nonetheless, she felt a threatening aura coming from Wang Zijin unlike that of Yin Mei, thanks to her womanly intuition. Although she was certain that Gu Changge would rarely fall for anyone, she couldn’t forgive any woman that dared to walk beside him.
Besides, she could tell that Wang Zijin was more than meets the eye as the latter possessed unimaginable power, be it her cultivation level or Talent. And although she had absorbed the Emperor’s Essence and broke through more than one Realm to the Enlightened King Realm, she was still unable to see through Wang Zijin.
“Truly uncanny. She must be some ancient abomination…” Yue Mingkong mumbled her guess. After that, along with the dashing matron beside her, she went and greeted the arriving guests from other formidable factions.
Needless to say, any single cultivator in the room had the capability to cause disasters in the world at ease. Even powerful cultivators from millenia ago were once domineering, peerless young prodigies, and were now perceived as unparalleled figures.
“What are you staring at, Mingkong?” The beautiful matron was Gu Changge’s mother, also the previous Saintess of Primal Celestial Temple. Noticing Yue Mingkong’s line of sight, she curiously asked. After all, she recognised Yue Mingkong as her daughter-in-law given that she was impressed by everything about her, be it her intelligence, background, looks, or Talents, and no one else other than her would be more suitable to match Gu Changge.
As of now, Yue Mingkong, as the Successor of the Unrivalled Celestial Dynasty, was a busy, influential woman who had the capability to shape the world, yet she would still make the time to accompany Mother Gu.
Hence, Mother Gu was highly pleased and fond of her zealous, flawless future daughter-in-law. Moreover, according to the rumours all over the Beyond, Yue Mingkong’s tenacity and methods were out of the world, and that earned her her reputation as a future emperor.
“I was just wondering what Changge is doing, Aunt Gu,” Yue Mingkong replied with a smile, seemingly open-hearted as she smoothly shifted the topic to Gu Changge.
Seeing how Wang Zijin was clinging to Gu Changge and smiling so gleefully, she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. She was aware that he wouldn’t bear any interest except beneficial ones judging by his personality, but she had no way of dismissing the discomfort in her heart.
Ever since she split up with Gu Changge back in the Celestial Ancient Continent, she stopped contacting him, and Gu Changge, too, began to grow apathetic towards her. Thereupon, she couldn’t help but miss the old times where she would constantly play dumb with him and how he would always tease her, unlike how he was behaving with her now, emotionless, just like how he was when they first met.
Indubitably, that was Gu Changge being genuine with her. He might pretend to be intimate with her in the presence of others, but knowing it would be futile to retain the facade in private, so he didn’t.
“Oh, that woman. Can’t say I know her. So there’s still talent from the Immortal Wang Family that I don’t know. She’s even reached the Quasi-Sacred Realm.” Mother Gu was somewhat taken aback as she noticed the uniqueness of the woman conversing with her son.
“Quasi-Sacred Realm, is it?” Yue Mingkong grew hostile as she felt even more threatened.
Essentially, Mother Gu was the best when it came to being perceptive. Wang Zijin breaking through to Quasi-Sacred Realm in spite of her age was indeed baffling. Without the Emperor’s Essence, Yue Mingkong might remain merely in the True Enlightened Realm, so Wang Zijin was surely not to be underestimated.
“Judging by Changge’s personality this time, it is most likely that he only knows the woman on a surface level. Don’t let it get to you, Mingkong.” Catching the subtle change on Yue Mingkong’s face, Mother Gu subconsciously advised with a smile, fearing that Yue Mingkong might overthink things.
She was aware that Yue Mingkong was one of the minority that was aware of Gu Changge’s demonic nature. However, as it pertained to his future, where any careless exposure would cost him everything he had worked for, as his mother, she had to be wary and always be tight-mouthed.
For Yue Mingkong, Mother Gu felt somewhat remorseful about her given that such a matter shouldn’t have been revealed to even Yue Mingkong. After all, even if there was just one more person that knew about it, her son’s risk would only grow greater. Fortunately, Gu Changge’s behaviour was pretty much the same compared to that in the past, and only his acquaintances could tell the subtle difference within him.
“Don’t you worry, Aunt Gu. I trust Changge very much,” Yue Mingkong smilingly replied. Nevertheless, she caught how Mother Gu used the term ‘this time.’
[Aunt Gu said ‘this time.’ It seems she knows about the cause of Gu Changge’s shift in personality.] Yue Mingkong quickly grew energetic as that pertained to the purpose of her visit to Gu Family Residence, to investigate Gu Changge’s past secrets. Now that she heard the subtle hint from his mother, she felt assured, though she remained unsure as to what factor caused his change.
“It seems you won’t be at peace today, Brother Gu.” At that moment, Wang Zijin, who was chatting with Gu Changge, noticed the gaze from inside the palace. Having looked into Gu Changge’s past, she was informed of many details regarding him, so naturally, she knew who his fiancee, Yue Mingkong was.
Grasping what she was hinting at, Gu Changge replied with an amiable smile. “Mingkong is a wise woman. She wouldn’t misunderstand us.”
Having said that, he turned to the interior of the palace and met Yue Mingkong’s eyes, after which he nodded at her with a smile.
Stunned for a second, Yue Mingkong hastily understood Gu Changge’s intention and responded with a tender smile.
Seeing that, the guests couldn’t help but be in awe as they were captivated by the destined couple’s intimate interaction.
[So she doesn’t get jealous, huh? It seems she’s no typical woman.] Wang Zijin was rather astonished. She was expecting some dramatic exchange, but it seemed she assumed wrong. However, given that she was a jealous type, she would hate to encounter the same situation.
Ever since she left the Mortal Palace, she began to discover that many things weren’t as she imagined. Gu Changge’s behaviour was one that was different from any man she knew of. She even felt that a slip-up would draw his reprimand. The man was truly enigmatic to her, and that made her tempted to dissect his mind and see how it worked. [What a troublesome man, he is!]
“I’m sorry, Mingkong…” In the palace, Mother Gu heaved a light sigh as she pitifully stated.
Having experienced the same situation, she could tell that there was some sort of feud between Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong, and that explained the coldness he was feigning towards Yue Mingkong. Furthermore, he didn’t even get up to receive Yue Mingkong when she arrived earlier, and that attitude of his was identical to how he first treated the princess, emotionless and indifferent.
Although she had no idea what happened between the two of them, but it was obvious that Yue Mingkong only cooperated for the sake of Gu Changge’s pride.
“Aunt Gu, the blame is all on me, not Changge…” Yue Mingkong shook her head. “All this time, I’ve been defensive towards him and misinterpreting his kindness…”
Hearing that, Mother Gu was stupefied and questioned in disbelief, “Mingkong, you knew already?”
Having blurted it out, she felt as though she babbled too much and quickly shut her mouth. She assumed that Yue Mingkong was defensive against Gu Changge’s Demonic Heart and feared that he would suddenly be overwhelmed by it before reverting to his heartless self.
Upon those words, Yue Mingkong panicked and rapidly shook her head. Regardless, the beautiful matron’s words proved her inference right. Gu Changge must have encountered something unknown in the past, in both her current and past life, which caused his major change, but still, she couldn’t fathom what it was.
[What exactly happened during the six months after I regressed? Was Gu Changge’s sudden venture to the Nether only to locate the treasure he mentioned?] Yue Mingkong was perplexed.
Then, as if she remembered something, she asked his mother, “Aunt Gu, I’ve heard that Changge went to the Nether and returned with two women. There was one Lin Qiuhan who is now practising alchemy in Violet Supreme Alchemy Sect, and the other, Zhao Qingge, was sent to you for cultivation…”
Yue Mingkong was informed of such a matter after investigating it, so it wasn’t exactly a secret. Therefore, if she wanted to know what Gu Changge did in the Nether, she would have to question those two women.
“Qingge is quite the sharp one. And since she managed to pique my liking, I decided to keep her and guide her on her cultivation,” Mother Gu replied somewhat surprisedly.
“Is there anything special about her?” Yue Mingkong pursued.
“Qingge possesses two souls in a body. The other soul must have been some powerful demon in the past. Although I attempted to track down the origin with secret techniques, the soul was too cunning so I couldn’t find anything,” Mother Gu explained, and she once told Gu Changge the same thing.
With that, Yue Mingkong grew even more perturbed. [It seems that Aunt Gu didn’t bring that Zhao Qingge woman along to the banquet, so she must still be in Primal Celestial Temple.]
[After bringing them to the Beyond, Gu Changge stopped contacting them, as if they’re now valueless toys that he decided to throw aside.] Yue Mingkong inferred according to Gu Changeg’s personality. In other words, he had no specific intention bringing those women to the Beyond, and they were simply a sight for sore eyes.
[The key lies within the period when he descended to the Nether, and that is precisely when I regressed too. This is too much of a coincidence.] Yue Mingkong thought it through. In her past life, Gu Changge went to the Nether and returned alone, so it was most probable that he obtained something in the Nether this time around.
On the other hand, with a natural and casual attitude, Gu Changge conversed with the other young cultivators without any hint of pride.
Thereupon, the young prodigies followingly praised him for everything he had done in the Celestial Ancient Continent, treating him as the model of the younger generation. And the fact that he publicly admitted to the world the seizing of Daoist Bone in front of Skyward Schloss was instantly forgotten by the crowd as no one dared to bring it up.
“Brother Gu, what is your stand on the blatant deeds of the Successor of Demonic Arts as of late?” Ultimately, Ye Langtian went on a tangent with a stern face, mentioning the Successor of Demonic Arts.
*Whoosh!* At once, silence stormed into the room. Everyone felt a chill up their spines as if a gentle breeze fondled their backs.
Hearing that, Gu Changge revealed a troubled face as if he was contemplating how to answer Ye Langtian.
“Brother Gu, you are the only one here who fought the Successor of Demonic Arts and gravely injured him after all. None of us have ever even met him, let alone fight him,” another young prodigy added. His body was glowing with silver light as if metal vaporised around him; he had three pairs of arms on his back, and his strength was certainly daunting. That young prodigy came from a Cult of Immortality.
In that instant, even Wang Zijin was fascinated given that the Successor of Demonic Arts was the priority target of her Sect, Mortal Palace. Since she was unable to perceive Gu Changge’s true power, it wasn’t impossible for him to be able to gravely injure the Successor of Demonic Arts. Thus, she was curious about Gu Changge’s perspective on the Successor of Demonic Arts.
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