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Translator: Fate
Translation Checker: Silavin
In the courtyard, bamboo crackled upon a gentle breeze. The atmosphere was rather tranquil.
“Is that so? Why do I still feel that Chu Hao is still persistently wishing for my death? Am I overthinking, or is Chu Hao being overconfident? If I were to allow you the time, how many days do you need? Or do I need to deal with this myself? I honestly abhor troublesome matters, but Chu Hao seems interested in continuing to trouble me.”
Before the table, Gu Changge, whose eyes were emotionless, was gently blowing the steam off his tea as he leisurely asked. He spoke so casually as if he wasn’t at all bothered.
Meanwhile, Ji Qingxuan’s crystal-like eyes seem to reveal astonishment, as she was serving Gu Changge. She was obediently massaging his back, seemingly used to her role as his maid. In her eyes, given Gu Changge’s identity, there was no way he would be troubled by Chu Hao, and the reason he said those things was because he merely felt discomforted by a bug that was trying to get on his back.
“Master, please allow me some more time. I only need at max, half a month. I’ll make sure Chu Hao understands everything and give up on his quest for revenge. I beg your forgiveness for his obtrusive ignorance. Please do not take it to heart.” Tang Wan’s voice was shaky and her eyes were filled with dread. She was obviously overwhelmed by fear.
Judging from Gu Changge’s words, he seemed to be intending to go after Chu Hao. Tang Wan didn’t dare to even imagine how Chu Hao could survive if that happens.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tries to convince Chu Hao, he would remain confident that he could make Gu Changge pay. Thus, he would always ignore Tang Wan’s numerous warnings.
With that mindset, Chu Hao indeed came up with quite a number of strategies, but each of them were stupid to Tang Wan. as they wouldn’t affect Gu Changge in the slightest.
At the end of the day, Chu Hao was merely a small prince, from a puny kingdom called the Vermilion Bird Empire. To the massive Immortal Gu Family, the entirety of the Vermilion Bird Empire was closer to a fragile ant than an actual force.
As such, she couldn’t help but wonder, [Given such an enormous disparity, does Hao’er still think he stands a chance? And now, I can’t even consciously lend him a hand. When will he finally realise this?]
Tang Wan was deeply disappointed by Chu Hao. She had been racking her brain to save him. Yet, not only did he disregard her efforts, but he was even digging his grave deeper.
If Gu Changge genuinely plans to annihilate the Vermilion Bird Empire, it would only be a matter of an order. He wouldn’t even need to do it himself as the various forces that were trying to please him, would be more than happy to do it in his stead. Even with Supreme Cave Heaven shielding Chu Hao, he would only end up facing the same fate as Purple Mansion.
“Nevermind. You may stop worrying about Chu Hao. I have another task for you.” Then, Gu Changge cut in and faintly continued, “Recently, someone named Qin Wuya may come looking for you. By then, do not panic no matter what, and all you need to do is follow my instructions.”
“Qin Wuya…” Tang Wan was taken aback. For some reason, the name felt awfully familiar to her, as if she heard it somewhere before.
“Is that Sky King Zhi Yang’s Senior? One of Master’s enemies?” All of a sudden, she came to remember him and her face changed.
Back when she heard Qin Wuya’s name, she felt as though the name was very close to her heart. However, she couldn’t figure out why Gu Changge would say that Qin Wuya would be coming for her.
“Indeed. Since you were his Dao Partner in your previous lives, he will surely want to reunite with you after knowing about your existence.” Gu Changge glanced at Tang Wan and causally replied.
“Dao Partners in our previous lives?” Hearing that, Tang Wan suddenly gasped, widening her eyes as her face paled.
As of late, hazy visions would ambiguously pop up in her mind. These visions included a scenario that took place at an ancient, spectacular gate from a distant past. Everything was different. Vast wonders existed amid grand, magnificent Mystic Mountains, and such enormity was incomparable.
In those visions, she had a benign, dignified father, who was the Sect Master. She also had a mature Eldest Senior Brother as her Dao Partner. In addition, she had a Junior Brother and a Junior Sister, who wished to restore the prosperity of their Sect.
Although Tang Wan would convince herself that these visions were merely a dream, she couldn’t help but wonder whether reincarnation existed in this world. When she heard what Gu Changge said, she was thoroughly stupefied, as if a giant bell was struck, ringing violently in her mind.
However, she was baffled as to how Gu Changge knew about all this, and was so confident that Qin Wuya was unquestionably her Dao Partner from her previous life. She was shocked till she became muted, unable to believe this. She then pondered what kind of being Gu Changge was, to know of such matters.
At the same time, Ji Qingxuan, who heard the conversation, was also shocked. Even so, her face remained unchanged as she pretended not to have heard anything. Though, in her heart, Gu Changge had become even more enigmatic than ever, given how he was so knowledgeable about reincarnation.
“Master, how do you know all this?” Regardless, Tang Wan, having been trained in the Alliance of Thousand Merchants, and gone through all sorts of hardship. Thus, she quickly calmed down and asked. Even so, her voice was still filled with fear, which she was reluctant to admit.
Glancing at her, Gu Changge shook his head without revealing much. “You don’t have to know that. Just remember what I assigned you to do.”
“Yes, Master.” Tang Wan nodded as her heart was filled with sorrow. Recalling another identity of Gu Changge, the Successor of the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being, she was no longer as puzzled by how familiar he was with the Dao of Reincarnation.
Nevertheless, she couldn’t fathom why all the men that were related to her would eventually end up opposing Gu Changge. Both Chu Hao and the man named Qin Wuya, who was claimed to be her Dao Partner in her previous life. In the end, she would have to deal with them personally, and that feeling devastated her.
“Return to the Vermilion Bird Empire for now. I’ll summon you if anything else arises,” Gu Changge casually ordered. Despite knowing what Tang Wan was thinking, he wasn’t bothered by it.
“As you wish, Master.” Tang Wan was in despair as she lowered her head.
After Tang Wan left, Gu Changge waved to dismiss Ji Qingxuan before staring at the piece of paper in his hand with a pondering look.
[I’m sure Purple Mansion won’t give up on Sky King Zhi Yang, even now. Despite being sieged by numerous forces, they would certainly send formidable experts to come and rescue him. If Supreme Cave Heaven is tactful, they would know what to do; if they aren’t, I’ll have to get involved…] Gu Changge muttered to himself as his eyes became more profound.
With that in mind, Gu Changge began ordering his followers to imprison those from Purple Mansion in the Vermilion Bird Empire.
He was planning to wreak some havoc. He wanted to stir up conflict between Supreme cave Heaven and Purple Mansion, which would certainly save him some energy. Even if he failed to do so, the Vermilion Bird Empire would still fall as a casualty from collateral damage between the two behemoths.
Although Gu Changge was targeting the Vermilion Bird Empire solely because of Chu Hao, him doing so without a good reason would only place him under scrutinising light. Besides, given the Immortal Gu Family’s flaunting of power, his rampancy would only intimidate the rest of the world, instilling unintended ideas in their minds. Thus, upon thorough contemplation, he decided to kill with a borrowed sword.
As for Chu Hao, Gu Changge wasn’t quite interested in him for the time being since Chu Hao’s identity was completely inferior to that of Sky King Zhi Yang. Also, Gu Changge could take all the time he wanted to torment Chu Hao since the latter, as a Fortuitous One, would prove much more useful than Sky King Zhi Yang.
Apart from that, harvesting a leek that had yet to fully grow would only be a waste. Furthermore, leeks were so hard to find. Now that he found two, Chu Hao and Qin Wuya, he wanted to carefully harvest them to get the best yield.
[My plans would go much smoother if the Vermillion Bird Empire and the enraged Purple Mansion collapses at the same time. By then, I’ll only have to feign remorse and claim that I never expected Purple Mansion to be this conniving.] Thinking that, Gu Changge subconsciously chuckled before heading to the Vermilion Empire.
In that instant, the Black Tortoise Emperor and his men, who were closely observing Gu Changge’s every move, revealed a long lost smile, tempted to throw a major celebration with the people of the empire.
Having feared that they might be dragged into the battle between Gu Changge and Purple Mansion, those in the Black Tortoise Empire were immediately relieved. Now that Gu Changge was absent from the Black Tortoise Empire, it was now a remarkably safer place as its people no longer needed to live in fear.
…
“Uncle Master, did Wan’er go to see Gu Changge after she left?” Meanwhile, in the Capital of the Black Tortoise Empire, in an extravagant manor, in which two individuals were in a discussion. The stunning, muscular man with an extraordinary aura who asked the question was none other than Chu Hao, and the Elder with a white beard before him was his Uncle-Master, Bai Yang.
Ever since the two departed from Vermilion Bird Empire, they had been tailing Tang Wan as Chu Hao was anxious to know the purpose of her meeting with Gu Changge. He was abysmally distressed, given that he was unable to get to the bottom of the matter. In fact, he couldn’t even meditate in peace while he cultivated due to the tainted thoughts in his mind.
“Wan’er will never betray me. She must have her reason. She must be threatened by Gu Changge!” Chu Hao furiously muttered, as if his heart was pricked by thorns.
Whenever the thought of Tang Wan secretly meeting Gu Changge behind his back arose in his mind, he would be vexed and frustrated. This was despite knowing that given Tang Wan’s personality, she would never betray him. However, to be fair, any man would reach the limit of their patience if they were to face such a problem. Yet, he could only forgive Tang Wan and pretend as if he wasn’t affected by it.
Hearing that, Bai Yang was also visibly upset. With a frown, he heaved a sigh and said, “If Tang Wan doesn’t change course, she must be going to see Gu Changge. He’s currently staying in that palace right there.” He glanced at Chu Hao with a sympathetic look, and he couldn’t think of anything to say to comfort him.
“Did you not follow her, Uncle Master?” Although Chu Hao already had his guesses, listening to his Uncle Master’s answer left him even more perturbed. He even took deep breaths in order to desperately control his emotions.
“Right now, Gu Changge is being guarded by a mysterious being in the Nirvana Realm. If I were to proceed rashly, that mighty expert would take it the wrong way and see me as an ally of Purple Mansion who came to assassinate him,” Bai Yang clarified with a fearful face.
As a matter of fact, he was rather knowledgeable about that deceased Sacred Emperor Realm Master Purple Mansion had sent to rescue Sky King Zhi Yang. Although he was more powerful than that old man, the disparity was hardly discernible. Therefore, if he were to bump into that mysterious, formidable expert in the Nirvana Realm, he would only be walking into his death.
“Uncle Master, that had not crossed my mind. I have been negligent.” Hearing that, Chu Hao clenched his fists as reluctance surged in his heart.
Ever since he was a child, cultivating had always gone smoothly, and he would encounter significantly more opportunities than adversities. He was only a few hundred years old and he already reached the Peak Sacred King Realm. His future was bright, and as long as he remained unwavering, he would sooner or later become the most powerful figure in the Upper Realm.
Alas, he was gravely impacted by Gu Changge, and even his Uncle Master, who was in the Sacred Emperor Realm, was unable to contain Gu Changge, not daring to investigate the matter by himself.
“Hao’er, don’t need to worry. After she is done meeting with Gu Changge, she will eventually come back out. What happens in between is nothing worth mentioning. I’m sure nothing will happen between the two of them. Besides, Tang Wan’s aura is as pure as ever. Her body remains unsullied.” Seeing Chu Hao’s miserable expression, Bai Yang couldn’t help but feel worried yet helpless. He patted Chu Hao’s shoulder, fearing his great potential would be ruined this way. Hence, he decided to convince him.
“I know. Rest assured, Uncle Master, I’m aware of it.” Having calmed down at that moment, Chu Hao knew blaming Tang Wan wasn’t the right move. Regardless, he must put an end to the matter as Gu Changge’s rampancy might one day lead to him overstepping boundaries, and Tang Wan, as a fragile lady, wouldn’t be able to defend herself.
All of a sudden, Chu Hao’s face changed when he sensed that a message from the Vermilion Bird Empire was sent to his Communication Rune in his storage ring. Typically, the Vermilion Bird Emperor wouldn’t contact him if nothing major happened.
“What is it?” Bai Yang noticed the dramatic change on Chu Hao’s face and inquired.
“The Vermilion Bird Empire is in trouble… D*mn! Gu Changge and I can’t coexist in this world!”
Accordingly, Chu Hao took out his Communication Rune and speedily checked through the messages he received, only to find himself dumbfounded. His face grew gloomier as he spoke those abhorrence-filled words through gritted teeth.
“Uncle Master, we must return to the Vermilion Bird Empire at once!” After he spoke, he immediately moved. [To think Gu Changge would still mess with the Vermilion Bird Empire while on the brink of war with Purple Mansion… How despicable!]
“Don’t tell me…” Bai Yang’s face slightly changed as he realised the direness of the matter after making a rough guess. Intuitively, he felt a chilly sensation all over his body when he thought of Gu Changge’s methods.
Right when Chu Hao was discussing his plans against Gu Changge, the latter had already made his first move. Worse, his execution was terrifying and swift. Not to mention, spine-chilling and vicious.
…
As of late, the attention of the entire Upper Realm was amassed on the territory of Purple Mansion. After all, this was a battle that not a single cultivator would miss. Even the ever aloof Buddhist Mountain and Mortal Palace were closely following up on it. After all, since the dawn of time, occurrences of Immortal Wars and Everlasting Tragedies were few and far in between. Thus, everyone’s blood was rapidly pumping as their hearts palpitated.
Vast military forces on ancient battleships from various forces, such as Sky Emperor Mountain and the Ancient Ye Family, aggressively charged with the intention to take down the Successor of Demonic Arts as well as to eliminate anything related to Sky King Zhi Yang.
To the attackers, if they were to successfully bring Purple Mansion to ruin, they could split the rewards among themselves. After all, having stood for innumerable millenia, Purple Mansion had accumulated an infinite amount of resources and secrets.
In the eyes of those participating in the war, Purple Mansion must be banished, and there was no other way around it. The commotion this great war caused was definitely alarming, as even stars in the distant sky were quivering. Such a scene was simply unimaginable.
“Charge!”
“To the fall of Purple Mansion!”
The presence of millions was overwhelming. The seas were grew chaotic as their hostility and murderous intent engulfed the entire world.
Countless spectating forces were horrified, hiding in their territories and dared not to make a sound. They could only watch as the various factions pass by in the sky, so numerous that they covered the sky.
The army of millions marched forth menacingly, as if they were a sharp godly weapon formed by the might of heaven, capable of tearing everything apart.
*Boom!*
Meanwhile, in Purple Mansion, disciples and Elders, all wore solemn faces. activated all sorts of divine abilities. Godly beams shot through the skies as protective arrays and barriers were erected. Vibrant lights shot through the clouds, intertwining in the sky before coagulating into an enormous net to fend off the attackers.
However, the number of attackers was too tremendous. The aura elites just from the Ancient Immortal Races alone, sent by Sky Emperor Mountain, were as dense as the thickest clouds. The siege from this force alone could turn the world inside out. A rare sight to behold.
In another direction, those present could only feel a shocking, overbearing pressure in the sky as giant stars trembled, leaving the universe quaking and twisting. Battle cries could be heard thundering from there, startling the surrounding forces. Evidently, a horrifying war, a battle between those in the Sacred Emperor Realm, was taking place over there.
One after another, peerless Dharma Bodies were summoned, with Purple Qi wafting around them.
Heavenly mists were drifting all over the sky as experts were fighting against each other, as if they were standing on top of the universe.
A vague blinding cauldron could be seen floating in the air, as well as a glaring bell and an azure seal. These were all Sacred Emperor Grade artifacts, and in the instant they were summoned, Principles of the world were turned hazy, as stars exploded and instantaneously disintegrated.
Those who saw that were completely taken aback.
“Who knew Purple Mansion was this powerful… They can even block off the combined attacks of Sky Emperor and the Ancient Ye Family…”
“To think they’ve been hiding such strength… Though, that Sacred Emperor must have come out from their Ancestral Land. His aura is too ancient to be from this era.”
Attentively observing, formidable cultivators from different factions were stupefied as their expectation of witnessing a one-sided battle was shattered. The true strength of Purple Mansion completely exceeded anyone’s imagination, and it was at that moment cultivators realised that Purple Mansion didn’t welcome the war unprepared.
Out of nowhere, in the starry sky far away, booming noises were released. Those who heard it trembled. Just the sound alone was so powerful that it felt as if their souls were getting ripped apart.
As an ancient banner was waving, tearing everything apart. It was attached to a domain-breaking battleship, the size of a colossal ancient continent, which shadow seemed to be endless.
With its arrival, the sky opened up and Chaos Energy gushed out of it, as the battleship crashed into everything before it. It had completely dominated the sky.
In that one instant, one gigantic word stood out, wavering in the sky. It was the word ‘Gu!’
Furthermore, right in front of that domain-breaking battleship was the very territory of Purple Mansion.
“The Immortal Gu Family has arrived! Purple Mansion’s had run out of time! They may be able to take on the combined attacks of several forces, but will they be able to withstand the Immortal Gu Family?”
“It seems Purple Mansion is really done for now!”
Everyone was dumbfounded as they watched the army of millions arrive. They could see no end to the attackers, as their presence covered the skies and the stars. Such unrivalled power was surely to intimidate anyone.
“For the fall of Purple Mansion! All hail the might of the Immortal Gu Family!”
An Elder on the ancient battleship blew his horn, sending a frightening shockwave in the direction he was facing.
The massive army immediately joined the battle.
In that instant, from the depths of the starry sky, bright runes filled the sky, causing it to tremble. The runes formed a divine sword above the ancient battleship before it was thrusted down. This attack caused the air around it to tremble. Even space itself got torn apart as it the divine sword pierced through.
At once, the arrays shielding Purple Mansion almost broke down, barely able to hold on.
Seeing that, those who were observing the war from afar felt a chill down their spines. [That was only one blow! Will Purple Mansion be able to take more of it?]
*Boom!* At the very next moment, the Sacred Emperor Realm Masters from the Immortal Gu Family took the initiative to attack. As they raised their hands, the might of the Sacred Emperor Realm arose, covering the world and causing stars to tremble.
“Charge!” In retaliation, three more in the Sacred Emperor Realm appeared from Purple Mansion. Their auras were superior to those Sacred Emperor Realm Masters from Sky Emperor Mountain and the other forces.
“The Immortal Gu Family is insufferable! Working with Gu Changge to seize the legacies of Purple Mansion and subdue our future Successor! Such sacrilege shall not be forgiven! The legacies of Purple Mansion are for us to protect and none shall take even one glimpse at them!” The three Sacred Emperor Realm Masters soared to the skies with their grudge-filled stone cold faces as they roared.
“Do you really think the three of you alone are suited to offend the Immortal Gu Family!? You know very well your deaths are inevitable, yet you dare come to stop us! We praise you for your valour, so we shall grant you your wish and send you to the gods with your loved ones! That shall be your eternal reward!” Simultaneously, a terrifying aura swirled amid the military forces of the Immortal Gu Family.
Heavenly beams dispersed everywhere. Ten experts in the Sacred Emperor Realm had appeared, encircling the sky. Their faces were concealed, yet their might remained overwhelming as their tone was overflowing with coldness and domineering.
The instant these ten showed themselves, their auras almost broke the sky, as they were set on slaughtering the three from Purple Mansion.
Instantly, dread filled the hearts of those observing. Prior to this, they had detected that the Immortal Gu Family had sent ten experts in the Sacred Emperor Realm. However, many of them thought that given the number, there were most likely a few to be only in the Sacred King Realm, hiding in the group.
Ultimately, when they saw all ten appear, they were greatly taken aback. All ten were in the Peak Sacred Emperor Realm! Not one was in the Early or Intermediate Stage of the Sacred Emperor Realm!
It was known that there were Nine Minor Realms in the Sacred Emperor Realm. Those who attained the Seventh-Order would be referred to as High Rank Sacred Emperor Realm Masters. Such powerful individuals could kill just by exposing their aura.
“No way…” Countless disciples and Elders of Purple Mansion were devastated by the sight. Dejection, resentment and rage overloaded their hearts.
*Thump!*
Very soon, a horrid battle broke out, causing everyone’s soul to tremble.
Yet, the three from Purple Mansion remained resolute. They kept charging forward fearlessly, displaying the most powerful abilities they could.
Amid explosions of stars and blaring noises, everything before them collapsed. It was as though the sky shattered while the ground quaked upon the raging chaos. A powerful attack, which could not be resisted, then fell.
At the very next moment, the three in the Sacred Emperor Realm instantaneously burst out blood as their bodies exploded and turned into dust.
The opposing ten Sacred Emperors drew their hands. Their eyes were filled with disdain. After all, unless someone in the Nirvana Realm was to get involved, they were basically peerless.
Seeing this, the various forces were thoroughly stunned as they felt goosebumps all over their bodies. The overbearing might of the Immortal Gu Family had been shown. They had easily obliterated Purple Mansion forces without even needing the assistance of others.
In fact, with the Immortal Gu Family alone, the war was already one-sided.
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“Many thanks”