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Translator: Fate
Proofreader: Dhael Ligerkeys & Silavin
After the long discussion of the father-son’s plans, Gu Lintian asked Gu Changge whether he had trouble during training and even got to the most delicate details.
Being shot by the volley of questions, Gu Changge grew somewhat embarrassed to admit that he had undergone significant breakthroughs in his power level. Yet, seeing his father’s passionate eyes made him more determined to grow his strength even more.
Although he thought that he was already powerful enough, a man’s greed can never be satisfied. If he grew even stronger, his ability to get everything under his grasp would be—rather than wondrous—unimaginable.
Before he left the palace, Gu Lintian reminded him, “Your mother has been missing you all this time. If you have the time, do pay her a visit at Primal Celestial Temple.”
Gu Changge nodded. “I understand, father.”
At the mention of his mother, a trace of memory surged in his mind. In Primal Celestial Temple, his mother was the former Great Lady while his father was the most influential elder. Meanwhile, Primal Celestial Temple had been a great ally to the Gu Family for generations. In fact, Primal Celestial Temple was a temple that stood intact for millennia and was nowhere inferior compared to a normal faction.
Recalling that, Gu Changge scoffed in his heart. Even if he was merely an unremarkable nobody, given his terrifying background, no one would dare to offend him. Besides, his mother was known for being overprotective, and it was quite a waste for her to be so merciful toward the masses. Though, only old villains would possess such a mindset.
“Soon, that young lady Mingkong will be coming over with her father to discuss your marriage, so don’t you go ignoring the poor lady like you once did. She’s your fiancée after all.”
Eventually, Gu Lintian suddenly remembered the matter and sternly stated, “You used to shun her for not being exceptional, but for the past six months, she has been extraordinarily impressive and very queen-like. Mingkong is a fine lady. Your mother and I are very satisfied with her. If she were to provide assistance to you in the future, you wouldn’t even need to lift a finger to conquer the world.”
“Worry not, father.” Hearing that, Gu Changge was slightly stunned as he nodded.
A dreamy face of a beauty popped up in his mind.
[Fiancée, huh? The Fourth Princess of Unrivaled Celestial Dynasty, Yue Mingkong…]
Subconsciously, he revealed a look of fascination, wondering if the ‘fiancée’ was related to the new Fortuitous Lady the System previously informed before he would begin recalling the so-called fiancée. In the Beyond, the Fourth Princess of Unrivaled Celestial Dynasty was truly beguiling and resourceful to an incomparable level. Be it appearance, Talents, or background, rarely any woman would be able to rival her.
However, judging by his memories, he undeniably had no fondness toward the young woman and was always indifferent around her. A man shouldn’t be treating his own fiancée with such an attitude. Though, he felt that Yue Mingkong was indeed too soft and naive as a princess of Unrivaled Celestial Destiny. Other than that, he hadn’t done anything to her nor had he offended her in any way, so there shouldn’t be any issue. Moreover, if she came to discuss the marriage, canceling their marriage would be out of the question.
As Gu Changge was contemplating, he grew suspicious. According to his prediction, a Fortuitous Lady in the Beyond wouldn’t be so simple-minded. Be it her origin or methods, her ways would surely surpass those of the Fortuitous Ones in the Overworld. And typically, only a Fortuitous One would be gifted with such a perfect wife. Nevertheless, according to the cliché plots of the e-novels Gu Changge had read, it wasn’t impossible for such a fortunate thing to happen to him.
Sadly, the System wouldn’t clarify the identity of the Fortuitous Lady, so the clueless Gu Changge could only figure it out with the experiences he amassed from his previous life. Of course, his guesses were extremely accurate. Even if he were to get it wrong, there wouldn’t be any major issue. Therefore, he decided to be more cautious toward his fiancée and test her when they eventually met.
After leaving the palace, Gu Changge immediately returned to the Godly Island where he resided. Along the way, he sensed countless auras that were immensely overbearing, but those were just tinges of power the cultivators of the family inadvertently leaked.
Every Godly Island was shielded with distinctive protective barriers to prevent espionage, though it was still unable to conceal the world-trembling motions caused by daunting cultivators while they were training. Thus, earthquakes and hurricanes were nothing out of the ordinary.
Deeper within the Godly Islands were dense anomalies and thick fogs that surrounded numerous floating palaces, and even deeper was where the Gu Family Residence was located.
Ever since the Gu Family was established, whenever enemies came to invade their lands, the invaders would ultimately be fended off by elders that had lived for an eternity, and any attackers would only end up defeated. As time passed by, people of the Gu Family were regarded as absolutely mysterious beings in the Beyond. Let alone the outsiders, even those from the family couldn’t tell how far back its history went. Hence, unquestionably, no soul on usual days would dare to come and dig up the secrets of the Gu Family.
…
Gu Changge’s return to Gu Family Residence inevitably stirred up a turmoil within a small region. Despite being informed of his journey to the Overworld, the members of the Gu Family didn’t know precisely where he was headed to as well as his exact location, let alone the purpose of his visit. His movements were constantly observed. Although the Gu Family was fair to the outsiders, within the family, members were continuously causing feuds over benefits.
Even though Gu Changge was the young master, his destiny to become the leader of the family was yet to be determined as it would be decided by the elders unanimously.
In order to seize the position of the leader of the family, branches of the Gu Family were relentlessly expanding their territories. Having their eyes set on the position, they also cultivated vigorously talented prodigies of their own. But of course, even under such fierce competition, rules still applied, and one of them was not to bring harm to their fellow family members. The seniors were happy to see the competitiveness between their juniors, and that was also the reason the family was able to retain its liveliness. Or else, it would be gloomy all the time.
More than a decade ago, one of the family branches speedily deteriorated as it was oppressed by Gu Lintian. The incident caused a significant disturbance among the higher ranks in the Gu Family.
Right now, at the peak of one of Gu Family Residences, where grand palaces of ancient decors stood as they were surrounded by towering trees and radiant lights, a group of formidable elders were holding a meeting.
“After returning from the Overworld, Changge seemed to have grown much stronger and even broken through to Peak Honoured Lord Realm. Perhaps the prodigies of every branch are no longer a match to him,” an old woman helplessly claimed as her eyes glowed with heavenly gleams. She possessed formidable strength and was one of the Gu Family’s elders.
“Forget his other aspects, his cultivation Talent alone is indeed extraordinary. He truly deserves his name as the Gifted One. Perhaps it won’t take him years to reach Enlightenment Realm,” another elder beside her complimented. Although they weren’t in the same branch with Gu Changge, he couldn’t help but be astounded by his achievements. Naturally, having such an incredible prodigy in the family was a blessing.
“It seems the position of the leader of the family remains in their branch. They have held the position for three generations…” Another elder stated as he shook his head.
“Unfortunately, the thirteenth branch has been suppressed so much as of now. Apart from their elder who is either in slumber or dead, the branch is more or less dead…” Then, another elder remarked.
Upon those words, the rest were immediately dazed as they were reluctant to speak about the matter. As a matter of fact, the incident that took place more than a decade ago was considered a taboo as it involved the killing of fellow family members.
Fortunately, only the highest-ranked elders knew about it. If such a matter were to get out, it would cause a worldwide commotion and immense humiliation to the family. As a Family of Immortals, for such an incident to happen within the family—the main branch, even—was highly shameful, and it was absolutely unacceptable. Moreover, the family would become a laughing stock to the cultivators of the Beyond.
“Even if the elder of the thirteenth branch were to awaken, I doubt he would have any comment despite knowing the truth. Judging by Changge’s Talent now, his future is unquestionably superb. He may even surpass the current leader.”
“Speaking of which, the thirteenth branch is quite the pitiful one. Their members were exiled and they are no longer as influential as they once were. However, recently, I heard something threatening to our family, and it seems to be related to Changge…”
“Oh, what would that be?”
“The little girl from the thirteenth branch years ago isn’t dead. We were all too blind to notice and acknowledge her Talents.”
“That poor kid… Sigh, this wouldn’t have happened if we had protected her. Gu Changge was only a little boy back then, yet he was so malicious, attacking his own sister. I can’t even imagine what would happen if he, one day, becomes our leader…” An elder heaved a sigh as he reminisced, unable to forget the past.
Nevertheless, as long as the family rules existed, members of the family were prohibited from killing each other, but the doomed branch was eventually exiled to the outside world.
“I’ve gotten news of the child from The Land of Abandoned Celestials. Let’s keep this from the leader of the family. We owe this to her at the very least.”
…
In the meantime, Lin Qiuhan and Su Qingge stood silently in the luxurious, grand palace. They were already well informed about their obligations and restrictions in Gu Family Residence.
At that moment, Gu Changge nodded. Now that his female followers’ identities were verified, he no longer had any concern for them. Naturally, they weren’t brought to the Beyond without any purpose.
Lin Qiuhan possessed alarming Talents for alchemy, and sooner or later, she would be sent to the Guild of Alchemy.
As for Su Qingge, she could continue to be his servant without any issue. As the Most Graceful Damsel of Eastern Barren, even in the vast Beyond, she could still draw the masses’ attention with her rare glamor. Nevertheless, it would put her intellect to waste. Besides, her Fortuity was much higher than that of the youthful prodigies of the Gu Family, which indicated a problem—she was much more complex than she appeared. Thus, for now, all he needed was the powerful Yan Ji.
“What plans do you have, Qingge? Weren’t you always asking about the Beyond? Why are you so quiet now that you’re here?” Gu Changge looked at Su Qingge as he started to tease her.
Looking back at him, Su Qingge replied with a soft voice, “It’s hard to win your heart, Prince Gu. Have you perhaps grown tired of me?”
Although she was an intelligent woman, she came to the Beyond without any close ones, unlike Lin Qiuhan, who, at least, had her Prime Ancestor. If Gu Changge no longer had any need for her, she couldn’t fathom what kind of disaster she would face.
If such a prominent man like Ming Lao was sent to be a miner, Su Qingge, possessing such a captivating body, would definitely meet an even more atrocious fate.
Silavin: She’s not actually his sister. As per usual, CN novels use ‘sister’ for cousins and non-relatives.
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