Gu Chengxing remained where he was, staring at the blank tombstone now covered in sword marks, thinking quietly.
“According to the plotline, Shen Ruochu officially began cultivating at sixteen. Before that, she always believed her body was incapable of cultivation, what people call a ‘waste body.’”
But as the bearer of great fortune, how could Shen Ruochu truly be a waste?
On the contrary, she was a genius seen perhaps once in countless ages. Her cultivation talent was unparalleled through eternity. Her comprehension needed no further praise. Even her physique was something that had only appeared in ancient legends, the Nirvana Saint Physique.
Of course, as the protagonist, although Shen Ruochu possessed these gifts, unlocking them required certain preconditions.
For example, to free her cultivation aptitude and cast off the label of “waste body,” she first had to awaken the powerful being residing within her spiritual sea of consciousness.
At that thought, a glint flashed in Gu Chengxing’s eyes.
“Ji Liang…”
Ji Liang was an extremely important figure in the story.
In some sense, she was comparable to Yao Lao from Battle Through the Heavens.
The only difference was that Yao Lao and Xiao Yan supported each other and eventually reached a good ending together.
Ji Liang and Shen Ruochu, however, were different. At the beginning, things were fine. Shen Ruochu trusted Ji Liang. But in the middle and later stages, the two were already scheming against each other.
As for Ji Liang’s ending, Shen Ruochu eventually reshaped a physical body for her, and they went their separate ways.
Well… it was not entirely tragic.
Ji Liang was a remnant soul who emerged from the Divine Ruins Battlefield. After drifting through countless hardships, she eventually attached herself to the Shen family.
Her existence was passed down generation after generation until Shen Ruochu appeared.
Once Ji Liang absorbed enough spiritual power and her soul was sufficiently nourished, she finally awakened.
By nature, she was relatively normal. In the early stage, Ji Liang genuinely devoted herself to helping Shen Ruochu.
However, as Shen Ruochu repeatedly obtained heaven-defying opportunities and unlocked the Nirvana Saint Physique, her cultivation realm soared as if riding a rocket.
Ji Liang’s mindset gradually changed. She even entertained thoughts of body possession. She began to obstruct Shen Ruochu repeatedly and, in the later stages, became somewhat deranged.
That was the reason Shen Ruochu ultimately severed all ties with her.
More or less, that was how it went.
Just as Gu Chengxing was lost in thought, a crisp sound rang out.
[Ding! You have realized that the ancient remnant soul Ji Liang within Shen Ruochu is an extremely important figure. Villain Choice triggered.]
[Choice One: Ji Liang is ultimately an external hidden danger and cannot remain by Shen Ruochu’s side. Forcefully eliminate the remnant soul. Reward: one seventh-grade medicinal pill, Soul Fusion Pill.]
[Choice Two: Ji Liang’s existence is highly beneficial to Shen Ruochu in the early stage. It should be properly utilized. Provide Shen Ruochu with soul-nourishing resources to accelerate Ji Liang’s awakening. Reward: one opportunity for enlightenment.]
[Choice Three: Ji Liang is very beautiful—cough, cough—Ji Liang is quite excellent and extremely helpful to you. Why not seize her directly and enslave her at your side? Reward: title ‘Tyrant.’ When activating the Heavenly Demon Physique in battle, combat power increases by 5 percent, intelligence decreases by 3 percent.]
“Hmm?”
Looking at the triggered choices, Gu Chengxing hesitated for the first time.
Choice One required no consideration. He would never pick it.
As for Choice Two and Choice Three, he truly found it hard to decide.
“Tyrant… that’s interesting.”
It was just that intelligence decrease that was unpleasant.
If it did not affect intelligence, he would definitely choose Three.
Even so, a minor intelligence debuff was not entirely unacceptable.
After careful thought—
“No.”
Gu Chengxing suddenly rejected the idea.
He could not remain by Shen Ruochu’s side at all times. Ji Liang’s position was indispensable.
He thought far ahead.
For the sake of a ‘Tyrant’ title, it was not worth such risk.
Moreover, since he was familiar with most of the plotline, he did not particularly need Ji Liang for himself.
But leaving Ji Liang inside Shen Ruochu’s spiritual sea still made him uneasy.
In the early stages of the original novel, Ji Liang could see that Shen Ruochu was being manipulated by the Heavenly Divination Sect. Yet for her own sake, she remained silent.
Instead, she used a misleading form of guidance under the guise of teaching, subtly steering Shen Ruochu toward the outcomes she desired.
In the later stages, she even joined forces with the Heavenly Divination Sect to frame Shen Ruochu.
A person like that, left within Shen Ruochu’s soul sea, was undoubtedly an uncontrollable risk.
In short, she was a double-edged sword.
Gu Chengxing frowned, pacing unconsciously, clearly conflicted.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
“Why can’t I choose more than one?”
“Then I’ll both awaken Ji Liang and, after her awakening, enslave her under my control.”
“That way, I can prevent many potential problems. And with Ji Liang assisting her, Shen Ruochu will have an extra layer of protection.”
Once the decision was made, he acted immediately.
Gu Chengxing did not particularly like Ji Liang as a character, so he had no hesitation in manipulating the situation.
The Peak Master Token of Transcendent Peak appeared in his hand.
He gripped it, spiritual power surging as he transmitted a voice message toward a spiritual field atop Transcendent Peak. Get faster updates on g.com.
“Oh? Who calls this old man?”
A distinctly confused elderly voice sounded from the token.
“Elder Shan, it’s Chengxing.”
“Oh? So it’s you, boy. Haven’t seen you in quite some time.”
“Speak. What brings you here today? Where is your master? How did the Peak Master Token end up in your hands?”
Hearing this, Gu Chengxing’s eyes dimmed slightly.
Elder Shan was a cultivator of the path of flora. He was highly skilled in cultivating spiritual herbs and flowers.
The alchemy chamber of Thunder Punishment Peak within the Azure Cloud Sword Sect had long relied on him.
Elder Shan resided year-round at the summit of Transcendent Peak, studying the Dao of vegetation. Chen Wuxin’s death had been sudden and never publicly announced.
Moreover, Elder Shan spent his days tending flowers and plants atop the peak, detached from worldly affairs.
Thus, even as an elder, he did not know of Chen Wuxin’s sudden passing.
Gu Chengxing patiently explained.
Soon, silence fell on the other end.
He did not dare to speak further.
Elder Shan’s real name was Shan Hong. He had not originally belonged to the Azure Cloud Sword Sect. He came only after being invited by Chen Wuxin to serve as an ordinary elder at Transcendent Peak and live out his days peacefully.
Chen Wuxin and Shan Hong had known each other since youth. Both had been prodigies of their era. They met while competing in a secret realm and went through many trials together, eventually becoming sworn brothers with deep affection.
It could be said that Shan Hong had witnessed Chen Wuxin’s entire life.
From an unknown junior to a renowned figure.
From a grave keeper to Peak Master of Transcendent Peak.
There had been countless experiences, countless reflections.
“Ah…”
After a long time, Elder Shan let out a long sigh.
“The affairs of the world are unpredictable… truly unpredictable.”
“Forget it. If he has gone, then he has gone. I thought my lifespan was nearing its end and I still felt reluctant to part from this old friend. I never expected that old fellow would take the first step.”
“So be it. Fate is as it is.”
After murmuring to himself, Elder Shan asked, “What is it you seek today?”
Gu Chengxing composed himself and said solemnly, “Elder Shan, do you have any medicinal herbs that can repair the soul? I would like to request one.”
“Quite a coincidence. A month ago, I successfully cultivated a Soul-Hidden Flower. If you need it, send a disciple to retrieve it.”
Elder Shan’s voice was still somewhat heavy.
“Thank you, Elder Shan.”