“Gu Changge! You are despicable and shameless! Not only did you steal my Qingge, but now you dare to have designs on my Master?!”
Ye Chen’s face twisted with ugly, unrestrained rage as he screamed his accusations.
In his mind, Gu Changge was motivated purely by lust for his beautiful Master. The possibility that this was a calculated psychological attack—a wedge driven between master and disciple—never even occurred to him.
Ye Chen’s feelings for Yan Ji were complex.
She was his teacher, yes. But deep in his heart, he viewed her as his exclusive possession—a forbidden treasure that no other man was allowed to touch.
Gu Changge’s words had ignited the powder keg of hatred that had been building for days.
“Oh? I stole your Qingge? I won’t take the blame for that.”
Hearing Ye Chen’s outburst, Gu Changge didn’t blink. Instead, he let out a light, airy chuckle.
“You should know the truth, Ye Chen. From beginning to end, she came to me willingly. I have never forced Su Qingge to do anything. Do not misunderstand the situation.”
He paused, his gaze shifting back to the red-robed spirit.
“Besides… was anything I just said incorrect?”
“Men strive for higher ground just as water flows to the sea. This is the immutable law of survival.”
“As for you… if you truly cared for your Master, you wouldn’t be holding her back. Do you honestly believe a wisp of a remnant soul can exist in this world forever without support?”
Every word was a blade, drawing blood without leaving a mark. It was an execution of the heart.
Ye Chen’s expression was extremely ugly, his fists tightly clenched.
He knew the truth. He knew a remnant soul was fragile, constantly fading. That was why he was so desperate to become strong—so he could one day reshape her body. But hearing it from his enemy shattered his defenses.
“Little Chen… calm down.”
Yan Ji sighed inwardly. She circulated her Qi, sending a wave of cooling energy into Ye Chen’s mind, forcing him to regain his composure.
He was still young, still ruled by hot blood and impulse.
A few words from Gu Changge had thrown his mental state into chaos, stripping him of his usual fortitude. Yan Ji couldn’t understand why her disciple, usually so clever, repeatedly acted like a fool in front of this man.
Could a single setback truly break him so easily?
“Master…”
Ye Chen gritted his teeth, the cooling energy finally suppressing his agitation.
[Ding! Ye Chen’s mental state continues to deteriorate. Providence -20. Destiny Points +100.]
The System notification chimed in Gu Changge’s mind, but he ignored it. His focus was entirely on the prize.
“Senior, have you considered my offer?”
Gu Changge continued, his voice sincere and earnest, like a monarch seeking a wise sage.
“If you follow me, I can not only help you restore your physical body but also provide the resources for you to return to your peak.”
“I believe you are aware of my origins. You, more than anyone, understand the terrifying weight of the forces standing behind me.”
“And if I may be bold… I dare say that in every aspect—talent, background, resources—I, Gu Changge, am far superior to Ye Chen.”
He spoke with the grace of a perfect gentleman, completely ignoring Ye Chen’s existence.
Even Yan Ji, who had been frowning, could no longer tell what Gu Changge really intended.
Sowing discord?
If Gu Changge wanted Ye Chen dead, he could snap his fingers and it would be done. Why waste time with such elaborate schemes?
Perhaps I am overthinking it. Does he truly just want to recruit me?
To be honest, her impression of Gu Changge was… not bad.
She had lived a long life and seen much of the world. Objectively, Gu Changge hadn’t done anything wrong. It was Ye Chen who had been unreasonable, stubborn, and murderous. Yet Gu Changge had shown restraint.
With such generosity and the makings of a formidable leader, his future achievements seemed limitless.
“Young Lord Gu, there is no need to say more,” Yan Ji said finally, shaking her head. “I owe Little Chen a debt of gratitude for awakening me. Until he has grown into his own, I will not abandon him.”
She directly declined his offer. Tempting as the terms were, she could not go against her own convictions.
Gu Changge appeared somewhat disappointed.
He sighed.
“However, I will leave the offer open. I will give Senior time to consider.”
“If you choose to follow me,” Gu Changge added casually, “I will overlook Ye Chen’s offenses. I can have the Taixuan Holy Land cancel his punishment with a single word.”
“As for Su Qingge… if you wish, I can even bestow her upon him.”
“You—!”
The veins on Ye Chen’s forehead bulged, threatening to burst. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Ye Chen struggled to suppress his emotions. He now understood that Gu Changge wanted not only to humiliate him, but to take everything from him.
Ye Chen fell silent, his eyes radiating a coldness like glacial ice.
The woman he worshipped, Su Qingge… in Gu Changge’s mouth, she was nothing more than a trinket to be “bestowed” at a whim.
In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, power truly allowed one to do whatever they pleased.
“Young Lord Gu, please… stop,” Yan Ji said, stunned. “I appreciate your sincerity, but…”
Even she hadn’t expected Gu Changge to offer so much. His sincerity seemed boundless.
“Senior, please think it over carefully. I never force others, and I certainly would never stoop so low as to use Ye Chen’s life to threaten you.”
Gu Changge looked at her, a strange light in his eyes.
If I could kill Ye Chen right now, do you think I would be standing here talking to you?
Yan Ji might have lived for centuries, but her nature was surprisingly pure. Manipulating her was easier than manipulating Su Qingge. A few pretty words and a show of “sincerity” were enough to dissolve her prejudices.
He had prepared a long time for this performance.
The seeds were sown. Now, he just had to wait for the cracks between master and disciple to widen into a canyon.
Then, he would reap the harvest.
“This pill is called the Spirit Gathering Pill. I trust Senior recognizes it.”
Gu Changge smiled and unhurriedly took something from within his robes.
It was a pale-purple pill giving off brilliant light in five colors. Visions of mountains, seas, and palaces appeared around it, making it seem extraordinary.
“The… Spirit Gathering Pill?”
Yan Ji exclaimed, her beautiful eyes filled with shock.
“Senior’s current condition is unstable. Consider this a meeting gift from me.”
Gu Changge smiled warmly.
He left the pill and walked straight out of the dungeon, without waiting for Yan Ji to refuse.
As the saying went, you had to risk something of value to catch your prey.
Gu Changge’s smile gradually faded, giving way to an interested expression.