Chapter 52 - ch 709-15

Chapter 709: Failure Penalty, Gu Yun Breaks Through (Two-in-One)

"All for one woman! You dared to trespass into the Ethereal Dao Domain, do you know you almost didn't make it back this time?!!"

"The face of the Shen Family, the safety of your clansmen—in your eyes, are they less important than one woman?!"

Shen Shiyu's voice echoed in the main hall, cold and filled with disappointment.

Shen Jingzhou was drenched in cold sweat and wanted to argue, but the waves of tingling numbness spreading across his body forcibly stopped the thought.

In the script, Gu Yun avoided meeting him. Theoretically, he only needed to go through the motions to complete the System's task and receive the reward.

But who could have predicted that reality would differ so greatly from the script?

"Father... I, I know I was wrong..."

Shen Jingzhou lowered his head. "Next time, I will definitely make thorough preparations!"

"Next time?"

"You still want a next time?"

"It seems I truly spoiled you, to the point where you no longer know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth!"

Shen Shiyu was furious. "Before the Emperor Road opens, you are forbidden from going to the Gu Family again!"

"Yes..."

Shen Jingzhou nodded repeatedly in affirmation. Go? Go my ass.

In the original plot, he and Gu Yun were completely unrelated; their only intersection was this attempt to demand accountability.

Now he clearly understood how bizarre that fellow was. Even if he were told to fight a Great Emperor, he definitely wouldn't seek trouble for himself.

In any case, he had the System. As long as the green hills remain, there will always be wood to burn.

"Alright, it's good that you know you were wrong."

Seeing his son's demeanor, Shen Shiyu could only sigh heavily. "The Emperor Road is about to open. Put away these petty thoughts of yours."

"A momentary struggle of pride changes nothing. As long as you can trample that Gu Family Emperor Child beneath your feet on the Emperor Road, no one in the Three Thousand Dao Domains will remember your humiliation today. That Gu Yun... is merely trash relying on his family's power to throw his weight around!"

"Your cultivation has now reached the peak of the Quasi-Emperor stage. These days, I will have the clan elders teach you some life-saving trump cards."

"The Emperor Road is fraught with danger; don't let yourself fail in the final stretch."

"Yes, Father, I will surely settle down and definitely reclaim the honor of the Shen Family on the Emperor Road!"

Shen Jingzhou immediately stated his resolve, but inwardly he was calculating how to gain more benefits from the System.

Shen Shiyu waved his hand, dismissing him.

Shen Jingzhou felt as if he had been granted amnesty. After returning to his palace, he immediately collapsed onto a chair, gasping for breath.

"Damn it, that almost scared me to death..."

He heart-fearfully patted his chest, but just as he was about to catch his breath, the System notification sound suddenly rang in his ear.

[Ding! Plotline "Demanding Accountability from the Gu Family" has ended. Beginning results evaluation...]

Shen Jingzhou's heart tightened.

[Script Completion: 15%]

[Role Conformity: 32%]

[Overall Rating: F- (Extremely Poor)]

[Evaluation Result: Roleplay Failed]

[Host, please prepare. The penalty will descend in three seconds.]

The cold notification sound rang in Shen Jingzhou's mind like a death knell.

"No—!!"

Shen Jingzhou's pupils contracted violently, his face instantly turned pale, and he let out a desperate roar.

He suddenly sprang up from the chair, attempting to resist, but found he couldn't move an inch, as if he were firmly bound in place by invisible shackles.

Buzz—!

An indescribable, intense pain, seemingly originating from the deepest part of his soul, erupted without warning!

It was like billions of red-hot steel needles instantly piercing every inch of his flesh, marrow, meridians, and even his divine soul!

"Aaaahhhh—!!!"

A miserable scream, inhuman in sound, instantly echoed throughout the entire palace.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, what's wrong..."

Several maidservants outside the door were greatly alarmed and rushed in to check the situation.

"Get out! All of you, get out!"

Before they could even see Shen Jingzhou, they heard his frantic roar.

The maidservants exchanged glances, momentarily hesitant to move.

Inside the room, Shen Jingzhou's body was twisting and convulsing, his eyeballs bulging and bloodshot.

Sweat mixed with involuntary tears poured out, instantly soaking his clothes.

Beneath his skin, countless insects seemed to be squirming, threatening to burst out at any moment.

Shen Jingzhou could only curl up in pain, gritting his teeth and enduring it all.

He rolled frantically on the ground, knocking over tables and chairs, shattering jade artifacts, yet none of it lessened the torment that reached deep into his soul.

The pain lasted for a full stick of incense time.

The inhuman screams gradually subsided. By the time the maidservants entered, the palace was already a complete mess.

Shen Jingzhou lay collapsed on the cold floor like a pile of mud, his clothes ragged, his body covered in self-inflicted scratches, his aura extremely weak.

"Your Highness, what happened to you..."

"Get out! Didn't you hear me tell you to get out?!!"

Shen Jingzhou's voice was hoarse and broken, his breath faint.

The maidservants dared not disobey and quickly retreated.

Silence returned to the hall, leaving only Shen Jingzhou's heavy breathing.

"System, I..."

Just as he was about to curse out loud, he suddenly fell silent.

Struggling to sit up, the lingering pain in his body—like dull knives scraping bone—had not completely dissipated.

Compared to this, the previous electric shocks were no different from a massage.

For the first time, Shen Jingzhou realized clearly that following the plot was not a game.

"Gu Yun... The massive change in the script earlier was also because of him."

"This time, I just wanted to simply refine the background story, yet such a huge mess occurred."

"What kind of existence is this young master of the Immortal Ancient Gu Family?"

A trace of unease welled up in Shen Jingzhou's heart. He had originally thought he possessed a God's perspective and controlled everything, but reality had dealt him a heavy blow.

Before the universe is settled, even he cannot act recklessly.

"For now, I must avoid him!"

Shen Jingzhou calmly thought. Facing Gu Yun now, he basically didn't have a sliver of a chance of winning.

His family couldn't possibly start a direct conflict with the Gu Family for his sake. Therefore, the only way was to make ample preparations before entering the Emperor Road.

"Fortunately... my interaction with Gu Yun in the script ends here."

"Hmph! Once I receive enough rewards from the System, that will be the time to reverse the overall situation!"

Shen Jingzhou curled his lips into a cold sneer and began meditating to regulate his breath... [Ding! Shen Jingzhou received a System penalty and generated powerful negative emotions, rewarding 10,000 villain value.]

[Ding! Shen Jingzhou failed his first roleplay mission. System Value plundered by 50 points.]

At the same time, on the sixth floor of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda.

Gu Yun slowly opened his eyes. Before him, the ten drops of nine nether yellow springs liquid had all lost their color.

Ji Yaojun's delicate body was soft, resting lightly on him. She was now drenched in fragrant sweat, her brows tightly furrowed.

"Quasi-Emperor Sixth Stage."

"Although Yaojun absorbed some of the medicinal power, ten drops of nine nether yellow springs liquid only had this much effect."

"The Myriad Transformations Saint Body truly is an existence like a bottomless pit."

The consumption of resources for cultivating the Immortal Ancient Sacred Body is already astronomical, and Gu Yun's Myriad Transformations Saint Body surpasses it even further.

Of course... this also created his current immensely formidable combat power.

"Now, if I encounter a One-Tribulation Great Emperor, I have the strength to contend for a few moves."

After a simple assessment of his own strength, Gu Yun planned to leave the Great Luo Dao Pagoda.

"Mmm~~"

The slight movement caused the beauty in his arms to reawaken. Her beautiful eyes slowly opened, carrying a hint of hazy fatigue.

"Awake?"

Gu Yun chuckled softly.

"Mhm..."

Ji Yaojun responded lazily and snuggled further into Gu Yun's embrace. She thoroughly enjoyed this leisure time spent alone with Gu Yun.

Gu Yun's large hand swept across Ji Yaojun's delicate body. The woman, reacting as if shocked, lightly glared at Gu Yun. "What are you doing? I just woke up, and you want it again?"

Saying this, she gently pushed the young man's chest.

Gu Yun naturally lay back on the water surface, moving upwards, traversing mountains and crossing ridges, until he saw Ji Yaojun's shy and timid face.

"Before, you were the one putting in all the effort. It's time for me to do something for you..."

"No..."

"Don't speak."

Ji Yaojun's finger lightly touched Gu Yun's lips, and a captivating smile curved her mouth. Compared to her usual self, she was like a completely different person... Several more days passed.

Ji Yaojun lay sprawled on Gu Yun, breathing softly. "The gap between my cultivation and yours is getting wider and wider. Next time... I really should call my sisters to join in, so you can't bully me like this."

"Oh right, what were you trying to say earlier?"

"...Uh, I actually just wanted to check on the state of your cultivation."

Ji Yaojun was slightly stunned, and her already rosy cheeks grew even hotter. "You scoundrel! You didn't make that clear."

"It's fine, the investigation is much more thorough now. How about it, Yaojun? Now that your Great Saint Realm is complete, you should consider which direction you want to Enter the Dao from."

"Enter the Dao..."

Ji Yaojun was slightly startled. This term, which had once seemed impossibly distant to her, had been realized so quickly.

Since she left Yaoguang Holy Land, only half a year has passed in the outside world.

Even with the time flow difference of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda aiding her cultivation, it far surpassed her normal cultivation speed.

Now... it truly was time to consider this question.

"Husband, what choice do you think Yaojun should make?"

"The Three Thousand Great Daos each have their strengths."

"By your husband's side, you might not have many opportunities to fight fiercely outside."

"As for what choice to make, you need to deliberate on it yourself."

Gu Yun would not arbitrarily make decisions for Ji Yaojun. She still had a Villain Script from the Ji Family to follow, and the road ahead was long, requiring her to slowly explore it herself.

"Thank you, Husband, for clarifying my doubts. If there is a chance, Yaojun plans to go home and visit."

"Go home, you mean the Ji Family."

"Yes!"

Ji Yaojun nodded. "These days, the sense in my heart has grown stronger and stronger."

"I have a premonition that perhaps in the near future, the Ji Family will reappear in the world."

"In any case, their blood flows within me. Perhaps... I can find a Dao suitable for me within the Ji Family."

"It is naturally good that you have this intention."

"But before that, you can choose a path to help you step onto the Quasi-Emperor Realm."

"Water benefits all things without contention."

Ji Yaojun touched the great dao spirit spring beside her, a faint smile curving her lips. "Why don't I... choose the Great Dao of Water!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the space on the sixth floor erupted with unusual activity.

Countless streams of Dao principle power gathered and rushed into Ji Yaojun's body.

"Th-this is..."

"Dao Principle Resonance, Yaojun. This is a great opportunity belonging to you. You must grasp it well."

"Yes!"

Ji Yaojun stopped hesitating, got off Gu Yun, and with heavy steps, sat cross-legged in the spirit spring once more, beginning to receive this hard-won gift.

Gu Yun did not disturb her. He left to check on Gu Zhaojun.

After some time apart, Sister Zhaojun showed no significant changes.

"Yaojun is in seclusion. No one will be accompanying you during this time. Should I take you outside?"

Gu Zhaojun gently declined Gu Yun's kind offer.

She lightly stroked her still-flat abdomen, her eyes filled with maternal tenderness and determination. "The flow of time here is fast, the environment is perfect, and it is Husband's supreme treasure space. While the outside world is good, it would be difficult to find such a pure place to nurture the fetus."

"Before the child is born, I want to give her the very best."

Gu Yun understood her feelings and did not press the issue. He simply left behind some warming and nourishing spiritual items, instructed her to rest well, and then left the Great Luo Dao Pagoda.

Returning to the outside world, it was already dusk.

Dark clouds covered the sky, and ink-black Tribulation Clouds rapidly gathered. The muffled thunder sounded like the roar of an ancient behemoth.

Without the Great Luo Dao Pagoda concealing the heavenly secrets, his Quasi-Emperor Tribulation arrived as scheduled once again.

Gu Yun stood suspended in the air, looking up at the sky, his eyes showing little disturbance.

"Here it comes again..."

He muttered softly to himself. The Myriad Transformation Power quietly circulated within his body, and his figure shot up into the sky.

Within the Gu Family, countless clansmen and elders were startled by the terrifying Tribulation Clouds. They all looked up, their eyes filled with astonishment and anticipation.

"Tribulation Lightning?!"

"Which clan elder is undergoing tribulation now?"

For these Gu Family disciples, someone undergoing tribulation was a common sight, usually happening once every few decades.

The success rate for Gu Family members undergoing tribulation was very high. Therefore, the appearance of Tribulation Clouds was a good omen, signifying that the Immortal Ancient Gu Family was about to reach a higher level.

"No, wait, the power of this Tribulation Lightning seems off."

"Look, that senior has already rushed into the Tribulation Lightning!!"

"Who is he, daring to undergo tribulation like that!!"

Everyone was stunned by Gu Yun's actions. Even after staying in the Gu Family for so many years, they had never seen anyone undergo tribulation like this.

But immediately afterward, an even more shocking scene appeared.

Crackle, snap! The Tribulation Lightning struck the person undergoing tribulation, but it was melted away by an invisible force, unable to cause him the slightest harm!

Only half a day passed.

The Tribulation Clouds dispersed, and the sunlight reappeared.

Everyone was dumbfounded, almost doubting their own eyes.

"Th-that easy?"

"He, he must be a Heavenly God, right?"

In the Three Thousand Dao Domains, who doesn't turn pale at the mention of Heavenly Tribulation? Even Great Emperor experts must make thorough preparations.

Even more so, some drag it out until their lifespan is almost exhausted before reluctantly attempting it.

Someone like Gu Yun is unprecedented!

"Quick, look! That's not some Old Ancestor undergoing tribulation, it's His Highness the Emperor Child!!"

"His Highness the Emperor Child has passed the Quasi-Emperor Tribulation! Our Gu Family is about to produce another Heavenly Emperor!"

//710//

Chapter 710: Shen Jingshu Arrives (Two-in-One)

The heavenly tribulation dispersed, and rosy light descended, cleansing heaven and earth.

Gu Yun stood atop the clouds, his robes fluttering, with the lingering aura of thunder swirling around him.

His aura was now completely different from half a day ago; the charm of the sixth level of the Quasi-Emperor realm was more harmonious and profound, and the power surging within his body was like the silent rotation of a galaxy, with the laws of the Dao seemingly resonating with his every move.

Sensing the changes the heavenly tribulation had brought him, a smile appeared on Gu Yun's lips.

"Crossing a tribulation is good; this tribulation must be crossed. A real man must charge directly into the tribulation clouds to face it!"

"The accumulation of my Saint Body's origin has also grown; the day it reaches complete mastery is not far off."

Besides the increase in cultivation, Gu Yun had other gains as well.

This made him feel extremely pleased. His gaze swept over the Gu Family territory below, where countless clansmen were looking up at him, their eyes filled with shock, respect, and fanaticism.

He nodded slightly, his figure blurring as he transformed into a streak of light, descending into the depths of the Sea of Clouds Immortal Palace without lingering outside.

The Gu Family's main hall.

Gu Changqing had been waiting for a long time, and he only breathed a sigh of relief when the tribulation clouds finally dispersed.

Seeing Gu Yun's return, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "How do you feel?"

"Such a method of crossing a tribulation is unprecedented since ancient times."

"Father, you overpraise me. This is already the sixth Quasi-Emperor Tribulation I've crossed; I'm no longer the green youth I once was."

"It was just a mere lightning tribulation; it couldn't cause any substantial harm to me."

Hearing Gu Yun's nonchalant attitude, Gu Changqing's expression became more serious. "Yun'er, you must not underestimate the heavenly tribulation!"

"Right now, your cultivation is still within the Quasi-Emperor realm, so the power of the heavenly tribulation is still within a controllable range."

"It consists mainly of lightning tribulations, but once you step into the Great Emperor realm, the Heavenly Dao's perception will be completely different."

"What descends then... will be the true Emperor Tribulation!"

"Under the Emperor Tribulation, all paths roar, and the forms of the heavenly tribulation are diverse."

"Throughout history, countless brilliant Quasi-Emperor Peaks have fallen before the Emperor Tribulation, their lives ending and their paths vanishing, with ten thousand years of bitter cultivation turning into nothingness."

Gu Yun reined in his casual expression and listened intently.

He knew his father was reminding him not to underestimate the hardships of the Great Dao because of his current smooth progress.

"I will certainly keep your teachings in mind, Father."

"However, it's not that I underestimate the heavenly tribulation; I simply have enough confidence in my own path and the Myriad Transformations Saint Body."

"No matter what trials the Heavenly Dao sends down in the future, they will ultimately only serve as nourishment for my progress."

The youth stood with his hands behind his back, his voice like the clashing of gold and jade, each word carrying immense weight.

As his eyes opened and closed, heaven and earth seemed to shift, and the galaxy revolved; a supreme aura that looked down upon the universe burst forth.

Seeing Gu Yun's demeanor, Gu Changqing felt gratified. "Since you have such a mindset, I am naturally at ease."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Becoming an Emperor requires a great opportunity. From the Immortal Ancient times to the present, our Gu Family has accumulated its own foundations."

"However, the most precious among them was used some time ago to help your Aunt Zi break through."

"Of course... this item was originally something she seized during the bloody battles on the Emperor Road back then. Returning it to its original owner now is also a cycle of karma."

"Father, what do you mean by that?"

Gu Yun chuckled.

"Uh..."

Gu Changqing coughed lightly, his expression slightly embarrassed.

"Haha, Father, don't worry."

"I will definitely venture onto the Emperor Road. Neither the geniuses of this age nor ancient freaks can block my path to becoming an Emperor!"

"My path and my Emperor's foundation shall be forged by my own hands as I fight through the Emperor Road, built from the blood and bones of ten thousand enemies! Why should I rely on the legacy of my predecessors?"

"If I lack the power to achieve the title of the strongest Emperor, then how can I speak of opening the immortal lock and leading the entire clan to ascend?!"

"I, Gu Yun, was born to be extraordinary!"

As his voice fell, a majestic aura of being the sole supreme, overwhelming the current age, soared from Gu Yun's body. Though he didn't do it intentionally, it caused the entire Sea of Clouds Immortal Palace to tremble slightly, and the sea of clouds outside the hall churned, as if echoing its master.

Gu Changqing just looked at the youth; he appeared calm, but his heart was already in turmoil.

To maintain his fatherly dignity, he remained silent for a long time.

The father and son stared at each other until Gu Yun's lips twitched.

It really was like throwing pearls before swine; I shouldn't have said these things to Father. Now it's a bit awkward.

But it wasn't a big deal, and he immediately changed the subject. "By the way, Father, did Aunt Zi... cross her tribulation smoothly?"

"Don't worry, the Ancestor has already found an extremely suitable place for her secluded cultivation."

"This Heavenly Emperor of our Gu Family is twenty years late, and it is time for her to show her fangs to the Three Thousand Dao Domains once again."

"That's good, I just hope it won't take too long."

"Otherwise, if I return from the Emperor Road and Aunt Zi hasn't become an Emperor yet, it's hard to say who will be whose Dao Protector."

"What, are you going to start looking down on your Aunt Zi?"

"How could I? Aunt Zi... cough cough."

"Dad, let's not talk about this."

"The Shen Family—right, the Shen Family mentioned a handover of industries earlier. Have their people arrived?"

Gu Yun almost let something slip and hurriedly changed the subject.

Although Gu Changqing found it a bit strange, he didn't overthink it and replied, "I was just about to tell you."

"Shen Jingshu of the Shen Family arrived this morning and should be... waiting in the side hall right now."

...The Gu Family's side hall.

The youth pushed open the door and saw Shen Jingshu, who had been waiting there for a long time.

She was still in a moon-white long dress, proud and cold; even within the Gu Family, she remained composed.

Sensing the familiar aura, a smile touched the corners of her mouth, and she bowed slightly. "Shen Jingshu greets Crown Prince Gu Yun."

"What, do we still need these formalities between us?"

Gu Yun closed the hall door behind him, and an invisible restriction quietly rose, isolating the interior from the outside.

Before entering, he had already sensed his surroundings.

As the Eldest Miss of the Immortal Ancient Shen Family, Shen Jingshu had no Dao Protector accompanying her, which showed how awkward her daily situation in the Shen Family was.

He walked up to Shen Jingshu, his gaze sweeping over her, and he raised an eyebrow slightly. "It's only been a short while since we last met, but Eldest Miss Shen's complexion is even better than before."

"It seems what I did previously had a fairly good effect?"

"Thanks to Your Highness, I won't die for the time being."

"Currently, two forces are intertwined within me, and they break out once every night of the full moon."

"Other than that, there's no other impact."

"What... is Eldest Miss Shen blaming me?"

Gu Yun chuckled and stepped directly to Shen Jingshu's side.

The chair beneath them had somehow turned into a couch, and Gu Yun naturally wrapped his arm around Shen Jingshu's waist.

Just like their first meeting.

"Actually, Eldest Miss Shen has another choice..."

He leaned close to Shen Jingshu's ear and whispered a few words.

The originally cold Shen Jingshu's ears turned completely red because of those few words.

"You—what nonsense are you talking about?!"

"How could I possibly use that kind of method?"

"I think things are fine as they are now; every instance of pain is a tempering of my will."

"Besides, if the power of calamity were cleared too early, wouldn't it needlessly arouse the suspicion of the Shen Family?"

Shen Jingshu forced herself to remain calm, her hand quietly moving to Gu Yun's "salty pig hand," using all her strength to try and move it away, but it was to no avail.

Seeing this, Gu Yun laughed and stopped teasing her. He released his hand from her waist and sat on a nearby chair, his expression becoming more serious. "It was just a joke. Eldest Miss Shen's firm will is truly admirable."

"How is it... are you satisfied with the big gift I've given you this time?"

"Capturing Shen Jingzhou and then extorting my Shen Family? You call this a big gift?"

Shen Jingshu gave Gu Yun an annoyed look, but a flash of satisfaction flickered deep in her eyes.

"Eldest Miss Shen, there's no point in speaking like that, is there?"

"I did all this for your sake."

"Cut it out; our relationship hasn't reached that level yet!"

Shen Jingshu said, then took out a jade slip and several storage rings. "As my father promised before, all of my Shen Family's arrangements in the Eternal Imperial Dynasty are being handed over to you."

"Now, all the land deeds, accounts, personnel rosters, and some portable resources are here."

"After the handover, those industries will no longer have any connection to the Shen Family."

As she spoke these words, Shen Jingshu's heart was bleeding.

She was the person in charge of the Shen Family in the Eternal Imperial Dynasty, and these were the foundations she had painstakingly built up. Now, they were being casually used as chips to ransom Shen Jingzhou, which made the already indifferent family ties in her heart even more distant.

Gu Yun took them and looked at the beautiful Yu Jie who was sulking, asking with a smile, "What's wrong, Eldest Miss Shen? You look quite unhappy."

"Happy? Heh, I'm thrilled. Is Young Master Gu satisfied? I'm completely alone now, and from now on, I can only be at your beck and call?"

"Is that so?"

"Then how about Eldest Miss Shen doesn't leave tonight? Stay in the Gu Family; I happen to want to discuss the true meaning of the Great Dao with you."

Upon hearing this, the frost on Shen Jingshu's cold and stunning face deepened.

"Alright, it was just a joke."

Gu Yun still had a cynical look on his face. He gently took Shen Jingshu's hand and placed the jade slip and storage rings back into it.

Shen Jingshu, who was still somewhat angry at Gu Yun's brash words, was completely stunned. She looked at the youth in disbelief. "You—what do you mean by this?"

"What do I mean?"

"Eldest Miss Shen surely didn't think I would exhaust myself doing these troublesome things, did she?"

"I only care about cultivation; the rest should naturally be left to someone I trust. These industries were originally managed by your hard work, Eldest Miss Shen."

"I think returning them to their original owner is quite good."

"You..."

By now, how could Shen Jingshu not know what Gu Yun meant?

Originally, although these industries were nominally hers, their true ownership belonged to the Immortal Ancient Shen Family.

In the future, when Shen Jingzhou took power, she might be left with nothing.

Now, because of this incident, the ownership had changed.

Gu Yun had handed them back to her. In this way, these industries truly belonged to her.

At their root, they no longer had the slightest connection to the Immortal Ancient Shen Family.

"No, I can't accept this."

"These industries are already the assets of your Gu Family. If I continue to manage them, wouldn't that clearly tell the people of the Shen Family that I'm involved with the Gu Family?"

Shen Jingshu swallowed and tried to hand the items back to Gu Yun.

"Shen Jingshu, what do you think your value is?"

Gu Yun's voice suddenly turned cold.

Shen Jingshu was startled; the youth before her was like a completely different person from before, and her movements stopped.

"The assets are in your hands; how they are operated is your business."

"In the future... when it's time to truly turn against them, you won't be without any capital!"

"Don't worry, I can guarantee you that the jokes Shen Jingzhou makes will definitely not be limited to just this."

"I hope that when the opportunity arrives, you will be able to seize it firmly."

"Instead of always being a piece of driftwood following the current, living in a daze."

"..."

Shen Jingshu fell silent.

She looked down at the jade slip and rings in her hand, her heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.

The mental defenses she had held for hundreds of years seemed to have a small crack chiseled into them.

"I... understand."

After a long while, she finally spoke slowly, "I promise you, I will seize every opportunity and never fail your expectations!"

She didn't say anything about being moved to tears, but this promise was already worth a thousand catties.

Gu Yun nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it. Any progress on the matter of the dragon tendon?"

"True dragons are rare in this world, but recently, I have indeed found some clues."

Shen Jingshu said in a low voice, "A while ago, traces of the Great Emperor Bailian's tomb were discovered, causing quite a stir."

"Great Emperor Bailian?"

Gu Yun's eyebrows rose slightly.

"He was a rogue cultivator Emperor active in the Middle Ancient era, famous for his artifact-refining techniques."

"He was obsessed with artifact refining and searching for the world's rare and exotic materials throughout his life, and his footprints spanned many ancient forbidden lands and ruins."

"Legend has it... he once had some conflicts with the Dragon Race for the purpose of collecting dragon tendons to refine the Extreme Dao Imperial Weapon, the 'Sun-Shooting Divine Bow'."

"Later, when the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow appeared in the world, it once truly shot and exploded a solar star within the Three Thousand Dao Domains; its power can be well imagined."

"However, with the passing of Great Emperor Bailian, his lifelong works and those legendary rare materials also vanished."

"If there's any way to obtain a dragon tendon in this world without going through the Dragon Race, this tomb of Great Emperor Bailian is the only chance."

"Has the location been confirmed?"

Shen Jingshu shook her head. "It's not fully confirmed yet. When Great Emperor Bailian was alive, he had a wide circle of friends."

"Among them were those proficient in Feng Shui formations, who constructed a solid barrier for his tomb."

"Usually, it remains hidden in the void layers, moving with the constellations, making it difficult to find."

"Recently... the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Daluo Imperial Dynasty calculated its specific location."

"It should be... near the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain..."

"Myriad Spirits Dao Domain?"

Gu Yun understood; it seemed the secret realm mentioned in Zhao Kun's script was this tomb of Great Emperor Bailian.

In the Daluo Imperial Dynasty, he might even see his old friends Qin Xiang and Zhang Chen.

Gu Yun was looking forward to it. He happened to have a map of Great Emperor Bailian's tomb, which could now be put to good use.

//711//

Chapter 711: Reversing the Heavenly Order

"You seem... not surprised?"

Shen Jingshu, who had expected Gu Yun to be very excited, was clearly a bit disappointed. Gu Yun had done so much for her; although she didn't say it, she still hoped she could bring him something in return.

Only then would it be a healthy partnership.

Gu Yun smiled and didn't answer directly, but asked instead, "Besides you, how many others in the Shen Family know this news?"

"No one. A large part of the Shen Family's intelligence network is in my hands."

"The news was only recently delivered. Now, all my assets have been packaged and sent to your Immortal Ancient Gu Family."

"The Shen Family might have other ways, but they definitely don't know as much detail as what I'm giving you."

"Of course, I think what you should be focusing on isn't the Immortal Ancient Shen Family."

"Great Emperor Bailian was once an Eighth Tribulation powerhouse, and he specialized in the Dao of Artifact Refining; his achievements in this field were unmatched in the Three Thousand Dao Domains."

"The funerary objects he prepared for himself after death must be of extraordinary value. According to incomplete statistics, there will be at least ten supreme emperor weapons, as well as countless ordinary emperor weapons."

"There are even divine materials that have reached the Immortal Grade. These... are enough to drive the entire Three Thousand Dao Domains into a frenzy!"

Shen Jingshu's voice carried a hint of solemnity; she knew very well the weight of this news.

The appearance of Tomb of Emperor Bailian would surely trigger a bloodbath that would sweep through the Three Thousand Dao Domains.

"If it's truly as you say, this tomb of Great Emperor Bailian is clearly a mobile treasure vault."

A smile curled at the corners of Gu Yun's mouth, as if he already held everything in his hands before even taking action.

"I'm not joking with you."

"Some old monsters from Emperor-level powers haven't managed to nurture an supreme emperor weapon even as their lifespans are nearing an end. To ensure their family's continuation, they will surely take risks."

"If you take this too lightly, be careful not to fail in an unexpected place."

Shen Jingshu said urgently, her tone filled with an indescribable anxiety.

Gu Yun looked at her with a smile and spoke softly, "Eldest Miss Shen is so concerned about me; could it be that you also have feelings for me?"

"Bah!"

"Stop flattering yourself. We just have a pure partnership."

"I'm just afraid you'll die in there, causing me to lose an important ally."

"Now that my industries are all in your hands, you absolutely cannot have anything happen to you!"

A faint blush colored Shen Jingshu's pretty face, but she quickly adjusted her state, and her words were impeccable.

Gu Yun naturally had no intention of pushing further, stopping while he was ahead.

"Fine, then thank you for the reminder, Eldest Miss Shen."

"Oh, and there's one more thing I forgot to tell you."

"Among the industries returned to you, Chunxiang Tower is not included."

"Miss Lianxing is quite to my taste. I've already decided to keep her, so don't get any ideas about her."

"As expected of a Romantic Imperial Son. Don't worry, I already gave her to you back then, so I naturally won't go back on my word."

"I only hope you won't mistreat her. After all... she's also a poor girl."

"What, if I don't comply, will Eldest Miss Shen come to demand justice?"

"Of course!"

Shen Jingshu said proudly, "If you, this playboy, fail Miss Lianxing, I will demand justice for her even if I have to risk my old life!"

Gu Yun chuckled and put down his teacup. "Although, this is impossible to happen."

"But I still look forward to Eldest Miss Shen having the ability to demand justice."

"There will be such a day."

Not to be outdone, Shen Jingshu drained her tea in front of Gu Yun.

Droplets overflowed, sliding across her white neck and falling into the endless abyss.

"I should go."

Ignoring Gu Yun's gaze, Shen Jingshu replied.

"Take care... By the way, take this."

He took out another inconspicuous small grey cloth bag and handed it to Shen Jingshu.

"This is?"

"A Void Escape Talisman. It still has two uses left."

"In a critical moment, with just a thought, it can instantly teleport you to my side. Even a Great Emperor powerhouse cannot stop it."

"What?!!"

Shen Jingshu looked shocked. "Such a life-saving divine object, and you're just giving it to me like this?"

"It's useless to me. Rather than letting it sit idle in my storage space, it's better to let it shine in the hands of the right person."

Gu Yun was very calm. Since he had already planted a Demon Flower in Shen Jingshu, he naturally wasn't worried about her acting out.

The Immortal Ancient Shen Family, like the Immortal Ancient Gu Family, was a powerful family that had existed since the Immortal Ancient Era.

And it had never declined in hundreds of millions of years; it was not to be underestimated.

Laying a foundation with Shen Jingshu might just become a key step in prying this behemoth loose in the future.

"...Thank you."

Her voice was slightly raspy as she tucked the cloth bag away close to her body.

This meticulous concern touched her more than any grand words.

Gu Yun didn't respond; he waved his hand, removing the restrictions within the hall.

Shen Jingshu gave him a deep look, said no more, and turned into a cold moonlight, quietly departing without alerting any of the Gu Family guards.

After seeing off Shen Jingshu, Gu Changqing's figure appeared in the side hall.

"Father, have you been a bit too idle lately?"

"Does the Gu Family not have any matters for you to handle recently?"

Gu Yun joked.

Gu Changqing's expression remained unchanged. "So, did Shen Jingshu say anything?"

"The Immortal Ancient Shen Family suffered such a big loss; they definitely won't let it go."

"You must be extremely careful. Be even more cautious when you personally go to take over the territory of the former Eternal Imperial Dynasty; they might try to sabotage you."

"The industries, I've already handed them over to someone I trust to manage."

"Who?"

"Shen Jingshu."

"Her... What?!!"

Gu Changqing's eyes widened. If there was anyone in this world who could still shock him, it was probably only this son of his.

As a father, he often couldn't see through him at all.

Mysterious, intelligent, and shocking.

"That Shen Jingshu is a direct daughter of the Shen Family; aren't you just working for nothing?"

"Could it be..."

Recalling Gu Yun's past romantic escapades, Gu Changqing couldn't help but speculate; his son really was capable.

"Dad, where are your thoughts wandering?"

"Can't your son have a pure partnership?"

"What do you think?"

Gu Changqing looked speechless.

"Fine, I admit I was a bit reckless before, but isn't it still too early to say anything now?"

"What exactly do you plan to do?"

Gu Yun didn't hide anything either and explained his plan to Gu Changqing.

"The Immortal Ancient Shen Family actually dares to touch the Power of Calamity!"

"Those bastards, have they forgotten the catastrophe of the Middle Ancient Era?"

Gu Changqing was furious.

"For the sake of power, they'll use any means necessary."

"Now that the Golden Great Age is approaching, opportunities are falling on everyone's heads. Everyone will be thinking about whether they can get a piece of the pie."

"Let alone the Immortal Ancient Shen Family."

Gu Changqing was silent for a moment. "Yun'er, do whatever you want. No matter what, the Gu Family will always be your most loyal backer!"

"You bet, Dad. So you have to work hard; in the future, you won't have such easy days handling clan affairs as you do now."

Gu Yun patted Gu Changqing's shoulder and stepped straight out of the hall door.

"You brat!"

Looking at Gu Yun's departing back, Gu Changqing cursed with a smile.

But thinking about everything that might happen in the future, his heart, which had long been silent, seemed to begin to stir.

//712//

Chapter 712: Returning to the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain

After staying with the Gu Family for two days, Gu Yun bid farewell to his mother and set out on his journey once again.

The destination this time was still the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain.

However, while Gu Zhaojun had been settled in the Great Luo Dao Pagoda to focus on her pregnancy and Ji Yaojun needed time to consolidate her Quasi-Emperor cultivation,

everyone else was brought along by Gu Yun.

"Brother Yun, once we get to the Hundred Flowers Holy Land, will we be able to see Qi Shuier and Qi Huoer again?"

Moon Dance curled up in Gu Yun's arms, looking up with her small face, her cat-like eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Pinching her soft ear tips, the figures of those cute twins also surfaced in Gu Yun's mind.

"Yes, Qi Shuier and Qi Huoer are currently with their master. Since we're going to the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain, we'll stop by the Hundred Flowers Holy Land to rest and reorganize."

"You can catch up with them then."

"That's great!"

"I haven't seen them for so long, I wonder how they're doing now."

Having stayed in the Great Luo Dao Pagoda to cultivate for a long time, Moon Dance naturally felt that a vast amount of time had passed.

Her current cultivation had reached the Saint Realm. With the bloodline enhancement of the Nine-Life Demonic Cat, her combat power was not inferior to that of an ordinary Great Saint Realm expert.

Only those with Saint Bodies or Divine Bodies could compete with her in the same realm. Seeing that she now had a certain level of self-preservation ability, Gu Yun finally let her out.

Later... he would also have tasks arranged for her to do.

Returning to the Gu Family this time, Gu Yun had also completely upgraded his equipment.

The Nine Dragon Carriage he had used in the past was no longer fitting for his status.

Gu Yun had switched to an Emperor-grade flying boat, which could withstand attacks from experts below the Three Tribulations level, and its speed in tearing through the void was five times faster than before.

The flying boat tore through the void, shuttling through the bizarre dimensional gaps. In just a few days, it crossed a vast distance and approached the outskirts of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain.

The Myriad Spirits Dao Domain was vast and boundless, with diverse landscapes and abundant spiritual energy.

Since ancient times, it had always been a place of mixed characters and intersecting powers.

However, in recent times, earth-shattering changes had occurred here—

Inside the main hall of the Hundred Flowers Holy Land.

Luo Hanyan was dressed in a water-blue palace gown. Her figure was graceful, and her face remained cold and stunningly beautiful, like an ice lotus standing proudly atop a snow-capped mountain.

Below her were only a few people: Liu Yunfeng, Snow Thousand Years, Qi Huoer, Qi Shuier, and Yin Moon.

"Holy Mistress, the Canglan Imperial Dynasty and the Myriad Dao Alliance have already decided to tear off their masks of civility with us."

"There is no room for maneuver; now, there is only war!"

Liu Yunfeng spoke with her hands cupped. Everyone present was considered a high-ranking member of the current Hundred Flowers Holy Land.

Although Yin Moon had joined later, for some reason, Luo Hanyan trusted her quite a bit. Over time, the other women had also accepted her.

Now, she had also become part of the true core of this rising power.

Listening to Liu Yunfeng's report, Luo Hanyan did not respond immediately. Her cold gaze remained fixed on the massive map of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain hanging in the hall.

On the map, the red area representing the Hundred Flowers Holy Land already occupied the Four Peripheral Regions of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain.

Only the central region, the Middle Domain, remained a weave of ice-blue and ink-black—ice-blue representing the Canglan Imperial Dynasty, and ink-black representing the Myriad Dao Alliance.

Of course... this was a result Luo Hanyan had expected from the beginning.

The powerful rise of a new force would inevitably trigger a frantic counterattack from the old forces.

When she was conquering the three peripheral regions, she had encountered experts secretly sent by the two major forces to intercept her.

She had even clashed with their Great Emperor experts.

As a result, she was forced to reveal more of her strength: a total of eleven great emperor warships. Although each one was only comparable to the weakest Emperor Venerable,

it was enough to change the current landscape of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain.

The Canglan Imperial Dynasty and the Myriad Dao Alliance had actually joined forces. Coupled with some other wavering powers in the Middle Domain, the Hundred Flowers Holy Land's advance had been forced to a halt.

"War?"

"How do we fight?"

As a veteran of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain, Yin Moon had a good understanding of the two overlord-level forces.

"The Canglan Imperial Dynasty has deep foundations; its one hundred and eight kings are all experts at the Quasi-Emperor level or above."

"The number of Great Emperors in the imperial court will not be fewer than five."

"They also have the blessing of the national destiny and a powerful heritage."

"And the Myriad Dao Alliance is even more unfathomable. It is highly likely that they have a mid-stage Great Emperor expert presiding over them."

"Our eleven great emperor warships only look intimidating. If we truly go to war, I'm afraid we won't gain any advantage at all."

Her words hit the nail on the head, pointing out the dilemma the Hundred Flowers Holy Land currently faced.

Previously, they were just playing around in the peripheral regions. The great emperor warships controlled by Luo Hanyan were merely dead objects, while the Great Emperor experts of the two major forces were living people.

This was destined to be an unequal war; one side would hold back, while the other would be fearless of death.

This was the reason why the Hundred Flowers Holy Land had been invincible before. But once the enemies' vital interests were involved, the situation would undergo a drastic change.

The Four Peripheral Regions seemed vast, but combined, they were not worth even a single piece of the Middle Domain, because these places simply lacked the soil to produce Great Emperor experts.

"For now, I'm afraid we indeed have to pause and rest."

"The Emperor Road is about to begin. As long as I can gain something from it and break through to the Great Emperor realm, I believe the situation will see a turning point."

Luo Hanyan spoke in a heavy voice.

Liu Yunfeng and the others also shook their heads helplessly: "As things stand, this is the only way."

"We can't exactly go and ask His Highness the Divine Son for another ten warships, can we?"

"That would be too unrealistic."

"Who says it's unrealistic?"

Suddenly, a voice rang out in the hall. Everyone's originally deadened hearts began to burn with fervor again... At the same time, in the Middle Domain, inside the Canglan Imperial Dynasty's imperial palace.

A man wearing a bright yellow dragon robe stood with his hands behind his back on the Star Gazing Platform; it was the Canglan Emperor.

Beside him stood a figure dressed in Daoist robes with an unfathomable aura.

It was the leader of the Myriad Dao Alliance—Mo Yuan.

If outsiders were to see this, they would be shocked beyond belief.

The two people who were once the most incompatible in the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain were actually gathered together now.

And before them were several divination masters from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and the Myriad Dao Alliance.

They had Zhao Kun surrounded in the middle. At this moment, everyone was putting forth their full effort to calculate a result that might give them a chance to change their fate against the heavens.

"Canglan, is this young man of yours actually reliable?"

As time passed, Mo Yuan's expression became increasingly irritable.

//713//

Chapter 713: Position Determined (Two-in-One)

During this time, they had naturally observed Luo Hanyan's actions.

But as the two dominant forces of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain, they had coincidentally chosen to turn a blind eye.

On one hand, the frequent trouble caused by the Demonic Cult had left them overwhelmed.

On the other hand... the ancestor-level figures of both forces had reached the critical point where their life force was exhausted.

In this situation, no one dared to act rashly.

Once one side ended up in a lose-lose situation with the Hundred Flowers Holy Land, the other side would absolutely not let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

At that time, the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain would still be unified, but it remained unknown who would truly have the last laugh.

Clearly, neither side was willing to take this risk.

However... the Hundred Flowers Holy Land had to be eliminated. The appearance of Luo Hanyan's Great Emperor battleships was too strange. Delays would lead to complications, and having controlled the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain for so many years, the two forces could not tolerate the existence of variables.

Fortunately... Zhao Kun brought an opportunity, an opportunity that could help them maintain this balance.

The tomb of Great Emperor Bailian!

As long as they could find an supreme emperor weapon within it, they could go all out against the Hundred Flowers Holy Land. Afterward, the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain could still maintain its previous balance.

Mo Yuan had held great expectations at first, but these expectations gradually eroded over time.

The Canglan Emperor's voice was calm: "If you have a better way, you can suggest it."

"Otherwise, just wait here obediently!"

"Zhao Kun is a member of the Zhao Family. Do you think they would deceive you and me?"

"The Zhao Family!"

As a hegemon of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain, Mo Yuan had naturally heard of this mysterious existence.

They were mainly active during the Medieval Era and belonged to the same period as Great Emperor Bailian.

They were once beings that dominated the Three Thousand Dao Domains, with a prestige no weaker than current first-rate Dao Domain level powers like the Four Great Sword Sects or the Four Great Buddhist Temples.

They even had the ability to challenge the Immortal Palace, but for some unknown reason, they had vanished until now.

Once... they were the rulers of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain. It was precisely because of the Zhao Family's disappearance that the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain fell into its current state of chaos and fragmentation.

It wasn't until the rise of the Canglan Imperial Dynasty and the Myriad Dao Alliance that the situation gradually stabilized.

Some time ago, the Zhao Family descendant Zhao Qian had appeared in the Three Thousand Dao Domains. Zhao Kun's identity as a descendant of the Zhao Family was likely set in stone.

Glancing deeply at the pale-faced Zhao Kun in the center of the formation, Mo Yuan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air: "Forget it, it seems I was a bit impatient."

"Since the Zhao Family's heritage is backing this, I suppose the deduction results won't be wrong."

"I'll wait a bit longer."

"Humph..."

The Canglan Emperor sneered, his gaze remaining on Zhao Kun.

At this moment, the youth sat in the center of the formation, eyes tightly closed, his body trembling slightly.

Before him, an ancient-looking tortoise shell flickered with light, bursting with a dazzling glow.

The several divination masters surrounding him also had solemn expressions, with dao patterns flashing on their fingertips.

An endless stream of spiritual energy was injected into the tortoise shell, and countless fine, ancient runes seemed to come alive, moving across the surface of the shell.

Veins bulged on Zhao Kun's forehead, and sweat soaked his robes, but he gritted his teeth, forcibly maintaining the deep connection between his divine sense and the tortoise shell.

To achieve his wish, he had given it his all.

By now, he knew that Han Qichi was the daughter of the Canglan Emperor. His ability to rise rapidly was also due to this princess's help.

For this mission, the Canglan Emperor had promised that as long as he could find the actual location of the secret realm, he would betroth Han Qichi to him.

This was a rare opportunity for him, and he had to grasp it firmly!

Thinking of this, the youth's eyes became even more determined, and his body shone with brilliant light!

The runes on the tortoise shell grew brighter and brighter, finally forming a massive pillar of light.

"It's going to succeed!!"

Even with the temperaments of the Canglan Emperor, Mo Yuan, and the others, they couldn't help but get excited.

That was the tomb of Great Emperor Bailian, an Eighth Tribulation artifact refining master. Looking at the history of the Three Thousand Dao Domains, there were very few like him.

"Go!!"

At the center of everyone's attention, Zhao Kun suddenly opened his eyes and let out a low shout.

Several cracks appeared on the tortoise shell, from which countless points of light surged out, converging into a blurry and profound star map floating in mid-air.

In the center of the star map, a brilliant red light was particularly eye-catching.

Several experts from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau around him spat out blood and fainted.

Only a white-haired old man stared intently at the star map with cloudy eyes, his expression shaken: "The position is determined! The place pointed to by the red light is located three hundred star-miles west of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain, on the outskirts of the so-called 'Ruins of Myriad Stars Annihilation,' in the meteor zone known as the Dragon Bone Star Ring!"

"Dragon Bone Star Ring?!"

Mo Yuan's brow twitched, his eyes flashing with sharp light: "During the Medieval Era, the Gu Family ancestor, Star River Emperor, slew a True Dragon there."

"After the True Dragon fell, its bones transformed into thousands of star fragments, eventually forming a ring-shaped star belt, hence the name Dragon Bone."

"After the great war, this place still contains mixed dragon qi and endless imperial pressure. The space is extremely unstable. Even ordinary Sendai cultivators face the danger of falling if they approach."

"Even Quasi-Emperor experts wouldn't dare to go deep into it."

"Who would have thought that Great Emperor Bailian would actually hide his tomb in such a place!!"

The Canglan Emperor's eyes were also burning, and his hands behind his back unconsciously tightened: "It is said that Great Emperor Bailian had a friend who was proficient in formations, who hid his tomb in the void, which is why it hasn't been detected for thousands of years."

"Unexpectedly, it was just a blindfold. No matter how great a formation master is, it's impossible to hide a movable small space in such a place of spatial disorder."

"Great Emperor Bailian truly planned well."

"Regardless, his goal has been achieved. From ancient times to the present, how many people have flocked to that thread of ethereal fantasy, only to return empty-handed!"

"This Great Emperor Bailian is also a legend."

"Indeed. Without Zhao Kun's help, we wouldn't have guessed that this secret realm would be hidden in such a treacherous place."

"So, Canglan Emperor, who do you plan to send to retrieve the treasure?"

"Great Emperor Bailian's preparations certainly won't be so simple. Within that Dragon Bone Star Ring, there might even be man-made trials."

"Heh, Mo Yuan, you old thing, don't hide your cards anymore."

"We are all putting everything on the line now. What need is there to hide anything!"

"My Canglan will naturally go all out. Do you plan to stab us in the back?"

"Naturally not."

"It's just that if both of our forces go all out, I'm afraid that the Hundred Flowers Holy Land might make a move."

The two old foxes, Mo Yuan and the Canglan Emperor, exchanged a glance, both their lips curling into mysterious smiles.

"Cough, cough... The star map points to a general direction, but the exact location of the tomb is still unstable."

"We must wait until these three pieces of star debris return to their positions. That will be the best time to enter!"

"The time... is about half a month away. If you two lords have any arrangements to make, you should hurry."

Although Zhao Kun was nearly exhausted, he still struggled to explain.

"Half a month..."

Both men breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lord Sovereign, about the matter between me and Princess Qichi..."

Zhao Kun looked at the Canglan Emperor, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Don't worry! I will naturally not go back on what I promised you. Once we return from the secret realm, I will take charge and arrange the wedding for you and Qichi!"

The Canglan Emperor agreed immediately. Putting aside Zhao Kun's background, this divination technique alone made him a talent worth winning over.

To tie Zhao Kun firmly to his side, a mere princess was nothing.

Moreover, the two were already in love. With his arrangement, Qichi, as his most obedient daughter, would naturally have no objections.

Hearing the Canglan Emperor's promise, Zhao Kun's joy could no longer be hidden. He quickly bowed: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Zhao Kun will surely give his all and die ten thousand deaths without hesitation!"

Qichi, this is great. You and I are finally... going to have a happy ending!

Leaving the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Zhao Kun was in a great mood and headed straight for Han Qichi's residence outside the palace... Inside the main hall of the Hundred Flowers Holy Land.

The sudden familiar voice made everyone present excited.

"Master!"

"Lord Imperial Son!!"

"Brother Yun!!"

The women were first stunned, then filled with a mix of surprise and joy as they stepped forward.

Even the usually cold Luo Hanyan had a faint, almost imperceptible ripple in her beautiful eyes.

Suddenly, an image seemed to appear in her mind.

What did this bastard say he would do if he came back early... Gu Yun greeted everyone with a smile. Moon Dance had already happily pounced over to Qi Shuier and Qi Huoer's side, the three little girls chatting incessantly.

The other women were more steady, suppressing the joy in their hearts because they knew what the current priority was.

"Encountered some trouble?"

The youth bypassed everyone, walked up to Luo Hanyan, and smiled.

"Why... why did you come back so soon?"

Luo Hanyan answered with a question, her cheeks flushing crimson, clearly remembering their previous banter.

She thought the youth would be gone for at least a year or half, but she didn't expect him to return so soon. Did she really have to... No, no way. She was a Quasi-Emperor expert, the Holy Master of the Hundred Flowers Holy Land, and the eldest miss of the Ancient Luo Family. How could she let Gu Yun do that?

For a moment, this Holy Master was in complete disarray.

The youth's return meant she no longer had to carry everything on her own shoulders.

"What, are you not happy to see me?"

Gu Yun pulled Luo Hanyan into his arms, placed her on his lap, and sat on the throne in the center of the hall as if no one else were there.

The hall instantly fell silent, and everyone's gaze focused on that wide main seat.

Looking at this scene that they had long anticipated, their expressions were nevertheless incredibly strange.

The incomparably majestic Holy Master Luo was actually being held so casually in the Imperial Son's arms in front of everyone.

Seeing how practiced it looked, it seemed the two of them had definitely done this quite a bit in private, or even... Among them, except for Snow Thousand Years and Yin Moon, the others were all experienced in such matters. For a moment, they couldn't help but feel some bashfulness.

The Imperial Son... he really is too wicked.

"You... let go!"

"Look at what kind of occasion this is!!"

Luo Hanyan froze completely and hurriedly sent a voice transmission to Gu Yun.

At the same time, she struggled to get up, but Gu Yun's arms were like the sturdiest of shackles, not budging an inch.

"How... how is it possible, your cultivation?!!"

Luo Hanyan was greatly shocked. The last time they met, Gu Yun was just a small fry at the early stage of Quasi-Emperor.

She could have suppressed him with a flip of her hand.

Now, after only so long, he had actually reached a realm where he could stand on equal footing with her. What kind of monster was he?

Only a true genius could see the gap between themselves and Gu Yun more clearly.

He... he simply isn't human!

"What's wrong with my Holy Master?"

"Weren't you very used to this before?"

Gu Yun lowered his head and whispered in her ear: "Now it's just in front of a few future sisters, what's the big deal?"

Luo Hanyan's delicate body trembled slightly, her peripheral vision sweeping over everyone present.

Liu Yunfeng, Snow Thousand Years, Yin Moon, and the others all tacitly looked away, pretending to look at the sky, the ground, or the walls, but they couldn't suppress the upward curve of their lips.

Qi Huoer, Qi Shuier, and the others looked like they had seen an incredibly shocking scene, their small mouths slightly open, making one want to stuff a couple of quail eggs in.

"Brother Yun and Holy Master Sister have such a good relationship!"

Suddenly, Moon Dance's words broke the silent air.

This made Luo Hanyan even more ashamed, but she also understood that she couldn't back down at this time.

Otherwise... how could she become Gu Yun's future main wife?

"Cough, cough... I... I don't have time to flirt with you right now."

"Now the Canglan Imperial Dynasty and the Myriad Dao Alliance have joined forces, and our progress has stalled. Tell me, what should we do?"

Luo Hanyan took on a defeatist attitude, as if she could wash her hands of everything now that Gu Yun had arrived.

"What's this? Didn't the eleven Great Emperor battleships I gave you before make you invincible?"

"Humph! What do you think? The foundations of the Canglan Imperial Dynasty and the Myriad Dao Alliance are both extraordinary. We would have a hard time dealing with even one of them, let alone now that they've colluded."

"Those battleships just look intimidating, but in reality, when facing a Great Emperor, they struggle even one-on-one."

Speaking of this, Luo Hanyan felt a bit aggrieved. Even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice. With only these few trump cards, trying to control the entire Myriad Spirits Dao Domain was simply a pipe dream.

This Gu Yun is simply a scumbag, talking big without doing the work.

"What... who was it that vowed to me that they could definitely complete the mission? How come now... you can't handle a little difficulty?"

"Who... who says I can't handle it? As long as I break through to Great Emperor, doing all this would be a piece of cake."

Luo Hanyan said proudly.

"Fine, fine. But... since I'm back now, there's no need to make it so complicated."

"Han Yan, you might not know."

"The Great Emperor battleships I gave you were just the absolute lowest-end version."

"Now... it's time to give them an upgrade for you."

PS: Adding a distance unit. One star-mile is one light-year. I will write it this way from now on and won't explain it in the text.

//714//

Chapter 714: Upgrading Equipment (Two-in-One)

"The... lowest-end version?"

Luo Hanyan's red lips parted slightly, her cold eyes wide in a rare display of shock, as if she had heard something unbelievable.

Ordinary Emperor-level flying boats were usually just a means of transportation.

Their defensive power far exceeded their offensive capabilities; being able to withstand an attack from a Great Emperor was already considered a priceless treasure.

Yet, these great emperor warships Gu Yun provided, while ensuring similar defensive power, also featured several main cannons as their offensive core.

By simply infusing enough spiritual energy, they could unleash attacks no weaker than those of an early-stage One Tribulation Great Emperor.

Eleven of them working together was enough to make any power in the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain wary; for the women, this was already unheard of and inconceivable.

Yet in Gu Yun's words, this was actually... the lowest-end version?!

Seeing the adorable, life-doubting expression of the lovely Holy Mistress in his arms, Gu Yun's mood brightened instantly, and he couldn't help but plant a light kiss on her delicate cheek.

Luo Hanyan was still deeply shocked and had no mind to take issue with Gu Yun's actions.

"Are... are you serious?!"

"Of course... don't you think these warships are a bit too empty?"

Gu Yun replied with a smile.

Luo Hanyan thought about it and began to understand.

Indeed, compared to such a massive warship, having only one spiritual energy main cannon did make it seem a bit too empty.

"Back then, time was tight, and I was just a beginner. Being able to tinker out eleven basic models was already quite good."

"As for now... thanks to my darling Han Yan's hard work, I'm much better off. My first order of business in coming here is to upgrade my wife's equipment!"

"Better off?"

Luo Hanyan was a bit confused. Gu Yun's words were sometimes baffling. She had been in the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain all this time; when had she helped Gu Yun?

Gu Yun chuckled. According to Xi Tong's judgment, the Immortal Ancient Gu Family and the Supreme Divine Dynasty did not yet count as his own forces.

Therefore, only the Hundred Flowers Holy Land could be counted toward gaining force points to convert into villain value.

Luo Hanyan had swept through three regions of the Myriad Spirits Dao Domain, providing him with a profit of up to 300,000 villain value.

Now, it was time for Gu Yun to give her some rewards.

"Come with me."

Gu Yun didn't explain and simply picked Luo Hanyan up.

On the vast training grounds, the sky's light spilled down.

Held by Gu Yun, her figure flickered and they landed. As her feet touched the solid ground, her mind was still in a daze.

The youth's mastery of the Laws of Space far exceeded her imagination.

"Release those great emperor warships I gave you."

Hearing Gu Yun's words, she composed herself and waved her fair hand.

Buzz—!

A low hum sounded as ripples appeared in space. Eleven gargantuan, dark-gold warships slowly emerged like eleven metallic peaks, standing tall in the training ground, radiating a heavy, cold metallic aura and faint energy fluctuations.

"To store these warships, I specifically collaborated with Yunfeng, Yin Moon, and the others to open up a pocket dimension here,"

Luo Hanyan explained, her eyes fixed on Gu Yun, filled with a hint of excitement.

Liu Yunfeng and the others arrived late. Seeing these eleven great emperor warships appearing simultaneously, even they felt an infinite sense of shock in their hearts.

Gu Yun released his hold on her slender waist and stepped forward. Before such gargantuan warships, his body appeared tiny, yet his calm and composed aura—as if everything was within his grasp—made everyone hold their breath involuntarily.

He thought to himself, "Xi Tong, pull up the Infinite Troop System Mall and filter for upgrade options for the current basic warships."

[Ding! Command received successfully. Retrieving relevant data...]

[Generating attribute panel for Basic Version "Standard Great Emperor-level Psionic Assault Ship" (Lv.0)...]

[Hull (Lv.1) (Upgradable): Composed entirely of Starfall Profound Iron (Can withstand three full-power attacks from a Three Tribulation Great Emperor).]

[Engine (Lv.1) (Upgradable): Large Spirit Gathering Array *1, Basic Space Jump (Charge requirement: 144 hours, maximum jump distance: 1 Star-mile).]

[Artillery Array (Lv.1) (Upgradable): 1 main cannon (Power: One Tribulation Peak), 3 secondary cannons (Can fire 27 missiles simultaneously, power: Quasi-Emperor Sixth Heaven).]

[Energy Barrier (Lv.1) (Upgradable): Basic Energy Shield (Can withstand one full-power attack from a Fourth Tribulation Great Emperor).]

[Auxiliary Systems: Basic Detection Array, Basic Communication Array, Basic Life Support System.]

[Overall Evaluation: A qualified Great Emperor-level standard combat unit with basic offense, defense, and mobility, but with single modules and lacking functionality. Huge upgrade potential.]

Immediately after, a dazzling array of upgrade options unfolded in Gu Yun's consciousness like a waterfall of light, each marked with detailed descriptions and the required villain value.

Gu Yun browsed quickly, the smile at the corners of his mouth becoming more pronounced.

"Han Yan, what do you think is the biggest shortcoming of these warships?"

He suddenly turned and asked, wanting to see how well Luo Hanyan understood the vessels.

Facing Gu Yun's inquiry, Luo Hanyan wasn't surprised. Prescribing the right medicine was the most cost-effective choice.

She pondered for a moment and answered clearly, "Currently, the offensive methods are singular, the main cannon takes too long to charge, and while its power is barely sufficient, it needs improvement; it cannot pose a significant threat to experts above the Fourth Tribulation. Defense relies on the hull itself and basic shields, unable to deal with attacks of special attributes. Mobility is average; when facing Great Emperor experts, they are mostly in a passive position."

Most of what Luo Hanyan mentioned were major pain points of the great emperor warships. Gu Yun nodded in approval. "Well said. Then, let's start by making up for these shortcomings!"

He extended a finger and lightly tapped the air.

In his mind, he issued a command to Xi Tong: "Xi Tong, upgrade the hull, engine, artillery array, and energy barrier to Lv.3."

[Ding! Upgrade beginning...]

Soon, under everyone's shocked gazes, the eleven great emperor warships began to radiate a dazzling divine glow.

Even an expert at the Quasi-Emperor Peak like Luo Hanyan could not see clearly what was happening inside.

"Gu Yun, what did you do?"

All the women felt the glare and hid behind Gu Yun one after another.

The youth's body was like a towering city wall at this moment.

"Go into the Great Luo Dao Pagoda and hide for a while; it'll be over soon."

Gu Yun waved his hand, sending the women inside. He then personally supervised Xi Tong's work. "Upgrading a single component to Lv.3 costs 15,000 villain value. That's a total of 660,000 villain value."

Calculating the consumption, Gu Yun felt a bit of a sting.

"Quality over quantity, and the same goes for warships. Xi Tong, recycle six warships and upgrade the remaining five directly to Lv.4."

After some thought, Gu Yun still gave the order.

[Ding! Depreciation recycling successful. Congratulations, Host, on obtaining 290,000 villain value.]

[New command received. Recalculating consumption.]

[Ding! Successfully consumed 800,000 villain value. Components have been upgraded to Quality (Lv.4).]

Soon, Xi Tong's prompt sounded again. The jump from Lv.3 to Lv.4 corresponded to the gap between a Three Tribulation Great Emperor and a Fourth Tribulation Great Emperor. This was a chasm-like difference, and the consumption far exceeded the previous jump from Lv.1 to Lv.3, which was within Gu Yun's expectations.

Although the villain value he had worked so hard to get over a million took another massive hit, Gu Yun still felt it was worth it.

After all, it was equivalent to gaining five Fourth Tribulation Great Emperor-level fighters without any effort. No wonder the Children of Destiny who followed the troop-spamming path were so difficult to deal with once they grew up.

So what if you're a genius? After hundreds of years of bitter cultivation, I can just exchange for a warship or a robot from the system and take you down!

"Fortunately, this is the world of cultivation. The consumption for great emperor warships is already so staggering; if I want to build Immortal-grade warships in the future, it will be an unimaginable astronomical figure."

"Though it's overpowered, the upper limit is also strictly suppressed."

"However... I still need to deal with that guy Lin Chen as soon as possible."

Constantly monitoring Lin Chen's movements, Gu Yun wasn't worried about him growing to an uncontrollable level.

Everything... was within his grasp!

He called the women out again. Just as they were about to ask questions, they were stunned by the scene before them.

The originally majestic eleven warships were now reduced to five, but the space they occupied remained largely unchanged, and the sense of pressure they exuded was far greater than before.

The dark-gold hulls had become deeper in color, with slightly adjusted contours and smoother lines.

The main cannon muzzles had expanded, and their number had increased to three.

As for the secondary cannons, they had increased to sixteen per ship. The dense muzzles pointed toward the heavens like five dormant star-beasts, radiating a heart-palpitating and majestic pressure.

The women couldn't help but swallow hard, feeling the boundless pressure from above. Luo Hanyan's eyes were wide, her cold face filled with shock.

As the Goddess of the Ancient Luo Family, she should have seen all sorts of rare treasures.

But the experiences of these few short months by Gu Yun's side seemed to surpass the entirety of her previous tens of thousands of years of knowledge!

"This... this... the aura is completely different..."

Although the previous great emperor warships were powerful, they weren't enough to make her feel such heart-palpitating dread.

After all, she possessed enough life-saving treasures. But now... Luo Hanyan could clearly sense the threat of death.

This wasn't just a minor modification; it was a complete transformation!

Beyond common sense, extraordinary!

Checking the fully upgraded systems of the new warships, Gu Yun was very satisfied. Now, these great emperor warships truly lived up to their name.

"How does it feel?"

"I've simplified things. These five warships should now be able to exert the power of a Fourth Tribulation Great Emperor. In a pitched battle, they wouldn't fear even a Five Tribulation Great Emperor."

Gu Yun looked with a smile at the women, who were still in a state of shock.

"It's... it's unbelievable!"

Liu Yunfeng's voice trembled. "This aura... is more than ten times stronger than before! Your Highness, how on earth did you do it?"

Qi Huoer, Qi Shuier, Moon Dance, and the others were also filled with shock and awe, looking at Gu Yun as if they were looking up at a god.

Yin Moon was even more relieved. It was a good thing they had been wise enough to submit back then. If they had to face these steel behemoths now, wouldn't they be blown into bits and pieces? No, if any fragments of their corpses could even be found, it would only be because Luo Hanyan hadn't tried hard enough.

Luo Hanyan took several deep breaths, barely managing to calm her roiling emotions.

She stepped forward, her slender fingertips lightly touching the cold hull. Feeling the power within that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth, her cold eyes shone brilliantly. "Gu Yun... is this... is this really for me?"

"Of course," Gu Yun walked to her side and naturally wrapped his arm around her waist. "I'm looking forward to my darling Han Yan conquering a vast territory for me!"

"However... as the saying goes, even between husband and wife, accounts must be kept clear. Great Holy Mistress Luo, the cost of this upgrade far exceeded my expectations. How do you think we should... settle this bill?"

Gu Yun's initial words had made Luo Hanyan happy, but this sudden change of topic made her give him a playful glare. Her cold face became even more charming with this vivid expression. "I'm already yours, and the entire Hundred Flowers Holy Land is under your command. How else do you want to settle the bill?"

"Is that so..."

Hearing this, Gu Yun's eyes lit up, a mischievous smile appearing on his face. His arm around Luo Hanyan's waist tightened, pulling her soft body completely into his embrace.

He lowered his head, his hot breath brushing against her sensitive ear. "Then what you said before..."

Feeling the youth's warmth, and being in public like this...

Two moving blushes instantly rose on Luo Hanyan's cold cheeks, and her heart couldn't help but race.

"Don't... don't. Yunfeng and the others are still here."

"Even... even if you want to, can we... can we talk about it in private, okay?"

Luo Hanyan pleaded in a low voice, her former majesty as a Holy Mistress completely gone.

"What's the big deal? Everyone is open about it. Or do you want to face me alone, Han Yan?"

"Then you'd better think carefully. I've already reached the Quasi-Emperor Sixth Heaven; I'm not what I used to be..."

"Fine, fine!"

Luo Hanyan's delicate body trembled. Remembering Gu Yun's terrifying combat power, she couldn't help but shudder.

"I... I'll agree to it, alright?"

The proud Holy Mistress finally lowered her head for the youth.

Whether physically or mentally... it was so.

Gu Yun's lips curled slightly as he waved his hand, leading the women—excluding Snow Thousand Years and Yin Moon—into the inner courtyard.

"This... this..."

Yin Moon was completely bewildered. It was her first time encountering such a scene, and she was clearly at a loss.

Snow Thousand Years's mood was complex, and she simply walked away.

"Saintess Millennium, wait. Aren't you worried about the Holy Mistress and the others? With so many people..."

Snow Thousand Years looked at her strangely. "What's there to worry about?"

"But..."

"If you're really that worried, you could join them too."

"Join?"

Snow Thousand Years left after saying that, leaving Yin Moon alone and confused.

She hesitated for a moment but still chose to head toward the back courtyard.

//715//

Chapter 715: A Taste of Sweetness

Yin Moon soon arrived at an exquisite and magnificent palace, only to feel an invisible barrier cutting her off from the outside.

Clearly, the girl had casually set up a restriction.

She didn't dare to intrude rashly, so she waited outside the hall.

Soon.

Waves of suggestive sounds drifted from the room, one affected and flirtatious moan after another, never ceasing.

This caused a blush to stain Yin Moon's pretty face; she had lived for many years, and while she hadn't personally experienced it, she had certainly seen enough to know what was happening.

If she were some pure and innocent little flower, she would have been devoured long ago; how else could she have maintained her Primal Yin until now?

"The Sacred Lord... she actually has this side to her."

Yin Moon tentatively extended her divine sense inside, and to her surprise, she succeeded.

Seeing the scandalous and erotic scenes within, her heart began to throb uncontrollably.

"Yin Moon, oh Yin Moon, you are a Pure Yin Body dedicated to the Dao. You cannot let a moment's impulse ruin your path of cultivation!"

"See no evil, see no evil!!"

Yin Moon held her breath, forcing herself to withdraw from that bizarre state of mind.

But just then, the palace doors suddenly swung open.

The sudden turn of events startled Yin Moon. She looked closely and realized the person coming out was actually the Sacred Lord, Luo Hanyan.

The once noble, holy, and untainted Sacred Lord was now draped in only a thin, moon-white muslin robe. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her cold yet stunning face still bore a lingering flush. Her eyes shimmered with a seductive languor that was never seen in her daily life.

Her feet, white as jade, were bare as she hovered in the air just outside the door.

Upon seeing Yin Moon, a fleeting look of joy flashed through her eyes.

She forcefully suppressed it, her misty eyes sweeping over her indifferently. "Yin Moon, why are you here?"

"I... I..."

Yin Moon's heart raced even faster. The images her divine sense had just perceived made her face flush crimson and her speech incoherent, leaving her at a loss for words.

Luo Hanyan stepped forward slowly, looking down at her with a cold voice. "It seems... you've seen something you shouldn't have."

"Yin Moon, you know..."

"This subordinate knows her mistake!! I beg the Sacred Lord for mercy!!"

Without any hesitation, Yin Moon dropped to her knees with a thud, pleading for Luo Hanyan's forgiveness.

"Hmph!"

"Mercy? How do you expect me to forgive you?! No outsider should have known about today's events, unless..."

Seeing Yin Moon's flustered state, Luo Hanyan leaned down and whispered softly into her ear, her breath like orchids, "...unless you truly become... one of us."

Yin Moon's delicate body trembled. She jerked her head up and met Luo Hanyan's meaningful gaze; how could she not guess her fate?

"Sacred Lord, I... I possess the Pure Yin Body. If my virginity is taken, my path to the Dao will be hopeless, and I fear I won't be able to continue serving the Sacred Ground..."

Yin Moon's voice wavered as she tried to make one last struggle.

"Pure Yin Body?"

The corner of Luo Hanyan's lips curled into an arc. She reached out a slender finger and gently tilted Yin Moon's chin up. "So what?"

"No matter the constitution, one is ultimately limited by oneself. What of the Pure Yin Body? Even the Extremely Yin Body, which ranks above yours, still suffers from an incomplete Dao because solitary Yin cannot flourish."

"If I remember correctly, you've been stuck at the fifth heaven of the Quasi-Emperor realm for tens of thousands of years, haven't you?"

"Having failed to break through for so long, have you never doubted anything?"

Yin Moon's pupils constricted slightly.

Luo Hanyan had indeed hit the nail on the head. Ever since she entered the middle stages of the Quasi-Emperor realm, her cultivation progress had been extremely slow.

She had originally thought it was due to the limitations of the Southern Border's environment, but now it seemed that wasn't the only reason.

"Is my fate... to ultimately become someone's Cauldron after all...?" A look of loneliness flashed in Yin Moon's eyes as she lowered her head. "This subordinate... understands."

Luo Hanyan looked at her reaction, knowing that further words were useless.

Many things must be experienced personally to form one's own judgment.

Before meeting Gu Yun, she could never have imagined that one day she would be so hopelessly lost in such matters.

If it weren't for the fact that Gu Yun's combat strength was simply too formidable, she wouldn't have turned to such desperate measures as finding sisters for herself.

"In that case, let me dress you up. Though your current appearance is moving, it's not quite attractive enough."

Luo Hanyan's fingertips lightly brushed Yin Moon's cheek before she gently let go. "Follow me. I want to give that bastard little rascal a surprise."

...Inside the room.

Gu Yun had his left arm around Liu Yunfeng and his right around Jiang Lan.

Beside him, a Snake Beauty was also serving him with rapt attention.

Mature women and young girls offered completely different sensations.

Liu Yunfeng and Jiang Lan were now like two fully ripened fruits; the pleasure they brought Gu Yun was far beyond what those little girls could compare to.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Flame Princess spoke up with a face full of resentment, "You brute, just when are you going to let us leave?"

"Shui'er, Huo'er, Xiaowu, and Xiaoqing have all gone to cultivate. I don't want to be left behind by them!"

Her inner pride wouldn't allow her to beg for mercy, so she could only remain stubborn like this.

"Laner, Feng'er, what about you?"

Gu Yun turned to look; both women were pale with shock and waved their hands repeatedly.

"Your Highness's divine might is peerless; Laner has already reached her limit."

"Yunfeng can't hold on either. Right now, I fear I cannot move an inch."

"Fine then, since that's the case, I won't trouble you any further."

Hearing this, Gu Yun sighed helplessly. How lonely it was to be invincible.

The three women all felt as if they had been granted a great amnesty and breathed a sigh of relief. If they continued to tangle with Gu Yun, they would likely fall apart.

Isn't it said that there are only exhausted bulls, never broken fields?

Why was Gu Yun, this wild bull, so incredibly capable?

At this thought, a hint of resentment inevitably flashed in the eyes of the three women.

"Once I break through to the Quasi-Emperor realm, I'll settle the score sooner or later!"

"Fine, fine, fine, my Queen. When that time comes, I promise not to resist at all."

Gu Yun gave a light chuckle and with a wave of his hand, he sent all three of them into the Great Luo Dao Pagoda.

He stretched and lay leisurely on the bed, spreading himself out in the shape of the character 'Tai'.

Just then, a familiar faint fragrance wafted through the air.

The corner of Gu Yun's mouth curled up slightly. "What's wrong, little Han Yan? Stopped being a deserter and ready to come back and fulfill your promise?"

This time, Luo Hanyan did not give any response.

Only a pair of cold, jade-like hands covered his eyes.

Gu Yun didn't resist, and soon he felt a soft body lying on top of him.

He took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her, but then both of them stiffened slightly.

Gu Yun snapped his eyes open. Even with his thick skin, he could sense something was off now.

The feel... was wrong.