Gu Xianer's Bewildered Loss — Why Won't He Pay Attention to Her Anymore?
Gu Xianer’s Bewildered Loss — Why Won’t He Pay Attention to Her Anymore?
“Changge greets all the Elders, as well as the Palace Master.”
Having donned the successor’s robes, Gu Changge was now officially and rightfully the successor of Skyward Schloss.
He even took the opportunity to show his attitude toward the various Elders, his expression gentle and mild—so much so that several of them nearly thought their eyes were playing tricks on them.
The usually unruly and defiant Gu Changge actually had this kind of attitude?
It was honestly a little hard for them to believe.
“From this day forth, Changge is the successor of our Skyward Schloss. Naturally, he shall guide his junior brothers and sisters and set a proper example. With you here, we can rest easy regarding the opening of the Celestial Ancient Continent this time.”
Atop the high platform, the Palace Master of Skyward Schloss watched all of this with a smile before speaking.
Gu Changge’s expression remained composed. “Palace Master, rest assured. With me here, no one will dare cause trouble on Skyward Schloss’s territory.”
The words were spoken lightly, yet they carried an unparalleled force of conviction, causing the several Elders and the Palace Master to nod in spite of themselves.
This was, after all, their primary purpose in establishing Gu Changge as the successor.
And now, Gu Changge’s cultivation had actually already broken through to the late stage of the Honoured King Realm, leaving them no choice but to sigh in admiration—truly worthy of one called a True Celestial Being.
Back in their day, at his age, they had still been fumbling around in the Honoured Noble Realm.
At this point, even the Great Elder had to nod.
Judging purely by appearance, Gu Changge was indeed highly deceptive—his expression serene and tranquil, his features refined and elegantly handsome, enough to make many women jealous.
It had to be said, with his edge usually hidden, Gu Changge paired with the successor robes of Skyward Schloss left them thoroughly satisfied.
“Two-one-zero”—of course, the Great Elder and the others still knew his true nature and would not be fooled by his surface appearance.
And soon, before the eyes of all disciples and Elders,
the Palace Master of Skyward Schloss began bestowing treasures upon Gu Changge. As the successor, he naturally had to possess great treasures befitting his status!
“Bring them forth. Bestow upon the successor the Golden Phoenix Lance.”
As the Palace Master spoke, an Elder came forward carrying a box.
Within it lay an Immortal Gold lance, resting quietly, flowing with radiant light, incomparably brilliant, as though forged from various kinds of Immortal Gold, exuding a powerful aura.
“This is a weapon once wielded by one of our Skyward Schloss’s ancestors. The divine might of the Golden Phoenix Lance needs no elaboration—once revived, ordinary Sacred Realm experts won’t be able to get near you.”
“However, before you reach the Enlightenment Realm, you won’t be able to activate it.”
The Palace Master smiled as he bestowed the Golden Phoenix Lance upon Gu Changge.
“Many thanks, Palace Master.”
Gu Changge accepted it—naturally, there was no reason to refuse. Moreover, after scanning it a few times, he found the thing was indeed quite good.
Of course, for him its actual use wasn’t all that great; it was just rather nice-looking, like a pair of phoenix wings resting quietly in his palm.
After that, the Palace Master bestowed several more great treasures, each containing a different terrifying divine might, such as the Yin and Yang Dao Sword Diagram, the Dragon Seal, and others.
And with that, the Canonization Ceremony drew roughly to its close.
Besides the disciples of Skyward Schloss, the observation seats also held prodigies from other great powers, all gathered here.
For example, Ye Langtian, the successor of the Ancient Ye Family, sat there upright, even his hair seemingly aflame, shrouded in divine radiance like the young child of a god—not someone to be underestimated.
Beside him sat a young woman in purple robes—none other than Ye Liuli.
Beyond them were Young Prodigies from other powers, such as Peng Fei, the successor of the Golden-Winged Roc Clan of the Ancient Royal Families, whose brilliance outshone even Ye Langtian’s, his hair a glittering gold as though forged from actual gold.
There was also Chi Ling, the Gifted Lady of the Vermilion Bird Clan—a Young Prodigy with a petite figure and exquisitely lovely features, looking only twelve or thirteen years old, though her true age was about the same as Gu Changge’s.
The Humans also had quite a few Young Prodigies making an appearance.
A mysterious Young Prodigy of the Longevity Wang Family named Wang Wushuang, his entire body shrouded in mist, his true features indiscernible, extraordinarily powerful.
The successor of the Immortal Sovereign Palace of the Cult of Immortality, the successor of the Undead Lake Clan from the Forbidden Areas...
These Young Prodigies all came from regions near the Boundless Heaven, quite close to this place.
Thus they had arrived early, happening to be able to observe the Canonization Ceremony of Skyward Schloss’s successor.
Every one of them was immensely powerful, and equally confident—firmly believing in their own invincibility, having swept through their respective regions without finding a match.
Now they emerged to walk the world, all rivers converging into the sea, contending with their peers to vie for the title of the number one prodigy under heaven.
Toward the long-renowned Gu Changge, they were equally curious. Seeing him now, they found he was indeed extraordinary—never mind his unfathomable cultivation, merely standing there gave them a sense of pressure.
This was absolutely a formidable enemy, and the kind that could not be ignored!
In the time to come, Skyward Schloss would only grow livelier, with more and more prodigies rushing over.
When that happened, clashes between them all would be absolutely unavoidable.
Meanwhile, atop the high platform, Gu Changge had accepted the many great treasures, a faint, indistinct smile on his face as his gaze swept over the numerous Direct Disciples before him.
Among these Direct Disciples, Jin Zhou had already emerged from seclusion.
Golden vortices surfaced around his body, making for a peculiar sight.
He had now broken through to the Honoured King Realm—but he never could have imagined that Gu Changge had long since far surpassed where he himself had once been.
His wish to avenge his younger brother Jin Yu was clearly impossible now.
At this moment, as Gu Changge’s gaze swept over, Jin Zhou’s expression couldn’t help but change.
Cold sweat faintly beaded on his forehead, and he shifted his gaze away, not daring to meet Gu Changge’s eyes.
This scene was naturally caught by quite a few of the Young Prodigies in the observation seats. Their eyes narrowed, their expressions turning complicated as all sorts of thoughts flashed through their minds.
Even Jin Zhou, a Young Prodigy of Skyward Schloss, didn’t dare meet Gu Changge’s gaze—what did that say?
A Young Prodigy had lost even the heart to contend.
This was too terrifying.
They understood this perfectly well in their hearts, and their wariness of Gu Changge deepened. Truly, the rumor held: unless it was a critical moment, do not cross Gu Changge.
Within Skyward Schloss, Gu Changge really did cover the sky with one hand.
Then, Gu Changge asked indifferently, “Senior brothers and junior brothers, is there anyone who wishes to seek instruction?”
After all, it was Skyward Schloss’s rule—on the day a successor was established, all other disciples could issue a challenge. So for Gu Changge, going through the motions was no big deal.
He truly didn’t believe any fool would actually come challenge him at a time like this.
As these words fell, silence instantly blanketed the surroundings.
All the Direct Disciples kept their mouths tightly shut, not uttering a word—Jin Zhou included.
Gu Changge let out a faint chuckle and said nothing more.
By now, Gu Xianer had also become a Direct Disciple.
She stood among this group of Direct Disciples, still wrapped up tightly in that same cyan dress, appearing especially slender and delicate.
Her stunningly beautiful little face wore a cold, aloof expression, her features fine and flawless, tinged with a hint of proud solitude.
On her shoulder, a silly-looking big red bird lay sprawled, resting.
Quite a few young male disciples secretly cast admiring glances her way.
Although they knew there was some friction between her and Gu Changge, they still couldn’t help harboring such admiration.
After all, Gu Xianer’s countenance was truly worthy of the “Xian” in her name. If not for her age and her rather slender figure—in Gu Changge’s words, a “washboard”—
her admirers would probably multiply several times over.
At this moment, her eyes were clear and cold, her gaze fixed straight ahead on the high platform, taking care that her line of sight never crossed Gu Changge’s in the slightest.
Though in truth, she was still secretly sizing him up.
Ever since she had accidentally wounded Gu Changge some time ago, she had returned to the mountain peak and immersed herself in cultivation, never going to seek him out.
Naturally, she hadn’t spoken a single word to Gu Changge either.
And Gu Changge naturally hadn’t had the free time to go looking for her.
Today’s Canonization Ceremony was, strictly speaking, the first time Gu Xianer had seen Gu Changge in all this while.
It had to be said—although Gu Changge was detestable, he really did cut a fine figure, holding great attraction for women.
Gu Xianer noticed that many female disciples’ gazes never left Gu Changge.
Of course, it seemed his injuries had healed, which made her inwardly breathe a sigh of relief.
Because she knew the power of that black broadsword—the Power of Destruction within it was extremely insidious, very difficult to expel...
And it caused wounds to heal with great difficulty; for cultivators with powerful physiques, it was an even greater torment.
Although Gu Changge had said at the time that this strike was him returning it to her first,
it still left Gu Xianer with a faint unease and guilt in her heart. After all, when she struck, she had been utterly mortified and furious, blinded by rage.
Had she been even slightly more careless, Gu Changge might have perished on the spot.
Which was why she couldn’t understand why Gu Changge had done it—standing there, not moving, not even blocking.
Only, asking her to go question Gu Changge about it—with her personality, she couldn’t swallow her pride. After all, the two of them were mortal enemies.
Back when she was young, she had suffered Gu Changge digging out her bone; at such a tender age she endured immense agony and nearly died.
And now, Gu Changge had taken a blade from her and nearly died as well. At the time, she had even seen the Great Dao Bone that had been dug out of her body crack apart.
So Gu Xianer’s heart was a tangle of complexity. As for her hatred toward Gu Changge—of course it was still there.
After all, how could the motivation that had sustained her for over a decade be so easily dissolved? And what of her clansmen, and the suffering and humiliation they endured? Who would answer for that?
For these past ten-plus years, she had spent every single day steeped in hatred for Gu Changge.
Though it wasn’t as heavy as before, the conviction sustaining her was still to defeat Gu Changge fair and square, to avenge that year, to repay all the pain onto him.
Yet now Gu Changge had nearly been killed by her. Combined with his earlier actions and words, Gu Xianer’s heart was filled with bewilderment and confusion.
What hidden secrets lay behind the events of that year that she didn’t know?
Why had Gu Changge dug out her Daoist Bone back then, yet now wanted her to cultivate hard so she could properly take her revenge?
She had even, from beginning to end, never sensed any killing intent from Gu Changge.
If anything, it was because she had confidently gone to challenge him that day, only to be effortlessly suppressed by him—that was what had disappointed Gu Changge.
Why would he be disappointed in her? Was it because she wasn’t strong enough, her cultivation not yet up to par?
These days, these questions echoed through Gu Xianer’s mind.
Yet she simply didn’t know how to ask Gu Changge about them.
After all, the two of them were mortal enemies!
Moreover, that fellow Gu Changge had even declared that only he could bully her—and had bullied her several times already.
This was something the proud and aloof Gu Xianer couldn’t stand, let alone lowering her face to go ask Gu Changge.
“It seems my senior and junior brothers aren’t prepared to make a move. Then I shall humbly accept your courtesy.”
At that moment, Gu Changge’s voice rang out, pulling Gu Xianer back from her thoughts.
She suddenly grew a little nervous, her pale, delicate small hands gripping the corner of her skirt.
3.1—because Gu Changge was looking in her direction.
She grew even more nervous, thinking Gu Changge was about to speak to her, since she hadn’t yet figured out how to talk to him about what happened that day.
Yet deep down, she faintly harbored some anticipation.
After all, going by Gu Changge’s previous behavior...
If he took the initiative to speak to her, it should mean that he actually no longer minded what happened that day, right?
Honestly, not seeing Gu Changge’s detestable face for this stretch of time had left Gu Xianer rather unaccustomed to it.
She faintly felt that her hatred for Gu Changge wasn’t as strong as before.
Right—her hatred had faded just a tiny bit.
Just then, she watched Gu Changge walk toward her direction, his face bearing that refined, elegantly handsome smile that no one could find fault with.
However, Gu Xianer froze.
Because Gu Changge wasn’t looking at her at all—his gaze had merely swept over all the Direct Disciples, her included.
“...”Gu Xianer’s mouth opened slightly as she stood there dumbfounded, an inexplicable sense of loss in her heart.
“In that case, I, Gu, shall humbly accept this position of successor today.”
Gu Changge smiled faintly. With that, he walked straight down past Gu Xianer’s side, as though he hadn’t noticed her at all.
And the voices of all the Direct Disciples rose respectfully in unison behind him, “Congratulations, Senior Brother Changge.”
Watching this scene, Gu Xianer stood there frozen, her heart seized for a moment by a bewildered sense of loss.
Why would Gu Changge... stop paying attention to her?