Jiang Chuchu Wants Him to Treat Her Better; Chu Hao, Third Prince of the Vermilion Bird Empire
Jiang Chuchu Wants Him to Treat Her Better; Chu Hao, Third Prince of the Vermilion Bird Empire
Divine light surged, and the heavens rumbled and trembled!
“Master.”
“Our destination this time is the Vermilion Bird Empire.”
“At present, many lands to the east of the Vermilion Bird Empire have already fallen, suffering the invasion of Yin Spirits...”
Aboard the Ancient Battleship, a beautiful woman in a red dress was respectfully reporting to Gu Changge.
The power behind her had close ties to the Vermilion Bird Empire—it could be called its backer.
And she herself was one of Gu Changge’s followers.
“The Vermilion Bird Empire? Then where are the other squads heading?”
Gu Changge nodded, leaning back comfortably in a chair woven from eight-hundred-thousand-year-old vines, squinting his eyes in contentment.
Beside him, Su Qingge peeled a spirit fruit and fed it into his mouth.
This Ancient Battleship was filled entirely with disciples of the True Immortal Academy, all of astonishing origins—the power behind every single one of them far surpassed the Vermilion Bird Empire.
Any prodigy who walked out from here could stir up endless storms, whether a direct descendant of a Cult of Immortality or a member of a Longevity Family.
“Xianer-xiaojie is heading to the Azure Dragon Empire... Princess Mingkong is heading to the White Tiger Empire.”
“Heavenly Monarch Ziyang is heading to the Black Tortoise Empire...”
The red-dressed woman reported concisely upon hearing his question.
“The Black Tortoise Empire.”
Gu Changge nodded, his expression somewhat meaningful.
The naming of these great empires actually had little to do with the true ancient races—it was purely for the convenience of inheritance when the nations were founded back then.
So their strength and foundations were not particularly formidable.
At the time, he had been keeping an eye on Ying Shuang’s whereabouts, knowing he would most likely seek out Heavenly Monarch Ziyang.
After all, the enemy of one’s enemy is a friend. As long as he wasn’t a fool, he would know what to do.
Of course, all of this was within Gu Changge’s expectations.
Ying Shuang, the Successor of Demonic Arts in the eyes of the world, was currently mixed up with Heavenly Monarch Ziyang.
Gu Changge was in no hurry. The things he had arranged were not yet ready to take the stage.
If Heavenly Monarch Ziyang were utterly disgraced, and the Purple Mansion behind him dared to defend him... Gu Changge was just planning to play a grand game of chess—that would be even better.
“Qingge, your cultivation seems to have progressed quite quickly lately.”
Then, waving the red-dressed woman away, Gu Changge couldn’t help but ask casually.
“The True Immortal Academy is indeed very suitable for cultivation. This speed of cultivation is something Qingge never dared to imagine before.”
Su Qingge gently massaged his shoulders and nodded.
“Is that so? How’s your investigation into the Seven Tools of World Domination going?”
Gu Changge nodded, not pressing her further.
“I have some leads. If I’m not mistaken, Qing Xiaoyi and Qing Feng, that brother-sister pair, should have one of the Tools of World Domination.”
Su Qingge answered.
“Another Tool of World Domination?”
Gu Changge raised an eyebrow slightly. In his palm, an unremarkable little jar floated up and down, covered in ancient patterns and even some rust.
He felt that this so-called Jar of World Domination, though somewhat peculiar and possessing mighty divine power—comparable in some respects to a Sacred Emperor Realm artifact—
Still fell short somehow, compared to the legendary divine object said to lead one to the Immortal Palace Ruins.
Though this did resolve his earlier confusion.
Qing Feng’s Fortuity had been steadily rising, and it should be related to the Tool of World Domination in his hands.
The Jar of World Domination in his own hand now looked like a shoddy version of the Grand Flask.
Though it also had devouring capabilities, the difference was like heaven and earth—it wasn’t even comparable to the flask Gu Changge condensed from Grand Runes.
So in his view, at most, once all seven were gathered, they could serve as a key.
“I feel it’s probably in the hands of that youth named Qing Feng.”
“Qing Xiaoyi doesn’t seem like the type to possess such a thing. It’s her brother, rather, whose thoughts don’t seem simple.”
Hearing this, Su Qingge nodded. Since the Tools of World Domination could sense each other, she had not actively sought out Qing Xiaoyi and Qing Feng.
Before handing this Jar of World Domination over to Gu Changge, she had actually used it as a weapon—it could easily devour even Sacred Weapons, so its power went without saying.
“Good. He’ll hand it over to me himself.”
Gu Changge smiled. Seeing the somewhat puzzled look in Su Qingge’s eyes, he didn’t explain further.
He would make his move against them sooner or later, but the time had not yet come.
After all, their weakness lay with Qing Xiaoyi—for some things, he didn’t even need to arrange anything deliberately.
...
“Chuchu Saintess, during this time you haven’t gone to kill the Successor of Demonic Arts, nor have you gone to find the Reincarnation of the Mortal One. This really isn’t like you.”
Gu Changge left his palace, and with a shift of his figure, the void blurred as he appeared in a palace not far away.
The True Immortal Academy’s Ancient Battleship was enormous, large enough to hold numerous palaces and pavilions without feeling crowded at all.
So every prodigy had their own independent pavilion residence.
Jiang Chuchu, who had been sitting cross-legged in cultivation on a translucent jade bed, snapped her eyes open at the sound of this voice.
Her calm, rippleless eyes stared fixedly at Gu Changge without blinking.
She had thought that during this trial, Gu Changge would ignore her again, treating her with the same coldness as before.
But she never expected Gu Changge to suddenly appear, even entering her palace as if no one else existed.
Jiang Chuchu’s already calmed heart was thrown into chaos once more.
She looked straight at Gu Changge.
“What I do is none of your business.”
“Gu Changge, on the contrary—what are you doing here?”
Once again, she asked this familiar question, though the emotion behind it was completely different now.
The last time she asked Gu Changge this, she had been imprisoned by him in a small world.
“Then what do you want me to come here for?”
Gu Changge asked seemingly casually.
Jiang Chuchu bit her lip slightly, forcing her voice to stay calm. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t care whether I lived or died? That from then on, the two of us would have nothing to do with each other? Then why are you here now?”
“Jiang Chuchu, have you forgotten? You went to the Eternal Overcast seeking death, and it was I who saved you.”
Gu Changge couldn’t help but sneer. “Is this how you treat your savior? You should know that this life of yours now was given by me.”
“You have no right to lecture me.”
“Gu Changge, you really are shameless. Since when is there such logic?”
Jiang Chuchu retorted coldly. “I never needed you to save me.”
“Then go die right now... I won’t stop you.”
Gu Changge made no effort to hide his mockery in front of her, then walked over on his own.
Seeing this, Jiang Chuchu couldn’t help but step back, remembering the days when he had imprisoned her.
This detestable, shameless bastard!
“What do you want?” she stared at him coldly.
“I’m not interested in you right now.”
Gu Changge said nonchalantly, “Jiang Chuchu, you’re flattering yourself too much.”
“You’re lying!”
Jiang Chuchu looked straight at him. “Gu Changge, not a single truthful word ever comes out of your mouth.”
If Gu Changge didn’t care about her, why would he save her? Why would he resolve the Eternal Overcast Crisis back then? Why would he let her—someone who knew so many of his secrets—live?
“Think whatever you want.”
Gu Changge said with complete composure, “I came to find you because I have business with you.”
“What business? If it’s something that aids evil, forget it—I won’t agree...”
Jiang Chuchu stared at him.
Hearing this, Gu Changge directly interrupted her, sneering, “Do you know that from the day you didn’t dare expose my identity, you were already aiding evil?”
“How many people have you indirectly killed? Chuchu Saintess? Is this your so-called responsibility and righteousness?”
“This has nothing to do with me. Those weren’t things I did.” Jiang Chuchu no longer fell for his tricks now.
“But don’t you feel guilty? Facing me, the chief culprit, and all you can do is glare like this—are you worthy of your lofty status? Worthy of the sect behind you?”
Gu Changge couldn’t help laughing, and suddenly reached out, pinching her exquisite, flawless chin.
His words carried deep mockery and contempt.
“Gu Changge...”
“You’re a despicable, shameless bastard!”
Hearing these words, Jiang Chuchu was stunned for a moment, then looked at him coldly, tears involuntarily sliding from the corners of her eyes.
The emotions of these past days erupted like a bursting dam of mountains and seas.
She couldn’t understand why Gu Changge always used these things to stab at her scars.
She had thought she could stop caring, that she had let all of this go.
But having Gu Changge so mercilessly tear it open only made her feel more hurt and wronged.
In the end, was any of this her fault?
Wasn’t it all caused by Gu Changge?
“Save it. Your tears are worthless before me.”
Gu Changge released her chin, his tone still cold and casual.
“Wuwuwu... You’re just a bastard! Irresponsible, shameless, despicable, hateful—I’ll tear you to pieces!”
But Jiang Chuchu’s crying showed no sign of stopping.
She had cultivated for over twenty years. Before meeting Gu Changge, her state of mind had been like ice that never melted through the ages—she had never imagined she would one day shed tears.
And over a man, no less.
“Cry then... it’s fine, I’m recording it with a Photographic Stone. The dignified Successor of Mortal Palace, tsk, to think she’d have such a day.”
“I’m sure many powers would be very interested in this Photographic Stone.”
At this moment, Gu Changge’s expression hadn’t changed in the slightest. Instead, he took out a Photographic Stone from his Storage Ring.
“Gu Changge... you’re as hateful as ever...”
Hearing him say this, Jiang Chuchu actually stopped crying, her eyes red-rimmed, still staring at him coldly.
As the Successor of Mortal Palace, if such a scene spread, she would lose all face—and the Mortal Palace even more so, becoming the laughingstock of all the great powers.
Even Gu Changge had to admit, this method worked remarkably fast.
“Can’t you show some promise? Why not cultivate bitterly and kill me for revenge someday?”
“Insisting on crying and wailing like this really doesn’t suit your character.”
At this point, much of the coldness between his brows had dissipated, and he spoke as if mocking her.
“If I could kill you, I would have done it long ago.” Jiang Chuchu said coldly, “Right now, every single day I wish I could chop you into eight pieces!”
“Eight pieces, nine pieces, whatever.”
“I don’t have time to waste on you anymore. I came today to have you help me find the source of the Eternal Overcast’s eruption.”
Gu Changge looked as if he couldn’t be bothered to say more to her.
“You want to resolve this Eternal Overcast Crisis?” Jiang Chuchu was stunned. Gu Changge, the Successor of Demonic Arts—he actually wanted to stop this calamity?
“Or are you going to resolve it?” Gu Changge mocked.
He was still counting on Jiang Chuchu as his tool. If she refused, he’d have to switch to other methods—though of course, he believed Jiang Chuchu would agree.
“I agree.”
This time Jiang Chuchu didn’t deliberate long and quickly agreed.
Last time, Gu Changge had indeed possessed the means to resolve the Eternal Overcast Crisis. Though he suffered considerable backlash, it proved that he, like the Mortal One, had such methods.
“However, I have a condition.” she continued.
“What condition?”
Gu Changge asked indifferently. If the condition was too excessive, he certainly wouldn’t agree.
Of course, whether he honored it after agreeing was another matter entirely.
“Gu Changge, from now on... can you treat me a little better? I don’t expect someone like you to take responsibility.”
Jiang Chuchu fell silent for a moment, as if mustering great courage.
Choosing her words carefully, her eyes held some expectation and unease as she looked at him and asked this question.
In her view, if she didn’t say this, what she’d likely face was Gu Changge’s old routine—having his fill, wiping his mouth clean, and walking away.
Hearing this, Gu Changge was slightly taken aback, then naturally refused without hesitation, “No. That condition is too excessive. Pick another.”
“You...”
Jiang Chuchu gritted her teeth. Now she knew—Gu Changge was dead set on bullying her!
How was that an excessive condition?
And just as the True Immortal Academy’s Ancient Battleship sped across the sky, the Vermilion Bird Empire was in utter chaos!
The Absolute Yin Heaven suddenly erupted, and terrifying Yin Qi instantly swept out in all directions.
This great turmoil came too fast—no one had anticipated it!
From within the Absolute Yin Heaven, many Yin Spirits suddenly attacked, commanded by the beings of the Yin Kingdoms, striking at lands everywhere.
Cities, tribes, and even the sects and families of various races along the way were all submerged!
Looking down from high above, one could see the Grey Fog rumbling across the land like a flood, wreaking havoc in all directions, crushing everything in its path.
The Vermilion Bird Empire’s territory was trampled through, leaving only ruins and devastation behind.
Many elderly people and children wept everywhere, soon trampled to death by Yin Spirits, torn to pieces.
In just a short while, every region became ruins—broken walls, bloodstains everywhere, grey fog billowing. Countless people died, men and women, old and young alike.
Vast swaths of the nation fell and perished.
The Vermilion Bird Empire, the capital, within the imperial palace.
The atmosphere was heavy.
The current Vermilion Bird Emperor leaned wearily against his throne, while the debates and quarrels of the ministers below made the palace even more tumultuous.
He couldn’t help but sigh, his face full of sorrow.
“If this Absolute Yin Heaven cannot be stopped, will my Vermilion Bird Empire’s legacy of millions of years perish here?”
“I have failed my ancestors!”
“Your Majesty, I hear the prodigies of the True Immortal Academy are about to arrive. This eruption of the Absolute Yin Heaven will be stopped by them.”
“And the one leading them this time is a very mysterious and powerful young being. We’re saved!”
Hearing this, one of the ministers below hurriedly reported, his expression full of anticipation and excitement.
Though the Vermilion Bird Empire’s legacy spanned over a million years, before those immortal powers, it was but the blink of an eye.
Which of the True Immortal Academy’s prodigies lacked such a background?
With them stepping in, the matter could probably be resolved, right?
The ministers in the palace all showed joy on their faces.
“This is merely a trial for the True Immortal Academy. To them, our lives and deaths don’t matter at all.”
“Or rather, their goal is only to train their disciples. If they encounter danger, they can leave at any time—but we cannot retreat...”
“If they truly wanted to stop all this, why would they send young disciples?”
However, the Vermilion Bird Emperor’s voice remained weary and helpless, carrying a bitter smile.
He felt not the slightest optimism. The situation was extremely grim.
“Perhaps this time truly is when my Vermilion Bird Empire falls. Fortunately, Hao’er is not in the palace right now.”
“Otherwise, as a prince, he couldn’t escape the duty of going to the front lines. Facing Yin Spirits, even he would likely be powerless...”
Thinking of this, the Vermilion Bird Emperor couldn’t help but show a trace of a smile at the corner of his mouth—the only thing that brought him comfort.
His most outstanding child, the Third Prince Chu Hao.
His talent went without saying—from a very young age, he had displayed terrifying cultivation far beyond his peers.
It was only because of the Vermilion Bird Empire’s limited national strength that they couldn’t provide him the best cultivation environment.
Later, the Third Prince Chu Hao left the Vermilion Bird Empire to travel and cultivate throughout the Beyond.
Letters would come back from time to time, telling of his experiences, which greatly delighted and comforted the Vermilion Bird Emperor.
And in the blink of an eye, several hundred years had passed.
The Vermilion Bird Emperor actually didn’t know what realm the Third Prince’s cultivation had reached, but in any case, he didn’t want him to return and perish together with the Vermilion Bird Empire under the Absolute Yin Heaven.
“Reporting to Your Majesty—outside the imperial city, someone has spotted the Third Prince! At this very moment, the Third Prince has returned!”
However, at that moment, a guard suddenly rushed in from outside the palace, his face full of excitement, and reported.
“What? Hao’er has returned?”
The Vermilion Bird Emperor was suddenly stunned, hardly able to believe it, nearly falling off his throne.
Then the smile on his face grew even more bitter.
The thing he worried about most had still happened. How could Hao’er be so foolish? Learning of such a thing, shouldn’t he have fled as fast as possible?
“Quick, quick, quick! Come with Us to meet Hao’er!”
However, the Vermilion Bird Emperor quickly calmed down, knowing that at this point, words of blame were useless. What had happened had happened; everything was already set in stone.
So he gathered the ministers and went to welcome the Third Prince.
“Shixiong, this is the country you were born in? It’s way too shabby and weak, isn’t it? It probably doesn’t even have a Sacred Emperor Realm cultivator.”
“Sigh, looking at it this way, it really only has a million years of heritage...”
At this time, outside the gates of the Vermilion Bird Empire’s capital, three figures stood proudly.
The leader was a young man who looked to be in his twenties, with handsome features and a tall, upright figure, exuding an air of calm.
Hearing these words, he paid them no mind, only shaking his head gently. “A son doesn’t disdain his mother’s ugliness; a dog doesn’t disdain his home’s poverty. A gentleman must not forget his roots.”
“The Vermilion Bird Empire gave me life and raised me. Now that such a thing has happened, I naturally must come back and see.”
It was none other than the Vermilion Bird Empire’s Third Prince, Chu Hao. Though he looked to be in his twenties, his actual age was already several hundred years.
Beside Chu Hao were two others, a man and a woman, neither looking very old.
The man was around twenty, shrouded in silvery treasure-light, wearing extraordinary garments with ancient-looking patterns unlike those of the present era—yet his bone age was very young.
It was this young man who had spoken. His skin was somewhat pale, giving him a slightly frivolous air, and fine scales grew between his brows.
As for the woman, she was even younger.
Only sixteen or seventeen, her skin like congealed cream and fine jade, glowing with a lustrous white sheen, beautiful and moving.
If Su Qingge were here, she would be utterly shocked, feeling that this woman’s features were seventy percent similar to her own.
Only considerably younger.