The Taste of Power, the Fortuitous One Finally Can't Hold Back
The Taste of Power, the Fortuitous One Finally Can’t Hold Back
In the arena, more and more Cultivators and prodigies converged and rushed over, appearing from all directions.
From the moment Gu Changge showed himself, this matter was destined to be anything but simple.
So many prodigies who had previously been uninterested now hurried over one after another, feeling this was a show they absolutely could not miss.
Who else in this world had such audacious guts, daring to offend Gu Changge?
This wasn’t just being tired of living—this was having something wrong with one’s head, actively courting death.
For a moment, many faces wore mockery and ridicule, looking toward Wang Xiao and Old Xuan—whose bodies were trembling like sieves—with the air of spectators watching a show.
In those gazes was undisguised derision, as if they were looking at two monkeys.
“That woman just now seemed to be Young Master Changge’s maid. That means those two didn’t merely mistake her for someone else—they also struck and severely injured her...”
“Today there’s really going to be a good show. But I truly never expected there could be two people so alike in this world, practically carved from the same mold. If you said they were twins, I doubt anyone would question it.”
Many prodigies spoke up with sighs of emotion, and in just a few exchanges, they had laid out what had just happened quite clearly.
Even a random passerby now knew what had occurred.
“So in other words, Wang Xiao, you mistook another woman for Ji-shimei, spoke insolently to her, got into a conflict, then called in Old Xuan and severely injured her?”
Listening to the discussions of the many Cultivators nearby, Chu Hao’s brows knitted tightly, and he more or less understood the whole sequence of events.
His expression couldn’t help but grow grave, feeling that the situation was very bad.
Resolving today’s matter would likely not be so simple.
Because that woman was no ordinary person—she was Gu Changge’s maid.
That status alone was enough to make countless prodigies wary and reverent.
One had to know, in this vast Beyond, how many heaven-blessed maidens wished to offer themselves up to become Gu Changge’s maids, yet fell far short of qualifying.
To be able to become Gu Changge’s maid meant that woman surely had something extraordinary about her—or was deeply favored by Gu Changge.
The Hidden Wang Family behind Wang Xiao wouldn’t dare say much even when facing Gu Changge, let alone Wang Xiao, who was merely a minor direct disciple of the Wang Family.
This was entirely him ramming himself onto the tip of a blade.
“Old Xuan, what do we do? Am I finished...?”
Wang Xiao did not answer Chu Hao’s question.
At this moment, his face was deathly pale, his voice trembling, his hands and feet ice-cold.
Although Gu Changge had merely walked past him just now, without even sparing him an extra glance,
that terrifying pressure was simply far more dreadful than what he felt facing their own Ancestor.
“Young Master, today’s matter likely won’t end well...” Old Xuan’s voice was equally bitter, filled with endless regret.
However, at this moment, it wasn’t only Wang Xiao and Old Xuan who sensed something was wrong, that catastrophe was imminent.
Even Su Qingge felt something was off, because the way Gu Changge had looked at her just now seemed to carry some inexplicable deeper meaning.
She didn’t know whether Gu Changge had seen through the matter of her and Ji Qingxuan swapping identities.
If he had seen through it but hadn’t exposed it, what did that mean?
Gu Changge might already be deeply disappointed in her—after all, she had deceived him time and time again.
For a moment, Su Qingge grew somewhat uneasy, fretting over gains and losses.
If from now on Ji Qingxuan took over her identity and became Gu Changge’s maid, what would she do then?
Confess everything, or beg Gu Changge’s forgiveness?
But before this, Gu Changge had already said he hoped things wouldn’t happen a third time.
In other words, Gu Changge did not wish to see her hiding things from him again.
“Ji Qingxuan probably has her own little scheme—perhaps she hopes to replace you. Otherwise, on her own, she could never get close to Gu Changge, let alone become someone by his side... This sister of yours really isn’t simple-minded.”
The other soul within Su Qingge’s mind spoke with a tone of great interest.
However, this time, Su Qingge did not respond to her. She herself wasn’t sure whether this identity swap was right or wrong, or what consequences it would bring.
“I hope Gongzi doesn’t find out,” Su Qingge thought silently in her heart. “Things absolutely must not develop in the worst direction.”
Meanwhile, Gu Changge had also walked into the ruins of that collapsed pavilion. The expression on his face was very calm, without the slightest ripple, and his joy or anger was impossible to read.
The followers trailing behind him were all silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make a sound.
For a moment, the entire area fell quiet.
The many prodigies and Cultivators who had been discussing noticed the atmosphere was off, their expressions changed, and they hurriedly shut their mouths, fearing Gu Changge’s wrath would spill onto them.
Although rumors all said Gu Changge had a gentle temperament, that was only when no one had provoked him.
“I want to know what happened.”
At this moment, Gu Changge’s indifferent voice rang out, without any fluctuation.
Yet for some reason, many people felt a chill in their hearts, a sensation of creeping dread.
Gu Changge didn’t ask much—he only said he wanted to know the course of events.
But everyone knew this matter had already angered Gu Changge. A terrifying atmosphere like the wind filling the tower before a mountain storm abruptly enveloped the surroundings.
Wang Xiao’s legs went soft, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. If Chu Hao beside him hadn’t frowned and pulled him up, he would probably already be sitting on the ground.
“Reporting to Young Master Changge, the matter went like this...”
Immediately, a Cultivator who had witnessed everything spoke to Gu Changge with a respectful expression, explaining the whole sequence of events to him, not daring to conceal anything.
Including how arrogant Wang Xiao’s attitude had been at the time, and how even after the Woman in White stated the identity of the Gongzi behind her, he still didn’t know to restrain himself...
In just a few words, the course of events was recounted.
After the Woman in White said they had mistaken her for someone else, Wang Xiao still didn’t care, and had the Dao Protector behind him strike, severely injuring her.
After hearing these words, Gu Changge didn’t say much. His face remained calm, as if he didn’t care.
And his steps didn’t pause as he walked toward the ruins.
Many people had seen the Woman in White struck by a strand of Sword Qi, severely wounded, then crashing down into the pavilion, turning this place into ruins.
Yet after quite some time, the Woman in White still hadn’t come out. Many people were speculating whether she had been gravely injured, or perhaps... had perished, her beauty fading like a flower.
At the thought of this possibility, many people’s faces turned somewhat pale. Could the tiny Vermilion Bird Empire withstand Gu Changge’s fury?
“Gongzi...”
However, just as everyone was speculating wildly, they saw a woman covered in blood stagger out from the ruins, her devastatingly beautiful features faintly visible.
Only, she was extremely weak—even her white dress was dyed red with blood.
Even walking seemed to take great effort.
“Are you alright?”
Gu Changge looked at her, and without caring that her dress was still stained with blood, gently lifted her into his arms. “How could you be so careless?”
His facial expression showed not the slightest abnormality—pure concern and worry.
“I’m fine, Gongzi.”
“I’m sorry for making you worry...”
Ji Qingxuan shook her head gently. Her voice maintained its calm coolness, but in her heart at this moment, monstrous waves surged.
She had bet right!
The man holding her now was the most powerful young existence in the entire Beyond, bar none.
In the past, she wouldn’t even have had the chance to get close to Gu Changge, let alone lean quietly against his chest like this today.
This was the first time in Ji Qingxuan’s life she had been so close to a man, yet she felt not the slightest discomfort—she even wished this moment could last forever.
Her heart was very nervous and uneasy, afraid Gu Changge would notice something amiss. But very quickly, Ji Qingxuan set her mind at ease.
Gu Changge seemed very concerned about her, checking her injuries, his attention entirely on that, not thinking of anything else.
This caused a thick sense of envy to rise in Ji Qingxuan’s heart.
From childhood until now, this was the first time anyone had cared about her like this—although she knew that at this moment, Gu Changge was treating her as her sister.
“Jiejie really is fortunate...”
Ji Qingxuan thought this in her heart, but her face revealed not the slightest abnormality.
“Gongzi, are my injuries quite serious?” she asked Gu Changge softly.
“Quite serious. Your internal organs are all shattered,” Gu Changge nodded, his voice calm as ever.
“But you don’t need to worry. These injuries aren’t fatal.”
“Mm.” Ji Qingxuan nodded, leaning quietly against his chest.
Watching this scene, for some reason a sour feeling rose in Su Qingge’s heart. She clearly knew that person was her sister, and that all of this was something the two of them had willingly exchanged.
Yet this emotion simply couldn’t be stopped...
“Speak. How do you two want to die?”
And at this moment, Gu Changge finally looked toward Wang Xiao and Old Xuan, whose faces had long since lost all color.
He didn’t waste any words, directly asking them how they wanted to die.
Such a domineering, unconcerned attitude made Ji Qingxuan’s breath catch involuntarily, and she felt something called the taste of power.
This was the thing she had craved most all her life.
If she possessed power, why would her mother need to be locked away? Why would she herself have fallen to the point of being treated as a chess piece for a political marriage?
How would Wang Xiao and Old Xuan have dared treat her so casually before, severely injuring her, lightly deciding her life and death?
All of this was brought about by that thing called power!
“Young Master Changge, spare my life!”
“I was wrong! My eyes were blind back then, that’s why I mistook this young lady for my shimei. I truly didn’t do it on purpose!”
“I beg Young Master Changge to be magnanimous, for a great man not to stoop to a petty man’s level—spare me this once!”
“None of this was intentional, Young Master Changge, you saw it yourself... this young lady looks exactly like my shimei. How was I supposed to know back then!”
Hearing these words, Wang Xiao’s soul nearly fled in terror. His face pale, he hurriedly spoke, nearly prostrating himself on the ground to kowtow and beg for mercy.
“I asked how you want to die, not the reason for what happened.”
Gu Changge’s voice remained calm, yet it seemed utterly cold. “Do you not understand?”
“Young Master Changge...”
Wang Xiao was now truly scared half to death. Cold sweat drenched his entire body, his divine soul trembled, and even his words quivered.
He could hear it—Gu Changge was dead set on killing him, brooking no question.
Before this, it had always been him bullying others. He never imagined that one day, he too would encounter such a thing.
He had merely injured the man’s maid, and in return the man wanted to kill him.
This filled Wang Xiao’s heart with both rage and fear, and deep unwillingness.
“What? Do you need me to do it myself?”
Gu Changge still spoke indifferently, his expression cold to the extreme.
He didn’t take Wang Xiao’s status seriously at all, acting as if he were facing a tiny ant he could crush at any moment.
“Young Master Changge, spare my life!”
“I’ll never dare again! I’m willing to apologize to this young lady and pay compensation!”
Along with Wang Xiao’s terrified voice,
he dropped straight to his knees with a thud. He was terrified of death, and he knew the power behind him couldn’t suppress Gu Changge.
At the same time, he looked toward Ji Qingxuan, his voice trembling as he said in fright, “Just now my eyes were blind, and I mistook you for someone else, young lady. I beg your forgiveness—spare my life!”
At a time like this, what were humiliation and dignity compared to one’s life?
Watching this scene, the fear in everyone’s hearts was no less than Wang Xiao’s, yet no one dared make a sound, let alone stop any of it.
When all was said and done, Wang Xiao had brought all of this upon himself.
Ji Qingxuan’s bright eyes stared at Wang Xiao, appearing very cold, but in her heart was incomparable satisfaction.
After all, the person she loathed most was now groveling pitifully before her.
Such a thing was something she wouldn’t have dared even imagine in the past.
“Qingge, how do you plan to deal with him?” At this moment, Gu Changge instead looked toward her and asked.
Hearing this, Ji Qingxuan was slightly taken aback, then said softly, “Everything is up to Gongzi.”
Gu Changge nodded. “Good. Then I’ll kill him, and have him pay with his life as an apology to you.”
“Mm...” Ji Qingxuan’s heart trembled. Although these words seemed like Gu Changge caring for her, she thought of a deeper layer.
If Gu Changge discovered the matter of her and her sister Su Qingge swapping identities, the consequences would be simply unthinkable.
This man was too terrifying.
Hearing these words, Wang Xiao’s expression changed drastically, his divine soul trembling, his whole body going cold. As if grasping at a life-saving straw, he shouted,
“Old Xuan! It was Old Xuan who injured her! Back then I was no match for her...”
At this point, to stay alive, he couldn’t care about anything.
Old Xuan’s expression also changed. He hadn’t expected Wang Xiao to say such a thing. His heart filled with disappointment, but even more with helplessness.
“Da-shixiong, save me...”
But Wang Xiao paid him no mind, quickly turning his pleading gaze toward Chu Hao.
He knew that Chu Hao’s strength was formidable, and that he had even been bestowed an extremely terrifying artifact by the Supreme Cave Heaven.
With his strength, he could save him.
Moreover, Da-shixiong was deeply valued by the Supreme Cave Heaven. Even if he offended Gu Changge, the Supreme Cave Heaven would stand on his side.
“Wang Xiao, you...”
Chu Hao’s brows furrowed even tighter, deeply conflicted.
He had somehow been dragged into this matter out of nowhere. If something happened to Wang Xiao, he would bear considerable responsibility.
After all, he was the Da-shixiong, and Wang Xiao was begging him for help in front of everyone.
If he stood by and did nothing,
when the Hidden Wang Family placed the blame, the Vermilion Bird Empire could not withstand that fury.
But he also didn’t want to offend Gu Changge.
“Young Master Changge, this matter is my fault. I was the one who struck and injured this young lady.”
“This old man is willing to make amends to this young lady... This is my sincerity.”
And just as Chu Hao was deliberating, Old Xuan had already stepped forward and spoken first. No matter what, today’s matter had to have a resolution.
If something happened to Wang Xiao, he, as his Dao Protector, could hardly escape blame.
As his words fell, surging Sacred Lord Realm aura emerged on Old Xuan’s arms.
Immediately after, two bursts of blood mist exploded—his arms disintegrated, blowing apart directly. He had chosen to sever both his own arms as a show of sincerity in making amends.
Everyone’s expressions couldn’t help but change.
A being at the peak of the Sacred Lord Realm, only half a step away from entering the Sacred King Realm.
Yet before Gu Changge, he had been forced to this point, needing to sever his own arms to demonstrate sincerity?
One had to know, in any faction, a peak Sacred Lord Realm existence was a pillar of support, indispensable.
“Gongzi...”
Ji Qingxuan’s heart also trembled slightly. She had thought of making Wang Xiao pay the price he deserved, but she hadn’t imagined his Dao Protector would end up like this as well.
After all, a peak Sacred Lord Realm Cultivator’s importance to the Hidden Wang Family was no less than Wang Xiao’s.
And the reason Wang Xiao had such a Dao Protector was entirely because he had an uncle of astonishing power.
“This is far from enough.”
However, what shook Ji Qingxuan’s heart even deeper was that, facing such actions from a peak Sacred Lord Realm Cultivator,
Gu Changge’s expression remained placid and unrippled—he even felt it wasn’t enough.
She had underestimated Gu Changge’s domineering nature.
Yet it was precisely this domineering nature that made her head spin, making her unable to resist sinking into it.
“Young Master Changge...”
Hearing this, Old Xuan’s expression changed, and he gritted his teeth once more. At this moment, he chose to damage his own Source. Along with surging aura, a terrifying fluctuation came from his Dantian.
Immediately after, Old Xuan’s body shuddered as if struck by lightning, his face turned pale, and blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
The terrifying pressure of the peak Sacred Lord Realm abruptly dissipated considerably.
This scene shook everyone’s hearts even more, their expressions incomparably horrified, as they deeply experienced Gu Changge’s terrifying might.
Among the younger generation, apart from him, there was probably no one else who could force a peak Sacred Lord Realm Cultivator to the point of damaging his own Source, right?
Seeing Old Xuan do this, Gu Changge finally nodded and said nothing more.
And Old Xuan also let out a breath of relief, not daring to harbor the slightest resentment toward Gu Changge.
At a time like this, if Gu Changge struck and suppressed him to death on the spot, no one would seek justice for him.
He refused to believe that a young existence like Gu Changge would lack the means to suppress him. A mere peak Sacred Lord Realm cultivation probably wasn’t even worth his notice.
Old Xuan still remembered that rumor—in the Eternal Overcast Battlefield, Gu Changge had wielded a Sacred Emperor Realm artifact, clashed head-on with the Successor of Demonic Arts, and ultimately forced him to retreat.
Now that so much time had passed, Gu Changge’s strength had only grown more unfathomable.
“Da-shixiong, save me, quick! I really don’t want to die...”
Seeing that his Dao Protector had already stopped concerning himself with him and gone to make amends first,
Wang Xiao’s face grew even paler with terror. He looked toward Chu Hao, treating him as his last life-saving straw.
“This...”
Chu Hao’s heart was filled with incomparable helplessness and conflict. At this point, could he really walk away unscathed?
In the end, doing so would only offend both sides.
This made him sigh inwardly.
“This matter—may I ask Young Master Changge, for my sake, to forgive Wang Xiao this once.”
“I am the Da-shixiong of the Supreme Cave Heaven, and also the Third Prince of the Vermilion Bird Empire.”
At this, Chu Hao finally stepped forward, blocking in front of Wang Xiao, and spoke thus.
His stepping forward immediately caused quite a commotion in the vicinity. Many Cultivators of the Vermilion Bird Empire recognized him.
The Third Prince of the Vermilion Bird Empire!
Back then, he had left behind quite a few legends in the Vermilion Bird Empire, inspiring many of the younger generation who came after to imitate him and worship him.
Many people still didn’t know Chu Hao had returned, and were immediately shocked.
“Chu Hao-gege, you’ve finally come back...”
In a pavilion off to the side,
a graceful, gentle woman was closely watching all of this, greatly astonished, her beautiful eyes brimming with thick surprise and longing.
Oh? The Fortuitous One finally can’t hold back?
And in Gu Changge’s heart, he stirred slightly. This was exactly the moment he had been waiting for.
Only, the expression on his face remained cold as he asked indifferently, “You mean to protect him, and oppose me?”
“Young Master Changge misunderstands. I don’t wish to oppose you.”
“But as Wang Xiao’s Da-shixiong, at this moment I truly cannot stand by and do nothing...”
Chu Hao spoke neither obsequiously nor arrogantly, appearing somewhat helpless, and also mentioned that the Supreme Cave Heaven stood behind him.
Although Gu Changge’s background was unmatched, the Supreme Cave Heaven behind him was no pushover either.
In the future, Chu Hao would very likely succeed to the position of Cave Lord of the Supreme Cave Heaven.
Weighing it all, Chu Hao felt that saving Wang Xiao was worth it, even if it earned Gu Changge’s displeasure.
Because the Longevity Gu Family behind Gu Changge could not possibly direct its wrath at the Vermilion Bird Empire over such a trivial matter.
But the Hidden Wang Family was different.
After all, the King of Hell is easy to meet, but the little devils are hard to deal with.