Young Master Changge Is Truly Admirable — A Lead on Heavenly Monarch Ziyang
Young Master Changge Is Truly Admirable — A Lead on Heavenly Monarch Ziyang
“During this time, we have also been asking Purple Mansion about Heavenly Monarch Ziyang’s whereabouts, but even Purple Mansion does not know.”
“We certainly have not forgotten about Qing Xiaoyi’s matter, but with Heavenly Monarch Ziyang’s whereabouts unknown, finding Qing Xiaoyi is even more difficult — no different from fishing a needle out of the sea.”
“It is not that we are being negligent, but matters like this are simply beyond what mortal effort can achieve.”
One of the Elders could not help but sigh.
Though beings of the Sacred Emperor Realm were powerful, if the other party deliberately concealed their figure and tracks, finding them was extremely difficult — there was practically no chance of success.
They had also tried to deduce her location based on the bloodline of Qing Xiaoyi’s brother.
But the two were not blood-related siblings; they shared no blood ties.
In the end, there was nothing they could do but give up.
His words caused the expressions of many of the prodigies present to shift slightly, as they detected a subtle implication.
“Looks like there will be a good show to watch.”
“Young Master Changge still refuses to let this matter go.”
As the supreme great cult standing behind Heavenly Monarch Ziyang, how could Purple Mansion possibly not know his whereabouts?
After all, Heavenly Monarch Ziyang’s cultivation techniques and inheritance came from Purple Mansion. Purple Mansion only needed to employ a few small tricks to determine his location.
“It seems Purple Mansion intends to shelter Heavenly Monarch Ziyang.”
“As a supreme great cult, it does indeed have that kind of boldness and strength.”
Several prodigies exchanged glances, each reading the meaning in the others’ eyes.
Hearing the Elder’s words, Qing Feng’s expression turned bitter as well. “Purple Mansion would never care about a small fry like me. In their eyes, let alone my sister merely being abducted — even if she died miserably at their hands, they wouldn’t care. High above, overlooking everything, in their eyes Heavenly Monarch Ziyang is their hope for the future...”
“While my sister and I are nothing more than little ants they could crush at will.”
His words left many prodigies silent, feeling the sorrow of an insignificant person.
It was clearly his sister who had been abducted, yet he was powerless — he didn’t even have the qualifications to resist.
Everyone fell silent.
The Purple Mansion behind Heavenly Monarch Ziyang was a ruthless force that would rather offend every other orthodoxy than fail to protect him.
After all, Heavenly Monarch Ziyang was only possibly connected to the Successor of Demonic Arts.
And this “possibility” could be erased at any time thanks to Purple Mansion’s existence!
When that time came, who would make an enemy of Purple Mansion over this matter?
“Then it seems Purple Mansion is deliberately concealing Heavenly Monarch Ziyang’s whereabouts.”
“Could it be that Purple Mansion intends to defy the great taboos of the world and shelter Heavenly Monarch Ziyang?”
Gu Changge pondered for a moment, sighed lightly, and then said, “But rest assured. Since I gave my word, I naturally will not shirk it.”
“Heavenly Monarch Ziyang and the Purple Mansion behind him are so arrogant — perhaps this time, the Successor of Demonic Arts infiltrating the True Immortal Academy is inextricably linked to Heavenly Monarch Ziyang.”
Everyone’s expressions changed at his words. None had expected that even while injured, Gu Changge would remain so forceful, not forgetting this matter.
Many had thought he would focus on recuperating in peace, with no attention to spare for this.
But now it seemed Gu Changge was determined to drag Heavenly Monarch Ziyang out into the open.
“Young Master Changge’s word is worth a thousand gold — such character commands our admiration!” The crowd of prodigies cupped their fists and sighed in praise.
“Thank you, Young Master Changge.” Qing Feng understood the meaning behind Gu Changge’s words and was immediately filled with gratitude.
Gu Changge waved his hand.
The Elders exchanged glances, smiling bitterly. This was the sort of matter they dared not casually get involved in.
At best, they’d end up displeasing both sides; at worst, they’d be ground to dust, body and soul annihilated.
Afterward, having finished visiting Gu Changge, everyone took their leave one by one.
In the end, only Gu Xianer remained, looking as though she had something to say but hesitating.
“In front of me, there’s no need to beat around the bush.” Gu Changge, however, was perfectly composed, holding a teacup and taking a light sip.
Besides Gu Xianer, Ji Qingxuan also stood in attendance beside him.
“Gu Changge, in your current condition, can you still get involved in this matter?”
Gu Xianer’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She was worried about Gu Changge’s injuries, yet Gu Changge himself didn’t seem to care in the slightest.
“It’s just dealing with Heavenly Monarch Ziyang — what’s there to be concerned about?” Gu Changge paid it no mind.
Gu Xianer’s brows remained tightly knit.
“Don’t push yourself so hard.”
“If I hadn’t casually agreed to Qing Feng back then, you wouldn’t have been dragged into this...”
She felt somewhat guilty and self-reproaching.
Gu Changge suddenly laughed, set down his teacup, and said unhurriedly, “Don’t flatter yourself, thinking I’m doing this for you.”
“It’s merely that Heavenly Monarch Ziyang is blocking my path. Besides, I suspect he colluded with the Successor of Demonic Arts long ago.”
“Perhaps I can use him to find the Successor of Demonic Arts. Gu Xianer, if you don’t fix this personality of yours, one day I’ll sell you off and you’ll probably still help me count the money.”
“Fine, I was flattering myself. It’s your body anyway, not mine.”
“Did you think I’d care if you got hurt?”
Gu Xianer paid no mind to Gu Changge’s barbs, staring at him coldly.
At this moment, her every glance and look was frosty as ice.
With that, she turned her face away, her dress fluttering, ethereal and otherworldly, trailing wisps of immortal aura as she strode straight out of the great hall.
“That girl is truly beyond saving.”
“She was cuter back when she was a pushover.”
Gu Changge shook his head slightly. Beside him, Ji Qingxuan hurriedly refilled his teacup.
“Are Heavenly Monarch Ziyang’s junior brothers and sisters still staying in the Black Tortoise Empire?” Gu Changge swept a glance at her and asked indifferently.
“They are all still there; they haven’t left. Does Gongzi intend to move against them?” Ji Qingxuan nodded, asking with some curiosity.
Purple Mansion was a colossal entity with a long heritage, incomparably ancient.
Even among the many immortal orthodoxies and supreme great cults, it could rank near the top.
This was also why many Elders dreaded it.
The Hidden Ji Clan behind her was ancient as well, but it had declined — and even if it hadn’t, it was still far from matching Purple Mansion’s terrifying, ancient foundations.
“Move against them? No — how could someone as refined and amiable as me possibly move against them?”
“I merely wish to invite them over for a cup of tea.” Gu Changge smiled, speaking casually.
Ji Qingxuan was slightly taken aback, then nodded. Although she had followed Gu Changge for less time than her sister Su Qingge had,
she was very clever — some things clicked with just a hint, requiring no further explanation.
For instance, she had come to understand Gu Changge’s temperament and habits ever more clearly.
Ji Qingxuan felt that Gu Changge had actually long since noticed her abnormality, but had simply never pointed it out.
From some of his casual remarks, she could sense his amusement — as if he were toying with a little pet.
Those moments were the most unsettling and nerve-wracking.
It often left Ji Qingxuan’s back drenched in cold sweat, her heart leaping to her throat each time — only to find that Gu Changge had merely asked or mentioned something in passing, not caring at all.
The feeling was like walking along the edge of a cliff, where one misstep meant being smashed to pieces.
Ji Qingxuan felt that Gu Changge did it on purpose.
Having followed Gu Changge for some time now, she found the many rumors of the outside world quite inaccurate.
Whether “gentle and refined” or “domineering and arrogant” — neither was right.
Impossible to fathom.
Only those four words could describe him.
“Pass down my orders: go to the residence of the Purple Mansion disciples and invite every one of them over.”
“If they refuse to come, then there’s no need to be polite — suppress those who need suppressing, cripple those who need crippling.”
Then, Gu Changge spoke again, having Ji Qingxuan pass down the order.
Ji Qingxuan dared not delay and hurried off to relay the command.
Gu Changge rubbed the white jade teacup between his fingers.
His gaze gradually deepened.
He began to consider other matters.
During this period, aside from the various orthodoxies and powers taking note of the Successor of Demonic Arts’ existence and dispatching mighty experts to search for his traces,
another matter had shaken the entire Beyond.
Two ancient existences from Sky Emperor Mountain and Buddhist Mountain had clashed. It was said that both were figures who had once failed in their attempt to attain the Dao.
Their current cultivation was but a single step away from attaining the Dao.
That great battle took place in the Outer Territory, yet even across hundreds of millions of li, vast and mighty fluctuations could still be felt — heaven collapsing and earth splitting, shaking all eight directions.
The stars within a million li were reduced to ash and dust.
As for the outcome of that battle, no one knew. Some said the Buddha of Buddhist Mountain had a slight edge; others said the existence of Sky Emperor Mountain was stronger.
In short, opinions varied.
And because of this matter, Jin Chan, the Chosen Monk, was pushed into the teeth of the storm. Many people learned the course of events from the mouths of numerous prodigies.
The reason for the clash between Sky Emperor Mountain and Buddhist Mountain.
Speaking of which, it was entirely caused by this Jin Chan, the Chosen Monk.
As a monk, not only had he failed to be compassionate, he had instead turned the scheme against its makers, resulting in Prince Shen encountering the Successor of Demonic Arts and being killed.
Many people called him a Demon Monk!
“Demon Monk? It seems Sky Emperor Mountain still hasn’t swallowed this grievance. Perfect — I can find them a place to vent it.”
Gu Changge thought of Purple Mansion. At a time like this, he needed to find a fool to charge ahead for him first.
After thinking it over, Sky Emperor Mountain was still the best sucker for the job.
“As long as Sky Emperor Mountain’s hatred hasn’t faded, they’ll surely take note of Purple Mansion at a time like this. I just happen to be able to give them a signal.”
Gu Changge smiled, placing a piece on the board. The entire chessboard shifted and transformed, suddenly becoming like a myriad of phenomena, profound and unfathomable.
“Checkmate!”
...
Meanwhile, within a towering mountain range not far from the Black Tortoise Empire.
Jagged rocks jutted out, sheer cliffs stood barren, ancient trees grew tall and lush, their branches blotting out the sky.
Great swathes of mist drifted through the area.
Within the void, faint glimmers of light flickered continuously.
On closer inspection, one would find these were extremely hidden and mysterious runes.
These runes enveloped the area in all directions, condensing into concealing Array Patterns.
At this moment, even if a Sacred Emperor’s divine sense swept down from the high skies, it could not possibly detect anything unusual here.
For these concealing Array Patterns were exceedingly masterful, and moreover, various artifacts with concealing effects had been arranged around the mountain range.
Within the area covered by the Array Patterns lay a stretch of abandoned ruins.
Collapsed palaces, buildings, and Buddhist temples were overgrown with moss, ancient and weathered.
A valiant man in purple robes, black hair draped over his shoulders, his features resolute and exuding an air of righteousness, sat cross-legged in this place.
Strands of radiance seemed to pour down from the heavens above, finally being absorbed by the mark between his brows.
Around the purple-robed man were quite a few prodigies — both Humans and Primordial Races — with powerful qi and blood, standing guard for him, patrolling the surroundings with utmost vigilance.
The purple-robed man was none other than Heavenly Monarch Ziyang.
He was currently attempting to refine the Sun’s Radiance to resolve the problem with his Foreseeing Eye, hoping to find a way to break through it.
Completely contrary to what everyone believed, Heavenly Monarch Ziyang had actually not gone far from the Black Tortoise Empire at all.