Now That the Whole World Is in an Uproar, It’s Time to Reel In the Net — and Naturally, This Is the Moment to Forgive Her

Hearing Gu Changge say this, everyone finally understood in their hearts.

So Young Master Changge had planned this all along — he hadn’t simply let that man escape.

“Brother Gu, how are your injuries?”

The King of Six Crowns walked over, his gaze flickering as he stared intently at Gu Changge.

In truth, at this moment, both he and the Phoenix Lady harbored certain thoughts — though of course, not thoughts of challenging Gu Changge.

Rather, they were speculating whether Gu Changge was actually injured at all.

Perhaps his earlier grievous injuries hadn’t been as severe as they seemed — perhaps Gu Changge had deliberately put on the appearance of being badly wounded in order to make certain people fall for the trap.

The goal being... to make those... who believed they had a chance to kill him come knocking on his door themselves.

Just like this time.

Gu Changge clearly looked injured — and seriously injured at that.

Yet when he struck, that... vast, weighty, seemingly inexhaustible surge of power was enough to suffocate people, to make them want to prostrate themselves.

He could even contend evenly with a Perfect Prodigy-level expert, neither side gaining the upper hand.

If he were truly injured, how could he be so domineering and terrifying — even activating a Sacred Emperor Grade artifact?

This sent a chill through the hearts of the Phoenix Lady and the King of Six Crowns, making them feel they had very likely all been kept in the dark by Gu Changge.

If Gu Changge’s injuries were merely a smokescreen...

Then anyone who came looking for trouble with him now was simply an old birthday celebrant hanging himself — courting death.

Moreover, the King of Six Crowns felt that Gu Changge still hadn’t revealed his true strength — he was still hiding a great deal.

“My injuries are nothing serious. A bit of rest and I should recover.”

Hearing this, Gu Changge smiled faintly, his handsome face slightly pale.

But as he spoke, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth again, as if his injuries were still severe.

However, everyone had already witnessed his invincible, domineering display just now, and they were all inwardly speechless — in what way did this look like someone gravely wounded? Saying this was probably just another ploy to lure his enemies in, so he could catch them all in one net.

“Brother Gu’s strength is unfathomable. Truly admirable.”

The Phoenix Lady said earnestly.

Ying Yu also nodded in agreement.

“As for today’s events... I must thank Young Master Changge.”

Then, Liu Ziyan turned her eyes toward Gu Changge and expressed her gratitude.

She was someone who repaid kindness. Although Gu Changge had claimed to the outside world that he had placed her under house arrest here...

Only Liu Ziyan herself knew that her time here had truly been like that of an honored guest — completely at ease.

She would even drink tea and play chess with Gu Changge from time to time. Her days had been... rather leisurely.

If not for the black-robed man who had suddenly attacked tonight, she might well have gone to play chess with Gu Changge again tomorrow.

“It was no trouble. After all, if something happened to you, it would cause me some trouble as well.”

Gu Changge smiled, then looked at her and asked, “More importantly — are you hurt?”

“With Young Master Changge protecting me like this, how could anything happen to me...”

Liu Ziyan’s beautiful eyes fixed intently on him.

Gu Changge nodded. “That’s good.”

“What exactly happened today?”

Seeing this scene — especially Liu Ziyan’s attitude — many people were puzzled.

They didn’t understand why she would speak to Gu Changge this way. Shouldn’t she hate him? The King of Six Crowns and the Phoenix Lady were both sharp-witted.

The two of them realized the truth almost instantly, and couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. “So that’s how it is. Brother Gu’s foresight and planning are truly awe-inspiring.”

Seeing that many were still confused, Liu Ziyan explained, “The truth is, during this period, I have been a guest at Young Master Changge’s residence — not under house arrest as the outside world claims.”

“Because this matter involves certain disagreements ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠within Purple Mansion, we could only come up with this scheme to force their hand.”

“Heavenly Monarch Ziyang has deep ties with the Successor of Demonic Arts. If Purple Mansion remains obstinate, it will only march toward destruction in the end. I didn’t want to see that happen, so I discussed it with Young Master Changge, and together we devised this plan to deceive Purple Mansion.”

“All the unfavorable rumors about Young Master Changge these past days were caused by me. They have nothing to do with him.”

Hearing this, everyone finally understood, sighing with emotion in their hearts.

This kind of method — probably no one but... Gu Changge could have come up with it.

And for... other cultivators, even if they wanted to cooperate with Saintess Ziyan, it would be impossible — they lacked the standing and the audacity.

After all, this meant offending the entire Purple Mansion! Who but... Gu Changge would dare do something like placing the Purple Mansion Saintess under house arrest? Beyond... admiration, the crowd had no other thoughts left.

“Tonight, if Young Master Changge hadn’t detected the enemy’s movements in advance, I would have died miserably at their hands.”

“At first, they sent a black-robed man at the peak of the Sacred Lord Realm to assassinate me. Fortunately, Young Master Changge appeared in time and forced him to retreat...”

Liu Ziyan continued, and as she spoke, she still felt lingering fear, her beautiful eyes fixed on Gu Changge, filled with gratitude.

“What? That black-robed man was actually here to assassinate Saintess Ziyan?”

As soon as these words came out, they caused a huge uproar — a wave of panic and shock.

Before this, many people had assumed the attacker had come to assassinate Gu Changge.

But that wasn’t the case at all — the target had been Liu Ziyan all along! “The Successor of Demonic Arts isn’t stupid. He knows Brother Gu’s strength — he knows that even gravely wounded, Brother Gu isn’t someone he can assassinate. So he settled for the next best thing: even if he couldn’t kill Brother Gu, he would at least cause him trouble.”

At this point, the Phoenix Lady suddenly spoke up to explain, adding this for the benefit of the many who were confused.

In the past, she would never have bothered explaining anything to others over such a matter.

But everything she had witnessed tonight had truly shaken her — before Gu Changge, she no longer carried that... pride of hers.

Her words were filled with heartfelt admiration and respect.

“Mm, that’s exactly how things unfolded. That man just now has deep ties with Heavenly Monarch Ziyang, yet he came under the pretext of rescuing me, intending to kill me while he was at it...”

“I will report tonight’s events truthfully to Purple Mansion. If Purple Mansion insists on sheltering Heavenly Monarch Ziyang afterward, that will no longer be something I can prevent.”

Liu Ziyan’s expression darkened slightly as she spoke, a coldness on her flawlessly beautiful face.

“Saintess Ziyan need not worry. As long as the Purple Mansion Sect Leader isn’t a fool, he’ll know what choice to make.”

Gu Changge then said with a smile.

Liu Ziyan glanced at him, deeply trusting and reassured, and softly hummed in agreement.

This scene made the expressions of many young prodigies and cultivators shift — some envious, sensing that something seemed to have happened these past few days.

Before this, Saintess Ziyan and Gu Changge had had no interaction whatsoever.

Yet in just a few short days, Liu Ziyan’s attitude toward him had undergone such a dramatic transformation.

It had to be said — Gu Changge held a great... allure for heaven’s favored daughters, leaving many prodigies astonished and envious.

Soon after, word of what had happened here spread, shaking the entire Black Tortoise Empire — and even the many neighboring ancient empires were stunned.

But the spread of the news was even more terrifying — it was as if it had grown wings.

In mere moments, it flew rapidly toward the other regions of the Beyond, sending shockwaves through the great Daoist lineages and cults, stunning the entire world.

Like a meteor crashing into the deep sea, it raised heaven-shaking waves everywhere.

First, the Successor of Demonic Arts had sent someone to assassinate Gu Changge! Then, subsequent events directly proved that Heavenly Monarch Ziyang had deep ties with the Successor of Demonic Arts.

The mysterious man who had walked out of the Wondrous Stone from the Nine Heavens displayed unmatched battle prowess, fought Gu Changge, and finally fled! And in the process, Gu Changge’s true strength was exposed, stunning the world and leaving the entire younger generation aghast, their scalps tingling.

Even while gravely wounded, Gu Changge could contend with a Perfect Prodigy-level expert! It was enough to make one’s soul tremble, leaving people petrified with shock.

This was the first time Gu Changge had displayed such strength before the public — because none of his previous opponents had ever required him to lift a finger; he could crush them effortlessly.

This had led to a peculiar situation: everyone knew Gu Changge was strong, but no one knew exactly how strong he was.

And once this news spread, it immediately caused a terrifying earthquake.

Many of the older generation’s experts only now realized that this young man in their eyes had already grown to a level where even they had to look up to his cultivation.

Prince Shen hadn’t died unjustly! It wasn’t that he was too weak — the Successor of Demonic Arts was simply too strong! Then, one after another, the world-shaking details of this affair were relayed back by the spies of the various powers and lineages, once again leaving countless cultivators behind them aghast, stirring up monstrous waves.

No matter... which piece of news it was, the information it contained was simply too staggering.

Many cultivators couldn’t even believe it, standing frozen in place for a long time, feeling that all of this was simply too dreamlike.

This time, no matter how Heavenly Monarch Ziyang tried to argue his way out, it would be useless.

Many cultivators had personally witnessed the mysterious man’s true face.

The disciples of the True Immortal Academy, in particular, had all seen with their own eyes that he was on close terms with Heavenly Monarch Ziyang.

There was some unknown relationship between the two of them.

Furthermore, the fact that the Successor of Demonic Arts had sent a black-robed man to assassinate Saintess Ziyan also enraged many.

During this period, people had been searching everywhere for traces of the Successor of Demonic Arts.

But since the Successor of Demonic Arts had been able to silently dispatch a black-robed man into Gu Changge’s residence, that meant he was certainly not far from the Black Tortoise Empire.

Many prodigies grew uneasy and vigilant.

If they encountered the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Successor of Demonic Arts now, they would absolutely be no match for him.

And after this battle, some of Gu Changge’s strength finally surfaced.

If what he had revealed before was merely the tip of the iceberg...

Then what he had displayed now was... a portion of that iceberg.

But as for how much... strength still lay hidden beneath the iceberg — who could know? From this incident, many also deduced part of the Successor of Demonic Arts’ strength.

Before this, because Gu Changge had concealed his power, many had felt that although the Successor of Demonic Arts was strong...

He hadn’t yet reached that... invincible level.

Ancient freaks like Prince Shen had, for this very reason, believed they stood a decent chance against the Successor of Demonic Arts.

That was why, upon learning news of him, they had eagerly given chase — only to fall into a trap and lose their lives.

After this incident, many became far more wary of the Successor of Demonic Arts, no longer... as before, believing that if they encountered him, they could slay him.

And thereby make their name known throughout the world, leaving a legacy for all ages.

Meanwhile, the situation facing Purple Mansion was far from optimistic. Even though numerous signs now pointed to countless threads connecting Heavenly Monarch Ziyang and the Successor of Demonic Arts...

Heavenly Monarch Ziyang had been ruthless enough to even have the Purple Mansion Saintess assassinated, just to cause Gu Changge some trouble.

Yet despite such behavior, voices within Purple Mansion still rose to shield him, claiming there was no evidence for any of this — that it was merely Gu Changge’s plot to frame Heavenly Monarch Ziyang.

Saintess Ziyan had colluded with outsiders and betrayed her sect — she would surely be punished in days to come! This statement immediately caused a huge sensation.

Many realized that something earth-shattering must have happened within Purple Mansion.

After all, Liu Ziyan was the Purple Mansion Sect Leader’s own daughter! There was no way the Purple Mansion Sect Leader would treat Liu Ziyan this way.

“It seems Purple Mansion is no longer under the Purple Mansion Sect Leader’s control...”

Gu Changge smiled, seated at the head of the table, gently blowing on the teacup before him.

Mist curled upward, making the place seem all the more like an immortal realm, a sacred land.

“I don’t know what to do now either...”

Liu Ziyan’s expression was somewhat downcast. She hadn’t expected things to take such a turn.

“As long as we find Heavenly Monarch Ziyang, everything will be fine.”

Gu Changge set down his teacup and rose, narrowing his eyes, his smile carrying a certain depth.

“The bait has been out long enough. It’s ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time I reeled in the net.”

Liu Ziyan stared at him in a daze, suddenly feeling that the Gu Changge of this moment was somewhat unfamiliar compared to the man she had come to know these past few days — that... profound coldness, overlooking everything, high above all.

He was truly a different person from the gentle, refined man of before.

For a moment, she wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her.

But soon, the smile returned to Gu Changge’s face, and he said gently, “Saintess Ziyan truly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠needn’t worry. Once Heavenly Monarch Ziyang dies, even those... old monsters of Purple Mansion who want to protect him will be helpless — they’ll have no choice but to accept their loss.”

“And if they try to resist...”

At this point, he stopped, his smile inscrutable.

Then, ignoring that Liu Ziyan was still in a daze, Gu Changge walked toward the outside of the hall and began summoning his many followers.

To him now, Liu Ziyan had actually outlived her usefulness.

The bait that needed to be laid had long since been laid. If Liu Ziyan were truly assassinated by someone sent by Heavenly Monarch Ziyang at this point, it would have nothing to do with him.

“Is Young Master Changge going to find where Heavenly Monarch Ziyang is?”

Liu Ziyan came back to her senses and couldn’t help asking.

But Gu Changge didn’t answer. Instead, he smiled and said, “At this time, Saintess Ziyan should return to Purple Mansion and take a look. I imagine your father’s situation isn’t too good.”

With that, his figure flashed, and he appeared in the sky outside, his gaze cold. With a wave of his sleeve, he addressed the many followers rushing over: “I already know where Heavenly Monarch Ziyang is.”

“Today, he will be taken down.”

Rumble! The next moment, the void trembled, and a terrifying aura spread out. In a trance, a spatial portal actually opened before everyone’s eyes, golden light radiating in all directions, surging and vast.

It seemed to connect to another space entirely.

“A Space Tunnel...”

Liu Ziyan watched this scene in shock.

Before this, she had only seen such methods from those... Elders of the True Immortal Academy and the old monsters of Purple Mansion.

Opening a Space Tunnel through one’s own power required a deep comprehension and mastery of Space Principles — this was at the very least... a technique of the Sacred Emperor Realm! Among the younger generation, this was the first time she had seen Gu Changge use it! Weng!! The next moment, Gu Changge stepped forward, his figure entering first, with his many followers hurrying after him — a mighty procession that blotted out the sky, stunning the entire Capital of the Black Tortoise Empire.

Countless prodigies and cultivators looked up, utterly shocked and horrified.

Then, another piece of news spread, once again stunning all sides! Gu Changge had located Heavenly Monarch Ziyang and was going to suppress and kill him! “Is he making his move?”

Within the residence, the King of Six Crowns abruptly stood, his eyes gleaming with sharp light, a terrifying aura emanating from him.

Then he set off as well, guessing that this battle might very well draw out the Successor of Demonic Arts — though of course, it might not.

In other directions, the Phoenix Lady, Jin Chan the Chosen Monk, Ying Yu, and the others also received the news one after another. Their expressions varied, but they all set off in tacit agreement, unwilling to miss the excitement.

For a time, divine rainbows could be seen streaking across the skies above the entire Black Tortoise Empire, artifacts tearing through the air as they rushed over.

Although Gu Changge had departed by directly opening a Space Tunnel...

He hadn’t concealed his aura, so as long as those behind him followed his aura, they could catch up...

“Hao’er, this childhood sweetheart of yours... seems to be hiding something from you.”

Meanwhile, outside the Vermilion Bird Empire, two figures were concealed high in the sky.

Watching a cloud-patterned White Jade Dragon Carriage speeding past below, their expressions were complicated.

The one who spoke was a vigorous old man with a youthful face and white hair, his white robes fluttering, bearing the air of an immortal.

It was none other than Chu Hao’s martial uncle Bai Yang, who had come from the Supreme Cave Heaven.

Bai Yang had reached the Sacred Emperor Realm many years ago, and within the entire Supreme Cave Heaven, he held a high position of great power, with few his equal.

The man beside him had a handsome face and a tall, upright figure, exuding an air not to be taken lightly — it was Chu Hao.

Only now, Chu Hao’s expression was also complicated as he watched Tang Wan’s White Jade Dragon Carriage speed past below.

But there was no hint of blame in it.

At a time like this, naturally, he could only choose to forgive her.

The matter had to be traced back to the day before yesterday. That day, he had arranged to meet Tang Wan, planning to admire the flowers with her in the imperial palace gardens and discuss a few things along the way.

Tang Wan had naturally accepted the invitation.

The two of them chatted and laughed, passing the time leisurely and happily — but midway through, Tang Wan’s expression suddenly changed.

Chu Hao clearly noticed the Communication Rune in her sleeve light up, so he guessed that the Tang Family behind her had some matter to entrust to her.

Then, Tang Wan found an excuse and took the opportunity to leave, going to answer the message in the Communication Rune.

And Chu Hao’s divine sense was powerful. On top of that, during that period, he had been brooding over Tang Wan being coerced by Gu Changge.

That was what gave him the idea to see what business Tang Wan really had.

So he extended his divine sense, without letting Tang Wan notice.

Only then did he discover that Tang Wan was communicating with Gu Changge — the matter in that... Communication Rune had naturally been assigned by Gu Changge.

This scene made Chu Hao’s rage surge to his head, his expression changing drastically. He nearly couldn’t hold back from going straight over to confront Tang Wan.

But considering that Tang Wan had no choice in the matter, he let it go — though his face remained ugly.

As for what Tang Wan and Gu Changge discussed afterward, he didn’t know — Chu Hao hadn’t heard it.

And afterward, Tang Wan hurried off, using family matters as an excuse to take her leave.

Chu Hao couldn’t rest easy, worried that she would suffer some grievance or be bullied by Gu Changge, so he followed her all the way, tailing her in secret.

And that was how he came to witness Tang Wan now, driving her White Jade Dragon Carriage toward the Black Tortoise Empire.