Nothing But a Sanctimonious Hypocrite, All for the Sake of Fattening Up the Leeks
Nothing But a Sanctimonious Hypocrite, All for the Sake of Fattening Up the Leeks
Inside the great hall, the seating was divided into two sections.
At the head seat sat Gu Changge, dressed in white robes, his ink-black hair lustrous and shimmering with brilliant divine radiance. His gaze was gentle and calm, and he held a white jade wine cup to his lips, his posture indescribably elegant and refined.
A faint smile played at the corners of his mouth as he chatted with Xiao Ruoyin.
Xiao Ruoyin’s features were delicate and lovely, her face tinged with a light blush as she raised her cup to toast him, a strange brilliance flickering in her eyes.
Through her many conversations with Gu Changge, she had come to understand more and more of this world’s vastness and mystery, and she yearned for it endlessly.
“That pursuer of yours seems to be in a strange state. Shouldn’t you ask him what’s wrong?”
Just then, Gu Changge’s gaze swept over and landed on Jiang Chen and the others below, and he asked with a faint, ambiguous smile.
Hearing this, Xiao Ruoyin looked over again, and her delicate brows couldn’t help but furrow.
She saw that Jiang Chen’s expression carried some shock and disbelief as he looked up toward her seat.
Their gazes met in midair. Jiang Chen stared fixedly at her, still looking utterly stunned.
For some reason, his stare made Xiao Ruoyin very uncomfortable, and she didn’t want Gu Changge to misunderstand anything either.
Although she currently felt only gratitude toward Gu Changge and dared not harbor any improper thoughts, she still didn’t want him to think there was anything between her and Jiang Chen.
But right now, Jiang Chen was staring straight at her without giving her any face at all, and a trace of displeasure rose on Xiao Ruoyin’s face.
“Jiang Chen...”
She couldn’t help calling out to him, her tone carrying a hint of anger.
At this, Jiang Chen seemed to jolt awake and come back to his senses.
Ignoring Xiao Ruoyin’s angry gaze, he hurriedly lowered his head and went back to drinking in sullen silence, looking thoroughly dejected.
Seeing this, Niu Tian and the others could only sigh inwardly. It wasn’t that they thought Xiao Ruoyin had done anything wrong.
If not for Xiao Ruoyin, they would still be locked up in the dungeon, their lives hanging in the balance.
Of course, in their eyes, Jiang Chen’s behavior was also perfectly understandable.
“Ah Chen, you need to calm down...”
Niu Tian couldn’t help advising, “Xiao Ruoyin and us are no longer people of the same world. You should let it go.”
“You can find flowers anywhere under heaven. Look at this world—how many goddesses and fairy maidens there are. Why chain yourself to Xiao Ruoyin?”
He had seen it clearly too. It wasn’t that this Young Master Gu had designs on Xiao Ruoyin.
Rather, it was Xiao Ruoyin who had designs on him. So even the way he addressed her had changed—he used to jokingly call her Goddess Xiao.
In the past, although Xiao Ruoyin had a cold and aloof personality, she had never so decisively cut ties with Jiang Chen like she did today.
What did this show? The goddess you saw as cold and unattainable was, in front of someone else, nothing more than this.
“I know, Niu Tian, you don’t need to persuade me.”
At this point, Jiang Chen seemed to have calmed down. He nodded, and his gaze no longer drifted toward the banquet ahead.
It was as if he had calmly accepted everything.
But only Jiang Chen himself knew that his tightly clenched fists had nails digging into his palms, leaving them a bloody red.
His heart held unwillingness and anger, but more than that, he had chosen to be understanding.
From the explanation of the Celestial Boat of Creation’s Artifact Spirit, he had already learned the general cause of everything.
“I knew that Gu fellow had no good intentions. Releasing us, hosting a banquet for us, helping Ruoyin embark on the Path of Cultivation...”
“Heh, how could there be such good fortune in this world? He’s nothing but a sanctimonious hypocrite with a beast’s heart.”
Jiang Chen sneered coldly in his heart, but his face remained perfectly calm.
He was pondering a way to break the situation. As a Transmigrator, now with the Celestial Boat of Creation in his possession, as long as he planned carefully, how could he possibly fail to outmatch him?
“Jiang Chen, we must save Master. Master still hasn’t awakened her memories and is very weak right now.”
“She was our former master, the High Priestess of Destiny. We can’t just abandon her.”
In his mind, the Artifact Spirit’s voice trembled, carrying a note of dread.
It had been full of pride before, but now it was nothing but shock, unease, and fear—as if it had seen some great terror in Gu Changge.
“That man is dangerous. Although I don’t know who he is, that feeling of fear has burrowed deep into my soul sea and cannot be erased. Master is in great danger at his side. Who knows when she might fall victim to his poisonous hand.”
It kept chattering on in explanation, endlessly worried.
But Jiang Chen had already cut it off, his gaze calm. “I understand. Right now you only need to tell me what you can do and how you can help me. Ruoyin has been deceived by that Young Master Gu, kept in the dark without realizing it. Right now, besides me, no one can save her.”
Hearing this, the Celestial Boat of Creation’s Artifact Spirit said, “I’ve only just awakened, so there’s little I can help you with. But my greatest strengths lie in observing fate and Fortuity, and breaking Array Patterns. I can also transfigure you into the Sacred Physique of Creation...”
“The Sacred Physique of Creation? What kind of physique is that? It sounds impressive.”
Jiang Chen asked, “And what’s the use of observing fate, Fortuity, and breaking Array Patterns?”
“The power of the Sacred Physique of Creation needs no elaboration. You only need to know that it is one of the Ten Mightiest Sacred Physiques in the world. It grants mastery of the Dao of Creation and heaven-defying power.”
“Once we leave this place and head out into the world, with my abilities, I can easily help you obtain many opportunities ordinary people could never get. I can identify treasures that others cannot see. Beyond that, Origin Stones, the lay of mountains and rivers, Array Patterns and Restrictions—I can break them all...”
The Celestial Boat of Creation’s Artifact Spirit explained, its tone regaining some of its former pride.
So it was things like scavenging overlooked treasures and gambling on stones?
Jiang Chen nodded, listening intently, hope gradually kindling in his heart. But to onlookers, he appeared to be gloomily drinking cup after cup of wine.
“Has the Golden Finger activated? Looks like the timing is just right.”
Meanwhile, at the head seat, Gu Changge drained the wine in his cup in one gulp, having watched Jiang Chen’s every move, a faint smile on his lips.
In his eyes, Jiang Chen’s Fortuity points were now rapidly shifting, like an erupting volcano.
Compared to before, his Fortuity points had risen by far more than a single level.
What did this show? It showed that Jiang Chen had finally become a true Fortuitous One, possessing his own Golden Finger.
And he had finally earned the qualifications for Gu Changge to harvest him like a leek.
“Spirit and body as one, Creation defying heaven and earth? What does that mean? Could it be related to the Celestial Boat of Creation?”
Gu Changge’s gaze held a trace of interest as he recalled the explanation the System had given him when he asked earlier.
Very quickly, he had already guessed what kind of Fortuitous One template Jiang Chen now belonged to.
An Artifact Spirit at his side, reincarnated into human form.
If that was the case, many of the matters to come would be much simpler.
“Qingxuan, go bring out the Fruits of Knowledge.”
At this moment, Gu Changge suddenly spoke, giving instructions to Ji Qingxuan beside him.
The Fruit of Knowledge, as the name implied, allowed those who consumed it to quickly understand this world’s language.
For Cultivators who had ascended from the Overworld but did not understand this realm’s language, it was a rare and precious spirit item.
“Yes, Gongzi.”
Hearing this, Ji Qingxuan quickly rose and went to fetch the fruits. Such things were not rare in the Beyond—they could be found in many shops and street stalls.
“Fruits of Knowledge?” Xiao Ruoyin looked at Gu Changge with some confusion.
Beside her, Hei Yanyu smiled faintly and explained to her, “This is a very common spirit fruit of the Beyond. Your companions don’t understand this world’s language. After consuming this fruit, they’ll quickly be able to understand what we say. Even if they cannot cultivate in the future, they’ll be able to adapt and survive in this world very quickly.”
Hearing Hei Yanyu’s explanation, Xiao Ruoyin suddenly understood, and her gratitude toward Gu Changge deepened, a thick wave of emotion welling up in her heart.
She had only just mentioned her companions’ desire to cultivate, yet Gu Changge had not only quickly agreed—he was even providing them with Fruits of Knowledge.
She truly had no way to repay such great kindness.
“Thank you, Gu Gongzi.”
With a faint blush, Xiao Ruoyin’s lovely, radiant eyes fell on Gu Changge’s face as she softly expressed her thanks.
She knew that if it weren’t for her sake, Gu Changge probably wouldn’t have bothered with such a trivial matter.
“It’s a trifling effort. There’s no need for this.”
Gu Changge smiled, still raising his cup to drink, looking entirely unconcerned.
Soon, Ji Qingxuan returned. On the jade plate in her hands sat seven fist-sized fruits, glowing with hazy light, crystalline and translucent, flowing with mystical colors.
These fruits circulated with profound charm and gave off a rich fragrance that made one’s very pores seem to relax and open.
“So these are the Fruits of Knowledge?” Xiao Ruoyin examined them curiously.
Gu Changge nodded. “Indeed, they are Fruits of Knowledge.”
Hearing this, Xiao Ruoyin stood up, took the jade plate from Ji Qingxuan’s hands, and walked toward the banquet seats where Jiang Chen, Niu Tian, and the others were.
Seeing them look over in confusion, Xiao Ruoyin smiled and explained, “These are Fruits of Knowledge. After eating them, you’ll be able to understand this world’s language. Also, Gu Gongzi has already agreed to my request—in a little while, you can all be tested to see whether you have the talent and aptitude for cultivation.”
“Fruits of Knowledge?”
“Really?”
“That’s wonderful! Thank you so much, Gu Gongzi!”
Hearing this, Niu Tian, Wang Ning, and the others were first stunned, then quickly reacted, instantly overcome with excitement. Their faces flushed red with exhilaration as they all cast grateful looks toward Gu Changge and Xiao Ruoyin.
At this moment, their gratitude toward Gu Changge was simply beyond measure.
Not only had he agreed to their request, he had now bestowed Fruits of Knowledge upon them, allowing them to understand this world’s language.
At this point, such great kindness was truly impossible to repay, and the resentment they had harbored from being imprisoned for days also vanished into thin air.
And the companions who had died tragically here even earlier—who still cared about them now? They would soon become immortals who rode the clouds and mist, plucking stars and grasping the moon.
“This Gu Gongzi is actually a pretty good person. No wonder even Xiao Ruoyin is like this...” Niu Tian muttered quietly, though he quickly shut his mouth for fear of upsetting Jiang Chen.
But Jiang Chen seemed not to mind anymore at this point. He nodded and even showed a faint smile, agreeing, “Yes, Gu Gongzi is indeed a good person. My vision was too narrow before—I misunderstood him greatly.”
At this, he looked toward the approaching Xiao Ruoyin. “Ruoyin, in a moment, before Gu Gongzi, please trouble yourself to say a few words of thanks on my behalf. I, Jiang Chen, will never forget Gu Gongzi’s great kindness for as long as I live.”
He was no fool. If he made a scene now in a fit of momentary anger, he would not only offend Gu Changge—
It would also draw too much of Gu Changge’s attention onto him, which would be greatly disadvantageous for his future plans.
Hearing him say this, a smile appeared on Xiao Ruoyin’s face, which usually carried a faint air of aloofness. “I understand. I’ll pass it along to Young Master Gu in a bit. But I think you could say these things to him yourself. Given Young Master Gu’s temperament, he probably won’t hold it against you.”
That said, she still breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, having worried that Jiang Chen might still harbor resentment.
Otherwise, with Jiang Chen’s strength, facing Gu Changge would be no different from throwing an egg at a rock—only a dead end.
After all, the two of them had known each other for some time, and she didn’t want Jiang Chen to lose his life at a time like this.
“Alright, if there’s a chance, I definitely will.” Jiang Chen smiled faintly, not angered by Xiao Ruoyin’s words, and took the Fruit of Knowledge from the jade tray.
However, unlike the others, he didn’t swallow it right away. Instead, he examined it carefully, as if quite curious.
Xiao Ruoyin gave Jiang Chen a deep look. For some reason, she felt that the current Jiang Chen seemed somehow different from before.
There was a confidence and composure radiating from within, as if he had become a completely different person—describing it as a total rebirth would not be an exaggeration.
For Jiang Chen to have changed so much in such a short time, Xiao Ruoyin thought it over carefully, and in the end could only attribute it to the change in his state of mind after learning that he too could embark on the Path of Cultivation.
“It’s good that you could come to terms with it.”
Then, with a smile on her face, she left those words behind and returned to Gu Changge’s side, quietly discussing and asking him about various matters.
Gu Changge wore a smile, his speech courteous, his bearing immortal-like and divine in grace. Naturally, he held nothing back, answering each of her questions one by one.
Meanwhile, Niu Tian, Wang Ning, and the others couldn’t wait to swallow their Fruits of Knowledge the moment they received them.
This was their first time consuming a spirit fruit of the Beyond, and it must be said, its wondrous effects were so miraculous that their eyes went wide.
Everyone felt that the instant they swallowed it, the Fruit of Knowledge transformed into a pool of clear spring water, crisp and refreshing, surging into their limbs and bones.
Every cell, every inch of flesh and blood, felt a strange energy pouring in—utterly profound.
They even felt a stream of pure qi rush into the space between their brows, as if awakening their minds. The noisy, indistinct sounds around them all became clear.
“So amazing.”
One person’s eyes went wide, hardly able to believe it as he realized he could suddenly understand the speech around him.
This filled him with excitement and delight. Could he too become an immortal who soars through the skies and burrows through the earth? Possess all kinds of devastating beauties? Hold power over the world?
“Niu Tian...”
Jiang Chen watched as Niu Tian impatiently swallowed the fruit in his hand, his brow furrowing slightly.
He had been about to advise Niu Tian to wait a while before eating it, but it was already too late.
At that, he could only sigh helplessly.
Because Jiang Chen knew full well that Gu Changge harbored ill intentions—who knew whether there was something wrong with the Fruits of Knowledge he had bestowed.
Being cautious could never be wrong.
Besides, Jiang Chen could already understand this world’s language, so whether he ate the Fruit of Knowledge or not made no difference to him.
“What’s wrong?”
After finishing his, Niu Tian looked at Jiang Chen with some confusion. Seeing that he still hadn’t eaten his, he assumed Jiang Chen was worried it might be harmful, and couldn’t help but laugh. “Relax, it’s fine. I can understand everything they’re saying around us now. This stuff is really amazing.”
“Mm.”
Jiang Chen nodded, but inwardly he was asking the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation.
If he didn’t eat it now, it would be slapping Gu Changge in the face in front of everyone, and who knew what the consequences of that would be.
“Jiang Chen, don’t eat it. No wait—after you put it in your mouth, whatever you do, don’t swallow it. I feel like this Fruit of Knowledge is different from ordinary Fruits of Knowledge. Being careful is definitely right.”
The Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation answered, its childish voice carrying unease and wariness.
“Mm, I understand.” Jiang Chen nodded, then, under the gaze of quite a few people, swallowed the Fruit of Knowledge in one gulp.
However, when the Fruit of Knowledge turned into clear spring water, he didn’t swallow it down like the others. Instead, he held it in his mouth.
Then his throat bobbed, putting on the appearance of having swallowed it.
After that, Jiang Chen went back to drinking on his own, looking quite miserable.
But perhaps he drank a bit too hastily and choked, spitting out the wine in his mouth all at once.
“Drink slower, what’s the rush?” Niu Tian gave him a helpless look, though he knew Jiang Chen was feeling terrible right now, so he couldn’t say much more.
“I’m fine, much better now.” Jiang Chen smiled, appearing perfectly calm and unbothered.
At the head seat, Gu Changge took in every one of Jiang Chen’s little maneuvers and couldn’t help but chuckle, though he didn’t expose any of it.
To him, everything Jiang Chen was doing now was like a child playing house—utterly laughable, and incapable of affecting him in the slightest.
Still, in order for this leek named Jiang Chen to grow up strong and healthy, Gu Changge didn’t mind letting him indulge in these little schemes.
“Young Master Gu, Jiang Chen asked me to apologize to you on his behalf for his actions back then. He hopes you’ll be magnanimous and not take it to heart.”
From the side came a faint, tranquil fragrance.
Xiao Ruoyin naturally had no idea what Gu Changge was currently thinking. She still remembered what Jiang Chen had asked her to convey, and as she spoke, she raised a wine cup in her jade hand, offering a toast to Gu Changge.
“It’s nothing. How could I take such a trivial matter to heart?” Gu Changge turned his head, laughing it off.
“Mm.” Xiao Ruoyin’s face flushed slightly crimson, seemingly made shy and embarrassed by Gu Changge’s gaze.
Watching this scene from afar, Jiang Chen’s expression turned slightly unnatural, though it quickly returned to normal—except that beneath the banquet table, his fist clenched involuntarily.
After that, host and guests all enjoyed themselves, and everyone seemed to have drunk themselves tipsy.
Niu Tian, Wang Ning, and the others had long since lost their earlier wariness toward Gu Changge. Some even mustered the courage to offer him a toast.
Gu Changge nodded slightly, refusing no one, forever wearing that smile that made people feel as if bathed in a spring breeze, leaving the group somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.
Finally, just as the banquet was about to end, a figure suddenly materialized outside the hall.
“She’s here?”
Gu Changge noticed the disturbance. His gaze shifted slightly and fell upon it.
Within the void, a breathtakingly beautiful woman in a fiery red dress appeared, her bare feet whiter than snow, her hair like flowing silk, her skin snow-white and crystalline, shimmering with brilliant divine radiance.
Her features were exquisite, her eyes like glazed glass, like gemstones, her expression cool and aloof. Beneath the corner of her eye was a teardrop mole, adding a unique charm and allure.
Niu Tian and the others nearly stared their eyes out, their breathing growing ragged. When had they ever seen a woman so beautiful beyond compare, truly a peerless vision?
Whether it was Hei Yanyu or Ji Qingxuan, both lacked a certain presence and grace that this woman possessed.
This was absolutely a terrifyingly powerful expert!
That was their collective first reaction.
“Greetings, Young Master.”
The newcomer was none other than Yan Ji, who had come from the Longevity Gu Family at Gu Changge’s command.
Her aura now was who knew how many times stronger than when she had first appeared.
Sacred King Realm!
Though she had only just broken through, one had to remember that before meeting Gu Changge, she had been nothing but a Remnant Soul that could dissipate at any moment.
“Congratulations on stepping into the Sacred King Realm. You didn’t disappoint me.” Gu Changge smiled.
Yan Ji’s eyes fell upon him, then shifted to Ji Qingxuan, Hei Yanyu, and Xiao Ruoyin, who knew what she was thinking.
“I thought Young Master had already forgotten about me.”
Yan Ji’s voice was calm, but Niu Tian and the others could hear a faint trace of resentment in it.
This made them green with envy, their eyes nearly turning red. When would they ever have such company—beauties of such heavenly grace at their side?
“What’s this? I let you cultivate in peace and you’re still not satisfied?”
Gu Changge laughed, then turned to Xiao Ruoyin and said, “This is the shifu I found for you. From now on, you’ll cultivate under her guidance.”
“Shifu?”
Xiao Ruoyin was somewhat surprised. She had initially assumed the shifu Gu Changge found for her would be some white-haired old elder.
She never expected it would be such an excessively beautiful woman.
But she quickly recovered and hurriedly saluted. “Ruoyin greets shifu.”
Although she had yet to set foot on the Path of Cultivation, she knew what realms existed in this world. This excessively beautiful woman before her looked about the same age as her, yet was in fact already a Perfect Prodigy.
And what a Perfect Prodigy represented, Xiao Ruoyin understood perfectly well in her heart, so her attitude was quite respectful.
Yan Ji naturally knew why Gu Changge had summoned her, so she had no doubts. Her expression remained calm as she told Xiao Ruoyin there was no need for excessive courtesy.
“Shifu?” Niu Tian, Wang Ning, and the others also never expected that Gu Changge had even arranged a shifu for Xiao Ruoyin—and such a beautiful one at that. It truly filled them with envy.
“Perfect Prodigy... what realm is that? Is it powerful?”
However, Jiang Chen’s attention was on another point. He asked the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation in his heart, wanting to know just how strong a Perfect Prodigy was, so as to gauge Gu Changge’s strength.
After all, for a Perfect Prodigy expert to obey his every word could only mean Gu Changge was far stronger than a Perfect Prodigy.
Hearing this, the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation, whose words had always been full of pride, fell silent for a long moment before finally saying, “Very strong. For you right now, very, very strong.”
It deliberately emphasized the point, afraid Jiang Chen wouldn’t understand.
“Then exactly how strong?” Jiang Chen was somewhat dissatisfied with this answer.
“About the level of shattering a star with a single finger...” the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation answered.
“Sss!” Even though Jiang Chen’s heart was full of hatred for Gu Changge and he wanted revenge, at this moment he couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath, trembling slightly as a terrifying chill instantly swept through his entire body.
If this woman was already this powerful, then just how strong was Gu Changge? He simply didn’t dare imagine it.
At this moment, Jiang Chen felt as if a basin of cold water had been dumped over him, his whole body chilled to the bone. His earlier lofty ambitions were doused in an instant.
He even felt a trace of despair. Shattering a star with one finger—what kind of concept was that?
It meant the world he had come from could be destroyed with a single finger before such a being.
Could a person really become that powerful?
“You don’t need to despair. You should know that at our peak, even immortals were nothing before us. A mere Perfect Prodigy, and it’s scared you this much...”
Seeing that Jiang Chen was acting off, the Celestial Boat of Creation hurried to console him.
Though they were currently no match for a Perfect Prodigy, in the future, any Perfect Prodigy would just be crushed beneath them.
Hearing this, Jiang Chen felt much better and quickly calmed down. He was indeed weak now, but who could say what the future held?
“Looks like your state of mind still needs a good deal of tempering,” the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation remarked.
After that, the banquet came to an end.
Xiao Ruoyin led Jiang Chen, Niu Tian, and the others off to have their talents and physiques tested. Gu Changge did not follow, and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed Hei Yanyu and Ji Qingxuan.
Only he and Yan Ji remained in the hall.