A Little Ant Scurrying About, Seems to Have Been Calculated Long Ago
A Little Ant Scurrying About, Seems to Have Been Calculated Long Ago
“It seems our Ji Family isn’t the only one who learned that the Tower of World Domination is about to emerge...”
“I thought this matter would go a bit more smoothly. If even my brother has no news at all, does that mean we’ll return empty-handed this time?”
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t all our arrangements have been for nothing?”
Ji Chuyue’s two slender brows knitted together as she couldn’t help murmuring softly.
These past few days, she had seen far too many riders and Cultivators sweeping past through the high skies.
Riding clouds and mist, their auras powerful, they all looked as if they were searching for something.
The other parties’ goal was clearly the same as theirs, and the range they searched was even broader—they hadn’t even spared the regions far beyond the Sky Jade Mountain Range.
However, to be cautious... Ji Chuyue did not send anyone to investigate, so as to avoid alerting the enemy.
But this matter quickly exceeded her expectations. Besides... that first group from the initial few days, several more batches of Cultivators had arrived in recent days.
Some of them she even recognized—they were people from the Hidden Chen Family.
Although that family was not as ancient as the Hidden Ji Family, they also had True Daoists among their ranks.
Moreover, over these years, the Hidden Chen Family had produced quite a few supremely talented individuals, and their family power grew day by day, occasionally clashing with the Hidden Ji Family.
As such, once they came into conflict with the Hidden Chen Family, the commotion here would surely spread, inevitably drawing the attention of the various orthodoxies.
After all, when the time came to fight over the Tower of World Domination, it certainly wouldn’t be just the younger generation participating—the older generation would absolutely want a share of the spoils too.
Not to mention that the Tower of World Domination was one of the keys to unlocking the Immortal Palace Ruins—its terrifying power alone was enough to make countless Cultivators flock to it like ducks.
What’s more, rumor had it that the Seven Tools of World Domination were all existences surpassing Nirvana Grade Artifacts, though rarely had anyone seen them activated, let alone displaying their supreme might.
“Xiaojie, that... Jiang Chen outside requests an audience.”
At that moment, a voice announcing a visitor suddenly came from outside the pavilion, causing Ji Chuyue to pause slightly.
Those beautiful, bright large eyes couldn’t help but narrow, like a crescent moon.
“What is he here for?”
Although she knew Jiang Chen possessed a powerful physique, she had never pointed it out. On one hand, she found it amusing to watch him feign composure and then suffer setbacks and embarrass himself.
On the other hand, she also wanted to secretly support him, selecting a decent seed for the family, so these past few days she had sent people to deliver some spirit herbs to him.
In Ji Chuyue’s view, Jiang Chen’s physique was somewhat mysterious—in certain aspects, it was even no inferior to her brother’s Sacred Physique of the Sun.
This was an almost instinctive intuition.
“Let him in.”
Ji Chuyue nodded, also somewhat curious as to why Jiang Chen was looking for her.
“Greetings, Chuyue Xiaojie.”
Soon, Jiang Chen walked in, his gaze falling upon Ji Chuyue in the pavilion as he cupped his hands slightly.
“Is there something you need from me?”
Ji Chuyue’s face bore a gentle smile—anyone meeting her for the first time couldn’t help but feel goodwill toward her.
“Is Chuyue Xiaojie searching for something?”
Jiang Chen was very direct, getting straight to the point as he asked.
Ji Chuyue narrowed her eyes, then said with an unchanged expression, “Is there something you want to say?”
Although she had never said what she came to Heavenly Ruin Gate for, anyone with a bit of perception should know she was searching for something.
This was no secret.
Jiang Chen suddenly asking this—what was he planning? “Chuyue Xiaojie need not worry about anything.”
Seeing Ji Chuyue’s expression, a trace of a smile appeared on Jiang Chen’s face as he said, “Actually, I can help Chuyue Xiaojie. These past days, thanks to the spirit herbs Chuyue Xiaojie sent, my cultivation has advanced. Such great kindness—Jiang Chen will never forget it.”
Hearing this, Ji Chuyue didn’t believe him. Her slender eyebrows rose as she said, “Just you?”
Jiang Chen hadn’t even formally stepped into cultivation yet—he hadn’t even opened his Spiritual Sea—yet he dared boast of helping her? One must know that even the Hidden Ji Family behind her had no clues whatsoever.
Where the Tower of World Domination would emerge—they didn’t have the slightest lead.
Ji Chuyue felt that Jiang Chen had come to amuse himself at her expense.
“Chuyue Xiaojie must believe me. Although I haven’t formally embarked on the Path of Cultivation yet, I actually have another identity... a Divine Source Master.”
“My ancestor once fortuitously obtained the inheritance of a Divine Source Master.”
Jiang Chen revealed a confident smile, speaking according to what the Celestial Boat of Creation’s Artifact Spirit had instructed him to say.
“Divine Source Master?”
Ji Chuyue’s eyes widened, suddenly frozen in place, hardly able to believe it, finding it utterly inconceivable.
As a prodigy of the Hidden Ji Family, she naturally knew what the three words “Divine Source Master” represented.
The unremarkable-looking Jiang Chen actually claimed to be a Divine Source Master? By this era, Divine Source Masters had long gone extinct.
It was said that because they once touched things they shouldn’t have touched, they incurred curses and misfortune, and their inheritance was severed in the long river of time.
But the mysterious power of Divine Source Masters was unquestionable, for they could control mountains, rivers, and terrain, as well as Fortuity and fate, unleashing killing intent with a wave of the hand, overturning heaven and earth, impossible to guard against—terrifying to the extreme.
“If you dare deceive me, you should know very well what the consequences will be.”
Ji Chuyue’s expression turned serious.
“I wouldn’t dare deceive Chuyue Xiaojie.”
Jiang Chen nodded, speaking with calm confidence.
Afterward, Ji Chuyue nodded and took Jiang Chen with her, leaving Heavenly Ruin Gate, planning to find her elder brother Ji Yaoxing—for a matter like this, her brother still needed to make the decision.
If Jiang Chen really was a Divine Source Master, with his abilities, he might truly be able to help them locate the Tower of World Domination...
“So this is the Sky Jade Mountain Range? It really is quite remote.”
“It is indeed quite remote, but there are quite a lot of Cultivator traces here. It seems that during this period, some people have already caught wind of it and rushed here.”
Meanwhile, in the void not far from Heavenly Ruin Gate.
Accompanied by soft laughter.
A ripple spread through the void, and then a portal opened, from which several figures stepped out.
At the head was a man and a woman.
The man had a tall, slender figure and a handsome, refined face, dressed in white robes untouched by a speck of dust, his bearing like jade—even between his strands of hair there seemed to be immortal radiance flickering, divine light gleaming in his eyes, exuding an otherworldly air.
The woman wore a palace-style long dress, her immortal countenance like a painting, her jade hand held by the white-robed man, her gaze deep and calm, her hair fluttering, possessing an unparalleled grace.
The two stood side by side, like immortal lovers... immortal aura swirling around them, as if they could ride the wind away at any moment.
They were none other than Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong, who had rushed here from the True Immortal Academy.
Behind the two were their followers, riding extraordinary beasts, all extremely rare exotic species—some covered in dense scales, some like jade all over, wreathed in lightning.
All of them had astonishing auras, shrouded in divine radiance, Divine Chains of Order flickering as their eyes opened and closed, giving off a sharp and terrifying feeling.
“The most powerful force near the Sky Jade Mountain Range is Heavenly Ruin Gate. During this time, we can have Heavenly Ruin Gate help us search.”
Yue Mingkong’s gaze swept over the vast, boundless mountain range ahead, and that incomplete page of a map appeared between her jade hands.
She pointed at the area where Heavenly Ruin Gate was located and said.
“Then we’ll do as you say.”
Gu Changge smiled. “However, it seems we weren’t the first to arrive here. How did the other Cultivators learn that the Tower of World Domination would emerge here?”
Yue Mingkong shook her head, her gaze also somewhat puzzled. “I don’t know either. I only deduced that the Tower of World Domination would emerge here based on this incomplete page.”
“Perhaps besides... this incomplete page, there are other means to deduce it.”
“Forces like the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets and the Pavilion of Heaven and Earth are very skilled at deduction. As long as one can pay the price they want, even at the cost of backlash, they should be able to find the Tower of World Domination’s location.”
If her past-life memories were correct, the Tower of World Domination’s location had indeed been deduced by the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, which then sold the information at a high price to a certain force.
It was just that because that force leaked the news, many Cultivators came to know that the Tower of World Domination was about to emerge.
“It doesn’t matter. These... small fry can’t snatch anything from us.”
Gu Changge smiled casually, not seeming to care much. “Let’s go.”
Shua shua shua!!! Soon, several Arcane Bridges rose from this place as everyone charged into the high skies, then headed toward where Heavenly Ruin Gate was located.
Besides... Heavenly Ruin Gate, there were quite a few other forces near the Sky Jade Mountain Range.
But compared to Heavenly Ruin Gate, they were much weaker. With the powerful Heavenly Ruin Gate available to command, going to command those forces instead would be far too troublesome.
Moreover, according to the Demonic Puppets’ report, the Fortuitous One Jiang Chen was actually at Heavenly Ruin Gate right now.
Such a coincidence surprised even Gu Changge.
He had merely ordered the Demonic Puppets to casually toss Jiang Chen into some sect and let him develop on his own.
He never expected Jiang Chen to appear here—truly worthy of being the Fortuitous One; wherever there’s fortune to be found, that’s where he appears.
Before long, a majestic mountain range appeared before Gu Changge and the others.
Jasper towers and jade palaces, spiritual mist swirling, flying springs and waterfalls, lush verdant trees—a scene of immortal paradise.
“May I ask what business you young heroes have at my Heavenly Ruin Gate?”
The old Taoist guarding the mountain gate changed expression as he watched the group of young Cultivators riding clouds and mist appear before Heavenly Ruin Gate’s entrance, nervousness and vigilance rising in his heart.
His words were extremely respectful and polite, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
He couldn’t see through the cultivation of a single person before him.
Especially that white-robed man at the head—every gesture gave him an unfathomable, heart-palpitating sense of dread.
So young, yet his strength was so powerful it made one’s scalp tingle.
That group of... prodigies behind him should all be his followers—one could imagine how terrifying his identity was, absolutely not something a tiny Heavenly Ruin Gate could provoke.
“My master plans to stay in the vicinity for a while...”
Hearing this, a powerful Yaksha-like creature stepped forward and spoke indifferently.
The horns on its head flowed with a chilling aura, as if it could casually tear apart the void itself.
Hearing these words, the old Taoist’s expression changed again, and he hurriedly said respectfully, “For you heroes to come here is truly an honor that brings glory to my humble Heavenly Ruin Gate. Please follow this old Taoist inside—I shall notify the Sect Master and the others at once...”
He didn’t dare utter a single word about having these prodigies wait outside for a moment, hastily leading the way in front, guiding Gu Changge, Yue Mingkong, and the others into the mountain gate.
Along the way, the old Taoist kept guessing at Gu Changge and the others’ identities, his back drenched in cold sweat, trembling with trepidation.
Whether... it was their clothing, their mounts and exotic beasts, or their bearing—everything exuded a suffocating majesty.
That white-robed man was fine—his expression casual and at ease; though lofty and superior, he hadn’t revealed anything.
But the pressure from that devastatingly beautiful woman made even him feel suffocated—every glance and look carried cold, illustrious majesty, like an Empress reigning supreme over the world.
Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong’s expressions were calm, without the slightest ripple, and they had no intention of speaking at all—it was the followers behind them who spoke, explaining the purpose of their visit.
“Why is he here...”
Meanwhile, in the distance, Jiang Chen, who was being led by Ji Chuyue to find her brother.
At this moment, his eyes suddenly widened, and he froze in place, his whole body going cold, his back swept by terrifying chill, his voice trembling slightly.
He had never imagined he would see Gu Changge in such a remote place.
Although it was just a casual glance just now, he had seen clearly—that young man, surrounded like the moon by stars, with jade-like bearing, otherworldly, like a banished immortal, was none other than Gu Changge.
That appearance and temperament—anyone who had seen it once could never forget it.
This made Jiang Chen’s expression change drastically, his legs going somewhat weak, his limbs turning cold, even giving rise to the thought of fleeing this place immediately.
Just how terrifying and ruthless this man was—he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
On the surface he seemed gentle as jade, but in reality his methods were incomparably cruel—he had slaughtered many of Jiang Chen’s companions to the last.
If he hadn’t encountered the Elderly Man in Black Robes, he would probably have suffered Gu Changge’s poisonous hand just like the rest of his companions.
One must know that even now, his good brother Niu Tian’s whereabouts were unknown, his life or death uncertain.
“Ruoyin...”
At this moment, a graceful figure involuntarily surfaced in his mind, and a wave of unwillingness and anger rose in Jiang Chen’s heart.
The woman beside Gu Changge just now—he had seen clearly—was definitely not Xiao Ruoyin.
That kind of... lofty, Empress-like noble and peerless temperament—one could imagine her background was absolutely extraordinary.
Before such a figure, he was truly less than an ant. Back when he wanted to join Heavenly Ruin Gate, the old Taoist at the gate had blocked him in every way.
But now, before Gu Changge, that same man was fawning and obsequious, humble as a dog.
This made intense hatred rise in Jiang Chen’s heart as he gritted his teeth hard, fists clenched tight.
However, he was still forcibly enduring, making himself calm down quickly, not daring to reveal the slightest abnormality.
After all, he couldn’t guarantee that if Gu Changge noticed his existence, Gu Changge would spare him.
Ji Chuyue looked at him doubtfully. “What’s wrong with you?”
She followed Jiang Chen’s gaze and happened to see, in the distance within Heavenly Ruin Gate, a group of young men and women with powerful auras, shrouded in precious radiance, riding various exotic beasts heading inside.
However, she did not see Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong, who were walking at the very front.
“I’m fine.”
Jiang Chen shook his head, his expression quickly returning to calm.
“It seems things are getting... increasingly turbulent lately. These people’s cultivations are all so strong, and they’re all heading straight into Heavenly Ruin Gate...”
Ji Chuyue’s brows furrowed, feeling that matters were becoming more and more troublesome.
Saying this, she led Jiang Chen toward the mountain range where she had arranged to meet her brother Ji Yaoxing.
“Changge, what is it?”
Yue Mingkong noticed the intrigued smile at the corner of Gu Changge’s mouth just now and couldn’t help asking curiously.
“Nothing much. I just spotted a little ant scurrying about, and suddenly felt that finding the Tower of World Domination this time shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Gu Changge smiled, pinching her slender, soft jade hand.
Yue Mingkong gave him a slight sideways glance. “The way you say it, I feel like you calculated this long ago.”
“This time I really didn’t. It was completely... an accident.”
Gu Changge shook his head.
Jiang Chen appearing here—he had never even considered it before.
If not for descending upon the Sky Jade Mountain Range this time and sensing the Demonic Puppets’ presence, he wouldn’t have known Jiang Chen was here.
After all, a Fortuitous One must be free-ranged for him to grow up strong and healthy.
“Greetings to all you young heroes. I am Shen Xuzi, Head of Heavenly Ruin Gate.”
Soon, the old Taoist ahead led them to a rather quiet and secluded palace.
But before they even entered, an elderly man with white hair and beard, a youthful face and crane-like hair, hale and spirited, arrived with many high-level members of Heavenly Ruin Gate, cupping his hands in greeting with a very respectful attitude.
Gu Changge nodded slightly, but did not speak, having no intention of engaging.
Yue Mingkong’s expression was cold and calm, as if carved from flawless immortal jade, her skin lustrous and delicate, cold as a ten-thousand-year iceberg.
“My master needs to search for something in the Sky Jade Mountain Range during this time...”
The Yaksha-like creature that had spoken earlier spoke again, explaining the purpose of their visit to the people of Heavenly Ruin Gate.
Hearing these words, Heavenly Ruin Gate’s Head, Shen Xuzi, grew slightly solemn. Although he had been secretly sizing up Gu Changge just now, he couldn’t recall who he was for the moment.
The Heavenly Ruin Sect was originally built upon ruins—it was only named “Heavenly Ruin” to sound nicer.
And in the vast Beyond, it could only be considered a third-rate force.
Heavenly Ruin Gate, as its branch, was even more so.
In a remote place like Heavenly Ruin Gate, Shen Xuzi had no access to higher powers, but he could still sense that Gu Changge and the others’ identities were extraordinary.
“Rest assured, heroes. Wherever my Heavenly Ruin Gate can be of use, just say the word. My Heavenly Ruin Gate will certainly assist with all our strength.”
Shen Xuzi said solemnly.
In his heart, he thought of Ji Chuyue, who had come during this period—behind her was the Hidden Ji Family, a colossal existence even in the entire Beyond.
He just didn’t know whether she knew this group of young prodigies before him.
“Do your job well, and my master will not treat you poorly.”
Hearing this, the Yaksha-like creature gave a cold laugh. Divine light flashed in its hand, and a large swath of rare spirit source appeared, like amber, flowing with hazy mist.
The instant they saw these... rare spirit sources, Shen Xuzi and the others’ eyes nearly popped out of their heads. They then hurried off to make arrangements, vacating the finest palaces and pavilions within the mountain gate.
“It’s clear that before we arrived, someone else had already come to Heavenly Ruin Gate.”
Then, after waving everyone away.
Yue Mingkong’s eyes couldn’t help narrowing as she spoke, appearing somewhat elongated—losing a trace of coldness, gaining a trace of languid charm.
After all, upon hearing their purpose, Shen Xuzi and the others weren’t very surprised—presumably someone had already come here before, also to search for something.
“It doesn’t matter. No matter who arrived here first, anyone who snatches what’s mine won’t leave this place alive.”
Gu Changge smiled, his tone still casual and light.
“The Tower of World Domination hasn’t even been seen yet, and it’s already yours?”
Yue Mingkong glanced at him, letting out a soft huff.
“Whatever I want is naturally mine.”
Gu Changge said with a smile. Then, with a thought, he summoned the Elderly Man in Black Robes he had placed by Jiang Chen’s side.
“Greetings, Master.”
The Elderly Man in Black Robes quickly emerged from the void, speaking respectfully.
“Keep a close watch on that fellow’s movements. If there’s any unusual activity, report to me at any time.”
Gu Changge said indifferently.
“Yes, Master.”
The Elderly Man in Black Robes came quickly and vanished just as quickly. After all, with Sacred Lord Realm strength, in a place like Heavenly Ruin Gate, there was no need to worry about anything—crossing the void in an instant, traversing ten thousand li with a thought.