The Elderly Man in Black Robes Appears to Save Jiang Chen—Everyone Becomes a Tool in His Hands
The Elderly Man in Black Robes Appears to Save Jiang Chen—Everyone Becomes a Tool in His Hands
The full moon hung like a drawn bowstring, draped in silvery light.
The Purple Mountains towered majestically, flowing with hazy purple gleam.
From time to time, terrifying sounds echoed from within, like massive boulders rolling, rumbling and roaring.
Within the valley, the atmosphere was utterly oppressive. Everyone was silent as cicadas in winter, eyes lowered, not daring to speak.
Even Chen Ning’er couldn’t help but feel a chill creep up her back, her face slightly pale.
Although Gu Changge’s words just now hadn’t been directed at her.
That feeling... of one’s very soul trembling, of suffocation, lingered around everyone like a nightmare.
Finally, as Gu Changge withdrew his gaze and revealed a smile.
That dreadful sensation looming over everyone’s heads finally dissipated somewhat.
Everyone felt as if they had just been fished out of water, limbs cold, clothes soaked through with cold sweat.
Chen Ning’er and the others even suspected that if Ji Yaoxing had misspoken a single word just now, what awaited him would have been an absolutely annihilating strike.
Gu Changge’s strength, even according to rumors, was that of an existence capable of battling a Perfect Prodigy.
Crushing Ji Yaoxing to death would be as simple as crushing an ant.
“Young Master Changge, rest assured. Although we failed to obtain the Tower of World Domination today.”
“Yaoxing has already notified the family. The Wheel of World Domination will be delivered very soon, which can be considered a small token of apology. I hope Young Master Changge, in your great magnanimity, will not hold today’s offenses against my sister and me.”
Ji Yaoxing let out a breath of relief, cupped his fists, and spoke with a deferential expression.
“Daoxiong Yaoxing is truly... thoughtful.”
“In that case, I shall... graciously accept rather than decline.”
Hearing this, Gu Changge smiled faintly, still appearing calm and unperturbed.
How could he not know what everyone was thinking? He simply didn’t care.
Even if Ji Yaoxing hadn’t offered the Wheel of World Domination, he would have found an opportunity to force the Ji Family to hand it over.
Ji Yaoxing being so sensible... saved him some trouble.
Ji Chuyue glanced at Gu Changge fearfully and quickly lowered her head. The first time she had met Gu Changge, her heart had held only curiosity.
What kind of existence was this rumored number one of the younger generation? Back then, she couldn’t feel that terrifying might of his, enough to make the entire Beyond tremble.
Today, she had finally experienced it completely. Just now, she had nearly been unable to stand.
She suspected that even if their father—the Master of the Hidden Ji Family—stood before Gu Changge today, his performance wouldn’t be much better than theirs.
“Young Master Changge, how should this person Jiang Chen be dealt with?”
Hearing Gu Changge’s words, the stone in Ji Yaoxing’s heart finally dropped, and he appeared much more relaxed.
On his composed and reserved face, a sharp glint suddenly flashed as he looked toward Jiang Chen behind him—whose face was somewhat pale, seemingly still in shock—and asked.
Jiang Chen had yet to recover from his earlier shock.
Hearing that Ji Yaoxing intended to deal with him, his expression changed drastically.
He had no time to think and hurriedly asked the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation in his mind what he could possibly do to survive today.
“Your only choice right now is... to flee into the Purple Mountains behind you, and the faster the better. As long as you get inside, I have a way to manipulate the terrain within and use it to contend against them.”
“And this is your only path to survival. The Ji siblings won’t help you—this is something I didn’t anticipate. I overestimated their courage and boldness, and underestimated Gu Changge’s might.”
The voice of the Celestial Boat of Creation’s Artifact Spirit was heavier than ever before.
“But how could I possibly escape them? They could catch up to me in an instant.”
Jiang Chen’s brows furrowed tightly, his heart filled with nervous unease.
He had long wanted to bolt and run, but Ji Yaoxing’s trusted aides and Chen Ning’er’s subordinates were all watching him closely, leaving him no room to act rashly.
“In a moment, I’ll take the opportunity to disrupt the natural order of this place and create a chance for you to escape. You must seize the moment—don’t miss it.”
The Celestial Boat of Creation’s Artifact Spirit said gravely.
Jiang Chen nodded, his heart heavy. If he made even the slightest mistake, the outcome would be utter annihilation of body and soul.
He was extremely nervous, his palms and back drenched in cold sweat.
“The name Jiang Chen sounds somewhat familiar.”
Hearing Ji Yaoxing’s words.
Gu Changge seemed to think for a moment, then revealed a contemplative expression. “Though this face—I don’t believe I’ve seen it before.”
His gaze fell upon Jiang Chen with some interest, as if intending to see through him completely.
“This Jiang Chen possesses the inheritance of a Source Master. He previously claimed to have a grudge against Young Master Changge. His current appearance is a disguise, adopted out of fear that Young Master Changge would recognize him—it is not his original face.”
Ji Yaoxing explained in a slightly heavy voice.
“Oh? A Source Master, and disguised at that.”
“Perhaps my memory fails me. I don’t recall having any grudge with some Source Master.”
Gu Changge’s smile remained utterly nonchalant.
“These were Jiang Chen’s own words. I dare not deceive Young Master Changge.”
Ji Yaoxing explained, while his gaze turned toward Jiang Chen with a hint of coldness. “He repeatedly tried to incite my sister and me to plot against Young Master Changge, attempting to push my Ji Family into an abyss of eternal damnation. His heart deserves execution.”
Hearing this, Chen Ning’er and the others were shocked. They never imagined this youth who possessed Source Master inheritance would dare do such a thing. Plotting against Gu Changge—just how much courage and audacity did he have?
Gu Changge smiled at these words but said nothing more.
He didn’t withdraw his gaze, merely appearing quite amused.
Jiang Chen knew Gu Changge had certainly already figured out who he was—he simply hadn’t exposed it.
At that moment, he spoke with a face full of coldness. “Gu Changge, how forgetful the noble can be. The grudge between me and my companions—I still remember it crystal clear.”
As he spoke, his face underwent a transformation.
Using the method Ji Chuyue had previously taught him, he revealed his true appearance.
In an instant, Jiang Chen changed from a youth into a young man, his appearance drastically altered, astonishing everyone present.
Seeing this, Gu Changge nodded as if suddenly enlightened, then said with interest, “So it’s you. But what do you mean by those words?”
“I kindly let you all leave back then, and now you turn around and blame me. Isn’t that a bit too ungrateful? Even an ungrateful wretch shouldn’t act like this, don’t you think?”
Hearing his casual, dismissive tone, Jiang Chen felt a nameless fury surge straight to his head.
Still, he forced himself to calm down and said coldly, “Doing something and not daring to admit it—Gu Changge, can you be any more shameless? On the surface you let us go, but in reality, you sent people to exterminate us.”
“It’s just a pity that Ruoyin is so pure and kind, trusting you so completely, unable to see your true face.”
The moment Xiao Ruoyin was mentioned, he felt resentment and pain spreading through his heart, threatening to tear his whole being apart.
As for the grudge between Jiang Chen and Gu Changge, everyone listened in complete confusion, unable to make heads or tails of it.
Letting them live? Extermination? Only Yue Mingkong turned her head to glance at Changge, a trace of contemplation flashing through her eyes.
She was pondering who this woman named Ruoyin that Jiang Chen spoke of could be.
It seemed that yet again, without her knowledge, another woman had fallen into Gu Changge’s hands.
And this Jiang Chen had formed his grudge with Gu Changge because of it.
Yue Mingkong felt she needed to find time to ask Gu Changge just who this woman named Ruoyin was.
“So that’s what you’re talking about.”
“Xiao Ruoyin bears a legendary physique. She and you stopped belonging to the same world long ago. Clinging desperately to her is not a good thing for you.”
“Do you still not understand, even now?”
Gu Changge seemed to have lost interest, his expression casual.
“Stop trying to fool people, Gu Changge. That’s nothing but an excuse. Ruoyin had just arrived in this world and knew nothing—that’s the only reason you deceived her so thoroughly that she couldn’t see your true face.”
Jiang Chen was incomparably resentful, his expression looking as if he wished he could devour Gu Changge alive.
“Insolence! Master kindly let you all leave back then. Not only are you ungrateful, you now come to bite the hand that fed you. Master is kind and magnanimous and doesn’t wish to stoop to your level.”
“But if you remain this obstinate, don’t blame us for taking action.”
“If Master wanted to kill you, the entire Beyond would hold no place for you. With your meager abilities, could you have survived?”
However, Gu Changge no longer had any intention of paying Jiang Chen attention, his expression indifferent, not even bothering to cast his gaze over.
The one who spoke was a follower behind him, bearing a terrifying Yaksha-like appearance, with astonishing blood qi and surging baleful aura.
Its words made everyone’s expressions shift slightly. Though they sounded arrogant and domineering, they spoke the truth.
Indeed, with Gu Changge’s might, if he wanted to kill Jiang Chen, how could a mere mortal like him possibly escape?
Hearing this, Jiang Chen’s eyes burned with even greater fury, and he couldn’t help but sneer. “If not for my good luck, I would have long been killed by those creatures he sent. Naturally, I wouldn’t have survived until now.”
“Utterly ignorant of death! You’re courting death!”
The Yaksha-like creature that had spoken flew into a rage, about to strike Jiang Chen dead.
A terrifying cyan palm imprint stretched across the sky, draped with heart-palpitating laws, descending from above.
The ground trembled, the mountains rumbled, countless auras interweaving—matchlessly powerful.
Let alone a mortal like Jiang Chen, even a Sacred Realm prodigy would have to treat this strike with utmost caution.
“You...”
Jiang Chen’s expression changed drastically, turning completely pale with despair.
He had never imagined the other party would be so ruthless, giving him not even a sliver of a chance to flee, intent on slapping him to death right here.
Chen Ning’er and the others watched all this with indifferent expressions, their faces without the slightest ripple.
Ji Yaoxing’s face likewise showed no change.
Only Ji Chuyue seemed somewhat unable to bear it, lowering her head, unwilling to watch this scene.
Toward Jiang Chen, she had initially found him amusing, which was why she had sent him quite a few spirit herbs for cultivation.
Later, she grew curious because of the Source Master methods he displayed.
But who could have imagined that the grudge between Jiang Chen and Gu Changge ran so deep?
And her Hidden Ji Family had been dragged into it as well. If they didn’t want to follow in the Purple Mansion’s footsteps, they had to sever ties with Jiang Chen.
The best solution was to dump all the trouble onto Jiang Chen’s head.
“I’m sorry, Jiang Chen...”
Ji Chuyue’s gaze dimmed somewhat, her heart filled with guilt, but she didn’t dare intervene to save him.
“Gu Changge, even as a ghost, I won’t let you go...”
Facing this palm that could easily crush him into a mist of blood, Jiang Chen’s face filled with despair, and he couldn’t help but roar.
Rumble!! The void trembled, seemingly about to explode.
“Go, now!”
Yet at this critical, life-or-death moment.
An Elderly Man in Black Robes suddenly appeared, his face cold and sinister, but his body circulating with terrifying Sacred Realm pressure.
With a wave of his sleeve, he blocked the crushing palm, simultaneously grabbing the despairing, pale-faced Jiang Chen, his figure swiftly fleeing toward the Purple Mountains.
For Jiang Chen now, the road ahead was sealed off. His only path of retreat... lay within the Purple Mountains behind him.
“Black-Robed Senior...”
Jiang Chen’s eyes widened. He had never imagined that in his most desperate moment, the Black-Robed Senior would appear once again to save him.
At this moment, he was moved and grateful beyond words.
“Simply... foolish. The Ji siblings were never trustworthy to begin with, yet you were stupid enough to lead the way for them. Do you regret it now?”
The Elderly Man in Black Robes spoke in a tone of hating iron for not becoming steel, as if he wished he could slap Jiang Chen to death himself.
But despite his words, his movements were swift.
Grabbing Jiang Chen, he fled into the Purple Mountains, transforming into a streak of black light that vanished without a trace in an instant.
“Who exactly was that person?”
“If that aura just now was correct, that should have been a Sacred Lord, right?”
This sudden turn of events shocked everyone.
No one had imagined that Jiang Chen had such a powerhouse hidden behind him, rescuing him at the critical moment.
And this Elderly Man in Black Robes was truly bold, so openly snatching Jiang Chen away from Gu Changge’s hands.
Such an act was tantamount to resolutely making an enemy of Gu Changge.
They didn’t know who this Elderly Man in Black Robes was, but even as a Sacred Lord, after offending Gu Changge, he was likely on a dead-end road.
Just as had been said before—in the vast Beyond, there would no longer be any ground for him to stand on.
“This Jiang Chen actually had a Sacred Lord Realm existence hidden behind him. No wonder he seemed so confident back then, speaking to us that way.”
“But what was his true purpose in joining the Heavenly Ruin Gate? Could it be he already knew the location of the Tower of World Domination and came here specifically? Everything he said and did... was it all just a smokescreen?”
Ji Yaoxing frowned, various thoughts flashing through his mind. Glancing at Gu Changge’s slightly darkened expression, he didn’t dare ask questions at this moment.
“Master, please punish me...”
The Yaksha-like creature that had struck earlier, seeing this, moved to kneel and beg forgiveness. After all, it was its carelessness that allowed the Elderly Man in Black Robes to suddenly appear and rescue Jiang Chen.
Gu Changge waved his hand, his expression returning to normal. “It’s not... your fault. It seems this Jiang Chen had backing, which is why he dared speak that way.”
“A Sacred Lord Realm powerhouse supporting him—it seems he’s had quite a few fortuitous encounters lately.”
Hearing this, Yue Mingkong glanced at him. She always felt there was a deeper meaning in Gu Changge’s words.
When that Elderly Man in Black Robes appeared just now, his expression hadn’t rippled in the slightest—clearly, he had anticipated this scene long ago.
So she couldn’t help but speculate: if Jiang Chen was a chess piece Gu Changge had arranged long ago, then what about this Elderly Man in Black Robes?
Thinking of this, a chill couldn’t help but rise up her back.
Indeed, once Gu Changge set his sights on someone, it would become their most terrifying nightmare—one they could never escape for the rest of their lives.
“Jiang Chen actually has a Sacred Lord Realm existence standing behind him...”
Ji Chuyue also took a long moment to react, and for some reason, a chill crept up her back.
Then what exactly was Jiang Chen’s purpose in joining the Heavenly Ruin Gate? Judging from his actions just now, this Elderly Man in Black Robes was likely something like his Dao Protector.
“The Purple Mountains are extraordinarily dangerous. Even if Jiang Chen enters, it’s nine deaths out of ten. Moreover, I see no path to survival beyond the Purple Mountains—the only way out is through us here.”
“Even if he’s lucky enough to escape from within, he’ll still have to leave through here in the end.”
At this point, Chen Ning’er couldn’t help but speak up, certain that Jiang Chen had no way out.
They only needed to guard the entrance to the Purple Mountains and wait for Jiang Chen to walk right into their trap.
However, hearing this, Ji Yaoxing shook his head and said gravely, “The terrain within the Purple Mountains is treacherous, and it forms its own dimension. Though the dangers are many, Jiang Chen is a Source Master with numerous mysterious and unfathomable methods. He might just find some path to survival within.”
“When I previously entered the Purple Mountains to investigate, I discovered many ancient beings suppressed within. The closer to the interior, the stronger those beings become—there are even existences surpassing the Sacred Realm.”
He didn’t believe Jiang Chen would die inside. If not for Jiang Chen, they probably still wouldn’t have found the Tower of World Domination’s location even now.
So he guessed Jiang Chen likely had some assurance, which was why he dared flee into the Purple Mountains.
“Since the Tower of World Domination is within the Purple Mountains, then even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I’ll find it. A mere Jiang Chen is not worth worrying about.”
Hearing this, Gu Changge smiled unconcernedly.
As he spoke, the many followers behind him transformed into divine rainbows one after another, soaring into the sky, their figures charging toward the Purple Mountains, unwilling to waste any more time here.
As for Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong, the two had no intention of stepping inside.
“In that case, Ning’er will immediately dispatch subordinates to scout the path into the Purple Mountains and, while at it, capture that Jiang Chen for Young Master Changge.”
Seeing this, Chen Ning’er’s expression turned serious as she hurriedly spoke, then began issuing orders to her subordinates.
Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue exchanged a glance and didn’t dare delay either, beginning to instruct their trusted aides to venture deep into the Purple Mountains to search for the Tower of World Domination while also seizing Jiang Chen.
For a time, this place was filled with waves of brilliant light, dazzling and astonishing. Though everyone knew the Purple Mountains were fraught with danger, none dared defy Gu Changge’s will at this moment, hurrying inside without delay.
Being a tool or whatnot—did that even matter at a time like this?
Soon, only Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong remained. Even the Ji siblings had rushed inside, not choosing to stay outside.
“How confident are you that Jiang Chen can find the Tower of World Domination?”
Yue Mingkong was somewhat curious, her gaze falling on Gu Changge’s face.
She didn’t ask what plan Gu Changge had—she only wanted to know why he was so certain Jiang Chen could find the Tower of World Domination.
“One hundred percent.”
Gu Changge smiled at her words, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, his gaze seemingly piercing through the entire Purple Mountains to see the scene within.
It wasn’t that he had confidence in Jiang Chen—he had confidence in the Fortuity Jiang Chen carried. Otherwise, how could he be called the Fortuitous One?
Moreover, Jiang Chen carried another divine object—the Celestial Boat of Creation.
With the Celestial Boat of Creation’s help, wouldn’t obtaining the Tower of World Domination be as easy as flipping his hand for Jiang Chen?
The Ji siblings and Chen Ning’er were merely going in to serve as Jiang Chen’s foils.
“Without anyone noticing, you’ve actually schemed to such depths.”
“Everyone in your hands becomes a tool.”
Yue Mingkong glanced at him, her gaze unusually calm, feeling that even the word “monster” was far from sufficient to describe him.
“You can’t quite call it scheming. It’s just how things naturally fell into place. Besides... the Tower of World Domination, gaining an extra Wheel of World Domination today is an unexpected delight.”
“Now we just wait for Jiang Chen to find the Tower of World Domination for me.”
Gu Changge smiled noncommittally.