Suspecting Gu Changge Was Behind It, Yet Without a Shred of Evidence
Suspecting Gu Changge Was Behind It, Yet Without a Shred of Evidence
The little junior disciple that Chen Suyun and Gu Wudi spoke of was named Xiao Yang.
Over twenty years ago, beneath the waterfall of the Nine Great Mountains, Chen Suyun had chanced upon him and brought him back into the mountains to cultivate.
At the time, Xiao Yang was still a swaddled infant, placed inside a basket, his whole body covered in blood, on the verge of death. On him was an ancient jade, upon which two ancient characters were written.
It was precisely because of those two ancient characters that she learned Xiao Yang’s name.
Afterward, Xiao Yang was pitied by her shifu—the Second Mountain Elder—who felt the child was alone and helpless, and so took him in as a disciple.
Thus Xiao Yang became the disciple with the lowest seniority in the Nine Great Mountains, the little junior disciple in everyone’s mouth.
As for why Xiao Yang had been abandoned at the foot of the Nine Great Mountains, that had always remained a mystery known to no one.
Xiao Yang’s origins were, to this day, an enigma. Some believed he bore a sea of blood-deep vengeance.
But by now, not many people paid it any mind.
In the eyes of many, since he had been found at the Nine Great Mountains, it must be the fated bond between him and the mountains.
Moreover, Xiao Yang had a likable personality, was hardworking and capable, and his cultivation talent was not weak either—he was quite endearing.
So every disciple of the Nine Great Mountains who knew him got along well with him.
Chen Suyun and Xiao Yang shared a relationship that was both sisterly and motherly.
After all, Xiao Yang had been raised single-handedly by Chen Suyun; much of his worldly wisdom and cultivation methods had been taught by her personally.
“Chosen One, you wish to ask Xiao Yang about the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains, correct?”
“It is useless to ask him about this matter. You must ask shifu. Little junior disciple has only been at the Nine Great Mountains for a little over twenty years.”
“How could he possibly know of such matters?”
Seeing Gu Wudi’s expression, Chen Suyun’s delicate brows furrowed, and then she spoke flatly.
Gu Wudi’s coveting of the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains was no secret within the Nine Great Mountains.
However, the Second Mountain Elder had already made it clear that Gu Wudi was not suited to take over the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains.
On the contrary, over these countless years, only the little junior disciple Xiao Yang was the most suitable.
Toward her shifu’s words, Chen Suyun naturally harbored no doubt whatsoever.
But Gu Wudi was proud and arrogant—how could he possibly accept the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains falling into the hands of someone inferior to him?
One must know, the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains was the Supreme Treasure of the Nine Great Mountains, gathering the faith, Fortuity, and destiny accumulated by the Nine Great Mountains over countless years—truly profound and unfathomable.
Ever since the First Mountain Elder entered seclusion and ceased to appear in the world, the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains had been taken over by the Second Mountain Elder, thereby maintaining the operation of the Nine Great Mountains’ formations, and the stability of the world’s spiritual energy, the world’s laws, the Great Dao environment, and other such aspects.
“Suyun shijie, why do you say such things? My shifu once said that the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains should be taken over by one of virtue.”
“Back then, when the First Mountain Elder yielded the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains, the various Mountain Elders fought and contended for it. My shifu, the Third Mountain Elder, lost by a single move, narrowly defeated by the Second Mountain Elder, and that was how the Great Seal of the Nine Mountains was taken by him.”
“And now, without even giving the disciples a chance to contend for it, the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains is to be handed directly to another? Such a method, I fear, cannot convince the masses, nor can I accept it in my heart.”
Hearing this, Gu Wudi’s expression turned somewhat displeased, his brows knitting together, his heart filled mostly with unwillingness.
If it were a fair duel and he lost to Xiao Yang, then he would have nothing to say about the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains going to Xiao Yang.
But now, without even being given the chance to duel, he was deemed unsuitable to take over the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains—how could he accept this? Gu Wudi was proud and arrogant, holding himself in high esteem. He had cultivated at the Nine Great Mountains for many years, and his cultivation had long since caught up to many disciples who had joined before him. This approach was tantamount to declaring him inferior to a Xiao Yang who had only joined the Nine Great Mountains a mere twenty-some years ago.
“This is shifu’s decision. If you have any objections, then go speak with shifu.”
“Moreover, your current cultivation has long since surpassed little junior disciple’s by far.”
“If it were decided fairly, then for whom would that truly be fair?”
Hearing this, Chen Suyun’s brows remained tightly knit as she spoke indifferently.
Gu Wudi’s talent was indeed formidable—arguably the most outstanding disciple of the Nine Great Mountains in all these years.
But he was far too arrogant, always believing himself invincible under heaven. His usual gentle demeanor was nothing more than a facade.
“I can suppress my cultivation to match Xiao Yang’s. If you still feel that is unfair, then I can concede him an entire major realm.”
“Or, within the same realm, if he can withstand three moves from me—how about that?”
Gu Wudi’s expression was quite sinister; these words were already most impolite.
“How many years have you cultivated? How could your comprehension of Transcendent abilities and laws possibly be compared to little junior disciple’s?”
“For you to fight him is inherently unfair to him.”
Chen Suyun’s face remained unmoved as she said indifferently, “Besides, this is shifu’s decision. Only by speaking with him will it be of any use.”
After all, Xiao Yang had grown up before her very eyes, so deep in her heart, she was quite partial toward him.
By now, Gu Wudi was already at the Sacred Emperor Realm, having cultivated for millions of years.
Xiao Yang had cultivated for a mere twenty-some years—how could the two possibly be compared? “Fine. Very fine.”
Gu Wudi’s expression darkened completely, the mask torn from his face as he said coldly, “Since that is how it is, then don’t blame me.”
With that, golden light rose beneath his feet, and he departed with the cultivators behind him, his fury barely concealed.
Chen Suyun shook her head, thinking Gu Wudi was merely talking tough, and did not take it to heart.
In turn, she too transformed into a divine rainbow, leaving this place and heading toward where the Second Mountain lay.
Amid the boundless sea of clouds, the Blue Cloud Flying Boat was breaking through the waterfall, flying toward this place, withstanding terrifying pressure. Immortal mist swirled, runes flickered, and it stood steady as bedrock.
The Cloud Burial Grounds, also known as the Place of No Return Amidst Deep Clouds, was reputed to be the burial ground of the world’s clouds.
Here, one could most easily become lost; even cultivators of profound cultivation would find it difficult to locate the correct exit.
Thus, the Nine Great Mountains used the Cloud Burial Grounds as a natural barrier isolating them from contact with the outside world.
However, the Sky Deer Goddess clearly possessed special means to pass through this region. Steering the Blue Cloud Flying Boat, she soon crossed over from beneath the waterfall.
“It seems the Nine Great Mountains are quite confident—to not even have disciples standing guard, nor a mountain-protecting Grand Array.”
Gu Changge stood upon the flying boat, his white robes fluttering, his hair dancing in the wind. He raised his eyes to gaze into the distance, finding it somewhat curious.
Hearing this, the Sky Deer Goddess nodded and said, “Because the Nine Great Mountains know that very few in this world can find their way here.”
“Is that so? Yet haven’t you found your way here all the same?”
Gu Changge smiled, then said somewhat teasingly, “Tell me about your grudge with the Nine Great Mountains. I’ve suddenly taken an interest.”
“Is Gu gongzi planning to avenge me? That truly leaves me with no way to repay you. What a pity that offering myself in marriage is something you do not want.”
The Sky Deer Goddess steered the Blue Cloud Flying Boat while replying, a faint smile gracing her lips, calm and composed.
Yet her words carried a hint of mockery. If anyone who knew her were present, they would be utterly dumbstruck.
They would not dare believe that the woman before them was the holy, dignified Sky Deer Goddess who stood aloof from worldly strife.
“Offering yourself in marriage—why not? Even if you cannot warm the bed, serving as a slave or maid is quite acceptable.”
Gu Changge smiled faintly.
The smile on the Sky Deer Goddess’s lips did not diminish in the slightest as she said, “I never imagined the illustrious Gu gongzi would one day fear me so.”
As she spoke, she tucked a strand of dark hair behind her forehead, appearing utterly beguiling.
Toward her repeated seductions, Gu Changge was already well accustomed.
He knew this was deliberate on the Sky Deer Goddess’s part. Whether it was her true nature exposed after becoming a Heart-Possessing Demon, or an intentional disguise—
—it could not change the fact that he could not have her.
Seeing that Gu Changge paid her no heed, the Sky Deer Goddess was not surprised, and continued, “Back then, one of my shijies betrayed Sky Deer City, betrayed me and shifu, and in the end came to the Nine Great Mountains.”
She did not say who that shijie was. But at a moment like this, the more nonchalant she appeared, the more it demonstrated the severity of her hatred.
Gu Changge said with some interest, “And now that shijie of yours has become one of the Mountain Elders of the Nine Great Mountains?”
The Sky Deer Goddess shook her head. “Her aptitude falls far short of mine. At most she is now at the Quasi-Nirvana Realm. The Mountain Elders of the Nine Great Mountains are at least at the strength of True Daoists.”
“That truly is a rich harvest of resources.”
Hearing this, Gu Changge could not help but sigh in admiration.
The Sky Deer Goddess glanced at him. Cooperating with such a terrifying man was no different from seeking a tiger’s hide.
She did not know whether the choice she had made back then was right or wrong.
Soon, the Blue Cloud Flying Boat passed through layer upon layer of cloud and mist, and ahead, an ancient and majestic continent suddenly emerged.
“Who goes there?”
Almost instantly, cultivators there noticed the descending Blue Cloud Flying Boat. One could not help but shout loudly, transforming into a divine rainbow and flying over to demand an answer.
In this world, only the Blue Cloud Flying Boat could find the Cloud Burial Grounds.
However, before that person could even draw near, a colossal golden palm had already reached out from within the Blue Cloud Flying Boat, blotting out all directions, seizing him in one grasp and dragging him over.
This scene startled Gu Wudi and his group, who, having fallen out with Chen Suyun, were just about to return to the Second Mountain.
“Who dares trespass upon my Nine Great Mountains?”
Gu Wudi’s heart was stuffed with pent-up rage with no outlet. Suddenly encountering intruders at the Nine Great Mountains, he immediately brought out his weapon and took the initiative to attack.
A swath of golden Sword Qi interwove, bursting forth from the weapon in his hand, vast and mighty, slashing toward the Blue Cloud Flying Boat ahead.
The other cultivators also brought out their respective methods one after another. A blaze of brilliant light flew out, as if a great expanse of Astral Rivers were flooding forth.
However, from above the Blue Cloud Flying Boat, there was still only a single great golden palm descending, as if condensed from golden runes—it was the Hand of the Supreme Ruler, capable of suppressing the Eight Wastelands through the ages.
“Chi—”
“Chi—”
All the radiance was annihilated, instantly turning to ash.
“What?”
Gu Wudi’s expression changed. He had not expected the attacker’s strength to be terrifying to such a degree—a single palm had ground away all their methods.
Moreover, its residual might did not diminish, still descending toward them. The skin of the others nearly split and burst apart, already seeping blood.
“Halt for me!”
He snorted coldly, his aura shifting. Behind him, a True Dragon actually emerged, Chaos Energy spreading, incomparably mighty, setting off his golden battle armor like a golden war god, looking down upon Humanness.
Gu Wudi displayed the terrifying strength of his Sacred Emperor Realm, charging right up to the Blue Cloud Flying Boat.
However, that palm did not pause in the slightest. Chaos Energy pervaded it, as if the heavens themselves were falling. With a pu sound, it slammed directly onto him, causing the True Dragon figure behind him to collapse. His whole body coughed up blood, his frame nearly exploding.
“How is this possible?”
Gu Wudi was horrified. Sensing the situation was amiss, he turned to flee, but that palm seemed to transform into a universe within a palm, suppressing him within it, rendering him immobile.
Meanwhile, in the deepest reaches of this continent—
Within the main hall of the towering, ancient Second Mountain, the atmosphere was exceptionally grave and solemn.
The great hall was magnificent, with white jade for pillars and glazed tiles for roofing, hazy immortal light pervading it, just like the legendary Immortal Palace.
A white-robed elder with white hair and beard, his figure somewhat stooped,
was squinting his eyes, bending at the waist, speaking of something with the others in the great hall.
Behind the white-robed elder stood a young man with delicate features and a tall, upright figure, his eyes carrying a faint azure hue, wreathed in azure radiance, appearing accomplished in cultivation.
“Second Mountain Elder, this decision of yours—I must beg to disagree.”
“Right now, the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains suffer great calamity, with the armies of the Beyond pressing upon our borders. This is precisely the perfect time for the disciples of my Nine Great Mountains to emerge into the world, walk the lands, and gather faith. How can we seal the mountains because of this?”
“Once such a heaven-sent opportunity is missed, we will regret it for the rest of our lives.”
Opposite the white-robed elder, a black-robed elder furrowed his brows and spoke with some displeasure.
He had a youthful face with crane-white hair, his spirit hale and hearty. Between the opening and closing of his eyes, Chaos light pervaded—his cultivation was extremely terrifying. He was none other than the current Third Mountain Elder of the Nine Great Mountains, the shifu of the Chosen One Gu Wudi.
As for the white-robed elder, he was the current Second Mountain Elder, and the young man standing behind him was his youngest disciple, Xiao Yang.
Within the great hall were also the other Mountain Elders of the Nine Great Mountains, men and women alike, their figures blurred, their auras domineering, their blood vitality like terrifying cosmic furnaces, causing hearts to palpitate and faces to pale.
This place could be said to have gathered all the supreme powerhouses of the Nine Great Mountains.
At this moment, hearing the Third Mountain Elder’s words, the other Mountain Elders also voiced their agreement one after another, expressing their discontent with the Second Mountain Elder’s act of sealing the mountains.
Only a small portion remained silent, feeling that the Second Mountain Elder’s approach was not without reason.
“Some time ago, I performed a divination with the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains, peering into the river of time. The hexagram showed that my Nine Great Mountains face a crisis of annihilation, and it is imminent. The only countermeasure is to seal the mountains.”
“I do this only for everyone’s sake. This time, it is not merely the calamity of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains—it is the calamity of my Nine Great Mountains.”
Hearing this, the Second Mountain Elder merely shook his head and sighed softly, somewhat helpless.
“How many times have you made this claim? Every time the Beyond invades, you say a great calamity is upon us, yet every time it is all thunder and no rain. When have the disciples of my Nine Great Mountains ever encountered peril upon emerging into the world?”
“Do you know that if we seal the mountains this time, the prestige and faith my Nine Great Mountains have accumulated over countless years will vanish into nothing? How will the cultivators and living beings of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains view us? They will think we fear the Beyond, that we shrink back in the face of battle!”
Hearing these words, the Third Mountain Elder could not help but laugh coldly, quite disdainful of the Second Mountain Elder’s divination methods.
Once these words were spoken, the great hall instantly fell silent.
Even the Second Mountain Elder opened his mouth, wanting to say something, only to swallow it back down in the end with a sigh.
But the circumstances shown by this hexagram, he felt, were unlike those of the past—which was why he was so prudent.
Yet the others did not believe it.
“Furthermore, this matter of you insisting on handing the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains to Xiao Yang—this old man cannot agree to it either.”
“Whether in cultivation or capability, Wudi far surpasses Xiao Yang. On what grounds do you deny him the chance?”
“If the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains were contested fairly, this old man would have nothing to say. But with you showing such favoritism toward your little disciple, this old man must instead fight for justice on Wudi’s behalf!”
The Third Mountain Elder continued speaking, divine light gleaming in his eyes, staring fixedly at the Second Mountain Elder before him, determined to seek justice for his disciple.
Hearing this, the other Mountain Elders also nodded, quite in agreement.
“Shifu, the Third Mountain Elder speaks truly. Whether in cultivation or capability, Wudi shixiong far surpasses me.”
“This Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains—Wudi shixiong is more worthy of it. Moreover, if we were to fight, Wudi shixiong is already at the Sacred Emperor Realm. How could I possibly be his match?”
“So I beseech shifu to retract your order. This Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains is better left in Wudi shixiong’s hands.”
At this moment, the young man who had been standing silently behind the Second Mountain Elder suddenly spoke up.
He rubbed his nose and gave a bitter smile, putting on an appearance of being inadequate and placing the greater good above all.
“Xiao Yang, you...”
Hearing this, the Second Mountain Elder turned his head back, shook it, and said nothing more.
But at this moment, everyone else understood the meaning behind Xiao Yang’s words. Strange lights flickered in their eyes—on the surface it sounded like humble deference, but in truth, he felt the matter was unfair to him.
This Xiao Yang was not old in years, yet his scheming and shrewdness were anything but simple.