Overthinking How Terrifying Things Are, As If He Were Guiding Them
Overthinking How Terrifying Things Are, As If He Were Guiding Them
The Imperial Capital of the Southern Light Empire was an ancient city that had existed for an extremely long time, even by the standards of the entire Southbarren State.
It was said that in ancient times, it had even endured a terrifying upheaval and survived undying.
Because of the Otherworldly Sky Demon invasion, the entire Imperial Capital was in a state of high alert, with soldiers patrolling everywhere. Above the sky, powerful figures riding flying swords swept back and forth, vigilant against the slightest sign of trouble.
After returning to the Imperial Capital, Princess Xuan Die led Gu Changge and the others, transforming into a divine rainbow that shot straight toward the imperial palace.
The current Southern Light Emperor was waiting respectfully within the palace for Gu Changge. Along the way, Guardian Chen and the others had already sent word of what had happened to the Southern Light Emperor, leaving him extremely cautious and careful, not daring to slacken in the slightest.
Gu Changge’s identity and origins were no small matter. Moreover, from the message sent by Princess Xuan Die, it could be learned that even in the world where the Otherworldly Sky Demons came from, Gu Changge’s status was extremely exalted—noble beyond words.
The only question was whether this man was friend or foe. It was said that he had saved Chen Ah Qing’s life.
The Southern Light Emperor wore a pale golden dragon robe and a purple-gold crown. His bearing was heroic and martial, his physique powerful. He paced back and forth within the hall, murmuring softly to himself.
Besides him, there were also several Elders of the Sword Cliff present in the hall, all of whose cultivation had stepped into the Eighth Level.
They were renowned experts throughout Southbarren State—a single stamp of their feet could change the color of mountains and rivers, and they wielded immense power.
They too had received the news from Princess Xuan Die’s side and had rushed over from the Sword Cliff in haste, wishing to meet this visitor from the Outer Territory.
The Sword Cliff attached great importance to this matter. Even the Snow Sword Immortal, who had hurried back from the Ancient Altar, had her expression change drastically upon hearing the news. Had she not been tied up with matters she could not escape, she would have wanted to come here in person.
“If he shows hostility, we must take him down immediately,” one of the Sword Cliff Elders said, a ruthless glint in his eyes.
The Southern Light Emperor’s face showed worry, and he waved his hand. “Let us hope he is a friend and not a foe. Otherwise, the consequences are unthinkable. According to Guardian Chen, the subordinates at that young gongzi’s side are at least of the Ninth Level cultivation.”
“Unless an Earth Sword Immortal takes action, no one can stop him.”
At this point, he could not help but sigh. There was simply no way around it.
Even within the vast Southern Light Empire, those who had stepped into the Ninth Level could be counted on one’s fingers—existences that even he had to treat with respect.
Yet beside that young man, such beings could only serve as subordinates. Not to mention that the young man’s own cultivation was unfathomably deep.
If such a figure were to reveal hostility, whether the Southern Light Empire could withstand him was anyone’s guess.
“Subordinates of Ninth Level strength?” The Sword Cliff Elders’ expressions changed drastically. They sucked in a breath of cold air, exchanged glances, and felt their scalps tingle.
The Elder who had shown a ruthless glint earlier now had a somewhat pale face, his lips trembling, no longer daring to speak.
The Nine Levels—each level was a heaven unto itself, let alone the gaps between the later realms.
To put it bluntly, an existence of the Ninth Level was practically invincible except against an Earth Sword Immortal. To kill an Eighth Level cultivator, they need only blow a breath to scatter their soul into oblivion.
“Since he saved Chen Ah Qing’s life, it seems he shouldn’t be some kind of villain. We can only hope he has no other intentions,” several Elders sighed.
“Chen Ah Qing’s father stepped into the rift of the Outer Territory back then, but unfortunately, no word of him has come since—his fate unknown. Our world has lost a full four Earth Sword Immortal Realm existences. The hope for this battle grows ever fainter.”
When Chen Ah Qing was mentioned, one of the Sword Cliff Elders could not help but shake his head and sigh, his tone filled with deep regret.
After all, that was an Earth Sword Immortal Realm existence, comparable to their own Cliff Master.
Even within a superpower like the Sword Cliff, there were only two or three such figures. Losing even one was an enormous loss.
“Right, regarding the matter of the Ancient Altar, what did the Cliff Master say?”
At this point, the Southern Light Emperor’s expression suddenly grew solemn.
He knew quite a few secrets about the Ancient Altar. It was said that it could divine the future and predict the evolution of the Profound Sword World. It even held pagoda carvings and records from ancient times of the ancestors resisting the Otherworldly Sky Demons.
However, the location of the Ancient Altar was extremely mysterious, requiring several Earth Sword Immortals working together to open it.
In the eyes of many living beings, that Ancient Altar was the last hope.
“The Cliff Master only nodded and shook her head. She did not answer our questions,” the Elders said, their faces full of regret, not knowing what the outcome would be.
Just then, a voice came from outside the palace. Princess Xuan Die walked in front, with Gu Changge, the young girl Ah Qing, and the others following behind as they entered.
“Father Emperor.”
Princess Xuan Die bowed to the Southern Light Emperor and was about to introduce Gu Changge to them.
However, the Southern Light Emperor had already waved his hand first. His gaze fell upon the young man before him, and he cupped his fists, saying, “I am the ruler of the Southern Light Empire. Greetings to this gongzi.”
His attitude was placed extremely low, exceedingly humble—nothing like the sovereign of a nation.
The other Sword Cliff Elders were also sizing up Gu Changge, their gazes carrying caution and care, not daring to make any overstepping movements, fearing they might provoke Gu Changge’s displeasure.
In terms of appearance, he truly did not seem like any kind of villain. On the contrary, he exuded an air of transcendent otherworldliness, like a banished immortal accidentally fallen into the mortal world.
This put them somewhat at ease. Sometimes, first impressions were just like that.
“Guozhu need not be so courteous. I harbor no ill intent. Nor do any of you need to be so cautious,” Gu Changge said with a faint smile, his demeanor appearing amiable and gentle.
“Gongzi must be laughing at us. The truth is, the pressure you give off is simply too great.”
Seeing Gu Changge’s attitude, the Southern Light Emperor also let out a long sigh of relief and squeezed out a few traces of a smile.
Just moments ago, standing before Gu Changge, he had actually found it somewhat hard to breathe. Without even realizing it, his back had already been soaked through with cold sweat.
This had nothing to do with cultivation or strength—it was a difference in level, a naturally arising chasm.
It was like an ant standing before a True Dragon, unable to keep from trembling.
Although Gu Changge now appeared refined and courteous, the Southern Light Emperor had, after all, ruled the empire for several thousand years. He still possessed the discernment he ought to have.
This was merely indifference and overlooking them from above—like looking at a stone by the roadside, without the slightest ripple in one’s heart.
So he understood very well that Gu Changge could not possibly regard them as equals.
The only thing he could do was lower his attitude and be as humble as possible.
“They are...?”
Gu Changge paid no mind to the changes in the Southern Light Emperor’s expression and looked toward the Sword Cliff Elders on the other side.
The Southern Light Empire was not the master of Southbarren State—Gu Changge was very clear on this point. What he sought was the true master of Southbarren State, not a mere Southern Light Emperor.
“We are Elders of the Sword Cliff. Greetings, gongzi,” the Sword Cliff Elders said hurriedly, cupping their fists, not daring to slacken in the slightest.
“Elders of the Sword Cliff?”
Gu Changge nodded as if in sudden understanding, then smiled. “I hear that the Cliff Master of the Sword Cliff is the number one beauty of Southbarren State, and also an existence who has stepped into the Earth Sword Immortal Realm. I wonder if I might meet her today?”
Hearing that Gu Changge specifically asked to meet their Cliff Master, the Sword Cliff Elders’ hearts skipped a beat. They could only brace themselves and reply, “In answer to gongzi, the Cliff Master has pressing matters to attend to. I’m afraid she cannot make it to the Southern Light Empire today.”
“Oh, since I can’t meet her today, then forget it. I imagine there will be opportunities in the future,” Gu Changge chuckled lightly, not seeming to mind much.
However, the Southern Light Emperor kept this in mind. What was Gu Changge’s intention in wanting to meet the Snow Sword Immortal?
Although he truly seemed different from the other Otherworldly Sky Demons, why would he descend from the Outer Territory for no reason at all?
Only, he did not dare to ask Gu Changge about his purpose in coming, for that could only invite Gu Changge’s displeasure.
“Many thanks to gongzi for saving Xuan Die’s life. If gongzi has any orders or requests, please speak freely. Anything my Southern Light Empire can accomplish, we will surely accomplish for gongzi.”
The Southern Light Emperor then glanced at Princess Xuan Die beside him and cupped his fists again, his attitude appearing extremely sincere and earnest.
No matter what, Gu Changge had saved Princess Xuan Die’s life. That was an unchangeable fact.
Princess Xuan Die stood quietly beside the Southern Light Emperor.
Her figure was tall and slender, graceful and poised. Her cherry lips were bright and lustrous, her nose elegant and refined, her eyes clear in black and white, brimming with spirit. Her long hair fluttered, making her seem like a fairy treading upon waves—truly the well-deserved second greatest beauty of Southbarren State, second only to her shifu, the Snow Sword Immortal.
Hearing this, Gu Changge smiled faintly. “It was but a lift of the hand. There’s no need for any orders.”
“Actually, none of you need to be so cautious around me. You only need to know this—in the Beyond, not all forces are fond of conquest and invasion. There are also many lineages and clans that value longevity and lasting vision, keeping themselves aloof from worldly strife.”
“The Otherworldly Sky Demons in your eyes may seem terrifying, but in our world, they are merely very ordinary cultivators. You have all made this matter out to be far too complicated—and far too terrifying.”
Hearing Gu Changge suddenly say this, everyone in the hall was stunned.
A glint of light flashed through the Southern Light Emperor’s eyes. He felt as though Gu Changge was pointing something out to them.