Envy, Jealousy, and Hatred — Or Just a Mischievous Whim
Envy, Jealousy, and Hatred — Or Just a Mischievous Whim
Deep within Vermilion Bird Hall, the palaces were grand and imposing, wreathed in drifting clouds and mist, like a slice of immortal paradise.
The lake was as clear as a mirror, shimmering with a lustrous glow beneath the moonlight, appearing all the more crystalline and translucent. But right now, everything was dead silent.
Every Cultivator and living being present had their eyes wide open, staring at this scene in shock and horror.
Qing’er’s identity was no secret throughout the vast Vermilion Bird Hall — in fact, throughout the entire Battlefield of Hundred Worlds.
Many of the Cultivators and beings who had spent some time here actually recognized her.
And yet, a figure who could be called the young lady of the entire Battlefield of Hundred Worlds was now personally attending at the side of a young man.
So, combined with what had happened yesterday before the Domain-Suppressing Gate, the identity of this white-robed man before them was practically self-evident.
Many Cultivators felt their minds buzzing, eyes bulging, finding it all too unbelievable.
None of them had ever imagined that one day, under such circumstances, they would actually see Changge in the flesh.
“It really is Young Master Changge! Something huge is happening!”
The many big shots hiding in the shadows felt their breaths catch, and then no longer dared to remain concealed. They hurriedly revealed themselves, putting on respectful and deferential appearances.
To put it bluntly, in the current Beyond, Changge was absolutely the most terrifyingly powerful figure in terms of influence — bar none.
With a single word from him, he could turn the entire Beyond upside down.
Even the Honoured Nobles and ancient existences of the Cults of Immortality and Supreme Dao Lineages had to be tremblingly cautious and polite before him.
Ordinary Cultivators probably couldn’t even stand steadily in his presence. The group of incomparably arrogant and domineering Ancient Royal Family disciples just now was the best proof of that.
They had actually dared to beat that red-dressed young woman until she flew right in front of Changge, blocking his path into this place.
In everyone’s eyes, what was that if not courting death?
For a moment, many of the Cultivators present cast sympathetic — and gloating — looks at this group of Ancient Royal Family disciples.
They usually ran rampant without restraint, but today they had finally kicked an iron plate. Let’s see how they act arrogant and wild now.
“What exactly happened? Why did the attitude of these Ancient Royal Family disciples change so drastically? Just who are that young woman and that white-robed man?”
The group from the Blue Flood Ancient World, who had been waiting in place for death, were also stunned by this sudden turn of events.
All of them widened their eyes and looked behind them, faces full of confusion.
In their view, this had been a certain-death situation. Even if the Elders of their sects behind them showed up, they absolutely could not have saved them.
But judging from the current situation, this group of Ancient Royal Family disciples before them wore expressions of extreme terror, as if they had offended some unimaginably horrifying existence.
“We have disturbed Young Master Changge.”
“We beg Young Master Changge to be magnanimous and spare our lives!”
Before the Battle Arena’s palace, this crowd of Ancient Royal Family disciples looked at Gu Changge not far away, their faces deathly pale, trembling with fear to the extreme, their souls nearly scared out of their bodies.
The Ancient Royal Family disciple who had struck the young woman Xue Yan earlier had already collapsed limply to the ground, his face completely bloodless, his whole body shaking uncontrollably.
Even if the Patriarch of his clan came forward, he probably wouldn’t dare save him. His face was filled with utter despair.
“You were courting death. Today, no one can save you.”
Qing’er’s gaze was icy cold as she looked at the Ancient Royal Family disciple who had made the move.
She didn’t even give any orders. The many subordinates who had been following in the shadows immediately surged forward, transforming into a streak of dark shadow that swept forth, instantly seizing that Ancient Royal Family disciple and carrying him away.
Accompanied by a scream of terror and despair, a loud putong rang out from the distant lake surface, clear as a bright mirror, and blood suddenly splashed out.
Fearsome ferocious beasts, like fish that had caught the scent of blood, leapt out from the depths of the lake.
They opened their bloody maws wide and bit down on that Ancient Royal Family disciple in one gulp.
The terrifying bite force was like a mountain range crashing down, instantly snapping bones and crushing organs, grinding him into a mist of blood.
Everyone who watched this scene couldn’t help but feel a chill run through their entire bodies, falling silent as cicadas in winter.
In the depths of this lake, there were probably even more terrifying ferocious beasts lurking.
The incomparably arrogant and overbearing Ancient Royal Family disciple from moments ago had, in the blink of an eye, become food for these beasts, without even an intact corpse left behind.
The remaining Ancient Royal Family disciples were pale-faced and equally terrified, worried that they would end up like their companion just now — dragged off to be fed to these ferocious beasts.
“Gongzi, how should we deal with these ones?”
Qing’er had grown up in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds since childhood, so she was naturally no kind soul. She had seen all manner of life-and-death slaughter.
Killing these few Ancient Royal Family disciples meant nothing to her.
Besides, today she had Gu Changge backing her up.
Even if she killed an Elder or a Successor of the Ancient Royal Families, she wouldn’t so much as blink.
As she asked, she coldly swept her gaze over all the Cultivators present. Even some of the big shots didn’t dare meet her eyes, lowering their heads one after another.
“Forget it. Considering it was an unintentional offense on their part — and I’m not some bloodthirsty murderer — I’ll spare their lives.”
Hearing this, Gu Changge shook his head lightly, his expression not changing much.
He had originally planned to watch this show from a distance and hadn’t wanted to get involved in the matter.
But unexpectedly, this red-dressed young woman had been sent flying straight over, landing right in front of him.
Before this, Gu Changge had held some interest in that other young man — after all, he was a genuine Fortuitous One.
And his Fortuity wasn’t too low either, having already reached the cyan level.
However, now that his cultivation had reached this stage, ordinary Fortuitous Ones really didn’t catch his eye anymore.
Even if he personally struck to erase them, he wouldn’t gain much Fortuity Value or Destiny Points. The system’s presence was growing fainter and fainter.
“Thank you, Young Master Changge, for your magnanimity — for the grace of not killing us!”
On the other side, hearing Gu Changge say he would spare their lives, the crowd of Ancient Royal Family disciples immediately felt as if they had been granted amnesty, kneeling down in tearful gratitude.
Toward the companion who had just been thrown into the lake to feed the ferocious beasts, they also secretly harbored resentment.
If not for him, they probably wouldn’t have offended Gu Changge for no reason at all.
The many Cultivators and beings in the surroundings had originally thought they would get to watch a good show. They never expected Gu Changge would let this group of Ancient Royal Family disciples off so easily, leaving them quite astonished.
Then, because of Gu Changge’s appearance, the many big shots of this place also came over one after another.
Regardless of whether Gu Changge was willing to acknowledge them or not, they all came to pay their respects, so as to avoid leaving a bad impression.
Of course, many people were also curious in their hearts — why had Gu Changge suddenly appeared in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds? Why had he suddenly come to the Battle Arena?
Could it be that he came here to select followers, or perhaps servants and slaves?
Everyone’s hearts were filled with speculation, their emotions rather complicated.
Many Cultivators in the shadows were also quietly transmitting the news of this place, reporting it to the powers behind them.
Vermilion Bird Hall was vast, with many hidden forces, intertwined and interdependent, and the Dao Lineages they each pledged allegiance to were all different.
“Thank you... this Gongzi — Daren — for saving my life!”
The young woman Xue Yan, realizing that this crisis had been resolved, quickly reacted and hurriedly cupped her hands toward Gu Changge behind her in thanks.
She didn’t know how to address Changge. She had originally wanted to call him Gongzi, but worried he might think she was trying to cozy up to him, so she hastily changed it to Daren.
“Thank you, Daren, for saving our lives. We are endlessly grateful!”
The other young prodigies of the Blue Flood Ancient World, seeing this, also quickly reacted and hurried over to express their gratitude.
They weren’t stupid. They could tell how terrifying the identity of the Gu Changge before them was — he was probably the great figure they had seen at the city gate during the day, the one whose carriage was pulled by nine Azure Dragons as he swept into the city.
So even though they clearly knew Gu Changge had actually done nothing in this whole affair, they didn’t want to pass up this chance to exchange even a single word with him.
“This little one was actually fortunate enough to be saved by Young Master Changge... this is simply too unbelievable!”
The Confucian-robed man, whose face had been ashen with despair, certain he would die miserably here tonight, was now incomparably excited.
The people of the Blue Flood Ancient World didn’t know Gu Changge’s identity, but he did.
In the distance, Lu Ming, his whole body in severe pain and dyed red with blood, limped over, his face also full of disbelief.
He had already prepared himself for a desperate fight to the death, but he never imagined that group of Ancient Royal Family disciples would be so unlucky as to crash into this mysterious and terrifying Daren before them.
“You bunch of lowly insects, stop getting in Gongzi’s way. Scram further away.”
“You were just lucky that Gongzi happened to be here tonight. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even know how you died.”
Qing’er’s expression remained cold as she spoke, sweeping her gaze over the Blue Flood Ancient World group before her, not treating them as equals in the slightest.
Whether it was her or the other Cultivators, their attitude toward these Overworld prodigies was like that toward a swarm of insignificant little mosquitoes — they wouldn’t show them any pleasant faces.
In her view, this bunch of little insects had no qualification whatsoever to speak with Gu Changge.
“Qing’er, don’t be rude.”
Hearing this, Gu Changge chuckled softly, then waved his hand to interrupt her. His gaze fell upon the red-dressed young woman before him, and he spoke.
“This world has always been thus — the weak are prey to the strong, and nature selects the fittest.”
“If you don’t want to one day end up like today again — reduced to meat on the chopping block just for blocking someone’s path, at the mercy of others — then first train your own fists to be bigger.”
“At least then you won’t fall as miserably as you did today.”
As he spoke, he took out a clean, immaculate plain handkerchief from his robes and handed it to the young woman Xue Yan before him.
“Th-thank you for your teaching, Daren.”
The young woman Xue Yan stared somewhat blankly at the plain handkerchief held out before her, her eyes wide.
Her small face, which had been somewhat pale from her heavy injuries, instantly flushed red, and she was suddenly at a loss for what to do.
She had never imagined that Gu Changge would take the initiative to offer her such advice, and even hand her a clean handkerchief to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth.
All the surrounding Cultivators also widened their eyes at once, unable to believe it, unable to believe the scene before their eyes.
After recovering, everyone cast looks of envy, jealousy, and hatred toward the young woman Xue Yan.
Even Qing’er was extremely envious and jealous.
She really couldn’t figure out why Young Master Changge would say such words to this little insect, and even hand her a plain handkerchief.
Could it be because this girl was good-looking? But one had to know, in the Beyond, the one thing never in short supply was beautiful, moving women.
“Xue-shimei...”
In the distance, Lu Ming, limping over step by step, was also stunned watching this scene, an inexplicable nameless rage welling up in his heart.
Logically speaking, because of Gu Changge, they had been saved and survived.
They should hold hearts full of gratitude toward Gu Changge. But for some reason, there was an indescribable hostility in his heart, as if the two of them were born to clash.
Especially upon seeing a scene like this.
“Thank you, Daren.”
Under the envious and jealous gazes of her many companions beside her, the young woman Xue Yan recovered and hurriedly, carefully accepted the plain handkerchief offered before her.
In her view, this was not just a simple handkerchief.
After all, this was personally given to her by Gu Changge before the eyes of everyone present.
Although she knew nothing at all about Gu Changge’s identity,
judging from the expressions of everyone around her, she understood that after tonight, in this vast Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, probably no one would dare make things difficult for her again.
Even those high-ranking, powerful big shots were now casting kind smiles her way.
For a moment, the young woman Xue Yan felt somewhat dazed. What virtue or ability did she have to be so fortunate?
And just as she was lost in her daze, Gu Changge had already led Qing’er past her side, heading toward the cluster of palaces deeper within — just like casually tossing alms to a little beggar on the street.
As if moved by some ghostly impulse, the young woman Xue Yan didn’t know where she found the courage, but she actually turned her head and asked Gu Changge, “May I ask... Daren’s name? If the chance comes one day, I will surely repay today’s great kindness.”
After saying these words, she felt her own heart pounding wildly, peng peng peng, incomparably nervous, as if someone of her lowly status shouldn’t have asked such a question.
And hearing her words, everyone was even more envious. She had inexplicably caught Gu Changge’s favor, yet didn’t even know his name.
Just how lucky was she? Even if green smoke rose from her ancestral graves, it wouldn’t be nearly enough.
“Oh? No need for repayment.”
Hearing this, the corners of Gu Changge’s mouth held a faint smile. He didn’t turn his head, saying casually, “As for my name — I imagine someone will tell you.”
After that, an envoy from the Battle Arena walked up respectfully ahead to lead the way for them, guiding them inside.
“Why did he do that...”
In the shadows in the distance, a slender figure wearing a bamboo hat and dressed in black had been watching this scene the whole time. Only when she saw Gu Changge step into the depths of the palace did she silently withdraw her gaze.
In the red-dressed young woman, she faintly saw a shadow of her former self.
Back then, she too had come from the Overworld, looked down upon and scorned by many Cultivators.
If not for being valued by Gu Changge, who knew how much grievance and humiliation she would have suffered.
Thinking of this, the expression in her eyes grew more pained and conflicted. Then a trace of viciousness surfaced, gradually covering over what clarity remained.
Meanwhile, on the other side, led by the people Qing’er had arranged, Gu Changge quickly entered the palace within. Completely different from the towers seen outside, this place was actually a winding underground passage!
Layer upon layer of stairs led down into it, with spirit-oil lamps lit on both sides. The atmosphere was somewhat deathly still. The Battle Arena’s location was, impressively, underground.
“The walls here are all carved with Array Patterns. If they erupt at a critical moment, their power is definitely not small — they can trap Sacred Realm Cultivators and also prevent any unexpected mishaps.”
Seeing Gu Changge’s gaze fall upon them, Qing’er explained.
“Such an arrangement is quite profound indeed.”
Changge nodded. With a casual sweep of his senses — a range of a full thousand li — the layout was much like a beast-fighting colosseum, with seating on both sides.
However, the middle was separated by special barriers, making it impossible to spy on the scenes on either side.
Who would have thought that such an elegant, tranquil island actually concealed such an enormous Battle Arena?
The death row prisoners and Cultivators who died miserably here every day were simply countless.
As for why he had thought to help that red-dressed young woman just now — he merely wanted to see whether this destined heroine, after his meddling, might have something interesting happen between her and the original protagonist.
When all was said and done, what he had just done was simply Gu Changge’s mischievous whim at work.