The Lord of Hell's Caution, Let's Have a Contest
The Lord of Hell’s Caution, Let’s Have a Contest
## 680 I Want to Go Find Him, The Crisis of the Blue Flood Ancient World Group (Please Subscribe)
Above the island, immortal qi curled and divine light shone brilliantly. Everywhere was filled with light and mist, dreamlike and illusory, like a fairyland. Auspicious beasts cried out in harmony, birds soared, verdant pines and ancient trees stood tall, and wondrous stones jutted out.
The ancient well-like spiritual pool was clear and crystalline, wreathed in curling qi, with a strange and inexplicable rhythm and Principles of Dao interweaving within it.
Xianer murmured as if in a daze, her small face pale from sheer disbelief. She stood frozen on the spot, as if struck by lightning.
The somewhat scruffy Big Red Bird glanced sideways at her, seemingly quite disdainful of her reaction.
“You silly girl, what exactly did you see in there? Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
The childish voice it emitted was extremely tender as it waddled step by step toward the spiritual pool.
What exactly Xianer had seen within, it wasn’t too clear either, because it couldn’t see anything itself.
The origins of the Lake of Rebirth were extremely mysterious and profound. There was a saying that it was forged in a very ancient era by a supreme Mighty-Transcendent proficient in the Dao of Time and Reincarnation.
The Big Red Bird’s origins were not simple either. It knew many secrets and had some understanding of the various mysterious places of the Beyond.
That was why it had brought Xianer here to try their luck, to see if they could find anything good.
Xianer and it had accidentally triggered the trial formation left behind by this place’s former owner, and had been trapped on the island.
If not for Xianer’s extraordinary talent and formidable strength, they likely wouldn’t have been able to break through these Restrictions and Array Patterns in a short time.
As for this Lake of Rebirth, it was only after the Big Red Bird had examined it for a long while that it finally recognized it.
At first, it hadn’t quite believed it either—how could a divine object like the Lake of Rebirth appear in a place like this?
One had to know that even beings who had fully transformed into immortals would have no secrets whatsoever before the Lake of Rebirth—their past lives and futures would be laid bare.
The current Gu Xianer was merely at the Sacred Realm cultivation, so naturally she could not escape the mysterious power of this Lake of Rebirth, unable to conceal herself.
“Why is it like this...”
“Why would the future be like this...”
However, at this moment, Gu Xianer seemed to still not have recovered from her earlier state, murmuring continuously, unable to comprehend the scene she had witnessed.
“What exactly did you see, girl?”
The Big Red Bird came over and asked in great confusion.
Gu Xianer’s small face was pale, her expression seemingly somewhat pained.
She shook her head, then suddenly grabbed the Big Red Bird’s wing and said, “Quick, tell me—everything I saw was fake, none of it was real...”
The Big Red Bird looked thoroughly exasperated and said, “What exactly did you see in there? How could you react so strongly?”
“This... this really is the Lake of Rebirth. It can reflect the future. Even if you don’t believe it, it is indeed real.”
Hearing the Big Red Bird say this, Gu Xianer seemed to deflate all at once, slumping down dejectedly.
On her pure, immortal-like little face, tears began to flow, a sight that tugged at the heart.
“This isn’t real... How could Gu Changge become like that...”
“He wouldn’t be like this...”
She murmured as if in a trance, her words trembling uncontrollably, seemingly in immense pain, her voice carrying a sobbing tone.
“The future you saw—it’s related to that fellow Gu Changge?”
Hearing these words, the Big Red Bird’s eyes widened in shock.
It was well-informed and of mysterious origins, but it had never seen anyone as unfathomable as Gu Changge—impenetrable, impossible to divine or speculate about.
So in truth, it had always wanted Gu Xianer to stay away from Gu Changge, feeling that his motives were impure and his intentions sinister.
But Gu Xianer had never taken its words to heart, instead caring about Gu Changge immensely, holding him in her heart.
“You... what exactly did you see in the Lake of Rebirth?”
The Big Red Bird’s expression grew grave as it asked again.
Gu Xianer shook her head, saying nothing more. She sat on the ground for a good while before she seemed to recover, though her eyes remained red.
“I want to go find him.”
She raised her stunningly beautiful little face and gazed into the distance as she spoke. Her porcelain-like skin glowed with a lustrous sheen, streaked with undried tears.
Gu Changge did not yet know that in a distant land, Gu Xianer, having glimpsed a sliver of the future, had been deeply shaken and was now planning to come find him.
At present, he was following Qing’er toward the Battle Arena deep within the main city of Vermilion Bird Hall in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds.
The sky had darkened, and the entire ancient city appeared majestic and ancient.
Among the various pavilions and palaces, lights blazed brilliantly, with radiant lightning glow permeating the air.
The taverns and restaurants on both sides had hung up lanterns, their flames burning bright, casting a warm luster.
Apart from the Cultivators and beings residing here, the most numerous figures on the streets were the patrol guards responsible for inspection and maintaining the rules of this place.
They rode terrifying fierce beasts, running rampant without restraint, and all pedestrians had to yield.
“The Battle Arena—besides those vicious men accumulating points, quite a few are sinners sent in by various Dao lineages and powers, here to atone for their crimes.”
On the road, Qing’er, lightly made up, her figure slender and her face appearing even more exquisitely beautiful, led the way ahead for Gu Changge while explaining to him.
“Around the Battle Arena, there are actually many dungeons.”
“Imprisoned within are sinners from ancient clans, supreme great sects, Ancient Royal Families, and even immortal Dao lineages.”
“For certain reasons, they must come here to earn the corresponding points and exchange them for certain things before they can be pardoned and released.”
“Of course, there’s also a saying that these people are Deathsworn of the lineages behind them, which is why they’re specifically trained within the Battle Arena.”
“Here, these sinners slaughter each other for the entertainment or gambling of other Cultivators, or they’re taken a fancy to by guests, bought, branded with a Slave Mark, and made slaves and servants for the rest of their lives. Of course, there are also guests who personally enter the arena to fight death row prisoners, honing their life-and-death skills.”
Seeing Gu Changge nod, Qing’er smiled and continued explaining.
They walked along the city’s main road. Though it was night, the surroundings were brightly lit, extremely luminous.
Many of the patrol guards recognized Qing’er’s identity, so they were extremely shocked, never expecting that even she would personally accompany another young man.
Although Gu Changge had not used secret arts to conceal his true appearance, at his current realm, unless he willed it, no one could see his face clearly.
The crowd could not make out Gu Changge’s appearance, but through Qing’er’s attitude, they could faintly guess at his identity. Their expressions grew all the more reverent, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
Gu Changge was quite casual about this. He actually didn’t want to be too high-profile, otherwise it would cause this place to become packed to bursting, and it would easily alert his quarry.
However, since he had already appeared in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, the Dao lineages and powers behind him were probably watching him constantly.
The Battle Arena was located in the deepest part of the main city. It was actually a small island where several grandmaster formation masters had spent tens of thousands of years of effort, nearly locking down the earth’s spiritual qi and the rules of heaven and earth.
However, along the way one needed to cross a vast Boundless Lake, which held many dangers.
It was said to have been built at enormous expense by the various powers behind the Battle Arena, with several extremely powerful Array Patterns inscribed within.
The lake also housed many ferocious exotic beasts. Even Sacred Realm Cultivators forcing their way through would be severely injured.
The night grew deeper, and many figures hurried over from all directions.
Divine light shot skyward from this place, Array Patterns lit up, flickering with killing intent. A layer of water mist rose over the lake, its shimmering waves like shattered silver.
Jade boats and wind vessels sailed past at great speed, heading toward the small island at the lake’s center.
Many more Cultivators were still on their way.
However, without a certain level of cultivation, crossing this emerald lake would likely result in being torn apart by the exotic beasts beneath the water.
Enormous black shadows swam beneath the surface, waiting to devour their prey, so everyone was extremely cautious. If one carelessly fell into the water, no one would save them.
Among these Cultivators, many actually came from the Lower Realms, here to broaden their horizons, wanting to know just how brutal the slaughter within the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds truly was.
The group from the Blue Flood Ancient World was currently here, including Lu Ming and Xue Yan from the Mysterious Rainbow Sect, as well as young seeds from other powers. Their expressions were all grave, extremely cautious.
They had all chosen to join Vermilion Bird Hall, not wanting to collide with the Ancient Worlds they had already been hostile toward.
Compared to the other halls, Vermilion Bird Hall’s environment was indeed considerably more peaceful.
It was said this was because the master behind Vermilion Bird Hall was a woman, whose methods were far gentler compared to the other masters.
“In a moment, all of you follow behind me. After entering the Battle Arena, just watch quietly.”
“Remember—absolutely do not get into conflicts with anyone.”
“No matter what happens, you must endure it. Otherwise, if a life-and-death conflict breaks out, I won’t be able to protect you.”
Lu Ming, Xue Yan, and the other young prodigies of the Blue Flood Ancient World were all following behind a scholarly-robed man, faintly regarding him as their leader.
The scholarly-robed man’s expression was extremely grave. All along the way, he had been constantly warning everyone, worried they would stir up trouble here.
He told them again and again, being incomparably careful and cautious.
Although his ancestors had ties to the Blue Flood Ancient World, and he had now accepted many benefits from the group to help them here,
in the vast Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, he was merely an insignificant nobody who dared not offend anyone.
All he could do was serve as a guide.
Right now, his palms were covered in cold sweat. He felt that among these prodigies behind him, quite a few were thorny troublemakers who could easily cause problems.
What unsettled him most was that several of the young women were extremely beautiful.
In this Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, renowned for chaos and slaughter, they could easily attract the covetous eyes of other powerful figures.
## 681 Just a Bunch of Bugs, Because They Blocked the Road (Please Subscribe)
Although the Blue Flood Ancient World could barely make a name for itself among the hundreds of surrounding Lower Realms, its overall strength ranking within the top thirty,
compared to the Ancient Royal Families of the Beyond, it could only be described as insignificant. The two simply had no basis for comparison whatsoever.
Not to mention that behind this group of young Ancient Royal Family disciples before them stood far more than just themselves.
Within this Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, there was probably no Cultivator who did not fear this force.
Although the situation within Vermilion Bird Hall was relatively peaceful, with far fewer conflicts than places like Azure Dragon Hall and White Tiger Hall,
that did not mean this place represented absolute tranquility.
The strong preying on the weak, life-and-death slaughter—these were commonplace in the eyes of the Cultivators and beings here, long since taken for granted.
Lu Ming, Xue Yan, and the rest of the Blue Flood Ancient World group had merely blocked the path of these Ancient Royal Family disciples.
In the eyes of many, this was no great matter.
But in the eyes of these Ancient Royal Family disciples, it was an act of provocation.
Such lowly bugs actually dared to block their way, obstructing their path into the Battle Arena.
Even killing these bugs would not be enough to quell the anger in their hearts.
Lu Ming, Xue Yan, and the others watched with eyes nearly splitting in rage at their fellow disciples behind them.
They had never imagined that in the blink of an eye, their companions would be so mercilessly and cruelly slaughtered—their bodies and souls utterly destroyed, reduced to a mist of blood, without even time to scream.
This made their eyes redden, their fists clench tight, their whole bodies trembling with fury and grief.
The remaining young prodigies of the Blue Flood Ancient World were also stunned by this sudden scene, their faces pale with fright, lips quivering.
Many of the women also lost their composure in terror, trembling incessantly.
Some of the more timid ones even had their legs give out, collapsing directly to the ground.
Back in the Blue Flood Ancient World, they had been young prodigies admired by countless people, glorious beyond measure, rarely finding a match among their peers.
Whenever anyone mentioned their names, all would treat them with awe and reverence.
But after arriving in the Beyond, they could only be like lowly ants, their lives and deaths controlled by others, crushed at will, without even the qualification to resist.
This fall from the clouds to the dust was truly something they could not accept.
“Damned bugs, you actually splattered blood on my clothes. All of you can go down and accompany him.”
Among the Ancient Royal Family disciples, an extremely arrogant golden-robed man frowned.
Looking at the speck of blood staining his clothes, his face quickly turned cold.
Behind him spread a pair of wings, each golden feather shining brilliantly, flowing with radiance like divine swords, containing terrifying sharpness that seemed capable of slicing through the void.
Many Cultivators who recognized him shuddered, understanding that this man was a prodigy of the Golden-Winged Roc Clan with fearsome talent.
Though not comparable to that clan’s Successor, he was not to be underestimated.
Even some older-generation Cultivators could gain no advantage against him.
Hearing these words, the other Ancient Royal Family disciples also walked over, surrounding everyone from the Blue Flood Ancient World, their expressions either mocking or amused.
“It’s over. Now none of us can get away...”
The scholarly-robed man’s face was pale. Watching this scene, he collapsed to the ground, terrified to the extreme.
In this Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, he was just an insignificant nobody—where would he get the ability to oppose the Ancient Royal Families?
At this moment, all hope had turned to ash, and his heart was filled with regret.
Why had he been greedy back then and accepted those benefits, only to invite so much trouble, and now possibly lose his life here?
The surrounding Cultivators and beings also stood indifferently at a distance, watching the developments, treating it merely as a spectacle.
Quite a few important figures were also watching all this coldly from the shadows, not caring in the slightest.
In this Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, human lives were as cheap as grass. Moreover, these Cultivators from the Lower Realms had neither power nor influence, which destined that here, their lives and deaths were not their own to decide.
“So the prodigies of the Beyond can decide others’ lives and deaths so casually? Without any reason at all? Just because we accidentally blocked your path?”
Compared to the fearful trembling of the other Blue Flood Ancient World prodigies, Lu Ming was still relatively calm at this moment.
He took a deep breath, forcing his furious emotions to settle, staring fixedly at the group of Ancient Royal Family disciples before him as he spoke in a deep voice.
The pressure the opponent gave him was terrifying, extremely dangerous. In certain respects, this was the most fearsome opponent he had encountered on his journey thus far.
He could even hear the dreadful sound of the opponent’s blood flowing like rolling magma, like muffled thunder exploding, making one’s soul tremble and one’s whole body turn cold.
And such Ancient Royal Family disciples were not limited to just one.
He didn’t know whether he was their match either.
Before this, he had never fought an Ancient Royal Family member with such pure bloodline.
“Just a little bug like you dares to block me? I think you’re tired of living.”
The golden-feathered man’s expression was extremely indifferent and contemptuous. He swept a disdainful glance at Lu Ming, not taking him seriously at all.
Naturally, he had not taken these Lower Realm prodigies seriously. One had to know that even disciples of some great sects were no match for him.
Let alone these little ants from the Lower Realms who knew nothing.
With just one hand, he could crush them all to death.
Seeing this, the other Ancient Royal Family disciples also sneered, undisguised mockery on their faces, looking at Lu Ming and the others as if they were prey awaiting slaughter.
“Don’t you people go too far!”
Lu Ming’s face faintly revealed some ugliness. Looking around, all the prodigies of the Blue Flood Ancient World wore expressions of panic and unease, even trembling in fright—where would they find the courage to resist these Ancient Royal Family disciples?
But at this moment, a slightly tender yet still pleasant and melodious voice sounded beside him.
“Do you think there’s no one left in our Blue Flood Ancient World?”
The young woman Xue Yan bit her silver teeth and stepped forward with resolute determination.
She wore a fiery red dress, her raven hair like clouds, her figure slender and graceful, exuding a heroic air.
Her stunningly beautiful, fair little face also carried an angry expression as she glared at the many Ancient Royal Family disciples before her.
“Xue Yan, shimei...”
Lu Ming was stunned, not expecting Xue Yan to step forward as well. This made waves of warmth flow through his heart.
Seeing this, the other Blue Flood Ancient World prodigies also showed ashamed expressions. But at this juncture of life and death, with the precedent before them, they truly lacked the courage to step forward.
“Oh, another one steps forward. Quite a pretty one too—you can be spared. Perfect, I happen to be lacking someone by my side...”
“In such a remote Lower Realm, such a lovely woman could actually be born.”
The golden-feathered man seemed not to have expected anyone else to dare step forward and defy him. His gaze was somewhat surprised as he looked at the young woman Xue Yan.
It had to be said, even with his eyes accustomed to seeing many beautiful women, he couldn’t help but be somewhat dazzled at this moment.
This kind of pure, otherworldly beauty, untainted by the mud from which it rose, was rather rare.
“Since Brother Jin fancies this girl, we’ll help you catch her. You can just take her away when the time comes.”
Hearing these words, the other Ancient Royal Family disciples also laughed, very casually.
...striding forward, not sparing Lu Ming and the young woman Xue Yan so much as a glance.
As he spoke, one of them narrowed his eyes and struck.
Dazzling light spread across his palm, blooming into a brilliant divine awl woven from the Principles of Dao, stabbing toward Lu Ming.
The terrifying might was like a tidal wave of thunder, about to drown every prodigy of the Blue Flood Ancient World before him, leaving them suffocating with dread.
Lu Ming’s expression changed. Though he possessed many extraordinary methods, and even had a mysterious object aiding him...
...at this moment he still felt the strain. An immense pressure descended upon him like a terrifying demonic mountain.
Because the gap in strength between the two sides was simply too great—they weren’t even in the same realm.
With no time to think, Lu Ming brought out a silver shield.
Purple lightning serpents crackled across its surface, then gathered and transformed into a ferocious giant silver snake that opened its massive jaws and bit at the attacking Ancient Royal Family disciple.
“So these are the methods of the Overworld? Utterly laughable.”
Yet facing Lu Ming’s powerful strike, that Ancient Royal Family disciple merely sneered coldly.
He smashed down another fist, his surging blood qi erupting like a volcano, so terrifying that it directly shattered this stretch of void, spiderweb cracks spreading outward.
With a loud bang—
The silver shield Lu Ming had summoned to resist simply could not withstand the might of that fist.
The giant silver snake disintegrated, and even the shield itself failed to hold, exploding into dust in an instant.
Not good—I’m no match for him, unless...
Feeling this unbridgeable, terrifying gap, Lu Ming’s face changed drastically. He tried to dispel the force, but his movements were a fraction too slow. The fist landed squarely on him—his ribs cracked apart instantly, his five viscera and six bowels nearly shattered, and he spat out a mouthful of blood as he was sent flying like a tattered sack.
“What rotten luck—he actually didn’t die. This guy could actually block one of my punches.”
Seeing that Lu Ming had only been grievously wounded and sent flying, rather than exploding into a mist of blood with a pop as he’d expected, the Ancient Royal Family disciple who had struck looked somewhat displeased.
“Senior Brother Lu Ming!”
Seeing this, the young woman Xue Yan’s expression changed as well. Without pausing to consider whether she was a match for their foe, she directly summoned a fiery-red Dao Sword.
Brilliant light rippled along the blade, as if a god of fire had awakened within it, capable of burning all things.
She charged at the Ancient Royal Family disciple before her, her figure flickering, clear radiance interweaving around her.
But her opponent was clearly not one to show tenderness toward the fairer sex. His gaze turned cold, terrifying blood qi surging like that of a minor god.
A fist smashed out, Dao patterns spreading, landing directly on the fiery-red Dao Sword and knocking it flying.
The young woman Xue Yan cried out, spitting a mouthful of blood, following in Lu Ming’s footsteps—sent flying like a withered leaf.
She crashed hard, crimson blood spreading, setting off her dress like flames.
Though the Dao Sword in her hand was a rare Dao artifact containing Dao marks within, under such an enormous gap in power, it could not exert much of its effect.
Why... why is it like this?
The young woman Xue Yan coughed up another mouthful of blood, her whole body wracked with pain, feeling as if her five viscera and six bowels had all been displaced.
If not for the mysterious soft armor she wore, that single punch would likely have blown her apart into a mist of blood.
At this moment, she deeply understood the terror and cruelty of the Beyond.
Here, she was no longer the heaven-blessed maiden chased and admired by countless people—she was perhaps worth even less than an ordinary female cultivator.
And just as the young woman Xue Yan struggled to rise...
She suddenly froze in astonishment, her eyes widening slightly, having noticed something strange.
The entrance to the Battle Arena, so noisy just moments ago, and the lakeshore not far away, had abruptly fallen silent—deathly silent, even.
All the cultivators and living beings watching the excitement nearby had likewise fallen quiet at once.
The expressions on their faces were ones of utter shock, as if they had witnessed something inconceivable, and they seemed deeply unsettled.
The Ancient Royal Family disciple who had attacked her just now had also gone pale.
His whole body was even trembling as he involuntarily backed away, then collapsed to the ground with a thud, his face ashen.
His many Ancient Royal Family companions underwent the same drastic change of expression, all color draining from their faces.
Some even dropped straight to their knees with a thud, kneeling in her direction, voices quavering: “We never meant to disturb—”
What on earth happened?
The young woman Xue Yan was bewildered. Straining, she turned her head to look behind her.
Only then did she discover a delicate, lovely young woman standing behind her, her face frosty, a terrifying killing intent seemingly condensed around her, making everyone unable to suppress a shiver.
And beside the delicate young woman stood a white-robed man whose features could not be seen clearly, as if shrouded in a great mist, like a young deity.
Only a pair of deep, tranquil eyes could faintly be seen—vast as an abyss of stars, seemingly able to reflect past, present, and future.
Within those eyes, the young woman Xue Yan even saw herself, saw all living beings under heaven.
She nearly lost herself within them.
His cultivation and strength were simply beyond imagination or fathoming—terrifying beyond description, beyond daring to contemplate.
She shuddered violently.
“You truly deserve to die—daring to knock this little bug over here and disturb the Gongzi.”
Ah Qing’s gaze was ice-cold, filled with dreadful killing intent as she stared at the Ancient Royal Family disciple who had struck.
Her identity was no secret anywhere in Vermilion Bird Hall, so this group of Ancient Royal Family disciples naturally recognized her.
Nor were they fools. They understood that the one Ah Qing would accompany like this, here in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, could at present only be that one person who had appeared here just yesterday.
At this moment, their hearts were filled with nothing but lingering dread and terror. They had never imagined that this damned red-dressed girl would be sent flying right in front of that person, blocking his path.
So after I was knocked flying, I ended up blocking these two people’s path...
The young woman Xue Yan stared at the scene before her in shock, her whole being still dazed, unable to even describe what she was feeling at this moment. Envy, jealousy, hatred—or was it just someone’s twisted amusement? (Seeking subscriptions!)
Deep within Vermilion Bird Hall, palaces stretched grand and magnificent, wreathed in clouds and mist like an immortal paradise.
The lake was clear as if washed, glimmering under the moonlight, appearing all the more crystalline—but now all was deathly silent.
Every cultivator and living being stared wide-eyed at this scene, shocked and horrified.
Ah Qing’s identity was no secret throughout the vast Vermilion Bird Hall, nor even the entire Battlefield of Hundred Worlds.
Many of the cultivators and beings who had spent some time here actually recognized her.
Yet this person, who could be called the great young lady of the entire Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, was now personally accompanying a young man at his side.
So, combined with what had happened before the Domain-Suppressing Gate yesterday, the identity of this white-robed man was practically self-evident.
Many cultivators felt their minds buzzing, eyes wide, finding it all too inconceivable.
None of them had ever imagined that one day, under such circumstances, they would lay eyes on Changge.
“It’s really Young Master Changge—something huge is about to happen!”
The many great figures hiding in the shadows felt their breaths catch, then dared not remain concealed any longer, hurrying to reveal themselves with respectful demeanors.
To put it bluntly, in the Beyond of today, Changge was without question the most terrifyingly powerful and influential person—bar none.
He needed only a single word to turn the entire Beyond upside down.
Even the Honoured Nobles and ancient existences of the Cults of Immortality and Supreme Dao Lineages had to tread carefully and treat him with utmost courtesy in his presence.
Ordinary cultivators probably couldn’t even stand steadily before him. The group of incomparably arrogant and domineering Ancient Royal Family disciples just now was the best proof of that.
They had actually dared to knock that red-dressed girl flying right in front of Changge, blocking his path into this place.
In everyone’s eyes, what was that if not courting death?
For a time, many of the cultivators present cast sympathetic—and gloating—looks at this group of Ancient Royal Family disciples.
They usually ran rampant without restraint; today they had finally kicked an iron plate. Let’s see how they keep up their arrogance now.
What exactly happened? Why did these Ancient Royal Family disciples’ attitudes change so drastically? Just who are this young woman and this white-robed man?
The group from the Blue Flood Ancient World, who had been waiting for death where they stood, were also stunned by this sudden turn of events.
All of them stared wide-eyed 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.
Yet judging by the current scene, this group of Ancient Royal Family disciples wore expressions of extreme terror, as if they had offended some unimaginably terrifying figure.
“We never meant to disturb 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 gazed at Gu Changge not far away, faces deathly pale, trembling with terror to the extreme, their souls nearly frightened out of their bodies.
The Ancient Royal Family disciple who had attacked the young woman Xue Yan had gone completely limp on the ground, his face bloodless, his whole body shaking uncontrollably.
Even if the patriarch of his clan came in person, he probably wouldn’t dare save him. His face was filled with despair.
“You were courting death. Today, no one can save you.”
Ah Qing’s eyes were cold as she looked at the Ancient Royal Family disciple who had struck.
She didn’t even give any order—the many subordinates who had been following in the shadows immediately stepped forward, sweeping forth like a tide of darkness, instantly seizing that Ancient Royal Family disciple and carrying him off.
Accompanied by a scream of terror and despair, a splash sounded from the distant lake, clear as a mirror, and blood suddenly spattered across its surface.
Fearsome beasts, like fish catching the scent of blood, leapt out from the lake’s depths.
They opened their bloody maws and instantly clamped down on that Ancient Royal Family disciple.
The terrifying bite force came down like a mountain range, snapping bones and crushing organs in an instant, grinding him into a pulp 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.
Deep beneath this lake, there were likely even more dreadful fierce beasts lurking.
The Ancient Royal Family disciple who had been so arrogant and overbearing moments ago had, in the blink of an eye, become food for these beasts—not even an intact corpse left behind.
The remaining Ancient Royal Family disciples, faces pale, were equally terrified, worried they would be dragged off to feed the beasts just like their companion.
“Gongzi, how should we deal with these ones?”
Ah Qing had grown up within the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds since childhood, so she was naturally no kind soul—she had seen every 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 great figures dared not meet her eyes, lowering their heads one after another.
“Forget it. Considering it was an unintentional offense, and I’m no bloodthirsty man—spare their lives.”
Hearing this, Gu Changge shook his head lightly, his expression barely changing.
He had originally planned to watch the excitement from afar and had no intention of interfering in this matter.
But he hadn’t expected this red-dressed girl to be sent flying 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 reached the azure level.
But now that his cultivation had reached this stage, ordinary Fortuitous Ones truly didn’t catch his eye anymore.
Even if he personally struck one down, 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 felt as if they had been granted amnesty, kowtowing in tearful gratitude.
Toward the companion who had just been thrown into the lake to feed the beasts, they secretly nursed deep resentment.
If not for him, they would never have offended Gu Changge for no reason at all.
The many cultivators and beings around them had originally thought they were in for a good show; they never expected Gu Changge to let this group of Ancient Royal Family disciples off so easily, leaving them rather disappointed.
Then, because of Gu Changge’s appearance, the many great figures of this place all came over one after another.
Regardless of whether Gu Changge was willing to acknowledge them, they all came to pay their respects, so as not to leave 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 had truly come here to select followers, or perhaps servants?
Speculation ran wild in everyone’s hearts, their emotions rather complicated.
Many cultivators in the shadows were also quietly transmitting word of what had happened here, reporting back to those behind them.
Vermilion Bird Hall was vast, with many hidden forces, intertwined and interdependent, and the Dao lineages they each attached themselves to and served were all different.
“Thank you... thank you, Daren, for saving my life!”
The young woman Xue Yan, realizing the crisis had been resolved, quickly reacted and hurriedly cupped her hands in thanks to Gu Changge behind her.
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!”
Seeing this, the other young prodigies of the Blue Flood Ancient World also quickly reacted, hurrying over to express their gratitude.
They weren’t fools. They could tell how terrifying Gu Changge’s identity was—he was likely 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 rode into the city.
So even though they knew perfectly well that 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 actually had the fortune to be saved by Young Master Changge... this is simply too unbelievable!”
The scholar-robed man, whose face had been ashen with the certainty that he would die miserably here tonight, was now overcome with excitement.
The others of the Blue Flood Ancient World didn’t know Gu Changge’s identity, but he did.
In the distance, Lu Ming—his whole body wracked with pain, stained red with blood—walked over trembling, his face also full of disbelief.
He had already prepared to fight to the death, but he never imagined those Ancient Royal Family disciples would be so unlucky as to collide with this mysterious and terrifying Daren before him.
“You pack of lowly bugs, stop cluttering up the Gongzi’s view—get lost!”
“You’re lucky you happened to run into the Gongzi here tonight. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even have known how you died just now.”
Ah Qing’s expression remained cold as she spoke, sweeping her gaze over the group from the Blue Flood Ancient World, 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 mosquitoes—they wouldn’t show them a pleasant face.
In her view, this pack of little bugs had no qualification whatsoever to speak with Gu Changge.
“Ah Qing, don’t be rude.”
Hearing this, Gu Changge chuckled softly, then waved a hand to cut her off, his gaze falling on the red-dressed girl before him as he spoke.
“This world has always been thus—the weak are prey to the strong, the fittest survive.”
“If you don’t want to one day find yourself, like today, reduced to meat on the chopping block just for blocking someone’s path, at the mercy of others—then first make your own fists bigger.”
“At least then you won’t take as miserable a fall as you did today.”
As he spoke, he took a clean, immaculate plain handkerchief from his robes and offered it to the young woman Xue Yan before him.
“Th-thank you for your guidance, Daren.”
The young woman Xue Yan stared blankly at the plain handkerchief held out before her, her eyes wide.
Her little face, pale from her grievous injuries, instantly flushed red, and she was suddenly at a loss for what to do with her hands.
She had never imagined that Gu Changge would take the initiative to offer her such guidance—much less 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.
Once they recovered, everyone cast looks of envy, jealousy, and resentment toward the young woman Xue Yan.
Even Ah Qing was extremely envious and jealous.
She truly couldn’t fathom why Young Master Changge would say such words to this little bug, and even hand her a plain handkerchief.
Could it be because this girl was pretty? But one had to know, in the Beyond, beautiful and moving women were the one thing there was no shortage of.
“Junior Sister Xue!”
In the distance, Lu Ming, limping over step by step, was also stunned by this scene, a nameless, inexplicable fury rising in his heart.
Logically speaking, since they had been saved and survived because of Gu Changge, they ought to feel nothing but gratitude toward him. Yet for some reason, in his heart there was just...
...there was an indescribable hostility, as if the two of them were naturally at odds with each other.
Especially after witnessing a scene like this.
“Thank you, Daren.”
Under the jealous gazes of her many companions nearby, the girl Xue Yan, finally reacting, hurriedly and carefully accepted the plain handkerchief being offered to her.
In her eyes, this was not merely a simple handkerchief.
After all, this was something Gu Changge had personally handed to her in front of everyone.
Although she knew nothing at all about Gu Changge’s identity, 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 anymore.
Even those high and mighty figures were now casting kind smiles her way.
For a moment, the girl Xue Yan felt somewhat dazed. What virtue or ability did she possess to be so fortunate?
And just as she was lost in a daze, Gu Changge had already walked past her with Qing’er, heading toward the palace complex deeper within, as casually as one might toss a coin to a little beggar on the street.
As if possessed by some ghostly impulse, the girl Xue Yan didn’t know where she found the courage, but she actually turned her head and asked Gu Changge, “May I ask, Daren, your name? If the chance comes in the future, I will surely repay today’s great kindness.”
After saying these words, she felt her heart pounding wildly, thump thump thump, incomparably nervous, as if someone of her lowly status should never have asked such a question.
And hearing her words, everyone was even more envious. She had inexplicably caught Gu Changge’s attention, yet didn’t even know his name.
Just how lucky was she? Even green smoke rising from her ancestral graves for a hundred generations wouldn’t be nearly enough.
“Oh? Repayment won’t be necessary.”
Hearing this, the corners of Gu Changge’s mouth held a faint smile. Without turning back, he said casually, “As for my name, I imagine someone will tell you.”
“Very well.” Shortly after, an envoy from the Battle Arena came forward respectfully to lead the way for them, bringing 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 after seeing Gu Changge step into the depths of the palace did she silently withdraw her gaze.
In the red-dressed girl, 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, she likely would have suffered untold grievances and humiliation.
Thinking of this, the expression in her eyes grew more pained and conflicted, and then a trace of viciousness surfaced, gradually covering over what clarity remained.
Meanwhile, on the other side, led by someone arranged by Qing’er, Gu Changge quickly entered the palace complex within. Completely different from the buildings seen outside, this place was actually a winding underground passage.
Layer upon layer of stairs led downward, with spirit-oil lamps lit on both sides. The atmosphere was somewhat deathly still. The location of the Battle Arena was, impressively, underground.
The walls here were all carved with Array Patterns. If they erupted at a critical moment, their power would be considerable—they could trap Sacred Realm Cultivators and also prevent unexpected incidents.
Seeing Gu Changge’s gaze fall upon them, Qing’er explained.
“Such an arrangement is quite profound.”
Changge nodded. A casual sweep of his senses showed the area spanned over a thousand li, laid out 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 helped that red-dressed girl just now, he merely wanted to see whether, after his meddling, something interesting might happen between this fated heroine and the original protagonist.
At the end of the day, what he had just done was simply Gu Changge’s wicked taste at work.
683. The Lord of Hell’s Caution—Let’s Have a Contest (Please Subscribe)
The Battle Arena was vast in scope, containing its own universe within, with the fluctuations of spatial Restrictions permeating the air.
Both sides were filled with seats, already packed with Cultivators from all factions, all excitedly staring at the killing grounds ahead. It was incomparably lively.
Although the seats were separated by a special formation, in the eyes of Cultivators with profound cultivation, this barrier was naturally as good as nonexistent—they could easily spy on the surrounding Cultivators.
However, doing so, in the eyes of some old monsters, could easily be taken as a provocative act.
So unless necessary, no Cultivator would be that foolish.
Learning of Changge’s arrival, the person in charge of this Battle Arena personally came over and arranged the best private booth for him, from which he could overlook everything happening in the arena.
Within the booth, clear radiance interwove and the fragrance of tea wafted through the air. Many beautiful maids came to serve tea, fruits, and divine delicacies.
The many important figures not far away also intentionally or unintentionally drew closer to his seat, wanting to learn Changge’s purpose in coming to the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds.
To them, every move Changge made carried extraordinary significance and needed to be carefully pondered.
When the time came, the person in charge here would open the entrances on both sides of the arena, releasing the death row prisoners or condemned criminals participating in the slaughter, letting them begin killing below.
Sometimes he would introduce the backgrounds and approximate strength of the two combatants to the audience, so that spectators could place bets, or disciples of great sects could name a price and directly buy those prisoners or criminals.
However, for many who participated in the arena battles here, the main goal was still the points on their opponents’ bodies.
Behind Vermilion Bird Hall, Azure Dragon Hall, and White Tiger Hall, there was a Points Hall dedicated to exchanging points for various divine abilities and techniques. Many ancient manuals and Forbidden Techniques long lost to the outside world could be found here in fragments, so many Cultivators would try their luck here—who knew, they might exchange for a Sacred Scripture or a Sacred Emperor Realm technique.
Within the booth, immortal mist curled around, with curtains blocking the view from outside.
Changge sat behind the curtains, holding a white jade teacup, gently blowing on the steam rising from its surface, his expression appearing extremely leisurely.
While explaining things to him, Qing’er looked down at the arena below and instructed the person in charge here to bring up the list of those participating in tonight’s death matches.
The Hundred Worlds War had not yet begun.
So even though many young prodigies from the Overworld had shown up here, they would not participate in this slaughter—they were only here to experience its cruelty in advance.
“Are the headquarters of Nether and Pagoda really hidden here?”
Hearing Qing’er’s words, Gu Changge’s mind was actually on other matters.
His purpose in coming to the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds was still to find the headquarters of Nether and Pagoda, and then annihilate them completely.
As for the outcomes of these many Overworlders, that was not within his consideration.
“Gongzi, the Cultivators on these lists are all the people participating in tonight’s arena battles. Some are death row prisoners from Vermilion Bird Hall, while others come from outside—young prodigies seeking tempering.”
Soon, Qing’er had obtained the complete lists from the Battle Arena of Vermilion Bird Hall’s main city.
She presented this Jade Tablet before Gu Changge.
The territory of the entire Battlefield of Hundred Worlds was incomparably vast, and the Cultivators within were a mixed bag of all sorts.
Although she was the young lady of the Alliance of Thousand Merchants here, she could not guarantee that the lists in her hands were necessarily complete.
So after Gu Changge roughly scanned it a few times, he set it down.
This list alone was not enough for him to determine the location of Nether and Pagoda, let alone find their contact points and then trace them to their headquarters.
Such an approach was no different from fishing a needle from the sea.
“Perhaps I need to change methods. If Nether and Pagoda are smart right now, they should have guessed my intentions and won’t reveal the slightest flaw.”
At a time like this, the deeper I dig, the less likely I am to find any clues.
Gu Changge frowned, then suddenly thought of another possibility.
The Nephrite Breeze Pavilion had risen in recent years like a wildfire spreading across the plains, impossible to stop.
Nether and Pagoda, those two assassin organizations since ancient times, had long regarded it as a thorn in their eye, a thorn in their flesh, wishing they could pull it out.
So they must have investigated the Nephrite Breeze Pavilion’s origins, and even found ways to infiltrate their people into it.
And during this period, the Alliance of Thousand Merchants had been in extremely close contact with the Nephrite Breeze Pavilion. The masters behind Nether and Pagoda would inevitably connect the two.
And behind the Alliance of Thousand Merchants, there was far too much of his shadow.
“Actually, the moment I appeared here, Nether and Pagoda took notice. Excessive investigation would instead be counterproductive. So rather than that, I might as well go with the flow and do the opposite.”
Changge shook his head gently, sighing inwardly.
He thought of a loophole he hadn’t noticed before. Speaking of which, he had still oversimplified the matter.
After all, over countless epochs, Nether and Pagoda had evaded the vengeance of innumerable Daoist traditions and powers—naturally, they had their own means of survival.
He had underestimated these two forces too much.
That was why he had descended upon this place so unscrupulously, while overlooking their cautious, careful foundation of survival.
Take Nether, for example. Nether was said to have Ten Palaces in total, each with its own duties, managing the assassinations and dark dealings in the shadows of the various heavens of the Beyond.
Thirty million years ago, the Lord of Nether’s First Palace—namely the Qin Guang King—encountered a powerful enemy’s attack at Yin Mountain and perished from grievous wounds.
Because of this incident, Nether’s First Palace nearly fell apart.
Even the high-level figures within the First Palace who governed life and death—the Judges, Old Lady Meng, Heibai Wuchang—were slaughtered by the other palaces.
It was because of this matter that the various Daoist traditions of the Beyond discovered that Nether’s interior was not a monolithic bloc either—there were divisions, and they were not united.
Of course, Changge had read about this matter in the Gu Family’s ancient records.
And afterward, the Lord of Hell reportedly re-established the rules, rebuilt the First Palace, and even the Qin Guang King was personally selected by him from among his disciples.
Now, thirty million years had passed. If the First Palace of Nether had not changed hands, that Qin Guang King’s cultivation had likely long since far surpassed ordinary True Daoists.
The Palace Lords of the other palaces had cultivation even more unfathomable, to say nothing of that Lord of Hell who had never been replaced.
The Lord of Hell was an existence who had lived for at least several epochs. Such a figure was unlikely to act rashly.
Any stir that might affect his plans would fall within his sight.
Changge set down the teacup lid, and for a moment, his interest was piqued.
He had underestimated this Lord of Hell. By now, the other party was probably already pulling back the pieces he had placed within the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds.
If he tried to follow the vine to find the melon like this, he feared it would be difficult to settle this matter before the wedding date.
“Perfect. Since all the factions are now speculating about my intentions, then let’s just have a little contest between us.”
Changge suddenly chuckled softly, his gaze turning toward the arena outside.
The fences cast from special divine metal on both sides were slowly being pulled up, and then two figures, under everyone’s watchful eyes, slowly walked onto the arena to begin the coming terrifying slaughter.
In the surrounding spectator seats, all the Cultivators and living beings stared fixedly at the scene before them, their eyes flickering with bloodlust, excitement, and thrill, or revealing unease and worry.
Before long, the arena’s host announced the rules to everyone, as well as the backgrounds of the two fighters, and this slaughter finally began.
Brilliant, dazzling radiance spread out, and Array Patterns like Restrictions extended outward, instantly sealing off the surrounding void.
All kinds of terrifying killing moves crisscrossed—there was surging divine fire, there was Sword Qi splitting the sky, blood mist drifted and churned, a sight incomparably horrifying.
If not for the powerful Array Patterns engraved here, the shockwaves of this battle alone would have been enough to destroy the space of this place.
It had to be said, the Cultivators who dared step onto this arena were no mediocre individuals—at the very least, within the same realm, they rarely met a match.
The two fought hundreds of exchanges, back and forth, incomparably brutal.
One of them even had his body torn open, blood gushing out like a spring, yet he remained expressionless, continuing to fight his opponent.
Such a shocking and brutal scene made many of the young prodigies who had come here for the first time tremble inwardly, unable to calm down for a long time.
At the front of the spectator seats, the people in charge behind the arena were also taking bets.
Pile after pile of Spiritual Stones, sacred medicines, and even technique manuals were placed out, divine light shining brilliantly, illuminating all directions, making many Cultivators’ eyes redden with fervor.
The slaughter between the two in the arena concerned not only their life and death—to the spectators, it was also indescribably terrifying wealth.
“Why are the two fighters in today’s first match so terrifyingly strong? In the past, fighters like these would be saved to anchor the show.”
“Could it be because of Young Master Changge? Did the owner behind the arena arrange for these powerhouses to come out ahead of schedule?”
Watching the terrifying slaughter in the arena, many important figures furrowed their brows slightly.
They were regulars here and had long since grown accustomed to this kind of slaughter.
But in their view, this match should have been saved for the very last—yet today, they saw it in the very first match.
This made a guess suddenly arise in their hearts. Could it be that Gu Changge had descended upon the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds actually to select death row prisoners?
“Is this the slaughter we’re going to face next?”
The group from the Blue Flood Ancient World, watching the terrifying great battle in the arena at this moment, also had somewhat dull expressions, unable to believe it.
Many of them secretly swallowed their saliva just to steady their minds.
In the face of such a terrifying battle, they wouldn’t have the slightest chance of surviving, let alone achieving a good ranking and seizing the Realm’s Fortuity.
That was simply unrealistic.
At this moment, they even wanted to just give up and return early to their original world.
The Beyond was too terrifying, too cruel—it simply didn’t belong to frogs at the bottom of a well like them.
“This is exactly the kind of tempering I need to become stronger.”
However, compared to everyone’s fear, Lu Ming, whose injuries had mostly recovered, had fighting spirit surging in his heart, his fists clenched tight.
He thought of many things. The reason he had been humiliated, scorned, and left at others’ mercy just now was still because he was too weak.
Faced with such an opportunity to temper himself, how could he easily give up?
“Xue Yan Shimei...”
With thoughts swirling in his mind, Lu Ming couldn’t help turning his head to look at the girl Xue Yan beside him, whose expression still seemed somewhat dazed.
Ever since receiving the handkerchief, Xue Yan Shimei had been in a state of absent-mindedness, her heart heavy with thoughts.
Lu Ming knew this was because of that important figure named Gu Changge.
From the mouth of the scholar-robed man, they had already learned many things about Gu Changge.
To say they weren’t shaken and horrified would be impossible.
Even now, their scalps were still numb.
Lu Ming also understood why those arrogant Ancient Royal Families disciples had ended up acting the way they did.
Because a figure like this stood at the very peak of the Beyond, overlooking the myriad heavens through the ages.
A single word from him could decide the life, death, and reincarnation of ten thousand worlds; a single sentence could remake the very heavens and earth of the Beyond.
To put it bluntly, a single thought from the other party would be enough to destroy the Blue Flood Ancient World behind them ten thousand times over.
And such a figure had actually crossed paths with them, had even spoken a few words with Xue Yan Shimei.
This was simply unimaginable, like something out of a dream.
One had to know that before this, the scholar-robed man had treated them with a lofty, dismissive attitude.
Yet now he was fawning over Xue Yan Shimei to the extreme.
Those important figures within Vermilion Bird Hall had also sent people over just now with quite a few good things for Xue Yan Shimei, to demonstrate their goodwill.
The news from here had already been sent back to their base behind them. The several Elders were believed to be rushing over, practically wild with joy.
“Lu Ming Shixiong, were you calling me?”
The girl Xue Yan, whose mind had been in a dazed state all this time, now heard Lu Ming’s voice, came back to her senses, and looked at him as she asked.
Even at this moment, she still felt a sense of unreality.
Even though in the Blue Flood Ancient World, she was a heaven’s favored daughter pursued by countless people, the daughter of a sect master.
She still felt all of this was dreamlike, inconceivable, unbelievable.
“Shimei, you...”
Lu Ming was somewhat dazed, and then a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he fell silent.
He had originally had quite a few things he wanted to say, but for some reason, he suddenly couldn’t say any of them.
It seemed that the Shimei before his eyes was now separated from him by an endless distance, no longer the same as before.
“Miss Xue Yan, let me tell you, since that one has already taken notice of you, you must find a way to make contact with him again. That would bring endless benefits to you, to the sect behind you, and even to the entire world you come from.”
“You wouldn’t even need to participate in this Battlefield of Hundred Worlds to easily obtain the Realm’s Fortuity.”
The scholar-robed man didn’t notice the change in Lu Ming’s expression, still wearing a fawning smile as he schemed on behalf of the girl Xue Yan.
However, hearing these words, Lu Ming’s fists beneath his sleeves couldn’t help but clench tight.
What did he take Xue Yan Shimei for? Was he planning to have her curry favor with and approach that Daren?
Soon, the first slaughter in the arena ended. The victor lived, the loser died, and the winner claimed all of the loser’s points.
Behind the fences, more death row prisoners appeared, beginning the second slaughter, and so it went on and on.
Gu Changge watched until the fourth match, and only then, seemingly with some regret, did he shake his head and leave.
The crowd who had been watching his every move all had their expressions shaken, feeling that Gu Changge had come here to select something after all.