Chapter 478 Hong Yu's Compromise (Two in One)
Hong Yu stared deadly at Gu Yun, flames practically spewing from her eyes.
Her silver teeth ground together, making a grating sound. Just looking at the young man's face, which bore a three- or four-tenths resemblance to that devil Gu Changge, pushed her to the brink of collapse.
"Humiliation?"
Gu Yun chuckled softly, "Miss Hong Yu seems to have misunderstood something. Your Demonic Sect is nothing more than rats in a gutter, flies that can't bear the light."
"Against you inhumane scum, it seems nothing I do is too much."
He stepped forward, the fan bone once again resting lightly but firmly against her chin, forcing her to raise her stunning face, which was now etched with humiliation: "Moreover, you dared to have designs on my Gu Family. Tell me... shouldn't I come to you to collect some interest?"
"You, what are you going to do?!"
Watching Gu Yun approach, a sudden fear arose in Hong Yu's heart.
"If you want to kill me, then kill me!"
"The Demonic Sect has no cowards who fear death!!"
"Kill you? No, no, no~~~"
"That would be too much of a waste, and too easy for you."
Gu Yun chuckled, the fan bone slowly sliding down her neck, over her delicate collarbone, feeling the rapid pulse beneath her smooth skin, finally stopping at...
"Little flea of the Demonic Sect, how about we make a bet? After tomorrow, you will lead me to the Demonic Sect's lair, and we will wipe them out in one fell swoop."
"You're dreaming! My life, Hong Yu's life, was saved by the Demonic Sect Master. Everything I have was given by the Sect Master! Do you think I would betray the Sect Master, betray the Holy Sect? Impossible!"
Hong Yu shrieked, her body trembling slightly from fear, but her gaze was exceptionally resolute.
Although she suffered great humiliation at Gu Yun's hands, her resolve remained firm; she would absolutely not betray the Sect Master.
Gu Yun was not surprised by her reaction.
A Female Protagonist of Destiny, it's quite normal. If she didn't have that 'rather die than submit' characteristic, Gu Yun wouldn't feel at ease using her.
"Don't speak so absolutely~~, it would be embarrassing if you had to eat your words later."
"Pah!"
"Don't think that by using those dirty tricks you can achieve your insidious goals. The moment my soul is controlled, the Sect Master will know immediately and instantly pinpoint your location!"
"By then, even if you possess heaven-defying abilities, you won't be able to escape!"
"Ehh~, look at you, getting agitated again."
"Am I that kind of person?"
Gu Yun caressed Hong Yu's body, speaking with a smiling expression.
The young woman floated in the center of the small wooden house, without any ability to resist, allowing Gu Yun to do as he pleased.
She felt a restless unease throughout her body, and her breathing became constricted: "You, what... what have you... done to me?"
"Wh-why do I feel like I can't breathe?"
Hong Yu looked at Gu Yun, speaking breathlessly.
"Just a little trick, I hope your mouth isn't so stubborn later."
An unspeakable sense of terror came over her: "You, what are you going to do, stop it..."
She looked at Gu Yun, who had his hands raised and an innocent expression, a fire in her chest that had nowhere to vent. She wished she could immediately go down and beat this bastard.
"Don't be nervous. If you stay quiet, it won't do anything to you."
"You bastard!!"
"Pervert, bitch, petty scoundrel, ah ah ah!!!"
Gu Yun's hand, which was behind his back, moved, and Hong Yu's pupils suddenly constricted...
Feeling the young man's schadenfreude, she bit her lower lip fiercely, almost drawing blood.
Her eyes still showed a stubborn defiance, staring intently at Gu Yun.
She was silently declaring that she would absolutely not yield!
This was the unyielding spirit of the Demonic Sect, the dignity of its members, symbolizing their unwavering determination to resist the Gu Family's tyrannical rule!!
"Hall Master Hong Yu, if you can't endure it, just tell me the location of the Demonic Sect's headquarters. I will immediately release you and treat you as an honored guest."
"In the future, you will become a prime example of someone who has turned over a new leaf. My Gu Family will stand by you, and no one will ever be able to humiliate you again."
"Ba...stard... you wish!!!"
Hong Yu squeezed out broken words through gritted teeth, her body trembling uncontrollably, fine beads of sweat seeping from her temples, sticking her loose purple hair to her cheeks, adding to her disheveled vulnerability.
She tried to gather her demonic power to break through Gu Yun's control, but found that the demonic energy, which she usually commanded with ease, was now scattered and impossible to concentrate.
This was a confrontation on a spiritual level, and Hong Yu believed she would absolutely not lose. She was betting her dignity as a member of the Demonic Sect!
It seems the intensity isn't enough. Gu Yun was too lazy to continue with Hong Yu, so he directly engaged maximum power.
Then a rocking chair suddenly appeared beside him, and he comfortably lay down: "You continue."
"Heh... hehe..." Hong Yu struggled to raise her head. Although her deep purple eyes were shimmering with tears, an even more fervent hatred burned within them. "Gu Yun, you're just wishful thinking. Even if I die... I will never... betray..."
"..."
"The Holy Sect."
Hong Yu fell silent, because a sight appeared in her eyes that she dared not believe.
Jiang Lan and Jiang Qing had appeared at some point, serving behind the young man. Now, both of them had a gentle, humble, and yielding demeanor, showing no trace of their former willfulness or capriciousness.
"Brother Yun, why did you only come to find me now?"
Jiang Qing's voice was sweet and childish, filled with deep attachment and a hint of grievance.
Jiang Lan said nothing, simply serving obediently behind the young man.
As her beautiful eyes shifted, an occasional glance towards Hong Yu carried a subtle, almost imperceptible, condescending pity.
In this woman, she seemed to see her former self.
Both due to their shallow understanding and poor judgment, they had offended His Highness.
However, it was merely sympathy; women like herself should accept such punishment, otherwise, how could they remain by His Highness's side?!
"Don't worry, haven't I come to find you now?"
"This time, I'll definitely spend good time with you."
"Mm, Brother Yun can't break his promise."
"Otherwise, Qing'er will be angry..."
Gu Yun chuckled. Hong Yu had been unyielding, and he couldn't just keep waiting indefinitely.
Naturally, he had to relax a bit.
"Your Highness, this sister is..."
"She is not your sister; she is merely an insignificant demonic heretic. You don't need to pay attention to her; just focus on your own tasks."
"Understood, Your Highness."
That is, as long as one does not defy Gu Yun's words, this fellow will be the most perfect person in the world.
He is gentle, kind, and generous.
The fourth floor of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda is vast and beautiful, which the two women, having lived long in secluded courtyards, found quite enjoyable.
During this time, they often explored the deep, ancient realms within it, admiring the famous mountains and great rivers.
Yet, even so, Gu Yun was still not satisfied, believing the fourth floor was still somewhat desolate.
He promised that in the future, he would prepare an ideal paradise exclusively for them, allowing them to experience a broader world and live a happier life within it.
The two women had already resigned themselves to their fate, believing life could only be this way.
But they never expected that Gu Yun felt so much guilt for all he had done for them, wishing he could be a thousand, ten thousand times better to the young man.
They were willing to give everything for Gu Yun, even if it meant getting hurt.
Of course, Gu Yun wouldn't just watch idly. Each time, he would use the Divine Willow Finger Joint to help them recover from their injuries. Not only did it leave no after-effects, but it also greatly benefited their cultivation.
Jiang Lan had been pleasantly surprised in recent days to discover that her bottleneck, which hadn't budged for nearly a Thousand Years, showed signs of breaking through.
Once successful, she would truly step into the late-stage Quasi-Emperor Realm, becoming a genuine powerhouse capable of standing on her own and establishing a sect.
Furthermore, this was not even the limit. As long as she followed Gu Yun closely, Jiang Lan felt that one day she might even ascend to the distant position of Great Emperor.
Whenever she thought of this, she couldn't help but smile. What had she done after all? This was clearly the greatest opportunity of her life, yet she had desperately tried to push it away.
She even almost harmed Qing'er. Fortunately, His Highness was magnanimous and did not hold a grudge.
She must fulfill her duties even better and share His Highness's worries.
Hong Yu's will was subjected to an unprecedented Impact at that moment.
The scene before her brought such a fervent impact that she could even empathize with it.
It was as if the young man's giant palm caressed every inch of her body, carefully savoring it.
Her dignity and loyalty, which she had fiercely protected, were worthless in his eyes, even becoming an object of amusement.
That intoxicated look was as if he were listening to the most moving music.
A sense of humiliation, deeper than physical pain, fiercely gripped her heart.
Crystal clear sweat, mixed with tears, blurred her vision.
In this manner, Hong Yu lived through endless days, not knowing how many years had passed.
Yet, she gritted her teeth and endured.
Under the double blow, her mental strength was already on the verge of collapse.
The women accompanying Gu Yun also changed continuously: a captivating woman with red hair and a snake tail, a cute girl with cat ears, a well-bred young lady in a white dress with an excellent temperament, a pair of petite and identical twins...
These women were all happy, their faces brimming with genuine smiles, forming a stark contrast with herself.
Over time, Hong Yu felt completely numb. She sagged in the air, no longer reacting no matter what Gu Yun did.
He stood up and slowly approached: "How about it, have you changed your mind?"
"My patience, actually, is not as much as you think."
"Please, let me go."
This time, Hong Yu was uncharacteristically docile. She looked up, her fading eyes full of pleading.
"What, still want to be stubborn?"
"No, no, you, whatever you want to know, I, I'll tell you everything."
Hong Yu was gasping for breath, without any trace of her former noble demeanor in front of Bai Li.
At this moment, she was like a fallen phoenix, cruelly trampled underfoot by Gu Yun.
He received a satisfying answer, and more importantly, saw that Hong Yu's favorability had actually increased from -20 to 60 points.
"Isn't this better?"
"What was the point of being so stubborn before?"
"If you don't believe me, ask them. Am I an unreasonable person?"
Hong Yu gasped for air, her eyes hollow. Her former stubbornness, hatred, and arrogance had all vanished, leaving only the numbness and despair of being utterly crushed.
Sweat poured down, sticking to her pale cheeks and scattered purple hair, making her look disheveled.
Gu Yun stepped forward, his fingertip hooking a strand of wet hair stuck to her cheek. The movement seemed gentle, yet it made Hong Yu flinch uncontrollably.
"Now, are you willing to speak?"
He asked, his tone flat, yet carrying a final ultimatum.
Hong Yu opened her eyes, which held an enchanting allure, and stared at Gu Yun.
"You, you come closer, and I'll tell you."
Gu Yun smiled, walked over, and leaned his ear close to Hong Yu.
The latter's expression suddenly changed, a hint of ferocity condensing: "Bastard, even if I die today, I will bite off one of your ears!!"
The young woman opened her blood-red mouth, summoning the last trace of demonic essence remaining in her body, with a determination and courage to perish together, and bit directly at Gu Yun's ear.
Caught off guard, Gu Yun indeed fell victim.
"A common man's rage, blood splatters five paces."
"Gu Yun, since ancient times, women have been as brave as men. You were careless!"
"Though I die today, the will of the Demonic Sect lives on. Those who commit many injustices will eventually perish. Evil families like the Gu Family, who are like devils, will sooner or later be submerged in the river of history."
"I will wait for that day in the underworld!!"
Hong Yu's wild laughter rang out, and the power in her body became even more unrestrained.
But—
The young man took a sharp intake of breath, then, as if nothing had happened, he glanced sideways at Hong Yu: "I didn't expect you to be quite skilled. To use a method like licking an ear to seduce me, I must say, it's a sensation I haven't experienced before."
???
Hong Yu's eyes widened. She simply couldn't believe it. She was a Saint Realm cultivator; logically, she should have succeeded directly when he was caught off guard.
What was going on with this guy?
Hmph, she wouldn't believe it.
The Demonic Sect Hall Master would not yield here, but unfortunately, it was ultimately futile.
In front of Gu Yun, even when she got angry, it seemed like she was just being cute.
After a long while, Gu Yun's expression suddenly changed, and he gripped Hong Yu's neck.
"I was almost seduced by your tender trap. I like your flattery very much, but you still haven't told me the location of the Demonic Sect. Are you trying to stall for time?"
Hong Yu: "???"
She was completely dumbfounded, stammering and unable to utter any words of resistance.
"What? You said you want me to give you something in exchange?" Gu Yun said casually, "Why didn't you say so earlier? Isn't that simple?"
Hong Yu: "???"
The young man released his hand.
"Cough, cough, you bastard, you..."
"Towards a beauty like you, I'm always very gentle. After all, I'm not some heartless beast, wouldn't you agree?"
"Bastard, what the hell do you know, you..."
"I..."
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for conquering the Female Protagonist of Destiny, Hong Yu. Bai Li's Destiny Value has decreased by 5000 points. Reward: Orange Treasure Chest * 4]
...
"Ah~~"
Gu Yun left the small wooden house, stretched lazily, and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"It seems you're still a bit unconvinced."
"Think about it carefully here."
"I will come to find you again later."
Gu Yun patted his backside and left, leaving only Hong Yu trembling, suspended in the air.
"Bastard!! If you're so capable, go pat your own!"
Watching the young man's departing back, Hong Yu gritted her teeth and cursed, then she froze for a moment, letting out a sharp shriek—
"Ah!! You, you bastard, let me down!!"
//479//
Chapter 479: Rebellion (Two in One)
Hong Yu's angry scolding was cut off by the bamboo door, leaving only faint, unwilling whimpers echoing in the empty room.
"Put me down…Woo woo woo, you bastard, bastard, bastard…"
"You, you've already done, done that thing, what more do you want from me, you bastard…"
Outside, it seemed all movement had ceased; Gu Yun had clearly left long ago.
A deep sense of powerlessness and humiliation engulfed her like a tide.
As the esteemed Hall Master of the Devouring Heaven Demonic Sect, how could she have ever suffered such an insult?
She had always been the one to toy with others in the palm of her hand; when had she ever fallen to such a state?
"It's best if he's gone, best if he never comes back."
"Even if you imprison me for all eternity, you won't get what you want."
Hong Yu was being stubborn, ready to throw caution to the wind.
Anyway, it wasn't that she wanted to reject Gu Yun. As her cultivation steadily increased, she had subtly sensed that the Demon Church Master wasn't entirely selfless towards the members of the Demon Church. To control such an unstable social group, he must have employed some extraordinary methods.
It was just that Hong Yu didn't know yet that, as a Saint Realm cultivator, she was merely an ant before the Demon Church Master. Before she had enough confidence, Hong Yu would never act rashly.
Now, her mouth had been forcefully opened by Gu Yun, but she was still unwilling to submit.
Recalling everything that had happened before, her breathing became more rapid, her cheeks flushed with an abnormal redness. Having just experienced such a storm, she could no longer remain as calm as before.
They say it's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury to frugality.
She was in just such a state now, her mind unable to find peace for a long time.
She had just seemed to touch the true clouds, but now she had suddenly fallen back to the bottom of the valley.
"No, no, I am Hong Yu, I am the Demon Church Hall Master. I have a blood feud with the Gu Family. How can I, because of that bastard's…"
"Hong Yu! Wake up!!!"
She roared frantically in her heart, but in her mind, Gu Yun's handsome face with a devilish smile, the cold touch of his fingertips, and even... the domineering aura when he forcefully kissed her... flashed uncontrollably.
"Get out! Get out of here!"
She frantically tried to dispel these images, only to find that they were like maggots on a bone; the more she resisted, the clearer they became.
Just then, the bamboo hut's door was gently pushed open a crack.
A petite figure slipped in; it was Jiang Qing, who had left and returned.
She curiously observed Hong Yu, who was suspended in mid-air and clearly not in a normal state, tilting her head: "Bad woman, you seem to be in a lot of pain, oh?"
Hong Yu snapped back to reality. Seeing that it was the woman beside Gu Yun, a wave of shame instantly overwhelmed her. She sharply said, "Get out! Who let you in!"
Jiang Qing, however, was not afraid of her. Instead, she bounced closer, blinking her big eyes: "Brother Yun said I can enter and exit the fourth floor freely."
"So this place is no exception."
She walked around Hong Yu once, her gaze sweeping over her, holding her chin, seemingly contemplating something.
Hong Yu forcefully suppressed the anger in her heart, trying to calm herself: "Did he send you to humiliate me?"
"I'm telling you, absolutely not."
"How childish."
"What did you say? You little brat, who are you calling childish?!"
Jiang Qing flinched at her shout, but then puffed out her cheeks, put her hands on her hips, and acted like a little adult: "I'm calling you childish! Brother Yun is so powerful, he has plenty of ways to make you submit, why would he specifically send me to humiliate you?"
"You really have no self-awareness. You're not beautiful, but you dream beautifully."
"Hmph, a little girl who hasn't even fully developed, what do you know?"
"So what? Brother Yun likes this type. You're fully developed, so mature, oh my, oh my."
"I almost envy you—"
"Being hung up like this."
Jiang Qing said with a look of disdain, somewhat gloating.
This woman dared to attack Brother Yun; she was already courting death. If Brother Yun hadn't acted, Jiang Qing would have done it for him.
"You…"
"Hmph, how could a woman like you, who only knows how to fawn and bow, possibly understand the noble ideals of us Holy Church members!"
"Decadent and corrupt families like the Immortal Ancient Gu Family, evil existences that disregard human life, should disappear into the long river of history. By what right do they rule the Three Thousand Dao Domains?!"
"You're spewing nonsense. Brother Yun has never killed any innocent person; he is a great hero."
"Heh heh, only a wet-behind-the-ears little girl like you would be deceived by his harmless youthful appearance."
"One is influenced by their surroundings. As a member of the Immortal Ancient Gu Family, he was born tainted by the Gu Family's karma. While enjoying the opportunities the Gu Family provides him, he should also bear those blood debts!!"
"Now, talented individuals from all over the Three Thousand Dao Domains are gathering. We are all unfortunate people driven to desperation under the Gu Family's oppression."
"The Demon Church, it is like a spark, and it will eventually spread throughout the entire Three Thousand Dao Domains!"
"…"
"Heh, nothing to say, right?"
"I knew that someone like you, without a self, could never understand our noble ideals?!"
Hong Yu raised her chin. At this moment, although she was a prisoner, she seemed to exude an inexplicable confidence, even leaving Jiang Qing somewhat stunned.
"Is this the power of faith that Brother Yun spoke of?"
Jiang Qing couldn't help but secretly marvel in her heart. Although the Demon Church Master's methods were dirty, it had to be said that they had indeed achieved a certain effect.
"You're talking nonsense! Brother Yun isn't that kind of person! He's very good to me, and to Aunt Lan!"
"It's you, you bad woman, with your dirty mind, who thinks everyone else is so bad!"
Jiang Qing's words, however, made Hong Yu feel even more confident.
She even thought she could win Jiang Qing over. If she could recruit her into the Demon Church and have her help deal with Gu Yun from within.
Then the Demon Church's ultimate goal would be even easier to achieve!
Thinking of this, Hong Yu let out a sneer: "Very good?"
"He's good to you simply because you're useful to him now, or… merely because of your somewhat presentable face and young body!"
"Once he tires of you, you'll end up like me, or even worse! The people of the Gu Family, cold and ruthless blood flows in their veins!"
"Impossible, Brother Yun wouldn't do that. I'll kill you, you woman who spreads evil words!!"
Jiang Qing was enraged. She suddenly raised her hand, and a not-so-powerful spiritual energy streak whipped towards Hong Yu.
Slap!
The spiritual energy hit Hong Yu's body, not causing pain, but making her suspended body sway. The silver bells on her ankles jingled with clear yet helpless sounds.
"Heh heh, so you're embarrassed and angry? It seems my words are quite effective on you. Is it interesting to immerse yourself in a false dream?"
"Little one, face reality. There aren't that many Prince Charmings in this world!"
"Everything has a price tag from the very beginning. What you're getting now is just overdrawing your future…"
"No, that's impossible."
Jiang Qing took a step back, suddenly feeling a firm figure blocking her.
She turned around and exclaimed, "Auntie!!"
"Qing'er, don't worry, I'll talk to her."
Jiang Lan's gaze fell on Hong Yu, thinking to herself that this demonic cultivator's methods were indeed formidable. Even with His Highness's prior guidance to Xiao Qing'er, her heart was still swayed by a few words. If she hadn't intervened in time, Hong Yu might have actually succeeded.
Of course, what she didn't know was that the two, originally fated to be the protagonists of destiny, would naturally be easily influenced by Hong Yu. However, due to Gu Yun's interference, their destinies had completely changed. So, after a series of twists and turns, Jiang Qing would still firmly choose Gu Yun.
This was a mysterious and profound destiny, manipulated by no one, yet guiding everything in the unseen.
"Hmph, if the younger one can't win, you send an older one?!"
"You guys are really interesting. Where's Gu Yun? Did he do something bad and dare not admit it, so he just ran away? Is this the Young Master you chose, the object of your loyalty?"
"How ridiculous."
Hong Yu sneered. As long as she wasn't facing Gu Yun, her aura was incredibly powerful.
"Miss Hong, I think you've misunderstood something. We've never had any ill intentions."
"Hmph, Miss, do you believe such ridiculous words yourself?"
"No ill intentions? Then what did Gu Yun send you for? To soothe my mind and body? Hahaha, hahahaha."
"Could that coward be so kind?"
Hong Yu's mouth wouldn't stop, chattering endlessly, as if only this could hide her inner helplessness and unease.
No one could maintain a stable state of mind after experiencing such a thing, and yet the young man cruelly chose to just walk away. Hong Yu's state was perfectly normal.
"I won't allow you to speak of His Highness that way. He's not a coward; he's a great hero, a hero unmatched in the entire Three Thousand Dao Domains."
"Hmph, ridiculous."
Hong Yu turned her head away: "How could someone from the Gu Family be a hero?"
"Are the people of the Demon Church good people?!"
"How many cultivators have you slaughtered for your cultivation?"
"Blood Drinking Art, Bone Crushing Art, Soul Devouring Art—which one isn't a inhumane method concocted by you demonic cultivators?"
"Such rats, who can't bear the light, still dare to attempt to change this world. Our Gengjin Immortal Palace will be the first to disagree!!"
Jiang Qing could no longer hold back. She could not accept a woman repeatedly insulting her Brother Yun in front of her.
"The source of power is bloody."
"You only see our helpless actions, forced by circumstances, but have you ever seen the cruel and bloody path of the Gu Family's rise?!"
"The Gu Family rose in the desolate Primordial Era. At that time, humanity was the weakest existence among the Three Thousand Dao Domains, constantly on the verge of becoming prey for other races."
"What, you want to compare with that?"
"In today's relatively peaceful era, how noble are your methods of exploiting cultivators at the bottom, sucking their marrow and crushing their bones?"
"Hmph… You're twisting words. I won't argue with you. That Gu Changge kills people like flies, destroying countless small worlds. The humans who died by his hand number not in the billions, but in the trillions. He is the greatest executioner in the Three Thousand Dao Domains. As long as one is born into the Gu Family, they carry original sin and can never wash themselves clean in this life."
"Oh?"
"Then I say the Gu Family has always been pure. What then?"
"Nonsense."
"Gu Changge has killed countless people, and even more countless creatures from restricted areas."
"Do you know how much damage restricted area creatures would cause each year if not for Gu Changge?"
"That, that's still not a reason for him to indiscriminately kill innocent people."
Hong Yu's confidence wavered slightly: "Moreover, the Gu Family, as an Immortal Ancient Family, actually raised a profligate son like Gu Yun. Isn't this the greatest disaster?!"
"Have you said enough?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan, instead of getting angry, showed a meaningful smile, a smile filled with pity and a hint of mockery. "Hall Master Hong, you constantly claim that the Demon Church sees the truth of the world and that the Gu Family blinds the world, but have you ever considered that perhaps the one most deeply blinded is precisely yourself?"
Hong Yu's eyes sharpened: "What do you mean?"
"You say His Highness is a profligate?"
"Isn't he? Bullying men and women, forcefully snatching other men's wives, abusing his power, causing trouble everywhere!"
"Any one of those charges is a serious crime, yet he still lives freely. It's simply his Gu Family identity that saved him."
"Unfortunately, not a single one of your statements is true."
"Hmph, how can I tell if you're lying to me?"
"More words are useless. I'll show you a video. The events recorded in the video happened not long ago, in the Gengjin Dao Domain."
Jiang Lan spoke, and a recording stone appeared in her hand.
Soon, the scene of Lin Chen leading his fleet to invade the Gengjin Dao Domain appeared before Hong Yu's eyes.
On that day, the Gengjin Dao Domain was ravaged, all life extinguished.
Great Emperors bled, and all beings wailed.
The world plunged into despair, until Gu Yun's sudden appearance, like a savior, easily defeated Lin Chen and saved the world.
He even used his great power to restore the entire Gengjin Dao Domain to a state of vibrant life and flourishing growth.
"No, this is impossible. This is a fake recording. Don't try to deceive me."
"What virtue or ability does Gu Yun possess to suppress an enemy that even a Great Emperor couldn't handle?"
"Hmph, I know the Gu Family is vast and powerful, and they want to build momentum for their Young Master, but such a clumsy performance is a bit too much, isn't it?"
"You…"
"Miss Hong, you should be able to discern whether the content inside is real."
"The Gu Family's good deeds are not limited to this. They have done a lot to maintain the stability of human territory."
"As for His Highness's strength…"
"You've been by His Highness's side; you must know very well."
"Bah, who cares about his strength."
Drip.
The scene fell into a moment of silence.
"Cough… Qing'er, let's go. Let Miss Hong Yu think for a while longer."
Jiang Lan said.
The two women disappeared from the small house.
Hong Yu: "…"
"No, you guys put me down! I can think clearly even if I'm down! Hey!!"
…
"Achhoo."
"Which lady is thinking of me again?"
Gu Yun scratched his nose, a helpless smile on his face. He had clearly already spread his favors around.
Could it be Wu Ling? Luoluo?
Or Lin Ziyi, Qingyan?
It wouldn't be Teacher Baby, would it~~~
"Master, did you forget about Thousand Years?"
//480//
Chapter 480: The Sixth Floor of the Daluo Dao Tower (Two in One)
Gu Yun strolled leisurely, when a mournful sound suddenly reached his ears. He stiffly turned his head and saw Snow Millennium, dressed in white, appear before him.
"Cough, cough, Qiannian, how have you been? Has your Sword Qi improved?"
"Do you want me to give you some pointers again?"
Gu Yun chuckled dryly. He had been too busy lately and had indeed neglected her. It was a sin, truly a sin.
Snow Millennium moved with light steps, quickly arriving beside Gu Yun.
Dressed in plain white, she was like the purest ice lotus on a snowy mountain peak, exuding a cold aura.
She was like a sharp sword submerged in ten thousand years of cold ice, never unsheathed.
"Qiannian wouldn't dare. Master is busy with a myriad of affairs; how could Qiannian disturb him?"
After saying this, Snow Millennium regretted it a little. It was too presumptuous; how could she have said such a thing?
Master was her Master, the one who gave her a new life. Let alone placing her in this cultivation holy land, coveted by countless people, for a few years; even if he were to directly drive her away from his side, this experience alone would be a great honor for her.
How could she ask for more?
But... but... Her eyes moved slightly upward, looking at the young man's handsome and ethereal brows and eyes. The inexpressible sense of loss and a faint trace of grievance in her heart surged quietly, like an undercurrent beneath the ice.
It was clearly agreed...
On the Ancient Continent, the misunderstanding caused by the young man had not dissipated; instead, it grew hotter with the passage of time.
She quickly lowered her gaze, re-freezing all emotions, and returned to her unchanging cold demeanor. Only a slightly pursed lip line betrayed a hint of her feelings.
"I apologize, Master, Qiannian was presumptuous."
"It's alright."
How could Gu Yun not notice her subtle change? He reached out and naturally brushed a strand of her cool silver hair from her forehead, his movements gentle.
Snow Millennium's body stiffened slightly but she did not dodge. Only her long, thick eyelashes trembled gently, like an ice butterfly flapping its wings.
"These matters indeed show my negligence; I've neglected you."
His voice was incredibly gentle, like the refreshing wind in the mountains, and like the bright moon by the sea.
It permeated Snow Millennium's heart. The girl felt that the slight bitterness and grievance in her heart were quietly smoothed away by his gentle actions and words. Although her frozen expression did not melt, the chilling aura around her, which usually kept people at bay, dissipated considerably.
She turned her head slightly, her voice still cold, but with less aloofness: "Master, you overstate it. Qiannian knows her place..."
Before she finished speaking, Gu Yun's finger gently pressed against her soft lips. The touch was cool, carrying his unique clear scent.
"Shh."
His eyes held a smile, with an undeniable gentleness, "My Qiannian, when did you also learn to be duplicitous?"
Snow Millennium's breath hitched, her ice-blue eyes widened slightly, looking at the handsome face so close, her heart actually skipped a beat.
He had never called her by such... such an intimate address.
Seeing that sweet words seemed to be effective, Gu Yun struck while the iron was hot, directly reaching out and pulling Snow Millennium into his arms.
"Master..."
Snow Millennium's voice trembled as she looked sideways.
"Qiannian, Qiannian is just uneasy. Master is so good to Qiannian, preparing such a blessed land for cultivation, but Qiannian has not repaid Master with anything."
As she spoke, her tone became increasingly firm.
In the past, she often heard the mistresses next door leaving their rooms one after another.
This made her heart feel like it was being scratched by a cat. Although this was just her wishful thinking, someone of her status, even a hint of the Prince's favor, would be enough for her to be eternally grateful and she shouldn't ask for more.
But... but she just wanted to, she just wanted to ask for more, she wanted to truly enter the Prince's heart.
Even when cultivating Sword Dao, Gu Yun's figure would unconsciously appear before her eyes. He was gentle, powerful, and meticulous, guiding her in all aspects until she was drenched in sweat, her limbs sore, exhausted, and completely spent.
"Master, let Qiannian serve you..."
Snow Millennium raised her eyes, which sparkled with moisture. The evening breeze rustled her robes softly.
"Qiannian, is this what you want?"
Gu Yun gently cupped her cheeks. His warm fingertips touched Snow Millennium's cool skin, as if they could instantly reach her heart.
A hint of panic flashed in her ice-blue eyes, but she still nodded with immense determination: "Qiannian is willing to give everything for Master, including..."
"This body."
Gu Yun's fingers gently caressed Snow Millennium's cool, delicate cheek, looking at the almost sacrificial determination and a barely perceptible tremor in her ice-blue eyes, his heart softened slightly.
He lowered his head, his forehead gently resting against hers, their noses almost touching, their breaths mingling.
"Silly girl," his voice was low and gentle, carrying a reassuring strength, "I will let you stay by my side forever. You don't need to do this."
"But..."
"Qiannian, I said I would not use such dirty methods to coerce you into doing these things."
"Even if such a thing truly happens in the future, I would hope..."
"It is you... truly willing."
Gu Yun smiled, and with a finger, he gently tapped Snow Millennium's chest, boosting her favorability. He wouldn't take advantage of her now, but he certainly wouldn't miss any future opportunities.
Snow Millennium's eyelashes trembled violently. She looked at the departing figure of the young man, remaining silent for a long time.
"Qiannian, cultivate well. Next time, I'll have to give you a thorough check!"
"Yes, Master!!!"
A surge of excited light flashed in Snow Millennium's eyes. A warm current, mixed with a faint sense of shame, welled up in her heart. Snow Millennium's ice-like countenance finally completely softened; the layer of ice melted into gurgling spring water, slowly rippling open. At this moment, it was as if everything else lost its color.
Am I willing?
Why didn't you ask again, if I was willing...
With a deep sigh, Snow Millennium felt a little regretful, but she was not sad.
The young man's words had already made his stance clear.
"Qiannian will surely live up to Master's expectations!"
She no longer hesitated. Sharp and determined light reignited in her ice-blue eyes, and all her previous hesitation and unease vanished.
Turning, she walked towards the cultivation chamber, her steps firm, her back straight, and a faint Sword Qi circulating around her, more condensed and pure than before.
Gu Yun watched her close the stone door of the quiet room, then smiled slightly, completely at ease.
"Master, Snow Millennium's favorability has reached 95 points. Why didn't you just take her?"
The system's playful voice rang out, but Gu Yun did not answer directly, instead leaving on his own.
"System, what do you think of the ranking of the xuan qing treasure mirror?"
"The xuan qing treasure mirror comprehensively scores based on the female lead's appearance, talent, and destiny value, which is a relatively fair and just reasonable value."
"So, Snow Millennium being in the hundredth position means she's the worst one on the Treasure Mirror?"
"Jiang Lan's position is fixed, but the rewards can change?"
"System, you're not being honest."
A faint smile played on Gu Yun's lips.
The system was silent for a moment, then spoke.
"The universe is not yet settled, and fate is unpredictable. Even the system dares not claim to be able to fully comprehend it."
"I know that, of course, which is why I'm conducting an experiment with Snow Millennium."
"Snow Millennium is currently in the hundredth position. Guess what will happen in the end?"
"Hahahaha..."
Gu Yun burst into laughter. With a thought, four treasure chests shimmering with warm orange light appeared out of thin air, suspended quietly in the air. These were the spoils of war "harvested" from Hong Yu.
"System, open the treasure chests."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for opening 4 orange treasure chests!"
"Obtained: Destiny Value + 50,000!"
"Obtained: Special Item ·'Substitute Puppet' (Immortal Grade Superior)! Note: Can perfectly block one fatal blow and randomly teleport the user to a safe area ten thousand miles away (Upper limit: A casual blow from an Immortal King expert)."
"Obtained: Enlightenment Material · 'Void Crystal' * 3, each increasing the probability of condensing the Great Dao of Space by 30%."
"Obtained: 'Heaven-Devouring Demonic Orb', a sharp divine weapon formed by the condensation of one hundred thousand demonic swords, possessing the ability to slay experts below the Great Emperor Triple Heaven, with a nurturing period of ten thousand years."
"Obtained: Divine Ability Secret Art · 'Ancestral Dragon Treasure Art'!"
"Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood plus Ancestral Dragon Treasure Art, now who wouldn't say 'True Ancestral Dragon Descended' when they see me?!"
Gu Yun contentedly put away all the items, his gaze turning towards the top of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda.
It was time to open the sixth floor.
He concentrated his thoughts, and the vast, ocean-like spiritual energy and soul power within him surged forth.
Om—!
The entire Great Luo Dao Pagoda emitted a low, majestic hum. The pagoda body shone brightly, and countless ancient, mysterious runes emerged from the walls, floor, and dome, like a river of ignited stars, converging towards the center of the fifth floor!
"What's going on?!"
This anomaly was incredibly intense. The women cultivating in various parts of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda were almost simultaneously drawn to it.
A pillar of light, thicker, more brilliant, and containing an indescribable aura of the Great Dao than any previous opened floor, shot up into the sky, directly tearing through the spatial barrier of the fifth floor and forcibly opening a portal in the void!
"His Highness, he has made another breakthrough?!"
Ji Yaojun's heart filled with joy.
"Hmph, that guy's talent is still so abnormal."
Flame Princess's crimson snake tail restlessly tapped the ground, her beautiful face filled with astonishment. She crossed her arms, her clearly visible northern and southern hemispheres wrapped around her arms: "That guy... he really is a monster!!"
Though her tone was sharp, there was a hint of an undeniable Throbbing and... pride in the depths of her eyes?
"His Highness is so amazing."
Moon Dance's small mouth was agape, her two small cat ears twitched, and her cheeks were tinged with an inexplicable blush. Her little head was thinking about who knows what.
Even Snow Millennium, who had just calmed her mind and entered a state of cultivation, was disturbed by this tremor. She pushed open the stone door of the quiet room, her ice-blue eyes looking towards the tall figure in the center of the light pillar, her slender hands unconsciously clenching.
Master, he... is getting stronger and stronger.
Under everyone's gaze, Gu Yun stood in the center of the light pillar, his robes fluttering and his black hair dancing wildly.
"This sixth floor truly lives up to its name as the core layer of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda; its power and feedback are indeed extraordinary!"
He felt the vast information and torrent of power feedback from the opening of the sixth floor portal, and a knowing smile curved his lips.
Of course, there was also the most important thing—
"System, are you ready?"
System: "..."
"I will not disappoint you, Host."
"Open!"
Gu Yun let out a low shout, his voice like the sound of the Dao, reverberating through the space within the pagoda.
The pillar of light, formed by countless converging runes, suddenly contracted, condensing into a tangible, colossal stone gate inscribed with myriad stars and chaotic whirlpools!
The stone gate slowly opened a crack. In an instant, ten times more pure and concentrated Heaven and Earth Origin Qi than the fifth floor gushed out, along with a vast, ancient, and majestic Dao rhyme, as if from the primordial chaos!
The women only felt their pores open wide, and their cultivation bottlenecks even showed signs of loosening!
"I, I broke through?!"
Qi Huoer, dressed in a fiery red long dress, looked at her own changes, overjoyed.
"I, me too."
Qi Shuier also couldn't believe it. She hadn't expected that in just this short time following His Highness, both of their cultivations were already close to catching up with the Grand Elder.
She wondered if Liu Yunfeng would regret it so much that her intestines turned green if she knew. If she had known this, what was the point of competing with Luo Hanyan for the position of Holy Master of the Hundred Flowers Holy Land?!
Gu Yun did not hesitate at all. He stepped forward, his figure instantly disappearing into the crack of the stone gate.
After he entered, the stone gate did not close immediately; the crack remained, exhaling vast energy and fragments of the Dao.
The entire Great Luo Dao Pagoda was undergoing an unprecedented transformation!
...
The moment he stepped onto the sixth floor, Gu Yun felt his body sink.
The pressure here far exceeded any floor below. The space seemed like solidified amber; ordinary Xiantai Realm cultivators would probably find it difficult to even move here.
Looking around, it was a vast, boundless void.
The system's prompt did not arrive as expected.
Gu Yun knew that this floor probably held another test.
"You... who are you..."
An ancient voice, like a grand bell, echoed through the void. For a moment, heaven and earth stirred, and countless thoughts arose.
Gu Yun's throat felt sweet, but his aura remained undiminished: "I am Gu Yun, the new master of this pagoda."
He was neither overbearing nor obsequious.
The voice was silent for a moment, as if scrutinizing, confirming.
Invisible pressure, like a billion ancient divine mountains, crashed down upon Gu Yun's soul and body, intending to completely crush him and force him to submit!
Creak, creak, the ancient emperor armor automatically appeared to protect its master. To Gu Yun's surprise, this invincible ultimate imperial weapon was now humming and trembling.
It seemed to be in fear of the heaven and earth furnace, human emperor banner, and Hongmeng Sword Embryo before it. Almost at the same time, all the magic treasures floated out, protecting the young man within them.
Behind him, the Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood shimmered, helping Gu Yun resist the terrifying pressure from the enemy.
"Oh?"
The ancient voice let out a soft exclamation, seemingly surprised, "Hongmeng aura... Ancestral Dragon Power... and... Myriad Transformation Power?"
"An interesting little fellow."
It showed no anger, completely different from the other fellows Gu Yun had encountered before.
The pressure suddenly lightened.
Gu Yun also bowed slightly: "Junior Gu Yun, may I ask your esteemed name?"
If others respect him an inch, he respects them a mile; this had always been Gu Yun's principle of conduct.
"Hehe, you're quite polite, kid."
"Who am I?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, since I was captured and brought in here, I don't even know how many epochs have passed."
As it spoke, an Ancient Beast slowly emerged in the void.
//481//
Chapter 481 Ruins (Two in One)
The sudden change made Gu Yun's expression solemn; his gaze remained fixed on the unexpected guest.
Its form was difficult to describe precisely in words, as if it were condensed from countless flowing shadows, stardust, and ancient runes.
Its body was so vast it seemed capable of filling the star sea, yet it also appeared to exist between reality and illusion, at times solid like an ancient divine mountain, at others ethereal like wisps of smoke.
Its fur displayed a chaotic hue, having weathered endless eons, and a colossal, crystal-clear horn grew from its forehead, seemingly containing an incredibly terrifying, untouchable power.
Its mere presence brought an endless pressure, merging with the surrounding Dao Rhythms and laws, a symbiotic existence where each was within the other.
If the Primordial Whale seen on the fifth floor of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda earlier represented boundless vastness.
Then this one-horned Ancient Beast before him was—mystery, unparalleled mystery!
"Little fellow, no need to be nervous."
"Since I am here, I cannot truly harm you, after all, you are the master of this pagoda, aren't you?"
The Ancient Beast's voice resonated directly in Gu Yun's mind.
The young man smiled lightly, "I think senior misunderstands, I am not nervous, but rather… excited!"
"Oh?!"
The Ancient Beast finally opened its eyes, those colossal eyes like two slowly rotating chaotic whirlpools, so profound they could devour all light and divine sense.
They were now completely locked onto Gu Yun; if it were an ordinary Xiantai Realm cultivator, they would likely have been scared witless, but only Gu Yun, not only unafraid, but possessing the courage to face it directly.
He was the master, what was there to fear!
"Excited?"
The Ancient Beast's massive body adjusted to a more comfortable position, causing ripples in the surrounding void.
"Interesting, truly interesting."
"Little fellow, you have great courage."
Gu Yun stood with his hands behind his back, and though no powerful aura emanated from him, the confidence and composure stemming from the depths of his soul, from every angle, proclaimed him the master of this chaotic void.
He smiled slightly and said, "If I had nothing to rely on, how would I dare ascend this tower?"
"Since this junior has come, it is to subdue senior, so how can there be any talk of nervousness?!"
As these words were spoken, the scene fell into an inexplicable silence.
The Ancient Beast watched him quietly for a moment, then suddenly let out a low laugh that vibrated through the void.
"Good, good boy."
"You are even more arrogant than I imagined, truly worthy of being the one to obtain this pagoda."
"However, your idea is probably going to fall completely flat, after all, this is merely one of my Dao Bodies."
"My true body is one of the energy sources of this pagoda, restricted by that supreme ninth floor; if you want to subdue me, I'm afraid you're still a bit lacking."
"May I ask senior's name?"
Gu Yun still asked this question; he didn't care about Dao Bodies or trials. Perhaps knowing the other party's name would allow him to find a few relevant words in the Gu Family's ancient texts.
"The energy source of this pagoda? Could it be that this Beast controls… the power of time?!!"
He had a guess in his heart; though his words were arrogant, he dared not underestimate the other party.
"Boy, it seems you have a guess."
"Indeed," the Ancient Beast's voice carried a sense of ancient vastness that spanned eons, "My name has long been forgotten in the river of time. If you wish to know, you may call me 'Xū'."
"What I control is precisely one of the most profound and unpredictable laws in this universe—Time."
As expected!
Although he had already guessed, seeing this figure, who was like the soul of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda, Gu Yun was still quite shocked.
The core of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda lay in its vast and boundless space, and this immense and endless time. The fifth floor of the Dao Pagoda alone already possessed a time flow rate five thousand times that of the outside world. As far as Gu Yun knew, even the top-tier time treasures in the Gu Family only achieved this time flow rate.
Perhaps those elders had more powerful treasures, but they would certainly not exceed ten thousand times, and it would be impossible to move them freely.
And this… for the Great Luo Dao Pagoda, it was effortless!
And this fellow, who called himself "Xū," actually controlled the power of time. Gu Yun racked his brains but could not recall any similar name.
It seems… he is from the Immortal Realm.
"What, boy, aren't you surprised?"
Seeing that Gu Yun was not overly surprised, it was "Xū"'s turn to sound a bit puzzled.
"More than half of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda's mystique comes from this terrifying power of time control. Since senior says he is its source of power, then there is only this one possibility."
"It's just that this junior doesn't know, with such immense power, why does senior willingly humble himself here?"
A mere Dao Body gave off an immeasurable sense of oppression; Gu Yun was certain that its true body was a terrifying existence beyond the Immortal King giant level, though he didn't know whether it was stronger or weaker than the Primordial Whale.
"Humble myself?"
"Heh heh, it seems you know nothing, boy."
A complex, ineffable light, seemingly mocking and yet wistful, flickered in "Xū"'s chaotic eyes.
"I hope senior can enlighten me."
"…"
"Little fellow, trying to get information from me is not a good choice."
"However, for that person's sake, I can tell you this: in all the myriad worlds and the vast universe, how many are truly 'free'?"
"What of Immortal Kings, what of Immortal Emperors?"
"As long as one has not taken that step, they are ultimately nothing more than ants."
"Your horizons are still too shallow, boy; there's no need to understand these things yet."
Its voice deepened, carrying a sense of vicissitude and weariness from endless eons: "This pagoda imprisons my body and draws upon my power, yet, it is also a form of protection, a transaction. The specific reasons, for you now, knowing them would be of no benefit. When you can truly step onto the ninth floor, perhaps… then you will be qualified to know a thing or two."
"The ninth floor…"
Gu Yun murmured, "I think that day is not far off."
"Fine, I await your arrival!"
"But today, you, boy, should honestly accept the trial."
"To truly master such a supreme treasure, your mettle needs to be tested further!"
"Xū"'s voice suddenly became solemn and grand, and the crystal horn erupted with dazzling light, as if igniting the accumulation of endless eons in an instant!
"My Dao Body cannot sustain this for long, so without further ado, the trial begins!"
A heavy, unprecedented sound reverberated, and before the words had faded, the void around Gu Yun completely solidified. This was not a simple spatial blockade, but a fundamental stagnation of time.
He was like an insect encased in a perfectly still amber, with countless strange torrents interwoven and entwined around him, constructing a beautiful painting in the vast, boundless void!
This was not an attack, yet it was far more terrifying than any divine ability or killing art!
An endless, unimaginably vast torrent of information, like billions of surging rivers of time breaking their banks, crashed into Gu Yun's Sea of Consciousness through that horn!
"Ugh ah—!!"
Suffering a violent impact, Gu Yun felt as if his brain was about to explode.
In an instant, he seemed to detach from some strange world, looking down upon everything experienced by all living beings.
Stars from birth to destruction.
Civilizations from savagery to prosperity, then turning to dust.
Countless beings, from humble mortals to peak Great Emperors, their joy, sorrow, anger, love, despair, struggles… countless lives, countless destinies, countless extreme emotions, almost simultaneously flooded into the young man's mind.
At this moment, he was no longer a part of these myriad beings, but rather, a true deity, a creator god looking down upon the mortal world from the Nine Heavens.
The entire world was with him, the entire starry sky was at his command.
This was a grandeur and… loneliness that could not be described in words.
The rise and fall of countless civilizations, the joys and sorrows of billions of beings, like surging rivers converging into his suddenly boundless "ocean."
The sheer volume of information was enough to instantly overwhelm the divine soul of any Xiantai Realm cultivator, and even Great Emperor powerhouses would be unable to bear it.
Gu Yun felt as if his consciousness was about to be torn apart, assimilated, and dissolved in this vast "river of time."
He was no longer "Gu Yun," but was on the verge of becoming the endless torrent of information itself, losing his self, becoming a passive recorder of eternal time.
[Ding! Detecting a strong divine soul impact, consuming Villain Points to resist]
The system's notification sound rang out as expected, alleviating Gu Yun's suffering.
This also gave Gu Yun a moment to breathe; he forced his eyes open, staring intently at the majestic figure before him.
Surprisingly, in just an instant, "Xū"'s figure had become incredibly ethereal, as if unleashing this move had exhausted all its energy.
And seeing that Gu Yun still had the strength to open his eyes, "Xū"'s eyes showed surprise for the first time: "I didn't expect you to still be able to retain your consciousness. No wonder this pagoda recognized you."
Gu Yun smiled faintly, "Senior's methods are still unfathomable."
"This junior has learned much."
His voice trembled, not from pain, but from heartache.
The Villain Points he had painstakingly accumulated were now being consumed at an alarming rate.
In a short time, he had already used up a hundred thousand Villain Points.
Next was a test of endurance: whether his Villain Points would run out first, or if this Dao Body of "Xū" would lose all its spiritual essence first.
No, that's not right…
Just as Gu Yun's consciousness was about to sink, he suddenly realized.
Bright light flickered in his eyes.
"Xū"'s lips also curled into a smile.
Finally, he noticed?
"You, fellow, have really scammed me badly."
"Little fellow, I told you, this is a trial, not to put you to death."
"Such a close opportunity to experience the Great Dao of Time is not something you get every time."
"You, just enjoy it!"
"Xū"'s laughter echoed in the void, carrying a hint of mischievous triumph.
Gu Yun was also a bit speechless: "System, elevate the Great Dao of Time to the Minor Accomplishment realm!"
He had no other plans; rather than wasting time consuming Villain Points to stubbornly hold on, it was better to solve it once and for all.
[Ding! Congratulations to Host for consuming 200,000 Villain Points and successfully comprehending the Great Dao of Time (Minor Accomplishment)]
A total of three hundred thousand Villain Points were consumed, which practically emptied Gu Yun's current savings; his heart was bleeding at this moment.
If the final reward didn't satisfy him, he would have suffered a huge loss.
As the system's notification sound rang out like a great bell, Gu Yun's previously muddled consciousness now felt like the clouds parting to reveal a clear sky.
The vast torrent of information that was once formless and chaotic now transformed into… clear, visible "threads" shimmering with various colors.
These threads represented different time flow rates, different segments of years, different life trajectories.
They were still immense, still vast, but Gu Yun was no longer the small boat that could only passively endure and might capsize at any moment.
He instantly seemed to grow into a skilled weaver, though still unable to fully control these billions of threads of time, he could already discern their Veins, perceive their flow, and even… attempt to pluck the closest, most delicate few!
"This is… the Veins of the Law of Time?!"
This power, one of the supreme principles of the universe, he had already begun to grasp it before even reaching the Quasi-Emperor Realm.
Gu Yun subconsciously reached out his hand, upon which his complete comprehension of the Great Dao of Time was condensed.
Gradually, the originally chaotic torrent was guided, slowly becoming orderly, and the stagnant time also began to flow at this moment.
"Xū"'s playful eyes now finally showed shock; even it hadn't expected Gu Yun to grasp the Dao of Time so quickly.
And the effect far exceeded its original imagination.
"I originally thought he would resist it due to his arrogance, which would also temper his sharp edge, and in reality, my power could only sustain this for an instant."
"It only seemed long because time was infinitely stretched."
"But I didn't expect this boy…"
The outcome was decided; the Ancient Beast's already ethereal form began to dissipate as time started to flow.
No sooner said than done.
Gu Yun's consciousness returned, and he looked around to find a desolate emptiness, the Ancient Beast's figure long gone.
And at the location where the Dao Body had been, a spring emerged, bubbling outward.
The surrounding air seemed to have undergone a transformation; the young man took a deep breath, a joyful expression on his face.
"The spiritual energy concentration that merely diffused out already surpasses the fifth floor. The energy contained within this spring eye is probably even more immeasurable. It seems that from now on, cultivating within the Great Luo Dao Pagoda will no longer require consuming a large amount of Villain Points."
Gu Yun still remembered the huge consumption when he broke through to the Dao Body Realm; from now on, all that would be a thing of the past!
[Ding! Congratulations to Host for successfully passing "Xū"'s trial, rewarding "Great Dao Spiritual Spring"]
Just as Gu Yun was immersed in joy, before his eyes, a whirlpool of spiritual energy and Dao Rhythms condensed.
A graceful figure slowly emerged from it.
[Host, you did so well!]
//482//
Chapter 482 Xi Tong (Two in One)
The familiar voice sounded again, but this time it wasn't directly echoing in his mind; instead, it resonated with a strange, soul-stirring quality, truly reverberating within this chaotic void.
Moreover, compared to the previous superhuman AI voice, this voice was ethereal and fleeting, carrying a hint of lazy allure.
Gu Yun looked in the direction of the sound, only to see the vortex, formed by pure spiritual energy and fragments of Dao, slowly dissipate, revealing the exquisitely graceful figure within.
Upon seeing her face with his own eyes, even Gu Yun, who had seen countless beauties, couldn't help but swallow hard.
She wore a long dress woven from starlight and chaotic energy, her figure was graceful and lithe, and her face was too delicate to be of this mortal world, as if all the beauty in the world had converged upon her.
Almost every inch of her grew in the most ideal direction according to Gu Yun's heart; it was the kind of feeling that would make one's heart stir at first glance.
"You are... the System?"
The starlight gradually dimmed, transforming into a shimmering, colorful long dress that outlined a perfectly curvaceous figure.
Her bare feet were delicate, and her skin was as white as snow, even more warm and smooth than the finest mutton-fat jade.
Silver-white hair cascaded like a waterfall, the ends slightly curled, flowing with a moonlit luster.
Her eyes, shifting with a mix of coyness and indignation, her lips full and moist, the corners slightly upturned, naturally forming a lazy and seductive curve.
She floated in the air, her skirt and hair moving without wind, exuding a transcendent, yet supremely alluring and demonic charm, truly beautiful.
She looked at Gu Yun, her autumn-water eyes holding a hint of playfulness and satisfaction, her red lips parting slightly, her voice ethereal and enchanting: "What, does the appearance of the System not meet the Host's expectations?"
Her voice seemed to carry hooks, every syllable scratching at the most ticklish part of one's heart.
As she spoke, her bare feet lightly tapped the void, sending out ripples, and she gracefully walked towards Gu Yun.
The shimmering, colorful long dress, with her steps, seemed to subtly undulate like a living thing, revealing her fair and delicate thighs, inspiring endless imagination.
A few strands of silver-white hair playfully slipped down, brushing her exquisite jawline and falling onto her proud chest, the ends seemingly sparkling with tiny, star-diamond-like glints.
She walked up to Gu Yun and slightly tilted her face upwards.
From this angle, Gu Yun could clearly see everything about her: her curled eyelashes trembled gently, and her autumn-water eyes held complex emotions that almost overflowed.
In the depths of her pupils, there were indeed billions of stars being born and dying, but at this moment, those stars seemed to exist only to reflect Gu Yun's figure.
"Host~"
Her red lips parted slightly, her breath like orchids: "Xi Tong condensed herself into the most perfect form in your subconscious, you know~ Every inch should be exactly what you like~"
Gu Yun slowly extended his hand: "Your name is Xi Tong?"
The young man wanted to touch Xi Tong's face, but his palm seemed to pass through an invisible wall.
"Oh dear, Host, don't be so impatient."
"I already said that after the sixth floor opens, you can only see Xi Tong. For Xi Tong to regain her physical form, the Host still needs to continue working hard."
Xi Tong took a step forward, bringing them closer. Gu Yun could even feel the warm breath emanating from her.
But his hand, suspended in the air, remained stiff; such a sensation was quite peculiar, stirring the young man's heart.
"You fellow."
Gu Yun suppressed the ripples in his heart; for anyone, having a perfect image from their mind suddenly appear before them would inevitably cause a momentary trance.
"Your appearance has changed a lot, but your personality hasn't changed at all."
"That's natural, Xi Tong has always been Xi Tong. It's just that thanks to the Host's unremitting efforts, I've now slightly regained a part of myself."
She had floated behind Gu Yun at some point, wrapping her arms around the young man's neck and affectionately nuzzling his face.
There was no physical sensation, yet it felt intimately close.
Gu Yun found it hard to describe his current feelings; only an inner voice told him that he could trust Xi Tong, trust her unconditionally.
Yes, what reason did he have not to trust her?
If not for Xi Tong, perhaps he would have met the ultimate end of some Child of Destiny's script, dying after committing all sorts of evil deeds.
"Ahem, Xi Tong, since you've finally gained a physical form, don't act like this."
"I passed the trial and opened the sixth floor. Now it should be time to hand out the rewards, right?"
Gu Yun rubbed his hands, full of anticipation. He knew that to deal with that "Void," he had spent a full 300,000 Villain Points, almost emptying his coffers.
If the return wasn't satisfactory, he'd just have to go kill Lin Chen first and collect some interest.
Xi Tong smiled enchantingly, and in that instant, the surrounding Dao principles and rhythms seemed to brighten.
"I know the Host is impatient, so I'll give you your rewards now."
She extended her delicate jade hand, her fingertips sparkling with dreamy, colorful light, and gently tapped Gu Yun's forehead.
Immediately, the System's notification sound rang out again.
[Ding~~ Congratulations to the Host for successfully opening the sixth floor of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda. Current unlock progress for the seventh floor (10000/500000). Reward: 200,000 Villain Points.]
[Ding~~ Congratulations to the Host for gaining control of the sixth floor of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda. Time flow rate is ten thousand times that of the outside world.]
[Ding~~ Congratulations to the Host, the quality of your heaven and earth furnace has upgraded. Current kill line: 20,000 Destiny Points.]
[Ding~~ Congratulations to the Host for obtaining a hongmeng supreme treasure, the Great Dao Heavenly Derivation Map.]
Not including the so-called Great Dao Spiritual Spring, a series of reward messages appeared in an extremely enticing manner.
As if knowing what the young man was thinking.
Xi Tong responded: "Host, this Great Dao Spiritual Spring is an inherent divine object of the sixth floor of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda. It is precisely because of the existence of this object that Xi Tong can barely maintain her spirit body."
"It's just a pity that this spirit body can only exist on the sixth floor of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda for now and cannot help the Host more."
"No matter."
"Do System points help you in any way?"
"System points can only unlock various abilities. The Host can think of it as Xi Tong refining those imposters."
"I see..."
After understanding the relevant matters, Gu Yun's gaze returned to his gains.
The 200,000 Villain Points instantly replenished his previous expenditures, even leaving a slight surplus.
After all, the minor accomplishment in the Dao of Time would not disappear; it would forever be his ability.
The ten thousand-fold time flow rate pushed cultivation efficiency to a new extreme.
Coupled with the Great Dao Spiritual Spring, both cultivation speed and the speed of comprehending laws would increase exponentially.
Gu Yun planned to arrange for Shadow and Jiang Lan to cultivate in this void later. On this trip to the Hundred Flowers Holy Land, he could also bring Luo Hanyan out. For a quasi-Emperor expert, the allure of the sixth floor of the Great Luo Dao Pagoda was immense.
This would greatly reduce the time it took for the three of them to achieve the Great Emperor realm.
Gu Yun's future actions would also become more flexible. As the Children of Destiny he faced became stronger, the strength of these heroines also needed to increase.
As for Aunt Zi... he'd better leave her for now. Gu Yun still couldn't pinpoint Aunt Zi's exact strength, nor did he know why she hadn't stepped into the Great Emperor Realm. It would be better not to inadvertently cause trouble.
In addition, the increased kill line also made Gu Yun's subsequent actions more at ease. When encountering a nobody like Dragon Chen again, he could easily crush him.
His gaze finally focused on the last hongmeng supreme treasure.
"Great Dao Heavenly Derivation Map."
"Xi Tong, what is the use of this item?"
He opened the map. The scroll was a hazy, chaotic expanse, as if countless Dao patterns were winding, flowing, and evolving the myriad heavens.
Xi Tong's voice sounded beside him, with a hint of solemnity: "This map is called the Great Dao Heavenly Derivation, and it is the supreme treasure for deduction."
"It cannot directly enhance the Host's cultivation, but it can continuously deduce information about the myriad heavens and worlds."
"Whatever the Host wishes to know, whether it's subsequent chapters of cultivation techniques and divine abilities, lost pill recipes and artifact forging manuals, locations of ancient ruins and secret realms, or even... the whereabouts, weaknesses, opportunities, and destinies of specific individuals, all can potentially be deduced using this map."
"? So, the System's ability to locate the Child of Destiny is similar to this item?"
"You could say that."
"However, this Great Dao Heavenly Derivation Map cannot do that for now, because—"
"It's missing a piece."
"Missing a piece?"
Gu Yun looked closely and indeed noticed something amiss. The bottom right corner of the scroll clearly had a missing section.
"Do you have any clues?"
Xi Tong chuckled: "The Host already has the opportunity, why ask Xi Tong?"
"..."
"You mean, Zhao Kun's turtle shell?!"
"Exactly!"
"Host is indeed the smartest in the world."
"Of course, that turtle shell is just an inferior imitation, but it is also the key to completing this item."
"It seems I'll have to keep that kid around for a while longer."
Gu Yun had originally planned to casually destroy the Zhao family to test the power of Lin Chen's System and frame him in the process. Now, it seemed he could spare Zhao Kun's dog life. Zhao Kun's fated heroine hadn't appeared yet, so Gu Yun wouldn't waste too much effort. He'd let that kid experience true pain first.
Gu Yun was perfectly clear about what Zhao Kun had done to Yao Qingli on the Ancient Continent. Although he only seemed to have one fated heroine, he was actually a philanderer.
Gu Yun despised this kind of Child of Destiny the most. If he wasn't seeking death, who was?!
"Although it can't directly pinpoint the location of the Child of Destiny, it does make things much easier for me. At least from now on, when searching for treasures in secret realms, I won't need the Child of Destiny to lead the way."
"That's right. And besides the Child of Destiny and fated heroines, the Host can deduce everything about other people."
"Oh?"
The corners of Gu Yun's mouth curved upwards.
"Then I'll try to deduce the whereabouts of that so-called Demon Sect Leader!"
Buzz—!
Accompanied by a loud rumble, the treasure map vibrated violently. The chaotic energy flowing on it suddenly boiled, and countless tiny, dust-like Dao patterns flashed, combined, and deduced frantically.
The surrounding spiritual energy was frantically mobilized, but it was a drop in the bucket for the Great Dao Spiritual Spring.
However, this scene lasted only an instant before dissipating.
[Ding! Deduction failed. Target's Destiny Value is too high.]
"?"
"Xi Tong..."
[Ding~~ Congratulations, Host~]
"If the deduction failed, what is there to be happy about?"
Gu Yun turned his head to look at the beauty beside him and asked with a faint smile.
Xi Tong said nothing, just quietly looked at Gu Yun.
They looked at each other in silence, understanding without words.
"Haha."
"This treasure is truly good."
Gu Yun laughed heartily and wasted no more words. Discovering another Child of Destiny's trace so easily naturally filled his heart with joy.
He put away the treasure map and waved his hand.
Shadow's figure reappeared, a look of surprise on her charming face, which was then drawn to the spiritual spring before her: "Your Highness... what... what is this?!!"
"Just a small spiritual spring. You'll cultivate here from now on."
Gu Yun patted Shadow's shapely bottom and said with a smile.
"A small... spiritual spring?"
Gulp, Shadow swallowed.
Looking at Gu Yun, her eyes seemed to not see Xi Tong's figure.
She simply gazed at Gu Yun with deep affection: "Your Highness... you are so good to Shadow, how can Shadow ever repay you?"
"Xi Tong, can Shadow not see you?"
"Oh, that's right. For now, Xi Tong is only the Host's exclusive soul pet."
A seductive voice sounded in Gu Yun's ear, making the young man's earlobes tingle.
An unidentifiable surge of lust had already risen as he looked at Shadow before him.
"Repaying me isn't difficult, is it?"
"Shadow, would you be willing to bathe with me?"
Shadow paused for a moment, then slowly removed her black veil, chuckling softly: "I couldn't wish for anything more."
...
"I didn't expect that by merely using one Void Crystal, my Dao of Space would reach the minor accomplishment realm. It's truly like my ancestral grave is smoking green."
"No, I don't think I have an ancestral grave."
Gu Yun stretched, his cultivation having risen to the Great Saint Realm, just one step away from the Quasi-Emperor.
Only Shadow suffered, but soaking in the spiritual spring should also be greatly beneficial to her cultivation, and she should recover quickly.
He thought that it wouldn't be long before she would make further progress, yes, progress.
"Xi Tong, how is Hong Yu doing now?"
"Hehe, I don't know, she should be fine. Madam Jiang Lan and Madam Jiang Qing visit her day and night, you know."
"Oh?"
"Is that so?"
Gu Yun's mind stirred. With the minor accomplishment in the Dao of Space, his spatial jumps were now more precise and faster.
"Awoo~~"
"You're really stubborn, why aren't you confessing yet? Even my aunt and I can't outlast you."
Jiang Qing put down the feather in her hand, yawning lightly, and looked at the girl in front of her, a little helpless.
These past few days, she, Jiang Lan, Flame Princess, Ji Yaojun, and others had taken turns, but Hong Yu's lips were surprisingly tight. She still hadn't said anything.
"Wuwu, wuwuwu!!"
Hong Yu, her mouth gagged, let out unwilling whimpers.
"What's going on?"
The familiar man's voice sounded, and Jiang Qing naturally leaned over.
Pointing at Hong Yu: "Brother Yun, you're back! This bad woman is really stubborn. My sisters and I have tried everything, but we still couldn't pry her mouth open!"
"Brother Yun, why don't you punish me instead?"
Her eyes sparkled, and she seemed a little excited.
Gu Yun was somewhat speechless: "We'll discuss this later."
He stepped forward and removed the rag from Hong Yu's mouth.
"What? Are you so loyal to that Demon Sect Leader, even..."
"No, what exactly do you want to ask? You ask, if you don't ask, how would I know?"
"Wuwuwu..."
"Bad people, you're all bad people..."