Chapter 278, Gu Xianer’s Proactivity; Pressure As Light As A Feather
Translator: Fate
Proofreader: Silavin
*Boom!*
Colourful light shone brightly as the s.p.a.ce cracked to reveal a terrifying crevice. It was obvious how powerful the palm was.
Back in the Heavenly Star Realm, Gu Changge had made use of the Mortal One’s opportunity and absorbed the World Purifying Green Lotus. It had recreated every cell in his body to seemingly contain the power of an entire world. That meant that right now, 60 trillion cells of his were all true ancient worlds, allowing him to possess a power that would terrify anyone that knew about it.
Gu Changge’s palm landed, accompanied by colourful light. It resembled the Hand of G.o.d as it enclosed Song Fan and his other two friends. In the next moment, a crushing sound was heard and blood spilled onto the ground. The smell of blood soon spread. They did not even have the time to scream before they died in both body and soul
“They still dared to say such slanderous words before they died. They deserved death, especially since the Sky King had pleaded for their lives… they are just not worth it, in my opinion. I hope that some people will remember this when they try to approach my sister since there is now such a precedent.” Gu Changge put away his hand and looked meaningfully at the Sky King before speaking.
One of the three young prodigies that had died was an Unranked Disciple. Even so, they were like ants compared to him, and crushing them meant nothing. Gu Changge’s voice was not loud, as if he was only speaking to the nearby cultivators watching them.
The area around was extremely mountainous, with tall peaks rising into the sky, surrounded by beautiful mist. It looked like the holy place for a divine being. Many young prodigies had heard the commotion and rushed to the source, just in time to witness what had transpired.
Everyone watching felt a chill run down their spine at Gu Changge’s words. A terrifying cold wave swept through their limbs and made them fearful. This was Gu Changge’s might, extremely dominating even in the Immortal Academy. He had no mercy for his fellow disciples, and was decisive when fulfilling his threat of killing them.
They knew that the issue must have been noticed by at least one Elder, yet none of them had appeared to stop him. What did that mean? Even the Elders of the Immortal Academy were wary of him and did not dare offend him so easily. As for the dead, they would have to rue their luck as they had to offend Gu Changge. A suicidal act at this point.
The audience had seen everything and didn’t know if the Sky King had truly arranged and ordered this. However, the way Gu Changge had refused to give him some courtesy would spread amongst the other disciples. The Sky King’s reputation would be damaged and this might lead to future confrontations between the two at the Immortal Academy.
They were both Ranked Disciples and the Sky King’s behaviour was a sign of his wariness towards Gu Changge. Sky King Zhi Yang might not be able to maintain his dignity among the Ranked Disciples for some time. Even the Chosen Monk Jin Chan had fought head to head with Gu Changge before losing.
“You are too rash. How could you just kill someone here in the Academy?” Gu Xianer had not expected Gu Changge to be so decisive and began to worry for him, since this was nowhere else but the Academy. If the powers supporting the disciples or the Elders blame him for this, wouldn’t he be in trouble?
“Quiet. I’ll deal with you later.” He glanced at her coldly, his tone furious.
“I…” She was angry and felt a little hurt. [I was just being concerned about you. What’s wrong with that? Why do you want to deal with me later? Agh. Why am I so unlucky?]
“Thank you very much for your actions in resolving these pathetic sc.u.m of the Academy, Young Master Changge. Otherwise, I would have to help the Academy get rid of them.” Sky King Zhi Yang said, a slight smile on his face as if he didn’t mind what Gu Changge had said to him earlier.
He knew that Gu Changge’s words had been directed towards him, as the latter had already seen through his plot and was warning him to stay away from Gu Xianer. Still, Zhi Yang didn’t care about that, as he knew after seeing a glimpse into the future that he would eventually become Gu Changge’s enemy and oppose him.
Gu Changge smiled mildly. “If that’s what the Sky King himself thinks, then I’m relieved.”
Soon, everything returned to normal.
Naturally, Zhi Yang was still furious, but he was calculative enough to prevent it from showing. He now knew something else about Gu Changge’s cruelty and aggressiveness. Gu Changge’s refusal to give him courtesy would be spread everywhere, damaging his reputation and thus making him more mindful of Gu Changge. He also now knew how trusting Gu Xianer was of Gu Changge, showing not a hint of wariness. Thus, he felt deeply worried about the terrible ending in store for her.
In a flash of purple light, he was gone, slipping into the depths of the Academy. Bright marble towers and jade buildings rose from the ground, while a Divine Island floated into the air above, covered in Chaos Qi.
Many Elders had personally witnessed the incident and their expressions differed.
“Sky King Zhi Yang might have been number one in the Upper Realm, but he’s also wary of Gu Changge. His actions today seem reasonable and display restraint. This is truly representative of the Successor of the Purple Mansion.”
“Anyone else would have rushed to attack Gu Changge, risking their lives to fight against him.”
“Speaking of him, Gu Changge’s so dominant and powerful. He’s ready to defeat all the young prodigies in this lifetime; is there anyone of his generation that could stand a chance against him?”
“Meanwhile, the Chosen Monk Jin Chan had been silent after his defeat. His purpose here might really be to find the Unmarred Buddhist Robe, as the rumours suggest.”
“But, no one knows where it really is.”
They made no mention of the disciples who had been killed, as they did not care about that. The Academy was a place where the law of survival of the fittest prevailed after all.
“Gu Changge, why were you so stern towards me?” Gu Xianer looked irritatedly at Gu Changge, who was walking silently in front of her.
They were at the top of a mountain, where colourful light glimmered amongst the mist. She didn’t understand why he was so angry, since she hadn’t done anything. She was puzzled as to why she was bullied just after coming in as well. Then, the Sky King appeared to help her resolve it.
She could now see that this was all a plot by him, a staged scene to save the damsel in distress. [Was he actually interested in me, or did he just want to plot against Gu Changge through me?]
Meanwhile, even though Gu Changge had stood up for her, he couldn’t just ignore her and leave her on one side without talking to her as if he was just here to lead her inside.
“Gu Xianer, are you dumb or are you just acting?” He finally stopped and opened his mouth. His tone was so cold and distant that it stunned her and made her a little afraid.
“Gu Changge, don’t think you can just continue to bully me by calling me dumb for no reason.” she retorted bravely.
“You must really be dumb then. Where’s all that wit and intelligence you had before?” He turned his head to look at her. “If I hadn’t come here today, would you have been grateful towards him? Thanking him for rescuing you?”
“Gu Changge, what are you talking about? How can that be? Did you think I wouldn’t see through him? That whole farce was arranged by him, although I’m unsure as to what end…” she immediately argued, feeling that he was underestimating her by a.s.suming she would be tricked by such obvious acting.
“Oh? Why did you have mercy on them when you’ve seen through it?” he asked neutrally. “This is the Immortal Academy. It is not the place to be merciful and kind.”
“I have you, don’t I?” she muttered, then immediately changed the subject when she saw his expression. “How did you know I was here? Also, why had the Sky King arranged all that? I have never met him before.”
It was something she could not figure out.
“How I know about that is not important. Just remember that he has ulterior motives, most possibly to win your heart and then marry into the Immortal Gu Family. Maybe to be a live-in son-in-law or something.”
Gu Changge shook his head, expression finally calm again. He was worried that she was too dumb to see through the Sky King’s little ploy. However, since she had said that, he didn’t want to worry about it any further, though he would have to send someone to look into the Sky King. [Trying to be a hero in a play for no reason? Did he just desire her physically or did he have some other motive? I can tell that the Sky King is basically like a Fortuitous One. Though, the System had not said anything about him…]
“Hmph! Stop talking nonsense, Gu Changge! What live-in son-in-law? I’m not even interested in him! It’s fine if you don’t want to answer; I know you were angry because of your concern towards me…” Gu Xianer felt very uncomfortable at how calm and neutral his tone was. [What did he mean by saying all that? Did he think that I am the type of person who would trust others so easily? Besides, how could I possibly be interested in him? Right now, I only feel confusion and disdain towards him. The only thing I’m interested in about him is his goal.]
“Gu Xianer, you think too much about this. He just wants to use you in order to reach his goal. I’ve been thinking about this; he may want to use you in order to fight me. Did you really think I attacked them for your sake?” Gu Changge responded with a dismissive laugh.
“Gu Changge, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d…” Gu Xianer was surprised at how stubborn he still was, and her tone became annoyed. “When will you change your stubborn, arrogant personality?”
He was definitely worried about her, yet had to make so many excuses for himself as if he was scared that other people would realise his true goal. [Why are you so frustrating?]
“I see your ego has inflated again since we last met. Do you want to get beaten again—” His demeanour was still calm and undisturbed, but he didn’t get to finish his words as Gu Xianer suddenly approached with sudden bravery. Her expression was enraged as she went on her tiptoes.
“…” Gu Changge felt his mouth being touched briefly, the pressure as light as a feather. It was cool, soft, refreshing, and sweet, and he froze at the spot in spite of his personality.
[This stupid girl…] Gu Changge sighed briefly as he watched her run away, blushing, feeling speechless. This was the first time something had surprised him, and her action was extremely daring and proactive.
[Should I change my att.i.tude towards her? But she might take full advantage when I start becoming kind to her…] Thoughts raced through his mind but calmed down again. Quickly, a cold expression flashed across his eyes.
[Sky King Zhi Yang, how dare you desire something that’s mine.]
…
[Sh*t! Arghh! Arghh!!! Why did I suddenly become so stupid? What have I done?] Gu Xianer, having transformed into a divine rainbow and appeared on another mountain, looked as red as a tomato. She felt panicked and anxious about how she was going to face Gu Changge after this.
She didn’t know what had happened either when she gained the sudden courage to do it. She had to be possessed. When she came back to herself, she realised that her mind was blank and it was too late.
“Sigh, that b.a.s.t.a.r.d is definitely laughing at me now. It’s so embarra.s.sing that I don’t know how I’m going to face him from now on.” She could already picture how disgustingly undisturbed after that victory over her. She was angry but had no choice now.
[Fine, I’ll avoid him for now so he won’t get his hands on me and laugh at me…] She looked conflicted and regretful as she headed to where the Great Elder was. She already knew he was here at the Academy and so decided to meet him first.
Right now, the depths of the Immortal Academy were not calm.
Mountains stood everywhere, some entirely dark as night while the others shone brightly with red, purple, and green. The place was filled with celestial energy. It was a truly strange scene indeed. The celestial energy here was so thick, that it formed a large waterfall. Even the ancient trees and mountains had enough strength to reach the sky. It simply looked like an isolated paradise.
Right at that moment, a Wondrous Stone enclosed in light of various colours was shaking. Beams of light flowed down from it continuously. It was more than half the size of a human and had patterns of the Great Dao branded all over it as well as carved runes, extremely blinding in its brilliance.
The great waterfall made of celestial energy had continued for many years, and the many rare beasts and auspicious animals lay below silently.
“It’s nearly the time for its birth. We have been waiting too long for this!”
“Yes! We have incubated the Wondrous Stone of the Nine Heavens for a long time, and it’s about time for its birth.”
“It’s been a difficult time. We just don’t know what sort of monstrosity would come from this. Will it really be the descendant of the G.o.ds?”
The ancient beings, shrouded in Chaos Qi and possessing strong power and vitality, were clad in simple robes in an olden style. They stared excitedly at the Stone before them, as if looking at an extremely rare celestial treasure.
“In such brilliant times, how can our Wondrous Stone not be present?”
They fixed their gaze on it expectantly, refusing to blink in case they missed something.
As if sensing their gazes, the stone shot further beams of light out into the sky to break the seal above them. The runes on it became alive, flying into the air to hover in the void. It gave the atmosphere a poetic feel. It was like the place had become the living place for Immortals.
“Look, look!”
“It’s about to break the seal!”
Some Elders were extremely shocked yet excited. Many figures appeared from the mountains outside the area as well, looking over the place. They had all heard about the news of its birth and were shocked by it. Its history here with the Academy had started a long time ago, so many of them knew the presence of such a stone.
“Since it fell from the Nine Heavens, will it be the descendant of a True Immortal?” The Phoenix Lady, who was tall and had phoenix wings on her back, appeared on a mountain peak. Runes flashed within her gaze to form different scenes, and she looked like she was ready to pierce the stone with it.
“What do you think?” A dignified man in golden armour, driving a chariot led by the four heavenly beasts, appeared beside her. Even his gaze was multicoloured, as multicoloured Qi flowed within his veins. The energy he exuded was powerful and shocking, like a young G.o.d.
He was Prince Shen of the Sky Emperor Mountain.
The Phoenix Lady eyed him and shook her head. “I can’t see through it. It’s too mysterious.”
“The rumours all say that you are the reincarnation of a Celestial Phoenix. Is there really something you can’t see through?” Prince Shen smiled as he asked.
The Phoenix Lady fell silent at his words and chose to ignore him.
With a loud hum, a golden pa.s.sage appeared above the sky. A young girl of seven or eight, clad in white, came out of it. She looked untarnished and pure, with dark smooth hair and mysterious dark eyes like jewels. When the Elders saw her, they immediately became surprised and bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Xing Zu!”
“Is that really…” Many young prodigies looked aghast as they recognised her. She looked like a child but was in fact extremely ancient.