Chapter 1332: The plan for variable, I only need to dispatch two people
With a bit of vigilance and caution in his heart, Chu Lian noticed the n.o.ble lady seated in the carriage. He wasn’t sure if these individuals had overheard his conversation with his junior sister. However, judging from their appearance, this group seemed to hail from exceptional backgrounds, likely wealthy or n.o.ble.
“Greetings, my lady,” Chu Lian said, arching his hands and maintaining a calm expression as he took the initiative to speak. “I wonder why you instructed your maid to halt me and my junior sister?”
He understood that the person’s strength was formidable, far beyond his current abilities. Even with the ambition burning within him, he couldn’t confront them directly. Yet, given the circ.u.mstances, there seemed to be no ill intent toward him and his junior sister; otherwise, the situation would be more severe than a mere invitation.
As Chu Lian breathed a sigh of relief, he acknowledged that many challenges were beyond his current capabilities until he matured further.
Ling Huang’s eyes flickered slightly as she spoke with a smile, “While in the carriage earlier, I overheard the conversation between the young master and that girl, which I found rather intriguing. So, I wanted to meet the bold young master who spoke so freely. I hope you don’t mind my curiosity.”
She hadn’t intended to disclose her ident.i.ty until she a.s.sessed whether Chu Lian was a wildcard and what his background might be. As the empress of the Spiritual royal family, her strength was formidable, second only to the ancestors. However, she was always meticulous and careful in her actions. Upon learning that Chu Lian might be a wildcard, she had numerous thoughts and strategies in mind.
“Huh?” Chu Lian was utterly astonished upon hearing this.
Initially, he a.s.sumed the woman was jesting, but as he observed her serious and genuine smile, he found himself rooted in place. Considering various possibilities, he hadn’t antic.i.p.ated that she would genuinely agree with and appreciate his words.
Reflecting on it, he realized it was common for all races to suffer under the rule of the Spiritual royal family and to voice grievances. This woman, clearly from a prominent family, exuded an extraordinary demeanor. It was evident that her family had been exploited and oppressed by the Spiritual royal family. Thus, hearing someone speak candidly about the Spiritual royal family piqued her curiosity and appreciation.
Meanwhile, outside the carriage, Ming Xiu, riding on horseback, remained oblivious to the events inside, filled with concern. Ling Huang’s two maids, however, stayed close by her side, revealing little.
“Don’t fret, young lady. Our mistress means no harm,” one of the maids a.s.sured Ming Xiu, their ears subtly twitching as if attuned to Ling Huang’s thoughts. With warm smiles, they beckoned Ming Xiu to join them inside the carriage.
Upon entering, Ming Xiu noticed her senior brother Chu Lian wearing a faint smile as he engaged in conversation with the strikingly beautiful woman before him.
The boldness of Chu Lian’s words struck Ming Xiu with a sense of dread. They were audacious and could be deemed disrespectful to the Spiritual royal family. Essentially, Chu Lian had spoken of what he had witnessed along his journey, along with his grievances toward the Spiritual royal family. If his words were heard by the Spiritual royal family or their supporters, it could lead to dire consequences.
However, the stunningly beautiful woman appeared to endorse her senior brother’s words, nodding frequently and expressing appreciation. Witnessing this scene left Ming Xiu feeling disoriented; had her heart not been resilient, she might have been terrified.
Even her senior brother seemed to discuss the current emperor of the Spiritual royal family in a rebellious manner, hinting at plans to overthrow their rule.
“I didn’t antic.i.p.ate Mr. Chu Lian’s views aligning with mine,” Ling Huang said with a smile, attempting to probe further while conversing with Chu Lian. Yet, inwardly, her heart grew cold. She never imagined she would engage in such discussions with a stranger, listening to him disparage her.
Nonetheless, this interaction confirmed one thing for Ling Huang: Chu Lian possessed significant and auspicious fortune. In the vast world, such a wildcard was a rare encounter, offering boundless possibilities for the future.
Throughout their conversation, Chu Lian didn’t detect anything amiss. Instead, he found the woman to be articulate and knowledgeable, with many of her theories and ideas resonating with his own.
Initially cautious, Chu Lian gradually eased into the discussion. His words hinted at a desire to challenge the rule of the Spiritual royal family in the near future. Despite his youth, Chu Lian brimmed with energy, particularly after acquiring a treasure of civilization, which bolstered his confidence.
Confronted with the captivating woman before him, Chu Lian couldn’t help but entertain thoughts he wished to express. His excitement grew when he learned he would be accompanying this woman named Huang Ling on his upcoming journey.
However, the surname Huang was uncommon in their world, making it challenging for Chu Lian to ascertain her origins.
As the carriage rumbled along, leaving a trail of dust in its wake, the group quickly departed down the official road.
….
In the ancestral hall of the Spiritual royal family, Gu Changge engaged in casual conversation with Wan Yanxiu, the patriarch of the Spiritual royal family, and gained insights into the Xudan realm.
If the route were to change this time, it would result in a confusion lasting at least a few hundred years. While such a span was merely a fleeting moment for someone like Gu Changge, within the vast expanse of worlds and time in the boundless sea, it was ample time for seismic shifts to occur.
Even if the Spiritual Realm did not encroach upon the Dao Chang Realm, another force would emerge during this period and bring calamity.
Having already made arrangements, Gu Changge felt no concern. However, his thoughts strayed to another force originating from a different civilization within the boundless sea, distinct from the Spiritual Realm. Upon departing the Dao Chang Realm, he had only sensed it vaguely and hadn’t delved deeper.
The power of this alternate realm was evidently greater than that of the Spiritual Realm, and the civilization behind it was even more ancient.
Contemplating whether he should investigate further, Gu Changge pondered his options.
“We are at your service, my lord,” Wan Yanxiu declared. “If there’s anything you require, please don’t hesitate to ask. The Spiritual Realm is committed to serving you to the best of our abilities.”
Wan Yanxiu had resolved to align the Spiritual Realm with this new force, irrespective of Gu Changge’s intentions—to locate the remaining real worlds, incite a dark upheaval, or pursue other objectives. He was determined to ensure that the Spiritual Realm stood close to this powerful ent.i.ty.
With Gu Changge’s immense strength, he had no desire to handle everything single-handedly.
“Oh? Are you willing to serve me?” Gu Changge queried with a light smile, unfazed by Wan Yanxiu’s decision. However, he posed a challenge, “Do you understand my intentions, or are you simply eager to pledge your allegiance? What if I were to declare my intention to consume the Spiritual Realm as sustenance? Would you still agree?”
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Spiritual Realm representatives in the ancestral hall shifted, their faces paling with fear. The graceful dancers had long departed, leaving only the ancestors of the Spiritual Realm present—individuals rarely seen in the ancestral hall, reserved for those of extraordinary stature.
Wan Yanxiu felt the weight of the moment, his forehead beading with cold sweat as he responded, “It would be an honor for the Spiritual Realm to serve you, my lord. However, given your formidable strength, I fear the Spiritual Realm might not meet your expectations.”
“I believe only the mightiest realms in the boundless universe are worthy of your consumption, my lord,” Wan Yanxiu continued, his tone tinged with deference. “With your power, there are few who can stand against you in the vast expanse. Only beings rumored to emerge from legendary realms might pose a challenge.”
“Beings from legendary realms?” Gu Changge’s smile faded as he leisurely tapped the armrest of his chair with slender, white fingers. His expression, once light, now appeared devoid of emotion.
Ascending to greater heights, mastering supreme fortune, manipulating life and death among the creatures of heaven and earth, harmonizing with celestial laws, and guiding the evolution of the cosmos—all laws lay within his grasp.
Even the Bone Ancestor felt an inexplicable sense of dread in this moment.
In an instant, silence enveloped the entire ancestral hall as no one dared to speak, fearing they had erred and offended their lord.
Gu Changge’s long, white palm rested on the chair’s armrest, each tap sending shivers through the hearts of those present. To them, every digit seemed to wield the infinite laws of the Great Dao—s.p.a.ce, time, seasons, life and death, the elements, chaos, reincarnation, and boundless fortune, all beyond ordinary comprehension.
To the ancestors of the Spiritual Realm, it felt as though Gu Changge could obliterate them with a single finger, reducing all realms and worlds to nothingness. Such power surpa.s.sed the understanding and imagination of ordinary beings in the Dao realm.
Just as ants couldn’t grasp the vastness of heavenly might, these beings couldn’t fathom the universe and the heavens.
As the tension grew unbearable, and the prospect of collapse loomed, Gu Changge finally glanced at Wan Yanxiu and the Bone Ancestor, and spoke unhurriedly, “Forget it. I’m in need of two envoys. Are you willing to serve me?”
His earlier display had been deliberate, fostering the misconception of irreconcilable enmity between him and the “real place,” which, in the eyes of these individuals, referred to the original world Gu Changge had mentioned.
Upon hearing this, Wan Yanxiu and the Bone Ancestor felt as though a reprieve had been granted. Covered in cold sweat, they had no inclination to refuse.
In mentioning the “real place” earlier, Wan Yanxiu sensed something amiss. The very foundation of his being in the Dao realm had nearly crumbled, realizing he must have misspoken and now regretted it deeply.
The mysterious origin of the forbidden land’s owner indicated an unresolved grievance against the “real place.” This figure spanned endless time and s.p.a.ce, possessed invincibility, and cultivated incomprehensibly. Behind him likely stood a powerful real world for support. The reasons behind his ascension to lordship over the forbidden area held an unknown secret.
Realizing his mistake, Wan Yanxiu feared he had completely offended Gu Changge, yet the latter showed no signs of blame.
As for being dispatched by Gu Changge, Wan Yanxiu had prepared himself for such a scenario. As long as he could preserve his life, he deemed it acceptable, with further considerations to be made later.