Leaving Snake-Person City, Juan Shoutian Appears

At noon the next day, the scorching sun hung high in the sky, bathing the desert in light. The intense heat was unbearable, causing the very air to shimmer and distort.

The sun's rays pierced into the bedchamber of Medusa, illuminating the dim palace. Gu Shenge, who had been fast asleep, was roused from his slumber. He opened his eyes, which were clouded with a hint of confusion, and it took a long moment for him to fully wake up.

He rose from the bed, raised a hand to his forehead, and shook his head a few times. A wry smile appeared on his handsome face as he recalled the wild, lingering passion he had shared with Medusa the night before.

He hadn't expected to lose, and to lose so thoroughly—it was a total defeat!

Gu Shenge couldn't quite understand why Medusa had been so frantic last night. Was it because he was leaving, and she wanted to have her fill all at once?

And she had made him drink medicine every single time—was she worried he wouldn't be able to perform? How could that be!

After dressing, Gu Shenge left the palace and saw Yue Mei guarding the entrance. He asked her where Medusa was.

"Wang Fu, the Queen left the Snake-Person City early this morning and headed for the Black-Corner Region."

Hearing this, a look of doubt appeared in Gu Shenge's eyes. She had gone to the Black-Corner Region so quickly? He had intended to bid her farewell.

Since she wasn't there, it couldn't be helped.

Gu Shenge then instructed Yue Mei to summon Qing Lin so that she could accompany him as he left the Snake-Person City to travel the world.

"Young Master~"

Before long, Qing Lin walked over behind Yue Mei and called out to Gu Shenge in a sweet, delicate voice. She wore a small, emerald-green dress that clung to her maturing, supple frame. She was exquisite and adorable, naturally possessing a charm and allure unique to the snake-people. Her slender waist, which could barely be spanned by a hand, swayed like a snake's as she walked, making her look like a little mermaid of the sands.

Gu Shenge told Yue Mei to attend to her own duties, then took Qing Lin's soft hand and left the Snake-Person Divine Temple.

A few minutes later, a One-Horned Golden-Patterned Black Python, thirteen or fourteen meters in length, flapped its dark golden wings. With a gust of wind, it carried Gu Shenge and Qing Lin out of the Snake-Person City, heading toward the Jia Ma Empire.

High above the temple, a mass of vibrant red mist suddenly manifested. As the mist dissipated, Medusa—who Yue Mei claimed had already left for the Black-Corner Region—appeared in mid-air.

She watched as Gu Shenge and his little lover drifted further and further away. Her jade hand rested gently on her snow-white abdomen, and her beautiful eyes revealed a trace of anticipation.

"Young Master, where are we going?"

Above the desolate, uninhabited desert, Qing Lin held Gu Shenge's hand as they sat on the back of the Black Prison Soul-Devouring Python. A look of confusion appeared on her pretty little face as she asked her Young Master about their destination.

Gu Shenge habitually stroked Qing Lin's head, gently ruffling her hair. He smiled and said softly, "We are going to Wutan City, the hometown of Clan Leader Xiao. How does that sound?"

Since he had come to the world of Battle Through the Heavens, how could he not go and meet the future Flame Emperor?

He considered forming a bond of goodwill with Xiao Yan. Although Xiao Yan never claimed to be a saint, he was a man who kept his word, took responsibility for his actions, and repaid kindness with gratitude.

Compared to certain fellows who liked to use their own mothers as leverage, took revenge under the banner of justice, and prided themselves on being "pure and noble," Xiao Yan was far better. He was worth befriending, and making an early investment wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Mm, wherever Young Master goes, Qing Lin will follow."

Qing Lin enjoyed her Young Master's head-patting and nodded obediently. As long as she could stay by his side, it didn't matter where they went.

Gu Shenge looked at the obedient and sensible little snake-girl, and his smile deepened. However, he did not intend to travel through the Jia Ma Empire under the guise of "Gu Shenge," but rather under another persona he had already planned.

"Qing Lin, when we reach the Jia Ma Empire, you should still call me Young Master, but if anyone asks for my name, do not tell them my real one."

Qing Lin was a bit bewildered upon hearing this. What name should she tell people, then?

Seeing the little snake-girl's confused expression, Gu Shenge reached out and pinched her delicate, smooth cheek, instructing, "If anyone asks, you shall call me [Juan Shoutian]."

"[Juan Shoutian]?" Qing Lin repeated the name.

"That's right. In the Jia Ma Empire, I am [Juan Shoutian]."

As Gu Shenge's voice fell, a brilliant golden light surged around his body. It was as dazzling as the morning sun and as scorching as the midday heat, causing Qing Lin to instinctively close her eyes, unable to look directly at him.

Suddenly, a proud voice rose, and a grand, resounding poem echoed through the heavens!

"The sky and the river merge into one, without a speck of dust; fish and dragons dive and leap, observing the Dao within. How can there be two meanings for heaven and man? The Dao does not walk in vain; it exists only in people."

As the golden light faded, a towering Daoist, representing light and radiating brilliance, appeared in the world. His face was peerlessly handsome, his bearing elegant and refined. With sword-like brows and phoenix eyes, a cinnabar mark between his brows, and pale golden hair like the dawn drifting in the wind, he wore a magnificent pure gold Daoist robe. He wore a golden headpiece, flicked a gold-handled whisk with his left hand, and carried a golden sword bag on his back. He was transcendent and otherworldly, like the very first ray of dawn, illuminating the world!

Qing Lin opened her beautiful eyes and stared, stunned, at the ethereal and peerless golden Daoist before her.

Although his features had only changed slightly—shifting from his previous heroic handsomeness to a peerless, softer beauty—the vastly different attire and the complete change in temperament made it difficult for Qing Lin to recognize him for a moment.

Gu Shenge looked at the dazed little snake-girl and extended his right hand to perform his signature head-pat.

Embodying [Juan Shoutian], Gu Shenge smiled, his voice as warm as the midday sun and as gentle as a spring breeze. "What? Are you stunned? Don't you recognize your Young Master anymore?"

"Young Master, you've changed so much! I didn't recognize you just now."

Feeling the familiar hand, the familiar warmth, and the gentle touch of Gu Shenge's head-pat, Qing Lin was finally convinced that the person before her was indeed her Young Master.

"Since even you couldn't recognize me, it means this persona is a success. Remember, no matter who asks—even if it's your Sister Medusa—you must say that I am [Juan Shoutian], not [Gu Shenge]."

Gu Shenge cautioned Qing Lin again; he didn't want his little snake-girl to have a loose tongue and reveal his true identity.

Qing Lin nodded vigorously and raised her fair, delicate hand to pat her own developing chest, signaling that she would absolutely never leak a single piece of information regarding her Young Master's true identity.

"Qing Lin is such a good girl." Gu Shenge nodded with satisfaction and praised the little snake-girl warmly. Qing Lin's pretty little face flushed with a hint of red, and her beautiful eyes revealed joy and contentment.

She had been praised by Young Master again, so happy~

As for why Gu Shenge wanted to switch to the [Juan Shoutian] persona, there was no other reason—he simply wanted to be cautious.

In his previous life, he hadn't been cautious enough, and as a result, he had been "cleaved" by his girlfriends working together.

This time, he would rather wear dozens of layers of masks than expose his true self even once.

Whatever debts [Juan Shoutian] incurs, what does that have to do with me, Gu Shenge?

~

PS: Regarding the protagonist's persona switching, I originally thought about changing the name as well, but I was afraid it would confuse the readers. After thinking about it, I decided to keep the name [Gu Shenge], but when others call the protagonist [Juan Shoutian], there might be a slight sense of detachment. I wonder if you can handle that? If you have any issues, feel free to bring them up.