While cultivating together with Ya Fei, Gu Shenge found that practicing the Tai Shang Induction Technique came almost effortlessly. He soon entered a mysterious state, his mind empty as he began sensing the Supreme hidden beyond the veil.
Their dual cultivation continued from daytime until late at night before finally coming to an end.
On the bed, Ya Fei lay on her side, fast asleep from exhaustion. Gu Shenge sat cross-legged beside her, his body glowing with a faint, lustrous light. His figure, bathed in a pure white radiance, had grown somewhat ethereal, as if he were about to ascend to immortality.
In a hazy state, Gu Shenge's consciousness seemed to drift through an endless tunnel. Far away, a faint, elusive light flickered, distant and indistinct, like a ray of primordial light born when heaven and earth first emerged.
Drawn by an unseen force, his consciousness slowly approached the light and plunged into the chaos where it lay. At once, an indescribable and wondrous sensation arose, as if he stood above all things and held dominion over the entire world.
After who knew how long, Gu Shenge slowly opened his eyes. His aura had changed, becoming even more inscrutable, yet carrying a mysterious quality that seemed to place him above the world.
As a reward for sensing the Supreme, a strange power unlike Battle Qi had appeared within him.
The Tai Shang Power!
Compared with Battle Qi, the Tai Shang Power was far more vast and surging, as if it came from the entire world, from the whole plane. It gave Gu Shenge the illusion that heaven and earth were lending him their strength.
With Ling Qingzhu's help, Lin Dong had practiced the Tai Shang Induction Technique and sensed the Supreme's true form—the Plane Embryo.
Gu Shenge, however, had sensed the Supreme after only one session of dual cultivation. Though the connection was so faint as to be almost nonexistent, it was a promising beginning.
As long as he practiced wholeheartedly, continued sensing the Supreme, and took control of the Plane Embryo, he could become the Plane Master of the Dou Qi Continent—a feat even Xiao Yan had failed to accomplish after becoming a Dou Di.
With just this wisp of Tai Shang Power within him, he could easily suppress a Dou Emperor without even using Battle Qi.
Gu Shenge glanced at Ya Fei, who had worked hard all day, and his eyes filled with tenderness. She really had worked hard. Then he held her close and drifted off to sleep with her.
The next day.
Ya Fei rose early and made arrangements for the Miteer Auction House. She announced that she would be leaving Wutan City for a while and that Master Gu Ni would be responsible for affairs in the city during her absence.
In the courtyard, Ya Fei wore a close-fitting red cheongsam patterned with roses. It hugged her voluptuous figure, accentuating her full curves, slender, pale neck, and trim waist above her shapely hips. She was breathtakingly beautiful as she leaned against Gu Shenge, murmuring softly.
"Palace Master, everything's ready."
Gu Shenge put an arm around Ya Fei's slender waist and drew her close. Three wooden boxes appeared in his hand, and he passed them to the alluring beauty.
"Each of these three boxes contains a pill. They're the Po E Pill, Fu Ling Zi Pill, and Top-Grade Dou Ling Pill."
"The Po E Pill is a low-tier sixth-grade pill that can break most seals. The Fu Ling Zi Pill is a top-tier fifth-grade pill that can restore the cultivation of those whose strength has declined because of a seal, bringing them back to their peak."
"Take these two pills to the Tagor Desert and find a map shop called 'Gu Tu.' Give them to the shopkeeper. He's Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, one of the Ten Great Experts of the Jia Ma Empire in the previous generation, and a member of the Mittel Family. More than ten years ago, he offended Queen Medusa, who used the Snake Seal to seal his cultivation."
"Help Hai Bodong break the seal and return to his peak. In return for this kindness, he'll naturally help you become head of the Mittel Family."
"As for the Top-Grade Dou Ling Pill, it's for you. It can raise your cultivation by two stars for a short time."
Gu Shenge didn't have time to accompany Ya Fei to Jia Ma Holy City and help her take control of the Mittel Family, so he had her go find Hai Bodong herself.
Given Hai Bodong's nature, he would surely help Ya Fei become head of the family after she did him such a great favor. She was a member of the Mittel Family, after all.
As for the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map, Gu Shenge wasn't interested. The complete map was available in the System Store, so why bother with a fragment?
Ya Fei's alluring face showed her surprise as she listened. Who in the Jia Ma Empire hadn't heard of Ice Emperor Hai Bodong? She had thought he'd died long ago, never imagining there was such a story behind it.
It was true that the Palace Master was an outsider. If he helped her become head of the Mittel Family, people within the family would gossip.
But if Ice Emperor, an elder of the Mittel Family, stepped in, it would be entirely proper.
"Ya Fei understands. Thank you for your guidance, Palace Master."
The alluring beauty obediently nodded and accepted the pills he held out to her.
Gu Shenge lightly toyed with Ya Fei's hair, breathing in the faint fragrance she gave off as he continued his instructions:
"I need you to take control of the Mittel Family within a month. Then spread the word that an Ancient Cave Mansion will appear in the Magic Beast Mountain Range in four months. It contains not only a Po Zong Pill and a Heavenly Flame, but also a Nirvana Heart, condensed from the lifelong cultivation of a Dou Zong powerhouse. Get the experts and younger generation of the Jia Ma Empire to gather in the Magic Beast Mountain Range."
He was planning something big. As for the Heavenly Flame, he could toss in some high-grade Beast Flame. It was all just a rumor anyway. Nobody knew whether there would really be a Heavenly Flame inside.
"If you handle this well, I'll reward you properly."
Once this was done, Gu Shenge would reward Ya Fei with three days and three nights.
"Yes, Palace Master." Ya Fei nodded again in agreement.
Although she didn't understand why her Palace Master wanted to spread this news, she could simply tell the Mittel Family not to take part. If all the experts of the Jia Ma Empire died in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, her Mittel Family could dominate the region and eventually take control of the Jia Ma Empire.
"Such a good girl~"
Gu Shenge gently stroked Ya Fei's delicate cheek, pleased by how obedient and sensible his favored concubine was. Then he began to reward her.
More than an hour later~
After rewarding Ya Fei, a satisfied Gu Shenge returned to the Xiao Clan. He happened to see Xiao Yan in the courtyard, looking deeply troubled.
"What's wrong, Little Yanzi?"
"Big Brother Juan, you're back!"
At the sound of his voice, Xiao Yan saw Gu Shenge return and brightened at once. He hurried over to greet him. Inside the house, the little beauty snake heard her young master's voice and pushed open the door. She swayed her little snake-like waist as she ran toward Gu Shenge.
"Young Master, you're back!"
Gu Shenge opened his arms and caught Qing Lin, his face showing a hint of guilt. He gently apologized to the little beauty snake.
"Sorry, Qing Lin. I was cultivating with someone else until late last night, so I stayed at her place."
Qing Lin shook her head. She knew her young master must have had something to take care of, since he hadn't come home, and she didn't blame him.
But when the little beauty snake caught the scent on Gu Shenge, a few questions stirred in her heart. It didn't smell like Big Sister Medusa. Who had Young Master been cultivating with last night?
When would Young Master cultivate with me?
"Big Brother Juan, help me!"
For some reason, Xiao Yan immediately called out to Gu Shenge for help. It seemed he'd run into quite a troublesome problem.
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