The Twelve Golden Immortals returned to the Jade Void Palace to beg Yuanshi for punishment.
"Your disciples failed to fulfill your command. We beg Master to punish us."
Guangchengzi knelt before Yuanshi as he spoke, while the other immortals also knelt to one side.
"Mm, I already know."
Yuanshi nodded, then asked Ran Deng beside him, "Junior Brother Ran Deng, what do you think?"
Such a fierce battle had taken place below Kunlun Mountain. There was no way the Jade Void Palace could have remained unaware.
After some thought, Ran Deng replied, "Shi Ji is of no concern. Gu Changqing does not appear to be an evil man; perhaps we can win him over. If Gu Changqing joins our Chan Sect, our orthodox Mystic Gate lineage will gain wings like a tiger."
Yuanshi added, "Gu Changqing is covered in treasures. Tong Tian must value him greatly. How are we to win him over?"
Ran Deng replied, "The Chan Sect cannot offer treasures like those, so tempting him with benefits is impossible. This boy dared ascend Kunlun alone for Shi Ji's sake. He must be a man of deep loyalty and righteousness."
Yuanshi asked again, "By your reasoning, wouldn't that make him even harder to win over?"
"Not necessarily," Ran Deng continued. "Shi Ji enjoys a fine reputation at Skull Mountain. Since Gu Changqing is close to her, it shows that his character is upright. As long as we make him realize that the Intercepting Sect acts against the natural order and is savage, ruthless, and cruel, he will surely become disappointed in it. Then winning him over will come naturally."
Ran Deng glanced at the Twelve Golden Immortals and continued, "Gu Changqing first gifted treasures to the Twelve Golden Immortals, then repeatedly showed mercy in battle. It is clear that he thinks rather highly of our Chan Sect. Otherwise, why would he expend so much merit to restore the Twelve Golden Immortals' cultivation?"
"What merit is, I presume Senior Brother understands best."
After considering it, Yuanshi found Ran Deng's words quite reasonable. If their positions were reversed, he would never have expended so much merit to heal the Twelve Golden Immortals.
With that in mind, Yuanshi said, "Then I'll leave this matter to Junior Brother Ran Deng."
Without dealing with Gu Changqing, trying to send the Intercepting Sect onto the Investiture of the Gods List would be nothing but a joke. With that chain of treasures at his disposal, who knew how many Mystic Gate disciples would meet their tribulation?
In his heart, he did not believe Tong Tian had obtained some great opportunity. The Intercepting Sect's surge in fortune was most likely because of Gu Changqing.
If they could win Gu Changqing over, it would be like pulling the firewood from beneath the cauldron for the Intercepting Sect.
Inside the World-Breaking Shuttle, Shi Ji said apologetically, "Thank you for this, Junior Brother Changqing. Not only did you save me from danger, but you also lost another High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure and a great deal of merit because of me."
"We're family; there's no need for formalities." Gu Changqing smiled. "Senior Sister, are you wondering why, when I could clearly have suppressed the Twelve Golden Immortals, I still gave Jiang Ziya the Heart-Protecting Mirror and expended so much merit to heal the Twelve Golden Immortals?"
"I... I didn't mean that."
Having her thoughts seen through, Shi Ji's pretty face reddened slightly.
Gu Changqing continued, "Jiang Ziya is the one fated by Heaven to oversee the bestowal of gods. He is destined to suffer seven deaths and three calamities, so it would be difficult for us to kill him. Every time we kill him, it is equivalent to owing the Heavenly Dao a karmic debt. Seven lives for one life is not worth it. Jiang Ziya is merely a tool for the god-bestowing. Even without him, the Investiture of the Gods List would operate on its own. Killing Jiang Ziya is completely unnecessary and would not affect the larger situation."
"So that was it." Shi Ji suddenly understood. Changqing had not been aiding the enemy; he had been saving the lives of Intercepting Sect disciples. Since Jiang Ziya could not be killed, they would not owe the Heavenly Dao karmic debts.
Gu Changqing continued, "As for healing the Twelve Golden Immortals, the reason is even simpler. If we slaughtered them recklessly beneath Kunlun Mountain, how could Uncle-Master Yuanshi endure it? None of us can bear the wrath of a Saint. Merit and magic treasures are merely possessions outside the body. Only by staying alive can one pursue the Dao and attain longevity."
"I..." Shi Ji smiled bitterly. "This senior sister was too narrow-minded."
Gu Changqing glanced at Shi Ji and added, "Not at all. Senior Sister is exceptionally broad-minded."
Shi Ji changed the subject. "Junior Brother, are we returning to Golden Turtle Island now?"
"No." Gu Changqing replied, "The great tribulation is approaching. I want to look around and prepare for it."
It was rare for him to come out. How could Gu Changqing possibly return so easily?
Shi Ji said, "Why not visit my Skull Mountain? You have helped me so many times. I would like to properly thank you."
"Thank me?" Gu Changqing smiled. "How does Senior Sister intend to thank me?"
"I..."
Shi Ji froze, only then remembering that she did not have even two taels of oil to squeeze from her entire body. What could she use to thank Gu Changqing?
Gu Changqing added, "Could it be that Senior Sister wishes to offer herself to me?"
"Junior Brother, don't tease me." Shi Ji smiled bitterly. "I am merely a stubborn stone that took form, with the appearance of a willow in winter. How could I ever catch Junior Brother's Dharma Eye?"
"I'm not joking with you anymore." Gu Changqing continued, "We are already far from Kunlun. Senior Sister should return to Skull Mountain. I want to visit Chaoge."
"Chaoge?"
Shi Ji asked curiously, "We cultivators devote ourselves to the Dao. Why descend into worldly splendor?"
Gu Changqing smiled. "Immortal mountains have morning dew, while the mortal world has hearts stained with dust. If one cannot wash away the trappings of the mundane, how can one pursue the Dao and attain longevity?"
"I'll give this Primordial Chaos World Piercing Shuttle to Senior Sister. Let us part ways here."
After speaking, Gu Changqing shot into the air and vanished beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.
Shi Ji stood there in stunned disbelief. First there had been a Merit Treasure, then the grace of saving her life, and now he had gifted her another supreme treasure.
Why was Junior Brother Changqing so good to me alone?
How should I repay him?
Could it be...
Her Dao heart, dormant for many years, suddenly began to stir.
"Master, why is your face so red?"
Bi Yun interrupted Shi Ji's reverie.
"You talk too much!"
"Slap yourself!"
The three master and disciples, having survived the calamity, headed for Skull Mountain.
Several days later, at dusk, Gu Changqing entered Chaoge City.
Chaoge was nothing like the Chaoge of history.
Its towering walls stretched for hundreds of li, bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the ruins of Shangqiu from later generations.
Carriages and horses flowed through the streets, while merchants traveled in endless streams. It was truly a flourishing age in the mortal realm.
Di Xin, the last Human King, was indeed something of a heroic figure.
The prosperity of the realm showed that the court was governed with clarity.
Di Xin was certainly not the tyrant of legend.
Gu Changqing stood atop the high city wall, gazing down at the magnificent mortal scene below as his emotions surged without rest.
Such a vast dynasty was being toyed with in the palms of the Saints. From then on, there would be no more Human Kings in the mortal realm.
Did I really have to bring down the Intercepting Sect?
Sending the Intercepting Sect onto the Investiture of the Gods List was equivalent to sending Great Shang to the executioner's block.
A mortal realm without a Human King was destined to become the plaything of the gods until the end of the Dharma age arrived.
At that moment, Gu Changqing's resolve wavered.
Returning home was certainly important, but was it worth burying such a splendid mortal realm for that sake?
"Who are you, daring to spy on military defenses!"
A sharp rebuke interrupted Gu Changqing's thoughts.
Gu Changqing replied, "My name is Gu Changqing, a Qi Refiner of Golden Turtle Island. Wen Zhong should know my name."
"Insolence!" the soldier snapped. "How dare you directly address the Grand Tutor by name?"
As he spoke, the soldier moved to seize Gu Changqing.
Many Intercepting Sect disciples served under Great Shang, so they were no strangers to the name Golden Turtle Island.
However, Gu Changqing looked far too young and did not resemble a famous figure, making him difficult to believe.
Gu Changqing smiled. "Call your Grand Tutor here, and all will become clear."
Seeing Gu Changqing's calm and composed manner, the soldier was unable to judge the situation for the moment.
After giving several instructions to his subordinates, he sent one man racing toward the Grand Tutor's Mansion. He himself remained on guard, staring warily at Gu Changqing.
Before you continue