Entering Chaoge for the First Time

The Twelve Golden Immortals returned to Jade Void Palace to apologize to Yuanshi.

"Disciple failed to complete master's mission. Please punish me, Master."

Guangchengzi knelt before Yuanshi and said, while the other immortals also knelt beside him.

"Hmm, I know."

Yuanshi nodded and then asked Ran Deng, who was beside him, "Junior Brother Ran Deng, what do you think?"

With such fierce fighting happening at the base of Kunlun Mountain, it was impossible for Jade Void Palace not to know.

Ran Deng thought for a moment and replied, "Shi Ji is nothing to worry about. That Gu Changqing doesn't seem like a villain. Perhaps we can turn him. If Gu Changqing joins our Chan Sect, our Mysterious Sect will surely gain a significant advantage."

Yuanshi then said, "Gu Changqing is full of treasures. Junior Brother Tong Tian must value him greatly. How can we turn him?"

Ran Deng replied, "The Chan Sect cannot offer those treasures, so tempting him with benefits is impossible. This child went to Kunlun alone for Shi Ji, so he must be a person who values affection and righteousness."

Yuanshi then said, "According to Junior Brother, wouldn't that make it even harder to turn him?"

"Not so," Ran Deng replied. "Shi Ji has a good reputation on Skull Mountain. Gu Changqing being close to her shows his upright character. As long as he realizes the Intercepting Sect's perverse and vicious ways, he will surely be disappointed in them. Then, turning him will be a natural progression."

Ran Deng glanced at the Twelve Golden Immortals and then added, "Gu Changqing first gifted treasures to the Twelve Golden Immortals, and then repeatedly showed mercy. This shows he has a good impression of our Chan Sect. Otherwise, why would he expend so many Merits to restore the cultivation of the Twelve Golden Immortals?"

"Senior Brother must know best what Merits are."

Yuanshi thought about it and felt that Ran Deng's words made a lot of sense. If he were in Gu Changqing's shoes, he wouldn't expend so many Merits to heal the Twelve Golden Immortals.

Thinking of this, Yuanshi said, "Then I'll leave this matter to Junior Brother Ran Deng."

Without settling Gu Changqing, trying to get the Intercepting Sect onto the Investiture of the Gods List would be a joke. With one set of treasure combos, who knows how many Mysterious Sect disciples would perish in the Tribulation.

In his heart, he didn't believe that Tong Tian had gained a great opportunity. The Intercepting Sect's sudden surge in Luck was likely eighty percent due to Gu Changqing.

If Gu Changqing could be turned, it would be like pulling the rug out from under the Intercepting Sect.

Inside the World-Breaking Shuttle, Shi Ji said with an apologetic look, "Thank you so much this time, Junior Brother Changqing. Not only did you rescue me from danger, but you also caused Junior Brother to lose another High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure and a large amount of Merits."

"We're family, there's no need for formalities," Gu Changqing said with a smile. "Are you perhaps wondering why, even though I could have suppressed the Twelve Golden Immortals, I still gave Jiang Ziya the Heart-Protecting Mirror and expended so many Merits to heal the Twelve Golden Immels?"

"I... I didn't mean that."

Shi Ji's fair face blushed slightly as her thoughts were seen through.

Gu Changqing continued, "Jiang Ziya is destined by Heavenly Dao to be the one for Investiture of the Gods, and his fate includes seven deaths and three disasters. It's very difficult for us to kill him. Every time we kill him, it's equivalent to owing Heavenly Dao a karmic debt. Seven lives for one life isn't worth it. Jiang Ziya is just a tool for Investiture of the Gods. Even without Jiang Ziya, the Investiture of the Gods List would operate on its own. Killing Jiang Ziya is completely unnecessary and won't affect the overall situation."

"So that's how it is." Shi Ji suddenly understood. So Junior Brother Changqing wasn't helping the enemy; instead, he was saving the lives of our Intercepting Sect disciples. If Jiang Ziya couldn't be killed, then they wouldn't owe Heavenly Dao karmic debt.

Gu Changqing then said, "As for healing the Twelve Golden Immortals, the reasoning is even simpler. If we brazenly kill the Twelve Golden Immortals at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, how could Senior Uncle Yuanshi tolerate it? The wrath of a Saint is something none of us can bear. Merits and magic treasures are external things; only by living can one seek the Dao of immortality."

"I..." Shi Ji said with a bitter smile, "It was I who was narrow-minded, Senior Sister."

Gu Changqing glanced at Shi Ji and said, "Nonsense, Senior Sister is very broad-minded."

Shi Ji changed the subject and asked, "Junior Brother, are we returning to Golden Turtle Island now?"

"No," Gu Changqing replied. "The Tribulation is approaching. I want to travel around and prepare for it."

Having finally gotten out, how could Gu Changqing return so easily?

Shi Ji then said, "Why don't you come to my Skull Mountain? Junior Brother has helped me many times, and I want to properly thank you."

"Thank you?" Gu Changqing chuckled. "How does Senior Sister plan to thank me?"

"I..."

Shi Ji was stunned. Only then did she remember that she couldn't even squeeze out two ounces of oil from her entire body. What could she use to thank Gu Changqing?

Gu Changqing then said, "Could it be that Senior Sister wants to offer herself?"

"Junior Brother, don't tease." Shi Ji smiled wryly, "I'm just a rock transformed. With my humble appearance, how could I ever catch Junior Brother's Dharma Eye?"

"I'm not joking around with you anymore," Gu Changqing said. "This place is already very far from Kunlun. Senior Sister, please return to Skull Mountain. I want to go to Chaoge."

"Chaoge?"

Shi Ji asked in surprise, "We cultivators focus on seeking the Dao. Why bother falling into worldly splendor?"

Gu Changqing chuckled, "Mountains have morning dew, and the mundane world has a dusty heart. If one cannot cleanse oneself of worldly desires, how can one seek the Dao of immortality?"

"I'll give this Primordial Chaos World Piercing Shuttle to Senior Sister. We'll part ways here."

After Gu Changqing finished speaking, he flew out and disappeared into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Shi Ji was bewildered. First, there was the Merit Treasure, then the life-saving grace, and now the gift of a supreme treasure.

Why is Junior Brother Changqing so good to me?

How should I repay him?

Could it be...

Her long-dormant Dao heart suddenly stirred.

"Master, why is your face red?"

Bi Yun interrupted Shi Ji's reverie.

"You talk too much!"

"Slap him!"

The master and two disciples, having survived the Tribulation, headed towards Skull Mountain.

Several days later, at dusk, Gu Changqing stepped into Chaoge City.

Chaoge was by no means the Chaoge of history.

The towering city walls stretched for hundreds of miles, completely unlike the Shangqiu ruins of later generations.

Carriages streamed through the streets, merchants formed long lines—it was a truly prosperous era in the Human Realm.

Di Xin, the last human king, could certainly be considered a heroic figure.

Seeing the world's prosperity, it was clear that the imperial court was upright.

Di Xin was definitely not the tyrant of legend.

Gu Changqing stood atop the high city, gazing down at the magnificent human landscape, his heart stirred.

This vast dynasty, manipulated by the Saints, led to the Human Realm having no more human kings from that point on.

Do I really need to bring down the Intercepting Sect?

Sending the Intercepting Sect to the Investiture of the Gods List is equivalent to sending Great Shang to the execution block.

A Human Realm without a human king is destined to become a plaything for the gods, until the Age of Dharma Decline arrives.

At this moment, Gu Changqing's resolve wavered.

Returning home is important, but is it worth sacrificing such a beautiful Human Realm just to get back?

"Who are you? How dare you spy on military defenses!"

Just then, a shout interrupted Gu Changqing's thoughts.

Gu Changqing replied, "My name is Gu Changqing. I am a Qi cultivator from Golden Turtle Island. Wen Zhong should know my name."

"Impudence!" the soldier roared. "How dare you address the Grand Tutor by his given name?"

As the soldier spoke, he moved to apprehend Gu Changqing.

Many disciples of the Intercepting Sect served Great Shang, so the name Golden Turtle Island was not unfamiliar.

However, Gu Changqing looked too young; he didn't resemble a renowned figure, making it difficult to convince people.

Gu Changqing smiled and said, "Go call your Grand Tutor. He'll make sense of it."

The soldier saw Gu Changqing's calm and composed demeanor and was momentarily unsure.

He gave a few instructions to his subordinates, and one person immediately rushed towards the Grand Tutor's Mansion. Meanwhile, the soldier himself watched Gu Changqing with wary eyes.