Chapter 1697. The Grandmaster of Yuxian Palace is about to cry

Ling Yuxian quietly left the Yuxian Palace, carrying a few notes left by her sister, and headed towards the current location of the Fatian Alliance’s headquarters. She didn’t plan to alert anyone, as she wasn’t sure if there were still people in the Yuxian Palace who had once been in contact with her sister. The Chaos Time Sea was deep within the Yuxian Palace, and her sister could cross it; naturally, the creatures within could find a way to come to the outside world.

So, what she was most uncertain about now was why those forces or individuals wanted to deal with Gu Changge—was it because of the Fatian Alliance he had established, or was there another reason? Although the Xīyuán civilization had been somewhat unstable these years and many tribal forces had completely disappeared, it had actually helped stabilize the future situation. Under the Fatian Alliance’s control, no forces or tribes dared to act recklessly. This orderly situation had not been seen for many years. The cultivation world’s environment was thriving, and a fresh new look had emerged.

Although the reputation of the Fatian Alliance was not very good, it had at least ended the chaotic situation of divided forces in the Xiyuan civilization, achieving unification. This was something the Xiyuan Holy Hall could never have achieved during its peak. Ordinary cultivators and beings were all grateful for such a peaceful and stable situation.

A faint light flashed across an ancient cross-domain teleportation array. Ling Yuxian, along with other cultivators and beings, quickly disappeared into it. After several cross-universe teleportations, Ling Yuxian finally emerged in an ancient land near the Fatian Alliance’s headquarters. She didn’t choose to contact Gu Changge from within the Yuxian Palace but decided to personally go to the Fatian Alliance, fearing that her purpose might be discovered early. Fortunately, no one had followed her along the way.

“083.” This relieved Ling Yuxian slightly. This ancient land was vast and boundless, filled with ancient spiritual veins, and the spiritual energy was so rich it was unimaginable. Several massive ancient cross-domain teleportation arrays were located here, but compared to the central areas of the ancient universe, this place could still be considered remote.

After arriving here, Ling Yuxian immediately rushed to the nearest city. Heading towards the Fatian Alliance’s headquarters wasn’t an easy task. She regretted not asking Gu Changge for a communication jade talisman back then.

Suddenly, a red light streaked across the sky, attracting the attention of Ling Yuxian and many other cultivators nearby. In that red light, a large bird with red feathers flew swiftly, as fast as a divine rainbow in the sky. It was in great fear, fleeing for its life, as though something soul-chasing was behind it. As it fled, it cried out for help, its eyes filled with terror and despair.

“This is Lìng Wu, a genius of the Ling clan…”

“Why is he being chased?”

The surrounding cultivators were stunned by the sight, and many were preparing to save the large bird.

“How could a being with the phoenix bloodline and half-step True Immortal cultivation be chased in this realm?”

Ling Yuxian was also shocked. Her brows furrowed as she hesitated for a moment, just about to act.

A blinding arrow suddenly shot from afar, carrying the terrifying force of thunder and wind. It pierced through the large bird in an instant, and with a loud explosion, the bird shattered into pieces, its blood splattering into the sky.

This sight froze the surrounding cultivators and beings in place, their faces filled with fear and shock.

“Ling Wú violated the teachings, sheltered heretics, and provoked the authority of the Fatian Alliance. He is hereby executed as an example,” said an elder dressed in a black long robe with a hood that covered his face, emerging from the mountain top in the distance. His voice was cold, like a god pronouncing a judgment.A burly man with the cultivation of a True Immortal, standing next to him, coldly smirked and slowly put down his long bow.

“In Xiangyun City, my grandfather is the temple keeper of the Fatian Temple. How dare you, Lìng Wu, fight me for a woman?”

A young man with a delicate face, his eye sockets sunken due to blood deficiency, sneered from the side.

They watched as the scene in the distance turned into a sky full of blood mist, and finally, with satisfaction, they left, indifferent to the surrounding cultivators and beings who were frozen in fear, trembling with shock.

“As expected…”

“Sigh…”

“I knew it would be this reason. Ever since the Yun clan spent a great deal to build the Fatian Temple and gained the recognition of the Fatian Alliance, they’ve been acting recklessly. Now, they don’t even care about the Lìng clan, a powerful family. The genius kills as they please.”

“Now, the Fatian Alliance is no different from those demonic sects. It’s just like the remnants of the Black Calamity.”

“Quiet, are you seeking death? How dare you speak like that?”

After the group left, the surrounding cultivators and beings dared to whisper, their eyes filled with anger, unwillingness, and a deep sense of helplessness.

Ling Yuxian, upon hearing their conversation, stood frozen, unable to believe it. Why was the Fatian Alliance, as seen by these ordinary cultivators, so different from what she had imagined? How could the Fatian Alliance be the same as the remnants of the Black Calamity?

…

“Luo Xiangjun, who is this again?”

“Someone who once impersonated the Eternal Divine Clan’s saintess? But I’ve long had no connection with the Eternal Divine Clan. Could she have mistaken the person?”

Meanwhile, in a quiet valley, Mu Yan, having learned the details of Luo Xiangjun seeking her from Gu Changge, widened her eyes in confusion and disbelief.

“I’m just here to deliver a message. Whether you agree or not is up to you.”

Gu Changge, sitting leisurely on a stone bench, slowly sipped his tea. In front of him, Yao Yao was showing off the results of her recent practice, eagerly awaiting praise from Gu Changge.

He then reached out with his thumb and forefinger, flicking her on the head.

“You’re still far from fully refining the Qi Furnace. Don’t be so arrogant. When it’s full, how could it not be damaged?”

Yao Yao, wincing in pain, rubbed her reddened forehead and cast a resentful glance at Gu Changge.

Mu Yan hesitated whether to agree to Luo Xiangjun’s request. After all, from what she heard from Gu Changge, Luo Xiangjun was quite a figure and had many valuable things.

Suddenly, Gu Changge’s voice broke her reverie.

“Today’s tea wasn’t brewed by you, was it? It’s a bit bitter.”

Gu Changge slightly frowned, then set the tea cup down.

“Someone else brewed it, and you still complain about the taste?”

Mu Yan shot him a look but still walked over with a pleasant fragrance, taking the teapot away to brew a fresh pot.

Gu Changge paid no attention to her. He looked at Ling Yuxian, who was nearby, slightly stunned and embarrassed. Her pale face showed a hint of shame.

She seemed to want to say something, but hesitated.

“You’re not suited for serving others,” Gu Changge said flatly.

“Sorry…” Ling Yuxian’s face turned even redder from the embarrassment and shame. It was indeed her first time brewing tea. She thought it would be easy, having heard the method from Mu Yan, but she had underestimated how difficult it was.

In the past, when she saw Mu Yan brewing tea, it seemed effortless, her movements simple but full of an indescribable elegance.

She had indeed learned the method, but when she actually tried it, her mind just couldn’t keep up.

As expected, Gu Changge could tell the difference the moment he took a sip.

“If you’re really free and bored, you can water the peach trees outside the valley and pull out some weeds while you’re at it.”

Gu Changge stood up from the bench and began guiding Yao Yao in her practice for the day.

“No… Not that…”

Ling Yuxian was momentarily stunned, realizing that Gu Changge had misunderstood her intentions. She wasn’t brewing tea because she was bored.

She hurriedly explained, “I saw that you seemed to enjoy tea, so I thought you would like it. But I didn’t expect it to turn out like this. I’ve tried brewing many pots and picked the best one from them.”

As the Grandmaster of Yuxian Palace, a former sage who once fought against the Black Calamity, when had she ever specifically studied someone’s preferences, let alone brewed tea for them?

But… that was the reality. She had brewed many pots and was eager to get it right, but the result was still met with disdain.

Gu Changge slightly furrowed his brows, looking at her with an expressionless gaze and saying, “If you think that lowering yourself to brew tea for me will please me or make up for something, you don’t have to. Your status in my eyes isn’t as exalted as you think.”

“Moreover, the tea you brewed is the most bitter and unpleasant I’ve ever had. Don’t try such things that are not suited for you in the future.”

His tone was calm and measured, as though he was discussing an insignificant matter with a friend.

But even Yao Yao, standing beside them, could feel the coldness in the air. She quickly tensed up, focusing entirely on her cultivation and not daring to listen any longer.

If her master had spoken to her like this, she would probably have felt so wronged that she would have cried on the spot.

Upon hearing this, Ling Yuxian froze for a moment, and her face turned pale. Her sparkling, watery eyes seemed to be on the verge of welling up with tears.

She tightly bit her lip, her gaze fixated on Gu Changge, seemingly unable to believe that he would say such cold, direct words, criticizing her without mercy.

In the past, Gu Changge had always treated her gently and courteously. Even when he helped her remove the source of darkness in that dark space, he had maintained proper decorum, with no oversteps.

Later, even when they were on opposite sides during the Xiyuan Alliance, Gu Changge still showed mercy and didn’t strike to kill.

She had always believed that if their positions had been the same from the start, they could have been close friends. Even now, she still held that belief. But she never imagined that Gu Changge’s prejudice against her would be so deep that he would say such hurtful things.

The relationship between them seemed irreparable, and going back to how it was before was out of the question.

“I… I…” Ling Yuxian didn’t even realize that her voice was trembling slightly.

Gu Changge shook his head slightly, looking away from her and continuing to guide Yao Yao’s cultivation.

“I’m sorry…” Ling Yuxian lowered her head, feeling a sudden tightness in her throat. A sense of grievance she had never felt before surged in her heart, making her vision blur.

She bit her lip, holding back the overwhelming emotions, and then turned to leave. She had indeed hoped that brewing tea would help ease the tension between her and Gu Changge, but there was no intention to lower herself or seek to please him because of her status.

She just wanted to make up for the misunderstandings and prejudices she had previously held against him, but before doing that, she needed to soften their relationship. After all, she couldn’t let Gu Changge continue treating her like air.

But in the end, her good intentions had been misunderstood by him.

“The Grandmaster of Yuxian Palace is about to cry, huh? This scene is truly rare. If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you’d done something unspeakable to her.”

“Well, although she’s not talented in brewing tea, at least she meant well. You should have seen her clumsy, burned hands while she was making it.”Mu Yan approached with the freshly brewed tea, a mischievous smile on her face as she seemed to enjoy the drama unfolding.

Gu Changge glanced at her and asked, “What does this have to do with you?”

“When I first met you, I had no idea you were such a ruthless person,” Mu Yan teased, her smile bright and enchanting, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Don’t you know that a girl’s feelings shouldn’t be trampled on?”

Gu Changge, unhurried, responded, “That’s not a reason for you to sneak into my room in the middle of the night.”

Mu Yan’s face turned slightly red, and she glanced at Yao Yao, who had suddenly become still beside them. She whispered, “Your disciple is still here…”

“When Yao Yao goes out to train, I’ll send you off too. I really don’t know when I’ll get some peace and quiet,” Gu Changge muttered, as though slightly annoyed.

Mu Yan grinned and replied, “The mighty Fatian Alliance Lord, feared by countless civilizations, is afraid of a little woman like me?”

“King Zijin and you should be able to become good friends,” she added playfully.

Gu Changge hadn’t expected that the future “Empress of the Heavens,” destined to fall into darkness, would turn out like this. Mu Yan hadn’t heard that name before, but judging from Gu Changge’s expression, she figured this person would be a “good sister” of hers in the future.

She hummed softly, then gently rubbed Yao Yao’s little face, which had been frozen by Gu Changge’s words, and walked away with a smile.

“Actually, it’s still drinkable…” Gu Changge mused as he sipped the tea he had tasted earlier, his gaze following Ling Yuxian as she left, deep in thought.

He felt that the timing was almost right. Ling Yuxian was unlike the others—though she appeared gentle like water, she was proud to the extreme. The Dao heart she had cultivated over countless epochs was strong enough to make her remain unshaken, no matter the situation. It was hard to ruffle her composure.

But to truly conquer her, a process of continuous suppression was needed—one that would make her doubt herself, reflect, and feel guilty, slowly revealing her vulnerabilities.

The grand play staged during the Xiyuan Covenant was not only a trap Gu Changge had set for the entire Xiyuan civilization, but also one designed specifically for Ling Yuxian.

Even releasing the people from Yuxian Palace later, and letting Ling Yuxian, who had been imprisoned in the Dark Prison, go free, was part of Gu Changge’s plan.

Now, her reactions and actions were gradually confirming the calculations and plans Gu Changge had set in motion.

To him, Ling Yuxian would be a very important and valuable piece on his chessboard.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.