Skyward Ascension—the spell that Gu Changge opted to enhance. It was a spell meant exclusively for disciples of Skyward Schloss that could grant them seats among the Immortals, and at the same time, Skyward Ascension was also what gave the Clan of Immortality its name. Countless daunting forces in the Beyond were frustrated as they couldn't get their hands on the spell.
As of now, Gu Changge had already ascended his Skyward Ascension to level six, which, compared to that of his peers, was indubitably the best of the best. However, even with the host's relentless Talents, he found himself jammed in the mortal world, and thus it became difficult for him to get to the next level.
[Since Fatums can be spent to enhance the spells, then naturally increasing the spells' level can let me have a Realm breakthrough.] Gu Changge's thoughts were rather simple as he had a tremendous sum of five hundred and fifty Fatums at his disposal.
[System, enhance my power level.] At his thought, he could feel a refreshing sensation flowing through his blood and bones as a surreal thrill swirled in his mind that came from the substantial enhancement of Skyward Ascension before he could gain full control of it. Watching as his Fatums drastically decreased, he eventually broke through to level seven of Skyward Ascension.
*Boom!* A blaring thunder gushed into the palace, along with an intimidating aura that filled every space as dead silence surrounded the palace.
Meanwhile, a couple of guards on patrol were thoroughly spooked as they gawked at each other. With a trembling voice, one of them said, "Did you sense that aura? How terrifying that is…"
"It's as if a monster is hiding in the palace."
"Careful now. You shouldn't say that."
Drenched in cold sweat were the guards who could hardly stand right. [Is the young master training? Isn't his aura too alarming?] "Is that what Honoured Lord Realm's power seems like? It's indeed shocking."
On the other hand, in the chamber, Gu Changge let out a scoff before heaving a breath of air as a startling roar filled the emptiness in front of him. In that instant, a remarkably stronger, terrorizing aura gushed out of his body. His blood, organs, and even his bones felt sturdier than ever, as if they were refined by godly smiths. Along his power breakthrough, Gu Changge's many Talents were accordingly enhanced. Even his muscles were visibly tougher than before. [My bloodline, Demonic Heart, Daoist Bone, is indeed not to be underestimated. Of course, according to the host's memory, greater power than this would require the sacrifice of the next Fortuitous One, or should I say, the Fortuitous Lady.]
The Demonic Heart came from him, the one who took over the body. Meanwhile, the Daoist Bone belonged to the vessel. [It seems Skyward Ascension's level is pretty high. One level of breakthrough cost me so much Fatums.] Very soon, Gu Changge found himself no longer grinning. Although breakthrough was a good thing, granting the user a stupendous boost to their vigor and morale, the downside was that to achieve that, five hundred and fifty Fatums were exhausted in the blink of an eye, which could only mean that the level of Skyward Ascension was a little too high. Perhaps 'a seat among the Immortals' was, in fact, actualizable.
[Oh, well. I still have a crop—Ye Chen—awaiting to be harvested. There's much Fatums yet to acquire in the future.] Very shortly, Gu Changge was no longer irritated. After all, he had other matters to tend to. [Although Ye Chen seemed super petty when he was training so hard, he looked especially handsome when I "harvested" him.]
…
Meanwhile, in the murky prison of Stygian Holy Land, where damp atmosphere and nauseating odor from rotting corpses wafted, Ye Chen was sitting still. His eyes were unspirited, and there was even sorrow underneath them. His powers were sealed and he was constricted with handcuffs. Even until now, he had yet to recover from the immense shame. In his entire life, except for the disgrace his former fiancée caused him three years ago, he had never been hammered with such harsh humiliation. Whatever hardship it was, he had always gotten himself through it, turning adversaries into serenity. Today, nevertheless, the situation changed.
"Gu Changge…" He viciously blurted the name of his enemy as his eyes reddened. Whenever the smug face of his spiteful nemsis popped up in his mind, he couldn't help but reveal a scornful face as an uncontrollable, agonizing resentment pounded his heart.
"Chen…" All of a sudden, an euphonious timber came from his ring.
As he was dazed, anger and disdain surged in his face. "Where were you, Master? Why did you not respond when I called out for you?"
He was utterly infuriated. It was as if he was channeling his vexation at his Master. Evidently, the outcome he had gotten himself today was closely related to the Master in his ring. Nonetheless, what happened in the palace earlier left him depressed. [Master, whom I could rely on every single time, decided not to show up at such a crucial time. Did she, too, fear Gu Changge?]
"Chen, listen. It is not as you assumed." In his ring, a homely figure of a woman appeared with a trace of bitterness in her face. Despite being blamed by Ye Chen, she didn't defend herself as she had her reason to conceal herself back then.
"Earlier, there was an overbearing being whose aura enclosed the palace. I suspect the being is related to the evil force involved in my downfall, so I didn't dare to show myself…" The woman in the ring continued explaining. After all, she was now nothing but a drifting soul, and there was nothing much she could do to help. If she were to be discovered by her vengeful enemies, she would unquestionably be torn apart. Hence, she must be alert at all times.
After venting his frustration, Ye Chen eventually calmed down. After hearing his Master's explanation, he opened his eyes wide in stupefaction. "That explains why the Archbishop behaved so oddly in front of that Gu Changge. He's actually from the Beyond?"
As for his Master's identity, he had a certain extent of understanding—she was a formidable being in the Beyond. However, it was not until her enemies plotted against her that she was cursed to be a soul in the mortal realm, trapped in a ring that Ye Chen eventually got his hands on. Among all, what Ye Chen found most shocking was Gu Changge's petrifying background. With that, he grew silent as he instantaneously felt helpless and bewildered.
[Do I really have to give up Su Qingge and watch as she falls into the devil's hands?] Ye Chen clenched his fists, exasperated.