After verifying his idea, Gu Changge stopped thinking about it. Given the leverage he held, his intellect, he would surely find a way to deal with whatever the next Fortuitous One was.
[Ye Chen, despite being blessed with protection from the gods, eventually ended up in misery, and even Su Qingge, the damsel he admired so tensely, decided to cut all ties with him and became my woman. Right now, all he has as his final pillar is his Master, Yan Ji, but it's only a matter of time until she, too, becomes mine. Oh, this feeling of control is more than wondrous!]
Thinking of that, Gu Changge subconsciously revealed a grin as he walked to the lower deck of the flying ship. Apparently, it was much merrier than the upper deck as the youthful talents of Eastern Barren were seen discussing, sparring, and debating.
"Prince Gu, you seem happy today." Su Qingge followed Gu Changge to the lower deck. Her dreamy eyes twitched as she was surprised by Gu Changge's smile. In her eyes, Gu Changge seldom showed such a natural smile as he always kept his thoughts hidden, making himself unpredictable, though he would sometimes be mischievous. However Su Qingge was already used to the prankishness of the naughty, naughty man.
"I am happy," Gu Changge leisurely replied. "Tell me, which forces on the map of Middle State are worth noting?"
Recently, he noticed that Su Qingge's Fortuity had notably increased to 400, which caused his Fortuity to have grown significantly.
Could a person's Fortuity increase out of nowhere? That question baffled Gu Changge for a long time before he finally figured out Su Qingge was the answer. He then realized she must have had a secret of her own that she did not disclose. Otherwise, his Fortuity wouldn't have increased on its own. Despite that, Gu Changge did not question the damsel since he wasn't negatively affected by any means. After all, everyone deserved a dirty little secret of their own.
Hearing that, Su Qingge nodded. She had gathered a massive amount of information pertaining to Middle State and was only awaiting Gu Changge's inquiry. "Middle State is divided into eight main domains, and the most prosperous of them all is the Central Sky Domain. The Great Conference the Third Prince of the Bactria Empire invited us to is also taking place in the Central Sky Domain."
"Prince Gu, the Great Conference isn't something worth your while. It's nothing but a joke to you." Chu Xuan, who hurried over to greet Gu Changge, hastily said.
Upon those words, the youthful talents in the room could only force a smile. Having been waiting for the Great Conference for a long time, they intended to make their respective factions proud.
"I bear no interest in the Great Debate." Gu Changge wasn't at all fascinated by the event. The only purpose of his visit was to retrieve what he owned, and at the same time, garner some Fortuity from the new Fortuitous One. [Me? Listening to some Overworld monkeys talk about their monkey business? No thanks. Entertaining them will only me lose their respect.]
…
While the flying ship Gu Changge was on was speeding toward Middle State, in the Central Sky Domain of Middle State, where the Ancient Lin Family resided, the Lin Family, as one of the ancient families, had grown to become an unwavering force.
Thirty thousand years ago, the Prime Ancestor of the Lin Family had broken through the skies and ascended to the Beyond. Since then, he had become a tall tale within the family. And for that reason, the Lin Family managed to become one of the most daunting ancient families that even empires and holy lands that existed way longer dared not to trifle with.
At that moment, in an ancestral shrine deep in the household, a dim flame was lit on top of a swaying candle as the room was filled with restlessness.
"What happened?"
"Why has the Great Elder summoned us?"
A group of elders, including the leader of the Lin Family, showed up with bafflement and surprise on their faces. Each of them was important figures of the Lin Family. With their potent strengths and influential positions, they could easily stir up trouble in the outside world with just a stomp of a foot.
However, they were now obviously perplexed as to what triggered the Great Elder, who locked himself underground, to gather them. Moreover, the Great Elder hadn't shown himself for almost ten thousand years, so his current power was not to be underestimated. In fact, many thought that he had already passed away.
Nonetheless, why did the Great Elder suddenly decide to show himself? The elders were curious as they gawked at the energetic, gray-haired senile man—the Great Elder of Lin Family.
"Greetings, Great Elder. To what do we owe the honor?" The elders gradually expressed their bewilderment.
[Typically, the Great Elder wouldn't gather all of us unless there was something major. Perhaps, the Great Elder has broken through his power level, and is now able to ascend to the Beyond?]
Accordingly, with everyone he had called upon present, the Great Elder finally spoke, though his expression was somewhat strange. He was restless, thrilled even. Very soon, he suppressed his excitement and with a trembling voice, he stated, "Today, I have sensed the presence of the Prime Ancestor. It may be possible that the Prime Ancestor is returning!"
Upon those words, the ancestral shrine was filled with silence.
[What!?]
After regaining their senses, everyone was dumbfounded as shock and dismay surged on their faces.
[Did we hear that right? The Prime Ancestor, who ascended to the Beyond thirty thousand years ago, is returning? How is that even possible? Ascending is already so difficult, and now he's descending? That's a thousand times harder, and almost impossible! Or perhaps the Prime Ancestor has reached an unthinkable power level and can now travel between the Beyond and the Overworld at will? Is he coming to take us to the Beyond with him?]
With that in mind, the elders couldn't help but grow agitated as their faces reddened.
[The Prime Ancestor is a legendary figure from thirty thousand years ago! The Lin Family couldn't have achieved such influence and prosperity without the Prime Ancestor's contribution!]
Since those words came from the Great Elder himself, none of the elders would doubt them. In that instant, each of them was immeasurably joyous and delighted.
"What fine news! The Prime Ancestor's return could only mean more success…"
"Haha! I'll have to spread this news around and let the entire Middle State know that the Prime Ancestor of the Lin Family is making his return! By then, be it the Bactria Empire or Karura Holy Land, everyone will surely come to pay their respects! The Lin Family's influence will tremble the entire Middle State, and none will be able to triumph over that!"
Hearing that, the Great Elder was very gleeful. Nodding his head, he stroked his beard and smiled. "Very well! Inform every family, and get prepared for the Prime Ancestor's homecoming, for the Lin Family shall thrive again!"