"Hehe, since the royal family is fully shouldering the banquet for Young Master Gu, our Cloud Mist Sect will not vie with the royal family for it," Cloud Mist Sect's Sect Master Yun Yun said with a smile.
"Young Master Gu, since you hail from our Empire and are acquainted with my disciple, I, Yun Yun, am willing to offer you the position of Supreme Elder in our Cloud Mist Sect. Aside from the Sect Master and the former Sect Master, you will have authority over any member of the sect. In our Dou Qi Pavilion, aside from the Sect Master's techniques and the earth-grade Dou Techniques, all other techniques and skills are open for you to study. What do you think of this offer?"
Yun Yun was making a bold decision, directly offering an unfamiliar individual the position of Grand Elder in their sect. If this new Supreme Elder had ill intentions and sought to undermine the Cloud Mist Sect, it would be a grave disaster for them.
However, as the saying goes, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Yun Yun had observed Gu Changqing and had collected information about him, which convinced her that he was not a malevolent person but rather someone with a sense of justice and chivalry. Considering Gu Changqing's ability to easily defeat Xie Biyan, he was more than qualified to be their Supreme Elder. If Gu Changqing advanced further in the future, he might even be someone the Cloud Mist Sect could only dream of acquiring.
"Looks like these two are in direct competition now. I wonder which side Young Master Gu will ultimately choose? I hope they don't come to blows over this," Fa Ma thought nervously. Yun Yun and Jia Xing Tian had both made substantial offers to win over Gu Changqing, and today's outcome could significantly impact the future power structure of the Empire.
The Alchemist Association was in a difficult position and could do little more than stay out of the fray.
"Changqing, you—"
Upon hearing Yun Yun and Jia Xing Tian's tempting offers, Nalan Yanran felt a surge of joy and instinctively wanted to persuade Gu Changqing to join their Cloud Mist Sect. However, she quickly remembered that her grandfather was the Lionheart Marshal of the Empire. Publicly advocating for Gu Changqing might create issues for her grandfather, so she prudently decided to remain silent.
"Hahaha, a young man should have grand ambitions. As for the Dou Qi Continent, I, Gu Changqing, intend to claim ninety-nine percent of it, leaving the remaining one percent to others. If Sect Master Yun Yun and Elder Jia do not mind, I would be willing to hold both the position of Grand Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect and the Guardian Master of the Empire. What do you say?"
Gu Changqing laughed heartily, his eyes burning with boundless ambition and unrestrained desire as he looked at Yun Yun and Jia Xing Tian. Facing Gu Changqing's decisive gaze, both Yun Yun and Jia Xing Tian felt a shiver run down their spines. They could see that Gu Changqing was tempted by their offers, and if they refused, it could spell disaster for either or both of them.
In reality, Gu Changqing was not fixated on the titles of Guardian Master of the Empire or Grand Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect. However, with the growing ambitions of the Soul Clan, the Dou Qi Continent was destined for a dramatic upheaval within a hundred years. The ancient Emperor's treasure, the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade, was likely to be assembled by the Soul Clan, and the ancient emperor's cave would inevitably be opened.
The northwest continent would surely become a battleground of major significance in the coming century. Since Gu Changqing was born here, he intended to help Xun'er ascend to the Flame Emperor position. Thus, he needed to strategically position himself to gain control over the northwest continent. The Empire of Jia Ma could serve as the starting point for his conquest of the northwest and even the entire Dou Qi Continent.
"This..."
Jia Xing Tian and Yun Yun exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss. If Gu Changqing had leaned towards just one side, they could easily agree. However, with his dual demands, they were faced with a dilemma.
"Young Master Gu, you truly embody the spirit of a young prodigy with grand ambitions. If you would ensure the prosperity of our Empire for a millennium, how could the position of Guardian Master be too much?" Jia Xing Tian, being a former emperor, had a certain resolve. After a brief contemplation, he agreed to Gu Changqing's condition, adding only one stipulation: that Gu Changqing guarantee the prosperity of the Empire for a thousand years.
"Hahaha, Elder Jia, you are indeed of royal descent and possess the necessary resolve. Within a hundred years, there will be a Dou God born on the Dou Qi Continent. If the Jia Ma Empire is willing to accompany me in splitting the land and conquering the world, then I shall ensure its prosperity for a thousand years," Gu Changqing laughed heartily, not rejecting Jia Xing Tian's condition but rather offering an even more astonishing revelation.
"What?! A Dou God will appear within a hundred years?!"
Jia Xing Tian, Yun Yun, and the others were all taken aback. If anyone else had made such a claim, they would dismiss it as nonsense. But with Gu Changqing making such a statement, they had to take it seriously.
Moreover, Gu Changqing's tone suggested that he expected the Jia Ma Empire to join him in his quest for dominance, making the situation even more critical. If handled poorly, the Jia Ma Empire could be dragged into a catastrophic fate, potentially destroyed within just a few years, let alone achieving a thousand years of prosperity.
"Young Master Gu, your ambitions are indeed impressive, but this matter is of great importance. Why not accompany us back to the Imperial Capital for further discussion?" Jia Xing Tian said, hoping to learn more from Gu Changqing about the potential emergence of a Dou God and extend an invitation to discuss the matter further.