"The former sect leader already knows about this?"
"If it's his decision, I have no objections."
"I agree as well. But I think our Yunlan Sect should still strive for the position of Forbidden Palace Master."
The elders of the Yunlan Sect, hearing Yun Yun bring up the former sect leader Yun Shan, quickly changed their tone, expressing their support for her decision to back the Eternal Evergreen Mansion.
However, when the elders suggested she contend for the role of Forbidden Palace Master herself, Yun Yun declined, advising them to pursue it on their own merits. If they could manage to take on such a role, she wouldn't oppose it.
When Gu Changqing and Nalan Yanran returned to the square, it was evident that Yanran had consumed something potent. Her lips appeared flushed, her tongue slightly numb, and she seemed to have minor hiccups, her stomach faintly bloated.
Curious, Yun Yun asked if she had eaten something unusual. Nalan Yanran cast Gu Changqing an exasperated look, explaining that he'd brought her some unique drink.
Gu Changqing laughed and added,
"If Yun Yun Sect Leader is curious, perhaps I'll invite you to have some as well. I promise, you'll get your fill."
"Then I'll take you up on that, Mansion Head. Don't go back on your word," Yun Yun replied, nodding lightly. Although she noticed something strange in Yanran's expression, she accepted his offer with a slight smile.
"Certainly."
Gu Changqing chuckled in assurance, earning a sharp look from Nalan Yanran.
"Sect Leader Yun Yun, as we discussed, the Yunlan Sect will join the Eternal Evergreen Mansion in unifying the Jia Ma Empire. In return, we hope that the mansion will grant our sect ample space for development. I've heard that the manor is currently seeking talented individuals. If Mansion Head doesn't mind, our sect can assign some elders and disciples to join."
Yun Yun nodded as she spoke.
"That would be most welcome," Gu Changqing replied warmly.
"This brings up another matter I'd like to discuss," he continued, "Yanran has begun cultivating a unique technique that I passed to her. It's crucial for her foundation, so I hope she can stay by my side for the next few years to train directly under my guidance."
The technique Nalan Yanran was learning was the "Ethereal Sword Art," a true Immortal cultivation method. With her talent, it would take several years to reach the ninth level of Dou Disciple, but under Gu Changqing's direct guidance, this process would shorten significantly.
Training together would allow Nalan Yanran to absorb his innate energy, improving her constitution and refining her spirit root, making her future breakthroughs smoother and enhancing her foundational quality.
Gu Changqing's words were sincere.
"Yanran has indeed discussed this with me," Yun Yun replied, "and I had intended to bring it up. Our Yunlan Sect's wind-based techniques are not top-tier but are still of advanced Xuan rank. When combined with our Earth-ranked combat skills, they can produce formidable power. However, the technique Yanran described is unlike any other wind techniques I've encountered. She mentioned something about needing to build a foundation and withstand lightning tribulations, with the possibility of perishing. Can this really be true?"
Yun Yun's face grew serious. She knew about Yanran's decision to change cultivation methods. Based on Yanran's description, however, the technique sounded dubious, requiring one to endure tribulations under heavenly lightning. She wondered if it could be some nefarious demonic art that would bring divine wrath.
"Haha, Sect Leader Yun Yun, what do you think of my strength?" Gu Changqing asked with a smile.
"Unfathomable," Yun Yun replied, after a moment of contemplation.
"If I were to tell you that my cultivation level is comparable to yours, would you believe me?"
"Impossible!"
Yun Yun dismissed his claim instantly.
"I am a three-star Dou Emperor, and even fighting a five-star Dou Emperor pushes me to my limits. Crossing levels to defeat a Dou Ancestor is unimaginable, even with Earth-ranked techniques, unless it's one of those legendary Heaven-ranked techniques. Could it be that the technique Gu Manor Leader cultivates is one of those fabled Heaven-ranked techniques? Yet even with such a technique, I've never heard of lightning tribulations."
Yun Yun looked at him intently.
"No, it's not Heaven-ranked," Gu Changqing corrected her. "Tell me, Yun Yun Sect Leader, have you ever heard of Immortals and Gods?"
"Immortals and Gods?"
Yun Yun's brows knitted as she looked at Gu Changqing in surprise. "Some ancient texts record the existence of Immortals and Gods. There's also mention of another mysterious race—the Demons."
"The tales speak of a distant era when the world was engulfed in chaos. During that time, two powerful races arose, the Gods and Demons. Both wanted to rule the Dou Qi Continent, and their conflict wreaked havoc across the land, causing countless casualties and devastation everywhere."
"Eventually, a third power, the Immortals, emerged to end the chaos. They traveled the lands, saving lives, suppressing the Gods and Demons, and finally restoring peace to the world."
"But all this is ancient lore. Our Dou Qi Continent has magical beasts and powerful demonic species, but they may not necessarily be those ancient Demons. As for Gods and Immortals, no such beings exist in the Dou Qi Continent today."
"Haha, just because they aren't known doesn't mean they don't exist."
"Perhaps, Sect Leader Yun Yun, you may even call me… Lord of Gods and Demons," Gu Changqing added with a faint smile, though his tone was not playful.
"Lord of Gods and Demons?!"
Yun Yun's heart trembled as she looked at him with a mix of disbelief and dread.
If anyone else had uttered such words, she would have dismissed them as nonsense. But from Gu Changqing, they carried tremendous weight. She still remembered the grand tribulation he'd overcome in the depths of the Beast Mountain Range, a display so awe-inspiring it seemed like only yesterday.
Gu Changqing's ambition to rule the world echoed the ancient descriptions of Gods and Demons seeking to dominate the world.
Now, Yun Yun could not help but acknowledge that perhaps he truly could be one of those legendary beings—an Immortal, a God, or perhaps even a Demon.
"You… the technique you've passed on to Yanran, is it one meant for Gods and Demons to cultivate?" she asked, stunned.
"No, to be precise, it is an Immortal's method," he corrected, smiling at her revelation.