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"Alright."
While the clan elders were discussing in the meeting hall, the leader sitting at the table finally spoke.
The head of the Changsheng Gu family: Gu Qing.
He was also Gu Changge's father in this world.
As the head of the Changsheng Gu family, Gu Qing's strength had already reached the King Realm, and he was on the ninth level of it, only a step away from the quasi-sage realm.
This world was divided into twelve realms in total:
Pulse Opening, Soul Conception, Liquid Transformation, Hongqiao!
Life Wheel, Spirit Ascension, Enlightenment, Immortal Transformation!
King, Quasi-Saint, Saint, Emperor Realm!
Each realm was also subdivided into nine levels.
Upon reaching the final four realms, even the lowest King level could be regarded as a top master in the three thousand realms. Quasi-sages and saints, on the other hand, were the cornerstones of an immortal holy land and an immortal family.
As for the Emperor Realm, it was almost mythical. For hundreds of thousands of years, none had been born aside from the ancestors who had created immortal holy places and immortal families.
Gu Qing spoke, and all the clan elders in the hall turned their attention to him.
He raised his head slightly, gazed toward the meeting hall door, and said with a smile, "How about we let Changge make his own decision on this matter?
"We shouldn't impose our decisions on him. After all, even if he is from a branch, he's still part of the Immortal Gu family.
"If Changge desires the Supreme Bone, then we must ensure he receives the best support in other ways as well."
This was the best that Gu Qing could offer.
If Gu Changge wished to claim the Supreme Bone, Gu Qing wouldn't object. He would only try his best to compensate the bone's current host. This was a world governed by the law of the jungle; without background and strength, one was bound to be trampled, even within one's family and holy land.
After Gu Qing finished speaking, he looked towards the door of the meeting hall.
"What do you think, Changge?"
As he said this, the elders in the hall also turned their eyes toward the door.
There stood a young man with a slender figure, like a bamboo swaying in the wind. No one knew when he had arrived. His features were handsome, though still youthful. One could only imagine how mesmerizing he would look when he matured.
Yet, despite the focus on him, Gu Changge appeared somewhat puzzled.
What had he just heard?
His father and the clan elders seemed to be planning to dig out a Supreme Bone for him.
Without having awakened Su Hui and in a self-centered mindset, he might not have refused. But after awakening Su Hui, Gu Changge felt the boost of clarity.
Unbelievable.
A branch family member, no background, a Supreme Bone, and even Dual Pupils?
If things kept progressing this way, the line backing him—or perhaps even the entire Changsheng Gu family—might end up completely defeated.
...
While Gu Changge was still processing this surprising information, in a side room adjacent to the meeting hall, a young girl in green, appearing about fourteen, with a delicate face, suddenly opened her eyes.
Upon opening them, a terrifying power flashed from her young body. Countless mysterious runes and images floated through her beautiful, pearl-like black eyes.
A moment passed.
When the strange phenomena in her eyes faded, astonishment, confusion, and shock emerged on her once calm face.
"I… I have been reborn!" Gu Qingqiu raised a small hand, glancing around the room to confirm her reincarnation.
Gu Qingqiu murmured.
"I've heard of reincarnation and rebuilding, of taking over a body and starting anew, but I've never heard of being reborn and rebuilt like this!
"I thought everything was over… If only I could do it all again…"
As she spoke, the light in her eyes grew, and a smile began to bloom on her youthful face.
Suppressing her excitement, Gu Qingqiu began recalling the present time.
She looked around the familiar surroundings, memories flooding her mind.
"This room… it's where the Gu family's main lineage took my Supreme Bone and gave it to Gu Changge. Does this mean I'm right before the bone extraction?"
A mocking smile crept onto her lips.
Gu Qingqiu no longer wanted to recall her previous life—how she had been exiled from the Gu family, only to rise again and return. But she would never forget the shock and scorn from the elders when she defeated Gu Changge.
As she grew in power, the Changsheng Gu family realized their mistake, begging for her forgiveness at a heavy price. They lost several quasi-sages and a saint ancestor to support her.
But nothing could undo the past.
In her previous life, when she awakened the Supreme Bone and was accepted by the main line of the Gu family, she was overjoyed, determined to repay them. But what awaited her was betrayal and exile.
Gu Qingqiu took a deep breath, her eyes now holding a maturity far beyond her fourteen years.
"This time, the elders of the Changsheng Gu family will likely attempt to dig out my bones again."
"With my current lack of cultivation, resisting is impossible, and this room is restricted. Without spiritual power, I can't break free even with all my knowledge."
"It seems...the bones will be removed once more."
Gu Qingqiu pursed her lips. "So be it. After the extraction, I will be exiled to the Gu family's ancestral land.
"Just like in my past life, I'll obtain a treasure there to accelerate the birth of my second Supreme Bone."
Resolute, Gu Qingqiu lay back on the bed, awaiting the inevitable.
...
Gu Changge's thoughts swirled, his scalp tingling, though he kept his expression composed.
When he entered the meeting hall, he smiled and said, "Father, elders, Changge has considered this matter…"
As he spoke, the elders' ears perked up.
Knowing Gu Changge, they were certain he wouldn't let go of the Supreme Bone—a rare power on the path to supremacy.
Even Gu Qing and the council elders were prepared to stand the moment Gu Changge agreed, escorting him to the room where Gu Qingqiu was held.
But the next second, Gu Changge's words stunned everyone.
"Changge strongly opposes this matter!"
His tone was calm and decisive, neither humble nor overbearing.
Some elders even doubted their hearing, rubbing their ears to be sure.
Gu Qing was taken aback. He stared at Gu Changge and asked in astonishment, "Changge, what did you say?"
"I said, I refuse!"
Gu Changge repeated firmly.