66: Chapter 66 Finding Fault

Gu Sheng didn't even spare a glance for the shield; with a casual wave of his hand, it landed by Xia Qingyue's feet.

"The Empress of Great Xia has ascended. This is the Gu Family's gift. Does anyone else have an objection?" Gu Sheng scanned the room.

The envoys from the Wuji Demon Sect, the Southern Border Demon Race, and other powers lowered their heads one after another, focusing on their own noses and hearts. Even the Taichu Holy Land had suffered a setback; who would dare to provoke trouble at a time like this?

Xia Qingyue looked at the black tortoise shield at her feet, then at the overbearing purple-gold flying boat in the sky, a ripple of emotion stirring in her heart. She walked to the dragon throne, turned around, flicked her dragon robes, and sat down firmly.

"I, Xia Qingyue, succeed the throne today. All territories of Great Xia shall honor the Gu Family as supreme!"

Her voice resounded throughout the Imperial City.

[Ding! Changed the direction of the Great Xia Dynasty's Luck, supported the Destined Daughter's ascension, gained 500,000 destiny points!]

[Ding! The host successfully suppressed the Taichu Holy Land's arrogance and awed the Central Continent, gaining 300,000 destiny points!]

System notifications flooded his mind. Gu Sheng lightly shook his folding fan; this harvest was quite bountiful.

Ji Ruxue had also completed her Breakthrough by now. She restrained her aura and returned to the flying boat. Walking behind Gu Sheng, she bowed respectfully. "Revered Master, your Disciple has fortunately not failed the mission."

"Soul Transformation Early Stage, barely passable," Gu Sheng remarked casually.

Ji Ruxue lowered her head, but her heart felt warm. She knew her Revered Master had high standards; to receive a "barely passable" was already a great deal of recognition.

The ceremony continued, but no one’s mind was on the formalities. The Everlasting Gu Family’s forceful entrance had completely reshaped the landscape of the Central Continent.

Inside the flying boat's cabin.

Gu Sheng leaned against a soft couch, looking at the black-clothed woman standing before him. Luo Qingxue held the nine nether soul-suppressing zither, her expression cold. Su Qianxue stood beside her, appearing somewhat restrained.

"Thank you for the delivery," Gu Sheng said, picking up a teacup and brushing aside the floating leaves.

Su Qianxue took a step forward and placed a wooden box containing the damaged Emperor Weapon on the table. "Pavilion Master Gu, my father's whereabouts..."

"Western Desolation, Sword Burial Abyss." Gu Sheng tossed out a Jade Slip. "Inside is a map of the Sword Burial Abyss's outskirts, along with some clues your father left behind back then. As for whether you can bring him out, that depends on your own fortune."

Su Qianxue took the Jade Slip and swept it with her Divine Sense, a flicker of excitement crossing her eyes. "Thank you, Pavilion Revered Master!"

"I've already made arrangements with the Baicao Valley. Mu Qingteng's injuries haven't healed yet; it's only right for you to return and take over as Valley Revered Master." Gu Sheng paused. "However, don't forget what you promised me. Baicao Valley must provide thirty percent of the Great Xia Dynasty's Medicinal Pill supply."

"Qianxue understands," Su Qianxue responded solemnly.

Gu Sheng waved his hand, signaling for her to withdraw. Su Qianxue glanced at Luo Qingxue before turning to leave the inner cabin.

Only Gu Sheng and Luo Qingxue remained in the cabin.

The incense in the inner cabin drifted upward in curls.

Gu Sheng set down his teacup, the porcelain clinking against the wooden table with a crisp sound.

Luo Qingxue held the nine nether soul-suppressing zither and stood three paces away, looking directly at the white-clothed youth on the couch.

"Who exactly are you?" Luo Qingxue was the first to break the silence.

"Everlasting Gu Family, Gu Sheng."

"In the Far North Icefield, the one who occupied my body was also you." This was not a question. Although Luo Qingxue had been asleep for three hundred years, her memories of being controlled were not entirely erased after her true spirit recovered. She remembered the frustration of being forcibly pushed into a corner of her Sea of Consciousness.

Gu Sheng shifted into a more comfortable sitting position. "Strictly speaking, it was I who expended taiyin divine marrow to pull you back from the brink of total annihilation. It's only fair to borrow your shell for a few days as interest, isn't it?"

Luo Qingxue gripped the zither. Three hundred years ago, she was the high and mighty Goddess of the Xuanming Hall, decisive in her killings. She had never been toyed with like a puppet. But what he said was the truth. A heaven-defying treasure like taiyin divine marrow would make even Creation Realm experts envious, yet Gu Sheng had casually used it on her broken body.

Furthermore, Xuan Kong, a Creation Realm Peak expert, was standing outside. If it really came to a fight, she wouldn't even have the chance to pluck a string.

"What do you want?" Luo Qingxue asked.

Gu Sheng smiled. "The Xuanming Hall was once a hegemon in the Central Continent. That old fellow Jun Wudao has kept the Far North Icefield under a tight seal. However, with the arrival of the great era, the Xuanming Hall won't get far on its own. The Gu Family lacks a few enforcers who can move openly."

"You want to annex the Xuanming Hall?"

"Cooperation," Gu Sheng corrected. "I will provide you with protection and resources, and you will handle some of the less savory tasks for the Gu Family."

In his mind, the System chimed in: [Host, your ability to get something for nothing is becoming more and more proficient. The Xuanming Hall has at least two half-step Creation Realm experts. What are you using to protect them? Just your mouth?]

Gu Sheng ignored the System.

Luo Qingxue remained silent for a long time. In the battle at the Far North Icefield, she had been surrounded by three Nirvana Realm experts. If not for the sudden arrival of that Hell Warden named Ye Lan, she would have been dead. And later, when Xuan Kong appeared, he had directly forced the Xuanming Hall's Left Envoy, Xiao Wuji, to kneel and beg for mercy.

She could not see through the foundation of the Everlasting Gu Family.

"My Senior Brother must make the decision on this matter," Luo Qingxue gave her reply.

"Jun Wudao is a smart man; he will agree." Gu Sheng unfurled his folding fan. "Since you've come to the Central Continent on your way, run an errand for me."

"Where to?"

"The Taichu Holy Land." Gu Sheng's tone was as casual as if he were ordering a servant. "Since that old fogey Qi Yuan dared to show such disrespect in public, he needs to be taught a lesson. Go play a song in front of the Taichu Holy Land's gate. You don't need to kill anyone—just smash a few cracks into their sect-protecting array."

Luo Qingxue's eyelid twitched. Smashing the gates of the Taichu Holy Land? That was a top-tier Immortal Legacy of the Central Continent.

"What, you don't dare?"

"Why would I be unwilling?" Luo Qingxue turned and walked out of the cabin. "Since Pavilion Master Gu has spoken, I shall do as you say."

Watching Luo Qingxue depart like a black rainbow, Gu Sheng took a sip of his now-cool tea.

[Host, you're sending a Clone with her own consciousness to smash the gates of the Taichu Holy Land? Aren't you afraid she'll be kept there? The Taichu Holy Land has a Saint guarding it.]

"Saints cannot easily take action. The Laws of the Heavenly Dao haven't been fully restored yet, and they fear being tainted by Karma." Gu Sheng pushed the teacup away. "Besides, if the Goddess of the Xuanming Hall goes to smash their gates, what does that have to do with my Gu Family? This is called shifting the trouble onto others."

System: [...You're such a sly dog.]

Gu Sheng stretched. The situation in the Central Continent was settled. Xia Qingyue had ascended the throne, and the Great Xia Dynasty had become the Gu Family's purse and pawn. The Taichu Holy Land was deterred by the damaged Emperor Weapon and wouldn't dare act rashly for a while.

Next, it was time to see what fun was happening in the Eastern Domain.