Chapter 46: Sold Out and Still Counting the Money; Lin Tian’s Corpse Awakens

The destruction of the Jialou Holy Land meant nothing to Gu Changge.

To him, it was no different from stepping on an ant.

Elder Ming was a God King Realm expert in the Upper Realm. Although the laws of the Lower Realm suppressed his power to the peak of the Void God Realm, annihilating a mere Holy Land was as effortless as breathing.

In the Central State, breaking through to the Void God Realm had become exceedingly rare over the last 10,000 years.

Most ‘Supreme Elders’ of Holy Lands and Dynasties were only at the Conferred Lord Realm. Even Conferred King Realm experts were mythical figures, likely hiding within ancient forbidden zones or the Immemorial Sacred Mountains.

Elder Ming’s strength allowed him to do whatever he pleased in this realm.

Of course, Gu Changge wasn’t bored enough to go around wiping out sects for fun. He only crushed those who provoked him.

After leaving the Star Picking Pavilion, Lin Qiuhan and the others were noticeably more subdued. The casual atmosphere was gone, replaced by palpable fear.

Witnessing Gu Changge’s true nature—cold, ruthless, and possessing the power to decide the fate of an ancient sect with a single sentence—had terrified Lin Qiuhan.

This aloof god was vastly different from the gentle, elegant Young Master she thought she knew.

She felt conflicted. What exactly do I like about Young Master Gu? His gentleness? Or his dominance and power?

‘I frightened you, didn’t I?’

Gu Changge noticed her unease. His expression softened instantly, returning to his usual handsome, gentle demeanor as he reached out to pat her head.

The effect on Lin Qiuhan was immediate.

Her heart began to race uncontrollably.

Young Master Gu is so cold to the world… yet so gentle to me.

The contrast made her dizzy with affection.

‘A little bit…’ she admitted honestly, lowering her gaze.

‘Young Master, you scared me too,’ Su Qingge chimed in, feeling neglected.

Although she was intelligent, she was still a woman. Seeing Gu Changge dote on someone else while always teasing or ignoring her made her feel sour and aggrieved.

Gu Changge glanced at her and smirked. ‘Scared you too? That’s fine. You’re tough.’

That’s fine?

Su Qingge rolled her eyes internally. Such blatant favoritism.

‘Here. Take this.’

Gu Changge retrieved a book from his sleeve and handed it to Lin Qiuhan. ‘This is a Primary Alchemy: Detailed Explanation. Consider it my apology gift.’

He had planned to give it to her eventually. Since the timing was right, he used it now to smooth things over.

The manual cost 100 Destiny Points from the System Mall. Gu Changge had flipped through it; despite the ‘Primary’ label, it contained lost ancient formulas and techniques that even Upper Realm Alchemy Sects would kill for.

System products are always top-tier. The ancients did not deceive me.

‘Thank you, Young Master Gu!’

Lin Qiuhan accepted the book, pleasantly surprised.

How did he know I was interested in Alchemy?

Her father had always pushed her to focus solely on cultivation, forbidding her from ‘wasting time’ on minor paths like pill refining. As a result, her interest had remained a suppressed hobby. Gu Changge’s gift touched her deeply.

‘As long as you like it,’ Gu Changge smiled warmly.

Internally, he shook his head. Such a simple girl. It’s a good thing she met me. If she met anyone else, she’d be sold into slavery and still help them count the money.

Of course, he wasn’t doing this out of charity. He needed her to master Alchemy so she could serve him properly in the future.

…

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

The Lin Family was busier than ever. Countless factions swarmed their estate, eager to establish relations with the clan that had the backing of the Upper Realm Young Lord.

The annihilation of the Jialou Holy Land had sent a clear signal to the entire Central State: The Lin Family was untouchable. They were rising, and nothing could stop them.

Lin Family members walked with their heads held high, faces glowing with pride. The respect they received everywhere was intoxicating.

Naturally, their reverence for Gu Changge deepened into worship. They knew exactly who had granted them this glory.

Meanwhile, Lin Qiuhan had followed Gu Changge’s advice. She had people monitor Lin Tian’s corpse around the clock.

What if it really is a feigned death…?

She was skeptical, but the evidence was mounting. Over the past three days, Lin Tian’s body showed zero signs of decay. No rigor mortis, no decomposition.

For a mortal ‘good-for-nothing’ who hadn’t even cultivated a Spirit Sea, this was impossible.

The realization chilled her to the bone.

Young Master Gu was right. He isn’t dead.

He’s faking it to deceive us all.

Anger surged in her heart. Not only had this impostor stolen her brother’s body, but he had also nearly dragged the entire Lin Family into the abyss. Now, he was trying to play them for fools again?

She wanted to drag him out and cut him into a thousand pieces.

…

Inside the Lin Family Dungeon.

The cell was dim, damp, and smelled of rot.

On the cold stone floor, the withered, aged corpse of a young man suddenly twitched.

His eyes snapped open. A sharp, calculating light flashed within them.

‘It seems… I successfully escaped disaster.’

The corpse sat bolt upright. Lin Tian looked around the empty cell and muttered to himself.

He felt a wave of relief. His gamble had paid off. The ‘Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell’ technique had worked perfectly.

They put me in a dungeon? No guards inside?

Hah. In my past life, I was a God King Realm expert. Who would have thought I’d be reduced to playing dead to survive?

He felt a twinge of self-mockery, but survival was all that mattered.

‘They didn’t cremate me. Good. But they didn’t bury me either… a pity. Escaping from a grave would have been easier.’

‘No matter. I’ll feign amnesia. With my experience, fooling these lower-realm bumpkins will be child’s play.’

‘Gu Changge… you bastard. This King will have his revenge sooner or later.’

His expression darkened at the thought of his enemy.

The secret technique finally completed its cycle. His severed heart meridian began to knit itself back together. Blood started to flow, and warmth returned to his cold limbs.

It was a miracle of cultivation. A dead man was reviving.

However, Lin Tian frowned as he touched his face. The skin was still wrinkled and aged. The technique could repair his body, but it couldn’t restore the lifespan he had sacrificed to the curse.

Why did the curse fail?

What is hidden within that Gu Changge? Why were the Outer Realm Demons so terrified of him?

In tens of thousands of years of cultivation, he had never encountered such a phenomenon.

‘H-He… He’s moving!’

‘Corpse! It’s a corpse revival!’

A terrified scream shattered his thoughts.

Outside the bars, a Lin Family disciple—who had been assigned to watch the body—stared at Lin Tian with wide, horror-filled eyes. He looked ready to wet himself.