Chapter 59: You Keep Mentioning Gu Changge; Why Does My Head Feel a Little Green?

Hum!

Brilliant light flooded the area, and intense spatial fluctuations rippled through the air. A passage manifested, and several figures stepped out.

It was Gu Changge and his entourage.

The expressions of the nearby cultivators changed instantly. Even those who didn’t recognize Gu Changge’s face understood that a man casually leading a squad of Great Power Realm attendants was not someone to provoke. They scattered like frightened birds.

Gu Changge watched them flee with a faint smile.

Just as I thought.

No idiots jumping out to challenge me. No arrogant fools refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit.

Being mocked wherever you go… that is a privilege reserved for Protagonists.

Inside the Secret Realm.

The landscape was magnificent. Mountains rose like dragon spines, and emerald lakes shimmered like jade. The air was thick with Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, so dense it almost liquefied into mist.

For Gu Changge, accustomed to the Upper Realm, this level of Qi was merely comparable to the outer gates of the Gu Family estate.

It was nothing special.

But for the Lin Family Elders behind him, this was a paradise. One day of cultivation here equaled ten days outside.

“This Secret Realm is a supreme fortune! No wonder everyone is scrambling to get in…”

“If this place remained open forever, cultivating here would be a dream. A pity it will close eventually.”

They sighed with envy. However, they knew their place. They were here to serve Young Master Gu, not to indulge in personal greed. If they performed well, the rewards Gu Changge could offer would far outstrip any herb found in this realm.

“This matter is critical for the Young Master,” Elder Ming warned sternly. “If you mess up even a little… do not bother returning.”

He, too, had suppressed his cultivation to enter. He wouldn’t trust anyone else with Gu Changge’s safety.

“Ancestor, rest assured! We will risk our lives to secure what the Young Master desires!” the Elders swore, bowing deeply.

Elder Ming nodded, satisfied.

“The Secret Realm has only been open for a few days. No matter how fast Ye Chen moves, he can only have reached the edge of the Core Area…” Gu Changge mused, ignoring his followers.

“He likely has a map. Perfect. The title ‘Treasure-Hunting Rat’ isn’t just for show. Let him scout the path for me.”

A mysterious smile played on his lips.

He closed his eyes and sensed Ye Chen’s location.

Not too close, not too far. About 10,000 miles away.

Although he couldn’t see Ye Chen, he could guess what the boy was doing.

You look pathetic doing all this unpaid labor, Ye Chen… but you sure look handsome when you’re finding treasures for me.

Gu Changge chuckled internally.

“Let’s go.”

He transformed into a divine rainbow, shooting toward the Core Area.

…

Elsewhere in the Secret Realm. A region shrouded in mist.

Sssh!

Blood splattered across the rocks.

Ye Chen slashed his blade, cleaving a strange beast in two. He wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to a glowing plant growing beside a cave entrance.

The plant burned like a living flame, radiating scorching heat.

“A Fire God Flower… 30,000 years old,” Ye Chen muttered, his eyes shining. “This can help me condense a wisp of True Fire Intent. My fire techniques will be even stronger…”

He picked the flower with satisfaction.

This trip was already paying off. He had found numerous treasures just in the outer ring. His confidence surged.

With this, my plans to deal with Gu Changge have a higher chance of success.

Of course, the biggest boost to his confidence was the arrival of Ye Liuli.

A few days ago, he had used a contact to send a message to her after hearing she was in Chongyue Ancient City. Despite his notoriety as a “Plague God,” his personal charisma still won him loyal allies.

Ye Liuli had found him quickly, bringing a team of powerful servants from the Immemorial Sacred Mountains. All were at the Great Power Realm.

With Liuli’s help, and the traps I’ve prepared… Gu Changge will die here.

Next year, today will be his death anniversary!

However, one thing puzzled him.

Ye Liuli wasn’t as intimate as she used to be. She didn’t run to him or cling to his arm. She maintained a polite distance of three steps.

She’s grown up, Ye Chen rationalized. We have different statuses now. It’s normal.

He stored the Fire God Flower and looked at the girl standing nearby. Dressed in purple, with skin like crystal jade, she was stunningly beautiful—an ethereal goddess.

“Shut your dog eyes,” a harsh voice spat. “How dare you covet the Young Miss?”

“A servant’s descendant dreaming of swan meat? Know your place!”

Ye Chen’s smile vanished. His expression turned ugly.

It was that damned woman again. Aunt Xue.

She had followed Ye Liuli into the Secret Realm, suppressing her cultivation to the Great Power Realm. And she hadn’t stopped insulting him since she arrived.

Ant. Toad. Servant.

Ye Chen had slapped the faces of everyone who mocked him on his journey. But this was Ye Liuli’s servant. He couldn’t attack her without making things difficult for his cousin.

Aunt Xue glared at him with undisguised disgust.

She hated Ye Chen. When they were children, he was always trying to touch the Young Miss, and she had to constantly block his “unclean hands.”

If Ye Liuli hadn’t forbidden it, Aunt Xue would have crippled him years ago.

And now? This brat had caused her Young Miss to offend the Young Master of the Gu Family. It was unforgivable stupidity.

“Don’t look down on people,” Ye Chen snapped, his patience fraying. “Those who looked down on me in the past… I trampled them all underfoot.”

“You?” Aunt Xue sneered. “A little ant who has never seen a True Dragon of the Nine Heavens? Look in a mirror. How can you compare to Young Master Gu?”

“Only someone like Young Master Gu is a match for the Young Miss. You? You aren’t even qualified to be crushed by him.”

She spoke her honest thoughts. She didn’t care that she was pouring gasoline on Ye Chen’s hatred.

“Shut up…”

Ye Chen’s veins bulged. His fists clenched until his knuckles cracked.

He almost roared the words.

Saying the girl I like is a match for my enemy?

What is this? Why does my head feel a little green?

Gu Changge again?!

It’s always Gu Changge!

Every word out of her mouth was praise for that bastard. Ye Chen’s eyes turned red with rage.

I will kill you!

“Brother Ye Chen, don’t listen to her,” Ye Liuli walked over, frowning. “Aunt Xue, what nonsense are you spouting now?”

She was displeased. Although Ye Chen had changed, he was still her brother. Aunt Xue was crossing the line.

“Miss, I am telling the truth,” Aunt Xue argued. “If not for this boy, Young Master Gu wouldn’t have treated you that way. The relationship between you two…”

“Stop,” Ye Liuli cut her off sharply. “Do not mention Gu Changge in front of me. I don’t want to hear that annoying name.”

Ye Chen, calming down slightly, caught a detail.

“Liuli… did you have a marriage engagement with Gu Changge?”

He felt a spike of anxiety. Both were from the Upper Realm, both had terrifying backgrounds… it wasn’t impossible.

The thought made him sick.

“What are you thinking?” Ye Liuli looked at him, speechless. “How could I have an engagement with that annoying guy? Even if I did, I would have Father cancel it immediately.”

She hated Gu Changge. He was a villain who had humiliated her.

“Then why do you say he’s annoying? What happened at the Lin Family?” Ye Chen asked, relieved but curious.

It wasn’t easy to make the gentle Ye Liuli hate someone.

“Gu Changge comes from the Gu Family,” Ye Liuli explained gravely. “He is the Young Master of that clan. His background is equal to, if not higher than, mine. Brother Ye Chen… if you want to deal with him, you must be careful.”

“I cannot provide you with much help against his background.”

Hearing this, Ye Chen clenched his fists tighter.

So what?

This Secret Realm will be his burial ground!

Inside the ring, Yan Ji’s interest piqued.

“So Young Master Gu is the heir of a Longevity Family… No wonder.”

“He must have many life-saving methods. I don’t need to worry about him.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, but conflict swirled in her heart.

If Ye Chen and Gu Changge fight to the death… who should I help?

I hope it doesn’t come to that. Otherwise… I can only stand aside and help neither.

Yan Ji sighed. The Spirit Gathering Pill Gu Changge gave her was priceless. That kindness could not be forgotten.

But she still didn’t understand one thing: Why did Young Master Gu spare Ye Chen back then?

Was it luck?

Or did he spare Ye Chen… for my sake? Because he wanted to recruit me?