Villain System: Stealing the Protagonist's Harem and Luck

Chapter 121: Gu Xian’er’s Bewilderment and Loss; Why Is He Ignoring Her?

“Changge greets the Palace Master and the honored Elders.”

Dressed in the ceremonial robes of the Successor, Gu Changge had finally, officially, ascended to his position within the Daootian Immortal Palace. He offered a courteous salute, his expression so uncharacteristically gentle that several Elders blinked, wondering if their eyes were playing tricks on them.

The Gu Changge they knew was unruly, arrogant, and untamed. Seeing him show such poise was almost unsettling.

“From this day forth, Changge is the Successor of our Daootian Immortal Palace,” the Palace Master announced from the high platform, his face beaming with a satisfied smile. “He shall guide his fellow disciples and set a peerless example. With you leading the way, we can finally rest easy regarding the upcoming opening of the Immortal Ancient Continent.”

Gu Changge remained perfectly composed. “The Palace Master may rest assured,” he replied smoothly. “As long as I am here, no one will dare cause trouble on the Palace’s grounds.”

His voice was light, yet it carried an absolute, undeniable weight. The Elders and the Palace Master couldn’t help but nod in approval. This indomitable presence was exactly why they had fought to appoint him.

Moreover, they noted with internal shock that Gu Changge’s cultivation had already reached the late stage of the Conferred King Realm. Even for a man of “True Immortal caliber,” this was staggering. They recalled their own youth, back when they were still fumbling through the lower ranks of the Holy Lord Realm at his age.

Even the Grand Elder, who knew Changge’s true nature better than most, had to concede. On the surface, Gu Changge was a master of deception—serene, refined, and possessing features so elegant they could incite envy in the most beautiful women. When he wasn’t radiating a murderous edge, he looked every bit the transcendent immortal.

Of course, the Grand Elder and the high-ranking officials weren’t entirely fooled by the mask. They knew the wolf that paced behind those calm eyes.

Soon, the ceremony reached its peak: the bestowing of the Successor’s treasures.

“Bring forth the Phoenix Wing Immortal Gold Tang,” the Palace Master commanded.

An Elder stepped forward, presenting a jade box. Within it lay the weapon—a magnificent polearm forged from various immortal golds. It shimmered with a kaleidoscopic radiance, exuding an aura so potent it seemed to warp the air around it.

“This was once the weapon of one of our Palace’s Great Ancestors,” the Palace Master explained, his eyes twinkling. “Its power is beyond words. Once fully awakened, even a Saint Realm expert would find it impossible to get near you. However, you won’t be able to truly unleash its potential until you reach the Divine Realm.”

“I thank the Palace Master for this gift,” Gu Changge said, accepting the box. While the weapon wasn’t strictly necessary for his current plans, he appreciated its craftsmanship. It was beautiful, the blades of the polearm shaped like a pair of resting phoenix wings.

Following the Tang, several other legendary artifacts were bestowed: the Yin-Yang Dao Sword Diagram, the Dragon Sealing Seal, and various other treasures of immense spiritual weight.

As the ceremony wound down, the atmosphere in the viewing area grew tense. The audience wasn’t just composed of Palace disciples; young supremes from the most powerful factions in the world had gathered to witness the rise of a new rival.

Ye Langtian, the successor of the Ancient Ye Clan, sat rigidly. His very hair seemed to burn with divine light, making him look like a solar deity. Beside him sat Ye Liuli, her gaze fixed on the stage.

Nearby was Peng Fei, the successor of the Golden-Winged Great Peng Clan. His presence was even more blinding than Ye Langtian’s, his hair a brilliant, metallic gold. Then there was Chi Ling, the Heavenly Maiden of the Vermilion Bird Clan—a young supreme who looked like a delicate twelve-year-old girl but possessed a terrifying depth of power.

From the human side, the mysterious Wang Wushuang of the Eternal Wang Clan stood shrouded in a veil of mist, his true form hidden. Successors from the Immortal Emperor Hall and the Forbidden Zone’s Undying Lake were also present.

These young geniuses, each a peerless monarch in their own region of the Immeasurable Heaven, had come to gauge the man who shared their generation. They were confident, even arrogant, believing themselves invincible. But looking at Gu Changge now, they felt a chilling sense of oppression. This was not just a rival; this was a mountain they would eventually have to climb.

High on the platform, Gu Changge felt their eyes. He allowed a faint, amused smile to play on his lips as his gaze swept over the True Disciples of the Palace.

Among them was Jin Zhou, who had recently emerged from seclusion. Golden vortices swirled around his body, a sign of his recent breakthrough into the Conferred King Realm. However, his face went pale the moment his eyes met Gu Changge’s. Any thoughts of avenging his brother, Jin Yu, died a cold death in his throat. He looked away, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

The visiting young supremes noticed this. Their hearts sank. If a genius like Jin Zhou didn’t even have the courage to meet Gu Changge’s gaze, what did that say about the power gap? Gu Changge didn’t just lead the Palace; he ruled it.

“Elders and brothers,” Gu Changge said, his voice echoing with indifference, “does anyone wish to seek guidance today?”

It was a formality—the tradition allowed any disciple to challenge the new Successor. But as the words left his lips, the square fell into a tomb-like silence. No one moved. Even Jin Zhou kept his head down.

Gu Changge let out a short, mocking laugh and turned away.

In the crowd of True Disciples, Gu Xian’er stood in her simple cyan robes. She looked frail and slender, her ethereal face set in a mask of icy pride. On her shoulder, her large red bird napped, seemingly bored by the spectacle.

She was the object of many secret, admiring glances from the male disciples. To them, she was the definition of “immortal beauty,” though Gu Changge’s favorite pastime was mocking her “flat as a bamboo board” figure.

Xian’er kept her eyes forward, determined not to let her gaze meet his. But her heart was a chaotic mess. Since the day she had accidentally wounded him with her black blade, she had hidden herself away in cultivation. She hadn’t spoken a word to him, and he certainly hadn’t come looking for her.

She knew the lethality of that blade. Its energy was jagged and difficult to purge, a nightmare for even the strongest cultivators. Even though Gu Changge had essentially forced her hand to “repay” the debt of the past, she couldn’t shake the guilt. She had been blinded by rage, and if she had been an inch more accurate, she might have actually killed him.

She couldn’t understand him. Why didn’t he block it? Why did he just stand there?

Her pride wouldn’t allow her to ask him. They were supposed to be mortal enemies. He had dug the bone from her body when she was a child, leaving her to rot in pain. That hatred had been her fuel for over a decade.

But now, the fuel was running dry. She had seen her own Great Dao Bone crack within his chest. She had heard his words, urging her to grow stronger so she could one day seek her revenge properly. She had felt… nothing. No killing intent. Only a strange, cold disappointment that she wasn’t strong enough to truly challenge him.

Why is he disappointed in me? the thought haunted her. Is it because I’m still too weak?

She gripped the hem of her skirt, her knuckles turning white. She saw him walking toward her section of the crowd.

Her breath hitched. She wasn’t ready to talk to him, but a small, traitorous part of her felt a spark of anticipation. If he spoke to her first, maybe it meant the slate was clean? Maybe the incident with the blade was forgotten?

She watched him approach, his smile handsome and flawless. She braced herself, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Then, he walked past.

Gu Changge didn’t look at her. His eyes swept over the entire group of True Disciples as if they were nothing more than scenery.

“……”

Xian’er’s mouth hung open slightly. The words she hadn’t even prepared died in her throat. A hollow, cold sensation settled in her chest.

“In that case,” Gu Changge’s voice drifted back to her, cool and detached, “I shall graciously accept this position.”

He continued walking, moving right past her as if she were a ghost, completely invisible to him.

Behind him, the disciples bowed in unison, their voices thundering through the square. “Congratulations, Senior Brother Changge!”

Gu Xian’er stood frozen amidst the cheering crowd, feeling a sudden, sharp sense of loss.

Why… why was he ignoring her?