Chapter 026: Ancestors Mining in Remote Corners, Off to the Central State

Elder Ming hailed from the Azure Realm—the very same Lower Realm where Gu Changge currently resided.

Although the old man had never mentioned his origins, Gu Changge had investigated his background before descending.

It was Su Qingge’s mention of the Central State that jogged his memory.

Having Elder Ming, a native who had ascended thirty thousand years ago, as a guide would make navigating the Central State infinitely easier.

“Qingge will go and arrange everything immediately,” Su Qingge said, bowing gracefully before leaving the room.

Gu Changge nodded. He was always reassured by her efficiency.

Once he was alone, he spoke into the empty air.

“Elder Ming. You ascended from the Central State thirty thousand years ago, did you not?”

The space shimmered, and Elder Ming materialized from the void, bowing deeply.

“Reporting to the Young Lord. This old servant indeed ascended from the Central State of the Azure Realm all those years ago. At the time, I was naive and unfamiliar with the Upper Realm. I was nearly captured by a Great Sect to serve as a slave in their spirit mines.”

“If not for a Clan Elder of the Gu Family passing by and saving me, my bones would have long since rotted in some dark pit.”

His voice carried a heavy weight of emotion.

Cultivators of the Lower Realm dreamt of Ascension as the ultimate goal. They imagined a paradise of immortality.

The reality was cruel. Without a background, ascended cultivators were nothing more than high-quality labor. They were captured like livestock by ancient clans and sects, forced to mine until their life force ran dry, devoid of dignity.

In Elder Ming’s eyes, the so-called “Ancient Forces” of the Central State who boasted of their connections to the Upper Realm were laughable. Their glorious ancestors were probably digging dirt in some remote corner of the Upper Realm right now.

That was why his loyalty to the Gu Family was absolute. He knew how lucky he was.

“Coincidentally, I will be heading to the Central State in three days,” Gu Changge said with a faint smile. “Take the opportunity to visit your old family.”

Elder Ming froze. His eyes widened, and his voice trembled.

“Thank you… thank you, Young Lord, for your kindness!”

He had longed to see if his descendants had survived the passage of time, but his duty as a Dao Protector forbade him from leaving Gu Changge’s side without permission.

Gu Changge waved his hand dismissively. “No need for such ceremony. It is merely on the way.”

Although his role was a Villain destined to crush the protagonists, he wasn’t a heartless robot. Elder Ming wasn’t an outsider; he was a loyal servant. A small favor like this cost nothing but cemented unwavering loyalty.

…

Three days later.

High in the sky outside the Taixuan Holy Land.

A leviathan hovered in the clouds.

It was a flying boat of unimaginable luxury. Carved from divine wood and inlaid with radiant spirit jade, it shimmered with flowing light and complex runes. On its deck stood pavilions, towers, and gardens complete with flowing springs and blooming spirit flowers.

It was a flying palace.

The major forces of the Eastern Wilderness had pooled their resources to craft this vessel specifically for Gu Changge. Every inch of it screamed wealth and sycophancy.

“You all have been quite thoughtful,” Gu Changge chuckled, looking at the ostentatious ship.

It was loud. It was arrogant. He liked it.

“It is merely a small token. As long as the Young Lord is pleased,” the various Holy Lords and Clan Heads beamed, relieved.

Investing in a luxury yacht was cheaper than being annihilated.

“Young Lord, please,” Chu Xuan, the Taixuan Holy Son, gestured respectfully.

Aside from Su Qingge, he had solidified his position as Gu Changge’s Number One Lackey. Though the title was derogatory, the envy in the eyes of the other young prodigies was palpable.

Gu Changge nodded and boarded first.

Behind him trailed the cream of the Eastern Wilderness’s crop—the Yangxu Holy Son, the Princess of the Great Sun Dynasty, the Young Master of the Xiao Family.

These were the unparalleled geniuses of their generation. Yet, in Gu Changge’s presence, they walked with heads bowed, afraid to even breathe too loudly.

Ye Chen is almost fully harvested, Gu Changge mused as he walked to the main deck. I wonder who the next Child of Providence will be?

“Hmm? Young Lord?”

Su Qingge, who was massaging his shoulders, paused. “Did you say something?”

“Qingge,” Gu Changge asked suddenly, a teasing smile on his lips. “Do you want to return to the Upper Realm with me?”

Usually, Su Qingge’s eyes would light up at the mention of the Upper Realm. But today, her expression remained calm.

“Young Lord… how many times are you going to tease me with that question?”

“Boring,” Gu Changge shook his head, pulling her into his embrace.

He enjoyed seeing her flustered. It seemed bullying beautiful women was a universal pastime for villains.

Boom!

The void trembled. The massive flying boat erupted with dazzling light, tearing through the sea of clouds as it sped toward the Central State.

…

The Central State.

A land where dragon veins converged and spiritual energy flourished. Ancient dynasties, sacred lands, and divine mountains dotted the landscape, home to terrifying creatures and legacies that stretched back to the dawn of time.

In the heart of the Central Heavenly Domain stood the Daoji Academy.

Inside a quiet lecture hall, a group of young disciples sat listening to a lecture.

The teacher was a woman of stunning beauty. Dressed in a simple gray robe that failed to hide her curvaceous figure, she possessed skin like congealed fat and hair like cascading clouds. She was a peerless beauty.

Suddenly, her eyes turned frosty.

She picked up a jade slip and hurled it across the room.

Smack!

It landed squarely on the desk of a young boy who was fast asleep, drool pooling on his sleeve.

“Lin Tian!” she snapped. “You dare to sleep in my class again?”