Chapter 43: The Protagonist’s Relationship Web; A Random System Mission

Young Master Gu really treats me differently.

Lin Qiuhan’s heart was in turmoil as she recalled the gentle warmth in Gu Changge’s eyes whenever he spoke to her.

It was only natural for her to feel this way. The “Proud Daughters of Heaven” standing before her were Imperial Princesses and Holy Maidens, women whose status rivaled her own. Outside these walls, they were aloof, peerless goddesses who looked down on the world, pursued by countless admirers.

But here? They were practically tripping over themselves to curry favor with Gu Changge. Their fawning behavior reminded her uncomfortably of the courtesans described in romance novels.

If the cultivators outside saw these ice-cold goddesses acting like eager sycophants, their jaws would hit the floor.

Naive as she was, Lin Qiuhan understood the implication. This was the chasm between their status and Gu Changge’s.

This subservience was simply the natural order of things in his presence.

Young Master Gu treats me so well…

Lost in her thoughts, she felt dizzy with happiness.

Su Qingge, on the other hand, was used to such scenes. Regardless of the angle, Gu Changge possessed a fatal attraction for women. And now, having witnessed his terrifying power and influence, how could these ambitious women remain composed?

In their eyes, if Lin Qiuhan and a maidservant could catch the Young Lord’s eye, why couldn’t they?

A single connection with him would elevate their status to the heavens. Given the stakes, reserve and dignity were useless. They would do whatever it took to win his favor.

Su Qingge understood their mindset perfectly.

Her expression remained calm, but internally, she was dismissive.

Do they really think the Young Master will accept just any beautiful vase?

That gentle, jade-like demeanor is nothing but a mask.

The real Gu Changge is cold, indifferent, and looks down on all creation from a height they cannot comprehend.

After following him for so long, Su Qingge had begun to grasp the true nature of his heart.

[Ding! Providence Event Triggered: Successfully subdued Lin Qiuhan.] [Luck Points +200.] [Destiny Points +1,000.]

The System prompt rang in Gu Changge’s mind, stirring his interest.

The 1,000 Destiny Points I’ve been waiting for have finally arrived.

Lin Qiuhan didn’t disappoint me.

With the payout secured, he lost interest in the geniuses posturing before him. He had only summoned them out of boredom, anyway. Listening to them kneel and lick was amusing for a moment, but the novelty wore off quickly.

Gu Changge summoned the System interface.

[Host: Gu Changge] [Identity: True Disciple of Daootian Immortal Palace] [Constitution/Bloodline: Devil Heart, Dao Bone] [Cultivation: Mid-Stage Conferred Lord Realm] [Techniques: Daootian Immortal Scripture (7th Layer), Myriad Transformations Devil Body (Talent), Innate Godly Spirit (Talent), Immortal Devouring Demonic Art…] [Destiny Points: 2,600] [Luck Points: 350 (Black)] [System Mall: Open] [Warehouse: Domain-Breaking Talisman x1, Incomplete World Seed (1/3) x1]

His Luck Points had climbed over 300, thanks to subduing Lin Qiuhan and the growing loyalty of Su Qingge. Both were women of Great Providence; their allegiance naturally bolstered his own luck.

Between the two of them, Lin Tian’s Luck had been thoroughly drained. And Gu Changge had farmed over 2,000 Destiny Points in the process.

It was a satisfying harvest.

Gu Changge pondered his options. He didn’t rush to boost his cultivation; his current realm was already dominant enough for the Lower Realm. Destiny Points were a versatile currency, better saved for emergencies.

He scanned the System Mall.

In the “Daily Limited” section, he found a tome titled [Primary Elixir Dao: Detailed Explanation].

Price: 100 Destiny Points.

Exchange.

The manual appeared in his inventory. Gu Changge planned to give it to Lin Qiuhan at the right moment. Since he promised to cultivate her, he might as well start now. Wasting such terrifying Alchemy talent would be a crime.

As he closed the interface, a new prompt chimed.

[Ding! Detected a relationship thread connected to a Child of Destiny.] [Random Mission Triggered: Suppress the Sworn Brother of the Child of Destiny.] [Reward: 500 Destiny Points.] [Failure Penalty: None.]

Gu Changge paused, intrigued.

A random mission? This is a first.

Success meant a reward; failure meant nothing. It was entirely optional.

500 Destiny Points… That smells delicious.

But who is this “Sworn Brother”?

It likely involved Ye Chen. Lin Tian was already broken, so he was irrelevant.

The System didn’t specify a target, but logic dictated the person was among the group of geniuses currently standing in front of him.

Eastern Wilderness natives are unlikely. Unless they have brain damage, they wouldn’t dare associate with Ye Chen after he offended me.

Ye Chen fled from the Eastern Wilderness to the Central State. It fits the trope perfectly: The protagonist meets a local genius on the road, they bond over shared values, become sworn brothers, and the new ally opens the door to a new map.

Standard protagonist behavior.

I just didn’t expect the “brother” to deliver himself to my doorstep.

What a wonderful coincidence.

Gu Changge sipped his tea, hiding a smirk behind the cup.

His gaze swept over the crowd. He ignored the Eastern Wilderness group and the fawning women. The target pool shrank instantly.

“Chu Xuan,” Gu Changge said casually.

“Young Master! What are your orders?”

Chu Xuan trotted over immediately, his face a mask of obsequious reverence.

The other geniuses watched with envy. To be the Young Lord’s lackey was a supreme honor, a ticket to soar into the heavens. Chu Xuan was already leaving them behind.

“Do you have any news regarding Ye Chen’s whereabouts in the Central State?”

Gu Changge asked indifferently.

The question was rhetorical—he knew exactly where Ye Chen was. But he wanted to see the room’s reaction.

“Ye Chen?” Chu Xuan’s face fell. He scratched his head awkwardly. “Young Master… this…”

“You have nothing?”

Gu Changge glanced at him. The pressure in that single look caused cold sweat to pour down Chu Xuan’s forehead. He looked at Su Qingge with pleading eyes, terrified.

Being a dog for the Young Master was glorious, but the pressure was suffocating.

Ye Chen? Who is that?

The other geniuses looked confused and nervous. Fortunately, Gu Changge hadn’t asked them directly, or they would have embarrassed themselves even more. They knew vague rumors from the Eastern Wilderness, but nothing concrete.

However, in the back of the crowd, Jin Yang—the Holy Son of Jialou—felt his heart skip a beat.

Jin Yang was straightforward and proud. He looked down on these sycophants who abandoned their dignity to curry favor with Gu Changge. In his eyes, his sworn brother Ye Chen possessed a steady, resolute character worth a thousand of these spineless cowards.

Hearing Gu Changge ask about Ye Chen directly, a sense of dread washed over him.

This is bad.

He fought to keep his expression neutral, desperately trying to hide any sign of recognition.