Translator: Fate Translation Checker: Silavin Gu Changge didn’t choose to stay for long. He left Peach Village the following morning. As for Gu Xianer, she decided to stay a little longer since she happened to have a few cultivation questions for her Masters. Despite Yao Yao and the villagers’ many efforts to make Gu Changge stay, he still decided to leave as there was no reason to stay any longer when he had gotten what he came for. Tao Yao’s probing had him keeping an eye open, and judging from the current situation, Tao Yao wouldn’t leave Peach Village unless absolutely necessary. Followingly, after summoning his men outside the Land of Abandoned Celestials, Gu Changge made his way to the Inner Domain. He planned to swing by Mortal Palace, which he had yet to go to since taking over the role of the Mortal One. Moreover, many great demons emerged and caused chaos everywhere during the Demon-Burying Abyss rampage this time, and as the model of the righteous path, Mortal Palace naturally had to shoulder the responsibility of fending them off. It just so happened that Gu Changge didn’t have an excuse to head to the Demon-Burying Abyss, so this became the perfect chance for him to get to Jiang Chuchu and use his identity as the Mortal One to operate while also arranging his following plans in the meantime. To the many forces of the Upper Realm, the heart of the Inner Domain was also known as the Sky Domain. In the heart of the most ancient and thriving terrain, nestled a magnificent and sacred palace. It was an exceptionally grand palace with flawless jade for roof tiles, million-year rosewood for eaves, and divine obsidian for floor tiles. It looked magnificent and majestic with waves of celestial energy surging out of it, making the place heaven-like. The palace overlooked the endless ancient cities and ponds, and the main hall floated following the passing of time as runes above intertwined, illuminating the sky – day and night, looking like a throne for god himself, while also displaying the palace’s untouchable position. Right in front of the palace’s main entrance hung a ginormous plaque with a purple divine gold base and gold divine ancient writing that wrote ‘Mortal Palace’. Countless what seemed to be silver threads were visible that spread out all over the world. These threads each represented the worship and prayer of the Mortal One’s merits by someone from around the world. They were flooding towards the palace, looking pure and sacred, as they tried to merge into it. Not only could the power of faith transform into various techniques and divine abilities, but it could also manifest a Dharma Body worlds away, as long as one wished. In fact, one could develop an indestructible body using it. As long as the faith remained and people still worshipped, then the body would not die. It was a mysterious power that one would find hard to put into words. Right then, a gorgeous beauty in white with a veil was cultivating in the main hall with her eyes closed, and blurry silhouettes of grand, mysterious celestials floated as they chanted behind her, looking like they crossed over through time and space from ancient times. Her skin was fair and flawless, and her eyes twinkled brilliantly like pure obsidian. However, her gaze was calm. It was as though she was born this way, or perhaps, even more so that she had discarded all worldly desires and emotions, such that she wouldn’t be ruffled by anything or anyone. A few elderly women of high cultivation level whispered behind the beauty as worry enveloped their gazes. “Saintess, you are powerless for this demonic chaos this time even though you have advanced to the Advanced Sacred Noble Realm. Saintess Zijin, too, is missing, but she probably can’t do much either, even if she’s around.” “Now that many forces of the Upper Realm have sent their armies to the Boundary Marker Sea to attack the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, they would not bother with the Demon-Burying Abyss chaos that’s going on right now. Still, the great demons from who-knows-where have already spread chaos across the tens of millions of kilometres of territory nearby, and many forces have fallen because of it.” “Mortal Palace is not holding onto a hot potato we cannot get rid off. We need to devise a plan…” Their conversation was entirely about their worry for the chaos caused around the Demon-Burying Abyss. After all, the seal placed there seemed to be unstable lately. Even the Floating Buddhist Temple that had been guarding it had suffered great loss, and a few powerful cultivators who had obtained the titles of Arhats and Buddhas were severely injured. Though the issue wasn’t major enough to stir up the entire Upper Realm, it wasn’t something that could be overlooked either, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Mortal Palace had sent many of their cultivators away for the battle against the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, but the pressing matter of the Demon-Burying Abyss was something they could not shreek responsibility from. After all, Mortal Palace was a leading figure of the righteous path. Thus, they couldn’t just turn a blind eye to it. What’s more, many forces have requested their aid already. The great demons of the Demon-Burying Abyss were terrifying existences that had been alive since before time. One should know that the weakest Arhats and Buddhas of Buddhist Mountain were even in the Sacred King Realm. Yet, they were nearly killed by those great demons. It was evident that this catastrophe wouldn’t be an easy one to overcome. Even if Wang Zijin and Jiang Chuchu wouldn’t be able to do much even if they wanted to. They were still young, after all. They were certainly no match for the great demons of the Demon-Burying Abyss, and this worried them. Currently, Jiang Chuchu was currently trying to breakthrough past the Advanced Sacred Realm in hopes that it would help alleviate the issue. Then, just as the few elderly women were chatting, Jiang Chuchu suddenly opened her eyes, still appearing calm. “I will take our people with me to settle the Demon-Burying Abyss rampage. You need not worry, Elders. Just make sure that the palace is secured,” said Jiang Chuchu plainly, clearly having heard the Elders’ conversation and knowing what they were thinking – they didn’t want to be much involved in the Demon-Burying Abyss chaos as they might lose their lives. Then again, not all the cultivators of the Mortal Palace were just like her, so she couldn’t ask much of them. Humility overcame the Elders after hearing Jiang Chuchu’s words. Still, they said nothing. They weren’t dumb. They wouldn’t deliver themselves to death for nothing. Besides, they were no match for the great demons from the Demon-Burying Abyss either. Just then, an idea struck one of the Elders, and she couldn’t help suggesting, “That reminds me. You claimed Young Master Changge to be the Mortal One’s reincarnation some time ago, didn’t you, Saintess? Why don’t you bring the issue up with him? No doubt things will be easier if he steps in. What do you say?” After all, the Mortal Palace had just announced to the world that Gu Changge was this era’s Mortal One. Naturally, everyone said nothing despite knowing full well that the Mortal Palace just needed someone young like Gu Changge to hold the post while Gu Changge wanted the Mortal Palace’s power. They weren’t sure of Jiang Chuchu’s relationship with Gu Changge, so they were merely suggesting it, and if it wasn’t going to be acted upon, then they couldn’t do anything about it either. After all, they couldn’t force the issue on Gu Changge. Still, it was worth a shot. “I’ll sort it out.” Jiang Chuchu shook her head. Though it was reasonable for the Elders to make the suggestion, she couldn’t bring herself to request his help again and again. After all, he had helped her far too many times for her to make another plea. Besides, Gu Changge would demand a reward. Hence, it made it harder for her to go to him, as his reward would always be bullying her. Though the man had promised to treat her better the last time she visited him in the Immortal Academy, she didn’t know what the extension of his ‘better’ was, and it made her glum. The great demons of the Demon-Burying Abyss had come with full force this time. They were so intimidating that many surrounding forces were in grave danger, and she couldn’t turn a blind eye to it. “In that case, we shall leave it to you, Saintess.” The Elders naturally left the issue to Jiang Chuchu when she had already put it that way. But just as they were about to leave the hall, an announcing voice from afar shocked them. “Young Master Changge is here.” [Speak of the devil!] At that, they couldn’t help glancing at Jiang Chuchu. [So this is what she means by sorting it out.] The notion delighted them and put them at ease. “We shall greet Young Master Changge at once.” With that, they transformed into divine rainbows and rushed to the main entrance of Mortal Palace, not daring to delay their welcome. After all, not even a Sect Master of a force in the Upper Realm would dare regard Gu Changge as a Junior and would instead treat him with great respect. [Why would he suddenly come to the Mortal Palace? Is it for this very issue?] Jiang Chuchu was stupefied. It wasn’t until she watched the Elders transform into divine rainbows to welcome him that she realised she hadn’t been imagining it. [He really did come to Mortal Palace…] The revelation left her in a panic, and it took her a long time to finally calm down. [Looks like he’s really here because of the Demon-Burying Abyss… But it doesn’t have to do with him, so… why did he come?] As touched and abashed as she was, she grew worried at the thought that Gu Changge would bully her like he usually did. [What am I going to do now? Should I say no or go along with it?] Redness tinted her face as past memories came to her, and it took her a long time to return to her usual composure. And just as Jiang Chuchu’s mind was in a mess, noises came from outside the main hall. The Elders had returned with a young man, deferentially welcoming him inside with bright smiles. The tall young man, too, smiled in return. He was dressed in a black wide-sleeved robe and had a noble and enigmatic aura. Even if he just stood there, the whole world would inadvertently direct their attention to him. After taking a gander at him, Jiang Chuchu withdrew her gaze at once, looking entirely calm as she appeared to be focused on her inner self while sitting cross-legged. “So the Saintess had already told you about the Demon-Burying Abyss, Young Master Changge. That’s reassuring. In that case, we shall take our leave.” With that, the Elders left the main hall at once, not daring to disturb Gu Changge and Jiang Chuchu. Despite not knowing exactly what kind of relationship the pair had, it was undoubtedly not a simple one when she could get him to sort out the Demon-Burying Abyss. “I thought I’d get a warmer welcome from you,” commented Gu Changge as he gazed at her with great interest. “Are you going to keep your head lowered like this the whole time?” Jiang Chuchu looked up, her eyes as brilliant as a pair of pure obsidians. She hummed a response and then clarified, “I don’t want to see you unless you’re going to treat me better.” A chuckle escaped Gu Changge as he grabbed a zafu and sat next to her. “I’ve come rushing over after knowing you need help dealing with the Demon-Burying Abyss, haven’t I? What more do you want from me?” Despite having guessed his purpose of visiting, Jiang Chuchu was still delighted to hear him personally say so. But at the thought that the man would likely use it to make demands, she grew alert and bore into him. In fact, if this was a comic strip, there would be a speech bubble above her that said, ‘Don’t you get any funny ideas!’ She learned that she shouldn’t do as Gu Changge demanded since she knew she shouldn’t be submissive towards him. Otherwise, he would use every trick in his book to bully her. “How did you learn about the Demon-Burying Abyss chaos?” She asked, trying to change the subject. “Shouldn’t you be asking that yourself instead? Why would I bother myself if you can sort it out yourself?”At that, he asked helplessly, “Am I supposed to sit by and watch you deliver yourself to death at the Demon-Burying Abyss instead?” “I…” Jiang Chuchu felt somewhat flattered, surprised and unaccustomed that Gu Changge would say something like that, for he had always behaved rudely towards her. [Is it because he promised to treat me better?] “What about you?” the man interjected and gazed upon her. “How are you going to thank me now? Shouldn’t you give me a little something when I’ve come all the way here to deal with the Demon-Burying Abyss issue for you?” [I knew it!] Jiang Chuchu blushed and couldn’t help retorting, “We’re in the same boat here, and you promised me you’d treat me better. You’re dishonouring your words again, you bastard!” “So you’re going to get everything for nothing again?” Gu Changge snorted with amusement. “Nice try, Jiang Chuchu.” “I didn’t ask for your help, did I?!” the young woman felt aggrieved. But because she couldn’t stand Gu Changge’s threatening gaze, she gritted her teeth and negotiated, “Then… I’ll let you kiss me once.” This was as far as she was willing to go. Still, she was rather worried that Gu Changge would revert to his old ways, and given her abilities, she was clearly no match for him. “That’s it?” Gu Changge quirked a brow. He had only intended to tease her, but who’d have thought the young woman took him seriously?! “Then… twice?” Jiang Chuchu panicked, thinking he wasn’t pleased. Gu Changge couldn’t believe he was only now discovering how dumb this young woman could get. [You’re the Saintess of Mortal Palace, for goodness sake. Why does your IQ drops to zero every time you’re with me?] The man shook his head and said as though he was suffering a loss, “Alright, fine. Twice it is. You’ve bagged a deal.” The next second, Jiang Chuchu widened her eyes and wanted to shove him away. [I knew it! This bastard has gone back on his words!]