What a clever and sensible fellow. It seems things are going smoothly.
Back then, Gu Changge had deliberately planted a seed of ambition in the heart of Di Kun, the seventh prince of the Demon Court.
Now, that seed of ambition had sprouted, grown, and become a towering tree.
The war between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty had been orchestrated by him from behind the scenes.
From the appearance of the Sun-Shooting Bow, the death of Di Wen, the ninth prince of the Demon Court, to the killing of Chu Xiao, Chu Gucheng's son, by Di Kun, all had been part of his plans.
His original intention was to incite endless bloodshed between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty, generating boundless karmic force that would transform into karmic flames, burning away the fortune of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
At the same time, it would further destabilize the situation in the Prime-Origin Civilization, causing various factions to become suspicious and wary, allowing him to reap the benefits in secret.
However, Gu Changge had overestimated the capabilities of the Demon Court. They couldn't even make the Immortal Chu Dynasty bleed heavily.
But now, Di Kun was eager for his assistance, willingly becoming a pawn, which gave Gu Changge new ideas.
Although the Demon Court was in decline, if used properly, it could still be a sharp blade.
Ye Suyi's face showed a hint of confusion. She didn't know why he was laughing or what his words meant.
At the moment, the turtle-shelled creature was still rambling on about the ancient history of Purple Dew Mountain, speaking with great admiration and longing.
Many of the cultivators and beings passing by looked at it with disdain, keeping their distance.
This old turtle had been loitering outside the gates of Purple Dew Mountain for many years, hoping to be noticed by the disciples of Purple Dew Mountain.
Not to be taken as a follower or servant, but even as a mount would be fine.
Unfortunately, after all these years, no one had taken a liking to it. It had no talent, no strength, and even as a mount, it would be an embarrassment.
The old turtle's favorite pastime was boasting about the ancient power of Purple Dew Mountain to other cultivators and beings, trying to attract the attention of the disciples inside and get taken in.
"You must be new to Purple Dew Mountain, right? Let me tell you, it's not easy to get in. Even if you have decent talent and good looks, in the eyes of the prodigies of Purple Dew Mountain, you're not even qualified to be a servant."
"But you're in luck. It's the time of year when the disciples of Purple Dew Mountain come out to select followers and servants. Every day at noon, some disciples leave the mountain gates and choose cultivators with good talent."
The old turtle's beady eyes glanced at Gu Changge, then at Ye Suyi beside him, speaking in a tone of someone who had seen it all.
During this time, many cultivators and beings had gathered outside the gates of Purple Dew Mountain, including young talents and even older figures who had long admired the supreme holy land of Purple Dew Mountain.
"Brother, your appearance is elegant and noble, truly a rare handsome man in the world. You'll surely be a hot commodity in the eyes of the female disciples."
The old turtle moved closer, scrutinizing Gu Changge carefully, then spoke in an envious tone. "I've heard before that there was a man of unparalleled handsomeness who, despite having little talent for cultivation, was favored by a powerful figure in Purple Dew Mountain and taken as a son-in-law."
"Stop talking nonsense! Who do you think Young Master is? How dare you speculate and babble about him?"
"You old turtle have no discernment, no wonder no one wants you."
As soon as Ye Suyi heard this, she knew it was referring to her cold and heartless father. Her small face showed a hint of anger as she scolded the turtle.
Though she appeared delicate and petite, her reprimand carried an unusual authority, causing the old turtle to look embarrassed and fall silent.
Gu Changge glanced at the old turtle with interest but paid it no mind.
He still had the token given to him by Zi Yunchuan at the Riverside Pavilion in the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain, which he could use to find him.
But it seemed that token wouldn't be necessary.
"Oh? Isn't that Su Yi junior sister?"
"What are you doing here?"
Suddenly, a slightly surprised voice rang out, followed by a commotion. At the gates of Purple Dew Mountain, on a cliff shrouded in Purple Dew, several young figures accompanied a tall figure as they walked over.
The leader was a woman with features as delicate as a painting, skin as pure as jade, and long silver hair that flowed like moonlight. Her skin glowed faintly, and her beauty and grace were flawless, making it hard to find any imperfections.
Behind her were both men and women, all young and exuding an air of nobility, surrounded by a radiant aura.
"Miss Zi Yan."
The disciples guarding the gates of Purple Dew Mountain bowed respectfully upon seeing her.
All the cultivators and beings outside the gates also turned to look, their faces filled with astonishment.
"It's Fairy Zi Yan of Purple Dew Mountain! She's actually here? Is she here to select followers and servants?"
"Fairy Zi Yan is a core disciple of Purple Dew Mountain. Her status and background are astonishing."
"I never thought I'd have the chance to see Fairy Zi Yan in person. She's even more beautiful than the rumors say."
Many young cultivators' faces lit up with excitement and enthusiasm.
However, many also noticed Ye Suyi, their eyes filled with surprise. When the old turtle had been rambling earlier, many had already noticed Gu Changge, finding his extraordinary demeanor and striking presence hard to ignore.
As for Ye Suyi beside him, though she wore a veil, the faint outline of her features suggested she must be quite beautiful.
Ye Suyi hadn't expected to be recognized outside the gates of Purple Dew Mountain.
In Purple Dew Mountain, she was practically invisible. Aside from Zi Yunchuan and Zi Susu, almost no one knew her.
"Senior Sister Zi Yan?"
However, she did recognize the silver-haired woman walking toward her. They had met a few times before.
The silver-haired woman was named Zi Yan. Her grandfather was a powerful figure in Purple Dew Mountain, second only to the mountain lord and a few others.
Zi Yan and Zi Susu were often referred to as the twin flowers of Purple Dew Mountain, two peerless beauties rarely seen in the world.
"Junior Sister Zi Yan, it seems you know this young lady?"
A young man in black robes following Zi Yan noticed her gaze and also looked at Ye Suyi, saying in surprise, "But her name sounds familiar. I feel like I've heard it somewhere before."
Zi Yan walked toward Ye Suyi, smiling as she said, "It's natural for Senior Brother to have heard of her. After all, Junior Sister Su Yi is no outsider. She's also a disciple of Purple Dew Mountain."
The old turtle, who had been rambling earlier, was now so shocked that its beady eyes nearly popped out of its head. It couldn't believe that the white-clad girl it had been speaking to was also a disciple of Purple Dew Mountain. Then why had she been standing outside all this time instead of entering?
"And who might this young master be?"
Zi Yan walked straight up to Ye Suyi, smiling politely at her, then turned her beautiful eyes to Gu Changge, curiosity and a hint of something else in her gaze as she inquired.
"Ah, I remember now. So it's that junior sister. But didn't Junior Sister Susu say that Junior Sister Su Yi had met with misfortune during the trip to the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain and went missing?"
The young man in black robes spoke again, his smile meaningful.
Ye Suyi didn't know how Zi Susu had explained her disappearance after returning to Purple Dew Mountain.
Originally, she had never wanted to return to Purple Dew Mountain, but now that she was following Gu Changge, she felt no trace of her former timidity or unease.
"Perhaps Cousin Susu was mistaken. I encountered no danger. I've been safe and at ease by Young Master's side."
She spoke calmly and confidently.
"Oh? Young Master?"
The young man in black robes raised an eyebrow, then looked at Gu Changge. "And who might this young master be?"
"My surname is Gu. I've come to meet a friend and, incidentally, pay a visit to the current mountain lord of Purple Dew Mountain."
Gu Changge glanced at Zi Yan and the young man in black robes before speaking unhurriedly.
"May I ask which friend Young Master Gu has come to meet?"
"And why do you wish to visit the current mountain lord of Purple Dew Mountain?"
Zi Yan was inwardly surprised. She cultivated a spiritual eye, so when she first saw Gu Changge, she had sensed his extraordinary nature. But when she tried to examine him further, she was blocked, and her spiritual eye nearly cracked.
Moreover, the two elderly men following Gu Changge, though silent, exuded an overwhelming presence that made her feel suffocated. She didn't dare look at them again.
Based on these two points alone, she could already tell that Gu Changge's identity was anything but ordinary.
Even Ye Suyi addressed him as "Young Master"?
Could it be...?
Suddenly realizing something, Zi Yan's beautiful pupils contracted, and her expression shifted from surprise to one of respect, with a hint of fear.
"I understand. Please follow me inside, Young Master Gu."
Ignoring the stunned and puzzled looks of her companions, she quickly stepped forward to lead Gu Changge into Purple Dew Mountain.
Gu Changge hadn't expected her attitude to change so quickly. He had been prepared to take out Zi Yunchuan's token to avoid trouble.
But this was fine too. He liked clever people.
If these people had been foolish, he wouldn't have minded giving Purple Dew Mountain a lesson.
Outside the gates of Purple Dew Mountain, all the cultivators and beings were frozen like clay statues.
This young man in white had come and directly asked to see the mountain lord of Purple Dew Mountain, and Fairy Zi Yan had treated him with such respect, personally leading the way.
The old turtle was almost convinced it was hallucinating. Had it really been so bold as to jest and babble at such a figure?
The thought filled it with fear and regret. Thankfully, this mysterious young master hadn't taken offense at its impertinence.