Ouyang Ji's directness was also beyond Ling Yuxian's expectations. Who would have thought that his earlier aggressive demeanor was for this reason?
However, this didn't rule out the possibility that Ouyang Ji had done this intentionally, putting on a show for the outside world.
Gu Changge could also guess Ouyang Ji's general intentions. This was a clever guy, and Gu Changge happened to need someone like him right now.
"Young Master Gu, rest assured. Whether you agree or not, I can swear on my Dao heart that I will never reveal a single word of what happened today," Ouyang Ji said sincerely, ignoring Ling Yuxian's arrival. "Chu Xinyue is too arrogant. She thinks I'm infatuated with her beauty, but I was just pretending to please her. Women like her are too self-important. If you need, I can capture her at any time and use her as leverage to make Chu Gucheng think twice before acting."
Gu Changge glanced at him and smiled faintly. "No need. Since you've said so, how could I not believe you?"
Hearing this, Ouyang Ji's face lit up with joy. He took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Gu Changge. "As a token of sincerity, this is my life talisman. Young Master Gu, you can contact me through this talisman at any time. If there's anything you need, just give the order."
After saying this, he turned to Ling Yuxian and said apologetically, "I acted out of necessity earlier. I hope Miss Yuxian can forgive me for any offense."
He didn't know the relationship between Ling Yuxian and Gu Changge.
But the fact that Gu Changge allowed Ling Yuxian to stand by and listen to their conversation was enough to show that their relationship was not simple.
After saying this, Ouyang Ji didn't stay long. He left the life talisman, cupped his hands in farewell, and then turned to leave.
Gu Changge watched his departing figure with a slightly strange look in his eyes but didn't say anything more.
He glanced at the life talisman Ouyang Ji had handed over and casually put it away. This talisman might come in handy later.
After all, since Ouyang Ji had said what he did, he would surely deliver a "letter of submission" in the near future.
"I thought this guy was just another fool who didn't know his limits, but it seems he's not that simple," Ling Yuxian said, glancing at Gu Changge after Ouyang Ji left.
She had basically heard the entire conversation between the two, so she was also surprised. Was Gu Changge really planning to deal with the Immortal Chu Dynasty?
But what was he relying on? Did he think he could shake the entire Immortal Chu Dynasty with just his own strength?
That seemed a bit unrealistic.
"Few people who reach this level are truly fools. They just know how to adapt to the situation and align with their interests," Gu Changge said with a smile.
Ling Yuxian nodded. After thinking for a moment, she asked curiously, "Are you really planning to deal with the Immortal Chu Dynasty? But you don't seem to have any grievances with them, do you?"
Gu Changge looked at her and smiled. "When did I say I was going to deal with the Immortal Chu Dynasty? Isn't it the Immortal Chu Dynasty that wants to deal with me to avenge Chu Gucheng's son, Chu Lei?"
"If you don't want to say, then forget it," Ling Yuxian rolled her eyes secretly, not believing his nonsense.
The longer she spent with Gu Changge, the more she realized how unfathomable he was.
His thoughts, his plans—everything about him was hard to guess, hard to figure out.
This sense of mystery surrounding him sometimes drove her crazy. She wanted to grab him and interrogate him until she got to the bottom of everything.
But the more she felt this way, the more she found herself inexplicably curious about him.
She was interested in everything related to him.
So much so that this interest was almost surpassing her obsession with cultivation and becoming stronger.
Ouyang Ji had come quickly and left just as quickly. The experts from the Free Sky Palace who had confronted the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace also retreated swiftly, and no real battle broke out.
However, the commotion here still attracted the attention of many cultivators and forces in the capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty. Many people rushed over to see what was happening.
No one knew why the young master of the Free Sky Palace and the Imperial Immortal Palace had suddenly clashed.
But many cultivators noticed that when Ouyang Ji left, he looked very disheveled, covered in injuries, with blood at the corner of his mouth, and his aura was extremely weak.
This scene sparked all kinds of rumors and speculations among the cultivators.
Especially when combined with the fact that Ouyang Ji, the young master of the Free Sky Palace, had been getting close to Chu Xinyue, the second princess of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, it was hard not to wonder.
Could it be that Chu Xinyue had instigated Ouyang Ji to cause trouble for the Imperial Immortal Palace?
After all, the death of Chu Xinyue's brother, Chu Lei, was closely tied to Gu Changge, and now Gu Changge's identity was revealed as the senior brother of the Cloud River Dao Academy within the Imperial Immortal Palace.
However, some cultivators felt this was unlikely. After all, this was during Chu Gucheng's birthday celebration. As the second princess, how could Chu Xinyue be so inconsiderate as to do something that would damage the reputation of the Immortal Chu Dynasty's royal family?
It was more likely that the young master of the Free Sky Palace had done this to curry favor with Chu Xinyue.
While the various forces and cultivators were speculating wildly, the royal family of the Immortal Chu Dynasty quickly issued a statement, expressing regret over the incident and apologizing for failing to fulfill their duties as hosts, which had led to such an event.
At the same time, the Immortal Chu Dynasty warned all factions and forces that, at this critical time, any actions that disrupted the birthday celebration would be seen as a disregard and trampling of the Immortal Chu Dynasty's rules.
Chu Wushang, Chu Gucheng's eldest son and the current crown prince of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, personally went to the Imperial Immortal Palace's territory to apologize, hoping to calm their anger.
With the Immortal Chu Dynasty taking such a stance, the Imperial Immortal Palace naturally couldn't continue to press the matter, especially since they hadn't suffered any real losses.
Moreover, Gu Changge, as the person involved, didn't say much either.
"I'm sorry, Xinyue. I've let you down. I never expected that guy to be so strong. I was no match for him at all."
"Not only did I fail to vent your anger, but I also made a fool of myself."
In a palace, Ouyang Ji lay on a bed, his face pale and weak, his aura feeble.
"Young Master Ouyang, don't say that. I'm already very happy that you were willing to help me. Seeing you injured like this, I feel terrible. That guy is indeed ruthless, striking so hard. This is a Dao Realm-level holy medicine that I brought with me. It will help you recover quickly."
Chu Xinyue stood by the bed, her face filled with guilt.
As she spoke, she took an ancient wooden box from a maid behind her and handed it to Ouyang Ji personally.
When she handed the box to Ouyang Ji, her hand accidentally brushed against his arm.
Chu Xinyue's eyes deepened. At first, she had been a bit suspicious. How could Ouyang Ji be so incompetent? Based on the situation at the time, he had been severely injured shortly after barging in and had to flee in a hurry.
But from her current inspection, Ouyang Ji's injuries were indeed serious. There was a terrifying and domineering aura lingering in his body, constantly eroding and destroying his vitality.
Ouyang Ji, who had survived three Heavenly Decline Tribulations, had been so weak and helpless before Gu Changge.
She had greatly underestimated Gu Changge's strength.
"Young Master Ouyang, rest early. I won't disturb you anymore. I'll come see you again tomorrow."
Chu Xinyue also knew that this matter couldn't be blamed on Ouyang Ji. Even if she had faced Gu Changge herself, the outcome wouldn't have been much better than Ouyang Ji's.
After Chu Xinyue left, Ouyang Ji shook his head and sat up on the bed. He glanced at the wooden box Chu Xinyue had given him but didn't even bother to open it.
"I was originally worried that Chu Xinyue might see through me, but Young Master Gu is far more terrifying than I imagined. He had already guessed my intentions before I even arrived. He even anticipated that someone would later inspect my injuries, so he left such heavy traces in that single palm strike..."
Thinking of this, Ouyang Ji couldn't help but feel a deep sense of awe. He had never imagined that there could be someone in the world with such meticulous planning, unfathomable methods, and unimaginable strength.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty, caught in his schemes, was probably beyond saving, even by a legendary Great Luo Golden Immortal.
Because of this incident, the guests in the capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty also saw the undercurrents beneath the surface of the Immortal Chu Dynasty. The apparent peace and prosperity were likely just a facade.
However, this did not affect Chu Gucheng's birthday celebration in the slightest. The main banquet finally began.
The grand banquet stretched out like an endless dragon, starting from the palace and extending outward.
Brilliant lights shimmered, and immortal aura filled the air, creating an atmosphere of auspiciousness and splendor.
Amidst the hidden pavilions and towers, silver waterfalls cascaded, and immortal mountains were shrouded in chaotic mist. Figures moved about like immortals and deities, reminiscent of the mythical Heavenly Emperor hosting a grand feast for his ministers.
The sound of zithers and flutes filled the air, and the clinking of cups and dishes echoed like the music of the heavens. By the lakeside, immortal lotuses bloomed, and clear springs flowed, creating a scene as beautiful as a fairyland.
Among these palaces and pavilions, immortal mountains and ancient peaks floated, radiating countless rays of light and auspicious colors.
"The Tianyu Clan offers nine pieces of Ancient Tianyu Jade!"
"The Tianyu Clan offers ninety thousand Tianyu Qiankun Immortal Pills!"
"The Tianyu Clan offers three hundred million catties of Ancient Ming Spring Water!"
"The Nine Thunder Dao Sect offers six hundred stalks of Nine-Colored Divine Bamboo!"
"The Nine Thunder Dao Sect offers three hundred Primordial Ancient Magnetic Mines!"
"The Nine Thunder Dao Sect offers one hundred Profound Yin Heavenly Nests!"
The guests began presenting their gifts one by one. Each item was a rare treasure, something that could cause a huge stir in the outside world and spark fierce competition.
For example, the Nine-Colored Divine Bamboo was an extremely rare material for crafting artifacts, one of the easiest materials in the world to inscribe with Dao patterns.
It looked like it was shrouded in chaotic mist, less than six feet long, with nineteen segments.
It was ethereal, sometimes solid, sometimes dissipating into nothingness, drifting in the light, incredibly mystical.
Such materials were coveted even by Dao Realm experts, and now six hundred stalks were being offered as gifts.
This left many guests in awe. What kind of wealth and extravagance was this?
The guests attending this banquet were all important figures, holding significant power in their respective factions and civilizations. Naturally, they had no shortage of rare treasures.
Later, some guests even presented complete ancient world seeds, weapon embryos condensed from fragments of the Great Dao, and lakes of void Dao principles from the depths of space. Each gift was incredibly rare, things that ordinary cultivators had never even heard of.
Even Saintess Xiyuan made an appearance, presenting an ancient scroll radiating immortal light.
The elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace, representing the palace, offered a strange treasure filled with Dao patterns and multiple Great Dao rules, its origins astonishing. The Withered Ancient Buddha from the Buddha Kingdom presented a string of prayer beads that the Buddha had worn for years. Each bead had a significant history, exuding a strong sense of Zen and radiant Buddha light, capable of sealing evil spirits and containing unimaginable powers.
The Temple of Light and Darkness offered a golden robe with intertwining black and white streams of light, symbolizing the birth of all things from the Dao.
The mysterious old woman from the Yinxu Cave also presented a mysterious gift—a sealed brocade box.
Even she didn't know what was inside. It was a gift personally ordered by the master of the Yinxu Cave.
This gift left all the guests extremely curious. The name "Yinxu Cave" had never been heard before.
But the strength of this old woman far surpassed that of the other guests, leading many to suspect that she had already survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations.
And what kind of strength did the master of the Yinxu Cave possess?
Chu Gucheng's face was filled with a broad smile, clearly pleased as he accepted all the gifts.
The frustration he had felt over the past few days due to Chu Xinyue's mishap, which had somewhat tarnished the Immortal Chu Dynasty's reputation as hosts, was now completely gone.
He was in an excellent mood. It wasn't that he particularly needed these gifts, but the fact that all the guests had come and shown him such respect made him feel immensely satisfied.
Who would dare spread rumors now that the Immortal Chu Dynasty was isolated by all the forces of the Xiyuan Civilization and was on the verge of collapse?
Wasn't everyone here to celebrate his birthday?
He had personally sent out invitations, and who would dare not give him face? Even the usually aloof Saintess Xiyuan, who never interfered in worldly conflicts, had made an appearance to congratulate him.
Thinking of this, Chu Gucheng's emotions surged, and he felt a wave of pride. He raised his glass and clinked it with the glasses of the many distinguished guests at the banquet.
"Gentlemen, it is my honor to have you all here today to celebrate my birthday. Let us drink until we are drunk!"
The rich aroma of immortal wine filled the hall. Chu Gucheng, tall and imposing, had a red face, looking as if he was getting a bit tipsy, his cheeks flushed.
However, at his level, he wouldn't get drunk easily. With just a thought, he could dispel the effects of the wine.
But today, Chu Gucheng was in high spirits and didn't care about such things. He let himself indulge in the wine, drinking to his heart's content.
The unease and frustration he had felt over the past few days were now completely swept away by the wine.
Many of the guests could see that Chu Gucheng was in a festive mood and didn't want to spoil his fun, so they all raised their glasses and joined in.
Gu Changge, however, kept to himself, drinking alone and not participating in the festivities.
His presence caused a stir among the many guests in the hall. Now that everyone knew he was the mysterious young master who had appeared in the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain, accompanied by an old servant suspected to be at the Ancestral Dao Realm, many were curious.
Many speculated that he likely came from the legendary Forbidden and Mysterious Lands. If it weren't for the incident involving Chu Lei's death, many guests would have wanted to approach him and strike up a conversation.
But in such a setting, directly doing so would be seen as disrespectful to Chu Gucheng, the host.
They naturally couldn't overstep their bounds.
"That woman who keeps glancing at you is the second princess of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, Chu Xinyue, right?" A faint fragrance wafted over as Ling Yuxian whispered in Gu Changge's ear.
Gu Changge nodded slightly and looked over. It was a beautiful, tall woman with a noble air, wearing an elegant black dress, her hair tied up in a high bun, exuding grace and dignity.
Beside her was Ouyang Ji, the young master of the Free Sky Palace.
She was following Chu Gucheng, toasting with him.
Even without Ling Yuxian's reminder, Gu Changge could guess her identity.
He had already noticed that many guests, including the old woman from the Yinxu Cave, were observing him.
But he didn't care.
Today, he had come to this banquet mainly to watch the show. The happier Chu Gucheng was now, the angrier he would be later.
"The second princess of the Immortal Chu Dynasty seems like quite a character. She's much more capable than her fool of a brother, Chu Lei," Gu Changge said casually, taking a sip of wine, seemingly unconcerned about whether others might hear him.
Ling Yuxian, with her flawless jade-like complexion, had a faint blush on her cheeks from the wine, making her look even more delicate.
"You should lower your voice. Don't let others hear you," she said softly, standing close to Gu Changge. She almost wanted to grab his hand and plead with him to be more careful.
This was someone else's birthday banquet. How could he speak so carelessly without worrying about causing trouble?
"Let others hear? Aren't you one of those 'others'?" Gu Changge turned his head to look at her, smiling faintly.
Ling Yuxian was stunned for a moment, then her face turned red with embarrassment. She glared at him fiercely.
At this banquet, aside from the host Chu Gucheng, the most attention was on Gu Changge, Saintess Xiyuan, and the old woman from the Yinxu Cave.
Guests from the Dawn Civilization, the Ancient Treasure Civilization, the Calamitous Yin True World, and other factions were also very interested. This was especially true for the forces native to the Xiyuan Civilization.