Slave Seal?
Yuan Qing's face froze. How could a dignified Supreme willingly become a slave? Such a thing had never happened in the entire Dao Prefecture. He fell silent, caught between life and dignity.
Gu Tianxing wasn't in a hurry. He knew that making a Supreme submit to being a slave was as difficult as reaching the heavens.
"I'll give you ten days to think about it. After ten days, this Thunder Array will make you disappear."
Gu Tianxing left, leaving Yuan Qing to ponder alone.
Gu Tianxing had now reached the first level of the Haoran Realm, with each realm having nine levels.
***
Back in the cultivation chamber, Gu Tianxing began to consider his next steps.
"I've survived the first crisis. According to the plot, Lin Fan kills me and then flees the Gu Family, heading to other Dao Prefectures. He then fuses various cultivation techniques and divine abilities, breaking through to Sage in a very short time and achieving Supreme status in an impossible timeframe. Under the Gu Family's pursuit, he counterattacks repeatedly, eventually dragging the Gu Family to its demise."
As a reader from his past life, it might seem plausible, but now, as someone within the Gu Family, Gu Tianxing knew the family's strength. Not even a coalition of Sacred Lands could easily annihilate the Gu Family, so Lin Fan's eventual destruction of the Gu Family seemed utterly unrealistic.
However, if Gu Tianxing hadn't transmigrated and changed history, Lin Fan might indeed have wiped out the entire clan.
"According to the usual story tropes, the world always births a protagonist before major events, like Lin Fan with his system. But now that he's not dead, who knows if another similar protagonist will emerge."
Without a system or cheats, Gu Tianxing had to consider everything comprehensively.
He instructed the family's subordinates to investigate all possible threats, including any recent grudges the family might have incurred.
The results were reassuring.
"Young Master, the Gu Family currently has no enemies. Those we once had are either dead or imprisoned in the Gu Family Prison."
Hearing this, Gu Tianxing breathed a sigh of relief but also felt it was a bit passive.
"Now, I just have to wait for Lin Fan to successfully fuse the cultivation techniques, then I'll take them. Lin Fan still has his uses; his system for technique fusion is simply abnormal."
Find the original at "pawread.com".
***
However, just a day later,
An Immortal Light descended upon the Gu Family, prompting the Gu Family Head to rise and greet it at the entrance.
A beam of light descended from the sky, and an elder with an immortal aura slowly arrived. Though he came alone, his presence alarmed the Gu Family Head, indicating he was no ordinary person.
"Gu Family Head, you came out as soon as I arrived," the elder laughed heartily.
Gu Family Head Gu Changge, however, wasn't in the mood for pleasantries and said directly, "Huangji Dao Sect is in the southern part of Xuancheng Dao Prefecture, billions of miles from the Gu Family. You didn't come all this way just to chat, did you?"
"Gu Family Head, the last time we met was at the Hongmeng Platform, and it's been eons since," said the visitor, a significant figure from the Huangji Dao Sect named Changliu, who had met Gu Changge long ago.
"Just say what you came for."
Changliu paused and asked, "Aren't you going to invite me in?"
Gu Changge didn't like beating around the bush but still allowed the visitor into the Gu Family.
Both were powerful figures, so they didn't disturb the other disciples of the Gu Family. Changliu surveyed the Gu Family's situation and praised, "The young generation of the Gu Family is truly remarkable."
In the main hall, Changliu took out a portrait. "Did this person visit your Gu Family a few days ago?"
The portrait was of Lin Fan, and Gu Changge instantly understood the visitor's purpose. "This person did come, but he's probably dead by now."
"Dead?" Changliu was surprised. "That shouldn't be possible. If he's dead, could you provide his body? The Huangji Dao Sect would be grateful."
Gu Changge didn't understand why Changliu valued Lin Fan so much. After extensive investigation, it was only because Lin Fan had a Supreme Remnant Soul that he could surpass his peers without background or talent.
"Changliu, your urgency suggests there's something significant about this person, doesn't it?"
Changliu valued Lin Fan highly. As for Lin Fan's life or death, he was certain Lin Fan was still alive and had his own means to verify it.
Before coming, he had heard about the Supreme Remnant Soul in Lin Fan's body. But he knew more; he knew Lin Fan's cultivation talent was extraordinary, capable of creating astonishing techniques and divine abilities. He had previously tried to recruit Lin Fan into the Huangji Dao Sect, but Lin Fan had refused.
Now, if he saved Lin Fan, he was sure Lin Fan wouldn't refuse this time.
"Gu Family Head, this person is just a nobody. As for why I want him back, it's difficult to explain and somewhat embarrassing. But you can deal with him as you wish, even if you consume him entirely before giving him to me."
Gu Changge said, "This Lin Fan wasn't dealt with by me. The Nineteenth Ancestor left it to my son, Gu Tianxing. If you want him, you'll need his consent. I don't mind; giving you Lin Fan is no big deal."
Changliu secretly laughed. If Gu Changge knew Lin Fan's talent, he'd be shocked. But if it's in the hands of a junior, it's even better.
So Changliu said, "Gu Family Head, would it be convenient for me to speak with Gu Tianxing?"
"No problem, I'll have someone bring him over."
***
Before long, Gu Tianxing appeared in the main hall. He already knew why this elder from the Huangji Dao Sect had come; it was nothing more than someone from the protagonist's side.
He was still wondering why nothing had happened since the protagonist was imprisoned. And here it was.
The Huangji Dao Sect was much stronger than the Qionghua Sacred Land, so it wouldn't be easy to deal with.
Gu Tianxing looked at the elder, who had a righteous appearance, kind eyes, and a benevolent demeanor, typical of the type who cleans up the protagonist's messes early in the story.
"Tianxing, this is Changliu, a senior from the Huangji Dao Sect. He has something to discuss with you, so mind your manners," Gu Changge instructed.
"Yes," Gu Tianxing replied.
Changliu was slightly surprised upon seeing Gu Tianxing. He hadn't expected someone of this age to already be in the Haoran Realm, and his spiritual energy was so solid, even stronger than the rumors. In Xuancheng Dao Prefecture, he was definitely among the top young talents.
But recalling Gu Tianxing's past behavior, Changliu internally gave him many negative marks, thinking such a person couldn't go far.
However, outwardly, he remained amiable and said, "Truly, heroes emerge from the young. This generation is much stronger than ours."
Gu Tianxing modestly replied, "Senior Changliu was much stronger than me in his youth. I'm nothing."
"I assume you know why I'm here. I wonder if you could let me take Lin Fan, even if it's just his body. I won't take it for free and can offer you satisfactory terms."
Gu Tianxing, however, wore a regretful expression and said, "Senior, it's not that I don't want to give him to you; it's just impossible now."
"What do you mean?" Changliu's expression remained unchanged, but he was puzzled. Why would the Gu Family keep Lin Fan?
"Senior, after I killed Lin Fan, I fed him to the wild beasts. Now, I'm afraid not even his bones remain."
Gu Changge, standing by, was speechless. He knew Lin Fan was still alive and didn't understand why Gu Tianxing was lying. Perhaps Tianxing had discovered Lin Fan's secret. He'd have to ask him about it after Changliu left.
"Young Master Gu, this," Changliu knew Lin Fan was alive, but he couldn't claim to have spied on the Gu Family. Not only did he lack the strength, but saying so might get him kicked out.
"Ah, Senior, I'm truly sorry. I wanted your generous gift too, but alas."
***
Changliu had no choice but to leave. A hundred miles away, he looked back at the vast Gu Family garrison, feeling deeply puzzled.
"The Gu Family's young master clearly doesn't want to release Lin Fan. If someone like him really killed Lin Fan, I wouldn't be surprised. But Lin Fan isn't dead. Why is he keeping him and not releasing him? The Supreme Remnant Soul has also fallen into the Gu Family's hands. Is there something I don't know?"
With the Gu Family unwilling to release Lin Fan, Changliu was helpless. He couldn't risk a full-scale conflict with the Gu Family over Lin Fan. They had no concept of the system, but if they did, a war might break out tomorrow.
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