"Archbishop, terrible news! Countless powerful forces are gathering miles outside the Sect, including those from Pseudo-Sol Holy Land, the Apollo Empire, and the Ancient Age Clan. It seems they're planning a siege on us!"
In the meantime, during a discussion between the Supreme Stygian Archbishop and the other elders in the Palace of Supreme Stygian Holy Land, a disciple nervously barged in and reported, obviously startled. After all, the matter was indeed urgent.
Although the daunting forces were gathering miles outside the Sect, he was already intimidated by the horrifying movements from afar. Even though Supreme Stygian Holy Land had claimed themselves to be the most prominent force in the entirety of Eastern Barren, it was only inevitable for its residents to fear the assault of so many experienced forces.
With that, after laying out the matter, the disciple grew even more shocked when he was met with the unaffected—calm, even—faces of the Archbishop and the elders. There wasn't even a trace of fear or surprise on their faces.
"That's it? How are you going to lead the holy land if you're startled by such a minor matter?" Against his expectations, one of the elders reprimanded with a scowl. Judging by the elder's face, he seemed awfully uninterested in the fact that gigantic forces were preparing for a siege.
"Archbishop, you are truly insightful to bring Prince Gu to our side after predicting such an event." At that moment, the rest of the elders began chortling as they gratified the Archbishop.
Visibly, the Archbishop was gladdened by their favoring eyes and praising words. However, as the Archbishop of Supreme Stygian Holy Land, he had to remain stern, and so he waved his hand and faintly said, "After the passing of our Supreme Elder, Supreme Stygian Holy Land was put in an unstable, dire situation. Nonetheless, it was all thanks to Prince Gu's visit for training that I was able to make him our ally. Thus, you should all save your gratitude for Prince Gu." As he spoke of that, smugness surged in the Archbishop's heart.
Essentially, the young master came from the Beyond with his remarkable identity and formidable background. Such information was only divulged to a group of elders and trustworthy Sect Disciples, while the rest was left out of the loop. Right now, the Archbishop was waiting to greet his attackers with a big surprise. Of course, the Archbishop himself was also an extremely tactful person, given that he had foreseen the siege that was to happen today.
"Archbishop, the Saintess seems to have gotten acquainted with Prince Gu lately. Without the Saintess, I fear Supreme Stygian Holy Land isn't going to get out of this assault."
"Indeed, indeed. It is all thanks to the Archbishop for having raised such a wonderful daughter!" The elders proceeded to flatter the Archbishop, deepening the smile on his face.
Indeed, their success wouldn't have been actualized if it weren't for Su Qingge. Otherwise, there was no way mere humans like them could ever draw in a higher being like Gu Changge.
Upon the exchange between the Archbishop and the elders, the disciple who came to report the news was thoroughly dumbfounded. [The Supreme Elder had passed away? And is that mysterious young master actually as mighty as they described?]
His head buzzed as if struck by thunder.
"Open the mountain gates! Accompany me—let us go out and greet the sects and clans…"
The Archbishop's eyes flashed with a golden gleam; his aura expanded with great authority as his voice thundered across the hall.
…
"Everything Prince Gu says is truly fascinating. Is the Upper Realm really so vast?"
Meanwhile, in a quiet pavilion, Su Qingge covered her lips with a gentle smile.
Her sleeve slid back slightly, revealing a slender, jade-white wrist—flawless as carved snowlotus—while she refilled Gu Changge's emptied wine cup.
Listening to Gu Changge speak of the Upper Realm's wonders, she could not help but feel entranced.
Now that she had shed her earlier preconceptions, their interactions felt entirely different from before.
Though Gu Changge's depths were unfathomable and his schemes inscrutable…
There was no denying his overpowering allure to women.
As the Saintess of Supreme Stygian Holy Land—born with dual souls and gifted since childhood—she had met countless young geniuses.
But none measured up to Gu Changge.
To compare anyone to him would be an insult.
His singularly refined appearance alone was rivaled by few men—let alone his insight, bearing, cultivation, and terrifying background.
Even her father admitted he was no match for Prince Gu.
Prince Gu may not be an honorable choice for lifelong virtue…
But he was the dream many women longed for.
At her words, a faint, knowing smile curled on Gu Changge's face.
"Whether the Upper Realm is vast—why not go up and see yourself?"
After this time spent together, Su Qingge had more or less opened her heart to him.
What puzzled Gu Changge, however, was that his own fortune points had not increased since last time.
Could it be that Su Qingge's destiny had little to do with Ye Chen to begin with?
Might she herself be a bearer of great fortune—her mother a noble of the Upper Realm, her bloodline extraordinary?
Or perhaps she was the reincarnation of some ancient existence?
Even the system could offer no explanation.
"It seems this world still holds those blessed with immense fortune, yet different from the likes of destiny-sons such as Ye Chen," Gu Changge mused.
Still, Ye Chen likely had not given up on Su Qingge; Gu Changge could yet take advantage of that and reap another harvest.
"Without breaking through to the Void God Realm, one cannot shatter the barrier. For cultivators born in the Lower Realm like us, how could ascending to the Upper Realm be so easy?" Su Qingge said with regret.
After all, Void God Realm masters were the pinnacles of this world.
Not only in the Eastern Barren—throughout Zhongzhou, South Ridge, North Desolation, and the West Wastes—such figures scarcely appeared.
The founder of Supreme Stygian Holy Land in ancient times had only reached half a step into the Void God.
Now, the strongest among the Holy Lands in the Eastern Barren were barely at a half-step Marquis Realm.
To break the boundary and ascend… the difficulty was beyond imagination.