Chapter 18: Could it be a case of body-snatching?

The younger generation of the Gu Family, who had been originally excited, stood in stunned silence as they watched the several Heavenly Cold Sect disciples lying on the ground, their lives hanging in the balance, and fell into deep thought.

"What Realm is Cousin Changge at now?"

"Didn't they say just a few days ago that he barely managed to step into the fifth level of the Qi Condensation Realm because he took the Soul-Shaping Pill?"

"Why... did these Heavenly Cold Sect disciples, who were almost at the Perfection of the Qi Condensation Realm, nearly get beaten to death after just one encounter!?"

"Could it be... that this is the actual strength of Sect disciples, all show and no substance?"

At this moment, their anger was replaced by an undisguised discussion as they left.

These words fell into the ears of the Heavenly Cold Sect and it was like a loud slap in the face!

But they had no way to retort.

Not to mention that this whole affair was instigated by a Heavenly Cold Sect Elder, let alone that it was five against one, beating a mere waste who had just begun to cultivate, and leaving him vomiting blood and unconscious after one encounter.

This truly caused them to lose all their dignity!

"Elder... the disciple failed in his duties." Liu Xin lowered his head, knelt on one knee, and waited for the Sixth Elder's punishment.

"Enough."

"That young man is a bit strange."

"Take them away and ensure they are treated properly, without delay."

The Sixth Elder waved his hand with a dark face, surprisingly not blaming Liu Xin.

Even he hadn't anticipated such a misstep.

He had intended to probe Gu Changge's Realm, but he couldn't see through it; Gu Zhan was really willing to part with his Space Ring and give it to this youngster!

He could only vaguely sense that the young man was indeed in the Qi Condensation Realm.

However, with the concealment of the Space Ring, unless he touched the youngster, he could not accurately feel his exact Realm.

Despite the doubt in his heart, he would have to wait until Liu Qingqing returned to inquire further.

At this moment, Gu Zhan also returned from above the Gu Family Mansion to his own courtyard at a leisurely pace.

"To think that after only three days of cultivation, he has become unbeatable in the Qi Condensation Realm..."

"What kind of heaven-defying fortune has this young man encountered?"

"It couldn't be that he has been possessed by the Ancestor from the Back Mountain..."

"Or perhaps... has one of the Ancestors' Lifespans nearly expired? Are they passing on their power to him!?"

As a Great Power in the Heavenly Gate Realm, he naturally heard the shouting, but he did not show himself; he simply stood thousands of meters above, silently observing. If anything seemed amiss, he would have stepped in to save Gu Changge.

Yet the outcome was also startling to him, not only was Gu Changge unharmed, but he also defeated the five Qi Condensation Realm opponents with ease!

He felt that the young man probably didn't use his full strength and still had some trump cards hidden.

But this rate of advancement had already surpassed his understanding. In all his years in the Northern Domain, he had never heard of anyone breaking through from a mere mortal to Perfection in the Qi Condensation Realm in three days!

Such a precedent had never existed from ancient times to the present!

This made him more worried; it was possible that an Ancestor from the Back Mountain was nearing the end of their Lifespan, either passing on their power or possessing him!

Regardless of which possibility it was, neither was a result the Gu Family wished to see and both were significant losses to his Gu Family!

However, he believed more in the transmission of power; the Gu Family had never had a precedent of possessing their own younger generation. If it was possession, they could have easily sought out others; why go after their own?

"It's just uncertain whether such rapid breakthroughs will affect his foundation, and how long this terrifying speed of advancement can continue..."

Gu Zhan shook his head and stopped pondering it further as he began to deal with family affairs.

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...

"Already far away," Liu Qingqing reminded aloud.

Hearing this, Gu Changge dropped the pretense, no longer allowing himself to be supported, showing no sign of injury.

"Why?"

Liu Qingqing's gaze was filled with curiosity as she looked at the young man before her, having so many questions she wanted to ask.

"We'll find a secluded place later and talk in depth."

Without answering her question, Gu Changge headed straight for the exit of the Inner Mansion.

Seeing that she stood still and did not follow, he simply took hold of her wrist and led her away.

Instinctively, Liu Qingqing wanted to pull away. In her eighteen years, her interactions with the opposite sex had only ever involved talking, never physical contact!

However, upon remembering that she was soon to be married to him, she let him take her hand without further struggle.

Feeling the warmth of his palm, Liu Qingqing's ears reddened slightly in a moment.

Thankfully, Gu Changge did not seem to notice any of this. He simply nodded and greeted the people of the Gu Family along the way, and soon they had left the Gu Family Mansion, walking through the city.

After a short while, they arrived at the Guest House, where Gu Changge liked to treat himself after disbursing his monthly salary.

Seeing him, the waiter enthusiastically led them to a third-floor private room with a window.

Although Gu Changge had previously been unable to cultivate, he was, after all, from the Gu Family's direct lineage and held an immensely respected status in the city.

He had never encountered anyone foolish enough to deliberately make things difficult for him...

Shortly afterward, the dishes were served, and the waiter knew that this young master disliked being disturbed, especially since this time he had brought along a woman who appeared to be a heavenly beauty.

"If the young master has any requests, you can call me anytime."

After leaving these words, the waiter hurriedly departed, closing the door behind him.

Once the waiter had left, Liu Qingqing swiftly erected a simple sound barrier with her hand, ensuring that even if they spoke with the window open, no one would hear their conversation.

Of course... even if one were a Heavenly Cold Sect Elder or someone of Gu Zhan's stature in the Heavenly Gate Realm, they could probe their conversation without detection.

But in Gu Family's main city, it was unlikely for a Heavenly Cold Sect Elder to have the opportunity, and obviously, the Gu Family members wouldn't probe to satisfy curiosity about their love talks.

After setting up the sound barrier, Liu Qingqing turned her attention to the man in front of her.

"Eat and talk."

"There's something else I need to give you later," Gu Changge said, unabashedly beginning to eat heartily with a light chuckle.

In contrast, Liu Qingqing only symbolically picked up a few bites of food and then put her bowl and chopsticks down.

Ever since she had joined the Heavenly Cold Sect, she had lived on Fasting Pills and had no desire to waste time on eating and drinking.

All the time she could spare, she wanted to use for cultivation!

Only by doing so could she pursue the realm she aspired to!

It was not until Gu Changge had his fill of food and wine, patting his stomach contentedly, that Liu Qingqing spoke again:

"What have you been through these past few days?"

"Of course, if you don't wish to speak of it, I won't ask further. Everyone has their own opportunities and secrets."

"I just want to know... is this a temporary breakthrough, or can you continue advancing?"

What concerned her most now was whether Gu Changge's method of breakthrough could be sustained...

If it could, then perhaps her marriage to Gu Changge wouldn't be limited to the name of spouses; in the future, they could also meet at the pinnacle!

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