In the dim, oppressive atmosphere of the dungeon, a tense confrontation unfolded.
"Gu Changge, you despicable scoundrel! Not only did you take my Su Qingge, but now you dare to lay your hands on my master...!" Ye Chen's face twisted in anger as he shouted, his fury boiling over. He had instinctively assumed that Gu Changge was targeting his master, never once suspecting the more subtle manipulation at play. His emotions were a chaotic storm, torn between the man who had wronged him and the woman he secretly cherished as more than just his mentor. For years, he had seen Yan Ji as his teacher, but deep down, she was something far more precious—an obsession, a forbidden desire.
The words Gu Changge spoke only served to ignite the inferno inside him.
"Oh? Took your Su Qingge? That blame doesn't lie with me," Gu Changge responded casually, almost lazily, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "You should know, from start to finish, it was Su Qingge who willingly chose me. I didn't force her. Don't misunderstand things. As for what I said earlier, did I lie? People naturally seek higher ground, just as water flows downward. That's the law of survival in this world."
He wasn't done yet. "As for you, if you really cared about your master, you'd stop holding her back. Do you honestly think a mere soul fragment can survive in this world?"
Each word was like a dagger, cold and sharp, aimed directly at Ye Chen's heart. His fists clenched, his face a mask of torment. He knew the truth of Gu Changge's words. A soul fragment could only linger for so long, and his deepest desire was to grow strong enough to restore Yan Ji to her physical form.
"Xiao Chen, calm down..." Yan Ji's voice, soft and soothing, echoed in his mind. A wave of coolness filled his thoughts, forcing him to regain his composure. Despite his brilliance, the young man's heart had been easily stirred by Gu Changge's calculated provocations. It was a rare lapse in his usual unyielding, determined nature. Was it truly this easy for him to fall into a spiral of rage?
"Master..." Ye Chen's teeth gritted, but gradually, the turbulence within him began to subside. Gu Changge's cruel words had struck deep, but Yan Ji's calming influence began to restore his clarity.
"System Notification: Ye Chen's mental state continues to deteriorate. Fate value reduced by 20 points. Heavenly Destiny value increased by 100."
But Gu Changge, indifferent to these developments, continued with his pitch, his voice smooth as silk. "So, Master Yan Ji, have you considered my offer? If you follow me, not only can I help you regain your physical form, but I can even bring you back to your peak state. You should know better than anyone the power and influence I wield. You know the kind of forces that stand behind me."
He paused for a moment, then added with a confident smile, "In every respect, I am far superior to Ye Chen."
The statement was both a statement of fact and a subtle jab. Ye Chen, now nothing more than an afterthought, was left in the shadows, completely ignored by Gu Changge.
Yan Ji, who had been observing the conversation with a furrowed brow, couldn't quite decipher Gu Changge's true intentions. Was he attempting to drive a wedge between them? Surely, someone with his strength could easily dispose of Ye Chen if he wished—why go through such elaborate games?
Perhaps she was overthinking it. It seemed more likely that Gu Changge simply wanted her to join his side. And, truth be told, she was not entirely averse to the idea. After all, her extensive experience in this world had granted her a perspective that made her understand that Gu Changge's actions, while bold, had a certain pragmatism.
She had seen the cruelty of the world firsthand, and while Ye Chen had often acted recklessly and with much pride, it was Gu Changge who had shown restraint, not holding grudges over the many provocations. That level of magnanimity spoke volumes. With that sort of resourcefulness and vision, it was not hard to imagine how far he could go.
"Gu Changge, you don't need to say any more," Yan Ji finally responded, her tone firm yet composed. "I have already accepted the debt owed to Ye Chen. Until he has grown, I cannot abandon him."
Gu Changge seemed momentarily disappointed, though his smile remained. "Of course. Take your time to think about it. If you choose to follow me, I won't hold the offense with Ye Chen against you. I could even have the Tai Xuan Holy Land cancel all of his punishments. And as for Su Qingge, she can be yours as well."
Those words made Ye Chen's blood run cold. His emotions simmered under the surface, fighting to stay contained. The mention of Su Qingge being casually offered as a "gift" only further cemented his understanding of Gu Changge's power—the idea that a person's fate could be determined so easily by someone like him was a harsh truth.
"Gu Changge, enough," Ye Chen finally said, his eyes narrowed like shards of ice. His anger was a force that could no longer be contained. Gu Changge's words were an insult to everything Ye Chen held dear—his mentor, his future, and the woman he loved. Gu Changge was a predator, and Ye Chen was the prey.
Gu Changge smiled knowingly and shifted his attention back to Yan Ji. "Please, consider this carefully, Master Yan. I'm not one to pressure anyone, nor would I use Ye Chen's life as a bargaining chip against you."
With that, he pulled out a gleaming pill from his robes. "This is a Soul Gathering Pill. Surely, you recognize its potency."
Yan Ji's eyes widened in recognition. The pill, a soft lavender color, radiated a mystical aura, surrounded by an array of fantastical visions. Its power was unmistakable, a treasure of immeasurable worth.
"This is the Soul Gathering Pill?" Yan Ji's voice caught, her surprise clear in her gaze.
"Your condition is precarious. Think of this as my gift to you for today's meeting," Gu Changge said with a smile, placing the pill before her.
Without giving her a chance to refuse, he turned and left the dungeon.
As the saying goes,
You can't catch the wolf without letting go of the child.
Gu Changge's smile slowly faded, replaced by a look of keen interest.
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