Breaking into the Divine Capital

Taking a trip to the Azure Sword Sect was a request that didn't surprise Gu Chengyin at all.

In fact, it had been part of his plan all along.

After all, upon reaching the Golden Core realm, his cultivation base would need to be bound to a sect or a clan.

This was a major turning point: transitioning from relying on personal authority to building his own faction.

Currently, the most suitable option was undoubtedly a sect.

And to build a sect, there were only two paths:

The first was to start from scratch and nurture a sect from the ground up.

This path was steady, but it was incredibly time-consuming. Furthermore, a sect would be weak in its early stages and could easily be crushed by various other factions.

The second was to directly take over an existing sect.

With his current power and influence, he could easily bring a sect under his command without shedding a single drop of blood.

In comparison, the second path was clearly more convenient and efficient, and it suited his style much better.

Then came the question:

Within the borders of the Great Luo Dynasty, there were countless cultivation sects, big and small. Which one should he choose?

Gu Chengyin already had an answer in his heart.

The Azure Sword Sect was his top priority.

Therefore, when Jiang Jianli suggested going to the Azure Sword Sect, Gu Chengyin actually breathed a sigh of relief.

It was like someone handing him a pillow just as he was feeling sleepy.

He immediately nodded and said in a sincere tone,

"As a newcomer, whether it is the Azure Sword Sect or any other sect, this junior ought to pay a visit to each of them to show my respect."

"I just didn't expect Special Envoy Jiang to arrive so quickly. Since that is the case,"

"Then this junior will start with the Azure Sword Sect first."

Hearing Gu Chengyin's reply, obvious satisfaction appeared on Jiang Jianli's face.

This young man was not only smart but also knew how to assess the situation. What was even rarer was his proper attitude.

He wasn't arrogant because of his status as the heir of an immortal clan; instead, he humbly referred to himself as a junior at every turn.

This gave face not only to the Azure Sword Sect but also to her, Jiang Jianli.

He really knew how to conduct himself.

Jiang Jianli nodded, her tone much softer than before.

"That is very good."

"Vice Minister Gu doesn't need to rush. The imperial court has just experienced some turmoil, and the Ministry of Rites is currently swamped with affairs. You can handle your current matters first."

"As for the time..."

Jiang Jianli pondered for a moment before giving a deadline.

"You just need to set off within a week."

A week.

Neither too long nor too short.

It was enough time for Gu Chengyin to familiarize himself with the affairs of the Ministry of Rites and make arrangements here in the Divine Capital. It was also enough time for the Azure Sword Sect to prepare for his arrival.

Gu Chengyin immediately nodded and agreed.

"Alright. Once this junior is ready, I will notify you immediately."

His attitude was decisive, without any hesitation.

The appreciation in Jiang Jianli's eyes grew stronger.

But then, as if thinking of something, Gu Chengyin asked with slight hesitation,

"Do we need to inform Yunying about this matter?"

Jiang Jianli shook her head and said,

"Yun'er is also busy on her end, so she won't be going."

This answer made Gu Chengyin's heart stir slightly.

Shangguan Yunying wasn't going?

Why?

Logically speaking, she should be the most suitable person to accompany him.

Alarm bells rang faintly in Gu Chengyin's mind, but he remained calm on the surface, nodding to show his understanding.

Jiang Jianli continued to speak.

"When the time comes, I will return to the sect with you."

She looked at Gu Chengyin with gentle eyes, as if trying to soothe his doubts.

"Don't worry. Given your relationship with Yun'er, I won't harm you."

However, Jiang Jianli's next words made Gu Chengyin's heart turn cold.

"It's just that the heir of the Azure Cloud Immortal Clan is simply too important to our Azure Sword Sect."

Gu Chengyin instantly understood.

The Azure Sword Sect was so eager to find him that they even had Jiang Jianli personally step forward to corner him in the main hall of the Ministry of Rites.

It wasn't to verify his authenticity.

It wasn't to meet some elders.

It wasn't even to discuss a deal.

It was because they needed the heir of the Azure Cloud Immortal Clan.

And they urgently wanted to bind this identity to the Azure Sword Sect.

No wonder Jiang Jianli came looking for him the moment she received the news.

This was no longer a collaboration or a transaction.

This was acknowledging one's ancestors and returning to the clan.

Thoughts raced through Gu Chengyin's mind, but he appeared even more humble on the surface.

"This junior understands."

His attitude was modest, without the slightest air of an ancestral figure.

This made Jiang Jianli even more satisfied.

With the matter settled, Jiang Jianli stood up, preparing to leave.

Just as Gu Chengyin was about to see her out, he saw Jiang Jianli turn around and smile.

"Speaking of which, is Young Master Gu free tonight?"

This change in address was very subtle.

From Vice Minister Gu to Young Master Gu, from an official title to a personal one—it meant that the official business was over, and now it was time for personal matters.

Gu Chengyin thought for a moment and nodded.

"I should be free."

He answered cautiously, leaving some leeway.

Jiang Jianli quickly followed up.

"Then could you help me tell Yun'er to come back for dinner tonight?"

"Of course, if Young Master Gu could come along, that would be even better."

A dinner invitation.

And it was a private invitation issued in her capacity as Madam Jiang.

A look of hesitation appeared on Gu Chengyin's face.

This wasn't an act; he was genuinely weighing his options.

Mainly because Gu Chengyin keenly sensed that Jiang Jianli's invitation was probably not just about having a meal.

Seeing Gu Chengyin's hesitation, Jiang Jianli lowered her voice and softly added,

"The main thing is that my Yuan... ahem, my husband, hasn't he just entered the Grand Secretariat?"

"At a time like this, with the imperial court in chaos, it's inconvenient for him to go see Her Highness directly."

"And as for Yun'er..."

"Well, you should understand what I mean."

Gu Chengyin understood perfectly.

After all, almost everyone knew by now that he, Gu Chengyin, was the hidden big boss of the Crown Princess's Eastern Palace.

So for some matters, going directly to him was much easier than going to Luo Zhao.

Gu Chengyin immediately cupped his hands in a salute.

"Rest assured, Madam Jiang. This junior will be there."

Jiang Jianli then nodded in satisfaction.

"In that case, I will see you tonight."

She paused and returned to her business-like tone.

"Vice Minister Gu doesn't need to see me out. Go about your work."

With that said, she turned around and gracefully left the main hall of the Ministry of Rites with her two maids.

Gu Chengyin watched Jiang Jianli's figure disappear out the door, the smile on his face slowly fading.

He stood there, falling into deep thought.

Jiang Jianli's sudden visit and invitation indicated that there was information behind the heir of the Azure Cloud Immortal Clan that he didn't know about.

But as the Chief Steward of the Internal Affairs Department, he was completely unaware, which left only one possibility.

Emperor Luo, that old schemer, had sealed the information just to make him accept the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

However, this wasn't the most important matter at the moment.

Gu Chengyin's thoughts returned to the deductions he made in the carriage, as well as the point he had overlooked.

Gu Xiaoli.

Gu Chengyin didn't have much affection for this world-weary loli.

Their so-called brother-sister relationship was nothing more than a back-and-forth tug-of-war.

Just like how Gu Xiaoli had deliberately seduced him using her identity as his personal maid.

That very night, Gu Chengyin had unhesitatingly used the situation to 'throw' her out.

After that, even if the two met again, they were merely nodding acquaintances.

After learning that Gu Xiaoli could freely enter and leave the Myriad Manifestations Pavilion, he kept an even greater distance from her.

And after the audit in the Hall of Literature and Reason was completed, Gu Xiaoli had already been arranged by Luo Zhao to stay by her side.

She ate and lived together with Shangguan Yunying; nominally his younger sister, but in reality, she was more like Luo Zhao's secondary female official.

It wouldn't be surprising if she suddenly changed her name to Luo Xiaoli one day.

Having figured all this out, Gu Chengyin actually felt relieved.

Emperor Luo wasn't terrifying, and neither was Gu Xiaoli.

The unknown is always the most terrifying.

As long as there is a clear target, one knows how to strike back.

Originally, he wanted to push Luo Zhao into power first before elevating his own official rank and status.

Now it seems that plans can never keep up with the shifting circumstances.

Sure enough, it is better to first get a promotion, advance to the Golden Core Realm, and bind the sect.

After that, he can force Emperor Luo to abdicate and support Luo Zhao's ascension to the throne. This sequence of events makes much more sense.

Fighting his way into the Divine Capital is far easier than taking the exams to get in.