Then Go Fight for It

Returning from a stroll through the mountains, the sun had already risen high into the sky.

Gu Chengyin returned to the palace pavilion. Instead of resting, he ordered someone to summon Chen Busha and Jiang Qingshan.

Chen Busha arrived very quickly. There were not many matters to attend to while inspecting the sect, so he was quite at leisure.

However, this vice general of the Golden Feather Guards always maintained a cold and stern demeanor. Standing there like a javelin, his entire body exuded a fierce and tyrannical aura.

But when standing before Gu Chengyin, that aura was restrained significantly, leaving only respect.

Jiang Qingshan arrived shortly after.

This former sect master and current vice sect master of the Qingjian Sect wore a Daoist robe and a slight smile, revealing no unusual emotions.

Yet, if one looked closely into his eyes, they would notice a hint of complexity.

The two stood in the courtyard outside the pavilion—one at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm, the other at the early stage of the Golden Core realm.

But both were obediently waiting for Gu Chengyin's instructions.

Gu Chengyin stood under the corridor, his hands clasped behind his back.

He gazed at the distant Qingjian Mountain. The mountain ranges rolled continuously, shrouded in mist and clouds, and his gaze was profound.

"General Chen."

Chen Busha took a step forward. "I am here."

Gu Chengyin's gaze remained on the distant mountains as his voice continued,

"Pass down the order. Have the inspection team prepare for the return journey."

"Once the imperial decree arrives, we will immediately set off to return to the Divine Capital."

Return journey?

Chen Busha was slightly taken aback.

How many days had the inspection team been at the Qingjian Sect?

At most, it had only been three to five days.

According to the original plan, after leaving the Qingjian Sect, they were supposed to inspect the next sect.

But now, Gu Chengyin was telling them to prepare to return?

And it would be an imperial decree from Emperor Luo?

Chen Busha was puzzled, but he did not ask.

He was a Golden Feather Guard, a soldier, and a subordinate.

His duty was to execute orders, not to question them.

Chen Busha immediately cupped his hands and said respectfully,

"I will obey your command."

After saying that, he turned and left decisively, showing no intention of lingering.

Jiang Qingshan stood to the side, looking at Gu Chengyin's back, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.

Of course, he knew why Gu Chengyin said they would return.

And he knew why an imperial decree was mentioned.

Because Elder Qiu had gone to the Divine Capital.

To report to Emperor Luo.

The inheritance of the Qingjian Sect was a matter of grave importance.

Although that inheritance was fake, in the eyes of everyone else, it was real.

Once Emperor Luo found out, he would absolutely never allow Gu Chengyin to continue the inspection tour and deliver himself into the hands of other cultivation sects.

What if the news leaked? That would be like throwing a meat bun at a dog—gone forever.

Therefore, Emperor Luo would inevitably send a new inspection team to replace Gu Chengyin and continue the tour.

In fact, there was a high probability that the decree bearer was already on the way.

Looking at Gu Chengyin's back, Jiang Qingshan secretly admired him.

This was clearly within Gu Chengyin's expectations as well.

From the very beginning, the only place he truly wanted to go was the Qingjian Sect.

As for the other cultivation sects, that would be the business of the subsequent inspection teams.

What did that have to do with Gu Chengyin?

The only reason he used the guise of an inspection tour was simply as a smokescreen.

It was to make everyone believe that the reason Gu Chengyin's first stop was the Qingjian Sect...

...was because the Qingjian Sect wanted to welcome back this descendant of the Immortal Clan.

And not because Gu Chengyin wanted to swallow the entire Qingjian Sect whole.

By the time the five managing elders were sent away, it was already too late for anyone to react.

The Qingjian Sect had already become a prize in Gu Chengyin's pocket.

Jiang Qingshan's gaze toward Gu Chengyin grew even more respectful.

He truly advanced step by step, calculating everything without missing a single detail.

Sensing Jiang Qingshan's gaze, Gu Chengyin turned around and asked casually,

"Sect Master Jiang, are there any other issues regarding the Qingjian Sect?"

Jiang Qingshan paused for a moment before understanding.

This was telling him to speak up quickly if he had anything else to report.

Otherwise, once Gu Chengyin left, it would be too late.

It was quite strange, come to think of it.

He was obviously older.

He obviously had a higher cultivation base.

But what was the result?

Now, it was Jiang Qingshan standing before Gu Chengyin like a subordinate, reporting on his work and eagerly waiting for him to make a decision.

Meanwhile, Gu Chengyin, who was younger and had a lower cultivation base, stood there calmly, directing affairs with absolute authority.

Although Jiang Qingshan felt it was bizarre, he did not dwell on it too much.

Because he and Gu Chengyin were not in a strict superior-subordinate relationship.

There was another person between them.

Shangguan Yunying.

His granddaughter.

Gu Chengyin's...

Jiang Qingshan glanced at the aloof Lin Qingyan beside them and did not continue that train of thought.

He silently lit a candle in his heart for Shangguan Yunying.

It wasn't that he, as an elder, didn't want to help, but rather that this woman was simply too formidable.

Jiang Qingshan composed himself and reported truthfully,

"Sect Master Gu, everything within the sect is currently stable. After the news of you taking over as Sect Master spread,"

"The Celestial Master Mansion, the two major factions, and all the major sects have sent their congratulations."

Gu Chengyin nodded slightly; this news was expected.

The Qingjian Sect had changed its sect master, and it was him, the descendant of the Immortal Clan, taking the seat. How could those people not react?

Congratulations were inevitable, and so were their probing attempts.

But none of this mattered.

What mattered was what to do next.

After a brief moment of thought, Gu Chengyin began to instruct,

"Sect Master Jiang."

Jiang Qingshan cupped his hands. "I am here."

Gu Chengyin's voice was unhurried:

"Pass down the order. All Qingjian Sect disciples, as long as they meet the requirements, must participate in the faction war."

Jiang Qingshan was slightly startled, but he immediately listened intently.

"What should be ours, we will take."

The words were simple, and the meaning was crystal clear.

For what they should fight for, they must not be polite, nor should they be timid.

The corners of Gu Chengyin's mouth curled up into a slight smile.

It carried a trace of majesty, a trace of dominance, and an aura that made one's heart palpitate.

"What shouldn't be ours..."

"...then we will fight for it."

Fight for it.

Not that they shouldn't fight for it.

Not to avoid fighting for it.

But to fight for it anyway.

The sheer dominance and audacity contained in those words caused even a Golden Core realm expert like Jiang Qingshan to freeze in astonishment.

Gu Chengyin's voice continued, pausing after every word:

"The sky will not fall."

These words fell upon Jiang Qingshan's ears like a clap of thunder.

He stared blankly at Gu Chengyin's youthful face, a storm of emotions surging in his heart.

One must know that even when he was the sect master, he never dared to speak so boldly.

Although the Qingjian Sect was not weak, compared to the top-tier cultivation sects, it was still lacking.

Which of those great sects was easy to provoke?

What if they fought and lost?

What if they offended someone?

What if they stirred up trouble?

No one dared to take that gamble.

So they could only maintain the status quo and seek stability.

But now, Gu Chengyin was telling them to fight.

He was even saying that if anything happened, he would shoulder the consequences.

Jiang Qingshan took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions in his heart.

He quietly glanced at Lin Qingyan by Gu Chengyin's side.

This Jingzhe of the Celestial Master Mansion had an aloof expression and a transcendent temperament. Standing there, she looked like a fairy from the Ninth Heaven, untouched by the mortal world.

But when her gaze fell upon Gu Chengyin, that aloofness dissipated, leaving only a radiant light in her eyes.

Jiang Qingshan suddenly understood something. He retracted his gaze and bowed deeply to Gu Chengyin with cupped hands.

His voice was solemn. "I will strictly obey the Sect Master's command."