Who Are You Thinking Of

Gu Chengyin nodded slightly, accepting the bow. Remembering something else, he added, "One more thing."

Jiang Qingshan looked up. At this moment, this Golden Core realm expert looked just like a fiercely loyal subordinate.

"If you encounter any problems during the faction war, go find Yang Yifei and Lu Weilou."

"They will handle it."

Yang Yifei?

Lu Weilou?

Jiang Qingshan was startled.

These two were the Alliance Leader and Valley Master of their respective factions.

Although their own cultivation levels were not high and they usually had little presence, their actual authority was immense.

Especially in the faction war, even the slightest favoritism from them would result in a massive advantage.

When deploying troops, they could assign better positions.

When allocating resources, they could give a bit more.

When disputes arose, they could rule in your favor.

These instances of bias might seem like small matters, but they would add up to a tremendous advantage.

Countless large sects desperately wanted their favor.

But what about them?

They did not give a damn.

No matter who tried to pull strings, they completely ignored them, and they were not afraid of any threats either.

Because standing behind them was the humbleborn faction.

It was Emperor Luo.

It was the Celestial Master Mansion.

Moreover, even if someone made a move against them, it would be useless. The humbleborn faction could dispatch new people to take over at any time.

Instead, it would only hand over a vulnerability to be exploited by Emperor Luo.

Therefore, basically no one would dare touch them; instead, everyone treated them with the utmost courtesy.

But now, Gu Chengyin was actually saying to just go directly to them if anything came up?

Jiang Qingshan looked at Gu Chengyin, his gaze becoming incredibly complex.

Just how vast was this Junior Preceptor Gu's network of connections?

The experts in the sect inspection team were all renowned figures, all belonging to the core departments of the Divine Capital.

The aristocratic families also had to give him face, similarly dispatching quite a few experts.

Not to mention the Celestial Master Mansion; Lin Qingyan was standing right beside him at this very moment, not leaving his side for a single step.

And now, even the humbleborn faction had become people who could handle things for him?

Jiang Qingshan suddenly felt that his decision to step down and yield his position to a more capable person was simply a brilliant choice.

No, not just brilliant.

It was far too brilliant.

With Gu Chengyin as the sect leader, possessing such heaven-defying connections alone meant Jiang Qingshan would not have to do anything.

He only needed to manage the internal affairs well, and the Azure Sword Sect could soar even while lying flat.

Not to mention there was now the favoritism of Yang and Lu.

As long as the disciples of the Azure Sword Sect participated in the faction war, it was foreseeable that they would definitely have smooth sailing.

And once their fame rose and their influence expanded, the Azure Sword Sect would attract even more outstanding prodigies to join.

Going step by step like this, surpassing those major sects would be just around the corner.

Jiang Qingshan took a deep breath, cupped his hands again, and spoke with an increasingly respectful voice:

"Your subordinate understands. Everything will be as Sect Leader Gu wishes."

Sect Leader Gu.

This time, Jiang Qingshan spoke these three words with exceptional solemnity.

Gu Chengyin nodded slightly. Although he was not physically in the Azure Sword Sect, the sect's strength could not stagnate.

After all, beyond the Golden Core realm, what mattered was the status and influence of the bound sect.

The stronger the Azure Sword Sect became, the more cultivation base he could obtain.

And the faction war was undoubtedly the most suitable platform.

If Yang Yifei and Lu Weilou wanted to be promoted into the ministries, they would know exactly what to do.

By the time Gu Chengyin reached the Golden Core realm, the Azure Sword Sect's strength would have improved significantly.

At that time, Gu Chengyin could take out the Azure Cloud Art and begin to impart it gradually.

With a top-tier Heaven-rank cultivation method that pointed straight toward ascension, the status and influence of the Azure Sword Sect would no longer be measurable by mere numbers.

After giving his instructions, Gu Chengyin dismissed Jiang Qingshan as well.

In the courtyard, only he and Lin Qingyan remained.

Sunlight spilled through the treetops, spreading a dappled pattern of light and shadows across the ground.

In the distance, the crisp and melodious chirping of birds made the courtyard seem even more secluded and peaceful.

Lin Qingyan gently held Gu Chengyin's hand and asked:

"Chengcheng, has that dog emperor issued the decree yet?"

Gu Chengyin nodded and replied:

"Yes. After all, it concerns the legacy of the Immortal Clan."

"No matter how much His Majesty wants to kill me, he must ensure my safe return for now."

These words made Lin Qingyan thoughtful. Suddenly thinking of something, she asked with great confusion:

"Since that dog knows the rumors are fake, why did he still send you out on an inspection tour?"

"You have clearly done so well, your abilities are so strong, and Zhao'er trusts you deeply."

"Why does he want to kill you so badly?"

Lin Qingyan had only just realized that the sequence of events was wrong.

Previously, she thought Emperor Luo wanted to kill Gu Chengyin in order to make a move against the cultivation world.

But looking at it now, that was not the case at all. Emperor Luo simply wanted to kill Gu Chengyin.

Furthermore, he could not let Gu Chengyin die in the Divine Capital, as the fallout would be too immense.

Therefore, the sect inspection tour was the best choice; as for the cultivation world, it was merely collateral damage.

This meant that the true sequence was Emperor Luo wanting to kill Gu Chengyin first, and then targeting the cultivation world.

Not targeting the cultivation world first and then killing Gu Chengyin.

This made Lin Qingyan feel even more perplexed.

Logically speaking, with Gu Chengyin's abilities and Luo Zhao's trust,

Emperor Luo should be grooming him carefully. Yet now, not only was there no grooming,

but he was setting deadly traps at every step, absolutely determined to put Gu Chengyin to death.

To Lin Qingyan's question, Gu Chengyin could only answer silently in his heart.

Why else? Because Emperor Luo had noticed something was wrong with Luo Zhao.

If even Shangguan Yunying could see it, how could someone of Emperor Luo's caliber fail to notice?

This emperor's vision, methods, and scheming were completely on par with his own.

He was also the only person so far who had ever made Gu Chengyin feel pressured.

Of course, he definitely could not tell Lin Qingyan this truth.

If Lin Qingyan found out what he had done to Luo Zhao.

Gu Chengyin did not even dare to imagine the consequences.

Thus, Gu Chengyin pulled Lin Qingyan into his embrace and found an excuse to reply:

"Perhaps it is His Majesty's test for me. You see, Her Highness is also frequently tested in this manner."

Although this answer was a bit far-fetched, Lin Qingyan's mind was now entirely occupied by Gu Chengyin's embrace.

She could not think at all, completely forgetting what she had even just asked.

Seeing that Lin Qingyan had no intention of pursuing the matter, Gu Chengyin set his mind at ease.

His gaze fell upon the distant mountains, while his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Now that the Azure Sword Sect had been secured, the next step was to return to the Divine Capital.

He needed to advance his official position one step further. With just one step, he could directly enter the Golden Core realm.

But the obstacle to this step was also obvious.

Emperor Luo.

Gu Chengyin narrowed his eyes, carefully pondering while holding Lin Qingyan.

Although Emperor Luo was unfathomable, he also had a weakness, and that was Luo Zhao.

Therefore, he still had to revolve his plans around Luo Zhao.

There was also Shangguan Yunying; he needed to maintain his relationship with her.

This was to secure Jiang Qingshan's loyalty.

Additionally, he needed to turn Gu Xiaoli into his cat.

To ensure that in the future, if...

Right at this moment, a voice suddenly interrupted Gu Chengyin's train of thought.

"Who are you thinking about?"

Gu Chengyin paused and looked down into his arms.

Lin Qingyan was looking up, her eyes full of vigilance.

Her intuition told her that Gu Chengyin was thinking about another woman.

He was clearly holding her in his arms, yet he dared to think about another woman?!

Lin Qingyan stared into Gu Chengyin's eyes and asked again:

"Gu Chengyin."

"Who. Are. You. Thinking. About?"