Only Think That

It was a space where he could think freely, calculate freely, and strategize freely.

The corners of Gu Chengyin's lips curled into a very faint smile.

He recalled the situation just now, with two women pressing against him, one on his left and one on his right.

Shangguan Yunying was gentle as water, while Lin Qingyan was cold as frost.

And then there was that Golden Core aura, which nearly turned the whole scene upside down.

If it were anyone else, they would probably have been completely flustered by the situation.

But Gu Chengyin was not; though he indulged in desire, he always maintained a rational mind.

That was why he could make the most precise judgments in such a chaotic situation.

Stopping his thoughts, immersing himself in desire, and hiding his true intentions.

Only then could he pacify Shangguan Yunying with a single sentence afterward, making her gleefully believe that he was on her side.

Only then could he calmly sort out his thoughts and confirm his advantages in this moment of quietness.

This was Gu Chengyin's habit.

Never succumbing to pressure, keeping everything firmly in his own hands.

Whether it was people, matters, emotions, or situations.

Gu Chengyin lifted his eyes and looked in Shangguan Yunying's direction.

She was sitting in her seat, her face full of anticipation and joy, her eyes shockingly bright.

She was clearly still immersed in the joy of soon learning the Azure Cloud Incantation, her mind filled with the beautiful vision of catching up to Lin Qingyan.

Gu Chengyin's gaze flickered; he knew what Shangguan Yunying was thinking.

She was thinking about catching up to Lin Qingyan, about one day being on equal footing with her, about never having to be suppressed by Lin Qingyan's cultivation realm again.

She was even thinking that once she caught up to Lin Qingyan, she would truly be worthy of Gu Chengyin.

Then she could rightfully have him and become the only woman by his side.

Gu Chengyin knew Shangguan Yunying was thinking these things.

But he knew even better that she was wrong.

Shangguan Yunying thought the Azure Cloud Incantation could help her catch up to Lin Qingyan.

But she didn't know that Lin Qingyan's talent was far beyond what a Heaven-tier cultivation method could bridge.

Being invincible at the Golden Core stage never relied on mere cultivation methods, but on absolute talent and power.

Shangguan Yunying thought that raising her realm would allow her to stand on equal footing with Lin Qingyan.

But she didn't know that Lin Qingyan's value was never just her cultivation base.

She was also Jingzhe of the Celestial Master Mansion, Luo Zhao's aunt, and the most important trump card for the counterattack against Emperor Luo.

Shangguan Yunying knew everything, yet knew nothing at all.

But Gu Chengyin knew that she liked him, wanted to possess him, and was willing to do anything for him.

That was enough.

Gu Chengyin withdrew his gaze, the profound meaning in his eyes deepening a bit.

Shangguan Yunying's temperament was exactly what he needed the most.

Passionate, straightforward, daring to love and hate, and once she set her mind on something, she would never turn back.

Such a person was the easiest to control and the least likely to betray.

Because her affection itself was the strongest shackle.

This was also why, up until now, Shangguan Yunying remained loyal to Luo Zhao.

It was just that recently, this loyalty had begun to waver.

Although Gu Chengyin wasn't entirely certain, he did have this feeling.

As for Lin Qingyan.

Gu Chengyin's gaze fell upon her once again.

She still had her eyes lowered, but the expression on her face seemed to have undergone a slight change.

The blush had faded, replaced by a faint sense of melancholy.

As if she had remembered something, or perhaps thought of nothing at all.

Looking at this face, Gu Chengyin suddenly recalled that moment just now.

When the Golden Core aura appeared, he could clearly see the panic and embarrassment in Lin Qingyan's eyes.

As well as a trace of emotion he could not understand.

At that moment, Lin Qingyan was not a Golden Core fairy, nor the aloof Jingzhe of the Celestial Master Mansion.

She was just an ordinary woman who had fallen in love.

An ordinary woman who didn't know what to do.

Gu Chengyin lowered his eyes, concealing the fleeting emotion within them.

Even so, even when facing a smitten Lin Qingyan.

He was still accustomed to keeping everything in his own hands.

Including this kind of Lin Qingyan.

The inspection team was still marching along the official road, and the carriage was still moving.

But Gu Chengyin's thoughts were no longer on the two women.

He was thinking about his next move.

On Shangguan Yunying's side, things were already stabilized.

As long as she wanted something, he would give it to her, within controllable limits, of course.

To keep her expectant, passionate, and dependent on him.

And a single Azure Cloud Incantation was enough to keep Shangguan Yunying well-behaved for a very long time.

She would pour all her energy into cultivation, single-mindedly wanting to catch up to Lin Qingyan.

During this period, she wouldn't make a fuss, wouldn't fight, and wouldn't cause him any trouble.

Nor would she obsess over her place in Gu Chengyin's heart.

Instead, she would obediently act as the bridge between him and Jiang Qingshan.

This way, when the time came, Shangguan Yunying would throw herself forward without hesitation.

On Lin Qingyan's side, there wouldn't be any movement for the time being either.

She was not Shangguan Yunying; she wasn't the kind of woman who could be dismissed with a little sweetness.

Lin Qingyan was extremely smart, highly perceptive, and incredibly vigilant.

Once she noticed something amiss, she would immediately use absolute power to fiercely possess him.

So he couldn't rush it, couldn't expose himself, and could only advance little by little.

As long as she didn't sense any abnormal electricity from Gu Chengyin, Lin Qingyan would continue to trust him as always.

Following all his commands and instructions, because he was the only one in her heart.

But the premise was that she didn't sense any abnormal electricity, nor did she discover that he walked the path of Supreme Forgetfulness.

And as long as this premise was guaranteed, Gu Chengyin could use Lin Qingyan's strength and status to begin dealing with Emperor Luo.

He could even attempt to lift the hypnosis on the inner demon and instead hypnotize Lin Qingyan herself.

Gu Chengyin had always had this idea, but he had hidden it very deeply, not even daring to think about it.

But now he could think about it, and even begin to ponder the possibility of success.

After all, a completely obedient Lin Qingyan, one entirely in his grasp who wouldn't lock him in a dark room.

Was much more reliable than a Lin Qingyan who merely liked him.

However, Luo Zhao's past example made Gu Chengyin have to be cautious.

Heaven knew if Lin Qingyan also had some special magical treasure on her.

Therefore, before hypnotizing Lin Qingyan, Gu Chengyin had to ensure absolutely nothing would go wrong.

Otherwise, he would never make a move lightly, but as long as he could completely control Lin Qingyan.

The rewards would undoubtedly be massive, perhaps even great enough to allow him to step immediately into the Golden Core realm.

The corners of Gu Chengyin's lips curled up, but his eyes remained perfectly clear.

This was the benefit of Supreme Forgetfulness.

When one transcended above emotions, one could use emotions as tools, as weapons, and as pieces on a chessboard.

One could precisely calculate every step and calmly observe every reaction.

One could quietly guide everything to develop in the desired direction.

And whether it was Lin Qingyan or Shangguan Yunying, they would only think it was a true revelation of feelings.

They would only think he was attracted to them.

They would only think...

That Gu Chengyin was theirs.