"Could my charm really be that great?"
Hearing Chu Yao's words, Gu Qing murmured to himself.
Although he didn't know Xi Ling, as the daughter of an Invincible Immortal King and the Divine Maiden of the Taiyin Dao Sect, Xi Ling was absolutely no ordinary peerless genius.
He hadn't even met her, or perhaps he had but just didn't recognize her.
Yet without doing anything, he had already made Xi Ling fall for him?
Why did it feel so unreal?
Gu Qing frowned, thinking that perhaps Chu Yao had misunderstood the situation.
Maybe Xi Ling was just interested in his strength, or perhaps she just wanted to discuss Dao techniques and divine abilities, with no romantic interest whatsoever at all.
"You silly goose."
Seeing Gu Qing's confused expression, Chu Yao chuckled and poked his forehead.
Others had inexplicable self-confidence; Gu Qing, on the other hand, was handsome without even realizing it.
Just wait. Once Gu Qing's deeds completely spread, even more little vixens will come flocking to him.
On the path of immortality to eternal life, with such a rare man who has stunned the immortal realm appearing, perhaps some veteran female cultivators won't be able to remain calm either, their hearts stirred after all.
After all, women also appreciate beauty. "Food and sex are part of human nature"—this is the Great Dao.
Thinking this, Chu Yao asked with a jealous pout: "Should you pursue Xi Ling?"
"No need."
Gu Qing shook his head and then mentioned that he had the protection of an Immortal King, so Chu Yao needn't worry.
Hearing about the Immortal King's protection, Chu Yao was overjoyed, her excited face flushing with a rosy glow.
The topic of finding women was dropped immediately.
Her slender waist allowed Gu Qing to hold, and her long legs wrapped around him.
Chu Yao's eyes smoldered like silk as she whispered, "They're having a gathering to exchange information, discuss Dao techniques and divine abilities, or form alliances to seize treasures. Will you join?"
"No."
Gatherings like that are definitely trouble spots.
Given their situation, there would surely be people mocking or testing them.
Gu Qing's spirit was fragile and couldn't withstand being cursed for no reason. Even if he ended up slapping them back in the end, his good mood for the day would be ruined.
Besides, Gu Qing still needed to refine the Creation Green Lotus Cauldron and had no time for childish games.
After pestering him for a while, seeing that Gu Qing was dead set on not going out, Chu Yao said helplessly, "Fine, since you're not showing up, Shengzi Yaoguang will be the one to benefit."
"...What does this have to do with Shengzi Yaoguang?"
"Of course it does! In the Ancient Star Domain, Shengzi Yaoguang is known as the Light of the Righteous Path, ranking alongside Xi Ling and Xingyue as the top of the younger generation. If you don't appear, the prodigies will have to look up to those three as their leaders."
"Moreover, when discussing Dao techniques and divine abilities, if those prodigies gain any insights, they will surely remember this favor."
Chu Yao explained.
She had heard Shengzi Yaoguang lecture on the Dao before; his techniques were unfathomably profound, the top of this generation by no means having gotten his reputation undeservedly.
But that was before. Now that Gu Qing was here, Shengzi Yaoguang could only step aside.
After this troublesome little vixen Chu Yao left, Gu Qing immediately entered the Ruyi Space to refine the Creation Green Lotus Cauldron.
His divine sense penetrated it, and with the help of the Dao Eye, he began to refine the divine patterns and restrictions of the Creation Green Lotus Cauldron...
...
In the Starlight Pavilion, dressed in white, Shengzi Yaoguang gazed coldly down at the boundless starry sky.
His brows unconsciously furrowed as an ominous premonition rose in his heart.
"Who is plotting against me?" Shengzi Yaoguang thought uneasily.
He frowned, wondering if he had offended anyone recently.
But after thinking for a long time, he couldn't come up with any reason.
Because he had really been low-key, always treating others kindly, never making enemies.
Even if he did make an enemy, he would kill them the very same day.
"Could it be the Ancient Star Domain lineage plotting against me? Wanting to use Gu Qing to step on me to rise higher?"
After much thought, Shengzi Yaoguang could only think of this possibility, and the furrow between his brows gradually smoothed.
If it was the Ancient Star Domain lineage, that would be easier to handle.
A bunch of grasshoppers that can't hop for long after autumn.
"Shengzi, both Divine Maiden Xi Ling and Holy Maiden Xingyue are interested in Gu Qing. Should we do something?"
The Great Elder asked with a solemn expression.
These two were both at the peak of the Heavenly God Realm, with unparalleled talent and heaven-defying foundations.
Moreover, both had extraordinary backgrounds.
Xi Ling had an Invincible Immortal King father, making her background unbeatable.
Their Star Dao Sect had also paid a tremendous price, offering some Immortal Emperor Great Dao scriptures, to get He Guang Immortal King's approval for this marriage alliance.
Xingyue was no slouch either. Although she wasn't an Immortal King's daughter, she had a peak Heavenly God Realm master in the Star Dao Sect.
And the Xingyue lineage also had three Heavenly Gods.
One could say that among the Star Dao Sect, she was the most honored Divine Maiden.
They had always been trying to matchmake the two of them, letting Shengzi Yaoguang have both, so that the path of the Great Dao would be smoother for him.
But no matter how they tried to matchmake, Xingyue and Xi Ling seemed to remain unmoved, always maintaining a lukewarm attitude toward Shengzi Yaoguang.
"Gu Qing..."
The normally expressionless Shengzi Yaoguang's face darkened upon hearing this.
He might not care about other things, but Xingyue and Xi Ling were the loves of his life, long regarded as his exclusive treasures, allowing no one else to touch them.
Shengzi Yaoguang couldn't help but picture the scene from earlier.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he never would have believed that the cold and ruthless Xingyue would actually show such girlish shyness.
Although that appearance was incredibly beautiful, even more stunning and moving than when she was cold.
But the object of her affection wasn't him.
And there was also Xi Ling.
Noble and proud, viewing all men beneath her.
Yet she repeatedly showed favor to Gu Qing.
The more Shengzi Yaoguang thought about it, the uglier his expression became, feeling as if a vast green grassland was growing above his head.
Gu Qing hadn't done anything yet yet had already captured the hearts of two women. If they were to spend time with Gu Qing...
Shengzi Yaoguang shook his head frantically, not daring to think further, and said coldly, "He's a dead man anyway. No need to pay him any mind."
Several sequential true disciples had already been given death orders. With great killing weapons in hand, Gu Qing was doomed to die once he entered the Ancient Immortal Secret Realm.
If he also targeted Gu Qing, it might displease Xingyue and Xi Ling.
Besides, if several sequential true disciples couldn't handle Gu Qing, then there would be no point in him taking action either.
"What the Shengzi says is reasonable."
The Great Elder pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.
Both women were proud and ruthless, most resenting interference in their affairs.
But doing nothing wasn't a solution either.
Were they just going to stand by and watch Xingyue and Xi Ling exchange longing glances with Gu Qing from afar?
Thinking of this, the Great Elder looked at the transcendent and indifferent Shengzi Yaoguang, a feeling of suffocation rising in his heart.
Shengzi Yaoguang had heaven-defying foundations, was humble and gentle to others, possessed immense depth of mind, and was incredibly handsome.
Such a perfect son of heaven, why couldn't Xingyue and Xi Ling take a liking to him?
He couldn't understand, couldn't understand at all. He truly couldn't fathom a woman's thoughts.
"There's no need for you to be troubled, Great Elder. Gu Qing is indeed outstanding enough for Xingyue and Xi Ling to be momentarily smitten."
"But one day, they will understand that I am the most suitable Dao partner for them."
Shengzi Yaoguang smiled faintly, his expression confident and composed.
The Great Elder nodded, exclaiming in praise: "The Shengzi is like an ancestor, with a transcendent mind, unfettered by external things, destined to achieve the supreme Great Dao fruitage."
In cultivation, one first cultivates the mind. Shengzi Yaoguang's transcendent state of mind could allow him to advance by leaps and bounds in his cultivation.
Coupled with the resources and luck of the entire Star Dao Sect supporting him, achieving the Dao of an Immortal King would absolutely be no problem.
Thinking this, the Great Elder said with regret: "It's a pity that the Kings do not allow it. If not, with the Shengzi's talent, he would surely ascend to the pinnacle of the Starlight Dao Path, how could he allow a mere boy like Gu Qing to steal all the spotlight?"
"A tree that stands out in the forest will be broken by the wind. He's just an insignificant ant, not worth concerning ourselves with." Shengzi Yaoguang said indifferently.
"What the Shengzi says is absolutely right."
Faced with the Shengzi, who was unmoved by fame and fortune, the Great Elder clapped his hands in admiration.
As for Gu Qing, he was too ostentatious and didn't know how to hide his talents. He would eventually be a flash in the pan.
Just like that woman who once reached the pinnacle, even if she amazed an era, didn't she fall in the end?
The times have changed.
Having talent only represents qualification for cultivation. If one wants to achieve anything, wealth, companions, methods, and environment are all indispensable.
The further one goes, the more one needs heavenly and earthly rare treasures to assist, and these were things Shengzi Yaoguang lacked nothing of.
Shengzi Yaoguang had consumed countless treasures.
He had refined divine objects to nurture his flesh body, used Three Light Divine Water to wash his aptitude, and even consumed three drops of Time Marrow.
He had even used the only innate spiritual treasure left by his ancestors to wash his aptitude.
In addition, he had famous masters guiding his cultivation and strong partners to train with.
Shengzi Yaoguang's foundation was profound, his Dao techniques and divine abilities perfect and complete.
He could even command the entire Star Dao Sect for his own use.
What did Gu Qing have?
Three Heavenly Gods with no foundation to speak of, nothing to fear. Once Gu Qing entered the Ancient Immortal Secret Realm, it would be his time of demise.
Since ancient times, there have been countless prodigies like Gu Qing who were flashes in the pan.
"Great Elder, have someone test Chu Yao and see if she is willing to abandon her lineage."
Shengzi Yaoguang suddenly thought of Chu Yao. Everyone in the Ancient Star Domain lineage was low-key and focused on cultivation.
Only Chu Yao, after joining the Star Dao Sect, was very active, appearing at every major occasion, adept at socializing and befriending many inheritors of immortal great sects.
Even within the Star Dao Sect, she had befriended many disciples.
In his eyes, Chu Yao was the biggest threat.
But everyone's attention was captured by Gu Qing, so he had to remind them.
"Very well!"
The Great Elder pondered for a moment and said: "This woman has the bearing of an Immortal King and is extremely good at managing relationships. Why not have the Shengzi take her as a concubine? That would also be a form of fortune for her."
"She is not worthy." Shengzi Yaoguang's tone was cold. He was only interested in Xingyue and Xi Ling.
Even though Chu Yao was stunningly beautiful and monstrously talented, she couldn't stir even the slightest ripple in his heart.
"But..."
The Great Elder hesitated to speak.
Because his divine sense had already detected that the woman the Shengzi wasn't interested in was being surrounded by the crowd.
Although she was a guest at the banquet, she had reversed roles and become the hostess.
While the woman the Shengzi cherished was inquiring about Gu Qing's news.
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