Chapter 047: System Adaptation
Silence fell over the entire venue. Director Zhou desperately tried to argue, but found himself utterly immobilized, even unable to speak. The people of Mystic Maiden Raksha Palace also remained motionless, seemingly unable to resist.
“No way.” Gu Xi Human Emperor let out an arrogant sneer, clearly pleased. “Who told you you’re all part of the Purple Xuan Alliance? The Mystic Maiden Palace traveled a long way, and you won’t be leaving this time. This is quite a generous gift I’ve inadvertently given to that scoundrel Zhao Xinting!”
“So you’re not here to care about the Selection Ceremony at all, are you?” Qin Gou suddenly stepped forward.
“Who are you?” The first person to confront him directly in the Mystic Maiden Palace’s contingent appeared. A hint of curiosity flickered in the Gu Xi Human Emperor’s eyes.
Qin Gou didn’t answer, but continued his cold questioning. “Whether the Selection Ceremony is fair, whether the Mystic Maiden Palace’s intentions are proper, you don’t care at all. All you want is to enrage Xinting, is that correct?”
“I’ve run out of patience!”
With that, the Gu Xi Human Emperor coldly extended a finger, as if intending to crush an ant. A thunderous sword, imbued with astonishing destructive power, shot directly towards Qin Gou’s head.
However, a woman in a simple, elegant cyan dress, who hadn’t been particularly conspicuous in the crowd, Qingyu, had somehow stationed herself by Qin Gou’s side. With just a glance, the thunderous sword dissipated into nothingness. Her cold, clear silver eyes, which seemed to perceive all things, caused the Gu Xi Human Emperor to inexplicably feel a sense of unease.
Others might not have understood what had just happened, but at the Gu Xi Human Emperor’s level, he instantly realized that this pale-faced woman, whose slender form seemed too delicate to bear clothes, and who had remained unrevealing from the start, was the one truly to be most wary of.
“So high and mighty! But that also means I must have guessed correctly.” Qin Gou chuckled, shaking his head. “Do you know how much effort I’ve put in these past few days to maintain this damned Selection Ceremony? I even wondered if, without me leading the Mystic Maiden Palace here, this place might have descended into utter chaos, becoming the last Selection Ceremony in the Cultivation World. And you, barging in midway, are now telling me all my previous efforts might be in vain, simply because you selfishly want to provoke Xinting… Youngster, you are truly outrageously hateful.” As he spoke the last sentence, a chilling glint flashed across Qin Gou’s pupils.
“Although it might cause some controversy, Little Yu is willing to act for Master!” Qingyu said to Qin Gou, her voice firm, without any hesitation.
Seeing this, the Gu Xi Human Emperor’s eyes darkened. He looked at Qin Gou deeply and said, “You call me ‘youngster’? While I don’t know your true origin, the fact that you have such a powerful guard beside you suggests you must be someone of great importance?”
“You know me. Whether it’s my good name or my ill repute, almost no one present has never heard my name.” Qin Gou’s tone was somewhat self-deprecating, but he still smiled frankly. “It’s just that you’d find it difficult to connect the me of today with the person in your impression. It’s not just a matter of cultivation realm; the real me is by no means as utterly wicked and heartless as the rumors suggest.”
“Interesting. I originally didn’t even consider you, but now, you’ve greatly piqued my interest!” The Gu Xi Human Emperor’s sudden enthusiasm was evident, his expression filled with unconcealed excitement. “I don’t care about anything else, I’ll just ask you one thing. Since you appear so unfathomable, do you dare to fight me… head-on!”
“What did you say?” Qin Gou was surprised by the sudden shift in the other party’s attitude.
“You kept mentioning Xinting just now, and are clearly acquainted with the Purple Extreme Demon. You must surely know about the grievances between him and me?” The Gu Xi Human Emperor’s gaze was intense. “But in reality, I had no conflict with him at all at first. It was simply because his extraordinary combat power and experiences ignited my interest! Fighting to the death with all my means, killing in combat against the strong, that is the foundation that has brought me to where I am today, and also my unique Great Dao!”
“So, that’s how it is.” Qin Gou’s eyes narrowed slightly. “There are not a few cultivators who have developed a ‘Dao of Killing’ within their cultivation. However, there are very few, like those who slaughter the innocent, make enemies of everyone, and are universally despised madmen, who can reach the status you have, Gu Xi Human Emperor.”
“It’s always easy talking to intelligent people.” The Gu Xi Human Emperor’s lips curled up, his fierce eyes fixed on Qin Gou. “What? Have you considered it, my friend? I can allow all your subordinates to retreat safely, leaving only you and me to a fight to the death! And when you are defeated at my feet, on the verge of death, you will be able to reveal your true identity without any reservations. The more astonishing your origin, the greater the benefits I will gain from destroying you!”
“Master, you don’t need to listen to his provocation. I guarantee that if I fight him, I will do my best to avoid collateral damage!” Qingyu immediately said.
The Gu Xi Human Emperor let out a mocking laugh. “I am conversing with your master, and you dare to interrupt me? I have never had such an insensible servant by my side! My friend, are you truly going to obey the instructions of a servant and be swayed by her? Or is this just an excuse you’ve deliberately created for yourself? How laughable! After all that talk, your eloquence has greatly aroused my curiosity and fighting spirit, making me finally look highly upon you. Yet, in the end, you’ve become this pathetic, lacking the courage to fight me alone with your own skills?”
Hearing these words, it was impossible for Qin Gou’s heart not to be stirred. However, he was still calmly weighing the cost of personally defeating the Gu Xi Human Emperor and the potential gains. He could vent his anger and gain a large amount of merit points, which simply having Qingyu act would not provide. But it would certainly inconvenience Xiao Chong greatly, leaving her severely weakened. Although Mo Qingxin found it difficult to resist him, Qin Gou had already come to regard her as a rather special, albeit troublesome, friend. Of course, in the past, there would have been no possibility for the other party to be so arrogant in front of Celestial Master. Therefore, how could Old Qin not feel a touch of complexity in his heart?
“Ding. This place has lush mountain shadows and a wide field of vision. It’s perhaps the best place to admire the snow when winter arrives.” The system’s voice suddenly rang out, disrupting Qin Gou’s agonizing internal struggle.
“Old Pal, what are you talking about?” Qin Gou asked, confused.
“Ding. Entry onto the ‘Great Dao Prestigious Sect’ list is determined by multiple parties, not by the Gu Xi Dynasty alone. It has the recognition of three major dynasties, and successful completion is only a matter of time. Furthermore, given the special circumstances here, and that this system has gradually learned to adapt after its advancement, I am willing to announce and determine the host’s ‘mission success’ a few days in advance, and ‘Celestial Master’s Soul’ will lift its Dharma Image seal.”
“You…”
“Ding! Today, host, are you willing to bestow upon me a sky full of divine feathers?”
