Chapter 269: Breaking Through to Mid-Stage Void Refining, From the Northern Domain Gu Family!?

After leaving the Imperial Palace, the Fifth Elder of the Gu Family suddenly heard a thunderous sound of collapsing buildings behind him.

Looking back, indeed, the magnificent and wealthy palace had now turned into a pile of ruins.

"Ah... this Emperor of the Northern Domain really has a fierce temper."

"Wasn't it just about sending an invitation? Look how angry he got, he even demolished his own palace."

"Goodness, I wonder if he will even come to our Gu Family's banquet."

Although Gu Liang did not witness the Emperor of the Northern Domain losing his defenses, seeing the collapsed palace made him feel completely relieved.

The three major powers of the Northern Domain had always revered the Imperial Family.

The other two houses, even if combined, could barely match the deep-rooted foundation of the Imperial Family.

But from today onwards, everything would change!

The moment the Young Master became the Saint of the Central State Sword Sect, no matter how deep the roots of the Imperial Family were, the Gu Family was firmly established as the number one power in the Northern Domain!

It was just a matter of time.

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Moreover, the Young Master also received treatment as the First Saint Son, personally taught by the Supreme Elder.

Simply by asking, getting a few Sages from Central State to help the Gu Family suppress the Imperial Family was believable, at least the Imperial Family wouldn't dare harbor any sinister thoughts towards the Gu Family again!

That's the family of a Sword Sect's Saint; even the Emperor of the Northern Domain wouldn't dare to act rashly!

"Hmm hmm hmm..."

Humming a tune, Gu Liang leisurely left the Imperial City.

As for whether the Emperor of the Northern Domain would really attend the banquet, who cares!

The invitation was delivered, and it enraged him half to death, which was enough!

After the elder of the Gu Family left, the entire Imperial Palace of the Northern Domain was in a state of panic.

Most people didn't even know what had happened to enrage His Majesty to such an extent!

In the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Wang Xing looked interestedly towards the direction of the collapsing palace.

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"It seems... Little Sister's husband, is truly unstoppable this time."

"To anger Father Emperor to this extent... probably it's not just something a direct disciple could handle; perhaps that fellow has already been specially recruited as a Saint!"

"Alas, indeed, it's still me who is smartest; why cling to the Northern Domain when Central State is a broader world for me!"

Wang Xing placed his hands behind his head, looking up at the dusty sky.

An utterly carefree expression on his face, he truly did not care about these matters.

However, after waiting a moment, he again put on a cautious demeanor and voluntarily headed towards the Imperial Palace.

Given such commotion, as the Crown Prince, how could he not go to comfort his father.

However, he meant to go to Central State first before he could act freely.

But for now... the performance still had to be carried out, lest the Emperor disqualify him from being a direct disciple.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was nearly a month later.

Currently, the Gu Family's main city was experiencing unprecedented bustling activity!

On the streets, Cultivators could be seen everywhere.

There were many forces from the Northern Domain, and many Loose Cultivators had come respected by reputation.

They wanted to see what kind of outstanding talent the Young Master Gu, who was recruited by all four Great Sacred Lands of Central State and won the position of the Saint Son, really was!

With many Cultivators around, the Gu Family had no choice but to dispatch staff to try to control these people from causing any conflicts or frictions.

However, this was not completely avoidable; after all, among the many Cultivators, some had old grievances.

Regarding this, the Gu Family simply stated that as long as there was no trouble in the city, if there were grievances, once they left the city, life or death would not be considered.

But in the city, if anyone dared to start a fight unprovoked, then they were disrespecting the Gu Family!

Now that the power of the Gu Family was established, these Cultivators naturally did not dare to provoke trouble.

Especially since the Gu Family was hosting a banquet for three days at such a time, anyone who made trouble would not likely be forgiven by the Gu Family.

Especially now that the Gu Family, whether it was the young generation, the stewards, deacons, or even up to the family head elders, all treated this Young Master as if he were a deity!

"Wow!"

"Is it really this bustling?"

Gu Kuang was also full of pride and self-glorification at this moment. Duanbei City was temporarily managed by two Eight-grade Heavenly Gate Realm elders in place of him.

How could he not return home, seeing his great-grandson doing so well?

Seeing such never-before-seen activity within Gu Family's main city, Gu Kuang felt even more proud.

This is my great-grandson ah...

Even if the Emperor of the Northern Domain hosted a banquet in the Imperial City, it probably wouldn't attract so many Cultivators!

Besides Gu Kuang, Gu Sanfeng and Qian Jun had also returned.

Gu Kuang flew through the sky with several iron cages, which contained many Demon Beasts, all captured during this time.

This was a good opportunity to bring them back for his great-grandson!

It's just a pity that this trip to Duanbei City was too short, and in a hurry, he could only bring back five Six-grade Refining Void Realm and one Seventh-grade Unlimited Realm Demon Beast for his great-grandson.

Originally, there were also some Fifth-grade Demon Beasts, but after informing his great-grandson, he mentioned that Fifth-grade Demon Beasts should not be brought in the future, as they are troublesome and not well-commended, possessing little Origin power.

That Unlimited Realm Demon Beast had been captured by Gu Kuang personally going outside Duanbei City and putting in a lot of effort in recent days.

Although he was already at the Ninth Grade, killing a Seventh-grade Unlimited Realm Demon Beast would naturally be as easy as lifting his hand, but capturing it alive was relatively troublesome.

"That must be an elder of the Gu Family, casually flying through the city."

"And it looks like he's captured quite a few Demon Beasts..."

"But these Demon Beasts don't seem easy to tame, nor suitable for use as Spirit Steeds; it's unclear what they might be used for."

Many Cultivators in the city noticed the three flying through the sky with Demon Beasts, all showing envious expressions.

In Gu Family's main city, ordinary Cultivators had height restrictions for flying.

Even the stewards and deacons of the Gu Family had clear standards set for how high they were permitted to fly.

Only Elders were allowed to fly around the city freely, without restrictions.

“That’s the Young Master’s own grandfather!”

“Now that he’s reached the Ninth Grade Annihilation Realm, you all had better refrain from discussing him too much.”

When the Gu Family’s Deacon saw the figure sweeping across the sky, he quickly bowed in the direction of their departure, then quietly warned those who were discussing it.

Upon hearing this, those people were suddenly startled.

They also hastily bowed with folded hands toward the fading figure, thinking to themselves, “I hope the senior won’t take offense.”

Of course, Gu Kuang wasn’t concerned with such matters.

He just wanted to hurry back to the family estate to see his eldest grandchild.

Before long, he had already arrived at the Gu Family Mansion.

At this moment, there was already a long queue outside the mansion. Although the banquet was two days away, many forces had already come to deliver their congratulatory gifts early.

To avoid the chaos with too many people on the day of the banquet, preventing them from delivering their gifts.

The Gu Family’s Deacon received each congratulatory gift, noting down the force and the gift presented. Behind him, the collection of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures was already piling up like a small mountain.

“Elder!”

Seeing that familiar, and noticeably younger, figure, the various deacons hurriedly stood up to pay their respects.

Even though Gu Kuang was now in the Ninth Grade Annihilation Realm and shouldn’t be in the position of an Elder, the Gu Family had no other arrangements for him, so people usually stuck with the original title.

Gu Kuang thought this was better, for at least being called Elder meant they were addressing him.

“Are all of these congratulatory gifts for my great-grandson?”

With a hearty chuckle, Gu Kuang indicated the mountain of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and asked.

“Not just these.”

“There’s been this much every day…”

“The gifts from the previous few days have already been stored in the Treasure Vault.”

“Not only have many forces sent gifts, but even some Loose Cultivators have presented offerings in hopes of attending the banquet. The Family Head has even set aside a special area for Loose Cultivators.”

The Deacon quickly articulated that there was far more than what could be seen.

As for why they were stored in the family’s Treasure Vault…

Now, even if the Young Master emptied the entire Treasure Vault, no one would utter a word of dissent; in fact, every Elder would feel guilty for not having prepared enough Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for the Young Master’s needs!

So, there was simply no need to directly hand them over to the Young Master and add to his troubles.

“Good, good…”

Gu Kuang laughed heartily with satisfaction, nodded his head, and then entered the mansion.

Gu Qianjun was busy with those specially made cages containing Demon Beasts, according to the Elder’s request, sent to the Elder’s yard to avoid attracting too much attention in the Inner Court.

“Jeez, just the congratulatory gifts this impudent lad has received are so many.”

“My entire lifetime’s Monthly Salary probably wouldn’t match up to half a day’s worth of these gifts!”

“It’s truly the whims of fate; just over a year ago, I even struggled to save up for a single Soul-Shaping Pill for him, taking several years without success.”

“Now this kid’s daily gifts could probably be exchanged for dozens of Soul-Shaping Pills without any issue.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

Gu Sanfeng, watching the pile of gifts amass into a small mountain, was also full of emotion.

Suddenly his eyes gleamed, and he directly stepped forward to send one of the deacons away: “I, as his uncle, will take note of my great-nephew’s congratulatory gifts; you go attend to other tasks.”

“Isn’t that inappropriate?” the Deacon scratched his head.

“What’s wrong with that? Am I not a Deacon of the Gu Family? It’s within my duties, it’s very familiar to me. You go attend to your tasks.”

Gu Sanfeng spoke while he began to earnestly note down the arriving congratulatory gifts and the names of their corresponding forces.

However, after recording them, he selectively took the useful items into his Storage Pouch, leaving the rest behind.

This scene caught the attention of the Elder from the Wanxin Sect who was giving gifts, causing him to falter and struggle to speak but not daring to say anything.

How could a Gu Family Deacon dare to be so brazenly corrupt with congratulatory gifts?

“What are you looking at? Go on, go on; once you’ve delivered your gift, leave. Don’t block others from giving their gifts.”

Gu Sanfeng didn’t care in the slightest; in fact, when other deacons saw this, they could only pretend they hadn’t seen anything.

He gestured for the person to move aside, then continued to receive gifts and select items that were useful to him…

“Are you not going to do something about him?”

From another side, a force delivering gifts pointed at Gu Sanfeng and asked their Deacon.

“Do something about what?”

“He’s the Young Master’s uncle; it’s normal for him to take some things.”

That Deacon noted down their information without raising his head and responded directly.

“No wonder…”

“He’s got such a big backing!”

Hearing this, the gift-givers suddenly understood.

In fact, many even started to entertain the idea of trying to form a connection with Gu Sanfeng.

…

“What is my Husband thinking about?”

Wang Yue leaned on his broad chest, her fingers lightly tracing his skin, causing Gu Changge to feel a bit ticklish.

“Liu Qingqing?”

“Or… Miss Dongfang?”

“Or perhaps, my Husband is thinking about little Youbai?”

Hearing her words, Gu Changge raised his hand and playfully slapped her.

This elicited a coquettish yelp.

However, it seems that in the past two days, his Wife should also be arriving.

“Will that Emperor from the Northern Domain come?” Gu Changge suddenly looked down and asked her.

“Given Father’s nature, he probably won’t come.”

“Now that my Husband has been accepted into the Sword Sect as a Saint Heir, he has certainly become the biggest obstacle to Father’s grand ambitions!”

“Why would he come to the banquet?”

“Most likely, he will send my eldest brother, the Crown Prince.”

Wang Yue pondered for a moment and casually replied.

Hearing that, Gu Changge nodded slightly, not too concerned.

He was just curious about what the Northern Domain Emperor looked like.

With a thought, the character stats panel appeared before his eyes:

[Host: Gu Changge]

[Root Bone: 761]

[Comprehension: 707]

[Cultivation Technique: Emperor Dragon Control Secret, Heavenly Cold Technique, Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Technique, Purple Qi Eastward Technique.]

[Realm: Void Refinement Realm·Mid-Stage (5/100)]

[Divine Skills: Brief…]

[Talent: Transcendence, Protection, Taoist Pupil, Fatian Xiangdi, Hidden Breath, Dragon Flame]

[Attribute Points: Thirty Thousand]

He had successfully broken through to the mid-stage of the Void Refinement Realm in the past month!

During this period, the Elder often brought various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and he accepted all without hesitation, subsequently feeding them to Wang Yue or Youbai.

This had accelerated his breakthrough speed, reducing the time to exactly one month.

Looking at his own panel, Gu Changge couldn’t help but shake his head.

“I need to find a way to gather more Attribute Points to enhance my Root Bone so it reaches the grand threshold of eight hundred for attaining the Saint Body Small Success.”

With this thought, he suddenly sensed a familiar presence.

With the strength of his Divine Soul now, he had noticed the moment the old man stepped into the Gu Family.

And he also noticed that Gu Qianjun was taking a Demon Beast into the old man’s courtyard.

“There really is a pillow when one is drowsy.”

Gu Changge smiled lightly, got up from his bed, and dressed neatly with Wang Yue’s assistance.

He then decided to directly go and pay a visit to the old man.

Wang Yue, after understanding the reason, did not follow.

After a whole night of exertion, she truly needed a good sleep to recover her energy.

…

Meanwhile, at the mountain gate of the Central State Sword Sect.

A figure paced for a moment before stepping forward to salute the disciples outside the mountain gate, “Young friend, could you please announce my visit? This old man wishes to become a Tributor for the Sword Sect.”

The disciple guarding the mountain gate, an Inner Sect Disciple who was at the highest at the Sixth Grade Refining Void Realm, hurriedly returned the salute, “Elder, please wait a moment.”

It wasn’t hard to see someone at the Ninth Grade Annihilation Realm wanting to join the Holy Land as a Tributor.

Shortly thereafter, a Sage Realm Elder appeared outside the mountain gate.

“Do you wish to join our Sword Sect as a Tributor?”

“Are you familiar with our rules?”

Sage Zhao Hai spoke, rubbing his hands together with a smile.

“Understood, understood.”

Gu Wanquan indicated that he knew all about it, having asked Daoist Fellow Xue previously; to become a Tributor, although the Ninth Grade Annihilation Realm was sufficient, some benefits still needed to be prepared.

He immediately handed over a Storage Pouch containing hundreds of top-grade Spirit Stones.

This was extremely painful for him!

But there was no choice, as he was the one seeking a favor, and he needed this Elder to secure a Tributor position for him.

If only his strength were greater; if he were at the Sage Realm himself, would he need to humble himself like this?

With these thoughts, he also felt the Spiritual Energy of the Sword Sect.

Even just before the mountain gate, the Spiritual Energy was much denser than any other places in Central State.

No wonder everyone wanted to join a Holy Land; if he joined a Holy Land, he might even have a chance to strive for a realm beyond the Ninth Grade in a few hundred years!

To cultivate in such a Blessed Land Cave Heaven was the only opportunity for realms beyond the Ninth Grade; back in the Northern Domain… there was not a single chance.

“Hehe… follow me.”

The Sage Realm Elder, having sensed the hundreds of top-grade Spirit Stones inside with his Divine Sense, immediately revealed a friendly smile.

He led him into the mountain gate.

Along the way, Gu Wanquan, though he didn’t want to appear too unsophisticated, couldn’t help but look around at many places within the Sword Sect, showing a look of astonishment.

However, the Elder had long gotten used to such reactions and did not comment.

He even introduced quite a few things along the way.

Finally, when they reached a great hall, the Elder casually took out a Tributor Waist Card and passed it over.

When Gu Wanquan reverently received it with both hands, he also noticed on the white jade rack where the cards were placed, there were Waist Cards of different grades; his was white, but there were also yellow, red, and black ones, clearly indicating that even within the Holy Land Tributors, there were ranks.

He had seen Daoist Fellow Xue’s waist card before, which was yellow.

“Please register.”

“From which domain, which clan?”

“Your name?”

The Elder was very skilled at asking questions, and he could tell at first glance that the other party was not a native cultivator from Central State.

“Northern Domain, Gu Family, Gu Wanquan.”

Gu Wanquan said with a clasped hand.

The Elder, using a wolf-hair brush, slowly wrote in the Tributor register according to what had been said, and muttered, “Northern Domain… Gu Family… Gu Wanquan…”

“Wait a minute!”

“Northern Domain, Gu Family?”

After writing, the Elder suddenly paused.

He sharply lifted his head to look at Gu Wanquan, who was respectfully clasping his hands.

“Uh… yes.”

“Is there a problem, senior?”

Being stared at like that, Gu Wanquan instantly became nervous.

“Give me your waist card…”

The Sage Realm Elder’s eyelids twitched suddenly, and as he spoke, he had already reached out and taken back the waist card!

“Senior, what are you doing?”

Gu Wanquan grew even more panicked upon seeing this, his eyebrows tightly furrowed.

He thought the other party had taken the spirit stones but didn’t want to do anything, could it be that they found his offering inadequate?

But Daoist Fellow Xue had mentioned that one hundred top-grade spirit stones should definitely be enough!

Just as he thought the other was deliberately making things difficult for him and was about to begrudgingly take out some elixirs and spirit stones from his Space Ring.

He saw the other put back the white Tributor waist card, and directly took out a red one.

Together with his storage pouch that contained hundreds of top-grade spirit stones, it was handed over, “I didn’t realize you were from the Gu Family of the Northern Domain, my apologies!”

“Had I known Daoist Fellow was from the Northern Domain’s Gu Family, there would have been no need for this trouble, hahaha.”

“I almost caused a misunderstanding!”

“Please accept this, for now, I can only give you a red waist card, level three access, once you complete some sect tasks, I’ll help you exchange it for the highest access black waist card.”

Sage Zhao, wearing a friendly smile, saw that he hesitated to accept and became a bit anxious.

Could it be that he was not satisfied?

Worried that he had taken his spirit stones prior?

With that thought, he quickly took out a bottle of Earth Rank Elixir, “Hehe, consider this elixir a compensation for the earlier misunderstanding, please accept the waist card.”

This scene utterly bewildered Gu Wanquan.

What was going on?

Why had his attitude changed so drastically?

Not only did he want to give him a higher access waist card, return his spirit stones, but also give him an elixir?

“Senior, what is this?”

Gu Wanquan hesitated to accept, looking at him somewhat cautiously.

“You don’t know?”

“Are you sure you are from the Gu Family of the Northern Domain?”

“Is it the Gu Family from Qingzhou or which Gu Family?”

Seeing his expression, Sage Zhao was also puzzled, could it be not that Gu Family?

How many Gu Families were there in the Northern Domain…

A Ninth-Grade Annihilation Realm couldn’t possibly come from a minor family.

It had to be the Gu Family that belonged to the Saint Heir not yet arrived in Central State…

Both were wide-eyed, somewhat panicked, and utterly confused.