Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1014: Chapter 58: Where in This World Is the Path to Becoming Immortal? (20)

In the room, Long Xiruo was meditating with her eyes closed—assuming the appearance of a child.

This room was the most private place in a villa, one of Xuanyuan Palace’s properties on Mount Tai, with numerous defensive measures set up by Gui Qianyi inside and out.

The reason Long Xiruo retreated here was not to heal but to focus entirely on operating her created body—each use of the created body has a time limit, requiring Long Xiruo to use her vital essence and draining her spiritual power during the process.

Her current level of spiritual power was almost no different from that of an ordinary human child, only superior in tenacity and willpower. Continuously using the created body was indeed a heavy burden for her.

At this time, Long Xiruo’s transparent face was covered in sweat, while Luo Pianqian gently wiped it for her.

Luo Pianqian was nervously watching Sister Long, feeling anxious in his heart: I wonder when that person will leave.

Today, a guest came to the villa, someone from Xuanyuan Palace… This person seemed to have a status in Xuanyuan Palace comparable to Grandpa Gui Qianyi’s and greeted Gui Qianyi directly by name without showing any courtesy.

His name was Gongsun Shiyu.

…

Earlier.

“Gongsun Shiyu?” Long Xiruo, who had just returned from the pool to the villa, was in a bad mood, but upon returning, she immediately heard the name that bothered her even more. “Why didn’t this guy stay put in his old nest and came running out?”

Gui Qianyi shook his head, “I am also quite curious. But since Gongsun has come out, he has ulterior motives… You should know, Lord Long, since the Princess left, Xuanyuan Palace has been leaderless. In the past, during the chaos in China, Xuanyuan Palace dominated the Dao and Demon Realms, subduing all demons and organizing them into the ‘Kun’ Department. As for the warriors originally belonging to the Emperor Huang’s clan in Xuanyuan Palace, they constituted the ‘Qian’ Department. Over the centuries, the Qiankun Two Divisions have often had friction…”

Long Xiruo waved her hand irritably, “I won’t interfere in Xuanyuan Palace’s affairs. How you handle Gongsun Shiyu is your own business.”

Gui Qianyi already expected such an answer from Long Xiruo and could only say, “But Gongsun Shiyu has come to visit you, Lord Long. If you don’t see him, it might not be good… However, if he knows your current situation, it will be even worse. After all, Gongsun Shiyu is a talented and ambitious person. Over the years, the Qian Department has been holding back, and Gongsun Shiyu has been enduring… You should be aware of the reasons. After all, before the Princess, you were the legitimate heir of Xuanyuan… Princess Xiruo.”

“That title has nothing to do with me for a long time, don’t mention it again.” Long Xiruo shook her head, then sneered, “Moreover, do you think a princess’s status can suppress Gongsun Shiyu? What he fears is not the so-called legitimacy but the True Dragon’s power.”

Xuanyuan Palace dominated the Dao and Demon Realms, while the Godly Land’s true dragon dominated the mortal world.

Gui Qianyi sighed, “Forgive me, Lord Long, but I’m truly unable to discern Gongsun’s intentions, and I can’t sleep or eat in peace…”

“Alright, alright.” Long Xiruo didn’t want to see Gui Qianyi troubled, “I’ll go prepare. I just hope Gongsun Shiyu doesn’t mess around, or I might just drive him back!”

…

It is said that the Yellow Emperor was the son of Shao Dian and Fubao, originally surnamed Gongsun, later changed to Ji, and thus known as Ji Xuanyuan. He lived at Xuanyuan Hill, titled the Xuanyuan Clan, and established his capital at Youxiong.

Within Xuanyuan Palace, there were quite a few with the surname Gongsun, all descendants of the ancient Xuanyuan Clan. However, only one line held the Yellow Emperor’s legitimate inheritance, so the Gongsun Clan couldn’t claim the Xuanyuan name. Yet, there were brilliant and outstanding people in the Gongsun Clan, inheriting part of the Yellow Emperor’s bloodline, almost demonically exceptional.

Gongsun Shiyu was considered among the younger generation of the Gongsun Clan—though in such a “younger generation,” one’s age started at a century.

Due to the ancient training method passed down that breaks through mortal limits, members of the Qian Department could live easily for several centuries, and those well-trained could even reach a thousand years.

Gongsun Shiyu should be seven hundred and twenty-nine years old this year.

But his appearance froze at the moment he broke through those limits. Judging by his looks, Gongsun Shiyu had handsome and delicate features, yet not feminine, exuding a distinct charm.

If judged solely by appearance, he might just be the pinnacle of perfect human genes?

Long Xiruo sat at the desk, looking at Gongsun Shiyu standing respectfully with hands behind his back in front of her, and the attendant behind him.

This attendant seemed to be a rather talented individual from the Gongsun Clan. In earlier years, Long Xiruo had visited Xuanyuan Palace out of boredom and had some impression of this fellow named Gongsun Zhishui.

“Hmm… He looks quite good, could easily become a star for a living, at least won’t starve.”

The immense aura of the true dragon continuously filled the study. This overwhelming presence, which made all Godly Land citizens fear from the depths of their soul, left Gui Qianyi unable to relax.

“Lord Long is as humorous as ever,” Gongsun Shiyu slightly smiled, “If Shiyu were to become a star, I’m afraid the clan would scold me.”

Long Xiruo replied indifferently, “Then all of you could debut as a group. Anyway, all of you Gongsun Clan members look decent. If everyone’s the same, there’d be no one to blame anyone else.”

This was pure chitchat.

Gongsun Shiyu sighed, then said solemnly, “Lord Long, Shiyu came out of the palace for some affairs this time. I hope you can understand.”

“Oh… Is it something important?” Long Xiruo indifferently asked, “If it’s not important, don’t say it. Right now, everything’s chaotic here on Mount Tai, and I don’t have time to deal with the Gongsun Clan’s issues.”

Gongsun Shiyu calmly replied, “Princess Xiruo, do you truly believe… the succession issue of Xuanyuan Palace is trivial?”

Long Xiruo slightly narrowed her eyes.

Gongsun Shiyu met the gaze fearlessly.

An expansive and mighty aura naturally flowed from Gongsun Shiyu at this moment… This was a power inherited from the Yellow Emperor. Gongsun Shiyu, even among branches, inherited the legitimate force demonically.

This guy… was also one who could barely use the Godly Xuanyuan Sword.

“Speak, what is it?” Long Xiruo let out a sigh.

Gongsun Shiyu said, “Earlier, Shiyu sensed a disturbance from the Xuanyuan Sword during meditation… Lord Long, may I ask whether the Xuanyuan Sword was recently used? Was it you, or was it Princess Zijun?”

Xuanyuan Sword?

Long Xiruo was slightly taken aback… What Gongsun Shiyu referred to was likely the incident involving Xiang Liu’s plot to seize the Spirit Vein. During that event, Su Zijun impulsively forced the activation of the Divine Sword Xuanyuan.

As one of the semi-qualified wielders of the Divine Xuanyuan Sword, it’s not surprising Gongsun Shiyu could sense it.

“I used it, is there a problem?” Long Xiruo casually replied, “Or are you saying I’m not allowed to use it?”

“To have you, Lord Long, wield the Xuanyuan Sword means the matter must be extraordinary,” Gongsun Shiyu quickly said, “Is it necessary to mobilize the Qian Department’s warriors?”

“I’m just summoning it to dust it off, why are you making such a fuss?” Long Xiruo snorted coldly, “It’s my freedom to use it as a clothes hanger! Alright, it’s fine now, you can go back, I’m fine, no need to worry!”

Gongsun Shiyu was silent at this moment, watching Long Xiruo for a while, then said, “Princess Xiruo, can you inform me of Princess Zijun’s whereabouts? Xuanyuan Palace cannot be without a master for a day. This time, I come out of the palace under the elders’ instructions… Everyone in my clan hopes Princess Zijun can return soon.”

“Ha, you can’t find her, what does that have to do with me?” Long Xiruo snorted coldly, “Your fiancé ran away because you are incompetent. Don’t pin it on me. I’m not your arranged marriage bureau!”

“Lord Long, Lord Shiyu is only thinking for Xuanyuan Palace!” Yet at this moment, Gongsun Zhishui behind Gongsun Shiyu stepped forward, neither humble nor arrogant, saying, “Lord Shiyu is by no means an incompetent person! He is the most outstanding successor of our Gongsun Clan for hundreds and thousands of years!”

“Ha.”

In the room, there was a faint dragon roar.

It was a sound as if a divine dragon was echoing from the depths of one’s heart. Though the room was small, at this moment it seemed to transform into infinity… Above, a gigantic golden divine dragon faintly hovered, gazing downward.

The true dragon… the totem of Huaxia’s people, the golden divine dragon.

A trembling feeling from the heart made the throat of the speaking Gongsun Zhishui instinctively quiver, a drop of cold sweat trickling from his forehead.

“Lord Long, please calm your anger!” At this moment, Gongsun Shiyu quickly kneeled with one knee and bowed his head, saying, “Zhishui is ignorant of manners. When we return, I will surely teach him well! I hope Lord Long can forgive Zhishui’s rudeness!”

“If there’s nothing, just go back, don’t bother here.” Long Xiruo said flatly, then directly stood up and walked towards the study room exit.

After Long Xiruo left, only then did Gongsun Zhishui’s legs weaken and he slumped to the ground, “This… this is the power of the true dragon…”

“Hehehe, don’t take it too seriously, Gongsun.” Gui Qianyi chuckled as he walked over, “Lord Long has always been like this, capricious in mood, weren’t you frightened?”

“Mr. Gui is joking.” Gongsun Shiyu stood up again, calmly saying, “How dare I disrespect Lord Long, I revere him from the bottom of my heart.”

“I know you’re anxious to find Princess Zijun.”

Gui Qianyi chuckled, “I am just as anxious. However, Princess Zijun’s whereabouts are a mystery, I’m troubled too… How about this? Once there’s news of Princess Zijun, I will inform you immediately, how’s that?”

“Then I must trouble Mr. Gui,” Gongsun Shiyu nodded, “However, for the time being, I don’t plan to return. It’s rare to leave the palace, I intend to take a good walk.”

Gui Qianyi slightly raised his eyes, glanced at Gongsun Shiyu, “Then treat it as a break? I’ve been here for a while, if you need anything, feel free to ask me.”

Gongsun Shiyu smiled, “If needed, I will certainly trouble Mr. Gui. But don’t worry, Mr. Gui, the Qian Department has some businesses in this vicinity, so I can manage myself.”

“Hehehe.”

“As for Lord Long, please trouble Mr. Gui to attend to him.” At this moment, Gongsun Shiyu clasped his hands together, gave Gui Qianyi a bow, “Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Gui Qianyi also silently returned the courtesy.

Seeing Gongsun Shiyu turn around and help Gongsun Zhishui up, they then gracefully left.

Gui Qianyi shook his head, sat on the sofa in the study room, and began to make tea by himself. Not long after, Ghost Baby returned, saying Gongsun Shiyu and Gongsun Zhishui had left the villa.

Gui Qianyi suddenly said, “Actually, Gongsun Shiyu is pretty good, barely suitable for Princess Zijun. It’s a pity though… Also, the descendants of the Xuanyuan Royal Family, their personalities always leave one regretful, sigh.”

“Mr. Gui, Lord Long hasn’t gone far yet.” Ghost Baby suddenly said.

Gui Qianyi’s hand trembled, hastily glanced at the study room door, seeing it was completely closed, only then did he let out a sigh of relief and glared at Ghost Baby.

Ghost Baby’s mouth subtly lifted playfully at this moment.

“Only learning bad habits.” Gui Qianyi rolled his eyes, then seriously said, “But this time Gongsun left the palace, surely not just for Princess Zijun’s affairs… The princess has been out of the palace for so many years, if she wanted to come out, she should’ve done it earlier.”

“Then I’ll dispatch a few hands to follow Gongsun Shiyu.” Ghost Baby directly said.

Gui Qianyi said, “There are too many people with superpowers in the Gongsun Clan. Although Gongsun Zhishui just now appeared so unbearable, his power is not to be underestimated… Right now, you need to personally intervene.”

“Understood, I’ll handle it now.” Ghost Baby nodded.

Gongsun Qianyi also nodded, but just when Ghost Baby was about to leave, he suddenly called out, and asked abruptly, “The photos I asked you to develop last time, did you do it?”

“…” Ghost Baby said expressionlessly, “I’ll take care of it on this smooth pass.”

…

…

After leaving Gui Qianyi’s villa, Gongsun Shiyu soon got into a black business cabin.

When the car completely left the neighborhood of the villa, only then did Gongsun Zhishui suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood.

Gongsun Shiyu calmly asked, “How do you feel?”

Gongsun Zhishui wiped the blood at the corner of his mouth, his face pale, but his voice quite stable. He calmly said, “It’s truly the power of the true dragon. Just the mere pressure of the true dragon nearly caused my blood vessels to rupture within my body…”

Gongsun Shiyu chuckled lightly, “Long Xiruo, still as powerful as ever, huh.”

He suddenly stretched out his hand, making a gesture of grasping something, “I really wish I could also possess this invincible power of the true dragon.”

Gongsun Zhishui glanced at him, calmly said, “Just don’t get burned by playing with fire… Besides, I’ve already scanned through Gui Qianyi’s villa, found nothing suspicious. But there is one place with multiple restrictions, I can’t see through it. I originally planned to provoke Long Xiruo and pretend to resist while attempting to penetrate further. But the true dragon’s power is overwhelming, even my self-preservation is a bit difficult.”

“It’s alright.” Gongsun Shiyu said calmly, “I’m certain Princess Zijun is not here. As long as she’s not here, she won’t affect me.”

Silence fell inside the car.

After a while, Gongsun Zhishui asked, “Where are we going now?”

“To meet someone.”