285: Gu Changge's Steadfastness

Having completed this step, he still felt it wasn't enough.

His mind sank into the System space, and he began pulling things out, starting with a thick stack of shimmering Talismans: Substitute Death Puppet Talismans.

Each one was enough to shield him from a single fatal calamity.

Skillfully, he branded a wisp of his Divine Sense onto every Talisman, ensuring instantaneous activation.

Next were several ancient jade pendants, Void Realm Anchor Talismans.

Once activated, no matter where he was, they could instantly tear the Void Realm and return to the preset coordinate, Zizhu Peak.

Following those were several shuttle-shaped Magic Treasures emitting spatial fluctuations—the Nine Heavens Escape Shuttles—specialized for escaping, with speed comparable to immortal light.

Still feeling uneasy, he pulled out a small pagoda emanating a heavy Profound Yellow aura—the Profound Yellow Exquisite Pagoda—ready for immediate activation.

"Ding! Host..."

The System's voice seemed to carry a hint of exasperation.

"According to analysis, the target's strength is at the True Immortal Realm. The Host's current Battle Intent, combined with cultivation reserves, yields a 100% success rate for crushing the opponent. There is no need for such caution."

"What if?"

As Gu Changge continued inventorying various immortal treasures for defense, escape, and self-preservation, he responded to the System in his mind as a matter of course.

"What if he concealed his true strength? What if he possesses some kind of powerful, single-use weapon?

What if, before dying, he summons his father, who happens to be an Immortal King? What if there are terrifying traps outside?

What if I simply have bad luck and slip? It never hurts to be steady."

System: "..."

Outside the Chaos, inside the Bronze Immortal Palace.

That Immortal's brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

Through the Immortal Palace's light screen, he could vaguely observe the actions of the white-robed figure inside the Xuanhuang Great World.

He saw the opponent first force out essence blood, then pull out a large pile of Talismans and Magic Treasures, counting them and branding them with his Divine Sense, bustling about... What exactly was he doing?

Before a battle, first bleed himself? Then organize his luggage?

On this person's cold face, an emotion called confusion appeared for the first time.

This was completely different from the reactions he had anticipated—either standing ready, panicking, or attempting communication.

This inexplicable behavior gave him the awkward sensation of punching empty air, and he even vaguely wondered if the opponent had a screw loose.

However, as the white-robed figure activated the glowing Talismans, jade pendants, and shuttle-shaped Magic Treasures one by one, the confusion in the Immortal's eyes gradually vanished, replaced by scorn and disdain, as if he had grasped the truth.

He understood—this fellow was preparing his escape routes!

"At the moment of battle, instead of focusing on condensing Battle Intent and pressing forward, he first dedicates his mind to figuring out how to flee and save his life?

So timid and cowardly, is he worthy of cultivation? Does he dare provoke Immortal might?"

Unconcealed contempt appeared on his cold face.

The slight apprehension he had felt earlier due to the destruction of the Formation had now vanished into thin air.

"It seems this Immortal overestimated you. Breaking the Formation was likely only achieved by relying on some unknown strange treasure or secret technique.

His Heart-Nature, ultimately, belongs to a Lower Realm mortal and is useless for great endeavors! With such excessive caution, his Dao Heart is stagnant, and his future is limited!"

The last trace of apprehension in his heart completely vanished, replaced by a condescending sense of superiority, like watching an ant struggle.

"Mere theatrics, only inviting ridicule!"

He let out a cold snort, the immortal flames around him began to condense, and his killing intent solidified, locking onto the Xuanhuang Great World.

"Once this Immortal captures you, performs soul searching and soul refinement, everything will become clear! I will let you know just how laughable the petty cleverness of you mortals is before the true might of the Dao!"

Meanwhile, inside the Xuanhuang Great World, Gu Changge remained completely oblivious to the gaze cast from afar, which had transitioned from confusion to ridicule.

The Little White Dragon beside him widened his glazed Dragon eyes, watching as his Master first forced out a few drops of glittering golden vital essence blood and carefully stored them away.

Then, as if performing a magic trick, he pulled out a pile of shimmering Talismans, jade pendants, small shuttles, and a small pagoda that looked heavy...

He busied himself back and forth, his focused demeanor three parts more meticulous than when he had built his Dragon nest years ago.

The Little White Dragon's mind was left with only one thought swirling: "Is this still my Supreme Lord, who can shatter stars with a flick of his finger and make ten thousand Dao submit with a single thought?"

"So, even the invincible Lord needs to secure a retreat path before fighting?!"

"I've learned something! So this is the true mentality of a powerhouse! I used to think sweeping everything aside meant invincibility, but now it seems that engraving 'steadiness' into one's very bones is the mark of a true Great Master!"

The Little White Dragon instantly felt his Dragon life Realm had been sublimated.

He frantically took internal notes and decided that from now on, should there be any disturbance, he must first dig three hundred hiding holes before taking action!

Meanwhile, Little Black, who had witnessed more of Gu Changge's steady style, watched as his dark bird eyes grew wider and wider, his beak slightly ajar, his expression transitioning from 'just as expected' to utter stupefaction.

"I know you're steady, but isn't this a little *too* steady?"

Little Black couldn't help but mutter internally, his bird face displaying an extremely strange expression—one that wanted to complain but dared not.

Just then, Gu Changge finished checking the final procedure, exhaling a satisfied sigh.

He looked up and happened to catch a glimpse of Little Black's strange bird face, which was struggling to suppress laughter.

Dong!

Gu Changge bent his finger and flicked Little Black's forehead from across the air, producing a crisp sound.

"Ouch!"

Little Black subconsciously covered his head with his wing.

"You little bird, what do you know?" Gu Changge glanced at him.

"The competition of the Dao is fraught with peril. Having one more backup plan means one more chance at survival. A little steadiness never hurts."

Little Black clutched his head, but his heart was wildly complaining: "A little steady? This isn't just a *little* steady! This is steady by a billion points!"

He couldn't help but recall the days he spent traveling with Xiao Ruobai and Han Yu.

Back then, he thought Ruo Bai, who planned everything before moving and always kept seventy percent of his strength in reserve, was already extremely cautious and steady.

But now he suddenly felt that Ruo Bai's cautiousness, compared to Gu Changge's ultimate Realm of considering defeat before fighting and digging a grave (preparing his own resurrection point) before leaving home, was as innocent as a greenhorn!

Little Black's mouth couldn't help but twitch.

"I was actually worried before that Master might suffer a loss facing such a formidable enemy..."

Little Black rubbed his head with his wing, his heart numb.

"My worry was truly excessive! The one who should be worried is the unlucky fellow on the other side!"

"Indeed, Master is Master. Your paths are still long!"

Little Black secretly shook his head, casting deep sympathy toward Xiao Ruobai and Han Yu's future cultivation paths.

Gu Changge naturally had no idea about the rich drama unfolding in Little Black's mind.

He felt the layered, activated invisible defenses and backup plans surrounding him, and a sense of absolute security and preparedness filled his heart.

"Mhm, that's about right."

He nodded slightly.

He felt that his safety factor had finally reached a barely acceptable level.

Only then did he nod in satisfaction, casting his gaze once more beyond the world barrier, where the cold killing intent was re-condensing.

"Alright, I can go resolve that trouble now. You two wait for me here."

Without waiting for Little Black and the Little White Dragon to react, Gu Changge stepped out of the Xuanhuang Great World barrier and entered the cold, dead Chaos Void Realm.

Almost the instant his figure solidified, he immediately and without hesitation issued an instruction to the System in his mind.

"System, upgrade! Immediately Breakthrough to the True Immortal Realm!"

"Ding! Command confirmed. Consuming ten years of pure cultivation. Commencing Breakthrough..."