65: The Peak Master's great favor? Should I become his ancestor?

Gu Changsheng stepped into the pavilion.

A unique scent, a mixture of mellow wine and a woman's fragrance, rushed towards him.

The furnishings inside the pavilion were no different from several years ago, only that the air of laziness and allure seemed to have permeated every inch of wood here.

Upon the main seat, Si Yuanzhi still maintained that reclining posture, wearing a loose purple palace dress with the collar open, revealing a stretch of snow-white neck and delicate collarbones.

She was toying with the purple gold gourd in her hand, while her other hand rested casually on the armrest, her fair fingertips tapping lightly, producing a rhythmic, soft sound.

Gu Changsheng dared not look too much; he walked to the center of the pavilion, stopped ten paces away from her, bowed, and lowered his head deeply, assuming the most submissive posture.

"Disciple Gu Changsheng pays respects to the Si Yuanzhi."

He compressed his sense of presence to the extreme, hoping only to be a qualified invisible person in front of this terrifying Cultivator at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Mn."

Si Yuanzhi emitted a lazy monosyllable from her nose; she did not let Gu Changsheng rise, but instead tilted her head back on her own, pouring a mouthful of wine into her mouth.

Inside the pavilion, for a moment, the only sound left was the slight movement of her throat as she swallowed the wine.

Every breath of silence was an invisible torture for Gu Changsheng; he maintained his bowing posture, feeling the clothes on his back being soaked bit by bit by cold sweat.

"Are you aware that the Devilish Qi Cultivators in the Eastern Wasteland have become increasingly rampant recently?"

Si Yuanzhi finally spoke; her voice carried the tipsiness of wine, showing no emotion, yet it made Gu Changsheng's heart jump violently.

As expected, it was this matter.

The System did not deceive me, but it would have been better not to know; at least I could have enjoyed a few more breaths of peace.

"Disciple has been in seclusion for a long time, but I have heard a little about it."

Gu Changsheng replied in the most humble tone.

Si Yuanzhi chuckled, the laughter sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet pavilion.

"More than just heard; thirty thousand Mortals in Qingyang Town were slaughtered, and the resentment has yet to dissipate; before that, the Outer Sect stronghold of the Liuyun Sect was uprooted, with hundreds of Disciples killed or injured; these rats dare to steal food from the mouth of a tiger."

She sat up a little, and those narrow Phoenix eyes finally landed on Gu Changsheng.

"Therefore, the Sects above have negotiated and decided to have each Sect dispatch elite Disciples to form a joint suppression team, taking the initiative to strike and completely suppress this evil wind."

She paused, observing Gu Changsheng's lowered head with great interest.

"What is your opinion on this?"

Boom!

This light question was no less than a thunderclap exploding in Gu Changsheng's mind.

What opinion? What opinion could I have? My opinion is that you can go to hell!

A monstrous anger surged in Gu Changsheng's heart, but he suppressed it firmly.

He instantly understood all the key points; Hundred Herbs Peak focused primarily on medicine, and combat was not their strong suit; which of the direct descendants under Si Yuanzhi were not her future foundation, her precious darlings for consolidating her position?

How could she bear to send her own trusted aides to risk their lives in that meat grinder at the front line?

And what about him? An outsider with no roots or support, who only reached the ninth level of Qi Refining by relying on her "reward," was simply the perfect candidate for cannon fodder!

Using his worthless life to exchange for the safety of her direct Disciples, and incidentally gaining a good reputation for actively responding to the call before the Sect's higher-ups; this deal, for her, was an absolute profit!

Gu Changsheng felt his teeth aching, and a cold chill rushed from the soles of his feet straight to his crown.

He had no right to choose; countless thoughts rolled in his mind, eventually turning into a gray defeat of resignation.

He slowly raised his head, his face showing not a hint of reluctance, but instead squeezing out an excited expression of being moved to tears, wishing he could shed his blood for her.

"Being able to share the burdens of the Sect and serve the Si Yuanzhi is this Disciple's honor! My cultivation is shallow, but I will follow the Si Yuanzhi's arrangements and will not refuse even if it means death!"

These words were spoken decisively and resonated clearly.

Si Yuanzhi watched his "sincere" performance, and a trace of satisfied laughter flashed in those intoxicating Phoenix eyes; what she wanted was this kind of obedient dog.

"Not bad, as long as you have this heart."

She waved her hand lazily, signaling that Gu Changsheng did not need to be so excited.

"Rest assured, I am not sending you to be cannon fodder."

Si Yuanzhi's tone changed.

Gu Changsheng sneered in his heart; it was coming, after the slap, it was time for the sweet date; I want to see what kind of poison is hidden inside this date.

"Do you remember that time a few years ago when I sent you to Danyang Peak?"

Si Yuanzhi asked unhurriedly.

"Disciple certainly remembers; if not for the Si Yuanzhi's support, I would still be a nobody to this day."

Gu Changsheng immediately replied, his attitude respectful to the extreme.

"That is good."

Si Yuanzhi picked up the purple gold gourd and took another comfortable sip.

"That time, it was not just about letting you show your face; I sent you to Danyang Peak to gild your reputation and solidify your identity as an Alchemist Genius."

Her words made Gu Changsheng's heart tremble; so, from that time, she had already been laying out her plans?

"This suppression of Devilish Qi Cultivators, although dangerous, is also an Opportunity; in the team, besides combat personnel, a large number of Alchemists are needed to accompany them, responsible for treating the wounded, dispelling Devilish Qi, and refining Medicinal Pills."

"I used your name as a 'Genius' to secure a position for you as the Chief Alchemist accompanying the army."

Si Yuanzhi said this, a playful arc curling at her lips.

"You do not need to participate in combat; killing is not for you to do; you only need to stay in the safest rear, move your fingers, refine some Medicinal Pills, and treat some wounded; those elites from various Sects who are risking their lives on the front line will have to respectfully call you 'Master Gu' when they see you."

She extended a slender finger and pointed it vaguely at Gu Changsheng.

"Tell me, with your identity as an Alchemist, will those people protect you, or will they let you charge into the front lines?"

"So, if you go down there, will you be cannon fodder, or will you be an ancestor?"

Gu Changsheng was stunned; he had imagined countless possibilities: being used as a suicide soldier, being used as bait, being used as a human shield; but he had never thought it would be such an outcome.

Chief accompanying Alchemist? This sounds like a great job; safe, high status, and able to earn a large amount of battle merits and resources; but... is there really such a good thing in the world?

But on his face, he already appeared to be stunned by a huge surprise, so excited that he was somewhat incoherent.

"Si Yuanzhi... Si Yuanzhi's great favor! Disciple... Disciple has no way to repay! No way to repay!"

"That's enough."

Si Yuanzhi waved her hand impatiently, interrupting his performance.

"Remember, I have put effort into cultivating you; once you are outside, you represent the face of my Hundred Herbs Peak; do not embarrass me."

She capped the purple gold gourd and hung it back on her waist.

"Go down and prepare; in three days, gather at the Sect gate square."

"Disciple... obeys!"

Gu Changsheng suppressed the thousands of thoughts in his heart and bowed again.

"Many thanks to the Si Yuanzhi for the cultivation!"

This time, he did not say another word, slowly straightened up, and retreated, step by step, out of this pavilion that made him feel suffocated.

Only when his back touched the cold air outside the door did he dare to turn around.

Creak~ The wooden door behind him closed automatically, completely isolating that lazy and deadly figure.

Gu Changsheng stood under the peach tree outside the pavilion, looked up at the blinding sun in the sky, and felt cold all over.

Ancestor? He twitched his stiff facial muscles; it's probably that 'ancestor' who is placed on the altar, ready to be sacrificed to all kinds of monsters and ghosts at any time.