119: Destiny

Gu Yuchuan climbed out of bed and put on his clothes. When facing subordinates, one still had to maintain a bit of dignity; otherwise, if you didn't take yourself seriously, the other party would gradually lose respect for you. Therefore, one must pay attention to these small matters. Furthermore, when someone comes to report something and you are lying comfortably under the covers, it seems very inappropriate, making the atmosphere between you feel a bit too suggestive.

"Come in."

After Bai Li entered, he first performed a salute. Even though their private relationship wasn't strictly that of superior and subordinate, Gu Yuchuan always felt a sense of friendship toward Bai Li and didn't treat him purely as a subordinate.

"It's so late. Why aren't you cultivating properly instead of coming to see me?"

Bai Li looked extremely anxious: "Great King, something has happened. Your Luck Star has been obscured by a layer of Gray Mist, and it looks very dangerous. Crucially, I have calculated many times, and this calamity cannot be avoided; it can only be faced head-on. It seems as though Fate is driving this, and a group of people are destined to have a life-and-death struggle with you."

Gu Yuchuan immediately thought of that Mecha.

He remained silent for a moment: "Do you know why?"

This question stumped Bai Li: "Great King, I truly cannot calculate the reason, but I have a suspicion. It might be because of something you did that led to their rise, but the Heavenly Dao dislikes them, or perhaps they did something detrimental to the Heavenly Dao. Thus, the Heavenly Dao is using the power of Fate to intertwine your destinies, forcing a winner to emerge."

Gu Yuchuan let out a long sigh; it seemed that a battle with them was inevitable. "Fine, I understand. However, have you seen where my path to survival lies?"

He had only asked casually, but to his surprise, Bai Li actually nodded: "Great King, there are two Heavenly Dragon Stars shining brightly above you, helping you deal with this Gray Mist. This indicates that you have two friends whose Luck is linked to yours; they are the benefactors who will help you through this calamity. With their help, the chances of passing through this have increased by twenty percent."

Gu Yuchuan immediately thought of his two sworn brothers, the Black Tortoise Demon General and the Ink Scale Demon General. One had power and the other had strength; seeking their help was indeed an advantage. However, all of this still needed to be planned carefully.

"Alright, I understand this matter. Go back and continue your observations. If anything happens, notify me immediately. Also, cultivate well. I see that your cultivation hasn't increased much. Take these Spirit Stones; this is a private subsidy from me as a friend. Don't tell anyone."

These two hundred Spirit Stones were, for one, a subsidy as a friend; from a friend's perspective, he didn't want his companion's cultivation to progress so slowly. Secondly, from the perspective of a Great King, he could see today how powerful Bai Li's talent was. There was truly a great potential for cultivation, so he prepared to invest in him once more.

Bai Li took the Spirit Stones and left. This news made it so Gu Yuchuan couldn't fall asleep no matter what. However, if he were to cultivate, his heart was not at peace, making it impossible to do so. He could only begin silently reciting the Golden Light Incantation, and gradually, he closed his eyes.

Early the next morning, he prepared to head out. He brought along the share he had prepared for the Black Shark Demon King, which amounted to four thousand Spirit Stones. This was certainly not a small amount, and a Golden Core Demon King would not ignore it—especially since, for the Black Shark Demon King, this was a business with no overhead where he could earn money while doing nothing. Naturally, the other party would be very happy.

In the future currently laid out before him, there were two things that absolutely had to be done. The first was the matter of the dragon gate; he first needed to obtain a spot to participate through the Black Shark Demon King before he could have access to the things that followed. Without the Black Shark Demon King, he would have no way to sign up.

The second was to deal with the matter of Fate. That group of Mechas from who-knows-where—regardless of their background or what they wanted to do—since only one side could survive, he would go all out. He had already thought it through: he would first go to the Black Shark Demon King to secure the spot, then head directly to the front lines. They could use Pei Yu to lure him out, and conversely, he could use Pei Yu to lure them out. It would simply come down to whose methods were superior. At the very least, Gu Yuchuan felt he would not lose.

He went directly to the Tidal Palace. By now, the attendants of the Tidal Palace recognized him. Upon seeing him, their attitude was very good; after all, his status and strength were no longer the same.

Soon, he met the Black Shark Demon King and politely performed a salute.

"Xiao Gu, your shop has just opened and you should be busy. Why have you found the time to come to me? Is there something the matter?"

Gu Yuchuan nodded, the smile on his face very bright: "If there were nothing, I wouldn't dare disturb Your Highness. There is definitely something—a very great piece of good news."

"Oh?" This piqued the Black Shark Demon King's interest. "Then tell me, what is it?"

Gu Yuchuan took out a Storage Pouch: "Your Highness, this is your share from our shop for these past two days. Please take a look."

He took it nonchalantly but was still startled. Just a ten-percent share was four thousand. Indeed, the wealth of an Artifact Refiner was immeasurable. An idea began to form in his mind.

"Good, you have indeed done well enough. I can say with full responsibility that in the outskirts of the Cloud Sea Marsh, you are indeed the most shining presence. I have an Opportunity I can give you here, but your current strength and your contributions to me are completely insufficient. Therefore, you need more things to impress me."

Although Gu Yuchuan knew what the other party was going to say, he still asked, "Very well, I wonder what requirements Your Highness has? I will certainly agree to them."

The Black Shark Demon King nodded: "I have two requirements. First, within one month, give me twenty thousand Spirit Stones. Second, within three months, reach the Late Foundation Establishment Stage or possess the Bloodline of a High-Grade Spirit Beast. Once these are achieved, I will give you a heaven-sent Opportunity. You don't need to know what it is for now; I will tell you once you have qualified."

Gu Yuchuan immediately gave thanks: "Thank you, Your Highness, for being willing to promote me. I promise I will work hard and guarantee that I will complete Your Highness's tests."

The Black Shark Demon King also put on an appreciative look. Originally, he had planned to give up on recommending a candidate this time, but he hadn't expected to see another good prospect. If the people they recommended achieved good rankings, they would also receive rewards. That was why the Black Shark Demon King was being so attentive; otherwise, he wouldn't bother with such things.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gu Yuchuan departed. He headed straight for the front lines; this time, he was going to seize the initiative.