25: Control the Grand Elder of the Gu Clan

Not long after.

The Grand Elder stroked his white beard lightly: "Mistress, forgive me for my offense."

The Second Elder's gaze was burning: "I can give up this position of Elder, but Mistress... must be mine!"

The Third Elder feigned a sigh: "My heart has always been hard as iron, yet you, Mistress, surpass any Heavenly Immortal."

The Fourth Elder clenched his fists: "All I have sought in my life is to carve my mark upon you."

The Fifth Elder grinned hideously: "The Opportunity that thousands of Cultivators seek but cannot find, today, I shall bestow upon you!"

The Sixth Elder pinched her chin: "Who dares to stop what I want? And who could possibly stop me?"

The Seventh Elder gently stroked her cheek: "In this world, besides me, who else is worthy of you?"

The Eighth Elder unleashed his full pressure: "The woman I have set my sights on, even a Great Emperor cannot protect—that is my word!"

The Ninth Elder lifted her chin: "Before me, beauties either submit obediently or play hard to get."

When the sky began to turn pale at dawn, the play Cao Bu had meticulously orchestrated was complete.

He wiped away all traces that might lead to discovery.

Before leaving, he left a message in one spot: Meng Xian—was here!

The next morning.

Cao Bu left Cangfeng Residence and headed toward the mountain peak where the Gu Clan Grand Elder resided.

Among the Nine Great Elders, this old fellow at the ninth level of the Realm Sovereign stage was the most difficult to deal with.

He prepared to use the Realm Sovereign Forced Enslavement Card he had obtained on him.

Once he was taken down, the other eight would be easy to capture.

Outside the courtyard where the Grand Elder resided.

Led by a Maidservant, Cao Bu walked toward the reception hall.

"Master, Steward Cao has arrived." The Maidservant stood before the hall and bowed to report.

Inside the hall, sandalwood incense curled in the air.

The Grand Elder was drinking tea; seeing Cao Bu arrive, he immediately set down his teacup and rose to welcome him.

"Hahaha, Steward Cao, what brings you here? Please, come in!"

He made a welcoming gesture with a smile.

Cao Bu cupped his hands in return, his gaze sweeping over the other man's ruddy complexion: "Grand Elder, your complexion is so good that many young people would feel ashamed by comparison."

As he spoke, he stepped into the hall.

This old fox had always been slick and never easily offended anyone.

That he was being so polite to him now was entirely within Cao Bu's expectations.

"Steward Cao, you flatter me. My old bones cannot compare to you young people," the Grand Elder said modestly.

He secretly sized up Cao Bu; this kid had already latched onto the Third Mistress's jade legs.

Although he was still a good-for-nothing, it was not good to offend him.

If this kid were to strike it rich one day.

He would still have to curry favor with him.

Didn't Gu Qingtian back then also soar to the heavens after three years of silence?

He could not afford to make the same mistake again.

After Cao Bu took his seat, the Grand Elder immediately ordered outside: "Someone, serve tea."

Not long after.

The Maidservant walked in on tiptoe carrying a tea tray, placed the teacup in front of Cao Bu, and then retreated silently.

"Steward Cao, please, have some tea." The Grand Elder gestured with his hand.

Cao Bu picked up the teacup and took a sip; his eyes immediately brightened: "Good tea!"

The smile on the Grand Elder's face grew wider: "Steward Cao, what is your verdict?"

Cao Bu smacked his lips and took another large gulp.

"Sweet upon entry, with no cloying sensation; once swallowed, the warmth penetrates directly into the bones and sinews—comfortable!"

He swirled the teacup and asked curiously: "Grand Elder, what kind of tea is this? I haven't had anything this good anywhere else."

The Grand Elder stroked his beard proudly: "This is a special spiritual tea of my own making, harvested from the thousand-year-old tea trees behind the mountain and brewed with spiritual spring water; naturally, it is unique."

Cao Bu nodded repeatedly: "No wonder it tastes so good; the Grand Elder certainly knows how to enjoy life."

The Grand Elder chuckled, set down his teacup, and his expression gradually turned serious: "Steward Cao, you have had your tea, now tell me the purpose of your visit."

Cao Bu straightened his posture, his gaze fixed on the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder pressed his hands onto the armrests of the wooden chair, a kind smile still hanging on his face.

Between the two of them, an invisible confrontation had already begun.

"Grand Elder," Cao Bu suddenly spoke, "have you never thought about pledging allegiance to someone?"

The Grand Elder's expression did not change; he asked calmly in return: "Oh? Pledging to whom?"

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, a flash of obscure light flickering in the depths of his eyes.

"The Third Mistress," Cao Bu said straightforwardly.

The Grand Elder set down his teacup, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and fixed his sharp gaze intently on Cao Bu.

After a long while, he slowly spoke: "Is this your intention, or is it the Third Mistress's intention?"

"Does it matter?" Cao Bu countered.

The Grand Elder smiled slightly: "Doesn't it matter?"

"Does it really matter?" Cao Bu asked again.

The Grand Elder nodded firmly: "Very important."

Cao Bu rubbed the black jade thumb ring on his thumb and said unhurriedly: "Regarding the Ninth Elder's affair, I presume the Grand Elder knows it clearly."

"If not for the Third Mistress intervening, that matter back then..."

The voice came to an abrupt halt; Cao Bu looked at the Grand Elder meaningfully.

The Grand Elder snorted coldly: "As the Gu Clan Grand Elder, I only take orders from the Clan Chief."

Cao Bu narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint, almost imperceptible smile: "So, the Grand Elder is determined to oppose the Third Mistress?"

"Steward Cao, you speak too seriously." The Grand Elder shook his head: "The Gu Clan is one big family; everyone in the clan should obey the Clan Chief's orders."

"Including the three Mistresses?" Cao Bu pressed.

"Including the three Mistresses!" the Grand Elder stated decisively.

Cao Bu remained silent for a moment and said nothing more.

The Grand Elder gestured with his hand: "Steward Cao, if there is nothing else, please return."

"As for today's matter, I will pretend I never heard it."

He glanced at Cao Bu, sneering internally.

Anyone with eyes could see that Gu Yun had the greatest potential; although not as good as Gu Qingtian, he had hopes of Immortal Ascension.

Among the three Mistresses, only Luo Qingcheng had hope of Immortal Ascension.

Su Li didn't even have a son; who would be stupid enough to pledge loyalty to her?

They, the Nine Great Elders, had always only pledged loyalty to the Clan Chief; this move by Su Li already carried the suspicion of splitting the Gu Clan.

Cao Bu didn't move an inch, continuing to sip his tea leisurely.

The Grand Elder frowned, staring at him intently.

After a long time, Cao Bu spoke again: "Back then, your son died at the hands of Gu Qingtian, right? Does the Grand Elder not want revenge?"

A cold light flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes as he stared fixedly at Cao Bu: "He was arrogant and conceited, taking the initiative to provoke Gu Qingtian—he deserved to die!"

After a pause, he said sternly: "You want to split my Gu Clan!"

"Indeed, those who are not of our kin will surely have a different heart."

"Cao Bu, even if one raises a dog, it should know how to be grateful."

"Do you believe that just because of this sentence, I could kill you on the spot!"

Cao Bu's fingers lightly stroked the rim of the teacup, his gaze staring dangerously at the Grand Elder: "It seems... the Grand Elder is unwilling."

"Get out!"

The Grand Elder slammed the table and stood up, glaring at Cao Bu.

Cao Bu's actions were already a provocation to his dignity.

If not for the sake of the Third Mistress, he would have already executed Cao Bu.

Cao Bu's finger tapped lightly on the rim of the teacup, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Since the Grand Elder insists on this, then don't blame me for not showing mercy."

He flipped his right hand, and a black card glowing with a faint light suddenly appeared in his palm, covered with strange blood-colored runes.

The Grand Elder frowned; although he did not recognize this object, a feeling of palpitation inexplicably surged in his heart.

"What is this?"

"A good thing that can make the Grand Elder listen obediently."

As Cao Bu's voice fell, the card in his hand transformed into a streak of black light, shooting straight toward the Grand Elder's glabella.

"Insolent!"

The Grand Elder shouted angrily, his cultivation at the ninth level of the Realm Sovereign stage erupting, and he raised his hand to block.

However, the streak of black light pierced directly through his defense and submerged into his glabella.

"Ah!"

The Grand Elder let out a cry of pain, feeling a strange power eroding his Primordial Spirit.

He hurriedly circulated all his spiritual power to resist, only to find that the more he resisted, the faster that power eroded.

He tried again to use the power of Law to strip away this strange power.

After trying several times, it was still of no avail.

"Damn it, what on earth is this?" the Grand Elder roared in agony.

"Don't waste your energy; this is a treasure specifically prepared for Realm Sovereign powerhouses." Cao Bu leisurely picked up his teacup and took a sip, a faint, cold smile playing on the corners of his mouth.

Cold sweat seeped from the Grand Elder's forehead, and a trace of terror flashed in his eyes: "You... what exactly do you want to do?"

At this moment, he didn't even need to think to know.

Cao Bu had ulterior motives.

And he had had them from the very beginning.

Even Gu Qingtian had not discovered it.

This boy... hid it so deeply!

Cao Bu set down his teacup, slowly rose and walked to the Grand Elder, looking down at him from a height: "It's very simple; I want you to become my most loyal servant."

As the last word fell, the Grand Elder's whole body trembled, and the light in his eyes gradually became dull.

A moment later, he knelt respectfully on the ground: "Master."

Cao Bu smiled with satisfaction: "Very good."

[Ding! Detected that the Host has successfully enslaved the Gu Clan Grand Elder, Inheritance Rate increased by 3%.]

[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining 3 lottery chances.]

"Get up." Cao Bu ordered in a deep voice.

Obtaining 3% Inheritance Rate all at once was actually somewhat unexpected for him.

But thinking about it carefully, it was understandable.

The Ninth Elder surrendered to Su Li, and he only controlled him indirectly, so it only gave 1% Inheritance Rate.

The Grand Elder was different; he controlled him directly using the Enslavement Card.

It was equivalent to holding the entire lineage of the Grand Elder in the palm of his hand.

This old fellow would be his loyal underling from now on; if he told him to go east, he would never go west.

"As you command, Master." The Grand Elder rose and stood respectfully to the side.

Cao Bu frowned slightly: "Do you have independent consciousness?"

The Grand Elder bowed and replied: "Reporting to Master, yes."