3: I want you to submit to me.

Cao Bu chuckled, pinching her tense little face. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Now that my Dantian has recovered, as long as I bide my time, there will be a day for revenge.”

A glimmer flashed in his eyes. “Besides, over these past few hundred years, I’ve already rehearsed the plan in my mind thousands of times.”

As he spoke, he abruptly tightened his arm around Su Li, his voice filled with ruthlessness. “This time, I will make the entire Gu Clan a stepping stone for me to ascend to Immortality!”

Seeing the man’s confident demeanor, Su Li’s heart warmed, and she pressed herself against him.

“I’ll help you!”

She paused, then declared resolutely, “If we fail, I’ll accompany you to the Yellow Springs!”

Cao Bu’s heart felt a little warm. He gently stroked her beautiful hair, his mind already beginning to sort out the grand scheme he had plotted for hundreds of years.

Early the next morning.

Cao Bu arrived at Ninth Elder’s place.

As soon as he appeared outside the courtyard, he saw Ninth Elder sending Gu Yun off with a beaming smile.

“Clan Chief, rest assured, I will handle this Succession Ceremony properly,” Ninth Elder guaranteed, patting his chest.

Gu Yun nodded gently. “With Ninth Grandpa handling it, I am naturally at ease.”

Ninth Elder stroked his beard, his eyes full of flattery. “Clan Chief’s talent is extraordinary! At just over four hundred years old, you have already ascended to the Realm King position, not inferior to Clan Leader Qingtian!”

“In the future, you will surely be another person from our Gu Clan to Ascend to Immortality.”

“Clan Chief, after you take office, I hope you will support our lineage more.”

Although his words contained flattery, they weren’t entirely so.

After all, there were no more than ten Realm Kings in the entire Spirit Realm who were over four hundred years old.

Coupled with Clan Leader Gu Qingtian’s guidance in recent years, becoming Immortal might not be a problem.

Gu Yun smiled humbly. “Ninth Grandpa, you exaggerate. As the Gu Clan Clan Chief, taking care of the clan’s disciples is my duty.”

With that, he was about to leave, but suddenly caught sight of Cao Bu approaching, and the smile on his face instantly froze.

Ninth Elder followed Gu Yun’s gaze, and upon seeing Cao Bu, he also put away his smile, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

In his eyes, no matter how loyal this outsider was, he was ultimately not of the Gu Family Bloodline, merely a watchdog.

It was just that since he was Gu Qingtian’s good dog, Ninth Elder couldn’t openly act out.

Gu Yun’s face immediately darkened upon seeing Cao Bu.

He approached Cao Bu, raising his voice a few octaves. “Isn’t this Big Brother? As the chief steward, why aren’t you where you should be, and instead here?”

His words implied that Cao Bu should be at the entrance of the Gu Clan.

After all, the position of chief steward also carried the meaning of a doorman.

Ninth Elder, hearing this, watched the scene with interest.

When Gu Qingtian was still around, the entire Gu Clan was harmonious.

Now that Gu Qingtian had Ascended and would never return, the Gu Clan should be reshuffled.

As the head of their lineage, Ninth Elder naturally had to find a good backer.

Gu Yun, as Gu Qingtian’s eldest son, was naturally the best choice.

In fact, if Gu Qingtian’s lineage were to decline in the future, it wouldn’t be impossible for his own lineage to take the Clan Chief position.

Facing Gu Yun’s provocation, Cao Bu still showed a gentle smile on his face. “Brother Yun is joking. I am here precisely for the Succession Ceremony.”

He turned to Ninth Elder, respectfully cupping his hands. “Ninth Elder, clan procurement matters have always been your responsibility. Adoptive Father specifically instructed me before his Ascension to personally hand this list to you.”

Saying that, he took out a Jade Slip from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

Ninth Elder’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he had no choice but to accept the Jade Slip.

After all, Gu Qingtian’s prestige still lingered, and he dared not openly defy him.

Seeing this, a hint of gloom flashed in Gu Yun’s eyes, and he sneered, “Since Father has already Ascended, clan affairs are naturally decided by me, the new Clan Chief. If Big Brother has important matters, why not come directly to me?”

“Brother Yun’s lesson is well-taken.”

Cao Bu responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, a deep light flashing in his eyes. “However, this list records things Adoptive Father specifically prepared for the Succession Ceremony, I’m afraid…”

Before he could finish, Gu Yun’s expression had already changed.

He snorted coldly. “Since that’s the case, Ninth Grandpa should prepare well.”

With that, he angrily flicked his sleeves and left.

After Gu Yun had gone far, Ninth Elder finally examined the Jade Slip. His pupils suddenly contracted, and the hand holding the Jade Slip trembled incessantly.

When he looked up again, his eyes were filled with an uncertain look of surprise.

Cao Bu smiled slightly, lowering his voice. “Ninth Elder, may I have a word in private?”

Inside the side hall, tea fragrance wafted.

Cao Bu and Ninth Elder sat facing each other, a tea set placed on the low table between them.

Cao Bu leisurely sipped his tea, looking relaxed and at ease.

Ninth Elder’s withered fingers tightly clutched the Jade Slip, his eyes fixed on Cao Bu.

“This tea is good.”

Cao Bu took another sip, even deliberately smacking his lips.

Ninth Elder’s brows furrowed even tighter, the Jade Slip in his hand almost leaving an imprint from his grip.

“The items on this are with you?”

Indeed, the content inside the Jade Slip was not a procurement list for the Succession Ceremony at all.

Instead, it was...

The three characters: longevity pill!

Cao Bu put down his teacup and smiled gently. “Ninth Elder is joking. How could I carry such a treasure on me? After all…”

He deliberately paused. “I’m only in the Heavenly Bridge Realm. What if someone robs me?”

“You!”

Ninth Elder’s face changed drastically, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his cloudy eyes.

He indeed harbored thoughts of seizing it, but this young man in front of him was too cunning.

Thinking of the mere decades of Lifespan he had left, Ninth Elder’s chest heaved violently.

That great battle back then had destroyed his Origin of life. A dignified Realm Emperor Realm expert, who should have had tens of thousands of years of life, now only had…

Thinking of this, he reined in his murderous intent.

His gaze became calm.

“Tell me, what is your purpose?”

Having lived for so many years, just from the three characters on this Jade Slip, he could guess that Cao Bu had ill intentions.

Due to Cao Bu’s special status, he couldn’t act rashly.

Otherwise, an ant in the Heavenly Bridge Realm could be crushed with a single finger.

“I want you to submit to me,” Cao Bu said lightly.

“Presumptuous!” Ninth Elder slammed the table and stood up.

With a bang, a violent pressure instantly erupted.

He stared fixedly at Cao Bu, murderous intent chilling his eyes. “Cao Bu! Don’t think this old man dares not touch you!”

“Gu Qingtian has Ascended, First Mistress is in seclusion, and even Young Lord Gu Yun is very displeased with you.”

“If you know what’s good for you, hand over the longevity pill and get out of the Gu Clan, and this old man can spare your life!”

Cao Bu unhurriedly took out a white handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Though outwardly calm, his heart was blooming with joy.

Just as expected!

These old fellows appeared united, but in reality, each harbored their own schemes.

If they were still as solid as a block of iron as when Gu Qingtian was around, he would indeed have to put in some effort to bring down the Gu Clan.

But now…

The demise of the Gu Clan was merely a matter of time.

Ninth Elder’s pupils contracted, and a storm raged in his heart.

Although he hadn’t used his full strength, with his Realm Emperor Realm pressure, an ordinary Heavenly Bridge Realm Cultivator would have long been pressed to the ground, kneeling and spitting blood.

Yet, this Cao Bu could not only move freely but even calmly wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth!

“This kid…”

His heart inexplicably trembled, and his withered fingers unconsciously tightened.

The Jade Slip in his palm made a creaking sound under the strain, as if it would shatter in the next moment.

“Ninth Elder is afraid?” Cao Bu suddenly chuckled, casually tossing the blood-stained white handkerchief onto the low table.

“Or do you think an ant like me is not worthy of your submission?”

Ninth Elder narrowed his eyes, slowly withdrew his pressure, and sat back down.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip, his gaze drifting into the distance, pondering something.

After a long while, Ninth Elder suddenly spoke, his voice low. “You may leave. Let’s pretend today never happened.”

Cao Bu’s smile did not diminish.

To make a Realm Sovereign submit?

This was simply a fantasy.

However…

“Does Ninth Elder truly believe that I want you to submit?”

“What do you mean?” Ninth Elder frowned deeply.

Cao Bu lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, unhurriedly saying, “After Adoptive Father Ascended, no one protects me. Brother Yun holds a grudge against me. Although I saved his life, he never appreciated it.”

He looked directly at Ninth Elder. “At a time like this, I need to find a backer, don’t I?”

Ninth Elder’s pupils slightly contracted. “Who?”

“Third Godmother. She wants you to submit to her,” Cao Bu said softly.

Seeing Ninth Elder’s expression change, Cao Bu continued, “Third Godmother has no male heir, so she is inherently weak.”

“Back then, the three Mistresses fought fiercely for Adoptive Father’s favor.”

He paused meaningfully. “Now that Adoptive Father has Ascended, do you think they will still live in peace?”

The tea fragrance still lingered in the hall, but a sense of tension had been added.

Ninth Elder’s fingers, gripping the empty teacup, turned slightly white, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

“Since Ninth Elder hasn’t made up his mind, I’ll go back and report.”

Cao Bu rose gracefully, dusting off his sleeves. “However, there’s only this one chance.”

Just as Cao Bu was about to leave, Ninth Elder suddenly slammed the table. “Stop!”