269: Chapter 270 If I were to attain enlightenment, why would I need to borrow the methods of others?

That sentient immortal divine medicine seemed to know Gu Changsheng would follow. It led the way ahead, neither too fast nor too slow, always maintaining a distance of a dozen or so zhang from Gu Changsheng.

Gu Changsheng was in no hurry either, following at a steady pace.

Thus, one man and one medicine flew northward for a full ten thousand miles across the vast Small World.

Finally, the Divine Medicine stopped before a valley that appeared utterly ordinary.

It glanced back at Gu Changsheng, then plunged headlong into the valley.

Gu Changsheng, expressionless, followed closely behind.

Upon entering the valley, the scene before him suddenly opened up.

Only then did he realize the entire valley was shrouded by an exceptionally sophisticated illusion array.

Without the Divine Medicine leading the way, even a great power of the Guixu Realm would find it impossible to detect anything amiss here.

Within the illusion array, there was a world unto itself.

A palace of extreme grandeur, crafted entirely from unknown divine jade and radiating overwhelming might, hung quietly in the Void Realm.

The entire aura of the palace was sealed by a powerful Restriction, not a single wisp leaking out.

"It seems this is the true resting place of Emperor Qiren."

Understanding dawned in Gu Changsheng's heart.

Those so-called side halls and continents outside were likely nothing but decoys deliberately set by this Great Emperor to confuse the world.

Just as he was pondering this.

The magnificent palace suddenly stirred.

The palace gates slowly opened, and a broad avenue paved entirely with golden dao patterns extended from deep within the palace, laying itself right at Gu Changsheng's feet.

This was clearly an invitation to enter.

That Divine Medicine seemed to have completed its mission. It affectionately rubbed against Gu Changsheng's pant leg.

Then, transforming into a streak of green light, it merged into a large tree nearby and vanished.

Gu Changsheng glanced at the golden path and, without the slightest hesitation, stepped directly onto it.

Inside the palace, the branching corridors were complex, each leading to a side hall exuding a dense Divine Might.

Had it been anyone else, they likely would have long been captivated by the treasures within these side halls and lost their way.

But Gu Changsheng couldn't even be bothered to spare them a glance.

His goal, from beginning to end, had only ever been one.

That was the master of this palace, Emperor Qiren!

Following the most potent Divine Might, he proceeded forward and finally arrived before the most magnificent central hall.

Pushing open the great doors, the scene within the hall came into view.

At the center of the hall was a massive lotus platform forged from Nine-Colored Immortal Gold.

Upon the lotus platform, countless rays of auspicious light shimmered, and a faint, human-shaped light shadow was slowly coalescing.

A terrifying pressure, vast as a sea of mist and profound as the starry sky, emanated from that light shadow.

This pressure alone made Gu Changsheng feel an unprecedented weight.

He knew this light shadow before him was a Divine Thought Incarnation left behind by that final Great Emperor of the past ten thousand years, Emperor Qiren.

"This Junior Gu Changsheng pays his respects to Emperor Qiren."

Gu Changsheng took a step forward and performed a respectful, yet neither subservient nor arrogant, bow towards the light shadow.

Upon the lotus platform, the light shadow finally solidified completely.

It was a middle-aged man with a gentle face and refined demeanor. He wore a simple white emperor's robe, his eyes filled with benevolence and wisdom.

He looked at Gu Changsheng, a warm smile appearing on his face, his voice resonating throughout the hall like the sound of the great Dao.

"Young friend, there is no need for such courtesy."

"The fact that you could resist the temptation of the immortal divine medicine and come here proves you harbor good intentions and share a connection with me."

Hearing this, Gu Changsheng inwardly sneered.

Harbor good intentions?

What a joke.

I just thought directly refining them would be too wasteful.

However, on the surface, he remained impassive.

He looked at Emperor Qiren, his heart filled with doubt.

Judging by the pressure emanating from this Divine Thought Incarnation of the Emperor, his strength in life was probably infinitely close to that of the legendary Immortals.

So why, in the end, did he fail to succeed, stopping at the Great Emperor Realm?

He had a premonition that today, he might obtain the answer from this Emperor's own words.

"Young friend."

Just then, Emperor Qiren's voice sounded again.

He looked at Gu Changsheng, his eyes filled with appreciation.

"Your talent is the strongest I have witnessed in ten thousand years, without equal."

"You possess unwavering conviction, an indestructible Dao Heart, and... that supreme heart that seeks the ultimate Dao."

"You possess all the qualities needed to become a top-tier powerhouse."

At this point, Emperor Qiren's tone suddenly shifted.

"It's just a pity..."

He sighed and shook his head.

"You lack only one thing."

"That is, warmth."

"Your Dao is too cold, cold to the point of having no temperature whatsoever."

"You are not the person I have been waiting for."

These words from Emperor Qiren caused Gu Changsheng's brow to lift slightly.

Not the person he was waiting for?

So what?

I didn't come here to receive some damn Legacy of yours.

I merely wish to obtain some answers I seek from you.

However, before he could speak, Emperor Qiren's next words took him somewhat by surprise.

"However, since you have come here, it means you share a connection with me."

"I can impart my Dao lineage to you."

"My Dao lineage can guarantee your future cultivation will reach the Quasi-Emperor Realm, and even... allow you to vie for that supreme Great Emperor Realm!"

Emperor Qiren's voice was filled with confidence.

A Great Emperor's Dao lineage!

If word of this got out, it would be enough to drive all the Cultivators of the entire Xuantian True Domain mad with desire.

One must know, nearly a million years have passed in the Xuantian True Domain without anyone achieving Immortal Ascension.

For contemporary Cultivators, becoming an Immortal is but a distant, unreachable dream.

And the Great Emperor Realm is the highest state they can aspire to!

For any Cultivator, obtaining the complete Dao lineage of a Great Emperor would mean their future achievements are limitless!

Yet, faced with this supreme Opportunity that could drive anyone to madness,

Gu Changsheng, without even a moment's thought, directly refused.

"That won't be necessary."

His voice was detached yet resolute.

"Your Dao is incompatible with mine."

"Your Dao is one of benevolence, of protection."

"While my Dao is one of dominance, of plunder!"

"Inheriting your lineage would only create conflict within my Great Dao, limiting my future achievements."

"Moreover..."

Gu Changsheng raised his head, looking directly at Emperor Qiren, a confident curve lifting the corner of his mouth.

"Realms such as Guixu, or even the Great Emperor Realm—I, Gu Changsheng, can reach them on my own. Why should I need to borrow another's Dao?"

These words were arrogant to the extreme.

Yet, coming from his mouth, they seemed utterly natural.