The fake prince was exposed at the beginning, and I took office as emperor on the spot

Chapter 273 Return (Three-in-One)

During the time Gu Fangchen entered the "Heavenly Gate," only three days had passed in the Great Wei Dynasty of the present world.

These brief three days felt like three years, or even three hundred years, making all those waiting for his return truly understand what it means for each day to feel like a year.

However, although Gu Fangchen disappeared along with the sweeping sky, he had already arranged everything flawlessly before leaving.

All the plans he had laid out long ago were proceeding as scheduled.

He had originally planned to enter the "Heavenly Gate," so he naturally couldn't leave a mess behind and avoid a situation where there was no leader at the most crucial moment.

Over the course of those three days, every piece moved as he had planned, like a meticulously choreographed drama where the plot would continue even if the main character temporarily left the stage.

As the main force attacking the imperial city, the eldest princess's advance was actually very rapid.

The White Dragon Army she led was almost unstoppable, sweeping all before it.

However, Xie Qian reacted too quickly. In addition, he had been misled by Gu Fangchen and mistakenly thought that Gu Fangchen wanted to use the fate of the country to kill him. He made protecting the capital city his main objective and arranged most of the main force of Yaoshan Academy in the capital city. A group of surviving followers of the "Jie" Dao Demonic Sect came to his aid.

The fact that the imperial city could not be captured after a long siege was the result of the all-out efforts of Yaoshan Academy.

Those court officials who had been brainwashed by Xie Qian acted like puppets, causing trouble and obstructing Xiao Yinghao's attention in the local areas.

Their goal was not to protect the imperial city, but to protect the seriously injured Xie Qian.

Once Xie Qian recovers from his injuries, even if Gu Fangchen has ten second-rank cultivators on her side, they won't be a match for him when he makes a move in his true form.

This is also why Xiao Yinghao felt that things might be in vain.

But apart from the imperial city, all other places have now been occupied by the White Dragon Army.

Aside from not yet ascending the throne, those who witnessed this great battle had already tacitly accepted that Xiao Yinghao, the princess who called herself "Yingtian Dragon King," was the future new emperor.

Outside the battlefield, the people spread her name and silently prayed for her victory. Merchants began preparing gifts for the new dynasty, and even the resentful noble families secretly offered their sincere prayers.

However, those who know more about this war know that the only unknown variable, and the key factor that will ultimately determine the outcome, is not actually on the battlefield.

The question remains: will Gu Fangchen, who disappeared, return first, or will Xie Qian recover first...? This game has reached its most critical moment.

"Look! What is that?!"

"The heavens! Why are there strange phenomena in the heavens again?! Could it be... could it be that that old bastard Xie Qian has emerged from seclusion?!"

As the monks exclaimed in surprise, the soldiers looked up in horror.

A commotion erupted around them as everyone looked up at the spreading golden ripples and the slowly unfolding, dazzling galaxy, and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

That magnificent and vast flowing galaxy, each star shimmering with a mysterious light, seems to be echoing some ancient proverb with its silence.

The strange phenomenon was not merely mysterious on the surface; as the golden ripples spread, an extremely terrifying aura emanated from them.

The aura pressed down on them as if it were a physical force, making it almost impossible for these soldiers, who were usually decisive in battle and ruthless in their daily lives, to breathe!
Among these cultivators were many third-rank experts, yet they were finding it difficult to even raise their heads!
Many people's faces changed, their hearts filled with horror, and they turned pale instantly, thinking that the "Confucian Sage" Xie Qian had finally recovered his strength.

After all, besides those of the highest rank, who else could exert such terrifying pressure on them?

Thinking of the terrifying scene that swept across the world three days ago, despair welled up in their hearts, and the already somewhat dejected atmosphere became even heavier.

Some people had already begun to retreat quietly, while others gripped their weapons tightly, preparing for a final stand.

"No, it's not Xie Qian!"

A resolute yet joyful female voice suddenly echoed across the battlefield.

The stunningly beautiful woman clad in black armor leaped into the air, her eyes gleaming with an incredibly bright light. Her usually cold and stern expression suddenly softened.

She gazed at the figures gradually appearing above, her heart filled with boundless joy. The heavy stone that had been weighing on her heart for days could finally be lifted.

Xiao Yinghao smiled and said, enunciating each word clearly, "It's Gu Fangchen! He's back!"

Xiao Yinghao's voice spread out, startling everyone.

Gu Fangchen is back from "Tianmen"?!
These days, although they don't know the inside story, they know that it's impossible to be promoted to "first rank" in the current Great Wei.

After all, before Xiao Zhenwu changed his mind, he was indeed strictly adhering to his original idea.

The pressure from the "Hengchang" Way filled the entire world, squeezing out all other "Ways," leaving only Xie Qian as the last survivor.

There's no way anyone else will get promoted.

To go further, we must lift the "lid" and enter the "heavenly gate".

Even Ying Bai had sealed the "Heavenly Gate," which must be extremely dangerous inside. Even if they could get in, getting out would be incredibly difficult... They didn't really have any hope, which is why they wanted to kill Xie Qian before he recovered.

Unexpectedly, Gu Fangchen actually returned from the "Heavenly Gate"!
"Then...doesn't that mean he's been promoted to 'First Rank'?!"

In the sudden silence born of shock, someone swallowed hard and began to speculate.

This speculation was like a spark that instantly ignited the previously dormant and decadent atmosphere on the entire battlefield.

……

"He is back!"

Xu Fu's heart stirred, and because of the commotion in the army and the vibration of her destiny chart, she suddenly opened her eyes.

She sat high in the center of the altar, surrounded by formations drawn in blood, and in the center were the imperial seal and the withered head of Emperor Yong'an.

After Gu Fangchen left, Qingman delivered these two items.

With the remaining portion of the nation's fortune and Xiao Yinghao's blood—after Xiao Sheng's death, the remaining national fortune, due to the general trend, gathered on the eldest princess, who had become the prototype of the new national fortune carrier—Xu Fu set up the "Heaven and Earth Furnace" formation.

In the original storyline, this grand formation was activated by the Grand Preceptor in a desperate situation to counter the invasion of the Demonic Sect and the Qingman.

But now, it's all about fighting against Yaoshan Academy and Confucian disciples to seize control of the imperial city.

It was precisely because of Xu Fu's "Heaven and Earth Furnace" formation that Xie Qian was repeatedly suppressed and unable to recover so quickly.

The aloof and stunningly beautiful female Taoist priest raised her head, the cinnabar mole between her brows incredibly vibrant, and her gaze towards the figure in the sky was filled with tenderness.

Her gaze traced Gu Fangchen's figure, and seeing that he was unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief and subconsciously raised her hand to gently touch her lower abdomen.

—Although the chances of a cultivator having offspring become increasingly smaller, even almost nonexistent, after reaching the upper three ranks, don't forget that the Grand Preceptor is the leader of the "Heavenly Mandate Path," and she is a professional when it comes to manipulating probabilities.

She had already made thorough preparations before she took the initiative to seek out Gu Fangchen that day.

Since we are to sever the ties of "Canliao" and descend into the mortal world, it must be done thoroughly...

After that day, Xu Fu sensed in the darkness that the cause between her and Gu Fangchen had borne fruit.

Now, although faint, she can now clearly feel its presence.

Fortunately, Gu Fangchen returned safely.

But Xu Fu stared at Gu Fangchen, his expression quickly turning serious again.

She could see that most of the countless karmic connections surrounding Gu Fangchen had dissipated, and were even continuing to disappear.

This is not a good thing... Xie Qian is not dead, but the karma on Gu Fangchen is dissipating. This is obviously someone trying to erase Gu Fangchen's existence.

Moreover, this wasn't Xie Qian's doing...there were others involved!

Xu Fu was about to step forward when he saw Gu Fangchen emerge from the dazzling starry river, glance at the intertwined gold and red causal lines around her, and then sneer. She reached out, drew her sword, and with a flash of white light, severed all the causal lines.

Xu Fu: "...?"

If she hadn't known Gu Fangchen, she would have almost thought he was going to commit suicide.

Sure enough, upon closer inspection, she discovered that although Gu Fangchen appeared to be free of karma, in reality, every golden ripple spreading outward from the sky behind him would return to him after expanding outward.

"Om-"

The faint buzzing sound was becoming increasingly noticeable.

The ripples spread and converge, like a heart composed of cause and effect, constantly beating.

Xu Fu raised his hand to make a finger gesture, but the movement was left unfinished.

She couldn't figure it out.

The karmic consequences that had been brought back, bearing the weight of the entire world, all fell upon Gu Fangchen's shoulders.

With Xu Fu's cultivation level, he was able to see a vague future even when calculating the direction of the entire world.

But now, the whole world, just like Gu Fangchen herself, has an uncertain future that cannot be measured by the laws of cause and effect.

Xu Fu realized that what covered the sky was an unprecedentedly massive causal technique.

If successful, Gu Fangchen will be bound to the entire world.

……

"what?"

Yi'er stared wide-eyed at the golden ripples streaking across the sky, her mouth agape in an "o" shape, her eyes brimming with uncontrollable astonishment.

"He actually succeeded!"

Then she looked at the sky, nodded, and murmured to herself, "So that's how it is, so that's how it is. He is the 'true' and the 'false'. Xiao Zhenwu created a 'limitless void' that shielded all cause and effect, so even I couldn't see it."

Yi'er wasn't annoyed at all; instead, she giggled.

"No wonder I liked him the moment I saw him, no wonder he's so interesting."

However, she only smiled halfway before her expression turned serious and wary.

"You like him so much, you're not going to protect him, are you? He caused my 'Sea of ​​Karma Wheel' to dissipate, I haven't even settled the score with him yet, so don't get in my way."

Clearly, this means that the Lord of Calamity's consciousness has gained the upper hand.

Now, she has formally communicated with Yi'er and learned that she is not as simple as she seems.

However, it is even more obvious that Lord Jie's threats have no effect on Yi'er.

She said with a grin, "It's alright, it's alright, I'm definitely fine. You can go find him without hesitation. I can even help you suppress him. You can take your revenge and settle scores as you please."

"That's pretty much it!"

Lord Jie murmured, "This guy is truly despicable. He deceived me the very first time we met and even stole my 'Sea of ​​Calamity Wheel'..."

As Yi'er listened to her rambling on about Gu Fangchen's "crimes" and how she was trying to brainwash herself to strengthen her resolve, she could only think that this girl was a truly incredibly stupid idiot.

Who was it that repeatedly tested whether they were going to kill Gu Fangchen, and then breathed a sigh of relief after realizing they weren't? It's so hard to guess. When the time comes to settle scores, they'll probably be easily coaxed into submission by Gu Fangchen.

Yi'er fell into deep thought and decided that she would have to help this idiot out when the time came...

……

"Father, it's him who's back!"

Qiqige cheered and pulled Sule, pointing to the sky.

The greatest Khan of the grasslands was sitting cross-legged on the ground. Hearing this, he raised his head and saw the figure.

Suler took a deep breath.

Maha Boundless, you are right... He has returned from the "Heavenly Gate," he is the "Heavenly God."

When Ding Xingfeng attacked the grasslands, they had already all retreated and entered the sacred mountain, where they were settled on the altar among the remains left by the "gods".

Doing so is tantamount to giving up everything on the grassland.

But the final prophecy left by Maha Wuliang tells them that Gu Fangchen is a "god". If he can return from the "Heavenly Gate", he is a genuine "god" without a doubt!

Since everything on the grasslands was a gift from the "gods," it was only natural for them to dedicate everything to the "gods."

And the "gods" will give them a completely new world.

Sule looked at the figure in the sky, his eyes shining with determination. He knew that the future of the grassland would be decided at this moment.

……

Prajna Lotus Moon's face was cold, her blue eyes, hidden behind a light veil, were utterly indifferent as she looked at the Confucian academy disciples who were constantly going to their deaths in front of her.

She floated in mid-air, with a huge, pale image of Tara behind her. All twenty-one images of Tara were displayed, with arms arranged like blooming lotuses, and eyes open in the palms of her hands, showing neither sorrow nor joy.

Beside her, attendants in flowing robes and holding ritual implements upheld the boundless majesty of the Mother of Salvation.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

The heavenly sounds were vast and resounding, like thunderous drumbeats spreading through the void, announcing the coming of disaster.

The Silent Attendants relieved suffering and distress, bearing on their own the pain of countless people they had helped over the centuries.

Now, when they spread their pain, almost no one can bear it.

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!"

Wherever the sound of the heavenly drum reached, there was a scene of hellish agonizing wailing.

The Confucian disciples of Yaoshan Academy suffered from rapidly festering, bleeding, and suppurating skin, with every inch of their limbs beginning to break and fold. It was the most extreme and terrifying pain.

Many people even died from excruciating pain, their eyes wide open, their deaths gruesome.

But those who came after them saw these scenes felt no fear, only anger and hatred.

With red eyes, they shouted, "Demons! This is the world of demons and monsters that the Master spoke of!"

"The true Shangri-La is 'eternal harmony under the same sky'! But now they've destroyed it all!"

"These demons and heretics who defy cause and effect spread falsehoods and mislead the masses. We are the last line of defense for the world's awakening, and we must never give up on them!"

Xie Qian's prestige had been built up over 1,300 years, making him an unshakeable idol in the hearts of these Confucian disciples.

In their view, whatever Xie Qian said was right. If the enemy objected, it meant that Xie Qian was right.

If anyone objects, they become enemies, which only proves that Xie Qian is right!

These Confucian disciples were beyond redemption; their hostility towards the world only strengthened their resolve.

At first, some Confucian disciples who sided with Gu Fangchen hoped to persuade them, but they soon realized it was a futile effort.

So, the only option left is to kill them all, just like we are now.

"Om-"

Prajna Lotus Moon's heart stirred, and she raised her head to look at the drastically changing sky.

When that familiar figure appeared in her field of vision, the Tara Buddhist saintess, who had maintained a taut and cold expression, was shaken to her core. Her eyes stung, and tears streamed down her face.

Ignoring everything else, she leaped up, soaring across the sky and landing directly in Gu Fangchen's arms. She hugged him tightly, buried her face in his chest, and wept:
“Father, I thought I was going to watch you leave again…”

……

After Gu Fangchen severed all the causal threads on his body with his sword, he looked down at the long-lost Great Wei. Before he could even come to any realization, he saw a figure rushing towards him from afar, crashing into his arms and hugging him tightly.

Goodness, they've even used the incarnation of "Swift Tara".

Gu Fangchen quickly raised her hand and stroked Banruo Lianyue's hair, saying softly with a helpless voice:
"Alright, you're such a grown-up, why are you still crying?"

Prajna Lotus Moon also lost control of her emotions for a moment. She hugged him tightly, rubbed her cheek against his chest, took a deep breath, and opened her eyes again. Upon hearing this, her face turned red.

She quickly let go of his hand and pursed her lips: "I didn't cry."

"Okay, our little pearl didn't cry. Let's get down to business first. This time, I'll take you home and I won't let you cry again."

Gu Fangchen looked down and saw an elegant old man with white hair and beard floating in mid-air, staring intently at her.

That was Xie Qian.

His expression first turned ugly, and then turned to horror.

"First-class...no, you are not first-class!"

……

at the same time.

Shi Qingguang stood in front of a huge, withered sycamore tree and reached out to touch the ancient patterns on it.

The rough bark left a slight stinging sensation on her fingertips, as if reminding her that everything that surfaced in her memory was real.

This sycamore tree has been withered for countless years, from the birth of Baidi City to its decline, yet it still stands tall, just like the memories sealed in her heart, blurred but never gone.

A gentle breeze blew by, lifting her green skirt and carrying the faint sounds of battle from the distant battlefield.

But Shi Qingguang ignored her; all her attention was focused on the ancient sycamore tree.

This ancient tree witnessed her childhood, her growth, and also her most painful farewell—even though that farewell no longer exists in the current causal chain.

Now, it will become a witness to her rebirth.

Shi Qingguang recalled her memories; she had forgotten them, but she had not forgotten the ancient phoenix tree that once sheltered her.

It is as ancient as the "Snail Book" and has a similar ability to record everything it sees.

Or rather, it is because they have existed for a long time that they have become imbued with the principles of "constancy" and possess unchanging qualities.

Even if cause and effect are altered, it can still find the most authentic history.

Those scenes faded by time, those truths distorted by fate, have all left their mark on this tree.

She closed her eyes, feeling the faint pulse emanating from the tree trunk—the last vestige of life left by the phoenix's rebirth.

Shi Qingguang originally left Sword Pavilion intending to hunt down Gu Fangchen.

However, by the time she arrived, Gu Fangchen had already entered the "Heavenly Gate." She was disappointed and frustrated, so she decided to return to her hometown to take one last look.

Baidi City once had a glorious past, but the arrival of the phoenix on that day was like a final burst of light before its demise, and it was quickly reborn.

Without the presence of someone to wait for it, the sycamore tree quickly withered.

Without the phoenix, Baidi City lost its reason for existence, quickly declined, and disappeared.

Only Shi Qingguang's reputation gradually grew.

But soon, the Human Emperor went mad and wanted to seal the "Great Furnace Era". Those who "attained the Dao" either had to fake their death or give up their memories and cultivation to avoid that great calamity. Shi Qingguang was one of them.

She found the wind chime inside the tree, the one that used to hang on the branches of the sycamore tree, swaying in the wind.

It is covered in rust, yet it still retains its original shape.

This may seem like just an ordinary wind chime, but that's what makes it so extraordinary!

Because it was not in Shi Qingguang's original memory at all.

The moment Shi Qingguang touched the wind chime, he saw the phoenix fire encased within it.

Shi Qingguang felt a moment of disorientation. She saw her younger self standing under a sycamore tree, looking up at the phoenix tail feathers falling from the sky.

At that time, she did not understand what separation or pain was; she only knew that the phoenix feathers were beautiful and the sound of the wind chimes was lovely.

Now she finally understands that those beautiful moments were gifts given to her by someone.

The phoenix's flames burned in her palm, but did not scorch her.

Instead, it brought a strange warmth, like the warmth of that person's palm, gently covering her eyes.

Shi Qingguang looked at the images that appeared in the flames; they were her altered memories, her distorted past.

"I see……"

Shi Qingguang murmured softly, his eyes glistening with tears.

"Foolish master."

The phoenix's flames gradually died down, and the wind chimes turned to ashes in the flames, drifting away with the wind.

She looked up at the figure in the sky, a slight smile playing on her lips.

This time, she will not forget again, she will not get lost again, because that person has returned, with all the answers, with all the truth.

The phoenix tree trembled slightly in the lingering warmth of the phoenix flames, as if responding to her heartfelt words.

Shi Qingguang knew that a new era was about to begin, and she would become a witness to and participant in this era.

She gripped the sword tightly and took a deep breath.

On the distant battlefield, the golden light grew brighter and brighter, illuminating the entire sky.

(End of this chapter)