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"I kept a low profile and waited until my strength gradually increased. Only then, with the help of the formation, was I able to stand against the Goddess Palace without being defeated. That’s when I established the Heavenly Bond Cult, hoping to use it to resist the Goddess Palace."
Hearing Gongsun Hongtian’s words, Xu Zimo frowned slightly.
"I don’t know what the Goddess Palace promised you, but I do know that most of their people can't be trusted," said Gongsun Hongtian.
"Yue’er’s mother is named Gu Mingxi. The people of the Goddess Palace once made a promise to me as well. They said if I disbanded the Heavenly Bond Cult, they would release Mingxi and send the two of us out of the Mortal Dust Palace. But they went back on their word. Fortunately, I had been cautious."
"What do you mean?" Xu Zimo looked at Gongsun Hongtian and asked.
"Let’s join forces and destroy the Goddess Palace. When that happens, you can have whatever you want," Gongsun Hongtian said.
"Only with this ancient formation was I able to contend with them. Without it, I wouldn’t stand a chance against the Goddess Palace. If we join forces, your strength gives us a real shot."
Seeing Xu Zimo remain silent, Gongsun Hongtian continued, "If you don’t trust me, we can test it together."
"Alright," Xu Zimo nodded.
"Are you going to tell Gu Yue about her identity?" he asked.
Gongsun Hongtian hesitated, then said, "I haven’t figured out how to face her yet. After all, it was Mingxi who raised her from the start. I, as her father, have done nothing. Can you give me some time with her, let me tell her gradually?"
Xu Zimo nodded without objection.
The two briefly discussed their plans, then returned to the city.
Gongsun Hongtian didn’t say much to anyone else.
He instructed the Four Great Guardians to rebuild the collapsed buildings and restored peace to the city.
Then he prepared to leave with Xu Zimo and the others.
As for Gongsun Tianxun, once Gongsun Hongtian learned about what he had done in the basement, he was immediately placed in solitary confinement.
Xu Zimo later learned that Gongsun Tianxun wasn’t Gongsun Hongtian’s biological son, but his adopted child.
After parting with Gu Mingxi, Gongsun Hongtian had never been with anyone else.
...
After briefly settling affairs in the Heavenly Bond Cult, Gongsun Hongtian left with Xu Zimo’s group.
The three returned to Martial Flame City and headed toward the Goddess Palace from the temple there.
Along the way, Gongsun Hongtian doted on Gu Yue, giving her anything she wanted.
"Do you know my mother?" Gu Yue asked curiously.
"I’ve seen her before," Gongsun Hongtian nodded.
"Do you know where she is?" Gu Yue continued.
"I saw someone at the Goddess Palace who looked exactly like my mother, but I knew it wasn’t her. She’s your mother’s sister, your aunt," Gongsun Hongtian paused before finally saying. "Back then, the position of Palace Master in the Goddess Palace was originally meant for your mother. But due to certain events, it eventually fell to your aunt, Gu Mingyu."
He didn’t go into too much detail. After all, it had been years since he had contact with the Goddess Palace, and his understanding of its affairs was limited.
After seven long days, the four finally returned to the Goddess Palace.
Gongsun Hongtian was bound with the Immortal-Suppression Chain by Xu Zimo.
Compared to their previous visit, when the Goddess Palace was quiet and deserted, this time it was clearly much livelier.
The palace was decorated with lanterns and streamers, with people bustling everywhere.
Temple masters from all parts of the Mortal Dust Palace had come.
Even city lords and other influential figures were invited to the Goddess Palace.
This was a rare occasion.
Normally, even temple personnel couldn’t freely enter the Goddess Palace, let alone others.
Xu Zimo asked around a bit.
Only then did he find out that today the Goddess Palace was holding a grand assembly to announce the new successor of the Goddess Palace.
The Young Palace Master.
When they arrived, the ceremony had already begun at the Goddess Square.
The elders of the Goddess Palace were also present.
When Xu Zimo and the others approached, they saw the large square already filled with a dense crowd.
At a glance, there were thousands of people.
In the center stood a towering statue of the World-Weary Goddess.
Beneath the statue, a red carpet was laid out with several chairs arranged.
The three elders of the Goddess Palace and the Palace Master, Gu Mingyu, were seated in the place of honor.
"Today, we’ve gathered everyone here to hold the inauguration ceremony of the new Young Palace Master," the central elder of the Goddess Palace stood up and announced.
He was an elderly man, with long white hair and beard, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.
On his white robe were two rotating patterns.
He was the only man in the entire Goddess Palace.
The other two elders were an old woman and a voluptuous middle-aged woman.
"That’s Ancestor Heaven-Bearer," someone whispered in the crowd upon seeing the old man speak.
"Ancestor Heaven-Bearer hasn’t appeared in years. Who would’ve thought he’d show up for the Young Palace Master’s ceremony."
"Does anyone know the identity of this Young Palace Master? Why was there no word before?"
"Who knows? Let’s just keep watching."
...
Ancestor Heaven-Bearer stood and smiled. "I hope you’ll all support the Young Palace Master. She’s new to the Mortal Dust Palace and doesn’t know much yet. Alright, I now announce the official beginning of the Goddess Palace’s Young Palace Master Inauguration Ceremony."
As his words fell, drums on both sides were struck heavily.
The rumbling sound echoed throughout the entire Goddess Square.
The Goddess statue at the center gave off a faint glow.
Accompanied by many divine envoys, a young woman in a blue robe slowly walked out.
Her steps were graceful, and her long black hair was neatly tied into a floral bun at the back.
Her expression was calm, with an oval face and eyes as clear as water.
A few strands of hair fell beside her ears, adding a touch of charm to her appearance.
"So this is the new Young Palace Master," someone murmured.
"As expected, the Goddess Palace always produces beauties."
"I wonder who she is. Never seen her before."
As the crowd discussed, only Xu Zimo’s eyes narrowed.
"Lan Ke’er," he chuckled softly.
Most things in this world come by coincidence or go against one’s plans.
He originally intended to deal with the Nirvana-Fire Pearl first before seeking out Lan Ke’er.
He didn’t expect her to appear before him like this.
So real, yet so unreal.
"Ke’er, come forward," Ancestor Heaven-Bearer waved to Lan Ke’er and said. "Worship the ancestors and receive the recognition of the Goddess, then everyone here will acknowledge your identity."
Lan Ke’er nodded. A divine envoy beside her brought forth a large red tray.
On the tray were several spirit crystals of different colors.