Chapter 1368: A Man’s Essence Was His Bloodline

Ye Guan was momentarily stunned before smiling. "Go ahead with whatever needs to be done in the Ten Desolate Universe. Do it in my name, and you don't have to take the blame for it."

Diyi Jingzhao said in a serious tone, "I'll play the villain while you play the good guy. This way, we can rule the Ten Desolate Universe more effectively..."

Ye Guan looked at her earnestly and said, "That's unnecessary."

Just as Diyi Jingzhao was about to speak again, Ye Guan added, "Miss Jingzhao, this isn't stubbornness or foolish compassion. For me, it's simply being a decent person. Besides, I don't want you to have to suffer for it."

Hearing his last sentence, Diyi Jingzhao was slightly moved. She looked at Ye Guan but remained silent.

Ye Guan added, "Let's walk and talk."

The two of them headed into the distance.

"Miss Jingzhao, I must also tell you that my enemies are far stronger than you can imagine."

"I know."

Ye Guan turned to her, a little surprised.

Diyi Jingzhao explained, "Your first step is to unify the Ten Desolate Universe. Then, you'll establish Order and cultivate a group of top-tier powerhouses. The next step would likely be to target the Forbidden Wildlands. Once you've subdued that place, your true goal should be the Old Lands.

"What you seek isn't just the Ten Desolate Universe but the entire vast expanse. You want to engage in a battle of the Great Dao against the supreme civilizations and powerhouses of the Old Lands!"

Ye Guan looked at her for a long moment before smiling. "Miss Jingzhao, you truly understand me."

Diyi Jingzhao's face turned slightly red, but she quickly regained her composure. She glanced at Ye Guan, and a flicker of strange emotion flashed in her eyes. This man wasn't just vying for the small territory of the Ten Desolate Universe. He was after the vast expanse! How terrifying was the Suiming Civilization?

She had never personally visited the Suiming Civilization, but judging from its relics, it was undoubtedly an incredibly fearsome existence.

It recruited top-tier powerhouses from across the vast expanse!

The true strength and foundation of such a civilization were simply unimaginable.

Moreover, the Old Land had two other super civilizations, no weaker than the Suiming Civilization. Just thinking about such civilizations would make even a Supreme Emperor despair.

Yet the man before her had no fear. Not only that, but he dared to challenge them for dominance over the Great Dao. At this moment, she finally understood what Ye Guan meant when he once told her to think of the bigger picture.

Ye Guan suddenly sighed softly. "It's a pity... I still don't have enough Supreme Emperor Origin Essences. Otherwise, I could cultivate a group of emperors in a short time..."

He wasn't just boasting. After all, he had the tiny pagoda.

Not enough Supreme Emperor Origin Essences!

Diyi Jingzhao fell silent. She wanted to help him, but Supreme Emperor Origin Essences were far beyond her reach.

At this moment, Ye Guan turned to look at her and said, "Miss Jingzhao, even though you've obtained a Supreme Emperor Origin Essence, don't rush into making a breakthrough.

"The Holy Throne mentioned that even with a Supreme Emperor Origin Essence, one isn't guaranteed to become an emperor. You're a Quasi Emperor, but your foundation is still unstable.

"If you try to make a breakthrough, the risks will be enormous."

Diyi Jingzhao nodded slightly. "I understand."

"I will help you stabilize your foundation when the time comes. By the way, did your bloodline become stronger?"

Hearing this, Diyi Jingzhao's face instantly flushed red, like the morning glow. She recalled how her bloodline and physique were enhanced after that unexpected night. Now that she thought about it, it made sense. After all, a man's essence was essentially their bloodline!

Her strength had also increased tremendously. However, this was something she would never mention. In fact, she was too embarrassed even to think about it.

If Ye Guan were to find out, he would surely be astounded because she could actually devour and assimilate his Mad Demon Bloodline!

Diyi Jingzhao somehow managed to assimilate a fraction of Ye Guan's Mad Demon Bloodline. Normally, one couldn't do something like that.

As Ye Guan walked slowly, he didn't notice her unusual expression. He continued, "I have three bloodlines, all of which are rather special. When the time comes, we'll see if I can help enhance your bloodline power."

Hearing this, Diyi Jingzhao's face turned even redder. She wasn't sure if he was doing it on purpose or if it was just a coincidence, but when she stole a glance at Ye Guan, she saw that he looked completely normal.

She quietly sighed in relief upon seeing that.

Ye Guan added, "Of course, bloodline power is just secondary. The most crucial thing in the martial path is having a fearless and unshakable Dao heart. I think you have some shortcomings in this aspect, but that's okay, it can be improved over time."

Diyi Jingzhao nodded slightly and responded in a voice as soft as a mosquito's droning. "

Mmhmm.

"

Ye Guan turned to look at her. Seeing her slightly flushed face, he was a little puzzled. "Why is your face so red?"

Diyi Jingzhao shook her head and forced herself to remain composed. "Nothing... I'm just feeling a bit hot."

Hot?

Ye Guan was a little confused.

A cultivator can feel hot?

Diyi Jingzhao quickly looked into the distance, trying to change the subject. "Why are we going to the Immortal Treasures Pavilion?"

Ye Guan chuckled. "To buy some things."

Soon, they entered the grand hall of the pavilion, which was as lively as ever.

Just then, Ye Guan's gaze landed on a stall selling eggs.

A young man was standing in line at the counter. The young man was none other than Gu Chen!

At this moment, a sign was erected at the counter, displaying the probability of obtaining a dragon egg.

Upon seeing Gu Chen, Ye Guan frowned deeply.

Diyi Jingzhao glanced at Ye Guan but remained silent.

Ye Guan suddenly asked, "Miss Jingzhao, do you think some people can change for the better?"

Diyi Jingzhao looked at Gu Chen and said, "Only after a true epiphany. But most people will never change."

Ye Guan remained silent.

Soon, it was Gu Chen's turn. After paying, he carefully carried an egg to the side, clasped his hands together, and prayed, "Supreme Emperor, please bless me! If I can get just one chance, I can rise from the depths of despair.

"Those who once looked down on me... I'm gonna make them grovel before me in the future!"

With that, he carefully unsealed the egg.

The egg cracked open, and a slip of paper floated out, saying, "Thank you for your patronage!"

Gu Chen's face instantly turned deathly pale, and he collapsed to the ground.

Diyi Jingzhao turned to Ye Guan and asked, "Do you want to help him?"

Ye Guan blandly replied, "If I were to help him, wouldn't it be unfair to those who truly work hard? Let's go!"

With that, he turned around and left with Diyi Jingzhao.

Instead of heading to buy items, they left the Immortal Treasures Pavilion altogether. Once outside, Ye Guan said, "Investigate these two people for me..."

***

After a while, Ye Guan and Diyi Jingzhao arrived in front of a run-down house. The house was located in a remote area, surrounded by nothing, and there weren't even any signs of human activity.

Just as Ye Guan and Diyi Jingzhao approached the house, they saw an old woman dragging an elderly man out of the dilapidated house using a wooden cart. The old man on the cart was extremely weak, coughing intermittently. He was clearly suffering from a severe illness.

They were Gu Chen's parents.

When the old woman saw Ye Guan and Diyi Jingzhao, she listlessly said, "There are a few clay jars inside the house. You can take them all."

Clearly, she had mistaken Ye Guan and Diyi Jingzhao for debt collectors.

Watching the woman drag the frail old man away, Diyi Jingzhao frowned. She grabbed Ye Guan's arm and concealed them both within the folds of spacetime before following the old woman.

Before long, the woman arrived at an open field with the old man. She took a hoe from the cart and began digging into the ground.

The soil was soft from the recent rain, and in no time, she dug a pit big enough for a person to fight. She measured it briefly and continued digging.

Soon, she put down the hoe, panting from exertion.

She walked to the cart, struggled to lift the old man, and carefully laid him down at the bottom of the pit. She gently adjusted his disheveled clothes, then lay down beside him, wrapping her arms around his arm.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here with you..."

From within the folds of spacetime, Diyi Jingzhao gazed at the two figures in the pit. She clutched Ye Guan's arm strongly but said nothing.

"Father! Mother!" someone shouted.

It was Gu Chen!

Upon spotting the wooden cart in the distance, Gu Chen dashed forward. When he saw his parents in the pit, his face instantly turned deathly pale, and he immediately jumped in, frantically pulling them out while sobbing.

"Father, Mother! W-what are you doing? You...!"

The old woman remained silent, but her tears streamed down uncontrollably.

The old man, however, glared at Gu Chen with furious eyes, as if he wanted to incinerate him with his gaze. He struggled to get up to try and beat Gu Chen, but his illness had left him far too weak.

After a brief struggle, he collapsed from exhaustion, and tears silently rolled down his cheeks.

"Father! Mother!" Gu Chen knelt on the ground and wailed, "I-I won't gamble anymore! I swear I will never gamble again!"

He looked around desperately before grabbing a stone and smashing it on his hand.

Bang!

His right hand was instantly covered in blood, but he seemed oblivious to the pain and smashed it over and over again.

The old woman immediately hugged him, crying uncontrollably.

The old man muttered, "How did a good family end up like this?"

Their family had once been neither wealthy nor poor, but they were living a comfortable life. The old man himself was a martial artist, and even though his cultivation base wasn't high, he had been earning a decent income as a guard.

When Gu Chen entered the Diyi Academy, their lives improved, and they were filled with hope for the future until Gu Chen started gambling on eggs.

Everything changed when he started gambling.

Gu Chen knelt on the ground, sobbing, "Father, Mother, I swear, I will never gamble again. If I do, may the heavens bestow upon me a miserable death! Please don't scare me like this again!"

Sprawled out on the cart, the old man shook his head. "I don't have much time left. If you don't truly change, your entire life—

Cough, cough, cough!

"

The old man was overcome by a violent coughing fit, and blood seeped from the corners of his mouth.

Gu Chen panicked, shouting, "Father, your illness isn't that serious! You just need a Healing Essence Pill to recover! Please... just wait for me! I will find a way, I will find a way..."

"Mother, take care of Father. Wait for me! Wait for me...!" he exclaimed and ran away without looking back at them.

Ye Guan and Diyi Jingzhao followed Gu Chen.

Gu Che arrived at the Diyi Academy, and he anxiously paced back and forth before the gates. After a while, he suddenly ran up to a young man and dropped to his knees. His voice was trembling as he said, "Brother Yue, my father is seriously ill. Please, lend me fifty spiritual crystals. I swear on my life that I will repay you!"

However, the young man shook his head repeatedly. "The last time you borrowed money from me, you said it was because your father was sick.

"And you still haven't paid me back. And here you are again, saying the same thing. Gu Chen... can you at least try to be a decent person?"

With that, he turned around and left.

The surrounding students avoided Gu Chen like the plague.

Gu Chen had long ruined his reputation. After all, he had sworn on his own father's life multiple times just to borrow money.

Just then, Gu Chen suddenly rushed up to another young man, dropping to his knees once again. "Shao Yun, my father is gravely ill and urgently needs a Healing Essence Pill. Can you lend me fifty spiritual crystals? I'll kneel and bow to you!"

The young man, Shao Yun, sighed and shook his head. "Gu Chen, you almost dragged me into the abyss back then. It's a good thing I woke up in time.

"I tried to warn you. I told you to stop gambling and to stop taking loans, but you just wouldn't listen. Now, you're on your own."

With that, he turned around and left.

Gu Chen's face was ashen, and he collapsed to the ground.

Just then, he spotted a delicate young lady. His expression darkened upon seeing her. After hesitating for a while, he gritted his teeth and walked up to her. The young woman was momentarily stunned upon seeing him.

Gu Chen lowered his head, clenched his fists, and trembled as he said, "Qingyun, could you lend me fifty spiritual crystals? I... I swear I'll pay you back."

The lady had once been in a relationship with him. After he got involved with gambling, however, they grew apart. Now, she was a student of the inner academy, and her status was worlds apart from his.

Seeing Gu Chen again, Qingyun's eyes flashed with complex emotions. Just as she was about to speak, a refined-looking young man walked up and asked, "Qingyun, who's this?"

The young man held Qingyun's hand.

At that moment, Gu Chen felt as if a knife had plunged into his heart. He wanted to turn around and leave, but thinking of his ailing father waiting for medicine, he forced himself to stay.

Qingyun looked at Gu Chen with a complicated expression. After a moment of silence, she sighed and said, "Gu Chen, this is the sixth time you've come to me for money."

Gu Chen kept his head down, and his voice was shaking as he said, "Qingyun, my father really is gravely ill. Without a Healing Essence Pill, he—"

Qingyun suddenly took out a small pouch and handed it to him. "Please... don't approach me again."

With that, she walked away with the refined-looking young man.

Gu Chen trembled as he watched them leave.

A moment later, he clenched the pouch strongly and ran away.

Diyi Jingzhao led Ye Guan in pursuit.

Before long, Gu Chen arrived at the Immortal Treasures Pavilion. He strode inside, heading straight for the medicine counter. Just as he was about to reach it, he suddenly veered toward the counter selling potential dragon eggs.

He could definitely turn it all around! He could definitely win it back!