"Snore…"
The true culprit, Gu Qingxuan, was still sleeping soundly. He lay sprawled across his bed, his immortal-like handsome face carrying a lazy charm he had retained from Earth—one that could make any girl drool. It was as if today held no importance to him at all.
Ding! Warning!
Host is changing the storyline too much.
If the host refuses to involve himself with reality, this may put the host and his family in danger, as the host will lose all rewards needed to stand against the Heavenly Son.
Ding!
Due to host altering the storyline, promised rewards will be released early.
Congratulations to Host for receiving: [Chaotic Immortal Body]!
Chaotic Immortal Body integration… complete.
Host's mortal body has been upgraded into a Chaotic Immortal Body.
All of this happened while he remained asleep, completely clueless.
Last night, the final thing he did was check on Qiqi, who was still immersed in her cultivation. He already knew she would become an entirely different person once she completed it. In the original storyline, her background was anything but ordinary. Even as a future harem candidate, her deep loyalty to the Gu Clan made it difficult for the author to pair her with Li Mo. She was one of Li Mo's headaches, which was why he gave her the Yin Pill—because he knew the aftermath would be a good show.
Gu Qingxuan's sleeping body began to naturally attract the surrounding Qi essence. A true immortal body… could cultivate on its own.
Bang!
Bang!
"Young Master Qingxuan!" Gu Fang shouted outside.
"Young master—!"
He was still pounding on the door when Gu Qingxuan, half-asleep and half-awake, suddenly opened it. Gu Fang's raised fist hit empty air, making him almost kiss the floor, but Gu Qingxuan caught him before he fell—shocking him completely.
"Brother Fang," Gu Qingxuan said calmly, his voice cool but pleasant. "What brings you here so early?"
Hic!
Gu Fang's eyes widened. "Y-young master… don't you know what today is?"
Seeing the confusion on Gu Fang's face, Gu Qingxuan's mind finally clicked into place.
"…They're here already?"
"If you mean the Lin Family—yes! They're already waiting for young master!" Gu Fang replied quickly, worried his young master might suddenly panic.
"Oh. Then wait, let me dress up."
"That's—!" Gu Fang's expression twisted into the shape of the Chinese character (囧).
"You said?" Gu Qingxuan asked with narrowed eyes.
"N-nothing, young master! I will get the maids to assist you!"
Not giving Gu Qingxuan the chance to refuse, Gu Fang sprinted away.
Gu Qingxuan watched him running like a frightened rabbit.
"…What a mess."
Gu Qingxuan closed the door behind him and released a slow breath.
"It starts now."
A sudden surge rippled through his body.
"—!"
His pupils constricted. "What's happening?"
His breath turned shallow. "System… my body—why does it feel stronger? This aura—no… late-stage Foundation Realm?"
Shock flashed across his face.
Ding.
Replying to Host: Due to significant plot deviation, early rewards have been granted.
Warning: Host must arrive at the meeting hall promptly, or rewards will be revoked.
"So that's how it is…" Gu Qingxuan exhaled slowly. "The Chaotic Immortal Body has fully integrated."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "As expected… always full of surprises."
His gaze sharpened. "No time to waste."
He examined himself once more.
His bones emitted a faint, nearly undetectable hum. His meridians had expanded, quietly drawing in spiritual qi as naturally as breathing. If an elder were present, they would sense something deeply wrong—yet terrifyingly perfect.
Gu Qingxuan rolled his shoulders once.
"So this is the Chaotic Immortal Body."
He dressed swiftly. The robes he chose were simple yet dignified, embroidered only with understated clan sigils. No excess. No ostentation. Where the former Gu Qingxuan sought attention, this one resembled a blade—silent, restrained, and deadly.
When he stepped outside, Gu Fang and several maids were already kneeling.
"Young Master," Gu Fang said, barely concealing his relief.
The maids, too, felt their hearts settle. Him dressing himself before their arrival had spared them a terrifying possibility. They instinctively moved to follow.
"No need," Gu Qingxuan said calmly.
Only Gu Fang dared hurry after him.
As Gu Qingxuan disappeared down the corridor, whispers bloomed among the servants.
"Is that really Young Master Qingxuan?"
"He feels… different."
"So calm…"
"Don't look too long."
"Why does he seem more… handsome?"
"Are you courting death?"
"Isn't today the engagement with Miss Xingyu?"
"Then why does he look indifferent?"
"Quiet. Unless you want trouble."
Grand Hall
The atmosphere was subtly strained.
Lin Haoyu sat upright, fingers tapping once against the armrest. Though the Gu elders' courteous praise had soothed him somewhat, Gu Qingxuan's continued absence remained an eyesore.
Deliberate… or simply incompetent?
Gu Chen appeared composed, but Tang Yuru could sense his patience thinning.
Just as the Third Elder prepared to speak—
Footsteps echoed from outside.
Unhurried.
Measured.
The murmurs died instantly.
A disciple at the entrance stiffened.
"—Young Master Qingxuan has arrived."
Silence.
All eyes turned.
Gu Qingxuan stepped into the hall.
He felt the weight of countless gazes but paid them no mind. One presence stood out—cool, sharp, unmistakable—but he did not look toward it.
He walked forward, stopping precisely where etiquette dictated.
Then he bowed.
"Gu Qingxuan greets the Clan Grand Elder."
The Grand Elder nodded, his gaze probing deeply.
Gu Qingxuan had already instructed the system to conceal his cultivation, displaying only Qi Refining Realm. Yet the faint immortal qi leaking from his bones could not be entirely suppressed.
He straightened and continued, greeting the elders of each branch.
The Grand Elder's eyes flickered.
This child… something is wrong.
Gu Qingxuan turned slightly.
"And greets Clan Master Lin and the Lin Clan elders."
His voice was calm—clear, steady, without excess emotion.
Not arrogant.
But unmistakably composed.
Lin Xingyu's maids stared in disbelief.
Was this really the same Gu Qingxuan—the one who had chased their young mistress shamelessly? The one who bribed servants, followed her movements, humiliated himself for even a glance?
Lin Xingyu herself studied him closely.
This man felt unfamiliar.
Is he pretending?
Lin Haoyu raised a brow.
This is Gu Qingxuan?
He had heard countless rumors—particularly from the Lin Clan's younger generation—about this boy's obsession.
Yet the youth before him showed no trace of eagerness.
Still, displeasure lingered.
Late arrival.
No visible remorse.
How could such a person protect Yu'er?
The Gu Clan Grand Elder finally spoke.
"Hm. Qingxuan… you are late."
The hall tightened.
Gu Qingxuan inclined his head. He knew better than to deflect.
"This junior has disappointed the Grand Elder. I accept any punishment."
Gasps rippled through the hall.
Gu Chen's fingers twitched. Tang Yuru's heart sank.
Prepared criticisms died before reaching the elders' lips.
Lin Xingyu finally lifted her gaze.
He had changed—there was no mistaking it.
The clumsy eagerness she despised was gone. In its place stood a detached indifference that unsettled her far more than persistence ever had.
She disliked this feeling.
Especially because she couldn't understand it.
Why did she suddenly want his attention?
Why did she want him to look at her?
He didn't.
And that bothered her.
If this is an act… it's too perfect, she thought.
The Grand Elder spoke again. "You understand your mistake?"
"I delayed the welcoming ceremony," Gu Qingxuan replied evenly. "If Clan Master Lin feels slighted, I am willing to apologize personally."
The Grand Elder nodded and glanced at Lin Haoyu—offering him face.
Lin Haoyu studied Gu Qingxuan carefully.
The courtesy satisfied him… yet the Gu Clan's protection of this boy was now obvious.
So the rumors were false.
"It's fine," Lin Haoyu said at last. "Be mindful of time in the future. Today, your actions hurt Yu'er deeply."
A test.
Gu Qingxuan recognized it immediately.
"I will be more considerate in the future."
He bowed—to Lin Haoyu.
He did not look at Lin Xingyu.
The message was unmistakable.
Lin Xingyu remained silent.
If she sided with her father, she would appear hostile to her future in-laws. If she defended Gu Qingxuan, it would suggest concern.
So she said nothing.
Lin Haoyu laughed softly.
"Youth should not be shackled too tightly by ceremony."
A gentle rebuke.
Gu Chen and Tang Yuru understood—it reflected on their upbringing.
"Ahem," the Grand Elder said. "That will be all."
"The younger generation should interact freely."
This gathering was never meant to finalize the engagement. Allowing space was prudent.
"Qing'er," Tang Yuru said warmly, "show Yu'er around."
"Yes, Mother."
Gu Qingxuan bowed to the elders, then turned.
At last, his gaze fell on Lin Xingyu—not lingering, not heated.
Measured.
"Miss Lin Xingyu, would you care to see the clan scenery?"
Lin Haoyu nodded. "Yu'er, go."
As Lin Xingyu followed Gu Qingxuan, she stared at his back.
Something felt… wrong.
Why did he seem taller?
Why did his presence feel heavier?
And why—
Why did she find this indifferent version of him unsettlingly appealing?
Is something wrong with me? she wondered.