All the nobles’ gazes fell squarely on Gu Qing, their faces twisting with shock, confusion, and disbelief.
That was—an S-rank!
Although Ace, Il, Phili, and Villy were equally stunned, their expressions quickly regained composure. They had witnessed this man’s miracles on the battlefield and understood that Gu Qing was like a fathomless ocean; the power he displayed now was merely a ripple disturbed casually.
“Impossible!” Adrian suddenly stepped forward, chest heaving violently, eyes filled with a mix of incredulity and raging fury. “How can a mere commoner surpass me? I am an A-rank! This machine must be broken! I demand a retest!”
Yet the surrounding nobles had already shifted their attention, beginning to reassess the situation.
An elderly noble clad in black-gold ceremonial robes stepped forward, his tone changed from prior mockery to blatant flattery: “Your Highness, the results are indisputable—Gu Qing is the newly anointed S-rank supreme male of the Empire, a national treasure of the Insectoid race!”
“Such talent should be immediately granted a noble title and revered by all!” another noble eagerly chimed in, as if the prior humiliation had never occurred.
The scene reversed in an instant, leaving Adrian’s face darkened, fists clenched so tightly they seemed ready to shatter.
At this moment, the second and third princes exchanged glances and stepped forward together.
“Adrian, that is enough,” the second prince said coldly. “Even as a prince, you may not disrespect the highest honor of the Empire.”
“I concur,” added the third prince. “Gu Qing deserves the utmost ceremony and recognition.”
The hall erupted in a wave of celebration, completely drowning out Adrian’s shouts. Within the mindscape, the little “Heaven Dao” rolled its eyes while munching sunflower seeds: “Hehe, these guys change faces faster than flipping a page. If only they knew—S-rank isn’t even a warm-up for you. They’d all lose their minds!”
Gu Qing replied calmly within his mindscape: “Whether in the Cultivation World or among the Insectoids, human nature remains the same.”
Solen Dar, the Insectoid Emperor, slowly rose, his voice like a thunderclap, carrying undeniable authority: “From this day forth, grant Gu Qing the title of ‘Duke Moyao,’ ranking first among the Empire’s dukes, on par with the royal family. He shall be exempt from performing courtesy to any royal family member.”
“Congratulations to Duke Moyao!” the nobles shouted in unison, the sound reverberating through the hall.
Within the mindscape, the little Heaven Dao laughed: “Qingqing, you played that perfectly—the title is insanely impressive.”
Gu Qing’s lips curved faintly, the smile deep and inscrutable: “The game has only just begun.”
Solen Dar lifted a hand, his tone now calm but still commanding: “I am somewhat fatigued. Leave the remainder of the banquet to the second and third princes.”
The hall’s music resumed, yet all the nobles immediately rose, respectfully escorting the emperor out. Countless burning gazes turned toward Gu Qing. They surged like a tide, offering flattery and respect. Gu Qing held Milton’s hand firmly, moving through the sea of praise as if standing in the eye of a storm—utterly unshaken.
Elsewhere, Ace watched Gu Qing intently. A group of male insects sneered mockingly: “Hmph, Duke Gu Qing is now so noble. Do you really think he would bother with a lowly male like you, traitor?”
Ace rolled his eyes, about to retort, when the collateral elders of the Mel family, whom he despised most, intervened with authority.
Leading them was an elder female of the Mel collateral branch, dressed in high-class attire, her expensive jewelry accentuating her haughty demeanor. She cast a cold glance at the provoking males: “Who dares bark before the young master of our Mel family?”
“You seem to have grown too comfortable, unable even to discern ranks, letting yourselves make fools of yourselves here,” she continued sternly.
A younger male of the collateral branch sneered threateningly: “Or do you want everyone under your name to be permanently banned from ‘Qingyuan’?”
The word “Qingyuan” made those males turn pale instantly. As the most prestigious and exclusive restaurant of the Insectoid Empire, being blacklisted meant permanent exile from the empire’s core social circle. They dared not linger another moment, apologizing and slinking away.
Ace looked at these elders, who had mocked him before and now bowed obsequiously. A cold smile rose in his heart. He gave them a perfunctory nod, withholding any warmth.
Even though he appeared arrogant and indifferent, the elders’ eyes betrayed flashes of calculation and flattery, which Ace caught with sharp perception.
At that moment, a subtle heaviness settled in Ace’s chest—he now controlled the Mel family’s economic lifeline. He could cut off anyone’s income or reduce a collateral branch to ruin in a single night.
He recalled what Gu Qing had told him that night in his room:
“Money can be a source of disaster, or a tool to control others.”
“Choices aren’t always about winning or losing; sometimes it’s about gritting your teeth and surviving the present to change the entire board.”
Such power, once his dream, now left him with neither satisfaction nor revenge—only a chilling emptiness.
He raised his eyes to those who had just mocked Gu Qing but now bowed, and a cold smile curved his lips. Was this truly the circle and the family he wanted?
The control he wielded brought no joy, only icy chains around his chest. His thoughts turned to Gu Qing—someone who never flaunted power yet commanded more respect than any noble.
Perhaps what he truly desired was never the hollow prestige or power of family, but the ability to move freely, unshackled by class, unafraid of the world’s eyes.
Meanwhile, the second and third princes approached Gu Qing and Milton.
The second prince bowed slightly, his tone sincere: “Your Grace, congratulations on becoming the Empire’s cornerstone. We apologize for not speaking on your behalf earlier—the elder prince has long been favored by the emperor.”
The third prince added: “Your composure and grace command our respect. As an apology, may we invite you to dine with us?”
In the mindscape, the little Heaven Dao chuckled: “Whoa, Qingqing! The two princes are openly trying to flirt with you!”
Gu Qing smiled faintly, his voice gentle yet firm as he drew Milton closer: “Your Highnesses, thank you for your kind invitation. However, my mate is constantly occupied; I must accompany him, so I cannot accept.”
Late at night, the three returned home. The night was calm, yet Milton’s gaze betrayed lingering unease. He whispered: “Gu Qing, why did you reveal the news about the Celestial Palace?”
Gu Qing sighed softly, expression complex: “The Black Market has changed hands and a new leader has emerged.”
Milton furrowed his brows, eyes flashing with surprise and anxiety: “The military had no intel… How is that possible?”
Gu Qing’s gaze grew deep and resolute: “It was a message from Loes. The Black Market is secretly searching for Blue Dai. I suspect this ties back to the secret use of cultivation and interstellar weapons in the Aris War, drawing the attention of certain forces.”
Milton was silent for a long moment, finally voicing the question: “You mean they’re after the Cultivation World’s secrets?”
Gu Qing nodded, eyes flashing with resolve and caution: “Exactly. Even the emperor’s unusual interest in Blue Dai suggests his involvement.”
Gu Qing produced a crystal stone from his pocket, its glow faint. Milton’s expression grew grave: “This is… a Celestial Master’s inheritance crystal? Used to locate the sealed vessel?”
“Yes. The brighter the glow, the deeper the corruption of magic energy in this world,” Gu Qing explained, turning to the boundless stars. “We must find the sealed vessel before darkness descends completely.”
He moved his fingers, and the holoscreen lit with cold blue light, transmitting information directly to Loes: “Monitor royal movements and Black Market anomalies. Report any unusual developments immediately.”
Meanwhile, Ace connected with Loes.
After hearing the banquet’s account, Loes’ gentle eyes darkened, voice icy: “Gu Qing and General Milton were the true heroes of the Aris War. Without them, the battle would have collapsed. Yet nobles excel at sowing discord… Especially in front of vast interests. Worse still, the royal family tried to separate them, even publicly humiliating them.”
The two discussed the hypocritical nobles with sharp sarcasm. Ace felt a rush of relief and satisfaction: “Gu Qing really slapped them hard today. Watching it, I feel so good.”
But as the laughter faded, Ace’s expression darkened. He frowned, troubled: “Even to prove his strength, S-rank seems far below Gu Qing’s limit… Why reveal it today?”
Loes was silent for a moment, then spoke softly: “Perhaps… Gu Qing wishes to proactively engage the royal forces.”
Ace froze. “You mean he suspects…the royal family is the mastermind behind the Aris War’s collusion with foreign powers?”
“I believe so,” Loes said, voice calm yet edged with sharpness. “Moreover, the Black Market is hunting Blue Dai ruthlessly. These two matters are clearly connected.”
“Even the Black Market?” Ace’s eyes widened in disbelief. He listened as Loes detailed current intelligence and laid out Gu Qing’s strategy.
Ace was silent for a long while. Looking at Loes on the holoscreen, precise and composed, he lowered his gaze, a trace of melancholy in his voice: “You’re amazing… Gu Qing entrusted so much to you, and you investigated everything so thoroughly.”
He self-mockingly tugged at the corner of his mouth: “From now on, Gu Qing’s situation will only become more dangerous. Compared to managing Qingyuan, I feel… I can’t help at all.”
Loes looked at Ace, slightly moved, voice gentle: “Ace, do you know why Gu Qing entrusted Qingyuan to you? Because you are the one he trusts most. You are fearless on the frontlines, and a guardian behind the scenes. If not for you, Qingyuan would not be stable today, and we would have no foundation to stand on.”
Ace’s eyes gradually lit with hope, the emptiness in his chest soothed by Loes’ words.
After the communication ended, Ace leaned back in his chair, gaze drifting to the quiet night outside. He recalled the rainy night he first met Gu Qing—the turning point of his life.
He thought silently: if he could wield enough power to move the rules, could he protect Gu Qing, Milton, Loes, and the others, never exposing them to danger again?
His palms clenched. At that moment, he realized: power now meant the ability to protect.
He inhaled deeply, his gaze firm as never before—he would no longer settle for standing in the shadows. He would become the one who moves the board and changes the fate of all.