One Stays, One Leaves

Gu Yinjiao’s shattered body was instantly restored.

He stood up, his expression filled with shock as he flexed his legs, which had been reduced to mangled flesh mere moments ago.

Shen Tianyin crossed his arms, a confident smile on his face. “Second Young Master, do you believe me now?”

Gu Yinjiao glanced fearfully at the figure behind the gray mist—the ruler of this realm. His voice was hoarse as he muttered, “I… I dare not disbelieve.”

The Dreamwalker Lantern, a unique spiritual tool and a product of the system, created dreamscapes so realistic that unless one’s cultivation far surpassed Qin Gou’s, it was impossible to detect any flaws in the illusion.

The “Saw Nightmare” reincarnation world Gu Yinjiao had just experienced was a horrifying ordeal of despair, leaving him shaken to his core. It was an experience he would never forget.

After all, the oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is the unknown.

—

“So… the endless divine techniques, spiritual tools, and bloodlines in the Reincarnation Mall… they’re all real? I can exchange reincarnation points for them from Lord Cthulhu?” Gu Yinjiao asked, his voice trembling.

“Of course. As long as you excel in completing the tasks I assign,” Qin Gou replied.

“I have a question, Lord Cthulhu,” Gu Yinjiao said cautiously. “Is there a reincarnator named ‘Qin Gou’ in the Reincarnation World? I hate him to the core, but his endless tricks and strange abilities leave me helpless. Surely only the Reincarnation World could create such a monster.”

Shen Tianyin raised a hand, about to speak, but Qin Gou cut him off. “Indeed. He was an excellent reincarnator who served me well and gained countless benefits from the Reincarnation World. But I care little for your personal grudges. Besides, he’s already dead.”

“I knew it!” Gu Yinjiao clenched his fists, his expression one of sudden realization.

Shen Tianyin’s lips twitched, his emotions flickering. It all made sense now—Qin Gou’s overwhelming strength and rise to become the Seed Demon Holy Sect’s top seed were simply because he had started earlier. And yet, his luck had run out, his promising future cut short by an untimely death outside the sect. The thought filled Shen Tianyin with a twisted sense of satisfaction.

—

“Next, Shen Tianyin will assist you in completing a task that isn’t too difficult,” Qin Gou said coldly. “Your mission is to become the Young Master of the Seed Demon Holy Sect and, eventually, to fully control the sect. Thousands of disciples will obey your every command.”

“What?!” Gu Yinjiao exclaimed, his face pale. “But the Young Master position is already in my brother Gu Xunhe’s grasp. How could I possibly compete with him?”

“I’m not asking if you can. I’m asking if you want to,” Qin Gou’s voice was like a devil’s whisper, seductive and persuasive. “I chose you because I can see your potential. You’re more talented and capable than Gu Xunhe. So why should you, born mere seconds after him, always be overshadowed? Ask yourself—are you truly content with this?”

Gu Yinjiao laughed bitterly. “What does it matter if I’m not? My father has already appointed my brother as the Young Master. That’s a fact. Can Lord Cthulhu overturn this decision?”

“I will help you, but your efforts will also play a crucial role,” Qin Gou said.

“But my cultivation and connections are far inferior to my brother’s. Even my beloved mother favors him and ignores my hard work!” Gu Yinjiao growled through gritted teeth, his voice dripping with resentment.

“Is that so? Do you have no leverage at all? What about Gu Xunhe’s hidden secrets? Or the fact that he repeatedly schemed against your sister Gu Feiyan during their journey? How do you think your grieving father, Gu Jinghong, would react if he knew?”

“Lord Cthulhu… you even know about that?!”

“From the moment you were chosen for the Reincarnation World, you’ve had no secrets from me,” Qin Gou said, his voice cold and eerie, sending chills down Gu Yinjiao’s spine.

Gu Yinjiao’s eyes sharpened, a newfound determination gleaming within them.

“Second Young Master!” Shen Tianyin chimed in, fanning the flames. “This plan is absolutely feasible!”

—

When Qin Gou’s consciousness returned to the hunter’s cabin, a sly smile played on his lips.

“Why are you so happy?” Gu Feiyan asked eagerly. “Tell me—what did you do to Gu Yinjiao in the dream? Did you avenge Hu Yin?”

Before Qin Gou could answer, the wooden door creaked open.

Forgotten Self’s remnant soul, with his white hair and youthful face, appeared before them. In a deep voice, he said, “You two, come with me.”

Exchanging a glance, Qin Gou and Gu Feiyan quickly followed.

—

The remnant soul led them to the edge of the space, where they had previously encountered the invisible wall they couldn’t break through.

With a gentle knock, the remnant soul caused the wall to emit two crisp sounds. A translucent door slowly opened, revealing the outside world—not the Mystic Realm, but the desolate Forgotten Self Village.

“Senior Forgotten Self, are you letting us leave?” Gu Feiyan asked, her bright eyes sparkling with hope.

Qin Gou stared coldly at the remnant soul, saying nothing. He still didn’t believe he deserved this so-called punishment, nor did he forgive the remnant soul for trapping them and causing Gu Feiyan to lose her chance at becoming the Young Master.

The remnant soul’s gaze was indifferent, his voice devoid of emotion. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“One stays. One leaves. The one who stays… will remain here forever.”