Chapter 532: These Are Earth Star's Four Divine Beasts
"From now on, this will be your territory."
In a nightclub near the Exorcist Division of Province C, Chen Huaian solemnly placed a gold chain thicker than a dog leash around Gu Changsheng's neck. Feeling it still lacked something, he then added a pair of sunglasses.
Though it was nighttime, the sunglasses were mainly for style.
"Ancestor, you're too kind to this junior. Not only giving me territory, but one filled with so many fair-skinned female disciples." Gu Changsheng was nearly moved to tears, having been single his whole life. It was as if the ancestor knew his deepest desires, bringing him to this paradise filled with female bodhisattvas.
"Don't cry!" Chen Huaian adjusted Gu Changsheng's collar, making sure his jacket hung open to reveal his pectoral muscles. "Starting today, you're the boss of this 'Golden Splendor' establishment. A boss needs to act like one - what kind of example are you setting by sniveling?"
The hostesses and managers in the nightclub stood frozen in fear. These two were the real deal. Their previous boss had been an Awakened - the kind even modern armies dared not provoke. Yet he hadn't lasted a second against these monsters, his corpse still cooling on the floor below.
"Still missing something." Chen Huaian turned to the trembling general manager. "Go, bring me the best tattoo artist you know!"
"Honored masters, this is our finest tattoo artist - an international award winner!"
The tattoo artist was a young woman. Hearing about her former boss's fate, she faced Chen Huaian and Gu Changsheng with trembling knees. Though their handsome features slightly eased her fear - at least she could speak coherently.
"Honored masters, what design would you like and where?" The source of this content ɪs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
"I'm not getting one - he is." Chen Huaian pushed Gu Changsheng forward. "Start with a Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Tom and Jerry full set on his arms and legs. His back should have... hmm... 'Loyalty to the Motherland'! And keep it simple on his chest - just the 'Along the River During Qingming Festival' painting."
Noticing her paling face, he smiled. "Well? Can you do it?"
"I-I can certainly do it, but it'll take considerable time. Also..." Speaking from professional and aesthetic perspective, she suggested, "Won't the cartoon characters clash with the classical paintings?"
"What clash?" Chen Huaian said calmly. "Contrast, understand? Every successful man needs contrasting personas. Imagine - a mighty boss who commands storms outside, then takes off his shirt at home before his wife. Doesn't the ferocious aura instantly get balanced by the Four Divine Beasts collection?"
The tattoo artist's lips twitched. "That... actually makes sense."
"Right? Get to work."
"Ancestor, what are these Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse things?" Gu Changsheng looked puzzled.
He knew tattoos. The Summoning Spirit Sect cultivators had them, relating to their contracted beasts. Back in his Foundation Establishment days, he'd envied their cool totems. After becoming a sword cultivator, he focused more on cultivating his sword's style.
"These are Earth Star's Four Divine Beasts," Chen Huaian answered immediately.
"What?! Ancestor, you'd bestow the Four Divine Beasts upon this junior?!" Gu Changsheng was shocked to tears. "Ancestor, rest assured... this junior won't fail your expectations! I'll ensure the Four Divine Beasts' glory shines through me!"
Chen Huaian nodded solemnly. "Good, I believe in you!"
"After the tattoos, find me a late Golden Core stage beast named Muscle Tyrant." Completing all those designs would take days - today they might finish one divine beast or outline the basics.
Chen Huaian then handed Gu Changsheng a brand new phone displaying Muscle Tyrant's photo. "This thing's called a phone. Ask anyone here to teach you how to use it. I have matters to attend to. Regarding disciples - recruit some if you wish, but don't reveal your identities yet. I'll summon you when needed!"
Gu Changsheng saluted seriously. "Understood, Ancestor. Mission guaranteed!"
After Chen Huaian left, Gu Changsheng curiously examined the "phone." It showed an adorable black cat. He accidentally tapped it, flipping to the next photo - the cat transforming into a distinctive black lion.
Chen Huaian had a contract with Muscle Tyrant. Sensing the beast was fine, he couldn't be bothered to search personally.
Since Gu Changsheng couldn't return to the Cangyun Realm yet, Chen Huaian needed to inform the Moon Shadow Sect to prevent worry. Meanwhile, Wang Shouyi hadn't taken the crippled Hua Jin the True One back to Kunlun Immortal Palace - currently a dragon's den for her. Trusting only Chen Huaian, they hid temporarily at Province C's Exorcist Division.
This wasn't sustainable. Hua Jin had accumulated authority in Kunlun Immortal Palace for years, possessing many treasures. Power-hungry elders would come like sharks smelling blood. How was this different from inviting trouble to the Exorcist Division?
Placing Gu Changsheng nearby served this purpose - he could intervene if needed while Chen Huaian was away.
After thorough consideration, Chen Huaian felt all preparations were complete. Setting up a simple formation on the nightclub's rooftop, he put on his VR headset and entered the Cangyun Realm.
"Why hasn't Gu Changsheng returned yet?"
Li Ziping and Zhang Mengchu looked skyward. Gu Changsheng had left in morning - now night fell. No one had ever been summoned this long, exceeding even Dan Bai's duration.
"Sect Leader, don't worry. Gu Changsheng's soul lamp remains intact, so he's safe. If even he's unharmed, surely the stronger Ancestor is fine too. We need only wait patiently." Seeing Li Qingran's dark expression, Zhang Mengchu offered comfort.
Suddenly, space rippled violently.
Expecting Gu Changsheng, they instead saw their ancestor emerge from the spatial rift.
Landing, Chen Huaian sensed something amiss.
Damn, why was it night already?!