Chapter 458: The Benefits Are Here

Dead silence.

In Gu Yuan's mind, a dead silence lasted for ten seconds.

Xiao Ai was clearly caught by Gu Yuan's shameless, rogue tactic.

Gu Yuan knew clearly that, although the system was miraculous, it had underlying logic and a core mission.

Its existence was to counter Zang Tian Ge's "Extinction Plan".

If I truly threw in the towel and helped Zang Tian Ge destroy the world, the system would be even more anxious than I am.

【You… you are shameless! You are despicable! You are filthy!】

Ten seconds later, Xiao Ai's sobbing teenage voice exploded in Gu Yuan's mind, filled with resentment and despair.

【Honored Host, how can you bully me like this! I was clearly doing it for your sake…】

"Enough chatter, will you open it or not?" Gu Yuan remained unmoved.

【…Open!】

Xiao Ai gritted her teeth and spat out a word, then the mechanical voice sounded again, full of a sense of hopelessness,

【Ding. Recalculating spatial coordinates… Coordinates locked: Ancient Celestial Realm, Gu Family Divine Island. Interdimensional portal constructing… Construction complete. Host, please transport matter promptly; system energy is rapidly draining…】

"That's right, we're all workers, let's be understanding," Gu Yuan smiled with satisfaction.

The next moment.

Deep within Gu Yuan's inner world, beside the trunk of the World Tree, the void suddenly twisted violently. A massive portal emitting deep silver light slowly took shape.

Through the portal, one could faintly see the familiar starry sky of the Ancient Celestial Realm on the other side, and the majestic Gu Family Divine Island floating within it.

"Dad, Grandpa, get ready to receive the delivery!"

Gu Yuan himself inhaled deeply, and his hands formed a sudden seal.

Boom!

The World Tree's roots quivered, sending the liquid Hong Meng Dao Qi absorbed from the outside, together with the pure Source Dao Qi transformed by the Primordial Source Dao Disk, into a vast violet‑gold river that surged straight into the silver interdimensional portal!

…

Ancient Celestial Realm, Gu Family Divine Island.

Inside the Hall of Eternal Life, the atmosphere was so oppressive it seemed it could drip water.

Gu Family patriarch Gu Lin Tian sat upright on the lofty throne, brows furrowed, his fingers unconsciously drumming the armrest.

Below the hall, the Gu Family's core senior members lined up on both sides.

Grand Elder Gu Lin Jiang's True Immortal divine‑thought avatar wore a grave expression; Third Elder Gu Xue Dao clutched a blood‑red long sword, eyes closed in meditation, yet the blood‑colored killing aura around him betrayed his inner agitation; Array Master Gu Xuan Ce bore two dark circles under his eyes, continuously manipulating a formation diagram in his hand; and Wan Yao Shen Jun wore the handsome yet pallid face of the Dusk Celestial King, sighing heavily.

"Patriarch."

Gu Lin Jiang's avatar spoke first, breaking the silence,

"Over in the Xu Tian World, the plan is proceeding smoothly; the Celestial Dynasty's emperor and prime minister have fully entered the fray, and the Gu Clan Bank has amassed an astronomical sum. With a single command from me, we can cast the net at any time, causing the entire Xu Tian World's economy to collapse and seize it without a drop of blood."

"But…"

Gu Lin Jiang's tone shifted, becoming stern,

"The Celestial Dynasty's foundation is deep; it is said several ancient True Immortals lie dormant there. If they discover the deception, they will act rashly, and my advance team alone may not be enough to suppress them. We need reinforcements—at least more than two senior True Immortal strongmen to take charge, to guarantee absolute safety."

Gu Lin Tian massaged his temples and sighed,

"Reinforcements… I also wish to send you reinforcements. But several great worlds are now in conflict; the situation is unstable and requires many hands to sort and suppress."

"The most critical point is…"

Gu Lin Tian lifted his head, his gaze deep as he stared into the endless starry sky beyond the hall,

"We have also encountered the Celestial King task force from Sanqian Zhou, now led by Wan Yao Elder in resistance. Fortunately, their top‑tier strongmen have not appeared for unknown reasons. Our current situation, if we slip even slightly, will lead to endless calamity."

"Therefore, what we lack most now is high‑end combat power! Not enough True Immortals, and even fewer Celestial Kings!"

Gu Lin Tian slammed his fist onto the armrest, his tone laced with deep helplessness.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall fell silent.

Although the Gu Family rose quickly, its foundation remains shallow.

True Immortal‑level strongmen number only a few dozen at most.

As for Celestial King‑level power, aside from Ancestor Gu Cangsheng, only Wan Yao Shen Jun—a half‑baked worker—remains.

"Patriarch, I have a saying, not sure whether I should say it or not."

Wan Yao Shen Jun, with a grim face, stepped forward; the one here is also an avatar.

"This dusk Celestial King's flesh, though granted divinity by the young master, has been drained by successive battles; even the little bit of primal essence I managed to recover is heavily consumed. Without top‑grade heavenly materials to replenish it, I fear this state will be where I remain for life…"

"And me!"

Gu Xuan Ce could not help but complain,

"Although the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Array reduces consumption, each world must be set up, costing many resources; it will take at least three years to reclaim those worlds' resources and replenish the nearly empty treasury…"

Short of people! Short of money! Short of resources!

The so‑called great war is fought over money!

The Gu Family's biggest current dilemma—overreaching and pulling the plug.

Gu Lin Tian inhaled deeply, stood, scanned the crowd, and said in a deep voice, "I know everyone's difficulties. But now is the critical moment for the Gu Family's survival; we must bite the bullet and hold firm! Ancestor is closing the death gate, striking the Supreme Celestial King realm; once Ancestor breaks through, the threat to the Celestial Realm will be resolved! Until then, even if we have to sell everything, we must stabilize the situation!"

"Understood!"

The others answered in unison, their tones inevitably heavy.

At that moment,

The void above the Hall of Eternal Life suddenly rippled violently without warning.

Buzz—!

"Enemy attack?!"

Gu Xue Dao reacted the fastest, his eyes widened, he let out an angry roar, the snow‑colored long blade at his back sang "clang" as it was drawn, turning into a blood‑colored blade aura stretching a thousand zhang, directly aiming at that distorted void.

Gu Linjiang's clone also instantly tensed, his hands flying to form seals, ready to detonate the clone at any moment to cover everyone's retreat.

Gu Lin Tian also changed expression, his peak True Immortal cultivation erupted with a boom, the illusory form of his Three Worlds Incarnation Body appeared behind him, ready to fight to the death at any moment.

Able to enter the Gu Family's territory soundlessly and without a trace.

I'm afraid… we may have to call upon the ancestor.

However, just as everyone was facing a formidable foe, ready to perish together.

A familiar voice, tinged with laziness and teasing, suddenly came from that distorted void's crack, echoing clearly in everyone's ears.

"Dad, elders, don't be nervous, it's me, I'm handing out benefits—quickly grab a basin to catch them!"