Chapter 478: Side Story: I Was Reincarnated

[Original novel’s side story for Er Zai; the author felt deep sympathy for this character and dedicated an entire chapter to his fate. May our Er Zai thrive on the new continent—ruthless in battle, free and exhilarated in life.]

A divine mountain wreathed in immortal mist.

Upon it stood a towering edifice resembling a divine temple; from afar, it looked like a palace suspended in midair.

At this moment, the building was bustling with activity.

“Madam is about to give birth! After two years of pregnancy, she’s finally going to give birth!!”

“Yes, yes, if she doesn’t deliver soon, who knows what the master will do next.”

“Shh, lower your voice, do you want to die?”

“Relax, today the Young Master is being born—the master won’t fly into a rage. Besides, if the madam delivers smoothly, we’ll all get rewards.”

“If we get rewards, that’d be perfect—I’m stuck at my cultivation level and desperately need resources. Madam, please deliver safely… Heavenly Dao, please bless our Young Master’s safe birth…”

Amidst their prayers,

a vast expanse of auspicious clouds suddenly appeared in the sky, followed by a sudden downpour.

The spiritual rain fell, causing a hundred flowers to bloom simultaneously, releasing a refreshing, soul-soothing fragrance.

Those who drank it felt their cultivation realms loosen; some even broke through immediately.

A voice of astonishment rang out: “I broke through! This spiritual rain is truly miraculous!!”

Hearing this, everyone erupted in joy and hurriedly reached out to catch the rain.

At that very moment, brilliant golden light shot from the main hall, piercing straight into the heavens.

Then, a bold, booming laugh echoed.

“My Gu family has an heir! Hahaha hahaha!”

“Such an omen! My son will surely become a powerhouse!!”

The disturbance even startled the elder ancestors of the family.

Several figures appeared in an instant.

“What’s going on?”

A clan member skilled in divination gazed at the newborn’s face—and nearly went blind from the blinding glow of his karmic light, bright as a tiny sun.

“This is unthinkable!” he cried. “How could this child possess such profound karmic light!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, a winged spiritual beast from the family appeared and flung a red fruit it held in its mouth onto the swaddling cloth.

The infant, suddenly struck, burst into wailing.

Who the hell threw that?!

Gu Zhihang cursed impatiently—but what came out was a cry. His expression cracked in utter shock.

What the hell is going on!?

“Grandfather, my son is crying—what should I do!!” The Gu family master, frantic, clutched his long-awaited son, utterly at a loss.

The instant he spoke, the elder ancestor brought the red fruit to the infant’s lips.

The adorable, porcelain-skinned baby opened his tiny pink mouth, sucked the fruit, and fell silent.

Huh, what’s this? Kinda tasty.

Gu Zhihang kept sucking, his belly full of questions, eyes darting around.

Before him loomed a broad face with sword-like brows and starlit eyes—dark eyebrows, bright eyes, long, thick black hair, like a character from an ancient costume drama.

Gu Zhihang frowned.

Could it be… he’d reincarnated into ancient times?

“My son is frowning—what troubles you? Tell Father, Father will ease your worries.”

Gu Zhihang: “??”

Is this… his father in this life?

Looks like an idiot.

But—

Gazing into the man’s eyes, filled with affection, the child’s clear, dark eyes sparkled with genuine joy.

“Ya~~”

“My son is calling Father! My son is so clever!” The handsome man with black hair and black eyes declared loudly.

He lifted the swaddling cloth high, laughter thunderous: “My son is brilliant—he will surely achieve greatness! Greatness, hahaha!”

Mid-laugh, he was slapped and sent flying—the crimson swaddling cloth with golden embroidery sailed through the air and landed in the hands of an old man with white hair and a childlike face.

“So this is my grandson who refused to be born? Good child, truly my Gu family’s good child—he will lift our Gu family to supremacy over the Nine Continents. Good, good.” The elder laughed heartily.

The youth, flung away, hurried over. “Father, lower your voice—you’ll scare my little treasure.”

The elder looked at him. “Little treasure?”

“Yes, I gave him that nickname. Isn’t it cute? I think it’s perfect—he’s the family’s hope, and my precious jewel.” The youth spoke with unshakable confidence.

Hearing this, Gu Zhiheng’s tiny mind finally cleared.

He’d been reincarnated.

These people were strange—could fly. Was this ancient Chinese qinggong… or were they immortals?

He had a million questions.

After sucking the sweet fruit dry, his belly swelled. The baby in the swaddling cloth yawned, then dropped off to sleep.

“My treasure is asleep—so well-behaved. Father, give me back my son. I must take him to his room; his mother will be worried after so long without him.” The current Gu family master—the new father—urged.

The elder touched his grandson’s cheek with his fingertip, voice softening: “My grandson is indeed well-behaved. His nickname shall be Guaibao.”

The Gu family master agreed, nodded, then carried his son back inside.

No sooner had he left than a servant reported strange occurrences beyond the mountain’s outer barrier.

Several elder ancestors exchanged glances, then vanished in a flash.

Outside the barrier, they found a pile of strange spiritual fruits and herbs.

“This…”

The elders stared at each other. The youngest among them had lived over three hundred years and had seen much—but never this.

“What is going on?” Gu Zhihang’s grandfather demanded, voice stern.

One stepped forward, pulled out a reflection mirror from beyond the barrier, and replayed the scene publicly.

Everyone saw: the precious items on the ground had been brought by spiritual beasts from Demon Mountain.

“Such a bizarre occurrence… I’ve lived five hundred years and never heard of it—how could ferocious beasts deliver treasures to human cultivators’ territory? Truly strange.”

“Yes, what’s happening? I’ve never seen anything like it. So odd.”

One elder reacted quickly, waved his hand, and set up a barrier. He addressed the clan: “Could this be because of Guaibao? What’s different today? The Young Master’s birth. The spiritual rain, his astonishing karmic light—everything points to something unusual about him.”

The eldest ancestor cast him a single glance—so chilling it felt like heaven and earth collapsing.

“What do you mean by ‘unusual’?” His voice was calm, yet carried absolute authority. “My Gu family’s son is favored by Heavenly Dao—it is our blessing. With such a child, you should rejoice. Do not let me hear you speak such unpleasant words again.”

The man who had spoken bowed deeply. “Yes, this junior has learned his lesson.”

“Disperse.”

Everyone scattered.

The spiritual herbs and fruits brought by the beasts were stored in a space pouch, becoming Gu Guaibao’s private property.

Time passed swiftly—Gu Guaibao turned three.

He was a chubby, two-headed-tall toddler, with delicate features, porcelain skin, bright, lively eyes, and a perpetually crimson silk robe. His cheeks were plump, his arms and hands soft and pudgy—adorably endearing.

“Young Master.”

“Young Master, where are you? Answer me! If I lose you, I’ll be punished again!”

The toddler sat atop a tree, looking down at the frantic servant below, snapped off a branch, and tossed it down.

“So annoying. I just want peace—can you stop yelling?”

The servant below looked up and saw his Young Master’s face beaming with delight.

The Young Master’s cultivation had advanced again!

“Young Master, you’re on the tree!” The servant panicked. “It’s dangerous up there! What if you fall? Wait—I’ll come get you right—”

Just as the man prepared to leap up, Gu Guaibao commanded: “Don’t come up!”

“...Okay.”

Gu Guaibao continued: “And don’t talk. Let me be quiet.”

“Then… then be careful, don’t fall.”

Gu Guaibao, whose soul was that of a true adult, ignored him.

Three years had been enough for him to understand his surroundings.

He’d reincarnated into a place called the Nine Continents—a magical realm where immortals, humans, demons, sects, and secret realms coexisted.

Everything found in xianxia novels existed here.

His luck was good—he’d been born into the Gu family, a mighty cultivation clan with countless powerful elders; everywhere he went, he was treated like a little lord.

Too bad…

Thinking of the name “Guaibao”—so utterly lacking in gravitas—Gu Zhihang felt deeply aggrieved.

He was already three and still had no proper name. Who could tolerate this?

The Gu family master always visited his precious son after finishing his duties, and each time he saw the toddler sitting on a tree, legs swinging, cheeks puffed out as if sulking—adorably cute.

The man’s old father’s heart melted.

My son is the cutest in the Nine Continents.

“Baobao, why are you sitting here alone? Are you upset?” Gu Family Master flickered into view beside Gu Guaibao.

“When are you giving me a proper name!” Gu Guaibao shouted, but his voice, though loud, was still soft and babyish.

It felt both fierce and adorable.

“What’s the rush? You’re only three—no need to hurry…”

The little toddler stared at him with calm eyes, speaking slowly and clearly: “I’m in a hurry! I want a proper name!”

Seeing his son so eager, Gu Family Master couldn’t bear to see him upset. He chuckled and ruffled his son’s tiny head. “Of course you have a proper name—it’s already inscribed in our ancestral grounds. Your name is Gu Zhihang, given by your grandfather. He hoped his grandson would be as refined as jade.”

The little child on the tree stopped swinging his legs, staring at his father in astonishment.

Same.

Exactly the same as his own name.

“My son is—”

Before he could finish saying he didn’t like the name, Gu Zhihang beamed, eyes sparkling. “I love it! I love this name! Thank you, Father—you’re the best!”

He had memories from birth, finding this world alien and his parents distant. But his parents treated him well—so well that he slowly lowered his guard and truly accepted them.

Gu Family Master laughed heartily, lifting his son onto his shoulders.

“Why are you being so formal with your father? You’re my son—you’re meant to roam this continent without restraint. Everyone must make way for you.”

Gu Zhihang: “...”

Luckily he had memories. Otherwise, with his father spoiling him like this, he’d grow up into a menace.

The Gu family was strong, but not strong enough to be above all others. The Nine Continents were filled with factions and countless powerful cultivators. Arrogance without power would only lead to a brutal fall.

“Sigh.” The three-year-old toddler sighed softly.

“Why are you sighing? Is something troubling you? You have your proper name now—aren’t you happy?” Gu Family Master asked.

“Nothing.” Gu Zhihang was used to his father’s overprotectiveness and wasn’t surprised.

But Gu Family Master felt his son was too mature—and it broke his heart. “You love visiting Phoenix City for the bustle, right? Tomorrow—tomorrow, your mother and I will take you. How’s that?”

Phoenix City was human territory, full of lively, everyday charm.

Gu Zhihang pressed his head against his father’s, mumbling, “Okay.”

Gu Family Master’s smile deepened.

“Father, I miss Grandfather.” Gu Zhihang poked his father’s cheek with his chubby little fingers, voice muffled.

“Your grandfather left half a year ago—he should be back soon. Your birthday’s coming up; if he doesn’t return now, he’ll miss it.” Gu Family Master soothed him. “He said he’d catch you a Frost Beast as a mount. That little creature is incredibly powerful—it’ll surely accompany you across the entire Nine Continents!”

Gu Zhihang, small and curled atop his father’s head, had already lost himself in thought.

Far away, the Lady of the Gu family watched this scene, a soft smile on her lips, her eyes brimming with tenderness.

“What’s wrong with Baobao?” she asked with a smile.

“Mother.” Gu Zhihang’s porcelain-like face broke into a smile.

The stunningly beautiful woman gathered the tiny child into her arms, her expression growing even gentler. “Were you unhappy today?”

“Mother, Father said I have a proper name—my name is Gu Zhihang. Can you start calling me by it from now on?” The toddler’s voice was sweet and soft, melting hearts.

The woman frowned slightly. “What if I don’t want to change? What if I still want to call you Baobao?”

The child’s lovely face scrunched up in reluctant agreement. “Fine... okay.”

The woman couldn’t bear to see her long-awaited treasure unhappy. “How about I call you Hengbao?”

Gu Zhihang froze.

Hengbao.

Before his eyes, another gentle face appeared—his mother.

Before his memories faded, he heard her say: she had paid a terrible price to save him.

Otherwise, how could a soul who willingly abandoned itself have been granted this brand-new life?

The lucky charm, his mother’s love—he felt them constantly.

“Okay,” Gu Zhihang nodded.

He wriggled down, stood on the ground, and looked up at his parents. “Father, Mother—if the person I want to see isn’t in this world, what should I do?”

Gu Family Master’s eyes darkened slightly, then softened again with paternal affection. He knelt down, gently placing his hands on his son’s small shoulders.

“Train hard, ascend to immortality. The person you wish to see—you will meet them, eventually.”

Gu Zhihang blinked several times. “I’ll remember.”

From that day on, the gifted young master of the Gu family trained with even greater diligence, and his cultivation advanced rapidly.

In a short time, he became the standout among his peers; the title of prodigy spread quickly.

As he grew older, he ventured into perilous realms for training, always returning with abundant gains.

Treasures others desperately sought always appeared before him—whether by chance or fate.

Slowly, rumors spread through the Cangwu Realm: the Gu family’s young master had overwhelming fortune. Some arrogant prodigies came to challenge him, only to be crushed in a single strike. Had he not possessed certain tricks, they’d have died. After many such incidents, Gu Zhihang’s reputation as someone not to be trifled with became well-known…

One day, Gu Zhihang acquired another treasure in a secret realm. Drops of crimson blood stained his cheeks; he sat in silence on a demonic mountain, clad in black, with the Frost Beast his grandfather had gifted him beside him.

“What is this? Looks like a mirror.” Gu Zhihang pondered the new treasure for a long while. He had dripped blood on it and imprinted his soul mark—but still, it did nothing.

He tossed the mirror aside carelessly, leaned back, and lay flat on the ground, staring at the sky.

“If that guy were here, he’d love this kind of life,” Gu Zhihang murmured.

His older brother would probably like it too. Zhiqian would be interested in alchemy. Zhiyao… hard to guess. And his parents—they’d never imagine he was living well in another world, becoming a famed prodigy, with the exact setup of a novel’s male lead!

Cultivation was endless. Gu Zhihang knew he should forget the people from that world. But his heart remained unsettled—he always hoped to see them again, even just once.

The Frost Beast nudged his master’s arm with its head.

“You don’t know him—he’s an old acquaintance. Someone I might never see again.” Gu Zhihang patted his companion’s head.

He had been reborn, become an independent immortal. Could he possibly share the same timeline as that guy?

Gu Zhihang wondered uncertainly.

In a corner unnoticed by anyone, the mirror the master had carelessly dropped on the ground glowed faintly…