《Adorable Twins: My Mother Is a Cool Miracle Doctor!》 Chapter 1 The Depths of Desperation Cloud ins Continent. Within the courtyard of the Gu family estate, there exists a secluded, dimly-lit chamber. ¡°What are you doing? Let me go!¡± Gu Qingluan struggled desperately. ¡°Smack! Smack!¡± A series of sharp ps shattered the stillness of the night, startling the birds perched on the trees. ¡°B * tch! Behave yourself!¡± Her belly swelled as several stout elderly women pinned her down onto the bed, binding her limbs with coarse hemp ropes. Emerging from the shadows, a strikingly beautiful woman approached, her eyes brimming with malevolence, fixated greedily upon the protruding stomach. ¡°I had intended to wait for your delivery, but s, time is running out. Eight months¡­ My divine child is on the verge of maturing.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression changed slightly. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She wanted to protect her abdomen, but her hands were tied. Gu Lingxue looked at her with disdain. ¡°Why do you think I provide you with food and shelter, and even let a bunch of maids serve you?¡± ¡°You shameless good-for-nothing. I feel disgusted just by looking at you. If it wasn¡¯t for the fact that the bastard child in your womb contained divine power and could be used to refine pills to increase my cultivation, would you be alive today?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Was it the reason why you coaxed me to keep the child?¡± Eight months ago, she lost her virginity for no reason and was despised by the world. She wanted to die along with this child. She did not want to keep it either. It was Gu Lingxue whoforted her so that she had a glimmer of hope. However, who knew that Gu Lingxue had arranged food, amodation, and servants for her because she wanted to use her child as a drug primer? Gu Qingluan remained in a daze, unable to regain herposure for an extended period. Gu Lingxue before her appeared so unrecognizable that it sent shivers down her spine. Having carried the child for eight months, she had grown attached to it. She understood that escape was futile today, but this child¡­ In a soft, pleading voice, she implored, ¡°Second Sister, you must be mistaken. I beg you, release him! If only you would set him free, I would give you anything you desire.¡± ¡± You¡¯re only valuable because of this belly of yours.¡± Gu Lingxue smiled disdainfully. Then, she red at the midwife and urged her,¡± What are you waiting for? Do it!¡± ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± The midwife held a knife in her hand and approached Gu Qingluan. ¡°No! Don¡¯t hurt my child!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes were filled with despair and fear. The midwife¡¯s haggard face squeezed out a cold smile. ¡°Ah!¡± Immediately, a shrill scream pierced through the roof. Gu Qingluan red at them, her eyes brimming with hatred. ¡°You¡­ If you dare to harm my child, I won¡¯t spare you, even if I be a vengeful spirit!¡± Before she could finish her words, her consciousness faded, and she fell into unconsciousness. ¡°Wah! Wah! Wah!¡± At that very moment, a loud cry of a newborn pierced the air. ¡°Give me the divine baby!¡± Gu Lingxue urged impatiently. Holding the baby covered in blood and feeling the surging and pure divine power in his body, Gu Lingxue was so excited that her face turned red. ¡°Hahaha, divine baby! I finally got you! Your good-for-nothing mother is finally dead. She doesn¡¯t deserve to have you. Only I deserve your unparalleled divine power!¡± Without dy, shemanded the servants to fetch the spirit sealing box, ce the divine baby inside, and tightly shut the lid. Divine power was a precious resource, and he couldn¡¯t afford to squander it. Clutching the Spirit Sealing Box, she cast a nce at the blood-stained Gu Qingluan. Her voice turned as cold as ice. ¡°Dispose of this wretched woman without leaving a trace!¡± With that, she turned around and left. The old woman closest to her grabbed Gu Qingluan¡¯s arm first, intending to throw her out. In the next moment, a miserable scream pierced through the night sky! Gu Qingluan, who was already dead, suddenly opened her eyes and bit the old woman¡¯s hand with her teeth. In the dark room, those clear eyes were as bright as a ferocious wolf! Chapter 2 There¡¯s Another One in the Stomach! The old woman¡¯s expression turned fearful. ¡°You¡­ Are you a human or a ghost? You¡¯re not dead?¡± Gu Qingluan exerted force to break free from the hemp ropes that bound her wrists and sat up. Her slender hand gently held the other party¡¯s bloody arm, and the corners of her mouth curled up. She said with a bloodthirsty evil charm, ¡°Even if I were to die, I have to find a few people to die with!¡± As soon as she finished speaking, the old woman¡¯s wrist bent at a strange angle. Miserable screams echoed throughout the house. The rest of the old women exchanged nces. They hadn¡¯t expected this worthless person to still be capable of causing harm. It seemed that she truly hadn¡¯t died. The young mistress insisted that they deal with the situation thoroughly, ensuring that the detestable woman wouldn¡¯t escape and pose a threat to the young mistress. ¡°You speak so arrogantly. B * tch, do you think we can¡¯t kill you! Sisters, let¡¯s attack together!¡± They swarmed forward. Gu Qingluan was on the verge of getting up when she identally tugged at the wound on her abdomen. The pain surged through her body, as if her bones had been forcefully ripped out, causing her to stagger. She lowered her head and saw that her stomach was covered in blood. It was a shocking sight! At this moment, her hands were grabbed by two old women. ¡°Little b * tch, how dare you hurt one of us!¡± The old woman¡¯s sharp voice was as piercing as a broken gong, revealing a trace of hatred and pride. Gu Qingluan¡¯s mind focused solely on her escape as she summoned all her strength. With a powerful struggle, she twisted her hands, breaking the necks of the two old women. They crumpled to the ground lifelessly, unable to rise again. The rest of the people rushed over with ferocious faces. Gu Qingluan grabbed the cloth beside her and threw it out. Gu Qingluan swiftly entwined her arms around the neck of the nearest old woman, employing her agility to shake her wrist. The old woman was strangled, her veins bulging, and her eyes popping out. In another swift movement of Gu Qingluan¡¯s wrist, she hurled the nimble nket at another individual. Bereft of the nket¡¯s support, the old woman staggered and copsed to the ground, her eyes wide open. The others were frightened and ran out. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t allow them any opportunity to escape. With a few swift moves, she forcefully brought them down to the ground. After dealing with these individuals, her own physical strength was also depleted. Gu Qingluan released her grip and gasped for breath, leaning against the door frame. The night enveloped her in darkness, and she nced around, her eyes filled with confusion. Where was this ce? Didn¡¯t she self-destruct? Did she not die? Suddenly, an onught of countless images flooded her mind, threatening to overwhelm her senses. After an indeterminate amount of time, Gu Qingluan gradually opened her eyes. It was revealed that she had undergone a transmigration. She was not Gu Qingluan, but Jun Qingluan! She was the youngest cultivator in the God Realm within the Heaven Awaken Continent, and the esteemed young master of Wuji Pce. However, she was betrayed by her half-sister, Feng Qingwu. In order to prevent the nebulous Primordial Chaos in her body from being sucked away, she chose to self-destruct! Who knew that she would be reborn in the Cloud ins Continent and possess the body of this girl called Gu Qingluan? Jun Qingluan¡¯s heart trembled when she thought of the original owner¡¯s memories. She had no parents, was used by others, and was brutally killed. Before she died, her child was even taken to refine pills. She was indeed a pitiful person. Thinking of this, a hint of worry shed across Jun Qingluan¡¯s face. The child who was taken away by Gu Lingxue was still in danger! Regardless of whether she had taken over the original owner¡¯s body or if she were apletely unrted stranger, Jun Qingluan couldn¡¯t bear to witness the newborn infant being used for alchemical purposes! Gritting her teeth, Jun Qingluan grabbed a thin nket from nearby, using it to cover the wound on her abdomen. With great difficulty, she moved her legs towards the door. She couldn¡¯t let Gu Lingxue harm that child! However, at that moment, she sensed something unusual in her belly. Enduring the excruciating pain, Jun Qingluan trembled as she reached for her stomach. Soon after, her pale face revealed an expression of disbelief. There¡­ There was another child inside her belly! Chapter 3 Running Away From Home Jun Qingluan¡¯s face showed a mix of astonishment and relief as she swiftly freed the child from her womb. Time was of the essence, and she feared that leaving the baby inside any longer could lead to suffocation. ¡°Wah! Wah! Wah!¡± The newborn immediately let out cries, its little mouth wide open. Jun Qingluan, concerned that the sound might draw attention from outside, endured the pain and gently cradled the baby in her arms. She whispered soothingly, ¡°Baby, don¡¯t cry. We mustn¡¯t let the bad people hear you.¡± Perhaps understanding her words, the little one¡¯s cries gradually softened and ceased. ¡°What a clever little one.¡± Jun Qingluan¡¯s lips curved slightly as she nted a gentle kiss on the baby¡¯s forehead. The baby responded with a grin, revealing two rows of pink gums. Jun Qingluan¡¯s eyes became even gentler as she wrapped the baby tightly with a thin nket. Jun Qingluan made a difficult decision as she looked at the open door. If she were alone, she would be willing to risk her life to rescue the baby taken by Gu Lingxue. However, now she had a child in her arms. Considering her current state, taking such a risk would not only jeopardize her own life but also tragically endanger the baby in her embrace at the hands of Gu Lingxue. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, child. I¡¯ll avenge you.¡± Jun Qingluan lowered her voice apologetically. She suppressed the unwillingness and guilt she felt towards the other child, drew a spell talisman with her own blood, and recited the incantation silently. The remaining nebulous Primordial Chaos that had followed her rebirth churned in her body and flowed into the blood talisman through her finger. A dazzling red light shed, and Jun Qingluan and the baby in her arms disappeared. The room was aze. .. Five yearster. There was a boat floating on the misty sea. On the deck, a woman in a long white dress leaned against a rocking chair. Her eyes were slightly closed, and her feet were crossed. The sea breeze caressed her delicate face, and the corners of her mouth curled up in satisfaction. ¡°Ind Lord, bad news. There¡¯s news from the ind that young master has run away from home!¡± Beside her, the anxious voice of a young woman shattered the tranquillity. The woman¡¯s eyshes trembled slightly as she slowly opened her eyes, resembling shooting stars streaking across the depths of her gaze. This person was Jun Qingluan, who had disappeared in the sea of fire five years ago. However, since then, she had also be Gu Qingluan. Raising a finger, the woman shook her head at Bo He. Bo He blinked, her eyes filled with question marks. ¡°Ind Lord, young Master has run away from home. Why aren¡¯t you worried at all?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s ears twitched, and she stood upzily. Her long dress naturally fell, swaying gently with her footsteps, and she walked to a grocery room on the ship. Bo He quickly followed. In the storeroom filled with boxes, a rustling sound came from a corner. A cute voice came from arge wooden box. ¡°Xiaomei, don¡¯t move. Mother¡¯s cultivation is high. She will hear you.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t me, it was Xiao Bai.¡± replied a voice that belonged to an animal, yet carried a human-like tone. ¡°Squeak squeak! It¡¯s not me!¡± protested another animal. ¡°Alright, alright, calm down! Starting now, whoever remains quiet until we reach the shore will be rewarded handsomely!¡± ¡°Reward? What kind of reward?¡± Xiaomei immediately inquired. ¡°Xiao Mei, you¡¯re disqualified.¡± ¡°Puff! Puff!¡± Xiaomei tumbled headfirst. ¡°Mischievous Xiaomei, you¡¯re moving around again! Do you think I won¡¯t¡­¡± The little voice, filled with anger, involuntarily grew louder. In the next instant, the lid of the box was abruptly lifted. The small figure hidden inside the wooden box was exposed to the light, freezing in ce as if struck at an acupuncture point. Seated within the box was a young boy, with a snow-white fox nestled on hisp and a parrot with vibrant green feathers held in his hands. Gu Qingluan cast him a forced smile. ¡°Gu Xiaonan, you are truly audacious! How dare you run away from home!¡± Chapter 4 The Consequences of Mother¡¯s Wrath Is Very Severe Bo He quickly gave the little boy a look. Gu Xiaonan froze for a few seconds, hisrge eyes darting around, before swiftly lifting the parrot in front of Gu Qingluan without hesitation, craftily implicating their smallpanion. ¡°Mother, it wasn¡¯t me; it was Xiaomei!¡± ¡°Young master, you¡¯ve stolen my words!¡± Parrot Xiaomei pped its wings, opening its curved and delicate beak, attempting to defend itself. Gu Xiaonan red at it threateningly. ¡°Do you still want to go out and y?¡± Under the coercion and temptation of her little master, Xiaomei could only nod with tears in her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s me, Master. I know I was wrong!¡± Gu Xiaonan couldn¡¯t help but smile, but he immediately pressed his lips down. ¡°Mother, mother, look, Xiaomei admitted it.¡± Gu Qingluan looked down at her obedient son and asked slowly, ¡°Xiaomei ran away from home. What about you?¡± Gu Xiaonan replied in a serious manner, ¡°I¡¯m here to catch Xiaomei!¡± As he spoke, he rubbed Xiaomei¡¯s head. ¡°Xiaomei, I¡¯m telling the truth, right?¡± Xiao Mei, who cherished her feathers the most, struggled to break free from Gu Xiaonan¡¯s hands and pped her wings to fly out. She eximed, ¡°The head can be broken, the blood can flow, but the hairstyle mustn¡¯t be messed up! It wasn¡¯t me! It wasn¡¯t me!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t run!¡± Gu Xiaonan emerged from the wooden box. ¡°Naughty Xiaomei, you¡¯ve actually changed your mind!¡± ¡°Mother, don¡¯t worry. I will definitely capture Xiaomei.¡± Gu Qingluan reacted quickly and grabbed the back of his cor. She said in a serious voice, ¡°Gu Xiaonan, do you remember what I told you before we left the ind?¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s small body stiffened. He lowered her head and turned around. His mother was angry! The consequences of his mother¡¯s wrath were extremely grave! Resembling a deted balloon, he weakly uttered, ¡°Mother told me to stay obediently on the ind.¡± His tiny fingers extended, pinching the hem of her skirt and giving it a gentle shake. His voice, adorable and gentle, uttered, ¡°Mother, Xiaonan knows his mistake. Please don¡¯t be angry. It hurts Xiaonan¡¯s heart to see you in pain.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart melted, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to scold him any longer. She nced at Bo He and said, ¡°Take Xiao Nan back to the ind.¡± Gu Xiaonan immediately clung to her thigh, looking up at her with hisrge, watery eyes. ¡°Mother, I don¡¯t want to go back! I want to stay with you, Mother!¡± ¡°Xiao Nan, listen to me. It¡¯s very dangerous outside the ind.¡± Gu Qingluan frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid!¡± His big eyes were clear and fearless. ¡°But I¡¯m afraid.¡± Gu Qingluan squatted down and touched his fair little face. ¡°You are the little darling that Mother cares about the most. There are many enemies outside the ind. Mother doesn¡¯t want you to be hurt.¡± Gu Xiaonan patted her head like a little adult. ¡°But Xiao Nan doesn¡¯t want Mother to get hurt. Xiao Nan can protect Mother!¡± With determination in his eyes, he raised his little fist, his face brimming with confidence. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but pinch his chubby cheeks. ¡°I appreciate your concern, but¡­ no.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t Mother say that having one more person means having one more source of strength? Mother, take Xiao Nan with you! Please, Mother~¡± Gu Xiaonan clung tightly to her thigh, swaying back and forth for a while. Noticing her reluctance, he resorted to acting pitifully. ¡°If Mother leaves Xiao Nan behind, he won¡¯t eat or sleep at night. He¡¯ll surely fall ill. Mother will feel guilty, the enemy will rejoice, and Xiao Nan will feel even worse¡­ Right, Xiao Bai?¡± He turned his head and asked the white fox lying beside the wooden box. ¡°Squeak squeak!¡± The little master is absolutely right!¡± the white fox chirped in agreement, supporting his plea. ¡°Ind Lord, what the young master said holds some truth,¡± Bo He interjected from the side. As long as he was cautious, there shouldn¡¯t be much danger. The young master was clever enough to make it difficult for others to harm him. Gu Qingluan sighed and yfully flicked her fingers. ¡°You little troublemaker, when did you bribe the people around me?¡± Ignoring the slight ache on his forehead, Xiaonan¡¯s eyes sparkled with hope. ¡°Mother, does that mean you¡¯ve agreed?¡± ¡°You can follow me if you want, but you have to make three rules.¡± ¡°Mother, please say it. I will definitely abide by it.¡± Gu Xiaonan patted his chest and promised. ¡°First, once we reach the shore, you must wear a mask. It is essential that you conceal your true appearance from outsiders.¡± ¡°Yes, understood!¡± ¡°Second, during this journey, you and I will address each other as master and disciple.¡± Five years ago, Gu Lingxue underwent a painful procedure to enhance her cultivation. She had her abdomen cut open, and one of her children was taken away. If the other party discovered the existence of Xiaonan, they would not spare him. The Gu Lingxue of the present was not the same as the one from five years ago. She was now the esteemed prodigy of Qiankun Academy, having studied under Saint Fengtian. Her strength and influence were not to be underestimated. As Gu Qingluan contemted how Gu Lingxue¡¯s current aplishments were all due to the child she had lost before they even met, her hatred intensified. She hadn¡¯t concealed the truth about the past from Gu Xiaonan, as he was old enough to understand. With a serious expression, Xiaonan nodded, then reached out to embrace her, gently patting her back as ifforting a child. ¡°Mother, don¡¯t be sad. Xiao Nan will always be by your side.¡± The little one emitted a delicate, milky fragrance. He was tender and seemed to have nestled his way into Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart. Her eyes turned slightly red as she pulled her son closer into her arms. ¡°Mother, what¡¯s the third rule?¡± ¡°Third¡­¡± Initially, Gu Qingluan had intended for her son to be obedient and avoid mischief. However, now that she saw how obedient and sensible he was, she decided to change the third rule. Hence, she said, ¡°Xiaonan, you must take good care of yourself. You don¡¯t need to show mercy to the bad guys. Even if you challenge the heavens, your mother will always support you!¡± Xiaonan immediately jumped up in joy. ¡°Oh, hooray! Mother is the best!¡± ¡°Pirates! There are pirates!¡± As they were talking, Xiaomei suddenly flew in with agitation. Chapter 5 ¡®Fat Lamp¡¯ ¡°Pirates? I¡¯ll go take a look!¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes lit up as he turned around and ran out. ¡°Wait!¡± Gu Qingluan pulled him back. ¡°Put on the mask.¡± Having donned the human skin mask provided by Gu Qingluan, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s appearance transformed. He remained handsome and adorable. He winked at Gu Qingluan, saying, ¡°Master, let¡¯s go meet the pirates.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and pinched his nose yfully. She wore a veil herself and took her son¡¯s little hand, strolling out calmly. As soon as they stepped out of the cabin, they encountered a rugged-looking man wearing a headscarf. ¡°Mr. Pirate, I finally get to see you!¡± Gu Xiaonan excitedly rushed forward. Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips twitched. She knew that her son was addicted to acting, so she happily watched from the side. Pirate A had a perplexed expression on his face. After years of being a pirate, it was the first time he encountered a child who showed no fear. ¡°Old Liu, do you two know each other?¡± Pirate B whistled and asked with great curiosity. Pirate A nced down at the little boy tightly holding onto his leg, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t remember ever meeting the child before. If he had seen such a beautiful and clean boy, he would definitely not forget him. Gu Xiaonan replied, ¡°Mr. Pirate doesn¡¯t know me. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Gu Xiaonan, and I¡¯ve been admiring Mr. Pirate for a long time!¡± ¡°Hey, little one, you admire pirates?¡± Pirate B burst intoughter. ¡°Why don¡¯t youe with us and be a pirate yourself?¡± ¡°Is being a pirate fun?¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes widened in curiosity. ¡°Haha, it¡¯s fun! Of course, it¡¯s fun!¡± Pirate B smiled and nodded. ¡°Can I bring my master and Miss Bo He too?¡± Gu Xiaonan pointed towards Gu Qingluan and Bo He. The pirates, momentarily distracted by Gu Xiaonan, turned their gaze in the direction he pointed, and their eyes lit up. The woman standing in front was dressed in pristine white. Her flowing ck hair resembled ink, and her gracefully arched eyebrows framed her face. Her eyes, akin to peach blossoms and reflecting the essence of the sun and moon, were enchanting even though they remained veiled. It was evident that she possessed an unparalleled beauty. The girl in green behind her, who didn¡¯t have a veil over her face, also looked delicate and pretty, with a distinct allure of her own. Pirate B swallowed his saliva and quickly said, ¡°Sure! Of course, you can!¡± He thought to himself, ¡°Where did this little brate from? He¡¯s delivered himself right to our doorstep, and he even brought along two beauties. Today, we¡¯ve struck gold!¡± The few pirates didn¡¯t pay much attention to Gu Xiaonan, Gu Qingluan, and Bo He. Upon learning that there were only three of them and a boatman on the ship, Pirate B couldn¡¯t contain his excitement. He swiftly pulled out the ghost g from his waist and stood by the railing, vigorously waving his arms. .. On a pirate ship in the distance: ¡°Boss, our luck is really good today. After finishing this job, we can enjoy ourselves for a while!¡± A man with a bushy beard excitedly rubbed his hands together, pointing towards Gu Qingluan¡¯s ship as he spoke to the scar-faced man beside him. Though this ship was not as impressive as the one they plundered in the morning, a little bit of meat is still meat, especially considering the decent size of this ship! The scar-faced man was the leader of the Ghost Pirates. Despite his rugged and fierce appearance, he was actually a cautious individual. Having seized a merchant ship in the morning, they were not letting their guard down. ¡°Everyone, stay vignt and await news from Liu Nan.¡± Just as they finished speaking, they spotted the familiar sight of the skull g, the symbol of their Ghost Pirates, flying on the ship ahead. The bearded man eximed with excitement, ¡°Boss, look! It¡¯s our Ghost g!¡± The pirate leader¡¯s spirits soared, and he bellowed, ¡°Full speed ahead!¡± The pirate ship instantly elerated, swiftly closing in on their targeted ¡®Fat Lamb¡¯. On the deck, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he couldn¡¯t help but drool while keeping his gaze fixed on the rapidly approaching ¡®Fat Lamb¡¯. Chapter 6 Scaring the Little Tyke The two ships quickly moored together. Pirate B rushed over to report the situation to the leader. The pirate chief furrowed his brow. ¡°This is peculiar. Something doesn¡¯t seem right.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Chief. It¡¯s just two girls and a child. We have plenty of people,¡± reassured Pirate B. ¡°Search thoroughly. Don¡¯t let anyone exceptional slip by!¡±manded the pirate leader. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll conduct a meticulous search, Chief!¡± promised Pirate B. ¡°Bring them over.¡± The pirate leader nced at the three of them. The three people and two pets were escorted to the pirate ship. The person escorting him was Pirate A. Gu Xiaonan was very friendly to the pirates. Pirate A didn¡¯t make things difficult for them. He just followed behind and let them walk in front. A portion of the pirates went to Gu Qingluan¡¯s ship to clean up the spoils of war, while the remaining pirates were on the pirate ship. Gu Xiaonan opened her big round eyes and looked around. The surface of the pirate ship was painted ck, and the sails were also ck. There was a huge white skull printed on it. The pirates were dressed very casually, with cloth wrapped around their heads and all kinds of weapons in their hands. They did not look like they were to be trifled with. In the middle of the deck, a rough man with a scar on his face was sitting on a tiger head chair, staring at the three of them with fierce eyes. Gu Xiaonan looked at him and smiled sweetly. ¡°Are you the pirate boss?¡± The pirate chief smiled insincerely. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Wow, then you must be very powerful!¡± The pirate leader let out a soft grunt, acknowledging the remark. The bearded man chuckled, ¡°Boss, don¡¯t be so serious. What if you scare the little tyke?¡± ¡°Little one, I heard that you want to join us. Why? Aren¡¯t you afraid of us?¡± ¡°My master said that pirates are chivalrous and fight against those unscrupulous businessmen and bullies. They are good people who rob the rich and help the poor!¡± They are good people? Oh my, is this kid out of his mind? The crowd burst intoughter. The bearded man finally stoppedughing and asked, ¡°Which hero is your master? What a brilliant idea!¡± ¡°This is my master!¡± Gu Xiaonan turned around and nced at Gu Qingluan. The crowd had long noticed Gu Qingluan, and their leering gazes lingered on her, their eyes changing as they heard the conversation. The bearded man raised his thumb directly. ¡°Well said, well said! You have good taste!¡± ¡°Woo woo woo!¡± A peculiar sound came from above. Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan turned their heads in the direction of the sound, only to see two people, a man and a woman, bound to the tall mast of the pirate ship. Their mouths were stuffed with cloth, and the peculiar sound came from them. The bearded man introduced them, saying, ¡°You see, those two are corrupt capitalists whom we robbed!¡± Gu Xiaonan blinked her eyes and asked, ¡°But why did Mr. Pirate hang them up there?¡± ¡°Hehe, because their mouths stink so badly. We¡¯re giving them some fresh air to disperse the smell,¡± the bearded man chuckled. As they spoke, the pirates gathered around them one after another. ¡°Chief, we¡¯ve searched everywhere, but we only found a boatman.¡± ¡°Besides some basic supplies, there aren¡¯t many valuable items on the ship.¡± ¡°Such arge ship, and so little to show for it?¡± The pirates were disappointed by the news. The bearded man pointed at Gu Xiaonan. ¡°This kid looks well-off. He has a promising future ahead of him. It¡¯s not aplete loss for us!¡± ¡°Yes, indeed. It¡¯s not aplete loss!¡± As thest pirate boarded the ship, Gu Xiaonan smiled, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. Chapter 7 A Gift for Mother: A Pirate Ship The little one shook his head. ¡°I know how to sing. I¡¯m really good at it. If you guys are bored, I can sing for you!¡± ¡°Yo, you can sing? Alright, sing us a song!¡± Pirates spent most of their lives at sea. This time, they had been floating on the ship for several days, making their days incredibly monotonous. It was quite rare for them to encounter such an interesting child, so their spirits were lifted. However, no one noticed that both the little fox in Gu Qingluan¡¯s arms and the parrot perched on Bo He¡¯s shoulder were frightened. Gu Qingluan calmly took out two balls of cotton and gave them to Bo He. She took another two balls and stuffed them into her ears. Someone saw her actions and did not understand her intentions for a moment. On the other side, Gu Xiaonan saw that everyone was so supportive. He opened his red lips and sang happily, ¡°Today is a good day¡­¡± In an instant, the world seemed to stop. All the pirates froze. And then- Someone had a nosebleed. Someone¡¯s ears were bleeding. Some people had tears in their eyes. Heavens, was this a tune? Even the wails of ghosts and howls of wolves sounded better than this! ¡°I knew it!¡± ¡°I knew it will turn out like this!¡± Xiaomei covered her head with her wings, looking as if she had lost all hope. Xiaobai curled itself into a ball and tried to bury itself in its master¡¯s arms. Its furry body was trembling. ¡°Shut up! Shut up!¡± The bearded man covered his ears with his hands and shouted crazily. However, even though he covered his ears, the demonic sound still prated his brain. Gu Xiaonan was singing happily. How could he stop? It was rare to have so many listeners. Moreover, they were the ones who asked him to sing. He hadn¡¯t even finished singing a song! Gu Xiaonan continued to sing, growing more and more enthusiastic. Passing seagulls pped their wings and dropped into the sea, while the fish swimming around the pirate ship sank to the depths. One pirate copsed, then another, and another¡­ ¡°Xiaonan, that¡¯s enough, stop now.¡± A porcin-white hand gently rested on his shoulder. Gu Xiaonan came to a halt, still lingering with a sense of unfulfilled enjoyment, puckering his lips in slight disappointment. The bearded man let out a long sigh of relief, barely able to stand steady. His hand trembled as he pointed at Gu Xiaonan, saying, ¡°You¡­ is that singing?¡± ¡°Is my singing not good?¡± Gu Xiaonan pouted, twisted his eyebrows, and asked unhappily. ¡°You¡­ you¡­ you¡­¡± The bearded man widened his eyes. Heavens, does this kid have no self-awareness whatsoever? Is this even human singing? Even the cries of ghosts would sound better than his singing! But the pirate chief truly lived up to his position, remaining as steady as a rock in such a situation. The bearded man turned to admire the silent Chief, but his admiration quickly turned to shock when he noticed a figure with a vacant stare and blood flowing from all seven orifices. ¡°Chief, what¡¯s wrong?¡± the bearded man eximed in horror. Bang! A swift chopnded on the back of the bearded man¡¯s neck, rendering him unconscious. Standing behind him was the boatman who had been captured by the pirates. He bowed respectfully to Gu Xiaonan and said, ¡°Young master, your singing has improved greatly.¡± Gu Xiaonan raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying, ¡°If Mr. Song enjoys it, I can sing another song for you?¡± The boatman¡¯s expression instantly changed, and he waved his hands repeatedly. ¡°No need, no need. Young master has already sung for quite a while. Don¡¯t strain your throat. Sit down and rest for now.¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± Gu Xiaonan sighed with a hint of regret. Oh well, at least he had the chance to showcase his voice today. No need to dwell on it. Singing on the boat was a unique experience, and he would find another opportunity to sing in the future. He turned around and happily ran towards Gu Qingluan, eximing, ¡°Mother¡­ Master, I¡¯m giving you this pirate ship!¡± Chapter 8 Master, We Are Rich! Gu Qingluan sat with her legs crossed on the pirate leader¡¯s tiger-head chair, enjoying grapes while listening to Bo He tallies up the assets on the pirate ship. The pirates were all bound together, their faces turning pale. Those were the spoils they had plundered earlier in the morning! Who would have thought that a little brat singing a song would lead to them losing the entire ship? It was a great humiliation! Utterly infuriating! Gu Xiaonan chewed on grapes, his cheeks puffed up, and he excitedly asked, ¡°Master, does this mean we¡¯re going to be rich?¡± ¡°Gu Xiaonan!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°What did I teach you? How could you steal other people¡¯s belongings and im them as your own?¡± Gu Xiaonan immediately admitted his mistake. Satisfied with the response, Gu Qingluan changed the topic. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask these gentlemen if they are willing to pay to avoid further trouble?¡± ¡°Yes, yes!¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes lit up, and he turned to address the pirate chief. ¡°Mr. Pirate, I¡¯m sure your life must be quite valuable, right?¡± The pirate chief red at Gu Xiaonan, his anger wishing to drink his blood and tear him apart. ¡°Brat, despite your young age, your mind is quite twisted! Today, I admit defeat, but I won¡¯t allow you to take my money!¡± ¡°If you¡¯re unwilling, then forget it,¡± Gu Xiaonan replied with a gentle shake of his head. Ignoring the furious pirate leader, he cast his bright gaze upon the others. ¡°Are the rest of you uninterested as well?¡± The other pirates were not as resolute as their leader. The bearded man quickly nced at the pirate chief before asking hopefully, ¡°Young hero, my life holds considerable value. Would it be possible for me to offer a ransom for my own release? ¡°Zhao Ba!¡± the pirate leader bellowed angrily in response. Startled, the bearded man flinched and cautiously continued, ¡°Boss, there¡¯s a saying that goes, ¡®If something is left behind, there¡¯s no need to worry about it burning.¡¯ Since we are all prisoners here, and the possessions in question do not truly belong to us, if we help them to keep their dignity, we canply. This way, we can preserve our lives without incurring any financial loss.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, Boss. Let¡¯s consider today¡¯s work as a freebie. We get to keep our lives, so what more could we ask for?¡± the subordinates persuaded the pirate chief. Gradually, the pirate chief began to relent. ¡°Kid, are you really willing to let us go?¡± ¡°You can buy your own lives with money,¡± Gu Xiaonan said with a mischievous smile. ¡°I¡¯ll pay, I¡¯ll pay for my life!¡± the bearded man Zhao Ba immediately responded. ¡°I¡¯ll pay mine too!¡± Gu Xiaonan nodded happily. ¡°Alright then, one by one. Each person, state your price. Bo He, please keep a record for them. All these pirates are so formidable, we shouldn¡¯t charge them cheaply.¡± Bo He smiled and agreed. She held a pen in one hand and an ount book in the other. She recorded the value of each pirate and even made them sign. The total is 1,035,000 taels of silver. Gu Xiaonan waved her little hand. ¡°Round it down and count it as one million taels for all of you.¡± Just now, Bo He had tallied the assets on the pirate ship to a total of one million taels, neither too much nor too little, just right. Gu Xiaonan held onto the ount book excitedly and eximed, ¡°Master, now we have money! So much money!¡± Gu Qingluan took the ount book and casually flipped through its pages a few times. With a satisfied smile, she rolled it up and tucked it into her sleeve. ¡°Xiao Nan, be a good child. This ount book is very valuable. It¡¯s best kept in the hands of an adult. You¡¯re still young, so it¡¯s not safe for you to carry such arge sum of money.¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Gu Xiaonan looked at the ount book reluctantly, but then feigned a magnanimous expression and turned away. ¡°Yes, it was originally Xiao Nan¡¯s way of showing filial piety to Master.¡± ¡°Can you release us now?¡± the pirate chief pleaded, struggling against the ropes. ¡°Hmm, release you? Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Gu Xiaonan turned around and looked at them. ¡°Are you reneging on your promise?¡± the pirate chief protested. ¡°We just signed the papers to pay a ransom to free ourselves!¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the money?¡± Gu Xiaonan stretched out her chubby little hand. Chapter 9 We Don¡¯t Coerce ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention exchanging the treasures on the ship for our freedom?¡± one of the pirates questioned. ¡°Did I really say that?¡± Gu Xiaonan looked puzzled. ¡°Young hero, you¡¯re not ying tricks on us, are you?¡± another pirate anxiously asked. ¡°You just told your master that we could use the money on the ship to buy our lives.¡± Gu Xiaonan tapped his head. ¡°Ridiculous! Those treasures were obtained through wrongful means and should be returned to the rightful owners. How did they be a means to buy your lives?¡± The pirates were left speechless. It was at that moment they realized they had fallen into a trap set by the other party. The pirate chief seethed with anger. Zhao Ba quickly intervened, saying, ¡°Chief, don¡¯t be angry. Let¡¯s find a solution. The young hero¡¯s words do hold some truth.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± The pirate chief huffed in response. Zhao Ba smiled gently and suggested, ¡°Young hero, we are currently penniless. Why don¡¯t you have our Chief write a letter requesting ransom, and ourrades can send the payment?¡± Gu Xiaonan waved her small hand dismissively. ¡°There¡¯s no need for such trouble. Since you don¡¯t have money, you can work to repay your debts.¡± ¡°Dream on!¡± the pirate chief roared defiantly. ¡°Mr. Song, this man here is unwilling toply. Please toss him off the boat. We won¡¯t force him,¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes shifted toward the boatman. ¡°Alright, young master,¡± the boatmanplied. The pirate leader was left speechless. What an ingenious way to avoid forcing others to work for him. This region of the sea was treacherous and perpetually shrouded in fog. It was infested with numerous sea creatures that would devour any unfortunate souls who dared to venture into the waters. Even if they were not bound, the chances of survival were slim if they were to jump into the sea. ¡°Young hero, we agree! Please instruct the boatman to release the chief!¡± Zhao Ba shouted. ¡°Can you vouch for his intentions?¡± Gu Xiaonan inquired. ¡°Yes! Yes!¡± Zhao Ba vigorously nodded, signaling to the pirate leader. The pirate chief was forcefully pressed against the railing, while the turbulent seawater surged below, resembling a menacing beast with its gaping, bloodied maw. At that moment, the pirate chief experienced the gripping fear of impending death, his face turning pale. After battling with his inner turmoil, the pirate chief clenched his teeth and made a difficult decision. ¡°I will work for you!¡± ¡°Young hero, look, the chief has agreed!¡± Zhao Ba eximed happily. ¡°Don¡¯t release them!¡± Suddenly, two individuals emerged from the cabin. It was the man and woman who had previously been bound to the mast. Having regained consciousness after being affected by Gu Xiaonan¡¯s singing, they were saved by the boatman and hidden in the cabin. Upon overhearing the conversation, they couldn¡¯t bear to remain silent any longer. Witnessing Gu Qingluan and the others about to release these ruthless pirates, they feltpelled to intervene. The man who took the lead was handsome, dressed in clean garments that exuded elegance. He approached Gu Qingluan, cupping his hands and bowing respectfully. ¡°I am Gu Jinrong of the Gu family from the Kingdom of Chengyuan. This is my younger sister, Gu Jinyue. We are deeply grateful to you for saving our lives. If it weren¡¯t for your intervention, my sister and I would have perished at the hands of the pirates. Those who havemitted such heinous acts should not be shown any mercy.¡± The names Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue struck a chord with Gu Qingluan. She raised an eyebrow in recognition. ¡°The Gu family?¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s expression turned serious, but he smiled. ¡°Yes, we are from the Tianjing branch of the Gu family. My father holds the second position within the family hierarchy.¡± No wonder their names sounded familiar. They were from the second branch of the Gu family, an old acquaintance of hers. Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curved into a yful smile as she looked up and observed the two of them. Previously, they had been tossed around by the pirates, their hair disheveled and their clothes in tatters. Due to the distance and her vague memories of their appearances from several years ago, she hadn¡¯t recognized them until now. Chapter 10 Master, This Old Granny Is So Fierce Gu Lingxue was known for her malicious nature, and the rest of the Gu family members were not much better. The original owner of Gu Qingluan¡¯s body was the eldest daughter of the Gu family¡¯s first branch. Her mother had passed away during childbirth, and her biological father quickly remarried, leaving the original owner essentially orphaned. In the Cloud ins Continent, strength was revered above all else. However, the original owner had no talent for cultivation and was openly regarded as a useless fool. In such a ruthless environment, anyone could trample upon her without hesitation. Gu Jinrong and his sister, being cousins of the original owner, were no exception and belonged to the same group of people. Gu Qingluan was never a person who would repay evil with good. It was fine if she did not meet these people who bullied the original owner, but if she did, how could she let them go? She gave an ambiguousugh. The Gu family was one of the four great families of the Chengyuan Kingdom. After the eldest branch¡¯s daughter, Gu Lingxue, entered the Qiankun Academy and shone brilliantly, the Gu family had risen with the tide over the years and became the leader of the four great families. Even the imperial family of the Chengyuan Kingdom had to respect the Gu family. As a result, these Gu family disciples were more arrogant than before. At this moment, Gu Jinrong saw Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes curve and thought that it was his identity that made the other party look at him in a different light. He was instantly delighted. The woman in front of him wore a veil, but her captivating eyes alone were enough to stir people¡¯s hearts. Combined with her graceful figure and ethereal presence, she appeared to be a matchless beauty. If he could win the favor of such a beauty, it would bring great benefits to him! With this thought in mind, he couldn¡¯t help but puff out his chest and sh a smile that he considered charming. ¡°May I know your name?¡± Instead of answering, Gu Qingluan posed a question of her own. ¡°The East Sea is treacherous, and few ordinary people dare to venture into it. Did youe here with the intention to venture into Harmony Isle?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct! We came here seeking medicinal pills from the Ind Master of Harmony Isle, but we never expected to encounter pirates on the way. All our attendants and guards were killed. If it wasn¡¯t for our high status and their intention to use us as hostages, we would have already lost our lives. That¡¯s why you must not let these pirates go,¡± Gu Jinrong exined. ¡°Bullshit! We only want money, not murder!¡± Zhao Ba retorted angrily. Gu Jinrong cast a cold nce at him. ¡°Miss, please take a look. These uncouth viins remain arrogant even as prisoners. If we release them now, I fear we¡¯ll be putting ourselves in danger.¡± ¡°In your opinion, what should we do?¡± Gu Jinrong smiled confidently.¡± Why don¡¯t we interrogate them strictly and find out the pirate¡¯sir? Then, we¡¯ll catch them all!¡± Zhao Ba was worried that Gu Qingluan would be convinced by him. He quickly looked at Gu Xiaonan.¡± Young hero, we are your people now. Don¡¯t be deceived by this kid. He has bad intentions¡­¡± Pa! Before he could finish speaking, a pnded on his face. Blood instantly flowed from the corner of his mouth, and his face was crooked. Everyone was stunned. Only then did they see that the person who had attacked was Gu Jinyue. Zhao Ba was furious. ¡°F * ck, you bitch! How dare you hit me!¡± He struggled and wanted to pounce on her. Gu Jinyue raised her hand and hit the other side of his face. Pa! ¡°Ah!¡± This time, it was not the pirates who were hit, but Gu Jinyue¡¯s hand. She retreated in pain and covered the back of her swollen hand. Her eyes burned with anger. ¡°Who hit me?¡± Seeing the grapes rolling on the ground, Gu Jinyue remembered that there was only a te of grapes beside Gu Qingluan. She red at her angrily and shouted, ¡°How dare you hit me!¡± Gu Qingluan casually tossed a purple-ck grape. ¡°I don¡¯t like people touching my things, and it¡¯s not up to others to beat up my people.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Gu Jinrong restrained his sister and turned to Gu Qingluan with an apologetic expression. ¡°Please forgive my sister¡¯s impulsive behavior. She¡¯s still young, and sometimes her emotions get the better of her.¡± ¡°Brother! Why are you apologizing to her when she hit me?¡± Gu Jinyueined, feeling indignant and frustrated. She stomped her feet in anger. ¡°Um, this olddy doesn¡¯t seem young at all. Is it possible that she¡¯s just acting impatiently?¡± Gu Xiaonan blinked, puzzled by the situation. ¡°Who are you calling an olddy? And who said I¡¯m anxious?¡± Women were particrly sensitive about their age, and Gu Jinyue was no exception. When she heard Gu Xiaonan call her old, she immediately became furious. Gu Xiaonan, feeling intimidated, quickly sought refuge in Gu Qingluan¡¯s arms. ¡°Master, this old granny is so fierce!¡± Chapter 11 Truly Despicable Individuals Are Indeed Invincible Gu Jinyue could no longer stay rational after hearing Gu Xiaonan address her as an old granny. She screamed and her profound power surged out of her body, attacking Gu Xiaonan directly. ¡°Young Master, be careful!¡± Gu Jinyue held nothing back with this attack. If itnded, it would be disastrous! A cold gleam shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. As expected, a leopard cannot change its spots. After not seeing each other for several years, Gu Jinyue still attacked with such viciousness! A powerful aura instantly closed in on Gu Jinyue. Gu Jinyue felt a sharp pain in her chest, and the world spun around her. With a ssh, icy seawater surged from all directions. Fear gripped her heart, and Gu Jinyue opened her mouth to cry for help, but seawater flooded in, nearly choking her to death. Gu Jinrong turned pale with fright. ¡°Sister!¡± He rushed to the side of the boat to save her but hesitated when he saw the dark sea. Turning around, he pleaded anxiously, ¡°Miss, please spare my sister¡¯s life. She was just too angry to think straight. She didn¡¯t really want to hurt your disciple.¡± Gu Xiaonan clung tightly to Gu Qingluan. His little face was still filled with fear. ¡°Master, I¡¯m so lucky you¡¯re here. Otherwise, that crazy woman would have killed me.¡± When Gu Jinyue, who had just emerged from the sea, heard the words ¡®crazy woman¡¯, she was filled with rage, and her eyes rolled back. She couldn¡¯t help but open her mouth to curse. But before the words could escape her lips, a wave crashed over her, filling her mouth with water. Gu Jinyue was once again choked by water. ¡°Woo! Help!¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s expression changed slightly. He nced at Gu Qingluan, who had an unfathomable expression. Gritting his teeth, he jumped into the sea to rescue Gu Jinyue, who had been washed away. Aware of the dangers of the sea, he quickly carried Gu Jinyue back to the pirate ship. The siblings were drenched from head to toe. The pirates found the situation amusing. Zhao Ba grinned and added fuel to the fire, ¡°Heroine, Young Hero, this person is truly wicked and narrow-minded. She must be filled with jealousy and resentment towards you now. Seize the opportunity while she¡¯s weakened and takes her life!¡± He hadn¡¯t forgotten that the two siblings had just interfered when the heroine nned to let the pirates go. Zhao Ba held deep grudges. Gu Jinrong red at Zhao Ba angrily. Then, he turned around and apologized to Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan again. His attitude was very sincere. Gu Qingluan lightly patted Gu Xiaonan¡¯s head and taunted, ¡°Huh, you im to be grateful, but you¡¯re actually repaying kindness with ingratitude. Truly despicable individuals are indeed invincible.¡± For all these years, Gu Jinrong had always been showered with praises. When had he ever been scolded like this? His face turned green and red, but he didn¡¯t dare to get angry. The Eastern Sea stretched endlessly. If this woman forced them off the ship, their only option would be to swim back in the sea! But how could he swim back? It would only result in their death! His future was promising; he couldn¡¯t die here! Absolutely not! Suddenly, Gu Jinrong stepped forward, raised his arm, and struck Gu Jinyue¡¯s face hard. ¡°Ah! Brother, you actually hit me?¡± After enduring such a harrowing experience in the sea, she couldn¡¯t believe that her beloved brother would raise his hand against her. ¡°Yue¡¯er, you still don¡¯t realize your mistake! Thisdy is our savior. How could you harm her disciple? Apologize immediately!¡± ¡°That kid insulted me first! Besides, I¡¯m the one who¡¯s injured! Why should I apologize?!¡± Gu Jinyue¡¯s face flushed with anger. Not only had she nearly drowned moments ago, but now her brother had chosen to side with this woman over her. Seeing her stubbornness persist, Gu Jinrong¡¯s anger surged. He raised his hand and struck her once more, his frustration evident. ¡°Foolish girl! If you have a death wish, don¡¯t involve your brother!¡± The force of the p caused Gu Jinyue¡¯s face to swell like a pig¡¯s, and she fell unconscious. Gu Jinrong turned away, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and shame. ¡°My younger sister has been spoiled by our elders, and her behavior has be indecent. I have already reprimanded her. I sincerely hope that Miss and your disciple can find it in their hearts to forgive and remain calm.¡± Gu Qingluan raised her eyebrows and smiled, her words carrying a meaningful tone. ¡°You have the talent to aplish things.¡± What Gu Qingluan truly meant was that Gu Jinrong had such efficiency in betraying his ownrades. Gu Jinrong pursed his lips and offered another sincere apology. ¡°If you truly wish to apologize, then let¡¯s see how genuine your remorse is. Do you think two ps will suffice to resolve this matter?¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s smile froze. Was she not going to let it go easily? When had he ever humbled himself in an apology like this before? He nced at the people surrounding him. His anger dissipated as he realized he was outnumbered and couldn¡¯t afford to provoke further. ¡°Young Lady, what would you suggest appeasing your anger?¡± he asked, his eyes wide with surprise. ¡°If she can¡¯t control herself, then sew her mouth shut and disable her hand,¡± Gu Qingluan replied calmly, her smile unwavering. ¡°Young Lady, that¡¯s going too far!¡± Gu Jinrong eximed, his eyes widening even more. He had been blind to think of her as a celestial being. He never expected her to be so ruthless. ¡°I can be more ruthless than you think.¡± Gu Qingluan looked up, her calm smile remaining. ¡°Mr. Song, throw them overboard!¡± Chapter 12 Too Cruel! The boatman, Song Sheng, stepped forward and quickly reached Gu Jinrong, gripping his arm. Gu Jinrong tried to resist, but his arm felt as if it was trapped in a vice, rendering him immobile. A powerful aura overwhelmed him, making it difficult for him to breathe. Gu Jinrong was shocked. The ordinary-looking boatman was actually a hidden expert! He couldn¡¯t defeat the other party at all. Moreover, the ship was filled with the other party¡¯s people. If they engaged in a fight, he had no chance of winning. Understanding his predicament, Gu Jinrong quickly changed his statement. ¡°Young Lady, please calm down. I will do it! I will sew my sister¡¯s mouth shut and break her hand.¡± As long as he could appease this woman¡¯s anger, he could protect both of their lives. Gu Jinyue wouldn¡¯t me him for making a small sacrifice. Song Sheng looked at Gu Qingluan with a questioning gaze. Gu Qingluan smiled and nodded in response. Song Sheng let go and took two steps back. Gu Jinrong squatted down and extended his trembling hand. ¡°Yue ¡®er, don¡¯t worry. Brother will surely seek revenge for you in the future!¡± he silently vowed. Gu Jinyue, still unconscious, remained oblivious to the impending torment. Kacha! A sharp sound echoed through the air. ¡°Ah!¡± Gu Jinyue jolted awake, awakened by the searing pain. ¡°Yue ¡®er, endure it,¡± Gu Jinrong consoled her, his heart aching. ¡°Brother, my hand¡­¡± Gu Jinyue gazed at her injured right hand. ¡°It hurts! Who broke my hand?¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s eyes flickered with mixed emotions. ¡°Yue ¡®er, endure it. Brother will find the best doctor to treat your hand.¡± He firmly grasped Gu Jinyue¡¯s other hand. Once again, a crisp sound reverberated. Gu Jinyue almost fainted from the pain. Shock and pain distorted her face. ¡°Brother, are you crazy? Why did you break my hands!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Yue ¡®er. I did it for your own good.¡± How was breaking her hands beneficial for her?! He had just pped her twice, and now he had crippled her hands. This brother of hers had be aplete stranger. In the past, her brother had never treated her like this. It must be because of that damn woman! Gu Jin Yue red at Gu Qingluan with gritted teeth. ¡°You witch, did you threaten my brother?¡± Gu Jinrong immediately covered her mouth. ¡°Yue ¡®er, be quiet!¡± Otherwise, all his efforts would be in vain! ¡°Wuwuwu!¡± Gu Jinyue didn¡¯t cooperate. She shook her head, trying to shake him off. Gu Jinrong held onto her while gently speaking to Gu Qingluan, ¡°Miss, Yue ¡®er¡¯s hand is already crippled. She can no longer harm your disciple. Can we forget about sewing her mouth shut?¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled faintly. Gu Jinrong felt delighted upon hearing that and was about topliment her. But Gu Qingluan added calmly, ¡°Your sister¡¯s pain will be in vain.¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s smile froze. He forced a smile. ¡°We don¡¯t have any needles here¡­¡± ¡°I have! I have!¡± A childish voice chimed in. Gu Xiaonan giggled as he pulled out a needle and thread from his pocket. Who would carry a needle and thread with them? Wasn¡¯t he afraid of identally pricking himself? Gu Jinrong cursed silently in his mind. Gu Xiaonan asked Xiaomei to pass the needle and thread to Gu Jinrong. Gu Jinrong hesitated, unsure of how to respond. ¡°I don¡¯t like to force others. If Young Master Gu is unwilling, you can give up,¡± Gu Qingluan calmly stated. After multiple confrontations, Gu Jinrong was no longer naive enough to believe that the other party would spare them. His expression changed slightly as he forced a smile. ¡°You¡¯re not forcing me. It is indeed necessary to teach my sister a lesson so that she won¡¯t act impulsively in the future¡­ Hiss!¡± Suddenly, Gu Jinrong felt a sharp pain in his hand. Instinctively, he pulled his hand back. Gu Jinyue, filled with urgency and anger, eximed, ¡°Gu Jinrong, if you darey a hand on me, I will definitely tell our parents!¡± ncing at the bite mark on the palm of his hand, Gu Jinrong¡¯s face turned grim. ¡°If our parents were here, I believe they would support my decision.¡± With that, he took the needle and thread from Xiaomei¡¯s hand. He had made up his mind to sew her mouth shut! Gu Jinyue was filled with overwhelming fear. Just the thought of the needle piercing her skin made her scalp numb, let alone the fact that it wasn¡¯t just a needle or two, but sewing her mouth shut! The pain was one thing, but if it left her disfigured, how would she face others in the future? Her body trembled uncontrobly, and her face was covered in snot and tears. ¡°Brother, no, I beg you! Don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Yue ¡®er, don¡¯t be afraid. Endure it, and it will be over.¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s heart ached, but he had no choice. If he didn¡¯t do as that woman said, both of them would die. With a heart filled with ruthlessness, he pressed Gu Jinyue¡¯s acupuncture point and pierced the needle into her lips. A tragic cry echoed over the surface of the sea. The pirates, who lived on the edge of the de, felt their scalps go numb. It was too brutal! It was beyond brutal! Fortunately, they surrendered early! ¡°Miss, I have sewed my sister¡¯s mouth shut as per your instructions. Are you satisfied?¡± Gu Jinrong looked at Gu Qingluan with a pale face. Gu Qingluan crossed her legs and pped slowly. ¡°I¡¯m quite satisfied.¡± At that moment, Gu Jinyue fainted from the excruciating pain. Her lips were sewn together, and her face was drenched in blood. Her lips were swollen and crimson. Who would dare to gaze upon such a sight? Not only did Gu Qingluan gaze upon it, but her expression remained unchanged. She even smiled. Those who failed toprehend her felt an icy chill in their hearts. They secretly acknowledged that this woman was not to be underestimated. Little did they know, her abdomen had been sliced open, and her unborn child had been forcefully taken away. Compared to her suffering, what Gu Jinyue was currently experiencing seemed insignificant. Although Gu Jinyue wasn¡¯t the one who had opened her stomach and taken her child in the past, she had yed a part in the original owner¡¯s mistreatment before she was expelled from the Gu family. And this was just the beginning! Gu Jinrong let out a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to speak, a strong gust of wind blew from the sea, lifting the veil on Gu Qingluan¡¯s face. In an instant, Gu Jinrong¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost. ¡°You¡­ Why is it you?¡± Chapter 13 Mother is Truly Wicked The veil fell and covered Gu Qingluan¡¯s face again. Gu Jinrong really wanted to tell himself that his eyes were ying tricks on him, but he would never mistake that face. After all, there were not many people in the world who were so good-looking. But wasn¡¯t she dead? Why would she appear here? Back then, Gu Qingluan had an affair with someone and was even pregnant. She was expelled from the Gu family. He thought that a good-for-nothing like her would not be able to survive outside. If she was still alive, it would be impossible for her to have disappeared without a trace. She would definitely ask the Gu family for help. Even if she miraculously survived, she would still be clinging to the edge of death! Why would she appear in such a dangerous area of the East Sea and possess such powerful strength? ¡°Qingluan, are you Gu Qingluan?¡± He asked softly, his eyes longing for the other party¡¯s denial. ¡°Tsk, I didn¡¯t expect you to be the first person to recognize me.¡± Gu Qingluan remained calm andposed, showing no signs of panic after her identity was revealed. She leisurely removed her veil, and a slight curl appeared on her crimson lips. Her tone wasnguid and wicked as she said, ¡°Third brother, long time no see.¡± A stunning and peerless beauty emerged like a lotus from the water, captivating the eyes of everyone present. The pirates were astonished by her breath-taking appearance. What an extraordinary beauty! On the other hand, Gu Jinrong¡¯s hopes were shattered, and in an instant, he felt as if his heart and courage were about to burst. His entire body trembled uncontrobly. He used to bully her with Gu Jinyue without any restraint, but now that they were in her hands, she wouldn¡¯t spare them. She hade for revenge! She must be here for revenge! He had fallen for her trick just now! The thought of being yed like a monkey, and having to harm his own sister by pping her face, crippling her hand, and sewing her mouth shut, filled him with deep remorse. Gu Qingluan was treating them like monkeys, and she would never let him and his sister off the hook! No, he was Gu Qingluan¡¯s cousin! They shared the same bloodline! Gu Qingluan had been timid since childhood and yearned for family affection. As long as he put on an act, he believed he could soften her. Gu Jinrong managed to suppress his fear and put on a surprised expression.¡± Big sister, is it really you? Where have you been all these years? We have been searching for you. After I learned that you were expelled from the family by our uncle, I looked for you for a long time, but unfortunately, I couldn¡¯t find any trace of you. It¡¯s a relief to see you safe and well now.¡± ¡°Ha!¡± Gu Qingluan mocked andughed. ¡°Third brother, you never change¡­ Always so self-righteous!¡± Gu Jinrong smiled awkwardly and suppressed the anger brewing inside him. ¡°Such disgusting hypocrisy!¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s expression suddenly turned cold. Gu Qingluan leaned on the chair¡¯s armrest, supporting her face with her hand. With her other hand, she twirled a strand of hair, looking at him with a smile. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s not out of the question for me to let you go.¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s eyes brightened, but then he thought of something and his expression darkened. ¡°Even though I hold a grudge against you, we are still connected by blood. We don¡¯t need to fight to the death. If you cripple your right hand, I can consider releasing you.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Gu Jinrong clenched his fists, feeling an overwhelming anger rising within him. As a sword cultivator, his right hand was as vital as his life. What difference was there between this and taking his life away? ¡°You¡¯ve crippled your sister¡¯s hands, and now it¡¯s your turn to experience it?¡± ¡°Your sister lost both her hands, but you still have one. I have been much more lenient with you, my dear third brother.¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s expression grew increasingly worse. Gu Xiaonan shook his head. Mother was truly wicked! Seeing that Gu Jinrong was about to explode from anger, Gu Xiaonan was determined to work hard and strive to be as capable as his mother! ¡°Seems like our dear third brother is unwilling. In that case, I can only suggest that you leave, so you don¡¯t have to worry about me anymore.¡± Gu Jinrong suddenly lifted his head and locked eyes with a pair of icy cold eyes. She was truly capable of killing him! She wasn¡¯t joking! She was no longer the weakling who could be bullied and humiliated a few years ago! Chapter 14 This Woman Is Not to Be Trifled With To give up a hand in exchange for a life. A true gentleman seeks revenge, even if it takes a decade. As long as he remained alive, he would surely exact it a hundredfold! Crack! He closed his eyes and forcefully snapped his own right hand. The bones in his wrist snapped abruptly, contorting his hand into a grotesque shape. Taking a deep breath, his trembling lips asked, ¡°Big sister, is it enough?¡± ¡°Song Sheng, escort them off the ship.¡± Gu Jinrong seethed with anger, ¡°You¡¯re breaking your promise!¡± Song Sheng stepped forward and effortlessly subdued his attempts to resist. He lifted him up and walked him to the edge of the ship, throwing him overboard like a sack of sand. Bang! Gu Jinrong fell into a small boat that was docked beside the pirate ship. His injured hand was pressed down, and he couldn¡¯t help but scream. Immediately after, Gu Jinyue was also thrown down. The boat almost sunk into the sea. Gu Jinrong disregarded the pain and quickly took control of the boat. ¡°Whether you can escape this sea region will depend on your luck. I eagerly anticipate our next encounter.¡± A mocking voice resounded from above. Gu Jinrong nced up and saw the woman in white standing calmly behind the railing. He clenched his teeth and used his uninjured hand to steady the oar. They would meet again! When that time came, he would have his revenge! .. Gu Qingluan turned around and noticed the peculiar expressions on the pirates¡¯ faces as if they were petrified with fear by her presence. ¡°Have you seen enough?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow. Zhao Ba couldn¡¯t help but be curious. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of retaliation from these siblings? They don¡¯t seem like forgiving individuals.¡± As she watched the siblings getting farther away, Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes gleamed with a cold determination. Retaliation? She had waited for five years. Even if they didn¡¯t seek her out, she would seek them out. Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue were nothing more than insignificant pests. Crushing them like this would be too merciful. It was much more entertaining to settle scores gradually! She shifted her beautiful gaze and instructed Song Sheng and Bo He to untie the pirates. After gaining his freedom, Zhao Ba crossed his fingers and squeezed them. ¡°Heroine, aren¡¯t you afraid that we¡¯ll go back on our words?¡± ¡°You can try.¡± Gu Qingluan nced at him with a faint smile. She wasn¡¯t afraid that these pirates would disobey her. The ghost pirates had been in the Eastern Sea for many years. Before Gu Qingluan settled down on Harmony Isle, the ghost pirates were already tyrants here. Most pirates were extremely vicious, but the ghost pirates were different. It was indeed as they said, they only cared about money and not life. Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue were held hostage by them mostly because these two people had nothing good to say and angered the ghost pirates. ¡°No need! There¡¯s no need to try!¡± Zhao Ba shivered. Thisdy was so cruel. He was not stupid enough to offend her. ¡°Cut the crap and get to work.¡± ¡°Heroine, do you have a task for us? Please tell us! We¡¯re all ears!¡± Having witnessed Gu Qingluan¡¯s methods, these pirates became increasingly obedient. Even the pirate leader showed no signs of resistance. ¡°Shi Yunhu, I need you to do something for me,¡± Gu Qingluan said, looking at the pirate chief. The pirate chief was stunned. He thought about how he had just signed the ount book. It was not strange that the other party knew his name. ¡°Lady Gu, do you have any instructions for me?¡± After Gu Qingluan finished her n, Zhao Ba gave her a thumbs up. ¡°So, Lady Gu still has a trick up her sleeve. No one can beat you when ites to cruelty!¡± Seeing the chief calling her Lady Gu, Zhao Ba followed suit. Gu Qingluan nced over. Zhao Ba was so frightened that his neck shrank back. Tsk! How could he forget that this woman was not to be trifled with? Chapter 15 Smashing the Gu Family¡¯s Door que The power dynamics in the Cloud ins Continent are intricate andplex. Apart from the enigmatic Cloud City, the Heavenly Sage Dynasty reigns supreme. Chengyuan Kingdom serves as a vassal state of the Heavenly Sage Dynasty, and the Gu Family stands as the foremost noble family within Chengyuan. Though their prominence may not extend continent-wide, within Chengyuan Kingdom, the Gu Family holds significant sway, even earning deference from the kingdom¡¯s royal household. The Gu family was able to have such a reputation because they had an amazing daughter, Gu Lingxue. Anyone who could enter the Qiankun Academy was a genius, far superior to others in one aspect. Gu Lingxue was able to stand out in the Qiankun Academy. Everyone believed that in a few years, the Gu family would definitely rise to a higher level with Gu Lingxue¡¯s help. As a result, numerous individuals sought to establish connections with the Gu family. Each day, the Gu family bustled with activity. ¡°Are there any distinguished guests visiting the Gu family today?¡± A passerby, witnessing the bustling scene, grew curious about themotion before him. ¡°Don¡¯t you know? Rumor has it that the second branch of the Gu family has forged a friendship with a noble from Harmony Isle. Many people havee seeking an audience with the noble, prompting the Gu family to host a banquet and extend invitations to give everyone an opportunity to meet the esteemed guest from Harmony Isle.¡± ¡°Heavens, Harmony Isle? Could it be the Harmony Isle that I know?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to doubt that it¡¯s the one you¡¯re thinking of.¡± ¡°The Gu family is truly reaching for the sky! They have even established connections with Harmony Isle!¡± Harmony Isle was a force that had risen in recent years. Its mysteriousness was no less than the Cloud City. No one knew the exact location of the Harmony Isle. They only vaguely knew that it was in the East China Sea, where danger lurked everywhere. Harmony Isle was famous for its pills. The pills it produced were not only of high grade but also of high quality. Every medicine had a 30% toxicity level. In general, medicinal pills would contain trace amounts of harmful substances. No alchemist could refinepletely pure medicinal pills. It was only a matter of the alchemist¡¯s skill, resulting in fewer impurities and higher-quality pills. However, Harmony Isle was an exceptional case. When the pill was first released, it shocked the world. From that point on, Harmony Isle garnered countless admirers. However, Harmony Isle didn¡¯t produce many pills, especially high-grade ones. Only a few bottles were sold each year, and they were sold at exorbitant prices. Moreover, even if someone had the money, it was difficult to obtain them. Consequently, many people desired to establish a connection with Harmony Isle. Yet, Harmony Isle remained shrouded in mystery. To this day, nobody knew the identity of the Ind Master of Harmony Isle. The Gu family already had Gu Lingxue. If they were to establish a friendship with Harmony Isle, it would be like ascending to the heavens. The living room in the front yard was filled with distinguished guests. On the seat of honor, there were two middle-aged men sitting on the left and right. They were the Gu family¡¯s patriarch, Gu Zhicheng, and his right-hand man. On the right was a young man in his twenties. He looked elegant and had a striking temperament. Everyone¡¯s eyes fell on the man, their eyes filled with curiosity. At that moment, Gu Jinrong, seated in the first seat on the left, recounted the story of how he had encountered the young man. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for meeting Mr. Liu, I fear I wouldn¡¯t have been able to wield a sword with this hand.¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s voice carried deep emotion as he gazed gratefully at the young man. The guests gasped in admiration, their gazes toward the young man filled with respect. ¡°Third Young Master, is your hand fully healed now?¡± someone inquired. Gu Jinrong raised his hand and flexed his fingers with a smile on his face. ¡°It has fully recovered.¡± A mere half a month ago, his hand had been broken, and now it moved with such agility. ¡°Mr. Liu is truly extraordinary!¡± ¡°As expected of someone from Harmony Isle.¡± Praises showered down like snowkes, filling the room. As the focal point of this banquet, the man at the head of the table remained unperturbed by the praise and humiliation, with only a faint smile on his lips. At that moment, a servant hurriedly entered the room. ¡°Has the Crown Prince arrived?¡± Gu Zhicheng asked, his spirits stirred. The servant, in a state of panic, replied, ¡°No, Master, it¡¯s not good¡­ Someone¡­ Someone¡­¡± ¡°Why are you stuttering?¡± Gu Zhicheng felt embarrassed by the servant¡¯s hesitant demeanor and his expression darkened. The servant quickly responded, ¡°Someone smashed the que at the main gate of the Gu family!¡± Chapter 16 Respecting the Elderly Is My Core Value Crash! Some had smashed the que? Who had the audacity to smash the que at the gate of the Gu family? And at a time when the Gu family was in the spotlight! Gu Zhicheng¡¯s anger red up instantly, mming the table as he stood up. ¡°Who did this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a woman.¡± A woman? ¡°I want to see who this audacious woman is!¡± Gu Zhicheng turned to the man beside him, giving a slight bow. ¡°Mr. Liu, please stay here for a moment. Someone outside is causing trouble without knowing their ce. I¡¯ll go handle it.¡± Before leaving, Gu Zhicheng instructed Gu Jinrong to properly entertain Mr. Liu. Outside the gate of the Gu family, a crowd had gathered. A carriage was parked among the people, with a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in white sitting inside. A few guards of the Gu familyy in front of the carriage. The que of the Gu family was broken into several pieces, scattered on the ground. A man in ck approached the carriage and respectfully said, ¡°Master, should we rece it with the que we brought?¡± The woman raised an eyebrow and smiled. ¡°Rece it.¡± The man in ck waved his hand, and several servants standing nearby immediately took action. ¡°Who dares to be so audacious, toe to my Gu family and cause trouble!¡± An angry roar came from the door. Gu Zhicheng, who was dressed in a long robe, flew out of the door. His aura was shocking, and the hem of his robe fluttered fiercely. Gu Zhicheng, d in a flowing robe, swiftly emerged from the gates, emanating a formidable aura as his robes billowed with intensity. His furious gaze immediatelynded on the shattered Gu family que strewn on the ground, narrowing his eyes in rage. His red nostrils showcased his seething anger. With lightning-like speed, his sharp, tiger-like eyes swept across the scene, catching sight of the person ascending thedder and another carrying a different que. A chilling intent to kill erupted from within him as he swung his hand, unleashing a powerful force. Boom! The formidable energy shed with another palm strike, dissipating into the air. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s expression turned solemn. There was a formidable opponent! Finally, his attention fell upon the woman seated in the carriage. As he recognized her face, his pupils abruptly contracted. ¡°It¡¯s you! Gu Qingluan, you¡¯re really not dead!¡± ¡°Since the head of the Gu family is still alive, I won¡¯t dare to die before youI¡¯ve always respected my elders.¡± Gu Qingluan looked up and smiled faintly. Her dark eyes were filled with killing intent. Towards this father, she felt no emotional attachment. In her recollection, he had never disyed even a shred of parental love towards the original owner. Despite being the esteemed eldest daughter of the Gu family, her life was inferior to that of the lowliest servant. If not for Gu Zhicheng¡¯s leniency, how could it havee to this? Furthermore¡­ The original owner¡¯s mother had met her demise at the hands of this man! Such a despicable man, worse than a pig or a dog, she couldn¡¯t bear toy her eyes on him without feeling nauseated. ¡°Pfft! Is this how you show respect for your elders?¡± The onlookers couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Who is this girl? She¡¯s so audacious, daring to speak to the head of the Gu family like that.¡± ¡°Just now, I heard Gu Zhicheng calling her Gu Qingluan. She was once the legitimate daughter of the Gu family but was expelled five years ago. It¡¯s unbelievable how the former useless miss has be so interesting.¡± ¡°Rebellious girl! Kneel down immediately!¡± Gu Zhicheng shouted angrily, his face contorting with rage. His resentful gaze locked onto the woman before him, as if she were not his own flesh and blood, but an enemy. Gu Qingluan tilted her head, expressing surprise. ¡°Has the head of the Gu family forgotten that your daughter is currently at the Qiankun Academy? If you want to reprimand her, go to the academy and do so. Why are you shouting at me, an outsider?¡± ¡°Even if you were expelled from the Gu family, the blood running through your veins is that of the Gu family, my seed! I have the right to discipline you, and I won¡¯t tolerate your defiance! Seize her!¡± The Gu family servants behind him immediately rushed forward. Another group of people confronted the servants head-on. After a moment, thest remaining guard of the Gu family fell to the ground. Gu Zhicheng had no idea where Gu Qingluan had found these thugs, and he seethed with anger, veins popping on his forehead. ¡°This is outrageous! This is outrageous! As a father, I will personally teach you, this unfilial daughter, a lesson today!¡± Chapter 17 Trash Approaching, Reflexive Response As soon as the words fell, Gu Zhicheng leaped into the air. Gasps resounded all around. The head of the Gu family was an expert in the Fourth Stage of the Heavenly Realm. This youngdy was in for a miserable time! Gu Qingluan curled her lips and smiled. ¡°Just you?¡± As Gu Zhicheng flew towards her, she lifted her leg and delivered a direct kick. Swift! Fierce! urate! Their hands and feet shed, and two immense energies erupted in the air. Gu Zhicheng was shaken and sent flying backward, stumbling several steps uponnding. On the other hand, Gu Qingluan sat steadily in front of the carriage with her legs crossed. Other than her hair that was blown by the wind, she did not look any different from before. The spectators were stunned and could not utter a word. They realized Gu Qingluan was so strong! Gu Zhicheng widened his eyes in shock and looked at Gu Qingluan in disbelief. How was this possible? Gu Qingluan had been a good-for-nothing since she was young. She was not good at cultivation and did not have any other outstanding aspects. After not seeing her for a few years, she seemed to have changed into a different person. She had actually be more powerful than him! He suddenly remembered Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue¡¯s words. She was no longer the person they used to know. Gu Zhicheng narrowed his eyes slightly. He was a person who prioritized benefits. At that moment, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a renewed desire to rebuild the father-daughter bond when he heard the story from Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue. If it hadn¡¯t been for witnessing the audacious act of smashing the Gu family que, he might not have reacted with violence so quickly. Now, as he keenly sensed Gu Qingluan¡¯s strength, those thoughts of reconciliation and redemption started to resurface within him. It was understandable for Gu Qingluan to harbor grievances against the Gu family, but this was still her home after all. As long as he was willing to ept her, he believed she would be willing toe back! ¡°I apologize if I offended you. I tend to have a reflexive reaction, especially when ites to trash approaching,¡± Gu Qingluan said nearby, offering an apology. However, there was no hint of remorse on her face, and her wordscked any trace of sincerity. Gu Zhicheng widened his eyes, his chest heaving rapidly. Being called ¡°trash¡± was not something anyone would appreciate, especially for someone like Gu Zhicheng, who was the head of the family. He almost choked on his breath in that moment. ¡°Gu Qingluan! You uncultured person! How dare you speak to your own father like that!¡± a scolding voice rang out. Gu Qingluan raised her gaze to see who it was. A young maiden in a goose-yellow gown stood at the door, ring fiercely at Gu Qingluan. As Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze met hers, the girl¡¯s eyes grew even more hostile. Gu Qingluan smiled lightly, her gaze lingering on the girl¡¯s mouth. ¡°Long time no see, your mouth is still as unpleasant as ever.¡± The person who appeared was none other than Gu Jinyue, who had been ruthlessly beaten by Gu Qingluan on that day. Gu Jinyue would never forget the pain she had experienced that day. Even though her injuries had been healed by Mr. Liu and there were no visible scars, she still frequently had nightmares. Under Gu Qingluan¡¯s scrutinizing gaze, Gu Jinyue couldn¡¯t help but tremble, and her presence instantly weakened. Immediately, she showed a look of annoyance. With so many people around and this being their Gu family, how could she let herself be intimidated? No matter how formidable Gu Qingluan was, she couldn¡¯t possibly win against all of them. Straightening her posture, she pointed at Gu Qingluan and cursed, ¡°You wretched woman, do you think this is a ce where you can run wild?¡± p! Her long sleeves fluttered as a palm strikended on Gu Jinyue¡¯s face. Gu Jinyue screamed in agony and fell to the ground. ¡°Yue¡¯er!¡± Gu Jinrong happened to witness this scene as he came out, quickly approaching and helping her up. ¡°Gu Qingluan, you and I are irreconcble!¡± Gu Jinyue eximed, clutching her swollen and throbbing face, brimming with resentment. Gu Qingluan let out a soft chuckle as she turned her palm downward. With a flick of her wrist, she lifted a stone from the ground and sent it hurtling towards Gu Jinyue¡¯s ¡°Ah!¡± Gu Jinyue screamed in pain as the stone struck her knee, causing her to lose her bnce and fall to the ground. The impact was strong, sending a shiver down the spine of anyone who heard it. Gu Qingluan shook her head lightly. ¡°No need to kneel just because you don¡¯t want to leave with me.¡± ¡°Gu Qingluan! I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Gu Jinyue, almost consumed by rage, crawled back up from the ground and lunged at Gu Qingluan. Chapter 18 Utterly Shameless Gu Jinrong quickly grabbed her, saying, ¡°You¡¯re no match for her, don¡¯t bring trouble upon yourself!¡± ¡°Brother, avenge me!¡± Gu Jinyue held onto him tightly, her eyes filled with madness. Gu Jinrong still vividly remembered the pain of that day, but he also knew he was no match for Gu Qingluan. Fortunately, they were not on a ship today, but in the Gu family¡¯s stronghold, their home turf. Even if Gu Qingluan was a dragon, she would have to bow down! He turned to Gu Qingluan, anger evident in his eyes. ¡°Big sister, how could you be so wicked? One is your biological father, and the other is your sibling. Youck respect towards your father and sibling. Can you justify your actions to your deceased mother?¡± ¡°My mother, in her resting ce, would probably be pleased,¡± Gu Qingluan replied with a cold smile, sending a shiver down Gu Jinrong¡¯s spine. He suppressed his fear and sneered, ¡°Nonsense! If Aunt knew about the heinous acts you¡¯vemitted¡­¡± ¡°Silence!¡± Gu Zhicheng suddenly shouted. ¡°Uncle?¡± Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue looked at him, puzzled. Gu Zhicheng stared at Gu Qingluan with sadness and guilt in his eyes. ¡°Your mother should be happy that you¡¯ve be so powerful now. Child, let bygones be bygones. If you return, you will still be my daughter, the mistress of the Gu family. You will have everything that Gu Jinyue and Gu Jinrong have.¡± ¡°Uncle!¡± Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue were both shocked. Gu Qingluan looked at the two of them yfully. ¡°If you want me toe back, I can do that.¡± Gu Zhicheng did not notice the strange expression on her face. He did not expect her to agree so easily. He was overjoyed. ¡°Good child! As expected of my daughter!¡± ¡°However¡­¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s smile wavered slightly. ¡°But what?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like having other people living in my house.¡± ¡°But they¡¯re family, not just anyone.¡± ¡°Are these two even part of our family?¡± Gu Qingluan pointed her delicate jade-like finger towards Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue. Gu Jinyue stomped her foot. ¡°Gu Qingluan, what do you mean? Are you trying to kick us out? Dream on! Uncle won¡¯t listen to you!¡± Gu Qingluan sneered, ¡°This mansion was originally known as Jun Mansion, it belongs to my maternal family. What right do you have to it? You¡¯ve been squatting here for far too long, thinking this is your territory? People should have dignity, just as trees have bark, but you possess neither.¡± Gu Jinyue was so angry she wanted to rush forward and hit Gu Qingluan. ¡°Jinyue!¡± Gu Zhicheng scolded, ¡°Pack up your belongings immediately and return to your own home!¡± ¡°Uncle, what are you saying?¡± Gu Jinyue couldn¡¯t believe it. Her uncle was actually listening to this despicable b*tch and wanted to drive her away? This is the main residence of the Gu family, where Grandfather Gu also resides. Their rtionship with the main branch was good, and they were given a courtyard in the main residence. Since their return from the sea, they have been staying here. Now, just because of a few words from that despicable b*tch, they are being kicked out? Gu Jinrong was also very angry. ¡°Uncle, Mr. Liu is an esteemed guest whom I invited!¡± He used Mr. Liu¡¯s presence to threaten Gu Zhicheng. Gu Zhicheng felt frustrated by the foolishness of his nephew and niece. At the moment, agreeing with Gu Qingluan was a temporary solution. Couldn¡¯t they just cooperate for now? They should stabilize the situation with Gu Qingluan first, and then it would be easy for them toe backter! Unfortunately, the siblings didn¡¯t understand Gu Zhicheng¡¯s n and were extremely disappointed in him. At this moment, after watching the dramatic scenario for a while, Liu Meng spoke in a calm voice, ¡°It seems that the banquet cannot continue today. Master Gu, I am feeling a bit tired.¡± Gu Jinrong had a moment of realization and quickly walked up to Liu Meng, showing his respect. ¡°Mr. Liu, I apologize for the inconvenience today. It has been quite noisy here. Why don¡¯t youe with me to my house for some rest? It¡¯s not far from here, and the residence is just as good as this ce. I assure you will be satisfied.¡± Liu Meng pondered for a moment and nodded. ¡°Alright.¡± Gu Zhicheng hurriedly said, ¡°Mr. Liu, I apologize for the disturbance. Let me apany you back to your room to rest, and I will arrange another banquet to apologize to you on another day.¡± ¡°Mr. Liu, please follow me this way.¡± Gu Jinrong quickly gestured for him toe. Liu Meng smiled at Gu Zhicheng and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need for Master Gu to trouble yourself.¡± After speaking, he turned around and walked away. From an unnoticed angle, he winked at Gu Qingluan. A smirk formed on Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips. This little guy, Liu Meng, was quite clever. He knew how to y the situation and sow discord between these two groups of people. Chapter 19 Returning to Its Rightful Owner ¡°Mr. Liu! Mr. Liu, don¡¯t go!¡± Gu Zhicheng called out, unable to stop them, only able to watch as Liu Meng followed Gu Jinrong and left. Gu Jinyue smugly sneered at them and quickly caught up. Gu Zhicheng felt inwardly frustrated and swore he would seek vengeance. As Liu Meng left, those who had originallye to the banquet for him looked at each other, torn between leaving and being curious about what would happen next. Would this girl, who was once expelled from the Gu family, truly make aeback? Smashing the que doesn¡¯t seem like a gesture of reconciliation with the Gu family! Among the crowd stood a tall and handsome man, tilting his head. ¡°Mr. Liu is heading to the second branch of the Gu family. Should we take a detour and follow?¡± The man beside him was half a head taller than him. His face looked ordinary, but his eyes were as deep as the night. He stood beside the handsome man, but he could not be ignored. At this moment, he stared at Gu Qingluan thoughtfully. Perhaps only he in the crowd noticed the subtle interaction between Gu Qingluan and Liu Meng. Upon hearing the handsome man¡¯s inquiry, he shook his head. ¡°No need to rush.¡± His voice was deep and maic, just like his eyes. A trace of surprise flickered in the eyes of the handsome man. He thought that this person didn¡¯t seem like someone who would stick around to watch themotion, unlike the others. On the other side, Gu Zhichengposed himself and spoke with a gentle smile to Gu Qingluan, ¡°Qingluan, now that they¡¯ve left, let¡¯s go inside and talk, shall we?¡± ¡°Sure, let me watch them put the que back in ce.¡± que? Gu Zhicheng turned his head to observe the que being carried by several individuals. In the center of the que, the words ¡°Jun Mansion¡± were boldly inscribed. Each stroke was sharp and precise, resembling a sword, emanating an elegant aura. It masterfully merged two contrasting styles, exuding an enchanting quality that seemed to draw one¡¯s soul in upon closer examination. ¡°Such exquisite characters!¡± ¡°These characters hold profound mysteries! Just now, it felt as if countless swords were flying towards me. It scared me!¡± ¡°I saw it as wind, a gentle breeze that suddenly transformed into a destructive storm capable of shattering everything.¡± Gu Zhicheng also immersed himself in the discussion, but soon snapped back to reality, noticing the words on the que. His face turned so dark it could drip ink. ¡°Gu Qingluan, what do you mean by this?¡± This is the Gu family¡¯s residence. How could we hang the words ¡°Jun Mansion¡± on it? This is the residence of the Jun Family,¡± Gu Qingluan said, her smile widening as she observed Gu Zhicheng¡¯s pale face. The onlookers, unaware of the situation, immediately began discussing it amongst themselves. Some of the older individuals recalled past events and shook their heads, indicating to those around them that they knew what was happening. Twenty years ago, the Gu family did not reside in this house. It was originally the main residence of the wealthiest family in Tianjing, the Jun family. During that time, the Gu family held only the title of Marquis. On the surface, they appeared prestigious, but in reality, they struggled financially. They were truly impoverished aristocrats. However, after the marriage between the Gu family and the only daughter of the Jun family, their fortunes gradually turned around, leading to their rise in power. The Jun family had a small number of members, and not long after, they all perished, leaving none behind. All the possessions of the Jun family were inherited by the sole daughter of the family, Jun Lingqing, who was also Gu Qingluan¡¯s mother. Jun Lingqing passed away while giving birth to Gu Qingluan, and her inheritance was meant to be passed down to Gu Qingluan. However, since Gu Qingluan was still young at that time, the assets naturally ended up in the hands of the Gu family. The previous residence of the Gu family paled inparison to the grandeur of the Jun family¡¯s estate. Before long, they relocated here and have been residing here for the past twenty years. Hence, it is not inurate to refer to this ce as Jun Mansion. Chapter 20 Young Master Is Missing! The Gu family¡¯s past actions were not kept hidden, but now that they are in the spotlight, no one dares to mention the disgraceful history of the Gu family for fear of offending them. If the Gu family had treated Gu Qingluan well, they could have moved on from the past. However, Gu Qingluan was expelled from the family, which only makes their actions more despicable. The onlookers who have learned the truth about the past couldn¡¯t hide their contempt when they look at Gu Zhicheng. That incident was an unbearable sore spot for Gu Zhicheng, a stain on his character that he could not tolerate. With his cultivation, he naturally heard the discussions around him. His resolute face instantly turned red, a crimson hue mixed with darkness, and a trace of murderous intent shed in his eyes. ¡°So, you insist on changing it today?¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t miss his murderous intent. Her longshes lowered, concealing the mockery in her eyes. Gu Zhicheng, the cunning man who sweet-talked her mother into marrying him in order to seize the Jun family¡¯s inheritance. As a result, as soon as the members of the Jun family passed away, he immediately turned his back on them and married Wang Shi, his true love, giving her the status of a legal wife. He showed no love for his own biological daughter, simply because her body was incapable of cultivation, discarding her like a worn-out shoe. With such selfishness and self-interest, it was foolish to expect him to change twenty yearster. In that case, there was no need to show any mercy towards him. ¡°I¡¯m changing it!¡± The crowd was dumbfounded. What a bold youngdy! ¡°So cool!¡± ¡°So fierce!¡± Those who knew the truth were filled with righteous indignation. Seeing Gu Qingluan daring to confront Gu Zhicheng in such a manner, their eyes lit up, and they disyed admiring gazes. Gu Zhicheng was enraged, already imagining tearing Gu Qingluan apart in his mind. However, he knew all too well from their previous sh that he was no match for her. Gu Qingluan¡¯s audacity today hinted at her having some hidden cards up her sleeve. If he were to engage her directly, Gu Zhichengcked the confidence to defeat Gu Qingluan. It would surely be aughingstock. After a moment of contemtion, a trace of sorrow crept onto his face. ¡°Qingluan, I suppose you¡¯re cherishing the memory of your mother, and I often find myself thinking of her as well. If this exchange helps you remember her, then let¡¯s proceed.¡± What! The head of the Gu family actually agreed? Oh my! This is the Gu family we¡¯re talking about! The most prestigious Gu family in Chengyuan Kingdom! He actually allowed the que to be reced! Onlookers were astonished. No one had expected Gu Zhicheng to agree. The dignity of the Gu family was truly trampled upon and crushed! Only Gu Qingluan remained unsurprised. Back then, Gu Zhicheng had been willing to deceive her mother and forsake true love for the sake of the Jun family¡¯s wealth. It was only natural for him now to evaluate the situation and choose the path that would benefit him the most. Recing the que resulted in a loss of prestige. Trading prestige for time and benefits was a strategy Gu Zhicheng was familiar with. He had tasted the sweetness of it before, and now he was simply ¡°reverting to his old ways.¡± Unfortunately, she was not her mother. The other party¡¯s hypocritical face could not deceive her! ¡°Change it!¡± Gu Qingluan raised her head, her clear eyes sparkling. A horizontal board with the words ¡®Jun Residence¡¯ engraved on it was hung above the Gu family¡¯s main gate. The corners of Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes kept twitching, and he forced a smile. ¡°Luan¡¯ er, are you satisfied now?¡± ¡°I¡¯m satisfied.¡± However, she¡¯d be more satisfied if he were to get lost. ¡°Shall we go inside then?¡± Gu Zhicheng asked. Gu Qingluan leaped off the carriage, her dress fluttering, and disappeared from the sight of the crowd. A man dressed in ck rushed through the crowd and approached the man who had noticed the exchange between Gu Qingluan and Liu Meng. He anxiously said, ¡°Master, the young master is missing!¡± Chapter 21 The Habit of Stitching Lips Shut The man frowned slightly. ¡°Do you want me to send someone to look for him?¡± the handsome man asked hurriedly. ¡°No need. Thank you for leading the way today, Crown Prince Qi. I still have something to do, so I won¡¯t be meeting Mr. Liu.¡± ¡°Please go ahead, young master Lan.¡± The handsome man lowered his head slightly and looked at the two of them as they left. Gu Zhicheng cupped his hands at the guests. ¡°Everyone, my daughter is insensible and has made a fool of herself. Since Mr. Liu is not here, I will host another banquet for everyone another day.¡± His gaze stopped on the face of the handsome man, then he quickly walked up to him. ¡°Your Highness, when did you arrive? I didn¡¯t notice. My apologies!¡± ¡°Master Gu, you don¡¯t have to worry about it. You should settle your family matters first. Since Mr. Liu has already left, I won¡¯t stay here any longer.¡± At the mention of family matters, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s mouth twitched uncontrobly. He respectfully sent the Crown Prince off. The rest of the guests also bid farewell to the Gu Family Head. Mr. Liu was now living in the Gu family¡¯s second branch and there was nowhere else for him to go, so there was still a chance to see him. However, seeing the Gu family make a fool of themselves was a rare sight. They didn¡¯t suffer any loss after enjoying such a big spectacle today! The bystanders realized there was nothing more to watch and dispersed. The drama may havee to an end, but gossip about today¡¯s events in Tianjing spread rapidly in every corner. With a stern expression, Gu Zhicheng swiftly made his way into the courtyard. The servants of the Gu family hurriedly collected the shattered que from the ground and rushed back inside the main gate, feeling disheartened. Bang! The heavy gate was forcefully closed, cutting off any prying eyes from the outside. However, in the sunlight, the grand entrance of the Gu family proudly showcased the words ¡®Jun Mansion¡¯. .. Inside the gates, wherever Gu Qingluan went, the servants all stepped back, keeping their distance. Just moments ago, many people had hidden behind the gates, stealing nces, and news of Gu Qingluan¡¯s remarkable feat quickly spread throughout the mansion. This youngdy, who had once been oppressed even by the servants, now stood in a league of her own. Even the family head was intimidated by her. If she wanted to deal with them, it would be effortless. The servants who had previously bullied Gu Qingluan were now pale with fear. They wished they could find a hole to hide in, afraid of facing Gu Qingluan¡¯s retribution. ¡°Luan¡¯er, you haven¡¯t been back for so many years, and the previous courtyard is no longer suitable for living. Why don¡¯t you go to the living room first? I¡¯ll have someone clean up the courtyard, and once it¡¯s ready, you can rest there,¡± Gu Zhicheng caught up from behind and said in a fawning tone. ¡°No rush, let me take a look first,¡± Gu Qingluan replied, strolling around the residence at a leisurely pace. The Jun Family was wealthy, and this mansion was built on a grand scale. It had hundreds of rooms inside and outside, as well as several gardens, especially the back garden, which wasparable to the Imperial Pce. The back garden extended all the way to the back mountain, which was the Jun Family¡¯s territory. The strong were respected in the Cloud ins Continent. Although there was an imperial system, the hierarchy was not that strict. The Jun Family was rich and could afford to hire experts to build such arge garden. There was a saying that ¡°wealth should not be unted.¡± In the end, the Jun Family became the target of malicious individuals and met with disaster. If it weren¡¯t for the well-built mansion, the Gu family wouldn¡¯t have shamelessly taken it by force. Gu Zhicheng walked alongside Gu Qingluan, his eyes filled withplex emotions as he observed her. ¡°Luan¡¯er, where have you been all these years? I have regretted chasing you out of the house for a long time. I often thought that you hadn¡¯t gone far. How did you manage to survive outside with a child? I sent many people to search for you, but there was no news of your whereabouts¡­¡± Gu Qingluan felt the urge to vomit. How could Gu Zhicheng have the audacity to say such things? Throughout her fifteen years in the Gu family, she had never witnessed him treating his eldest daughter with any semnce of kindness. He had callously expelled her from the household, and now he had the nerve to express concern? Receiving no response from Gu Qingluan, Gu Zhicheng persisted in ying the family card, attempting to evoke emotions by mentioning her mother. ¡°These years, I often dreamt of your mother. Your mother was the epitome of gentleness, she¡­¡± ¡°If you dare mention her name again, do you truly believe I won¡¯t take drastic measures to silence you?¡± Gu Qingluan interrupted sharply, abruptly halting in her tracks. She turned around to face him, her smile bearing a sinister edge. The mention of Gu Jinyue crossed Gu Zhicheng¡¯s mind, and he muttered to himself, ¡°Does that girl possess a peculiar habit of silencing people by sewing their mouths shut?¡± Chapter 22 Clean Up and Leave He felt frustrated by Gu Qingluan¡¯s attitude, but for the sake of long-term benefits, he suppressed his anger. ¡°Alright, alright, let¡¯s not bring it up. Luan¡¯er, can you tell me who taught you such skills? Your father should be grateful to him.¡± ¡°Are you free right now?¡± Gu Zhicheng was taken aback. ¡°Instead of packing your luggage, is the head of the Gu family nning to stay at my house and not leave?¡± ¡°What do you mean? Are you trying to drive us away?¡± Gu Zhicheng couldn¡¯t control his rising voice. Gu Qingluan burst intoughter. ¡°If the head of the Gu family wants everyone in Tianjing to know that you were ¡®driven¡¯ out by me, I don¡¯t mind stretching my muscles and bones.¡± The word ¡°driven¡± was emphasized. Gu Zhicheng didn¡¯t expect her to be so ruthless. He had thought that she would coax her and change the que back. If they were to be chased out, they would truly be a joke to the entire Tianjing! ¡°Gu Qingluan, why have you be so unreasonable!¡± Gu Zhicheng shouted angrily. Gu Qingluan stepped aside, wrinkling her brows in disgust. ¡°The head of the Gu family should speak in a civilized manner and not spray saliva everywhere.¡± Gu Zhicheng was infuriated, his eyes turning red. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°Furthermore, I¡¯m not deaf. There¡¯s no need to be so loud. Others might think you¡¯ve gone mad,¡± she added. ¡°You insolent girl! Do you really think I can¡¯t deal with you?¡± When one became extremely angry, he could lose his rationality. Gu Zhicheng shouted loudly, his robe billowing, and a sh of white light emanated from his palm, shooting towards the other person. The nearby servants couldn¡¯t help but hold their breath, their eyes gleaming as they watched intently. The family head was a Tier Four expert, and Gu Qingluan used to be considered worthless. Even if she had grown stronger now, she couldn¡¯t possibly match the family head! The family head must have been lenient with her in the past! The family head needed to teach her a lesson swiftly! Gu Qingluan maintained herposure as he charged towards her, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. So, the old fool can¡¯t handle a little provocation, huh? He couldn¡¯t keep up the pretense for long? Raising her hand as if swatting a fly, she delivered a resounding p to Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face. The palm strike generated a surprisingly loud sound upon impact. Gu Zhicheng was sent flying backward. The surrounding servants were left dumbfounded. The¡­ the family head was pped away? He was a Tier Four expert! And he was effortlessly pped away like that? The servants gazed at Gu Qingluan¡¯s right hand as she retracted it. That hand was exquisitely beautiful, slender, and fair, as if untouched by the passage of time, delicate and flexible. Many people couldn¡¯t believe what they were witnessing. They rubbed their eyes, but the reality remained unchanged. Terrifying! Utterly terrifying! The servants struggled to swallow their saliva, their courage shattered, their legs too weak to flee. ¡°Family head! Are you alright, family head?¡± The steward was the first to react, oveing his fear as he hurried to assist Gu Zhicheng. Gu Zhicheng was helped to his feet, feeling dizzy and disoriented, a buzzing sound ringing in his ears. A distinct palm print swelled prominently on his left cheek, presenting a ridiculouslyical sight. The servants wanted tough, but they did not dare to. ¡°Pff!¡± Someoneughed. Who had the guts tough at the family head? Oh, so it was the young miss! The servants looked numb. ¡°Family head, family head, what happened to you! Someone help, the family head has fainted! Quickly call for a doctor!¡± Just at that moment, Gu Zhicheng suddenly copsed, and the steward shouted at the top of his lungs. Gu Qingluan nced meaningfully at the fallen Gu Zhicheng, who was leaning on the steward. A Tier Four cultivator wouldn¡¯t be knocked unconscious by her single p. He was pretending to be unconscious because he couldn¡¯t defeat her. Gu Qingluan chose not to expose his pretense and left calmly. Gu Zhicheng was helped back to the main house. He slowly opened his tightly closed eyes. The steward eximed in relief, ¡°Family head, you¡¯re awake! That¡¯s great!¡± ¡°Shut up! Hiss!¡± Gu Zhicheng winced as he covered his swollen and throbbing left cheek, his expression turning grim. ¡°What just happened must not be spread. If it does, I¡¯ll end his life!¡± ¡°I understand,¡± the steward nodded vigorously. The reputation of the family head would be severely tarnished if news of this incident got out. However, the steward couldn¡¯t help but wonder, now that the young miss had returned, would the family head¡¯s prestige hold any significance in the future? Chapter 23 The Master¡¯s Temperament is Too Good Without the buzzing sound of flies around her, Gu Qingluan enjoyed a much quieter environment as she strolled through the entire garden. The ce she used to live in was just a wall away from where the servants resided. Over the past few years, as the Gu family¡¯s status grew, the number of servants increased as well. Her courtyard had gradually be the living quarters for the servants, and Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t surprised in the least. The servants who moved in here were all trembling with fear. The young miss dared to fight even within the family¡¯s residence. They had upied the young miss¡¯s rooms, so their lives were at stake! The man in ck standing beside Gu Qingluan was furious. In the past, he actually let his master live in such a ce!¡± The ck-d man standing beside Gu Qingluan was filled with indignation. ¡°The Gu family is truly despicable! They used to let the master live in such a ce!¡± ¡°Calm down, Su Lie. There¡¯s no need to get angry over these petty people. It¡¯s not worth it,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a faint smile. The ck-d man looked up to her and said, ¡°I can¡¯t control myself, Master. Your temperament is truly too good. If it were me, I would have already dealt with these people.¡± Her temperament was too good? The servants who couldn¡¯t escape hearing his words had puzzled expressions on their faces. Would having a good temperament lead to smashing the Gu family¡¯s door que? Would having a good temperament lead to driving away the third young master and the fourth miss? Would having a good temperament result in knocking the family head out and turning him into a pig-headed mess? Gu Qingluan smirkedzily and disdainfully, ¡°We¡¯re not dogs. If a dog bites you, do you bite back?¡± ¡°Master, you¡¯re absolutely right!¡± Su Lie nodded, taking her words to heart. Then he asked, ¡°Master, have you decided where you want to live? I can arrange it immediately.¡± Gu Qingluan pondered for a moment and replied, ¡°Let¡¯s go to Miao Xi Ge.¡± ¡°Miao Xi Ge is a great choice. It¡¯s spacious and offers a beautiful view.¡± Su Lie already had theyout of the entire mansion stored in his mind. After a brief consideration of the location of Miao Xi Ge, he nodded in agreement. ¡°But someone has lived there before, and it carries some bad luck. I will have the craftsmen renovate it, but perhaps, Master, you could stay at an inn for a few days until it¡¯s ready?¡± Su Lie suggested. Gu Qingluan shook her head. ¡°No need. Just clean up an empty room for me. Take care of the renovation of Miao Xi Ge.¡± After giving the instructions, Gu Qingluan had another matter to attend to, so she entrusted this ce to Su Lie. Su Lie eagerly rushed towards Miao Xi Ge. He was determined to renovate Miao Xi Ge to perfection, making it afortable ce for the master to reside in! Compared to the Harmony Isle, this ce is truly much smaller. As soon as the two of them left, the servants immediately ran to report the situation. Miao Xi Ge was the Second Miss¡¯s personal pavilion, and Gu Qingluan was actually going to upy her room. This showed that she didn¡¯t even regard the Second Miss highly! ¡°What did you say?¡± In the main house, Gu Zhicheng jumped up from his bed upon hearing the report from the servants. He had been so infuriated by Gu Qingluan that he pretended to faint andy down to rest. But just as he closed his eyes, he heard this news. The servant repeated what he had just said. Gu Zhicheng sat back on the bed and snorted coldly. ¡°If she wants to stay, let her. When Xue ¡®eres back, she will teach her a lesson!¡± The proudest moment of his life was when he had fathered his daughter, Ling Xue. Her aplishments had reached unprecedented heights within the Gu family. He may not have been able to surpass Gu Qingluan himself, but he firmly believed that Xue¡¯er was undoubtedly far more outstanding than Gu Qingluan! With thoughts of his daughter, who made him proud, Gu Zhicheng no longer had the inclination to lie back down. He swiftly rose from his bed and walked over to the desk to write a letter. ¡°Send this letter to Qiankun Academy!¡± Once Xue¡¯er received this letter, she would undoubtedly return as soon as possible! The mere thought of this brought some relief to Gu Zhicheng¡¯s previously gloomy mood. ¡­ In the dense forest of the Northern Suburbs, Gu Qingluan stood before the ruins. Memories from five years ago flooded her mind, reying vividly. Chapter 24 Luring Out an Exquisite Beauty During the time when the original body was carrying the pregnancy, she lived here, in the amodation arranged by Gu Lingxue. She had lived here with gratitude and anticipation, but little did she know that before the child could be born, Gu Lingxue had someone cut open her belly and take away her baby. That child¡­ had just entered this world. If such a thing hadn¡¯t happened, he would have grown up to be a beautiful and lively little boy, just like Xiaonan. He would have had a wonderful life ahead of him. Gu Qingluan retrieved the prepared items from her storage ring and ced them on the ground one by one. Then she took a jug of wine and poured three cups, arranging them on the ground. ¡°Xiaonan is now five years old. He is clever and talented, skilled in alchemy and knowledgeable in formations. He is a little genius. If you have awareness in the afterlife, you can rest assured,¡± Gu Qingluan spoke solemnly. ¡°Rest assured, the person who caused your death and the death of our child, I will make sure she pays her blood debt!¡± she dered fiercely. Tilting the wine jug, Gu Qingluan poured the wine onto the ground. After the ceremony was concluded, she collected all the ritual items back into her storage ring, turned around, and departed. As she walked halfway, Gu Qingluan suddenly halted and changed her direction, swiftly moving towards another path. Within the dense forest. ¡°Little boy, there are many wild beasts here. They could swallow you whole. Aren¡¯t you afraid?¡± A gentle-looking woman crouched in front of a four or five-year-old boy. The boy had exquisite features, with a pair of purple-ck eyes that shimmered like water. His small face was smooth and fair like porcin, and his lips were naturally rosy. He wore an exquisite white robe, resembling a celestial child who had strayed into the mortal realm. This was truly a precious find! Even more remarkable than the child they had stolen earlier today. They could fetch a good price for him in the ck market! Feng Yuanxi, expressionless, looked at her and replied, ¡°I¡¯m not afraid.¡± The woman was taken aback and hurriedly said, ¡°Even if you¡¯re not afraid, your father will worry. We have a carriage. Shall we take you back to the city?¡± Yuanxi nced at the carriage behind him, where a shifty-looking man sat at the front. The man kept his head lowered and did not say a word. ¡°Little boy, it¡¯s getting dark. Let¡¯s give you a ride. There¡¯s hot tea and snacks in the car. You can fill your stomach and take a nap. When you wake up, you¡¯ll see your father,¡± the woman continued to coax him. ¡°You¡¯re not lying to me?¡± He tilted his head. ¡°Of course not, why would I lie to a child? I have a daughter who¡¯s your age. She¡¯s in the car. You can get to know her.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Yuan Xi nodded. It was a sess! The woman and the man exchanged nces. Their faces filled with ecstasy. Children were indeed so gullible. With a casual coaxing, they would follow. ¡°Good child, let¡¯s go.¡± The woman reached out to hold his hand. A hint of displeasure shed in Yuan Xi¡¯s eyes. Just as he was about to dodge, he suddenly heard a gust of wind by his ear. The woman beside him cried out in pain and covered her hand, looking around in panic. ¡°Who hit me?¡± Rustle! Rustle! The sound of footsteps grew closer, gradually approaching the group. In the dim light of the forest, a slender and tall figure emerged, revealing a face that captivated everyone¡¯s attention. Dressed in pristine white garments, with dark hair like ink, she was a woman of unparalleled beauty! The two adults and the child were all taken aback, their eyes fixed on her in awe. The man sitting in the carriage couldn¡¯t help but take a deep breath, his eyes shining with desire as he stared at her. What incredible luck they had today! Not only did theye across a young celestial child, but they also managed to entice an exquisite beauty! The woman noticed the lecherous gaze in the man¡¯s eyes and inwardly sneered. When she looked at Gu Qingluan, her eyes revealed a mix of jealousy and malevolence. What a stunning beauty! Beautiful womenmanded a high price. She could sell her to those influential figures who enjoyed thepany of attractive young girls, securing a life offort and luxury for herself! Chapter 25 The Beautiful Sister Smells Wonderful Yuan Xi felt a strange unease as he saw them gazing at the beautiful sister. He frowned, displeased. ¡°Little one,e here!¡± It was none other than Gu Qingluan who appeared, rushing over upon hearing themotion. Seeing the little boy standing there in a daze, she let out a light chuckle and beckoned him with a crooked finger. The beautiful sister called for him! Yuan Xi¡¯s eyes lit up, and he took small steps towards her. The woman hastily grabbed hold of him. ¡°Darling, you can¡¯t go over there. She¡¯s a monster in disguise, she¡¯ll devour people!¡± She then turned and red at Gu Qingluan. ¡°You wicked monster, don¡¯t even think about luring away my precious boy! Damn bastard, quickly capture her before she causes harm!¡± The man sitting in the carriage responded, lunging towards Gu Qingluan. ¡°Hehe, my beautifuldy, I¡¯ming for you!¡± Although he wasn¡¯t particrly handsome, there was an aura emanating from him that was not to be underestimated. Yuan Xi was too far away to save anyone, so he anxiously warned, ¡°Be careful, beautiful sister!¡± Gu Qingluan blinked at him and reassured him. ¡°Little boy, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not that weak.¡± Confronting the man who approached with a threatening aura, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t retreat. Instead, she stepped forward and used her palm to repel him. The woman was shocked by Gu Qingluan¡¯s strength, and panic spread across her face. Realizing that she had the boy in her grasp, she tightened her grip around his neck. ¡°Don¡¯te any closer, or I¡¯ll break his neck!¡± A glint of coldness flickered in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes as she vanished on the spot. In the next moment, a beautiful hand grabbed the woman¡¯s fingers and exerted force. ¡°Ah!¡± The woman cried out mournfully. Gu Qingluan lifted her leg and kicked. The woman flew up and crashed into the man who had just gotten up. The two of them fell to the ground together. ¡°Little boy, does it hurt?¡± Gu Qingluan squatted down and her gaze fell on his tender neck. Yuan Xi quietly put down his hand and his eyes shed. ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt.¡± Gu Qingluan thought that Yuan Xi was trying to be brave. His neck was bruised, so how could it not hurt? For some reason, this child gave her a strong sense of familiarity. As she saw the bruises on his neck, her heart couldn¡¯t help but ache, as if she had been struck herself. She promptly took out a box of Snow Nurturing Cream, a cream that could alleviate bruising and promote blood cirction, and gently applied it to the bruises on his neck. Yuan Xi caught a whiff of a refreshing fragrance and couldn¡¯t help but speak, ¡°Beautiful sister smells so good!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and shook the box of Snow Nurturing Cream in her hand. ¡°Do you like this scent? You can have the rest of it.¡± After applying it, she closed the lid and handed it to the other party. The little boy saw that she had misunderstood him and did not exin. He lowered his head and looked at her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t you want it?¡± Gu Qingluan waved her hand.¡± Then¡­¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Yuan Xi was afraid that she would take it back, so he took it eagerly. ¡°Thank you, beautiful sister.¡± Although the little guy was about the same age as Xiaonan, being called ¡®sister¡¯ didn¡¯t make Gu Qingluan blush at all. ¡°You¡¯re wee. Let¡¯s consider it a gift for our meeting.¡± Yuan Xi touched his clothes and said dejectedly, ¡°I don¡¯t have anything to give to sister.¡± ¡°No need. A child is only responsible for receiving gifts,¡± Gu Qingluan winked at him. Yuan Xi¡¯s heart raced, feeling an inexplicable excitement. He had never experienced this kind of feeling before. Sweet words automatically came out of his mouth, ¡°Sister¡¯s eyes are so beautiful, they shine like stars.¡± Gu Qingluan was amused by his words. ¡°You have a sweet mouth, and your eyes are beautiful too.¡± Receiving praise, Yuan Xi¡¯s fair little face blushed lightly. His long eyshes fluttered like two fans, revealing a hint of shyness. Ah, he¡¯s truly adorable! Chapter 26 Mother Is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World Although she already had an adorable son of her own, no one could resist the charm of such an adorable creature. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but nt a kiss on his chubby cheek. Yuan Xi¡¯s body stiffened for a moment, then immediately turned red. He¡­ he was kissed by the beautiful sister! Seeing the little boy¡¯s face turning red, Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart trembled with the overwhelming cuteness. If it weren¡¯t for someone interrupting, she would definitely spend more time enjoying the cuteness of this little one. She quickly got up, waving her sleeve in annoyance. The man and woman who had ambushed them were sent flying again. The heat on Yuan Xi¡¯s face subsided slightly as he stared at the two people who had fallen to the ground. They were disturbing his intimacy with his beautiful sister. They were too annoying! When Gu Qingluan turned around to look at him, the coldness in his eyes disappeared and he looked harmless. He pped his hands and praised, ¡°Beautiful sister is so powerful!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and took out a rope, tying the two of them back to back. Her hands were busy, and so was her mouth. ¡°Little boy, how did you end up alone in this forest? Where are your family members?¡± ¡°I¡¯m looking for my mother, beautiful sister. Have you seen my mother?¡± ¡°You got separated from your mother? What does your mother look like?¡± Yuan Xi¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°My mother is the most beautiful woman in the world.¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. It was true that a child as cute as him must have been born to a beautiful mother. But to call his mother the most beautiful woman in the world¡­ Were children really so blindly worshipful of their own parents? ¡°What else do you remember?¡± she asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Yuan Xi shook his head, and the light in his eyes seemed to dim. Gu Qingluan pped her hands and approached him. ¡°What color clothes does your mother wear?¡± Yuan Xi shook his head again, appearing even more dejected. He lowered his head and spoke in a low voice, ¡°I don¡¯t remember what she looks like.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s smile faded. The little one¡¯s mother was likely no longer in this world. Bending down, Gu Qingluan patted his head. ¡°And what about your father?¡± ¡°My father was called away by someone.¡± Upon hearing his words, Gu Qingluan understood that he had taken the opportunity while his father was away toe and find his mother. That father of his was truly irresponsible, leaving the child without proper supervision. Didn¡¯t his father know that there were many human traffickers and that such a cute child could easily be abducted? Gu Qingluan had a bad impression of the boy¡¯s father. She wanted to see if that man would get anxious and worried when he found out his son was missing. ¡°Are you hungry?¡± Rumble! Yuan Xi¡¯s stomach suddenly growled. The previous sense of sadness was disrupted, and he awkwardly covered his little belly. Gu Qingluan suppressed augh. ¡°I¡¯m hungry too. How about we eat something before returning to the city?¡± Yuan Xi nodded in a daze, avoiding eye contact with her out of embarrassment, but couldn¡¯t help stealing nces at her. It reminded Gu Qingluan of a little hamster. She did not expose him. She took out a small stool from her storage ring and let him sit down to rest. Then, she started a fire and roasted the meat. Yuan Xi moved the small stool to his side and sat down next to her. Not long after, the aroma of roasted meat spread into the air. Yuan Xi stared at her with wide eyes. Until a big drumstick was handed to him. Yuan Xi blinked his eyes and said,¡± Since beautiful sister has worked hard, you should eat first!¡± Gu Qingluan waved her other hand and gestured for him to look. ¡°I still have more. This is for you.¡± Yuan Xi then grabbed the drumstick and took a big bite. ¡°Be careful, it¡¯s hot!¡± ¡°Hiss!¡± Yuan Xi sucked in air, reluctant to let go of the meat he had bitten into. After all, it was grilled by the beautiful sister herself! Seeing that he refused to spit it out, Gu Qingluan handed him a small bowl. ¡°Put it in the bowl first and wait for it to cool down before eating.¡± Yuan Xi had already taken a few bites, and he swallowed the first mouthful of meat, his eyes shining. ¡°It¡¯s delicious!¡± Chapter 27 Jealousy Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression became momentarily trance-like. The little boy¡¯s gaze and even his voice resembled Xiaonan¡¯s. If she didn¡¯t know for certain that Xiaonan was in a separate courtyard with Bo He, she would have suspected that this was Xiaonan disguised as someone else. ¡°If it¡¯s delicious, then have some more. There¡¯s plenty here.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm!¡± Yuan Xi nodded happily. Beautiful sister was truly amazing¡ªbeautiful, kind-hearted, powerful, and a skilled cook! ¡°Woo woo woo!¡± Not far away, the two human traffickers, their mouths gagged, grew increasingly hungry. They caught a whiff of the tantalizing aroma of the roasted meat wafting through the air, and their appetites were awakened. It¡¯s torture to only smell it without being able to eat, it¡¯s practically unbearable! Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°Little Yuan Xi, do you know what these two people do?¡± Yuan Xi nodded. ¡°You know?¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow in surprise. ¡°They¡¯re human traffickers!¡± Now Gu Qingluan was even more astonished. If he knew, why would he willingly go with them? If it weren¡¯t for her intervention, the little guy would have been in their carriage by now. Seeing her confusion, Yuan Xi exined, ¡°There¡¯s a child hidden in their carriage, and I wanted to save her.¡± ¡°How did you know?¡± Gu Qingluan asked. ¡°Xiao Hei told me.¡± ¡°Xiao Hei?¡± Yuan Xi stretched out his small hand hesitantly. A long and slender snake slithered out from his sleeve, coiling up and raising its head, flicking its tongue as if greeting Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know how to react for a moment. How did little Yuan Xi manage to hide a snake without any change in his expression? The snake appeared to be an ordinary one, not a spirit snake. How did hemunicate with it? Thinking that she might be angry since she remained motionless, Yuan Xi lowered his head sadly. ¡°Are you angry because I didn¡¯t tell you about it earlier?¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t bear to me him. ¡°No, Yuan Xi. You wanted to save someone, and that¡¯s very brave! I should be praising you instead of getting angry.¡± Little Yuanxi was relieved and smiled. The two of them found the child who had been abducted by the human trafficker in the secretpartment of the carriage. The little girl was curled up and unconscious. Gu Qingluan immediately carried her out and checked her pulse. She had simply fallen asleep from inhaling the sleeping drug, so there was no major issue. Gu Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief and took out a small bottle, cing it under the little girl¡¯s nose. The little girl wrinkled her brows and slowly opened her eyes, muttering, ¡°It smells bad!¡± When she finally saw Gu Qingluan, she froze for a moment. ¡°Are you a fairy?¡± Do children these days have such sweet mouths? Yuan Xi initially didn¡¯t pay much attention to the little girl¡¯s appearance, but when he heard her referring to Gu Qingluan as a fairy, a sense of crisis immediately arose within him. This was someone who wouldpete with him for beautiful sister! Realizing this, Yuan Xi¡¯s little face became very serious. The little girl was about the same age as Yuan Xi. Finding herself in the wilderness without familiar faces around, she became frightened and started crying. Gu Qingluan held her in her arms andforted her for a while, which made Yuan Xi feel a pang of sourness in his heart. Beautiful sister never held him andforted him like this! So, he red fiercely at the little girl. The little girl cried inconsbly and didn¡¯t perceive his threat. Gu Qingluan felt overwhelmed; while she had raised Xiaonan single-handedly, he hardly cried as a child, so she wasn¡¯t skilled atforting crying children. Thinking that children usually liked sweets, she remembered having some in her storage ring and took them out to offer to the girl. However, the little girl cried even harder, saying, ¡°No! No candy! You¡¯re a bad person!¡± Gu Qingluan was speechless. Yuan Xi became angry. No one was allowed to insult his beautiful sister! ¡°Beautiful sister, let¡¯s go. Let her stay in the forest by herself!¡± Upon hearing this, the little girl clung tightly to Gu Qingluan¡¯s neck. Yuan Xi, consumed by jealousy, hugged Gu Qingluan¡¯s leg tightly, exerting great force. ¡°Beautiful sister is mine!¡± Chapter 28 Am I That Famous? Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know how she should be reacting. The little girl was still upset, and now Yuan Xi was throwing a tantrum too? She patientlyforted them for a while, and eventually, the emotions of the two little ones began to stabilize. The little girl sat beside her, her shoulders trembling. ¡°My name is Lu Siyu. The bad person gave me candy, and then I fell asleep. When I woke up¡­ I saw the fairy sister. Fairy sister, I want to go home, I miss my brother! Can you take me home? I can give you lots and lots of money.¡± So, the little girl didn¡¯t actually dislike candy. She had learned a valuable lesson about epting candy from strangers, and now she believed that anyone who offered her candy was a bad person. It was truly a reflection of a child¡¯s innocence. Gu Qingluan wiped away the tears from Lu Siyu¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, I¡¯ll take you home.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lu Siyu eximed with joy. ¡°Fairy sister, you¡¯re so kind!¡± Yuan Xi proudly dered, ¡°Of course, beautiful sister is always kind!¡± His proud and spoiled demeanor was quite amusing. Gu Qingluan ruffled his little head and said, ¡°Get in the carriage, we¡¯ll take Lu Siyu home first.¡± Yuan Xi cooperated fully. He wanted to send this little crybaby away quickly so that no one wouldpete with him for beautiful sister¡¯s attention! Gu Qingluan tied up the two human traffickers at the back of the carriage. He drove the carriage to the city gate. Lu Siyu didn¡¯t know where her home was. She only had her brother as a family member. The siblings depended on each other for survival. From what Lu Siyu said, her brother doted on her. Gu Qingluan thought that Lu Siyu¡¯s brother would report her disappearance once he realized she was missing, so she headed straight to the yamen (government office). Sure enough, there was someone surnamed Lu who had filed a report. The officer went to inform the person. Not long after, a handsome young man rushed in from outside. ¡°Xiao Yu!¡± He tightly embraced Lu Siyu, filled with excitement. ¡°Wow, big brother! I thought I would never see you again!¡± Upon seeing her dearest person, the emotions that the little girl had been holding back burst forth. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Xiao Yu, be good. Big brother will protect you from now on and won¡¯t let any bad guys bully you.¡± The siblings embraced each other for a while. Once Lu Siyu¡¯s emotions settled down, the young man finally had the presence of mind to ask about the details of the situation, and his face disyed a wave of fear and relief. Gu Qingluan smiled gently at Lu Bainian¡¯s gratitude. ¡°It was my pleasure to help. Young Master Lu, there¡¯s no need to thank me. It¡¯s gettingte, and I have some matters to attend to. Let¡¯s part ways here.¡± She had been away for a few hours, and she wasn¡¯t sure if any trouble had urred with the demons and ghosts at the residence. She needed to return and check as soon as possible. Holding Yuan Xi¡¯s hand, she began to walk away. ¡°Miss, please wait!¡± Lu Bainian called out to her in a hurry. He quickly caught up to Gu Qingluan. ¡°My sister is the most important person to me. You saved her, and I owe you a great debt of gratitude. Please leave your name and give me a chance to repay your kindness.¡± Seeing his insistence, Gu Qingluan could only tell him her name. ¡°Gu Qingluan¡­ Are you the eldest daughter of the Gu family?¡± Lu Bainian widened his eyes in surprise. The news of Gu Qing Luan causing a ruckus in the Gu Residence had spread like wildfire in the city. Naturally, Lu Bainian had heard about it as well. However, he did not expect Gu Qingluan to be such a kind person. She waspletely different from the rumors. ¡°Am I that famous?¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled lightly, her exquisite features captivating under themplight. Lu Bainian¡¯s face suddenly turned red, his gaze fixed on her. Lu Siyu grabbed his hand and shook it. ¡°Brother, the fairy sister has left. Can we see her again?¡± Lu Bainian snapped out of his daze, realizing that the beautiful figure was no longer in front of him. Did he just get caught staring at the youngdy? Hopefully, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t notice. Chapter 29 Oh No, Father Is Here! Ah, I wonder if she will be displeased? His face turned red and then pale, inwardly resenting his own reckless behavior. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, brother? Will we still be able to see the fairy sister?¡± Lu Bainian¡¯s sister asked, shaking his hand. Lu Bainian forced himself to calm down. He thought that he had offended Miss Gu, and he would apologize to her tomorrow. He also needed to prepare a generous gift to express his gratitude for saving his little sister. .. ¡°Yuan Xi, are you sure we¡¯re going the right way? We¡¯ve already passed this way before.¡± Gu Qingluan held Yuan Xi¡¯s little hand as they walked leisurely. Yuan Xi said that his home wasn¡¯t far from the yamen and he wanted to walk back, so they abandoned the carriage and started walking. However, they had been circling around the city for half an hour, not only failing to find the ce Yuan Xi mentioned but also seemingly returning to the area they had walked through before. Yuan Xi¡¯s gaze shifted ufortably. ¡°Um, maybe¡­ maybe I remembered wrong.¡± He looked around and pointed in another direction. ¡°It seems like this way, I just remembered it wrong!¡± ¡°This path leads directly to the city gate. We took this way when we entered the city.¡± ¡°Ah, then¡­ then it must be this way!¡± Yuan Xi pointed in the opposite direction. Gu Qingluan bent down and looked at him. ¡°Do you not want to go home?¡± Yuan Xi tightened his grip on her finger. ¡°N-No, I do.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± Under her gaze, Yuan Xi pouted and said pitifully, ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave beautiful sister. If I go back, I won¡¯t be able to see beautiful sister anymore.¡± ¡°How could that be! If you want to see me, you cane and find me anytime. I live at the Gu residence, oh no, it¡¯s called Jun Mansion now.¡± Gu Qingluan told him the address. ¡°I won¡¯t be leaving there for the time being.¡± ¡°But my father won¡¯t let me go.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Because my father hates women.¡± There isn¡¯t a single woman in the royal mansion, even the guard dogs are male! If his father knew that he was going to look for his beautiful sister, he would definitely be very angry and lock himself in a small ck room. Ugh! Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t expect such a reason. Could it be that Yuan Xi¡¯s mother didn¡¯t die, but ran away with another man, causing his father to resent all women? With a realization, Gu Qingluan looked at Yuan Xi with a loving gaze. That woman must be incredibly heartless. How could she bear to abandon her own child after giving birth? The adorable little one was still in the dark, unaware that he had been abandoned by his mother. As a mother herself, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t understand what the other woman was thinking. She held Yuan Xi tenderly, feeling immensepassion for him. Yuan Xi snuggled in her soft and fragrant embrace, feeling both happy and sad. ¡°Beautiful sister, can I stay with you tonight and go back tomorrow?¡± ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll take you back tomorrow!¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t refuse the little boy¡¯s request, nodding without hesitation. Yuan Xi¡¯s eyes lit up. That was great! ¡°Beautiful sister, I¡­¡± He was about to say something when he suddenly sensed a strong and familiar aura approaching. His small body tensed up, and a look of fear appeared on his innocent face. Oh no, his father, the king, wasing! ¡°Beautiful sister, quickly hide!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Yuan Xi looked around and spotted a lush and dense tree not far away. He hurriedly pushed Gu Qingluan and said, ¡°Beautiful sister, quickly hide in the tree! My father ising, and we mustn¡¯t let him see us together, or he will hurt you.¡± Gu Qingluan was confused. Was his father really that twisted? She had no grudge against him, so why would he want to harm her? Seeing how anxious the little guy was, Gu Qingluan reluctantly yed along. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll hide. But what about you? Will your father hurt you?¡± Chapter 30 Is He Really His Biological Father? ¡°He won¡¯t!¡± Yuan Xi said firmly, but in fact, he was not sure. He had snuck out for so long. His father must be very angry. ¡°Young Master, I finally found you! ¡°A man in tight clothes flew over from afar. Mr. Jingfeng was here too! Yuan Xi looked at Gu Qingluan nervously. Seeing that she was gone, he heaved a sigh of relief. At this moment, a gust of cold air swept over. The world seemed to have frozen. Yuan Xi¡¯s heart skipped a beat and he quickly turned around to look into the distance. A ck figure descended from the sky andnded in front of him. The man was tall and straight. His face was t, and his aura was terrifying. His eyes were like deep pools, mysterious and unpredictable. ¡°Father¡­¡± Yuan Xi looked at him and called out in fear. Gu Qingluan, who was hiding in the tree, raised her eyebrows in surprise. Was this man really Yuan Xi¡¯s father? He did look quite intimidating, but was he really the biological father? He didn¡¯t resemble Yuan Xi at all. She looked at him, then lowered her head to look at Yuan Xi. It was baffling! No wonder Yuan Xi¡¯s mother ran away with another man! Yuan Xi is so handsome, surely he inherited his looks from his mother. His mother must have felt so conflicted when she had to face such an ugly man every day! Suddenly, the man looked up and nced in her direction. Gu Qingluan met his deep, icy gaze, and her breath caught in her throat. Was she discovered? But then she saw him lower his head. He probably didn¡¯t notice her. However, for some reason, those eyes lingered in her mind. ¡°Where did he go?¡± Feng Tian asked in a low voice. ¡°I¡­ I was lost¡­¡± Feng Yuanxi stammered. Feng Tian¡¯s eyes were cold. ¡°Feng Yuanxi, who taught you to lie?¡± Yuan Xi¡¯s small body trembled, and his shoulders drooped. As expected, he could not hide it from his father. He apologized softly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Dad. I won¡¯t dare to do it again. I went to find my mother.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s face darkened when he heard this. He exuded a biting cold aura. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you that your mother is already dead?¡± When it came to his mother, Yuan Xi immediately became agitated. He forgot about his fear and clenched his fists, pounding his head with determination. ¡°Nonsense! My mother is not dead! I can feel that she¡¯s still alive!¡± Feng Tian spoke coldly, ¡°Let me tell you again, your mother is no longer in this world. You¡¯re not a child anymore, why are you still so stubborn?¡± Jing Feng tried to persuade him earnestly, ¡°Young master, there are many bad people outside, and it¡¯s dangerous for a child like you to go out. The master has been worried sick. He hasn¡¯t eaten all day because he was looking for you.¡± ¡°I¡­ I know I was wrong¡­¡± Yuan Xi¡¯s voice trembled, and tears rolled down his face, falling to the ground with a pitter-patter. Gu Qingluan felt as if a stone was weighing on her heart, making it difficult for her to breathe. Little Yuanxi was so young, couldn¡¯t they speak more gently? He was so fierce that Little Yuanxi was scared to tears! She couldn¡¯t help but want to reveal herself, but the man suddenly reached out and patted little Yuanxi¡¯s head. ¡°Don¡¯t cry. It¡¯s good that you recognize your mistakes and correct your behavior.¡± Gu Qingluan pulled back and thought to herself, ¡°This guy isn¡¯tpletely heartless.¡± ¡°Daddy, have you forgiven me?¡± Little Yuanxi raised his innocent face. ¡°Yes.¡± Yuan Xi¡¯s eyes lit up, and he couldn¡¯t resist asking, ¡°Father, today I encountered two human traffickers. They tried to deceive me into leaving with them. Fortunately, I met a beautiful sister. Can I go and thank beautiful sister tomorrow?¡± Jing Feng took a sharp breath and quickly looked at his master. The young master knew very well that his master despised women the most, yet he dared to make such a request. Wasn¡¯t he just adding fuel to the fire? Sure enough, Feng Tian¡¯s recently softened expression tensed up again. ¡°Beautiful sister?¡± ¡°Yes, yes! She¡¯s a very beautiful sister! Like a fairy!¡± As Yuanxi mentioned Gu Qingluan, his sadness disappeared, and his tear-stained face lit up with excitement. His watery grape-like eyes sparkled as he continued, ¡°She¡¯s so amazing! She effortlessly subdued two big bad guys and saved me! If it weren¡¯t for the beautiful sister, I wouldn¡¯t be able to see Father now.¡± He did his best to praise the beautiful sister. Hopefully, his father would allow him to go find her, right? Chapter 31 It¡¯s You? Gu Qingluan touched her nose. Was Yuanxi being too sweet-tongued? Was she really as good as he described? ¡°Heh!¡± Feng Tian sneered, ¡°You¡¯re hopeless. You can¡¯t even handle two human traffickers, yet you want to go out and find women? Go back and cultivate in seclusion! You¡¯re not allowed to go anywhere!¡± Ah, he was going to be confined to the small dark room again! Yuanxi sighed bitterly. That meant he wouldn¡¯t be able to see the beautiful sister anymore, right? Would the beautiful sister forget about him? No, that couldn¡¯t happen! He had to fight for it! ¡°Father, can I go and thank the beautiful sister first tomorrow, and then practice when I return?¡± ¡°No!¡± Feng Tian ruthlessly refused. ¡°Father, you can¡¯t do this. Didn¡¯t you teach me to be grateful and repay kindness?¡± Feng Yuanxi pouted unhappily. Repay kindness? Hah! Who knows if the woman who saved Yuanxi was just like the other women from the past, deliberately getting close to him! It¡¯s possible that the human traffickers Yuanxi encountered were working with that woman! A glint of darkness shed in Feng Tian¡¯s eyes. ¡°Jingfeng, take Yuanxi back!¡± Upon hearing this, Feng Yuanxi immediately protested, ¡°I¡¯m not going! I won¡¯t leave unless Father agrees!¡± ¡°Young Master, please leave!¡± Jingfeng whispered, standing by his side. Didn¡¯t he see how angry Master was? Feng Yuanxi clenched his fists stubbornly. ¡°I¡¯m not going!¡± Feng Tian simply picked him up and swiftly headed into the distance. ¡°No, no! Father, let me go! I¡¯m not leaving! I want to find the beautiful sister!¡± Soon, the three of them disappeared from sight. After a while, Gu Qingluan jumped down from the tree. Right at this moment, a strong gust of wind attacked. Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression turned cold as she dodged to the side. She did not expect the other party to move so quickly. He grabbed her throat and pushed her against the tree trunk. His back mmed into a tree trunk with a loud bang. Gu Qingluan gasped in pain. ¡°It¡¯s you?¡± The man sounded surprised. Gu Qingluan looked at it. Wasn¡¯t this Yuan Xi¡¯s father? He didn¡¯t leave? Gu Qingluan looked behind him but did not see Yuan Xi and his guards. She understood that this guy had indeed discovered her just now, but he did not expose her in front of Yuan Xi. Why did he ask someone to send Yuan Xi away ande back? Little Yuanxi was right, his father really did have a strong aversion to women. Gu Qingluan could feel the sharp and chilling gaze projected onto her, like des. But did she care whether he liked her or not? A glint of silver shed at her fingertips as she aimed for the man¡¯s chest. Feng Tian swiftly grabbed her wrist, his eyes showing a glint of coldness as he saw the silver needle she held. Failing tond her strike, Gu Qingluan raised her other hand and scattered poisonous powder towards his face. Feng Tian immediately stepped back, a faint purple light shimmering around him, blocking the powder. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Gu Qingluan stepped back a few steps. Without any guilt for using tools and poison, she questioned, ¡°What do you want, sir?¡± Feng Tian looked at the familiar little face in front of him, and his pair of deep phoenix eyes narrowed dangerously. He had just seen this woman causing a ruckus in the Gu residence during the day, and that arrogant and domineering look was still engraved in his mind. He didn¡¯t expect to meet her again so soon. Was she the ¡®beautiful sister¡¯ that Yuan Xi was talking about? Thinking about the other person¡¯s identity, Feng Tian¡¯s gaze darkened. His deep eyes were sharp as if trying to prate through her skin and see into her soul. Gu Qingluan crossed her arms and wore azy and mocking smile on her face. ¡°What? Are you thinking of killing me?¡± Feng Tian didn¡¯t answer directly but instead asked, ¡°Have you ever given birth to a child?¡± Chapter 32 The Gift of the Sunflower Manual Gu Qingluan was shocked. How did this man know? What did he want by asking this question? Could he have discovered the existence of Xiao Nan? But she didn¡¯t know him, so what did it matter to him whether she had a child or not? For a brief moment, a sense of panic surged within Gu Qingluan, but she managed to control her expression perfectly, raising an eyebrow with a subtle smile. ¡°May I ask what¡¯s your concern?¡± Feng Tian scrutinized her, unable to discern any hint of peculiarity from her delicate face. Could it not be her? If it wasn¡¯t her, why would she be involved with Yuan Xi? Was it really as simple as a chance encounter? But over all these years, has he ever seen his son treat any woman differently? Within such a short time, Yuan Xi has be so attached to her. It must be this woman who has used some kind of maniption! A fleeting cold gleam shed in Feng Tian¡¯s eyes. ¡°From now on, make sure I never find out that you have any contact with Yuan Xi.¡± Gu Qingluan crossed her arms and scoffed. ¡°Who do you think you are? Why should I listen to you?¡± With that, she turned and walked away. Before she could take two steps, the man full of hostility flew towards her, his movements swift as lightning. He grabbed her chin tightly in an instant. The man approached her and his cold breathnded on her face. His thin lips parted slightly. ¡°If you dare to get close to him, I¡¯ll kill you.¡± At that moment, a chilling sensation surged through her body, from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. How long had it been since shest experienced this trembling feeling? Gu Qingluan licked her lips, her eyes gleaming with a cold light. Being threatened was something she despised the most. A golden light flickered at her fingertips. Delicate as strands of hair, the golden threads swiftly coiled around the man¡¯s body. With a determined thrust, she targeted the man¡¯s abdomen and swiftly retreated. Feng Tian let out a stifled groan as his body involuntarily convulsed. Perched upon the wall, Gu Qingluan looked down upon him with an air of superiority, her long hair dancing in the wind, and a wicked smile ying on her lips. ¡°Ugly man, if you want to go after my life, you¡¯ll need another hundred years of practice!¡± She maliciously swept her gaze downward and remarked, ¡°If you ever need it, as a favor to you being Yuanxi¡¯s father, I can send you a copy of the Sunflower Manual. Let me know when you¡¯ve mastered it, and I¡¯ll be sure to present you with a string of firecrackers.¡± With a scornfulugh, she gracefully departed. Her white dress fluttered in the night, resembling a white lotus blooming on the water¡¯s surface. Feng Tian¡¯s face turned ashen, veins bulging on his forehead. He wanted to chase after her, but the golden threads tightened around him, leaving him no choice but to watch her disappear into the distance. After a while, the golden threads released on their own, dissolving into a beam of golden light. He leaped into the air and headed straight for the pce. ¡°My lord, you¡¯re back!¡± Jingfeng noticed that his expression was off and secretly wondered if it was that Gu girl who had angered him. ¡°Where is Yuanxi?¡± ¡°He¡¯s in his room.¡± Feng Tian strode into Feng Yuanxi¡¯s room. His fingertips hovered in the air. Feng Yuanxi jumped off the bed, asking, ¡°Father, what did you do to Sister Beauty?¡± His father left them after they had departed shortly. Knowing his father well, Feng Yuanxi was certain that Father had discovered Beautiful Sister and went back to find her! ¡°I killed her!¡± Feng Tian said expressionlessly. It was a shocking news! Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes were instantly filled with tears, and he fiercelyunched himself at his father. ¡°Father, you¡¯re wicked! Why would you kill Beautiful Sister? She saved my life. How could you do that to her?¡± Feng Tian allowed his son¡¯s fists to strike him, his gaze icy. It had only been half a day since they met, and already his son¡¯s heart was entangled. If they were given more time together, what would the oue be? Witnessing Yuanxi¡¯s increasing heartbreak as he cried and fought, Feng Tian¡¯s heart was struck hard, and he finally softened his tone. ¡°She¡¯s not dead.¡± ¡°Fa¡­ Father, what did you say just now?¡± Yuanxi raised his tear-stained face, looking at him with joy, his wet eyes shining brightly. Feng Tian spoke in a deep voice, ¡°She¡¯s not dead, but you can¡¯t see her anymore from now on! Otherwise, I won¡¯t show her any mercy!¡± ¡°Why?¡± Yuanxi felt deeply wronged. He couldn¡¯tprehend why his father opposed his connection with Beautiful Sister. Was it simply because Beautiful Sister was a woman? Chapter 33 Father, You¡¯re So Unreasonable! Seeing his son¡¯s distressed and puzzled expression, Feng Tian felt a pang of heartache. But how could he bear to tell little Yuan the truth¨C Little Yuan had been abandoned by his own birth mother! Back then, when Yuanxi was born prematurely, covered in blood, he was left in the depths of a dense forest, surrounded by wild beasts. If it weren¡¯t for him happening to pass by that area, his son might have been devoured by those beasts. Such a heartless woman deserved nothing but divine retribution! At present, it was still unclear whether Gu Qingluan was that cruel woman. How could he allow Yuanxi to get close to her? Feng Tian lowered his eyes and looked at Yuanxi. His murderous aura overflowed. ¡°There¡¯s no reason.¡± If you sneak out to see that woman, I¡¯ll settle the score with her!¡± ¡°Father, you¡¯re being so unreasonable!¡± Feng Yuanxi said anxiously. ¡°I¡¯m doing this for your own good.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want this!¡± Feng Yuanxi eximed angrily. Feng Tian was angered by his stubborn rebuttal. He snorted coldly. ¡°Jingfeng, watch him. Don¡¯t let him slip out again!¡± With that, he flicked his sleeves and left. ¡°You may trap me for a while, but you can¡¯t trap me forever!¡± Feng Yuanxi stomped his feet and shouted. Jingfeng sighed, ¡°Young master, you know that the master dislikes women. Stop mentioning your Beautiful Sister, or you might bring harm to her. Stay in your room to cultivate for these two days. Once the master cools down, I will plead for your release.¡± With that, he closed the door and left. Feng Yuanxi pursed his lips. It¡¯s clearly the bias of his father. Beautiful Sister was so nice, why didn¡¯t his father like her? Hmph, if he was not allowed to speak, he¡¯d say it secretly. Not only would he say it, but he¡¯d also go and find Beautiful Sister! .. Outside the room, Feng Tian heard the footsteps behind him and spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Send Jingyu to investigate Gu Qingluan.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡± Jingfeng thought he was worried that Gu Qingluan might harm the young prince. ¡°Focus on the investigation. I want to know as soon as possible if she is the woman who abandoned Yuanxi.¡± His Highness actually suspects that she is the birth mother of the young prince? Jingfeng lowered his eyelids slightly, concealing the shock in his eyes. ¡°Yes! I will immediately contact Jingyu.¡± Over the years, Jingyu has been mainly responsible for finding the whereabouts of Yuanxi¡¯s mother, but they still haven¡¯t found any leads. Feng Tian¡¯s mind was filled with the vivid and mboyant face of Gu Qingluan. This woman waspletely different from the rumored Miss Gu. Had she been disguising herself so well to deceive the world, or had she undergone a tremendous change in character? Standing in the courtyard, lost in thought for a moment, he decided to personally probe that woman again. .. Gu Qingluan had felt like she had been cursed for eight lifetimes to have encountered such an infuriating man! Yuanxi¡¯s mother had been amazing! She should have dumped that ugly monster + temperamental maniac! Rubbing her slightly sore neck, she headed towards Jun Mansion. Under the moonlight, a tall figure stood outside the back gate. Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as she approached and saw Liu Meng¡¯s handsome face. She raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°As a servant, how could I note to pay my respects when the master is here?¡± Liu Meng bowed to her. Gu Qingluan waved her hand. ¡°You don¡¯t need to use these formalities with me. Just speak directly. Until the matter is resolved, don¡¯te wandering in front of me.¡± ¡°Yes, miss.¡± Liu Meng took out a stack of silver notes from his sleeve, ¡°This is the medical fee given by Gu Jinrong and his sister, a total of one hundred thousand taels.¡± Gu Qingluan casually nced at it and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°Gold? You¡¯re really bold!¡± ¡°The medicine from Harmony Isle is priceless. One hundred thousand taels of gold are considered cheap for them.¡± Liu Meng said calmly. Indeed, the medicine from Harmony Isle was extremely rare and valuable. Gu Jinyue¡¯s face could be easily treated, but Gu Jinrong¡¯s hand was considered crippled. Even if they sought treatment from someone else and his hand recovered, there would still be lingering effects. Moreover, the selectionpetition that took ce every three years was approaching, and Gu Jinrong would definitely participate. Only the medicine provided by Gu Qingluan could have helped them recover quickly. When calcted, Liu Meng hadn¡¯t actually charged them a hefty sum. Then he heard Liu Meng say, ¡°So, this was just the down payment.¡± ¡°Down payment?¡± Gu Qingluan raised her gaze, genuinely impressed by Liu Meng this time. Liu Meng¡¯s lips curved, revealing a hint of wicked amusement. ¡°Yes, the down payment is fifty percent, so the total price is two hundred thousand taels of gold. I am currently staying here, waiting for the Gu family to raise the remaining one hundred thousand taels of gold.¡± For the sake of one hundred thousand taels of gold, it was fine to spend a few more days with them. Gu Qingluan smiled and gave a thumbs-up. ¡°Well done! I suppose they will have to sell off the private treasury of the Gu family¡¯s second branch for these two hundred thousand taels of gold?¡± The Gu family was wealthy and powerful, especially after seizing the Jun family¡¯s immense wealth. Two hundred thousand taels of gold were insignificant. But those belonged to the main branch. The second branch relied on the main branch. Under her instigation, a rift had developed between the main branch and the second branch of the Gu family. It seemed that the second branch would be too ashamed to ask the main branch for money. Perhaps the second branch¡¯s pride stemmed from their belief that they had made a valuable connection with the esteemed person from Harmony Isle, and they no longer needed to rely on others. They preferred to find a way to raise the money on their own. After their conversation, Liu Meng intended to take his leave. However, Gu Qingluan called him back. ¡°Is there anything else the youngdy wishes to instruct?¡± Liu Meng¡¯s words barely left his lips when he noticed her approaching him. A delicate and elegant fragrance, unique to women, wafted towards him. Liu Meng¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and his handsome face instantly flushed red. ¡°Mis¡­ Miss, what is this¡­¡± Chapter 34 A Kiss On the Lips ¡°Tell me, did you secretly consume some alcohol?¡± Gu Qingluan took a step back, her eyes shining brightly. Liu Meng¡¯s mind was still confused. ¡°How did you know¡­ No, I didn¡¯t. The wine was given by the Gu family, and I only had a little. Beforeing here, I specifically burned incense and bathed, so it shouldn¡¯t have any smell.¡± He thought Gu Qingluan disliked the scent of alcohol and secretly med himself. If he had known, he would have washed himself multiple times beforeing here. Was Miss Gu angry with him? Her fingertips grazed her smooth and fair chin as Gu Qingluan let out a light hum. ¡°Well, Liu Meng, you enjoy all the treats that the Gu family offers you, but you didn¡¯t think to bring me some!¡± Not only did he not bring her any alcohol, but he even came in front of her to provoke her with the smell of alcohol. Wasn¡¯t he asking for trouble? ¡°Uh!¡± Liu Meng blinked, suspecting that he might be hearing things. ¡°Miss, do you want to drink?¡± Gu Qingluan replied with a question, ¡°The wine that the Gu family gave you is good, isn¡¯t it?¡± Liu Meng nodded, ¡°Very good.¡± Gu Qingluan crossed her arms and looked at him with a yful smile. Liu Meng¡¯s mind had returned to normal, and upon seeing her expression, he immediately understood. ¡°Miss, wait for me for a moment. I¡¯ll go and fetch some for you to taste.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a smirk, enjoying the conversation with an intelligent person. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you to get it.¡± Liu Meng noticed her sparkling eyes and didn¡¯t know how to react. He had thought that her intense gaze meant something else, but it turned out that she was actually thrilled by the aroma of alcohol! He hadn¡¯t expected that his mistress was a hidden alcohol enthusiast, unable to wait even for a moment. In the end, Gu Qingluan followed Liu Meng to Mr. Gu¡¯s house, where she acquired the wine and couldn¡¯t resist taking a big sip. Her eyes gleamed with delight. ¡°My nose didn¡¯t deceive me. This is indeed excellent wine.¡± Although it couldn¡¯tpare to the heavenly nectar, she had tasted in the Tianji Continent, it was still a rare delicacy in the Yunchuan Continent. Especially because she would secretly indulge herself each time, all in the name of setting a magnificent and righteous example for her son. It had been two months since herst indulgence in alcohol! ¡°Thank you!¡± Gu Qingluan waved her hand with contentment, holding the jug of wine as she gracefully departed. .. Qianyun Residence. Moonlight shimmered like water, casting dancing shadows of trees, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere. On the rooftop, Gu Qingluan¡¯s misty eyes were slightly closed. Shezily leaned back, one hand supporting her head, adopting a rxed and leisurely posture, allowing the gentle breeze to caress her face. A tall figure silently appeared. Swoosh! As if the wine jug in her hand had grown eyes, it swiftlyunched towards him. The neer casually swept his hand. Crack! The wine jug, flying through the air, shattered into powder, scattering down in a graceful shower. Gu Qingluan frowned and muttered, ¡°How noisy! As punishment¡­ go¡­ go and buy some good wine for thisdy! Hurry up! She kicked her foot as she spoke. This kick was extraordinary, sending the roof tiles flying. The roof was already nted, and someone who had been drinking wouldn¡¯t pay much attention. Her body slid towards the eaves. Feng Tian didn¡¯t expect to encounter a drunkard here. As he watched the woman about to fall, his expression remained unchanged, showing no intention of saving her. Unexpectedly, she suddenly grabbed hold of his foot. Feng Tian was pulled, and his figure swayed before plummeting down with Gu Qingluan. He immediately frowned, intending to kick away this audacious woman. But Gu Qingluan was one step ahead, grabbing onto his thigh and pulling it downward forcefully. Even in her intoxicated state, she instinctively sought someone to break her fall. Bang! Theynded firmly on the ground. Coincidentally, their mouths were right in front of each other! Feng Tian¡¯s mind felt like it had been struck¡ªdazed! For a moment, he forgot to push her away. Gu Qingluan, after drinking alcohol and then being abruptly thrown down like this, saw stars in her vision. She licked her lips and even gave them a little taste. Chapter 35 Did You Give Birth To A Son? Feng Tian¡¯s body trembled violently, a sensation like an electric shock coursing through his entire being. It was as if he had been struck at an acupoint, rendering him stiff and unable to move. Gu Qingluan waspletely oblivious to her actions. Her intoxicated eyes zed over as she pursed her lips and muttered softly, ¡°What is this? It¡¯s soft and cool, but unfortunately, it doesn¡¯t have much vor. Not tasty at all.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s face instantly turned crimson, and even his ears were burning hot. This woman¡­ had no shame! Gu Qingluan shook her head, and in her hazy vision, she saw a man with sharp features. She furrowed her delicate brows and disdainfully pursed her lips. ¡°So ugly!¡± Feng Tian¡¯s expression stiffened, snapping back to reality in an instant. Veins bulged on his forehead as he eximed, ¡°Get lost!¡± A powerful aura emanated from him. Gu Qingluan was shaken back, and a golden light shot from her hand, encircling a pir. With a graceful spin, shended lightly on a bench beside the pir, leaning against it with her legs crossed and a mischievous smile on her face. Her pitch-ck eyes were even more radiant than the starlight, directly fixed on the man in front of her. Her alluring red lips curved seductively. ¡°Was I wrong in what I said?¡± She scrutinized him from head to toe, critiquing his appearance. ¡°Decent figure, broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs. It¡¯s a shame you have such a face¡­ You wouldn¡¯t be able to find it even in a crowd.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s face darkened, his eyes gleaming with coldness. ¡°You were pretending to be drunk just now!¡± ¡°Drunk? Who said I was drunk?¡± Gu Qingluan nced at him. ¡°Ugly bastard, why did you sneak into Jun Mansion for? Are you here to engage in an affair? Are all womanizers this ugly nowadays? Or is it just you? You really bring down the beauty standards in your line of work!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± ¡°Fine, fine, I understand your insecurity. I¡¯m such a kind-hearted person, I won¡¯t hit you where it hurts.¡± Gu Qingluanzily crossed and uncrossed her legs, adjusting herself to a morefortable position. ¡°Since you broke my wine, shouldn¡¯t youpensate me with a jug? Stop standing there like an idiot, go get the wine!¡± A strong sense of murderous intent surged in Feng Tian¡¯s heart. Whether she was that woman or not, she deserved to die! He suddenly made a move, appearing in front of Gu Qingluan in an instant. ¡°What the hell, if you don¡¯t want topensate for the wine, you can refuse. Why resort to violence?¡± Gu Qingluan angrily bent backward to evade the man¡¯s attack, then kicked her legs towards his chest. Feng Tian crossed his arms and blocked in front of him. Profound Energy condensed on his arm and forced him back. Drunk as she was, Gu Qingluan disyed astonishing explosive power, showing great enthusiasm in the fight. A cold curve formed at the corner of Feng Tian¡¯s mouth as he swiftly appeared in front of Gu Qingluan, gripping her throat and exerting pressure with his distinctively knuckled fingers. ¡°Urgh!¡± Gu Qingluan vomited¡­ She vomited towards him¡­ Realizing something was wrong, Feng Tian immediately released his grip and stepped back, but he was still a step toote, and his clothes were stained. His face grew extremely dark, and his fiery eyes emitted intense murderous intent. ¡°I won¡¯t fight anymore!¡± Gu Qingluan clutched her chest, a pained expression on her face, seemingly unaware of the deadly gaze of the man. Feng Tian paid no heed, and his palm radiated a violet glow. In the blink of an eye, a fierce surge of Profound Energy shot out. Raising an eyebrow, Gu Qingluan vanished from her original position and reappeared on the rooftop. She shook her head and sighed, ¡°Being ugly is one thing, but having such a vtile temper¡­ Be careful not to end up without a bride in the future.¡± With a wave of killing intent, Feng Tian charged towards Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan feigned vomiting. Startled, Feng Tian quickly pulled back. ¡°Hehe!¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled with a mischievous delight, enjoying the sight of his frightened expression. Feng Tian seethed with anger. ¡°You¡¯re toying with me!¡± Gu Qingluan yawned nonchntly and responded, ¡°Well, if you¡¯re capable, then y along!¡± Her voice trailed off, carrying a taunting tone. Highly provoking. Feng Tian remained immobile, rooted to the spot. His mind, which had been provoked by her for quite some time, suddenly became surprisingly calm. Previously, he had lost hisposure when the woman took advantage of him. But now, he observed something peculiar about Gu Qingluan. While she had been despicable during their encounter on the street at night, she had shown fear and adapted to the situation. However, at this moment, she appeared fearless, and her actions became even more elusive. Feng Tian¡¯s gaze flickered with uncertainty. As he pondered undisturbed for a moment, Gu Qingluan, undisturbed as well, had already sprawledzily and fallen into a deep sleep. Could she truly be drunk? Feng Tian pressed his lips tightly together and approached her silently. ¡°Gu Qingluan!¡± He kicked her arm with his toe. Gu Qingluan remained motionless. Feng Tian squatted down, examining her up close. He had never looked at her closely before. Moonlight illuminated her face, as if casting ayer of radiance upon her features. Her snow-white, silky-smooth skin appeared even more striking, delicate to the touch, and incredibly alluring. Feng Tian¡¯s hand involuntarily reached out, almost touching her. Suddenly, he froze, his face contorted in a bewildered expression. He retreated in a slightly panicked manner. Crack! Exerting too much force, he identally crushed a piece of roof tile. Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly upon hearing the noise. Feng Tian froze for a moment when he saw that she wasn¡¯t awakened by it. He silently breathed a sigh of relief. But as he recalled his previous reaction, his expression stiffened and his eyes darkened. What was he afraid of? He had only intended to wake her up! As if to prove his thought, he lifted his hand and gently tapped Gu Qingluan¡¯s face. ¡°Gu Qingluan, wake up!¡± ¡°What do you want? If you have something to say, let it out now!¡± Gu Qingluan waved her hand in annoyance and grumbled. A peculiar expression crossed Feng Tian¡¯s face. He asked in a low voice, ¡°Gu Qingluan¡­ Did you give birth to a son?¡± ¡°A son¡­ Son?¡± Feng Tian¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He stared at her lips, reddened by the alcohol. Chapter 36 Be Careful, Master! ¡°Son, be good, stop messing around¡­¡± Gu Qingluan closed her eyes and lifted a hand, patting his head gently. After waiting for a long time, all he got was being treated like a ¡®son¡¯, and Feng Tian¡¯s expression instantly froze. With a cold face, he pushed her away. Gu Qingluan¡¯s body rolled down the roof, making a rumbling sound. Instinctively, Feng Tian reached out his hand. ¡°Master, be careful!¡± However, at that moment, a startled cry came from somewhere. Feng Tian noticed that it was one of Gu Qingluan¡¯s subordinatesing over. He leaped andnded on the other side of the house. It was Su Lie who had arrived, narrowly catching Gu Qingluan as she fell from the roof. ¡°That was close!¡± Smelling the strong scent of alcohol on her, Su Lie felt both annoyed and amused. ¡°Master, how much did you drink? How did you end up this drunk?¡± Beingpletely unconscious due to intoxication, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t respond to him. Su Lie shook his head helplessly and carried her into the house. After a while, he stepped back outside and assumed the role of a guard. Feng Tian had originally nned to wait for Su Lie to leave before asking Gu Qingluan, but seeing him guarding the door, he furrowed his brows and swiftly left. Inside the pce. Startled, Jing Feng saw Feng Tian return with his robes stained, showing a trace of surprise. Ignoring Jing Feng¡¯s astonishment, Feng Tian spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Notify Jingyu to give me a response within three days!¡± He was uncertain about the meaning behind Gu Qingluan¡¯sst words¨C Was she speaking subconsciously because she really had a son, or was it just a casual remark while she was asleep? Tonight had been aplete mess, and he didn¡¯t want to personally probe further. Jing Feng lowered his eyebrows and nodded in acknowledgment. Afterward, with a cold expression, Feng Tian flew into the bathhouse, which had a built-in hot spring pool and stayed there for an hour. .. The next day, Gu Qingluan woke up with a headache,pletely unaware of what had transpired after she got drunk the previous night. Su Lie came to report the situation at the Gu residence, and Gu Qingluan listened attentively while having breakfast. Suddenly, a servant hurriedly reported, ¡°Master, the Wang family has returned to the residence.¡± Wang Shi, the Eldest Madam Gu, and her stepmother had traveled a long distance to visit Gu Lingxue some time ago. Speaking of her stepmother, she was an extraordinary figure. Despite being born into a poor family, she had firmly established herself as the mistress of the Gu family. The legitimate children of the family had to live in subservience under her. Just like the original owner of this body, a mere ten or so years of suffering can hardly summarize it all. Su Lie¡¯s spirits lifted. ¡°Master, do you want to go meet her?¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled coldly. ¡°No need. She wille on her own.¡± With such a major upheaval happening in the Gu residence and their legitimate eldest daughter returning, Wang Shi wouldn¡¯t be able to stay put for long. As expected, not long after, a maid from the Wang family came to invite her to the Flowing Years Pavilion. Gu Qingluan, without even meeting her, had someone inform Wang Shi that if she wished to see her, she coulde personally. If Wang Shi had trouble walking due to a leg injury or disability, making it difficult for her toe, then Gu Qingluan would consider visiting her instead. The messenger was Qiu Lu, a second-ranked servant who served Wang Shi. Although Qiu Lu held a lower rank, being associated with Wang Shi granted her some level of respect within the household. Upon receiving such a dismissive response, Qiu Lu became infuriated. ¡°You have such audacious behavior, expecting the Lady of the House toe and meet you!¡± However, the servant assigned by Su Lie was no pushover. Qian Xi, the maid who came forward to reply, possessed a sharp tongue. ¡°Our master¡¯s birth mother passed away long ago, and this is the Jun Mansion. We don¡¯t have a Lady of the House here. If you wish to see our master, you¡¯ll have to wait in line like everyone else!¡± Just a moment ago, a young man surnamed Lu came to visit, and their young mistress was busy attending to him. ¡°You¡­¡± Qiu Lu couldn¡¯t believe how audacious she was, leaving her speechless with anger. ¡°What the hell! Tsk!¡± Qian Xi rolled her eyes and turned to enter the courtyard, leaving Qiu Lu stunned. By the time Qiu Lu regained herposure, Qian Xi had already left. She red at the two statues at the entrance, stomping her foot in frustration before heading back to Wang Shi¡¯s residence to report the incident. Upon hearing Qiu Lu¡¯s exaggerated ount, Wang Shi, who had just returned to the Flowing Years Pavilion, turned pale with anger. ¡°You insolent wretch! Do you think you have be God just because you learned a few tricks?¡± Upon Wang Shi¡¯s return, the steward immediately reported the incident, lodging aint against Gu Qingluan. Wang Shi had heard about Gu Qingluan¡¯s recent exploits. Hearing about it was one thing, but experiencing it firsthand was another. To think that this maid, whom she had once trampled upon, no longer held her in high regard. How could Wang Shi not be infuriated? The steward sighed, ¡°Even the mistress of the house can¡¯t defeat her. It¡¯s as if she thinks she¡¯s above everyone else.¡± Wang Shi snorted coldly. Her eyes filled with disdain. ¡°So what if she improves her cultivation? She¡¯s nothing more than a foolish creature with strong limbs and an empty head!¡± A person with a bit more cunning would never handle things as ruthlessly as Gu Qingluan did. While it may appear satisfying at first nce, it actually leaves behind hidden dangers at every turn. ¡°If she is unwilling toe, then send someone to investigate her background. Go! Summon Xiao Wu and Xiao Qi!¡± .. Shallow Cloud Residence. Lu Bainian expressed his gratitude to Gu Qingluan once again and apologized for his behavior the previous night. Gu Qingluan responded with a gentle smile, ¡°Mr. Lu, there¡¯s no need to be so formal. You already thanked me yesterday, and as for apologies, there¡¯s no need to bring them up.¡± Lu Bainian immediately formed a positive impression of Miss Gu, realizing that the rumors circting about her were unfounded exaggerations. ¡°Nevertheless, please ept these tokens of gratitude, Miss Gu.¡± Lu Siyu, in her innocent manner, chimed in, ¡°Yes, yes, Fairy Sister, I promised yesterday that if you took me home, I would give you lots and lots of money. If you don¡¯t ept it, I would be breaking my promise.¡± ¡°Alright then, I will ept the tokens of gratitude.¡± Seeing that she could not refuse, Gu Qingluan could only ept it. Lu Bainian was overjoyed. For some reason, he felt at a loss when facing Gu Qingluan. After a moment of silence, Lu Bainian considered the grudge between Gu Qingluan and the Gu family and said, ¡°If Miss Gu ever needs help, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask. I may not be able to assist with much else, but I can certainly offer financial support.¡± Lu Bainian blushed when he noticed Gu Qingluan¡¯s perplexed expression. ¡°The Lu Family Chamber of Commerce still holds some influence in Tianjing.¡± ¡°You¡¯re from the Lu Family¡¯s Chamber of Commerce?¡± Gu Qingluan was taken aback. The Lu n¡¯s Chamber of Commerce had a wide presence throughout the Yunchuan Continent, and its influence surpassed that of the Gu n. ¡°Well, I¡¯m just a branch of the Lu family,¡± Lu Bainian responded with embarrassment. The main stronghold of the Lu Family was in the Heavenly Saint Dynasty. ¡°That¡¯s still incredibly powerful!¡± Gu Qingluan eximed. Lu Bainian stammered, ¡°Gu¡­ Lady Gu, you are too kind with your praise.¡± ¡°If there is a need, I won¡¯t hesitate to seek your assistance,¡± Gu Qingluan replied. She believed that there woulde a time when the Lu Family¡¯s Chamber of Commerce would be indispensable. Lu Bainian was delighted. ¡°Yes, yes. You¡¯re wee. As long as Miss Gu needs it, I¡¯ll do my best.¡± After sitting for a while, Lu Bainian stood up and bid his farewell. Gu Qingluan had the siblings escorted out of the residence. ¡°Master, the Fifth Miss and the Seventh Miss havee to visit you,¡± Qian Xi delivered the message. Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. Visitors wereing one after another. The Wang family had just returned, and now these two individuals had arrived. How interesting! Chapter 37 Eldest Sister, Why Did You Harm Me? ¡°Xiao Wu/Xiao Qi greets our Eldest Sister.¡± Gu Qin¡¯er and Gu Si¡¯er entered gracefully, the former showing respect and thetter offering a perfunctory greeting to Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan sat behind the desk, her head bowed as she brewed tea. Inside the room, only the gentle and pleasant sound of flowing water could be heard. Gu Si¡¯er couldn¡¯t contain her curiosity any longer and asked, ¡°Eldest Sister, what kind of tea are you brewing? It smells so good!¡± As she spoke, she stood up and naturally walked towards Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan was in the midst of rinsing the teacups with boiling water, and the steam wafted up, veiling her face in a hazy mist. Gu Si ¡®er couldn¡¯t see her expression clearly. She only felt that this quiet and beautiful woman was very different from the good-for-nothing in her memories. If this face were to be injured, could she still maintain suchposure? A mischievous expression flickered in her eyes, and as she approached Gu Qingluan, she pretended to stumble, throwing herself towards Gu Qingluan. ¡°Ah!¡± Gu Qin¡¯er gasped, covering her mouth. ¡°Be careful!¡± The corners of Gu Qingluan¡¯s mouth curled up in a mocking smile. With a flick of her wrist, she quickly feigned a dodge to the side. The scalding water from the cup flew out, sshing directly onto Gu Si¡¯er¡¯s face. ¡°Ah! My face!¡± Gu Si¡¯er screamed. She tumbled into the spot where Gu Qingluan had been sitting, causing the table to overturn. Items on the table ttered to the ground, and scalding water sshed onto her body. Gu Si¡¯er suffered a second blow, and her screams echoed through the room. ¡°Master, what happened?¡± Qian Xi and Qian Huan rushed in upon hearing the chaotic noise, their worried eyes scanning the room for Gu Qingluan. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Xiao Qi just tripped and knocked over the table. Go and fetch a doctor to check on her.¡± Qian Xi nced disapprovingly at the girl writhing on the floor before turning to seek assistance. Gu Qingluan snapped out of her shock and hurried over to support her sister. ¡°Qin¡¯er, Qin¡¯er, how are you?¡± ¡°It hurts! Sister, it hurts! Is my face ruined? Waaah¡­¡± ¡°Ah! Qin¡¯er, your face¡­¡± Gu Qingluan saw her sister¡¯s face clearly and couldn¡¯t help but gasp in horror. Gu Qin¡¯er¡¯s once smooth and fairplexion had be red, swollen, and pale from the scalding water. She sobbed and wailed, resembling a disfigured pigskin scalded by boiling water. Her beautiful face had been cruelly marred, turning her into a grotesque figure. Gu Qin¡¯er felt a fiery pain on her face. Originally, she had clung to a glimmer of hope, but seeing Gu Qingluan¡¯s reaction, she realized she had been disfigured. She burst into loud sobs and tears. She covered her face with one hand and angrily pointed at Gu Qingluan with the other. ¡°Eldest sister, why did you harm me?¡± Gu Qingluan stood nearby and calmly retorted, ¡°Miss Qi, please refrain from making baseless usations. I was peacefully brewing tea in my own room. How could I have harmed you?¡± ¡°It was you who sshed hot water on my face!¡± Gu Si¡¯er screamed. Yes, it was her! She saw it with her own eyes! Gu Qingluan remained calm. ¡°Why would I do such a thing to you?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Gu Si¡¯er was at a loss for words. ¡°I will tell Father and Mother and let them seek justice for me!¡± Unable to argue with Gu Qingluan, she could only mention Gu Zhicheng and Wang Shi. Since she could not win against Gu Qingluan, she could only pull out Gu Zhicheng and Madam Wang. ¡°Fifth Older Sister, you have to testify for me!¡± Gu Qin¡¯er calmly looked at Gu Qingluan, feeling somewhat hesitant. Gu Si¡¯er was swayed by Wang Shi¡¯s words and was eager to take action without fully understanding Gu Qingluan¡¯s background. But Gu Qin¡¯er wasn¡¯t that foolish. Gu Qingluan¡¯s return this time was quite mysterious, and Gu Qin¡¯er hadn¡¯t intended to act so soon. However, this was indeed an opportunity. Gu Qin¡¯er pursed her lips and remained silent. In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Wang Shi arrived with a group of people in a flurry. Chapter 38 Testimony ¡°I heard that Xiao Qi got scalded? Where was she scalded? Please don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s her face. It would ruin the poor girl¡¯s life!¡± Wang Shi said hypocritically. Gu Si ¡®er noticed her supporter had arrived and hurried over, covering her face. ¡°Mother, Eldest Sister poured boiling water on my face. My face¡­ sob sob How will I ever face others in the future?¡± ¡°What happened? Let me see!¡± Wang Shi¡¯s eyes gleamed, pretending to be concerned. Gu Si ¡®er lowered her hand, and gasps echoed through the crowd. ¡°This¡­ Doctor, please treat Xiao Qi quickly! Can her face be treated?¡± someone eximed. The doctor arrived and examined Gu Si ¡®er with a serious expression. ¡°I will assess the situation.¡± Qian Xi returned to Gu Qingluan and whispered, ¡°The doctor is from the Fleeting Year House. It seems the Eldest Madam was prepared for this.¡± Gu Qingluan remained unfazed and smiled at the chaotic scene. As the doctor attended to Gu Si ¡®er, Madam Wang turned to Gu Qingluan and greeted her with a smile. ¡°Qin Luan, it has been years since west met. I could barely recognize you.¡± ¡°Is that so? You have left asting impression on me. I couldn¡¯t forget you even if I tried,¡± Gu Qingluan replied. Wang Shi¡¯s expression slightly changed. This girl turned out to be different from what she had imagined. Wang Shi had thought Gu Qinluan was just a brainless fool, but unexpectedly, Gu Qinluan carried herself with such grace and seemed no less impressive than Wang Shi¡¯s own daughter. Wang Shi adjusted her emotions slightly. ¡°We should have had a pleasant reunion, but¡­ sigh, I never expected such an ident to happen. Xiao Qi ims that you sshed boiling water on her face. Why would you do such a thing?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m curious too. Why would Little Seven falsely use me?¡± Gu Qingluan retorted casually. ¡°Nonsense! Do you think I would ssh boiling water on my own face just to frame you?¡± Gu Si ¡®er screamed. ¡°Qingluan, if it was indeed you, then admit it. Otherwise, it would be one mistake on top of another. Even though you have just returned, I cannot tolerate such behavior!¡± Wang Shi¡¯s tone was official. Before Gu Qingluan could respond, Gu Si ¡®er interjected, ¡°Mother, Fifth Sister was also present at the time. She witnessed it herself and can testify for me!¡± Wang Shi turned to Gu Qingluan and addressed Gu Qin¡¯er, ¡°Qin¡¯er, is what Little Seven said true? Speak the truth about what you saw, no lying allowed!¡± Gu Qin¡¯er quickly nced at Gu Qingluan and hesitated, ¡°It¡­ it was Xiao Qi who identally tripped and bumped into the tea table, causing the scalding hot water to spill on her own face. It has nothing to do with Eldest Sister.¡± The people present all showed surprise on their faces. Gu Si ¡®er was the most incredulous. ¡°Fifth Sister, you¡¯re talking nonsense!¡± It infuriated her! Why would Fifth Sister help that despicable Gu Qingluan! She herself was Gu Si¡¯er¡¯s own blood sister! Wang Shi paused, squinting her eyes as she asked, ¡°Are you sure it was just Xiao Qi who fell and injured herself?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Qin¡¯er nodded firmly, swearing by her words. Gu Qingluan stared at Gu Qin¡¯er¡¯s face, silently contemting. What was Gu Qin¡¯er up to? She couldn¡¯t recall being close sisters with Gu Qin¡¯er. Could it be that Gu Qin¡¯er wanted to defect to her side? Hah, wasn¡¯t Gu Qin¡¯er always devoted to Gu Lingxue? Sensing Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze, Gu Qin¡¯er smiled at her, disying a self-assured demeanor that was more reserved than five years ago. Sixteen years old¡­ she had grown into a youngdy. She had changed, and naturally, Gu Qin¡¯er had changed too. However, old habits die hard. While she was a soul from another world, what about Gu Qin¡¯er? Could her true nature be altered? With Gu Qin¡¯er being the sole witness to testify in favor of Gu Qingluan, and being Gu Si ¡®er¡¯s own sister, it was impossible for her to intentionally harm Gu Si ¡®er. Therefore, everyone believed Gu Qin¡¯er¡¯s words. Gu Si ¡®er had identally injured herself, but in her anger, she deliberately framed Gu Qingluan. Wang Shi scolded angrily, ¡°You troublesome girl! You injured yourself because of your own carelessness, how can you falsely use your older sister?¡± Gu Si ¡®er had yet to recover from the shock of Gu Qin¡¯er¡¯s ¡°betrayal¡± and argued in frustration, ¡°That¡¯s not true! It was clearly her who harmed me! Fifth Sister, why are you helping this b*tich?¡± But at that moment, Wang Shi suddenly shouted, ¡°Outrageous!¡± Chapter 39 Eighty-Eight Thousand and Eight Hundred Taels for Good Fortune Gu Si ¡®er was startled. ¡°Even now, you remain stubborn! Apologize to your older sister!¡± Gu Si ¡®er couldn¡¯t understand what was happening. Why was everyone siding with Gu Qingluan? Wasn¡¯t her mother the one who despised Gu Qingluan the most? And why was Fifth Sister speaking up for Gu Qingluan? In an instant, she felt isted and abandoned, as everyone around her became unfamiliar. Gu Qin¡¯er stepped forward, taking hold of her arm. ¡°Xiao Qi, please listen to Mother and apologize to your older sister.¡± Gu Si ¡®er tried to pull her arm away, feeling a slight pinch, and heard Gu Qin¡¯er whisper in a low voice, ¡°Apologize.¡± It was a tone that left no room for argument. Normally, Gu Si ¡®er would obediently follow Gu Qin¡¯er¡¯s words, but in her clouded mind, fueled by anger, she suddenly regained her rity. Although she didn¡¯t understand why Gu Qin¡¯er was acting this way, she suppressed her pent-up frustration and reluctantly offered an apology. Gu Qin¡¯er pleaded with Gu Qingluan and Wang Shi. Wang Shi pondered, ¡°Little Seven is still young and naive. Qingluan, how about we let this matter go?¡± After all, both Gu Qin¡¯er and Gu Si ¡®er were like pawns in her hands. If she were to discard one so quickly, she would have to deal with the headache of finding another. Gu Qingluan nced at the injury on Gu Si ¡®er¡¯s face. Today, she had endured enough of all unwee events. In the game of cat and mouse, one must always y with the prey a few more times. Killing it off with just one strike was not nearly as amusing. ¡°I won¡¯t hold it against the young girl, as per Madam Gu¡¯s wishes,¡± Gu Qingluan said. Wang Shi disyed a satisfied smile. Gu Qingluan disliked seeing her smile. She raised an eyebrow, revealing a hint of wicked amusement. ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯d like to say to Madam Gu.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Wang Shi asked. ¡°Parents are responsible for their children¡¯s behavior. Xiao Qi calling you ¡®Mother¡¯ is a reflection of the upbringing you provided. If a young girl like her is already capable of falsely using others, people might assume it¡¯s because you, as her mother, failed to properly teach her. If word were to spread¡­¡± Wang Shi¡¯s expression immediately turned dark. ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled lightly. ¡°How could you call it a threat? I¡¯m just kindly giving you a reminder.¡± Wang Shi¡¯s voice turned cold. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t speak, they won¡¯t speak either!¡± Her gaze swept over the people present with an icy coldness. Those who met her gaze lowered their heads, trembling. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll do my best, but I can¡¯t guarantee that I can control my own mouth,¡± Gu Qingluan replied. Wang Shi looked at her with a sinister gaze. ¡°What do you want?¡± Gu Qingluan suddenly turned to her maid and asked, ¡°Qianxi, have you ever heard a saying?¡± Qianxi asked, ¡°Master, which saying are you referring to?¡± ¡°Money makes the world go round.¡± Qianxi chuckled, ¡°Of course, I¡¯ve heard that! Money makes everything easier. Most things in this world can be solved with money. If it can be solved with money, then it¡¯s no big deal!¡± Then, both the master and servant looked at Wang Shi. Had they gone mad with money? Wang Shi stared at Gu Qingluan in disbelief. Gu Qingluan calmly observed her, without a hint of embarrassment on her face. ¡°How much do you want?¡± Wang Shi suppressed her anger and asked. ¡°For good fortune, eighty-eight thousand and eight hundred taels of gold,¡± Gu Qingluan replied. Wang Shi¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Say it again!¡± ¡°Madam, our master said a total of eighty-eight thousand and eight hundred taels, all in gold. Will you be providing the gold, or shall it be in silver notes?¡± Qianxi said with a smirk. Granny Zhao, who stood by Lady Wang¡¯s side, eximed angrily, ¡°Eighty-eight thousand and eight hundred taels? That¡¯s daylight robbery!¡± ¡°Master, didn¡¯t they say that the Gu family has swallowed up the fortune of the former wealthiest family in Tianjing? If they can¡¯t even produce eighty-eight thousand and eight hundred taels, they are being too stingy, aren¡¯t they?¡± Qianxi whispered in surprise to Gu Qingluan. Though her voice was low, everyone could hear her words loud and clear! Chapter 40 Pregnant with an Illegitimate Child Wang Shi, who wasbeled as ¡°stingy,¡± felt her facial muscles twitch. She felt like she would be driven to madness if she stayed in Shallow Cloud Residence for even a short while longer. Wasn¡¯t it just eighty-eight thousand and eight hundred taels? It was nothing more than what she had snatched from Gu Qingluan! She could give it to Gu Qingluan now, and in the future, she could still snatch it back! ¡°Granny Zhao, go and fetch silver notes equivalent to eighty-eight thousand and eight hundred taels of gold for her!¡± Wang Shimanded. Wang Shi gave a deep look to Gu Qingluan. ¡°Remember your words. I don¡¯t want to hear even the slightest rumor about this matter spreading outside!¡± Once she left, the servants followed suit and departed. Gu Si ¡®er looked at Gu Qingluan and Wang Shi, engaged in a sharp confrontation, in a dazed manner, swallowing hard. Eighty-eight thousand and eight hundred taels of gold, just given away like that? Gu Qin¡¯er admired her greatly. ¡°Elder Sister, you¡¯re so capable. I should learn more from you in the future.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not bad yourself,¡± Gu Qingluan replied with a meaningful nce. Gu Qin¡¯er¡¯s smile froze slightly, unsure of the meaning behind her words. Today, she witnessed Gu Qingluan¡¯s capabilities. Even Wang Shi couldn¡¯t get the upper hand against her. It was indeed wise not to rashly support Xiao Qi¡¯s false usation against her. She said softly, ¡°Eldest Sister, Seventh Younger Sister is injured. I will send her back and won¡¯t disturb you.¡± Seeing Gu Qingluan nod, she assisted Gu Si ¡®er in leaving. The doctor also followed the situation and left. ¡°The Gu family is indeed not easy to handle,¡± Qian Huan sighed. ¡°So what?¡± Qian Xi chuckled. ¡°Whoever encounters our master will be crushed upon challenging her. Our master effortlessly obtained 88,000 gold taels. Master, you¡¯re truly amazing!¡± She gave Gu Qingluan a thumbs up, her face filled with admiration. ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to Qian Xi¡¯s cooperation this time. You¡¯re quite brilliant,¡± Gu Qingluan remarked. Upon receiving Gu Qingluan¡¯s praise, Qian Xi was overjoyed. It was a greater reward than anything else. Qian Huan, however, expressed some concern, ¡°Master, First Madam has suffered such a significant loss. She definitely won¡¯t let it go easily.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? We¡¯ll face the enemy head-on and ovee any challenges. Qian Huan, you worry too much! Master, don¡¯t you agree?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled calmly, ¡°Wang Shi has never tolerated my presence. Even if I don¡¯t provoke her, she won¡¯t let me off. In that case, why don¡¯t I enjoy it?¡± Qian Xi nodded vigorously. Just like Su Lie, she blindly admired Gu Qingluan. Whatever the master said was right! ¡°You all tidy up here. I have some business to attend to outside the residence,¡± Gu Qingluan said, leaving Shallow Cloud Residence with those parting words. .. Gu Si ¡®er returned to the Spring Garden and threw a tantrum, ming Gu Qin¡¯ er for not helping her. Gu Qin¡¯er carefully analyzed the situation with her, and it took a lot of effort to calm Gu Si¡¯er down. But as soon as Gu Si¡¯er entered the house and saw her own dreadful face, she screamed in fright and caused a big scene. Gu Qin¡¯er had no choice but to take her to find Gu Jin Yue. Gu Jin Yue¡¯s face had been disfigured before, but Mr. Liu had treated it, and there were no visible scars. Only then did Gu Si ¡®er calm down. The Second Courtyard was not far away. In fact, Gu Jin Yue had an average rtionship with these two illegitimate daughters. Gu Jin Yue looked down on illegitimate children. However, when she found out that Gu Si ¡®er¡¯s face had been ruined by Gu Qingluan, she immediately asked the servants to let them in. After two hours, the two of them returned. Gu Si ¡®er went back to the Spring Breeze Courtyard first, while Gu Qin¡¯er quietly went to the Fleeting Year House and ryed the information she had heard from Gu Jin Yue to Wang Shi. ¡°At that time, there was a boy of about five years old on the ind who called Eldest Sister his master. He was very clever and smart. Unfortunately, Eldest Sister didn¡¯t bring him back for us to see.¡± A glimmer of light shed in Wang Shi¡¯s eyes, ¡°What did that boy look like?¡± Five years ago, when Gu Qingluan became pregnant with an illegitimate child, could it be that boy? Chapter 41 - 41: I Want It All! Chapter 41: I Want It All! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°He doesn¡¯t look like Big Sister, but I heard that he has a good rtionship with her.¡± Gu Qin¡¯er said. Gu Jinyue was deeply impressed by Gu Xiaonan, so she had someone draw a portrait of him with the intention to settle the score. Gu Qin¡¯er requested a copy of the portrait and handed it to Wang Shi. Wang Shi took the portrait and looked down at it. The child in the painting looked good, but there was not a single resemnce to Gu Qingluan. What a pity. It would have been even better if it were the child from five years ago. Wang Shi sighed inwardly and rubbed her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m feeling a bit tired. You may go back. ¡± After Gu Qin¡¯er saw Wang Shi take the portrait, she respectfully stood up and said, ¡°Yes, Mother. Qin¡¯er takes her leave.¡± Once Gu Qin¡¯er left, Wang Shi called her trusted aide over. ¡°Investigate the whereabouts of this boy and find a way to capture him¡­¡± Not long after Gu Qingluan left the Jun Residence, she sensed that someone was following her. She smiled coldly and walked straight to a crowded ce. A man followed behind her at a discreet distance. Gu Qingluan walked into the Hundred Herb Hall. ¡°Master, why are you here?¡± When the shopkeeper sitting behind the counter saw Gu Qingluan, his eyes lit up and he quickly stood up to wee her. ¡°You stay inside. Let¡¯s cut to the chase,¡± Gu Qingluan said. The shopkeeper became serious. ¡°Please speak, I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°I¡¯m being followed. I need your cooperation to stage a little actter¡­¡± Not long after, a man walked into the Hundred Herb Hall, casually scanning the surroundings. Seeing Gu Qingluan engaged in conversation with the shopkeeper, he walked to a nearby location, pretending to browse a shelf while keeping his ears open. ¡°Could you please expedite things, Mr. Wang? I¡¯m in urgent need. If the Zengxuan Pill isn¡¯t avable, it could seriously hinder my important matters! ¡± The shopkeeper smiled and assured her, ¡°Once the stock arrives, I¡¯ll immediately notify you, Miss.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Wang!¡± Gu Qingluan expressed her gratitude and ced a silver note on the table. ¡°I¡¯ll pay you in advance. Mr. Wang, please ensure the Zengxuan Pill isn¡¯t sold to anyone else. It holds great importance to me!¡± ¡°This¡­¡± The shopkeeper hesitated. ¡°If you don¡¯t ept it, I¡¯ll just stay here and not leave, so you won¡¯t sell the pill to someone else,¡± Gu Qingluan insisted. The shopkeeper sighed helplessly. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take the money first. Once the Zengxuan Pill arrives, I¡¯ll notify you immediately.¡± Gu Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief. ¡®Thank you, shopkeeper! ¡® As if she had resolved a major issue, she left with light steps. Once Gu Qingluan stepped outside of the Hundred Herb Hall, the smile in her eyes faded, reced by a chilling sharpness that shed momentarily. Before long, the man also emerged from the shop, nced around, and hurriedly made his way towards the Jun Residence. In the main courtyard. Gu Zhicheng pped his thigh. ¡°I knew that girl¡¯s cultivation progress was suspicious! Otherwise, how could she, a useless waste, be stronger than me in just five years!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go to the Hundred Herb Hall!¡¯ The shopkeeper sat behind the counter, pondering which person might be causing trouble for his master when suddenly, a figure appeared before him. He looked up and saw the head of the Gu family! ¡°What brings the head of the Gu family here? I apologize for not extending a proper wee,¡± the shopkeeper greeted with a smile. If it weren¡¯t for running a business, he wouldn¡¯t have put on a pleasant face for this person who mistreated his master. ¡°Mr. Wang, I heard that my eldest daughter ced an order for some pills with you. I expect you to deliver them directly to me!¡± the head of the Gu family demanded. The shopkeeper¡¯s eyelid twitched. So, his master intended to deceive this head of the Gu family? That was not surprising! Excitement welled up inside him, but he maintained a hesitant expression. ¡°That might not be appropriate¡­ After all, our customer is Miss Gu..¡± Chapter 42 - 42: Tricking You Without Negotiation Chapter 42: Tricking You Without Negotiation Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡®What¡¯s inappropriate about it? I am her father! Her belongings are mine! Her money is mine too! What business does a pill seller like you have meddling in this?¡± Gu Zhicheng eximed. The shopkeeper took a deep breath. This old man had no shame, did he? He didn¡¯t even consider how he treated his own daughter and had the audacity to say such things! It was like the logic of a thief! But then again, Gu Zhicheng had long lost his sense of shame! Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have done so many hical things! As he thought about the distressing incidents his master had faced in the Gu family, his expression turned cold instantly. ¡°I apologize, but whoever pays at our Hundred Herb Hall gets the pills. If the head of the Gu family wants them, he can ask Miss Gu directly!¡± Gu Zhicheng was speechless as he red at the shopkeeper with anger and embarrassment. However, the pills sold at the Hundred Herb Hall had excellent quality and were highly popr. Moreover, the Hundred Herb Hall was rumored to asionally possess rare pills that couldn¡¯t be found elsewhere, leading many to specte about their connection with the Ind of No Return. Given these circumstances, most people wouldn¡¯t dare to offend anyone from the Hundred Herb Hall. Gu Zhicheng realized this and didn¡¯t dare to forcefully confront Mr. Wang, the shopkeeper. He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and forced a smile. ¡°Why are you being so stubborn, Mr. Wang? The Gu family is thriving, and in the future, my daughter will still depend on me. If you give me the pills, she won¡¯t dare to say anything.¡± Shopkeeper Wang remained unmoved. ¡°Fine, if you won¡¯t give me the pills, can you at least tell me which pills she purchased?¡± Gu Zhicheng asked. ¡°One million taels,¡± Shopkeeper Wang replied. ¡®What?¡± Gu Zhicheng was stunned. Shopkeeper Wang continued, ¡°One million taels for a piece of information.¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s expression instantly changed. ¡°That is daylight robbery! ¡°Even the Pavilion of Myriad Knowledge sells a piece of information for millions. What¡¯s one million to you?¡± Shopkeeper Wang sneered coldly. He took out a feather duster from somewhere and swept it across the counter with a broad motion, narrowly avoiding Gu Zhicheng. ¡°If the head of the Gu family isn¡¯t here to buy pills, please step aside!¡± Gu Zhicheng took two steps back, his temple veins bulging. ¡°Shopkeeper Wang, don¡¯t think you can look down on others just because the Hundred Herb Hall has some connection with the Ind of No Return. Do you even understand the consequences of offending the Gu family?¡± Shopkeeper Wang paused in surprise and asked, ¡°Is the head of the Gu family threatening me? Perhaps we should let everyone present judge the situation.¡± He stretched his neck, about to call over other customers. Gu Zhicheng didn¡¯t want to escte the situation. He lowered his voice and shouted, ¡°Shut up!¡± If things spiraled out of control and Gu Qingluan became aware, how could he deceive her? ¡°It appears that the head of the Gu family is fully aware of their own dishonorable actions!¡¯ Shopkeeper Wang sneered, lowering his head to continue wiping the counter. Gu Zhicheng seethed with anger but had no choice but to contain himself. After a brief moment of standing still, he reluctantly asked, ¡°Fine, let¡¯s go with one million taels. Now, tell me, what pills did Gu Qingluan purchase from you?¡± Shopkeeper Wang extended his hand. ¡°Where¡¯s the money?¡± Gu Zhicheng red at him. ¡°l didn¡¯t bring that much money with me!¡¯ ¡°Thene back when the head of the Gu family has the money,¡± Shopkeeper Wang said dismissively, turning his head away. ¡°You old geezer, once I¡¯ve dealt with Gu Qingluan, I¡¯lle and deal with you!¡± Gu Zhicheng cursed inside before he called for his attendant to go and retrieve the gold notes. Shopkeeper Wang interjected, ¡°Hold on!¡± The attendant paused and turned back, looking at Shopkeeper Wang with confusion. With a sly smile, Shopkeeper Wang gave a friendly reminder, ¡°It¡¯s one million taels of gold, make sure you don¡¯t bring any less.¡¯ Damn! One million taels of gold! Upon hearing this amount, Gu Zhicheng was on the verge of erupting in a string of curses. Suppressing his anger and facing Shopkeeper Wang¡¯s smiling face, Gu Zhicheng forced a smile and said, ¡°Shopkeeper Wang, don¡¯t push your luck. Consider whether it¡¯s truly worth that price.¡± ¡°For me, that piece of information may not be worth much, but clearly it holds a different value for the head of the Gu family¡­¡± Shopkeeper Wang chuckled, almost as if he had the words ¡®Tm clearly trying to deceive you¡± written on his face.. Chapter 43 - 43: The Pills Personally Refined by the Lord of the Island of No Return Chapter 43: The Pills Personally Refined by the Lord of the Ind of No Return Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng knew that he couldn¡¯t do anything to Shopkeeper Wang, so he ordered his attendant to go back and get the money. In less than an hour, his attendant arrived on horseback. Gu Zhicheng mmed the money on the table. ¡°Can you tell me now?¡¯ Shopkeeper Wang took the money from under his palm, examined them, and immediately smiled. ¡°Of course! Miss Gu has reserved the Zengxuan Pill with Gu Zhicheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡®What is the Zengxuan Pill? And how many are there?¡± ¡°The Zengxuan Pill is a spirit pill personally refined by the Lord of the Ind of No Return. Only ten are produced each year, and they have all been reserved by Miss Gu.¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s pupils contracted, and his heartbeat involuntarily quickened. The pills personally refined by the Lord of the Ind of No Return? Could they be ordinary pills? No wonder Gu Qingluan¡¯s cultivation advanced so rapidly! If he could have the pills personally refined by the Lord of the Ind of No Return, he could also¡­ ¡°Shopkeeper Wang, I want the Zengxuan Pill! I will pay double of whatever price Gu Qingluan paid!¡± ¡°Not for sale,¡± Shopkeeper Wang immediately rejected without hesitation. ¡°Triple the price!¡¯ ¡°Head of the Gu family, please leave.¡± ¡°Ten times the price! I¡¯ll buy them!¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes turned red. Shopkeeper Wang was tempted by the offer, but recalling his master¡¯s instructions, he firmly refused. Seeing that he couldn¡¯t persuade him no matter what, Gu Zhicheng left with a dark and gloomy expression. Outside, the attendant asked, ¡°Master, will you just let this matter slide?¡± ¡°Let this matter slide?¡± Gu Zhicheng sneered. ¡°Impossible! If Hundred Herb Hall doesn¡¯t want to make that money, I¡¯ll find another way!¡± As Shopkeeper Wang watched Gu Zhicheng leave, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°Impressive, the master truly has remarkable foresight! One million taels, this Gu family head is willing to spend!¡± It was unfortunate that his master had instructed him only to sell information and not the Zengxuan Pill. Otherwise, they could have taken advantage of Gu Zhicheng even more. He secretly contacted Gu Qingluan, attempting to persuade her. Gu Qingluan remainedposed and said, ¡°Let¡¯s not involve Hundred Herb Hall too deeply in this matter, to avoid Gu Zhicheng seeking revenge from youter.¡¯ Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Wang was deeply touched. ¡°So, the master is doing this for the sake of Hundred Herb Hall and for me? Master, you need not go to such lengths. It is our honor to share the burden with you.¡± The following day, as per Gu Qingluan¡¯s instructions, he personally delivered the Zengxuan Pill to the Gu residence. However, before reaching the Gu residence, he was suddenly struck unconscious, and the Zengxuan Pill hidden in his sleeve was stolen. With the Zengxuan Pill in his possession, Gu Zhicheng couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter. ¡°Gu Qingluan, without the Zengxuan Pill, let¡¯s see how audacious you can be!¡± ¡°I have never heard of the Zengxuan Pill. Did Gu Qingluan truly rely on it to enhance her cultivation?¡± Wang Shi looked at the porcin bottle in Gu Zhicheng¡¯s hand, unable to suppress her doubts. ¡°Narrow-minded woman! There are many things you haven¡¯t heard of. The Zengxuan Pill is personally refined by the Lord of the Ind of No Return. How can it bepared to ordinary pills in terms of effectiveness? Furthermore, if it weren¡¯t for the Zengxuan Pill, how could Gu Qingluan, a useless person, be so powerful?¡± Gu Zhicheng retorted. Wang Shi was at a loss for words. Five years ago, Gu Qingluan was a cultivational cripple. If someone were to im that she had reached the Heavenly Realm through talent alone within five years, Wang Shi wouldn¡¯t believe it either. Even the most talented individuals in Cloud ins Continent couldn¡¯t cultivate at such a monstrous speed. ¡°Regardless of whether the Zengxuan Pill is as extraordinary as you im, at the very least, it is crucial for Gu Qingluan. Now that she has lost this reliance, is there any need for me to continue to tolerate and swallow my pride?¡± Gu Zhicheng walked straight towards the exit.. ¡®Where is Gu Qingluan?¡± Chapter 44 - 44: Falling and Eating Dirt Chapter 44: Falling and Eating Dirt Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Upon learning that Gu Qingluan was currently in the backyard, Gu Zhicheng gathered a group of people and confidently marched towards her. The news reached Yingchun Garden, and Gu Sier eximed with excitement, ¡°Father must be going to confront that useless person. Let¡¯s go and see!¡± After a brief hesitation, Gu Qin¡¯er decided to join them as well. Led by Gu Zhicheng, the group forcefully entered the garden. But as soon as theyid eyes on Gu Qingluan sitting by theke, legs crossed and casually munching on melon seeds, their faces froze in disbelief. It was nothing like the dramatic confrontation they had imagined. Unaware that the Zengxuan Pill had been intercepted, Gu Qingluan disyed an air of arrogance andposure. Thinking he had discovered the cause, Gu Zhicheng stepped forward and angrily berated, ¡°You insolent brat! Show respect when you encounter your elders!¡± ¡°Elders? You two¡­¡± Gu Qingluan nced at the couple, her smile filled with derision. ¡°Are you even worthy?¡± ¡°Today, I will make you understand that I will always be your father!¡± As he spoke, a radiant light flickered in Gu Zhicheng¡¯s palm, and his robes fluttered without any apparent wind. In an instant, a menacing aura emanated from him. Without hesitation, he propelled himself forward like an arrow, swiftly charging towards Gu Qingluan. The onlookers were captivated by the lightning-fast movement, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Gu Qin¡¯er, hidden behind a rock, clenched her fists in excitement, whispering, ¡°Teach her a lesson she won¡¯t forget!¡± But while others perceived the scene as a blur of motion, Gu Qingluan saw everything in slow motion. With a graceful spin, she effortlessly soared into the air, her skirt billowing elegantly. Boom! The stone bench was blown into pieces by the mystic force. Seeing Gu Qingluan escape the cmity, Wang Shi and the others felt it was a pity. Gu Qingluannded lightly on the ground. When Gu Zhicheng attacked again, she suddenly shed and disappeared! Gu Zhicheng knew that this was not good. He was extremely tense. Sensing the Profound Energy fluctuationsing from behind him, he quickly dodged. A powerful force hit his butt. Bang! Gu Zhicheng fell on his face. The Gu family members and servants who were waiting for the master to show his might were stunned. ¡®Why is the Gu Family Head bowing to me like this?¡± A teasing female voice came from above. Gu Zhicheng, who was a little confused, raised his head when he heard that. First, he saw a pair of white boots, then a snow-white dress, and then a smiling face. And at this moment, he was prostrating himself! Gu Qingluan¡¯s words made it seem like he was giving her a big bow! Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face contorted in an instant. How preposterous! This audacious girl dared to insult him, her supposed father! Gu Zhicheng bounced up from the ground and fixed a malicious stare upon Gu Qingluan. Did she think lowly of him just because he didn¡¯t show her what he was capable Of? He pulled out a Zengxuan Pill from his pocket, releasing a dense spiritual aura and fragrant scent that permeated the air. ¡°A Zengxuan Pill!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes widened abruptly, feigning astonishment as she eximed, ¡°How did you get a Zengxuan Pill?¡± Gu Zhichengughed triumphantly, ¡°You have good eyesight, recognizing it at a nce! I bet you¡¯ve been indulging in this thing, haven¡¯t you? You worthless fool! If it weren¡¯t for relying on the Zengxuan Pill, how could you ever match up to me? Once I take this Zengxuan Pill, do you think you can still defeat me?¡± ¡°Eat it? I never touch this thing,¡± Gu Qingluan furrowed her brows. Gu Zhicheng refused to believe her words, convinced that she was trying to prevent him from consuming the Zengxuan Pill. His expression grew even more arrogant, his eyes brimming with greed. ¡°Are you scared now, you wretched girl? If you kneel down and kowtow to me ten times, no, a hundred times! And if you reveal the secrets of your cultivation, I might spare your life..¡± Chapter 45 - 45: Embrace Your Kneeling, and Do It with Gusto Chapter 45: Embrace Your Kneeling, and Do It with Gusto Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan lowered her gaze, hiding her emotions behind her long and thick eyshes. ¡°Spare my life?¡± ¡°In the future, you must obey my everymand! If I tell you to go east, you must never go west!¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s tone softened slightly. ¡°After all, you are my daughter. If you obediently follow my instructions, I may show leniency for the mistakes you have made.¡± ¡°Father, that¡¯s not fair!¡± Gu Si¡¯er couldn¡¯t contain herself and rushed forward. ¡°Father, Gu Qingluan has made numerous mistakes. We can¡¯t forgive her so easily!¡¯ Gu Qin¡¯er couldn¡¯t stop her and let out a sigh, hiding herself more discreetly behind the artificial mountain. Gu Qingluan burst intoughter. ¡®What¡¯s so funny?¡± Gu Si¡¯er red at her with resentment. If looks could kill, Gu Qingluan would have been dead a thousand times over. Her gaze casually swept across Gu Si¡¯er¡¯s face. ¡°The ugly crown is acting like a fool, how amusing.¡± Although Gu Si¡¯er¡¯s injuries were healing rapidly, there were still visible scars on her face. This remark was a tant mockery. It struck at the core of Gu Si¡¯er¡¯s heart. Her anger twisted her face, making her appear even more ferocious. ¡°You despicable person!¡± Gu Si¡¯er maintained a trace ofposure and turned to Gu Zhicheng, using a coquettish tone. ¡°Father, look at her! She shows no remorse! You mustn¡¯t easily forgive her! She needs to face greater hardships to truly learn her lesson!¡¯ Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face darkened as he scolded, ¡°Gu Qingluan, how dare you speak of your younger sister like that! Apologize to her immediately! ¡® Gu Si¡¯er looked smugly at her. ¡°Did you hear that? Apologize to me! I want you to kneel down and apologize!¡± ¡°If you enjoy kneeling, then kneel with gusto!¡± With a clear flick of his finger, a sharp Qi de shot out, finding its mark on Gu Si¡¯er¡¯s knees. She cried out in pain as her legs gave way uncontrobly, tears streaming down her face. ¡°You wicked child! How dare you harm your younger sister! If I don¡¯t teach you a lesson today, I won¡¯t stand for it!¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s anger burned hot, his face flushed with indignation at her audacious act of attacking him directly. He prepared to consume the Zengxuan Pill. ¡°I advise you against eating it, or you will regret it,¡± Gu Qingluan nonchntly twirled her fingers through her hair, her words carrying a weighty implication. Thinking she was afraid, Gu Zhicheng let out a scornfulugh. Without hesitation, he swallowed the Zengxuan Pill. In an instant, a surge of energy spread outwards. Gu Zhicheng believed the medicine was taking effect, his eyebrows rxing as he activated his profound power. ¡°Puff!¡± A loud noise erupted, filling the air with a putrid stench. Everyone¡¯s expressions changed, hastily covering their noses as they retreated in horror. Having anticipated this, Gu Qingluan had already flown far away. ¡°It stinks!¡± ¡°So foul! Goodness! How can it be so repulsive?¡± ¡°It seems¡­ it seems like the lord farted!¡¯ Gu Zhicheng, enveloped in the foul odor, turned pale, and upon hearing their discussions, he was consumed with anger, almost passing out from fury. ¡°Silence!¡± At Gu Zhicheng¡¯s roar, everyone fell into a frightening silence. ¡°Pfft! However, at that moment,ughter erupted from someone. Due to the eerie silence surrounding them, theughter sounded particrly Jarring. Gu Zhicheng immediately turned his head, his eyes piercing like daggers at the source of theughter. Gu Qingluan! ¡°Shut up! Noughing allowed!¡± Just as he finished speaking, another ¡°pfft¡± sound reverberated, and the foul odor permeated the air once more. Those closer to the source turned pale, their difort evident, yet they restrained their reactions, their faces reddening from the effort of suppressing their repulsion. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face darkened like coal. ¡°Old Master, did you consume something contaminated?¡± Wang Shi asked cautiously. What kind of food could produce such a repugnant stench? It was toxic! Wait a minute, the Zengxuan Pill he had just swallowed¡­. Chapter 46 - 46: Indeed a Beast Chapter 46: Indeed a Beast Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion His cultivation hadn¡¯t advanced. Could it be that the Zengxuan Pill was a fake? The thought crossed Gu Zhicheng¡¯s mind, instantly filling him with anger. He angrily pointed at Gu Qingluan and used, ¡°Are you the one behind this trickery?¡¯ Gu Qingluan innocently blinked her eyes and replied, ¡®Trickery? I merely advised you not to eat it earlier. I knew you would regret it, but Lord Gu refused to listen and insisted on consuming it. There was nothing I could do.¡± Who would believe her words? They would only assume she was afraid of him consuming it. So ¡°The Zengxuan Pill is fake?¡± ¡®While I don¡¯t know where you obtained this Zengxuan Pill, judging by its potency, it shouldn¡¯t be fake. After all, the Zengxuan Pill is meant for aiding the bowel movements and intestinal cleansing of Spirit Beasts. Until now, no one has ever heard of humans consuming it. Now we finally know the reaction when a human ingests it,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a mischievous smile. Spirit¡­ meant for the consumption of Spirit Beasts? So, it was actually intended for Spirit Beasts! Gu Zhicheng was seething with anger. ¡°Ah, I never expected Lord Gu to have such peculiar tastes, actually enjoying something intended for Spirit Beasts. Truly a beast!¡± she sighed, ¡°Birds of a feather flock together. I better leave this ce quickly before I be assimted.¡± With a disgusted expression, she tiptoed and flew out of the garden. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare leave!¡± Gu Zhicheng was furious, activating Although Gu Qingluan had anticipated the consequences and kept her distance after Gu Zhicheng consumed the Zengxuan Pill, she couldn¡¯t shake off the lingering unease in her heart. Upon returning to Shallow Cloud Residence, she immediately had hot water prepared for a bath, and changed her clothes. Qianxi went off to observe themotion. After some time, Qianxi returned and enthusiastically described the scene to Gu Qingluan, saying, ¡°Gu Family Master went to the outhouse more than ten times! I heard that he waspletely exhausted. And nobody dared to go near the outhouse! It was so disgustingly smelly!¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but inwardly sneer. Xiao Nan¡¯s ¡°One Excretion for a Thousand Miles¡± was truly effective, but it was unfortunate that others were affected and had to suffer from the foul odor. Thankfully, she had foreseen this and led everyone to the garden. If this had happened at Shallow Cloud Residence, she would never dare to stay there again. The power of ¡°One Excretion for a Thousand Miles¡± was tremendous. She decided to wait until the next day when the smell had dispersed before dealing with them. ¡°Go! Fetch the shopkeeper from the Hundred Herb Hall for me!¡± Exhausted, Gu Zhicheng shouted angrily while lying on the bed. A repugnant stench filled the air. Wang Shi, enduring her difort, stood inside the room and asked, ¡°Master, you knocked out the shopkeeper from the Hundred Herb Hall and took the pill from him. Why do you want him here? ¡® Gu Zhicheng was momentarily speechless. Wang Shi let out a sigh, ¡°Ultimately, the root of this problem lies with Qingluan. She must have deliberately led you to Hundred Herb Hall, making you believe that the Zengxuan Pill could enhance your cultivation. We should focus on teaching her a lesson. We must not offend Hundred Herb Hall, considering that they have the backing of Harmony Isle.¡± Filled with hatred, Gu Zhicheng gritted his teeth, ¡°That wretched creature! Ever since her return, my life has been nothing but misery! ¡± Wang Shi¡¯s eyes carried a hint of amusement, but her face betrayed her concern, ¡°1 can¡¯t fathom where she acquired such skills. If we continue to let her go unchecked, we will all be driven out. At that point, the entire Tianjing City will mock us, and even Xue¡¯er will likely suffer the consequences.¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyebrows furrowed tightly. While he had already suffered a loss of face, Xue¡¯er was different. Her future was promising, and there must not be even the slightest blemish on her reputation. ¡°If we can¡¯t confront this openly, then we will resort to covert methods! I refuse to believe that we can¡¯t handle this wretched girl!¡± Chapter 47 - 47: Assassination Chapter 47: Assassination Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion That night, feeling tired from reading, Gu Qingluan extinguished the light and went to sleep. Several sneaky figures quietly infiltrated Shallow Cloud Residence. As Gu Qingluany on the bed, she suddenly opened her eyes, alert and vign Someone had triggered the barrier she had set in the courtyard! Swiftly, she got up, concealing a pillow beneath the covers to create the illusion of a sleeping person. With a nimble leap, shended on the room¡¯s rafters. A bamboo pipe was inserted into the room, and white smoke billowed in. After a moment, the door was pried open. Silently, like ghosts, the ck-d intruders slipped into the room. One of them headed straight for the bed, raising a long sword and thrusting it into the nket. As soon as the sword pierced through, the ck-d intruder sensed something was wrong. And at that moment, a gust of wind swept in. The ck-d intruder was startled and drew the sword to strike behind. A hand grabbed his neck and twisted it effortlessly. The eyes of the ck-d intruder bulged, his head tilting to the side. The other ck-d individuals were also rmed and instinctively raised their swords to attack the person who killed theirrade. Gu Qingluan grabbed the sword of the dead intruder and swiftly plunged into the midst of the enemies. Gathering her profound power, she infused it into the sword. In the dark night, the sword gleamed like lightning, swiftly moving through the air. The assassins were horrified and had the intention to retreat. Unfortunately, their lives would all end here tonight. After a moment, all seven individuals had perished, not a single one left alive. ¡°Master, what happened here?¡± Hearing themotion, Su Lie hurriedly arrived. A trace of profound power formed at her fingertips, flicking towards the candlestick. Puff! The candlelight illuminated the room, revealing everything clearly to Su Lie. Seeing the seven ck-d corpses strewn on the ground, Su Lie¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°l arrivedte, and I apologize for the disturbance, Master.¡¯ The mere assassins wouldn¡¯t be enough to frighten their master. However, the fact that they had disturbed their master¡¯s rest was a failure on Su Lie¡¯s part. ¡°These individuals are all experts at the Heavenly Stage, skilled at concealing their presence. It¡¯s normal that you didn¡¯t notice,¡± Gu Qingluan said calmly. Although she didn¡¯t me him, Su Lie still felt remorseful. ¡°I will investigate and find out who hired these assassins, to give you an exnation, Master.¡± ¡°No need. I already know who it is.¡± ¡°Is it someone from the Gu family?¡± Su Lie asked. Gu Qingluan nodded. It wasn¡¯t difficult to guess. She had anticipated that the Gu family would make a move, but they acted even faster than she had expected. However , did they really think hiring a few Heavenly Stage assassins could solve the problem with her? That was too naive! Su Lie eximed angrily, ¡°I¡¯ll go and settle the score with them!¡± ¡°No need to rush.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled, a hint of mischief in her expression under the dim, yellow light. She then went to rest in the adjacent guest room, while Su Lie called someone to clean up the room. Rongde Hall. Neither Gu Zhicheng nor Wang Shi had been able to sleep. They were anxiously waiting in the study, hoping for any news from the hired assassins, but the silence was deafening. There was no sign of any progress, and Shallow Cloud Residence remained eerily quiet. As time passed, their initial anticipation slowly turned into growing unease and apprehension. They both knew deep down that the mission had likely failed. Wang Shi attempted tofort Gu Zhicheng, trying to find reassurance in their anonymity. ¡®The assassins are unaware of our true identities. Even if they have failed, Gu Qingluan has no way of tracing it back to us.¡± Although her words held some logic, Gu Zhicheng couldn¡¯t suppress his frustration. ¡°They have jeopardized their own reputation while attempting to tarnish ours! Go back to your quarters!¡± Wang Shi couldn¡¯t hide her restlessness. ¡°I can¡¯t sleep. Tomorrow is already the third day. If Gu Qingluan is still alive, do we really have to retreat in shame?¡¯ Her frustration and unwillingness were palpable. Being suppressed by that worthless girl for fifteen years, it was unbearable to see her now in a position of power, abusing her authority. It infuriated Wang Shi to no end. ¡°Retreat? She must be delusional!¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s anger reverberated as he pounded his hand on the table. Witnessing his intense reaction, Wang Shi hesitated but couldn¡¯t contain her curiosity. ¡°Old Master, where are you going?¡± ¡°To seek outside assistance!¡¯ In the Chengyuan Kingdom, Heavenly Stage experts were highly regarded as top-tier fighters. However, within the Heavenly Stage, there were nine levels of power, each representing a significant leap in strength. Gu Zhicheng was at the fourth level, but the fact that he couldn¡¯t ovee Gu Qingluan meant that her abilities surpassed the fourth level. Initially, Gu Zhicheng had wanted to avoid exposing their family¡¯s disgrace, but now he had reached a breaking point and could no longer consider the consequences.. Chapter 48 - 48: Kidnapping the Beautiful Sister Back Home Chapter 48: Kidnapping the Beautiful Sister Back Home Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Inside the pce. ¡°Mr. Lan, I have good news for you. Mr. Liu has agreed to meet us!¡± Qi Tianyou excitedly shared the news with Feng Tian. Feng Tian¡¯s eyes flickered with interest. ¡®When?¡± ¡°Today, in the morning. Get ready, we¡¯ll go there right away!¡± After a while, there was no sound outside the room. Inside the room, Feng Yuanxi sat up from the bed, his big eyes sparkling. His delicate and beautiful face was irresistibly adorable. If Gu Qingluan were here right now, she would be extremely shocked. Because this face looked almost identical to her son, Gu Xiaonan! Feng Yuanxi jumped off the bed and ran to the door, shouting, ¡®Oh, Uncle Jingfeng, my stomach hurts!¡± Jingfeng, who was guarding the door, was startled by the words and immediately unlocked and broke open the door. ¡°Young master, you¡­¡± ¡°Young master, you¡­¡± A strong gust of wind struck, startling Jingfeng. Oh no! It was a trap! He quickly turned around. Powder was scattered on his face. Jingfeng instinctively closed his eyes. Whoosh! A dark figure shot towards him and bit his neck. Jingfeng endured the pain and opened his eyes to grab the little figure trying to escape. ¡°Young master, don¡¯t run¡­¡± The toxin quickly took effect in his body. He took two steps forward, his vision went dark, and his body uncontrobly copsed to the ground. ¡°Xiaohei, well done! ¡® Feng Yuanxi touched the head of the small ck snake. ¡°Hiss, hiss!¡± Xiaohei bumped its head against his hand, and its sharp tail curled up happily. Looking at the unconscious Jingfeng on the ground, Feng Yuanxi sped his hands together apologetically. ¡°Uncle Jingfeng, I¡¯m sorry. Please rest well in the room. I¡¯lle back early!¡± Heboriously moved Jingfeng into the room, closed the door, and happily ran outside. Haha, beautiful sister, I¡¯ming to find you! It had been two days since hest saw his beautiful sister. He wondered if she still remembered him. Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t know where Jun Mansion was and looked a bit lost on the streets. After a while, he found a passerby to ask for directions. The passerby, charmed by his cuteness, enthusiastically pointed him in the right direction. In the end, a kind-hearted girl, who was afraid that he would get lost, personally apanied him until they reached the outside of Jun Mansion. ¡°Thank you, sister. I¡¯ve arrived! Go about your business, and if we¡¯re destined, we¡¯ll meet again!¡± Feng Yuanxi waved his little hand to bid farewell to the kind-hearted girl, gazing at the majestic words ¡°Jun Mansion¡± on the closed gate. Suddenly , he pped his forehead. Oh no, he came in such a hurry and forgot to prepare a gift for his beautiful sister! If he went to prepare now, it would take a long time before he could see the beautiful sister. After hesitating for a moment, Feng Yuanxi dismissed that n. Why not just kidnap his beautiful sister and bring her home? After all, his father wasn¡¯t around, and there were plenty of treasures in the pce for his sister to choose from! Hmm, there must be something that the beautiful sister would like! Thinking about the countless treasures sent by the royal family of Chengyuan Kingdom to the pce, Feng Yuanxi instantly came up with an idea. As a polite and well-behaved child, Feng Yuanxi believed that on his first visit, he should leave a good impression on his beautiful sister. He straightened his clothes and approached the front gate, knocking on it. No one responded. Huh? Was his voice too soft? Feng Yuanxi knocked harder three times. The gate remained tightly closed. Were all the people inside asleep? Feng Yuanxi scratched his head. No choice, he would have to take an unconventional approach! The first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds and illuminated thend in the early morning. Gu Qingluan leisurely had her breakfast and then walked towards Rongde Hall. Qianxi and Sulei followed behind her. Both of them were full of anticipation and excitement for what was about to happen, their faces beaming. Gu Zhicheng and Wang Shi, who had endured a sleepless night, emerged from their quarters upon learning of Gu Qingluan¡¯s arrival. They were joined by a retinue of servants as they confronted her. ¡®Why have youe at such an early hour?¡± Gu Zhicheng inquired with a touch of annoyance.. Chapter 49 - 49: Gu Qingluan Died Five Years Ago! Chapter 49: Gu Qingluan Died Five Years Ago! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Has the head of the Gu family forgotten? The three-day deadline is up,¡± Gu Qingluan reminded. Gu Zhicheng snorted dismissively. ¡°What three-day deadline?¡¯ ¡°It seems that with age, the head of the Gu family has be forgetful,¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled lightly. ¡°Su Lie, please remind him.¡± Stepping forward, Su Lie spoke. ¡°Head of the Gu family, today is the day you were supposed to vacate Jun Mansion. If you need assistance, myrades can lend a hand.¡± ¡°This is the Gu family! Who are you to tell us to leave? We won¡¯t budge!¡± Gu Zhicheng retorted, wearing an unyielding expression. Anticipating their resistance, Gu Qingluan had exhausted her patience over the course of three days. ¡°Su Lie, take action,¡± shemanded firmly. ¡®Yes!¡± Su Lie nodded and gestured, prompting dozens of subordinates to charge towards Rongde Hall. ¡°How dare you! Get out of here!¡± Gu Zhicheng saw the approaching figures and waved his sleeve in a dismissive manner. A surge of profound power rippled outward, creating waves like the sea. The henchmen leaped to avoid the force and swiftly vaulted over the courtyard gate, breaching the walls. Observing Gu Qingluan audaciously sending people to invade the courtyard, Gu Zhicheng seethed with anger, his whiskers trembling. ¡°You insolent girl! Since you insist on defying me, don¡¯t expect me to show any familial mercy!¡± He turned to the middle-aged man standing beside him and respectfully bowed. ¡°Brother Li, I apologize for this situation. I ask for your help in dealing with this disobedient girl.¡± Gu Qingluan had just noticed the presence of the middle-aged man by Gu Zhicheng¡¯s side. His eyes emanated a sharp yet restrained gaze, dressed in a simple ck robe. His face exhibited determination, and apelling aura surrounded him. Surname Li¡­ Could it be Li Tianhao, the current head of the Li family? Recalling her memories, Gu Qingluan confirmed his identity as Li Tianhao. She smiled softly. ¡®This is a private dispute between the Gu and Jun families. Head of the Li family, are you truly determined to intervene?¡± Li Tianhao calmly regarded her. ¡°The Gu and Li families have had a long-standing friendship, and you and I can be considered as uncle and niece. Allow me to advise you to show mercy when given the chance. The blood of the Gu family runs through your veins, an unchangeable fact. Despite any grudges or enmity, we are still family. Why create unnecessary hostility and provide outsiders with amusement?¡± ¡°Gu Qingluan died five years ago!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled coldly. The people present did not understand what she meant and thought that she had been heartbroken back then. ¡°Is there no room for negotiation?¡± Li Tianhao asked. ¡°If the head of the Li family leaves now, I will still address you as Uncle Li when we meet in the future. Otherwise, we will be enemies!¡¯ Gu Qingluan dered. Li Tianhao let out a soft sigh. ¡°So stubborn!¡± Gritting his teeth, Gu Zhicheng said, ¡°Li, stop wasting your words on her. I have tried to reason with her and appeal to her emotions multiple times in the past few days, as you have witnessed. No matter how much I say, it¡¯s just a waste of breath. ¡± Li Tianhao walked to the bottom of the steps. ¡°I¡¯ll give you three moves.¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. ¡®Thank you, Lord Li!¡± Without hesitation, she made her move since he had offered. Li Tianhao¡¯s expression slightly tensed. In a battle between masters, the true extent of their skills bes evident. Initially thinking that Gu Zhicheng¡¯s description was exaggerated, Li Tianhao had to admit that Gu Qingluan was indeed formidable. He realized that he needed to be careful; a slight oversight could lead to his defeat. Bang! Li Tianhao intercepted Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand. ¡°One move.¡¯ ¡°Lord Li, you truly live up to being an expert in the Ninth Stage of the Heavenly Realm. Much stronger than someone here,¡± Gu Qingluan lightly implied, casting a meaningful nce at a certain man beside her. Gu Zhicheng understood the underlying meaning of her words, and his face immediately darkened. Li Tianhao replied, ¡°You are also impressive!¡± His Ninth Stage of the Heavenly Realm cultivation was no secret, so he wasn¡¯t surprised when Gu Qingluan mentioned it. ¡°Prepare yourself, Lord Li!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled faintly. Her fist clenched as she aimed for Li Tianhao¡¯s face. Her punch was unstoppable. The sound of air being shattered caused Li Tianhao¡¯s expression to change. ¡°You¡­¡± He swiftly evaded. A strand of his hair was swept away by the force of her punch, instantly severed into two pieces. ¡®You are also an expert in the Ninth Stage of the Heavenly Realm!¡± Li Tianhaonded not far away. His eyes filled with astonishment as he looked at Gu Qingluan.. Chapter 50 - 50: Regretting to the Core Chapter 50: Regretting to the Core Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The power in that punch just now was enough to match his own. ¡°What? Ninth Stage of the Heavenly Realm?¡± Gu Zhicheng and the others watching on were all shocked. After reaching the Heavenly Realm, each subsequent stage represents a substantial gap, particrly beyond the sixth stage where the disparity bes significant. Some people remain stuck at a certain stage for years without being able to advance. It was not that theyck talent, as every cultivator who can reach the Heavenly Realm had exceptional talent. But even those with great talent in cultivation often get stuck at a certain stage without any progress. For example, if there were one thousand Heavenly Realm experts in the country of Chengyuan, 70% would be below the fourth stage, while the fourth to sixth stages would ount for 25%, and only 5% would be above the sixth stage! And within this 5%, the higher the stage, the fewer the number of people. In the entire country of Chengyuan, there are only ten known experts at the Ninth Stage of the Heavenly Realm! Among these ten, Li Tianhao was the second youngest! The youngest one was already in his thirties. And Gu Qingluan was not even twenty-one years old yet! More importantly, just five years ago, she was a powerless waste! In a span of over five years, she transformed from a waste into a respected Ninth Stage Heavenly Realm expert. How is that possible? Gu Qingluan shook her head, ¡°You¡¯re mistaken.¡¯ Everyone let out a sigh of relief. That was what they thought. How could she possibly be at the Ninth Stage of the Heavenly Realm? If she were at that level, it would be unbearable for anyone. They would start doubting their own lives! Li Tianhao was taken aback. Engaging in directbat with Gu Qingluan allowed him to truly feel her strength. If she wasn¡¯t at the ninth stage of the Heavenly Realm, then could she be¡­ ¡°The Saint Realm?¡± he eximed. Everyone else was utterly shocked by his proim. ¡°It¡¯s impossible! Absolutely impossible!¡± Gu Zhicheng and Wang Shi vehemently denied it. They couldn¡¯t ept the idea of Gu Qingluan being at the ninth stage of the Heavenly Realm, let alone being a Saint. Even their proudest daughter had only reached the Heavenly Realm. If Gu Qingluan truly was a Divine Realm powerhouse, then they were finished! ¡°That¡¯s not the case,¡± Gu Qingluan denied. Before everyone could rx, she smirked, ¡°I¡¯m just at the peak of the ninth stage of the Heavenly Realm.¡± Thud! Wang Shi¡¯s legs gave way, and she sank to the ground. Gu Zhicheng visibly staggered. The peak of the ninth stage of the Heavenly Realm! With just one opportunity, she could ascend to the Saint Realm!!! She was once their daughter, someone who could have brought glory to the Gu family. But now, they had be enemies. Instead of supporting the Gu family, she had be a weapon aimed at them! At that moment, regret overwhelmed Gu Zhicheng¡¯s heart. If only he had known¡­ if only he hadn¡¯t acted so ruthlessly! Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze turned icy as she scanned the Gu couple, finally resting on the face of Li Tianhao. ¡°Lord Li, do you still wish to fight?¡± ¡®Yes.¡± Li Tianhao¡¯s expression was still calm.¡± Your cultivation is indeed high, but you¡¯re still young and inexperienced. If we really fight, it¡¯s not certain who will win.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s fight! ¡® Gu Qingluan stood her ground, exuding an air of calmness andposure. The gentle morning breeze blew, causing her flowing white garments to flutter, while her fair and delicate face radiated an ethereal charm. Li Tianhao, unable to contain his impatience any longer, made the first move. The earlier proposition of three moves had be nothing but a mere jest. It remained uncertain whether giving their all would be sufficient to ovee their opponent. Li Tianhao was skilled in the art of spear techniques. Little did he expect that one day he would bepelled to resort to using a weapon against a younger opponent. As he closed in on Gu Qingluan, a long spear appeared in his grasp. ¡°The zing me Spear!¡± Wang Shi eximed upon catching sight of the weapon, a glimmer of hope lighting up her eyes. The zing me Spear was renowned for its ability to sweep aside all obstacles in its path. A tinge of admiration flickered in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes.. ¡°So, this is the legendary zing me Spear?¡¯ Chapter 51 - 51: The Sneak Attack: Unveiling the Culprit Chapter 51: The Sneak Attack: Unveiling the Culprit Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion As the head of one of the Four Great Families in Chengyuan Kingdom, Li Tianhao also held the title of the kingdom¡¯s War God. Once, he had wielded the zing me Spear, sweeping through countless armies. Sensing the formidable energy emanating from Li Tianhao, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but marvel. No wonder Li Tianhao had gained fame with the zing me Spear; it was likely a sacred-grade profound artifact! The zing me Spear, surrounded by dazzling mes, thrust directly at Gu Qingluan. The air instantly became scorching hot, causing everyone to feel the heat. However, facing the oing zing me Spear, Gu Qingluan felt an even more intense heat. With a slight tilt of her head, she skillfully evaded the sharp spearhead and swiftly reached out her right hand to grasp the spear shaft! Witnessing this astonishing sight, many eximed in disbelief. ¡°Am I seeing things? Did she¡­ actually catch the zing me Spear with her bare hands?¡± Li Tianhao¡¯s zing me Spear was embedded with a fire-element mystical beast¡¯s core, and the mes it emitted were akin to a real fire. It was unheard of for anyone to attempt to catch it barehanded! Gu Qingluan¡¯s audacity could only be exined by either her ignorance or her fearlessness. And the obvious answer was thetter! Li Tianhao¡¯s expression abruptly changed. He let out a resounding shout as his profound energy surged, causing the mes surrounding the zing me Spear to expand even further. From a distance, it seemed as if Gu Qingluan was trapped within a raging inferno. The onlookers involuntarily held their breath, captivated by the intense scene unfolding before them. ¡°It would be best if she burned to death!¡± Wang Shi maliciously whispered under her breath. Although Su Lie and Qian Xi believed their mistress was formidable, they couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of nervousness at this moment. Gu Qingluan smiled lightly, swiftly pulling the zing me Spear backward and delivering a forceful kick forward. Li Tianhao lunged forward, startled by the powerful kick, and broke into a cold sweat as he quickly leaped into the air. Little did he know, a tremendous force was pulling him downward. His body, which had just ascended, suddenly plummeted. A powerful gust of wind came rushing toward his face! Li Tianhao now had only two options: either let go or take the punch head-on. However, although it seemed like two choices, in reality, they both led to the same oue. In a moment of crisis, he released his grip on the zing me Spear and swiftly retreated. The long spear spun in the air, rotating 180 degrees, rapidly closing in and aiming directly at Li Tianhao¡¯s throat. Gu Qingluan stood proudly, firmly grasping the spear. Li Tianhao let out a bitter smile. ¡°I¡¯ve lost!¡± Everyone was stunned. Their actions were swift and fierce, and nobody expected the oue to be determined so quickly. ¡°Master Li lost so quickly?¡± ¡°So powerful! ¡± ¡°The youngdy is undoubtedly the strongest among Chengyuan Kingdom¡¯s younger generation, right?¡¯ ¡°Not only in Chengyuan Kingdom but also throughout the entire Cloud ins Continent, is there anyone younger and more formidable than her?¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s vision darkened. Indeed, was there any young person who could surpass Gu Qingluan in strength? Compared to her, even Gu Lingxue, who had entered the Qiankun Academy, paled inparison! ¡°I respectfully ept your surrender.¡± Gu Qingluan handed the zing me Spear to Li Tianhao. He took it, saying, ¡°Little girl, you have a bright future ahead. I will no longer interfere in matters between you and the Gu family.¡± He turned to face Gu Zhicheng, a regretful expression on his face. ¡°Brother Gu, you have made a grave mistake.¡± With those words, he walked away with determined steps. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned pale. Gu Qingluan approached him and Wang Shi slowly, a faint smile ying on her lips. ¡°Will you leave on your own, or shall I escort you out?¡± ¡°Gu Qingluan, I am your father! Are you really going to be so ruthless?¡± Gu Zhicheng asked with a grim expression. Wang Shi, suppressing her fear, said, ¡°Don¡¯t get too arrogant! My daughter is a direct disciple of the Revered One at the Qiankun Academy. If you dare to drive us out, Xue¡¯er will never let you off¡ªAh!¡± Suddenly, Wang Shi felt a sharp pain in her face, causing her to let out a scream. ¡®Who? Who attacked me?!¡¯ Chapter 52 - 52: I’ve Found Mother Chapter 52: I¡¯ve Found Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Nearby, on an Osmanthus tree, the concealed figure of Feng Yuanxi red at Wang Shi with an inted sense of anger. ¡°You old hag, how dare you threaten my beautiful sister!¡¯ Watch me teach you a lesson! He plucked a green Osmanthus fruit from the tree and hurled it towards Wang Shi. While she was scanning her surroundings, searching for the assant, she suddenly felt a sharp pain on her face. Startled, she cried out and hurriedly took cover behind Gu Zhicheng, her eyes shimmering with shock and fury. Catching sight of the rolling green fruit on the ground, she immediately eximed with excitement, ¡°It¡¯s on the Osmanthus tree! Capture the scoundrel who dared to attack thisdy!¡± Gu Qingluan turned her head to look. She caught a glimpse of a fleeting blue figure. Several attendants moved to surround the tree. ¡°Lady, there¡¯s no one on the tree.¡± ¡°How is that possible? Search thoroughly!¡± Wang Shi¡¯s expression twisted with rage. Gu Qingluan sneered, ¡°Stop diverting attention. If you don¡¯t leave now, I¡¯ll have to throw you out.¡± Gu Zhicheng grabbed Wang Shi¡¯s arm. ¡°Enough! Is it not humiliating enough for you? Go pack your things, we¡¯re leaving! ¡® ¡°Old Master, do you really intend to listen to her and leave this ce?¡± Wang Shi, upon hearing his words, no longer cared about the person who had attacked her. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned grim as he retorted, ¡°Or should we wait to be thrown out? Even Li Tianhao couldn¡¯t defeat Gu Qingluan. What can we do?¡¯ He turned to Gu Qingluan. ¡°Can we leave in the evening?¡± In broad daylight, with peopleing and going outside, who knows how many would be entertained by the spectacle. Gu Qingluan looked at him with a smile. ¡°No, you can¡¯t.¡± Gu Zhicheng, infuriated, turned around and left. Wang Shi nced at him, then at Gu Qingluan, stomped her foot, and chased after him. Gu Qingluan instructed Su Lie, ¡°Keep an eye on them. They can¡¯t take anything from the Jun Residence that they¡¯re not supposed to.¡± ¡°Yes, Master!¡± Su Lie nodded solemnly. The Osmanthus tree stood next to a long wall, and on the other side of the wall, a small figure crouched in the corner, with eyes rolling and ears perked up. Footsteps grew closer. The figure instantly tensed up, attentively looking over. Ah! It¡¯s my beautiful sister! Feng Yuanxi saw her face and his whole face lit up, standing up joyfully. ¡°Son, when did you sneak in?¡± Gu Qingluan suspected that the person who attacked Wang Shi might be hiding there, so she came over out of curiosity. She didn¡¯t expect to see her own son! Son? Feng Yuanxi looked confused. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t notice his confusion. ¡®Why did youe here? Didn¡¯t I tell you to stay at the Building of No Return and wait for me to clean up this ce before I pick you up?¡± Gu Qingluan pinched his little nose, exerting just a slight force, showing affection. Feng Yuanxi blinked his big eyes. It was only now that he realized he was in a hurry and forgot to put on his mask. Could it be that the beautiful sister mistook him for her own son? She smiled so gently! If the beautiful sister were his mother, how wonderful would that be! ¡°Xiaonan, why aren¡¯t you speaking?¡± Gu Qingluan touched his little face, feeling a bit puzzled. Could it be that he was frightened when she found out that he had snuck over? Feng Yuanxi was envious of the boy called Xiao Nan as he felt the soft hand caressing her cheek. Do they look alike? Then could he call her¡­ ¡°Moth¡­er?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Gu Qingluan gently pinched his small face and said, ¡°Silly child, if you don¡¯t call me ¡®Mother,¡¯ then what should you call me?¡± ¡°Mother! ¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement as he eagerly rushed into her embrace. A familiar andforting aroma surrounded him. It was the scent of his mother! He remembered it! He had found his mother! Chapter 53 - 53: Lying to Mother Chapter 53: Lying to Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi was certain that the beautiful sister was his mother, which was why she appeared in the forest. He almost knocked Gu Qingluan over, but she steadied herself and embraced him, saying, ¡°Did someone bully you? Why are you acting so differently today, my little one?¡¯ Sensing something unusual about her son, she patiently asked. Feng Yuanxi shook his head and said, ¡°I just missed Mother so¡­ so much. ¡® It had only been a few days since theyst saw each other, but it felt like they had been separated for years. Even so, Gu Qingluan was touched by her son¡¯s affection and kissed his forehead, saying, ¡°I missed you too. Those scoundrels from the Gu family must leave today, but you don¡¯t have to go.¡± Mother¡­ she kissed him! Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face flushed, his eyes sparkling, and he nodded in a daze, saying, ¡®Yes, yes! I¡¯ll do whatever Mother says! ¡® ¡°Hell, if you really listen to me, it would make things easier!¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled and yfully rubbed his nose. ¡°Did Bo He know that you came to the Jun Residence? Why didn¡¯t you bring Xiao Bai and Xiao Mei with you?¡± Bo He, Xiao Bai, Xiao Mei¡­ Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t recognize any of these names. He mumbled, ¡°I came here secretly on my own.¡± Then, she would send someone to inform Bo Heter to avoid her getting worried. ¡°Since you came so early, have you had breakfast?¡± Gu Qingluan asked. Feng Yuanxi shook his head. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the kitchen and have a look. There should still be something to eat.¡± Feng Yuanxi obediently nodded. He would follow whatever his mother asked ¡°Before we find something to eat, remember to put on your mask. Do you remember our agreement beforeing ashore?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s words startled him. What agreement? Without waiting for his response, Gu Qingluan lowered her head curiously and asked, ¡°You forgot?¡± ¡°Mother, can you say it again? I will definitely remember this!¡¯ Feng Yuanxi lowered her head guiltily. If Mother found out that he wasn¡¯t Xiaonan, would she abandon him? He didn¡¯t want to lie to his mother, but he was afraid that if he told the truth, his mother would abandon him. In a few days, he would gather the courage to confess to his mother! A flicker of surprise passed through Gu Qingluan¡¯s mind. Xiaonan had always had a good memory, so how could he forget the agreement she had repeatedly emphasized? Looking at the little one, who appeared remorseful with his head lowered, Gu Qingluan smiled. Perhaps she was overthinking things. The members of the Gu family were unaware of her having a son, let alone what Xiaonan looked like. ¡°Gu Jinrong and Gu Si¡¯er have seen you in your disguise, so it¡¯s safer for you to remain undisguised while staying in Bu Gui Building. But now that we¡¯re back at the Jun Residence, there are too many enemies watching us. Therefore, you must continue to disguise yourself. Secondly, when we¡¯re outside, we will address each other as master and disciple. Please make sure not to address me incorrectly. And thirdly, it is crucial for you to protect yourself. Do you remember these instructions?¡± Gu Qingluan exined. She referred to the numerous adversaries they faced, some of whom were likely members of the Gu family. Recalling everything he had witnessed earlier, Feng Yuanxi felt concerned about his mother¡¯s safety. Although his mother was formidable, the sheer number of adversaries worried him. He didn¡¯t want her to bear the burden alone. He was determined to protect his mother! ¡°I remember, Mother. Please rest assured, I won¡¯t forget again,¡± Feng Yuanxi reassured her. Since he didn¡¯t have a disguise mask with him, Gu Qingluan retrieved a thin, paper-like face skin from her storage ring and gently applied it to his face. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go to the kitchen and find something to eat,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a warm smile as she held his hand. Meanwhile, Gu Qin¡¯er, Gu Siler, and others were being expelled. Upon spotting Gu Qingluan, Gu Si¡¯er immediately eximed, ¡°Gu Qingluan, who do you think you are to chase us away? I¡¯m not leaving!¡± Feng Yuanxi furrowed his brows and coldly stared at the individual. Were they also among the adversaries who were mistreating his mother? Gu Qin¡¯er caught sight of the little boy Gu Qingluan was holding hands with, and a gleam of recognition shed in her eyes¡ª It was him! Unexpectedly, Gu Qingluan had brought her disciple into the residence.. Gu Qin¡¯er knew she had to inform the Grand Madam about this news as soon as possible! Chapter 54 - 54: Shame Chapter 54: Shame Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qin¡¯er grabbed Gu Si¡¯er, who was cursing loudly, and said, ¡°Even Father and the Grand Madam can¡¯t do anything. If you keep making a fuss, you¡¯ll only suffer.¡¯ Gu Si¡¯er shivered in an instant. She had forgotten. Now that Gu Qingluan was acting all high and mighty, there was nothing she could do to stop her. Gu Qin¡¯er tried to approach Gu Qingluan but was blocked by someone. She could only speak from a distance, ¡°Eldest Sister, no matter what, you are still our sister. Pleasee back to the Gu Residence often. Qin¡¯er will always think of you.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s tone was cold as she replied, ¡°Leave now, no need for a farewell.¡± Regardless of Gu Qin¡¯er¡¯s intentions, it was best not to provoke her. If provoked, Gu Qingluan wouldn¡¯t hesitate to be ruthless. Gu Si¡¯er was enraged by Gu Qingluan¡¯s words and wanted to argue back. Gu Qin¡¯er immediately covered her mouth and dragged her away. Gu Qingluan continued to hold Feng Yuanxi¡¯s hand and headed towards the kitchen. Meanwhile, the entrance of the Jun Residence was bustling with activity. Bags and packages were thrown outside the main gate. The entire Gu family looked disheveled and defeated. More and more onlookers gathered, pointing and gossiping about them. Gu Zhicheng felt utterly humiliated and resented Gu Qingluan deeply. If only he had known how heartless she would be, he would have dealt with her years ago! Seated inside the carriage, Gu Zhicheng shouted angrily, ¡°Let¡¯s leave now!¡± He couldn¡¯t bear to stay there for another minute. The coachman quickly grabbed the reins and urged the carriage to move. The Gu family members were all expelled from the residence. While the master had a carriage to ride in, the servants had no choice but to continue on foot. The servants, who usually unted their power, lowered their heads and hurriedly followed the carriage away. The Gu family¡¯s second branch was not far away. The news here spread to the second branch. The Second Master of the Gu family furrowed his brow and expressed his dissatisfaction, ¡°Big Brother is being too weak. He was actually driven out of our home by a little girl. The Gu family¡¯s reputation has beenpletely tarnished by the actions of the First Branch family!¡¯ Ever since their acquaintance with Mr. Liu, the Second Branch family gained newfound confidence and stopped groveling before the First Branch family. Instead, they held them in disdain. ¡°Send someone to investigate.¡± ¡®Yes, sir.¡¯ ¡°And what about Mr. Liu?¡± ¡°The Crown Prince and his entourage have just left Mr. Liu¡¯s residence. Mr. Liu mentioned feeling tired and wanting to rest, so everyone in his residence refrained from disturbing him.¡± ¡°Take great care of him. We must ensure that Mr. Liu remains content and untroubled.¡¯ ¡°Understood, sir.¡± The Second Master of the Gu family inquired further, ¡°Did the Crown Prince and Mr. Liu engage in such a lengthy discussion?¡¯ The butler didn¡¯t know how to respond, and the Second Master of the Gu family didn¡¯t expect to receive an answer from him either. Outside the residence, Feng Tian and Qi Tianyou noticed a crowd of people rushing in a particr direction. Curious, Qi Tianyou asked a nearby guard, ¡°What is happening over there?¡± The guard provided a brief ount of the situation. Qi Tianyou clicked his tongue disapprovingly andmented, ¡®Miss Gu certainly isn ¡®t holding back. ¡± Recalling the events of that night, Feng Tian¡¯s voice dripped with sarcasm as he uttered, ¡°What an audacious woman!¡± Qi Tianyou looked at him in astonishment, surprised by his sudden use of derogatorynguage. Feng Tian remained stoic, his gaze focused, as he caught sight of a small figure pushing through the crowd. His eyes narrowed, and he swiftly strode towards the Jun Residence. Puzzled, Qi Tianyou questioned, ¡°Hey, Mr. Lan, what are you doing?¡± In a matter of seconds, Feng Tian had already distanced himself several yards away. Qi Tianyou hurriedly followed suit, trying to keep up with him. Meanwhile, amidst the crowd, Gu Xiaonan held a small fox in his arms, while a green parrot perched on his shoulder. Upon hearing from the passersby that this was his mother¡¯s home, he eagerly made his way through the throng of people. Suddenly, he felt a firm tug on the back of his cor, lifting him off the ground. Startled, the parrot named Xiao Mei pped its wings and screeched, ¡°You ugly monster! Let go!¡± The parrot fiercely pecked at the man¡¯s hand, which held onto Gu Xiaonan. Angrily, Feng Tian¡¯s icy gaze zeroed in on the green parrot.. Chapter 55 - 55: How Dare He Curse His Mother! Chapter 55: How Dare He Curse His Mother! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Xiao Mei was frightened by his gaze. Her body stopped in mid-air and then she lost control and fell. ¡°Xiao Mei!¡± Gu Xiaonan quickly stretched out a hand to save her. However, he was lifted in the air and his arms were too short to catch it. With a thud, Xiao Mei fell to the ground. It pped a few times and flew back into the air. Gu Xiaonan let out a sigh of relief. He immediately thought of her situation and immediately struggled to shout, ¡°Help! A human trafficker is kidnapping children!¡± The passersby who were watching the Gu family being chased out turned their heads to look at the message. The veins on Feng Tian¡¯s forehead bulged. Human traffickers? With a cold face, he grabbed Gu Xiaonan under his armpit and flew away. ¡°Let me go! You ugly freak! Let me tell you, my mother is the number one expert in the world! I can destroy you with a flick of my finger! Are you scared? If you¡¯re afraid, let me go! Ahhhh! Mother! Mother! Come and save me! Your cutest, smartest, and most precious son is going to be taken away by a big bad guy! If you don¡¯te out now, you¡¯ll never see your precious son again!¡± Gu Xiaonan shouted and resisted, but the opponent was too strong, and his skills were useless. He was so annoyed! Gu Xiaonan shouted and struggled, but his opponent was too powerful, rendering his skills useless. He was infuriated! ¡°Little Master! I¡­ I¡¯ll go and get reinforcements!¡± Xiao Mei frantically pped her wings, realizing she couldn¡¯t catch up to the man. She turned and flew towards the Jun Residence for help. After a short while, Feng Tian carried Gu Xiaonan into the pce and ced him on the ground. Gu Xiaonan held onto Xiao Bai and took a few steps back, creating distance, his face full of vignce as he red at Feng Tian. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, you better release me immediately! Once my mother arrives, you¡¯ll be in big trouble!¡± Feng Tian furrowed his brow, looking at him, ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? Haven¡¯t I already told you that your mother is dead?¡± Gu Xiaonan became furious, ¡°Nonsense! It¡¯s your mother who is dead! ¡± How dare he curse his mother! He was so mad! He wanted to destroy him! Feng Tian¡¯s gaze grew cold, and he suddenly emanated a powerful aura. ¡®You little brat, say that again! Have I wasted all my teachings on you?¡± At first, Gu Xiaonan was shocked by the overwhelming pressure he exerted, but then he realized what the man had just said. Father? Wait, could this man have mistaken him for someone else? Gu Xiaonan scrutinized him and expressed his disdain, saying, ¡°Uncle, no offense, but just take a look at yourself. Do you really think someone with your appearance could give birth to a handsome and adorable son like me?¡± Feng Tian¡¯s face turnedpletely dark. ¡®You little brat, are you deliberately trying to provoke me? If I am not your father, so who is?¡¯ Gu Xiaonan rolled his eyes and retorted, ¡°My father died a long time ago!¡± ¡°Say that again and see what happens!¡± Feng Tian¡¯s eyes zed with anger, struggling to control his urge to resort to violence. His son had never uttered such disrespectful words before. He must have been influenced by that woman! Gu Xiaonan pouted, about to speak, when a young man rushed over. ¡°Young Master, I¡¯m relieved to see you haven¡¯t run away!¡¯ Startled, Jing Feng woke up and found the room empty, quicklying out to search for Gu Xiaonan. Seeing that Gu Xiaonan hadn¡¯t escaped, he let out a sigh of relief. Feng Tian coldly exined, ¡°I caught him at the entrance of the Jun Residence.¡± Jing Feng broke into a cold sweat and knelt down to apologize. Taking advantage of the conversation, Gu Xiaonan tiptoed and slipped away to the side. ¡®Where are you going?¡¯ Feng Tian stared at him. Gu Xiaonan pointed with his small hand and replied, ¡®To use the restroom.¡± ¡°The restroom is on the other side.¡± ¡°I know!¡± Gu Xiaonan turned around without changing his expression and headed in the opposite direction. Feng Tian followed closely behind. Gu Xiaonan looked back at him and said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to follow me.¡± With Feng Tian following so closely, how could he possibly escape? Observing his son¡¯s puffed-up appearance, Feng Tian sighed softly, ¡°Yuanxi, are you angry with your father? You¡¯re still young, and there are many things you don¡¯t understand. Everything I¡¯ve done is for your own good.¡± Yuanxi? He called him Yuanxi. Could this man really have mistaken him for someone else? Gu Xiaonan blinked his eyes in confusion.. Chapter 56 - 56: You’re Not Young Master! Who are you? Chapter 56: You¡¯re Not Young Master! Who are you? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian spoke with a serious tone, ¡°No one in this world shows kindness without a motive. That woman¡­ she may not be as innocent as she seems. She surely has ulterior motives towards you, and she is not a good person.¡± Gu Xiaonan rolled his eyes in disbelief. He didn¡¯t buy into those words! His mother had taught him that there are both good and bad people in the world, and one shouldn¡¯t judge solely based on appearances. ¡°I need to use the restroom. Stop following me!¡± Gu Xiaonan said, irritated, as he tried to shake off Feng Tian¡¯s presence. Feng Tian stopped in his tracks and watched as Gu Xiaonan walked away. Gu Xiaonan entered a restroom, and when he came out, he was surprised to see Feng Tian still lingering nearby. Frustrated, Gu Xiaonan puffed up his cheeks and decided to walk in a different direction, hoping to be free from the unweepany. Feng Tian, however, followed him closely. ¡°Yuanxi, didn¡¯t you say you wanted to see the treasure vault? I can take you there now,¡± Feng Tian offered, trying to redirect Gu Xiaonan¡¯s attention. The mention of the treasure vault instantly caught Gu Xiaonan¡¯s interest. Wasn¡¯t it a ce where valuable items were stored? Excited by the prospect, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity. ¡°Master, master, Xiaonan has been captured by the ugly monster! ¡± Xiao Mei flew towards Gu Qingluan, her voice filled with despair. Gu Qingluan looked down, feeling puzzled, at Feng Yuanxi. ¡°Isn¡¯t Xiaonan here?¡± she asked. Following her gaze, Xiao Mei looked in the same direction. A familiar little face came into her view. Xiao Mei ¡®s eyes went nk. ¡°Young master!!!¡¯ Feng Yuanxi beckoned to the green-haired parrot, motioning for her toe over. Unable to resist, Xiao Mei flew into his hand. ¡®Young master, weren¡¯t you captured by the ugly monster?¡± ¡®Young master, weren¡¯t you captured by the ugly monster?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve remembered it wrong.¡± Feng Yuanxi stared at Xiao Mei without blinking, his dark eyes shimmering with a subtle purple glow that was barely noticeable unless one looked closely. Xiao Mei instinctively sensed a terrifying pressure and her soul trembled uncontrobly! The aura of the young master before her was incredibly powerful! ¡°Xiao Mei, did youe here on your own? Xiaonan came to find me earlier. Did you all think he had gone missing?¡± Gu Qingluan took out some dried fruits and offered them to Xiao Mei. Feng Yuanxi thought to himself, ¡°So this is Xiao Mei!¡¯ Xiao Mei, with its small brain capacity, pondered for a while but couldn¡¯t figure out the situation. The young master had just been captured by an ugly monster trafficker, yet he was now standing here in front of his master, having found him even before Xiao Mei did. How strange! Unable to understand, Xiao Mei decided not to dwell on it. Her round little eyes were captivated by the dried fruits in Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand, and she eagerly took them one by one. Gu Qingluan noticed her fondness and ced the dried fruits in a dish, cing it on the table. ¡°Mother, you can go attend to your matters. Xiao Mei will keep mepany.¡± After being expelled from the mansion, the Gu family was in a state of chaos, and Gu Qingluan indeed had many things to attend to. She nodded, saying, ¡°Alright, you can y with Xiao Mei. I¡¯ll be backter.¡± Watching her leave, Feng Yuanxi closed the door and approached Xiao Mei, taking the dish away from her. ¡°Xiaonan was captured?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Xiao Mei stopped eating and looked up, her gaze slightly confused. Suddenly, she seemed to have a realization and stared at him warily. ¡°You¡¯re not the young master! Who are you?¡± While questioning him, she scanned her surroundings with her peripheral vision, trying to find an opportunity to fly away. ¡®You don¡¯t need to know who I am. Don¡¯t worry, I have no ill intentions. I just want to stay here for a few days. As long as you don¡¯t tell, I won¡¯t tell, and Mother won¡¯t find out.¡± A hint of mncholy shed in Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes. Once his father finished his business, he would have to leave the Kingdom of Chengyuan, and he might never see his mother again. So, let him be selfish for a while. He couldn¡¯t let his mother know the truth, but he couldn¡¯t leave Xiaonan without help. After all, he was his mother¡¯s son. He was determined to rescue Xiaonan! Chapter 57 - 57: Extremely Vain Chapter 57: Extremely Vain Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Tell me, who kidnapped Xiaonan? What does the person look like?¡± Xiao Mei instinctively felt that he wasn¡¯t lying, and for some reason, this young boy who resembled the Young Master gave it a familiar feeling. Apart from that, he also exuded tremendous pressure. After weighing the options, Xiao Mei decided to temporarily trust him. ¡°The kidnapper is an ugly monster with two eyes, a nose, and a mouth¡­¡± ¡°Stop!¡¯ Feng Yuanxi scrunched his nose. ¡°Everyone has two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. There¡¯s no way for you, a parrot, to describe it clearly. Tell me, how tall is he? What is he wearing? Does he have any birthmarks or distinguishing features on his face or body?¡± Xiao Mei flew up into the air and raised one wing. ¡°This tall! Wearing ck clothes! Feng Yuan-xi furrowed his brows. The description was too vague. ¡°Any other distinctive features?¡± ¡°Ah, I remember! Someone called him ¡®Mr. Lan¡¯!¡± Feng Yuan-xi was stunned. The Crown Prince of the Celestial Dynasty always referred to his father as ¡®Mr. Lan¡¯. Could it be that his father had kidnapped Xiaonan? Why would his father take Xiaonan? Could it be that he mistook him for himself? The more Feng Yuanxi thought about it, the more it seemed usible. He had sneaked out of the pce and been discovered by his father. Then, his father encountered Xiaonan, who looked remarkably like him, mistook him for Feng Yuanxi, and took him away. ¡°Save the Young Master! Save the Young Master!¡± Xiao Mei urged anxiously as Feng Yuan-xi stood there in a daze. ¡°No need to worry. Xiaonan is not in danger,¡± Feng Yuanxi said calmly. His father wouldn¡¯t harm Xiaonan. This worked out perfectly. Feng Yuan-xi could stay by his mother¡¯s side for a little longer without worrying about his father finding him too soon. Turning a bad situation into a good one, Feng Yuanxi smiled and ced the dried fruits on the table. ¡®Xiao Mei, you eat!¡± ¡°Save the Little Master! Save the Little Master!¡± Xiao Mei flew out. Feng Yuan-xi jumped up and caught Xiao Mei. ¡°Are you nning to go find my mother? Don¡¯t you dare tell her, or I¡¯ll pluck all your feathers! A green parrot named Xiao Mei, or rather Xiao Mei being very self-absorbed, was indeed extremely vain! Sure enough, when Xiao Mei heard his threat, she covered her beak with her wings and looked at him fearfully with its small eyes. Feng Yuan-xi smirked satisfactorily. ¡°That¡¯s right. Don¡¯t worry, your Young Master won¡¯t be in danger, and I don¡¯t want to see my mother sad either.¡± Whether Xiao Mei understood his words or was simply intimidated by his threat, she obedientlynded on the table and started nibbling on the dried fruits. Feng Yuan-xi turned his head and surveyed the room. This was his mother¡¯s room! Su Lie held the ount book in his hands, looking puzzled. ¡°Master, the Gu family has taken everything they could move. Why didn¡¯t you let us stop them? Many of the items they took originally belonged to the Jun family.¡± Gu Qingluan sneered. ¡°They have taken so much from the Jun family that it¡¯s difficult to exin it all now. If we insisted on stopping them, do you think they would obediently leave?¡± Su Lie shook his head. ¡°Objects are inanimate, but people are not. I will gradually recover what they owe the Jun family. However, I don¡¯t want to see them roaming around in this mansion anymore.¡± ¡°I understand!¡± Su Lie suddenly realized. ¡°Now that the people of the Gu family have all moved away, it feels empty with just a few of us. If you have the time, find some trustworthy individuals and arrange them as our subordinates¡­¡± After meticulously organizing the affairs of the mansion, Gu Qingluan said, ¡°Let¡¯s go and inspect the storage room.¡¯ Su Lie hesitated for a moment. ¡®What¡¯s the matter?¡¯ ¡°The storage room has also beenpletely emptied by them. There is nothing left.¡¯ ¡°Let¡¯s go and see for ourselves..¡± Chapter 58 - 58: Mysterious Raised Sculpture Chapter 58: Mysterious Raised Sculpture Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan recalled that the storage room of the Jun family was exceptionally spacious, consisting of smallerpartments. Additionally, the Jun family incorporated various hidden chambers and traps during its construction. After the extinction of the Jun family, the Gu family took over the premises, unaware of these secret features. However, having resided here for many years, it was uncertain whether the Gu family had explored these hidden areas. One could only imagine how many priceless treasures, concealed by the Jun family, they might have stumbled upon. In truth, even Gu Qingluan herself was not entirely familiar with the precise locations of these secret chambers. Su Lie unlocked the door to the storage room, revealing its darkness. However, he held a luminous pearl in his hand, casting light upon a corner of the room. The storage room, spacious beyond expectation, wasparable in size to three courtyards of an ordinary household. Constructed with sturdy bluestone, the walls featured numerous recesses, presumably once designed to amodate lighting fixtures. Unfortunately, these fixtures had been entirely stripped away by the Gu family. It was reminiscent of plucking feathers from a goose, leaving nothing behind. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but sneer, mocking the audacity of the Gu family. Taking a step forward, she ventured into the room, with Su Lie following closely behind. To improve visibility, Su Lie ced several candles in the recesses originally intended for starstone illumination. Although starstones could provide ample lighting, they were impractical to carry around. Given the size of the storage room, it would require at least a dozen starstones to adequately illuminate every corner. Now, with the candles and the luminous pearl in Su Lie¡¯s possession, the storage room finally came alive with light. Su Lie followed behind her. Gu Qingluan approached a raised sculpture. The walls and ceiling of the storage room were adorned with intricate raised carvings. These raised sculptures predominantly featured mythical beasts, although they differed from the typical depiction. In addition to the mythical beasts, there were also human figures. The humans appeared minuscule in the presence of the mythical beasts. Su Lie remarked, ¡°These mythical beasts look formidable!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled faintly and replied, ¡°Indeed, these are divine beasts.¡± Some of them were even considered transcendent divine beasts. Su Lie¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. ¡°All of them are divine beasts?¡± The only divine beasts he knew of were the Azure Dragon, White Tiger , Vermilion Bird, and ck Tortoise. He had no idea what other divine beasts looked like. He scrutinized the reliefs more closely, marveling at their lifelike craftsmanship. When his gaze met the eyes of the creatures, it felt as if he was truly locking eyes with the divine beasts, and he sensed a terrifying pressure. After staring for only a short while, Su Lie was startled and averted his gaze. As he turned to speak with Gu Qingluan, he noticed that she was also fixated on the reliefs, her expression somewhat peculiar. Thinking that Gu Qingluan might be simrly entranced and unable to snap out of it, he quickly spoke up, ¡°Master, snap out of it!¡± Gu Qingluan blinked her eyes and looked at him sideways. ¡®What¡¯s wrong?¡± Su Lie asked, ¡°Did you feel anything strange about these carvings? When you stare into the eyes of those divine beasts, it feels as if your soul is being drawn away.¡± Gu Qingluan shook her head. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t.¡± Curiosity piqued, Su Lie inquired further, ¡®Then why were you lost in thought just now?¡± ¡°I was merely reminiscing about some past events,¡± Gu Qingluan replied, lowering her gaze to conceal her emotions. Having spent five years in the Cloud ins Continent, she rarely thought about her past life. She was originally the junior pce master of the Infinite Pce in the Tianji Continent, a ne higher than the Cloud ins Continent. The spiritual energy there was dense, and the divine beasts that were rare in the Cloud ins Continent were quitemon in the Tianji Continent. The divine beasts depicted in the raised carvings were familiar to her, and at a nce, she couldn¡¯t help but think of her past life and her contracted beast, the Blood Phoenix. When she was killed, the Blood Phoenix suffered great injuries while protecting her. She was able to be reborn thanks to Hongmeng Qi¡¯s influence and the Blood Phoenix¡¯s sacrifice. After her rebirth, she couldn¡¯t contact the Blood Phoenix. If it weren¡¯t for a trace of the contractual power remaining in her sea of consciousness, she would have thought that the Blood Phoenix had perished. The Blood Phoenix belonged to the Phoenix n and, as long as it wasn¡¯tpletely destroyed, could undergo a rebirth through the baptism of fire. She strived to improve her cultivation, hoping that one day her battlepanion would return. As for those who betrayed her in the past¡­ there woulde a day when she would return to the Tianji Continent and personally exact her vengeance! Her gaze returned to the wall. It was quite peculiar to see so many carvings of divine beasts here. The Cloud ins Continent had very few divine beasts. Apart from the ancient sects and prestigious families that had deep foundations and records in their collections, most people had no knowledge of what these divine beasts looked And yet, the Jun Family, a merchant family, had carved so many depictions of divine beasts in their treasury. It seemed that they were more than just a merchant household. Could it be that the Jun Family had a significant background? Chapter 59 - 59: Taotie, the Gluttonous Beast Chapter 59: Taotie, the Gluttonous Beast Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan shook her head, unable to fully understand the origin and meaning behind it all. She refrained from indulging in further spection and slowly scanned the reliefs. She had a lingering sense that these carvings held more than just decorative value. Perhaps they could reveal something crucial. Su Lie, upon hearing her analysis, joined her in the search. Suddenly, Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze halted. On one of the walls, there was a carving¡ªa depiction of a Taotie with the body of a bull and the face of a human, its mouth wide open, revealing its blood-stained maw. Before ity a twisted representation of the cosmos, epassing the sun, moon, and stars. The representation of the sun, moon, and stars symbolized the vast universe and all creation. As for the Taotie, it was one of the four ancient ferocious beasts, notorious for its insatiable greed. Though Gu Qingluan had never seen a Taotie in person, she had heard of its existence. This creature had an insatiable appetite, devouring almost anything without discrimination. It was said to consume the heavens, the earth, and even the air, eventually devouring its own body. Why would the Jun family carve such a gluttonous creature in their treasure vault? Could they have intended to symbolize their desire to consume all the wealth in the world? Approaching the wall, Gu Qingluan extended her hand and touched the relief. Unlike the Pixiu, which symbolized wealth umtion, the Taotie was purely driven by its insatiable hunger, devouring without regurgitation. Did the Jun family use the Taotie to represent their obsession with amassing wealth? A furrow formed on Gu Qingluan¡¯s brow as her finger traced over the mouth of the Taotie. Suddenly, her fingertip experienced a sharp pain, as if pricked by a de. Blood flowed from the wound, seeping into the stone wall. Sensing an inexplicable force drawing her blood away, Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression turned solemn. She tried to retract her hand but was unsessful. Her hand felt as if it were stuck to the stone wall, and the blood from her body continued to flow at an increasing speed. Indeed, there was something amiss with this stone wall! Gu Qingluan raised her other hand and quickly pressed several acupoints on her arm. Her fingertips gathered profound energy and struck the stone wall. To her surprise, as soon as the profound energy touched the wall, it disappeared as if a stone had fallen into the water. ¡®What¡¯s wrong, Master?¡± Su Lie, sensing the fluctuation of profound energy, looked over and noticed something was amiss. He hurriedly approached. As the faint smell of blood permeated the air, his heart tightened, and he anxiously looked at Gu Qingluan ¡®s hand pressed against the stone wall. Instinctively, he reached out his hand towards her, ¡°Master, what happened to your hand?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡¯ Gu Qingluan sternly shouted. Su Lie¡¯s hand froze in mid-air, realizing that the situation was dire. He anxiously asked, ¡°Master, how can I help you?¡± ¡°Just stand there!¡± Gu Qingluanmanded. She was uncertain about the nature of the stone wall. It could absorb her blood and even her profound energy. She suspected that if Su Lie touched her, he might be its prey as well. Su Lie obediently stood in ce, afraid to move, his eyes filled with concern for her. Gu Qingluan looked at the eyes of the Taotie with a cold smirk, ¡°I don¡¯t care what you are, but you better keep your thoughts to yourself or don¡¯t me me for being impolite.¡± The opponent clearly didn¡¯t take her threat seriously. A glint of coldness shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes as she drew out the Hongmeng Qi from within her body and infused it into the stone wall through her fingertips. The Hongmeng Qi, the primordial energy that existed before the creation of heaven and earth, was even purer than the most pristine divine power. The power contained within was extremely terrifying, and very few could directly control it. ording to legend, the four ancient ferocious beasts were born during the creation of heaven and earth. She wanted to see if this greedy stone Taotie could devour the Hongmeng Qi as well! A dazzling white light suddenly appeared, causing Su Lie to instinctively close his eyes. After a while, he cautiously opened one eye and found that the light had dissipated. However, his face filled with panic. Where did Master go? Chapter 60 - 60: Stairway to Heaven Chapter 60: Stairway to Heaven Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Where is this? Gu Qingluan looked around. She had only infused the Hongmeng Qi into the mouth of the stone Taotie on the raised carvings, and a suction force had pulled her into the stone wall, resulting in her appearing in this strange ce. At this moment, she stood on a white tform, surrounded by a vast sea of clouds. Gu Qingluan extended her consciousness, but all she could perceive was the endless expanse of clouds. She decided to take a step forward and test it out. After walking a few steps, she stepped on an empty space with her front foot. Fortunately, she reacted quickly, otherwise, she would have fallen. She didn¡¯t know what was below, but her intuition told her that falling would be disastrous. Gu Qingluan took two steps back and turned around to observe other directions. Suddenly, a celestialdder appeared out of thin air. The pristine whitedder extended upwards continuously, seemingly without an end in sight. It was the only path avable at the moment. After some hesitation, Gu Qingluan decided to climb up and see what awaited her. She cautiously ced one foot on the first step to test its solidity. Once she confirmed it was stable, she shifted her weight and ced her other foot on the second step. Third step, fourth step, fifth step¡­ Gu Qingluan began to ascend faster and faster. But the celestialdder seemed to have no end. She didn¡¯t know how many steps she had climbed. Looking up, the destination still appeared far out of reach. She lowered her head and looked down. The steps she had previously taken were covered by the sea of clouds, making it impossible to see where she had initially stood. Gu Qingluan pursed her lips and continued climbing. Her spatial storage bracelet couldn¡¯t be essed, so she had to endure her thirst and hunger. Her physical and profound energy rapidly depleted, and Gu Qingluan felt that if she continued like this, she would exhaust herself on the celestialdder. She needed toe up with a n. So, she sat down where she was and took a rest. She wondered if it was just her imagination, but ever since she appeared here, she felt like she was being watched by a pair of eyes. Gu Qingluan casually scanned her surroundings but didn¡¯t spot anyone SUSPICIOUS. After resting for a while, she suddenly crossed her legs and entered a state of cultivation. Spiritual energy converged towards her body from all directions. ¡°Hmm?¡± A faint exmation, almost imperceptible, echoed through the air. Gu Qingluan heard it, though she pretended not to, secretly keeping it in mind. After an unknown period of time, her profound energy was fully restored. She opened her eyes but instead of continuing to climb up, she loosened her legs. One leg stretched straight, with her foot resting directly on the steps below, while the other leg remained bent. She ced her hands behind her head and reclined, adopting a rxed and carefree posture. A gentle breeze brushed against her, and the sunlight was just right. She felt incredibly content. She didn¡¯t know who was lurking in the shadows, but since her appearance here was rted to the Jun Family¡¯s treasury, this ce must also be connected to the Jun Family. It couldn¡¯t possibly be some malicious entity. Instead of climbing foolishly upwards, it was better to lure the snake out of its hole. Sure enough, after a while, the sea of clouds suddenly elerated its movement. Gu Qingluan kept her eyes closed, as if unaware of the changes around her. Until A young and tender voice sounded beside her. ¡®Why aren¡¯t you moving?¡± Gu Qingluan abruptly opened her eyes and saw a handsome young boy squatting next to her, staring at her with a puffed-up expression. The boy was about four or five years old, with delicate features and skin so fair that it seemed to glow. He was dressed in a pristine white robe adorned with silver star formations, resembling a little celestial being misced in the mortal realm. So, this little boy was the one secretly watching her earlier? Gu Qingluan was slightly surprised, but she maintained a calm demeanor and coldly replied, ¡®Where am I supposed to go?¡± ¡°There¡¯s only one path here, of course, you climb up!¡± the boy answered. Gu Qingluan closed her eyes again and asked, ¡®What¡¯s up there? Why should I go up?¡± Chapter 61 - 61: Kick You Down as a Ball Chapter 61: Kick You Down as a Ball Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°If you don¡¯t go up, you can only wait for death here,¡± the little boy threatened her fiercely. ¡°Oh well, then let¡¯s wait.¡± Observing Gu Qingluan¡¯s unyielding stance, the little boy¡¯s patience wore thin. He stomped his feet several times in frustration. ¡°You¡­ You¡­ You¡­¡± ¡°Do you have no regard for your life?!¡¯ ¡°Instead of sumbing to exhaustion, it¡¯s better to meet death through slumber.¡± The little boy was left dumbfounded. Who was this person? ¡°Do you have any wine?¡¯ The little boy responded angrily, ¡°No!¡± ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not deceiving you. If you stay here, you will die!¡± No response echoed his words. Unable to believe that the woman before him would actually choose to sleep to her demise, the little boy reached out with his chubby hand and pulled Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyelids. ¡®Wake up! You¡¯re not allowed to sleep! Get up and climb!¡± Gu Qingluan grasped his chubby hand without opening her eyes. His hand became intangible within hers, only to reappear beside her and support her eyelids. Gu Qingluan grabbed him once more. Opening her eyes, she fixed him with a forced smile and presented two choices. ¡°Either behave and don¡¯t disturb me, or I¡¯ll roll you into a ball and kick you down.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m not afraid!¡± the little boy retorted disdainfully. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good.¡± Gu Qingluan bent her leg and kicked him downward. The little boy plummeted into the sea of clouds. ¡°Ahhhh! You heartless woman!¡± The little boy¡¯s outcry reverberated through the surroundings. Gu Qingluan nonchntly resumed her reclined position, unaffected by any sense of guilt. Before long, the little boy reappeared beside her, boasting, ¡°You can¡¯t get rid of me!¡± Gu Qingluan showed no surprise at his return. But the little boy became displeased. How could she show absolutely no surprise? So infuriating! ¡°What will it take for you to go up?¡¯ Gu Qingluan asked, ¡®What benefits do I get if I go up?¡± ¡°Only by going up can you have a chance to leave this ce. Don¡¯t you want to get out?¡± the little boy replied. ¡°No, I don¡¯t. The spiritual energy here is abundant, and I find it quite pleasant.¡± The little boy was at a loss for words. This deadlock couldn¡¯t continue. He had been waiting here for thousands of years, and finally, he came across someone who could enter. If he missed this opportunity, who knew how long he would have to wait for the next one. The little boy rolled his eyes and tempted her, ¡°The spiritual energy above the Heavenly Rank is a hundred times greater than here. It¡¯s much better up there. ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡± Puffing up his cheeks, the little boy continued, ¡°And there¡¯s plenty of fine wine up there. If you go up, I can give you a jug.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡± ¡°Are you going or not? If you don¡¯t go, I¡¯ll push you down!¡± the little boy red at her. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s good to die early and reincarnate early,¡± Gu Qingluan smirked. The little boy was on the verge of frustration due to her unconventional behavior. Did this woman no longer want to live? Why was the destined person sent to him such an annoying individual? After exhausting all his attempts to persuade Gu Qingluan, the little boy seemedpletely drained. He appearednguid, transforming from a chubby and lively white radish into a withered radish,cking enthusiasm. ¡°Miss, please tell me, what will make you willing to move your feet and go up?¡± Gu Qingluan opened her eyes and looked at the listless little being. Her lips curled up slightly. ¡°Tell me, what kind of being are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not just a being. No, no, no, I¡¯m¡­ I am Heaven Star.¡¯ ¡®Where is this ce?¡± ¡°I cannot say.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. Heaven Star nced at her expression and felt things were turning for the worse. He stammered, ¡°Well, it¡¯s not that I can¡¯t tell you. Even if I tell you, you wouldn¡¯t recognize it. Alright, alright, I¡¯ll tell you. This is the Ster Space.¡± Ster Space? Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Was it the same Ster Space she had been thinking of? Chapter 62 - 62: Deceiving Chapter 62: Deceiving Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The Ster Space was a tremendously powerful spatial growth-type artifact, considered a cherished treasure of her ancestral family in her previous life. However, Gu Qingluan had neverid eyes on it. Thousands of years ago, during a great war, the Ster Space was lost and never resurfaced. Her father, as the head of the family, invested considerable manpower and resources in the search for the Ster Space, but they never obtained any relevant information. Unexpectedly, the Ster Space appeared in the Cloud ins Continent! It was through the Jun family¡¯s storage room that Gu Qingluan arrived here. In her previous life, her ancestral family was known as the ¡°Jun n¡±. Could there be a connection between her current maternal family and the Jun n? Suppressing her astonishment, Gu Qingluan focused her gaze on the little boy before her. ¡°Are you the spirit of the artifact?¡± She couldn¡¯t think of anyone else who could disregard spatial rules and appear at will without causing disturbances in the spatial energy, except for an artifact spirit. Moreover, she couldn¡¯t discern the boy¡¯s cultivation level. It was imusible for a five-year-old child to possess such strength. ¡°Huh, how did you know¡­¡± Heaven Star realized he had let something slip and quickly covered his mouth. Gu Qingluan pinched his chubby little face. ¡°No need to hide it. Even if you don¡¯t admit it, we both know the truth. Are you making me climb the celestialdder to test me?¡± Heaven Star¡¯s eyes widened, his face filled with astonishment. ¡°You know that too?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and crossed her arms. ¡°After I ascend, will there be more tests?¡¯ Heaven Star was unsure how to react. Gu Qingluan continued, ¡°1 understand that only through passing various tests can I leave the Ster Space, right?¡± After a momentary pause, she added, ¡°Of course, if I seed in these tests, it will also benefit you. Otherwise, there would be no reason for you to constantly urge me to climb the celestialdder, am I correct?¡± Heaven Star slowly turned his back. He had retreated into his self-enclosed state once again. Sobbing uncontrobly, Heaven Star wondered if this woman possessed the ability to read minds. How could she have guessed everything urately? He found her to be a terrifying woman and didn¡¯t want to stay there any longer. It wasn¡¯t difficult for Gu Qingluan to guess the answers correctly. Typically, in secret realms or alternate spaces with guardians, there would be simr scenarios. In her previous life, she often explored various secret realms in the Tianji Continent, so she was very familiar with this pattern. However, the little artifact spirit seemed deeply affected and appeared pitiful. Gu Qingluan reflected on whether she had been too abrupt. She had nearly pushed the little artifact spirit to the brink of copse, forgetting that he was just a child. Next time, she vowed to be more careful with her approach. Gently turning the little being¡¯s body around, she said, ¡°Little Heaven Star, perhaps we can find another way that benefits both of us.¡± ¡°What way? I came up with this idea after rummaging through a library!¡± Heaven Star said, feeling disappointed that she had seen through it. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but stifle augh. The little artifact spirit was strangely adorable. She yfully ruffled his head and spoke earnestly, ¡°That method is no longer popr. Instead, why don¡¯t you tell me your desires? If I can fulfill your conditions, we can cooperate. If not, we can discuss alternatives. How does that sound?¡± Heaven Star looked skeptical. ¡°Are you saying my ideas are outdated?¡± ¡®You can interpret it that way. After all, the books in the library were written many years ago. Times have changed, and methods have evolved. Don¡¯t you agree?¡¯ Heaven Star nodded, showing some understanding. ¡°You have a point. So, what should we do then?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curled into a smile. ¡°It¡¯s simple. Let¡¯s start by sharing what you want.¡± ¡°I¡­ I want to find someone whom I can share a connection with to apany me and leave this ce!¡¯ Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes brightened with excitement. If she yed her cards right, not only could she sessfully leave, but she might also gain ess to the Ster Space. Perfect! With a raised eyebrow, Gu Qingluan lightly tapped her pure white fingertips against her dress hem and said, ¡°So, what do you think of me?¡± Chapter 63 - 63: The Elusive Minds of Children Chapter 63: The Elusive Minds of Children Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°You haven¡¯t passed the test¡­¡± Heaven Starined sadly. ¡°Didn¡¯t we agree on a different approach? Besides, you set the tests yourself. Isn¡¯t it easy for you to let me pass?¡± Heaven Star unwillingly responded, ¡°Why should I let you pass so easily!¡± As the books say, whates easily isn¡¯t valued. Moreover, he didn¡¯t know if this woman would be suitable as the master of the Ster Space. If he formed a contract with her andter found out she didn¡¯t meet his expectations, it would be toote to back out! ¡°Do you want to leave or not?¡¯ Gu Qingluan countered. Heaven Star hesitated and said, ¡°1 do.¡± Gu Qingluan snapped her fingers and said, ¡°So what are you hesitating for? If you miss this opportunity, you may have to wait for thousands or even tens of thousands of years for the next one, and there¡¯s no guarantee that it will be suitable for you.¡± Heaven Star felt that her words made sense and couldn¡¯t argue against them. ¡®Well then, tell me what abilities you need me to possess,¡± Gu Qingluan proposed. Heaven Star held up four tiny fingers and said, ¡°At least four powers willpower, courage, intelligence, and strength. I can¡¯t do without any of them.¡± Gu Qingluan understood, ¡°So the test of the Heavenly Staircase is a test of willpower?¡± Heaven Star nodded, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at her. ¡°How about climbing the Heavenly Staircase again?¡± Gu Qingluan decisively refused, ¡°Not interested.¡± ¡°In that case, do you have the willpower?¡± Heaven Star asked with a drooping shoulder, sounding deted. ¡®Willpower is meant for things that matter. Climbing the Heavenly Staircase is a waste of life.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true! Reaching the top of the Heavenly Staircase not only demonstrates your incredible willpower but also enhances your strength.¡± He constantly tried to tempt Gu Qingluan, but she remained unmoved. Heaven Star pouted in frustration. None of the methods from the books seemed to work! ¡°Actually, what you¡¯recking is not these four things. You¡¯ve missed the most crucial one.¡± ¡®What?¡± Heaven Star blinked his eyes. He couldn¡¯t have missed the most crucial thing! Gu Qingluan smiled faintly, ¡°Ster Power.¡± Heaven Star¡¯s pupils contracted, ¡°You know about Ster Power?¡¯ Gu Qingluan silently recited the Ster Mantra, and mysterious energy surged from all directions towards her. Heaven Star eximed, ¡°The Ster Mantra! How do you know the Ster Mantra?¡± Gu Qingluan paused and winked at him, ¡°Only a few people can cultivate the Ster Mantra, and you should know this better than me.¡± ¡®Who are you? Why do you know the Ster Mantra?¡± ¡°Want to find out?¡¯ Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow and smiled. ¡°If you consider it a pass, I¡¯ll tell you.¡¯ Heaven Star snorted lightly, ¡°Forget it, you don¡¯t have to say.¡± ¡°Oh, if you insist.¡± Gu Qingluan shrugged and continued on her way. Heaven Star felt suffocated. Why wasn¡¯t she trying to please him? After all, he was the spirit of the Ster Space! She knew the Starry Mantra and was aware of her connection to them. She must also know how powerful he was. Why didn¡¯t she say a few nice words to appease him? Feeling resentful, he left and thought to himself, ¡°Passing this test won¡¯t be so easy! ¡® Gu Qingluan noticed his departure but remained unfazed. She wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave. She understood that haste makes waste. The Artificial Spirit of the Starry Space seemed to be rtively young, with limited exposure to the outside world. It relied solely on the records preserved within the space for information, making it naive and old-fashioned. It probably set up challenges that were deliberately difficult. Instead of wasting her energy, she decided to conserve her strength and wait for the Artificial Spirit to eventually relent. At this moment, inside the pce treasury¡­ Gu Xiaonan looked at the spacious warehouse filled with boxes upon boxes of treasures. His eyes sparkled, and he couldn¡¯t help but salivate. He licked his lips and pounced towards the treasures. Gu Xiaonan looked left and right, feeling that his two eyes were not enough to take in everything. Ah, these are pearls from the East Sea, so big and numerous! A whole box of them! And this is the Rainbow Coral, twice the size of the one on his home ind! Wow! Thews even Cotton Fruit produced in Cloud City! It looks so delicious! Feng Tian watched as Gu Xiaonan excitedly ran around, his delicate and adorable little face glowing with radiance. The corners of her mouth couldn¡¯t help but turn upwards slightly. Gu Xiaonan suddenly turned to look at him, his eyes flickering. ¡°Um, can I take things from here?¡± He felt a little embarrassed asking a stranger for things. ¡®Whatever you want, feel free to take it. Everything here belongs to you, my child,¡± Feng Tian said casually. Wow! His generous father was so amazing! But¡­ Feng Tian was not his dad. Gu Xiaonan suddenly felt a sense of sadness. If he had a father too, would he also leave all the good things for him? He had never seen his father before. His mother said his father was dead. He really wished he had a father. Suddenly, he felt a tinge of envy towards that child named Yuan Xi. ¡®What¡¯s wrong?¡± Feng Tian approached him and touched his little head. Gu Xiaonan looked up at him with aplex expression, like a little adult, and sighed, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand. ¡® Feng Tian was confused. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± The treasures in the treasury were all given by this man to his son. His mother taught him that ill-gotten gains should not be taken. Although he was unhappy that this man had brought him here, he couldn¡¯t just casually take someone else¡¯s things. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s enthusiasm hit rock bottom, and he walked out with slumped shoulders. Feng Tian furrowed his brows slightly. He didn¡¯t understand why his son suddenly became unhappy. Children nowadays are so hard to figure out. He seemed happy just a moment ago. Just as they left the treasury, Jing Feng quickly approached them. ¡°Master, the shopkeeper from the Purple Light Pavilion has arrived. ¡± Gu Xiaonan lifted his head from his mncholy and blinked his big eyes at him.. ¡°Purple Light Pavilion?¡¯ Chapter 64 - 64: Mother Will Definitely Like It Chapter 64: Mother Will Definitely Like It Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°The Purple Light Pavilion is a famous store in Tianjing specializing in heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and mysterious artifacts and elixirs. If you don¡¯t like the items in the treasury, shall we go and see what the shopkeeper from the Purple Light Pavilion has brought?¡¯ Feng Tian asked for his opinion. Since he didn¡¯t have anything to do here, why not go and take a look? Gu Xiaonan casually nodded. The master and servants arrived in the front hall. Sitting in the hall was a middle-aged man dressed in a brown gown embroidered with golden ingots. Seeing Feng Tian enter , he immediately stood up respectfully to greet him. ¡°Please feel at ease, shopkeeper. No need to be polite.¡± The shopkeeper secretly sneered, thinking that the prince had instructed him to entertain the esteemed guest properly, so he couldn¡¯t be casual. However, he responded with a smile on the surface, agreeing without hesitation. ¡°Mr. Lan, your desire for unique treasures has led you to the perfect ce. The Purple Light Pavilion stands as the most renowned store in Tianjing City, offering the finest selection of treasures. Today, I have brought three items for your perusal. Would you like to take a look?¡¯ ¡°Alright.¡± The shopkeeper gestured for his attendant standing behind him to ce a square metal box on the table. He stood up and took out a small key, carefully unlocking the lock and lifting the lid. In an instant, a scent of soil filled the air. Gu Xiaonan blinked curiously, looking at the object inside the box. ¡°What is this?¡± It was a ck lump, simr to the soil in his family¡¯s medicinal field. The shopkeeper smiled and said, ¡°Young master, don¡¯t underestimate this inconspicuous thing. It¡¯s called Spirit Soil.¡± ¡°Spirit Soil?¡± ¡°Yes, Spirit Soil can be used to cultivate spirit herbs. Most spirit herbs can thrive in it, and they grow at an extremely fast pace. It may not be easy for you to appreciate it just by my words. How about we try it out right here?¡¯ Seeing that everyone agreed, the shopkeeper took out two seeds from his sleeve and nted them in the soil. Soon, the seeds sprouted and grew visibly fast, shooting out of the soil. Before long, a knee-high mevine Grass appeared before them. As the name suggested, the mevine Grass shimmered like mes. Amidst the green grass leaves, there were blossoms resembling mes, emitting a radiant glow. Gu Xiaonan widened his eyes, looking amazed. The shopkeeper of the Purple Light Pavilion smiled and asked, ¡°Young master, do you like it?¡± ¡°I love it!¡¯ eximed Gu Xiaonan. Observing this, Feng Tian said calmly, ¡°I¡¯ll take this item.¡± He didn¡¯t even inquire about the price. The shopkeeper¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. ¡°Great! How about the next item?¡± With permission granted, the shopkeeper set aside the golden box containing the mevine Grass and had his servant bring forward the second treasure. The second item was an offensive-type mysterious tool, which Gu Xiaonan had little interest in. However, the shopkeeper of the Purple Light Pavilion was undeterred. They still had their trump card¡ªthe Heavenly Heart Qin! The Heavenly Heart Qin was extraordinary in every aspect, except for its hefty price tag of ten Xuanling Crystal Hearts. One Xuanling Crystal Heart was equivalent to one thousand Xuanling Stones, or one million taels of gold! Ten Xuanling Crystal Hearts amounted to ten million taels of gold! It was so exorbitantly priced that it remained unsold for many years. Today, however, they encountered a customer who wasn¡¯t short on money. They were determined to sell it, no matter what. Of course, they couldn¡¯t express it so bluntly. The shopkeeper of the Purple Light Pavilion embellished the qualities of the Heavenly Heart Qin, speaking of its status as a treasured centerpiece that was never sold before. They made an exception this time due to the extraordinary status of the esteemed guest. ¡°Enough with the chit-chat. Show it to me,¡± Gu Xiaonan impatiently interrupted the shopkeeper¡¯s boasting. With a smile, the shopkeeper instructed someone to bring the Heavenly Heart Qin forward. The box containing the Heavenly Heart Qin was approximately four feet long and two feet wide. With slight trembling in his hands, the shopkeeper unlocked the box and slowly lifted the lid, taking a deep breath. A radiant burst of light dazzled their eyes. ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful!¡± Gu Xiaonan eximed, his eyes wide open and fixed on the qin inside the box. The instrument, known as qin, resembled a zither, with a silver base that refracted colorful light under the illumination of starstone. Gu Xiaonan had never seen such a beautiful qin before. His first thought was to buy it and give it to his mother as a gift. Such a stunning instrument would surely make his mother very happy! ¡°I want this!¡± he eximed, casting a longing look at Feng Tian. The previous items, like the Lingtu, didn¡¯t evoke such excitement in him. He hadn¡¯t even considered taking them with him. But this qin suited his taste perfectly. He wanted to buy it and give it to his mother. However, such a fine instrument must surely be expensive, and he didn¡¯t have that much money on him. Since this man had taken on the role of a cheap father, wouldn¡¯t it be appropriate for him to buy his son a gift? His eyes sparkled as he pleaded, ¡°Will you buy it for me?¡± ¡°Do you really want it?¡± Feng Tian asked calmly. ¡®Yes, yes! I really want it!¡± Gu Xiaonan replied eagerly. Feng Tian said, ¡°Jingfeng, pay for it..¡± Chapter 65 - 65: He’s Really smart! Chapter 65: He¡¯s Really smart! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian thought to himself that Yuan Xi had been proficient in music since childhood, and the Heavenly Heart Qin seemed suitable for him. In the past few years, although Yuan Xi had been raised by his side, their rtionship wasn¡¯t very close, and he had never seen his son ask him for gifts. Now that Yuan Xi was finally asking him for something, how could he disappoint him? Jing Feng heard his words and took out ten pieces of Xuanling Crystal Hearts to hand them to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper was dumbfounded. Had he decided to make the purchase so quickly? Without even negotiating the price? Oh my , he truly was a wealthy person! The shopkeeper smiled and reached out to receive the Xuanling Crystal Hearts. ¡°Wait a moment!¡± Suddenly, Gu Xiaonan spoke up. Jing Feng withdrew the Xuanling Crystal Hearts and turned to look at him. Had the young master changed his mind? The shopkeeper¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Young Master, is there a problem?¡± Gu Xiaonan tilted his head and asked, ¡°We¡¯re buying two items at once. Can¡¯t you give us a discount?¡± Ah, so there was a haggler here! The shopkeeper was afraid that this big customer would run away, and his heart skipped a beat. He quickly said, ¡°Young Master, the Heavenly Heart Qin is one of a kind. It¡¯s worth every penny, and you won¡¯t be deceived. It¡¯s absolutely worth it. ¡® ¡°We have ten Xuanling Crystal Hearts right here. Shouldn¡¯t the shopkeeper show us some sincerity?¡± The shopkeeper gritted his teeth. ¡°Since you are esteemed guests of the Purple Light Pavilion and new customers, as long as you purchase the Heavenly Heart Qin, I¡¯ll add something for you.¡± ¡®What do you mean by ¡®add something?¡± The shopkeeper took out a small box from his sleeve. Gu Xiaonan cast a curious nce at his sleeve, wondering, ¡°How many things could this sleeve possibly contain? It seemed to have no end. ¡® ¡°Take a look, Young Master. How about this piece of Aurora Stone? If it were sold in the Purple Light Pavilion, it would be worth at least ten thousand gold.¡± Inside the box was a fist-sized Aurora Stone, which had been found in the pr regions of the continent and contained abundant energy. When embedded in a refined artifact, it would make the artifact more dazzling and enhance its power. Gu Xiaonan reluctantly said, ¡°Alright then.¡± The shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes eagerly fixed on Jinfeng¡¯s hand holding the Xuanling Crystal Hearts. Jinfeng handed over the Xuanling Crystal Hearts to the shopkeeper ,pleting the transaction. Both Gu Xiaonan and the shopkeeper wore satisfied smiles, content with the exchange. Feng Tian observed his son¡¯s joyous expression and couldn¡¯t help but smile, a warmth filling his eyes. Unexpectedly, Gu Xiaonan extended the Aurora Stone towards him and said, ¡°This is for you!¡± Feng Tian was taken aback. ¡°For me?¡± ¡®Yes! I obtained the Aurora Stone through bargaining, without using your money. Consider it a gain on my part. If you don¡¯t want it, that¡¯s okay.¡± Receiving a gift from his son touched Feng Tian deeply, his expression softening as he epted the Aurora Stone. Gu Xiaonan noticed that Feng Tian epted the gift, and a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. He understood the importance of reciprocity. By exchanging gifts with Feng Tian, he would have a valid reason when the truth is revealedter. Unconcerned with Feng Tian¡¯s reaction, Gu Xiaonan happily turned his attention to the Heavenly Heart Qin, his fingers delicately caressing the strings, creating a beautiful melody that filled the air. Satisfied with the sound of the instrument, Gu Xiaonan nodded approvingly. The shopkeeper exined, ¡°Young master, the Heavenly Heart Qin is a quasi-divine instrument. Ifyou simply drop a drop of blood onto it and form a contract, you can store it in your spiritual sea, making it very convenient to carry.¡± As the instrument was intended as a gift for his mother, Gu Xiaonan decided not to form a contract with it. He carefully ced the Heavenly Heart Qin, along with its wooden box, into his Qiankun Bag. Feng Tian, deeply moved by his son¡¯s gesture, also stored the gift he received in his storage ring. Both father and son were pleased with their respective acquisitions. Feng Tian looked at Gu Xiaonan and asked, ¡°Do you want to buy anything else?¡± Considering the unassuming appearance of the man before him, Gu Xiaonan suddenly felt that he didn¡¯t look that bad. ¡°No, the Heavenly Heart Qin is enough! ¡® Despite the significant value of the ten Xuanling Crystal Hearts, Feng Tian¡¯s generosity in purchasing them without hesitation caught Gu Xiaonan¡¯s attention. This would be his standard for a future stepfather. As for the man, Feng Tian¡­ Gu Xiaonan sighed, realizing that Feng Tian¡¯s looks couldn¡¯t even meet Xiao Mei¡¯s standards and deciding not to pursue the matter further.. Chapter 66 - 66: I’m Very, Very Expensive! Chapter 66: I¡¯m Very, Very Expensive! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian couldn¡¯tprehend the reason behind his son¡¯s sudden sigh. He sensed that his son¡¯s behavior was somewhat out of the ordinary today, possibly due to their limited understanding of each other in their daily interactions. If it weren¡¯t for today¡¯s shopping trip with his son, he wouldn¡¯t have known that his son also thought of him and wanted to give him a gift. From now on, he would spend more time apanying his son. Feng Tian¡¯s gaze softened as he looked at the little boy. ¡®Then we are done for today. Next time, if you want to buy something, shall we have the shopkeeper deliver it to our doorstep?¡± There would be a next time? Gu Xiaonan, meeting Feng Tian¡¯s gentle gaze, couldn ¡®t help but mutter to himself, ¡°Is this man crazy? I¡¯ve swindled him out of so much money, and yet he¡¯s even friendlier to me.¡¯ Gu Xiaonan felt a twinge of guilt. Although he had given Feng Tian a gift, it was of little valuepared to what he had received. He questioned if he had taken advantage of the man¡¯s generosity. Since Feng Tian seemed to desire having a son, Gu Xiaonan thought he could act as his son for a few days. After all, he was precious and expensive. He would charge one Xuanling Crystal Heart per day as payment. As his mother¡¯s priceless treasure, being someone¡¯s son for a few days at the cost of one Xuanling Crystal Heart per day was considered quite cheap! Seeing Gu Xiaonan nod, Feng Tian¡¯s lips curved, signaling Jinfeng to dismiss the shopkeeper from the Purple Light Pavilion. Gu Xiaonan nced at Feng Tian, mentally preparing himself for a while before finally mustering a few words. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re really good.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s eyes brightened slightly. ¡°You finally called me dad. ¡® Was he really that happy to be called dad? Gu Xiaonan blinked and thought about the silent agreement he had made. Since calling him dad made him happy, he could just call him dad a few more times. It wouldn¡¯t cost him anything. So, he hugged Feng Tian¡¯s leg and kept shouting without pause, ¡°Dad! You¡¯re really good! Dad! You¡¯re amazing! Dad! You¡¯re the best!¡± The repeated ¡°dad¡± made Feng Tian ecstatic. His son was young and easily swayed, but as long as he could hold onto his affections, no one could deceive him ! Meanwhile, in the Jun Residence, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s mood wasn¡¯t as wonderful. He had initially been happily exploring his mother¡¯s bedroom, waiting for her to return. However, after waiting for a long time, his mother still didn¡¯t show up. So, he had to grab Xiao Mei and go out to search for her. Since the Gu family had been cleared out and there weren¡¯t many people in the residence, Feng Yuanxi wandered through half of the estate but only encountered a few scattered servants who had no idea where Gu Qingluan was. Feng Yuanxi had no choice but to continue his search. He was tired from walking, so he sat on a stone and rested. He grabbed Xiao Mei from his shoulder and held her by her wings, asking, ¡®Xiao Mei, where do you think Mother went?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Xiao Mei struggled to escape from his grasp andnded on a nearby tree, tenderly grooming its feathers. This child, who resembled her young master, was just like her young master, fond of grabbing her beautiful feathers! At this rate, Xiao Mei would go bald! ¡°Young Master, are you looking for Miss?¡± A maid dressed in light green approached with a faint smile on her pretty face and a dimple on her right cheek, appearing cute and friendly. Feng Yuanxi just noticed that she had been secretly following him. Other than Mother, he didn¡¯t care about anyone else, so he didn¡¯t pay her any attention. Upon hearing that she knew where Mother was, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡®Where is Mother?¡¯ ¡°Mother?¡± The maid was briefly taken aback, wondering to herself, Isn¡¯t it a master-disciple rtionship? Did I get it wrong? Soon, she snapped out of it and revealed a gentle and sweet smile. ¡®Miss left the residence not long ago. Someone came to see her, and it seems there was an issue that required her attention.¡± Feng Yuanxi frowned. ¡°Is Mother in danger?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure about that, but I vaguely heard some fighting and injuries¡­¡± the maid replied vaguely. Feng Yuanxi stood up abruptly. ¡®Where is she? Take me there!¡± The maid couldn¡¯t contain her joy. ¡°Of course, Young Master, please follow me.¡± Feng Yuanxi looked up and asked Xiao Mei, ¡°Do you want toe?¡± Xiao Mei shookits head in refusal. This child wasn¡¯t her young master. ¡°Young Master, who are you talking to?¡¯ The maid turned to him upon hearing him speak. Chapter 67 - 67: He Hates Being Deceived! Chapter 67: He Hates Being Deceived! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi shook his head. ¡°You heard wrong.¡± The maid looked around, but she didn¡¯t see anyone else. Perhaps she had misunderstood. She deliberately appeared in a secluded area without anyone around, so it was unlikely that there were others present. ¡°Young Master, let¡¯s hurry so we don¡¯t waste time,¡± the maid suggested. Feng Yuanxi nodded. The maid reached out to hold his hand. Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t like to interact with strangers. ¡°I¡¯ll go by myself.¡± After all, they were still in the Jun Residence. The maid didn¡¯t dare to go against his wishes. ¡°Then please follow along, Young Master.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t we going through the main entrance?¡¯ Feng Yuanxi noticed that their route was bing increasingly off track. The maid didn¡¯t expect him to recognize the way and suppressed her astonishment. She smiled and said, ¡®Taking the back door is faster.¡± Feng Yuanxi remained silent. The back door was empty, and they quickly walked out. There was a carriage waiting outside. After smoothly getting on the carriage, the maid breathed a sigh of relief. Feng Yuanxi stared at her. ¡°How long is the journey to see Mother?¡± The maid replied, ¡°About two hours. Young Master will see Miss soon.¡± Feng Yuanxi looked around the carriage and noticed that the windows were covered with metal tes. The curtains were made of leather and hung down firmly, blocking any movement and preventing the wind froming in. ¡°Young Master, would you like some pastries?¡± The maid offered a te of exquisite pastries to Feng Yuanxi. Since he was young, Feng Yuanxi had been cautioned not to eat anything from strangers. Besides, he didn¡¯t have an appetite at the moment. Seeing that he didn¡¯t eat, the maid set the pastries aside and asked if he was thirsty. Feng Yuanxi shook his head. After being repeatedly rejected, the maid sat quietly on the side. Two hourster, the carriage came to a stop. The maid smiled gracefully, ¡°We¡¯ve arrived.¡± She slipped out of the carriage andnded on the ground. Feng Yuanxi followed suit and looked up at the door before him. The dark green door was smaller than the back gate of the Jun Residence, with the words ¡®Gu Residence¡± hanging above it. The maid said, ¡°Miss Gu is inside. Let¡¯s go in.¡¯ Feng Yuanxi narrowed his eyes. Just today, his mother had driven the Gu family out of their home. Was this their new ce of residence? The maid yfully winked, ¡°You¡¯ll know once you go inside.¡± ¡°Is my mother not in there?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face darkened. He despised being deceived. The maid¡¯s pupils slightly contracted, but she maintained her smile. ¡°How could that be? Miss Gu is inside. Don¡¯t you want to see her? Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face grew grim. ¡°You¡¯re lying to me!¡± He hated being lied to the most! He clenched his fist, restraining the urge to hit her, and turned to leave. But after all the effort to bring him here, there was no way she would let him escape. The maid shouted sternly, ¡°Stop him!¡± The coachman jumped off the carriage and quickly caught up, grabbing Feng Yuanxi¡¯s shoulder. Feng Yuanxi flinched, turned around, and punched him in the stomach. The coachman cried out in pain, clutching his abdomen and curling up on the ground. Thud! The tightly shut dark green door swung open from the inside. Several thugs rushed out, surrounding Feng Yuanxi. Seeing their attire, Feng Yuanxi knew his guess was correct. These were the scoundrels who had harassed his mother in the morning! Wang Shi, thest one to step out, emerged from behind them. The maid eagerly presented her aplishment, ¡°Madam, I have brought you the person you wanted. He referred to Miss Gu as his mother, so he is likely her son! ¡± Wang Shi paused for a moment, then burst intoughter. ¡°So, he¡¯s that wretched woman¡¯s son, is he?¡¯ Gu Qingluan, you lied about being his apprentice. It seems you also know that having a child out of wedlock is disgraceful! Chapter 68 - 68: Insignificant Ant, Not Worth Considering Chapter 68: Insignificant Ant, Not Worth Considering Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Wang Shi sneered and mocked Gu Qingluan in her mind. She felt incredibly pleased, thinking¡ª So what if Gu Qingluan tried to hide? She had still discovered the truth! Once she had this illegitimate child in her grasp, no matter how powerful Gu Qingluan was, she would obediently submit and be crushed. ¡°Capture him!¡± she ordered loudly. The servants swiftly closed in on Feng Yuanxi. As they approached, Feng Yuanxi unleashed his profound power. Screams filled the air as the servants were sent flying. Wang Shi maintained a stern expression andmanded, ¡°Attack again!¡± She had underestimated this child! Jin Yue had mentioned that he had some skills, so it was expected that he could overpower a few household servants who had limited knowledge of profound power. Luckily, she had made preparations beforehand. A group of skilled fighters descended from the sky,unching attacks on Feng Yuanxi from all directions. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes turned icy, showing no fear. A sword suddenly appeared in his hand, and with a light tap of his foot on the ground, he darted forward. Despite his small stature, he disyed remarkable agility, evading the onught and delivering powerful blows to his adversaries. One by one, members of the Gu family fell. Wang Shi and the onlookers stood in shock. Was this child unbelievably extraordinary? He was only five years old, yet he possessed such incredible martial prowess. If they didn¡¯t know he was Gu Qingluan¡¯s son, they might have suspected him of being an age-reversing prodigy. ¡°Attack again! ¡± Wang Shi gritted her teeth in frustration as she watched her forces dwindle. The Gu family had an abundance of people, yet they struggled to defeat a little brat who hadn¡¯t even fully matured. Indeed, Feng Yuanxi was undeniably powerful, but he was still young, and the enemy forces were numerous. As wave after wave of enemies came at him, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s stamina gradually waned, and his movements slowed. Wang Shi noticed this and eximed excitedly, ¡°He¡¯s exhausted! Capture him!¡¯ One person managed to grab hold of Feng Yuanxi¡¯s shoulder. The little ck snake, hiding in Feng Yuanxi¡¯s embrace, darted out and bit the back of the person¡¯s hand. ¡°Ah!¡± The person cried out in pain and released his grip. The little ck snake fell to the ground but quickly crawled to Feng Yuanxi¡¯s shoe and climbed onto him. Feng Yuanxi took a moment to catch his breath. He held the little ck snake by its tail and wrapped it around his wrist, saying, ¡°Thank you, Xiao Hei. ¡® The little ck snake nuzzled against him and spat out a crimson venomous droplet, its small eyes staring viciously at the fallen individual. How dare they bully his young master! They deserved to die! The man who had been poisoned writhed in agony on the ground. The wound on his hand rapidly turned ck, spreading visibly up his arm, and within moments, he fell silent. ¡°He¡­ He¡¯s dead?¡± Everyone was stunned. ¡°Be careful of the venomous snake on his body! Don¡¯t get bitten!¡± Fearful of the little ck snake, the attackers kept their distance. Wang Shi angrily eximed, ¡°What are you afraid of? It¡¯s just a snake! He was caught off guard earlier. Now that you¡¯re aware of the snake¡¯s presence, can¡¯t you avoid it?¡± The attackers realized she had a point. No longer hesitating, theyunched another assault. Although the little ck snake had strong venom, its limited attack power prevented it from causing much harm when the enemies were prepared. It narrowly escaped being sliced in half by a de. Feng Yuanxi rescued it in time, looking at its wounds with concern. ¡°Xiao Hei, does it hurt? I¡¯ll dress your woundster. For now, I¡¯ll avenge you!¡± The little ck snake, with its golden eyes, watched him anxiously. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s jet- ck eyes turned purple, and his delicate face seemed like carved jade, cold and haughty. His crimson lips parted as he said, ¡°You insignificant ants, you¡¯re not even worth my attention.¡± His tone was arrogant. Upon hearing his words, the Gu family members burst intoughter. ¡°You arrogant brat! Such audacity!¡± ¡®We¡¯ll see how you¡¯ll defeat us.. Don¡¯t cry when you¡¯re caught!¡± Chapter 69 - 69: Xiaonan, Are You... Injured? Chapter 69: Xiaonan, Are You¡­ Injured? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi took out a miniature white jade flute from his embrace and ced it near his lips. Melodious flute sounds filled the air. The Gu family members were bewildered. ¡°Haha, has this kid gone crazy? Why is he ying the flute now?¡¯ ¡°Maybe he wants to boost his courage?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t waste time, attack him!¡± Wang Shi impatiently urged. She was worried that Gu Qingluan might suddenly appear, so she would feel at ease once she had him in her grasp. The attackers responded with a ¡°yes ¡°Rustle, rustle¡­¡± ¡®What¡¯s that sound?¡± Whispering sounds came from all directions. A maid screamed in terror, ¡°Ah! What is that?¡± ¡°Insects! So many insects! ¡± ¡°And snakes!¡± ¡°Rats!¡¯ Countless snakes, rodents, bugs, and ants surged from all sides like a tidal wave, swiftly approaching. It was a sea of darkness that made one¡¯s scalp tingle. Wang Shi almost fainted at the sight. ¡®Where are all these insectsing from? ¡® ¡°It¡¯s him! It must be this brat causing trouble!¡± Wang Shi suddenly thought of the child ying the flute for no reason and urgently shouted, ¡®Quickly, take his flute away! Don¡¯t let him y it again! ¡® The attackers realized the situation and immediately lunged towards Feng Yuanxi. Swoosh! A bird swooped down from the sky and collided with the person closest to Feng Yuanxi at an incredible speed. ¡°Ah, my eyes!¡¯ The person covered his eyes in pain, blood seeping through his fingers. Others also suffered attacks. Seeing this, Wang Shi didn¡¯t dare to stay outside any longer and hastily fled towards the house. Suddenly, she felt a weight on her foot and looked down, screaming in fear, ¡°Filthy rat, go away!¡± She kicked desperately, trying to shake off the rat. The rat squeaked, revealing its two big front teeth. Before being flung away, it bit her shoe fiercely. Wang Shi, in pain, fell to the ground. She couldn¡¯t care about the pain, struggling to get up and run towards the main gate. At this moment, countless snakes and insects approached, instantly engulfing Wang Shi. ¡°Ah! Ah! Ah!¡± The sound of a horrifying scream echoed through the sky. Gu Zhicheng, who was busyin the mansion, was startled. He expanded his spiritual awareness and was shocked by the scene outside the back gate. He quickly flew outside the gate. ¡®What audacious vermin dares to cause trouble in front of my Gu family¡¯s gate? ¡® ¡°Old Master, please save me!¡± Something covered in crawling insects grabbed onto Gu Zhicheng¡¯s leg. Gu Zhicheng shivered and kicked it away. Hearing the person¡¯s pained cry, he froze. ¡®Wife?¡± Thud! A heavy object fell to the ground, silent. Gu Zhicheng flew andnded beside her. With a sweep of his palm, the insects were blown away, revealing a body covered in wounds, with not a single unharmed spot on the face. Recognizing her identity from the familiar fabric of her clothes, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned pale. Not far away, seeing Gu Zhicheng appear, Feng Yuanxi put away the flute, pursed his lips, and left reluctantly. Though there were many insects, they were ordinary and could only bite those with average strength. They couldn ¡®t harm powerful experts with profound cultivation. If he continued to stay, he would only put himself in a predicament. Gu Zhicheng looked alertly at the spot where Feng Yuanxi had been standing, but he couldn¡¯t see a trace of him. Not knowing what had happened exactly, Gu Zhicheng could only first save Wang Shi. He carried her and flew into the inner courtyard, instructing someone to bring torches to drive away the creatures outside. Without the control of the flute¡¯s sound and their fear of fire, it didn¡¯t take long for the snakes, insects, and ants to retreat like a receding tide. Only a group of people covered in injuries remained. If it weren¡¯t for the wounds on their bodies, everything that had just happened would have seemed like a dream. Feng Yuanxi returned alone to the Jun Residence and tended to Xiao Hei¡¯s wounds, applying medicine and bandaging them. Just as he finished, the door was pushed open. Feng Yuanxi turned his head alertly. ¡°Xiaonan, are¡­ are you injured?¡± Upon sensing the faint scent of blood in the air, Gu Qingluan¡¯s tone suddenly changed, and her gaze became intense.. Chapter 70 - 70: Why Are Your Words So Sweet Chapter 70: Why Are Your Words So Sweet Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Upon seeing Gu Qingluan, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s expression quickly melted, revealing a big smile. ¡°Mother!¡± Immediately realizing what she said, he hurriedly hid Xiao Hei behind his back. Gu Qingluan took three quick steps and stood in front of him. ¡°Where did you go? Are you hurt?¡¯ Feng Yuanxi blinked his big round eyes and shook his head. ¡°No, no, I¡¯m fine!¡¯ Gu Qingluan clearly smelled the scent of blood and furrowed her brows as she examined him. She noticed his hand behind his back and asked, ¡°Is your finger injured? Let me see.¡± Feng Yuanxi obediently brought both hands forward. ¡°I really didn¡¯t get hurt. Look, I¡¯ll show you.¡± Two small, fair hands were extended before Gu Qingluan. She held his hands and inspected them closely, both front and back, and indeed there were no wounds. ¡°I encountered an injured little creature earlier and brought it back for treatment. What you smelled was its blood, Mother , ¡± Feng Yuanxi said softly and tenderly. Gu Qingluan nced at the gauze and other items on the table that hadn¡¯t been put away yet. ¡°Where is the little creature?¡± ¡°It just left!¡± Gu Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief. ¡®That¡¯s good. Look at you, all dirty. Let¡¯s wash up, my little kitten.¡¯ ¡®Yes, yes!¡¯ Feng Yuanxi obediently nodded. Gu Qingluan fetched water and washed her son¡¯s face and hands, then changed him into clean clothes. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s cheeks took on a rosy hue. ¡®Why are your cheeks so red?¡± With a gleam in his eyes, Feng Yuanxi eximed, ¡°Mother is truly wonderful!¡¯ Not only did she wash his face and hands, but she also changed his clothes. Although he felt a bit shy with his little body exposed, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to stop her. Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°Why are your words so sweet?¡± ¡°I speak from the depths of my heart. Having a mother like you is truly amazing.¡± As he spoke, his voice grew softer. If only Mother could be his mother for the rest of his life, how wonderful that would be! Gu Qingluan responded, ¡®Xiao Nan is also amazing. The greatest joy of my life is having you as my son.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s nose tingled with a hint of sadness. But he wasn¡¯t Xiaonan. If Mother were to discover his true identity, would she still show him such tenderness? ¡°Mother, if¡­ if l¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Knock, knock, knock! The sudden knocking interrupted Feng Yuanxi, deting his courage. ¡®What¡¯s the matter?¡¯ Gu Qingluan got up to open the door and saw Su Lie standing outside. Su Lie said, ¡°Master, something has happened to the Gu family.¡± Inside the room, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes flickered. Raising an eyebrow, Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°What happened to the Gu family?¡± Su Lie briefly exined the situation. Numerous snakes, insects, mice, and ants inexplicably appeared around the Gu Manor, causing severe injuries to Wang Shi and affecting many members of the Gu family. Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°That¡¯s good news!¡± It was satisfying to witness retribution against the wicked! Su Lie¡¯s face also disyed a smile. ¡°Indeed, that¡¯s why I came to inform you, Master, to bring you joy. I heard that Gu Zhicheng went to visit Mr. Liu in the second branch of the Gu family and was ridiculed by their people.¡± ¡°The Gu family has always been selfish and opportunistic. In the past, the first branch held power, and the second branch bowed and ttered them. Now that the people from the second branch believe they have found a new ally, they immediately turn their backs on others. They are all the same.¡± Gu Qingluan showed no surprise at this revtion. ¡°Master, should we fan the mes?¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s add something to Wang Shi¡¯s troubles. ¡® A cold glimmer shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. After all the wicked deeds Wang Shi hadmitted, it was about time for her to taste the bitter fruits of her actions. Chapter 71 - 71: Highly Anticipated, Tickets in High Demand Chapter 71: Highly Anticipated, Tickets in High Demand Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Second Brother, you can¡¯t just stand by and do nothing!¡± Gu Zhicheng eximed in anger. Gu Zhixin, the second young master of the Gu family, casually sipped his tea. ¡°Big Brother, I understand your concern seeing Sister-inw in that state, but whether Mr. Liu saves her or not is not within my control. He is a distinguished guest we have worked hard to invite, and it wouldn¡¯t be good to constantly trouble him. As the servant who delivered the message said, Mr. Liu is not very pleased. If Sister-inw¡¯s injuries are severe, it¡¯s possible to seek a better doctor for treatment, but it may take longer for her to recover and she might have to endure some pain. Causing Mr. Liu any displeasure over such a trivial matter would create unnecessaryplications. Big brother, we need to prioritize the bigger picture! ¡± Gu Zhicheng was furious. ¡°I¡¯m asking you one question: Can we or can we not get Mr. Liu to help?¡± Gu Zhixin smiled and remained silent. ¡°Fine, I got it!¡± Gu Zhicheng left in anger. Gu Jinrong entered the room. ¡°Father, I found out the truth. It was a child causing trouble.¡± ¡°A child?¡± ¡®Yes, Gu Qingluan¡¯s disciple. We saw him before when we were at sea. He¡¯s young but incredibly powerful. ¡± Gu Jinrong sneered. ¡°Aunt-inw held a grudge against Gu Qingluan and wanted to capture that child to use as leverage against her. But it seems her n backfired.¡± ¡°Is that child really that formidable? We have many skilled experts in the main branch!¡¯ ¡°He is indeed extraordinary. We suffered a loss against him on the ship.¡± Gu Zhixin said, ¡°In the future, let¡¯s not provoke Gu Qingluan and her disciple if there¡¯s no need. Let the main branch y their games while we focus on building a good rtionship with the Ind of No Return. Once we¡¯ve grown stronger, it won¡¯t be difficult to deal with them.¡± ¡°Father, you¡¯re right. ¡® The father and son agreed, unaware of the treacherous ally among them. Since her disfigurement and humiliation by Gu Qingluan during their encounter at sea, Gu Jinyue harbored a deep hatred towards her and had always wanted revenge. She had thought that returning to the Gu family would give her the opportunity to fulfill her desires. However, even her uncle couldn¡¯t defeat Gu Qingluan, and now Wang Shi had also fallen into trouble. Guo Jinyue was unable to harm Gu Qingluan and grew increasingly impatient. Gu Qin¡¯er invited her to a meeting at the Gu Manor, and she agreed to go. The two of them plotted in secret, deciding to hire a skilled mercenary from the ck market to secretly abduct Gu Xiao Nan. This way, they wouldn¡¯t have to worry about their identities being exposed. Even if the mission failed, Gu Qingluan wouldn¡¯t be able to trace it back to them. However, before they could put their n into action, Wang Shi¡¯s condition rapidly deteriorated. The Gu family invited renowned physicians from Tianjing, but none of them could offer a solution. ¡°Master Gu, I regret to inform you that I am powerless. I cannot determine the nature of the poison within Madam Gu¡¯s body, and thus, I cannot save her.¡± The physicians who came to examine her reached the same conclusion. Gu Zhicheng was shocked and angry. ¡°You all im to be esteemed doctors, yet you cannot even identify the poison? Are your reputations all false?¡¯ These physicians were all well-known figures, but they were infuriated by his words and left in a huff. Gu Zhicheng had no choice but to turn to the second branch for help. Gu Zhixin looked troubled. ¡°Mr. Liu is in a delicate position. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s appropriate for me to approach him personally.¡± ¡°Gu Zhixin, are you really going to stand idly by and watch someone die?¡± Gu Zhicheng raised his voice. Gu Zhixin¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Brother, your words are hurtful. It¡¯s not for me to decide whether Mr. Liu will save her or not. ¡® ¡°He¡¯s staying in your house. Go and plead with him. How can he refuse when you ask him?¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s frustration grew. ¡®You¡­ Previously, it was thanks to him that both Gu Jinrong, Gu Jinyue, and your daughter Gu Qin¡¯er were saved. Do you really think of him as a living Bodhisattva? You ask for help whenever you need it! Three strikes and you¡¯re out! Don¡¯t you understand?¡¯ The two of them argued fiercely, eventually escting into a physical fight. Chaos erupted in the Gu estate. On the elevated pavilion of the Gu estate, Liu Meng sipped his wine and observed the scene. ¡°It¡¯s a pity that Miss Gu didn¡¯t witness this spectacle. She would have been delighted.¡± Although Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t witness it firsthand, she soon heard about the fight between the Gu Zhicheng brothers. They ended up bruised and battered, causing quite a stir and bing the newughingstock of Tianjing City. She didn¡¯t pay too much attention to it and spent some time in Ster Space. Finally, she managed to persuade Tianxing to cooperate with her. Not only did she sessfully leave Ster Space, but she also formed a contract with it. After the contract, she realized that Ster Space was even more powerful than she had known. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged, and now only a part of it could be used, with its rank dropping from a Super Divine Artifact to a Divine Artifact. Nevertheless, Ster Space was still formidable. The flow of time in that space was ten times faster than the outside world. What took her half a day in the outside world would pass as three or four days in Ster Space. Furthermore, the spiritual energy in the Ster Space was much denser than in the Cloud ins Continent, even surpassing most ces in the Tianji Continent. Her cultivation progress in Ster Space was twice as efficient. What surprised her further was that Ster Space had a hidden library that housed many precious ancient books. Any of these books would be sought after by the outside world. And now, all of them belonged to her! With good fortune on her side, Gu Qingluan had been in a very good mood recently. Seeing her happy, Feng Yuanxi also felt delighted and followed her like a shadow every day. Gu Qingluan found it strange that her son had be so clingy, but she never doubted his identity. Her attention shifted to the uing auction! This auction was highly anticipated and tickets were hard toe by! Chapter 72 - 72: Mother, I’m Sorry Chapter 72: Mother, I¡¯m Sorry Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Of course, this is from the perspective of the outside world, as it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for Gu Qingluan to enter. Because the auction was held at the Lushi Auction House, a subsidiary of the Lushi Chamber of Commerce, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for Gu Qingluan to request a few invitation cards due to her gratitude towards Lu Banian. In addition to various items provided by the Lu Chamber of Commerce, the highlight of this auction was the medicine produced by the Ind of No Return. Naturally, Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t interested in the medicine from the Ind of No Return but rather she anticipated the extravagant spending by the Gu family on the medicine. On the day of the auction, Gu Qingluan and her son left directly, heading out of the house. However, just as they reached the doorstep, they came face to face with someone they had no desire to encounter. Gu Qingluan held her son¡¯s hand and walked past, avoiding them. ¡°Gu Qingluan!¡± the person called out to her. Gu Qingluan acted as if she didn¡¯t hear. ¡°Gu Qingluan, if you leave like this, do you believe that everyone in Tianjing will soon know about your son has poisoned his grandmother?¡± Gu Qingluan turned around abruptly, her beautiful and sharp eyes piercing through Gu Sier. Gu Si¡¯er was startled and took two steps back. After realizing what had happened, Gu Si¡¯er¡¯s face turned extremely dark. ¡°Why are you staring at me like that? I¡¯m only stating the facts!¡± Gu Qingluan lowered her head to look at her son. Feng Yuanxi guiltily lowered his head. So, the truth about Xiao Nan being her son was already exposed? Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know how the Gu family had found out, but now wasn¡¯t the time to investigate. She coldly said, ¡°Gu Si¡¯er, if you say another word, do you believe I will make you lose your face?¡± Gu Sier covered her face in shock. She didn¡¯t want to experience the pain of disfigurement a second time and felt the impulse to run away. However, she couldn¡¯t return empty-handed. Her father had instructed her to find Gu Qingluan and obtain the antidote. If she couldn¡¯t obtain it, her father would surely be very angry. Suppressing her fear, Gu Sier trembled as she spoke, ¡°I didn¡¯t make it up. Your son poisoned my mother, causing her to fall into aa. My father said that if you don¡¯t want things to escte, you must hand over the antidote!¡± ¡°What a ridiculous usation! What does your mother¡¯s poisoning have to do with my son? Go back and tell Gu Zhicheng that if he has the guts, he can spread rumors all he wants. Let him rest assured that if I hear even a hint of negativity, 1 will also send him a generous gift!¡± With that, Gu Qingluan no longer paid any attention to Gu S¡¯ier and boarded the carriage with her son. Gu Si¡¯er shouted a few more times from behind, but Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t even turn her head. ¡°Gu Qingluan, don¡¯t get too cocky! If the Grand Madam dies, I¡¯ll bring Gu Lingxue back, and we¡¯ll see how you handle the consequences!¡± Gu Si¡¯er gritted her teeth, filled with resentment. Inside the carriage, Gu Qingluan crossed her arms and red at her son. ¡°What happened? Tell me.¡± Feng Yuanxi lowered his head and recounted the events of that day to Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t expected that while she was trapped in the Ster Space, her son had almost been captured by Wang Shi. Thanks to her son¡¯s intelligence and sharpness, otherwise¡­ She felt a wave of lingering fear. ¡°Mother, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to expose our secret.¡± Looking at the weary little figure, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t bear to be angry anymore. She pulled him into her embrace. ¡°I¡¯m not angry anymore. With such a big incident, why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± So, the bloody smell she had sensed that day wasn¡¯t from an injured animal? ¡°I was afraid you would be angry and worried, Mother.¡± Feng Yuanxi looked up at her with a puzzled expression. ¡°Mother, you¡¯re really not angry with me anymore?¡± Gu Qingluan tapped his nose gently. ¡°I¡¯ll let it go this time, but you mustn¡¯t hide things from me in the future.¡± Feng Yuanxi nuzzled against her. ¡°Yes, there won¡¯t be a next time.¡± Suddenly, he thought of a question.. ¡°Mother, now that the Gu family knows I¡¯m your son, do 1 still need to pretend to be your disciple?¡± Chapter 73 - 73: She Stole the Invitation Letter! Chapter 73: She Stole the Invitation Letter! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan nodded. ¡°There¡¯s no need to.¡± Great! From now on, he could openly call her ¡°Mother¡±! Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face lit up with a big smile. The carriage arrived at the Lushi Auction House. The entrance of the auction house was bustling with activity, with influential and prestigious figures arriving one after another. At that moment, a luxurious carriage also pulled up at the entrance. Stepping down from the carriage were Gu Zhixin, Gu Jinrong, and Gu Jinyue from the second branch of the Gu family. Coincidentally, the two parties met at the entrance. Gu Jinyue sarcastically said, ¡°Not everyone cane to the Lushi Auction House. Some people have no self-awareness, and if they get stopped, it will be a joke.¡± ¡°Hello, please present your invitation.¡± the gatekeeper said. Gu Jinrong handed over three invitations. The gatekeeper granted them entry, but instead of hurrying inside, the three of them chose to stay and observe the scene unfolding before them. Due to Mr. Liu¡¯s involvement, the invitations for this auction were in unprecedented demand. Many people had specificallye from out of town just topete for the spirit medicines offered by the Ind of No Return. This time, it was said that the Ind of No Return would provide a bottle of Ninth-Graded Spirit Pills! Previously, when the Ind of No Return offered its Ninth-Grade Spirit Pills, it attracted people like bees to honey. The allure wasn¡¯t just due to the fact that the Seventh-Grade Spirit pills from the Ind of No Return were as effective as Eighth-Grade or even Ninth-Grade ones from other sources. It was also because the medicines from the Ind of No Return were free of side effects. Rumors circted that their efficacy rivaled that of Sacred-Grade Spirit pills. Who could resist such temptation? The news had been spread several days ago, and those who could make it had rushed over. Even people from the neighboring country hade. If there had been more time, the number of attendees would have been even greater. However, due to the overwhelming turnout, the auction house couldn¡¯t amodate everyone. As a result, they meticulously selected only the most prestigious and influential guests for this event. The Gu family, being the foremost noble family in Chengyuan Kingdom, naturally received coveted invitation letters. But Gu Qingluan had severed ties with the Gu family and now resided in the ¡°Jun Mansion.¡± In the eyes of outsiders, she was nothing. No money, no influence. How could she enter the auction? Not only did the Gu family think this way, but others who knew her identity also believed she would surely be stopped. Su Lie handed over three invitation letters. The gatekeeper received them with both hands, briefly examined them, and returned them to him. ¡°Please proceed.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Gu Jinyue suddenly spoke up and stood in their way at the gate. Since everyone was looking forward to some excitement, no one med her for dying the entry. ¡°What¡¯s the problem, miss?¡± the gatekeeper asked. Gu Jinyue said, ¡°Have you carefully examined their invitation letters? How could Gu Qingluan possibly have an invitation letter?¡± The gatekeeper thought she was being unreasonable. ¡°Please rest assured, the invitation letters from our Lushi Auction House have special markings. I just checked them, and there is no issue.¡± ¡°That invitation letter might have been stolen by her! Given her status, she would never receive an invitation letter. Today¡¯s attendees are all highly distinguished individuals. If someone impersonates them, not only will the person who lost their invitation suffer great losses, but who knows what her intentions are? She might harm other distinguished guests. If something goes wrong, I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t be able to bear the responsibility,¡± Gu Jinyue argued. Iler words made the gatekeeper worried. Others nodded in agreement, saying, ¡°The youngdy makes a valid point. Suspicious individuals should absolutely not be allowed inside!¡± Seeing everyone siding with her, Gu Jinyue looked smugly at Gu Qingluan. Hmph! Gu Qingluan, now that you¡¯re separated from the Gu family, you are nothing! You can¡¯t even enter the doors of this auction! The gatekeeper, feeling pressured by everyone¡¯s words, turned his gaze towards Su Lie. ¡°Or perhaps, let me take another look at your invitation letter. 1 didn¡¯t see it clearly earlier.¡± The guard was flustered by everyone¡¯s words. His gaze fell on Su Lie¡¯s hand. ¡°Why don¡¯t you show me your invitation letter again? I didn¡¯t see it clearly just now..¡± Chapter 74 - 74: Young Master Lu’s Personal Invitation Chapter 74: Young Master Lu¡¯s Personal Invitation Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Su Lie nced at Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan smirked and nodded in confirmation. The invitation letter was personally delivered by Lu Banian. How could it be fake? The gatekeeper opened the invitation letter. Gu Jinyue tiptoed to get a better look. Suddenly, she excitedly eximed, ¡°I knew it! There¡¯s an issue with this invitation letter! The names of the invitees on our invitations are all in ck, but this one is in gold. Ha! Gu Qingluan, if you¡¯re going to forge something, at least put more effort into it. Luckily, we discovered it in time, or else you would have managed to sneak in!¡± The gatekeeper looked at her with mixed emotions and said, ¡°The invitee with the name in gold is personally invited by Young Master Lu.¡± ¡°What?¡± Gu Jinyue¡¯s smile froze, disbelief written all over her face as she stared at him. Ignoring her reaction, the gatekeeper closed the invitation letter and respectfully returned it to Gu Qingluan. ¡°1 have offended you earlier. Please proceed, Miss Gu and yourpanions.¡± Gu Qingluan took the invitation letter and handed it to Su Lie. Then, she smiled while looking at the dumbfounded Gu Jinyue. ¡°The invitee with a ck name, please step aside.¡± It was a tant mockery! Gu Jinyue felt as if she had been pped in the face publicly. Her face turned pale and then flushed. She couldn¡¯t believe that Gu Qingluan was personally invited by Young Master Lu. It couldn¡¯t be! It was absolutely impossible! How could Gu Qingluan know Young Master Lu? And why would Young Master Lu hold her in such high regard? There must be some mistake! ¡°Ugly woman, step aside!¡± Feng Yuanxi red at Gu Jinyue with an unfriendly gaze. Why were there so many annoying flies causing trouble for his mother? Now that it was confirmed that the invitation letter was legitimate, they were being blocked from moving forward? Ugly woman? Gu Jinyue stared back at Feng Yuanxi with a fierce expression. You brat! He had called her an ugly granny before, and now he was insulting her as an ugly woman. How could he speak so cheaply of her? New grudges added to old hatred, making Gu Jinyue wish to tear his mouth apart. The gatekeeper, seeing Gu Jinyue blocking the entrance and terrifying the child brought by the esteemed guests with such a dreadful expression, grew extremely displeased with her. He said, ¡°Miss, please step aside and don¡¯t obstruct our esteemed guests.¡± Gu Jinyue was infuriated by his gaze and tone, her face turning red. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°Yue¡¯er, stop causing trouble!¡± Gu Zhixin whispered in a low voice, scolding her. With so many influential and prominent figures watching, he felt utterly humiliated. Gu Jinyue couldn¡¯t help but feel ashamed and humiliated. She couldn¡¯t just leave in embarrassment; otherwise, it would be aughingstock. Especially Gu Qingluan, she was undoubtedlyughing at Gu Jinyue in her heart! Gu Jinyue shook off Gu Jinrong¡¯s hand and spoke coldly, ¡°Even if it¡¯s true, so what? Why didn¡¯t Mr. Lu carefully select the guests he invited?¡± This girl was incredibly audacious, daring to utter such words. The gatekeeper was also taken aback, then angrily retorted, ¡°Miss, please choose your words carefully. Selecting the guests is the business of our auction house, and it¡¯s not for outsiders to meddle in.¡± Gu Qingluan looked at Gu Jinyue with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. She thought to herself, ¡°Gu Jinyue is as brainless as ever. Who gave her the audacity to challenge the Lushi Auction House?¡± As her thoughts shifted, Gu Qingluan thought of someone. Sure enough, Gu Jinyue arrogantly continued, ¡°The reason this auction has attracted so many people is because of the Ninth-Grade Spirit Pills from the Ind of No Return! Mr. Liu is still staying at my house. If we inform him, can your auction still proceed?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± The gatekeeper didn¡¯t expect her to be so domineering. But since she dared to say it, there was no guarantee she wouldn¡¯t follow through. If the Ninth-Grade Spirit Pills from the Ind of No Return weren¡¯t auctioned, those esteemed guests who had traveled a long way would surely demand an exnation. How could he justify it to Mr. Lu? Seeing the gatekeeper¡¯s troubled expression, Gu Jinyue raised an eyebrow and smiled.. ¡°Now you should know what to do, right?¡± Chapter 75 - 75: Fight Back Chapter 75: Fight Back Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion They had originally wanted to prevent Gu Jinyue, but the Gu family suddenly felt an upsurge in their pride. Indeed, Mr. Liu was now their pir of support. Although Lushi Auction House was impressive, without the medicines from the Ind of No Return, could they attract such arge number of esteemed guests? Lushi Auction House should have been well aware of the choices they had: the Gu family or Gu Qingluan. The gatekeeper was drenched in sweat, unsure of what to do. On one side were the esteemed guests invited by Master Lu, and on the other side were the Gu family members who had a close rtionship with Mr. Liu. ¡°If you are unable to make a decision, summon Master Lu. If he is a discerning person, he will know how to choose.¡± The gatekeeper reluctantly suggested to Gu Qingluan, ¡°Miss Gu, what do you think¡­¡± ¡°Miss Gu, you¡¯ve arrived! Why didn¡¯t anyone inform me? Pleasee in quickly!¡± a clear and youthful voice interrupted. It was Lu Banian! He hurriedly approached, taking three steps in two, with his eyes fixed solely on Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan smiled faintly, ¡°Master Lu, I do want to enter, but someone is blocking my way.¡± Lu Banian recalled the attendant¡¯s words and nced at Gu Jinyue, who stood not far away. ¡°Youngdy, it is not your ce to question which guests we invite to the auction.¡± Gu Jinyue retorted in anger, ¡°Do you even know who I am? Mr. Liu is an esteemed guest of my family!¡± ¡°No matter who you are, if you have any objections to our auction house, feel free to leave. At Lushi Auction House, everyone must adhere to our rules,¡± Lu Banian calmly replied. These words were said quite firmly. Those who couldn¡¯t stand Gu Jinyue¡¯s arrogant behavior couldn¡¯t help but cheer. Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes also showed a look of admiration. Lu Banian¡¯s dominance caught her by surprise. She had originally thought of sparing Lu Banian from any difficulties and only relied on Liu Meng¡¯s intervention. However, Lu Banian was willing to risk offending the Ind of No Return for her sake. He was indeed a straightforward young man! Gu Jinyue¡¯s eyes turned red with anger. ¡°You want me to leave?¡± Lu Banian¡¯s expression was cold. ¡°Isn¡¯t the youngdy dissatisfied with Lushi Auction House?¡± ¡°What is your rtionship with her? Why are you helping her like this?¡± ¡°What does it have to do with you?¡± Such audacity! An outsider seemed to be interfering beyond boundaries! ¡°Fine, great! 1 will go tell Mr. Liu right now, just wait and see!¡± Gu Jinyue turned and ran outside. Lu Banian furrowed his brow slightly. In reality, he wasn¡¯t as calm as he appeared. He knew the serious consequences of offending Mr. Liu. However, considering that Miss Gu had saved his sister¡¯s life, he wouldn¡¯t mistreat her for someone else¡¯s baseless reasons, both in terms of emotions and principles. Well, if Mr. Liu were to reim the Ninth-Graded pills, they could simply focus on acquiring more valuable items through the trading firm in the future. ¡°Miss Gu, how many of you came? Pleasee in, the auction is about to start.¡± ¡°Three.¡± Lu Banian nodded and personally escorted them inside. ¡°Dad, what should we do?¡± Gu Jirong asked Gu Zhixin. ¡°Let¡¯s go in first and see if Jinyue can persuade Mr. Liu,¡± Gu Zhixin suggested. The guests with invitations gradually entered the auction house. At that moment, Feng Tian walked over, holding Gu Xiaonan¡¯s hand. He handed the invitation to the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper¡¯s eyes flickered with admiration when he saw Gu Xiao Nan. What an exquisite and lively child! He was just as impressive as the child apanying thedy Master Lu had invited. Gu Xiaonan held Xiao Bai in his arms and followed Feng Tian into the auction house, his bright eyes darting around. Suddenly, Xiao Bai struggled and jumped out of his arms, running towards the second floor. Gu Xiao Nan was taken aback and quickly chased after him.. ¡°Xiao Bai, don¡¯t run! Where are you trying to go?¡± Chapter 76 - 76: Don’t Hurt Xiaobai! Chapter 76: Don¡¯t Hurt Xiaobai! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Xiao Bai!¡± Jingfeng saw Gu Xiaonan swiftly run off and hurriedly chased after him. Feng Tian furrowed her brow and walked upstairs. Xiao Bai disappeared in a sh. ¡°Xiao Bai, where did you go? Come back quickly!¡± Gu Xiaonan walked along the corridor of the second floor, her eyes wide open, searching for any trace of Xiao Bai. Xiao Bai was so small and adorable, what if someone kidnapped him? The auction house had excellent soundproofing, so no one else heard his calls. As Gu Xiaonan reached the end of the corridor without finding Xiao Bai, he scratched his head. ¡°Strange, where did Xiao Bai go?¡± At the end of the corridor was a hallway. Two burly men stood guard at the entrance. Politely, Gu Xiaonan asked, ¡°Sir, have you seen a white fox around here?¡± The burly men shook their heads. ¡°No.¡± Gu Xiaonan nced at the staircase. ¡°May 1 go up there and look?¡± ¡°No, going upstairs is not allowed. Your little fox couldn¡¯t have gone up there. Try looking elsewhere,¡± one of the men replied. ¡°Okay,¡± Gu Xiaonan sighed. Just as he was about to turn around and leave, he suddenly heard a squeaking sound. Following the sound, Gu Xiaonan saw a cluster of white fur on the upper stairs. It was Xiao Bai! The burly men also heard the fox¡¯s cries and looked up, their expressions slightly changing. ¡°When did this fox get up there? Drive it down quickly.¡± One of the men rushed up to chase away the little fox. Gu Xiaonan anxiously eximed, ¡°Don¡¯t hurt Xiao Bai!¡± Xiao Bai agilely slipped out of the burly man¡¯s grasp, bouncing and leaping away, disappearing around the corner. Gu Xiaonan wanted to follow but was stopped by another burly man. ¡°Kid, you can¡¯t go up there!¡± ¡°But my Xiao Bai is up there!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, my colleague will bring it down in a moment.¡± However, Gu Xiaonan waited for a while and Xiao Bai didn¡¯te down. He looked around and suddenly eximed with joy, ¡°Xiao Bai!¡± The burly man looked up to the hallway upon hearing his words. Quickly, Gu Xiaonan pricked him with a needle, then dashed up the stairs. Feeling a slight sting in his arm, the burly man didn¡¯t pay much attention to it and hurriedly chased after him. ¡°You brat, you can¡¯t go up¡­¡± Taking a step forward, his massive body stumbled and fell. Gu Xiaonan reached the third floor and saw the burly man approaching while holding Xiao Bai. ¡°Squeak! Squeak!¡± Xiao Bai struggled excitedly upon seeing him. The burly man also noticed Gu Xiaonan and furrowed his brow. ¡°How did youe up? Didn¡¯t that guy stop you?¡± ¡°Go! Get down quickly¡± The burly man tossed Xiao Bai to Gu Xiaonan and ced his hand on Gu Xiaonan¡¯s back, urging him to descend the stairs. ¡°Squeak! Squeak!¡± Xiao Bai extended its little paw, pointing backward. Young master, I smell your mother¡¯s scent over there! ¡°What¡¯s over there?¡± Gu Xiaonan looked puzzled. Xiao Bai was so excited as if it had discovered something on the third floor. Should he go and check it out? ¡°Little boy, hurry up,¡± the guard urged. Gu Xiaonan obediently nodded. A smile appeared on the burly man¡¯s face. ¡°Little boy, your fox runs pretty fast.¡± That was close. Fie almost couldn¡¯t catch up to it. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s voice was soft and innocent. ¡°Sir, but you ran even faster.¡± The burly man was left speechless. Was that apliment? Butparing himself to a fox, why couldn¡¯t he feel happy about it? ¡°Sir, what happened to your colleague?¡± Suddenly, Gu Xiaonan eximed. The burly man looked down and saw hispanion lying motionless on the stairs. In that instant, a sharp pain shot through his side. He nced downward and witnessed the young boy extracting a needle from his own waist.. Chapter 77 - 77: Xiao Bai Will Surely Seek His Mother’s Rescue Chapter 77: Xiao Bai Will Surely Seek His Mother¡¯s Rescue Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion He widened his eyes in an instant and reached out to grab him, saying, ¡°Kid, you¡­¡± ¡°Goodbye, Sir!¡± Gu Xiaonan waved his little hand at him and turned to run. The man tried to chase after him, but like hispanion, he stumbled and fell to the ground, losing consciousness. ¡°Xiao Bai, what did you discover just now?¡± Gu Xiaonan carried Xiao Bai in his arms as they walked along the third-floor corridor. The corridor on the third floor was even more luxurious than the second floor. The walls and floors were carved from ck cloud stone, adorned with intricate formations. These formations provided soundproofing, waterproofing, fire resistance, and even absorbed spiritual energy, reducing the impact of spiritual energy on the building. Xiao Bai hopped down to the ground, leading the way for Gu Xiaonan. Soon, they stopped in front of a closed door. Gu Xiaonan looked at the tightly shut door and asked curiously, ¡°Who is inside?¡± ¡°Squeak, squeak!¡± Xiao Bai made gestures with its four limbs while making sounds. ¡°Alt, you mean Mom is inside?¡± Years of understanding between them allowed Gu Xiaonan to decipher Xiao Bai¡¯s meaning. He became excited. Ah, he was finally going to see his mother! How much he longed for his mother! Gu Xiaonan reached out his small hand and knocked on the door. Xiao Bai also scratched the door with its tiny ws. Unbeknownst to them, the door had exceptional soundproofing, rendering the knocking unheard by those inside. In order to alert the upants, they needed to press the adjacent button. After knocking for a while without anyone opening the door, Gu Xiaonan felt puzzled, ¡°Isn¡¯t Mom inside? Why isn¡¯t she opening the door?¡± Xiaobai was also confused. At that moment, the door opened from the inside. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s face lit up with joy. ¡°Mom¡­¡± A young boy stood inside the door, looking down at him. ¡°Hey little boy, who are you looking for?¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± Gu Xiaonan asked cautiously, his gaze fixed on the man. How could there be another man in Mom¡¯s room? Even if this man couldn¡¯t be considered a real man, he was just a young man, but he was still a male! Gu Xiaonan had never seen him before! How could he be with Mom? The young man smiled and replied, ¡°I¡¯m Lu Banian. What about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­¡± Gu Xiaonan was about to answer when a voice interrupted. ¡°Young master, why did youe here?¡± Jing Feng rushed over and lifted him up. The twists and turns within the Lushi Auction House¡¯s interior made it difficult for him to chase after someone. If something were to happen to the young master here, he would be held responsible. ¡°Mr. Jing Feng, let go of me!¡± Gu Xiaonan squirmed, trying to break free from his grasp. ¡°If I were to let go, you¡¯ll run away. The master is still waiting for us. Let¡¯s hurry back,¡± Jing Feng said as he held him tightly and turned to leave. ¡°I¡¯m not going! I want to find my mom!¡± Gu Xiaonan angrily protested. He aimed a silver needle hidden between his fingers at Jing Feng¡¯s neck. Jing Feng quickly caught his hand. ¡°Young master, your mom is not here.¡± Jing Feng was well aware of Gu Xiaonan¡¯s tactics of surprise attacks. ¡°My mom is inside!¡± Gu Xiaonan, unable to convince him, turned his head and shouted at Lu Banian, ¡°Mr. Lu, quickly call my mom toe out! Her most adorable and intelligent son is about to be abducted by human traffickers!¡± Lu Banian stood dumbfounded in his ce, unmoving. Clearly, the two of them recognized each other. How could Jing Feng be mistaken for a child trafficker? Seeing Lu Banian standing there cluelessly without calling for help, Gu Xiaonan felt frustrated. What a big idiot! Why was he just standing there like a pir? Suddenly, Gu Xiaonan caught a glimpse of a white figure slipping in from Lu Banian¡¯s feet, giving him a glimmer of hope. Thank goodness for Xiao Bai! Xiao Bai would surely find Mom to rescue him! Chapter 78 - 78: Miss Gu, Do You Only Have One Son? Chapter 78: Miss Gu, Do You Only Have One Son? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Hey, don¡¯t go in!¡± In that moment, Lu Banian quickly turned around to stop the little fox from entering. Gu Qingluan, standing nearby, was about to ask Lu Banian what was happening when she saw the little white fox rushing in, leaving her momentarily stunned. Lu Banian was surprised. ¡°Do you know it?¡± ¡°Chirp chirp!¡± Xiao Bai, upon seeing Gu Qingluan, became filled with excitement and leaped towards her feet. Gu Qingluan bent down and picked Xiao Bai up, asking with delight, ¡°Xiao Bai, where have you been all this time?¡± After her son, Gu Xiaonan, had secretly sneaked into Jun Residence, Gu Qingluan had sent a message to Bo He to keep her from worrying. Bo He had alsoe to the Jun Residence but imed not to have seen Xiao Bai. Gu Qingluan thought that someone had captured Xiao Bai, but she never expected to see it here! ¡°Chirp chirp chirp!¡± Xiao Bai extended its little paws, pointing towards the outside of the door. The young master has been captured! Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t understand its sounds and turned around joyfully. ¡°Xiaonan, look, Xiao Bai hase back on its own!¡± ¡°Chirp?¡± Xiao Bai, upon seeing the boy sitting behind Gu Qingluan, felt just as perplexed as when it first encountered Xiao Mei. The young master? Feng Yuanxi knew that Xiao Bai must be with Gu Xiaonan. If Xiao Bai was here, would Gu Xiaonan also be here? His heart tightened. Was he about to be separated from Mom? ¡°Xiaonan, what¡¯s going on? Are you so happy that you¡¯re acting silly?¡± Gu Qingluan approached and gently stroked Xiao Bai¡¯s head, soothing the restless creature. ¡°Yeah! Xiao Bai has finallye back!¡± Feng Yuanxi suppressed the bitterness within and reached out to take Xiao Bai into his arms. ¡°Chirp chirp, chirp!¡± Xiao Bai red at him. You¡¯re not the young master! You have a different scent! Feng Yuanxi pressed his hand on its back, exerting an invisible pressure that made it difficult for Xiao Bai to breathe. With its head lowered, Xiao Bai stared fixedly at him with its purplish eyes in the darkness. ¡°Xiao Bai, 1 missed you so much.¡± Xiao Bai couldn¡¯t help but tremble. Who is this person? Why is he pretending to be the little master? Gu Qingluan smiled and then noticed that Lu Banian looked somewhat strange. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Lu Banian asked, ¡°Miss Gu, do you only have one son?¡± ¡°Of course, why do you ask?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and inquired. Lu Banian shook his head, thinking to himself: So, that child earlier has no rtion to Miss Gu? ¡°If you need anything, just press the call button, and someone from the auction house wille to assist you,¡± Lu Banian said. In consideration of guests¡¯ privacy, the attendants were not kept inside the VIP room. They would onlye in to serve if the VIPs requested assistance. ¡°Alright, you can go and attend to your duties.¡± Understanding his role, Gu Qingluan knew that Lu Banian would be very busy today and didn¡¯t want to dy him any further. ¡°Wait!¡± Just as Lu Banian was about to close the door and leave, Gu Qingluan suddenly called out to him. ¡°What else can I do for you, Miss Gu?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about any misbehavior from the Gu family. Those from the Ind of No Return won¡¯t dare to abuse their authority, let alone listen to the Gu family.¡± A look of surprise flickered in Lu Banian¡¯s eyes. Knowing that some things shouldn¡¯t be pursued further, Lu Banian didn¡¯t ask her how she knew. He simply nodded, expressed his thanks, and left. As the door closed, Gu Qingluan turned her head and saw her son whispering something to Xiao Bai. She smiled and didn¡¯t give it much thought, directing her attention to the auction proceedings. A stunning woman with a beautiful appearance and tall figure stepped onto the stage to introduce herself. She was Lu Yao, the top auctioneer of the Lushi Auction House. With the auction about to begin, Lu Yao¡¯s eloquent opening statement ignited the atmosphere in the venue. In a corner, Xiao Bai widened its eyes in surprise. ¡°Chirp chirp?¡± Do you understand what I¡¯m saying? Feng Yuanxi nodded his head. ¡°I do!¡± Since childhood, he understood thenguage of animals and couldmunicate with spiritual beasts. His father said it was an innate ability that should not be easily revealed to others. However, Feng Yuanxi felt that it was fine to tell this little fox. Lowering his voice, he asked, ¡°Is your young master here?¡± Chapter 79 - 79: Acting Pitifully Chapter 79: Acting Pitifully Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Chirp, chirp, chirp!¡± That¡¯s right, why did you impersonate my little master? Feng Yuanxi responded with a counter question, ¡°Did hee by himself or with the adult?¡± ¡°Chirp, chirp, chirp!¡± Why should 1 tell you? ¡°Even if you don¡¯t say it, 1 can guess. He has been staying in the pce these days, apanied by a powerful man and a guard named Jingfeng, right?¡± ¡°Chirp! Chirp, chirp, chirp!¡± How did you know? Are you all in this together? ¡°He is my father.¡± Xiao Bai widened his eyes in surprise. ¡°Did my father not harm your young master?¡± ¡°Chirp, chirp, chirp!¡± My young master is so clever. Who would dare to harm him? Xiao Bai raised his pointed chin proudly. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Feng Yuanxi breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that he guessed correctly. Gu Xiaonan was safe with his father, so he could stay by his mother¡¯s side with peace of mind. ¡°Chirp, chirp, chirp?¡± Why don¡¯t you go back to your father¡¯s side? ¡°I want to stay by my mother¡¯s side for a few more days. Can you keep it a secret for me?¡± ¡°Chirp, chirp, chirp?¡± Mother? Why do you address young master¡¯s mother as your mother? Why should 1 help you? ¡°Because I don¡¯t have a mother.¡± Feng Yuanxi lowered his head. His long eyshes hung down like feathers, covering the light in his eyes, looking pitiful. Xiao Bai was moved by this. ¡°Xiao Nan doesn¡¯t have a father either. He definitely wants to have a daddy, right? We can just swdtch ces for a while. Once my father finishes his business, I will leave Tianjing, and we can switch back then, okay?¡± Xiao Bai recalled several times when his young master held him in his arms, hiding in a deserted corner, yearning for his father. In an instant, Xiao Bai understood the feelings of this little boy. But would his young master agree to this? Thinking about the instructions his young master gave him earlier, Xiao Bai hesitated. ¡°Xiao Bai, can you promise me? 1 have never had a mother since 1 was little, and I don¡¯t even know what she looks like¡­¡± Feng Yuanxi pitifully pleaded his case. As he looked at Xiao Nan¡¯s face concealed behind Gu Xiaonan¡¯s disguise, a sense of familiarity washed over him. It was difficult for Xiao Bai not to be touched by the sight of that beloved little face. ¡°Chirp, chirp!¡± 1 have to ask my young master. ¡°Then, you remember to speak well of me,¡± Feng Yuanxi shed a big smile, ¡°Thank you, Xiao Bai.¡± ¡°Chirp, chirp!¡± Xiao Bai waved his paw. Feng Yuanxi carried Xiao Bai and walked to the door. ¡°Xiao Nan, where are you going?¡± Gu Qingluan heard themotion and turned to look. ¡°Mother, Xiao Bai needs to go pee.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll call a servant,¡± Gu Qingluan worried that Xiao Nan might get lost. ¡°No need to trouble them. Xiao Bai knows the way.¡± Feng Yuanxi opened the door and let Xiao Bai out. ¡°Goodbye!¡± He waved at Xiao Bai. Xiao Bai nced at him and then ran away. Feng Yuanxi heaved a sigh of relief and closed the door. Gu Qingluan reminded him, ¡°Don¡¯t close the doorpletely, or Xiao Bai won¡¯t be able toe inter.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Feng Yuanxi left a gap in the door and returned to her side, both watching the auction together. On the second floor, in a certain VIP room. Feng Tian sat calmly on a chair, gazing at the elevated stage outside. The building was specially designed so that people inside the VIP room could see the live auction, but those outside couldn¡¯t see what was happening inside the room. Sitting next to him, Gu Xiaonan kept fidgeting in his seat,pletely uninterested in the auction. It wasn¡¯t until the door was opened, that Xiao Bai rushed in from outside. Jingfeng followed closely behind. ¡°Xiao Bai!¡± Gu Xiaonan eximed with joy, leaping off the chair and looking eagerly behind Jingfeng with big eyes. ¡°Chirp, chirp!¡± Xiao Bai jumped into his arms. ¡°What about Mother? Didn¡¯t you bring her?¡± Not seeing Gu Qingluan, Gu Xiaonan felt greatly disappointed.. Chapter 80 - 80: Gu Qingluan’s Discomposure Chapter 80: Gu Qingluan¡¯s Diposure Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian turned his gaze towards Gu Xiaonan and then raised his head, silently seeking rification from Jingfeng. Jingfeng closed the door and approached Feng Tian to exin, ¡°Earlier, the young master followed Xiao Bai and said he wanted to find his mother.¡± This wasn¡¯t the first time such a thing had happened, so Jingfeng remainedposed. However, a slight furrow appeared on Feng Tian¡¯s brow. Previously, Yuanxi rarely sought out his mother, but since they arrived in Tianjing, he had run off multiple times in search of her. Could it be because Yuanxi was born here that he assumed his mother might be nearby? Feng Tian¡¯s expression grew slightly somber. Memories flooded back to the first time heid eyes on his son. During a visit to Chengyuan Kingdom for business, he passed through a dense forest near Tianjing. There, he sensed unusual activity as numerous wild beasts rushed in a specific direction. The sensation seemed to emanate from a familiar source. Driven by curiosity, Feng Tian followed the beasts, only to discover a bundle surrounded by them. Within the bundley a newborn baby. With just one nce, Feng Tian recognized the child¡¯s connection to him through their shared bloodline. His own unique constitution allowed him to sense such familial ties. Additionally, the child possessed purple irises, identical to his own. Surprisingly, the beasts did not attack the infant, likely recognizing the powerful lineage within their blood. Filled with immense joy upon confirming the child as his own, Feng Tian¡¯s thoughts turned to the child¡¯s mother¡­ He felt no affection for her. In fact, he harbored a deep sense of aversion. When he arrived in Chengyuan Kingdom, his pre-existing illness had recurred, making him unable to move freely. During that time, an unknown woman had forced herself upon him. When he woke up, he couldn¡¯t find that woman anymore. When Feng Tian found Yuanxi, there was a woman by his side who imed to have found Yuanxi. She believed that the wild beasts intended to harm the child. In other words, that despicable woman not only abandoned her own son but also threw him into a pack of wild beasts, intending to kill him! Afraid that it would hurt Yuanxi, Feng Tian concealed the truth and only told his son that his mother had passed away. He didn¡¯t know where that woman was now and had no intention of letting here near Yuanxi. A woman so heartless and cruel did not deserve to be Yuanxi¡¯s mother! If she were to appear before him, he would not hesitate to deal with her. He would never let her disturb Yuanxi! A cold glint shed in Feng Tian¡¯s eyes. His gaze then fell upon his son, and warmth filled his heart. ¡°Yuanxi,e here,¡± he called. Gu Xiaonan looked puzzled, watching Xiao Bai¡¯s gestures. Upon hearing his father¡¯s call, Xiaonan obediently walked over. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Father?¡± ¡°The auction has started. See if there¡¯s anything you like.¡± Gu Xiaonan casually nced and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t particrly have any preferences. Father, you go ahead and look. I¡¯ll y with Xiao Bai.¡± Feng Tian observed his son, sensing his hesitation. ¡°Is there anything else, Father?¡± Feng Tian shook his head. ¡°No, then I¡¯ll y with Xiao Bai!¡± Gu Xiaonan held Xiao Bai and found a chair to sit on. Seeing this, Feng Tian had no choice but to temporarily shift his attention back to the auction. Two items had been sessfully auctioned off in a row, and the atmosphere in the room was buzzing with excitement. However, most of the auction items seemed ordinary to Feng Tian. Having seen many remarkable things before, he hade to this auction specifically for the Ninth-Grade Spirit Pills from the Ind of No Return. That day, Feng Tian apanied the Crown Prince of Chengyuan Kingdom in an attempt to meet with Mr. Liu. However, their request was unsessful, and they were denied an audience. As a result, Feng Tian had no alternative but to take part in the auction topete for the Fourth-Grade item, the Ninth-Grade Spirit Pills. ¡°Next up is a very unique auction item. Our appraiser has determined that it is a meteorite, but unlike typical meteorites, its surface is extremely sturdy, impervious to water and fire. Even divine weapons cannot leave a mark on it. This auction item has been ssified as a Fourth-Grade item, starting at a hundred pieces of Xuanling Stones. If any esteemed guests are interested, you are wee to bid and take a closer look.¡± The Lushi Auction House categorized its items from First to Ninth Grade, with the starting price increasing ordingly. Fourth-Grade auction items were rtivelymon in the Lushi Auction House. As Lu Yao spoke, she pulled away the red cloth covering the item on the tform, revealing its contents. It was a fist-sized ck stone that appeared unremarkable on the surface. If thrown on the ground, it would probably go unnoticed as an ordinary stone. Guests in the audience asked, ¡°Is it impervious to all types of fire? What about heavenly mes?¡± Lu Yao smiled faintly, ¡°Indeed, it cannot be melted even by heavenly mes.¡± The audience members inquired, ¡°Is it resistant even to the cutting of divine artifacts?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± ¡°That is indeed a remarkably hard stone!¡± ¡°But if we can¡¯t break it down and refine it, what practical purpose does it serve? Are we meant to bring it home as a mere decoration? There¡¯s no need to worry about damage or thieves attempting to steal this inconspicuous ck object!¡± ¡°Ha ha ha, then what¡¯s the point of buying it? Is money no longer a concern?¡± Meanwhile, in the VIP room on the third floor, Gu Qingluan¡¯sposure faltered, and she rose from her seat upon seeing the ck stone on the raised tform.. Chapter 81 - 81: Chaos Stone Chapter 81: Chaos Stone Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Chaos Stone! If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, that was indeed a Chaos Stone! The Chaos Stone was a rare and powerful stone that contained the primordial energy created during the birth of the heavens and earth. It had been highly coveted and difficult to find in the Tianji Continent. For cultivators at the divine level and beyond, the Chaos Stone could greatly enhance their cultivation. Furthermore, when a Chaos Stone the size of a thumb were to be used in the process of forging, it could elevate the quality of the resulting artifact by one level and there would be an eighty percent chance of imbuing it with a specific elemental attribute. This knowledge had been widely known in the Tianji Continent. Flowever, only Gu Qingluan and the head of the Jun family had been aware of an even greater benefit hidden within the Chaos Stone¡ªit could be transformed into Hongmeng Qi! Increasing one¡¯s Hongmeng Qi had been an incredibly challenging task. Despite years of cultivation, Gu Qingluan had only managed to expand her Hongmeng Qi from the size of a bean to that of an egg. This progress had mainly been attributed to her possession of a Chaos Stone. Without it, her Hongmeng Qi would have been even scarcer. However, the power unleashed by the Hongmeng Qi, which had grown to the size of an egg, had far surpassed the potency of any other energy. In fact, it was due to the protection of the Hongmeng Qi that Gu Qingluan was able to traverse dimensions and be reborn in her current body. ¡°Mother?¡± Feng Yuanxi looked at Gu Qingluan with a puzzled expression. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Gu Qingluan indulged in a sip of fruit wine, graciously provided by the Lushi Auction House. The refreshing taste and fruity aroma of the wine helped her regain a semnce ofposure. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she had replied calmly. Her gaze had remained fixed on the elevated tform. Feng Yuanxi followed her line of sight, his mind filled with spection. ¡°Could Mother be interested in that ck stone?¡± In the face of the crowd¡¯s ignorantughter, Lu Yao remained unfazed and said, ¡°Currently, our Lushi Auction House is unable to decipher its secrets. However, we believe that someday someone will discover what it is and how to utilize it. Treasures also require destined individuals.¡± ¡°Lu Yao is absolutely right!¡± ¡°I offer one hundred Xuanling Stones!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll bid one hundred and one!¡± One after another, several individuals raised their hands, expressing their interests. A hundred Xuanling Stones were equivalent to one hundred thousand taels of gold, which was not a small sum. Of course, considering the esteemed guests present today, one hundred thousand taels of gold was insignificant to them. They could afford to spend such an amount on a stone like this. Just as Lu Yao mentioned, who knows, it might truly be a valuable treasure. As the bidding slowly escted, a voice rang out, ¡°Two hundred Xuanling Stones!¡± The auction hall on the first floor instantly erupted into amotion. Up until now, the increments had only been one or two Xuanling Stones, so the sudden addition of almost a hundred more left everyone curious as to who had made such a substantial bid! ¡°Could this be some extraordinary treasure?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you see where you are? This is the renowned Lushi Auction House! ¡®Two hundred Xuanling Stones are insignificant here! Why are all of you so astonished as though you¡¯ve never witnessed the grandeur of the world!¡± The prices of the recently auctioned items were already higher than two hundred Xuanling Stones, so it wasn¡¯t a big deal. After giving it some thought, everyone realized the rationale and calmed down. ¡°Two hundred Xuanling Stones for a stone of unknown nature seems a bit expensive, don¡¯t you think? Who was the one who made the bid? Should we join in?¡± Whispers circted among the people in the hall. Meanwhile, in the VIP room on the third floor, Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart leaped with anticipation. It wasn¡¯t because she couldn¡¯t afford a higher price. Rather, she was concerned that if the price kept rising, someone might notice the extraordinary nature of the Chaos Stone and start bidding as well. For Gu Qingluan, winning the Chaos Stone was a must. However, there were too many wealthy individuals present today, and she was uncertain if she could outbid them.. Chapter 82 - 82: What is Mine Belongs to Mother Chapter 82: What is Mine Belongs to Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Suddenly, a voice came from outside, ¡°Five hundred Xuanling Stones!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyebrows raised. Damn it! Was someone interested in the Chaos Stone? The auction hall erupted into amotion. ¡°Five hundred Xuanling Stones! Why such a sudden increase?¡± ¡°Could this ck stone be extraordinary?¡± ¡°All, didn¡¯t Lu Yao mention it? This stone is incredibly hard, impervious to water and fire. It must have an extraordinary origin.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ll ce a bid too, maybe I¡¯ll get lucky and find out the mystery of the stone.¡± ¡°Tsk, it¡¯s probably toote for you now.¡± With the bid of five hundred Xuanling Stones, the atmosphere became heated, akin to oil in a frying pan. ¡°Six hundred Xuanling Stones!¡± ¡°I bid seven hundred!¡± ¡°Eight hundred!¡± The guests who were previously observing all started to raise their bids. Gu Qingluan was secretly annoyed. Who was the idiot who suddenly increased the bid by so much? Now it would be a fiercepetition for the Chaos Stone. She watched helplessly as the price soared rapidly, quickly reaching three thousand Xuanling Stones. From a hundred to three thousand, it had increased thirty-fold! Then the pace gradually slowed down. Inside a VIP room, Gu Zhixin shook his head and advised, ¡°Let¡¯s refrain from further participation. We are uncertain of the stone¡¯s value and spending such arge sum may prove fruitless. What¡¯s more, we should reserve our funds for bidding on the Ninth-Grade Spirit Pillster. It would be imprudent to exhaust our resources here, only to find ourselvesckingter on.¡± Gu Jinrong nodded. ¡°Father is right.¡± Many of the VIP guests who came for the Ninth-Grade Spirit Pills shared simr thoughts with Gu Zhixin and his son. In the end, only three or four people remained in thepetition for the Chaos Stone. Gu Qingluan¡¯s attention was fixed on the man who bid five hundred Xuanling Stones. While others were following the trend, this particr man intrigued Gu Qingluan because she couldn¡¯t quite figure him out. She was unsure if he recognized the Chaos Stone. If he did, he would undoubtedly spare no expense to acquire it. ¡°Mother, what is the use of that stone? Do you truly desire it?¡± Feng Yuanxi sat beside her, sensing her tension. It was a rare sight. Normally, his mother was alwaysposed and calm, strategizing with ease. This was the first time he had seen her diposed. ¡°That stone is called the Chaos Stone which contains a unique energy that aligns with the cultivation method 1 practice. 1 truly need it,¡± Gu Qingluan softly replied. She didn¡¯t hide anything from her son. ¡°Mother, does it require a lot of money to win the bid? I have money, and I¡¯ll give it all to you!¡± Gu Qingluan was amused by her son¡¯s words. ¡°You would give me all your money?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how much I have, but it seems like quite a lot,¡± Feng Yuanxi scratched his head. ¡°What¡¯s mine is Mother¡¯s. If you need it, take it.¡± Could Gu Qingluan not know how much money he had? That amount of money was inconsequential to her current situation. However, her son¡¯s filial heart brought her joy. She reached out and ruffled his head. ¡°No need, keep your money to buy yourself some snacks.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need snacks. I¡¯ll give all my money to you, Mother.¡± Feng Yuanxi took out a card from his storage space and handed it to her. ¡°Mother, you can use this!¡± He only had this much on him, as the rest was managed by Jing Feng. Feng Yuanxi had no concept of money before. His needs and expenses were taken care of by others. If he wanted to buy something, the servants would handle the payment. He had never used this card before. Seeing the card being handed to her, Gu Qingluan was astonished. It was the Purple Gold Card from the Lushi Chamber of Commerce. This type of card was a savings card introduced by the Lushi Chamber of Commerce. It allowed the storage of silver and could be used to purchase any goods under the name of the Lushi Chamber of Commerce. If one wanted to use the silver, one could simply exchange it at the Lushi Bank. The card had five different levels: White Card, Silver Card, Gold Card, Purple Gold Card, and ck Card. The ck Card was the highest level, and there were no more than ten people on the entire continent who possessed it. There were only about a hundred holders of the Purple Gold Card, indicating its rarity. Where did Xiao Nan get the Purple Gold Card from? Chapter 83 - 83: Earning Abundant Wealth to Fulfill Mother’s Chapter 83: Earning Abundant Wealth to Fulfill Mother¡¯s Shopping Desires Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion While Gu Qingluan was deep in thought, a cold and indifferent voice suddenly resounded, ¡°One hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts!''¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn¡¯t spare the time to inquire about the origin of her son¡¯s Purple Gold Card. Her gaze quickly shifted to the auction. One hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts? Was the bidder out of his mind? Why would he spend one hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts when he could buy something else instead ofpeting with her for the Chaos Stone? Gu Qingluan¡¯s face turned dark. This price far exceeded her expectations. Over the years, she had earned a substantial amount of money by selling elixirs from the Ind of No Return. In total, she should have around one hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts. However, if she were to bring them out, she would have to resort to extreme measures. Where did this heartless ¡°big spender¡±e from? Did he have too much money to waste? The entire auction was also shocked by the bidding. ¡°Am I hearing correctly? Did he say one hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts?¡± ¡°Who is this God of wealth? He must be incredibly wealthy!¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be paying more attention to this ck stone? The fact that this man is willing to bid a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts indicates that this item is likely worth that price. Could this ck stone be made of Xuanling Crystal Hearts?¡± ¡°How can such a small piece of Xuanling Crystal Hearts be worth so much? It would make more sense if it were Xuanling Essence!¡± The guests were astonished, and even the auctioneer, Lu Yao, was extremely excited. ¡°A hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts! Unexpectedly, after a decade, our auction has once again seen an item with over a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts! Is there anyone willing to offer a higher price?¡± They thought that the highlight of today¡¯s auction would be the Ninth-Grade Spirit Pills from the Ind of No Return, but they didn¡¯t expect such a dark horse to appear! As a top-tier auctioneer, Lu Yao had never witnessed such a high price before. The higher the price went, the more her reputation would soar, and the better the reputation of Lushi Auction House would be. ¡°A hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts, going once!¡± ¡°If there are no further bids, then this item will be awarded to the VIP who bid a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts!¡± ¡°A hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts, going twice!¡± ¡°Sold for a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts! Congrattions to the winning bidder of this auction item!¡± The auction house ensured the confidentiality of its esteemed guests, allowing them to conceal their true identities if they so desired. Even Lu Yao, at that moment, remained unaware of the distinguished individual who had sessfully acquired the ck stone through the bidding process. Gu Qingluan pressed the inte with a serious expression. Shortly after, the door to the VIP room was pushed open. A young attendant entered and said, ¡°Miss Gu, may I ask what your instructions are?¡± ¡°Could you please inquire whether the guest who just purchased the ck stone with a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts is willing to exchange it for something of equal value?¡± Gu Qingluan asked. The attendant was surprised and asked, ¡°Do you want that item?¡± The exorbitant price of a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts had caused quite a stir in the auction house, and the attendant had also heard about it. However, he had never expected that the esteemed guest, whom Young Master Lu had instructed to treat well, would want that particr item and be willing to exchange it for something of equal value¡­ What kind of treasure could be worth so much? Seeing the hesitation on the attendant¡¯s face, Gu Qingluan added, ¡°Yes, I would like to exchange it for a Sacred Grade elixir from the Ind of No Return.¡± The attendant took a sharp breath. The Sacred Grade elixir produced by the Ind of No Return? That was truly invaluable. ¡°No matter how precious that ck stone may be, it surely can¡¯tpare to a Sacred Grade Elixir from the Ind of No Return, right?¡± The waiter swallowed nervously. ¡°I¡­ I will go and ask for you.¡± With that, he exited the room. Gu Qingluan sat back in her chair, her gaze once again directed towards the elevated tform, though her expression seemed somewhat absent-minded. ¡°Mother, is it because I gave you too little money? From now on, I will work hard to earn more money, so you can buy whatever you want!¡± Feeling self-reproachful for not being able to purchase the things his mother liked, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s heart was filled with remorse. If he had more money, he could have bought the things his mother desired. Gu Qingluan chuckled, and her gloomy mood dissipated to some extent. She reached out and pinched her son¡¯s adorable little face. ¡°Xiao Nan, you¡¯re so filial. I¡¯ll rely on you to take care of me.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.. ¡°Yes, yes! Mother, rest assured, I will work hard!¡± Chapter 84 - 84: The Man with the Black Card Chapter 84: The Man with the ck Card Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The auction reached its climax with the appearance of the Universe Stabilizer. As the next item was introduced, everyone¡¯s attention was captivated, eagerly looking at Lu Yao. Lu Yao wore a beautiful smile and said, ¡°I believe there is no need for me to introduce further. I¡¯m sure you have already guessed what the next item is.¡± ¡°Notably, it¡¯s the Ninth-Grade Universe Stabilizer, a highly anticipated premium pill from the renowned Ind of No Return!¡± Lu Yao¡¯s voice rose, filled with excitement. The crowd erupted with astonishment. ¡°It¡¯s the Universe Stabilizer!¡± ¡°I thought it would be amon pill like the Spirit Gathering Pill, but it¡¯s actually the highly elusive Universe Stabilizer!¡± ¡°The Ind of No Return has truly outdone themselves, offering the Universe Stabilizer for auction!¡± ¡°I would give up everything to obtain it!¡± The Universe Stabilizer, a pill that stabilized the universe, possessed tremendous benefits for high-level cultivators. If consumed by an advanced Heavenly-ranked cultivator, it could promote them a Saint. Even Saints could greatly benefit from its consumption. Moreover, the Universe Stabilizer had the function of stabilizing one¡¯s foundation and nurturing their elemental energy. Even with significant cultivation advancement, the damage to the body from consuming this pill was minimal. When it came to the Universe Stabilizer from the Ind of No Return, there was no doubt that even this minimal damage could be avoided! Due to the difficulty in refining the Universe Stabilizer, anyone in possession of it would prioritize its use for themselves, their family, or their sect. It was practically impossible to find this item in the market. Today¡¯s visit had indeed been worthwhile! Gu Zhixin turned to Gu Jinrong and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect it to be the Universe Stabilizer. Even if it wasn¡¯t to please Mr. Liu, we must strive to acquire the Universe Stabilizer!¡± As a cultivator in the lower Ninth Grade, after dedicating some time to reach the Divine Grade and with the help of the Universe Stabilizer, he would instantly ascend to be one of the foremost experts on the Cloud ins Continent. Gu Jinrong nodded excitedly. Suddenly, Gu Zhixin frowned. ¡°There are many others with the same idea as us. It might be difficult for us to snatch the Universe Stabilizer. Rong¡¯er, go find your uncle immediately and tell him that we should cooperate!¡± ¡°But Uncle might not agree since you had a fight with him a few days ago.¡± ¡°We only had a mere disagreement; we¡¯re not enemies. Besides, we are blood brothers. Can we really avoid each other for a lifetime? Elder brother always prioritizes interests. Discuss it with him properly, and he will support us.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go right away!¡± Because Mr. Liu refused to help the Wang family, Gu Zhicheng was so angry that he didn¡¯t attend the auction. Once Gu Jinrong left the Lushi Auction House, he rushed to the Gu Mansion. At the same time, many local participants in the auction sent people back to gather funds. Those who had traveled from afar could only regret not bringing more money with them. In a VIP room on the second floor. The auction house attendant took the Chaos Stone inside. Feng Tian handed over a ck card. The attendant¡¯s hand trembled upon seeing the ck card, almost dropping the tray he was holding. ¡°Please wait a moment,¡± he stammered. He ced the Chaos Stone on the table and used a special method to deduct the equivalent of one hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts from the silver coins stored in the ck card. Then, with utmost respect, he handed the ck card back to Feng Tian. Initially, the attendant thought this customer had an ordinary appearance, but upon closer inspection, he noticed the profound and mesmerizing depth in the customer¡¯s eyes. Those pitch-ck pupils were truly captivating. ¡°Is there anything else?¡± Feng Tian raised an eyebrow lightly. Under his gaze, the attendant felt his whole body freeze in ce. Remembering the youngdy¡¯s request, he nervously replied, ¡°Sir¡­ there¡¯s a youngdy who wishes to exchange this Chaos Stone for the Ind of No Return¡¯s Sacred-Grade elixir.. May I inquire if you are interested?¡± Chapter 85 - 85: First Meeting Between the Two Kids Chapter 85: First Meeting Between the Two Kids Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°The Ind of No Return¡¯s Sacred-Grade elixir?¡± Jingfeng was startled and couldn¡¯t help but speak up. Gu Xiaonan, who was attentively observing the expressions of the guests in the auction hall, perked up his ears upon hearing the words ¡°Ind of No Return¡¯s Sacred-Grade elixir¡± and turned to look at them. Hmm, was it Mother who wanted to trade? Feng Tian maintained a calm expression. ¡°I¡¯m not interested.¡± The attendant smiled awkwardly. ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t disturb you any longer.¡± ¡°I¡¯m interested! I¡¯m interested!¡± Gu Xiaonan quickly raised his hand. The attendant turned around, surprised. Gu Xiaonan hopped down from his chair. ¡°Where is the youngdy you mentioned? Take me to her!¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± The attendant¡¯s gaze drifted towards the powerful man. Feng Tian frowned. ¡°Xiao Xi, don¡¯t mess around!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not messing around!¡± Gu Xiaonan pointed his small hand towards the auction hall. ¡°Everyone went crazy over the Ind of No Return¡¯s Ninth-Grade Spirit Pill. Isn¡¯t the Sacred-Grade elixir even more amazing? I want to see what it looks like. Daddy, weren¡¯t you here for the Ind of No Return¡¯s spirit pill?¡± Feng Tian lowered his gaze to the Chaos Stone. ¡°I don¡¯t need it now.¡± The Chaos Stone would aid him in recovering his strength, and its effect was better than any pill. Gu Xiaonan scratched his little face. He didn¡¯t need it now? That wouldn¡¯t do! He hugged Feng Tian¡¯s leg. ¡°Daddy, I want to see it. Will you apany me? Or shall we invite that youngdy? She possesses the Ind of No Return¡¯s Sacred-Grade elixir. Aren¡¯t you curious about who she is?¡± Feng Tian¡¯s gaze flickered slightly. If someone could provide the Ind of No Return¡¯s Sacred-Grade elixir and wasn¡¯t Mr. Liu who resided in the Gu family, could it be a key figure from the Ind of No Return? Although he unexpectedly obtained the Chaos Stone this time and didn¡¯t need to fight for the Ninth-Grade Spirit Pill, what about the future¡­ ¡°Daddy, please agree to my request. You won¡¯t even grant such a small favor. Don¡¯t you love me anymore?¡± Gu Xiaonan pouted his small mouth, his eyes welling up with tears as he used. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about!¡± Feng Tian scolded him with a re. ¡°Then will you agree or not?¡± Feng Tian looked at the attendant with a stern face. ¡°Bring her over.¡± The attendant nodded quickly and turned to leave. Gu Xiaonan jumped up. ¡°Wow, I knew it! Daddy loves me the most!¡± Then he bent down, picked up Xiao Bai, and stood at the door, eagerly awaiting their arrival. ¡°Squeak, squeak, squeak!¡± Xiao Bai was restless in his arms. ¡°Xiao Bai, are you excited too? We can soon see¡­ Mommy!¡± Gu Xiaonan gently stroked its fur, joy filling his eyes. No, no! Young master, why don¡¯t you understand what I¡¯m saying? Xiao Bai felt exhausted. It gestured for a while, but the young master still couldn¡¯t grasp its meaning. Sigh, forget it, forget it. It had done its best. It would leave it up to fate! Not long after, the attendant returned. Gu Xiaonan tilted his head and looked behind him. There was a woman in white following him. Although there was no wind around, her white clothes floated gently, exuding an ethereal and celestial aura. Sure enough, it was his beautiful mother! Gu Xiaonan was overwhelmed with excitement and pounced on her directly. Gu Qingluan was taken aback but caught him. ¡°Xiao Yuanxi? What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Mommy, Mommy, I missed you so much! Sob, sob, why didn¡¯t youe to rescue me?¡± Gu Xiaonan didn¡¯t hear clearly what Gu Qingluan called him. It had been a long time since he saw her, and his yearning was like surging rivers, endless. Hearing themotion outside, Feng Tian walked out expressionlessly. Feng Yuanxi was squeezed to the side and, seeing the little boy tightly hugging Gu Qingluan, he couldn¡¯t help but be stunned. Was this Gu Xiaonan? He was here, which meant the person in that room was¡­ He looked up and saw a man appearing at the door, resembling a demon. Indeed, it was his Great Father! Chapter 86 - 86: Unforgivable Act of Impersonation Chapter 86: Unforgivable Act of Impersonation Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi was frightened and hid behind Gu Qingluan. ¡°Feng Yuanxi! She is not your mother!¡± Feng Yuanxi heard the cold voice, causing him to shudder. However, Feng Tian didn¡¯t notice him. His eyes were fixed on the ¡°son¡± who was crying in the woman¡¯s arms, his face darkening. Ifs her again! She¡¯s truly persistent! Gu Qingluan nced up at the displeased Feng Tian, feeling awkward. She gently peeled Feng Yuanxi off her. ¡°Feng Yuanxi, you¡¯ve mistaken me for someone else. I am not your mother.¡± Feng Yuanxi touched his own face. Right, he was wearing a mask! No wonder his mother didn¡¯t recognize him! He was about to exin when suddenly he saw another boy identical to his previous disguised appearance emerge from behind his mother. He couldn¡¯t help but pause in surprise. Feng Tian¡¯s eyes flickered with astonishment as he noticed the boy popping out from behind Gu Qingluan, but he didn¡¯t recognize him as his own son. Feng Yuanxi also realized that he was wearing a mask, which made his father unable to recognize him. So, he jumped out to stop Gu Xiaonan from revealing the truth. Gu Xiaonan furrowed his little brows. ¡°Who are you?¡± How dare he impersonate him! Was it because of this boy¡¯s impersonation and presence by his mother¡¯s side that she didn¡¯te to rescue him? ¡°Didn¡¯t Xiao Bai tell you?¡± Feng Yuanxi was taken aback and looked at Xiao Bai standing by Gu Xiaonan¡¯s feet. ¡°Squeak, squeak, squeak!¡± I told him! Ifs the young master who didn¡¯t understand! ¡°You know Xiao Bai?¡± Gu Xiaonan was puzzled. ¡°Oh, Xiao Bai is here! I thought it got lost again.¡± Gu Qingluan finally noticed Xiao Bai¡¯s presence and was surprised to see Xiao Bai by ¡°Feng Yuanxi¡¯s¡± side. Gu Xiaonan looked at the boy pretending to be him, then at his oblivious mother. His eyes flickered as he decided not to expose the impostor for now. He had to first probe the other person¡¯s intentions! So, he decided to y along and innocently smiled, ¡°I found Xiao Bai.¡± ¡°Oh, I see. It seems we have a connection,¡± Gu Qingluan reached out and gently ruffled his hair. Suddenly, she felt a chilling aura approaching. Her hand paused, and she nced at the sharp gaze of the man. This man seemed to dislike her getting close to her son and this boy. Why was he wearing such a sour expression? She had her own son, there was no reason for her to covet him. Without changing her expression, she withdrew her hand. ¡°Feng Yuanxi,e here!¡± The real Feng Yuanxi instinctively took a step forward, then realized he was currently ¡°Gu Xiaonan¡±. Fortunately, he was wearing a mask on his face. Feng Yuanxi touched his own face. Meanwhile, Gu Xiaonan, still not ustomed to his ¡°new identity¡±, didn¡¯t realize that the person was calling him, so he stood there without moving. Feng Tian¡¯s face grew even darker. ¡°Feng! Yuan! Xi!¡± Now that his mother was present, Gu Xiaonan realized that he had no fear of the man. He took matters into his own hands and made everything clear, ¡°You can talk to the pretty auntie, and I¡¯ll y with this little brother for a while.¡± After saying that, he grabbed Feng Yuanxi¡¯s hand and entered the VIP room. ¡°Xiao Bai,e in!¡± The white figure swiftly entered. Bang! The door of the VIP room closed, leaving the four people outside looking at each other in astonishment. The waiter felt the tense atmosphere and beads of sweat formed on his forehead, ¡°Young master, thedy wants to talk to you about exchanging the Ind of No Return¡¯s Sacred-Grade elixir for the Chaos Stone.¡± Feng Tian coldly nced at Gu Qingluan, ¡°There¡¯s nothing to talk about between the both of us.¡± Gu Qingluan pursed her lips, ¡°Likewise.¡± The moment she saw Feng Tian, she knew this deal wouldn¡¯t work out. She wasn¡¯t foolish enough to ruin her own fun. ¡°At least you have some self-awareness.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Gu Qingluan sneered. Feng Tian stared at her with an icy gaze.. Chapter 87 - 87: The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Chapter 87: The Most Beautiful Boy in the World Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion | Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Jingg and the waiter on the side felt a suffocating pressure, struggling to withstand his aura. Both of them looked at Gu Qingluan with admiration. At this moment, she could still smile calmly, seemingly oblivious to the overwhelming presence in the air. After a moment, the waiter couldn¡¯t help but speak, ¡°What about those two inside¡­¡± ¡°Open the door and let my son out.¡± The waiter nodded and approached the door to open it. However, the door wouldn¡¯t budge. Perplexed, he looked at Gu Qingluan. ¡°The door is locked from the inside.¡± Gu Qingluan furrowed her brow. What were Xiaonan and Yuanxi doing inside? They actually locked the door! ¡°We have too many guests today, and there are no other avable rooms except for yours, Miss Gu. How about both of you rest in the VIP room on the third floor? We¡¯ll have someone guard the door and notify you when it¡¯s opened?¡± the waiter suggested. Gu Qingluan shook her head, crossed her arms, and leaned against the wall. ¡°No need. I¡¯ll wait here. They probably won¡¯t y for too long.¡± She understood her son well. Feng Tian didn¡¯t say anything, standing by the door like an unsheathed sword, keeping everyone at bay. Jingg stood nearby, being an invisible presence. The waiter looked at the two of them and felt a bit overwhelmed. These two individuals seemed ipatible. Could they end up fightingter? Both of them had significant backgrounds, and if a fight broke out, it would be troublesome. No, he had to inform Young Master Lu right away! Finding an excuse, the waiter hurriedly left. Just a wall away. After locking the door, Gu Xiaonan, with one hand on his chin, circled Feng Yuanxi, observing him from head to toe. ¡°Who are you? Why did you pretend to be Gu Xiaonan?¡± ¡°I am Feng Yuanxi,¡± replied Feng Yuanxi, observing him as well. The person before him wore the same mask that he usually wore. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s footsteps paused, and he looked at him in astonishment. ¡°You¡¯re Feng Yuanxi? That ugly uncle really has a son?¡± Feng Yuanxi defended, ¡°My father isn¡¯t ugly! He is the most handsome man in the world!¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Gu Xiaonan burst intoughter, clutching his stomach. Feng Yuanxi furrowed his brows. ¡°What are youughing at?¡± Gu Xiaonan finally managed to stopughing and clicked his tongue twice. ¡°Feng Yuanxi, do you have some misconception about the ¡®most handsome man in the world¡¯?¡± ¡°My father wears a mask. The appearance you saw is not his real face.¡± Gu Xiaonan nodded with nonchnce. Disguises, he understood them well. But to proim that Feng Tian was the most handsome man in the world was unnecessary because the most handsome boy in the world should be Gu Xiaonan! He questioned, ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded in affirmation, ¡°I know, you¡¯re Gu Xiaonan.¡± Gu Xiaonan pped his hands and gave a wide-eyed stare, ¡°Ah, so you and your father conspired together. One kidnapped me while the other pretended to be me. What do you both want? If you dare harm my mother, I won¡¯t let you get away with it!¡± Feng Yuanxi hastily shook his head, denying any ill intentions, ¡°No, no, I would never harm her. She¡¯s so kind. How could I harm her?¡± ¡°She¡¯s my mother, not yours! Why did you impersonate me and stay by her side?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s emotions dropped instantly, his voice filled with sorrow, ¡°I¡­ I like her. I¡¯ve never had a mother since I was young, and when I saw her for the first time, I felt a strong connection. But my father wouldn¡¯t allow me to get close to her. So, I¡­ I secretly sneaked out to see her. I never imagined that she would mistake me for you, and I took the opportunity to stay by her side a little longer.¡± Gu Xiaonan puffed his cheeks in contemtion, ¡°Your father is so overbearing! He even controls this aspect of your life! But I never realized you didn¡¯t have a mother. My mother is wonderful, so it¡¯s understandable that you like her. Although I don¡¯t have a father, your father¡­ he¡¯s so boring and stern. How can hepare to my mother? You¡¯ve been with him for so many years¡­ You¡¯re really a pitiful kid!¡± He sympathetically patted Feng Yuanxi¡¯s shoulder.. Chapter 88 - 88: Father Is Really Angry! Chapter 88: Father Is Really Angry! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi felt even sadder upon hearing those words. He also wanted a tender and beautiful mother! Gu Xiaonan was so lucky! But¡­ ¡°In fact¡­ my father is not bad either. He is wealthy, powerful, and good-looking¡­¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s switch!¡± Feng Yuanxi hesitated. This wasn¡¯t the oue he wanted! ¡°Can you let me borrow your mother for a few more days? I will be leaving Chengyuan Kingdom soon, and I might never see you again in the future.¡± His eyes turned red as he spoke, touched by a wave of sadness. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t cry! A real man doesn¡¯t shed tears!¡± Gu Xiaonan patted his chest like an adult. ¡°But just the thought of never seeing my mother again¡­¡± ¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯ll let you stay with Mother a little longer, but only for three days,¡± Gu Xiaonan held up three little fingers. ¡°Really? Xiaonan, you¡¯re so kind!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s tears turned into a smile. Though it was only three days, he was still overjoyed. Gu Xiaonan grinned, ¡°No problem. My mother always says it¡¯s good to help others. Let¡¯s go out now, but make sure not to give ourselves away.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Feng Yuanxi called out to him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? We should go out, or else my mother will get worried.¡± Feng Yuanxi said, ¡°Mother¡­ Beautiful Sister really wants the Chaos Stone, the one that Father took away. Based on my understanding of Father, he definitely won¡¯t exchange it with Beautiful Sister. We need toe up with a n to make Father give the Chaos Stone to Mother.¡± Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t expect the Chaos Stone to be in Father¡¯s possession before they came here. But since his father didn¡¯t like Beautiful Sister, he definitely wouldn¡¯t exchange it with her. ¡°Then let¡¯s help Mother obtain the Chaos Stone!¡± Gu Xiaonan grinned, his bright little face shining like a small sun, his eyes sparkling with confidence. ¡°Yes!¡± The two of them discussed for a while. They opened the door. The three of them in the corridor looked over involuntarily. Gu Xiaonan walked up to Feng Tian, tilting his little face and smiling obediently, ¡°Father, can you give me a gift?¡± Feng Tian looked at him, his gaze focused. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the Chaos Stone you just bought!¡± Feng Tian couldn¡¯t fathom why his son suddenly expressed a desire for the Chaos Stone. It must be due to the conversation between the child next to Gu Qingluan and Yuanxi in the room. Without thinking, he knew that Gu Qingluan was behind this mischief. This woman even used children without scruples, truly ruthless! Feng Tian didn¡¯t answer him, his cold gaze piercing towards Gu Qingluan. ¡°I¡¯ve already said it. The discussion about the stone is off the table.¡± Gu Qingluan sneered, her exquisite face showing disdain and contempt. ¡°Beforeing here, I did consider wanting it. But after seeing you, I changed my mind. After all, I wouldn¡¯t want to be contaminated by something that has been touched by a foul man. Isn¡¯t having a Sacred-Grade elixir more desirable?¡± Without even sparing a nce at the man, she took ¡°Gu Xiaonan¡¯s¡± hand and said, ¡°Son, let¡¯s go quickly so we won¡¯t be tainted.¡± A murderous intent shed in Feng Tian¡¯s eyes as he swiftly approached Gu Qingluan. Having a vivid memory of being choked by him before, Gu Qingluan immediately evaded his approach. Feng Tian was about to chase after her when he suddenly felt a weight on his legs and looked down. He saw that there was a small bundle hanging from each of his legs. ¡°No hitting Mom!¡± ¡°No hitting Mom!¡± In their urgency, both of them spoke in unison. Gu Xiaonan, who had previously dered that he would continue impersonating Feng Yuanxi, slipped up and revealed the truth. Feng Tian, thinking that his son had mistakenly recognized the wrong person as his mother, was not surprised at all, only furious, his anger burning like a raging fire! The dark pupils churned, and a hint of purple light appeared. Feng Yuanxi inwardly eximed, ¡°This is bad.. Father is genuinely angry!¡± Chapter 89 - 89: The Ninth-Grade Universe Stabilizer Got Taken By the Gu Family Chapter 89: The Ninth-Grade Universe Stabilizer Got Taken By the Gu Family Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion He quickly signaled to Gu Xiaonan. Gu Xiaonan immediately spoke up, ¡°Dad, it has nothing to do with Beautiful Sister. It was my idea to trade that Chaos stone for Xiao Bai. I really like Xiao Bai!¡± ¡°Chirp chirp chirp!¡± Xiao Bai made a squeaking sound, confirming its presence. ¡°Yeah, Mom doesn¡¯t know about it. We just discussed it in the room. You misunderstood Mom,¡± added Feng Yuanxi. Both of them had a simr height and voice, something they hadn¡¯t noticed before. But now, both Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian realized it. However, they didn¡¯t suspect that their identities had been switched. Upon seeing their ¡°son¡± willing to trade their long-timepanion Xiao Bai to help her obtain the Chaos Stone, Gu Qingluan was deeply moved. ¡°Xiaonan,e here. I don¡¯t want that stone anymore, and we can¡¯t trade Xiao Bai,¡± she said. The Chaos Stone was indeed precious. Obtaining it would increase her Hongmeng Qi and lead to a significant breakthrough in her cultivation. However, she could work on her cultivation gradually, and she believed she could find other ways to enhance her Hongmeng Qi. But Xiao Bai was unique, and she couldn¡¯t bear to separate Xiaonan from his littlepanion. Yuanxi blinked his eyes and looked at Gu Xiaonan. Gu Xiaonan made a worried expression and said, ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Feng Yuanxi! That¡¯s enough! It seems 1 have spoiled you too much, making you unruly! Are you now even trying to snatch other people¡¯s pets?¡± Feng Tian interrupted Gu Xiaonan, his face cold as he looked down at him. ¡°You¡¯reing back with me now! You¡¯re not allowed to see this woman again!¡± He lifted Gu Xiaonan and turned to leave, not even bothering to look at the auction anymore. ¡°No, I won¡¯t go! 1 won¡¯t go!¡± Gu Xiaonan iled his limbs. Unfortunately, his struggles were in vain under Feng Tian¡¯s suppression. Seeing this, Feng Yuanxi wanted to chase after them but was stopped by Gu Qingluan. ¡°Son, don¡¯t chase after them. That man is just a big blockhead. The more you talk to him, the more irritated he¡¯ll be.¡± Gu Qingluan frowned, watching their disappearing figures from the corner, feeling somewhat worried. Would little Yuanxi get into trouble? ¡°But¡­¡± Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t know how to exin. Gu Qingluan rubbed his head and smiled, saying, ¡°I know you wanted to get the Chaos Stone for me. It¡¯s enough that you had that intention. If we can¡¯t obtain the Chaos Stone, it¡¯s okay. It means it¡¯s not meant to be, and there¡¯s no need to force it.¡± ¡°Chirp chirp chirp!¡± Xiao Bai looked at Feng Yuanxi and suddenly ran towards the direction Feng Tian and the others had left. ¡°Xiao Bai, where are you going?¡± Gu Qingluan was stunned. She stood up straight, ready to chase after them. Her hand was held by a small hand. ¡°Mom, don¡¯t chase after them. Xiao Bai went to find ¡®Yuanxi¡¯,¡± Gu Qingluan was surprised. ¡°Xiao Bai has a change of affection?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Qingluan observed him cautiously, ¡°Xiaonan, are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine! Mom, don¡¯t worry,¡± Feng Yuanxi put on a big smile, trying to reassure her. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know if he was truly not upset or if he was forcing a smile tofort her. Even Xiao Bai ran off with another child, and if she chased after him, it wouldn¡¯t be the same Xiao Bai as before. It would only make her son sadder. Forget it, she would find a better pet for him in the future. Gu Qingluan estimated that the auction should be ending soon, and there was no need to return to the third floor. So, she took her son downstairs. Just as they reached the entrance, Lu Bainian caught up with them. ¡°Miss Gu!¡± Gu Qingluan stopped in her tracks. ¡°Mr. Lu, is there something you need?¡± Lu Bainian was panting, looking around but not seeing the distinguished guest the waiter had mentioned. ¡°I just heard about you and a young master¡­ Are you okay?¡± Gu Qingluan nced at the waiter who was trailing behind and understood what was going on. She smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯m fine. 1 apologize for making you run over.¡± Lu Bainian shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t say that. I am responsible for the auction house, and you are our honored guest. It¡¯s natural for me to take care of you. As long as you¡¯re fine. Are you leaving now? The auction hasn¡¯t finished yet.¡± ¡°It should be ending soon.¡± Just as she finished speaking, amotion erupted. The guests who had participated in the auction walked out from a door. Leading them was the Gu family. They had smiles on their faces, surrounded by various ttering voices. So, the Ninth-Grade Universe Stabilizer got taken by the Gu family? Chapter 90 - 90: Not Happy? Keep It to Yourself Chapter 90: Not Happy? Keep It to Yourself Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The members of the Gu family also caught sight of Gu Qingluan. Gu Zhicheng snorted angrily, ¡°Unfilial daughter!¡± ¡°Elder brother, there¡¯s no need to be bothered by her. Now that our Gu family has obtained the Ninth-Grade Universe Stabilizer, you will soon be a Saint. Who would dare to act arrogant towards us?¡± Gu Zhixin smirked proudly. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s expression eased a bit. ¡°You have a point.¡± ¡°Get out of the way, you good-for-nothing dog!¡± Suddenly, a crisp voice came from outside the main gate. Gu Qingluan turned around and saw Gu Jinyue ring at her with arrogance. Frowning, Lu Baonian asked, ¡°This is Lushi Auction House. Is the youngdy being too presumptuous?¡± Gu Jinyue rolled her eyes and stepped aside, revealing the person behind her. Upon seeing the person, Lu Baonian showed a surprised expression. ¡°Mr. Liu Meng!¡± In the hall, Gu Zhixin¡¯s eyes lit up, and he quickly went to greet him. ¡°Mr. Liu, why are you here? Our Gu family has sessfully bid for the Ninth-Grade Universe Stabilizer with 1800 pieces of Xuanling Crystal Hearts! This is the highest price ever in the history of auctions! Congrattions!¡± Beforehand, Gu Zhixin had decided that regardless of what Liu Meng put up for auction, he would inte the price and buy it, using this opportunity to establish a good rtionship with Liu Meng. Although the price skyrocketedter and he didn¡¯t need to manipte it, the Gu family still managed to win the bid. Liu Meng should be able to see the sincerity of the Gu family, right? The others also had excited expressions on their faces. Although they weren¡¯t able to get the Universe Stabilizer, the person who provided it was here! If they could establish a good rtionship with Mr. Liu Meng, maybe they could obtain a Universe Stabilizer from him! Gu Jinyue was extremely surprised. ¡°1800 pieces of Xuanling Crystal Hearts? My goodness, that¡¯s a lot!¡± ¡°It¡¯s mainly because of the invaluable pill provided by Mr. Liu that the Gu family has been fortunate enough to win the bid,¡± Gu Zhichengplimented. Liu Meng smiled and replied, ¡°Not bad.¡± Witnessing Liu Meng¡¯s calm andposed demeanor, everyone was amazed. Truly deserving of someone who hailed from the Ind of No Return, maintaining theirposure in the face of such an exorbitant price. Gu Jinyue was overjoyed and turned her gaze towards Gu Qingluan and Lu Baonian standing on the side, feeling a sense of satisfaction. ¡°Now, Mr. Lu, do you understand how you should choose your alliances?¡± Gu Jinyue said, her brows furrowing. Lu Baonian¡¯s brows knitted together. ¡°Miss, don¡¯t push it too far!¡± ¡°You can only push others when you have the confidence to do so! Are you unhappy? Then keep it to yourself and get lost!¡± Gu Jinyue retorted. The auction of the spirit pill from the Ind of No Return at such a staggering price not only brought renown to the auction house but also generated substantial transaction fees. She didn¡¯t believe that Lu Baonian would still dare to protect Gu Qingluan at this point! Some people couldn¡¯t help but frown, feeling that Gu Jinyue was being overbearing. However, such was the way of the world. If the tables were turned, they wouldn¡¯t show mercy to their enemies either. Everyone looked towards Gu Qingluan, curious to see her reaction. As the saying goes, leave a line of retreat for future encounters. Previously, Gu Qingluan had expelled the members of the Gu family without any consideration, acting too arrogantly and coldly. It was no wonder the Gu family was now suppressing her in every way possible. Gu Qingluan noticed the expressions of the people around her and a faint smile appeared on her lips. Her eyes were like shimmering water, her eyebrows curved gracefully, and her skin was as fair as snow, radiating a gentle glow. It must be said that this Miss Gu from the Gu family had a stunning appearance. However, wasn¡¯t it too bold for her to be smiling at a time like this? Didn¡¯t she realize that Lu Banian wouldn¡¯t always protect her? Lu Banian, with a faint trace of anger on his face due to Gu Jin-yue¡¯s words, was taken aback by Gu Qingluan¡¯s calm demeanor. Could it be that Miss Gu is soposed because she has something to rely on? Lu Banian thought of her previous advice to him and turned his gaze towards Lu Meng. Lu Meng walked towards him and said, ¡°Lu Banian, there is something I¡¯m not sure if I should say.¡± Here ites! Gu Jinyue¡¯s eyes instantly lit up, and her small face became flushed with excitement. Surely Mr. Lu Meng was going to forbid Gu Qingluan from setting foot in the Lushi Auction House ever again! ¡°Mr. Lu Meng, what do you want to say?¡± Lu Banian¡¯s heart was hanging in suspense.. Chapter 91 - 91: He and Gu Qingluan Actually Had a Good Relationship? Chapter 91: He and Gu Qingluan Actually Had a Good Rtionship? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The Lushi Auction House has a well-established reputation, being the leading auction house in Cloud ins Continent. Shouldn¡¯t we consider raising the standards for selecting guests?¡± Lu Banian s heart suddenly sank, a sense of unease enveloping him. ¡°Mr. Liu, our Lu family¡­¡± Liu Meng raised his hand to silence him. ¡°Allowing noisy, arrogant, disrespectful, and ignorant individuals into the auction house would only hinder the experience of other clients. In my opinion, such people should be removed from the VIP guest list. What do you think, Young Master Lu?¡± Lu Banian looked at him in astonishment. Those characteristics didn¡¯t match up with Miss Gu. What did Mr. Liu mean? Gu Jinyue vaguely sensed that something was off, but at this moment, she was consumed by excitement and didn¡¯t think much of it. She proudly raised her chin and looked disdainfully, saying, ¡°Young Master Lu, Mr. Liu is only looking out for the best interests of your Lushi Auction House. You must not disappoint his good intentions.¡± -pfft!¡± Gu Qingluan burst intoughter. Gu Jinyue nced at her. ¡°What are youughing at?¡± ¡°Noisy, arrogant, disrespectful, and ignorant. Isn¡¯t that precisely describing you?¡± Gu Qingluan touched her chin, smiling as she assessed Gu Jinyue from head to toe. Gu Jinyue¡¯s expression twisted slightly. ¡°Gu Qingluan! Mr. Liu is an esteemed guest of our Gu family. Naturally, he was referring to you!¡± Lu Banian looked at everyone and suddenly had a thought. ¡°Mr. Liu, could you provide an example?¡± ¡°Looming on the distant horizon, yet within arm¡¯s reach,¡± Liu Meng cast a nce at Gu Jinyue, his smilecking sincerity. Everyone present noticed that when he spoke, his gaze was fixed on Gu Jinyue, not Gu Qingluan. This was truly unimaginable! Gu Jinyue¡¯s expression turned rigid. ¡°Mr. Liu, are you joking?¡± Other members of the Gu family also sensed that something was off and spoke up. ¡°Mr. Liu, what do you mean by this?¡± ¡°Mr. Liu, has my daughter done something to upset you? If she has done wrong, she will apologize to you.¡± Gu Zhixin red at Gu Jinyue and urged, ¡°Apologize to Mr. Liu immediately!¡± Gu Jinyue looked utterly confused. What did she do wrong? All she did was invite Mr. Liu to the auction house. There were no signs of him being upset before. Why did he suddenly direct his hostility towards her? ¡°Hurry up!¡± Gu Jinrong urged her. Gu Jinyue desperately tried toprehend how she had angered Liu Meng, but couldn¡¯t find an answer. However, in order to hold onto this opportunity, she quickly offered an apology. Liu Meng remained indifferent. ¡°Disappearing from my sight would be the greatest sincerity.¡± So, he really wanted her to leave! Gu Jinyue felt deeply aggrieved. She had always been respectful towards Mr. Liu, so why was he treating her this way? Then she noticed Liu Meng approaching Gu Qingluan. He smiled faintly at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Miss Gu, how have you beentely?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± The way he interacted with Gu Qingluan clearly indicated familiarity! Witnessing Liu Meng¡¯s genuine smile towards Gu Qingluan, which was much warmer than before, everyone was left in shock. So, Mr. Liu and Gu Qingluan actually had a good rtionship? What was the intention behind Mr. Liu staying in the second branch of the Gu family then? Did he not know about the conflicts between the Gu family and Gu Qingluan? When it came to astonishment, the members of the Gu family were the most stunned. The expressions of the Gu family members present changed drastically. It was difficult for them to ept the scene that they had witnessed with their own eyes. Gu Zhixin took two steps forward. ¡°Mr. Liu, have you forgotten that Gu Qingluan is no longer a member of the Gu family, and we are on bad terms with her?¡± Liu Meng furrowed his brows and gave him a cold nce. ¡°Naturally, 1 haven¡¯t forgotten.¡± ¡°Then, why are you¡­¡± How did he end up chatting with Gu Qingluan?! Liu Meng remained calm. ¡°As you can see, Gu Qingluan and I are friends.¡± Gu Qingluan wouldn¡¯t hold him responsible if he were to dere them as friends, right? Liu Meng discreetly nced at Gu Qingluan, and seeing no signs of displeasure on her face, the tension in his heart eased. Gu Zhixin¡¯s body swayed slightly, finding it hard to believe.. ¡°You are in cahoots with her?¡± Chapter 92 - 92: It Made Her Furious! Chapter 92: It Made Her Furious! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°What do you mean by being in cahoots? How can you speak like that?¡± Liu Meng clicked his tongue, no longer looking at Gu Zhixin. He turned to Lu Banian and asked, ¡°What do you think of my proposal just now?¡± A slight smile formed on Lu Banian¡¯s lips. ¡°Mr. Liu¡¯s suggestion is indeed valid.¡± Addressing everyone, he made a clear statement, ¡°Starting today, Gu Jinyue is strictly forbidden from entering the Lushi Auction House in Tianjing!¡± Gu Jinyue¡¯s mind and emotions trembled, almost driving her to madness. ¡°No! You can¡¯t do this!¡± If she were banned from the Lushi Auction House, she would be aughingstock throughout the city of Tianjing! ¡°Mr. Liu, how have I offended you? Why are you conspiring against me like this?¡± She redirected her usations towards Liu Meng. Liu Meng maintained a calm smile. ¡°I have already stated the reasons earlier.¡± Pausing for a moment, he added, ¡°If you find those reasons insufficient, I can provide another one: you¡¯ve provoked Miss Gu, and it displeased me.¡± Gu Jinyue visibly staggered, her face alternating between pale and flushed. Despite sharing the same surname, why did Gu Qingluan receive the protection and favor of influential figures? First, it was Lu Banian, and now it was Liu Meng. What qualities and abilities did Gu Qingluan possess? Burning with anger, Gu Jinyue descended from the heights into an abyss of despair, and the depths of her misery were apparent. Her eyes turned red as she lunged towards Gu Qingluan. ¡°You wretched woman, it¡¯s all because of you! You are the one who ruined me!¡± How dare she mistreat my mother, she deserved to be confronted! Feng Yuanxi¡¯s small face turned stern, and a purple light shed in his hand. No one saw what was going on clearly. Gu Jinyue suddenly screamed and her body fell to the ground uncontrobly. The onlookers couldn¡¯tprehend what was happening when suddenly, Gu Jinyue let out a miserable scream and uncontrobly plummeted towards the ground. With a thud, she crashed heavily onto the ground,pletely prostrate! Surprised, Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°Gu Jinyue, is this your way of showing me great respect?¡± All, ah, ah! It infuriated her! Gu Jinyue was so enraged that her head felt like it was about to explode. Disheveled, she struggled to get up from the ground and lunged at Gu Qingluan once again, baring her teeth and ws. She was clearly showing no signs of remorse! Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes flickered with a cold gleam. With a quick motion of his small hand, a powerful force shot out. Gu Jinyue felt a sharp pain in her knees and once again lost control of her body, hurtling forward. Gu Qingluan swiftly sidestepped. Gu Jinyue tumbled directly out of the auction house¡¯s entrance. There were several steps in front of the door, and she rolled down from the steps, continuing to roll several times on the ground before finallying to a stop. ¡°Yue¡¯er!¡± Gu Zhixin and Gu Jinrong reacted quickly and rushed to help her. Gu Qingluan smiled at Lu Banian. ¡°Given Gu Jinyue¡¯s level of self-awareness, it spares you all the trouble.¡± Lu Banian suppressed a smile and nodded. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s fortunate that she has some self-awareness.¡± ¡°All, ah, ah! Father, Brother, kill her for me! I want Gu Qingluan dead!¡± Gu Jinyue, supported by her father and brother, cried out. With bruises and a swollen face,bined with her contorted expression, she resembled an ugly monster, devoid of any sense of beauty. Witnessing their beautiful daughter (sister) being treated this way, Gu Zhixin and Gu Jinrong felt a deep ache in their hearts. Gu Zhixin reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we will definitely seek revenge for you! The Universe Stabilizer is in our Gu family¡¯s possession, and soon, the Gu family will produce a Saint. At that time, no one will be able to step on us!¡± Gu Jinyue¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Good, I¡¯ll be waiting!¡± She fixated her vengeful gaze on Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan, for past and present grievances alike, 1 will exact a hundredfold revenge upon you! Just you wait! ¡°Rong¡¯er, take your sister to see the doctor first.¡± Gu Jinrong nodded and helped Gu Jinyue onto the carriage. Gu Zhixin returned to the auction house. ¡°Young Master Lu, I hope you can take back your words just now. The Gu family is the foremost family in Chengyuan Kingdom. With the Universe Stabilizer, we will undoubtedly reach new heights.. Have you considered the consequences of offending the Gu family?¡± Chapter 93 - 93: Not Repaying Debts Chapter 93: Not Repaying Debts Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Being threatened publicly, Lu Banian felt a wave of displeasure surging in his heart. Truly, like father, like daughter. Gu Jinyue and Mr. Gu shared the same traits and characteristics. The Universe Stabilizer was indeed precious, but attempting to use it as a means of intimidation was simplyughable! ¡°A true gentleman keeps his word. Instead of threatening me, Mr. Gu, you should focus on raising your own daughter properly.¡± Gu Zhixin was infuriated and staggered backward. He pointed at Lu Banian angrily. ¡°Very well! You brat, you have guts! Don¡¯t me me for being heartless in the future!¡± He then turned to Liu Meng. ¡°Mr. Liu, is this how you show your gratitude for the kindness our family has extended to you? You have enjoyed our hospitality, partaken in our meals and wine, only to disy such ingratitude.¡± ¡°Ingratitude? Mr. Gu seems to have gotten it backwards, don¡¯t you think?¡± Liu Meng looked at him in astonishment. ¡°With your son¡¯s hand disabled and your daughter¡¯s face disfigured, if it weren¡¯t for my intervention in treating them, would they have recovered so quickly? As for staying at the Gu residence, wasn¡¯t it you who imed that the medical fees were too high and needed more time to gather the funds, asking me to stay a little longer in your noble house?¡± Gu Zhixin choked on his words. Liu Meng was right. The medical fees were indeed substantial, but their family could afford them. He deliberately made those remarks to keep Liu Meng around. So, Liu Meng eating and staying at the Gu residence was nobody¡¯s fault but their own. The astute individuals present had probably guessed the whole story upon hearing Liu Meng¡¯s words. Deep down, they silently cursed¡ª The Gu family has no shame! They disyed utter shamelessness, unting their association with Mr. Liu and Not Returning Ind in front of everyone. Some disgruntled individuals sneered and mocked, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is! The Gu family boasts about their connection with the Ind of No Return, but it turns out they owe money and refuse to repay!¡± ¡°Even if Mr. Liu demands an exorbitant medical fee, could it exceed the wealth of the richest man? Let¡¯s not forget, the Gu family once seized the fortune of the Jun family, the richest family in the city! From what I see, it¡¯s not that they can¡¯t gather the money, but rather a deliberate act of withholding payment to keep people around.¡± ¡°That¡¯s truly shameless, boasting to the world about their affiliation with the Ind of No Return.¡± ¡°Indeed, when ites to shamelessness, the Gu family undoubtedly ims the top spot.¡± Those who cultivated their senses had a keen hearing, making it impossible to miss these piercing remarks. Gu Zhixin¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment. Meanwhile, Gu Zhicheng, implicated by association, also felt incredibly ufortable. He never expected that his younger brother would resort to such means to keep important guests at home! ¡°Look at what you¡¯ve done!¡± He red at Gu Zhixin with resentment and hurriedly walked away. Gu Zhixin shot a stern look at the crowd and turned to chase after his elder brother. ¡°Wait for me, Elder Brother!¡± The Gu family¡¯s carriage disappeared at the end of the street in the blink of an eye. After they left, most of the other guests also started to depart. The remaining people approached Liu Meng to engage in conversation. Noticing Liu Meng¡¯s good rtionship with Gu Qingluan, they took the opportunity to praise Gu Qingluan. Liu Meng¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°Indeed, Miss Gu is truly exceptional.¡± He felt even happier to praise Gu Qingluan than to receivepliments himself. Everyone observed this and became even more astonished. They hadn¡¯t expected that not only did Miss Gu have a close rtionship with Lu Banian, but she also had a unique connection with Mr. Liu. From now on, they couldn¡¯t afford to underestimate or neglect Gu Qingluan! Quietly, the attitudes of half the people in Tianjing City towards Gu Qingluan underwent a significant shift. After chatting for a while, seeing Gu Qingluan and Liu Meng maintaining a distant attitude, everyone tactfully bid their farewells and left. Before departing, they even extended invitations for Gu Qingluan and Liu Meng to visit their homes when they had the chance. Once everyone had left, only Gu Qingluan, Feng Yuanxi, Liu Meng, and Lu Banian remained at the entrance. Lu Banian couldn¡¯t help but express his concern. ¡°With the Universe Stabilizer in the possession of the Gu family, it is likely that they will pose a threat to you, Miss Gu, once they produce a Saint in the future. Since you and Liu Meng are acquainted, how did the Universe Stabilizer end up benefiting the Gu family?¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled at his amusement. ¡°Do you think the Gu family obtained a precious treasure?¡± Lu Banian froze. ¡°So, are you suggesting that the Universe Stabilizer is counterfeit? That¡¯s highly unlikely.. Our auction house¡¯s appraiser has confirmed without a doubt that it is indeed the genuine Universe Stabilizer!¡± Chapter 94 - 94: Surrounded Chapter 94: Surrounded Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°The Universe Stabilizer is naturally not fake, for the Gu family, however, it is like holding a hot potato,¡± Gu Qingluan said yfully. Lu Banian immediately grasped the situation. ¡°I see! Although the Gu family is the foremost noble family in the Chengyuan Kingdom, theyck top-notch experts to protect them. With the possession of such a precious treasure, it will undoubtedly draw the attention of numerous covetous individuals. While people initially believed that the Gu family¡¯s affiliation with the Ind of No Return might serve as a deterrent, now that the truth has been unveiled, there is no reason for hesitation.¡± Possessing the Universe Stabilizer was certainly risky. The members of the Gu family had better pray that they could survive. Once Lu Banian understood everything, a tremor ran through his heart. This move was truly ruthless! He nced at Liu Meng standing beside Gu Qingluan and secretly spected about their rtionship. Liu Meng went to such great lengths for Miss Gu. Lu Banian probed, ¡°The Universe Stabilizer is so precious. Possessing one is equivalent to having an extra Saint. Whether the Gu family or others obtain it, it would be a significant loss for Mr. Liu.¡± Liu Meng cast a nce at Gu Qingluan. ¡°As it has the potential to leave the Gu family destitute and even put their lives at risk, this deal is undeniably worth it.¡± Lu Banian was secretly astonished. Could it be that Liu Meng has feelings for Miss Gu? ¡°In truth, the Universe Stabilizer is not without ws,¡± Gu Qingluan suddenly remarked. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Lu Banian was taken aback. His understanding of the Universe Stabilizer was limited to hearsay. This was his first time seeing it, and the effects were only known through rumors. ¡°The Universe Stabilizer indeed allows a Heavenly-ranked expert to advance to the rank of a Saint. However, what people don¡¯t know is that after consuming the Universe Stabilizer, one¡¯s cultivation bes fixed. There will be a massive surge in cultivation, but no further progress can be made,¡± Gu Qingluan exined. Lu Banian¡¯s jaw dropped in astonishment. ¡°Is¡­ is this true? I¡¯ve never heard of such a thing.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°That¡¯s because the Universe Stabilizer is incredibly difficult to refine. It has strict requirements for fire, alchemist skills, and raw materials. With the level of alchemists on the Cloud ins Continent, it¡¯s nearly impossible to produce.¡± There was one thing she didn¡¯t mention: while the Universe Stabilizer was invaluable on the Cloud ins Continent, it held no appeal on the Tianji Continent. After all, there were countless experts in the Tianji Continent, and bing a Saint was just the first step. The Universe Stabilizer would halt the progress of the user¡¯s cultivation, and cultivators in the Tianji Continent would never use it. Regarding its challenging production, it was mainly rted to the Cloud ins Continent. The crucialponent for making the Universe Stabilizer was an herb called Nenglu, which was plentiful in the Tianji Continent but nearly extinct in the Cloud ins Continent. Without Nenglu, the likelihood of sessfully creating the pill was extremely low. Lu Banian¡¯s expression becameplex. ¡°1 wonder if those who had used the Universe Stabilizer regretted their decision.¡± ¡°Regret was inevitable.¡± Cultivation had no limits. When one reached a certain realm, one would only yearn for even higher realms. ¡°However, even if they were given another chance to choose, they would still choose to consume the Universe Stabilizer.¡± Lu Banian nodded in agreement. There were only a handful of individuals with the decree of sanctity in the Cloud ins Continent. Bing a Saint meant standing at the pinnacle of that world. Even if they no longer made any progress thereafter, it was enough to be desired. Gu Qingluan flipped her delicate hand, revealing a porcin white bottle in her palm. ¡°Lu Banian, thank you for your help today.¡± Lu Banian quickly waved his hand. ¡°It was the least I could do. You saved my sister¡¯s life, and what I did was a trivial matter, not worth mentioning.¡± ¡°You risked offending the Gu family and even the Ind of No Return to help me. How could that be a small matter? If you didn¡¯t ept my gratitude, I wouldn¡¯t dare to trouble you again in the future.¡± Lu Banian smiled helplessly. ¡°Gu Miss, you were too polite.¡± He epted Gu Qingluan¡¯s token of gratitude. Gu Qingluan said, ¡°That¡¯s right. I believed we would have many opportunities for cooperation in the future. It was gettingte then, so we parted ways for that day.¡± ¡°Miss Gu, take care.¡± Liu Meng followed her as they left. ¡°Mr. Liu, please wait a moment,¡± Lu Banian called out to him. Liu Meng asked, ¡°Is there something else, Young Master Lu?¡± ¡°The payment for auctioning the Universe Stabilizer hasn¡¯t been given to you yet. Please wait here for a moment, I¡¯ll have someone fetch it,¡± Lu Banian exined. After a while, a servant came out holding a purple-gold card. Liu Meng epted the card and joined Gu Qingluan and her son in the carriage. Bang! A figure was sent flying and crashed into the wall, blood instantly spraying out, sttering on the cobblestone ground. ¡°Younger brother!¡± Gu Zhicheng roared, his eyes filled with fury as he attempted to rush over and save him, but several masked individuals blocked his path. ¡°Master of the Gu family, be wise and hand over the Universe Stabilizer, and we will spare both of your lives. Otherwise, don¡¯t me us for being ruthless,¡± one of the masked individuals rasped. Gu Zhicheng red at them, his anger ring. ¡°The Universe Stabilizer was acquired by the Gu family through the expenditure of 1800 Xuanling Crystal Hearts. Do you honestly believe you can snatch it away without paying a single cent? You¡¯re living in a dream!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t give in to our terms, you¡¯ll have to face the consequences!¡± the masked person sneered.. ¡°Prepare to die!¡± Chapter 95 - 95: Advancing to the Saint Rank Chapter 95: Advancing to the Saint Rank Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Gu Zhicheng¡¯s heart suddenly tightened. ¡®How dare you! This is Tianjing City! It¡¯s my Gu family¡¯s territory!¡¯ ¡°Hehe!¡± Mockingughter echoed in his ears. The masked individuals were closing in! A sh of bloodlust flickered in Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes. His robes fluttered without wind, and his fist swiftly struck out. Boom! Their fists shed, causing a tremendous surge of energy that created a terrifying whirlwind radiating outwards from their center. The dazzling light was blinding, causing the other masked individuals who were spectating nearby to instinctively shield their eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t let him escape!¡± one of the masked individuals engaged inbat with Gu Zhicheng shouted fiercely. The onlookers quickly lowered their arms. They watched as Gu Zhicheng, transformed into a streak of light, was about to flee. ¡°You have nowhere to run!¡± Several powerful forces simultaneously attacked the fleeing figure. Gu Zhicheng struggled to stand, clutching his chest, and witnessed the scene. His eyes widened in fear as he shouted, ¡°Be careful, elder brother!¡± Boom! The ovepping energies collided, creating an instant where it felt like the heavens were copsing and the earth was splitting apart. Pebbles flew in all directions, and thick smoke billowed. People nearby were frightened and scattered in panic. A dozen figures swiftly arrived. Theynded around the massive pit, their gazes fixed on the center. As the smoke gradually dissipated, a figure covered in blood and charred ck appeared before them. ¡°Phew, fortunately, Mr. Gu wasn¡¯t able to escape!¡± ¡°Big brother, are you okay?¡± Gu Zhixing staggered over. Seeing the figure beneath the deep pit, covered in mangled flesh, his eyes turned red, and he howled in grief and anger, ¡°Elder brother!¡± ¡°Why fight to the bitter end if only you knew?¡± one of the masked individuals sneered coldly. At this moment, a slight cough sounded. The body in the pit trembled slightly. ¡°Elder brother! Elder brother! You didn¡¯t die? That¡¯s great!¡± Gu Zhixin scrambled to his side and helped him up. Gu Zhicheng leaned weakly against him, breathing heavily andboriously. Above therge pit, more than ten masked individuals stared at him indifferently. ¡°Gu Zhicheng, hand over the Universe Stabilizer!¡± Gu Zhicheng slowly scanned their faces and said, ¡°There¡¯s only one Universe Stabilizer. If I give it to you, how will you divide it among yourselves?¡± Upon hearing this, tension immediately filled the air among the masked individuals. They nced at each other with a wary expression. ¡°Don¡¯t let him sow discord among us. We¡¯ll figure out how to divide it once we get our hands on the Universe Stabilizer!¡± said thest masked person. Another person nodded and added, ¡°That¡¯s right, let¡¯s get the Universe Stabilizer first!¡± ¡°You want the Universe Stabilizer? Fine, as long as you give me 1,800 Xuanling Crystal Hearts,¡± Gu Zhicheng said, struggling to catch his breath. He was severely injured, making it difficult for him to speak. They weren¡¯t afraid of his tricks, but they all scoffed at his proposal. ¡°First Master Gu, what do you think you can offer us now to negotiate terms?¡± Gu Zhixin nervously supported Gu Zhicheng and whispered, ¡°Elder brother, should we give it to them? Preserving our lives is the priority.¡± If they didn¡¯t hand over the Universe Stabilizer, it was clear that the masked individuals wouldn¡¯t simply let them go. ¡°Looks like Second Master Gu has some sense. First Master Gu, learn from your younger brother!¡± one of them sneered. Gu Zhicheng smiled amidst hisbored breathing and said, ¡°It¡¯s my money that¡¯s being spent, and of course, it¡¯s me who feels the pain!¡± ¡°It seems that the Gu family head would rather have the pill than his life!¡± The atmosphere turned deadly! An invisible pressure descended upon Gu Zhicheng and Gu Zhixin, weighing on them like a mountain. Gu Zhixin sat on the earthen pit, trembling involuntarily. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s condition was even worse. Already severely injured, the pressure caused him to cough up a mouthful of blood. With his hands on the ground and his head tilted back, he sneered at them. ¡°You¡­ Did you really think 1 would keep such a precious pill with me?¡± The masked individuals¡¯ expressions changed drastically. ¡°The Universe Stabilizer is not on you?¡± Gu Zhicheng let out a strained chuckle, wincing as he grasped his wound. He inhaled sharply and coughed repeatedly. If the Universe Stabilizer wasn¡¯t on Gu Zhicheng, it meant that it had already been transferred a long time ago. They had discovered it toote. One of the masked individuals wearing a purple robe with golden edges grew furious. ¡°Damn it, since the Universe Stabilizer isn¡¯t on you, there¡¯s no use keeping you alive!¡± A sh of white light appeared in his hand as he unleashed a surge of energy. Bang! Another beam of white light deflected it. ¡°Why are you blocking me?¡± the masked individual in the purple robe angrily red at another nearby figure in ck. ¡°If he were to die, we¡¯ll never get our hands on that Ninth-Grade Universe Stabilizer from the Ind of No Return.¡± Realization dawned on the masked individual in the purple robe. ¡°Are you suggesting we use him as a hostage?¡± The masked individual in ck nodded. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s tie him up!¡± The masked figure in the purple robe flew down in front of Gu Zhicheng. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes shed with murderous intent as he suddenly shot forward. The masked figure in the purple robe was caught off guard and hurriedly raised his hand to defend himself. Boom! A solid fist struck his arm like iron. ¡°All!¡± The masked figure in the purple robe let out a scream and was sent flying backward. The remaining masked individuals were stunned, looking at Gu Zhicheng with disbelief. ¡°Hahaha, dreaming of getting the Universe Stabilizer, aren¡¯t you?¡± Gu Zhichengughed wildly, releasing a powerful aura that swept in all directions. The others were shocked and stepped back. The masked figure in the ck robe questioned angrily, ¡°Did you consume the Universe Stabilizer?¡± Gu Zhicheng stood up slowly, feeling triumphant. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t 1? Did you expect me to save it for you?¡± Crackling sounds filled the air as if every bone in his body was roaring. With his slow movements, his imposing presence became even more awe-inspiring. The masked figures who had previously overwhelmed him now felt suffocated. ¡°A Saint! You have ascended to the rank of a Saint!¡± Chapter 96 - 96: The Great Demon King Chapter 96: The Great Demon King Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The masked figure in ck eximed in disbelief. Gu Zhicheng grinned. ¡°It truly lives up to the legendary Universe Stabilizer. It¡¯s absolutely astonishing!¡± He looked at the people before him with a disdainful gaze, as if he were looking at a group of ants. Realizing the sudden shift in the situation, the masked individuals swiftly turned on their heels and fled into the distance. Gu Zhicheng leaped forward, pursuing the masked figure in ck who had just attacked him. In a matter of moments, he caught up to the figure and struck him down with a palm. Those lurking in the shadows, hoping to reap the benefits, were filled with horror and dared not linger any longer. They quietly left. Gu Zhixin climbed out of the pit and saw his elder brother disying great power. His eyes widened in astonishment. Inside the carriage, Feng Yuanxi would serve Gu Qingluan tea, offer her snacks, and massage her shoulders and back, being incredibly attentive. ¡°Xiao Nan, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Gu Qingluan held his small hand and motioned for him to sit down. Feng Yuanxi stared at her intently, ¡°Nothing at all!¡± Actions speak louder than words. Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°Did you cause trouble?¡± Feng Yuanxi shook his head, ¡°No! I just wanted to be filial to Mother.¡± He could only stay with Beautiful Sister for three days. Three days were too short, and he wished he could be with Beautiful Sister for a lifetime. But he knew it was wishful thinking. So, he wanted to create more memories with Beautiful Sister so that she would think of him more in the future. Seeing his son¡¯s sincere and innocentrge eyes, Gu Qingluan reluctantly believed him. ¡°Rest for a while.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Feng Yuanxi snuggled up next to her. Beautiful Sister was fragrant and soft. Why didn¡¯t Father like her? If Father didn¡¯t reject Beautiful Sister, even if his identity was restored, he could stille and find Beautiful Sister. Thinking of Father, he suddenly remembered that Father had angrily taken Gu Xiaonan away just now. Father wouldn¡¯t hit Gu Xiaonan, right? If Gu Xiaonan got hurt, it would be his fault! In the pce, Gu Xiaonan was once again thrown into the room by Feng Tian. At that moment, Feng Tian seemed like a demon from hell, emanating a terrifying aura. Gu Xiaonan couldn¡¯t help but tremble in fear, thinking to himself that Feng Tian, the father of Feng Yuanxi, was indeed a great demon king! No wonder Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t want to stay here! ¡°Jing Feng, prepare the carriage and send him back to the Tian Chao immediately!¡± Feng Tian ordered. Gu Xiaonan abruptly jumped up from the bed, eximing, ¡°Where do you want to send me? I¡¯m not going!¡± ¡°Whether you want to go or not, you have to go! There¡¯s no discussion!¡± Feng Tian¡¯s face turned cold as he stared at Gu Xiaonan. He couldn¡¯t let Gu Xiaonan stay here any longer. The woman today had already managed to manipte his son into demanding his belongings, and tomorrow she might manipte him to the point where he doesn¡¯t even recognize his own father. Hearing Feng Tian¡¯s words, Jing Feng also felt a chill in his heart. But he had always understood that his master¡¯s orders were absolute, so he responded and turned to prepare. Gu Xiaonan red at him in anger. ¡°Fine, you want to drive me away, right? I¡¯ll leave right now!¡± He stomped his feet in frustration and walked towards the door. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going? Come back!¡± Feng Tian shouted, his deep eyes filled with astonishment and anger. Go back? Young Master wasn¡¯t foolish! Going back would mean being bundled up and sent to some unknown ce by Feng Tian! Gu Xiaonan quickened his pace and dashed out hurriedly. However, as soon as he stepped out of the door, his feet left the ground, and he was lifted into the air. Gu Xiaonan kicked his legs in protest, ¡°Put me down! Big Demon King, let go of me, do you hear me?¡± Feng Tian threw Gu Xiaonan back onto the bed, his gaze cold and stern, ¡°What did you call me?¡± ¡°Big Demon King! Big viin! Ugly monster!¡± Gu Xiaonan uttered every insulting word he could think of. As Gu Xiaonan watched Feng Tian¡¯s face darken, he felt a great sense of satisfaction. How dare he be mean to me! 1¡¯11 make him regret it! Chapter 97 - 97: Kill Her Chapter 97: Kill Her Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian¡¯s eyes turned icy cold, and a few words squeezed out between his lips, ¡°Feng Yuanxi, I think you¡¯ve been bewitched by that woman!¡± Gu Xiaonan stared back at him without showing any weakness, ¡°My mother¡­ the beautifuldy, she is kind-hearted, powerful in cultivation, and skilled in alchemy, a hundred times stronger than you!¡± That¡¯s right, his mother was the most perfect woman in the world! She was not just ¡°that woman¡±! Gu Xiaonan had never praised anyone like this before, and when Feng Tian heard him praise that woman, veins bulged on his forehead. ¡°If you mention her again, do you believe 1 will kill her?¡± ¡°How dare you?!¡± Upon hearing that Feng Tian wanted to harm his mother, Gu Xiaonan jumped up from the bed, standing on it to minimize the height difference. He ced his hands on his hips, fiercely baring his teeth like an enraged little beast. ¡°If you dare to harm the beautifuldy even a single hair, I¡­ I won¡¯t recognize you as my father!¡± Feng Tian¡¯s gaze flickered, anger reaching its peak. His face showed little expression despite the fury within. ¡°Feng Yuanxi, for an unrted woman, you would actually disown me?¡± Gu Xiaonan felt guilty, knowing that Feng Tian was not his real father, so it was natural for him not to recognize him. However, this was Yuanxi¡¯s father, and it seemed that Yuanxi thought highly of him. If he severed their father-son rtionship, it would be troublesome when Yuanxi returned. But still, this Feng Tian was truly detestable! He actually said he wanted to kill his mother! How despicable! His mother was the most important person to him, and he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to confront anyone who dared to harm her. Not to mention someone who wanted to kill his mother! He would absolutely not forgive them! Gu Xiaonan¡¯s anger zed once again, his eyes filled with a solemn and murderous intent. Seeing his son¡¯s determined expression, Feng Tian felt deeply moved. Yuanxi, for the sake of that woman, was he willing to be enemies with him? They had only met for the second time! What kind of enchantment did that woman use to sway his son¡¯s heart? Feng Tian clenched his fists, his intent to kill growing stronger. However¡­ Looking at his son fiercely protecting his loved ones, he dared not show the slightest hostility. Although the servants usually took care of Yuanxi, he genuinely loved this child. He didn¡¯t want to be enemies with his son over an unrted woman. Feng Wn took a deep breath, calming himself down. ¡°As long as you stop seeking her out, 1 will never harm her in the slightest.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Gu Xiaonan raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing him with a hint of distrust in his tone. ¡°A true gentleman keeps his promises!¡± Gu Xiaonan silently mocked, ¡°Are you really a gentleman? You are just an indiscriminate big viin!¡± ¡°Fine!¡± Gu Xiaonan crossed his arms in front of his chest. ¡°I swear that if you break your word, 1 won¡¯t speak to you ever again!¡± After all, he wasn¡¯t truly Feng Yuanxi. Three dayster, he would regain his identity as Gu Xiaonan, and the Great Demon King would remain unaware of it. So, it didn¡¯t matter if he agreed. Feng Tian couldn¡¯t help but doubt when he saw how readily he agreed, ¡°Are you really not going to see her again?¡± Was his son really willing to give up seeing Gu Qingluan, despite his fondness for her? Gu Xiaonan puffed up his little face, resembling an adorable pufferfish. ¡°Please don¡¯t question my integrity!¡± How dare Geng Tian doubt the credibility of his words! Hmph! Well, he wouldn¡¯t go see his mother as ¡°Feng Yuanxi¡± anyway! After three days, when he reverted to being ¡°Gu Xiaonan¡±, visiting his mother wouldn¡¯t be breaking his promise! But¡­ He couldn¡¯t just think about himself. After three days, Feng Yuanxi would return to the Great Demon King¡¯s side. If he found out about this arrangement, he would definitely be devastated. So, Gu Xiaonan added, ¡°I won¡¯t actively seek out Beautiful Sister. However, if we happen to run into each other or if shees looking for me, it won¡¯t be considered a vition of my promise!¡± Feng Tian responded coldly, ¡°I won¡¯t give her a chance toe near you again!¡± Gu Xiaonan red, ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to send me away right now!¡± As long as Gu Xiaonan didn¡¯t leave, could Feng Tian really keep him from seeing Gu Qingluan? Chapter 98 - 98: Warn That Woman Chapter 98: Warn That Woman Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian said, ¡°As long as you behave, 1 won¡¯t send you back early.¡± Gu Xiaonan breathed a sigh of relief. That¡¯s good. ¡°Master, the carriage is ready.¡± Jing Feng entered from outside. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving!¡± Gu Xiaonan waved his hand. Jing Feng looked surprised as he nced at Feng Tian. Feng Tian said, ¡°Let him stay for now. During this time, you stay with Yuanxi.¡± Jing Feng didn¡¯t understand why his master suddenly changed his mind, but he was still happy to hear the news. His master had always been busy, and they rarely had the chance to spend time together. It was a rare opportunity for them to go out together, and he hoped they could bond as father and son. Jing Feng happily agreed. Gu Xiaonan curled his lips. What¡¯s there to be happy about? Just to keep an eye on him? Gu Xiaonan would make sure Jing Feng couldn¡¯t find himter which would make Jing Feng cry! Hmph! After giving his instructions, Feng Tian left and returned to his room. He took out the Chaos Stone, and a fleeting gleam of light shed in his slender, deep eyes. He didn¡¯t expect that there would be a Chaos Stone in the Cloud ins Continent. It was even rare to find one in the Tian Ji Continent. It seemed that he needed to send someone to search for more Chaos Stones. Perhaps he could find arger supply. With the Chaos Stone, his injuries would heal faster. Feng Tian ced his hand over his chest and pondered silently. He originally intended to immediately absorb the energy from the Chaos Stone, but suddenly, Gu Qingluan¡¯s face shed through his mind. Why did she want the Chaos Stone? Did she recognize it? The Chaos Stone was so precious. If that woman truly knew its value, she would surelye back to find Yuanxi. Thinking of his agreement with his son, Feng Tian murmured, ¡°It seems necessary to warn that woman to prevent her from bewitching Yuanxi again.¡± ? ? ¡°Master!¡± Su Lie¡¯s voice came from outside the carriage. He had been sent by Gu Qingluan to handle some tasks after the auction. Now that he had returned, it was apparent that he had news to share. ¡°Come in,¡± Gu Qingluan said. The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Su Lie entered. ¡°Mr. Liu, you¡¯re here too!¡± Su Lie greeted both Gu Qingluan and Liu Meng. Liu Meng smiled and gave him a simple reply. Su Lie¡¯s gaze shifted to Gu Qingluan and he said, ¡°Master, your spection was correct. The Gu family has indeed been targeted. Unfortunately, those people were not skillful enough, and Gu Zhicheng ended up consuming the Universe Stabilizer!¡± Gu Qingluan was taken aback. ¡°He directly consumed it?¡± ¡°Yes, with so many experts watching, I¡¯m not sure when he managed to consume it. The high-level experts who originally surrounded him became his prey instead. The two men who died were foreigners, and countless others were injured. Fortunately, 1 quickly slipped away, or 1 wouldn¡¯t have the chance to return to share with you the news.¡± Su Lie detailed the situation to Gu Qingluan, his eyes filled with concern. ¡°You have a conflict with Gu Zhicheng, and now that he has be a Saint, he will soone looking for trouble. Should we take precautions and avoid any confrontations?¡± The territory of Chengyuan Kingdom was vast, but at that time, there were only two Saints. One resided in the imperial pce, while the other had chosen seclusion. Neither of them would have easily shown themselves. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s ascension to the rank of Saint gave him unparalleled power within Chengyuan Kingdom. As for Gu Qingluan, she was just one step away from reaching the Saint Stage. However, that one step seemed like an insurmountable gap. ¡°Whatever is bound to happen will happen. Since I chose to return this time, I have no intention of running away!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled proudly. Her bright ck eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. Seeing her calm demeanor, Su Lie¡¯s tightly wound heart eased slightly. His master was so intelligent, she must have anticipated the possibility of this situation and surely had a way to deal with it. Su Lie respectfully asked, ¡°Have you figured out how to handle it? Is there anything I can do?¡± Gu Qingluan shook her head. ¡°No.¡± ¡°What?¡± Su Lie was dumbfounded. Had the master not thought about it? Or did she simply have no n in mind? Chapter 99 - 99: Assassination Again Chapter 99: Assassination Again Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Seeing Su Lie¡¯s stunned expression, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter. ¡°Master, you just tricked me, didn¡¯t you?¡± Su Lie let out a sigh of relief. ¡°I didn¡¯t trick you.¡± Su Lie¡¯s expression immediately froze. ¡°You¡­ you really have no n?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for a n. If Gu Zhicheng hadn¡¯t been so eager to consume the Universe Stabilizer, perhaps I would have been more cautious. But now, there¡¯s nothing worth watching, let alone mentioning.¡± Su Lie asked, ¡°Is there anything I don¡¯t know about? I witnessed those high-ranking experts who surrounded him crumbling like powerless infants in his grasp.¡± ¡°The Universe Stabilizer requires a calm andposed state of mind to have the best effect. Given Gu Zhicheng¡¯s condition at that time, it¡¯s clear that he couldn¡¯t achieve that. The more his emotions fluctuate, the less effective the Universe Stabilizer bes. Originally, it could have helped him stabilize his newly elevated levels, but now it¡¯s impossible. Without this additional effect, his Saint Stage is unstable.¡± Although he had reached the Saint Stage, there were times when he couldn¡¯t fully exert his Saint Stage power, making him much weaker than other Saints. Gu Qingluan, who hadn¡¯t reached the Saint Stage yet, had the strength to fight against him. As they conversed, Gu Qingluan¡¯s smile suddenly grew strained. ¡°Be careful!¡± Swish! A sharp sword pierced through the back of the carriage. Gu Qingluan held Feng Yuanxi tightly and evaded the attack. Boom! The carriage shattered into pieces. Gu Qingluan and a few others were thrown out of the carriage. Several forces of profound energy attacked from all directions. ¡°They are experts of the Heavenly Stage!¡± Su Lie eximed urgently. Gu Qingluan¡¯s slender hand fluttered, radiating a bright light that formed a barrier, protecting everyone in the middle. Bang! Bang! Bang! The barrier flickered and shimmered as the intense light screen endured the assault. Feng Yuanxi tightly grabbed her clothes, his gaze scanning the surroundings with icy coldness. Eight men in ck attire descended from above, surging with profound energy, their hands swiftly swinging as they relentlessly attacked the barrier. Liu Meng¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Miss Gu, they must be after me! Hurry, take Xiaonan and leave!¡± These people must be after the Universe Stabilizer. Its allure was too great for them to maintain their sanity. Gu Qingluan shook her head. ¡°You¡¯re wrong. They¡¯re here to take my life!¡± Their malicious intent was evident, showing no mercy in their attacks. They didn¡¯t seem interested in capturing anyone alive. Eight high-ranking experts, the mastermind behind them didn¡¯t hesitate to go all out. After speaking, Gu Qingluan turned to Su Lie and said, ¡°Protect Xiaonan!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Su Lie wanted to pull the young master closer to himself. Feng Yuanxi nced coldly at him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, help Mother!¡± How could he push all the pressure onto Mother? He gathered his profound energy, aimed at one of the enemies, and struck! A surge of purple light shot out like a pir of water. The ck-clothed individual evaded in mid-air. Boom! The purple light struck the ground, creating arge crater. Gu Qingluan was slightly surprised. Has Xiaonan¡¯s cultivation improved again? As the thought crossed her mind, her attention was swiftly redirected by the enemy. Su Lie and Liu Meng were witnessing ¡°Gu Xiaonan¡¯s¡± attack for the first time, leaving them utterly astonished and speechless. This child was so young, yet his strength was not inferior to theirs! They couldn¡¯t let themselves be outdone, or they would have lost face! The two of them rose up simultaneously, joining the battle. The eight ck-d individuals, realizing they couldn¡¯t break through the opponent¡¯s protective barrier, exchanged nces and said, ¡°Form the formation!¡± The eight of themnded in eight different positions, swiftly forming hand seals. Eight beams of light simultaneously shot towards Gu Qingluan and the others. ¡°Everyone, be careful! The protective barrier won¡¯t hold much longer!¡± Sensing the danger, Gu Qingluan alerted herrades while also lifting her son into her arms. With a loud boom, the barrier was shattered by the concentrated force. Su Lie and Liu Meng were injured by the residual shockwave, while Gu Qingluan¡¯s body emitted a faint glow, blocking the invading shockwave. However, she was still pushed back a few steps by the impact. ¡°Mother, are you okay?¡± Feng Yuanxi asked, his entire body stiff, afraid of bing a burden to her.. Chapter 100 - 100: Mother, I’ll Protect You! Chapter 100: Mother, I¡¯ll Protect You! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan¡¯s tone was rxed, with a hint of indifference. ¡°No problem. Just a few Heavenly Realm experts can¡¯t pose a threat to me.¡± The words of Gu Qingluan infuriated the ck-d men. One of them sneered coldly. ¡°Such an arrogant woman. Today, we¡¯ll show you how formidable we are! Brothers, attack!¡± Before the words had even finished echoing, eight shadowy figures darted forward, brandishing radiant lights in their hands, each wielding a precious sword that gleamed like a rainbow. Their movements were almost identical, and their strengths wereparable. Thebined pressure they exerted was even stronger than that of a Ninth-Grade Heavenly Realm expert. Gu Qingluan was stillposed, but Su Lie and Liu Meng felt the terrifying pressure, their eyes filled with astonishment. Previously, when they arranged themselves in formation, Su Lie and Liu Meng had sensed that the collective strength of the adversaries was not merely additive. However, shielded by the protective barrier, they hadn¡¯t fully felt the intensity of the impact. But now, as they confronted it directly, the chilling force bore down upon them without mercy, crushing their spirits. Faint purple light shimmered in the depths of Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes, while his young and innocent face tensed with seriousness. A subtle mark of mes flickered on his forehead, appearing both elusive and discernible. ¡°Mother, I¡¯ll protect you!¡± A faint smile appeared on Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips as she heard his words. ¡°You¡¯re still young. It¡¯s my duty to protect you for now. In a few years, 1¡¯11 let you protect me.¡± Gazing at her confident and exuberant smile, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes revealed an expression of infatuation. ¡°Mother, you¡¯re so cool!¡± Lost in his admiration, Feng Yuanxi was pulled behind by Gu Qingluan. She conjured a long sword out of thin air and drew a circle around Feng Yuanxi. The sword¡¯s tip scraped against the ground, emitting a piercing sound and sparking mes. A formation was activated! ¡°Stay obediently within the circle and don¡¯t run about!¡± He snapped back to his senses and clenched his fist. His dark eyes shone brightly, nervously, and eagerly staring at her. ¡°Mother, you must be careful!¡± Gu Qingluan let out a chuckle, swiftly stepped forward, and leaped gracefully into the air. Her white skirt billowed like a blooming white lotus as she spun through the air, her sword sweeping horizontally. The sword energy surged forth like a vibrant rainbow, spreading in all directions with an irresistible momentum. The ck-d figures were forced to retreat continuously. Gu Qingluan withdrew her sword into the void, her delicate hands gracefully dancing in front of her. One after another, talismans shot out from her hands with precision and speed. The ck-d figures¡¯ eyes gleamed with excitement. ¡°You¡¯re a Talisman Formation Master?¡± Talisman Formation Masters were rare in the Cloud ins Continent, often ying auxiliary roles due to their need for focused concentration and the ability to draw formations. They typically relied on Spirit Stones or other objects infused with spiritual energy. To be able to draw formations effortlessly, without any external aids, was a mark of at least a Heavenly Stage Talisman Formation Master! Lower-ranked Talisman Formation Masters possessed limitedbat prowess, and it was only at the Heavenly Stage and beyond that they could rival other practitioners of the same level. It was truly fascinating! Who would have expected that the young miss of the Gu family, who had disappeared for several years, not only returned with formidable cultivation but also became a Heavenly Stage Talisman Formation Master? Sadly, her journey came to an end there. She had incurred the wrath of the wrong people, ensuring she wouldn¡¯t live to see the next sunrise! Gu Qingluan¡¯s hands continued their swift movements as she attacked the enemies with her talismans. ¡°You appear to be observant. It¡¯s evident that all eight of you have trained in a coordinated formation tactic. With eight practitioners ranging from the Seventh to Eighth Heavenly Stage, harnessing formations to unleash power surpassing that of an expert in the Ninth Heavenly Stage, you possess the strength to challenge even a Saint. So, why have you chosen to degrade yourselves by selling your lives?¡± The eight individuals evaded the oing talismans while closing in on Gu Qingluan¡¯s group. They retorted, ¡°Selling our lives? Heh! We simply took on a well-paying but non-life-threatening assignment¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled softly. ¡°That may not have been the case.¡± The ck-d individuals were taken aback by her response. Suddenly, the situation on the battlefield took a drastic turn. Numerous formations,rge and small, appeared in the air, interlocking intricately, leaving no room for escape! ¡°No, this can¡¯t be!¡± The ck-d individuals collectively trembled in shock and disbelief.. Chapter 101 - 101: Sacred Beast Three-Headed Snake (1) Chapter 101: Sacred Beast Three-Headed Snake (1) Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion They had a basic understanding of formations, so how could the enemy secretly set up so many formations right under their noses? Given that every formation requires energy support, it seems imusible that the energy fluctuations could go undetected. Moreover, the formations were set up right under their noses, practically beside them! Gu Qingluan said calmly, ¡°Nothing is impossible!¡± She pointed her finger, and those formations became dazzlingly bright. ¡°All!¡± ¡°All!¡± The formations were not just a single type. There were thunderstorm formations, me formations, frost formations, and wind de formations¡­ There were too many of them, making it impossible to defend against. All eight of them were experts at the Heavenly Realm, but no matter how skilled they were, they couldn¡¯t avoid so many formations! In no time, all eight of them met their match. Gu Qingluan stood outside the formations, her figure slender and graceful, her faceposed. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes sparkled as he looked at her. Wow, Mother is so amazing! Except for the time in front of the Gu family gate, Liu Meng had never seen Gu Qingluan take action. At that time, Gu Qingluan¡¯s move was too fast, and the enemies were too weak, leaving no room for Gu Qingluan to disy her true strength. Liu Meng had never witnessed her true power. Seeing this scene now, he was astonished, ¡°Miss Gu is actually this formidable?¡± Su Lie proudly lifted his chin, ¡°Of course!¡± When everyone thought the eight of them were about to be defeated, a roar echoed through the heavens and earth, apanied by a terrifying pressure that made one¡¯s soul tremble. Su Lie¡¯s body uncontrobly trembled as he widened his eyes in astonishment. ¡°What is that?¡± Boom! A ck mist suddenly appeared, and within the mist, a colossal creature materialized out of thin air. It had a massive body, at least ten meters long, resembling a giant serpent with thick, ck scales. Above were three enormous snakeheads, ring fiercely at Gu Qingluan and the others. Their blood-red snake mouths revealed sharp fangs, and the liquid dripping from their mouths emitted a green smoke when it touched the ground. Gu Qingluan and the others couldn¡¯t help but gasp. ¡°Be careful, don¡¯t let the venom touch you,¡± Gu Qingluan reminded. ¡°What business do you all have with me?¡± the three snake heads spoke simultaneously. The echoes resounded through the streets and alleys. People nearby had long disappeared. Feng Tian, who was on her way to the Jun Residence, paused and looked towards the distant sky. The aura of a sacred beast! That location¡­ It seemed to be the direction towards the Jun Residence¡­ Feng Tian furrowed his brows and leaped into the air, following the direction of the aura, and swiftly dashed away. In front of the three-headed serpent, eight figures in ck respectfully stood before it. ¡°Third Highness, we¡¯ve encountered a formidable opponent. Please help us take her down!¡± The six eyes of the three-headed serpent all turned to Gu Qingluan. It could sense that this woman was the strongest among them. However, in its eyes, she was nothing more than an ant. ¡°Can¡¯t you eight handle such a little Heavenly Realm cultivator?¡± it sneered. The eight of them, who were being mocked, dared not utter a word ofint. One of them exined, ¡°Although she¡¯s only in the Heavenly realm, she is proficient in formations. We can¡¯t afford to be dyed here for too long, fearing it will attract others and hinder our mission.¡± ¡°Third Highness, as long as you help us defeat her, we will surely show our utmost respect to you!¡± ¡°Yes, Third Highness, please lend us your assistance!¡± The three-headed serpent stared at Gu Qingluan, its eyes flickering with a sinister gleam. Its long serpentine tongue flexibly extended and retracted. ¡°I smell something delicious. I won¡¯t hold it against you this time.¡± The eight individuals let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank you, Third Highness!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face darkened when he heard the three-headed serpent¡¯s intention to eat his mother. ¡°You despicable serpent! If you even dare to harm my mother, rest assured, I¡¯ll strip your skin off while you¡¯re still alive!¡± ¡°Xiaonan!¡± Gu Qingluan urgently called out to him. This three-headed serpent was ugly and disgusting, but there was no denying its formidable strength. Even Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t guarantee that she could escape unscathed. Originally, the opponent¡¯s attention was solely focused on her, and Su Lie could quietly protect Xiaonan and leave. But now, with Xiaonan speaking up, it was afraid that the three-headed serpent¡¯s gaze would be drawn to him. And as expected¡­ The three-headed serpent looked towards Feng Yuanxi. The three pairs ofrge vertical pupils lit up simultaneously. ¡°So, there¡¯s an even more delicious one here!¡± Chapter 102 - 102: Injuried Chapter 102: Injuried Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion In the eyes of the three-headed snake, this little guy¡¯s entire body was emitting a pure aura. That aura was very powerful and pure, making the three-headed snake yearn for it. Its body suddenly became restless, as if there was a voice telling it to swallow the child. Gu Qingluan saw the desire in its eyes and her heart tightened. She shouted, ¡°Three-headed Snake, your opponent is me!¡± The Three-headed Snake tilted its head and nced at Gu Qingluan with a mocking look. ¡°You? You overestimate yourself!¡± The other snakehead opened its mouth.¡± Stop wasting time. Let¡¯s finish this woman first before eating that child!¡± Thest snakehead had been staring at Feng Yuanxi, unwilling to move its eyes away. When it heard that the other two snakeheads had reached an agreement, it could only say unwillingly, ¡°Then hurry up. This little dumpling smells too good. I can¡¯t wait!¡± ¡°Me too!¡± The other two snake heads said in unison. Before he finished his sentence, the thick tail of the snake flew up and swung towards Gu Qingluan. Whoosh! Whoosh! His movements were fast and fierce. The air seemed to be cut apart, and it let out a painful roar. Gu Qingluan dodged. Rumble! The snake¡¯s tail pped the ground, and in an instant, the ground cracked open, and stones flew everywhere. Gu Qingluannded beside Feng Yuanxi, picked him up, and threw him to Su Lie. ¡°Take Xiaonan and leave! Immediately!¡± A violent wind blew. Herst words were torn apart by the wind. Gu Qingluan swiftly leaped back, narrowly avoiding the snake¡¯s tail as it brushed past her body, only to immediately snap back in a hook motion. In her hand, a handle materialized out of thin air, and she swung it backwards, aiming for the snake s tail. The sword¡¯s tip drew a trail of fiery light across the scales, producing a sharp metallic ng. Gu Qingluan realized that the scales were incredibly tough, and her expression slightly changed. Using the bending and rebounding force of the sword, she quickly leaped backward. As Su Lie caught Feng Yuanxi, he felt a suffocating sensation. A pair of blood-red, bloodthirsty eyes locked onto him. ¡°Dare to flee, and I¡¯ll devour you immediately!¡± The snakehead in the middle spat out its snake tongue, revealing a fierce expression. Feng Yuanxi struggled, ¡°Su Lie, put me down! Mother is in danger!¡± ¡°Young¡­ young master, the master instructed me to protect you and take you away¡­¡± Su Lie¡¯s teeth trembled, not out of fear, but because he couldn¡¯t control himself. The pressure from the sacred beast was too terrifying, causing his soul to tremble uncontrobly, and his body instinctively trembled. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Su Lie barely managed to move legs and escape into the distance. The snakehead in the middle, seeing them foolishly trying to escape, swooped down with its huge mouth wide open, ready to bite Su Lie and Feng Yuanxi. ng! A fan flew from the side and struck the snake¡¯s eye. The snakehead blinked as the fan seemed to hit an iron wall and was sent flying backward. The reopened eyes of the snakehead red maliciously at the person who attacked it¡ªLiu Meng! Cold sweat streamed down Liu Meng¡¯s forehead. ¡°Su Lie, take Xiaonan, and leave quickly!¡± Even if he were to die today, he had to protect the little one and escape! ¡°You¡¯re clueless!¡± It dove down, its foul-smelling jaws closing in on him. Liu Meng was immobilized by its overwhelming pressure. At this moment, death was so close to Liu Meng. He didn¡¯t know how he felt, his mind going nk. ¡°Liu Meng, get away!¡± Su Lie turned around and witnessed this scene, filled with terror and panic. At the critical moment, a white figure shed by. Sharp sword energy aimed directly at the snake¡¯s eye. The three-headed snake sensed the danger and had to retract its heads. Liu Meng was lifted by Gu Qingluan and thrown towards a distance. ¡°Go quickly!¡± Liu Mengnded beside Su Lie. ¡°Let¡¯s go! Staying here will only hold back our Master! We need to go get reinforcements!¡± Su Lie urged. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving. If you want to go, go yourselves!¡± Feng Yuanxi angrily roared. Su Lie¡¯s mission was to protect Xiaonan and ensure his safe departure. Regardless of the circumstances, Su Lie would never leave without him. ¡°You go ahead. I¡¯ll stay behind to assist Miss Gu.¡± Liu Meng knew he was weaker, but having one more person meant more strength and could buy Su Lie and the others some time to escape. After saying that, he picked up the fan from the ground and dashed toward the three-headed snake. Su Lie steeled his heart and carried Feng Yuanxi away. ¡°Stop them!¡± The three-headed snake, unable to reach its desired prey due to being entangled by this troublesome woman, ordered the eight ck-d individuals. The ck-d individuals never expected the three-headed snake to intervene, allowing Gu Qingluan to hold on for so long. Concerned that the three-headed snake might abandon its attack on Gu Qingluan in pursuit of the child, they immediately chased after Feng Yuanxi. And at that moment, Su Lie suddenly felt a sharp pain on the back of his hand and unintentionally let go. It turned out that Feng Yuanxi had bitten him. Feng Yuanxi agilelynded on the ground and dashed towards Gu Qingluan. ¡°I ll save Mother!¡± But little did they know, in order to stop the three-headed snake from pursuing her son, Gu Qingluan had identally been struck by the snake¡¯s tail, causing her back to be a bloody mess in an instant! Chapter 103 - 103: You Want to Eat Me? You Need to Be Alive to Do So Chapter 103: You Want to Eat Me? You Need to Be Alive to Do So Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Young Master!¡± Su Lie stomped his feet and hurriedly went to grab Feng Yuanxi. The man in ck was stunned for a moment when he saw his target suddenly return the way he came. Then, he was overjoyed and leaped up to block Feng Yuanxi. Eight against three, and one of the three was a child! The disparity in strength in this battle was too great. ¡°Get out of the way!¡± Feng Yuanxi said angrily with a cold face. The men in ck looked at each other, and one of them asked with a smile, ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°1 have to save my mother!¡± ¡°Alright, go ahead.¡± Anyway, the three-headed snake had taken a fancy to him. If Feng Yuanxi wanted to walk into the trap, why would they stop him? Feng Yuanxi rushed through the path they had opened up. Su Lie could not stop Feng Yuanxi because he was being targeted by the eight men in ck! Gu Qingluan wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and stood up. Her gaze was unprecedentedly cold. ¡°Human, you can¡¯t beat me! Why don¡¯t you obediently let me eat you?¡± the three snake heads said in unison. ¡°You want to eat me?¡± Gu Qingluan sneered. ¡°You need to be alive to do so!¡± She took out a pill from her space and stuffed it into her mouth. In an instant, a warm current flowed from her stomach to her limbs and bones. Immediately after, the aura around her rose steadily. The three-headed snake noticed her change. Seeing that she had broken through to the level of a Saint and had the aura of a Saint, the three snake heads were startled. They guessed that her change was rted to the pill she had just eaten. The three-headed snake didn¡¯t dy any longer and immediately started to attack her fiercely. The three snake heads surrounded Gu Qingluan from three sides. At the same time, they raised their tails high and whipped at Gu Qingluan¡¯s waist. Profound energy burst out from Gu Qingluan¡¯s body like a wave. Gu Qingluan jumped up from the ground and dodged the giant mouth. Shended on the head of one of the snakes and raised her sword high. Roar! The three-headed snake guessed her purpose and twisted its head with all its might, trying to shake her down. The other two snakeheads quickly came over to support him. The snake tail was even more swift and fierce, fiercelyshing over. Gu Qingluan could not stand steadily on the snake¡¯s head and fell down. She stabbed with all her might towards the giant snake¡¯s eyes. The three-headed snake let out an angry roar. At the same time, another snake head was about to bite down on Gu Qingluan! Gu Qingluan covered her body with arcane power, exerting a tremendous force in an attempt to escape from the snake¡¯s mouth. Zi! The venom dripped down, corroding the protective arcane shield on the surface. Gu Qingluan felt rmed. The venom of this snake was indeed potent! She quickly repaired and reinforced her arcane defenses with more arcane power. All of this happened in the blink of an eye. Seeing this scene, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s heart raced with anxiety. ¡°You wretched snake, get away!¡± The furious roar, infused with arcane power and intimidation, stunned the three-headed snake. A sense of inexplicable fear emanated from the depths of its soul. Taking advantage of the moment, Gu Qingluan narrowly avoided the snake¡¯s mouth andnded beside Feng Yuanxi. ¡°Xiaonan, didn¡¯t I tell you to go? Why did youe back?¡± she asked, both worried and angry. Although she had consumed the Reverse Arcane Pill that greatly increased her cultivation, she still wasn¡¯t confident in killing a three-headed snake that had clearly be a sacred beast over the years. ¡°I want to help Mother!¡± Feng Yuanxi clenched his fists. ¡°Nonsense! You should hurry and leave!¡± Gu Qingluan became furious. While she tolerated her son¡¯s wilfulness at other times, staying behind in such a life-or-death situation would only be suicidal. The dangerous aura drew closer. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t have time to scold him anymore. She pushed him away, but she couldn¡¯t escape herself and could only face it head-on! Sheunched a fierce attack, striking the snake¡¯s tail with a punch. However, for the three-headed snake, the tail was a non-lethal area. Other than causing some pain, it had no significant effect. In a swift motion, the snake¡¯s tail coiled around Gu Qingluan, binding her tightly.. Chapter 104 - 104: Mr. Feng, Please Save My Mother Chapter 104: Mr. Feng, Please Save My Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Mother!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes turned a deep shade of purple, filled with anxiety and worry as he witnessed Gu Qingluan¡¯s entrapment. Unnoticed by the surrounding onlookers, the snake¡¯s tail constricted tighter, rendering Gu Qingluan powerless. In desperation, Feng Yuanxi swiftly retrieved a small jade flute and blew into it with all his might. A peculiar melody resonated, piercing the ears of the three-headed snake. To others, the sound seemed slightly strange, but within the snake¡¯s mind, it bore an uncanny resemnce to a malevolent enchantment. A wretched cry escaped the snake¡¯s mouth. Momentarily stunned, Gu Qingluan seized the opportunity to summon all her strength and break free from the serpent¡¯s coils. ¡°You wretched brat, 1¡¯11 consume you!¡± The three-headed snake, gued by a throbbing headache, abandoned its yful demeanor and lunged towards Feng Yuanxi. Reacting swiftly, Gu Qingluan darted towards the snake, directing her de towards its unscathed eye. Aware of the sword¡¯s deadly precision, the three-headed snake recoiled, avoiding the imminent threat. Meanwhile, Feng Yuanxi continued to blow the flute, infusing it with his own power without relent. Thebined effect of the haunting melody and Gu Qingluan¡¯s relentless assault gradually pushed the three-headed snake into a disadvantaged position. Two eyes, three eyes¡­ With each injured eye, the creature¡¯s sanity waned, spiraling further into madness. Though pale-faced, Feng Yuanxi refused to release his grip on the flute, persistently channeling his power into its ethereal notes. However, in the midst of the intense struggle, a powerful and familiar aura suddenly emanated from the distance. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s expression froze in dread. Was his Great Father? He couldn¡¯t allow his presence to be discovered! Feng Yuanxi quickly put away his flute. Without the influence of the flute music, the three-headed snake¡¯s spirit was shaken. It roared loudly and attacked Gu Qingluan fiercely. Gu Qingluan felt the pressure increase exponentially. She gritted her teeth and endured it. When Feng Tian arrived, he saw the messy battlefield. The young woman was fighting fiercely with the three-headed snake. He nced at the ground with an indifferent expression before turning his gaze elsewhere. Just now, he seemed to have heard the sound of the flute. Was Yuan Xi here? But wasn¡¯t he in the pce? Could it be that Jing Feng did not keep an eye on him and let him run out again? Feng Yuanxi sat on the ground and curled up in a corner. His face was pale. He had used up too much of his divine power. To those who didn¡¯t know better, it looked like he had been frightened. Feng Tian¡¯s gaze lingered on his face for a moment before he looked away. He knew that this was the child who followed Gu Qingluan. He searched around but found no trace of his son. Feng Tian thought to himself, ¡°Did I sense it wrongly?¡± Feng Yuanxi let out a sigh of relief when he felt Feng Tian¡¯s vision was no longer on him. Fortunately, his father did not recognize him! His Great Father is here, so they should be saved! Feng Tian didn¡¯t do as Feng Yuanxi had wanted. He stood coldly on a roof and looked down at the battle below. Gu Qingluan¡¯s strength greatly exceeded his expectations. However, this three-headed snake wasn¡¯t easy to deal with either. It was unknown who would win or lose. If this woman died, it would save him the trouble of warning her, and he would not have to worry about his son being bewitched. Feng Yuanxi waited for a while, but her father didn¡¯t make a move. Feng Yuanxi wondered if his father had left, and he raised his head to look for him. In the end, Feng Yuanxi found Feng Tian at a nce! Feng Tian was standing on the roof coldly. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s heart trembled. How could he have forgotten that his father had always been cold-blooded and heartless towards outsiders? Moreover, Father had never liked Mother, so he naturally wouldn¡¯t save her! Feng Yuanxi red at Feng Tian angrily. Feng Tian seemed to sense something and suddenly looked at him. Feng Yuanxi hung his head in fear. Then, he raised his head and ran toward Feng Tian. ¡°Mr.. Feng! Please save my mother!¡± Chapter 105 - 105: Death in a Single Strike Chapter 105: Death in a Single Strike Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian nced at him indifferently, neither confirming nor denying. Feng Yuanxi refused to believe that his father could be so indifferent. Clenching his teeth, he confronted, ¡°Uncle Feng, knowing how much Yuanxi loves my mother, if he finds out that you stood by and did nothing, he will surely despise you!¡± He didn¡¯t believe that saying this to his father would have no effect. Feng Tian¡¯s imposing gaze suddenly fell on him. Under his powerful aura, Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t flinch, raising his little face defiantly. A trace of surprise flickered in Feng Tian¡¯s eyes. This child wasn¡¯t afraid of him? Strange, why did this little boy feel so familiar? The thought crossed his mind, but Feng Tian didn¡¯t pay much attention to it. However, the words spoken just now made him reconsider. Considering his son¡¯s recent behavior, defending that woman against him, it was conceivable that his son could develop hatred towards him if he discovered that he had chosen not to save her. It was not worth it to get hated by his son all because of a woman! Feng Tian¡¯s wrist turned, and a beam of light struck the vital spot of the three-headed serpent! Jet-ck blood spurted out. Gu Qingluan was startled, quickly condensing her profound energy in front of her to block the sshing blood. As the fresh blood sttered on the ground, the sturdy stone b was instantly corroded, emitting a cloud of ck smoke. The massive body of the three-headed serpent fell heavily to the ground. ¡°Ah!¡± Not far away, Su Lie¡¯s screams resounded. Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart trembled, and she quickly mobilized her profound energy, flying over to save him. The ck-clothed figures heard themotion behind them and turned their heads to see the fallen three-headed serpent, causing them to be greatly rmed. The three-headed serpent was actually killed? How was that possible? Seeing Gu Qingluan rushing over, drenched in blood, their scalps tingled. Was this woman a maniac? She even killed the three-headed serpent. There was no way they could defeat her! Without thinking, the eight individuals unanimously fled into the distance. Gu Qingluan arrived, but she didn¡¯t chase after them. Instead, shended in front of Su Lie and caught his falling body. ¡°Master¡­ I¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression turned serious as she acupunctured several points on his body and then stuffed a pill into his mouth. ¡°Swallow this.¡± Su Lie struggled to swallow the pill and hisplexion visibly improved. ¡°Master, don¡¯t worry about me, Liu¡­¡± Gu Qingluan said, ¡°Rest for a while. I¡¯ll heal youter. I¡¯ll go save Liu Meng.¡± Gu Qingluan gently ced Su Lie on the ground and turned to look for Liu Meng. Liu Mengy on the ground, motionless. Fortunately, there was still a trace of his aura. Gu Qingluan heaved a sigh of relief, but her face immediately tensed up. Although Liu Meng was not dead, he was not far from death. At this moment, he was breathing out more than he was breathing in, and he would die at any moment. Gu Qingluan also administered a Nine Revolutions Resurrection Pill to Liu Meng, saving his life from the brink of death. After sessfully rescuing Liu Meng, Gu Qingluan was exhausted, gasping for breath, her body swaying, on the verge of copsing. ¡°Be careful, Mother!¡± A cold and chilling aura permeated the surroundings. Gu Qingluan collided with a sturdy pair of legs. Moments ago, she had failed to sense someone approaching. Startled, she quickly turned her head and saw the ck silk robe stained with the color of blood, its darkness intensified. Gu Qingluan licked her lips and looked up. Along the tall and upright figure, she caught sight of a sharply defined jawline. The person slightly lowered their head, and a pair of jet-ck eyes locked onto her. Finally, Gu Qingluan recognized the person¡¯s face and staggered backward in astonishment, ¡°Why are you here?¡± Chapter 106 - 106: Taking Advantage of Father’s Merit Chapter 106: Taking Advantage of Father¡¯s Merit Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Mother! Mother! It was¡­ Mr. Feng who saved us!¡± Feng Yuanxi supported Gu Qingluan and gave credit to his father. His Great Father always wore a cold face, even scaring away the beautiful sister! After Feng Yuanxi left Gu Qingluan, Feng Yuanxi was afraid that Gu Qingluan would note looking for him because of his father. Now that Gu Qingluan owed Feng Tian her life, she should treat his Great Father differently, right? In that case, the Gu Qingluan would go to look for Feng Yuanxi, wouldn¡¯t she? Thinking of the three-headed serpent that suddenly copsed earlier, Gu Qingluan understood that it was this man¡¯s doing. She knew he was formidable, but she didn¡¯t expect him to be this powerful. A single strike hit the vital spot of the three-headed serpent. Regardless of their past grievances, it was an undeniable fact that he saved their lives. Gu Qingluan expressed her gratitude, saying, ¡°Thank you foring to my rescue. 1 am indebted to you for saving my life. However, my two subordinates have been seriously injured. Would it be possible for you to inform me of your ce of residence? 1 will visit you tomorrow to express my gratitude in person.¡± ¡°No need!¡± Feng Tian interrupted her, ¡°1 intervened because 1 didn¡¯t want Yuan Xi to know that 1 allow you to die. If you want to thank me, just do one thing: never see Yuan Xi again in the future.¡± Feng Yuanxi was shocked beyond words. How could Father be like this? Gu Qingluan furrowed her brows. Thinking of that child named Yuan Xi, a strong feeling of reluctance welled up within her. She opened her mouth several times but couldn¡¯t utter a word. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to thank me? Can¡¯t even fulfill such a small request?¡± Feng Tian sneered. Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes dimmed. Seeing her mother about to agree, Feng Yuanxi quickly interjected, ¡°Mr. Feng, did you ask for Yuan Xi¡¯s opinion? If he knew you came to ckmail my mother, he would definitely be very angry.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s cold gaze swept towards him. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but his gaze didn¡¯t waver. Feng Tian said in a low voice, ¡°If you don¡¯t say anything, and Gu Qingluan doesn¡¯t say anything, he won¡¯t know.¡± Feng Yuanxi inwardly roared: 1 already know! Seeing Feng Tian¡¯s unfavorable gaze towards her son, Gu Qingluan quickly pulled him behind her, ¡°Alright, 1 agree!¡± ¡°Mother!¡± Feng Yuanxi anxiously grabbed her. ¡°Xiaonan, when the adults are talking children should not interrupt,¡± Gu Qingluan patted his little hand and looked directly at Feng Tian. ¡°If this is your condition for saving me, I agree.¡± ¡°Very well, 1 hope you won¡¯t go back on your word.¡± After saying that, a gust of wind blew by, and Feng Tian¡¯s figure disappeared without a trace. Gu Qingluan¡¯s tense emotions rxed, and the aftereffects caused by the Reverse Arcane Pill suddenly surged. Every bone and vein in her body screamed in pain. Gu Qingluan¡¯s vision darkened, and she fainted. ¡°Mother! Mother! What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Gu Qingluan woke up a dayter. She slowly opened her eyes and felt something pressing down on her hand. She turned her head and saw her son¡¯s small face pressed against the back of her hand. His chubby little face squished into a ball. His rosy little mouth pouted slightly, asionally smacking as if he were tasting some delicious food in a dream. Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart melted like water, and she reached out her other hand to gently touch his little face. Feng Yuanxi was awakened by the touch. He opened his eyes and saw Gu Qingluan looking at him with joy. ¡°Mother, you¡¯re awake!¡± ¡°Yes, why are you sleeping here?¡± Gu Qingluan sat up and noticed her son sitting on a stool by the bedside. Feng Yuanxi spoke softly, ¡°1 wanted to be the first person you will see when you opened your eyes..¡± Chapter 107 - 107: Sleeping Companion Chapter 107: Sleeping Companion Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan was touched, and her gaze towards her son became softer. ¡°How long have I been asleep?¡± ¡°Mother, you¡¯ve been asleep for one day and one night!¡± Feng Yuanxi pouted. He only had two days left to spend with his beautiful sister. ¡°You¡¯ve been here, keeping watch for one day and one night?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze froze. Seeing the expression on the little one¡¯s face, Gu Qingluan knew she had guessed correctly. ¡°You¡¯re still young. How could you endure it? Get into bed quickly.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s clear ck and white eyes looked at her. ¡°Mother, will you sleep with me?¡± The longing in her son¡¯s eyes was too strong for Gu Qingluan to refuse. Seeing her nod, Feng Yuanxi became extremely happy. He quickly used both his hands and feet to climb onto the bed, pulled back the covers, and crawled in. Then he pulled Gu Qingluan down to lie beside him. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly. Sheplied with his wishes andy back down. The little one clung to Gu Qingluan¡¯s body like an octopus, afraid that she might change her mind. ¡°Are you hungry? Should we get up and eat something?¡± Feng Yuanxi hesitated for a moment and asked, ¡°Mother, are you hungry?¡± Seeing that her son was still thinking of her at this moment, Gu Qingluan felt deeply touched. ¡°Yes, a little.¡± ¡°In that case, let¡¯s get up and have a meal first. We can sleep after we finish eating!¡± Feng Yuanxi quickly got up and said, ¡°Mother, your injuries haven¡¯t fully healed. 1¡¯11 have the servants bring the food to the room.¡± After saying that, he jumped off the bed and ran out. Feng Yuanxi was too quick and Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t stop him. Gu Qingluan was stunned for a moment, then smiled indulgently. Now alone in the room, Gu Qingluan finally had the presence of mind to check her own body. She discovered that her injuries had healed almostpletely. A trace of surprise shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. With her innate vital energy, her body had a stronger self-healing ability than most people. But this time, she had used the Reverse Arcane Pill, an extremely domineering pill that could instantly boost one¡¯s cultivation. However, it also came with significant side effects. She had already prepared herself to be bedridden for half a month. But at this moment, apart from some lingering pain in her body, she surprisingly wasn¡¯t seriously injured and unable to move. Could it be that Hongmeng Qi secretly repaired her body while she was unconscious? Before Gu Qingluan could figure it out, the door was pushed open, and Feng Yuanxi ran in, followed by Bo He. ¡°Master, you¡¯re finally awake!¡± Bo He came in with a tray, and upon seeing Gu Qingluan sitting at the head of the bed, her face lit up with joy. Gu Qingluan smiled at her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for worrying you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re awake!¡± Seeing Gu Qingluan about to get out of bed, Feng Yuanxi hurried over to stop her. ¡°Mother, stay in bed. I¡¯ll feed you.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten either, right? Let¡¯s eat together.¡± Eating together with his beautiful sister¡­ Feng Yuanxi¡¯s heart fluttered. Gu Qingluan rubbed his head. ¡°I¡¯m not as delicate as you think. 1 can still walk a few steps.¡± Feng Yuanxi believed her only after seeing her normalplexion andck of pain as she got out of bed. Bo He arranged the dishes while saying, ¡°Master, you were unconscious for one day and one night. We were all so worried, especially Xiaonan. He never left and stayed by your side, just eating a few bites whenever he could.¡± Gu Qingluan was deeply moved and bent down to kiss Feng Yuanxi¡¯s little face. ¡°You¡¯re such a good son!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s delicate face instantly blushed. Bo He chuckled and covered her mouth. ¡°Xiaonan is shy now.¡± Gu Qingluan also smiled with a hint of amusement as she looked at him. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes were watery, and he suppressed his embarrassment, saying earnestly, ¡°It¡¯s said that men and women shouldn¡¯t be too intimate, but if it¡¯s mother, it¡¯s okay. Mother, you can kiss me as much as you want, and I¡­ I won¡¯t blush anymore..¡± Chapter 108 - 108: You’re No Longer a Three-Year-Old Child Chapter 108: You¡¯re No Longer a Three-Year-Old Child Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan and Bo Heughed at the same time when they saw his blushing face. ¡°Is that so? Then I¡¯ll try kissing you a few more times.¡± Gu Qingluan kissed Feng Yuanxi twice on the left and right sides of his face and on his forehead. Not only did the little fellow not return to normal, but his entire face turned red like a tomato. ¡°It must be¡­ it must be because we haven¡¯t kissed enough! If we kiss more, 1¡¯11 get used to it!¡± Feng Yuanxi insisted, his watery eyes filled with anticipation. Gu Qingluan lightly flicked his forehead with a curved finger. ¡°Stop fooling around! Let¡¯s eat!¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Feng Yuanxi lowered his head in disappointment, thinking that he could get a few more kisses. During the meal, Gu Qingluan learned about what had happened while she was unconscious. When she fainted, her son had arranged for them to be brought back to the Jun Residence. Su Lie and Liu Meng had been given Gu Qingluan¡¯s Nine Revolutions Resurrection Pill to save their lives, and they were currently recuperating from their injuries. Their injuries were severe, and they were unable to get out of bed at the moment, but fortunately, their lives were not in danger. Since Su Lie was injured, Bo He was currently taking care of the management of the Jun Residence, a role that Su Lie previously held. Fortunately, there weren¡¯t many people in the residence, and Bo He could handle it alone. What Gu Qingluan was more concerned about was the situation with the Gu family. She didn¡¯t know how Gu Zhicheng was doing. ording to her estimation, after Gu Zhicheng consumed the Universe Stabilizer and advanced to the Saint realm, he would need to seclude himself for a period of time and probably wouldn¡¯te looking for trouble. ¡°Just as Master expected, it¡¯s said that the head of the Gu family has gone into seclusion after returning home, and there have been no significant movements from the Gu family for now.¡± After asking a few more questions, Gu Qingluan had a clear understanding and finished her meal. Then, she took her son to bed. She wasn¡¯t particrly sleepy, but the area under her little one¡¯s eyes was dark, indicating sleep deprivation. Feng Yuanxi was excited to sleep with her and his eyes gleamed. Gu Qingluan smiled and pinched his soft and tender cheek. ¡°Are you so happy to sleep with me?¡± ¡°Yes! It would be great if I could sleep with you every day,¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded earnestly. ¡°That won¡¯t do. You¡¯re no longer a three-year-old child.¡± After the age of three, the little fellow would hug Xiaobai to sleep. However, Xiaobai had a change of heart and ran away. Thinking of this, Gu Qingluan secretly frowned. It seemed that she had to find time to get a pet to divert her son¡¯s attention. Feng Yuanxi let out a disappointed¡± oh¡± before asking, ¡°Can Mother sleep with me tomorrow night?¡± The desire in his big eyes was too obvious. Gu Qingluan could not say anything to refuse. ¡°Alright then.¡± She thought that it would only take one or two days to find a pet, and once her son had a new pet to apany him, he wouldn¡¯t cling to her as much. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s smile returned. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s sleep.¡± Feng Yuanxi snuggled up in her arms and closed his eyes. He didn¡¯t want to sleep, he just wanted to be in the embrace of his beautiful sister. But as he smelled her scent, he couldn¡¯t resist and soon fell into a sweet dream. Gu Qingluan thought she couldn¡¯t fall asleep, but perhaps due to the exhaustion from the previous day, she soon drifted off to sleep as well. ? ? ? Gu Jinyue had made a fool of herself at the Lushi Auction House yesterday and became theughingstock. When she returned home, she flew into a rage. Later, when she learned that Gu Zhicheng had advanced to be a Saint, her anger turned into joy. She couldn¡¯t wait to go to the main residence and invite her uncle to teach Gu Qingluan a lesson. However, she heard that her uncle had entered seclusion and didn¡¯t know when he woulde out. Unable to seek immediate revenge, she felt uneasy. She had hoped for progress from the ck market side. However, Gu Qin¡¯er informed her that there was news from the ck market stating that the hired mercenaries had failed toplete the task and had rejected the offered reward. Gu Jinyue returned home from the main residence and couldn¡¯t help but fly into a rage again. Gu Zhixin, hearing the sound of things being smashed from afar, asked the servants and learned that his daughter was throwing a tantrum. He furrowed his brow and sent someone to bring her in to reprimand her. Later, he calmed her down and assured her that once her uncle emerged from seclusion, their first priority would be to confront Gu Qingluan and settle the score. He encouraged her to seek revenge and take appropriate action at that time. Listening to her father¡¯s description, Gu Jinyue was delighted, finally enjoying a period of peace. Just then, she heard that Nirvana Pavilion had recently acquired a new batch of goods. Gu Jinyue thought that in a few days, she would be able to move back to the Jun Residence. She needed to dress up properly, so she happily went there.. Chapter 109 - 109: No Entry for Dogs and Gu Jinyue Chapter 109: No Entry for Dogs and Gu Jinyue Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Nirvana Pavilion was a jewelry store in Tianjing City. The jewelry in the store had unique and beautiful designs, and their prices were exorbitant. As soon as they were introduced, they gained the admiration of noble women in the city. That day marked theunch of a new collection at Nirvana Pavilion. Due to a month-long advertising campaign, many people were aware of it, resulting in arge crowd gathering. When Gu Jinyue arrived, she saw the store filled with elegantdies. ¡°Jinyue!¡± As she stepped down from the carriage, she heard someone calling her. Gu Jinyue looked in the direction of the voice and saw her close friend from the women¡¯s quarters, Xiao Wen Fei. ¡°Jinyue, I heard that your uncle has advanced to the Saint Stage. Is it true?¡± Upon hearing these words, a moment of silence fell. The people in the store, both overtly and covertly, shifted their attention to Gu Jinyue. Observing this, Gu Jinyue felt immensely proud and raised her chin confidently, saying, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Wow! The head of the Gu family is so amazing! Congrattions, Jinyue! Your Gu family now firmly holds the top position among the aristocratic families in Tianjing City. No one can challenge your status anymore!¡± Xiao Wen Fei squeezed through the crowd and approached Gu Jinyue,vishing her with ttery. Although the Xiao family was considered a prominent family in Tianjing City, they were not on par with the four major families. Gu Jinyue reveled in the adtion she received from Xiao Wen Fei. Witnessing this, Xiao Wen Fei continued with more pleasing words. Others present disyed expressions of envy upon hearing Gu Jinyue¡¯s confirmation. As the saying goes, when one prospers, all prosper. Although Gu Jinyue was not from the main branch of the family, the rising power and status of the Gu family meant that she, as a member of the Gu family, would undoubtedly benefit from it. Just yesterday, she had heard that she was rejected by the Lushi Auction House, but today the tables had turned for the Gu family. Fortunately, she hadn¡¯t overheard their previous mockery of her. Many of those present, with their keen intellects, gathered around Gu Jin Yue to congratte her. The excessive praise left Gu Jinyue feeling ted, almost causing her to forget the purpose of her visit. It was not until she caught a glimpse, out of the corner of her eye, of a girl in a red dress entering through the door. Tang Shijun! The youngdy of the Tang family, one of the four great families, had never been on good terms with Gu Jinyue since she was young! Tang Shijun walked straight to the shopkeeper as if she didn¡¯t see Gu Jinyue. A malicious look shed across Gu Jinyue¡¯s eyes as she walked towards her. Everyone was a nobledy in the capital and knew the grudge between the two. Seeing this stance, they all made way for her. The shopkeeper brought out a set of exquisite hair essories and ced them in front of Tang Shijun. Just as Tang Shijun was about to reach out her hand, a delicate hand swiftly intervened and picked up a Chengyang Five Phoenix Pearl Hairpin from the box. ¡°This hairpin looks nice. Shopkeeper, how much is it?¡± A maid standing next to Tang Shijun chimed in, ¡°It was my youngdy who saw it first.¡± ¡°Hmph, does your youngdy deserve to wear it?¡± Gu Jinyue sneered, casting a disdainful nce at Tang Shijun. ¡°Such luxurious pearl hairpins are only meant for princesses and the girls of our Gu family.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Tang Shijun raised her hand to stop her maidservant from speaking, then leaned on her chin and scrutinized Gu Jin Yue for a while. Suddenly, she curiously asked, ¡°Gu Jinyue, I heard that you were publicly expelled by Young Master Lu yesterday. Is it true?¡± She brought up an unpleasant topic. The scene fell silent. Gu Jinyue frowned. ¡°Tang Shijun, if you can¡¯t speak like a civilized person, then shut up!¡± Tang Shijun smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯m just curious. You im that your Gu family is so powerful, yet you were expelled by the Lushi Auction House. I heard they put up a sign outside their door that says ¡®Dogs and Gu Jinyue are not allowed inside¡¯, so I thought you wouldn¡¯t have the dignity toe out today!¡± Gu Jin Yue¡¯s expression twisted.. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡± Chapter 110 - 110: Can’t Wait to Suppress Her Chapter 110: Can¡¯t Wait to Suppress Her Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Tang Shijun crossed his arms and looked at the others. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask them.¡± Gu Jinyue did not believe it. She was indeed banned from the Lushi auction house, but she did not see any sign at all. Moreover, she believed that the Lushi Auction House would definitely withdraw the unfair treatment they had given her after learning that her uncle had advanced to the Saint Stage. How could they possibly put up such a sign? Tang Shijun must have deliberately angered her. She sneered and turned to look at Xiao Wenfei. Xiao Wenfei¡¯s gaze was somewhat evasive. Gu Jinyue suddenly had an ominous premonition, but she still did not believe it. ¡°Wenfei, is she lying?¡± Xiao Wenfei didn¡¯t dare to speak the truth, ¡°Jinyue, she¡­ she is¡­¡± ¡°I want to hear the truth!¡± Looking at Gu Jinyue¡¯s murderous gaze, Xiao Wenfei shivered and said, ¡°Yes, there is a que, but they will definitely remove it.¡± ¡°In other words, there really is one?¡± Gu Jinyue gritted her teeth. Xiao Wenfei bit the bullet and nodded. ¡°Gu Qingluan! It must be Gu Qingluan¡¯s doing!¡± At this moment, Gu Jinyue wished she could tear Gu Qingluan apart with her hands. Anger filled her heart. ¡°Gu Qingluan is the eldest daughter of the Gu family¡¯s main branch. It¡¯s important to maintain a close rtionship with the family¡¯s head. Otherwise, the Lushi Auction House wouldn¡¯t have treated you with such disrespect. Gu Jinyue, I suggest you consider how to please Gu Qingluan! By the way, this hairpin set looks quite nice. If you¡¯re interested, I can be generous and let you have it,¡± Tang Shijun sneered, relishing the moment. She deliberately mentioned that news of Gu Jinyue and Gu Qingluan¡¯s conflict at the Lushi Auction House yesterday had already spread. Even those who hadn¡¯t witnessed it firsthand had heard about it. Tang Shijun secretly regretted not witnessing Gu Jinyue being chased out herself. ¡°Shut up! Tang Shijun! Who do you think you are? How dare you talk to me like this!¡± Gu Jinyue was so angry that she raised her hand in an attempt to p Tang Shijun in the face. Cries of surprise rang out from all around. Tang Shijun was already prepared and quickly retreated. However, someone behind her suddenly pushed her, causing her to fall forward. ¡°Oh no!¡± Tang Shijun inwardly eximed and instinctively closed her eyes. Instead of the expected pain, she heard a scream from ahead. She felt herself being embraced in a soft and fragrant embrace. Surprised, she opened her eyes and met a face so enchanting that it was intoxicating. ¡°Gu Qingluan! Let go of me!¡± A sharp shout echoed. The beautiful woman lightly parted her rosy lips, her voice pure yet seductive, ¡°Miss Tang, please stand up.¡± Feeling the gentle force around her waist loosen, Tang Shijun was pushed aside by a mild strength. ¡°Miss, are you alright?¡± the maid, Xiaotao asked nervously. Tang Shijun instinctively shook her head, her gaze fixed on the gorgeous woman who suddenly appeared before her. Was she Gu Qingluan? Was she really Gu Qingluan? She had changed so muchpared to before! Others also looked at the young woman who had suddenly appeared in astonishment, unable to believe that she was the former useless youngdy of the Gu family. Gu Qingluan had arrived in the capital a few days ago, but her presence had remained rtively unknown. Therefore, when these nobledies, who had only heard rumors about her, finally caught sight of her, they were taken aback. The Gu Qingluan they remembered was a girl who had endured hunger and cold within the Gu family, suffering from abuse since childhood. Herplexion wasckluster, and despite her potential beauty, she seemed to have lost some of her radiance. In addition, her low self-esteem had caused her to keep her head down, making her appear unremarkable. But the current Gu Qingluan exuded confidence andposure with every smile and frown. Her stunning and captivating face seemed to be wlessly crafted, neithercking nor excessive. Calling her the most beautiful woman wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration. No wonder Gu Jinyue was so eager to suppress her as soon as she returned! Anyone who saw such breathtaking beauty would feel a sense of crisis! Chapter 111 - 111: Gu Qingluan’s Irresistible Charm Chapter 111: Gu Qingluan¡¯s Irresistible Charm Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan looked down without any remorse and apologized, ¡°Sorry, did your butt crack from the fall?¡± Just now, Gu Qingluan had one arm around Tang Shijun while grabbing Gu Jinyue¡¯s wrist with her other hand. She released her grip, Tang Shijun was fine, but Gu Jinyue staggered backward, stumbling several steps before falling on her butt. Gu Jinyue didn¡¯t care about the pain. Seeing Gu Qingluan¡¯s hypocritical face, she twisted her mouth in anger. ¡°Gu Qingluan! You did it on purpose!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you ask me to let go?¡± Gu Qingluan blinked innocently with her star-like eyes. Tang Shijun covered her heart with her hand. Heavens, Gu Qingluan was too provocative! Without hesitation, she spoke up for the other person. ¡°Miss Gu is right, Gu Jinyue. Don¡¯t push the me on others. It was clearly you who asked her to let go!¡± Struggling to get up from the ground, Gu Jinyue red at Tang Shijun fiercely, but her gaze quickly shifted to Gu Qingluan. Whenever Gu Qingluan appeared, she became Gu Jinyue¡¯s number one target of attack, excluding everyone else automatically. ¡°Gu Qingluan, your arrogance won¡¯tst long. My uncle is now a Revered One. As soon as he emerges from seclusion, he¡¯ll immediately deal with you!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. She nced at the set of essories on the counter and turned to ask Tang Shijun, ¡°Do you like this?¡± Tang Shijun paused for a moment, realizing that Gu Qingluan was speaking to her, and quickly nodded, ¡°Yes, I like it!¡± Gu Qingluan picked up a hairpin and gently inserted it into her hair, a faint smile on her lips. ¡°As bright as the rising sun, as dazzling as a lotus emerging from turbulent waters. It suits you well.¡± Tang Shijun blushed. Was she being praised by Gu Qingluan? Gu Qingluan was so beautiful, and Tang Shijun couldn¡¯tpare to her at all. Was Gu Qingluan mocking her? She met Gu Qingluan¡¯s sincere and admiring eyes. ¡°Re-really? Thank you¡­¡± Tang Shijun stuttered. Gu Qingluan gave her a faint smile. Tang Shijun was instantly enchanted. A sharp and piercing female voice interjected, ¡°Gu Qingluan, did you not hear me speaking?¡± Tang Shijun furrowed her brows and coldly nced at Gu Jinyue, ¡°You¡¯re so noisy!¡± Gu Jinyue rolled her eyes, ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking to you. Get out of the way!¡± Then she looked at Gu Qingluan, ¡°Gu Qingluan, you¡¯re just a Heavenly Realm Stage cultivator. My uncle is more powerful than you now. If you kneel down and beg me, maybe I¡¯ll say a few good words for you in front of my uncle.¡± Gu Qingluan looked at her with a mocking smile. Gu Jinyue, feeling a sense of fear from her expression, unconsciously took a step back. But then she realized she was afraid of Gu Qingluan. She felt embarrassed and said angrily, ¡°In consideration of our sisterhood, I¡¯m willing to help you. Don¡¯t be ungrateful.¡± ¡°Gu Jinyue, are you stupid, or do you think me as a fool?¡± Gu Qingluan shook her head lightly. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Do you think I would believe that you¡¯re willing to let me go?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curled with a scornful arc. ¡°Then I might as well believe that the Gu family will soon perish.¡± ¡°Gu Qingluan, how dare you curse the Gu family!¡± Gu Jinyue shouted, her eyes filled with astonishment. ¡°It¡¯s just a metaphor. But if the Gu family is filled with pig-brained people like you, indeed, its downfall won¡¯t be far away.¡± Everyone present was shocked by Gu Qingluan¡¯s words. She actually dared to say such things in public. It was simply courting death! Tang Shijun looked at her worriedly. ¡°Miss Gu, aren¡¯t you afraid that this will reach the ears of the Gu family? If it spreads, others will use you of being unfilial and disloyal..¡± Chapter 112 - 112: Do You Have Money? Chapter 112: Do You Have Money? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion How could Gu Qingluan curse her family? Gu Qingluan saw that Tang Shijun was genuinely concerned about her and gave Tang Shijun a friendly smile. ¡°Don¡¯t call me Miss Gu anymore. You can call me Qingluan.¡± Gu Qingluan lowered her gaze. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that only the four major families and the royal family could participate in the selectionpetition of the Qiankun Academy in the Chengyuan Kingdom, she would have changed her surname as soon as she returned, considering the attitude of the Gu family members. ¡°Qingluan!¡± Tang Shijun happily called out. Seeing how friendly Gu Qingluan was to her archenemy, Gu Jinyue sneered. ¡°Gu Qingluan, are you nning to seek support from the Tang family? Too bad the Tang family is the lowest-ranked among the four major families. Do you think they can back you up? Today, if you dare to curse the Gu family, be prepared for punishment from my uncle!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s response was silence. She had the shopkeeper wrap up the set of essories and gave it to Tang Shijun. The jewelry from Nirvana Pavilion was highly sought after for another reason¡ªit was unique in design. Such a delicate set of essories would cost at least several thousand taels of silver. And Gu Qingluan just gave it to Tang Shijun like that? Tang Shijun couldn¡¯t believe it and said, ¡°You¡­ you want to give it to me? It¡¯s too precious. I can¡¯t ept it.¡± She waved her hands repeatedly. ¡°I felt a connection with Miss Tang and wanted to be friends with you. Consider it a gift tomemorate our meeting. If Miss Tang refuses to ept it, could it be that you don¡¯t want to be friends with me?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes flickered as she spoke, her expression resembling someone facing their beloved. Tang Shijun hurriedly shook her head. How could she refuse? Gu Qingluan was so beautiful and considerate. No one could resist her, right? ¡°Then 1¡¯11 ept it. Thank you, Qingluan. Take a look here and see if there¡¯s anything you like. 1¡¯11 give it to you as a gift.¡± Tang Shijun looked at her with sparkling eyes, her face resembling a blooming peach blossom, as if she was facing her beloved. Gu Jinyue disdainfully snorted, took a few steps forward, and squeezed in front of the counter. ¡°Shopkeeper, 1¡¯11 take this set of essories.¡± Tang Shijun angrily said, ¡°We saw it first!¡± ¡°Have you paid for it? If not, it¡¯s not yours.¡± Gu Jinyue cast a contemptuous nce at her, then turned her beautiful eyes to the shopkeeper. ¡°Shopkeeper, 1 want this.¡± The shopkeeper looked troubled. ¡°My uncle is a Revered One. Does your Nirvana Pavilion wants to offend our Gu family?¡± Gu Jinyue mentioned Gu Zhicheng. Nirvana Pavilion didn¡¯t have the background of the Lushi Auction House, but the Gu family was no longer the same as before. She didn¡¯t believe they would dare to defy her. Gu Qingluan chuckled and suddenly interjected, ¡°Do you have money?¡± Gu Jinyue¡¯s breath hitched. She almost forgot. Previously, in order to raise funds to participate in the auction, her father took away her secret stash of money. Now she was practically penniless. Seeing her embarrassment, Xiao Wenfei quickly chimed in, ¡°I have it! Jinyue, 1 still haven¡¯t returned the silver I borrowed from youst time. I happened to bring it today to give you back.¡± Gu Jinyue gave her an appreciative look. Xiao Wenfei immediately took out several silver notes and handed them to her. Gu Jinyue didn¡¯t even look at them and threw the silver notes directly in front of the shopkeeper. ¡°Now, this set of essories is mine, right?¡± The shopkeeper nced at Gu Qingluan, then picked up the silver notes and counted them, cing them back in front of Gu Jinyue. ¡°Sorry, Fourth Miss Gu, the amount on these silver notes is not enough.¡± ¡°There are three thousand taels here. Isn¡¯t that enough? How much does this set of essories cost?¡± Xiao Wenfei anxiously asked. She had spared no effort to please Gu Jinyue. If she didn¡¯t secure her ce, all her efforts would be in vain. The shopkeeper calmly said, ¡°Thirty thousand taels.¡± Everyone gasped. Xiao Wenfei angrily questioned, ¡°Shopkeeper, isn¡¯t this daylight robbery? You¡¯re selling a set of essories for thirty thousand taels!¡± Chapter 113 - 113: Special VIP Chapter 113: Special VIP Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The shopkeeper furrowed his brows. ¡°Miss, your statement is incorrect!¡± ¡°A pennyworth for a penny, the jewelry from our Nirvana Pavilion is well-known. This set of essories is even more exquisite than the others. It includes hairpins, hairbs, and hair ornaments. Naturally, the price is higher. Most importantly, this set of essories is made with precious Shuihua Rainbow Stones, which have defensive propertiesparable to defensive-grade profound artifacts.¡± ¡°Wow, so it has Shuihua Rainbow Stones! No wonder it¡¯s so beautiful!¡± ¡°The luster and color can only be achieved with Shuihua Rainbow Stones. And it has defensive capabilities too. Thirty thousand taels of silver is not expensive at all!¡± Initially, Gu Jinyue only wanted to snatch the item that Gu Qingluan and Tang Shijun were interested in. But after hearing the shopkeeper¡¯s words, she felt somewhat tempted by this set of essories. ¡°Thirty thousand taels it is. This three thousand tael will serve as a deposit, and you can send someone to my house for the remainder.¡± The shopkeeper frowned. ¡°Oh, this puts me in a difficult position. Normally, I would give in to the Gu family and Fourth Miss Gu. However, we have rules in our store. This Miss Gu is a special VIP in our store, and she has priority in selecting all the new items. So, I¡¯m sorry, Fourth Miss Gu¡­¡± ¡°What special VIP? Is she worthy?¡± Gu Jinyue interrupted. Others also had objections. ¡°Yeah, shopkeeper, what special VIP? We¡¯ve never heard of it.¡± ¡°The membership system is a management model recently introduced by our store for different customers. The special VIP is the highest level of membership and enjoys the highest privileges in the store, such as priority selection of new items and receiving gifts delivered to their homes during holidays.¡± ¡°Wow, that¡¯s great! Shopkeeper, how can one be a special VIP? You can¡¯t show favoritism. If Miss Gu can be one, why can¡¯t we be your special VIPs?¡± ¡°Our store treats every customer equally. As long as you can afford the membership fee, you can be a member. The special VIP membership fee is one million taels of silver per year.¡± ¡°One million taels?¡± Everyone gasped. ¡°Shopkeeper, are you sure you¡¯re telling the truth?¡± ¡°Absolutely, I never deceive anyone.¡± Seeing everyone looking shocked, the shopkeeper smiled. ¡°Of course, one million taels is for the special VIP. In addition to the special VIP, we also have first-level, second-level, and third-level VIPs. The third-level VIP only needs to pay ten thousand taels of silver as the annual membership fee.¡± Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°That¡¯s more reasonable.¡± ¡°Shopkeeper, I want to join as a third-level VIP!¡± ¡°I want to join too!¡± ¡°Alright! Esteemed guests, please go to the adjacent room. I¡¯ll have someone register you.¡± The shopkeeper said with a beaming smile. Some guests immediately went toplete the registration, but there were still several people in front of the counter. Gu Qingluan ced a stack of silver notes on the counter. ¡°Here¡¯s thirty thousand taels.¡± The shopkeeper smiled and counted the silver notes, making sure everything was correct. Then they closed the jewelry box containing the essories and handed it to Gu Qingluan. ¡°Miss, this is yours.¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Gu Jinyue suddenly spoke up. The shopkeeper paused. ¡°Is there anything else, Fourth Miss Gu?¡± ¡°One million taels, right? Register me as one! I want to be a special VIP of your store!¡± Gu Jinyue emphasized each word. Gu Jinyue red. ¡°Who do you think you¡¯re looking down on? It¡¯s just one million taels! Our Gu family was able to snatch the Universe Stabilizer at the Lushi Auction House. Do we care about such a small amount of money?¡± Gu Jinyue grew more and more assertive in her speech. That¡¯s right! Their Gu family was the top family. They could produce 1,800 Xuanling Crystal Hearts, not to mention a mere one million taels of silver! ¡°But you¡¯re not a special VIP yet, Miss. Miss Gu is already¡­¡± ¡°Give me half an hour, no, the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, and 1¡¯11 bring one million taels of silver to you! Shopkeeper, you wouldn¡¯t show such disrespect and turn me down, would you?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± The shopkeeper looked at Gu Qingluan with a troubled expression.. Chapter 114 - 114: Her Secret Stash Has Been Completely Chapter 114: Her Secret Stash Has Been Completely Emptied Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan smiled faintly. ¡°If Gu Jinyue is so eager, I don¡¯t mind waiting.¡± Gu Jinyue knew exactly what Gu Qingluan was thinking. Gu Qingluan must have thought that Gu Jinyue couldn¡¯te up with that much silver, so Gu Qingluan wanted to humiliate her! Gu Qingluan was underestimating her! In less than the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, Gu Jinyue returned. ¡°Here¡¯s one million taels! Now I¡¯m a special VIP of Nirvana Pavilion, right?¡± Gu Jinyue asked, gasping for breath. The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly. ¡°Yes, yes, Fourth Miss Gu, from nowon, you¡¯re our store¡¯s special VIP and can enjoy the highest privileges.¡± Gu Jinyue raised her eyebrows triumphantly at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Hmph, being a special VIP is nothing because 1 can get whatever 1 want with ease. Gu Qingluan looked at Gu Jinyue with a strange expression and reminded the shopkeeper, ¡°I heard that the Gu family has emptied their entire fortune to buy the Universe Stabilizer. How can they still afford to register as members with a million taels of silver? Shopkeeper, you should carefully examine whether there are any issues with that one million tael banknote.¡± Gu Jinyue red angrily at her. ¡°Gu Qingluan, stop talking nonsense! These banknotes of mine are all genuine!¡± The shopkeeper flipped through the banknotes. ¡°They are all genuine!¡± Gu Jinyue nced proudly at Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan smirked and said, ¡°Even so, at most, you will receive the same treatment as me. This set of jewelry should go to the highest bidder, right? Shopkeeper, I bid fifty thousand taels of silver.¡± ¡°Fifty thousand taels!!!¡± This set of essories should go to the highest bidder. Shopkeeper, I¡¯ll offer fifty thousand taels of silver.¡± ¡°Fifty thousand taels!!!¡± The onlookers couldn¡¯t help but exim. Tang Shijun was taken aback and quickly tugged on Gu Qingluan¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Qingluan, it¡¯s too expensive. You don¡¯t have to waste so much silver just to prove a point.¡± Tang Shijun had a good heart and knew how to save money for Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan gave her a reassuring look and then turned to Gu Jinyue. ¡°Fourth Miss Gu, I will take it then.¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Gu Jinyue anxiously spoke up. ¡°Who said I¡¯m giving it to you? It¡¯s just fifty thousand taels, right? Well, I offer¡­ fifty thousand and one taels!¡± Her heart was bleeding. Damn Gu Qingluan! She was her nemesis! Why didn¡¯t she die out there all these years? ¡°Seventy thousand taels,¡± Gu Qingluanzily said. Gu Jinyue stared at her as if she wanted to devour her. ¡°Seems like Fourth Miss Gu has no intention of raising the bid. In that case, this set of essories¡­¡± ¡°One hundred thousand taels!¡± Gu Jinyue shouted in anger. She wouldn¡¯tpromise even for a piece of bread. She was the legitimate young miss of the Gu family. How could she be poorer than Gu Qingluan, who had been expelled from the family? With so many noble youngdies present, if they spread a few words, she would lose all her dignity. ¡°Miss Gu is really brave. It seems that you truly love this set of essories. In that case, I won¡¯tpete with you anymore. I¡¯ll give it to Fourth Miss Gu,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a sigh and a yful smile, showing no sign of distress or unwillingness. Gu Jinyue¡¯s breath hitched. Had she been yed? She nced at the set of essories. One hundred thousand taels¡­ She had emptied her secret stash! Damn it! If it weren¡¯t for Gu Qingluan, she wouldn¡¯t have spent so much unwarranted money! In the corner of her eye, Gu Jinyue noticed Tang Shijun. Her spirits lifted, finally finding a vent for her anger. ¡°It seems that Gu Qingluan isn¡¯t truly sincere towards you, huh? She can¡¯t even bear to spend one hundred thousand taels of silver.¡± Tang Shijun smiled nonchntly. ¡°Whether or not Qingluan is sincere doesn¡¯t need to be evaluated by a fool like you.¡± ¡°Who are you calling a fool?¡± ¡°Who else but someone who spends seventy thousand taels more just to buy a set of essories? Isn¡¯t that a fool?¡± Tang Shijun finished speaking and took Gu Qingluan¡¯s arm. ¡°Qingluan, let¡¯s go.¡± Gu Qingluan paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile. Two figures, one in white and one in red, gracefully left, leaving behind a furious Gu Jinyue. ¡°Uh, Fourth Miss Gu, your essories¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want them!¡± Gu Jinyue¡¯s voice suddenly rose. ¡°What about the one hundred thousand taels¡­¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me say 1 don¡¯t want them?¡± Gu Jinyue¡¯s voice escted. ¡°Fourth Miss Gu, you shouldn¡¯t go back on your word. Someone else wanted to buy those essories, and if you took them without purchasing, it would seem like you¡¯re deliberately causing trouble. If that¡¯s the case, we¡¯ll have to cancel your special VIP treatment.¡± Canceling it would be just fine. She could take back her one million taels. Seemingly aware of Gu Jinyue¡¯s thoughts, the shopkeeper¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°The membership status can be canceled, but the membership fee cannot be refunded.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°Miss Gu, as a member of the prestigious Gu family, surely you wouldn¡¯t bother haggling over such a trivial sum of silver, would you?¡± the shopkeeper asked loudly. Everyone around turned to look at her.. Chapter 115 - 115: Misunderstanding Her! Chapter 115: Misunderstanding Her! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Whispers among the crowd started to arise: ¡°Didn¡¯t Gu Qingluan mention earlier that the Gu family emptied their coffers to buy the Universe Stabilizer? Could it be true?¡± ¡°It¡¯s possible. Otherwise, Gu Jinyue wouldn¡¯t have acted so shamelessly. If the money is already spent, there¡¯s no reason to ask for it back.¡± ¡°Does she really think having a Revered One to back her up gives her the right to actwlessly?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! There are many Revered Ones in this world, not just in the Gu family. But we haven¡¯t seen anyone else as arrogant as her!¡± ¡°She¡¯s just using borrowed power. 1 bet if the Gu family found out about her actions, they would scold her mercilessly.¡± ¡°Exactly! The Gu family¡¯s reputation has been tarnished by her. If she doesn¡¯t buy it, she shouldn¡¯t snatch it away and scare off potential customers. She¡¯s so shameless!¡± Gu Jinyue despised the old shopkeeper. He deliberately spoke so loudly to make her look bad, didn¡¯t he? Her face turned red with anger as she scanned her surroundings with a fierce gaze. ¡°If any of you continue spreading rumors, believe me, 1 will tell my uncle and make your entire family pay the price!¡± The people were intimidated by her and dared not speak further. Gu Jinyue looked coldly at the shopkeeper. ¡°It¡¯s just 100,000 taels. Take it! Do you really think 1 can¡¯te up with such a small amount of money?¡± ¡°Yes, yes, Fourth Miss Gu, as the respected daughter of the Gu family, you certainly don¡¯tck this amount of money.¡± The shopkeeper immediately put on a smile. Gu Jinyue felt much better. ¡°Remember, I am your special VIP. Treat me better from now on!¡± As a special VIP, this influential shopkeeper had to nod and bow to her. The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly. ¡°I will remember, Miss Gu. Here is the jewelry box you just purchased.¡± With both hands, he handed the jewelry box to her. Gu Jinyue signaled her maidservant behind her to take it and walked out with a proud demeanor. Xiao Wenfei hurriedly followed her. ¡°Jinyue!¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Xiao Wenfei wanted to mention that she hadn¡¯t returned her 3,000 taels yet, but seeing Gu Jinyue¡¯s spoiled face, she lost her nerve. ¡°Jinyue, 1 envy you so much. You can easilye up with over a million taels. Your father is so good to you. Unlike me, who only has a few thousand taels as a monthly allowance.¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Jinyue felt a blockage in her heart. On an average month, she only had a few thousand taels to her name. She hadn¡¯t anticipated that Xiao Wenfei would be facing a simr situation! She wondered about the family background of both herself and Xiao Wenfei. The realization that her mother had prepared 1 million taels as her dowry only intensified Gu Jinyue¡¯s frustration. Unaware of Gu Jinyue¡¯s thoughts, Xiao Wenfei continued to babble on. Impatiently, Gu Jinyue interrupted her. ¡°I have something to do. You don¡¯t need to follow me!¡± After saying that, she boarded the carriage and never mentioned the ¡°3,000 taels¡± again. Helplessly, Xiao Wenfei watched her leave. On the other side, on the busy street. Gu Qingluan asked curiously, ¡°I couldn¡¯t buy the gift 1 promised you earlier. Aren¡¯t you angry with me?¡± Tang Shijun shook her head. ¡°Gu Jinyue intentionally wanted topete with you. It¡¯s normal that you couldn¡¯t win. After all, your father¡­the Gu family head is biased, and you probably don¡¯t have much money on you.¡± How could Tang Shijun misunderstand her to such an extent? Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know how she should react. She never expected to be seen as a penniless person in Tang Shijun¡¯s eyes. Gu Qingluan wondered if she should tell Tang Shijun that she had emptied the Gu family¡¯s treasury several times, especially during the auction, depleting their wealth. On second thought, she decided against it. The young girl would probably be frightened to death. Believing that she had touched upon Gu Qingluan¡¯s sensitive topic, Tang Shijun cautiously observed her. ¡°Qingluan, 1 struggle with finding the right words. Please, don¡¯t be upset with me¡­¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not angry. But 1 did promise to give you a gift, and I can¡¯t go back on my word. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll have someone deliver the gift to your mansion.¡± ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t have to be so formal. I¡¯m already happy to be friends with you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s already settled. You mustn¡¯t refuse anymore.¡± ¡°Alright, Qingluan, can I ask you a question?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Why did you help me?¡± Chapter 116 - 116: Buying a Spirit Pet for My Son Chapter 116: Buying a Spirit Pet for My Son Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion They hadn¡¯t seen each other many times before, and even when they did, they didn¡¯tmunicate much. A scene shed through Gu Qingluan¡¯s mind. In her younger days, Gu Qingluan had gone to the mountains to pick herbs to earn money. She had almost been assaulted by several men when a bright and stunning girl in a red dress suddenly appeared and drove the men away, saving her. ¡°Ah, it seems like that did happen!¡± Tang Shijun blinked her eyes. ¡°So, that girl was you!¡± Gu Qingluan nodded. The original owner of her body couldn¡¯t cultivate and only knew a little martial arts. She couldn¡¯t defend herself in such situations, and even now, Gu Qingluan could vaguely sense the despair she felt back then. Although Tang Shijun only helped out because she couldn¡¯t tolerate such things, for the original owner, it was a deeper gratitude than a lifesaving favor. Tang Shijun touched her own cheek. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to remember until now. Let¡¯s leave that matter in the past. You have be so outstanding now that no one can bully you anymore.¡± As they were talking, a female voice sounded. ¡°Third sister, why are you walking with her?¡± Tang Shijun looked up. A young woman wearing a lotus-green pleated skirt with flowing mist-like patterns on it approached with an unfriendly expression. ¡°Second sister! Is there a problem?¡± Tang Shi Jiao nced at Gu Qingluan disdainfully. ¡°Isn¡¯t she Gu Qingluan, the one who was expelled from the Gu family?¡± ¡°Second sister, please don¡¯t say that¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m stating a fact. Can¡¯t I even speak the truth?¡± Tang Shi Jiao interrupted Tang Shijun and pulled her closer. ¡°Second sister, what are you doing?¡± ¡°1 just went to Nirvana Pavilion. I heard that you were getting involved with her, and I initially didn¡¯t believe it, but it turns out to be true. You muste back with me immediately, and don¡¯t get involved with her anymore!¡± After speaking, Tang Shi Jiao pulled her to leave. ¡°I¡¯m not going! Second sister, please don¡¯t interfere with my friendships. I¡­¡± Tang Shi Jiao interrupted her again. ¡°There are so many youngdies from prominent families in the capital. I wouldn¡¯t care whom you casually befriend, but Gu Qingluan is an exception! Don¡¯t you know about the grudge between her and the Gu family? Do you not understand the Gu family¡¯s current status? It¡¯s better for you to be friends with Gu Jinyue than with Gu Qingluan!¡± ¡°Second sister, please stop!¡± Tang Shijun loudly interrupted her, her gaze filled with anxiety as she looked at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Qingluan, my second sister has a quick temper. That¡¯s not what she meant.¡± Gu Qingluan naturally understood what Miss Tang meant. It was quite easy to understand. She smiled nonchntly. ¡°I understand. Since your sister is looking for you, you should go with her.¡± ¡°But I¡­¡± ¡°Come with me! What more is there to say?¡± Tang Shi Jiao tugged at Tang Shijun and led her away. Tang Shijun worried that her second sister might say more hurtful words, so she could only leave with her. ¡°Qingluan, I¡¯ll go back first.¡± Gu Qingluan nodded. Soon, the two figures disappeared into the crowd. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t pay much attention to Tang Shi Jiao¡¯s attitude. She understood the reason behind her actions. After all, in the eyes of those who were unaware, the Gu family had risen to a higher level, and no prestigious family in Chengyuan Kingdom could afford to offend them. The conflict between her and the Gu family was well-known, and making friends with her meant having a falling-out with the Gu family. At this crucial moment, anyone with some wit wouldn¡¯t do such a thing. She had helped Tang Shijun to repay a debt of gratitude. If it made the other person feel troubled, she wouldn¡¯t force this friendship. She should hurry and choose a pet for Xiaonan. Gu Qingluan asked someone for directions and headed straight to the Spirit Pet Shop. Spirit Pet Shops mostly sold first to second-tier spirit beasts that were cute and beautiful. As soon as she entered, her eyes were greeted with a dazzling array of cages. Gu Qingluan felt overwhelmed and didn¡¯t know what to buy. ¡°Miss, what type of spirit pet do you prefer?¡± a female attendant approached and asked. Gu Qingluan pondered for a moment. ¡°Bring out the smartest, most beautiful, and loyal spirit pet you have here for me to see..¡± Chapter 117 - 117: The Illusion of Walking Into the Lion’s Den Chapter 117: The Illusion of Walking Into the Lion¡¯s Den Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The attendant smiled and said, ¡°You¡¯vee to the right ce. Our spirit pets are all intelligent, beautiful, and loyal. Let me fetch you the best one.¡± After speaking, she took down a cage ced on a high tform near the store entrance and ced it in front of Gu Qingluan. ¡°Please have a look at this Azure-eyed Snow Spirit Cat. What do you think?¡± ¡°Meow-¡± The spirit cat sat in the delicate cage, raising its front paws and softly meowing at Gu Qingluan. Its fur was as white as snow, fluffy and soft. Its ears were pointed, with a hint of pink showing. Its emerald-like azure eyes were clear and innocent, with a touch of cleverness. It looked like the kind of spirit pet that young girls and children would adore! Indeed, it was quite beautiful. However, it still fell shortpared to Xiaobai. Moreover, seeing the snow spirit cat might remind Xiaonan of Xiaobai, since they were both white. ¡°Do you have anything else?¡± Gu Qingluan asked. ¡°Don¡¯t you like the snow spirit cat?¡± The attendant put the cage back and took out another iron cage. ¡°What about this one?¡± Inside was a small-sized spirit dog, equally adorable. Gu Qingluan remained unsatisfied. After being rejected several times, the attendant¡¯s smiling face stiffened slightly. ¡°May I ask what kind of spirit pet you prefer, Miss?¡± Gu Qingluan thought to herself that it wasn¡¯t about what she liked, but what Xiaonan would like. Suddenly, her foot was gently bumped. Gu Qingluan looked down and met a pair of damp eyes. ¡°Oh, how did this little thing run out!¡± The attendant eximed in surprise and quickly bent down to catch the small ck dog. The agile little ck dog dodged and hid behind Gu Qingluan. ¡°Little thing, stop running around!¡± The attendant threatened in a low voice, circling around Gu Qingluan to continue catching it. The little ck dog ran in front of Gu Qingluan, tilting its head up, its ck eyes fixedly staring at her. It was entirely ck, with bright ck eyes, except for a small patch of white on its body. For some reason, Gu Qingluan saw a pleading expression in its eyes. ¡°Do you want to follow me?¡± ¡°Woof woof!¡± The little ck dog barked twice as if answering her question. ¡°Miss, this dog isn¡¯t a spirit pet. I¡¯m really sorry for the disturbance, 1¡¯11 get rid of it right away,¡± the attendant apologized and suddenly pounced toward the little ck dog. The agile little ck dog jumped aside. Unexpectedly, the attendant used a diversionary tactic and grabbed it from another direction. The little ck dog let out a pitiful cry, struggling, and revealing a small tuft of white fur on its forehead. ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t you dare bark! Otherwise, you may find yourself simmering in a pot of canine broth tonight!¡± The attendant scolded in a low voice, carrying the little ck dog and intending to walk towards the inner room. ¡°Hold on!¡± Gu Qingluan called her. The attendant turned around, revealing a standard smile. ¡°Is there something you need, Miss?¡± ¡°How much for this little ck dog? I¡¯ll take it.¡± The attendant was surprised. ¡°Are you sure, Miss? This is just an ordinary dog, not a spirit beast.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s just a pet. Whether it¡¯s a spirit beast or not doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. But the price of a spirit beast was much higher than that of an ordinary pet. Seeing the attendant¡¯s thoughts, Gu Qingluan said, ¡°I¡¯ll take that spirit dog as well. Let them keep each otherpany.¡± The attendant immediately showed a happy expression. ¡°Alright, the spirit dog is priced at 2,200 taels of silver, and this dog¡­ let¡¯s consider it a bonus.¡± After all, it was an excess item from the supplier, and they didn¡¯t want to bother giving it back, so they gave it to the shop. ¡°Woof woof woof!¡± The little ck dog bared its teeth at the attendant. Stupid humans, how dare they treat me as a bonus! Gu Qingluan smiled as she looked at it. The little ck dog inexplicably shivered and looked up at Gu Qingluan. Gazing into its lively eyes, the corners of Gu Qingluan¡¯s mouth curved even deeper. The little ck dog suddenly felt like it had walked into the lion¡¯s den.. Chapter 118 - 118: Provoking the Beast Too Much Chapter 118: Provoking the Beast Too Much Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan returned home with the two dogs. The attendant at the store was concerned that the spirit dog might bully the ck dog, so she deliberately kept them apart. Gu Qingluan carried a cage in each hand. The originally lively spirit dog in the cage appeared unusually calm. As for the little ck dog¡­ it was also quiet. Gu Qingluan¡¯s meaningful gaze swept over the little ck dog. The little ck dog curled up into a ball and felt a tingling sensation whenever Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze passed over it. Could this woman be a pervert? Why did her eyes look so strange? ¡°Can you understand me?¡± Gu Qingluan suddenly asked. The small ck dog hesitated, unsure whether to reveal itsprehension or feign ignorance. Gu Qingluan narrowed her eyes slightly. This little ck dog had no trace of cultivation, yet it seemed more intelligent than low-level spirit beasts. This was quite unusual because generally, the higher the level of a spirit beast, the higher its intelligence. Animals that hadn¡¯t evolved into spirit beasts weren¡¯t usually this clever. Furthermore, the appearance of this little ck dog was quite unique, and even the neighboring spirit dog seemed afraid of it for no apparent reason. Several factorsbined seemed to indicate its identity¡ªan Ancient 1 fowling Wolf. The Ancient Howling Wolf was a mysterious primordial beast in the Tianji Continent. Gu Qingluan had read about it in ancient books. ording to legends, the young Ancient Howling Wolf was entirely ck, with only a small tuft of white fur on its forehead that was difficult to notice. Adult Ancient Howling Wolves had strengthparable to that of dragons and phoenixes, but their young were incredibly fragile. However, the ancient books didn¡¯t mention whether the young Ancient Howling Wolves possessed cultivation or not. Could she have made a mistake, or did something unexpected happen to this little ck dog for it to be like this? Under normal circumstances, Ancient Howling Wolves wouldn¡¯t appear on the Cloud ins Continent. They were extremely aloof and solitary beasts that only lived with their own kind in ces far away from humans. After contemting for a moment, the little ck dog decided to remain unchanged and innocently stared at Gu Qingluan with its damp eyes. The two exchanged nces for a moment. Gu Qingluan spoke in a soft voice, ¡°Whether you understand or not, there are a few things 1 need to rify. Later, we will go see my son. I bought you as a gift to him. If he likes you, you¡¯ll be his pet, and I hope you¡¯ll treat him sincerely.¡± She paused for a moment and looked at it meaningfully. ¡°But if you make him sad, I¡¯ll skin you and stew you.¡± The small body of the little ck dog trembled imperceptibly. ¡°Of course, if he doesn¡¯t like you, you can just be a guard dog.¡± The little ck dog:¡±!!!¡± This is outrageous! From the ck dog¡¯s ck eyes, Gu Qingluan caught a glimpse of fleeting anger. She smirked, realizing that it understood her words. That made things easier. ¡°So, your fate is in your own hands. Good luck, little ck dog!¡± The little ck dog really wanted to roll its eyes. Clearly, my fate is in the hands of you and your son! As they spoke, Gu Qingluan noticed the main gate of the Gu family. Then she noticed Xiaonan sitting at the gate and asked in surprise, ¡°Xiaonan, why are you sitting here?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes lit up when he saw her, but then dimmed immediately. ¡°Mother, where did you go? I woke up and couldn¡¯t find you.¡± His voice sounded aggrieved. Gu Qingluan inexplicably felt a twinge of guilt. Her son had been sticking to her so closelytely, and this morning, she had left while he was still asleep, but it seemed she had still made him sad. She lifted the cages in her hands and redirected his attention. ¡°I bought a pet for you. Take a look and see if you like it.¡± Feng Yuanxi widened his eyes. ¡°Did you specially buy it for me, Mother?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and nodded. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face lit up with a radiant smile. ¡°I love everything you give me, Mother! You¡¯re so good to me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re my son. If I¡¯m not good to you, who else would 1 be good to?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s smile suddenly froze. But he wasn¡¯t her real son, after all. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Gu Qingluan felt puzzled by his sudden change in mood.. Chapter 119 - 119: For Favor’s Sake, Going All Out Chapter 119: For Favor¡¯s Sake, Going All Out Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi perked up and ran to Gu Qingluan, saying, ¡°It¡¯s a puppy, so cute!¡± As it approached, the spirit dog trembled all over. Why should it fear a mere child, when it had already been startled by the scent of a small ck dog? Meanwhile, the small ck dog stared at Feng Yuanxi in astonishment. Who is this child? Why does his presence feel so familiar? Gu Qingluan cast her gaze downward at her son. ¡°Yes, one ck and one white. They are siblings. You must remember to take good care of them in the days ahead.¡± The small ck dog felt indignant. What did she mean siblings? It was not a dog! ¡°I will make sure to feed them well and let them grow big and strong!¡± Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t care about what the pets looked like. He was thrilled because they were gifts from the beautiful sister. He would take good care of them! Gu Qingluan gave a subtle nce at the small ck dog. ¡°Say hello to Xiaonan.¡± Her gaze carried a threat. The small ck dog¡¯s mind shed with three possible fates. Of course, it didn¡¯t want to be boiled into soup or be a guard dog! Reluctantly, the small ck dog, forced into this predicament, whimpered and called out to Feng Yuanxi, walking unsteadily toward him. The small ck dog was a newborn, its voice was soft, and its size was tiny with soft and fluffy fur, easily evoking others¡¯ affection. It gave its all just to win favor! Gu Qingluan found it amusing to see the small ck dog on the verge of copsing at any moment. Who would have imagined that this little creature could act like this? If she hadn¡¯t witnessed its incredible speed earlier, she would have found it hard to believe. Feng Yuanxi opened the cage and gently rubbed its little head. The small ck dog was delighted. Was it chosen? But then, a force pushed its head back into the cage. Bang! The iron door closed. The small ck dog was shocked. Why was it put back into the cage? Shouldn¡¯t it be carried instead? Oh no, it wouldn¡¯t be boiled into soup, would it? No, no, no! It was not a dog! It whimpered, innocent round eyes pitifully looking at Feng Yuanxi, hoping to arouse his sympathy. Feng Yuanxi nced at it and then turned his gaze to Gu Qingluan. ¡°Mother, let¡¯s go inside and prepare a nest for the puppies!¡± Gu Qingluan had been observing his expression all along. When she saw his eyebrows rx and his previous despondency disappear, she felt a weight lifted from her heart. Once Xiaonan and the two pets developed a bond, he wouldn¡¯t think about Xiaobai anymore, right? She happily agreed, ¡°Alright!¡± Back at the residence, Feng Yuanxi personally instructed the servants to prepare the best doghouse and food for the two puppies, showing great seriousness. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but smile. Feng Yuanxi stood up suddenly and pulled Gu Qingluan along to arrange the doghouse for the puppies. ¡°Xiaonan, these two puppies don¡¯t have names yet. Would you like to give them names?¡± Feng Yuanxi obediently replied, ¡°Mother, I¡¯ll let you decide.¡± Gu Qingluan stared at the ck and white puppies and casually said, ¡°Let¡¯s name them Briquette and SteamBun. It¡¯s suitable because one is ck and the other is white, making it easy to remember and call them.¡± Are you a devil? These names are so unpleasant and tacky, surely no one would support them, right? The small ck dog turned its head to Feng Yuanxi, hoping to hear him reject the names. As a diehard fan, Feng Yuanxi wholeheartedly praised, ¡°Those names are fantastic! Mother, you are incredible. You have a remarkable talent foring up with such fitting and delightful names spontaneously.¡± The small ck dog was speechless. Could it protests? Clearly, it couldn¡¯t protest. It turned its head to nce at the other cage, where the timid dog excitedly hung its tongue,pletely uninterested in what its own name would be! And so, the names for the two puppies were decided! After betraying its animal dignity, the small ck dog had to submit once again. It slumped in the cage, feeling utterly hopeless in its wolf¡¯s life, listening to the mother and son asionally uttering the words ¡°Briquette¡± and ¡°SteamBun¡±, making it feel like its wolf¡¯s destiny was fading away! Gu Qingluan yed with her son for half an hour until a servant came to deliver a message. ¡°Madam, someone from the Gu Family wishes to see you.¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled softly. She thought the Gu Family would endure a bit longer. But, well, others may be able to endure, but Wang Shi¡¯s body couldn¡¯t. ¡°Who is it?¡± she asked. ¡°It¡¯s Second Master Gu.¡± ¡°Did he say why he came?¡± ¡°He said he wants to invite Mr. Liu toe and treat Madam Gu¡¯s illness.¡± As expected! Gu Qingluan calmly said, ¡°1 won¡¯t see him.¡± ¡°Um, apanying him is the Fifth Prince.¡± ¡°The Fifth Prince? Why is he here too?¡± Gu Qingluan furrowed her delicate eyebrows. Suddenly, her heart tightened, and a surge of pain washed over her.. Chapter 120 - 120: Fiance Chapter 120: Fiance Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mother?¡± Feng Yuanxi looked at Gu Qingluan nervously. Gu Qingluan snapped back to reality and furrowed her brows. That pain just now¡­ It wasn¡¯t her feeling; it belonged to the original owner. The Fifth Prince was once the original owner¡¯s fiance. The Fifth Prince was handsome and exceptionally talented. Although he was not as outstanding as the Crown Prince, he was still remarkable among the princes. The original owner fell in love with him at first sight. Of course, her affection for him was not solely based on his appearance but also because he had saved her in her childhood. After learning that the Fifth Prince was her fiance, the original owner was overjoyed and eagerly awaited the day she could marry him. However, the Fifth Prince was not kind to her. Whenever the original owner was bullied, the Fifth Prince never came to her aid. Instead, he showed great disgust towards her. If it weren¡¯t for the marriage contract bestowed by the Emperor to strengthen ties with the Gu family, the Fifth Prince would have already broken off the engagement. Later, when news of the original owner¡¯s premarital pregnancy scandal broke, the Fifth Prince immediately came to annul the engagement. The annulment by the Fifth Prince had a profound impact on the original owner, but she didn¡¯t me him and felt that she had let him down. But the Fifth Prince was not innocent. Back then, when Gu Lingxue was not yet fifteen, she advanced to the Heavenly Realm. The Gu family prepared a grand celebration banquet and invited numerous guests. The original owner couldn¡¯t be in the front yard and could only stay in her own courtyard. Someone handed her a note, informing her that the Fifth Prince wanted to meet her. She eagerly went to meet him, but on the way, she was struck unconscious by someone. When she woke up, she found herself lying in the woods behind the back mountain with her clothes in disarray. At that time, the original owner was filled with anxiety and shame, but she never med the Fifth Prince. Instead, she felt remorseful for letting him down. Over the years, Gu Qingluan investigated the events of that time. In order to get rid of the engagement with Gu Qingluan, the Fifth Prince, upon advice from Gu Lingxue, had someone lure Gu Qingluan to the back garden, drugged her, and arranged for a man to defile her purity. If it hadn¡¯t been for an unexpected turn of events, they would have caught them in the act! And because of that unexpected turn of events, Gu Qingluan never knew who had ultimately vited her. One could say that the tragic chain of events of the original owner was set in motion by the coboration between Gu Lingxue and the Fifth Prince. Now, Gu Lingxue was far away at the Qiankun Academy, and Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t move against her for the time being. The Fifth Prince, this hypocritical scoundrel! She hadn¡¯t evene to settle the score with him, and he came knocking on her door himself! Was he so eager to be dealt with? A small hand gently touched Gu Qingluan¡¯s forehead. Gu Qingluan blinked, taking the small hand away from her brow. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be unhappy, Mother. Don¡¯t you dislike those two people who came to visit? I¡¯ll go beat them up to vent your anger.¡± Feng Yuanxi puffed up his cheeks, sounding indignant. It¡¯s the Gu family again! Why do they keep buzzing around like flies, constantly seeking attention? Gu Qingluan felt a sense of happiness from within her heart. ¡°Xiaonan, you¡¯re truly filial. But you¡¯re young, and these matters don¡¯t need to concern you. Your mother knows how to deal with them. When dealing with enemies, it¡¯s like treating an illness. You need to find their weaknesses and what they care about to strike at the heart.¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded thoughtfully. ¡°You y with Briquette and SteamBun. I¡¯ll go and meet those two.¡± Gu Qingluan stood up and pped her hands, heading towards the front hall. As soon as Gu Qingluan left, the small ck dog¡¯s eyes started to sparkle, hoping for a chance to escape this tormenting ce. In the front hall, Qitian Yu and hispanion looked up at the sound of footstepsing from the entrance. A white-robed woman walked in calmly. Herplexion resembled pure snow, while her eyes resembled tiny ink dots. The surrounding light seemed to converge upon her, and despite the absence of a breeze, her skirt floated and danced gracefully. From a distance, she looked like an immortal. Qitian Yu¡¯s eyes revealed a look of astonishment, and his heartbeat elerated beyond his control.. Chapter 121 - 121: So Shameless Chapter 121: So Shameless Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Upon seeing Qitian Yu¡¯s gaze, Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyebrows lightly furrowed, and a hint of disgust shed in her eyes. Qitian Yu snapped back to his senses and, in an attempt to salvage his image, wore a self-assured smile. ¡°Qingluan, it¡¯s been a while. You look even more beautiful than before. This prince almost didn¡¯t recognize you.¡± Gu Qingluan responded coldly, ¡°I am not acquainted with the Fifth Prince. Please address me as Gu Qingluan or Miss Gu.¡± Rather than getting angry, Qitian Yu felt a surge of warmth in his chest, and his gaze towards Gu Qingluan became intensely passionate. Originally, he made this visit to establish a good rtionship with the Gu family and explore the possibility of forming an alliance with the Ind of No Return Now, he thought that perhaps something could happen between him and Gu Qingluan. If Gu Qingluan knew what he was thinking at this moment, she probably wouldn¡¯t even listen to a word he said and would simply throw him out. Gu Qingluan disliked Qitian Yu¡¯s gaze but didn¡¯t reveal it. She took a seat at the head of the table and spoke with a cold voice, ¡°Why have the two of youe here?¡± ¡°Qingluan, since you are friends with Mr. Liu, why don¡¯t you ask him for a favor to save the Grand Madam?¡± Gu Zhixin demanded imperiously. Gu Qingluan chuckled lightly. ¡°Save her? Why should I save her?¡± Gu Zhixin frowned. ¡°She is your mother. Are you going to stand by and watch her die?¡± ¡°She is Gu Lingxue¡¯s mother, not mine. My mother lies buried underground!¡± ¡°Although she is not your birth mother, she is your stepmother, the woman who is considered your mother. No one can deny this fact.¡± ¡°Second Master Gu, it seems you have misunderstood something.¡± Gu Qingluan coldly smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t even acknowledge Gu Zhicheng. How could I bother with a woman who rose to a higher position as a concubine?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°Qingluan, how can you speak ill of your elders like this?¡± Qitian Yu looked at her incredulously. ¡°You used to be so kind and respectful to your elders. You would never criticize others in such a way.¡± Gu Qingluan was almost nauseated by his words. ¡°If the Fifth Prince doesn¡¯t want to listen, feel free to leave.¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s breath hitched at her words. In the past, every time Gu Qingluan saw him, her eyes were filled with affection. Even when he came to annul the engagement, she never harbored resentment towards him and never spoke to him in such a tone. Qitian Yu felt a sense of difort. Although he used to dislike the way Gu Qingluan looked at him and how she always pursued him, he only felt annoyance and disdain in his heart back then. But now that Gu Qingluan no longer looked at him with that loving gaze, he felt unsettled. How could she change her feelings like this? No, she must have endured a lot of hardship and felt upset over the years, which led her to speak in this way out of resentment. Qitian Yu found a reasonable excuse for her change and looked at her with a hint of pity. ¡°Qingluan, I know it hasn¡¯t been easy for you all these years. The Gu family head was impulsive when he drove you out back then, but heter regretted it and sent people to look for you, but there was no news of you.¡± He paused for a moment, looking at her affectionately, and sighed, ¡°It¡¯s not just the Gu family head. Over the years, I have also med myself for my impulsive actions back then and had people searching for your whereabouts. Qingluan, we understand that you have grievances, and it¡¯s understandable for you to vent them out. But please don¡¯t act on impulse. After all, the reason we were so angry back then was because of what you did. Anyone in our position would have reacted the same way¡­ The head of the Gu family has reached the Saint Stage, with an elevated status. As the legitimate daughter of the head of the Gu family, you can also enjoy unparalleled glory. You should go back to the Gu family, and let bygones be bygones. You are intelligent, and you should know how to choose what¡¯s best for you.¡± Gu Qingluan held a cup of hot tea in her hands and listened quietly to his words. She wanted to see how shameless this man could be. Ha! It truly disgusted her! Chapter 122 - 122: A Few More Offences Chapter 122: A Few More Offences Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion After Qitian Yu finished speaking, Gu Qingluan asked with a cool smile, ¡°Do you want me to forget about the past?¡± Qitian Yu quickly nodded, ¡°Yes, you and the head of the Gu family are biological father and daughter. There shouldn¡¯t be any long-standing grudges. As long as you¡¯re willing toe back, the head of the Gu family will definitely wee you.¡± He thought that Gu Qingluan had been persuaded by his words. Suddenly, Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°Can you represent Gu Zhicheng¡¯s thoughts? What authority do you have to be a mediator?¡± Qitian Yu replied, ¡°We grew up together as childhood friends, so naturally, I want to help you. As for the head of the Gu family¡­ he has regretted kicking you out of the Gu family a long time ago.¡± ¡°How can the Fifth Prince utter those words without blushing?¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. Qitian Yu furrowed his brows, ¡°Qingluan, what do you mean by that?¡± ¡°You¡¯re disguising yourself as a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing. Previously, you would eagerly avoid me whenever we crossed paths. Now, out of the blue, you assert that you¡¯re here to assist me. Naturally, 1 will be skeptical of your true intentions.¡± Qitian Yu grew furious, ¡°Qingluan, I know you¡¯re still holding a grudge against me, but how could you misunderstand me like this? You should know what kind of person I am. Others might not know, but you do, don¡¯t you?¡± Back then, Gu Qingluan was crazy about him! He believed that he was perfect in her eyes! ¡°Hmph!¡± Gu Qingluan sneered, her pitch-ck eyes gleaming with coldness. ¡°Have the events from five years agopletely slipped your mind?¡± ¡°The events from five years ago¡­ Didn¡¯t we agree not to mention them anymore?¡± Qitian Yu felt a sudden unease as he met Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t we mention them? Only those with guilty consciences would avoid facing them!¡± Gu Qingluan mmed her teacup onto the table with a loud noise. The sudden sound startled everyone in the hall. Qitian Yu covered his eyes. To suppress his guilty conscience, he raised his voice and used, ¡°Why are you speaking in such a sarcastic manner? I¡¯m not mentioning it out of respect for you. Back then, you did something that brought shame to our family¡¯s reputation. As your fiance, i lost all my dignity! If anyone should feel guilty, it¡¯s you. Why are you so angry?¡± Hot tea sshed onto his face. ¡°Ah!¡± Qitian Yu let out a painful scream as he jumped up from his chair. ¡°You madwoman! How dare you attempt to harm this prince!¡± ¡°Fifth Prince, are you alright?¡± Gu Zhixin was also taken aback and quickly stood up, handing him a handkerchief to wipe his face. Feng Yuanxi, who was hiding outside the main entrance, saw the Fifth Prince insulting his mother and a cold light shed in his eyes. He flicked his fingers, releasing a surge of arcane power. Gu Qingluan sensed the fluctuation of arcane power and nced toward the doorway. She caught a glimpse of a piece of clothing and guessed who was hiding outside but chose not to expose him. Qitian Yu was wiping his face when suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his neck, causing him to involuntarily cry out in pain. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s bleeding!¡± Gu Zhixin eximed, but then he scolded Gu Qingluan, ¡°You can be rude to our family, but how could you harm the Fifth Prince? Do you not understand the Fifth Prince¡¯s status? Quickly apologize to the Fifth Prince!¡± Gu Qingluan, ying with the empty cup in her hand, lightly flicked her wrist upon hearing his words. The teacup flew in a parabolic arc and smashed onto Gu Zhixin¡¯s forehead. Gu Zhixin staggered backward and fell to the ground. The teacup shattered with a loud crash. ¡°Apologies, my hand slipped.¡± Gu Qingluan lowered her gaze, looking at the bloodied Gu Zhixin, and said indifferently. Qitian Yu witnessed the miserable state of Gu Zhixin and felt a chill run down his spine. He overheard people saying that Gu Qingluan had changed, bing violent at the slightest provocation, but he always thought it was an exaggeration. Now, he deeply realized¨C This woman was simply insane! Amidst the shock, anger filled his heart. As a person of noble status, he had never endured such humiliation. Who did she think she was, Gu Qingluan! She dared to ssh hot tea on him! ¡°Gu Qingluan! You¡¯re audacious! Do you know that by disrespecting your superiors, this prince can easily throw you into prison!¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help butugh, ¡°Thanks for the reminder. Since punishment is inevitable, why notmit the offense multiple times?¡± As she finished speaking, a sharp and oppressive aura emanated from her.. Chapter 123 - 123: It’d Be Useless Even If My Father Were Here Chapter 123: It¡¯d Be Useless Even If My Father Were Here Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion All the teacups and teapots on the table flew into the air. ¡°Gu Qingluan, how dare you!¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s eyes widened in shock and anger. Whoosh! All the teacups and teapots shot towards him. Qitian Yu snorted in anger and activated his arcane power to defend himself. But to his surprise, the arcane power surrounding him was easily shattered, and the teacups and teapots hit his face and body. In an instant, Qitian Yu not only became soaked but also suffered from a swollen and bruised face. He looked utterly miserable. ¡°Gu Qingluan¡­ ugh!¡± His roar nearly shook the roof. Then, it abruptly stopped. Gu Qingluan reclined in her chair, crossing her legs, and mischievously swung one foot adorned with sheer white stockings. ¡°Much quieter now!¡± Qitian Yu pulled something out of his mouth and realized it was an embroidered shoe. The thought of how many ces the shoe had stepped on and how dirty it might be made him feel nauseous. He covered his throat and retched, his neck veins bulging. Gu Zhixin wanted to stop all of this, but it was toote. He could only watch with a pounding heart. He felt he couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch. Otherwise, he would be held ountable for letting the Fifth Prince, along with himself, be humiliated like this. ¡°Gu Qingluan, you¡¯ve gone too far!¡± he eximed, his voice trembling. Confronting Gu Qingluan¡¯s smiling face, his voice became softer,cking confidence. ¡°Gone too far?¡± Gu Qingluan tapped her chin with a curved finger. ¡°It seems 1 haven¡¯t gone far enough. You don¡¯t know what ¡¯going too far¡¯ really means!¡± As she finished speaking, she lightly flicked her finger. A rushing sound filled the air. Gu Zhixin tried to dodge, but he couldn¡¯t avoid it. He felt a sharp pain in his knees as he crashed onto the hard stone floor. ¡°Since you¡¯ve disturbed my mood today, kneel down and apologize to me. If I¡¯m in a good mood afterward, I¡¯ll let it go. Otherwise¡­¡± Gu Qingluan smiled faintly, her silent threat hanging in the air. Shame! A tremendous sense of shame! Gu Zhixin¡¯s knees were in excruciating pain, but the pain on his face was even worse. A junior had forced him to kneel. ¡°Gu Qingluan¡­ you¡­¡± When he met Gu Qingluan¡¯s emotionless, icy gaze, all his rage got stuck in his throat, and he couldn¡¯t utter a word. Kneel down and kowtow to Gu Qingluan? He might as well kill himself! His whole body trembled, filled with anger and fear. ¡°Gu Qingluan, you will pay for your audacity!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to worry about that, Second Master of the Gu family. Whether you kowtow or not, it¡¯s up to you. I¡¯m not a patient person. If you miss the opportunity, don¡¯t me me for being merciless.¡± Gu Zhixin looked puzzled. ¡°What are you nning to do? Do you dare to kill me? I came here today, and everyone in the Gu family knows about it!¡± Gu Qingluan blinked. ¡°Have you been here? No one from the Gu family, including dogs, is allowed to enter. It seems I should put up a signboard outside the gate.¡± ¡°The Gu family¡¯s coachmen, servants, and even the Fifth Prince¡¯s guards are outside! Do you think you can deceive everyone?¡± ¡°Are you referring to them?¡± She looked up toward the door. Both Gu Zhixin and Qitian Yu felt a sense of foreboding and turned their heads. They saw all the subordinates who had apanied them, tied up and heavily injured! Could it be that Gu Qingluan truly intended to kill them? Qitian Yu and Gu Zhixin were shocked, fear spreading within them. Both of them knew Gu Qingluan¡¯s strength. Without skilled experts to save them, they might actually be killed by her! This woman waspletely unpredictable when she went mad! Would kneeling before her really ensure their safety? Gu Zhixin¡¯s eyes flickered. ¡°Qingluan, I am your uncle¡­¡± ¡°Even if my own father were here, it would be useless!¡± Chapter 124 - 124: Willing to Marry You as My Consort Chapter 124: Willing to Marry You as My Consort Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhixin was choked, his face turning pale and green alternately. Qitian Yu, who was standing beside him, naturally hoped that Gu Zhixin would quickly kowtow and apologize so that Gu Qingluan would let them go. But he had a feeling that she wouldn¡¯t let them off so easily. This woman waspletely different from five years ago as if she had be apletely different person. Was she too deeply affected? Did she really have no feelings left for him? Qitian Yu clenched his fists. He couldn¡¯t believe that her feelings for him would bepletely abandoned. Taking a deep breath, Qitian Yu suppressed his killing intent and anger, raising his eyes with deep affection, ¡°Qingluan, seeing you like this, it really pains me¡­ I know what you want. Stop making one mistake after another! As long as you let go of your resentment, I am willing to marry you as my consort!¡± He believed he was emanating profound affection, yet unbeknownst to him, his face disyed no trace of attractiveness at that moment, rendering his attempt at appearing affectionate rather ludicrous. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help butugh. How shameless was this man? Did he think he was made of gold and everyone desired him? ¡°Fifth Prince, perhaps you should first take a look in the mirror!¡± Gu Qingluan interrupted his words. Qitian Yu touched his face and couldn¡¯t help but inhale sharply. Even without looking, he knew that his face must have been damaged. Was it because of this that Gu Qingluan was unmoved? He furrowed his brows; this was a difficult situation. ¡°Qingluan, this injury is temporary. The specially made ointment from the imperial physician can reduce swelling and bruises. In a few days, it will subside. Just wait a few days for me¡­¡± Qitian Yu tried to exin. ¡°I think the Fifth Prince didn¡¯t understand what 1 meant,¡± Gu Qingluan interrupted. Qitian Yu looked at her nkly. ¡°Your audacious nature, so thick-skinned, that even a single encounter has sated my appetite. 1 have no interest in seeing you every day!¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s face flushed red. ¡°Don¡¯t go too far!¡± ¡°Stop the nonsense. If you want to leave the Gu Residence, kneel down, kowtow, and apologize. 1¡¯11 count to three, and time is ticking.¡± ¡°One¡­¡± ¡°Two¡­¡± Gu Zhixin saw that even the Fifth Prince couldn¡¯t do anything to Gu Qingluan, so how could he stand firm? Before ¡°three¡± came, he bent down and knocked his head heavily on the ground! ¡°I was wrong, Qingluan. Please don¡¯t hold it against your Second Uncle.¡± ¡°What did you call me?¡± ¡°Qing¡­¡± ¡°Did you call me Qingluan?¡± ¡°Then¡­ then call¡­¡± ¡°Call me Great Madam.¡± Great, Great Madam? Gu Zhixin¡¯s face turned red. He was furious! ¡°You¡¯re unwilling to do so?¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow, her voice turning cold. Since Gu Zhixin had already kowtow, he shouldn¡¯t give up halfway. Gu Zhixin decided to go all the way, shaking his head quickly, ¡°No, no, Great Madam, I was wrong! Please forgive me this time!¡± ¡°What did you do wrong?¡± Gu Zhixin was speechless. ¡°You don¡¯t even know what you did wrong, so what are you apologizing for?¡± Gu Zhixin felt angry. Didn¡¯t she force him to apologize? ¡°Never mind, I don¡¯t expect someone like you, with a block of wood for a brain, to understand. I¡¯ll spare you this time, but if you speak nonsense in front of me again, it won¡¯t be so easy to pass.¡± Gu Zhixin let out a sigh of relief, setting aside his anger, and hurriedly asked, ¡°Can we leave now?¡± ¡°You can go, but the person next to you hasn¡¯t apologized yet.¡± Qi Tianyu was appalled to see Gu Zhixin, without any shame or dignity, kneel down and apologize to Gu Qingluan, a junior. Moreover, he even referred to her as ¡°Great Madam¡± in a respectful manner. Qi Tianyu felt deeply ashamed on Gu Zhixin¡¯s behalf. Suddenly, the topic turned to Qi Tianyu, and he felt at a loss, not knowing what to do. ¡°Three!¡± Chapter 125 - 125: Agree to Save Wang Shi Chapter 125: Agree to Save Wang Shi Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan sneered. ¡°Fifth Prince, it seems that you¡­¡± ¡°All of you get out!¡± Qitian Yu suddenly shouted. Gu Zhixin was taken aback, realizing that the ¡°all of you¡± included himself. Of course, the Fifth Prince didn¡¯t want anyone to witness him kneeling before an ordinary person. It was too humiliating. ¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯ll leave immediately!¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t stop them this time, casually waving her hand to signal the servants to escort the bound individuals outside. Once the hall was empty, only Gu Qingluan and Qitian Yu remained. Thetter knelt down with a grim expression to apologize. If Gu Qingluan could, she would have killed him directly. However, if they died here today, she would definitely raise suspicions. She dreaded the intervention of the revered ones who ruled over the royal family. If the Fifth Prince were to be offended, even if he became angry once more, he wouldn¡¯t be able to summon a revered entity to handle her. However, if the Fifth Prince were to perish, the situation would change drastically. The royal family would undoubtedly seek justice for the Fifth Prince, and most likely, they would call upon a revered one. For now, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want to confront such a powerful adversary head-on. She nced at Qitian Yu and sneered, ¡°Fifth Prince, you are truly adaptable, truly impressive.¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s face tightened as he asked, ¡°Is that enough?¡± ¡°Fifth Prince, you may leave. 1 won¡¯t be escorting you out.¡± Gu Qingluan calmly smiled as if she didn¡¯t notice his intimidating gaze. Qitian Yu quickly stood up, forcefully brushed his sleeve, and turned to leave. ¡°Fifth Prince, wait!¡± Qitian Yu abruptly halted his steps. ¡°What else do you want, Gu Qingluan? You better know your limits.¡± ¡°You came here to beg me to save Wang Shi, right? I can give you a chance.¡± Qitian Yu watched her warily. ¡°What trick do you n to y now?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll ask you a question, do you want to save her?¡± ¡°What are your conditions?¡± Qitian Yu wasn¡¯t foolish. He knew she wouldn¡¯t save her easily. ¡°It¡¯s simple, as long as you can afford the price.¡± ¡°How much?¡± ¡°One million taels of gold.¡± Qitian Yu knew she would make an outrageous demand, but he didn¡¯t expect her to be so ruthless. He couldn¡¯t believe it and asked, ¡°What did you say?¡± Gu Qingluan repeated it calmly. Qitian Yu¡¯s brows furrowed tightly. ¡°That price is too high. Can¡¯t it be cheaper?¡± ¡°The elixirs from the Ind of No Return hold immeasurable value. In exchange for a Universe Stabilizer, the Gu family was willing to offer eighteen hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts. Are you suggesting that you cannot afford a mere one million taels of gold? Is it that you are incapable of affording it, or do you consider Wang Shi¡¯s life to be worth less than one million taels?¡± Knowing that bargaining was futile, Qitian Yu fell silent. ¡°I will convey your request to the Gu family.¡± ¡°Then, I¡¯ll trouble you to do so, Fifth Prince. Today, at the Rooster Hour, deliver it here, and don¡¯t bete.¡± Qitian Yu walked out of the main hall, and Gu Zhixin hurriedly approached him. ¡°Fifth Prince, let¡¯s leave first before discussing further.¡± He didn¡¯t dare to ask too much, fearing to provoke Qitian Yu. Qitian Yu¡¯s expression was grim as water. He could see through Gu Zhixin¡¯s thoughts. He absolutely couldn¡¯t let others think that he had just kneeled before Gu Qingluan begging for mercy! So he said, ¡°She agreed to save Wang Shi.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Gu Zhixin was extremely surprised. ¡°In a disy of logic and emotion, this prince articted his thoughts at length, ultimately persuading her to rescue Wang Shi.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Of course, why would I lie to you? She does have some feelings for this prince, but she feels embarrassed to admit it in front of you all.¡± Gu Zhixin didn¡¯t doubt his words. It was well known that Gu Qingluan used to have affection for the Fifth Prince. Perhaps it was just a momentary disagreement. Women were like that. Men would say sweet words and coax them in private, and their anger would dissipate. ¡°That¡¯s great! When can Mr. Liu go to the Gu Residence to treat my sister-inw?¡± ¡°You need to prepare one million taels of gold first. Deliver it here today at the Rooster Hour, and don¡¯t bete.¡± ¡°One million taels of gold? How can that audacious girl ask for such a price!¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s expression turned even worse. ¡°It¡¯s just one million taels. It¡¯s not easy for others to obtain something from the Ind of No Return. If it weren¡¯t for me, with your rtionship with Gu Qingluan, would she agree to save Wang Shi? Know your ce!¡± Gu Zhixin felt like he had been scolded. ¡°You¡¯re right! You¡¯re right! Fifth Prince, it¡¯s all thanks to you this time. The Gu family will forever remember this favor.¡± Seeing that his objective had been achieved, Qitian Yu¡¯s expression finally eased a bit. ¡°As long as you understand. The matter is settled. This prince will leave now. Keep in mind what can and cannot be said, Second Master Gu.¡± Gu Zhixin nodded. ¡°Fifth Prince, rest assured. I won¡¯t utter a word that shouldn¡¯t be spoken.¡± Qi Tianyu nodded and stepped over the tall threshold. Suddenly, as if tripped by something, his body uncontrobly fell forward.. He tried to exert force to save himself, but he couldn¡¯t muster any strength! Chapter 126 - 126: Can’t Survive Tonight Chapter 126: Can¡¯t Survive Tonight Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Eh, Fifth Prince, are you alright?¡± Gu Zhixin reached out to support him. ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± Qitian Yu got up, furrowed his brows, pushed Gu Zhixin away, and nced behind him. There was nothing there except the threshold. Could it be that he stumbled when crossing the threshold? He scanned the people expressionlessly. ¡°Keep your mouths shut.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡± they replied. Qitian Yu looked at Gu Zhixin. Thetter immediately dered, ¡°1 didn¡¯t see anything.¡± Qitian Yu snorted and turned to descend the steps. Watching the departing carriage, Gu Zhixin let out a sigh of relief. He wiped the sweat off his forehead but identally touched his wound, causing him to wince in pain. ¡°You ruthless girl! You really showed no mercy! When Elder Brotheres out of seclusion, he will definitely teach you a lesson.¡± A gust of wind suddenly swept toward his back. Caught off guard, Gu Zhixin fell to the ground face-first. The pain made him grit his teeth. With the help of his servants, he was lifted up, cursing under his breath, ¡°Which bastard attacked me from behind?¡± ¡°Second Young Master, there¡¯s no one here!¡± ¡°Nonsense! How can there be no one? Am I supposed to believe that I tripped and fell like this?¡± Gu Zhixin pointed angrily at his forehead. A house servant cautiously looked around. ¡°Just now, the Fifth Prince inexplicably stumbled. Could there be ghosts here?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. How can there be ghosts in broad daylight?¡± Gu Zhixin reprimanded sharply. Although he himself felt a chill on his back, he didn¡¯t dare linger and quickly walked towards his own carriage. From behind a potted nt in the courtyard beyond the main gate, Feng Yuanxi rose to his feet. Observing the hurried figure, he wore a grin on his face. ¡°Xiao Hei, take a look at them. They possess such feeble courage, daring to mistreat Mother even in their current state. They are unaware of their own limitations!¡± Xiao Hei, the little ck snake, crawled out from his sleeve and nodded in agreement. Exactly! Exactly! The young master had taught them a good lesson! After venting his anger, Feng Yuanxi thought of Gu Qingluan and quickly headed for the back courtyard. ¡°I¡¯m going back to find Mother. Xiao Hei, remember to hide well and don¡¯t let Mother see you.¡± Gu Zhixin returned to the main residence of the Gu family and instructed Steward Wang to retrieve one million taels of gold to invite Mr. Liu to save Wang Shi. Steward Wang hesitated. ¡°Previously, the master depleted all the funds to purchase the Universe Stabilizer Pill. There is now only a limited amount of silver remaining in the ount.¡± ¡°How much is left?¡± ¡°There¡¯s only a few hundred thousand taels¡­ of silver.¡± ¡°Only a few hundred thousand taels left? How is that possible? What happened to all the money we took from the Jun family back then?¡± ¡°In recent years, the masters had extravagant spending habits, coupled with mismanagement. They lived off their past achievements, and our funds have dwindled. This time, to snatch the Universe Stabilizer Pill from so many people at the auction, they spent one thousand eight hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts. So there¡¯s not much left.¡± ¡°And one hundred of those Xuanling Crystal Hearts belong to me!¡± Gu Zhixin fumed. So, he wouldn¡¯t be able to get back those one hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts in a short time? Gu Zhixin took a deep breath, barely suppressing his anger. ¡°What about the treasury? Over the years, with the Gu family¡¯s collectionbined with the Jun family¡¯s, there must be quite a few treasures, right?¡± ¡°They¡¯re gone too.¡± ¡°How could they be gone?¡± Gu Zhixin never expected that his eldest brother, as the head of the family, had squandered everything. In the eyes of outsiders, the Gu family, which once stood in the zenith, was now a destitute family on the brink of bankruptcy! ¡°Well¡­ Miss Lingxue went to the Qiankun Academy, and the master and Madam were worried. They sold the family assets to provide for her.¡± Gu Zhixin¡¯s vision turned ck. So, everything the Gu family had was swallowed up by his elder brother¡¯s two ¡°beloved daughters¡±! Although the one thousand eight hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts were used to purchase the Universe Stabilizer Pill from the Ind of No Return, Gu Qingluan and Mr. Liu had long conspired together. Otherwise, with their intentions toward Mr. Liu, he would have be an esteemed guest of the Gu family. It was possible that they could have obtained the Universe Stabilizer Pill at a lower price. ¡°Second Young Master, can¡¯t youe up with some funds from your side? Regardless, we must save Madam Wang.¡± Steward Wang said. ¡°I don¡¯t have any money left! 1 lent it all to my elder brother at the auction!¡± Gu Zhixin fumed, his voice filled with anger. ¡°This¡­ What should we do? Madam Wang¡¯s condition has worsened. The pce physician said she may not survive tonight..¡± Chapter 127 - 127: Dowry Chapter 127: Dowry Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhixin initially had no concern for whether Wang Shi lived or died, but his elder brother had given him explicit instructions before going into seclusion to find a way to save Wang Shi. He didn¡¯t have the confidence to confront his elder brother now. Moreover, Wang Shi was Gu Lingxue¡¯s birth mother. If anything happened to her, Gu Lingxue would surely me him when she returned. He didn¡¯t want to offend his niece, Gu Lingxue. He paced back and forth in the hall when suddenly a thought struck him. ¡°The dowry! Big sister-inw must have prepared a dowry for that girl, Gu Lingxue, right?¡± ¡°Well¡­ the dowry was already entrusted to the Second Miss, and only she has the key. I can¡¯t open it,¡± the steward replied cautiously. Gu Zhixin furrowed his brow. ¡°What about Gu Qin¡¯er and Gu Si¡¯er¡¯s dowries?¡± ¡°They had very little dowry remaining, as the master had borrowed most of it to purchase the Universe Stabilizer.¡± Steward Wang asked cautiously, ¡®Second Master, how about about Fourth Miss¡¯s dowry¡­''¡± ¡°¡®Are you suggesting that we should use my daughter¡¯s dowry?¡± Gu Zhixin red at him, raising an eyebrow. The steward smiled wryly. ¡°I have no other choice, right? Where can we find so much money in such a short time? Moreover, if this news gets out, it will tarnish the reputation of the Gu family.¡± Gu Zhixin immediately said, ¡°Naturally, we cannot reveal anything to the outside.¡± ¡°So, the best option now is to borrow Fourth Miss¡¯s dowry. Just think about it, when Madam wakes up and realizes that her life was saved by Fourth Miss¡¯s dowry, she will be grateful to her. When Second Miss returns, she will also remember the favor Fourth Miss did to save her mother. And, the predicament of the Gu family is only temporary. When the master emerges from seclusion, the Gu family will surely thrive. They will definitely be able to return the dowry to Fourth Miss before she gets married, and it will probably be even more abundant than the current dowry. This is beneficial to Fourth Miss without bringing her any harm.¡± Gu Zhixin listened to his analysis and found it reasonable. So he went to find Gu Jinyue. Gu Jinyue was in a foul mood that day, having spent a significant amount of money and feeling deeply troubled. Gu Zhixin tried to soothe her for a while, then shifted the topic to her dowry. He appealed to her emotionally and reasoned with her. He conveyed the steward¡¯s arguments to her. Gu Jinyue couldn¡¯t help but be moved. But¡­ Her dowry was already gone! Gu Jinyue was heartbroken, but she didn¡¯t dare to let her father know and evaded the topic. Gu Zhixin could see through her guilty demeanor, and under his questioning, Gu Jinyue revealed the truth. ¡°The dowry is gone? All for that worthless membership?¡± Gu Zhixin became so furious that his head was spinning. Without thinking, he gave Gu Jinyue a hard p. ¡°You wasteful girl! What did I tell you before? I told you to endure it. There will be a chance for you to seek revenge, but you couldn¡¯t control your temper!¡± Gu Jinyue, who was favored at home, had never seen her father so angry with her. She felt aggrieved, angry, and couldn¡¯t help but be afraid. ¡°But¡­ Father, you don¡¯t know how infuriating Gu Qingluan was at that time! If 1 didn¡¯t spend the money, wouldn¡¯t I be theughingstock of all the nobledies in the capital? Do you think they were just mocking me? They were mocking our Gu family! Once they spread the news, the whole capital will know that our Gu family is a bunch of paupers!¡± Hearing this, Gu Zhixin furrowed his brow. His daughter¡¯s worry wasn¡¯t entirely unreasonable. But now, her dowry was also gone. Where could he find the money to save Wang Shi¡¯s life? Gu Zhi Xin was in agony. Time was running out, and he didn¡¯t have the patience to argue with his daughter. He turned and walked out. Seeing him leave, Gu Jinyue breathed a sigh of relief and slumped onto the chair. ¡°Miss, are you alright?¡± ¡°Just get out!¡± Gu Jinyue grabbed a teacup from the table and threw it at the servant. Terrified, the maid fled the room. Gu Jinyue was seething with anger. She swept the tea tray off the table, venting her frustration.. ¡°Gu Qingluan! You wretched woman! It must be you who set a trap for me! 1 swear 1 will kill you!!!¡± Chapter 128 - 128: Yuanxi Cried Chapter 128: Yuanxi Cried Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan naturally didn¡¯t know that there was such a situation in the Gu family. She estimated that there wouldn¡¯t be much money left for the Gu family to use. She only wanted to make things worse for them but didn¡¯t expect them to be so impoverished. If she knew, she would definitely celebrate with joy. At the appointed hour of the afternoon, Gu Zhixin arrived as scheduled. Taking the one million taels of gold, Gu Qingluan threw a vial of medicine at him. Gu Zhixin frowned. ¡°What do you mean? What about Mr. Liu?¡± ¡°This is the medicine given by Mr. Liu. It can cure Wang Shi.¡± Gu Zhixin became cautious when he received the vial. He gently opened the bottle cap and saw that there was only one pill inside, causing him to doubt, ¡°Can this pill really cure my sister-inw?¡± ¡°Mr. Liu doesn¡¯t n to ruin the reputation of the Ind of No Return,¡± Gu Qingluan said sarcastically. Only then did Gu Zhixin feel relieved. In a hurry to save someone, he didn¡¯t waste any more time and took his leave. Feng Yuanxi entered through the side door. ¡°Mother, why did you give him the antidote? That Madam Wang is so wicked; it would be better if she died from the poison!¡± Feng Yuanxi asked, puzzled. Gu Qingluan patted his head and said, ¡°Even those who are harmless can react aggressively when they are cornered or in a desperate situation. Moreover, they are from the Gu family. We can¡¯t kill them yet. Wait a little longer. When the time is right, I won¡¯t let them off.¡± Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t know what time Gu Qingluan was referring to, but no matter what she said, he unconditionally supported her. ¡°Mother, there shouldn¡¯t be any more bad peopleing to disturb us, right? You said you would apany me, but there are always peopleing to take up your time, and you can¡¯t focus on being with me.¡± Feng Yuanxi pouted unhappily. Gu Qingluan smiled and pinched his mouth, which was raised high enough to hang soy sauce. ¡°Yes, I have instructed the servants that no matter whoes to visit today, I won¡¯t entertain them.¡± Finally, Feng Yuanxi revealed an adorable smile. At night, the little boy and Gu Qingluany in the same bed. His eyes were wide open, reluctant to close. Gu Qingluan sensed his unusual mood and asked what was wrong. Feng Yuanxi pretended that nothing was wrong and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Sleep quickly, or you¡¯ll have panda eyes tomorrow.¡± ¡°What¡¯s a panda?¡± Feng Yuanxi blinked his eyes. ¡°Have you forgotten? I told you before that pandas are fierce and cute animals.¡± It was peculiar. Her son had always possessed a sharp memory, yet there were instances when he seemed to forget certain things from the past. Gu Qingluan examined his face. He was definitely her son, her biological son! Who had the ability to defy thews of nature? She was just over thinking things! ¡°Alright, go to sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow.¡± Gu Qingluan covered his eyes with her hand. Suddenly, her palm felt wet. Gu Qingluan was taken aback and moved her hand away. A pair of watery eyes came into view. ¡°Why are you crying?¡± Gu Qingluan frowned, her heart aching. She asked softly, ¡°Did someone bully you?¡± Who dared to bully her son? She would never spare them! A strong aura suddenly emanated from her. Feng Yuanxi sniffled, his voice slightly hoarse. ¡°Mother, will you leave me?¡± ¡°Silly child, why would you think such thoughts? How could 1 leave you?¡± Gu Qingluan gently wiped away the tears from his face with her finger. ¡°But what if we identally get separated, will youe find me?¡± Gu Qingluan said seriously, ¡°Yes, no matter where you are, I will find you. No one can separate us.¡± She secretly thought to herself, Did someone say something misleading in front of Xiaonan? The number of people in this mansion is notrge, and they were carefully selected by Su Lie. They shouldn¡¯t have spread baseless rumors in front of him. The only outsiders who came to the mansion today were the Fifth Prince and Gu Zhixin¡¯s group. Could it be them? It seems that the lesson she gave them today was not deep enough, and they still have the energy to cause trouble! Suppressing the anger in her heart, Gu Qingluan met her son¡¯s pitch-ck eyes. ¡°Really? Will you reallye find me?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Mother, you must keep your promise.¡± ¡°Yes, we pinky swear, and once we do, we can¡¯t go back on it.¡± Gu Qingluan extended her little finger. Feng Yuanxi imitated her and extended his little finger. Gu Qingluan smiled and hooked her little finger with his, shaking it left and right a few times. ¡°Now, are you reassured?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Feng Yuanxi looked at her with bright eyes. ¡°Can we go to sleep now?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded, rolled into Gu Qingluan¡¯s arms, hugged her neck, kissed her cheek, and then buried his face in her neck, tightly closing his eyes. Thinking that he was just being shy, Gu Qingluan burst intoughter. She pulled up the nket and covered them both. The next day, Gu Qingluan paid special attention to her son¡¯s mood, but when she saw that he had returned to normal and went to y with his new favorite, she finally felt at ease. Taking advantage of her absence, Feng Yuanxi secretly left the Jun Mansion with Xiao Mei, heading straight for the pce.. Chapter 129 - 129: Young Master Went Missing Again! Chapter 129: Young Master Went Missing Again! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan woke up unusually early. The thought of returning to his mother made him so excited that he couldn¡¯t sleep. He climbed up a tree early in the morning. The agreed time with Yuanxi was about toe. Tfte higher you stand, the farther you can see! Looking at Jingfeng standing below the tree, Gu Xiaonan was annoyed. If he wasn¡¯t being watched, he wouldn¡¯t have to wait here. Suddenly, a green parrot flew towards Gu Xiaonan and eximed in excitement, ¡°Young master! Young master! Xiaomei misses you!¡± Jingfeng looked at the parrot vigntly, ¡°Where did this parrote from?¡± ¡°Mr. Jingfeng, it¡¯s my friend Xiaomei. Don¡¯t scare it!¡± Gu Xiaonan beckoned to Xiaomei. Xiaomeinded on his hand. Gu Xiaonan weighed it, ¡°Xiaomei, have you gotten fat?¡± Xiaomei cried out sharply, ¡°Xiaomei is not fat! Boo hoo, young master, do you dislike Xiaomei? Wah! Xiaomei is so miserable. Young master, are you keeping another bird outside?¡± Jingfeng looked at the parrot crying its heart out and twitched his mouth. If one didn¡¯t know, one would think it was someone who had been hurt by an unfaithful lover. Since when did his young master make friends with this ¡°friend¡±? Xiao Bai, lying in Gu Xiaonan¡¯s arms, was napping. It was startled by Xiaomei¡¯s crying and opened its eyes wide. Seeing that it was its old buddy, Xiao Bai swatted it away without mercy. So annoying! Unprepared, Xiaomei lost bnce and fell to the ground. Jingfeng quickly reached out and caught it. This was the young master¡¯s friend. It must not get injured. ¡°Thank you! Thank you, great handsome guy!¡± Xiaomei pped its wings from his hand and flew to the tree to find Xiao Bai for a fight! Stupid Xiao Bai dared to use its paws to p its beautiful feathers! Jingfeng rubbed his nose. This parrot sure had a personality. But if the two pets fought up there, it would be bad if the young master got hurt. Jingfeng asked Gu Xiaonan toe down. Gu Xiaonan didn¡¯t refuse. Xiaomei¡¯s arrival meant that Feng Yuanxi was already here. ¡°Young master, where are you going?¡± ¡°Hush!¡± Jingfeng followed behind him. Gu Xiaonan looked back at him, ¡°Why are you following me? Do you want to help me pull up my pants?¡± Jingfeng covered his mouth and coughed lightly, ¡°The master ordered me to stick with you. If the young master needs anything¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need anything! Please take care of them, Jingfeng. Don¡¯t let them get hurt. 1¡¯11 be back soon.¡± Because Gu Xiaonan had behaved so well for the past three days and hadn¡¯t shown any signs of sneaking out, Jingfeng¡¯s guard against him had rxed somewhat, and he didn¡¯t think much about it. He agreed. Gu Xiaonan tiptoed as soon as he reached the corner and nced down at the big tree. He immediately flew towards a secluded pce. A sh between a fox and a parrot could be intense. The agile fox had swift movements, while the flying parrot possessed an aerial advantage. One possessed sharp ws, the other a sturdy beak. As Jingfeng watched them, his heart raced, fearing that one of them would get injured. He dreaded the thought of exining the situation to the young master upon his return. Jingfeng suddenly stopped. Why hadn¡¯t the young master returned yet? It had been about the time of a stick of incense, right? He quickly flew towards the young master¡¯s room. No one was inside! Could the young master have gone to the outhouse? Jingfeng turned to the nearest outhouse. But there was still no sign of the young master! All, he was too careless! Could it be that the young master had sneaked out again? Jingfeng was full of regret. The young master was so cunning, and he had been fooled before, so why did he rx? Hopefully, he could find him in time. The young master must not go to see Miss Gu again! Otherwise, His Highness would surely be furious! Chapter 130 - 130: They Look Exactly the Same! Chapter 130: They Look Exactly the Same! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Jing Feng quickly arrived at the main gate. ¡°Have you seen the young master?¡± he asked the two gatekeepers. They shook their heads, ¡°We haven¡¯t seen him.¡± Jing Feng frowned. Of course, the master had given orders not to let the young master go out alone. If he did go out, he wouldn¡¯t have used the main gate. 1 le immediately ordered a search inside the pce. The pce was heavily guarded, so it wasn¡¯t easy to leave. It would take time. The young master must still be inside the pce, right? Jing Feng silently prayed. Originally, he had intended to secretly find the young master without rming I lis Highness. But any movement in the pce couldn¡¯t be hidden from Feng Tian. ¡°Where is Yuanxi?¡± Feng Tian appeared in front of Jing Feng. His face was as calm as water, and deep in his eyes brewed a silent storm. Jing Feng¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°My lord, the young master might be ying in some corner¡­¡± he said, his voice trembling. Feng Tian looked at him wordlessly. The oppressive atmosphere made it hard for Jing Feng to breathe. In an instant, his back was soaked with sweat. After a brief moment, the surroundings fell silent. Jing Feng¡¯s legs grew numb from kneeling. He knew he had disappointed His Highness and felt self-me. In an uninhabited side hall, Gu Xiaonan sessfully met with Feng Yuanxi. ¡°1 sneaked over while Jing Feng wasn¡¯t paying attention. He¡¯ll soon send people to search for us. Let¡¯s change our clothes quickly,¡± Gu Xiaonan said as he began taking off his clothes. Feng Yuanxi furrowed his brows. ¡°Does my father still order Jing Feng to watch over me?¡± ¡°Yes, your father¡¯s possessiveness is too strong!¡± Gu Xiaonanined. Seeing Feng Yuanxi standing still, he urged him, ¡°Hurry up, don¡¯t just stand there.¡± Feng Yuanxi took off his outer robe. The two of them quickly changed clothes. Gu Xiaonan looked at Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face and said, ¡°We should also change our masks. Otherwise, it¡¯ll be troublesome if we encounter someer. By the way, I still don¡¯t know what you really look like. Both my mother and your father mistook me for you. Do we really look that alike?¡± Feng Yuanxi was also very curious about that. They simultaneously took off their masks. Then, they both froze in astonishment. Their mouths hung open in shock as they dumbfoundedly looked at each other. Gu Xiaonan couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that there could exist someone in this world who bore such a striking resemnce to him as if they were twins separated at birth! He couldn¡¯t help but reach out and pinch Feng Yuanxi¡¯s cheek, ¡°Are you still wearing anotheryer of mask on your face?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s delicate face was too tender, and it immediately turned red from the pinch. Feng Yuanxi took a step back, avoiding his ws. ¡°This is how I really look.¡± ¡°It¡¯s truly bizarre. I never thought we would look so alike. No wonder they mistook us!¡± Gu Xiaonan stared at him, circling around him once, and thenpared their heights with his hand, ¡°Even our height is almost the same.¡± Feng Yuanxi was also extremely surprised. Looking at the other person was like looking in a mirror. Could there really be someone in the world who looked so simr to him? He had only heard of one type of person who could look so alike: twins! Could it be¡­ that they were also twins? Feng Yuanxi¡¯s heart suddenly raced. Thinking about that possibility, his face grew slightly flushed with excitement. ¡°Xiaonan! On which day were you born?¡± Chapter 131 - 131: Caught by Feng Tianlan Chapter 131: Caught by Feng Tian Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan acted without thinking and blurted out a date. Feng Yuanxi froze in ce. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Gu Xiaonan waved her hand in front of him. Feng Yuanxi blinked and muttered, ¡°Me too.¡± ¡°Oh, so you were born on the same day? What a coincidence!¡± Gu Xiaonan said casually. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s mind went nk. ¡°Yes, we look so simr and were born on the same day. How could such a coincidence happen in the world? Could we be twins?¡± ¡°Impossible! My father isn¡¯t that ugly!¡± Gu Xiaonan immediately denied without thinking. Not only was he ugly, but also domineering and overbearing! That¡¯s how he felt deep down. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s gaze turned strange. ¡°Haven¡¯t you seen my father¡¯s true face? He is the most handsome man in the world and looks very simr to us.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not possible either! My mother only gave birth to me!¡± Gu Xiaonan had never heard his mother mention having any siblings. Besides, if he were his mother¡¯s child, why would she abandon him? Although Gu Xiaonan repeatedly denied it, Feng Yuanxi still clung to a glimmer of hope. ¡°Perhaps there¡¯s some reason behind it? My father told me that my mother died, but 1 don¡¯t believe it. My intuition tells me that my mother is still alive!¡± During his visit to his ce of birth, he unexpectedly came across a stunning woman who happened to be his sister. There was a certain aura about her that felt strangely familiar to him. Among all the women he had encountered, none of them emitted the same kind of energy. He couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that there was an invisible bond connecting him and his mother. He had suspected before that the beautiful sister was his mother, and now that he saw Gu Xiaonan with a face identical to his own, his certainty grew stronger! All! If the beautiful sister was his mother, he wouldn¡¯t have to be separated from her! Feng Yuanxi was ecstatic. ¡°Search this area!¡± Suddenly, the shouts of the guards came from outside. Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi both tensed up. ¡°Forget about it. I¡¯ll go back first!¡± Gu Xiaonan took the mask from Feng Yuanxi¡¯s hand and gave him her own. ¡°Remember to ask your mother if she gave birth to two sons,¡± Feng Yuanxi reminded him. His father didn¡¯t even know who his mother was, so he certainly wouldn¡¯t know the truth. If Feng Yuanxi wasn¡¯t upied at the moment, he would have rushed to the beautiful sister and asked her in person. Gu Xiaonan nodded solemnly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, 1 will definitely ask!¡± With the mask securely in ce, Gu Xiaonan cautiously cracked open the door and peered outside. Assured that the coast was clear, he pushed the door open udder and slipped out stealthily. Feng Yuanxi took a deep breath and lifted his foot, preparing to leave. Suddenly, a familiar voice reached his ears. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Was his father outside? Feng Yuanxi was taken aback and quickly hid in a corner, holding his breath. Outside the hall. Gu Xiaonan wasn¡¯t paying attention and identally bumped into a pair of long, sturdy legs, falling to the ground. The voice he had frequently heard during this period echoed, almost making him instinctively call out ¡°Father.¡± Fortunately, he managed to stop himself in time. Gu Xiaonan looked up with a smile on his face and greeted, ¡°Mr. Feng, hello!¡± When Feng Tian saw Gu Xiaonan¡¯s face clearly, he paused. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me! 1 didn¡¯t expect to run into you here. What a coincidence! If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be on my way. Goodbye, Mr. Feng!¡± Gu Xiaonan waved his small hand and stood up from the ground, tiptoeing away quietly. ¡°Stop!¡± Feng Tianmanded. Gu Xiaonan froze and turned to look at him innocently. ¡°Mr. Feng, is there something you need?¡± ¡°Why are you here?¡± Feng Tian scrutinized him with sharp eyes.. Chapter 132 - 132: That’s Your Son Chapter 132: That¡¯s Your Son Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan blinked innocently with his big eyes and said in an adorable manner, ¡°1 came to y with Yuanxi, but I don¡¯t know where he went. I¡¯lle back another day.¡± After speaking, he lifted his foot to leave. Feng Tian¡¯s voice turned grave as he asked, ¡°Feng Yuanxi, do you think you can disguise yourself as another child and sneak out without being noticed?¡± That voice, it was clearly his son¡¯s! Feng Tian had almost been fooled by him! Gu Xiaonan was so annoyed by the arrogant man. How self-righteous! He pped his own face and said displeasedly, ¡°Uncle Feng, look carefully, I am Gu Xiaonan, no doubt about it!¡± But Feng Tian still didn¡¯t believe him. The pce was heavily guarded, how could a child appear here without making any noise? ¡°Feng Yuanxi, if you continue to act up, I will have Jingfeng send you back to the Holy Heaven Dynasty!¡± Feng Tian warned. Upon hearing the words ¡°Holy Heaven Dynasty¡±, Gu Xiaonan exploded. ¡°I won¡¯t go there! 1 am Gu Xiaonan, and 1 want to go home to find my mother!¡± He turned around to leave! But just as he took a step, his small arm was firmly grasped by arge hand. Thinking of the nightmares he had before, Gu Xiaonan panicked and called out, ¡°Feng Yuanxi,e out quickly! Your dad has mistaken someone else for you!¡± Feng Tian coldly ignored him, thinking he was just putting on an act. Little did he know that at that moment, a familiar young voice came from behind. ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m here! Don¡¯t hold onto Xiaonan!¡± Feng Tian turned around, looking surprised at Feng Yuanxi who walked out from the hall. ¡°Look over there! That is your son!¡± Gu Xiaonan bit him on the back of his hand and struggled to get free, falling to the ground. Feng Tian ignored the bite mark on his hand and looked at Feng Yuanxi, then at Gu Xiaonan. Gu Xiaonan red at him with anger. Feng Yuanxi silently approached. ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m sorry for worrying you. 1 didn¡¯t want to sneak out. I just wanted someone to y with me.¡± Feng Tian patted his head and said, ¡°Next time, you can let hime in through the main entrance. There¡¯s no need to hide.¡± He prohibited his son from interacting with Gu Qingluan, but he didn¡¯t mind if it was a child. Feng Yuanxi rarely yed with children his age, so Feng Tian didn¡¯t want to discourage him. ¡°Really?¡± Feng Yuanxi looked up at his father with joy. He thought his father would oppose anything rted to Beautiful Sister. ¡°Yes,¡± Feng Tian nodded. ¡°Daddy, you¡¯re really kind!¡± Feng Yuanxi was overjoyed. Now Gu Xiaonan coulde to see him openly, and they could share stories about Beautiful Sister! Beside them, Gu Xiaonan snorted in disappointment, thinking that Feng Yuanxi was too spineless to react so happily just because Feng Tian lifted a few restrictions. Feng Tian lowered his head and looked at Gu Xiaonan. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Earlier, 1 mistook you for Yuanxi disguised as you. Did I hurt you?¡± Gu Xiaonan had the same personality as his mother. He was someone who was willing to yield or respond favorably to gentle persuasion but would resist when faced with force or coercion. Seeing Feng Tian sincerely apologizing, his anger subsided a bit. However, he still had a stern face. ¡°Is a mere apology sufficient?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s indeed not enough.¡± Feng Tian nodded and took out a spiritual fruit from the space. ¡°Here, as apensation. Is this enough?¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes lit up. It was his favorite ice me fruit! With the ice me fruit in his hand, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s angerpletely disappeared. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯m not that petty to be holding onto grudges.¡± Feng Tian slightly pursed his lips. Gu Xiaonan nced at him sideways. ¡°Let me tell you, the main reason 1 forgave you is for the sake of Feng Yuanxi. Treat him better, got it?¡± Feng Yuanxi was surprised that Gu Xiaonan spoke up for him and was momentarily stunned. Feng Tian couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Alright.¡± Somehow, as he looked at this child, an unexpected feeling of affinity welled up within him.. Chapter 133 - 133: Gifts from the Son Chapter 133: Gifts from the Son Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Because he¡¯s about the same age as Yuanxi, right? Even their voices sound very simr¡­ Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been so sure that the other person was disguised as Yuanxi. ¡°That¡¯s it for today, I have to go home. Goodbye, Yuanxi! Goodbye, Uncle Feng!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have someone send you back.¡± Gu Xiaonan didn¡¯t refuse. He wasn¡¯t stupid. Why bother using his own two legs when there was a free ride avable? Feng Tian arranged for a carriage and personally apanied Gu Xiaonan to the main entrance. This made Gu Xiaonan have a different view of him. In fact, the Great Demon King wasn¡¯t that bad. ¡°You don¡¯t have to escort me further. I¡¯m leaving. Goodbye!¡± ¡°Xiaonan!¡± Feng Yuanxi called out to him. Gu Xiaonan turned back, looking at him with inquisitive eyes. ¡°Remember our promise!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry! 1 won¡¯t forget!¡± Feng Tian raised an eyebrow. Promise? What kind of promise would children make? The carriage departed. Feng Tian returned to his usual life. And Gu Xiaonan returned to the side of Gu Qingluan! ¡°Mother!¡± Inside the Jun Residence, Gu Xiaonan saw Gu Qingluan and became excited, his eyes shining brightly. Like a firework, he rushed into her arms. Gu Qingluan caught him steadily and smiled, asking, ¡°What brought about such joy on your face?¡± ¡°I missed you so much!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t we just meet this morning? You miss me after half a day?¡± Gu Xiaonan sweetly said, ¡°Mm-hmm! One day without seeing each other feels like three autumns. It¡¯s been half a day since west met, so it¡¯s like one and a half autumns!¡± Gu Qingluanughed at his quick wit. It seemed like he hadpletely recovered from his gloomy mood. She pinched his nose and said, ¡°You and your sweet little mouth. Stop hugging me. I have some dirt on me, and 1 don¡¯t wish for you to be dirty as well.¡± ¡°Mother smells nice. Where¡¯s the dirt? Even if 1 get dirty, I¡¯m not afraid!¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. He was indeed quite sweet with his words. ¡°What are you doing, Mother?¡± Gu Xiaonan jumped off her and curiously looked around. Gu Qingluan¡¯s clothes had some mud and water stains on them as if she had juste back from working in the fields. ¡°I nted some spiritual herbs in the back mountain. The spiritual energy there is quite rich, and the soil is fertile, which is suitable for cultivation.¡± ¡°Ohh!¡± Gu Xiaonan nodded, indicating that he understood, and then said, ¡°Mother, close your eyes. I have a gift for you.¡± ¡°What sort of gift is it? It¡¯s quite intriguing, keeping it a mystery like this.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon. Close your eyes quickly!¡± Gu Qingluan closed her eyes helplessly. ¡°Alright, they¡¯re closed.¡± Gu Xiaonan took out the Heavenly Heart Qin from his spatial storage. ¡°You can open your eyes now!¡± Gu Qingluan opened her eyes and saw Gu Xiaonan holding a box in his hands. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Mother, open it and see!¡± Gu Qingluan nced at him and lifted the lid of the box, revealing a radiant and colorful zither. She couldn¡¯t help but be amazed. Her slender jade fingers gently plucked the strings. A melodious sound echoed. ¡°This is¡­ a sacred artifact?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s the Heavenly Heart Qin. Mother, do you like it?¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes sparkled with anticipation. ¡°Such a precious zither, where did you get it?¡± ¡°I bought it!¡± ¡°Where did you get so much money?¡± ¡°Um, I earned it!¡± Gu Xiaonan grumbled. The Great Demon King lost his son, and he worked hard as his substitute son for several days. The Heavenly Heart Qin was bought by him with the money he earned, more or less! Gu Qingluan looked serious. ¡°Xiaonan, haven¡¯t I taught you anything? This Heavenly Heart Qin is worth at least ten Xuanling Crystal Hearts. You¡¯ve been with me these past few days.. Where did you go to earn so much money?¡± Chapter 134 - 134: The Most Powerful Cheating Device Chapter 134: The Most Powerful Cheating Device Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Ordinary households spent only a few dozen silver taels in a year. Ten Xuanling Crystal Hearts were worth more than the entire fortune of many wealthy families! ¡°Mother, I didn¡¯t lie to you. I really earned the money to buy it,¡± Gu Xiaonan pouted, feeling wronged. ¡°Alright, then tell me, how did you earn the money?¡± Gu Qingluan demanded. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± ¡°Gu Xiaonan! Tell the truth!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s voice became stern. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s small body trembled, tears welling up in his eyes. ¡°I earned it by selling spirit pills.¡± He didn¡¯t dare mention being the son of the Great Demon King, or his mother would be even angrier. Gu Qingluan was taken aback. ¡°Selling spirit pills?¡± ¡°Yes, I sold the pills I refined to others. They love them when they hear they¡¯re pills from the Ind of No Return.¡± Gu Xiaonan pondered, deciding to give the pills to Feng Yuanxi tomorrow. That way, it wouldn¡¯t be a lie, would it? ¡°Is it true?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression eased slightly. ¡°Yes, Mother, are you still angry with me?¡± Gu Xiaonan cautiously looked at her. Gu Qingluan gently touched his little face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I got angry without understanding the situation. Did I scare you?¡± Gu Xiaonan shook his head. ¡°I know you¡¯re worried I might go astray. Mother, you¡¯re doing it for my own good.¡± ¡°You clever little devil,¡± Gu Qingluan pinched his soft cheek and smiled again. Gu Xiaonan smiled too, secretly relieved. Thank goodness Mother believed him; otherwise¡­ Gu Qingluan took out the Heavenly Heart Qin and ran her fingers lightly across the strings. This was indeed a good qin. The body of the qin was smooth and glossy, radiating a lustrous luster. The sensation on her fingertips was extremelyfortable. ¡°Mother, try it,¡± Gu Xiaonan urged. Gu Qingluan curved her fingers and plucked a short melody on the strings. The beautiful sound of the qin resonated along with the trembling of the strings. Gu Xiaonan propped his chin on his hands and listened intently. The fish in the small pond in the courtyard forgot to swim, and the birds in the sky perched on the roofs and treetops¡­ Even the servants outside the courtyard involuntarily stopped to listen. The sound of the qin carried far. However, the estate of the Jun Family was vast, and by the time the sound reached outside the estate, it was already faint. Nearby people could only vaguely hear the sound of the qin. They also closed their eyes to enjoy the wonderful qin music. After ying a short piece, Gu Qingluan stopped. Gu Xiaonan apuded enthusiastically. ¡°Mother, you¡¯re amazing!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curled into a smile, satisfied with the qin. She couldn¡¯t help but y with it lovingly. ¡°Thank you, my son. I really like it.¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s face lit up with a radiant smile. ¡°Mother, this is a sacred-grade artifact. If you drip a drop of your blood on it, it will recognize you as its master and can be stored in the realm of your mind, making it unsteble by others.¡± Following his suggestion, Gu Qingluan dripped her blood onto the qin. The fresh red blood fell onto the silver-white qin body and immediately seeped inside. At the same time, the Heavenly Heart Qin emitted a dazzling white light. In Gu Qingluan¡¯s realm of the mind, an image of the Heavenly Heart Qin appeared. After a sessful contract, she became mentally connected with the Heavenly Heart Qin and understood its power. A look of surprise appeared in her eyes. This Heavenly Heart Qin could actually influence a person¡¯s consciousness, giving a significant advantage in battles, especially in group battles. It was practically the most powerful cheat! Gu Qingluan plucked the string with her thumb. A resounding sound and a sh of white light followed. Immediately after, the nearby tree trunk was severed, startling the birds perched on the treetops, causing them to fly into the sky together. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s mouth formed an ¡°0¡± shape in astonishment. Gu Qingluan smiled, satisfied with the oue. ¡°Mother, you¡¯re so amazing!¡± Gu Xiaonan snapped back to reality and started showering her with praises. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know how to respond to her son¡¯s exaggeratedpliments. Gu Xiaonan had a sudden idea. ¡°If such an amazing qin apanies me while I sing, it would definitely be a powerfulbination. Why don¡¯t I sing a song and you y the qin, Mother?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s smile froze for a moment. Thinking of her son¡¯s singing ability that most people couldn¡¯t appreciate, she felt it was unnecessary. She quickly put away the qin and patted her son¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Your singing ability is extraordinary. Save it for crucial moments..¡± Chapter 135 - 135: She Would Never Coexist With Them! Chapter 135: She Would Never Coexist With Them! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan believed that he could make an earnest appeal, ¡°Mother, I think now is a good time.¡± ¡°No, we should prepare lunch now. We¡¯re having hot pot today!¡± ¡°Wow, I can get to eat hotpot again? That¡¯s great!¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s attention was immediately diverted. Gu Qingluan secretly wiped off the nonexistent sweat on her forehead. Luckily, she managed to divert her son¡¯s attention. She thought that her son¡¯s ¡°Devil voice¡± was no less powerful than the Heavenly Heart Qin. It was better to save it for those troublesome enemies. Gu Qingluan needed to change her clothes, so she asked Xiaonan to go to the dining hall first. After a while, she arrived at the dining hall. The table was already set with a hot pot in the middle, and a stove underneath it emitted mes, spreading a tantalizing aroma in the air. Various fresh vegetables were ced around the table, all prepared by the kitchen and Bo He. Gu Qingluan asked Bo He to join them for dinner. During her stay on the Ind of No Return, Bo He frequently shared meals with her masters, so she felt at ease and expressed her gratitude to her mistress before settling down on a chair. The three of them enjoyed the hot pot, savoring the delicious vors. Afterwards, Gu Qingluan and Xiaonan both reclined on the lounge chair in the courtyard. Suddenly, Xiaonan remembered his promise to Feng Yuanxi and sat up, looking at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Mother, can I ask you a question?¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¡°Do you only have me as your son?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s content expression disappeared, and she opened her eyes, looking at him sideways. ¡°Why would you ask such a question? Of course, you are my only son.¡± Xiaonan murmured softly, ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. Mother must only have me as her son.¡± He smiled and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I just feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful mother. I must be the happiest child in the world.¡± Inparison to Gu Xiaonan, Yuanxi was so miserable. Unnoticed by Xiaonan, a trace of sadness shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. She was uncertain if she still had another son, as she didn¡¯t know the gender of the child snatched by Gu Lingxue. If that child had survived, they would be of simr age to Xiaonan, adorable and smart. Such thoughts triggered a wave of hatred and revenge in Gu Qingluan. Gu Lingxue, the one who had stolen and killed her child, would never be able to coexist with them! Wait and see, soon she would make Gu Lingxue pay with her life as an offering to the spirit of her child! ¡°Madam, you¡¯re finally awake, that¡¯s great!¡± Steward Wang was overjoyed to see Wang Shi open her eyes. Beside them, Gu Zhixin breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°It seems the antidote is effective. The Ind of No Return is truly remarkable; it can cure any difficult ailment.¡± Wang Shi was assisted into a sitting position, still in a weakened state. Upon hearing her second brother¡¯s words, she asked, ¡°Did Mr. Liu save me? I must thank him.¡± Gu Er Ye snorted coldly, ¡°This medicine was bought with one million taels of gold. Why thank him?¡± Wang Shi looked at him in surprise, ¡°Mr. Liu is from the Ind of No Return. Second brother has always considered him an esteemed guest. Money is one thing, but if there is no friendship, the other party may not have helped.¡± ¡°Madam, you were unconscious for these past few days and unaware of what happened!¡± Steward Wang informed her of the events during hera. After hearing the story, Wang Shi was furious. ¡°That wretched girl is causing trouble again! Why can¡¯t she just die?¡± Everyone in the room shared the same sentiment. If Gu Qingluan had died, their Gu family would have had fewer troubles. Fortunately, the Gu family now had a revered one on their side, allowing them to finally hold their heads high and handle Gu Qingluan appropriately! Wang Shi had recently regained consciousness, but her body remained weak. After eating a small meal, she drifted back to sleep. Gu Xiaonan returned to his own quarters, with no intentions of troubling Gu Qingluan until she recovered fully, or more precisely, until Gu Zhicg emerged from seclusion. Gu Qingluan could finally have a few peaceful days to herself and attend to her own affairs. After receiving the answer from her, Xiaonan took Briquette and StcamedBun to find Feng Yuanxi the next day. Yesterday, Feng Tian had given Gu Xiaonan permission to visit through the main gate. Gu Xiaonan entered smoothly without any hindrance. However, the guards in the pce dutifully reported to Feng Tian. Feng Tian confirmed that only Xiaonan hade and didn¡¯t pay much attention. ¡°She really only has one child?¡± Inside the room, Feng Yuanxi eagerly awaited Xiaonan¡¯s answer but was filled with disappointment as hisrge eyes became misty. Xiaonan nodded emphatically, ¡°Mother said it herself! It must be true!¡± Feng Yuanxi sighed. ¡°Since Beautiful Sister is not my mother, I won¡¯t be able to see her anymore.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t cry! Do you like Mother that much?¡± Feng Yuanxi sniffled, his red eyes resembling a little rabbit, looking inexplicably pitiful. ¡°Beautiful Sister is like my mother.¡± ¡°Then, that¡¯s easy! Let¡¯s ask Mother to adopt you as her godchild!¡± ¡°Can I do that?¡± Feng Yuanxi widened his eyes. ¡°As long as my mother agrees.¡± ¡°But will she¡­ agree?¡± Feng Yuanxi stared at him with his small face. ¡°You look just like me. If you act a little spoiled, my mother will surely give in and agree.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face initially lit up with excitement, but soon a troubled expression took over. ¡°But you made a promise to Father that you won¡¯t go searching for my mother. If I go and find her, and Father discovers it, he will send me away from Tianjing.¡± He didn¡¯t want to leave. At least, staying in Tianjing would bring him closer to Beautiful Sister. If he left, he felt like he would never see Beautiful Sister again. Xiaonan scratched his head. This was indeed a problem. Initially, when he made the promise, he thought that if Yuanxi didn¡¯t go to his mother, he could bring his mother to find Yuanxi. But Yuanxi mentioned that thest time they encountered the three-headed snake, the Great Demon Lord saved his mother, and his mother promised the Great Demon Lord not to go find Yuanxi. Both of them had made promises and couldn¡¯t go back on them. Suddenly, a bright idea shed in Xiaonan¡¯s mind.. Chapter 136 - 136: Chance Encounter Chapter 136: Chance Encounter Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi looked at him expectantly. ¡°Your father may have said we can¡¯t actively search for Mother, but he didn¡¯t forbid us from ¡®identally¡¯ crossing paths with her!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s mind also lit up, and he understood immediately, ¡°Xiaonan, will you help me?¡± ¡°Of course! Since you look so much like me, I¡¯ll definitely help you!¡± Gu Xiaonan patted his chest. ¡°Xiaonan, you¡¯re really great!¡± Feng Yuanxi was grateful. Gu Xiaonan grinned, ¡°That¡¯s settled then! When we go back, I¡¯ll ask Mother when she¡¯s free and take her out to y. Then I¡¯ll have Xiaomei pass the message to you.¡± Using Xiaomei was the safest option. Although Xiaomei could be a bit talkative at times, she was reliable when it came to delivering messages. She would only pass the message to the intended recipient and wouldn¡¯t bber around, ensuring the message¡¯s safety from interception. ¡°Great!¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded eagerly. ¡°Oh, one more thing. I¡¯ll give you this bottle of elixir.¡± ¡°For me?¡± Feng Yuanxi took the bottle he handed over, looking confused. Gu Xiaonan puffed up his cheeks and told him about the Heavenly Heart Qin. ¡°The Heavenly Heart Qin was bought by your father for you. I¡¯m giving you the elixir, so it can be considered that I bought the Heavenly Heart Qin from you. That way, I didn¡¯t lie to my mother. But don¡¯t tell her, I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll get angry.¡± Feng Yuanxi promised, ¡°I¡¯ll keep it a secret.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good!¡± Gu Xiaonan resolved a worry and smiled happily. He came with Briquette, SteamBun, and left with Xiao Bai and Xiaomei. The servants dutifully reported what they saw to Feng Tian. A hint of doubt shed in Feng Tian¡¯s eyes, but he didn¡¯t delve into it. As long as that woman wasn¡¯t involved, he didn¡¯t n to meddle in his son¡¯s friendships. Little did Feng Tian realize that, despite the mutual agreement between his son and Gu Qingluan not to actively search for each other, Gu Xiaonan had found a clever way to ¡°identally¡± orchestrate their meeting. In the afternoon, the opportunity arose. Gu Xiaonan sent Xiaomei to the pce to deliver the message. He then took Gu Qingluan in a carriage to Yunhai Tower. ¡°Why do you suddenly want to go to Yunhai Tower?¡± Gu Qingluan looked at her excited son curiously. ¡°The food at Yunhai Tower is delicious, I want to dine there!¡± Gu Xiaonan made up an excuse. Gu Qingluan scolded him with a nce, ¡°The chefs in our residence were hired from Yunhai Tower. Isn¡¯t it the same?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the same. They have more chefs there, and the restaurant is lively. The food tastes even better!¡± Gu Xiaonan casually found an excuse. Gu Qingluan nced at him displeased, thinking that her son enjoyed the lively crowd. In the past, the Ind of No Return was quiet on the sea. It was rare to leave the ind, so it was normal for her son to be drawn to crowded ces.
  • ? ?
    • Yunhai Tower, the grandest restaurant in Tianjing, had swiftly expanded its influence across the Cloud ins Continent within a few short years. Its reputation for exquisite cuisine and breathtaking views had captivated the hearts of countless diners. Outshining itspetitors, both big and small, it had ascended to the pinnacle of the culinary world, iming the title of the foremost restaurant. When Feng Yuanxi first came to Tianjing, he was entertained by the crown prince of Chengyuan Kingdom and had dined there once. Therefore, he wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with this ce. However,st time he was in a private room, while today he sat in the main hall. Jing Feng had to constantly pay attention to the surroundings to prevent anyone from harming him. ¡°Young master, what are you looking at?¡± Jing Feng found it strange that Feng Yuanxi kept ncing towards the entrance. Was the young master waiting for someone? ¡°Nothing.¡± Feng Yuanxi pretended as if nothing was amiss. ¡°Yunhai Tower is really busy, bustling with people.¡± Jing Feng nodded, ¡°Yunhai Tower is indeed busy.¡± Just as he was about to withdraw his gaze, suddenly, his eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost.. Chapter 137 - 137: Stealing My Son Chapter 137: Stealing My Son Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion She, she, she¡­ Why is she here? Dressed in white, Gu Qingluan walked through the gate, holding her son¡¯s hand. Jing Feng¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The young master rarely came out, but why did he coincidentally choose the same restaurant as this madam? If the young master found out, it would be a stormy encounter! He quickly nced at the young master, silently praying that he hadn¡¯t noticed. But, it was toote! Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes lit up as he stared at Gu Qingluan. Jing Feng was afraid that the young master would run over to her. Should he stop him or not? Fortunately, the young master didn¡¯t put him in a difficult situation. He obediently sat in his seat and didn¡¯t move. However, Jing Feng was still worried. ¡°Young master, shall we go to another ce to eat?¡± Feng Yuanxi coldly nced at him. ¡°Isn¡¯t the food here delicious enough?¡± In front of Gu Qingluan, Feng Yuanxi, who was usually soft and gentle, had a character more akin to Feng Tian, rarely speaking and possessing an intimidating presence with just a nce. Jing Feng¡¯s breath hitched, and his attitude became much more respectful. ¡°No, it¡¯s just that there are too many people here, and it¡¯s crowded. I¡¯m afraid someone might harm the young master. It would be better to move to a private room, where it¡¯s peaceful and safe.¡± ¡°A group of ordinary mortals. Can¡¯t you handle them?¡± Jing Feng naturally couldn¡¯t answer. If Jing Feng were to say he couldn¡¯t handle a group of ordinary people, the young master would probably report him to his master. On a previous asion, Jing Feng mistakenly believed that the young master had escaped the pce, which led to him facing the looming threat of reprimand from his master. Fortunately, the situation turned out to be a mere misunderstanding, saving Jing Feng from any undeserved punishment. If the young master reported him this time, he would probably fall out of favor with his master. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s gaze fell on Gu Qingluan, and his dark, bright eyes zed. Gu Qingluan, with her heightened senses, couldn¡¯t fail to notice such a direct and passionate gaze. She lifted her eyes and saw Feng Yuanxi sitting in the hall. She was slightly stunned and subconsciously wanted to go over and greet him. However, when she saw the vignt Jing Feng next to him, she suddenly remembered what Yuanxi¡¯s father had said to her. She furrowed her brows and dismissed the thought, taking her son¡¯s hand and intending to go upstairs. ¡°Mother, mother, there¡¯s an empty table over there. Let¡¯s sit there!¡± Gu Xiaonan tugged at her hand, pointing to an empty table not far away. Since Gu Qingluan came with her son because this area was lively, she didn¡¯t refuse. After sitting down, she could still feel the scorching gaze on her. Has little Yuanxi also recognized her? But she promised the bastard not to seek out little Yuanxi. No matter how bad that man was, he saved her life, and she didn¡¯t want to break her promise. Moreover, she didn¡¯t want to bring trouble to little Yuanxi. That bastard had such a bad temper. If he knew she was getting involved with little Yuanxi again, he would definitely punish Yuanxi by spanking him or locking him in a small dark room. It would be so miserable. Jing Feng, seeing that Gu Qingluan didn¡¯te over, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He hoped this meal would end quickly, without any unexpected incidents. However, the more one hoped to avoid idents, the more likely they were to happen. Jing Feng had half of his attention fixed on Gu Qingluan¡¯s side. As a result, he failed to notice someone approaching. ¡°You damned thief! How dare you steal my son!¡± A p came flying towards Jing Feng¡¯s face. Jing Feng¡¯s eyes shed with a cold light as he urately grabbed the iing hand, furrowing his brows as he looked at the well-dressed woman in front of him. ¡°Let go! You¡¯re hurting me!¡± the woman screamed. ¡°My Xiao Bao, are you alright? Did this bad person bully you? Wuu wuu wuu, Grandma missed you so much! I thought I would never see you again, my good little one! Promise Grandma that you won¡¯t leave me again, okay?¡± Another unfamiliar old woman rushed over and hugged Feng Yuanxi. Feng Yuanxi had been watching Gu Qingluan and never expected someone to suddenly pounce on him.. Chapter 138 - 138: Abduction Chapter 138: Abduction Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Jing Feng¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he witnessed the young master being embraced by a peculiar old woman. Reacting swiftly, he spoke with firm authority, ¡°Release my young master this instant!¡± ¡°Phew! Who¡¯s your young master? This is our Xiao Bao. You, this heartless human trafficker, dare to abduct my good grandson!¡± The surrounding diners heard their conversation and started discussing, with many actually believing the words of these two women. Jing Feng furrowed his brows tightly and forcefully pushed away the young woman in front of him. Before he could rush over to rescue the young master, someone grabbed hold of his thigh. ¡°Don¡¯t approach my Xiao Bao! Mother, take him away quickly!¡± With so many people around, Jing Feng couldn¡¯t use excessive force against a woman. He couldn¡¯t break free for a moment. On the other side, Feng Yuanxi snapped back to his senses and forcefully pushed the old woman away. ¡°I don¡¯t know you!¡± The old woman let out a miserable scream and fell to the ground. Then she burst into loud wails, ¡°My dearest Xiao Bao, I understand your grievances, but you mustn¡¯t deny your own Grandma. I have only one precious grandson, and losing you would be devastating for me. It¡¯s alright to express your frustration at home, but please don¡¯t run away with this unknown person in a fit of anger. They may have ill intentions.¡± The surrounding diners started discussing among themselves. ¡°This old woman looks so pitiful.¡± ¡°No matter what mistakes the olddy made, she wouldn¡¯t harm the child. How can the child not recognize his grandmother?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, he even pushed the old woman to the ground. He¡¯s really thoughtless.¡± Seeing the young master being manipted like this, Jing Feng was infuriated. ¡°Nonsense! My young master has a noble status. Stop trying to opportunistically establish connections with him.¡± He shook off the young woman and rushed over to hold Feng Yuanxi. ¡°Young master, let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Hey! They¡¯re assaulting people, abducting people! Is there no justice?¡± The young woman crashed into the nearby tables and chairs, crying and screaming dramatically. The old woman cried out loudly while obstructing Jing Feng from leaving. Someone took it seriously and stood in Jing Feng¡¯s way. ¡°You are outrageously audacious, doing this openly and daring to steal someone¡¯s child? Immediately let go of the child.¡± Jing Feng widened his eyes. ¡°Get lost! They¡¯re all talking nonsense. Don¡¯t believe them.¡± ¡°I see a fierce and evil look on your face. You don¡¯t seem like a decent person. Clearly, you¡¯re a child trafficker!¡± ¡°How dare you disy such audacity in this ce! This behavior is unjustifiable! If you possess any rationality, you would promptly release the child. Otherwise, you shall not depart from here today.¡± Shortly after, several more diners stood up, surrounding Jing Feng and Feng Yuanxi. The old woman looked at the crowd gratefully. ¡°Thank you, heroes, for your help.¡± Then she looked at Feng Yuanxi with pity. ¡°Xiao Bao,e over here and go home with Grandma.¡± Feng Yuanxi had encountered traffickers before when he met Beautiful Sister. There were two people who pretended to be his family, but Beautiful Sister saw through their lies at first nce. He didn¡¯t understand why these strangers were siding with the old woman and the younger one. He felt confused and nced helplessly towards Gu Qingluan, but he couldn¡¯t see Beautiful Sister because there were people blocking his view from all sides. Has Beautiful Sister already left? Feng Yuanxi suddenly felt anxious, wanting to push away these ignorant fools. Just then, a familiar female voice sounded. ¡°This is absolutely astounding. To falsely assert ownership of someone else¡¯s child in broad daylight¡ªwhat could be their true motives?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes lit up in an instant. It was Beautiful Sister! Chapter 139 - 139:1 Have Two Sons Chapter 139:1 Have Two Sons Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The crowd automatically parted to create a pathway. A woman in white gracefully approached. Her stunning beauty captivated the onlookers. The young and old women exchanged a nce, revealing a hint of panic in their eyes. However, the older woman, being more experienced, quickly regained herposure and raised her eyebrows in anger. ¡°Where did this little girle from? Stop spouting nonsense here.¡± With a calm andposed demeanor, Gu Qingluan smiled faintly. ¡°Why the apprehension? Is it because you fear that I will unveil your deceitful intentions?¡± ¡°What do you know? It¡¯s none of your business. Mind your own business!¡± ¡°Hah!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression suddenly turned serious. ¡°You want to take my son away. How could that have nothing to do with me?¡± Flinching in astonishment, Feng Yuanxi widened his eyes. Did Beautiful Sister just im that he was her son? The older woman hesitated for a moment, then scolded, ¡°Nonsense! He is my grandson. When did he be your son?¡± ncing at her, Gu Qingluan clicked her tongue twice. ¡°You may dress the part, but your face is truly unsightly. With your appearance, I can hardly imagine how your son would look. Even his mother must have been ordinary-looking. How could she have given birth to such a handsome child?¡± Everyone looked at the older woman, then at the young woman beside her, and found Gu Qingluan¡¯s words quite reasonable. ¡°This girl is making a lot of sense. It¡¯s rare to see such a beautiful child. His parents must be extraordinarily attractive. Thisdy herself is so beautiful that she could easily be his mother.¡± The older woman¡¯s face revealed a touch of sadness. ¡°Xiao Bao resembles his birth mother. His birth mother was a stunning beauty, but her life was short-lived. The person beside me is the stepmother that I found for Xiao Bao. Xiao Bao became resentful because of this, and that¡¯s why he ran away from home.¡± As she spoke, she wiped away tears with her sleeve. The young woman lowered her eyes. ¡°Mother, it¡¯s all my fault. I couldn¡¯t make Xiao Bao like me, probably because I¡¯m not as pretty as his birth mother.¡± Initially, the people who had wavered due to Gu Qingluan¡¯s words were nowpletely bewildered. Who was telling the truth? The statements of this mother-inw and daughter-inw made sense as well. It wasn¡¯t umon for children to dislike their stepmothers, and running away from home was not out of the question. Stunned, Jing Feng held Feng Yuanxi in his arms, his eyes wide open. If he weren¡¯t involved, he would almost believe their nonsense! As for the easily persuaded onlookers, most of them now leaned towards the mother-inw and daughter-inw. Could Miss Gu really change the course of events? Then, they witnessed Gu Qingluan¡¯s sudden realization as she nodded, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± The older woman sneered, ¡°If you¡¯ve understood, then don¡¯t cause trouble. You see how good-looking my Xiao Bao is, and everyone wants to snatch him away?¡± Gu Qingluan neither confirmed nor denied, and she calmly asked, ¡°Do you have only one child in your family?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! Xiao Bao is our family¡¯s sole sessor for three generations.¡± A smile tugged at the corners of Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips. ¡°Well, that makes it easier! Xiaonan,e out.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± The crowd eximed in shock, their eyes widening as a young child emerged from behind Gu Qingluan. ¡°They look so simr!¡± ¡°They¡¯re practically identical.¡± Jing Feng also widened his eyes, staring incredulously at Gu Xiaonan. The older and younger women wore expressions of disbelief. ¡°No, how could this¡­¡± they stammered. Gu Qingluan remained unruffled as she calmly remarked, ¡°You have only one grandson, but I have two sons.¡± The two women were taken aback. Never could they have anticipated that the charming child they had set their sights on had an identical twin brother! Their previous words suddenly lost their strength and became feeble. ¡°Only twins could bear such striking resemnce. What more can you say now? Why not enlighten us about your intentions of taking my son away?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s smile was full of grace as she gazed at the two women. Her beauty appeared enchanting and captivating, but in the eyes of the two women, it resembled that of a devil.. Chapter 140 - 140: So It’s Fake Chapter 140: So It¡¯s Fake Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°This¡­ this is my Xiao Bao, and he coincidentally looks like your son. In this vast world, there are all sorts of wonders. Who said only twins can look alike?¡± The old woman stubbornly resisted. Gu Qingluan sneered, ¡°You im he is your son, but do you have any evidence?¡± The old woman¡¯s eyes darted around in a panicked frenzy. The people around them had already noticed something was amiss and urged her to present evidence. But where could the old woman find any evidence? She nced at Feng Yuanxi and suddenly said, ¡°I made a mistake. This is not my Xiao Bao. My old eyes are failing, and I didn¡¯t see clearly. Ah, I don¡¯t know where Xiao Bao went. I better go find him quickly.¡± ¡°Heh, you couldn¡¯t see clearly, and your daughter-inw couldn¡¯t see clearly either?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with Xiao Bao. I¡¯ve only seen him a few times. When my mother said he was Xiao Bao, I believed her,¡± the young woman defended herself cunningly as she supported the old woman. ¡°Mother, you must look more carefully next time and not mistake others. Look at the misunderstanding we¡¯ve caused!¡± ¡°Dare you me me? If it weren¡¯t for you angering Xiao Bao and making him run away, I wouldn¡¯t have to search everywhere! Go and find him quickly!¡± ¡°Yes, yes! Let¡¯s go find him!¡± As they spoke, they walked towards the exit. ¡°Stop!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s voice resonated. Upon hearing her, the two changed from walking to running, pushing through the crowd in an attempt to escape. At the entrance, several guards stood like arhats, blocking the gate. ¡°Make way!¡± the young woman shouted. The guards remained unmoved. The two became anxious, cold sweat forming on their foreheads. ¡°You still won¡¯t tell the truth? What were your intentions when you pretended to be the elders of my son?¡± Gu Qingluan approached them with slow steps. The two exchanged a nce and saw despair in each other¡¯s eyes. They turned around and knelt down, begging for mercy, tears streaming down their faces. ¡°Madam, spare us! We were blinded by greed when we saw how handsome your child is. We wanted to take him home and raise him. Please show us mercy this time, considering it¡¯s our first offense.¡± ¡°You¡¯re quite skilled at what you do, and you handle things with ease. It doesn¡¯t seem like your first offense,¡± Gu Qingluan sneered. The two turned pale, crying and repenting. Gu Qingluan remained unmoved. ¡°If you won¡¯t tell the truth, then let¡¯s go to the authorities.¡± The two shook their heads in fear upon hearing her words. ¡°Please, we beg for your mercy. We truly know we were wrong!¡± Jing Feng questioned them, ¡°Why did you impersonate the young master¡¯s elders?¡± ¡°The child looks good, and we wanted¡­ wanted to take him to the ck market and sell him for a good price.¡± The hall erupted in uproar. ¡°So, you are human traffickers! I defended you earlier!¡± ¡°Vile woman!¡± ¡°You never know someone¡¯s true nature. We didn¡¯t expect you to be so wicked! You must be severely punished!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression turned cold as well. She looked at the guards of Yunhai Tower and said, ¡°Take them to the authorities!¡± The guards wore the same furious expression. How dare they cause trouble inside their Yunhai Tower? Their crime was unforgivable! Without needing further instructions, they wouldn¡¯t go easy on these two. The two were forcefully escorted out of the gate, their arms twisted. Those who had spoken up for them earlier either cursed under their breath or guiltily covered their faces as they returned to their seats. The others in the hall, seeing that there was no more excitement to witness, began to disperse. Feng Yuanxi leaped down from Jing Feng¡¯s arms and rushed to Gu Qingluan, looking at her with excitement. He opened his mouth, ready to call out to her. But Gu Qingluan spoke before him, ¡°Little Yuanxi, in that desperate moment, I had no choice but to resort to such a n, pretending to be your mother. You won¡¯t me me, will you?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s smile vanished in an instant. So, it was all fake¡­ Quickly, he concealed his disappointment and revealed a cute smile. ¡°Of course, I won¡¯t me Beautiful Sister. I want to thank Beautiful Sister for saving me!¡± Gu Qingluan gently ruffled his little head. ¡°Were you frightened just now?¡± He wasn¡¯t frightened, just a little confused for a moment. He was about to shake his head, but upon seeing Gu Qingluan¡¯s caring gaze, he changed his mind.. Chapter 141 - 141: Being Tricked Chapter 141: Being Tricked Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Well, those two people from earlier were really bad. I didn¡¯t know them, but everyone believed them. If it weren¡¯t for Beautiful Sister¡¯s intervention, I might have been taken away by them,¡± Feng Yuanxi said, his voice filled with gratitude. Gu Qingluan touched his little face tenderly. ¡°It¡¯s alright now. The bad people have been taken away to see the authorities and will be locked up in prison. They won¡¯t be able to cause harm to Xiao Yuanxi or other children anymore.¡± ¡°Beautiful Sister, I¡¯m scared¡­ Can I hug you?¡± Feng Yuanxi took the opportunity to ask. Gu Qingluan looked at his pale face and felt a pang of pain in her heart. ¡°Of course you can!¡± She crouched down, opened her arms, and embraced Feng Yuanxi. Feng Yuanxi trembled slightly as he sensed the fragrance emanating from her, his excitement causing his body to shake. However, Gu Qingluan mistook his trembling for fear, feeling even more sympathetic towards him. She harbored an intense hatred for the two women in her heart and resolved to inform the people from Yunhai Tower to notify the authorities. Those two would definitely not be let off lightly. ¡°Miss Gu, thank you for your assistance earlier,¡± Jing Feng spoke up at the right moment. If he hadn¡¯t spoken up, who knew how long they would have remained in that position. This time, the young master was safe and sound, thanks to Miss Gu. However, they couldn¡¯t continue holding him like this forever. If the master were to find out¡­ Jing Feng shuddered at the thought. Hearing Jing Feng¡¯s voice, Gu Qingluan suddenly remembered the bastard. She had promised not to seek out Xiao Yuanxi. In the heat of the moment, she had gone against her promise, but she couldn¡¯t continue getting involved with Xiao Yuanxi. She let go and gently pulled Feng Yuanxi away from her embrace. Feng Yuanxi felt a sense of disappointment, and from an angle where Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t paying attention, he nced at Jing Feng. Jing Feng forced a bitter smile. He didn¡¯t want to offend the young master either. But he definitely couldn¡¯t disobey the master. He changed the subject, his gaze falling on Gu Xiaonan¡¯s face. ¡°And this is¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m Gu Xiaonan.¡± Gu Xiaonan blinked at Jing Feng. Although he had the same face as Feng Yuanxi, he was livelier and more mischievous. A familiar feeling washed over Jing Feng. He looked at his small face with uncertainty. This face looked exactly the same as Feng Yuanxi¡¯s disguised appearance. Perhaps that was why he found it familiar? With this thought in mind, Jing Feng no longer doubted and nodded at Gu Xiaonan. ¡°Thank you, Young Master Gu, for your help.¡± ¡°No need to be polite!¡± Gu Xiaonan waved his hand, exuding confidence. Jing Feng secretly admired Gu Xiaonan. Young Master Gu was young, but he had extraordinary bearing. He didn¡¯t pale inparison to their own young master at all. Meanwhile, Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t want to part with Gu Qingluan. He invited her, ¡°Beautiful Sister, are you alsoing to eat here? Can I join you?¡± ¡°Young Master, have you forgotten your promise to the master?¡± Jing Feng quickly lowered his head, reminding him of hismitment to Feng Tian. Feng Yuanxi frowned. ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten. Father only told me not to look for Beautiful Sister, but we just happened to meet. Besides, Beautiful Sister saved me earlier. Shouldn¡¯t I invite her to have a meal and thank her?¡± Jing Feng had no words to say in response. Feng Yuanxi looked up at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Beautiful Sister, can I treat you to a meal? Is that alright?¡± Seeing his hopeful eyes, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t bring herself to refuse. ¡°Alright!¡± ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± Feng Yuanxi showed a happy smile and turned to Jing Feng. ¡°Mr. Jing Feng, please arrange a private room for us.¡± But weren¡¯t they nning to eat in the main hall just now? Why did they suddenly want a private room? Jing Feng felt like he had been tricked. However¡­ Forget it, the young master¡¯s reasoning was sound. Jing Feng looked at Feng Yuanxi¡¯s joyful expression, gave up trying to stop him again, and agreed with a nod. He went to find the manager of Yunhai Tower to book a private room.. Chapter 142 - 142: The Bastard Is Here? Chapter 142: The Bastard Is Here? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion However, all the private rooms in Yunhai Tower were fully booked. Feng Yuanxi felt disappointed. He wanted to introduce all the delicious food here to Beautiful Sister, but the main hall was too noisy. He couldn¡¯t enjoy a quiet meal with Beautiful Sister. Unable to bear seeing his despondent expression, Gu Qingluan said, ¡°I¡¯ve reserved a special room here. Let¡¯s go there.¡± There was a room in Yunhai Tower specifically reserved for her, usually left vacant. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes immediately lit up. ¡°Beautiful Sister is amazing! You managed to reserve a private room in Yunhai Tower, even though they¡¯re so hard to get.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. Why did both Xiaonan and Xiao Yuanxi possess such honeyed tongues? The four of them went upstairs together. Feng Yuanxi said to Jing Feng, ¡°Mr. Jing Feng, please wait outside and don¡¯t let anyone disturb us.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Jing Feng hesitated. Feng Yuanxi furrowed his small eyebrows. ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± Jing Feng nced at Gu Qingluan and hesitated to speak. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s voice turned cold. ¡°What are you looking at Beautiful Sister for?¡± His gaze was sharp. Jing Feng quickly lowered his eyebrows and eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll wait outside, and if the Young Master has any orders, just let me know.¡± Once Jing Feng left, the serious expression on Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face disappeared. He ran to Gu Qingluan and said, ¡°Beautiful Sister, I missed you so much! Do you miss me?¡± ¡°Of course I do. Little Yuanxi is so adorable,¡± Gu Qingluan replied, not lying. Although she hadn¡¯t met Yuanxi many times, she inexplicably felt a sense of closeness and fondness for him. Thoughts of him would asionally cross her mind. ¡°Cough, cough!¡± A meaningful cough interrupted their conversation. Gu Qingluan turned her head and saw her son giving her a somewhat reproachful look. She pinched his little face. ¡°Xiaonan is adorable too.¡± Gu Xiaonan puffed up her cheeks. ¡°So, who¡¯s cuter, me or Yuanxi?¡± Uh¡­ Gu Qingluan looked at the two pairs of equally expectant eyes and twitched her lips. That was a good question! Looking at this one, then at the other, she replied slowly, ¡°Equally adorable!¡± The two children nced at each other and reluctantly epted it. After all, they looked the same, to begin with. Gu Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, children were easy to please. It might not be so easy to satisfy adults. The dishes were quickly served and filled the entire table. Feng Yuanxi picked up a piece of sweet and sour spare ribs and put it in her bowl. ¡°Beautiful Sister, this sweet and sour spare rib is delicious. Give it a try.¡± Gu Xiaonan was about to pick some for herself but changed the direction of her chopsticks and put it in Gu Qingluan¡¯s bowl. ¡°Mother, this chicken is also delicious. You should try it.¡± ¡°Eat your own food. I¡¯ll serve myself.¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know how to react. Were these two childrenpeting with each other? ¡°Beautiful Sister, please try it.¡± Feng Yuanxi blinked his eyes. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t resist his persuasion. She picked up the spare rib in her bowl and took a bite. Looking at Feng Yuanxi, whose eyes were fixed on her without blinking, she smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s delicious, sweet and tangy, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.¡± Feng Yuanxiughed, his eyes curved. ¡°I knew you would like it, Beautiful Sister.¡± ¡°Mother, try the chicken!¡± Gu Xiaonan nced at Feng Yuanxi, then urged Gu Qingluan. Knowing that her son wouldn¡¯t give up if she didn¡¯t eat it, Gu Qingluan took a bite of the chicken as well. After receiving her affirmation, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyebrows danced with joy. ¡°Mother, isn¡¯t my chicken more delicious?¡± ¡°The spare ribs are delicious!¡± ¡°The chicken is the delicious one!¡± Why were they arguing again? Gu Qingluan rubbed her forehead. Outside the room, Jing Feng, who was focused on guarding the private room, also heard the children¡¯s argument but didn¡¯t know how to react. Did the young master also have such a childish side? The meal was filled with a lively atmosphere. Gu Xiaonan felt that he had made a mistake. He shouldn¡¯t have helped Feng Yuanxi. This guy was clearly trying to snatch his mother away! If his mother really epted Feng Yuanxi as an adopted son, his mother wouldn¡¯t solely belong to him anymore. So, Gu Xiaonan refused to mention the adoption matter. And Feng Yuanxi couldn¡¯t find the right opportunity to bring it up after a meal and drinks. He kept giving meaningful looks to Gu Xiaonan, but Gu Xiaonan pretended not to see them. Feng Yuanxi realized that Gu Xiaonan was angry with him, regretting his behavior ofpeting with Gu Xiaonan for attention. Gu Xiaonan was Beautiful Sister¡¯s son, and that was an unchangeable fact. How could he possiblypete with him? ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Gu Qingluan noticed his change in expression and asked proactively. Feng Yuanxi looked at her and was about to speak when suddenly, a powerful aura enveloped the private room. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face changed abruptly. ¡°Father is here!¡± Gu Qingluan froze at his words. That bastard is here? Chapter 143 - 143: Do You Think I’m As Stupid As Jing Feng Chapter 143: Do You Think I¡¯m As Stupid As Jing Feng Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Boom! The door was forcefully sted open. A tremendous force caused the door to swing back and forth. Inside the private room, the three individuals were frozen in ce. The towering man stood at the doorway like a hellish Asura, his eyes filled with raging waves, his face dark as ink. Behind him, Jing Feng¡¯s face turned pale as he stood there like a pir, discreetly giving a nce to Feng Yuanxi. Feng Yuanxi swallowed hard, sliding off his chair. ¡°F-Father¡­ Why are you here?¡± Feng Tian looked at Feng Yuanxi, then scanned the faces of Gu Xiaonan and Gu Qingluan, finally settling back on Feng Yuanxi. ¡°Feng Yuanxi, is this your promise?¡± Feng Yuanxi stood next to the chair, hands pressed against his sides, trembling as he exined, ¡°Father, it¡¯s not what you think..¡± ¡°What did you promise me?¡± Feng Tian interrupted him. ¡°I promised not to seek out Beautiful Sister, but I didn¡¯t seek her out. It was just a chance encounter today¡­¡± ¡°Feng Yuanxi, do you think I¡¯m as foolish as Jing Feng?¡± Feng Tian interrupted him once again. Jing Feng, being called foolish, remained silent. Feng Tian nced at Gu Xiaonan and finally focused on Gu Qingluan. ¡°Woman, I¡¯ve underestimated you! You actually used a child as a decoy. What exactly do you want by repeatedly involving yourself with Yuanxi?¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t appreciate his choice of words and frowned slightly. ¡°Young Master Feng, you¡¯ve misunderstood. Today was indeed a coincidence.¡± ¡°Was it truly a coincidence?¡± Feng Tian didn¡¯t believe their words at all. Earlier, Jing Feng had informed him of everything that had happened. It did sound like a coincidence, but it was precisely because it seemed too coincidental that it raised suspicions. Moreover, his usually quiet son suddenly wanted to have a meal in the restaurant¡¯s lobby. He swore by his name that there must be some hidden motives. Gu Qingluan nced at the two children. Their eyes flickered. She understood very well that this so-called ¡°chance encounter¡± was indeed not a coincidence. However, at the moment, she couldn¡¯t afford to ask the two children for an exnation. She looked at Feng Tian, who exuded a suffocating aura, and felt the need to say a few words. ¡°Young Master Feng¡­¡± But Feng Tian didn¡¯t let her speak and shouted at Feng Yuanxi, who was trembling, ¡°Come here!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s body trembled. Gu Qingluan saw the fear on his face and felt a sharp pain in her heart. Couldn¡¯t this man treat his child with a little more patience? Every time, it was the same. He always looked like he wanted to devour his child alive. If someone didn¡¯t know any better, they would think he had picked up the child from the street! She wanted to speak up and persuade him, but she held herself back. Given this man¡¯s bias against her, speaking up wouldn¡¯t help Yuanxi at all. Instead, it might add fuel to the fire and make Yuanxi suffer even more. Feng Yuanxi stiffly moved towards Feng Tian, taking slow and cautious steps. Suddenly, his arm was grabbed. Feng Yuanxi froze and turned to look at the person holding him. ¡°Xiaonan?¡± The others¡¯ gazes also shifted towards Gu Xiaonan, their expressions varied. Gu Xiaonan said, ¡°Don¡¯t go over there. He will definitely send you away!¡± Before her words could fully sink in, a sharp gaze shot towards him. Gu Qingluan saw her son being targeted and quickly stood up, positioning herself in front of him. At the same time, she shielded Feng Yuanxi behind her. Feng Tian¡¯s lips curved slightly, and a bloodthirsty gleam appeared in his eyes. ¡°Move aside!¡± Considering that this man had killed a three-headed snake with a single strike, Gu Qingluan pursed her dry lips. ¡°Young Master Feng, let¡¯s talk things out. Yuanxi is still young¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, a surge of energy shot towards her. Gu Qingluan swiftly guarded herself and dodged the attack. Bang! The wall behind her cracked open. Cold sweat formed on Gu Qingluan¡¯s forehead. Damn, this guy is really going all out! Chapter 144 - 144: Your Master’s Mental State Seems Abnormal Chapter 144: Your Master¡¯s Mental State Seems Abnormal Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The two children were dumbfounded. Immediately, Gu Xiaonan shouted, ¡°Yuanxi, stop your father! Mother, run!¡± The Great Demon King previously said that if Yuanxi went to see his mother again, he would kill her. He didn¡¯t expect the other party to be serious. Ignoring her anger, Gu Xiaonan grabbed Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand, intending to take her away. Feng Yuanxi also realized what was happening and hurriedly rushed forward to embrace Feng Tian. He turned his head and called out to Gu Qingluan, ¡°Beautiful Sister, run!¡± Run? Today, she deliberately wouldn¡¯t run! Having lived for so many years, she had never been intimidated by any bastard like this! She rubbed her son¡¯s head and gave the two children a reassuring smile. Raising her gaze, her bright and furious eyes stared mockingly at him. ¡°Are you scared?¡± In an instant, killing intent poured out from the man¡¯s body. Indeed, his momentum was formidable, but Gu Qingluan was not frightened by it. ¡°Overbearing and tyrannical! Ruthless and cold-hearted! Unreasonable! Abusing power! Bullying the weak! Hmph, I¡¯m afraid nobody can tolerate your stinky temper! That¡¯s why you¡¯re afraid Yuanxi will leave with me.¡± Jing Feng looked at her with a horrified expression. Heavens! Was Miss Gu suicidal? She dared to scold the master! Although what she said seemed to be true¡­ Feng Tian¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, staring at her intensely. ¡°You are the first person to provoke me like this¡­¡± ¡°Oh, should I say, ¡®It¡¯s my honor¡¯?¡± Gu Qingluan sneered. Feng Tian¡¯s expression turned dark, and he clenched his fist, making crackling sounds. The two children and Jing Feng beside them couldn¡¯t help but break out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, Feng Tian didn¡¯t make a move. He suddenly curled his thin lips and sneered, ¡°Do you think I dare not kill you?¡± Her excessive words stemmed from her fear of his potential actions. This disy of audacity in his presence, with a hint of cunning, dared to challenge him, exhibiting an overestimation of her own capabilities! Gu Qingluan alsoughed. ¡°You can go ahead and make a move. It would be perfect if Yuanxi starts to dislike you.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s eyes gleamed with cold light. ¡°You truly have ill intentions!¡± As soon as his words fell, he appeared in front of Gu Qingluan in an instant. ¡°Father, no!¡± ¡°Mother, be careful!¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t retreat but advanced, tiptoeing and leaping into the air. Feng Tian didn¡¯t anticipate her move, and his hand, which was reaching for her neck,nded on a soft spot of her chest instead. The air froze! Feng Tian¡¯s expression stiffened, and his eyes showed astonishment. The two little ones and Jing Feng widened their eyes. ¡°Insolent brat!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression changed, angrily pping his face. Smack! A crisp sound echoed. It awakened Feng Tian. But his heart skipped a beat. He was somewhat flustered and took two steps back. A clear palm print appeared on his cheek. Gu Qingluan smiled coldly. ¡°It seems like it¡¯s you who has ill intentions, right?¡± Feng Tian¡¯s ears reddened slightly, his anger ring up. ¡°Shut up! It was just an ident earlier. Regarding a woman like you, even if you were to strip naked in front of me, I wouldn¡¯t spare a single nce!¡± Although he said such words, he couldn¡¯t help but recall the touch he had just experienced in his mind. His fingers moved involuntarily. ¡°Heh!¡± Gu Qingluanughed in exasperation. She scrutinized him critically from top to bottom, her eyes filled with disdain. ¡°Before you criticize me, why don¡¯t you take a good look at yourself? With your appearance, how dare you nitpick others?¡± Feng Tianpletely forgot how he looked at the moment, and his tone unconsciously revealed a touch of arrogance. ¡°The number of women who adore me could stretch in a line from the Holy Heaven Dynasty all the way to the Chengyuan Kingdom! There are countless women better than you.¡± ¡°Haha!¡± This time, Gu Qingluan was truly amused by him. She turned her head and nced at Jing Feng. ¡°In my assessment, your master¡¯s mental state appears to be abnormal. It would be advisable to confine him to the home and prevent him from embarrassing himself in public..¡± Chapter 145 - 145: Too Vicious! Chapter 145: Too Vicious! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Startled, Jing Feng broke out in a cold sweat. ¡°Miss Gu, your words are too vicious!¡± Without warning, Feng Tian reached out, gripping Gu Qingluan¡¯s chin, his eyes narrowing as his face approached hers. ¡°Did you insult me?¡± An overwhelming aura of danger enveloped her. The confined space added to the suffocating sensation. Gu Qingluan¡¯s breath hitched, and she pushed his face away with her hand. ¡°I¡¯m just speaking the truth! You can talk without resorting to violence. Are you trying to take advantage of me? You lecher!¡± The fingers mped on her chin suddenly tightened. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but cry out in pain. ¡°Say it again. You cannot earn my respect!¡± Feng Tian warned in a deep, grave tone. Gu Qingluan kneeled down and thrust her knee toward him. Feng Tian raised his leg to block. She aimed her fingertips, clenching a silver needle, toward his chest. His hand effortlessly intercepted it. They engaged in a brief exchange of moves,sting only a few breaths. Contempt gleamed in the man¡¯s eyes. As if he was mocking her feebleness. ¡°Likewise! There¡¯s no chance I would ever pay attention to someone like you!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes zed with fire. Though she remainedposed on the inside, she silently counted in her mind. One! Two! Three! Suddenly, she exerted force, breaking free from the man¡¯s grip and striking him back with her palm. Feng Tian staggered back several steps, colliding with the doorframe. ¡°Master?¡± Jing Feng looked at him in astonishment. Did Miss Gu actually push the master back? Could it be that the master had finallye to his senses and started showing some consideration for her? ¡°How dare you use poison!¡± Feng Tian¡¯s face darkened, surrounded by a surge of killing intent. Poison? Someone was able to poison him right under his nose, and they seeded? ¡°All is fair in war. You can bully the weak, so why can¡¯t I use poison?¡± Gu Qingluan touched her jaw, still throbbing with pain, a triumphant glint in her eyes. Ever since she discovered that the scoundrel¡¯s strength far surpassed hers, she specially concocted this poison¡ªa colorless and odorless substance. Merely contacting the skin would allow it to seep into the body, rendering the person weak and robbing them of their arcane power. Even a Revered One wouldn¡¯t be able to defend against it! But this man was too formidable. Gu Qingluan worried he would discover her plot, so she intentionally put herself in his hands, causing him to lose hisposure. Everything went ording to her n. Given his aversion to women, he would undoubtedly panic when he touched ces he shouldn¡¯t have. She made careful preparations by applying the poison to her neck and hands. If that p failed to connect, knowing him as she did, he would probably grab her neck or pinch her chin. As long as either of those strikesnded, victory would be hers! Leaning against the doorframe, Feng Tian exerted a bit of power and realized his profound energy hadpletely vanished. He didn¡¯t need to ask; he could already guess how he had been poisoned. ¡°I underestimated you.¡± Feng Tian closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, calmly gazing at her. Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t anticipated he would remain soposed. She couldn¡¯t help but admire his unflinching demeanor. However, she held the upper hand now, and she was confident she could make him lose his cool. With this in mind, she walked slowly towards him, raised her fist, and fiercely aimed it at his face. Feng Tian¡¯s eyes turned cold. ¡°You dare!¡± In her heart, Gu Qingluan thought, why wouldn¡¯t she dare? She had long wanted to do this. Did he think saving her life meant she had to be grateful and let him take liberties? Feng Tian moved to the side to evade. Jing Feng eximed and rushed forward to intervene. ¡°Get out of the way!¡± Gu Qingluan waved her hand, pushing Jing Feng back, then approached Feng Tian, grabbing his cor. Her fist mercilesslynded on his face. Feng Tian grunted, his eyes shing with a murderous glint. ¡°Gu Qingluan, you seek death!¡± No one had ever dared to strike him like this. How audacious she was, daring toy hands on him! Chapter 146 - 146: Your Father Really Deserves It Chapter 146: Your Father Really Deserves It Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan blew out a breath onto her clenched fist, feeling a surge of frustration dissipate. She had harbored a dislike for him for a long time, and finally having the opportunity to give him a beating brought her a sense of relief. She nced sideways at him. She saw a swollen red handprint on his left cheek, a bruised eye, and his already unattractive face looked even worse. With this appearance, where did he get his confidence? ¡°Beautiful Sister!¡± Feng Yuanxi tugged at her sleeve. Gu Qingluan lowered her head to look at him. ¡°Can you please stop hitting my father?¡± He had never seen his father being hit like this before. Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes showed apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Little Yuanxi. I didn¡¯t want to resort to violence, but your father really deserved it.¡± Feng Yuanxi fell silent. Indeed, his father was infuriating, and he shouldn¡¯t have tried to stop Beautiful Sister. But, after all, he was his father¡­ Feng Yuanxi lowered his head, feeling at a loss. Gu Qingluan softened in her heart and loosened her grip. ¡°Alright, alright, I won¡¯t hit him anymore.¡± She hadn¡¯t nned on hitting him again anyway. After all, the bastard was Yuanxi¡¯s father, and he even saved her life. She didn¡¯t intend to kill him. Teaching him a lesson and venting her pent-up anger proved to be sufficient If it escted to the point of a life-and-dcath struggle, they would truly be enemies. ¡°Beautiful Sister, thank you! You are truly kind-hearted and beautiful!¡± Feng Yuanxi expressed his gratitude. Beautiful Sister was really amazing. Even though his father treated her so poorly, she could still forgive him! ¡°Feng Yuanxi!¡± Feng Tian looked at his son in disbelief. ¡°You still think she¡¯s good after all this?¡± Wasn¡¯t he aware that this woman had poisoned him and struck him in the face? ¡°Dad, Beautiful Sister is kind-hearted. She won¡¯t hold your indecent behavior against you. As a grown man, you shouldn¡¯t keep pestering her.¡± Feng Yuanxi looked at him helplessly, his gaze as if he were looking at an unreasonable person. Feng Tian¡¯s chest heaved with anger. His son was more of a nuisance than a help. Was he born to infuriate him? Seeing Feng Tian furious, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s good that Little Yuanxi understands.¡± She patted the little guy¡¯s head and nced at Feng Tian. ¡°You acted indecently towards me, and I hit you. That should settle the score. From now on, let¡¯s not cross paths again! As for Yuanxi¡­ Whether you like it or not, since I have met him and he calls me Beautiful Sister, I have to say a few words on his behalf.¡± Feng Yuanxi nervously watched her. What would Beautiful Sister say? Feng Tian¡¯s face remained cold, his lips pressed into a hard line. ¡°I fail toprehend why you harbor such intense animosity towards women. Regardless of your own experiences, you shouldn¡¯t project your resentment onto Yuanxi. He will have his own life in the future, and as a father, your role should be to guide him rather than instill biased beliefs in him. By isting him from interactions with women, have you considered the potential consequences of his future? He may adopt your disdain for women, or he might swing to the other extreme, sumbing to the allure of women. Neither oue aligns with what I believe you would wish to witness.¡± Feng Tian remained silent, his eyshes trembling slightly. It was evident that he had taken Gu Qingluan¡¯s words to heart. ¡°In this world, absolutes of good and evil do not exist. I confess that I am not a virtuous person. When ites to dealing with the Gu family, I can be merciless, resorting to beatings and killings without hesitation. However, when it concerns my son, I am capable of anything for his sake.¡± Gu Qingluan looked deeply into his eyes. ¡°I am aware of my own ws, just as the world itself is imperfect. The same can be said for you. Your personal biases are your own concern, and it is not my ce to pass judgment. However, ever since I met Yuanxi and he started calling me Beautiful Sister, I have developed a strong desire to prevent him from bing like you.¡± Jing Feng, who had always been stoic and expressionless, found himself tempted to apud as he listened to her words. His master was perfect in every way, except for his extreme bias against women. Because he detested women, he didn¡¯t allow any woman to approach the young master. It was indeed too extreme. However, being his subordinate, he had no authority to intervene. Despite recognizing the impropriety of his master¡¯s actions, he was powerless to persuade him otherwise. After Gu Qingluan finished speaking, there was a long silence in the room. Suddenly, Feng Tian said, ¡°You¡¯ve said so much, but it doesn¡¯t change the fact that you¡¯re cunning.¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled softly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with being cunning? Do you prefer foolish and honest people?¡± Her remarks left Feng Tian unable to retort.. Chapter 147 - 147: Retreating Is the Best Strategy Chapter 147: Retreating Is the Best Strategy Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°As the saying goes, it¡¯s more effective to be flexible and amodating rather than rigid and resistant. Instead of cutting off Yuanxi¡¯s contact with women, it¡¯s better to let him experience it firsthand and learn from it. If he encounters a cunning woman, he can see for himself. The more he sees, the better he will be at discerning. If you¡¯re not around in the future, he will be able to judge for himself, isn¡¯t that better?¡± Feng Tian pursed his lips. ¡°You¡¯re quite eloquent.¡± ¡°I take that as apliment,¡± Gu Qingluan said, curling her lips into a faint smile. Her beautiful face radiated charm, her eyes filled with water-like brilliance, and her smile was captivating and unmatched. Feng Tian lost himself in her presence. After a moment, he snapped out of his daze and regretted his previous actions. To conceal his embarrassment, he spoke through gritted teeth, ¡°The antidote!¡± ¡°Soak it in a solution of fish mint for two hours, and you will be cured,¡± Gu Qingluan replied. Feng Tian stared at her intently. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you still want to kill me?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, I did use the wrong approach. From now on, I won¡¯t stop Yuanxi from seeing you. I want him to see for himself what you¡¯re up to!¡± Feng Yuanxi eximed, ¡°Dad, are you serious? Can I really see Beautiful Sister in the future?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Feng Tian nodded, looking down at him with a hint of tenderness in his eyes. He had indeed made a mistake before. The more he opposed it, the further his son would be driven away. It was better to let Yuanxi interact more with her. Distance lends enchantment to the view As Yuanxi spent more time with her, he would naturally see that she wasn¡¯t as good as he imagined. At that time, it would be effortless to sever their rtionship. ¡°Now, do you want to stay or go back to the pce with me?¡± With eyes wide open, Feng Yuanxi found it hard to believe that happiness had arrived so swiftly. Dad actually agreed not to stop him from seeing Beautiful Sister! Naturally, he wanted to be with Beautiful Sister. But- Looking at his father¡¯s bruised and swollen face, Feng Yuanxi felt a pang of sympathy. Well, there would be plenty of opportunities to see Beautiful Sister in the future. For now, he should apany his injured father back. Upon hearing Feng Yuanxi¡¯s choice, a faint smile appeared in Feng Tian¡¯s eyes. Indeed, retreating was the best strategy. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded and turned to bid farewell to Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan. ¡°Beautiful Sister, Xiaonan, I¡¯ll visit Jun Residence another day. Goodbye!¡± Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan waved goodbye. Feng Tian slowly lifted his foot and walked out. ¡°Master, let me support you.¡± Jing Feng offered when he saw his difficulty in moving. ¡°I¡¯ll do it myself!¡± Feng Yuanxi hurried to Feng Tian¡¯s side, holding his hand. ¡°Dad, take it slow, watch out for the doorstep.¡± Feng Tian gave Jing Feng a disdainful nce. Jing Feng tactfully stepped aside, watching as the young master supported the towering figure with his small body. After they left, the innkeeper of Yunhai Tower approached. ¡°Miss, arc you okay?¡± The private room on the third floor was specially arranged for Gu Qingluan, and the staff of Yunhai Tower always treated her with great caution. When the man intruded and forced open the door, the staff of Yunhai Tower were startled and wanted to drive him away, but they were stopped by several guards. Feeling the overwhelming pressure emanating from the door of the private room, the staff of Yunhai Tower were deterred and couldn¡¯t approach. ¡°We¡¯re fine. We¡¯re going back now. Forget what happened today,¡± Gu Qingluan said, dismissing the innkeeper¡¯s question. The innkeeper held back the questions he wanted to ask. ¡°Miss, Young Master, have a safe trip back.¡± Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan left Yunhai Tower. Even after they got into the carriage, Gu Xiaonan couldn¡¯t shake off his worries. ¡°Mother, are you just going to let him go? What if hees back to cause trouble for you?¡± He could tell that the Demon Lord¡¯s strength far surpassed his mother¡¯s. This time, his mother had sessfully poisoned him unexpectedly. But next time, they might not be so lucky. Today, the Demon Lord had been beaten. Once the poison was cured, he was likely to seek revenge. ¡°After all, he saved my life. Can I really kill him? Not to mention, he¡¯s Yuanxi¡¯s biological father. For Yuanxi¡¯s sake, it¡¯s not good to kill him. I think he won¡¯t easilye looking for trouble again.¡± ¡°But he originally wanted to kill you! Letting him off like this is too kind to him! You should have made him suffer more and not told him the antidote.¡± Gu Qingluan revealed a wicked smile at his words.. ¡°Do you think I let him off so easily?¡± Chapter 148 - 148: Stinky Chapter 148: Stinky Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Although Gu Qingluan said she would let him go, she still wanted him to suffer a bit to vent her anger. ¡°Ah, does that fish mint not work as an antidote?¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Fish mint does work as an antidote, but when itbines with the poison in his body, it emits a foul odor that lingers for three days.¡± ¡°Wow! Mother, you¡¯re amazing!¡± Gu Xiaonan eximed in excitement. The thought of the Demon Lord enduring a stench for three days, his face contorted in disgust, excited him. Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°Actually, if he didn¡¯t use fish mint, the poison would naturally dissipate in twelve hours.¡± This poison was concocted by her on the spot, specifically to deal with scumbags. She never intended to kill him, so she wouldn¡¯t ruin his cultivation. Gu Xiaonan eximed, ¡°Mother, you¡¯re incredible!¡± If the Demon Lord knew that he had endured three days of foul odor for nothing, he couldn¡¯t imagine what expression he would have!
  • ? ?
    • Back at the pce, although Feng Tian felt weak and couldn¡¯t use his arcane power, it was the best day he had experienced in a long time. His son had taken care of him the whole time, supporting him with his small body as they walked a long way. Even though beads of sweat dotted his forehead, his heart and eyes were focused on his father. This good mood continued until he soaked in the water boiled with fish mint, and it came to a sudden halt. Feng Yuanxi, worried about Feng Tian¡¯s condition, hadn¡¯t left and was sitting outside the room, waiting. Suddenly, a foul smell wafted into their noses, and Feng Yuanxi couldn¡¯t help but cover his nose and exim, ¡°It stinks!¡± Jing Feng also noticed it. The smell was reminiscent of fish mint, but it was more than a hundred times stronger. It was a nauseating smell! Feng Yuanxi pinched his nose and asked in a muffled voice, ¡°Mr. Jing Feng, where is the stenching from?¡± Jing Feng uncovered his nose and took a sniff, his expression suddenly changing. ¡°It¡­ it seems to being from Master¡¯s room!¡± ¡°Ah! Dad¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, the tightly closed door suddenly opened. A wave of foul odor hit them. Feng Yuanxi retched and covered his mouth and nose, retreating in horror. Jing Feng instinctively wanted to cover his nose too, but when he saw Feng Tian¡¯s gloomy face, he held back. Carefully, Jing Feng asked, ¡°Master, why did youe out? Has your arcane power recovered?¡± Just as he finished asking, he realized that his master¡¯splexion had worsened, and the gaze that fell upon him was as sharp as arrows. ¡°I¡¯m done soaking!¡± Feng Tian said coldly. It was not about recovering; it was about not soaking. Jing Feng anxiously said, ¡°Master, hasn¡¯t the poison been cured yet? You should soak in the fish mint water a little longer!¡± ¡°No!¡± Feng Tian angrily ordered, ¡°Drain the fish mint water and bring a bucket of clean water!¡± ¡°Father, you can¡¯t do that! The poison in your body has not been cured yet. You must soak in the fish mint water!¡± Feng Yuanxi, covering his nose and mouth, stood at the courtyard gate and shouted. Seeing his son keeping his distance, Feng Tian¡¯s face darkened even more. He was already emitting an unbearable stench, and now even his own son was repulsed by it. If he continued to soak any longer, one could only imagine the intensifying odor that would emanate from him. ¡°Go and change the water!¡± Hemanded Jing Feng in a low voice. ¡°Don¡¯t change it!¡± Feng Yuanxi also insisted. Jing Feng¡¯s heart was filled with bitterness as he anticipated another sh between his master and the young master. ¡°Father, as the saying goes, ¡®Good medicine tastes bitter.¡¯ Although fish mint stinks, your health is the most important. Don¡¯t be stubborn, go back to your room quickly. If you find it stinky, just block your nose with something, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Feng Yuanxi advised him with a concerned tone.. Chapter 149 - 149: Want to Eat It! Chapter 149: Want to Eat It! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Jing Feng stood in the courtyard, nodding vigorously. ¡°Young Master is absolutely right, Master, your health is important. If you find it unpleasant, shall I go find some fragrant mushrooms for you?¡± ¡°No need!¡± Feng Tian replied with a stern face and turned back into the house. With a loud thud, the door closed heavily. However, the stench couldn¡¯t be sealed away. Feng Yuanxi lowered his hand and immediately caught a whiff of the foul odor, quickly covering his nose and mouth. ¡°Jing Feng, please go and fetch some incense burners, and ask someone to bring a fewrge fans to disperse the smell here.¡± ¡°Very well, Young Master,¡± Jing Feng promptlyplied and went to arrange it. Shortly after, several servants arrived carrying incense burners. Unfortunately, the strong odor overwhelmed the fragrance emitted from the burners. The two scentsbined, making it even more unbearable. In the end, they had to remove the incense burners and only use the fans to disperse the smell. Two hourster, the door opened. Feng Yuanxi and Jing Feng simultaneously looked over. Feng Tian walked out expressionlessly. ¡°Father, is the poison cured?¡± Feng Yuanxi asked, his eyes filled with concern. ¡°Yes.¡± Feng Tian nced at the courtyard. The row of servants holding fans had pained expressions on their faces, enduring the difort. ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± Feng Yuanxi cheered, ¡°Father, please rest well. I won¡¯t disturb you anymore!¡± Before he could finish his words, he turned and hurriedly ran off. Jing Feng watched his departing figure and his eyes filled with envy. Shouldn¡¯t he find an opportunity to slip away too? Before he could speak, a cold gaze fell upon him. Jing Feng froze in ce, quickly suppressing the look of envy on his face and respectfully lowered his head, waiting for his master¡¯s instructions. ¡°I will enter seclusion for a few days. Take good care of Yuanxi,¡± Feng Tian said. Jing Feng thought that his master¡¯s condition hadn¡¯t fully recovered and his eyes showed concern. ¡°Please rest assured, Master. I will take good care of Young Master.¡± Once Feng Tian left, the servants immediately used the fans to disperse the smell. Theyined in hushed voices, ¡°Heavens, this smell is too strong. What kind of odor is this?¡± Jing Feng nced at them and said in a solemn voice, ¡°Don¡¯t speak ill of others behind their back! Anyone who spreads rumors will be severely punished!¡± The servants nodded to indicate their understanding. One of them, holding his nose, asked, ¡°Captain Jing Feng, can wee a littleter? We can¡¯t bear this smell.¡± ¡°If the master detects even the slightest odor upon his return, can any of you bear the consequences?¡± No one could. The servants exchanged nces and could only continue to fan, wearing forced smiles. Jing Feng nced at the room and casually pointed at two of them, ¡°You two, go inside and remove the wooden bucket!¡± The two reluctantly entered the room and nearly fainted on the spot. Gu Qingluan had no knowledge of themotion in the pce. She simply wanted to tease that despicable man. Who told him to always look down on her with that lofty attitude? Did he think she would be interested in him? He was so conceited! The mother and son duo returned home in a carriage. As soon as they entered the gate, a white figure dashed out. Gu Qingluan quickly grabbed hold of it. ¡°Squeak squeak squeak!¡± Xiaobai innocently squeaked at her. ¡°Betrayer Bai, when did you sneak back?¡± Gu Qingluan asked. ¡°Squeak squeak?¡± Xiaobai blinked in confusion. ¡°Mother, why do you call Xiaobai a ¡®Betrayer Bai¡¯?¡± Gu Xiaonan stepped forward and rescued Xiaobai from Gu Qingluan¡¯s hands. Gu Xiaonan stepped forward and rescued Xiaobai from Gu Qingluan¡¯s grasp. Xiaobai nestled in his arms, trembling with caution as he nced at Gu Qingluan. The master¡¯s gaze was terrifying! It seemed as though he wanted to skin and strip Xiaobai alive! Earlier in the morning, Gu Xiaonan had brought Xiaobai back, and Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t noticed. She nervously looked at her son, thinking that Xiaobai had returned on his own. But to her surprise, Xiaonan treated Xiaobai no differently than before, disying the same affectionate demeanor without any hint of resentment. Gu Qingluan cast a disappointed nce at her son, feeling frustrated. How could he easily forgive this ungrateful Betrayer Bai? ¡°A fox that runs away from its owner can be abandoned, but since it has returned, we can¡¯t neglect itpletely, Xiaonan. Do you want it braised or stewed?¡± Braised or stewed? Xiaobai¡¯s body trembled like a sieve. The master¡¯s deep-seated resentment was overwhelming! It felt as though she harbored intentions of devouring Xiaobai, even going so far as to strip it of its very skin! ¡°Young master, please save me!¡± Xiaobai trembled while desperately trying to burrow into Gu Xiaonan¡¯s embrace.. Chapter 150 - 150: Gu Zhicheng Came Out of Seclusion Chapter 150: Gu Zhicheng Came Out of Seclusion Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan held Xiaobai tightly and said, ¡°Mother, why are you scaring Xiaobai?¡± ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m joking?¡± Gu Qingluan replied seriously. Looking at her stern expression, Gu Xiaonan blinked in confusion. Did his mother really want to ughter Xiaobai? Why? After pondering over Gu Qingluan¡¯s previous words, he suddenly understood and quickly exined, ¡°Mother, you misunderstood. I asked Xiaobai to follow Yuanxi. Xiaobai didn¡¯t abandon me.¡± ¡°Squeak, squeak!¡± Xiaobai nodded in agreement. That¡¯s right! Its little master will always be Xiaonan, and it would never betray him! Gu Qingluan squinted, scrutinizing Xiaobai. Trembling, Xiaobai nodded nervously. Gu Xiaonan reached out and gently patted its head. ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, Xiaobai. Mother won¡¯t braise or stew you. Right, Mother?¡± It seemed that she had misunderstood. Gu Qingluan pursed her lips and said, ¡°Forget it. It¡¯s your pet, you take care of it.¡± Both Gu Xiaonan and Xiaobai breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, Gu Xiaonan remembered Briquette and SteamBun and hurriedly asked, ¡°Mother, can I bring Briquette and SteamBun to y with Yuanxi? Yuanxi really likes them, so I want to give them to him. Will you be angry with me?¡± ¡°Since I gave them to you, they¡¯re yours to decide. What you do with them is up to you,¡± Gu Qingluan replied. She didn¡¯t want to be overly controlling when it came to raising her child. While there were certain principles she wouldn¡¯tpromise on, she believed in giving him freedom and fostering his independence. Thinking of this, she also thought of Little Yuanxi and then of his father. Gu Qingluan immediately felt a sense of urgency. That bastard was young, yet his cultivation was formidable. She wondered where he had obtained such power. Although Cloud ins Continent was lower in rankpared to Heavenly Realm Continent, it shouldn¡¯t be underestimated. At least with her current strength, she couldn¡¯t do as she pleased. Gu Zhixin, Gu Lingxue, and Gu Lingxue¡¯s backers¡­ Her enemies were strong. She needed to be stronger without dy! Feeling the urgency, Gu Qingluan set aside other matters and focused on cultivation. After making all the necessary arrangements and informing Xiaonan, Gu Qingluan entered the Ster Space for closed-door cultivation. A week quickly passed. At the Gu residence. Laughter echoed through the air. Wang Shi, Second Master Gu, and several younger family members hurriedly rushed to the main courtyard. Creak. The door opened. A mature and radiant middle-aged man appeared before them. Wang Shi and the others widened their eyes in astonishment. In just a little over ten days, Gu Zhicheng had be at least ten years younger! He now appeared to be around forty years old. With his jet-ck hair and bright eyes, he exuded a youthful radiance. Standing next to Gu Zhicheng, Gu Zhixin seemed like the elder brother! After the initial shock, they couldn¡¯t contain their excitement. His current state indicated that his closed-door cultivation was sessful, and his cultivation had stabilized! Everyone rushed forward and surrounded him. ¡°Old Master, is your cultivation stable? Are you feeling any difort?¡± Wang Shi asked with concern. ¡°Yes, everything went smoothly. I¡¯m in excellent condition now,¡± Gu Zhicheng replied with a smile. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! Congrattions on bing a Revered One, Father!¡± Gu Qin¡¯er eximed with joy. ¡°Congrattions, Big Brother!¡± ¡°Congrattions, Uncle!¡± Gu Zhicheng had a beaming smile on his face. Suddenly, Gu Jinyue asked, ¡°Uncle, when will you go and deal with Gu Qingluan? You don¡¯t know how terrible she was while you were in seclusion¡­¡± She had been waiting for this day for a long time, and she couldn¡¯t wait to see Gu Qingluan kneeling and begging for mercy. As she listened to Gu Jinyue¡¯s exaggeratedints, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s expression grew darker and darker. Gu Qingluan, that arrogant girl, needed to be taught a lesson. If he didn¡¯t intervene, she would continue to believe that she was beyond anyone¡¯s control. Gu Jinyue was taken aback by his sudden anger, but she couldn¡¯t help feeling excited. Gu Qingluan, lets see how arrogant you can be now! ¡°Prepare the horses. We¡¯re going to the Jun Residence!¡± Gu Zhicheng said in a low voice. Soon, Gu Zhicheng rode his horse and headed towards the Jun Residence. The others followed suit, eagerly making their way there.. Chapter 151 - 151: Revenge Chapter 151: Revenge Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Master Gu, please wait!¡± Gu Zhichengwas stopped in the middle of the street. Upon seeing the person approaching, Gu Zhicheng raised an eyebrow. ¡°Fifth Prince, why are you stopping me? If your matter is not urgent, we can discuss it another day. I have an important matter to attend to and must leave now.¡± ¡°Is Master Gu going to find Gu Qingluan?¡± Gu Zhicheng nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± ¡°Is it to teach her a lesson?¡± ¡°You seem to know quite well, Fifth Prince. So, do you want to stop me?¡± In the past, when he was only at the Heavenly Realm stage, Gu Zhicheng would never have dared to speak in such a tone to the Fifth Prince. Now that he had be a Revered One, his status had elevated, and even in front of the Fifth Prince, he had gained confidence. Qitian Yu nodded. ¡°However, Master Gu, please don¡¯t be hasty. Allow me to say a few words.¡± ¡°If the Fifth Prince intends to intercede for that girl, then let it be forgotten! Today, I shall impart upon her a lesson that will etch in her memory for eternity. I will not allow her to grow arrogant and disregard her origins.¡± ¡°Master Gu, calm down. I know that you¡¯re angry at Miss Qingluan. She has indeed made many mistakes this time, even causing some trouble for me.¡± As he recalled the humiliation of kneeling before her that day, a dark glint shed in Qitian Yu¡¯s eyes. ¡°Then why are you stopping me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not convenient to talk here. Can Master Gu pleasee with me?¡± Gu Zhicheng hesitated for a moment, then considering Qitian Yu¡¯s position as a prince, he dismounted and followed him into the nearby house. After a while, two figures rode past on their horses. Soon, the two individuals returned on their horses and stopped in front of the house. ¡°That¡¯s Master Gu¡¯s horse. I told you that you were wrong. How could Master Gu lower his status to cause trouble for Gu Qingluan?¡± The woman on the ck horse had a noble appearance and a cold voice. She was Tang Shijiao, the second youngdy of the Tang family. The woman in the red dress sitting on the white horse beside her was Tang Shijun, the third youngdy. She furrowed her delicate eyebrows and said, ¡°Just now, I witnessed Master Gu¡¯s visage filled with anger as he passed by. It appeared as though he intended to unleash havoc upon someone! Rumors have circted that when Master Gu emerges from seclusion, Gu Jinyue will discipline Qingluan. Although Qingluan is formidable, Master Gu is a Revered One, so she¡¯ll definitely suffer in his hands!¡± ¡°Why do you care about Gu Qingluan¡¯s life and death? Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Sister, how can you say that? Qingluan is my friend. She even gave me a big giftst time!¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a set of jewelry. As a youngdy of the Tang family, haven¡¯t you seen all kinds of good things?¡± Tang Shijiao dismissed it. ¡°But that is a unique set from Nirvana Pavilion! Ever since Nirvana Pavilion introduced its membership system, the nobledies of Tianjing have been rushing to join. The threshold for Nirvana Pavilion has greatly increased. Even if I were a special VIP, I wouldn¡¯t be able to grab a set like what Gu Qingluan gave me. Sister, you usually don¡¯t pay attention to dolling up, so you don¡¯t know about these things.¡± Tang Shijiao grew impatient with her talk. ¡°All these are just for attention seekers! It¡¯s only women like you who will spend money on these useless pieces of jewelry.¡± Tang Shijun pouted. ¡°You say that as if you¡¯re not a woman. But Sister, you really don¡¯t seem like ady.¡± Tang Shijiao red at her, about to say something. Suddenly, the gate beside them opened. Both of them fell silent. Gu Zhicheng recognized the two youngdies as members of the Tang family. Tang Shijiao sped her fists towards Gu Zhicheng. ¡°We were passing by here and unexpectedly met Master Gu. Nice to meet you.¡± Gu Zhicheng nodded. ¡°Please convey my regards to your father when you return home.¡± ¡°We will definitely do so. Master Gu, we bid you farewell!¡± Tang Shijiao exchanged a nce with Tang Shijun, and the two of them rode away on their horses. After a while, Qitian Yu walked out from inside the gate. Gu Zhicheng asked, ¡°Does anyone know that you bought this property?¡± Qitian Yu shook his head. ¡°No one is aware. Master Gu, please rest assured.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Gu Zhicheng didn¡¯t pay much attention to the two women. ¡°I¡¯ll go ahead ording to the n.¡± ¡°Very well!¡± Gu Zhicheng mounted his horse and headed straight for the Jun Residence. Qitian Yu turned and returned inside the gate. After about the time it took an incense stick to burn, Gu Zhicheng appeared outside the Jun Residence. The guards at the gate immediately tensed up, gripping their long spears and watching him warily. Gu Zhicheng gazed at the familiar gate before him, then looked up at the que hanging high above. His chest surged with blood and excitement. Today, he would finally be able to wash away his past shame! Chapter 152 - 152: Retire As a Chef Chapter 152: Retire As a Chef Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Inside Shallow Clouds Residence. Gu Xiaonan held a bowl of dark liquid in his hand and waved to Xiaobai. ¡°Xiaobai,e and taste the ginseng chicken soup I¡¯ve been cooking for two hours. I followed Miss Qianhuan¡¯s instructions, so it must be a sess!11 Xiaobai stood on a viewing stone and shook its head, refusing. Master, please don¡¯t try to deceive me again! Thats not ginseng chicken soup, its poison! Giving it to Xiaobai is like giving poison to it! Gu Xiaonan narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint appearing, ¡°Are you criticizing my cooking?¡± Xiaobai continued to shake its head. It didn¡¯t dare to admit it! Recalling the nightmare from a few days ago, Xiaobai felt like crying. On the day when Gu Qingluan was in seclusion, Feng Yuanxi happened toe by and brought a bowl of soup personally cooked for Gu Qingluan. After Gu Qingluan tasted it, she eximed in admiration and praised Feng Yuanxi endlessly. Since then, Gu Xiaonan, who had never stepped foot in the kitchen, was stimted. From that day on, Gu Xiaonan cooked every day, vowing to master cooking before his mother came out. He wanted to retire as a chef for his mother! However, Gu Xiaonan, who was gifted in cultivation, alchemy, and formations, suffered a major setback in cooking. On the first day, he burned down the kitchen! On the second day, he caused an explosion in the kitchen! On the third day, the newly rebuilt kitchen was fortunately spared, but¡­ The things he cooked caused Xiaobai to vomit and have diarrhea, almost costing its life! Xiaobai had ingested countless pills refined by Gu Xiaonan since it was young, making it immune to all poisons. However, after drinking Gu Xiaonan¡¯s ¡°chicken soup,¡± it endured more suffering than mere poisoning. On the fourth day, Xiaomei fell ill. On the fifth day, just as Xiaobai had recovered, it suffered again. On the sixth day¡­ On the seventh day¡­ Xiaobai trembled. Please, Master, give up. As long as you stay out of the kitchen, it can do anything! ¡°Xiaobai, are you finding fault with my cooking?1¡® Gu Xiaonan lowered his head in disappointment, ¡°I know, I¡¯m not as good as Yuanxi. Yuanxi is more well-behaved than me, better at cooking, and knows how to make Mother happy. I¡¯m just too foolish. Once Mother has Yuanxi, I ¡®m sure Pl I gradually fall out of favor¡­¡± No, Master, you¡¯re the best! After being together with Master for so many years, when had Xiaobai ever seen him so dejected? Young Master should always be confident and full of vitality! Feeling anxious, Xiaobai jumped down from the viewing stone andnded by Gu Xiaonan¡¯s feet, extending its small paw to gently pat his leg. ¡°Squeak squeak squeak!¡± Young Master, don¡¯t be sad, you¡¯re amazing! Master definitely loves you the most! ¡°You don¡¯t have to console me, I know. 1 can¡¯t even cook such a simple soup, Mother wonrt like it for sure.1¡¯ ¡°No, no! That¡¯s not true at all!11 Xiaobai eximed, circling around him, not knowing how to console him. ¡°Sigh, Miss Qianhuan said that to capture a woman¡¯s heart, you must first capture her stomach. If Mother tastes Yuanxi¡¯s cooking a few more times, then I¡¯ll be an unloved child/¡¯ Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes lost their sparkle, resembling a frost-stricken eggnt ¡°Squeak! Squeak!¡± Xiaobai raised its little paw towards the bowl in Gu Xiaonan¡¯s hand. Master, 1¡¯11 drink it! Gu Xiaonan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Xiaobai, you don¡¯t have to force yourself tofort me.¡± Xiaobai danced with excitement. Its not just forfort! Master, you will definitely seed this time! If you don¡¯t believe me, let me taste it! Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes curved, and he squatted down, offering the bowl to Xiaobai. ¡°Then go ahead and try it. Although it doesn¡¯t look good, the taste is actually quite nice.¡¯1 Xiaobai looked at the dark liquid in the bowl, tears of sadness welling up in its heart. Can it¡­ change its mind? ¡°Xiaobai, were you just deceiving me? I knew it¡­11 Gu Xiaonan said with disappointment. Master, don¡¯t be upset!Til drinkit, TH drinkit! Xiaobai put on a brave expression and plunged its head into the bowl, holding its breath and taking a gulp! In no time, the bowl was empty. Gu Xiaonan eximed joyfully, ¡°It must be really good this time. Xiaobai, you drank it all in one go. I didn¡¯t even get to taste it.¡± So, Young Master isn¡¯t going to me Xiaobai anymore right? Xiaobai had sacrificed so much! Boom! A loud sound reverberated. Gu Xiaonan stood up abruptly, his gaze turning serious as he looked into the distance. ¡°What a powerful aura.. Who has arrived?¡± Chapter 153 - 153: Xiaobai, We’re in Big Trouble Chapter 153: Xiaobai, We¡¯re in Big Trouble Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Xiaobai,e, let¡¯s go see!¡± Xiaobai noticed that this time it felt surprisinglyfortable. Apart from the slightly unpleasant taste, it didn¡¯t experience any stomach difort or throat irritation. What a relief! It hopped into Gu Xiaonan¡¯s arms. Together, they walked outside. ¡°What¡¯s happening out there?¡± On the way, they encountered a panicked servant, and Gu Xiaonan stopped the person. ¡°Young Master, something bad has happened. The head of the Gu family hase to our door!¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s mind spun for a moment before he finally realized who the ¡°head of the Gu family¡± was. ¡°Is it the old man who expelled my mother from the family?¡± ¡°It¡¯s him! Young Master, you should find a ce to hide. If the barrier breaks, the head of the Gu family will likelye in and may capture you while the Master is not here.¡± Hiding was not an option! If someone came knocking at the door, he had to confront them! Gu Xiaonan rushed towards the main gate. ¡°Young Master! Why are you running in that direction? The head of the Gu family is outside the gate!¡± The servant couldn¡¯t stop him and could only stomp their feet, running to find someone in charge. As the Master had been in seclusion these past few days and Su Lie¡¯s injuries had not yet healed, they had to find Bo He, the youngdy skilled in formations. When Gu Xiaonan reached the gate, the protective barrier set by Gu Qingluan around the Jun residence was already trembling and on the verge of copse. Outside the barrier, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s palms exerted force. Another palm struck the barrier. The barrier shook violently, and cracks appeared on the transparent shield. Gu Xiaonan frowned, ¡°This barrier can withstand ten strikes from a Revered One. That old man outside must be a Revered One. Xiaobai, we¡¯re in big trouble.¡± Xiaobai¡¯s eyes became serious. ¡°Squeak, squeak!¡± Young Master, I will protect you! Gu Xiaonan patted it and turned around, walking towards the courtyard. ¡°Xiaobai, I need to set up a formation. Help me!¡± Xiaobai jumped out of his arms onto the ground. Gu Xiaonan started rummaging through the spatial storage for items. Mainly Xuanling Stones and various spiritual beast cores. ¡°Xiaobai, take these four Xuanling Stones and ce them in the four corners.¡± He tossed four Xuanling Stones, brimming with spiritual energy, to Xiaobai. Swiftly, Xiaobai held them in its mouth and dashed towards the corners of the courtyard. Gu Xiaonan didn¡¯t waste time either. He took out a dagger and dug holes in the ground. The dagger cut through the soil effortlessly, and in a few motions, a hole was formed. He buried the Xuanling Stones and inserted a fiery-red spiritual beast core into each hole. Then, he covered them with soil. The servants from the residence arrived upon hearing the news. ¡°Xiaonan, why are you still here? Hurry,e with me!¡± Bo He rushed over and grabbed Gu Xiaonan¡¯s hand, running towards the back courtyard. ¡°Miss Bo He, we can¡¯t run away! It¡¯s toote!¡± Gu Xiaonan stood still. Bo He anxiously said, ¡°Then let¡¯s hide inside the residence. The Master told me about a secret chamber where we can hide.¡± ¡°If I hide, what will happen to all of you? What will happen to Jun Residence?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about us. We¡¯re just servants. The head of the Gu family won¡¯t trouble us.¡± ¡°That scoundrel will definitely take his anger out on you if he can¡¯t find me and Mother. Come on, Miss Bo He, help me set up the formation.¡± Gu Xiaonan released Bo He¡¯s hand and busied himself in the courtyard. Unable to persuade him, Bo He could only step forward and assist. Others seeing this also joined in to help Gu Xiaonan. Boom! The barrier crumbled into dust. ¡°Gu Qingluan, I¡¯ve arrived. Aren¡¯t you going toe out and greet me?¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face was icy, stepping over the tall threshold. Inside the gate was a courtyard. Guards heldrge knives, looking at him with vignce. Just now, Gu Zhicheng had enveloped the entire Jun Residence with his divine sense, ensuring that no one had secretly left. Was everyone hiding in fear? Chapter 154 - 154: Very Crazy Chapter 154: Very Crazy Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion He sneered and shouted in a low voice, ¡°Gu Qingluan,e out and face me! Weren¡¯t you arrogant before? Why are you hiding now?¡± No one answered him. His piercing gaze turned towards the guards in front of him. ¡°Where is your master? Does she want you toe and die for her?¡± ¡°Gu Family Head, what are you doing by invading the Jun Residence?¡± Su Lie stepped forward from the crowd, his face pale. Gu Zhicheng saw him and a surge of killing intent filled his eyes. He remembered this guy! During the incident when Gu Qingluan came to their Gu Family and smashed their door que, this guy stood by her side! In an instant, he brushed his sleeve. A majestic arcane power surged forth. Under his oppressive presence, no one could evade it. In a sh, all the guards, led by Su Lie, were sent flying. With just one strike, they were all injured! Su Lie, being the first to bear the brunt, suffered heavy injuries and spat out a mouthful of blood on the spot. ¡°A mere servant dares to speak to me like this! You are ignorant of the consequences of your words!¡± Gu Zhicheng ced his hands behind his back and shouted, ¡°Gu Qingluan,e out and face me!¡± Su Lie struggled to stand up, his face even paler than before. ¡°Gu Family Head, it¡¯s unfortunate that our master is not here.¡± ¡°Is she not here or is she hiding?¡± Gu Zhicheng sneered. Su Lie sped his hands together. ¡°If Gu Family Head doesn¡¯t believe me, you can wait in the front hall.¡± Gu Zhicheng wore a look of doubt. This guy actually wanted him to go in? Could it be a trap? But then he thought, as a Revered One, what was there to fear? They wouldn¡¯t dare to y tricks in front of him! Unless they were tired of living! So he lifted his foot and walked forward. As soon as he entered the courtyard, the scenery underwent a sudden transformation. The enchanting garden disappeared, reced by a sky engulfed in swirling yellow sand. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s expression turned cold. Was this an illusion? Gu Zhicheng became furious. Such insignificant tricks! Did they think they could trap him with this? Since they didn¡¯t know any better, he wouldn¡¯t hold back! Gu Zhicheng expanded his divine sense, attempting to find the formation¡¯s core. However, the illusion was too realistic, and his divine sense couldn¡¯t detect any ws. Since he couldn¡¯t find the core, he would have to forcefully break the formation! Gu Zhicheng believed that with his current strength, all of this was nothing more than trivial matters that didn¡¯t deserve his attention. With himself as the center, he erupted with a tremendous power, radiating out in all directions with a loud boom. In an instant, sand and stones flew, and the heavens and earth shook. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s mouth curled up, revealing a disdainful sneer. Not far away, the Jun Residence guards witnessed his every move. Although they were separated by the formation, they could still feel the terrifying pressure and energy. Su Lie worriedly said, ¡°Young Master, can this formation trap him?¡± ¡°It can¡¯t trap him,¡± Gu Xiaonan replied firmly. Su Lie was in a hurry. ¡°Then you should leave quickly. Although the formation can buy us some time, we will do our best to keep him here! We¡¯ll buy you time!¡± Gu Xiaonan shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving! This is Mother¡¯s home, and I can¡¯t let it be destroyed.¡± Su Lie turned to Bo He. ¡°Miss Bo He, please persuade Young Master.¡± This was not the time for fooling around. Bo He smiled bitterly. If she could persuade him, she would have done so long ago. However¨C Since Gu Xiaonan didn¡¯t want to leave, he must have a way to deal with Gu Family Head, right? After thinking for a moment, she saw half of the trees in the courtyard being destroyed, and the Xuanling Stones and yellow-colored spiritual beast inner cores that Gu Xiaonan had buried in the ground were shaken into the air, turning into powder. A contented smile spread across Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the tree shadows swayed and numerous specks of powder descended upon him. This was the sight witnessed by onlookers. However, in Gu Zhicheng¡¯s perception, the realm of yellow sand crumbled before him. Just as he believed he had shattered the formation, a dark figure lunged towards him.. Chapter 155 - 155: You Don’t Even Want Your Son? Chapter 155: You Don¡¯t Even Want Your Son? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng raised his palm, intending to push away the dark figure. However, to his surprise, the shadow dissipated like smoke, vanishing into thin air. Realizing something was amiss, Gu Zhicheng swiftly enveloped his entire body with arcane power. The barrier formed by condensed arcane power emitted a crackling sound and was on the verge of breaking. Gu Zhicheng hurriedly infused more power to repair it. Only when tranquility was restored in the surroundings did Gu Zhicheng finally let out a sigh of relief. He hadn¡¯t expected this thing to be so formidable! If he hadn¡¯t been vignt, he might have fallen into its trap! Gu Zhicheng believed that this ghostly thing was concocted by Gu Qingluan, and anger surged within him! Meanwhile, outside the formation, Su Lie and the others anxiously watched the situation unfold. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s formation was indeed exquisite and masterful. However, he was short of the necessary tools and time constraints prevented him from setting up an ample number of formations. With Gu Zhicheng¡¯s current strength, these formations could only temporarily hinder him but wouldn¡¯t hold him for long. It didn¡¯t take long for each formation to be systematically dismantled. Su Lie and the others once again urged Gu Xiaonan to leave. But Gu Xiaonan stared at Gu Zhicheng within the formation, his eyes sparkling like stars. ¡°You don¡¯t need to persuade me anymore. I won¡¯t leave!¡± He thought to himself that his mother had said she woulde out today, so he shouldn¡¯t have to wait much longer. Even if his mother didn¡¯te out, it didn¡¯t matter. He had just trapped this wicked man, and he would send Xiaobai to find Yuanxi for help. As long as Yuanxi could convince the Great Demon King toe over, this old man would be in big trouble! Yes, he just needed to hold on a little longer! Boom! Thest formation was shattered. Gu Zhicheng appeared in front of everyone with a gloomy expression. Everyone instinctively took a step back. Gu Zhicheng red fiercely at them, his gaze pausing on the child standing in the middle. At the auction, he had seen this child. At this age¡­ he must be the illegitimate child born to Gu Qingluan! Gu Zhicheng made no effort to conceal his disdain in his eyes. Bo He and Su Lie shielded Gu Xiaonan behind them. Gu Zhicheng disdainfully nced at them and questioned, ¡°Where is Gu Qingluan? Did she run away on her own, leaving you all behind? Even her own son?¡± ¡°My mother isn¡¯t home. Why are you looking for her?¡± Gu Xiaonan pushed past Su Lie and Bo He, striding confidently to stand before Gu Zhicheng. Gu Zhicheng was momentarily taken aback. One had to admit that Gu Qingluan¡¯s son had an extraordinary appearance and bearing, despite his young age. Though small, he already exuded a hint of elegance. When he grew up, he would undoubtedly be an outstanding individual! But¡­ The fact that this child was an illegitimate child, fathered by an unknown man,pletely eroded any admiration Gu Zhicheng had for him, reced with disdain and disgust. Gu Zhicheng disdainfully nced at Gu Xiaonan and said, ¡°Where did she go?¡± ¡°This¡­ My mother didn¡¯t say. She has been away from home for several days.¡± ¡°Uncle, don¡¯t listen to his nonsense!¡± A sharp female voice came from outside. Gu Xiaonan turned his head and his eyes instantly lit up. Haha, with this ugly freak here, they could buy more time! Gu Jinyue leaped down from her horse. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s speed was astonishingly fast, leaving her with no choice but to hasten her pace in order to catch up. ¡°Uncle, this kid is extremely cunning. Don¡¯t fall for his tricks! Both my brother and I, as well as Aunt, have suffered losses at his hands!¡± Gu Jinyue followed closely behind, ¡°What Yue¡¯er said is true! Uncle, there¡¯s no need to waste words with them. This child is Gu Qingluan¡¯s son. As long as we control him, Gu Qingluan won¡¯t be able to stay hidden!¡± Su Lie and Bo He nervously blocked Gu Xiaonan, standing behind him. Gu Jinyue sternly said, ¡°Step aside!¡± Gu Xiaonan brushed past them and revealed a cute, innocent face.. He made a funny face at Gu Jinyue and Gu Jinyue, ¡°Idiots!¡± Chapter 156 - 156: Harming the Young Master’s Tender Heart Chapter 156: Harming the Young Master¡¯s Tender Heart Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Enraged, they rushed forward, intent on capturing him. Gu Xiaonan moved with the agility of a slippery loach, swiftly evading and taking refuge behind a guard. Gu Jinyue and Gu Jinrong failed to capture their intended target. Gu Zhicheng was surprised to see Gu Xiaonan¡¯s agility. He had initially thought that this child was merely exceptional in appearance and temperament, but he didn¡¯t expect him to possess such cultivation! Even Gu Jinyue and Gu Jinrong couldn¡¯t catch him with their skills! Gu Zhicheng felt even more regretful. If only this child didn¡¯t have such an identity. Taking cover behind a guard, Gu Xiaonan seized the opportunity as Gu Jinyue lunged at him, swiftly leaping onto her back and delivering a powerful kick. Gu Jinyue lunged forward forcefully. The guard quickly dodged. With a loud thud, Gu Jinyue fell to the ground. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes gleamed with cunning as he jumped up and sat on Gu Jinyue¡¯s back. Being injured for the second time, Gu Jinyue let out a pig-like scream. Gu Xiaonan shifted his feet and stomped a few times, saying, ¡°This waist is as thick as a water bucket in the kitchen.¡± Suffering from intense pain, Gu Jinyue could barely make out his words, which only served to further enrage her, causing her eyes to roll in exasperation. ¡°Get lost!¡± With a wave of her hand, she unleashed a surge of arcane power, transforming it into a gust of wind des. Gu Xiaonan easily dodged them. ¡°You rotten brat, get off me!¡± Gu Jinrong, witnessing his sister¡¯s pitiful state, felt both heartbroken and resentful towards Gu Xiaonan. He reached out to grab Gu Xiaonan. As Gu Xiaonan evaded Gu Jinrong, his feet slipped, and he identally ended up sitting on Gu Jinyue¡¯s back. With this second injury, Gu Jinyue let out a scream reminiscent of a pig being ughtered. Gu Xiaonan innocently blinked at her, ¡°It wasn¡¯t intentional. If you want to me someone, me your brother for scaring me.¡± ¡°Uncle, quickly catch this wretched brat!¡± Tears streamed down Gu Jinyue¡¯s face, whether from anger or pain, it was hard to tell. Gu Zhicheng furrowed his brows, surprised that in the blink of an eye, his niece had been subjected to such suffering, and his nephew was powerless against a child. It was truly embarrassing! Casting a stern re at them, Gu Zhicheng exuded an oppressive aura. The tremendous pressure was akin to a towering mountain, restraining Gu Xiaonan. Approaching him, Gu Zhicheng firmly grasped Gu Xiaonan¡¯s arm. Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue were overjoyed. Meanwhile, Bo He and the others were filled with shock and dismay, eager to rush forward and rescue him. However, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s aura was too overwhelming, preventing anyone from taking a step forward. Despite being captured, Gu Xiaonan showed no signs of fear. He lifted his head, looking at Gu Zhicheng with admiration. ¡°Grandfather, you are much more powerful than these two useless individuals!¡± The word ¡°grandfather¡± left Gu Zhicheng dumbfounded, to the point of disregarding what came after. It also left Qitian Yu, who had just rushed in, stunned on the spot. ¡°What did you call me?¡± Gu Zhicheng asked with a trembling voice. ¡°Grandfather, aren¡¯t you my grandfather?¡± Gu Xiaonan asked curiously. ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t call me grandfather!¡± ¡°Then what should I call you?¡± Gu Xiaonan asked in confusion, secretly rolling his eyes in his mind. He would call him as he pleased! He wouldn¡¯t call him even if asked in the future! Caught off guard by the question, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s lips twitched a few times. He absolutely wouldn¡¯t acknowledge this illegitimate child! The existence of this little brat would only remind everyone of the scandal from years ago. He had to eliminate such urrences. ¡°You can call me the head of the Gu family!¡± ¡°Grandfather doesn¡¯t like me, huh?¡± Gu Xiaonan drooped his head, his voice low. ¡°If that¡¯s what grandfather wishes, Xiaonan will obedientlyply and won¡¯t call you grandfather anymore.¡± The little fellow had a beautiful and delicate appearance, appearing obedient and understanding, easily softening your heart. Su Lie and the others red at Gu Zhicheng in anger, finding him heartless! How could he hurt the tender heart of their young master like this? Chapter 157 - 157: Pretending Chapter 157: Pretending Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Jinrong and his sister were dumbfounded by his cute and innocent appearance. Is this kid the same person they know? Who was it that made faces at them just now? And who was it that sat on Gu Jinyue? ¡°Uncle, don¡¯t be deceived by his appearance! It¡¯s all an act!¡± Gu Jinyue quickly spoke up, afraid that Gu Zhicheng would be fooled by Gu Xiaonan. Qitian Yu finally regained his senses and realized that this child was the result of an affair between Gu Qingluan and an unknown man, and a trace of disgust shed in his eyes. However, he said, ¡°Miss Gu, could it be that you have some misunderstanding about this child? He is still young and innocent. How could he pretend to be someone he¡¯s not?¡± When Qitian Yu looked at her, Gu Jinyue blushed slightly, and her voice unconsciously softened. ¡°Fifth Prince, you don¡¯t know. This kid is the illegitimate child of Gu Qingluan, born out of wedlock. He has no manners,cks respect for elders, speaks rudely, tells lies, and is quick to resort to violence. Please don¡¯t be deceived by his appearance.¡± Qitian Yu was greatly surprised and shook his head in disbelief. ¡°I believe that a child raised by Gu Qingluan wouldn¡¯t be as you described. Miss Gu, you must have misunderstood.¡± Feeling anxious at Qitian Yu¡¯s response, Gu Jinyue couldn¡¯t maintain her gentle facade and spoke urgently, ¡°Fifth Prince, you must believe me! This kid is full of mischief. Just look at my face; he caused me to fall like this! He deliberately sat on me earlier, causing me more injuries.¡± Worried that Qitian Yu wouldn¡¯t believe her, she pointed to Gu Zhicheng and Gu Jinrong. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask my uncle and brother. They both witnessed it.¡± Gu Jinrong immediately nodded in support of his sister. Gu Zhicheng also nodded in agreement. Gu Xiaonan, being held in Qitian Yu¡¯s hand, looked pitifully innocent. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to. They were going to hit me, so I got scared and ran. Who knew this aunty would suddenly fall where I was standing? I identally stepped on her and then got startled by this uncle, causing me to slip and fall.¡± Qitian Yu nced at Gu Jinyue. ¡°Miss Gu, it seems there has been a misunderstanding.¡± ¡°He¡¯s just trying to argue, Fifth Prince! Please don¡¯t believe him!¡± Gu Jinyue was extremely agitated. ¡°Miss Gu, he¡¯s just a child. Why bother arguing with him? In my opinion, let this matter go!¡± Qitian Yu replied calmly. Gu Jinyue wanted to refute, but Gu Zhicheng interrupted her, ¡°Fifth Prince, this is a family matter of our Gu family. Please allow us to handle it ourselves.¡± ¡°If it were any other matter, I naturally wouldn¡¯t intervene. But I have had a deep rtionship with Qingluan for many years and can¡¯t just stand by. I hope the head of the Gu family will take my rtionship into consideration and releases this child.¡± Gu Xiaonan looked at him in confusion. ording to Yuanxi, Qitian Yu wasn¡¯t a good person and had even been beaten by his own mother before. Why was Qitian Yu helping him? Beware of those who offer excessive kindness unprovoked, as they may have ulterior motives! This guy definitely had no good intentions! ¡°And what if we don¡¯t release him?¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned serious. ¡°Fifth Prince, I advise you not to meddle in this matter!¡± Qitian Yu replied firmly, ¡°If the head of the Gu family insists on taking him, then I have no choice but to take matters into my own hands!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, several dark figures silently appeared behind Qitian Yu. ¡°Today, as long as we¡¯re here, no one can take away Qingluan¡¯s child!¡± ¡°Arc you crazy, Fifth Prince? This is Gu Qingluan¡¯s illegitimate child, born out of her affair with an unknown man! She betrayed you, so why are you helping her?¡± Gu Jinyue asked incredulously. Why? Why was the Fifth Prince protecting Gu Qingluan? Shouldn¡¯t he be angry at the sight of this illegitimate child? Has he already forgiven her for making him aughingstock? Chapter 158 - 158: Love Knows No Bounds Chapter 158: Love Knows No Bounds Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Miss Fourth, please mind your words!¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s face turned ashen as he red at her. Gu Jinyue, with teary eyes, eximed, ¡°You dare to scold me for the sake of that shameless woman! What makes her better than me?¡± She had always admired the Fifth Prince, which was why she repeatedly bullied Gu Qingluan, especially since Gu Qingluan, despite being a useless waste, was the Fifth Prince¡¯s fiancee. She envied Gu Qingluan. So when Gu Qingluan encountered trouble, she was overjoyed. As she had anticipated, the Fifth Prince broke off their engagement. After five years, Gu Qingluan returned with an illegitimate child. Even if Gu Qingluan had be stronger, so what? It couldn¡¯t change her past promiscuous actions! The Fifth Prince was angry with her five years ago, so why was he now standing up for Gu Qingluan? Recently, it was obvious that the Fifth Prince had shown interest in Gu Jinyue, so she believed that he liked her. Gu Jinyue felt both jealous and wronged, wishing she could peel Gu Qingluan¡¯s skin and draw her blood. If Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t returned, the Fifth Prince would never have changed his heart! Qitian Yu frowned, ¡°Miss Fourth is indeed exceptional, but emotions are unpredictable. I developed deep feelings for Gu Qingluan only after she disappeared. Now that I have the chance to rekindle our rtionship, I don¡¯t want to give up.¡± He turned to Gu Zhicheng with sincerity in his eyes. ¡°I hope Master Gu can put aside past grievances for the sake of this prince and the royal family¡¯s reputation. If Gu Qingluan has done anything wrong, I will apologize to Master Gu after marrying her in the future.¡± Who wouldn¡¯t be moved by the appearance of a handsome, noble, and affectionate man? If Gu Zhicheng didn¡¯t know the truth, he would have fallen for Qitian Yu¡¯s lies. No one else knew about the secret plotting between Gu Zhicheng and Qitian Yu. Even Su Lie, Bo He, and others were slightly taken aback. On the contrary, Gu Jinyue was devastated. What an unpredictable emotion! During the time when Gu Qingluan was absent, why did the Fifth Prince frequently engage in ambiguous interactions with her? Gu Jinyue wouldn¡¯t me Qitian Yu; she would only attribute the fault to Gu Qingluan. If Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t appeared, the Fifth Prince would never have fallen in love with someone else! Years of aspirations shattered, and the string of rationality in Gu Jinyue¡¯s mind snapped. She rushed towards Gu Xiaonan, her palms emanating a faint light. As if she wanted to take Gu Xiaonan¡¯s life! ¡°Do not harm Young Master!¡± Su Lie and the other guards were shocked, trying to intervene. However, they were not quick enough; it was toote! Gu Zhicheng was about to protect Gu Xiaonan, but when he saw the Fifth Prince charging towards them, his gaze flickered for a moment, halting his steps. ¡°Miss Fourth, stop!¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s voice turned stern as he swiftly retaliated, delivering a powerful palm strike against Gu Jinyue. Caught off guard, Gu Jinyue was defenseless in close proximity to him. However, just as Gu Jinyue¡¯s attack was about to reach Gu Xiaonan, Qitian Yu swiftly countered, striking her back with equal force. ¡°Yue¡¯ er!¡± Gu Zhixin and his son¡¯s eyes were filled with fury. The scene before them seemed to slow down, with Gu Jinyue¡¯s body freezing in mid-air. St! A mouthful of blood sprayed out! Gu Jinyue involuntarily fell. Gu Jinrong caught her, repeatedly calling out, ¡°Yue¡¯ er! Yue¡¯ er! How are you?¡± Gu Zhixin also rushed over, anxiously looking at her. Meanwhile, Qitian Yu hurriedly approached Gu Xiaonan and asked worriedly, ¡°Are you Xiaonan? Are you injured?¡± Having witnessed the entire sequence of events, Gu Xiaonan found himself in a state of bewildered confusion. He was aware that something significant had transpired, but the true nature of the situation eluded him. Didn¡¯t Yuanxi say that this Fifth Prince was a viin? Then why did he save him? Chapter 159 - 159: Stepfather Should Be Like the Great Demon King Chapter 159: Stepfather Should Be Like the Great Demon King Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan remained silent, causing Qitian Yu to think that he had been frightened into silence. He reached out to touch his head. Instinctively, Gu Xiaonan turned his head to avoid it. Qitian Yu¡¯s hand paused and retracted, without a hint of anger on his face. ¡°Xiaonan, rest assured, I will protect you.¡± Given the choice, Gu Xiaonan would rather believe Yuanxi¡¯s words. After all, his mother had given Qitian Yu a good beating, indicating that Qitian Yu must have done something to provoke her. Now, Qitian Yu was pretending to be a good person, but Gu Xiaonan suspected that he had ulterior motives. He couldn¡¯t allow himself to be deceived! Regardless of the other party¡¯s intentions, Gu Xiaonan decided to proceed cautiously, taking things step by step. He believed that their true colors would be revealed in due time! With these thoughts in mind, Gu Xiaonan let go of his guard against the other party and showed an innocent and obedient expression. ¡°Thank you, Your Highness, the Fifth Prince.¡± Qitian Yu felt a surge of joy, pleased with himself. Children were indeed easy to please! Gu Qingluan held a deep affection for her son, and Qitian Yu knew that winning over this boy was the key to winning over Gu Qingluan herself. Hiding his underlying calctions, Qitian Yu smiled with utmost gentleness and said, ¡°No need to be formal with me. Perhaps in the future, we may be a family.¡± Gu Xiaonan snorted inwardly. He remembered clearly the confession made by the Fifth Prince just now. He didn¡¯t expect that the other party actually wanted to marry his mother! So, he had a n in mind! Gu Xiaonan scrutinized Qitian Yu with a critical gaze. Qitian Yu put on an elegant smile. Gu Xiaonan assessed him in his mind: Average appearance, a maximum of fifty points; False expression, thirty points; Lack of strength, even I, a little child, am almost as strong as him. No, no, with such weakness, how can he protect my mother? Zero points! In Gu Xiaonan¡¯s mind, the image of the Great Demon King shed. He thought to himself, at least his stepfather¡¯s cultivation should be on par with the Great Demon King! Meanwhile, after Gu Jinyue¡¯s injuries had stabilized, Gu Zhixin couldn¡¯t resist questioning the Fifth Prince. Qitian Yu expressed a remorseful expression. ¡°Second Master Gu, I did not intend to harm Miss Four intentionally. It was a mistake made in the heat of the moment. I will have the imperial physician treat her injuries, and all expenses will be covered by me.¡± After all, he was a prince. With such a sincere attitude of admitting mistakes and willingness topensate, what else could Gu Zhixin say? He could only swallow this humiliation. In the sorrowful eyes of Gu Jinyue, a glimmer of hope emerged. The Fifth Prince still had some feelings for her! Regrettably, Gu Qingluan had intervened and deceived the Fifth Prince! She had to find a way to win back the Fifth Prince¡¯s heart! Suppressing her resentment and jealousy, Gu Jinyue weakly said, ¡°Fifth Prince, there¡¯s no need to me yourself. I know you didn¡¯t do it on purpose.¡± Then she nced at Gu Xiaonan by her side. ¡°I will listen to you and stop bothering this child.¡± With such understanding, the Fifth Prince would surely recognize her virtues, wouldn¡¯t he? Qitian Yu¡¯s eyes were filled with appreciation. ¡°Miss Four is indeed a reasonable person.¡± Gu Jinyue was overjoyed, feeling that she had done the right thing. She shouldn¡¯t have appeared too domineering and strong in front of the Fifth Prince. Most men preferred gentle and kind women. Thinking this way, Gu Jinyue, supporting her injured body, pleaded with Gu Zhicg not to harm Gu Xiaonan. Gu Zhicg furrowed his brows. ¡°So be it. Today, out of consideration for the Fifth Prince¡¯s reputation, I will spare you.¡± He released his grip on Gu Xiaonan¡¯s hand. Gu Xiaonannded on the ground, and Bo He quickly pulled him away. On a rooftop not far from the Jun Residence, Feng Tian stood side by side with Feng Yuanxi. ¡°It seems we don¡¯t need to intervene.¡± Feng Yuanxi furrowed his brows. ¡°That Fifth Prince is not a good person! He definitely has ulterior motives for saving Xiaonan.¡± Xiaonan must not be deceived by the Fifth Prince. Feng Tian curled his thin lips mockingly. ¡°His ulterior motive is that woman. Perhaps in a few days, that woman will be his wife.¡± In Feng Tian¡¯s eyes, Gu Qingluan, a woman with a child, could captivate the prince. She must have some impressive means. This aligned perfectly with his previous assumptions. Gu Qingluan was not a meek and submissive person! Feng Yuanxi immediately became infuriated. ¡°Beautiful Sister would never marry him!¡± Chapter 160 - 160: Confession Chapter 160: Confession Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Feng Yuanxi sneered. ¡°He¡¯s not worthy of Beautiful Sister! And Beautiful Sister doesn¡¯t like him either! There was a time when the Fifth Prince came to visit Beautiful Sister and got his head smashed with a teacup, blood pouring out! How could Beautiful Sister be interested in him?¡± For some reason, whenever he heard that Beautiful Sister was marrying someone else, Feng Yuanxi felt a sourness in his heart. It was as if Beautiful Sister wouldn¡¯t be his Beautiful Sister anymore once she married someone. ¡°Even without the Fifth Prince, there will be other men,¡± Feng Tian said calmly. Feng Yuanxi red at him, puffed up with anger. ¡°There won¡¯t be any other men! No one deserves Beautiful Sister!¡± Feng Tian didn¡¯t think much of his child¡¯s words. Women would eventually find a man to marry. Feng Yuanxi sensed his thoughts and said angrily, ¡°Beautiful Sister won¡¯t marry someone else!¡± ¡°You¡¯re not her son, can you control her?¡± One sentence shattered Feng Yuanxi¡¯s heart. That¡¯s right, he wasn¡¯t Beautiful Sister¡¯s son. If Beautiful Sister married someone else, he couldn¡¯t interfere at all. Thinking of this, sorrow overwhelmed him. Two teardrops instantly welled up in his eyes. ¡°Why are you crying?¡± Feng Tian nced at him coldly. Since his son was born, he had hardly shed a tear. But now, after meeting Gu Qingluan, he had cried several times. Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t want to cry. Men shouldn¡¯t shed tears easily. It was embarrassing! But he couldn¡¯t control it! Feng Yuanxi tried to hold back the tears, his big eyes wide open, glistening with teardrops, looking at the other¡¯s face. This face was ordinary, except for the deep and enchanting eyes, it had no remarkable features. But it was just a mask. Beneath the ordinary disguise was a stunning face that could drive women crazy! A sh of inspiration struck Feng Yuanxi. ¡°Father, why don¡¯t you marry Beautiful Sister? If Beautiful Sister insists on marrying someone, it would be best if she marries you!¡± Father had looks, wealth, power, and strength. He should¡­ barely be worthy of Beautiful Sister, right? The more Feng Yuanxi thought about it, the more excited he became. He was truly a little genius! If Beautiful Sister married his father, then she would be his mother, right? In the future, he could live with Beautiful Sister every day, without worrying about separation or her being taken away by other men! Feng Tian was taken aback. Marry Gu Qingluan? He sneered disdainfully and looked at his son expressionlessly. ¡°You¡¯re dreaming.¡± Right. The light in Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes dimmed, and he pouted listlessly. ¡°Father, you¡¯re so fierce. Beautiful Sister wouldn¡¯t be interested in you either.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s temple throbbed slightly. ¡°Let me correct your mistake. I¡¯m the one who is not interested in her!¡± Countless women desired to marry him, enough to encircle the capital of the Holy Heaven Dynasty three times. What made that particr woman think she was above him? Feng Yuanxi nced at him sideways, his round face full of disdain. ¡°Father, there¡¯s no need to argue. Beautiful Sister simply isn¡¯t interested in you.¡± As Feng Tian was met with his son¡¯s disdainful gaze, filled with eyes that deemed him ¡°a useless man¡±, a heavy knot formed in his heart. His jaw tightened, and he said in a deep anger, ¡°Feng Yuanxi! Are you siding with her or with your father?¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯m siding Beautiful Sister!¡± Feng Yuanxi answered without hesitation. Feng Tian was speechless. Had he made a mistake? He shouldn¡¯t have let his son go find that woman! Now his son¡¯s heart was leaning towards her. If he stayed with Gu Qingluan for a while longer, would his son still recognize him as his father? Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes sparkled mischievously as he smiled.. ¡°Father, how about we make a bet?¡± Chapter 161 - 161: Itchy and Impatient Chapter 161: Itchy and Impatient Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°What are we betting on?¡± Feng Tian looked down at him, his ink-ck eyes gleaming with a cold light. ¡°You go and confess to Beautiful Sister, see if she will ept you! If she epts you, you win; if she rejects you, it means she doesn¡¯t fancy you, and I win!¡± FengYuanxi secretly thought, ¡°If father sessfully confesses, that would be great. Even if Hose, Ill be happy. If Beautiful Sister doesn¡¯t ept father, at least Ill win against him.¡± No matter which way it goes, he won¡¯t consider it a loss! Feng Tian coolly refused. ¡°I won¡¯t bet.¡± Feng Yuanxi provoked him, ¡°Are you afraid of losing, father? So deep down, you also know that Beautiful Sister doesn¡¯t like you, right!¡± Feng Tian smirked withoutmenting. Oh no! Father didn¡¯t take the bait! Feng Yuanxi wrinkled his little nose. Despite the urge to give up at this juncture, he couldn¡¯t quell the unwillingness in his heart. Ever since he thought about having his father marry Beautiful Sister, he couldn¡¯t contain his excitement. He must find a way to get his father to marry Beautiful Sister! He just wanted Beautiful Sister to be his mother! During a lull in the conversation between father and son, in the front courtyard of Jun Residence, the tense atmosphere was somewhat relievedpared to before. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s expression was cold as he asked, ¡°When will Gu Qingluane back?¡± Su Lie shook his head. ¡°My Lady didn¡¯t say.¡± ¡°When she returns, tell her to see me!¡± Su Lie agreed. Gu Zhicheng then led the Gu family members and left. Gu Jinyue noticed that Qitian Yu hadn¡¯t left and decided to stay as well. Gu Zhicheng scolded, and the father and son of the second branch quickly pulled Gu Jinyue away. ¡°I wonder what the Fifth Prince wants?¡± Bo He asked bluntly. Although the Fifth Prince had just protected their Mistress and Little Young Master, Bo He remained vignt. Qitian Yu wasn¡¯t annoyed and smiled generously, handing over a jade card. ¡°Since Qingluan is not here, I won¡¯t disturb you any longer. This is the token of our pce. Give it to your Lady and tell her that if she encounters any trouble, she can take the token to the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion for help.¡± Upon hearing this, Bo He¡¯s expression eased as she took the jade card. ¡°I will convey the message to our Lady. Thank you, Fifth Prince, for your help to Jun Residence.¡± Qitian Yu smiled lightly, ¡°Qingluan and I have known each other since childhood, and our feelings are different from those of others. This is what I should do.¡± He turned his head and looked at Gu Xiaonan, ¡°Xiaonan, if you have time, you cane to the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion to y. I will take my leave today.¡± Gu Xiaonan waved his paw innocently. ¡°Fifth Prince, goodbye!¡± Watching Qitian Yu ride away on his horse, Su Lie sighed. ¡°We owe the Fifth Prince a lot today; otherwise, who knows how much trouble we would have encountered.¡± Gu Xiaonan pursed his lips. ¡°He¡¯s just a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing. Uncle Su, don¡¯t be deceived by him.¡± Bo He nodded. ¡°Xiaonan is right. The Fifth Prince had been scolded by our Lady some time ago and left with resentment. Today, however, he didn¡¯t take advantage of the situation; instead, he defended our Lady in every aspect. His cunning runs deep, and until we discern his true intentions, we must remain vignt and not let our guard down.¡± Su Lie¡¯s expression slightly changed. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± ¡°Xiaonan!¡± Feng Yuanxi appeared outside the gate, holding Xiaobai. ¡°Yuanxi! You came! Did youe alone?¡± ¡°My father also came, but he went back directly after the bad people left.¡± Feng Yuanxi handed Xiaobai back to him. ¡°Are you guys alright?¡± ¡°We¡¯re fine, we¡¯re fine! Thank you foring all the way to help!¡± Although he didn¡¯t really help, Gu Xiaonan was still very grateful to Yuanxi foring to help him. ¡°Xiaonan, what happened? Are you guys alright?¡± Everyone looked in the direction of the voice. Gu Qingluan drifted over gracefully. ¡°Mother!¡± ¡°Beautiful Sister!¡± Xiaonan and Yuanxi ran excitedly towards her.. Chapter 162 - 162: Spouse Selection Standard Chapter 162: Spouse Selection Standard Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan gracefullynded in front of the two children. Having just returned from Ster Space, she immediately sensed that her barrier had been broken and used her divine sense to locate their position, leading her here. ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± Gu Xiaonan vividly recounted the events that had just transpired. His eyes were filled with determination, showing no signs of fear. However, Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart pounded with apprehension. Fortunately, Xiaonan acted cleverly. Otherwise, if he were taken away by Gu Zhicheng, she would have been in a passive situation. Hearing that the Fifth Prince confronted Gu Zhicheng for her, Gu Qingluan felt no gratitude. Instead, she grew cautious. The man who had once framed the previous host for his own selfish desires, tarnishing her innocence, disyed a low and unscrupulous character. If he was willing to sh with a revered individual for her sake, it undoubtedly meant he pursued a greater interest. With just a little thought, Gu Qingluan could already deduce his intentions. ¡°Mother, if the Fifth Prince proposes marriage, would you agree?¡± Gu Xiaonan thought the Fifth Prince was very lousy, but his actions today were indeed impressive. He was worried that his mother might be moved and start to like him. Feng Yuanxi was deeply concerned about this question, nervously holding his breath and gazing intently at her. Gu Qingluan sneered and tousled her head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, even if all the men in the world died, I wouldn¡¯t marry him!¡± Gu Xiaonan patted his chest, saying, ¡°That¡¯s a relief. I knew Mother wouldn¡¯t like him.¡± Feng Yuanxi also breathed a sigh of relief. However, his father¡¯s words were not without reason; even if not the Fifth Prince, there might be other men. He¡¯d better test Beautiful Sister¡¯s criteria for a spouse first. ¡°Beautiful Sister, what kind of man do you like?¡± Everyone curiously looked at Gu Qingluan. Everyone curiously looked at Gu Qingluan, their eyes fixed on her. Gu Qingluan rubbed her chin. She had never really thought about this question. In her previous life, she was the Young Mistress of the Boundless Pce, dedicated to cultivating and rarely concerned about romantic rtionships. She did have a childhood friend who treated her very well, and many people saw them as a couple, but she considered him only as an elder brother. But if nothing unexpected happened, she imagined that she would naturally marry him in the future. Of course, that was impossible now. Jun Qingluan was dead, and she was now Gu Qingluan. She had a son. In these five years, she only thought about raising her son properly and seeking revenge. Where would she have the time to think about men? Seeing Gu Qingluan remain silent for a long time, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Could Beautiful Sister be thinking about someone? No, he was still waiting for his father to marry Beautiful Sister and take her home! ¡°Beautiful Sister, do you like good-looking men?¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°Of course, everyone has an appreciation for beauty.¡± Feng Yuanxi mentally checked the box, then asked, ¡°Do you like wealthy men?¡± ¡°Wealth is better than poverty.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°What about power? I mean the kind that surpasses the Fifth Prince¡¯s status.¡± Gu Qingluan looked at him suspiciously, ¡°Xiaonan, why are you asking these questions?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s appearance was too much like a matchmaker. Feng Yuanxi blinked and grinned/ ¡°I¡¯m just curious! Beautiful Sister is so outstanding, and I want to know what kind of man can win your heart.¡± The others nodded in agreement. They were curious too! Gu Qingluan pondered. ¡°Good-looking, good temperament, and talented.¡± Hmm, just like Yun Qingchen. At least she didn¡¯t dislike him. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s expression changed. Oh no, his father¡¯s temperament was far from good! Sob sob, would Beautiful Sister never be his mother¡¯¡¯ ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you, Xiaonan?¡± Seeing Feng Yuanxi¡¯s distressed little face, Gu Qingluan asked with concern.. Chapter 163 - 163: Disappointing Chapter 163: Disappointing Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi shook his head, unable to conceal his low mood. ¡°Beautiful Sister, since you¡¯re fine, I¡¯ll go back first.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not staying a bit longer?¡± Gu Qingluan was surprised. Whenever Little Yuanxi came before, he always wanted to stay longer, preferably overnight. Why did he want to leave so soon after just meeting today? Gu Qingluan frowned slightly and squatted down, asking, ¡°Did something happen at home?¡± Feng Yuanxi shook his head. ¡°No, Beautiful Sister, don¡¯t worry.¡± He smiled sweetly at her. Unfortunately, his acting wasn¡¯t convincing enough, and a hint of sorrow still showed in his eyes. Gu Qingluan patted his little face, saying, ¡°Whatever the problem is, you can tell me. Don¡¯t keep it to yourself.¡± Feng Yuanxi sighed inwardly. He could tell Beautiful Sister about any other problem, but this one¡­ It¡¯s all because of his father¡¯s unreasonable attitude! That bad temper of his is on full disy, even in front of Beautiful Sister! If not for that, there might be a slight chance. Feng Yuanxi insisted on leaving, and Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t hold him back. She sent someone to apany him back to the imperial pce. Back in the imperial pce, Feng Yuanxi sat on the steps, sighing. ¡°Young Master, why are you sighing? Wasn¡¯t your time at the Jun Residence enjoyable?¡± Jing Feng was quite surprised. Every time the young master returned from Miss Gu¡¯s ce, he had a smile on his face. But today, he seemed full of worries. Could it be that he had a quarrel with Young Master Gu? Feng Yuanxi nced at him, ¡°Even if I tell you, you won¡¯t be able to solve it.¡± ¡°That might not be true. Perhaps I cane up with a solution.¡± Feng Yuanxi rested his chin in his hands, looking up at him. ¡°Can you make my father change his bad temper?¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± Jing Feng¡¯s expression froze. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do that.¡± The master has had that temper for many years. If he doesn¡¯t want to change, who can make him? The young master had a knack for presenting him with challenging dilemmas. ¡°I knew it.¡± Feng Yuanxi patted his cheeks and let out another deep sigh. ¡°Young Master, why do you want to change the Royal Highness¡¯ personality? Although the Royal Highness is a bit cold, he has always been good to you.¡± ¡°With his bad temper, he won¡¯t be able to find a wife!¡± Feng Yuanxi expressed disdain. Jing Feng chuckled, ¡°Young Master, you got it wrong. When we were in the Holy Heaven Dynasty, so many women wanted to marry the Royal Highness! But he just wasn¡¯t interested. If he agreed, I¡¯m afraid our Wang Residence would be swarmed by those women.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want any of those women toe in!¡± Feng Yuanxi said with a dismissive tone. If not them, then who does he want toe in? Jing Feng¡¯s mind raced, and a face shed through his mind. He couldn¡¯t help but open his mouth wide, ¡°Young Master, do you want Miss Gu to marry the Royal Highness?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what I want! Beautiful Sister doesn¡¯t like someone like my Royal Father. I knew it, Father is just too useless!¡± Oh my¡­ This really made Jing Feng sweat. ¡°Why do you have such unrealistic thoughts, Young Master?¡± Every time the Master saw or mentioned Miss Gu, he always adopted an expression as if he wanted to kill her. How could the Young Master actually want the Master to marry Miss Gu? Weren¡¯t the Young Master afraid the Master would snap and strangle Miss Gu? Feng Yuanxi gave him a nk look. ¡°Why not? Weren¡¯t you here to provide solutions for me? Since you can¡¯t think of one, you seem quite eager to dampen my spirits.¡± ¡°Uh, Young Master, don¡¯t be angry.¡± Jing Feng leaned in front of him, crouching down to meet his gaze. ¡°Actually, I understand your thoughts. You like Miss Gu and want to be with her forever, right?¡± This was the first time he had seen the young master like a woman so much. Actually, it would be good to have a woman who could be the mother of Young Master. The Master was not young anymore, it was time for him to get married. If this worked out, everyone would be happy. But the Royal Highness¡¯ aversion to women¡­ That was a big problem.. Chapter 164 - 164: Going to the Gu Family Chapter 164: Going to the Gu Family Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi looked forward with anticipation. ¡°Yes, if Beautiful Sister marries my Royal Father, I can see her every day.¡± ¡°Did Miss Gu say she likes someone with a good temper?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded. Jing Feng offered advice, ¡°Actually, Master¡¯s temper is not bad on ordinary days. At least he doesn¡¯t resort to violence like some privileged young masters, nor does he easily curse at people. Moreover, Young Master treats you so well, always giving you the best things. It¡¯s just a misunderstanding he had about Miss Gu that made him behave that way. If we can clear up this misunderstanding and let him see Miss Gu¡¯s merits with his own eyes, then she will know how good Master is.¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded thoughtfully. ¡°You make sense, but how do we clear up the misunderstanding? My father¡¯s attitude toward women is too biased.¡± If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he looked so much like his father, he would have wondered if he was born from a rock. ¡°You can show Miss Gu¡¯s good qualities in front of the Royal Highness. Of course, it¡¯s best if you don¡¯t do it through your own words, but let the Royal Highness see it himself.¡± Feng Yuanxi thought for a moment. Yes, he shouldn¡¯t rely on his own words; he had to let his father see it with his own eyes, so that he wouldn¡¯t be doubtful! ¡°Uncle Jing Feng, thank you! I know what to do now!¡± Thinking of a n, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s smile bloomed like a bright sunflower, full of radiance. Meanwhile, in the study, Feng Tian inexplicably sneezed. Unaware of a certain little meddler¡¯s n, Gu Qingluan had been inside the Ster Space for over two months, quietly achieving a breakthrough from the Stage of the Heavenly Realm Great Perfection to the Stage of the Saint Realm. Advancing to the Stage of the Saint Realm would trigger heaven and earth anomalies, causing a surge of spiritual energy and drawing attention from all directions. However, she achieved the breakthrough within the Ster Space, and there were no ripples in the outside world. Her ascent to Sainthood was a quiet affair. Even if she were to fight Gu Zhicheng now, she wouldn¡¯t fear him. Therefore, she was in a good mood. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t pay any attention to Gu Zhicheng¡¯s words. She ignored him. Gu Zhicheng had set up spies, so he knew when she appeared and immediately sent someone to invite her back to the Gu Family. Gu Qingluan was contemting that the selectionpetition was on the horizon, and it was the right time to head back home for a brief visit. ¡°Master, let me apany you?¡± Su Lie¡¯s injuries had mostly healed under Gu Qingluan¡¯s treatment, but he didn¡¯t want her to go to the dangerous Gu Family alone. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you too,¡± Bo He said. ¡°I want to go too!¡± ¡°All of you stay at home. The Gu Family isn¡¯t a ce where good things happen. Why do you want to go?¡± ¡°If someone from the Gu Family bullies you, Xiaonan can help you beat them!¡± Gu Xiaonan raised his small fist. ¡°Squeak Squeak!¡± Xiao Bai peeked out from his arms, showing his small paws, indicating that he could help too. Gu Qingluan examined her son¡¯s adorable little face which was loved by everyone, and suddenly felt that it wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea to bring him along. In the end, she set off with Gu Xiaonan. Su Lie also went with them. In the Gu Family. Gu Zhicheng and Wang Shi sat at the uppermost positions on the left and right sides. The news came early that Gu Qingluan had arrived with Gu Xiaonan. Before they even entered the main hall, Wang Shi sneered. ¡°This girl is so shameless. She knows she has given birth to an illegitimate child, yet she still parades him around everywhere. She may have no shame, but our Gu Family certainly does!¡± Wang Shi¡¯s eyes nced at Gu Zhicheng. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face visibly darkened. Upon learning that Gu Qingluan wasing, the second branch also rushed over. They had gone to the Jun Family to cause trouble before, but she was not there. The Fifth Prince had even protected Gu Qingluan¡¯s son, causing them a lot of frustration. Today, they must vent this pent-up anger! They wanted Gu Qingluan to apologize properly! ¡°Family Master, Miss Gu has arrived.¡± The servant reported. Soon, two figures appeared, one big and one small, walking hand in hand.. Chapter 165 - 165: Showing off Chapter 165: Showing off Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan was still wearing a simple white dress, with a soft and graceful texture that swayed gently as she walked, exuding an ethereal aura. Her three thousand strands of ck hair were partially tied up on her crown, secured by a white jade hairpin, while the rest cascaded naturally behind her. Despite the simple styling, it added to her captivating charm. However, the most striking aspect was her face. Herplexion resembled snow, and her eyes shimmered like stars. With every frown and smile, she could charm the hearts of those who saw her. Gu Jinyue and Gu Qin¡¯er, who were her younger sisters, looked at her with envy, their eyes turning green. Gu Qin¡¯er managed to conceal her jealousy, trying to maintain her image. But Gu Jinyue¡¯s and Gu Si¡¯er¡¯s thoughts were evident in their eyes, openly revealing their envy towards Gu Qingluan. They wondered why this shameless woman, who got pregnant before marriage, dressed herself so attractively. Was she trying to seduce someone? She had been rejected and abandoned by the family for so many years, so how could she look better now than before? Blinded by jealousy, their views were clouded with bias. In terms of dressing up, the women present put more effort into it than Gu Qingluan. Especially the younger ones, each trying to outdo the other with their ornate adornments. Even Gu Qin¡¯er and Gu Si¡¯er, as the illegitimate daughters, wore more hair ornaments than Gu Qingluan. While Gu Qingluan remained natural without applying any makeup, these girls, wanting to show their dominance, stered themselves with powder and rouge, hoping to outshine Gu Qingluan. As a result, when they all stood together in the same space, they ended up looking gaudy and artificial, serving only toplement Gu Qingluan¡¯s natural beauty. Wang Shi saw through their thoughts and couldn¡¯t help but show disdain in her eyes. Who in the Gu family couldpare to her precious daughter, Xue¡¯er? These useless girls couldn¡¯t hold a candle to her. If her own Xue¡¯er were here, where would Gu Qingluan have the opportunity to shine and stand out? However, her daughter was a person with grand ambitions and had no time to waste on a lowly woman like Gu Qingluan. With an imposing manner, Wang Shi¡¯s voice sounded dignified and stern as she assumed the air of the mistress of the house. ¡°You would note over unless we send someone to invite you from the Jun Residence. Aren¡¯t you aware that it¡¯s customary to return and pay respects to your elders?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled lightly. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the Madam to miss me so much. From now on, I will visit more often.¡± Wang Shi frowned slightly when Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t call her ¡°mother,¡± and then snorted. ¡°You¡¯ve been away for a few years, and you¡¯ve forgotten our rules? When you see your elders, don¡¯t you know to kneel and pay respects?¡± ¡±1 really don¡¯t know the rules.¡± Wang Shi tugged at the corners of her mouth. ¡°If you don¡¯t understand, then let¡¯s teach you again! Nanny Lin, show her!¡± Nanny Lin, standing by Wang Shi¡¯s side, responded and walked towards Gu Qingluan. ¡°Miss, when you sec the Lady of the House, you should kneel and greet her.¡± Gu Qingluan stood still, unmoved. ¡°Miss, you need to kneel and greet the Lady of the House.¡± The others watched eagerly, anticipating a spectacle. Seeing them challenging her mother, a hint of anger shed in Gu Xiaonan¡¯s big eyes, and he wanted to make a move. Gu Qingluan pinched his little hand, hinting that he shouldn¡¯t act recklessly. Gu Xiaonan had to suppress his emotions. Her enchanting gaze casually swept across the entire hall. There were a total of eight people seated in the hall, and there were no empty seats. Clearly, the Gu family didn¡¯t prepare seats for them. Their intentions were clear; they wanted to exert pressure on her and her son. Gu Qingluan gently curled her lips, making her already radiant face even more alluring. The onlookers frowned. If it weren¡¯t for this face, they would have doubted if she was someone else impersonating her. What simrities were there between the previously awkward and insecure Gu Qingluan and this confident and assertive woman? Observing her calm demeanor, Nanny Lin and Wang Shi exchanged looks and swiftly aimed a kick at Gu Qingluan¡¯s knee. Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze narrowed, and quicker than Nanny Lin¡¯s kick, she responded with a powerful kick of her own.. Chapter 166 - 166: Making a Move Chapter 166: Making a Move Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Ah!¡± Nanny Lin felt a sharp pain in her legs and involuntarily knelt down. ¡°Outrageous!¡± Wang Shi shouted angrily. ¡°Qingluan, I thought that by returning today, you would have realized your mistakes. But it seems you have no intention of changing. Not showing respect to your father and me is one thing, but why did you suddenly attack someone?¡± Gu Qingluan raised her gaze to look at Wang Shi. ¡°Didn¡¯t Madam see that she attacked her master first? Oh, sorry, she used her feet. I merely taught a servant a lesson. Is that not allowed?¡± ¡°Nanny Lin was teaching you etiquette on behalf of thedy of the house!¡± ¡°Etiquette? All I know is that the master can hit the servants, but I didn¡¯t know that the servants can hit the master too.¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°Nanny Lin is representing thedy of the house now!¡± ¡°So, it was thedy of the house who instructed her to attack me¡­¡± Gu Qingluan elongated her tone, with a meaningful implication. Wang Shi¡¯s expression stiffened, then she red at Gu Qingluan with irritation. ¡°Stop talking nonsense! I¡¯m teaching you manners! Otherwise, if people find out that the youngdy of the Gu familycks even the slightest manners and upbringing, wouldn¡¯t it be a disgrace?¡± Although she wanted to trouble Gu Qingluan, Wang Shi still tried to maintain an appearance of fairness. What is this called? Wanting to act like a bitch but also wanting to appear virtuous! Gu Qingluan retorted, ¡°Hasn¡¯t the Gu family¡¯s reputation already been tarnished by you?¡± The whole room changed in an instant. ¡°Gu Qingluan! Are you here today to cause trouble?¡± Gu Zhixin rebuked. ¡°Stupid girl, I didn¡¯t want to bring up the past, but now that you¡¯ve returned, showing no respect to your elders and resorting to violence! It seems that if I don¡¯t teach you a lesson, you¡¯ll never learn!¡± Gu Zhicheng finally spoke, his anger evident. Others in the room were shocked. The family head was finally going to take action! Gu Qingluan remained as indifferent as ever, ¡°If you¡¯re going to act, just do it already. Why bother with so much nonsense?¡± Was this woman insane? Didn¡¯t she know that the Master is already a Saint? Yet she still dared to speak in such a tone to the Master! Though they were surprised, the members of the Gu family were more than happy to watch Gu Qingluan¡¯s self-destruction. After all, there were few among them who hoped for Gu Qingluan¡¯s well-being. Last time, the Master stopped because of the Fifth Prince, and they were already unhappy about it. Now that Gu Qingluan was seeking her own death, the Master would surely be furious and wouldn¡¯t spare her! Gu Zhicheng was truly enraged by Gu Qingluan¡¯s attitude and immediately threw a profound power attack at her. Advancing to the Saint Realm from the Heaven Realm was a qualitative change. It was no exaggeration to say that a Saint could move mountains and overturn seas, manipting the clouds and rain. Even a casual move contained terrifying energy. Gu Qingluan remained calm as she spoke to her son, ¡°Xiaonan, find a ce to sit, don¡¯t tire yourself.¡± Xiaonan knew that his mother had a breakthrough, and he wasn¡¯t worried about her strength at all. His big eyes scanned the room but didn¡¯t find an empty chair. So, he ran to the door and sat on the doorstep, holding the little white ball, Xiao Bai, in his arms. ¡°Mother, you can do it!¡± ¡°Squeak!¡± The boy and the little beast cheered for Gu Qingluan. ¡°She doesn¡¯t know death!¡± Gu Jinyue sneered. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s attack arrived in front of Gu Qingluan in an instant. Gu Qingluan lifted her hand casually. There was a soft sound. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s attack seemed like a stone falling into the ocean, hardly causing any ripples. Everyone widened their eyes in astonishment. ¡°How is this possible!¡± How could Gu Qingluan withstand the attack of a Saint? ¡°Elder brother, you can¡¯t go soft on her! Since you¡¯ve taken action, make her suffer a bit! Otherwise, she¡¯ll be even more arrogant and step all over you!¡± Gu Zhixin shouted. Everyone suddenly realized when they heard Gu Zhixin¡¯s words. So, that was it! The Master held back his power, which was why Gu Qingluan could withstand the attack. Gu Jinyue quickly advised, ¡°Uncle, you¡¯re just too soft-hearted. Clearly, Gu Qingluan doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s good for her.. If you spare her, she¡¯ll only be more insolent!¡± Chapter 167 - 167: Dumbfounded Chapter 167: Dumbfounded Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The others also tried to persuade Gu Zhicheng. A hint of confusion shed in Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes. As a Saint, he was well aware of the gap between Saints and experts of the Heavenly Realm. Even if he only used fifty percent of his power, it wasn¡¯t something an expert of the Heavenly Realm could easily withstand. Could it be because this girl was on the verge of bing a Saint, which allowed her to withstand his attack? Or maybe she wasn¡¯t an easy opponent as she appeared on the surface? Regardless of which possibility it was, Gu Zhicheng chose to ept it. So, heunched another attack on Gu Qingluan. This time, he used eighty percent of his power. He temporarily held back from going all out, reserving twenty percent of his power. As the palm wind surged, everyone present could feel the sharp aura. Everyone felt that Gu Qingluan would definitely be injured this time. However, Gu Qingluan remained calm and effortlessly blocked his move. ¡°Elder brother, why can¡¯t you make a decisive move?¡± Gu Zhixin was getting anxious for him. Others also felt that Gu Zhicheng was too reluctant to act forcefully. Gu Zhicheng had a stern expression, but he was secretly shocked. Eighty percent of his power, and she still blocked it! This was impossible! Unless she was also a Saint! However, Gu Zhicheng couldn¡¯t ept such a possibility. Gu Qingluan was so young, how could she be a Saint? The entire Cheng Yuan only had three Saints, and if it weren¡¯t for him consuming the Universe Stabilizer, he would still be at the Heavenly Realm. Wait! Gu Zhicheng suddenly widened his eyes, his mind shaken. How could he forget! Mr. Liu was willing to put the Universe Stabilizer up for auction, indicating that he wasn¡¯tcking in Universe Stabilizers! Gu Qingluan had a close rtionship with Mr. Liu. Perhaps she asked him for the Universe Stabilizer! Once this assumption was made, all the doubts had a reasonable exnation. Gu Zhicheng stood up in a daze, to the astonishment of everyone, he stared at Gu Qingluan and asked urgently, ¡°You¡¯ve advanced to the Saint Realm?¡± ¡°Finally, you¡¯re notpletely hopeless.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled faintly. So, she really was a Saint! Wang Shi and the others looked at her in disbelief, unable to ept this fact. How did she be a Saint? Was it so easy to advance to the Saint Realm? She was so young! ¡°Uncle, could she be wearing a defensive Saint artifact that can withstand attacks from Saints? Don¡¯t let her deception fool you!¡± Gu Jinyue said sharply. She didn¡¯t believe that Gu Qingluan was a Saint. If Gu Qingluan became a Saint, did she still have a chance for revenge? If the Fifth Prince found out that Gu Qingluan was a Saint, he would definitely marry her, leaving no chance for herself! In Cheng Yuan, Saints held an unparalleled position. Gu Jinyue was well aware of what being a Saint meant. It would not only bring endless glory to the family but also immense benefits. The Fifth Prince would certainly not give up such an opportunity. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned iron-gray as he said, ¡°She also consumed the Universe Stabilizer!¡± The difficulty of refining the Universe Stabilizer Pill was widely known. Gu Zhicheng hadn¡¯t thought that Mr. Liu would still have it. If he had known¡­ Suddenly, Gu Zhicheng thought of the Fifth Prince. The Fifth Prince wanted to marry Gu Qingluan because of the power of the Ind of No Return. Now it seemed like a wise decision. Gu Qingluan was merely on good terms with Mr. Liu, and she could easily obtain the Universe Stabilizer Pill. If they could establish a rtionship with the Ind of No Return, wouldn¡¯t it be easy for them to obtain their elixirs? Their status would undoubtedly rise to a higher level! Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes changed rapidly. While Gu Qingluan listened to his judgment, she paused for a moment and then smiled. The excuse he found for her breakthrough in cultivation sounded quite reasonable. If someone asked how she improved her cultivation so quickly, she now had a good reason. Thinking this way, Gu Qingluan tacitly epted Gu Zhicheng¡¯s conclusion. The rest of the Gu family was dumbfounded. A strong sense of fear spread in their hearts, as if demons crawling out of hell were gradually devouring their souls.. Chapter 168 - 168: A Harmonious Family Chapter 168: A Harmonious Family Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion They not only couldn¡¯t take revenge, but also had to worry about being retaliated against by Gu Qingluan. Why was Gu Qingluan so fortunate? She even managed to have a close bond with someone from the Ind of No Return! The most desperate one was Gu Jinyue. She had been waiting for this day for so long, thinking that she could make Gu Qingluan kneel down and beg for mercy. But who knew that what she got was the news of Gu Qingluan bing a Saint. Gu Qingluan must be mocking her for her futile efforts, right? ¡°Congrattions, Qingluan!¡± Gu Zhicheng suddenly smiled. Everyone looked at him. Gu Qingluan rubbed her arm, feeling goosebumps rise all over her body. ¡°In front of me, the head of the Gu family doesn¡¯t need to be so hypocritical. That smile is chilling.¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s smile froze instantly as if the river water had turned to ice and the mountain wind hade to a sudden stop. He clenched his muscles a few times, forcibly suppressing the anger rising to his throat, and his smile faded slightly, but his attitude remained enthusiastic. ¡°Luan¡¯er, you did a great job. Now our Gu family has two Saints. No family in Chengyuan can surpass us! Qingluan, why don¡¯t you move back to the Gu family? We have double happiness, and we must celebrate!¡± She was stunned by being called ¡°Luan¡¯er¡±. ¡°Whether to celebrate or not is up to you, but as for moving back to the Gu family¡­ forget it, I¡¯m already used to living in the Jun residence,¡± Gu Qingluan said. Gu Zhicheng frowned, then nodded. ¡°You can stay wherever you¡¯refortable, but remember toe back often.¡± ¡°Maybe some people won¡¯t wee me,¡± Gu Qingluan hinted, ncing at the other Gu family members. Gu Zhicheng looked at Wang Shi and the others. They cursed Gu Qingluan in their hearts but didn¡¯t dare to show any displeasure on the surface. Wang Shi put on a fake smile and said, ¡°Qingluan, what are you talking about? You are the eldest daughter of the Gu family. How could we not wee you back?¡± ¡°Yeah, big sister, you muste back to see us often,¡± Gu Qin¡¯er said with a sincere expression. Gu Zhicheng and Gu Jinyue followed suit. Only Gu Jinyue and Gu Si¡¯er, the two youngest ones, couldn¡¯t maintain theirposure and couldn¡¯t bring themselves to please Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan smiled as she looked at the two. Her eyes were yful like she was watching monkeys. Gu Zhicheng immediately scolded, ¡°You two better wee your elder sister!¡± Gu Jinyue felt extremely annoyed. But what choice did she have when she was inferior to Gu Qingluan? In the eyes of their uncle, who valued the family¡¯s interests above all else, what did her feelings matter? Reluctantly, Gu Jinyue said, ¡°Wee back, big sister.¡± Gu Si¡¯er was the only one left. She couldn¡¯t resist any longer and said, ¡°Wee.¡± ¡°This is great! A family should be harmonious,¡± Gu Zhichengughed heartily as if he hadn¡¯t noticed the undercurrents in the hall. He turned his head and looked at Gu Qingluan with a pair of loving eyes. ¡°Qingluan, you haven¡¯te home for a long time. Why not stay here today and catch up with everyone in the family? If you don¡¯t want to move back, it¡¯s alright, juste back and stay for a few days. Is that okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m used to my own room, and I can¡¯t sleep well here. It¡¯s morefortable for me to go back to my ce.¡± Gu Qingluan knew what Gu Zhicheng was thinking and had no intention of cooperating. If this had happened not long ago, Gu Zhicheng would have been furious at being rejected. But now, apart from sighing in regret, he didn¡¯t me Gu Qingluan. ¡°Alright then, if you¡¯re not staying, how about having a simple meal?¡± Gu Zhicheng suggested. Gu Qingluan looked at the other Gu family members. One by one, their faces disyed a range of emotions, bing more vividly expressive. She nodded yfully in response to Gu Zhicheng¡¯s invitation. Sure enough, as soon as she agreed, the other people¡¯s expressions became even more unpleasant.. Chapter 169 - 169: Frustration to Death Chapter 169: Frustration to Death Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng was overjoyed and immediately called Steward Wang, instructing him to prepare avish family banquet that would surely please his granddaughter. After giving his orders, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s attention shifted to Gu Xiaonan, who was sitting at the threshold. Repairing the rtionship with his elder daughter depended on this grandson. The question of whether he was an illegitimate child or not was never as significant as the matter concerning the Ind of No Return. As long as their family¡¯s power was formidable enough, outsiders would not dare to say much. With a self-proimed benevolent smile, Gu Zhicheng beckoned to Gu Xiaonan, ¡°Xiaonan,e over to Grandpa¡¯s side. It¡¯s ufortable to sit over there.¡± Gu Xiaonan turned his head to look at Gu Qingluan for confirmation. When he saw her nod, he got up and respectfully called out, ¡°Master Gu.¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s smiling face suddenly stiffened, ¡°You should call me Grandpa.¡± ¡°But didn¡¯t you say I can¡¯t call you Grandpa?¡± Gu Xiaonan blinked his big eyes innocently, pretending to be clueless. Gu Zhicheng quickly nced at Gu Qingluan and awkwardly exined, ¡°That was Grandpa speaking out of anger. You are my own grandson, so, of course, you should call me Grandpa.¡± Gu Xiaonan oh-ed in a slow and hesitant manner, ¡°I thought Grandpa didn¡¯t like me.¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t dislike you! Why would I dislike you? 1 like you very much.¡± Gu Zhicheng took a jade pendant from his waist. ¡°Time was short, and 1 couldn¡¯t prepare much. This jade pendant is a coiled dragon jade I¡¯ve been wearing for many years. It can gather spiritual energy and help with cultivation. It¡¯s a rare and precious item. Consider it as a gift from your Grandpa, and in the future, Grandpa will prepare more gifts for you to make up for the past few years.¡± Xiao Bai, nestled in Gu Xiaonan¡¯s arms, stared at the coiled dragon jade with shining eyes, squirming restlessly. Gu Xiaonan gentlyforted the little creature by patting its head. Seeing Xiao Bai so excited, it seemed that the coiled dragon jade was a valuable item. Since the old man wanted to give it to him, he couldn¡¯t refuse it. Gu Xiaonan grinned and took the coiled dragon jade, saying in a childish voice, ¡°Thank you, Grandpa.¡± On the side, Wang Shi¡¯s face turned a bit green. This coiled dragon jade was a treasure of the Gu family. Previously, the family head had promised it to Lingxue! Now, it was unexpectedly given to this illegitimate child! Gu Xiaonan noticed the intense gazeing from the side and turned his head, coincidentally locking eyes with Wang Shi¡¯s envious expression. He immediately showed an anxious and uneasy look, like a young beast, and nced at Gu Zhicheng. ¡°Grandpa, it seems like this olddy doesn¡¯t like me. 1¡­ maybe I shouldn¡¯t ept it.¡± Saying that, he tried to hand the coiled dragon jade back to Gu Zhicheng. Gu Zhicheng turned his head and warned Wang Shi with a stern look, then smiled and pushed Gu Xiaonan¡¯s hand back. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. How could your Grandma not be pleased? This is just a little something from me, and you mustn¡¯t refuse.¡± With that, he nced obliquely at Wang Shi, ¡°Madam, don¡¯t you think so too? After all, the child has grown so big, shouldn¡¯t you, as his Grandma, offer a gift when you meet him?¡± Wang Shi was irritated by Gu Xiaonan calling her ¡°olddy¡±, and she was so angry that her entire body trembled. Following that, she received a warning look and a threatening remark from Gu Zhicheng. She felt deeply wronged! Since her daughter entered the Qiankun Academy, no one in the Gu family dared to upset her! And now, the old man was treating her like this for the sake of this illegitimate son! Wang Shi nearly left without caring about her dignity. But, she was not a young girl, nor was she someone who had never been wronged. She believed that the old man had his own n for doing this. At this moment, she couldn¡¯t damage his dignity. Wang Shi suppressed the anger in her heart and forced a smile, joining Gu Zhicheng in his act, and then sent a maidservant to fetch a precious item from her room to give as a gift. All the things she picked were top-notch. And the things she selected for children were intended to be given to her own future grandson. But now, they were going to be given to this illegitimate child! She secretly resented this and put on a show of being good-natured, making it impossible for anyone to find fault. Gu Zhicheng was quite satisfied with her performance. Gu Xiaonan was also quite pleased, especially when he saw Wang Shi¡¯s expression of suppressed jealousy. That feeling was truly satisfying! To provoke her, Gu Xiaonan received the coiled dragon jade back and then raised his adorable little face to ask, ¡°Grandpa, Xiao Bai really likes this jade.. Can I give it to him?¡± Chapter 170 - 170: What Has He Become? Chapter 170: What Has He Be? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng was taken aback. ¡°Xiaobai is¡­¡± Gu Xiaonan reached out and patted the little white fox in his arms. ¡°This is Xiaobai! Xiaobai, say hello to Grandpa.¡± The little white foxzily waved its paw in response. To give his cherished jade to a mere animal? What would that make him? Gu Zhicheng¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°Is it not allowed?¡± Gu Xiaonan frowned, his little face showing disappointment. To appease Gu Qingluan and her son, he had already gone to great lengths, even giving away the precious jade. Should he now jeopardize everything because of a simple request? Of course not! Gu Zhicheng forced a smile and said, ¡°1 gave you the jade, so you¡¯re its owner. You can give it to anyone you like.¡± ¡°Wow, that¡¯s great! Thank you, Grandpa.¡± Gu Xiaonan cheered and then put the ck string attached to the jade around the little white fox¡¯s neck. To think that such an invaluable treasure ended up being used as a pet essory. Wang Shi couldn¡¯t even maintain her smile anymore. Gu Zhicheng also felt mentally exhausted dealing with this child. He was afraid the boy mighte up with another outrageous request. He said, ¡°You¡¯ve been here for quite a while, you must be tired. Why don¡¯t you rest in the guest rooms for now, and I¡¯ll call you over for the banquetter.¡± Everyone agreed. So, Gu Zhicheng had someone show them to the guest rooms. The Gu family had just moved back here, so there were no rooms prepared for Gu Qingluan. They would have to stay in the guest rooms for now. After sending them away, Gu Zhicheng felt relieved. Wang Shi immediately said sourly, ¡°You are so good to this mother and son. You even let them use the jade as a pet pendant.¡± Gu Zhicheng snorted in anger. ¡°Do you think I wanted to? If it weren¡¯t for Qingluan¡¯s outstanding talent, bing a Saint at such a young age, would I tolerate her unruliness?¡± Wang Shi sneered. ¡°Lingxue is no less talented than her. When I visited her at the Qiankun Academy, she was already at the ninth stage of the Heavenly Realm. Her master said he would find her top-tier treasures for her advancement to the Saint Realm. Does she notpare favorably to that brat? Lingxue has always been filial to you, devoted to the Gu family. Just look at Qingluan¡¯s recent actions. Don¡¯t raise a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing for yourself.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just because she¡¯s a Saint. I value the backing of the Ind of No Return behind her! If we can connect with the Ind of No Return, Lingxue only needs a Universe Stabilizer to advance to the Saint Realm. Why should we bother searching for treasures?¡± Gu Zhicheng exined. Wang Shi was taken aback, ¡°So, that¡¯s your n. It seems I misjudged you.¡± ¡°Just know your ce, and don¡¯t provoke that girl and her son before we establish a connection with the Ind of No Return. Don¡¯t cause any more problems for me!¡± Gu Zhicheng warned. Wang Shi nodded submissively, ¡°Do you still doubt me? As long as I understand the interests involved, I won¡¯t act recklessly.¡± On this point, Gu Zhicheng did trust her. Over the past twenty years, this was the one aspect of Wang Shi that he appreciated the most. After reminding Wang Shi, Gu Zhicheng went outside the hall and also gave some instructions to the people waiting outside. No one dared to defy his orders. However, now that they knew Gu Zhicheng was only pretending to be good to Gu Qingluan, everyone felt relieved. Once Gu Qingluan lost her usefulness, they could deal with her. At the backyard. Servants led Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan to a quaint guest building. Gu Qingluan dismissed the servants. Curious, Gu Xiaonan asked, ¡°Mother, why did youe back?¡± Chapter 171 - 171: The Scumbag Is Connected to Qiankun Academy? Chapter 171: The Scumbag Is Connected to Qiankun Academy? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The people of the Gu family were all full of ill intentions, and he felt disgusted eating with them. ¡°The quota for the Qiankun Academy selection is in the hands of the Gu family. If we don¡¯t give them some hope, why would they willingly give the spot to me?¡± Gu Xiaonan suddenly realized. ¡°So, Mother, you¡¯re after the quota for the Qiankun Academy selection! Little Yuanxi mentioned that they came to Tianjing because of the selection.¡± Gu Qingluan was surprised. ¡°Really?¡± She hadn¡¯t heard about it from Little Yuanxi before. Gu Xiaonan nodded. ¡°Little Yuanxi said that they will leave once the selection is over.¡± Gu Qingluan touched her chin. Could it be that that scumbag was connected to the Qiankun Academy? Could she ask him for a spot? Then Gu Qingluan shook her head. Forget it, it¡¯s better to ask Gu Zhicheng instead of the scumbag. Not long after, someone came to invite the two of them for a meal. During the family banquet, the members of the Gu family appeared much more enthusiastic than before in the front hall. At least on the surface, they seemed friendly and warm. Gu Qingluan, however, maintained a cool demeanor. When she was in a good mood, she exchanged a few words, and when she wasn¡¯t, she gave a curt response that left the other party at a loss. No one dared to speak up in anger. And so, during the banquet, Gu Qingluan and her son enjoyed themselves, while the others were filled with frustration. As the meal was about to end, Gu Qingluan suddenly asked, ¡°1 heard that Second Sister went to the Qiankun Academy?¡± Wang Shi felt that she could finally show some pride, and with a smug look in her eyes, she boasted, ¡°This child has been impressive since she was young. But 1 didn¡¯t expect her to get into the Qiankun Academy and even receive special treatment, being chosen as a direct disciple by the Revered One.¡± ¡°That¡¯s indeed impressive.¡± Gu Qingluan nodded. ¡°But Second Sister might feel a bit lonely in the academy. If she had somepany, it would probably be better for her.¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s mind stirred. ¡°Do you want to go?¡± Wang Shi looked cautiously at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Qingluan, you already have a child. There¡¯s no need for you to go to the academy. If people find out about your background, they might make fun of you.¡± Currently, Gu Qingluan¡¯s daughter was the only student from the Gu family in the Qiankun Academy, which was her pride. Wang Shi couldn¡¯t allow this brat to meddle in her daughter¡¯s affairs. With this girl¡¯s current strength, if she had gone to the Qiankun Academy, it would undoubtedly have caused trouble for Lingxue. Though Wang Shi still thought her daughter was the most outstanding, she harbored deep fear of the current Gu Qingluan and didn¡¯t want any idents to happen. Gu Zhicheng agreed with Wang Shi¡¯s concerns, and besides, he already had a daughter who brought great glory to their family. He didn¡¯t need Gu Qingluan to add to it. Moreover, if Gu Qingluan went to the Qiankun Academy, how would he establish a connection with the Ind of No Return? He nodded in agreement, ¡°Your mother is right. Qingluan, just stay at home and take care of your child. It would be best if you find a suitable man to marry. The Fifth Prince seems like a good candidate. You were already engaged to him, and if it weren¡¯t for some mishap, you might have even had a child together¡­¡± The Fifth Prince? That scumbag was considered a good candidate? Gu Qingluan sneered inwardly. She was curious about what benefits the Fifth Prince had promised Gu Zhicheng for him to speak on his behalf. At the moment, she had no patience to listen to Gu Zhicheng¡¯s exnations and directly interrupted him, ¡°It¡¯s not me who wants to enter the Qiankun Academy, it¡¯s Xiaonan!¡± Everyone was stunned. They all turned to look at the little guy sitting next to Gu Qingluan, gnawing on a chicken leg. ¡°Xiaonan?¡± Wang Shi sneered.. ¡°Do you think the Qiankun Academy is an ordinary ce where anyone can get in?¡± Chapter 172 - 172: One in Million Chapter 172: One in Million Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°The Qiankun Academy only epts the most talented students from the Cloud ins Continent. Except for a few exceptions, everyone else has to go through the selection process to have a chance to get in. How could a little brat who hasn¡¯t even grown all his teeth get in?¡± Gu Qingluan stared at Gu Jinyue with a sly smile. ¡°i understand your thoughts. After all, ignorant people cannotprehend what it means to be a genius.¡± Gu Jinyue was infuriated, and her face turned red suddenly. ¡°Yue¡¯er, you can go back after you finish eating!¡± Gu Zhicheng said displeased. This girl, how many times had he told her not to lose her temper like this? Gu Jinyue was taken aback and didn¡¯t dare to say more, but she didn¡¯t want to leave like this either. She wanted to see how her uncle would handle this situation. Would he boldly support Gu Qingluan without hesitation? Seeing her pretend to be silent, Gu Zhicheng didn¡¯t say anything more and refocused his attention on Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan. ¡°Luan¡¯er, I know Xiaonan has good talent, but he is still too young. It¡¯s impossible for him to enter the Qiankun Academy at his age.¡± ¡°Although Lingxue is quite popr among the teachers and students in the Qiankun Academy, they won¡¯t make an exception to let someone in through connection,¡± Wang Shi added immediately, fearing that Gu Qingluan would shamelessly request such a favor. Gu Qingluan smiled faintly. ¡°Whether he can get in or not depends on Xiaonan¡¯s abilities. You don¡¯t need to make too much effort; just give him a spot in the selection.¡± Xiaonan¡¯s chewing paused, and he looked at her in surprise. Huh, didn¡¯t Mom want to go to the Qiankun Academy? Oh, he understood now! Mom was just trying to deceive them into giving her a spot. Then she would participate in the selection herself, and by that time, it would be toote for the Gu family to back out! Feeling like it had nothing to do with him, Xiaonan continued eating carefree. Hearing Gu Qingluan¡¯s words, Gu Jinyue wanted to mock her again. But Gu Jinrong tugged at her sleeve secretly, warning her with his eyes. Gu Jinyue pouted and held back her words. Wang Shi said, ¡°The spots for the selection are limited. Do you think your son can win? Don¡¯t waste a spot. We, the Gu family, only have fifteen spots!¡± The age limit for the selection was under thirty, and the Qiankun Academy would select students from various countries who showed talent in cultivation. The four major families of Chengyuan, plus the royal family, had a total of one hundred spots. Only the top three would be admitted to the Qiankun Academy. From this, one could see how strict the entry requirements for the Qiankun Academy were. Of course, this was already considered exceptionally favorable treatment. In addition to the selection targeting the royal families and major families of each country, every three years, the Qiankun Academy also recruited students under the age of twenty from the Cloud ins Continent. This selection process was even more demanding than the regr one. Gu Qingluan was already over twenty years old and couldn¡¯t participate in the general selection. For each family, the spots for the selection were precious. Some families used these spots to recruit talented individuals, while others kept them for their promising young members. In Wang Shi¡¯s view, it was aplete waste for Gu Qingluan to request a spot. Could a five-year-old child have a chance to be among the top three? Without a doubt, it was impossible! ¡°Whether Xiaonan seeds or not, I¡¯m not sure. Even if he doesn¡¯t seed, it¡¯s still good to gain some experience and try again next time,¡± Gu Qingluan said casually. Wang Shi felt that she was speaking as if it had nothing to do with her. Wasn¡¯t she wasting such precious spots? ¡°You are unwilling to agree even to this small request? It seems that you still hold a grudge against us. Since you don¡¯t wee us, we won¡¯t disturb you any longer.¡± Gu Qingluan stood up and reached out to her son, ¡°Xiaonan, stop eating. Let¡¯s go home..¡± Chapter 173 - 173: Mother’s Pride Chapter 173: Mother¡¯s Pride Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Seeing that Gu Qingluan was unhappy and about to leave, Gu Zhicheng couldn¡¯t sit still and immediately stood up to follow. ¡°Luan¡¯er, don¡¯t be angry. It¡¯s just one spot, if you want it, take it!¡± Gu Zhichengpromised, while his wife, Wang Shi, felt a bit annoyed at his concession. Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curled up, and she nced down at her son. Mission aplished! The selectionpetition would be held the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, all major families need to submit the list of participants to the organizers. The organizers were from the Royalty, but the main person in charge was someone who came from the Holy Heaven Dynasty. As for the identity of this person, the major families currently have no information. They only know that a mysterious person is currently staying in the royal pce, and the Crown Prince has close interactions with him. Gu Zhicheng told Gu Qingluan some things to note and had someone present to draft the list. After she reviewed it, they would send it to the organizers tomorrow. ¡°Once this list is finalized, there can be no changes, only forfeit,¡± Gu Zhicheng reminded her, ¡°Are you sure you want Xiaonan to participate? The arena is dangerous and unpredictable.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandpa, I¡¯m really good!¡± Gu Xiaonan patted his little chest, full of pride. However, the other participants would also be very strong. He wondered how his mother would change the name on the list to hers. Actually¡­ If his mother couldn¡¯t change it, he could also participate! Hmph, they all look down on him and secretly called him an illegitimate child! He wanted to show them that he was not a burden to his mother but her pride! Thinking of this, Gu Xiaonan touched his round little chin. Well¡­ Maybe he should talk to his motherter and ask to participate instead! ¡°Luan¡¯er, why do you still call me ¡®Master¡¯ instead of calling me ¡®Dad¡¯ again?¡± Gu Qingluan raised her eyebrows and looked at his hopeful eyes, skillfully changing the subject, ¡°In a while, Mr. Liu will send some elixirs to the auction. If you like them, I can ask him to give you a discount.¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes suddenly brightened, excitedly asking, ¡°Really?¡± Trying to achieve everything at once may not lead to sess; it¡¯s better to take one step at a time Now that Qingluan was willing to help him get some benefits from Mr. Liu, he was sure to gain even greater benefits in the future. Indeed, his strategy was correct. He must go along with his eldest daughter and dote on her son. That way, he could establish a closer rtionship and get help to reach the Ind of No Return! After getting Gu Qingluan¡¯s approval, Gu Zhicheng looked at her with even more delight than before. Gu Qingluan took the opportunity to bid farewell. He urged her to go back quickly and not ignore Mr. Liu when she got home. If Mr. Liu had any demands, she should tell him, and he would do his best to fulfill them¡­ After some more instructions, he finally let Gu Qingluan leave. Leaving Gu¡¯s residence and getting on the carriage to go back, Gu Xiaonan told her about his desire to participate in the selectionpetition. Gu Qingluan smiled and said, ¡°That was actually for you in the first ce.¡± Gu Xiaonan was stunned, ¡°Huh? Wasn¡¯t it supposed to be you, Mom?¡± Originally, Gu Qingluan had intended to participate herself, but then she thought that it wouldn¡¯t hurt to let her son participate. Thepetition could be a test for Xiaonan. Besides, Xiaonan¡¯s age was appropriate for attending school. In the past, on the Ind of No Return, he had no peers, and Gu Qingluan was the one teaching him everything. Her son was very smart, learning everything quickly, and showing astonishing talents in many aspects. However, during this period, she also discovered a problem¡­. Chapter 174 - 174: Packaging and Sending to the Academy Chapter 174: Packaging and Sending to the Academy Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Her son was too clingy to her. It was normal for children to be clingy, but she was afraid he might not be able to change in the future. Qiankun Academy was the number one academy in Cloud ins Continent. There, they had the best teachers and students. If Xiaonan were to get administrated, not only could he learn many things, but he could also meet many equally outstanding children. She believed it would be more beneficial for her son¡¯s growth there. ¡°What about you, mother? If I got epted as a student at Qiankun Academy, I wouldn¡¯t be able to see you often.¡± Xiaonan heard that Qiankun Academy was a closed institution, and except for the teachers and students of the academy, no one else could enter. He didn¡¯t want to be separated from his mother! If they were to be separated, then he wouldn¡¯t go! At this moment, he didn¡¯t think about the possibility of not being able to get in. Gu Qingluan nodded seriously. ¡°Good question. So you have to learn to be independent. I won¡¯t be able to be with you all the time in the future.¡± ¡°I want to be with you! I don¡¯t need you to take care of me! I can take care of you!¡± Xiaonan had never been separated from her for too long. But once he entered Qiankun Academy, it meant a long separation. He let go of Xiaobai and threw himself into Gu Qingluan¡¯s arms. ¡°Mother, 1 can cook now. I can cook for you. I can also learn embroidery from Sister Bo He and make clothes for you. Please don¡¯t abandon your child!¡± Xiaobai easily jumped onto the other side of the soft couch. When he heard the words ¡°cook¡±, his white fur stood up in shock. ¡°Squeak, squeak, squeak!¡± Little master, you¡¯d better not cook! With your culinary skills, if your mother tastes it, she¡¯ll definitely pack you up and send you to the academy to learn! Gu Qingluan took him out of her arms with a helpless look. ¡°I just want you to go there and learn, not to abandon you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care! If you abandon me and send me to the academy, I¡­1 won¡¯t participate in the selectionpetition the day after tomorrow.¡± Xiaonan turned his puffed-up little face away. Huh, he¡¯s threatening her! Having gone through more hardship, where would she be threatened by him? She calmly said, ¡°Alright, if you don¡¯t participate, I¡¯ll have Bo He send you back to the Ind of No Return, and I¡¯ll go to Qiankun Academy myself.¡± ¡°Mother, why are you like this!¡± Xiaonan became anxious when he heard that, quickly turned his head, and looked at her with a pouting face. There was only one spot, either his mother goes or he goes, in any case, one of them would be left behind! Facing this dilemma, Xiaonan felt wronged. If he had known this, he wouldn¡¯t have gone to Gu¡¯s house with her. Seeing her son¡¯s red eyes, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but smile. In the face of his usation, she pinched his little nose and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, concentrate on participating in the selectionpetition. As long as you can be among the top three, we won¡¯t be separated.¡± ¡°Why? Are you going to ask the Gu family for another spot if I am epted?¡± Gu Qingluan gave a vague answer, saying that when the timees, he will know. This made Xiaonan curious. But no matter how he asked, she just wouldn¡¯t answer. Xiaonan felt like there was a cat scratching at his heart, and he made an anxious monkey-like gesture, which amused Gu Qingluan. The next day, the lists from various major families were all sent to the organizers. The organizers then delivered them to the pce and presented them to Feng Tian. Feng Tian sat behind the desk, engrossed in reading a book. It seemed that the list was not as attractive as the book in his hand. Jing Feng nced at the cover of the book. It was a blue cover without a title. He was unaware of the book that had captured his master¡¯s interesttely, as he had beenpletely engrossed in it. It¡¯s been a long time since he saw his master so engrossed in reading. He waited quietly on the side, with nothing to do, so he picked up the list and looked at it. When he flipped to one of the lists, he suddenly eximed.. Chapter 175 - 175: Parenting Guide Chapter 175: Parenting Guide Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Master, it seems there¡¯s a mistake on the name list. Isn¡¯t Gu Xiaonan Miss Go¡¯s son? That child should be about the same age as the Young Master, right?¡± Feng Tian raised his eyes from the book, giving him a silent nce. His eyes were ck and deep, like an endless abyss, emanating a hint of danger. Jing Feng shivered, instantly realizing that he had made such an obvious mistake while his master was reading. He quickly lowered his head and apologized, then informed him of his discovery, ¡°Master, the selection tournament is extremely dangerous. By putting Gu Xiaonan¡¯s name on the list, isn¡¯t Gu¡¯s family endangering him?¡± Feng Tian replied calmly, ¡°He can choose not to participate.¡± Indeed, he could choose not to participate, but the rules of the Qiankun Academy stated that if one abstained, they could never participate in the selection tournament again. Was Gu¡¯s family intentionally setting him up? If Gu Xiaonanpeted, losing would be a minor matter, but if something happened to him, what would Gu Qingluan do? But if Gu Xiaonan gave up, he could never participate in the selection tournament again. Was Gu¡¯s family intentionally doing this? Their intentions were too malicious! ¡°Master, 1 think we should inform Miss Gu about this. At the very least, she should be aware that Gu¡¯s family is trying to hinder her,¡± Jing Feng said, feeling a chilling breeze as if it came from the Arctic, freezing him to the bone. Fine, he had vited his master¡¯s taboo again. He couldn¡¯t mention Miss Gu on his own! Jing Feng mentally scolded himself and chuckled, ¡°Master, please continue reading. 1 won¡¯t disturb you, and I¡¯ll keep my mouth shut!¡± Feng Tian lowered his head once again. Jing Feng inwardly sighed in relief. Fortunately, the master didn¡¯t pursue the matter. But now that he knew about it, he couldn¡¯t pretend he didn¡¯t know. If the master found out he¡¯d secretly gone to see Miss Gu, there¡¯d be trouble. Jing Feng requested permission from Feng Tian to go find the Young Master. Feng Tian had no objections, and so Jing Feng quietly left the study, flying off to find Feng Yuanxi. In the study, it took a while before Feng Tian put down the books, rubbing his tired eyes. If Jing Feng were there, he would surely be astonished to see the title of the book he had just read¡ª ¡°Parenting Guide¡±! After reading for so long, Feng Tian left the study to find his son. As expected, he didn¡¯t find him there; most likely, Jing Feng¡¯s loose tongue had already told Feng Yuanxi about the list. He remembered what he had just read in the parenting guide: ¡°Parents are indispensable to their children;cking one would hinder their growth.¡± ¡°Strictness and kindness should be bnced for the best results.¡± ¡°Parents¡¯ absence will impede their child¡¯s development.¡± The book mentioned that whether it was theck of a mother or a father, it could easily cause defects in a child¡¯s personality. Moreover, the more a childcked something, the more they would desire it. His son constantly seeking Gu Qingluan¡¯spany seemed to confirm the book¡¯s wisdom. Was he only left with the option of finding a woman to be his son¡¯s mother? A strong aversion welled up in Feng Tian¡¯s heart. No one was perfect, and he refused to believe that his son would be worse off without a mother! Taking a deep breath, Feng Tian decided to end this round of the selection tournament as soon as possible and bring his son back to the Holy Heaven Dynasty. At this moment, Feng Yuanxi was blissfully unaware of his father¡¯s n. After reporting to the Jun Mansion, he was surprised to learn that Gu Xiaonan wanted to participate in the selection tournament. Then he found out that Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan nned to go to the Qiankun Academy. Feng Yuanxi was delighted. The Qiankun Academy was located in the Holy Heaven Dynasty. Although it was not close to his home, it was much closer than the Cangyuan Kingdom. Moreover, he could tell his father that he wanted to go to the Qiankun Academy to study. By then, wouldn¡¯t he be able to see Beautiful Sister again? Previously, he was worried that he wouldn¡¯t be able to persuade Beautiful Sister to marry his father in a short time, and they might have to be separated. Now this problem was easily solved, and things couldn¡¯t be better for him. What would the certain man, who was preparing to leave as soon as possible, feel if he found out about this news? Night fell, and the morning light shone again. In the blink of an eye, it was the second day¡ªthe day of the selection tournament.. Chapter 176 - 176: Poison Chapter 176: Poison Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Thepetition was held in thergest martial arena in Tianjing City. The selection tournament garnered the attention of a multitude, taking ce once every three years. On this momentous day, an endless stream of spectators flocked to witness the event. Unfortunately, the venue was limited, and only up to ten thousand people could enter to watch thepetition. Today was no exception, and the stands of the martial arena were filled with people, stretching as far as the eye could see. Steward Wang waited at the entrance and, upon seeing Gu Qingluan and the others getting off the carriage, his eyes lit up, immediately greeting them, ¡°First Lady, Young Master, you¡¯ve finally arrived. The Family Head and the others have been waiting inside, and I was sent to wee you.¡± The group followed Steward Wang into the martial arena and headed for an excellent position close to the fighting stage. The front rows near the stage were reserved for the four major families and the royal family. Gu Qingluan spotted many familiar faces, and Tang Shijun, who was in the second row, excitedly waved at her. Gu Qingluan smiled lightly, acknowledging the greeting. Tang Shijun became even more thrilled upon receiving a response. However, another woman beside Tang Shijun said something to her, making her retract her hand. ¡°Qingluan, you¡¯vee.¡± A figure blocked Gu Qingluan¡¯s path. Gu Qingluan looked at the man before her and coldly said, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Fifth Prince?¡± ¡°Qingluan, are you still angry with me? It¡¯s okay; the prince here will wait until you¡¯re no longer angry,¡± said Prince Qitian Yu, putting on an affectionate appearance. The girls who admired him screamed, finding today¡¯s affectionate Fifth Prince particrly charming, making their hearts pound. Then, they turned their jealous gazes toward the woman standing opposite to Prince Qitian Yu, wanting to see who could captivate the heart of the Fifth Prince. Upon seeing her, their jealousy intensified. However, they couldn¡¯t help but admit that the girl facing Prince Qitian Yu was beautiful, and her temperament was outstanding! Many people had already recognized Gu Qingluan¡¯s identity. Some individuals who hadn¡¯t encountered her since her return to the capital inquired with others to learn about her identity. Upon learning that she was Gu Qingluan, they were all quite surprised. When they found out that the child she was holding was her own, their feelings became even moreplicated. Ignoring how these women regarded Gu Qingluan, Gu Jinyue, who was sitting among the Gu family members, felt her jealousy grow wildly when she saw Prince Qitian Yu approach Gu Qingluan. ¡°You shameless slut! You dare to seduce the Fifth Prince despite having an illegitimate child!¡± She cursed under her breath, turned her head, and whispered to Gu Jinrong, ¡°Brother, if youe across that illegitimate child, don¡¯t show any mercy!¡± She wanted Gu Qingluan to understand that an illegitimate child would forever remain so and was unworthy of being a student at Qiankun Academy! Gu Jinrong lifted his chin and nced at Gu Qingluan and her entourage, coldly saying, ¡°Rest assured, I won¡¯t go easy on him when ites to my future. 1 will definitely not go easy on him.¡± Gu Jinyue leaned close to Gu Jinrong¡¯s ear and whispered a few sentences. Gu Jinrong was shocked. ¡°Are you out of your mind? What if someone discovers it in front of such arge crowd? Moreover, our uncle explicitly warned us not to provoke Gu Qingluan.¡± His original intention was for Gu Xiaonan to lose thepetition, but he never thought of harming the other party. Gu Jinyue handed him a small porcin bottle. ¡°Don¡¯t worry; no one will see it. This poison is colorless and tasteless, and no one can detect it. Once affected, it will only cause the person¡¯s arcane power to disappear temporarily. Even Gu Qingluan will think that the illegitimate child has simply exhausted his arcane power.¡± ¡°Where did you get this poison? Mr. Liu is at the Jun Residence; what if he intervenes and discovers it?¡± A malicious glint shed in Gu Jinyue¡¯s eyes, ¡°This was purchased at a high price in the ck market. It¡¯s an unbreakable poison. Even if Mr. Liu discovers it, it will be toote..¡± Chapter 177 - 177: Lonely Individual Chapter 177: Lonely Individual Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Jinrong still hesitated. Gu Jinyue urged him, ¡°Don¡¯t you want revenge? Think about it, we were both disfigured and disabled all because of them, that mother and son! Now they¡¯re on the rise, and with Uncle unwilling to intervene, when will we get our revenge? Uncle may speak kindly, but with Gu Qingluan¡¯s abilities, even if we wait another ten years, I¡¯m afraid Uncle won¡¯t be able to deal with her. If that¡¯s the case, why not take this opportunity to strike? If that illegitimate child is crippled, it will hurt Gu Qingluan more than if we harm her directly!¡± ¡°This poison won¡¯t be lethal, so don¡¯t worry. Would I, as your younger sister, harm you?¡± Gu Jinrong was swayed by her words. The hatred from the past was still vivid in his mind. Gu Qingluan was a Saint, and unless there was an ident, he couldn¡¯t shake her. Her weakness was her son, but he rarely had a chance to do anything himself. Today, however, presented a golden opportunity! He quickly took the poison and concealed it in his sleeve. Gu Jinyue¡¯s face was ted as she gazed at Gu Qingluan walking slowly towards them, silently thinking, ¡°Gu Qingluan, let¡¯s see if that smile of yours will stillst!¡± At the entrance of the martial arena, Feng Tian entered with Feng Yuanxi. Feng Yuanxi widened his eyes as he looked around, searching for the figure of his beautiful sister. Not long after, he spotted a particrly eye-catching figure. His eyes brightened, and he shook off Feng Tian¡¯s hand, saying, ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m going to y with Xiaonan!¡± Without waiting for Feng Tian¡¯s consent, he dashed toward Gu Qingluan. Feng Tian¡¯s face darkened. How could he not know who his son truly wanted to find? This little guy was usually quite clever, so why couldn¡¯t he see through that woman¡¯s scheme? Jing Feng felt the chilling aura emanating from Feng Tian and shrank his neck. ¡°Master, I¡¯ll go protect Young Master!¡± Then he hurriedly chased after Feng Yuanxi. It was safer to stay by Young Master¡¯s side. Feng Tian, now a lonely individual, stood expressionlessly in ce, his narrow phoenix eyes gazing darkly in a certain direction. Qi Tianyou stood not far away, uncertain whether to approach or not. This master seemed to have a bad temper recently. On the spectator¡¯s stand, as soon as Gu Qingluan sat down, she felt an intense, scorching gaze. She looked up and saw the scumbag staring at her as if wanting to devour her. What had she done to provoke him? He was crazy! Gu Qingluan scoffed lightly, turning her head away, refusing to pay him any attention. It wasn¡¯t until Feng Yuanxi came over that Gu Qingluan understood the meaning behind the scumbag¡¯s gaze. Naturally, she wouldn¡¯t me Feng Yuanxi for it. He was the one who promised Feng Yuanxi that he could find her, so if he wasn¡¯t happy, he could only me himself. Seeing Feng Yuanxi standing beside Gu Qingluan, having a close rtionship with her, the Gu family members were astonished and curious about his identity. However, Gu Qingluan made no attempt to introduce him, and they couldn¡¯t dig up any information themselves. Soon, everyone¡¯s attention shifted away from Feng Yuanxi. The selection tournament began! The first round was a draw-basedpetition, where contestants faced off against each other. Out of a hundred participants, one didn¡¯t show up, making Gu Xiaonan the lucky one who advanced to the next round without a fight. The venue was spacious enough, divided into ten smaller arenas. The first round of thepetition quickly concluded. Then came the second round. When Gu Xiaonan took the stage, the entire arena erupted in murmurs. After all, such a young participant was unheard of! The spectators were lively on the stands. When Gu Xiaonan¡¯s opponent saw him, he was also speechless, wondering if there was a mistake. ¡°Little kid, you¡¯vee to the wrong ce. This isn¡¯t where you should be..¡± Chapter 178 - 178: Too Fast! Chapter 178: Too Fast! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan smiled and said, ¡°No, I am Gu Xiaonan, a participant from the Gu family.¡± He lifted the badge hanging from his waist to show his identity. Gu Xiaonan? Wasn¡¯t he the one who advanced by default in the previous round? Could such a young kid really represent the Gu family? Isn¡¯t he too young to be sent by the family to participate in this tournament? In a family, there were only fifteen slots, and the Gu family had actually wasted one of them! The conversation between the two caught the attention of the spectators around them. ¡°Does the Gu family have such a young child? Why haven¡¯t I heard about him before?¡± ¡°Maybe he¡¯s from a branch of the family?¡± ¡°No way! He¡¯s the son of the Gu family¡¯s firstdy!¡± ¡°Wow! The Gu family¡¯s young miss hasn¡¯t married yet, right? Where did the sone from?¡± ¡°Did you forget? Five years ago, the Gu family¡¯s firstdy had a child out of wedlock. The family head was furious and drove her out of the house. I guess that child must be the one they are talking about.¡± ¡°Oh my goodness, how dare she show her face with the child! Doesn¡¯t the Gu family care about this scandal? And they wasted such a precious spot in the selection tournament. What was the family head thinking?¡± ¡°I think the family head wants this illegitimate child to die on the arena. Otherwise, keeping him around would always remind everyone of the family¡¯s shame.¡± ¡°Oh fuck, now that you mention it, it does make sense!¡± ¡°But wait, if the family head wanted harm, would the firstdy of the Gu family agree?¡± ¡°That¡­ I¡¯m not sure.¡± ¡°Well, in any case, this kid is just here to make up the numbers. Let¡¯s hope his opponent shows mercy.¡± ¡°I have a feeling that¡¯s unlikely. The opponent is from the Tang family, and they have always been at odds with the Gu family. They might go all out, causing the Gu family to lose dignity.¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s opponent was Tang Doni, a member of the Tang family¡¯s branch. He was twenty-two years old and already at the Eighth stage of the Earth Realm, with decent talent. For someone his age to reach the eighth stage of the Earth Realm was considered quite impressive. Tang Doni couldn¡¯t gauge Gu Xiaonan¡¯s cultivation level and saw him as an easy target. If it were other participants from the Gu family, Tang Doni would certainly not hold back. However, when he saw how young the boy was, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to go all out. ¡°Are you Gu Xiaonan? In the arena, there are no friends, and bloodshed ismon. It¡¯s not suitable for a kid like you to y here. Did the people from the Gu family trick you intoing up? Don¡¯t listen to them; quickly step down,¡± Tang Doni advised. He had also heard the discussions from the spectators around him and suspected that Gu Xiaonan might have been misled. Gu Xiaonan shook his head and replied, ¡°No one tricked me; I wanted to participate myself. Uncle, let¡¯s not waste each other¡¯s time. Make your move.¡± Tang Doni chuckled. ¡°Alright, if you won¡¯t step down, I¡¯ll send you down myself!¡± With a push of his feet, he dashed towards Gu Xiaonan like a rocket. The audience gasped in shock. Tang Doni¡¯s strength was widely known; he could kill a second-stage spiritual beast with a single punch. This young kid was in for trouble! Some timid individuals covered their eyes in fear. Seated among the Tang family members, Tang Shijun anxiously stood up and said, ¡°Tang Doni, go easy on him! Don¡¯t hurt even a single hair on the little guy, do you hear¡­?¡± Before she could finish her words, her voice got stuck, her mouth gaping as if it could fit an egg, and her eyes widened in surprise. Not only Tang Shijun, but also the majority of spectators on the field were left dumbfounded. The bloody scene they imagined did not materialize. With a whoosh, Gu Xiaonan disappeared from his original position. His speed was surprisingly fast, catching everyone off guard. He must have real skills! Tang Doni lunged forward but found himself grasping at thin air, leaving him stunned. His perception was more acute than others. The opponent¡¯s speed was simply too fast! Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind came from behind.. Chapter 179 - 179: A Genius Chapter 179: A Genius Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Tang Doni quickly turned around to counterattack. But he saw Gu Xiaonan kicking at his shin. His speed was faster than Tang Doni¡¯s, and Tang Doni couldn¡¯t dodge in time. Tang Doni thought that even if the opponent was fast, he couldn¡¯t possibly be that strong. However, when Gu Xiaonan¡¯s foot touched Tang Doni, he realized that he waspletely wrong! The sound of bones cracking came, and Tang Doni winced in pain. He couldn¡¯t maintain his bnce and staggered backward. Gu Xiaonan smiled at him with a yful expression, then leaped lightly andnded a punch on his stomach. Boom! Tang Doni was sent flying andnded with a thud outside the arena. Silence! A dead silence spread across the whole scene. Everyone was dumbfounded. The second round of the match ended the fastest on this arena. Everyone had already expected this. However, they never thought that the one to win so effortlessly would be this little boy! The referee announced Gu Xiaonan as the winner. He stood on the stage, looking at the bewildered Tang Doni, and said, ¡°Thank you for the match, Uncle.¡± Then he leaped lightly off the stage and rushed toward Gu Qingluan. Tang Doni¡¯s face flushed as he struggled to get up from the ground. He actually lost to a little kid! He wanted to throw the other party off the arena, and now he realized it was a joke! Tang Doni returned to the Tang family¡¯s camp, looking dejected. Wow! After the initial shock, the crowd suddenly erupted into excitement. Everyone was discussing how Gu Xiaonan won the match with a single move. ¡°This kid is a genius! Tang Doni is at the Eighth Stage of the Earth Realm, but he defeated him so easily. Does that mean he¡¯s already surpassed the Eighth Stage of the Earth Realm? Is he at the Ninth Stage or even the Heavenly Realm?¡± ¡°Wow! A five-year-old at the Heavenly Realm? This is unheard of!¡± ¡°I think Tang Doni underestimated him; otherwise, we wouldn¡¯t know who would win.¡± ¡°Haha, did you see how fast that child was just now? He appeared behind Tang Doni in an instant. How could he do that without sufficient strength? Can you do it?¡± ¡°No wonder the Gu family arranged him to participate. He really has the strength topete for the top three.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been saying! How could the Gu family waste a spot for revenge? It turns out he¡¯s a little genius!¡± ¡°Wow, to have such strength at the age of five, if he can grow up smoothly, he will be a monster! By then, there will be no doubt that he will im the title of the number one genius in Cloud ins Continent!¡± ¡°Well, at five years old, he¡¯s already a top talent. Have you heard of anyone at this age defeating an Eighth-Stage Earth Realm cultivator?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about how he cultivated his skills? And don¡¯t forget about Gu Qingluan! She was a waste five years ago, but now she¡¯s a top-notch expert in the Heavenly Realm. 1 heard that the Gu family head asked the Li family head to help subdue Miss Gu, but as a result, all the Gu family members were driven out of their original residence! Miss Gu has be quite an extraordinary person now!¡± ¡°You have a point there! I also thought of it!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure it has something to do with the Ind of No Return!¡± ¡°Wow, you might be onto something!¡± ¡°Oh no, if it¡¯s rted to the Ind of No Return, they are truly remarkable!¡± ¡°Can I still go and curry favor now?¡± ¡°If currying favor was that easy, we would have done it already. Since thest auction, so many people have visited Jun Residence with greeting letters, wanting to make friends with Mr. Liu, but none of them have been able to meet him.¡± ¡°Then they should try more than once, there¡¯s still a chance¡­¡± The spectators in the stands were excitedly discussing, marveling at Gu Xiaonan¡¯s strength and curious about the source of his power. Those who knew Gu Xiaonan were also astonished. They never expected him to be so powerful. After all, he was only five years old. To be precise, he was not even five years old yet! Such a young child already possessed such cultivation; it was indeed defying the natural order! Chapter 180 - 180: His Deity, His Belief Chapter 180: His Deity, His Belief Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng was so excited that his beard trembled. ¡°Good! Good! Good! Xiaonan, you¡¯re amazing!¡± Originally, he had only wanted to please his eldest daughter by giving up a spot. He never expected this illegitimate grandson, who came from a disgraceful background, to bring so much honor and prestige to the Gu family! What excited him even more was the fact that Gu Xiaonan was so powerful; he must have consumed the spirit pills from the Ind of No Return to enhance his cultivation. After taking the Universe Stabilizer pill himself, Gu Zhicheng deeply appreciated the benefits of the pills from the Ind of No Return; they were nothing short of miraculous elixirs. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s exceptional abilities could not have been possible without the help of those pills. The Ind of No Return was so powerful. As long as he established a good rtionship with Gu Qingluan, he could ascend to the Ind of No Return in no time! With the assistance of the Ind of No Return, his cultivation could reach new heights, and the Gu family would also have a group of powerful experts. By then, under his leadership, the Gu family would flourish and be the number one noble family in the Cloud ins Continent! Gu Xiaonan nced at Gu Zhicheng and squeezed into Gu Qingluan¡¯s arms, acting cute. ¡°Mom, am I good?¡± ¡°Very good!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and pinched his soft little face. Feng Yuanxi looked at their affectionate appearance, envy evident in his eyes. Ah, he also wanted Beautiful Sister to pinch his face! ¡°Squeak! Squeak!¡± Xiaobai jumped into Gu Xiaonan¡¯s arms, excitedly raising its little paw. Its young master was so amazing! Indeed, he was Xiaobai¡¯s young master! Xiaomei fluttered its wings andnded on Gu Xiaonan¡¯s shoulder, shouting excitedly, ¡°Young master is incredible!¡± Su Lie and Bo He stood beside them, equally excited. Although they knew that Gu Xiaonan was powerful, witnessing his performance in the arena made them feel proud. Even Jing Feng was happy for him. ¡°Turns out Young Master Gu is so amazing! No wonder you joined thepetition! 1 believe you will definitely make it to the top three!¡± ¡°Hehe, I appreciate Uncle Jing Feng¡¯s kind words!¡± While they enjoyed the lively atmosphere, in contrast, Feng Tian, who sat on another high tform, seemed unhappy. Unlike the four major families, the members of the royal family watched thepetition from a pavilion with the best seats. Feng Tian sat there with the Crown Prince, Qitian You. Apart from Qitian You, no one else had a higher status than Feng Tian in the royal family. The members of the royal family knew that Feng Tian was a distinguished figure from the Holy Heaven Dynasty and dared not act too casually in front of him, leading to a somewhat solemn atmosphere in the pavilion. Feng Tian looked from afar at the lively scene in the Gu family¡¯s camp and pressed his thin lips into a line. Others didn¡¯t know why he was unhappy, but they could feel the chill emanating from him. Everyone whispered about the peculiarity but no one dared to approach him. Qitian You sat next to Feng Tian and followed his gaze, smiling. ¡°This child is truly unexpected. Such cultivation at such a young age is rare. There are few people in the world who can surpass him. Even if he doesn¡¯t make it to the top three this time, he is still an extraordinary talent. Have you considered making an exception and admitting him?¡± A faint glint shed in Feng Tian¡¯s narrow and pitch-ck eyes. Just as Qitian You thought he wouldn¡¯t answer, Feng Tian spoke, ¡°No need.¡± This child was indeed talented, almostparable to his son. Gu Xiaonan didn¡¯t need the help of Feng Tian to get admitted to the Qiankun Academy; Gu Xiaonan could join even without his help. Feng Tian didn¡¯t expect such a gifted prodigy to emerge from a small ce like Chengyuan Kingdom. Through the gentle breeze and radiant brilliance, Feng Tian looked from afar. His son stuck closely to the woman¡¯s body, his bright, ck eyes fixed on her as if she were his deity, his belief. His slender, phoenix-like eyes slightly narrowed, and a dangerous glint flickered through them. A soft snort suddenly resounded in the pavilion. The members of the royal family present all shivered, looking at each other before cautiously ncing at Feng Tian. Who provoked this lord¡¯s displeasure? Chapter 181 - 181: Attentive Chapter 181: Attentive Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Everyone turned to the Crown Prince with pleading looks for help. Qitian Yu smiled bitterly. If they didn¡¯t know, how could he know? He had been serving this master for over half a month, but he only understood one thing ¨C you could never guess this master¡¯s thoughts. The wisest course of action was to refrain from guessing altogether! He tightly suppressed that curious cat within his heart, ensuring it would not escape. The two rounds ofpetition ended, leaving only twenty-five qualifiers. The third round was also a one-on-one match, with one person getting a bye. Coincidentally, Gu Xiaonan got a bye again this round. His luck was so good that he even suspected someone was helping him cheat. After the third round, along with Gu Xiaonan, there were only thirteen people left on the stage. The fourth round had different rules ¨C it was a free-for-all, with thirteen people on the stage, and only six would advance to the next round. Once someone fell off the stage, that person was considered eliminated. To prevent significant casualties during the free-for-all, the use of weapons, including hidden weapons, was prohibited. As thepetition began, people on the stage formed several small groups. No one invited Gu Xiaonan to join their group, but nobody attacked him either. Although Gu Xiaonan had impressed everyone just now, his appearance was too deceiving, making them feel like he was an easy target. Moreover, up to this point, he had only made a move once, and Tang Doni¡¯s defeat was partly due to underestimating him. All the remaining participants were stronger than Tang Doni. In that round of thepetition, seven people were to be eliminated, and naturally, they would choose to attack the strongest ones first. As for Gu Xiaonan, that little kid posed no threat to them and could be left for the next round. Everyone thought the same way. Except for Gu Jinrong! The next six people wouldpete in a points-based match, where each of them would fight the other five. If he made it to the next round, he would undoubtedly have a chance to face Gu Xiaonan. However, Gu Jinrong felt that poisoning him at that time would attract too much attention, and he preferred to take action during the chaos of the free-for-all. But¡­ If he were to attack Gu Xiaonan now, he wouldn¡¯t be able to exin it to his Uncle and Gu Qingluan. In a one-on-one match, one could argue that he had no choice, but in the chaos of the battle, it would be unjustifiable toy hands on Gu Xiaonan. Gu Jinrong was facing his opponents while secretly searching for the right opportunity to make a move. However, the perfect moment never presented itself! Gu Xiaonan saw that everyone was not attacking him, so he simply went to sit in a corner, propping up his chin with both hands and enjoying the spectacle. Seeing someone fight well, he would p and cheer excitedly. His handsome and adorable appearance had won the hearts of countless people at the scene. The participants who were currently fighting in groups had no words to describe their feelings as they nced at him. No one said anything. On the contrary, they were afraid of involving Gu Xiaonan and unanimously stayed away from him. Consequently, if Gu Jinrong made his move too conspicuously, it would appear overly deliberate and attract even more attention. Until the seventh elimination, Gu Jinrong couldn¡¯t find an opportunity to poison Gu Xiaonan. He felt extremely frustrated. After thepetition was over, Gu Xiaonan stood up from the stage, patted his buttocks, and went back to find his mother. ¡°Young Master, you¡¯ve worked hard.¡± Su Lie patted his small shoulder and rubbed his little arm. Bo He offered him a prepared herbal tea and said, ¡°Xiaonan, take some herbal tea to recharge and quench your thirst.¡± Jing Feng twitched his mouth. Weren¡¯t the Jun family¡¯s servants being a bit too dramatic? They acted as if Young Master Gu had just fought a fierce battle! If someone didn¡¯t know any better, they might think Gu Xiaonan had been in a heated fight on the stage! Chapter 182 - 182: Do You Want My Son to Go Easy? Chapter 182: Do You Want My Son to Go Easy? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Not only humans but even Xiaobai and Xiaomei were also praising him enthusiastically. One squeaked happily, while the other eximed, ¡°Our young master is incredible!¡± Gu Qingluan pulled her son in front of her, her eyes ncing around at everyone. ¡°You guys should stop now.¡± Jing Feng thought to himself, finally, someone who seems normal. Then Gu Qingluan said to Gu Xiaonan, ¡°Son, you¡¯ve performed well. Continue to leverage your strengths in the next round and try to win without fighting, take down the leader.¡± Jing Feng was speechless. Was it a mixed battle just now? Did Miss Gu think that Young Master Gu would have such good luck in the subsequent rounds? Today, his luck has been good enough! In the four matches, he easily won three rounds without doing anything! And there was one round where his opponent went easy on him! Rather than reminding Gu Xiaonan to be careful in the next round, Miss Gu encouraged him to leverage his luck. What sort of strength was she telling Gu Xiaonan to leverage? His good luck? Gu Xiaonan had no idea about Jing Feng¡¯s thoughts and nodded seriously. ¡°Mother, don¡¯t worry, I will definitely take the first ce!¡± Huh, they both had the same confidence! Soon, the fifth round of thepetition officially began. The fifth round adopted a point system. Every participant had to face five others in thepetition. Each match was timed tost for the duration it takes to burn an incense stick. The victor would be awarded one point, while the defeated would lose one point. In the event of a draw, both contestants would receive zero points. The matches went on one after another until only Gu Xiaonan and Gu Jinrong were left to face each other. This match was crucial for both of them. At this stage, the individual with the highest score was the Fifth Prince Qitian Yu, who had achieved four wins and one loss, amounting to three points. The match he lost was against Gu Xiaonan, and he was well aware that he would undoubtedly secure a spot in the top three. Therefore, when he faced Gu Xiaonan, he graciously conceded defeat, showing respect to Miss Gu. So Gu Xiaonan got another free point. Currently, Gu Xiaonan ranked second with three wins and one loss, totaling two points. Third ce was held by someone from the Lin family, with two wins, two losses, and one draw, totaling zero points. Coincidentally, Gu Jinrong also had two wins and two losses, also totaling zero points. The remaining two participants had a negative score of minus three points each. So, in this round, as long as Gu Jinrong could defeat Gu Xiaonan, he would enter the top three. If they drew the match, their scores would be tied with the Lin family¡¯s descendant, and an additional match would be needed. If Gu Jinrong lost, he would have no chance of entering the top three. Seeing this score, many people sighed in sympathy. It seemed that the Gu family was the big winner this year! Li family didn¡¯t have any outstanding descendants this time. Li Tianhao sat not far away and congratted Gu Zhicheng. This time, the Gu family would have two people entering the Qiankun Academy. Coupled with Gu Lingxue, who was already in the academy, they would have three representatives. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face was full of smiles. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect both Jinrong and Nan¡¯er to achieve such good results.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t celebrate too early. Thepetition is not over yet,¡± Gu Qingluanzily remarked. Did they think Gu Jinrong was guaranteed to win? ¡°Gu Qingluan, what do you mean? Do you think my brother will lose to your son?¡± Gu Jin Yue smiled exaggeratedly. Gu Qingluan looked at her in surprise. ¡°Isn¡¯t that inevitable?¡± Gu Jin Yue snorted, ¡°Arrogant!¡± Unlike Gu Jin Yue, Gu Zhicheng was not so biased. When he heard Gu Qingluan¡¯s words, he suddenly felt uneasy. ¡°Qingluan, we are all from the Gu family. The interests of the family are paramount. We can¡¯t act on impulse and benefit outsiders.¡± ¡°Do you mean you want my son to go easy on him?¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t bother to lower her voice. With everyone present having keen hearing, they caught her meaningful nce towards Gu Zhicheng, which sparked a hint of suspicion in their eyes as they turned to look at him. This could be a good idea. If it were their own descendants facing each other in the final round, they would also choose the best option for the family. But the Gu family was different. One of them was only five years old. If they let a five-year-old throw the match for Gu Jinrong, wouldn¡¯t that beughable? Gu Zhicheng was almost infuriated by Gu Qingluan¡¯s remark. Was this girl deliberately speaking so loudly? Chapter 183 - 183: Poisoned Chapter 183: Poisoned Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Although he did mean it, it would be embarrassing if others found out. Gu Zhicheng told himself to stay calm and not ruin his efforts. He took a few deep breaths to steady his emotions. ¡°Qingluan, you misunderstood me. I meant that with so many matches, Xiaonan is still young, and we should advise him to be careful and not overexert himself.¡± Gu Qingluan replied casually, ¡°Xiaonan is young and full of energy, but it¡¯s Gu Jinrong who seems to be not doing so well.¡± Indeed, Gu Jinrong didn¡¯t have the same luck as Gu Xiaonan. Each of his matches was a real struggle, and as the rounds progressed, the fights became tougher. Particrly, in the two matches he lost just now, he fought desperately and ended up with numerous injuries. Now, his face was pale, his hair was in disarray, and his clothes had several tears, making him look much more disheveled than Gu Xiaonan. Gu Zhicheng was left speechless at the striking difference between the two. In normal circumstances, the matches should not be arranged so closely together. However, the selection process at the Qiankun Academy was not solely based on cultivation level but also tested various aspects ofbat ability and endurance. Only those who stand till the end have the qualification to enter the Qiankun Academy and be its students. Gu Zhicheng was concerned that Gu Qingluan might once again proim his thoughts loudly, exposing them to everyone. He didn¡¯t want to keep persuading her. He didn¡¯t me Gu Qingluan entirely; instead, he med the second branch of the family, especially Gu Jinyue. If they hadn¡¯t repeatedly offended Gu Qingluan, she wouldn¡¯t treat Gu Jinrong so mercilessly. Forget it. He would let fate decide the result. Anyway, losing one nephew¡¯s chance to enter the Qiankun Academy wouldn¡¯t significantly impact the future of the Gu family. Amidst the swirling undercurrents among the spectators, Gu Xiaonan and Gu Jinrong ascended the arena. Gu Jinrong hadn¡¯t anticipated that his final match against Gu Xiaonan would determine his future. As he looked at the innocent and cheerful boy before him, memories of the encounters on the sea shed through his mind. Suddenly, a chill surged from his feet, straight to his brain. Could he defeat Gu Xiaonan? No, he must win! This was his chance to change his fate; he couldn¡¯t afford to lose! He had to win this match, no matter what it took! Determined, Gu Jinrong¡¯s eyes sparkled with resolve, and he clenched his hand tightly at his side. He raised his chin, looking down at his opponent. ¡°Gu Xiaonan, the arena is full of uncertainties. You¡¯vee this far mostly through luck. Let me advise you, be smart and step down by yourself. You can¡¯t defeat me!¡± Gu Xiaonan looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression. ¡°It¡¯s not even dark yet, and you¡¯re already dreaming? Oh, I understand. This is called daydreaming!¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s face instantly darkened, and he muttered under his breath, ¡°Sharp-tongued brat! Just wait until I make you cry and regret it!¡± Not intimidated by the fleeting murderous intent in Gu Jinrong¡¯s eyes, Gu Xiaonan grinned and nodded yfully. ¡°Here¡¯s some advice for you too: Don¡¯t cry if you lose the match!¡± ¡°1 won¡¯t cry!¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s face turned somber. A radiant light shimmered around him as he lunged towards Gu Xiaonan. The onlookers couldn¡¯t hear their conversation clearly, but they saw Gu Jinrong making his move. They stopped whispering and turned their full attention to the duel. Gu Jinrong took the initiative, closing the distance to Gu Xiaonan in an instant. In the blink of an eye, he stood before Gu Xiaonan. At that moment, Gu Jinrong activated the hidden poison, concealed within a brilliant disy of arcane power, and scattered it towards Gu Xiaonan. The poison was colorless and tasteless, hidden within the arcane power, making it difficult for an average person to detect. Once Gu Xiaonan was poisoned and lost his arcane power, he would be a helpless prey,pletely at the mercy of Gu Jinrong, and would have no choice but to ept his fate. By then, Gu Jinrong would secure his ce among the top three! A sinister smile crept onto Gu Jinrong¡¯s face as he witnessed the unfolding scene.. Chapter 184 - 184: Complete Torment! Chapter 184: Complete Torment! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion On the other side, Gu Xiaonan disdainfully curled his lips. Just that kind of poison, and Gu Jinrong dared to bring it in front of Gu Xiaonan, trying to show off his skills? Didn¡¯t Gu Jinrong know that his mother came from a long line of poison makers and that he was the inheritor of the Poison Ancestor? Gu Xiaonan beckoned with his finger, intending to let Gu Jinrong taste the power of the poison he had recently developed. It happened to be untested, so he thought of using him as a guinea pig. Just before taking action, he hesitated. No, no! It wasn¡¯t a good idea for others to know that he was using poison. It would be more fun to give Gu Jinrong the taste of his own medicine. So, Gu Xiaonan took out a giant, glittering banana leaf fan. The fan was almost as tall as him, and he could hardly hold it steadily. Many female spectators watching the match were so charmed by him that their hearts trembled, and they called him adorable, jokingly saying they wanted to steal him and take him home. Hoo! Hoo! With two waves of the banana leaf fan, a strong wind rose, carrying the medicine powder towards Gu Jinrong. The gust of wind made it hard for Gu Jinrong to keep his eyes open, and he was blown back uncontrobly. He roared loudly, leaping up and waving his hands to counter the palm wind. The two powerful gusts shed, creating surging torrents that swept towards the surroundings. Gu Jinrong pushed against the powerful gust, charging forward. Gu Xiaonan smirked. ¡°Hadn¡¯t he noticed his arcane power was depicting? What an idiot! He dared to rush into my trap!¡± Let¡¯s wee him then! He recalled the fan to his spatial space, clenched his little fist, and excitedly rushed forward. Gu Jinrong sneered. An illegitimate childlike Gu Xiaonan, who lost his arcane power, wants topete with his strength? He must be courting death! As he approached his opponent, Gu Xiaonan jumped up, avoiding Gu Jinrong¡¯s punch, and kicked him on the nose. Gu Jinrong¡¯s tall figure was thrown out like a sandbag. Bang! He heavily smashed on the edge of the arena. Countless people around were stunned! Heavens! What did they just witness? Gu Jinrong couldn¡¯t eveny a finger on Gu Xiaonan¡¯s clothes before being sent flying away with a single kick. Gu Jinrong, who had made it to the final round of the selection tournament, was considered outstanding among the younger generation of the Gu family. His strength was definitely not weak. But now, he was defeated instantly? He fell to the ground, looking puzzled. What was going on? Didn¡¯t Yue¡¯er say that the poison would immediately take effect when it touched the skin? Why didn¡¯t Gu Xiaonan lose his arcane power? Gu Jinrong felt pain all over his body and saw Gu Xiaonan flying towards him again. Fear and anger shed in his eyes as he activated his arcane power. Suddenly, his expression changed. His arcane power? Where was his arcane power? His Dantian (energy center) was empty! Gu Jinrong¡¯s eyes filled with extreme terror, making his handsome face look particrly ferocious and scary. Gu Xiaonan looked at his ugly expression and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Ah, so ugly!¡± He pped Gu Jinrong¡¯s face. ¡°Gu Xiaonan!¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s eyes glinted with rage, and he roared angrily. Although his mouth moved, no sound came out. His swollen face showed a look of shock and anger. He couldn¡¯t make any sound! What was going on? A harmless little face of Gu Xiaonan appeared in his sight. ¡°What did you say? I didn¡¯t hear you. Don¡¯t you admit defeat? Then let¡¯s continue.¡± With a smiling expression, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s words fell, and he kicked Gu Jinrong right into the center of the arena. s, it was good to have more people around. Worried that his opponent might fall off the stage, Gu Xiaonan deliberately moved Gu Jinrong towards the center. Gu Jinrong struggled to get up, but before he could steady himself, Gu Xiaonan threw him onto the arena like a sandbag. Every organ and bone in his body seemed to be screaming in pain! His entire body was trembling, and he couldn¡¯t even utter a single sound. Gu Jinrong¡¯s heart was pounding, and fear overwhelmed him. He couldn¡¯t speak, it must be that this kid poisoned him! How sinister! Gu Jinrong wanted to beat Gu Xiaonan to death in the arena! He absolutely couldn¡¯t die! Enduring the pain, he crawled towards the edge of the arena. Just as he was about to reach the edge, a childish voice sounded from behind him. ¡°Where are you crawling to? I¡¯m right here!¡± In an instant, his cor was seized, and Gu Jinrong was yanked back to the center of the stage, resembling a defeated dog. Gu Xiaonan smiled innocently and said, ¡°It¡¯s spacious here, let¡¯s continue, shall we?¡± Chapter 185 - 185: Cutting Off the Tongue Chapter 185: Cutting Off the Tongue Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Jinrong huddled in a ball, shaking uncontrobly, his once-handsome face now swollen like a pig¡¯s head, with blood and tears smeared all over, his mouth pleadingly moving as he begged for mercy. He surrendered! Can¡¯t he just surrender? His appearance was truly ugly andughable. The crowd was dumbfounded. In the brief span from when Gu Jinrong was sent flying until now, just a few breaths of time, he remained utterly defenseless and waspletely defeated! Tragic! Utterly tragic! The few losers who had fought against Gu Xiaonan before couldn¡¯t help but touch their own faces, suddenly grateful that they could leave the arena so quickly. If they stayed there a bit longer, would they end up like Gu Jinrong? Gu Xiaonan leaned in as if to listen to him, ¡°What did you say? 1 couldn¡¯t hear you clearly. Oh, you don¡¯t want to admit defeat? Alright, then I¡¯ll fight you until you surrender!¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Gu Zhixin stood up from his seat and shouted angrily, ¡°You little brat, stop now, if you keep going, he might lose his life!¡± ¡°But, he didn¡¯t surrender himself, what can 1 do?¡± Gu Xiaonan innocently looked at him with his ck and white eyes. ¡°Damn it! How could my big brother not surrender when he¡¯s beaten like this? You bastard, you must have poisoned my big brother, making him unable to speak!¡± Gu Jinyue also snapped out of her shock, stood up, and shouted loudly. One sentence awakened everyone present. ¡°Poison? Really? Isn¡¯t using poison prohibited in the selection match?¡± ¡°But Third Young Master Gu does seem really strange. Look at him, he has been beaten like this and still hasn¡¯t admitted defeat.¡± ¡°I knew it, how could Third Young Master Gu be so weak that he doesn¡¯t even have the strength to fight back!¡± Gu Jinyue and Gu Zhixin rushed onto the tform one after another, protecting Gu Jinrong on both sides. ¡°How are you, Rong¡¯er?¡± Seeing Gu Jinrong¡¯s appearance up close was even more shocking. Gu Zhixin¡¯s eyes were about to split! His son was actually beaten like this! Detestable! Gu Jinyue took a deep breath, then angrily pointed at Gu Xiaonan. ¡°You, an illegitimate child, who has no father to discipline you! Just as malicious as your shameless mother! How dare you poison my big brother to such an extent!¡± In the audience, Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes suddenly turned cold. She dared to insult Xiaonan as an illegitimate child? She as seeking death! A white figure shed like lightning and appeared on the stage in an instant. Smack! The palm wind reached across, fiercely pping Gu Jinyue¡¯s face. ¡°Ah!¡± A piercing scream echoed through the martial arts arena. ¡°Gu Qingluan, have you gone mad!¡± Gu Zhixin was startled, then roared with anger. How could she dare to hit his daughter in front of so many people! A cold wind blew. On the tform, the woman in white robes with flowing ink-like hair and gently swirling robe, her icy and beautiful eyes shing with a sinister and cold light, dered, ¡°You dared to insult my son, you deserve to die!¡± Her snow-white hand lifted, and a silver light shimmered as itnded on the other half of Gu Jinyue¡¯s face. Gu Jinyue screamed again, covering her burning face, her eyes filled with madness and hatred towards her. ¡°Gu Qingluan! You venomous woman! What 1 said wasn¡¯t wrong. You were out there mating with some random man, and the child you gave birth to is an illegitimate child¡­¡± Smack! An invisible palm wind pped her mouth. Puff! A mouthful of blood sprayed into the air. Vaguely, it seemed like a red object flew out along with the blood, falling onto the stage with a crisp sound. That was¡­ A tongue! The people around gasped in shock. Such ruthless means! ¡°This woman is too ruthless!¡± On the loft, the members of the royal family couldn¡¯t suppress their astonishment. ¡°Just a few words, and she cut off someone¡¯s tongue. Fifth Prince, you broke off the marriage before, be careful she bears grudges andes to seek revenge.¡± The Fourth Prince joked. Qitian Yu looked at Gu Qingluan on the stage, his breath slightly constricted. This woman had truly changed, she was unexpectedly so ruthless! Suddenly, he remembered thest time he visited the Jun Residence, and his face started to ache. He suddenly doubted whether his decision was correct. Provoking Gu Qingluan, could he reallye out of it unscathed? Chapter 186 - 186: Extending a Gesture of Respect, Not Allowing Chapter 186: Extending a Gesture of Respect, Not Allowing Her to Tread Upon It Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Sitting in the front row, Feng Tian overheard the whispers of the crowd. His phoenix eyes slightly chilled as he gazed at the woman on the high tform. As he expected, this woman was indeed ruthless! However, for some reason, he didn¡¯t feel much aversion in his heart at this moment. Was it because she stood up for her son? Feng Tian turned his gaze towards Feng Yuanxi who stood on the opposite side of the viewing tform, clenching his fists in indignation as he red at some strangers. With his keen hearing, Feng Tian could distinguish every word they were saying amidst themotion. Those people whom his son was ring at were all cursing Gu Qingluan for her cruelty and malevolence. Surprisingly, Yuanxi wasn¡¯t afraid of this woman; instead, he was defending her? Feng Tian squinted his eyes, focusing his gaze back on Gu Qingluan. He wanted to see what kind of charm this woman possessed that made his son so infatuated! In the midst of this chaos, he wondered how she would resolve this situation. On the high tform, a scarlet hue adorned the white surface, depicting a scene of disorder and bloodshed. The woman in white remained untouched, her lips curled up with a devilish allure, like a blooming Manjusaka flower from the depths of hell: bewitching and haunting. ¡°Since you can¡¯t speak, there¡¯s no need for you to open your mouth again,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a wicked smile. ¡°Aah! Aah!¡± Gu Jinyue was in so much pain that she almost fainted. The intense pain and the emptiness in her mouth gave her an ominous feeling, but she gritted her teeth and managed not to pass out. As she saw the red piece lying on the ground, twitching slightly, panic filled her face. Her tongue! Aah! Aah! Her tongue! Gu Jinyue rushed forward to pick up her severed tongue, her face streaming with blood and tears. ¡°Yue¡¯er¡­!¡± Gu Zhixin didn¡¯t expect his son to be beaten so badly, and then his daughter was also subjected to such torment. He was instantly filled with grief and anger. ¡°Gu Qingluan, I will fight you!¡± He put Gu Jinrong down and rushed towards Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan sneered, raising her hand, and sending him flying away. ¡°Hiss, elder sister, this is too cruel. Is she not nning to reconcile? Does she want to kill Second Uncle and then deal with us?¡± Gu Qin¡¯er sat beside Gu Zhicheng and whispered in shock. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face darkened. As the head of the family, he couldn¡¯t just stand by and do nothing, but because it was Gu Qingluan, he had to restrain himself from taking action. But if she wanted to kill, there would be no mercy! He didn¡¯t extend his respect to her just to have her trample upon it! The deep purple robe fluttered, and a tall figurended on the stage, standing between Gu Qingluan and Gu Zhixin¡¯s group. ¡°Stop it, everyone!¡± Gu Qingluan turned around gracefully and walked to her son¡¯s side. ¡°Mother!¡± Gu Xiaonan leaned against her, his eyes shining with admiration. Truly, she was his mother, elegant and beautiful! ¡°Are you scared?¡± Gu Qingluan asked, her eyes filled with a faint smile. Just a moment ago, she had severed someone¡¯s tongue, but she showed no remorse. Gu Xiaonan shook his head and said, ¡°I¡¯m not scared! She insulted you, she deserves to die!¡± Just cutting off her tongue was too lenient! Just like how Gu Xiaonan was a sore point for Gu Qingluan, simrly, Gu Qingluan was a sensitive topic for Gu Xiaonan. Gu Xiaonan could endure others insulting him, but he would never tolerate anyone insulting his mother. Those who insulted his mother deserved death! At this moment, the referee seemed to finally react and stepped forward, saying, ¡°Those who are not rted to thepetition, please leave the stage.¡± Gu Zhixin ignored the referee and turned to the high tform, sping his fists. ¡°I request the Crown Prince to be the arbiter and give my children justice!¡± Qitian Yu rubbed his forehead. It seemed that he couldn¡¯t avoid this today. They were clearly a family, yet they fought each other so fiercely. What should have been a normal selectionpetition had turned into the current situation. With a respectful gesture, he asked, ¡°Master Lan, would you be willing to take charge of the situation?¡± Chapter 187 - 187: Revealing the Truth Chapter 187: Revealing the Truth Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°I believe in Prince Qitian¡¯s ability to reveal the truth.¡± Fine, they wanted him to resolve the mess. Qitian Yu was left with no choice because the other party insisted. He arched his hand, stood up, and with a toe point, he leaped over the fence. His wide robe unfolded, and hended lightly on the stage like a startled swan. ¡°I pay my respects to His Highness, the Prince!¡± Gu Zhicheng had an official position in the court, so he was a subject in front of the prince. But as a Saint, he didn¡¯t need to kneel and only greeted by bowing his head. Gu Zhixin knelt in front of the prince and said, ¡°Your Highness, please do justice for our family. This wicked woman is truly cruel! And this¡­ kid poisoned my son during the selection, causing him to lose all his arcane power and lose the match. It¡¯s despicable and cruel. We cannot tolerate it!¡± Qitian Yu looked surprised at Gu Jinrong lying on the ground. ¡°Lost all arcane power?¡± Earlier, Gu Jinyue used Gu Xiaonan of poisoning, and they were doubtful. But if Gu Jinrong had really lost his arcane power, then her usation would be true. The Qiankun Academy not only selected talented people but also valued their character. If someone vited the rules during thepetition and poisoned their opponents, even if they won first ce, the Qiankun Academy would reject them and never admit them. Qitian Yu turned to look at Gu Xiaonan, and deep down he sighed in regret. He had a bright future ahead, but now he might easily walk the wrong path. As more voices of resistance sounded, people heard Gu Zhixin¡¯s words in astonishment. Did Gu Xiaonan really poison Gu Jinrong? And the poison caused him to lose all his arcane power? No wonder such a young child was so formidable. Did he rely on poisoning to reach the final match? If that was the case, they must disqualify him! He didn¡¯t deserve to be in the top three or to be a student of the Qiankun Academy. Gu Zhicheng opened his mouth several times but held back. He wanted to repair the rtionship with Gu Qingluan, but today she had disappointed him too much. He had wanted to repair his rtionship with Gu Qingluan, but today this girl had greatly disappointed him. She actually condoned her son¡¯s harm to their own n and even used such poisonous means against her cousin. What Qiner said was not without reason. Gu Qinluan treated the second branch with such ruthlessness, wouldn¡¯t she do the same to their main branch? Today, whether it was her or Gu Xiaonan, neither should expect to leave unscathed! If Qingluan pleaded with him, he could consider speaking up for her. With two injured people on the field, Qitian Yu called the imperial physician toe and treat them. Then the interrogation began. Since it was a selectionpetition, Qitian Yu naturally first asked Gu Xiaonan, who was suspected of poisoning. ¡°Gu Xiaonan, do you have any defense?¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s face showed no panic. ¡°I didn¡¯t poison anyone.¡± ¡°If you didn¡¯t poison him, why would my son have no arcane power in his body? And why can¡¯t he speak, unable to admit defeat? Were you trying to beat him to death?¡± Gu Zhixin questioned with resentment. Not knowing whether his son¡¯s arcane power could be restored, if it couldn¡¯t, his son¡¯s promising future would be ruined! Gu Xiaonan sneered. ¡°How would I know? Maybe he saw he couldn¡¯t beat me and deliberately poisoned himself to frame me?¡± ¡°Hah, nonsense! You¡­¡± Before he finished speaking, a white shadow shed past him. Gu Zhixin vaguely recognized it as Gu Xiaonan¡¯s pet, heading towards Gu Jinrong! He quickly turned his head to stop it. ¡°Little beast, get out of here!¡± The arcane power he swung out was easily blocked by Gu Qingluan. Xiao Bai jumped to Gu Jinrong¡¯s chest and raised its little paw. Tear! The sound of tearing silk echoed as the finely made brocade robe was ripped apart. Thud! A bottle rolled to the ground. Seeing the porcin bottle that fell out, Gu Jinyue widened her eyes and lunged forward, wanting to grab it. Whoosh! A green light shot out. The bottle lifted off the ground. It was a green-feathered parrot! Chapter 188 - 188: Yuanxi Made a Move Chapter 188: Yuanxi Made a Move Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Although Gu Zhixin might not have been aware of the contents of the bottle that had fallen out, he knew that both the white fox and the parrot belonged to Gu Xiaonan. Therefore, whatever they snatched must have been harmful to them. This instinctively prompted him to try and snatch it back. Xiao Mei flew to a nearby spot, dropping the bottle it had held in its mouth into Feng Yuanxi¡¯s hand. Feng Yuanxi? Gu Qingluan showed a surprised expression. How did he end up in the arena? Feng Tianian noticed his son running into the arena, furrowing his eyebrows lightly but not stopping him. He remained seated on the high tower, looking down at the arena. ¡°Kid, give back what you took from my son!¡± Gu Zhixin reached out to grab it. A trace of cold light shed in Feng Tian¡¯s eyes, and a purple light appeared at his fingertips. Before he could act, Qitian Yu, who had recognized Feng Yuanxi¡¯s identity, quickly stopped him. ¡°Stop!¡± He stood in front of Gu Zhixin. ¡°Prince, what are you doing? This kid snatched something from my son!¡± ¡°Are you sure it belongs to your son?¡± Feng Yuanxi asked calmly, with aposed tone despite his young age, exuding the aura of a great general and a king. Seeing another handsome and dignified young boy on the stage, the crowd became restless. ¡°Where did hee from? He looks so handsome, not inferior to Miss Gu¡¯s son at all!¡± ¡°Not only is he handsome, but his demeanor andposure are also more impressive than some adults!¡± ¡°The Crown Prince seems to know him! He¡¯s probably from some noble family.¡± Gu Zhixin was unfamiliar with Feng Yuanxi, but he recalled that moments ago, he had been seated with Gu Qingluan and herpanions. He must be with Gu Qingluan! Being asked like this, he hesitated for a moment. But then he reconsidered, regardless of the other person¡¯s rtionship with Gu Qingluan, attempting to snatch something from his son without warning surely indicated ill intentions. His son was unconscious, and he had to protect his belongings. ¡°Of course! That little white fox snatched it off my son¡¯s body!¡± Feng Yuanxi smirked. ¡°Very well then!¡± He pulled out the bottle stopper and sniffed it. ¡°This is ¡®Breaking Spirit Powder¡¯, capable of making Arcane Masters lose their arcane power and be useless.¡± Everyone was shocked. Wait, wasn¡¯t that bottle dropped from Gu Jinrong? What does this mean? Could it be that Gu Jinrong is trying to poison his opponent and frame Gu Xiaonan? A cold glint shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. Breaking Spirit Powder? Gu Jinrong actually wanted to harm her son? ¡°Mother, don¡¯t worry. This kind of minor poison is nothingpared to the toxicity of the pills I refine for Xiao Bai. It can¡¯t harm me.¡± Sensing the cold aura emanating from her, Gu Xiaonanfortingly patted her hand. Gu Qingluan naturally knew her son was fine. If anything had happened to him, she would have already taken care of this group of people. However, even if they didn¡¯t seed in harming her son, their malicious intent was evident, and she couldn¡¯t tolerate it! She decided to wait and allow Yuanxi to prove Xiaonan¡¯s innocence, and then she would handle them appropriately! ¡°It¡¯s impossible!¡± Gu Zhixin widened his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense! If it¡¯s truly this Breaking Spirit Powder, would you dare smell it yourself?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t believe it, you can try smelling it yourself.¡± Feng Yuanxi handed him the bottle. Gu Zhixin instinctively stepped back. He imed not to believe it, but in reality, he was wary and dared not take the risk. If the bottle indeed held Breaking Spirit Powder, he would regret it deeply. ¡°Give it to me, and i¡¯ll have the imperial physicians examine it,¡± Qitian Yu said sternly. Based on the current situation, the suspicion had shifted from Gu Xiaonan to Gu Jinrong. He absolutely couldn¡¯t tolerate someone using such malicious means during thepetition. Feng Yuanxi handed him the poison. Numerous imperial physicians hade today. Aside from attending to Gu Jinrong and his sister, the other physicians gathered around.. Chapter 189 - 189: Huge Embarrassment Chapter 189: Huge Embarrassment Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Soon, a royal physician respectfully addressed Qitian Yu, ¡°Reporting to the Crown Prince, the powder inside the bottle indeed causes Arcane Masters to lose their arcane power. As for whether they will bepletely disabled and unable to cultivate again, no one has personally experienced it, so it is currently difficult to determine.¡± Gu Zhixin¡¯s legs went weak, almost sitting on the ground. He immediately eximed, ¡°This poison is theirs! Breaking Spirit Powder was stuffed into my son¡¯s arms by that little white fox, framing him!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes shed with wisdom, and his young voice remained calm andposed, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say this belongs to your son?¡± Gu Zhixin tried to defend himself, ¡°1 saw it fall next to him, so I thought it was his, but he couldn¡¯t have such a thing! It must have been forcibly nted on him by that little beast, which belongs to Gu Xiaonan!¡± Feng Yuanxi calmly stated, ¡°With everyone¡¯s keen eyesight, the petite little white fox couldn¡¯t have concealed any poison, especially not from so many people. The poison clearly fell out of Gu Jirong¡¯s embrace!¡± He had an unwavering demeanor, impartially stating the facts, making people involuntarily convinced. Many people nodded in agreement with Feng Yuanxi. Gu Zhixin pointed at him angrily, ¡°You¡¯re on their side, naturally speaking for them!¡± ¡°Outrageous!¡± Qitian Yu shouted in anger. Gu Zhixin was startled, not understanding, and asked, ¡°Crown Prince, did¡­ did¡­ I say something wrong?¡± ¡°This young master won¡¯t favor anyone; Second Master Gu, please be cautious.¡± Qitian Yu secretly nced at the loft above. Did Lord Lan get angry? If Qitian Yu provoked him, nobody would be able to leave unscathed. Gu Zhixin looked puzzled as he nced at Feng Yuanxi. This young man indeed exuded an extraordinary aura, but why did the Crown Prince seem wary of him? In the whole of Tianjing City, there shouldn¡¯t be any legitimate heir who wouldmand such¡­ reverence from the Crown Prince, right? ¡°Crown Prince, who is this young master?¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes flickered. Someone with such treatment from the Crown Prince must have an extraordinary background, and he seemed to have a good rtionship with Miss Gu Qingluan. Feng Tian didn¡¯t nod, and Qitian Yu dared not reveal Feng Yuanxi¡¯s identity. He exined, ¡°This young master has a special identity, and he won¡¯t favor any side in the selectionpetition. A/loreover, we all witnessed the poison falling out of Third Young Master Gu¡¯s embrace. For now, it seems that Third Young Master Gu has a greater suspicion of fabricating and framing his opponents.¡± Gu Zhixin cried out in protest. ¡°All the evidence is right here. Second Master Gu, can you provide any evidence to prove his innocence?¡± Qitian Yu asked. Naturally, Gu Zhixin couldn¡¯t produce any. Suddenly, he remembered his son¡¯s slip of the tongue and quickly said, ¡°Why would my son poison himself if he had administered the poison? It¡¯s evident that the opponents are framing him and attempting to harm him. They fear my son will expose their act of poisoning, so they silenced him!¡± The more Gu Zhixin thought about it, the more he believed it was Gu Xiaonan¡¯s doing. This boy was very strange. When Wang Shi sent people to capture Gu Xiaonan, she ended up being poisoned and almost lost her life. At that time, Wang Shi had several experts and still ended up in such a miserable state. How could his son, all alone, be a match for such a despicable scoundrel? ¡°Water¡­¡± A hoarse voice came from behind. Gu Zhixin¡¯s back stiffened. Was that Rong¡¯er¡¯s voice? Did he wake up? In one moment, he imed that his son was poisoned and rendered mute, only to be proven wrong the next second. That was a quick self-inflicted embarrassment. Gu Zhixin couldn¡¯t dwell on the embarrassment of being proven wrong instantly.. He turned around and rushed to Gu Jinrong¡¯s side, asking, ¡°Rong¡¯er, how do you feel?¡± Chapter 190 - 190: Scumbag Family Members Chapter 190: Scumbag Family Members Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Dad, my arcane power, my arcane power is gone!¡± Gu Jinrong grabbed his father¡¯s hand, his emotions ring, his voice hoarse. Gu Zhixin¡¯s expression slightly changed, trying to reassure him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you will be cured, you¡¯ve only temporarily lost your arcane power.¡± Gu Jinrong shook his head, almost going mad. ¡°It won¡¯te back! It¡¯s gone forever!¡± The poison was given to him by Yue¡¯er, and he knew its properties very well. He lost his cultivation! He would be a cripple from now on! ¡°It wille back, trust me, 1 will find the best doctor to detoxify you.¡± Gu Zhixin felt heartache watching his son¡¯s frantic appearance. ¡°Tsk, you seem very clear about the fact that your arcane power can¡¯t be restored!¡± A clear and melodious voice suddenly rang out. It was the First Lady of the Gu family! She walked towards Gu Jinrong with a slight smile on her lips, a smile that could easily captivate anyone. But Gu Jinrong, upon meeting her gaze, felt immense fear from the depths of his heart, instinctively retreating backward. Gu Zhixin opened his arms, shielding his son, and expressed deep resentment towards the woman who scared his son. ¡°Gu Qingluan, you wicked woman, don¡¯te any closer!¡± Swish! A chilling light shed, shooting towards Gu Zhixin. He couldn¡¯t avoid it in time, and the arcane power grazed his cheek, instantly drawing blood. Gu Xiaonan stood next to Gu Qingluan, his typically cheerful countenance now frozen in ice-cold seriousness. ¡°Those who insult my mother shall be punished!¡± Gu Zhixin was so angry that he staggered backward. Little brat, how dare he threaten him! Gu Zhixin was infuriated and raised his hand to strike back, but caught a glimpse of Gu Qingluan¡¯s unwavering smile, and his heart tightened. He knew that hitting her was tantamount to seeking death. He suppressed the raging fury inside him. Clenching his fists, he could only re at them with anger but dared not utter a word. Gu Qingluan saidzily, ¡°Step aside!¡± ¡°What do you want to do?¡± ¡°Kill.¡± The words ¡°kill¡± were uttered with utter frankness, as if she was telling someone that she wanted to have a meal, without any attempt to conceal it. Gu Zhixin was shocked. ¡°You dare!¡± Gu Qingluan nced at him, ¡°Or should 1 kill you first?¡± Her eyes exuded killing intent. She meant it! This woman had gone insane! She actually dared to kill in public! Gu Zhixin recalled Gu Qingluan¡¯s ruthless methods, and a chill ran down his spine. Instinctively, he wanted to dodge and escape! But he couldn¡¯t. His son was in no condition to move right now. If he ran away, what would happen to his son? Who could save them? Gu Zhixin thought of Gu Zhicheng, hoping for his help. Naturally, Gu Zhicheng couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch them being killed by Gu Qingluan. Seeing the Crown Prince remain silent, Gu Zhicheng cleared his throat and tried to persuade them. The gist of his words was that they were all family, and they shouldn¡¯t harm each other. Gu Qingluan retorted sarcastically, ¡°Family? Those who poisoned my son and tried to harm him are nothing but a bunch of scumbag family members!¡± Gu Zhicheng was taken aback. Even using foulnguage, it was evident that she was extremely furious. Gu Qingluan nced at him, her voice light and breezy, ¡°If you wish to assist them, feel free to do so, but from this moment onward, there will be no more ties between us!¡± She knew exactly what Gu Zhicheng cared most about. To get on board with the Ind of No Return, he could abandon his pride, let alone others. Are siblings more important than pride? Gu Zhicheng¡¯s pupils shrank rapidly, and his breathing became heavier, ¡°You¡­¡± After careful consideration, he gritted his teeth and gave in. ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t stop you from seeking revenge, but I hope you spare Rong¡¯er¡¯s life. He is already a cripple; there¡¯s no need to exterminate himpletely and carry the burden of harming your own kin.¡± ¡°Elder Brother!¡± Gu Zhixin looked at him incredulously. What did Elder Brother mean by this? Did he justpromise with Gu Qingluan? Would he stop helping them? But they were his own nephew and niece! Chapter 191 - 191: Confess Chapter 191: Confess Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng waved his sleeve in anger and rebuked, ¡°Shut up! Look at the son you raised! Using such despicable means as poisoning during the selection match!¡± With just one sentence, Gu Jinrong¡¯s guilt was sealed. Even the Gu family¡¯s patriarch said so; no matter how Gu Zhixin tried to defend himself, it appeared feeble. Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curved slightly. Sure enough, Gu Zhicheng always cared about his own interests. This time, the rift between the two brothers in the Gu family was not so easily reconciled. Gu Qingluan nced at the frenzied and helpless Gu Jinrong and casually said, ¡°I can spare his life, as long as he admits to poisoning Xiaonan and kowtows three times to apologize to him.¡± Gu Zhicheng was afraid she might change her mind and quickly nodded, ¡°Alright!¡± He walked a few steps in front of Gu Jinrong and pped him hard. Gu Jinrong was stunned by the blow, but it brought him back from his insanity. ¡°Beast! You dared to harm your own kin! Now kneel down and apologize to Xiaonan!¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned iron-gray. ¡°Impossible!¡± Gu Jinrong¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to die, kneel down!¡± Gu Jinrong heard Gu Zhicheng¡¯s words echoing in his mind, ¡°As long as you cling to life, there is hope for revenge! Unless you¡¯ve given up on living altogether! In that case, I won¡¯t stand in your way!¡± To live? He was already a useless person. What difference did it make to be alive? Could he take revenge? ¡°Gu Qingluan was able to go from trash to a Saint; why can¡¯t it happen to you?¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s words ignited a glimmer of hope in Gu Jinrong¡¯s dim eyes. That¡¯s right, if Gu Qingluan could, why couldn¡¯t he? To be alive meant there was hope! Gu Jinrong reluctantly knelt before Gu Xiaonan, lowering his proud head. ¡°I was wrong! 1 shouldn¡¯t have resorted to such despicable means to win thepetition and harm you!¡± The crowd burst into a flurry of discussions. It was one thing for others to say it, but to hear Gu Jinrong confess it himself was another matter. Although there was coercion involved, who would willingly bear a false usation? ¡°I can¡¯t believe it ¨C Third Young Master Gu resorted to such means just to win!¡± ¡°Fortunately, Gu Xiaonan is powerful; otherwise, he would have lost his arcane power.¡± ¡°This scumbag! First Lady Gu, don¡¯t go easy on him, kill him!¡± ¡°Exactly! Kill him! So he can¡¯t harm others again!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry; he¡¯s already facing the consequences. Didn¡¯t the royal physician say it? Breaking Spirit Powder causes aplete loss of arcane power and might even turn him into a useless person. A prodigy of the Heavenly Realm reduced to a waste! He¡¯s better off dead!¡± ¡°Come to think of it, sparing his life is the best punishment for him.¡± As cries of mockery and contempt echoed around, Gu Jinrong¡¯s face turned sickly pale. In an unnoticed corner, Gu Jinyue had been watching the whole time, unable to speak but shedding tears. She was the culprit behind her brother¡¯s misfortune! But she believed it was Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan who harmed both herself and her brother! Gu Qingluan! Gu Xiaonan! I¡¯ll never coexist with you two! Now that Gu Jinrong had confessed, the truth was revealed. Qitian Yu announced that Gu Xiaonan was the winner of thepetition, and he dered that Gu Jinrong was no longer qualified to participate in the selection matches. Cheers erupted from all sides. Gu Xiaonan grabbed Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand, full of excitement. ¡°Mother, 1 won! Am 1 amazing?¡± ¡°You are amazing!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and didn¡¯t look at the Gu family anymore. She held her son¡¯s hand and left the arena. Little Yuanxi had already led Xiao Bai and Xiao Mei down ahead of them. Gu Qingluan and Gu Xiaonan returned to their seats. Thetter hugged Yuanxi tightly. ¡°Yuanxi, thank you for helping me! Your performance was awesome!¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. It was mainly Xiao Bai and Xiao Mei; they found the Breaking Spirit Powder so quickly.¡± A pair of watery eyes uncontrobly looked at Gu Qingluan. The adorable appearance was a far cry from the calm andposed demeanor on stage. It exuded a gentle charm.. Chapter 192 - 192: Cute and Cool Chapter 192: Cute and Cool Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion As Gu Qingluan gazed into his watery eyes, a wave of emotions stirred in her heart. Her eyes instinctively softened, as gentle as the breeze and clouds, and she spoke softly, ¡°Little Yuanxi, you¡¯re amazing.¡± Even without Yuanxi, Gu Qingluan could still prove her son¡¯s innocence, but Yuanxi¡¯s performance still impressed her and made her grateful. Receiving Gu Qingluan¡¯s praise, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s little face blushed suddenly, and his obsidian-like eyes became even brighter. Adorable little creature. Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand reached out uncontrobly and pinched his soft little face. Ah! Just as she imagined, it was stic and soft, smooth and round, delightful to touch! Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t mind being pinched; instead, he leaned his face into her hand like a cat being pampered by its owner, actively offering it for her to scratch. Gu Xiaonan let go of Feng Yuanxi and observed their interaction, pouting her small mouth involuntarily. He puffed up his little face andforted himself inwardly, ¡°Never mind, Yuanxi helped him today, so I wouldn¡¯t fight with him.¡± ¡°Qingluan!¡± A pleasant female voice came. ¡°Shijun.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled when she saw Tang Shijun running over. Their seats were not far apart, and she had heard Tang Shijun cheering for Xiaonan earlier. ¡°Qingluan, you were so cool just now!¡± Tang Shijun blushed slightly, her heart pounding. Ah, why did her heart go out of control whenever she was close to Qingluan? Gu Qingluan was taken aback, then smiled and said, ¡°Don¡¯t you find it scary?¡± ¡°Why should 1 be scared? Gu Jinyue¡¯s mouth is always babbling nonsense. 1 wanted to tear it apart a long time ago, but I don¡¯t have the ability. Seeing you do it, 1 felt so relieved.¡± ¡°Third Sister, don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡± Tang Shi Jiao followed closely and scolded her in a deep voice. Tang Shijun helplessly pursed her lips and muttered softly, ¡°Second Sister, I just wanted to talk to my friend. Why did you follow me?¡± Tang Shi Jiao nced at Gu Qingluan with caution, then answered, ¡°Mom and Dad are worried about you, so they asked me to follow you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve grown up; I¡¯m not a three-year-old kid,¡± Tang Shijun pouted and mumbled softly. She was well aware that they didn¡¯t want her to have any contact with Qingluan. Really! Previously, the rtionship between the Gu family and Qingluan was bad, and they were afraid that the Gu family would suppress the Tang family because they got close to Qingluan. But now it was obvious that the Gu family was standing on Qingluan¡¯s side. What else did Mom, Dad, and Second Sister have to be afraid of? Knowing that Second Sister was there, she couldn¡¯t talk to Qingluan properly, so Tang Shijun had to make it brief and said, ¡°I received the gift you gave mest time. I didn¡¯t have a chance to thank you. The gift is beautiful, and I really like it!¡± Gu Qingluan nodded with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m d you like it.¡± Tang Shijun looked at her exquisite and stunning face, feeling dizzy, and the words she wanted to say got stuck in her mind. My goodness, how could someone look so stunning, with every feature perfectly fitting her sense of beauty! ¡°Shijun?¡± Tang Shijun snapped back to reality and saw Gu Qingluan¡¯s puzzled gaze. Her cheeks flushed. ¡°Qingluan, I want to say that you¡¯re amazing! And your son is so cute and cool! No matter what you do, I support you!¡± After saying that, before Tang Shijiao could lose her temper, she waved her little hand and said, ¡°Goodbye¡±, and ran away. Tang Shijiao chased after her in frustration. Watching the yful interaction between the two, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but smile, her attention returning to the two little ones. Although Tang Shi Jiao appeared to be a bit unfriendly while overseeing Tang Shijun, Gu Qingluan could sense that Tang Shi Jiao genuinely cared for her little sister. Unfortunately, she could never have such a sisterly bond. Gu Qingluan concealed the fleeting sadness in her eyes and refocused her attention on the two little ones. Jing Feng was currently persuading Little Yuanxi to go back. ¡°Young Master, it¡¯s time to leave.¡± Earlier, the master sent him a message, instructing him to take Little Yuanxi back.. Chapter 193 - 193: Both Children Are Hers Chapter 193: Both Children Are Hers Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi frowned; he didn¡¯t want to leave his Beautiful Sister. ¡°Young Master, the master is waiting for us in the carriage. If we don¡¯t go now, he¡¯ll be angry,¡± Jing Feng urged. After Little Yuanxi assisted Xiaonan and her on stage, Gu Qingluan wondered if the scumbag was infuriated. Feeling concerned, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll apany you there.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Great!¡± Gu Qingluan held one child in each hand as they left the viewing tform. Among those who hadn¡¯t left yet, curiosity lingered. Some were intrigued by Gu Qingluan and her son, while others wondered about Feng Yuanxi¡¯s identity. Today, Gu Qingluan and her son had shown remarkable talents before the public, making a remarkable debut. Both mother and son were extraordinary. Many were curious about how they had cultivated such formidable strength in these five years and what they had experienced to gain such power. There was also considerable curiosity about Feng Yuanxi. They had observed all the legitimate and illegitimate offspring in the capital, but they couldn¡¯t figure out which family¡¯s child could earn such high regard from the Crown Prince. Gu Qingluan was used to being the center of attention and didn¡¯t mind at all. Gu Xiaonan had always known that he was good-looking, even after changing his appearance. He was still more handsome than other children and took it for granted that everyone would look at him. As for Feng Yuanxi¡­ He had always been the center of attention. In the past, he didn¡¯t like being scrutinized; those eyes with hidden intentions made him ufortable. But now, his heart and eyes were filled with his Beautiful Sister; hepletely ignored everyone else¡¯s prying eyes! Regardless of what others might think, Jing Feng followed closely behind, looking at the three figures ahead, and an idea popped into his mind As the young master and Miss Gu stood together, they exuded such harmony! Anyone who didn¡¯t know would think that both children were hers! Near the entrance to the Martial Arena, a splendid carriage with moonlight-colored and golden ents caught the eye. The coachman saw Feng Yuanxi appear at the entrance and immediately jumped down. Gu Qingluan¡¯s carriage was parked on the other side. She first sent Little Yuanxi to his carriage. Little Yuanxi hesitated and clung to her hand, unwilling to let go. The heavy curtain tightly concealed the carriage, and no one could see who was inside. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know whether Yuanxi¡¯s father was angry or not. Seeing him hesitant, sheforted him by patting his little head gently, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. You did a good deed. If anyone mes you, they simply can¡¯t distinguish right from wrong.¡± She said thest sentence for someone else to hear. Feng Yuanxi realized that Gu Qingluan misunderstood him but didn¡¯t exin. He wanted to stay with Beautiful Sister a little longer. Every moment was worth it. ¡°Why are you still standing outside?¡± A low, maic voice floated from inside the carriage. Expressionless. Unable to detect joy or anger. But Feng Yuanxi knew his father was urging him, so he reluctantly released Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand, ¡°Beautiful Sister, I have to go now. Goodbye.¡± ¡°Goodbye!¡± Feng Yuanxi waved his little hand. Jing Feng immediately came forward and carried Feng Yuanxi onto the carriage. The heavy curtain was lifted by the coachman. Gu Qingluan could only see a glimpse of the man¡¯s chin outside; she couldn¡¯t see his face clearly. She didn¡¯t know whether he was angry or not. Then, the curtain fell back into ce. The coachman expertly wielded the reins, and the carriage departed. Gu Qingluan stood in ce for a while until the carriage was far away before heading towards their own carriage. Just then, she encountered members of the Gu familying out of the Martial Arena. Gu Zhixin and Gu Jinyue stared at them with resentful eyes. ¡°Luan¡¯er¡­¡± Gu Zhicheng approached hesitantly when he saw her, ¡°Could you please ask Mr. Liu to help them? After all, they are your cousins.¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow yfully, ¡°Sure, Mr. Liu¡¯s assistancees with a starting price of one million taels of gold.. Do you have the money?¡± Chapter 194 - 194: Demanding the Bridal Dowry Chapter 194: Demanding the Bridal Dowry Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng¡¯s expression froze. To save Wang Shi, they depleted the family¡¯s savings, and the second master had to borrow money from the Yue family. Now, the household was in dire straits, barely making ends meet! He couldn¡¯t afford to hire Mr. Liu. For the first time in his life, Gu Zhicheng felt the pressure of financial constraints. He forced a smile and said, ¡°Luan¡¯er, we are all family, you¡­¡± ¡°Master Gu, have you forgotten what I said in the arena just now?¡± Gu Qingluan interrupted him. Gu Zhicheng was once again silenced by her words. Previously, Gu Zhixin held a grudge against his elder brother for favoring Gu Qingluan. However, after Gu Jinrong¡¯s exnation, he finally understood Gu Zhicheng¡¯s good intentions. Gu Zhixin no longer wanted to see his brother groveling before Gu Qingluan, and firmly said, ¡°Elder brother, let¡¯s go! There are many talented people in the world. I refuse to believe that we can¡¯t find apetent doctor to cure Rong¡¯er and Jinyue!¡± Gu Zhicheng sighed and bid farewell to Gu Qingluan. Gu Zhixin and the others got on the carriage first. Seeing that Wang Shi was also about to leave, Gu Qingluan smiled with a hint of yfulness. ¡°Madam, don¡¯t rush to leave. There are some ounts we need to settle.¡± Wang Shi¡¯s back stiffened, and she turned to look at Gu Qingluan, her eyes filled with caution. Today, Gu Qingluan¡¯s cruel methods genuinely frightened her, and she wanted to distance herself from this crazy girl. ¡°The bridal dowry my mother left, you¡¯ve been holding onto it for over twenty years. It¡¯s time to return it to me, don¡¯t you think?¡± A glint shed in Wang Shi¡¯s eyes, but she pretended to look clueless and replied, ¡°Your mother didn¡¯t leave any dowry.¡± Gu Qingluan lowered her head, casually ying with her fingers, and asked, ¡°So, did she not leave any dowry, or did the dowry disappear?¡± Wang Shi quickly nced at Gu Zhicheng, then let out a long sigh. ¡°All, Qingluan, I won¡¯t hide it from you anymore. Initially, your mother¡¯s dowry was used to cover the family¡¯s expenses. Recently, we encountered some troubles, and all our money was drained. Naturally, the dowry disappeared too. Isn¡¯t that right, Old Master?¡± Gu Zhicheng readily concurred, ¡°Indeed, that¡¯s correct. Actually, your mother didn¡¯t have much dowry prepared to begin with. It wasn¡¯t easy for your father to raise you up to this point¡­¡± ¡°Ha!¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. Herughter sent a shiver down the spine, icy and prating. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s throat tightened, and he suddenly found it hard to continue. ¡°Have you ever taken care of me?¡± Gu Qingluan suddenly raised her head, her pair of limpid eyes resembling cold stars, freezing hearts and souls. ¡°For more than ten years in the Gu family, how much food and clothing have you given me? Can you confidently im that you treated me well? Do you dare to tell myte mother, who rests beneath the earth, that you never mistreated me?¡± In Gu Qingluan¡¯s memories, from childhood to adulthood, the original host of her bodycked proper food and clothing. She lived in a servant¡¯s room, eating leftovers and even food the servants wouldn¡¯t touch. During her early childhood, a loyal servant from the Jun family secretly helped her; otherwise, she would have starved to death. Later, when she could remember things, the olddy who took care of her passed away, and she had to work hard to support herself. She faced beatings and scolding just to have a meal. As she grew older, she took on odd jobs outside or gathered herbs in the mountains to sell. This was how she slowly grew up. For more than ten years, Gu Zhicheng had never genuinely cared for her. When she was bullied, he never even bothered to ask. This allowed those people to be even more audacious. Aside from Gu Jinyue, the young mistress, even a senior servant in the mansion had the freedom to hit and scold her at will. To avoid scolding and have food to eat, she did the mostborious work in the mansion, even less respected than the servants. Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t mentioned these past events before, but these people seemed to pretend nothing had ever happened. Now, Gu Zhicheng actually had the audacity to say that he had used up all her mother¡¯s dowry to take care of her? Chapter 195 - 195: Looking for Yuanxi’s Mother Chapter 195: Looking for Yuanxi¡¯s Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Ha!¡± The marriage of the Jun Family, what a splendid asion it was! The dowry they gave was the talk of the town, surpassing even that of a princess. If one were to inquire casually, they would soon learn about the grandeur of the event back then. How could they have the audacity to im that the dowry was gone? Under the weight of her probing questions, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned crimson, his eyes avoiding direct contact as he struggled to find the right words. The air around them seemed to grow heavy with an unspoken sense of guilt and difort. While still yearning for Gu Qingluan and the Ind of No Return behind her, he struggled to steady his emotions and revealed a remorseful and helpless expression. ¡°Luan¡¯er, in the past, 1 did wrong by you. It¡¯s true that the dowry¡­ is indeed gone. You also know how much the Gu family spent to purchase the Universe Stabilizer. In the end, we used thest bit of our resources to save your mother¡­ to save the First Madam.¡± ¡°Whoever spent it should take responsibility! 1 don¡¯t want to hear any excuses,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a faint nce at the two of them. ¡°Tomorrow at noon, I wille to collect it personally. If I can¡¯t retrieve my dowry by then¡­¡± She didn¡¯t finish the sentence, but the threat was clear. Gu Zhicheng and his wife couldn¡¯t help but freeze in their tracks. They watched as Gu Qingluan led Gu Xiaonan¡¯s hand and boarded the carriage, gradually moving away. Wang Shi¡¯s face darkened, and she said, ¡°Old Master, in my opinion, you should stop trying to please her! Just look at how cold-hearted and ruthless she is. Does she show any willingness to reconcile with us? Don¡¯t let your desire to achieve one thing lead to losing something else.¡± Gu Zhixin stepped down from the carriage and nodded in agreement. ¡°Sister-inw is right. Big brother, you shouldn¡¯t remain obstinate. While the Ind of No Return is indeed formidable, it¡¯s not just Mr. Liu who holds power there. If Gu Qingluan managed to climb up, we can also find ways to connect with other influential people on the Ind of No Return. Then, we won¡¯t have to worry about pleasing Gu Qingluan anymore. Your current approach only lets her lead you around by the neck, and you gain nothing but being deceived over and over again!¡± ¡°Uncle, both she and you are Saints. There¡¯s really no need to be so deferential.¡± Gu Jinrong also got off the carriage, his face swollen like a pig¡¯s head, with patches of blue and purple, looking remarkably ugly. Having been harmed by Gu Qingluan and her son, he could clearly see that Gu Qingluan had no intention of reconciliation. Under the persuasion of the group, Gu Zhicheng finally relented. ¡°You guys are right. That girl is just too much!¡± The others were overjoyed. As long as the family head stopped trying to please Gu Qingluan, the Gu family had no need to fear her! Inside the moonlit carriage adorned with golden edges, Feng Yuanxi raised his head and nced back at Feng Tian. The man¡¯s eyes slightly lowered as he held a book, deeply immersed in his reading. From the moment they got on the carriage until now, he hadn¡¯t looked at Feng Yuanxi once. Feng Yuanxi felt puzzled. Is his Royal Father angry or not? Why doesn¡¯t he say a word? Feng Yuanxi pursed his lips and leaned towards Feng Tian, trying to break the silence, ¡°Royal Father, what book are you reading?¡± Feng Tian put down the book, raised his eyes, and his cold gaze met his, ¡°Is there something you want to tell me?¡± Feng Yuanxi blinked his eyes, ¡°I have nothing to say.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± he replied, then closed his eyes and rested. Unable to fathom his thoughts, Feng Yuanxi decided not to bother him. The carriage¡¯s anti-vibration effect was excellent, and it traveled smoothly to the pce. Feng Yuanxi was the first to jump off the carriage and run towards the main gate. ¡°Pack your belongings, get ready, and return to the Holy Heaven Dynasty tomorrow.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s deep voice came from behind. Feng Yuanxi suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned to look at Feng Tian, and asked, ¡°Are we leaving so soon?¡± ¡°The selection tournament is over, so it¡¯s time to go back,¡± Feng Tian¡¯s main purpose foring to the Kingdom of Chengyuan this time was to preside over the selection tournament, ensuring fair and justpetition. In addition, he had one private matter to attend to, which was to find Yuanxi¡¯s mother.. Chapter 196 - 196: Children Grow Up And Move On Chapter 196: Children Grow Up And Move On Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Five years ago, he faced an assassination attempt in the Kingdom of Chengyuan, sumbing to poison and aggravated by old wounds. In an unforeseen turn of events, he became involved with a stranger in an intimate manner. At that time, to evade pursuit, he hurriedly left. Monthster, he returned to the Kingdom of Chengyuan and coincidentally encountered Yuanxi abandoned in a secluded forest. Learning that his son had been abandoned by that woman, Feng Tian harbored immense hatred towards her and immediately ordered a search for her whereabouts. Both incidents happened around the area of Tianjing City, with the search focused there. Several years passed, and no useful information about that woman was found. Taking advantage of being in charge of overseeing the selectionpetition for the entrance to the Qiankun Academy in the Kingdom of Chengyuan, he personally came to investigate the events of the past. However, it seemed that all the clues had been deliberately erased, and there was no woman of appropriate age in Tianjing City or its surroundings who fit the description. He was aware of the news about the unmarried and pregnant Gu family¡¯s firstdy. When she went missing before, his people couldn¡¯t find much useful information. After discovering Gu Qingluan¡¯s return, he had people investigate more closely. Upon learning that Gu Qingluan had a son, she was eliminated as a suspect by Feng Tian. Although this woman was ruthless in some ways, she was genuinely good to her son. From this alone, it could be inferred that she definitely wasn¡¯t the vicious woman who abandoned Yuanxi. After ruling out Gu Qingluan as a suspect, Feng Tian had no other leads, only guessing whether that woman had already died. It would be best if she had. If not, when he found her, he would make her suffer! Feng Tian watched as Feng Yuanxi hurriedly walked out and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°To bid farewell to Beautiful Sister and Xiaonan!¡± Feng Yuanxi replied without looking back. Why didn¡¯t Father inform him that he would be leaving tomorrow? If Father had informed him, he could have said a proper goodbye to Beautiful Sister. Just as he stepped down the stairs, he turned back and ran inside. He had prepared some gifts for Beautiful Sister that he hadn¡¯t given her yet, so he decided to deliver them now. Feng Tian observed his eager behavior and recalled an old saying in his mind ¡ª ¡°Children grow up and move on.¡± He didn¡¯t stop him. Instead, he turned to Jing Feng and ordered, ¡°Follow him.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Jing Feng respectfully acknowledged. Feng Yuanxi rushed into his room and opened a wooden box. Jing Feng followed him and asked, ¡°Young Master, do you need my help?¡± Feng Yuanxi nced at the contents of the box and immediately closed it, saying casually, ¡°Uncle Jing Feng, could you please move this box onto the carriage?¡± Jing Feng replied, then approached the box. He tried to lift it, but it didn¡¯t budge. He took a deep breath and said, ¡°Young Master, what¡¯s inside? It¡¯s so heavy!¡± Feng Yuanxi said casually, ¡°It¡¯s just a small gift for Beautiful Sister, nothing valuable.¡± Jing Feng wondered if it was a stone because of the weight. However, even if it were a stone, it shouldn¡¯t be this heavy, right? He took a deep breath, exerted force, and finally lifted the box off the ground. Feng Yuanxi reminded, ¡°Be careful not to damage it.¡± Jing Feng¡¯s forehead was covered in sweat, and he tried to appear more at ease to avoid looking weak in front of the young master. ¡°Rest assured, I will ce it in the carriage intact.¡± Feng Yuanxi had some trust in Jing Feng, so he turned around and continued searching. After Jing Feng struggled to ce the heavy box onto the carriage, he returned to the room and saw several more boxes stacked at the door. Jing Feng couldn¡¯t help but ask in surprise, ¡°So many! Are they all for Miss Gu?¡± Without knowing, one would think someone was moving houses! Feng Yuanxi furrowed his brows, saying, ¡°Is it too many? I think it¡¯s too little.¡± He still had many more gifts he wanted to buy for Beautiful Sister.. Chapter 197 - 197: Seeking Comfort Chapter 197: Seeking Comfort Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion If possible, he would love to give the best things on the entire street, no, in the whole Heavenly Capital City to Beautiful Sister. Unfortunately, time was limited, and he couldn¡¯t explore all of it. Moreover, the Heavenly Capital was a small ce after all, iparable to the Holy Heaven Dynasty; it was difficult to find something good. He didn¡¯t want to give just anything to Beautiful Sister. She deserved the best! Luckily, Beautiful Sister was going to the Qiankun Academy. He would prepare the gifts and send them to the Qiankun Academy for her. Hearing Feng Yuanxi muttering to himself, Jing Feng¡¯s lips twitched. If it weren¡¯t for the age gap between his Young Master and Miss Gu, he would have suspected that Young Master had fallen in love with Miss Gu! The way he was behaving, why did it feel so much like he was trying to court someone? If only his master had such intentions. Regrettably, his master was advancing in age and still unmarried. Due to the excessive number of gifts Yuanxi had prepared, one carriage couldn¡¯t hold them all. Eventually, two carriages were needed to amodate everything. Jing Feng personally escorted him to the Jun Residence. Upon being informed by the household servants that Little Yuanxi had arrived, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but feel perplexed¡ª Didn¡¯t they just part ways? Could it be that Yuanxi got scolded by his father and hade to her forfort? She ordered the servants to let him in, then walked with curiosity towards the front courtyard. In the front courtyard, Feng Yuanxi directed the servants to unload the boxes from the carriage. The muscr guards struggled as they carried the boxes in pairs. Jing Feng silently remarked: Look, it¡¯s not that Ick exercise, its just that this box is really heavy! ¡°Yuanxi! What are you doing here?¡± This was the scene Gu Qingluan witnessed as she arrived, prompting her to ask curiously. ¡°Beautiful Sister!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes brightened when he saw her. He rushed to her side. Then he remembered her question earlier and answered crisply, ¡°These are a few gifts I¡¯ve prepared for you and Xiaonan. 1 hope you both like them.¡± ncing at the boxes still being moved into the courtyard, Gu Qingluan asked hesitantly, ¡°Are you sure this is just a few?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Phoenix Yuanxi nodded. Compared to their family¡¯s treasure trove, these dozen or so boxes were indeed quite few. Upon returning to the Holy Heaven Dynasty, he could go to the treasure trove and pick out some good items to give to Beautiful Sister. Unaware of his son¡¯s thoughts, Feng Tian was waiting for Feng Yuanxi to return to the pce. If Feng Tian knew, not only had his son¡¯s heart strayed to another woman, but he was also considering taking away his treasure trove. He would surely have mixed feelings about it. ¡°What¡¯s inside all of these? May I take a look?¡± Gu Qingluan noticed the guards seemed to be struggling with the boxes and became curious about their contents. Feng Yuanxi nodded his little head, ¡°Of course! These are for Beautiful Sister. Whatever you want to do with them is fine.¡± Gu Qingluan walked up to the nearest wooden box and opened it. Dazzling light almost blinded her. She instinctively closed her eyes and took a moment before slowly opening them again. The box was filled with gemstones. These gemstones sparkled brilliantly, crystal clear and radiant. But most importantly¡ª These weren¡¯t ordinary gemstones; they were rare ores imbued with spiritual energy! ¡°Gasp! Mithril, Adamantine Gold, Star Iron, Red Heart Jade, Azure Scale Crystal¡­ all rare ores!¡± one of the guards couldn¡¯t help but exim. Gu Qingluan was stunned. These rare ores were even more valuable than gold. Taking mithril for example, a fist-sized piece of mithril was worth a thousand taels of gold.. Chapter 198 - 198: Domineering Aura Chapter 198: Domineering Aura Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The box was roomy enough for a person, and it was brimming with valuable rare minerals. Jing Feng finally understood why the box was so heavy. It seemed that it was filled with these rare minerals. ¡°Little Yuanxi, are you giving all of these to me?¡± Gu Qingluan suspected that he had stolen his father¡¯s private collection. Feng Yuanxi cautiously looked at her, ¡°Yes, Beautiful Sister, don¡¯t you like them?¡± Who wouldn¡¯t appreciate these numerous rare minerals? But considering how young Yuanxi was, did he truly understand the value of these gemstones? Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want to take advantage of him. ¡°I do like them, but¡­¡± Feng Yuanxi breathed a sigh of relief, a smile forming on his lips. Before she could finish speaking, he said, ¡°As long as you like them! I¡¯ll send even better ones to you next time!¡± Gu Qingluan was speechless. If he were her son, she¡¯d scold him for being wasteful and confine him to reflect for a few days. She opened several other boxes, each containing expensive jewelry, beautiful silks, exquisite jewelry, and artworks, all of remarkable quality that could be directly auctioned. In total, there were twelve boxes, with one reserved for Xiaonan and the remaining eleven intended for her. The gifts were meticulously arranged in the boxes, showing the great thought that had been put into their selection. She couldn¡¯t help but feel moved. Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t expected Feng Yuanxi to prepare so many gifts for her, as she had never given him anything substantial. Briquette and Steambun were gifts that her son had given to Yuanxi. Suddenly, she felt a sense of shame. ¡°Little Yuanxi, thank you for the gifts, but they are too valuable for me to ept.¡± If his father found out that he had given her so many treasures, he mighte charging in. Of course, Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t afraid of him. She was worried that Feng Yuanxi might be punished by his father. That man had such a terrible temper; it was quite fearsome when he got angry. Feng Yuanxi was always trembling in his presence, clearly afraid of him. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want the little guy to get into trouble because of her. ¡°Beautiful Sister deserves the best. If you don¡¯t like these things, you can just discard them. Next time, I¡¯ll prepare even better gifts for you.¡± Gu Qingluan did not understand. She looked down at the young boy before her, radiating a sense of regal authority. Well, Little Yuanxi, if you were a few years older, you¡¯d definitely be the most charming man in the city! Gu Qingluan was both amused and exasperated. She looked up at Jing Feng, hoping that this guard could persuade his young master. After all, the value of these dozen boxes of gifts was not insignificant. Jing Feng remained calm. ¡°These are all from Young Master¡¯s sincere intentions. Miss Gu, please ept them.¡± Anyway, his young master wasn¡¯tcking in anything, including money. These things weren¡¯t really a big deal. Gu Qingluan confirmed that the Yuanxi family was indeed wealthy. Even a guard could see so many gifts being given away without batting an eye. Well, since these gifts were carefully prepared by Feng Yuanxi, if she refused, the little guy would be heartbroken. ¡°Alright, 1¡¯11 ept the gifts. Thank you, Little Yuanxi!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s shy smile appeared. ¡°Beautiful Sister, no need to be polite! If you like them, Yuanxi is happy!¡± His cute and tender expression was melting Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart. ¡°Did youe specifically to give me these gifts?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s expression suddenly dimmed, shaking his head. ¡°I came to bid farewell to you, Beautiful Sister.¡± A gentle smile curved on Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips. ¡°Are you leaving Tianjing City?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m departing for the Holy Heaven Dynasty tomorrow.¡± A strong sense of reluctance surged within Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart. Although she had only known the young boy for a short time, she felt a sense of closeness with him. Every time she saw Feng Yuanxi, her lips would unconsciously curl into a smile. Now that he was about to leave, she had the urge to secretly hide him away. ¡°Beautiful Sister, 1 don¡¯t want to leave you.¡± Feng Yuanxi suddenly threw himself into Gu Qingluan¡¯s embrace, his voice choked. Hearing this, Gu Qingluan felt a pang of emotion in her nose. Jing Feng stood not far away, silently observing the scene, a ridiculous idea of ¡°mother-child separation¡± shing through his mind. He quickly dismissed such absurd thoughts. Gu Qingluan and the young master simply shared a bond, there was no way they could be mother and son. Seeing therge and small figures hugging each other, the scene was truly heartwarming. However, it was gettingte. Jing Feng nced at the sky and cleared his throat, reminding them with a loud voice.. Chapter 199 - 199: Captivation Leading to Downfall Chapter 199: Captivation Leading to Downfall Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan suppressed her reluctance and said, ¡°When 1 have the time, 1¡¯11e to find you.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Feng Yuanxi looked up from her embrace. ¡°Yes, just give me your address. Once I¡¯ve finished dealing with matters here in Tianjing, 1¡¯11 take Xiaonan with me to Qiankun Academy. Qiankun Academy is in the Holy Heaven Dynasty, and it might not be far from your home.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s lips curled into a smile. ¡°Sure, it¡¯s not far. My home is¡­¡± ¡°Ahem Ahem!¡± Jing Feng coughed heavily, interrupting Feng Yuanxi. The young master and his master had used false identities when they came to the Chengyuan Kingdom. Aside from Emperor Chengyuan and the Crown Prince, no one else knew their true identities. Revealing their identities to outsiders could attract unwee attention. Feng Yuanxi nced at Jing Feng with a casual look. ¡°Beautiful Sister isn¡¯t an outsider.¡± That one nce bore a striking resemnce to Feng Tian¡¯s astonishing gaze. Jing Feng felt his scalp tingle with an absurd notion. Managing Feng Yuanxi was proving to be quite a challenge. Yet, Feng Yuanxi refrained from disclosing the exact location of his residence. Not because he doubted Gu Qingluan¡¯s trustworthiness, but due to theplex web of rtionships and deceitful individuals surrounding his household. He didn¡¯t want their influence to tarnish Beautiful Sister¡¯s perception. ¡°Beautiful Sister, will both you and Xiaonan be attending Qiankun Academy?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Qingluan nodded. She wasn¡¯t surprised by Jing Feng¡¯s earlier interruption, nor was she angered by it. She understood his responsibilities. Jing Feng couldn¡¯t help but nce sideways. It was certain that Gu Xiaonan would attend Qiankun Academy. As one of the top three in the selectionpetition and being so young, Qiankun Academy wouldn¡¯t miss the chance to admit such an outstanding student. But Gu Qingluan¡­ Qiankun Academy wasn¡¯t somewhere one could enter based solely on natural talent. Except for a very few special admissions, everyone else needed to participate in selectionpetitions or entrance exams. Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t participated in the selectionpetition and wasn¡¯t eligible for the entrance exam. She couldn¡¯t enter Qiankun Academy. At Qiankun Academy, regardless of your origins in prestigious sects or noble families, once you became a student, you were simply a student. No personal attendants were permitted, let alone the inclusion of family members. At that time, only Gu Xiaonan could enter by himself. Jing Feng considered whether he should remind her. Meanwhile, Feng Yuanxi joyfully raised his eyebrows. ¡°That¡¯s great! In a while, 1¡¯11 have my father send me to the academy. Then I¡¯ll be able to see Beautiful Sister and Xiaonan!¡± Jing Feng¡¯s attention was immediately drawn. The young master was going to the academy? Was that what he understood? Before, the academy¡¯s dean had repeatedlye to their doorstep, inviting the young master to join the academy. The young master had ignored them every time. Now he actually intended to enroll? Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t surprised. Feng Yuanxi was so clever and powerful that he was definitely qualified for the academy. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll meet at Qiankun Academy then!¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded eagerly. As they chatted, the sky gradually darkened. Gu Qingluan invited Feng Yuanxi to stay for dinner, and not long after the meal, he left with Jing Feng. Before parting, Gu Qingluan handed him a wooden box. ¡°Is this for me?¡± Feng Yuanxi asked, surprised. His young face was flushed, his eyes shining. ¡°Yes, time was short, and 1 couldn¡¯t prepare much. I¡¯ve selected a few elixirs that 1 personally refined during my free time to give to you. I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯ll like them.¡± ¡°I like them! As long as they¡¯re from Beautiful Sister, 1 like them!¡± Feng Yuanxi immediately took it, hugging the box tightly to his chest. It wasn¡¯t just a gift from Beautiful Sister, it was a gift she had ¡°made¡± herself. It was incredibly precious. Jing Feng stood nearby, shaking his head with a sigh. The young master¡¯s infatuation with Gu Qingluan was so strong that he overlooked the fact that a handful of elixirs paled inparison to the abundance of treasures he had gifted her in over a dozen boxes.. Chapter 200 - 200: Show Off Chapter 200: Show Off Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Moreover, the young master¡¯s infatuation made him susceptible to influence. Seeing his protective behavior, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but suppress herughter. ¡°If you like it, 1¡¯11 give you more next time we meet.¡± ¡°Sure, sure, I¡¯ve got it in mind. Beautiful Sister, remember this,¡± even before their separation, Feng Yuanxi was eagerly anticipating their next encounter. Gu Qingluan smiled and escorted them to the door, watching the carriage depart. Inside the carriage, Feng Yuanxi held onto the wooden box tightly, reluctant to let go. Jing Feng couldn¡¯t help but be curious about what kind of elixirs she had given him, wanting to open the box and see. Feng Yuanxi red at him cautiously. ¡°This is a gift from Beautiful Sister, I won¡¯t let you see.¡± Jing Feng could only shake his head, amused and exasperated. He had no intention of snatching it; the young master¡¯s reaction was simply adorable. It was just a few elixirs, after all. With Feng Yuanxi refusing to show him, Jing Feng didn¡¯t press further. Upon returning to the pce, they encountered Feng Tian in the courtyard. Feng Tian hesitated briefly; he thought his son would stubbornly stay at the Jun Residence. After all, the boy had a clear affection for that woman. Now that they were parting, they needed to spend more time together. ¡°Father!¡± Feng Yuanxi called out. ¡°Master!¡± Jing Feng greeted him respectfully. Feng Tian noticed Feng Yuanxi hugging a wooden box and casually asked, ¡°What are you holding?¡± Feng Yuanxi clutched the box tighter, as if afraid it would be taken from him. He spoke in a tone of pride, ¡°It¡¯s a gift from Beautiful Sister!¡± Feng Tianian¡¯s eyebrow twitched. Why would he desire anything from that woman? What was there to boast about? What was there to be cautious of? ¡°If you have nothing else, Father, I¡¯ll go back to my room.¡± Feng Yuanxi was eager to retreat to his room and secretly examine the treasures in the wooden box. Feng Tian could guess his intention and remained speechless. ¡°Wait a moment, let¡¯s see what¡¯s in the box.¡± For the time being, he couldn¡¯t discern any ill intentions from Gu Qingluan toward his son. He believed one had to be careful and prudent when in unfamiliar or potentially risky situations. Especially with women, one had to be extra vignt. She could have given him any other things, but why elixirs? She better not gave him poison. Feng Yuanxi held the wooden box tightly, his little face cautious. ¡°This was given to me by Beautiful Sister. Dad, you wouldn¡¯t want to take it, right?¡± ¡°What use would I have for it? Let Jing Feng inspect it. If there¡¯s no issue, then you can have it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a gift from Beautiful Sister, there won¡¯t be any problems!¡± ¡°If there are no problems, why are you afraid? It¡¯s just a brief inspection, and you won¡¯t lose a single pill,¡± Feng Tian said calmly. Seeing his father¡¯s determined attitude, Feng Yuanxi could only agree, ¡°You better keep your words and not snatch them from me!¡± ¡°Ha!¡± Feng Tian sneered, expressing his disdain. Jing Feng also found it amusing. Did the young master really believe that everyone would be interested in the same things he was? Furthermore, his master had seen countless treasures; why would he want to take something from Feng Yuanxi? Feng Yuanxi cautiously opened the wooden box, revealing two small bottles¡ªone ck and one white. The bottles were nestled in a groove lined with red velvet, appearing unremarkable. Jing Feng picked up the white bottle absentmindedly. A piece of paper was attached to the bottle, bearing the words ¡°Arcane Spirit Pill¡±. Seeing the words ¡°Arcane Spirit Pill¡±, Jing Feng couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. The Arcane Spirit Pill was one of the mostmon types of elixirs, practically every alchemist knew how to make it. It was also one of the mostmonly used pills among Arcane practitioners. He thought Gu Qingluan had prepared something special, but it turned out to be the ordinary Arcane Spirit Pill. s, the poor young master poured his heart and soul into others, giving away numerous treasures without a second thought, and in return, he received a bottle of Arcane Spirit Pills. Jing Feng didn¡¯t know how to console the young master.. Chapter 201 - 201: It’s Definitely True Love Chapter 201: It¡¯s Definitely True Love Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Are you done inspecting? If you are done, give it back to me,¡± Feng Yuanxi urged. He was short in stature and couldn¡¯t see the writing on the bottle. Jing Feng said, ¡°Wait a moment, Young Master. I¡¯ll open it and take a look.¡± As he opened the white porcin bottle, a rich spiritual aura apanied by a refreshing medicinal fragrance diffused. A look of astonishment shed in Jing Feng¡¯s eyes. ¡°This¡­ this is¡­ a Ninth-Grade Arcane Spirit Pill? No, it seems different from the Ninth-Grade Arcane Spirit Pill I¡¯ve seen before. The scent is purer and more dominant.¡± The Arcane Spirit Pill was used to enhance one¡¯s arcane power. Generally, after consumption, one¡¯s energy and arcane strength would improve. However, the response from just smelling the fragrance of this pill was remarkably intense, which was incredibly unbelievable. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s different!¡± Feng Yuanxi said confidently, ¡°These pills were refined by Beautiful Sister, so they must be different from others.¡± As he spoke, his tone was full of pride and certainty. This time, even Jing Feng had to admit that Miss Gu was indeed remarkable, and Young Master Feng¡¯s admiration for her was not baseless. Feng Tian took the bottle from Jing Feng¡¯s hand, poured out a pill, and a bright glint passed through his deep eyes. ¡°This is a product of the Ind of No Return.¡± ¡°The Ind of No Return!¡± Jing Feng eximed, ¡°Weren¡¯t these pills personally refined by Miss Gu? Could it be that she¡¯s also from the Ind of No Return?¡± Feng Tian recalled the incident from the Lushi Auction House. At that time, Gu Qingluan had dered that she would exchange sacred-grade elixirs from the Ind of No Return for Chaos Stones. Back then, he hadn¡¯t taken it seriously. Now, it seemed very likely that she was indeed from the Ind of No Return. This could exin why her whereabouts had beenpletely untraceable all these years. The Ind of No Return was as mysterious as the Cloud Central City. As long as she stayed there, who could find her? Her rapid increase in strength also had a reasonable exnation now. The elixirs from the Ind of No Return were exceptional, almost impossible to find elsewhere, yet she had them easily at her disposal. It¡¯s probable that her once frail constitution was enhanced under the guidance of the Ind¡¯s master, and coupled with the aid of those extraordinary elixirs, her cultivation had swiftly progressed, ultimately leading to her current level of strength. Feng Yuanxi couldn¡¯t contain his joy. ¡°Beautiful Sister is truly amazing! 1 never thought she¡¯s from the Ind of No Return!¡± He reached out his small hand towards Feng Tian. ¡°Royal Father, give me the Arcane Spirit Pills.¡± Feng Tian handed them over. Feng Yuanxi asked Jing Feng for the remaining pills. Jing Feng had already taken hold of a ck bottle, on which three words were likewise Inscribed- Hundred Poison Pill. Even someone with half a brain could tell that the Hundred Poison Pill he held in his hand was undoubtedly different from the onesmonly found on the market. Products from the Ind of No Return were all top-notch. Nevertheless, he still curiously opened the bottle to take a look. Another Ninth-Grade pill! Inside were a total of three pills, whereas the previous Arcane Spirit Pill bottle had fifty pills! Ninth-Grade pills were rare, and Ind of No Return¡¯s pills were even rarer. If these were put up for auction, they would definitely cause a frenzy. He felt ashamed! He felt so utterly ashamed to be proven wrong! Not too long ago, Jing Feng had regarded Gu Qingluan¡¯s gifts to Feng Yuanxi ascking in worth and not sufficiently valuable for his Young Master. He had been quite dismissive at that time, and the feeling of shame now overwhelmed him. These two bottles of Ninth-Grade pills were undoubtedly worth much more than those twelve boxes of gifts. If these three Hundred Poison Pills could counter more types of poisons, then their value would increase even further. ¡°It seems Miss Gu really likes Young Master,¡± Jing Feng mused. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s happiness was evident. ¡°Really?¡± Jing Feng nodded. ¡°Absolutely. These pills hold great value and are beyond the reach of outsiders. Miss Gu bestowed them upon you without hesitation and even vowed to provide you with even superior ones in the future.. This undoubtedly signifies genuine affection!¡± Chapter 202 - 202: Your Highness, We Found a Clue! Chapter 202: Your Highness, We Found a Clue! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Yes, Uncle Jing Feng has good judgment. Feng Yuanxi decided to treat him better in the future. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s lips curled into a smile, grinning so wide that his eyes appear to disappear. He also took the Hundred Poison Pill, holding the wooden box tightly as if it were a precious treasure. He would definitely treasure Beautiful Sister¡¯s intentions. Before leaving, he raised his head to look at Feng Tian, and proudly said, ¡°Royal Father, 1 wasn¡¯t wrong, right? Beautiful Sister is a really good person. She willingly gave me such precious pills and even promised me that when I go to the Qiankun Academy, she¡¯ll give me many more pills!¡± Feng Tian remained silent, his face devoid of expression. However, tumultuous waves silently surged within him. The next day, Gu Qingluan and Xiaonan bid farewell at the city gates. After they left, she led a group of guards to the Gu residence¡ªto reim what was rightfully hers as a dowry! Outside the city, a luxurious moonlight-colored carriage traveled along the spacious and smooth official road. A figure dressed in ck appeared beside the carriage, speaking softly, ¡°Your Highness, we¡¯ve found a lead!¡± Inside the carriage, Feng Tian recognized the speaker as Jing Yu. His expression abruptly chilled, and he nced sideways at his son, who was sitting with a downcast demeanor. He muttered quietly, ¡°Bring it in.¡± The curtain was lifted, and an unremarkable figure dressed in ck entered, presenting a sealed letter to him. Feng Tian opened the envelope. Feng Yuanxi raised his head, curious about the letter in his hands. Feng Tian was tall, and he couldn¡¯t see the contents of the letter. He only saw Feng Tian¡¯s expression growing colder after reading the letter. His deep voice resonated within the carriage¡ª ¡°Return to Tianjing City!¡± The carriage driver outside acknowledged and circled halfway before retracing their steps. Feng Yuanxi couldn¡¯t believe what he had heard. ¡°Royal Father, we are not leaving?¡± Feng Tian gazed at him with aplicated expression. ¡°Not for the time being.¡± This was fantastic! Feng Yuanxi cheered. Not long after the carriage left the city, it returned to the city gates after about half an hour. They didn¡¯t return to the pce. They had previously represented the Holy Heaven Dynasty in their visit to the Chengyuan Kingdom and received hospitality from the Chengyuan royal family. Feng Tian had assets in the Chengyuan Kingdom. Five years ago, while searching for information about Yuanxi¡¯s mother, he had procured two mansions in Tianjing City. After leaving his son at one of the residences, Feng Tian instructed Jing Feng to take care of his son and left with Jing Yu. ¡°Where is she?¡± Without Yuanxi around, Feng Tian didn¡¯t bother concealing his presence anymore. In an instant, a suffocating pressure emanated from him. Jing Yu¡¯s breath hitched, and he lowered his gaze respectfully. ¡°She¡¯s at the mansion on the western side of the city.¡± Feng Tian didn¡¯t say anything more, he disappeared directly. Jing Yu quickly followed. Outside the gates of the Gu residence. Gu Qingluan was atop a ck steed, dressed in an elegant and flowing white gown. With a slight tap of her foot, she stood out conspicuously. Gazing at the closed gates before her, she smiled wryly. Was the Gu family nning to y ostrich? Did they think that closing their doors and avoiding visitors would solve all their problems? She lightly parted her red lips andzily gave themand, ¡°Charge the gates!¡± Eight guards carried enormous logs and rushed toward the gates. Bang! A loud noise reverberated, startling the neighbors and passersby nearby, who emerged in astonishment to witness themotion outside the Gu residence. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Who dared to attack the Gu family? Are they seeking death?¡± ¡°It seems to be First Lady Gu!¡± ¡°Her again! What is she doing now? She was quite ruthless with the young master and young miss of the second branch yesterday. Is she intending to confront the main branch today?¡± ¡°Really? The family head of the Gu family is a Saint. How could they be as easily manipted as the second branch? Is she trying to take on an impossible task?¡± The crowd outside the Gu residence continued to grow.. Chapter 203 - 203: Hard Collision Chapter 203: Hard Collision Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Separated by a single courtyard, Gu Zhicheng, Wang Shi, and others gathered in the front yard. Watching the resounding impact on the battered gate, Wang Shi¡¯s eyes held resentment. ¡°This reckless girl truly knows no bounds. She actually dared to crash through the gate like this! Doesn¡¯t she fear being reviled? Thankfully, the Old Master has advanced to the level of a Saint; otherwise, she might have trampled us underfoot.¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned grim as he ordered, ¡°Open the gate!¡± Servants lifted the horizontal wooden block that had blocked the gate. With a loud bang, the heavy gate was sent flying by a wooden beam. Gu Zhicheng raised his hand and swept it towards the guard clutching the wooden beam. The eight guards, along with the wooden beam, were uncontrobly thrown out. Outside the gate, Gu Qingluan scoffed. It seemed like they finally stop hiding. With a casual wave of her hand, an invisible force caught the eight guards who had been thrown out. The eight figures, who were rapidly retreating through the air,nded gently on the ground. ¡°Gu Qingluan, what do you mean by this?¡± Gu Zhicheng strode out, followed by Wang Shi and the others. In addition to the Gu family¡¯s main lineage, there were also members from various branches of the Gu family and invited guards in attendance. A quick nce revealed a crowd that outnumbered the people Gu Qingluan brought with her. Clearly, they were well-prepared to deal with her. Seeing this scene, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t feel the slightest bit anxious. Instead, she smiled with a hint of amusement and remarked, ¡°Could it be that the head of the Gu family has developed amnesia? Didn¡¯t we discuss this matter just yesterday? Has itpletely slipped from your memory?¡± Gu Zhicheng eximed in anger, ¡°The matter you¡¯re talking about is clearly beyond anyone¡¯s control! Don¡¯t think you can do whatever you want just because you have a good rtionship with Mr. Liu from the Ind of No Return!¡± The people around were curious about the ¡°matter¡± they were discussing. Gu Qingluan sighed softly. ¡°Unscrupulous behavior knows no bounds. 1 shouldn¡¯t have held any hopes for your integrity. 1 thought we could resolve this peacefully to avoid unnecessary conflicts and strained rtionships. But since you all have no shame, there¡¯s no need for me to cover up for you anymore.¡± Hearing her words, Gu Zhicheng naturally felt his anger rise, but he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of unease in his heart. He had a hunch that she was about to stir up trouble. To his astonishment, she unexpectedly suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t we just begin the fight right away?¡± Gu Zhicheng blinked slightly, wondering if he had misheard. The people around fell into silence and looked at her in astonishment. Fight? Was it the kind of fight they understood? Gu Zhicheng was a Saint, what could she possibly use to fight against him? She didn¡¯t really think she could defeat a Saint, did she? Gu Zhicheng was the first to react, a scornful smile appearing on his grim face. ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll indulge you!¡± Before he could even finish speaking, he had alreadyunched into the air, vanishing from his initial position. The onlookers¡¯ pupils contracted. That was fast! As Gu Zhicheng vanished, their attention turned to Gu Qingluan. Boom! Gu Qingluan slowly raised her hand, and to everyone¡¯s surprise, she urately blocked Gu Zhicheng¡¯s attack! Was she out of her mind? She actually confronted Gu Zhicheng¡¯s powerful strike head-on! Did she have such low regard for a Saint? However, the gruesome scene everyone had imagined didn¡¯t materialize. Gu Qingluan¡¯s body slightly leaned back, causing her horse to retreat two steps. Gu Zhicheng, on the other hand, retreated four or five steps in a row. The scene shocked the crowd. Based on the situation, Gu Zhicheng was actually slightly inferior in skill to this girl? How was that possible? Gu Zhicheng was a Saint, after all! Wasn¡¯t Gu Qingluan just a Heavenly Realm Stage cultivator? Could it be that Gu Zhicheng allowed her to do this? Gu Zhicheng stomped the ground to steady himself, his expression gloomy, but inwardly he was astonished. Only he knew that the hand he had just used was trembling uncontrobly! In a direct confrontation, he had actually found himself slightly overpowered by this young woman! What miraculous pill or elixir had Liu Meng given her to allow such a rapid increase in power within such a short period of time? Chapter 204 - 204: Envy of Others Chapter 204: Envy of Others Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng couldn¡¯t help but doubt himself. Could he really defeat Gu Qingluan? If he lost, he would be utterly embarrassed and humiliated. He couldn¡¯t bear such a situation. He was already a Saint, standing at the pinnacle of this continent. If he were defeated by his own daughter, wouldn¡¯t he be ridiculed for the rest of his life? And if he lost, this crazy girl wouldn¡¯t spare him either. He was nning to take the initiative, but Gu Qingluan suddenly looked around at the onlookers and said, ¡°All of you are distinguished families of Tianjing City. You must know how much dowry the Jun family gave when my mother married into the Gu family, right?¡± The people who were suddenly questioned were taken aback. Why did Miss Gu suddenly bring up the past? Although they didn¡¯t understand, the question wasn¡¯t difficult to answer. Having just witnessed Gu Qingluan¡¯s strength, many were inclined to stand on her side now. Among them, a woman around forty years old, dressed in brocade, sighed ¡°Of course, I remember. The Jun family prepared an extravagant wedding procession that stretched along the street for miles, causing jealousy among countless young girls back then. In all these years, I haven¡¯t seen another bride with such grandeur.¡± Twenty years ago, she had just gotten married, and she watched the dowry being carried into the Gu residence. She couldn¡¯t help but envy it. Others nodded in agreement, admiring the affection the Jun family showed their daughter. But s, life is fleeting. The Jun family¡¯s daughter died less than a year after marrying into the Gu family. ¡°All the uncles, aunts, and family friends present here were witnesses to that wedding years ago. My mother¡¯s dowry, whether for my personal expenses or for the entire family¡¯s indulgence in daily feasts, luxury fabrics, and opulence, could never have been depleted entirely. But now, the Gu family has audaciously asserted that I¡¯ve exhausted it all. Isn¡¯t that a ridiculous im?¡± The crowd was amazed. Indeed, it was. The Gu family was truly shameless. Dowries for women are usually meant for their children. The Gu family¡¯s patriarchal wife had only given birth to Lady Gu. Logically, the dowry rightfully belonged to her. If the Gu family had any sense of honor, they shouldn¡¯t haveid a finger on it, let alone squandered it. But the Gu family didn¡¯t just use it; they wanted to im it as their own, and they even came up with such a ridiculous excuse. It was truly disgraceful. Even though the Gu family had relocated to the Jun family¡¯s residence following the demise of their primary matriarch and had some physical separation, they weren¡¯t isted from the news. How could they remain oblivious to the challenges faced by First Lady Gu within the Gu household? Her daily expenses wouldn¡¯t even beparable to those of a servant. How could she have used up her mother¡¯s dowry? Before Gu Qingluan and Gu Zhicheng shed, the crowd might have refrained from discussing such matters. In the eyes of the crowd, a Saint held an elevated status. Challenging a Saint without sufficient power was simply foolish; it was like striking a rock with an egg. But it was obvious that First Lady Gu¡¯s strength wasn¡¯t inferior to Gu Zhicheng¡¯s, and she might even be stronger. This act of revenge was quite satisfying! Naturally, they followed their hearts and voiced their opinions. One after another, they were about to castigate every member of the Gu family. ¡°Silence, all of you!¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s anger red, and he released a suppressing aura. The might of a Saint was like a towering mountain, unmovable. To the onlookers who were condemning the Gu family, it felt as if a colossal mountain was pressing down on them, making it hard for them to stand and as if a surging tide was rushing in, sealing off their mouths and noses, making it impossible to breathe. Everyone was shocked. Was this the true power of a Saint? With just his aura, he held such overwhelming influence. If he so much as twitched a finger, crushing them would be as simple as squashing an ant! Chapter 205 - 205: Who Else Wants to Step Up? All At Once! Chapter 205: Who Else Wants to Step Up? All At Once! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion If they had known, even if they were filled with disdain, they wouldn¡¯t have spoken up in front of the Gu family head! It¡¯s over. The Gu family head won¡¯t kill them, will he? ¡°Ha!¡± A coldugh, like a gust of breeze, swept away the deathly pressure that hung over everyone¡¯s heads. As the pressure lifted, people felt a sense of relief and exhaled a sigh of relief. Then they remembered the mockingughter from just now¡­ It seemed to havee from Gu Qingluan. Everyone looked at her with gratitude. Gu Qingluan remained calm, her expression unchanged. To dissipate the imposing pressure of the Gu family head so effortlessly ¨C her strength must be remarkable! People began to quietly discuss among themselves. Gu Qingluan sat on her horse, towering over everyone, looking down at Gu Zhicheng. ¡°What they said is true. Why must the Gu family head oppress everyone? Even if you can silence the neighbors¡¯ gossip, can you control the opinions of the entire world?¡± ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Gu Zhicheng red at her with a cold shadow in his eyes. ¡°Brother, don¡¯t waste time talking to her. You should just attack her!¡± Gu Zhixin couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. This darn girl was clearly trying to tarnish the reputation of the Gu family. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°Gu Qingluan, yesterday youid hands on your own kin. I didn¡¯t me you for that. 1 didn¡¯t expect you to push your luck further. If I don¡¯t teach you a lesson today, how can 1 justify it to the Gu family?¡± Before he could finish his words, he disappeared from his position and reappeared directly in front of Gu Qingluan in the blink of an eye. People cried out, ¡°Watch out!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curled into a grin. She pped the reins, leaped from her horse, andunched a kick. The movement was clean and precise, incredibly handsome. Her white skirt blossomed in mid-air like a snow lotus, elegant and beautiful. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes widened as if he had witnessed a specter. He sensed an overwhelming force bearing down on him. Before he could respond, a sudden, intense pain surged in his chest, causing his body to instinctively curve. He even heard what resembled the sound of bones fracturing beside his ears. In the next moment, his body was propelled through the air, knocking over several Gu family members, soaring across the distance, and crashing into a white wall with a resounding thud. Bang ¡°Alih!¡± A scream cut through the air, followed by the dull thud of something heavy hitting the ground. Everyone shivered and stared at the copsed wall in disbelief. Did the Gu family head just get thrown out? Oh my goodness! He was a Saint Realm expert! And he was sent flying by a kick from First Lady Gu? First Lady Gu was really something else! Gu Qingluan gracefully returned to her horse, assuming a rxed posture with her legs crossed. She idly toyed with the edge of her skirt using her delicate fingers, as if the recent battle was of little consequence. Shezily lifted her eyes, and her cold ck gaze swept over the faces of the Gu family members. Anyone caught in her gaze couldn¡¯t help but feel a chill down their spine. ¡°Who else wants to fight? All of you cane at me together!¡± Gu Qingluan raised a snow-white jade finger and beckoned yfully. The Gu family members all stepped back. Even the family head with Saint Realm strength was sent flying by her kick. What could they do by going up? Offer themselves as sacrifices? At this moment, there was amotion in the courtyard. Gu Zhicheng crawled out from a pile of rubble. Wang Shi and Gu Zhixin snapped back to reality and rushed over to him. ¡°Old Master, are you alright?¡± ¡°Elder brother, how are you?¡± ¡°Family head, are you okay?¡± With the help of the others, Gu Zhicheng emerged, covered in dirt, his hair in disarray, clothes torn, and traces of blood at the corners of his mouth. He appeared thoroughly disheveled. He was probably the first dignified Saint Realm expert to be beaten to such a state. The spectators nearby were torn between wanting tough and feeling ufortable, appearing quite conflicted. Serves him right! He deserved to be beaten up formitting such a shameless act as taking away his daughter¡¯s dowry. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate you weren¡¯t incapacitated. Does the head of the Gu family want to continue this fight?¡± Gu Qingluan leaned her chin on her hand, a yful smile in her eyes.. Chapter 206 - 206: I’ve Wanted to Do This for a Long Time! Chapter 206: I¡¯ve Wanted to Do This for a Long Time! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng¡¯s figure trembled visibly, and the members of the Gu family froze in ce along with him. ¡°Qingluan, do you really want to turn this into a life-and-death battle between us? I¡¯m your father, after all! If this bes public, won¡¯t you be worried about the stigma of being seen as an ungrateful child?¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s heart ached and he felt helpless. But his facade had long lost its appeal. Even the bystanders, those watching from the sidelines, could tell that he was using filial duty to pressure Gu Qingluan because he couldn¡¯t match her strength head-on. Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t falling for his tricks. ¡°If you¡¯re not kind, don¡¯t be surprised if I¡¯m not respectful. nning to manipte emotions? Alright, start by returning my dowry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that we¡¯re unwilling to give it back to you. You¡¯re well aware that the Gu family¡¯s funds were used to buy Universe Stabilizers. If we had the money, why wouldn¡¯t we return it to you?¡± Wang Shi said with a bitter expression. Her eyes held back tears as she looked at the people present. ¡°Everyone, you may not be aware, but I was poisoned recently, and with no solution or treatment avable, I couldn¡¯t afford treatment. It was Second Master who borrowed money from the Yue family to help me get through that tough time. If we had money, why would we covet a junior¡¯s dowry?¡± ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s not that we are unwilling to give it back, but we simply can¡¯t afford to do so!¡± A prominent family like theirs, yet struggling like beggars ¨C people usually wouldn¡¯t confess to such a situation. But they couldn¡¯t worry about that now. If they didn¡¯t expose this, they would all be crushed by Gu Qingluan. Might as well resist Gu Qingluan¡¯s coercion under the pressure of public opinion. They had their nid out with loud ttering, but they didn¡¯t expect Gu Qingluan to have an ace up her sleeve. She eximed with emotion, ¡°Madam Wang, your lies are spoken without a trace of guilt. Admirable, truly admirable!¡± ¡°I¡¯m speaking the truth, whether you believe it or not,¡± Wang Shi retorted angrily. ¡°Is it the truth? Because I¡¯ve heard that Madam Wang arranged avish dowry for your daughter, and it appears that numerous valuable items were transferred from my mother¡¯s dowry.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled with a hint of mockery, her voice seductive. Wang Shi¡¯s expression changed dramatically, a trace of panic shing in her eyes. She vehemently denied, ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? There¡¯s no dowry left at all. We¡¯ve used every bit of it to sustain the family.¡± ¡°Oh? What if I could find the dowry?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curved into a shallow smile, her voice tantalizing. Wang Shi persisted, ¡°There is none at all!¡± ¡°Whether you have it or not, we¡¯ll know when we go inside! Xiaobai, go!¡± A white figure leaped out from Su Lie¡¯s arms and sprinted toward the entrance of the Gu family estate. Gu Qingluan dismounted, following closely behind and flying into the Gu family courtyard. The Gu family members couldn¡¯t stop her. Su Lie quickly rallied, leading a group of people in pursuit. They had been eager to do this for a while! These Gu family members, who exploit their mistress without expressing gratitude, had the audacity to mistreat her and even appropriate her dowry. It was genuinely enraging! ¡°Stop right there! Who gave you permission to enter?¡± Gu Zhixin shouted loudly. Su Lie casually pushed aside Gu Zhixin, who was trying to block their way. ¡°Who wants to hinder our mistress?¡± He threatened, his gaze sweeping over the Gu family members who were ready to rush forward. Everyone nced at Gu Qingluan, who had floated far away, and their steps came to a halt. Who would dare provoke that demoness? The neighbors wanted to follow inside for a peek. But they were blocked by the Gu family members. The woman who had previously responded to Gu Qingluan scanned the surroundings and then raised her voice, addressing, ¡°First Lady Gu, may we enter and have a look?¡± Gu Qingluan halted and pivoted, threading through the crowd to face the individuals obstructed at the gate. She smiled knowingly and remarked, ¡°The Gu family has nothing to conceal. Feel free to enter.¡± Inside the Gu family estate, there were countless things that should remain hidden. However, they couldn¡¯t argue back, for that would mean acknowledging that the Gu family did indeed have secrets to hide. Moreover, they dared not obstruct when Gu Qingluan had spoken. So, dozens of people swarmed inside.. Chapter 207 - 207: A Hidden Passage Chapter 207: A Hidden Passage Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The mansion where the Gu family currently resides was not as grand as the Jun Residence, but it still ranked among the top in Tianjing City. After years of vacancy, it had been meticulously maintained, and unless closely inspected, one wouldn¡¯t notice that the Gu family had recently moved back. This estate upied an extensive area; it would take half an hour to walk from the front gate to the back gate, and even more time to explore each courtyard thoroughly. While feeling apprehensive, Wang Shi emphasized, ¡°There truly is no dowry.¡± Ignoring her, Gu Qingluan walked straight inside. Wang Shi gazed at Xiao Bai, who was leading the way, her heart filled with both anxiety and hope, praying that the little fox was just wandering aimlessly and didn¡¯t know the location of the dowry. However, her hopes were destined to be dashed. Xiao Bai headed directly to Wang Shi¡¯s living quarters. Madam Wang¡¯s face turned pale, and she anxiously said, ¡°Can you trust this little fox¡¯s erratic behavior? This is my residence; even if there were dowry, it wouldn¡¯t be ced here.¡± Gu Qingluan stood outside the room, paused, then turned her head with a knowing smile at Wang Shi, before confidently stepping inside. Su Lie led his group of people to follow closely behind. Wang Shi stood beside Gu Zhicheng, subtly gesturing to him. Gu Zhicheng, with an unwellplexion, had no other solution. He had no means to deal with this defiant daughter anymore. He could only follow and see where Gu Qingluan intended to locate the dowry. Xiao Bai stopped in front of Wang Shi¡¯s bedroom and looked back, chirping at Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile as she walked casually toward the door. Seeing Gu Qingluan walk straight into her own room, Wang Shi raised her voice to stop her, ¡°Gu Qingluan, don¡¯t go too far! That¡¯s my sleeping chamber!¡± Her response was met with a loud banging sound against the door. The door was pushed open with a palm strike. In front of Gu Qingluan, with her aura fully unleashed, no one dared to obstruct her. Inside the courtyard, Wang Shi tightly clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her fingertips digging into her palm. Even if Gu Qingluan knew that the dowry was here, what could she do? The concealed chamber was built using unbreakable Sky Star Stone, and its lock was crafted from the crystallized heart of the same material. Not even a practitioner at the Saint-level could shatter the lock securing this hidden chamber. She took a deep breath and followed inside. Xiao Bai entered the room and headed directly for Wang Shi¡¯s bed, tapping the surface with its paws as if indicating to Gu Qingluan that the dowry was beneath the bed. ¡°Good job, Xiao Bai. I¡¯ll reward youter when we¡¯re back.¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°You cane back now.¡± Xiao Bai¡¯s eyes gleamed. Were these rewards crafted by the master? The little fox looked forward to the reward! With a graceful jump, itnded softly in Gu Qingluan¡¯s embrace. Bncing the small creature in one hand, Gu Qingluan used her other hand to lift theyers of bedding from the bed, unveiling the polished wooden bed frame underneath. She tapped the bed frame with her fingers. It was hollow. This was the first time she had encountered someone hiding a dowry beneath a bed. If it weren¡¯t for Xiao Bai guiding her, she wouldn¡¯t have found this spot so easily. Amid Wang Shi¡¯s tense gaze, Gu Qingluan delivered a palm strike to the bed frame. With a cracking sound, the wooden board shattered, exposing a pitch-ck opening. Amotion swept through the room. ¡°Who would have thought there was a hidden passage beneath this bed!¡± ¡°That little white fox in Miss Gu¡¯s arms is truly incredible. It actually led her here!¡± ¡°To hide the dowry in such a concealed ce, it must be quite valuable! Now I¡¯m really curious how much dowry Madam Gu prepared for Second Lady Gu.¡± ¡°I¡¯m curious as well.¡± Unaware of whaty below, Su Lie grew concerned about potential danger and volunteered. ¡°Master, let me go down first and check!¡± Gu Qingluan nodded, saying, ¡°Alright, be careful.¡± With a swift jump, Su Lie entered the opening.. Chapter 208 - 208: If I Can Take It, It’s All Mine Chapter 208: If I Can Take It, It¡¯s All Mine Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion After a moment, he came out to report, ¡°My Lady, there¡¯s a secret chamber beneath. It¡¯s built with Sky Star Stone, incredibly solid. I can¡¯t manage to open the door of the chamber.¡± ¡°Sky Star Stone?¡± Exmations filled the room. ¡°They actually used Sky Star Stone to build a secret chamber. It seems there are really valuable things hidden inside!¡± Gu Qingluan looked at Wang Shi, ¡°Madam, do you have anything else to say?¡± ¡°Having a secret chamber doesn¡¯t mean it contains dowry.¡± ¡°What else is hidden there if it isn¡¯t dowry? Open it up for everyone to see,¡± someone couldn¡¯t help interjecting. Wang Shi red back at the crowd gathering outside the door. No one was afraid of her; they all mored. This group of onlookers with no fear of trouble! She remembered all of them; she would definitely deal with themter and make them regret this day! In this embarrassing situation, Wang Shi knew that denying further would be useless. She tried a bit of trickery, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s dowry inside! But that¡¯s the dowry I prepared for my daughter. Why should 1 give it to you?¡± ¡°Oh my god, Madam Gu is so shameless! She manages the financial matters of the Gu family and utilized the former madam¡¯s dowry. What she¡¯s secretly kept for her own daughter is meticulously concealed.¡± ¡°No wonder they say stepmothers can be malicious. With such a malicious stepmother, we can imagine what First Lady Gu has gone through in the Gu family!¡± Whispers circted quietly; with so many people, it was hard to pinpoint who exactly was speaking. These words reached Wang Shi¡¯s ears, nearly driving her mad. At this juncture, she was fearless. She ced her hands on her waist and roared in anger, ¡°All of you are just babbling nonsense! Put yourselves in my shoes, would you be selfless? Wouldn¡¯t you keep things for your own children?¡± Uh, that statement wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. ¡°But we didn¡¯t embezzle someone else¡¯s dowry!¡± a noblewoman pursed her lips. ¡°The esteemed matriarch of the first family¡­ indeed lives up to being the ¡®first¡¯, I¡¯ve never witnessed such audacity.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! We didn¡¯t steal anyone¡¯s dowry!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine if you¡¯re preparing dowry for your daughter, but who knows if you¡¯ve taken First Ladt Gu¡¯s dowry to bolster your own daughter¡¯s?¡± ¡°Why not just open it up for everyone to see? Are you truly afraid because you¡¯ve taken First Lady Gu¡¯s dowry and can¡¯t confront the truth?¡± Faced with everyone¡¯s doubts, Wang Shi, overwhelmed by anger and panic, rashly said, ¡°Why should I open it for you to see? If you¡¯re capable, open it yourselves!¡± She was utterly shameless! Sky Star Stone, a meteorite from the heavens, was indestructible. Without a key, how could they possibly unlock it? Wang Shi looked at Gu Qingluan with a smug expression. ¡°Don¡¯t im 1 never offered you an opportunity. The concealed chamber is right before you. If you have the capability to unlock it and im what rightfully belongs to you, then proceed.¡± She just didn¡¯t believe that Gu Qingluan could really break into her secret chamber! Gu Qingluan yfully lifted her lips, ¡°If I can take it, then it¡¯s mine?¡± Wang Shi noticed a shrewd gleam in her eyes that resembled stars, which caused a subtle sense of difort to creep in. After a moment¡¯s thought, Sky Star Stone was indestructible. The walls of the secret chamber were reinforced. Except for a Skyfire Forger, no one could break in. The lock of the chamber door was made from a Sky Star Stone crystallized heart. Even a Skyfire Forger couldn¡¯t destroy it without special means. She coldly smirked. ¡°Indeed!¡± ¡°That¡¯s what you said.¡± Gu Qingluan leaped down. In a short while, Wang Shi and the others followed outside the secret chamber. Due to the limited space, only a few could enter. The others waited outside for news. Before the secret chamber¡¯s door, a pair of matte grey doors seamlessly connected with the surrounding walls. The lock on the door was made of an even denser material. Su Lie shared his observations with her, ¡°My Lady, the material of this lock seems to be a Sky Star Stone crystallized heart. 1 tried with a dagger, but it left no marks. Without a key, it¡¯s probably impossible to open.¡± Gu Qingluan walked to the door and touched the lock¡¯s material. ¡°It really is a Sky Star Stone crystallized heart. No wonder¡­¡± No wonder Wang Shi was so confident. Indeed, a Sky Star Stone crystallized heart was virtually indestructible. However, it was only virtually. It didn¡¯t mean it was impossible. Since someone could forge it, someone could destroy it too. Wang Shi stood to the side, making sarcastic remarks, ¡°Don¡¯t you have the ability? The items are right there. If you truly have the capability, go ahead and take them! If you can¡¯t, then don¡¯t bring up the dowry again!¡± Gu Qingluan looked at her from the corner of her eye.. ¡°Are you sure? If I can take it, it¡¯s all mine?¡± Chapter 209 - 209: I’ll Help Myself Chapter 209: I¡¯ll Help Myself Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion When Gu Qingluan posed her question, a slight pang of regret settled within Wang Shi¡¯s heart. However, the words had already escaped her lips, leaving no room for retrieval. Thinking about how the secret chamber was constructed with Sky Star Stone, her confidence surged instantly, and she mocked, ¡°If you can really take it, there¡¯s no way 1 can stop you!¡± ¡°Heh! Finally some self-awareness!¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled lightly and extended her right hand. Swoosh! A crimson me burst forth from her snowy-white palm. The temperature in the surroundings immediately soared. ¡°It¡¯s so hot!¡± Those who possessed spiritual mes within them quickly noticed the flicker of mes in their abdomens, which then timidly faded away. It got extinguished! They had never encountered such a situation before. But they had heard that when a lower-grade me encountered a higher-grade one, it would be extinguished. ¡°What an impressive me!¡± Among those present was a member of the Gu family who happened to be a skilled forger, possessing a ninth-grade spiritual me, only a step away from attaining heavenly fire. He took pride in his me¡¯s prowess. At this moment, watching the me in his abdomen extinguish, his face was filled with shock. ¡°Could that be Heavenly Fire?¡± At the mention of the words ¡°Heavenly Fire,¡± Wang Shi¡¯s anxiety momentarily surged. Swiftly reassuring herself, she pondered, even if it was Heavenly Fire, it came in different grades. Gu Qingluan¡¯s Heavenly Fire couldn¡¯t possibly surpass the fire of the Skyfire Forger who crafted this Sky Star Lock, could it? Gu Qingluan directed the me towards the Sky Star Lock and ignited it. The air became exceptionally scorching, yet no one retreated. Everyone was fixated on her actions. It was rare to witness someone using Heavenly Fire, and no one wanted to miss out. After just a short while, the Sky Star Lock began to melt. Wang Shi¡¯s expression twisted, and her hands clenched tightly together. No! It couldn¡¯t be true! How could her Heavenly Fire be so powerful! Snap! The Sky Star Lock broke. Wang Shi¡¯s legs went weak, and she nearly fainted. She really managed to open it! Amotion rippled through the crowd. ¡°That fire is incredibly fierce! It actually melted the Sky Star Lock in such a short time!¡± ¡°What has Miss Gu Qingluan experienced in these five years? Her cultivation is heaven-defying, she possesses Heavenly Fire, and she has connections with the Ind of No Return¡­ The more we look, the more intriguing she appears to be!¡± ¡°Incredible! Rather than valuing such a remarkable young talent, the Gu family takes her dowry and turns her into their enemy. What are they even thinking?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think the people from the Gu family anticipated that Gu Qingluan would be so formidable at this point. They probably still consider her the waste she was five years ago, someone they could bully at will. But now, they¡¯ve stumbled! First Lady Gu has proven them wrong; it¡¯s so impressive!¡± ¡°Hahaha, 1 bet the Gu family members are regretting deeply now, aren¡¯t they? With such outstanding talent at such a young age, if they had embraced her contributions, she could have led the family to its peak. Sadly, they let this opportunity slip away.¡± Most outsiders couldn¡¯t gain entry, and those who managed it held considerable status and audacity, giving them the confidence to openly mock the situation. Wang Shi and the other members of the Gu family listened to their mockery, their expressions changing ever so drastically. Those words were like needles piercing straight into their hearts. This was the powerful help they had rejected through their own actions! Even if they didn¡¯t possess such a powerful aid, what mattered most was that Gu Qingluan was no longer going to align herself with the Gu family; she might actually be their adversary! This was something they couldn¡¯t ept! Gu Qingluan retracted her divine me, her exquisitely beautiful face turned towards Wang Shi, and a faint smile curved her lips. ¡°Madam, thank you for your generosity. I¡¯ll help myself from here.¡± Wang Shi¡¯s lips quivered, a clear sign of her overwhelming anger that left her speechless. She was barely holding on, a mere breath away from copsing. Gu Qingluan waved her hand, and the Sky Star Lock flew away from the heavy door. Shortly after, the door made of Sky Star Stone was pushed open. Gu Qingluan lifted her foot and stepped inside.. Chapter 210 - 210: Family Heirloom Chapter 210: Family Heirloom Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The space of the secret room is muchrger than imagined, with rows of boxes neatly arranged inside. At a rough nce, there are about one hundred and eighty boxes. People who gathered around to see the secret room took a sharp breath. ¡°Good heavens, there are so many!¡± ¡°Madam Gu has an immense affection for her own daughter. With such a generous collection of dowries, anyone who marries Miss Gu Lingxue will undoubtedly be overjoyed.¡± ¡°Heh, Miss Gu Lingxue is already outstanding. She has brought many benefits to the Gu family. Over the years, the Gu family has prospered greatly due to her fame. Even without these dowries, there are plenty of men who would want to marry Miss Gu Lingxue!¡± ¡°However, no matter the perspective, the stepmother seizing the dowry intended for the rightful daughter is quite unseemly. It¡¯s unclear if Miss Gu Lingxue is aware of this situation.¡± Wang Shi slightly regained herposure. Hearing the discussions, she immediately defended Gu Lingxue, ¡°My daughter went to Qiankun Academy five years ago. At that time, she was young and naive. How could she have known about these things? The dowry was prepared by me, her mother, out of deep love for her. Xue¡¯er knows nothing about it!¡± Some believed her, while others didn¡¯t. Gu Qingluan, however, didn¡¯t believe it. Five years ago, Gu Lingxue had already disyed such cunning and ruthless methods. How could she be the ¡°naive¡± girl described by Wang Shi? She curled her lips and chuckled mockingly. Walking past several boxes, she suddenly stopped and raised her hand. A white light shed,nding on the copper lock of a box. With a crisp sound, the lock fell to the ground. The lid of the box popped open, revealing a dazzling treasure. The radiant light instantly drew the attention of everyone present. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that the Jun family¡¯s heirloom, the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase?¡± The treasure inside the box was a seven-inch tall Moonlight-colored vase, crystal-clear and lustrous. The body of the vase was smooth and sleek, resembling the elegant neck of a woman. The vase was narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, and its design alone wasn¡¯t particrly remarkable. However, the divine light radiating from the vase was incredibly rare. Especially within the dimly lit secret room, everyone¡¯s gaze was irresistibly drawn to it. Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Is this the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase?¡± The Jun family possessed numerous heirlooms, of which Gu Qingluan had only heard about. However, she was familiar with their names but had neverid eyes on them. Among those treasures, the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase was the one she coveted the most. The Moonlight Jade Dew Vase was a holy spiritual artifact. It didn¡¯t possess any attack or defense capabilities, making it somewhatckluster to most people. However, in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes, it was more alluring than other treasures. Although the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase seemed modest in size, it had the capacity to hold numerous mixtures. Furthermore, by pouring water into it and allowing it to steep for a day, the resulting liquid would transform into fine wine. If high-quality wine was poured in initially, the oue would be exquisite nectar. The name of the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase came from this effect. For those who loved alcohol, there was no better treasure than the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase. This trip had been worth it! Gu Qingluan revealed a pleased smile. ¡°Back when the Jun family married off their daughter, they used the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase to entertain guests. 1 had the chance to taste it. Wine brewed by the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase is truly excellent. 1 didn¡¯t expect this treasure to end up in Madam Gu¡¯s prepared dowry!¡± ¡°What¡¯s so surprising? After the Jun family¡¯s lineage died out, the Gu family immediately took over. They seized all of the Jun family¡¯s immense wealth, and of course, all the treasures were taken by them too.¡± ¡°That makes sense. But if that¡¯s the case, isn¡¯t the Gu family even more shameless? They have more than enough of the Jun family¡¯s wealth. Isn¡¯t it just shameless to snatch away the meager dowry of the only bloodline left? Ugh! 1 can¡¯t take it anymore. This is truly sickening!¡± The expressions of the onlookers, who hade to witness themotion, became notably intricate as they nced at the Gu family. They were already aware of the Gu family¡¯s shamelessness, thinking it had reached its utmost extent. Little did they anticipate that there was a further depth to their audacity. Truly unmatched! Feeling the disdainful nces from behind, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s facial muscles twitched with frustration and he shot an annoyed nce at Wang Shi. This foolish woman, cing the treasures of the Jun family here, isn¡¯t she clearly handing leverage to others? Wang Shi felt wronged. How could she have known that Gu Qingluan would be so extraordinary? Even the lock made from Sky Star Stone could be easily destroyed by her. Besides, wasn¡¯t she doing it for their daughter¡¯s sake? With his daughter¡¯s dowry being substantial, even he, as a father, has his reputation to uphold, doesn¡¯t he? Gu Qingluan took the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase and left the rest behind. She gave Su Lie a sidelong nce. ¡°What are you staring nkly at? Start moving these out!¡± Su Lie and the others snapped out of their daze and rushed excitedly toward the dowries. ¡°Come on, everyone, let¡¯s hurry and move them out. We should let our mistress rest as soon as possible!¡± Heh heh, all these treasures were now theirs! Chapter 211 - 211: Contribution Chapter 211: Contribution Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Madam, what can we do now?¡± Nanny Lin, who stood by Wang Shi¡¯s side, was on the verge of tears. Over the years, Madam had meticulously selected countless treasures, adding them to the dowry intended for the youngdy¡¯s future marriage. Nanny Lin had served by Madam¡¯s side, helping with the preparations, and she understood Madam¡¯s intentions quite well. Is Qingluan really going to take away all the treasures? What would they do about the seconddy¡¯s future marriage then? With the Gu family currently in dire straits, where would they find enough dowry? When the seconddy returned and discovered this, wouldn¡¯t she explode in anger? ¡°Who do you think I should ask? Useless and ignorant servant, think of a solution for your madam at once!¡± Wang Shi pped her across the face. Nanny Lin covered her face, refraining from getting angry. Even the formidable figures within the Gu family were helpless against the First Lady. She was merely a lowly servant. How could she¡­ possiblye up with a solution? The people brought by Gu Qingluan were all tall and strong, quick on their feet. Each box was carried out one by one. Wang Shi sought help from Gu Zhicheng, but he remained silent and walked away. Gu Zhixin shook his head in helplessness and left as well. The other members of the Gu family understood that the situation was irreversible. Staying behind would only add to their troubles, so they all walked away, one by one. Only Wang Shi remained, her heart aching. She watched as the carefully prepared dowry for her daughter was carried away, box by box. She did not want to leave but also found it ufortable to stay on. She wished to retract her decision, but within the entire Gu family, no one could control Gu Qingluan. If she tried to back out, she¡¯d only end up being beaten up for nothing. After obtaining the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase, Gu Qingluan returned to the surface. She wasn¡¯t worried about Wang Shi secretly sabotaging her ns. Her divine sense enveloped the entire courtyard; not even a fly could escape. The people who remained watched as the number of boxes stacked in the courtyard grew, their jaws dropping in amazement. ¡°My Lady, all the boxes have been moved. There are a total of ny-nine.¡± Su Lie counted the boxes and reported to Gu Qingluan, approaching her. Gu Qingluan gently stroked the snow-white fur on Xiao Bai¡¯s back, nced at Wang Shi being assisted out by servants, and smiled slightly as she walked toward her. Wang Shi red at her with a stern expression. ¡°Madam, thank you very much.¡± Wang Shi snorted coldly. Gu Qingluan¡¯s tone held a deeper meaning as she said, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you umting these treasures, they might have all been squandered. Therefore, I can retrieve these items today, and you¡­ have yed an indispensable role.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Upon hearing these words, Wang Shi was so furious that she felt like she might burst with anger. To think that after all her painstaking efforts, she had ended up preparing bridal gifts for someone else! ¡°Take them all away!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s clear voice rang out, and she turned away gracefully. ¡°All, Madam! Madam, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Wang Shi finally couldn¡¯t bear it and fainted. It required several trips by dozens of guards to relocate all the boxes from the Gu residence. In the end, with over a dozen carts loaded with belongings, the procession made its way from the Gu residence to the Jun Mansion, passing through the streets. Neighbors and passersby followed the caravan. Drawing the attention of numerous onlookers. Curious individuals approached and inquired about the situation. Those who had just watched the scene eagerly described it to the passersby, and soon, the pedestrians were informed about First Lady Gu¡¯s endeavor to reim her dowry from the Gu family. The shamelessness of the Gu family becamemon knowledge. The bustling scene on the street transmitted into a mansion. Feng Tian had just arrived and vaguely caught snippets of ¡°First Lady Gu¡± and ¡°Gu family¡± in conversations. He raised an eyebrow. Was it rted to Gu Qingluan? But he quickly brushed off the matter from his mind as he thought about the woman he was about to meet. Stepping inside, he headed forward with determined strides.. Chapter 212 - 212: Young Master’s Mother Chapter 212: Young Master¡¯s Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Master, please have a seat here for a moment. The person will be brought over shortly.¡± Jing Yu bowed slightly in the front hall. Feng Tian nodded and took a seat, his demeanor not as calm as his appearance suggested. After a while, Jing Yu led a young woman inside. The woman possessed a delicate and exquisite countenance. Her eyebrows, shaped like willow leaves, framed a pair of eyes as clear as autumn water. Her petite nose and cherry-red lips added to her charm. Her slender figure was further enhanced by the graceful curves of her emerald green embroidered skirt. As she walked, her azure dress flowed like the undting ripples of lotus leaves on water. She appeared to be a gentle and delicate woman. Following behind Jing Yu, she timidly nced at Feng Tian and quickly lowered her gaze. Seated in the hall, Feng Tian looked at the approaching woman, his heart less tranquil than his outwardposure. ¡°Master, the person has arrived.¡± Jing Yu stepped aside. Feng Tian asked, ¡°Did you give birth to a child five years ago?¡± The woman nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Did you leave him in the dense forest?¡± The woman shook her head quickly, ¡°No, I didn¡¯t. It wasn¡¯t me who left him there. It was my parents¡­ They thought I got pregnant before marriage and felt ashamed. They wanted me to get rid of the child to save their face. I couldn¡¯t bear it, so I secretly left home and hid in the mountains. But they still found out when I was giving birth. They took the child away and said they left him in the mountains to be eaten by wild beasts. I don¡¯t believe¡­ I really miss my child! Lately, 1 dream of him often and couldn¡¯t help going to the ce my parents mentioned, hoping to see him¡­ sob¡­ sob¡­¡± As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. Her beautiful face was tear-streaked, her body trembling slightly. She looked pitiful, a sight that could easily soften a man¡¯s heart. Feng Tian, expressionless, asked, ¡°Where exactly did you leave him?¡± The woman provided a location, and Feng Tian¡¯s gaze suddenly turned colder. The temperature in the front hall dropped rapidly, and the oppressive aura made it difficult to breathe. The woman¡¯s face turned ashen in fear, ¡°Si¡­ Sirr¡­¡± Feng Tian¡¯s gaze was ice-cold as he scrutinized her, ¡°Who is the child¡¯s father?¡± At his question, the woman¡¯s body trembled intensely, a faint blush appearing amidst her paleness, ¡°1¡­ I don¡¯t know his name, but he was extremely handsome¡­ the most handsome man I¡¯ve ever seen¡­¡± ¡°Ridiculous! If you don¡¯t know his name, how could you have rtions with him?¡± Feng Tian¡¯s voice grew heavy. Under his intense gaze, the woman¡¯s body trembled uncontrobly, like a sieve, ¡°It was an ident.¡± Before she came, the man in ck who brought her in had warned her. He told her to truthfully answer whatever his master asked, without lying. Otherwise, it would cost her and her family their lives. Standing in front of this man, she realized that the words of the man in ck weren¡¯t exaggerated in the slightest. This man was truly terrifying. Shivering, she recounted the incident of the ident. In essence, five years ago, while she was collecting herbs in the suburbs, she encountered a wounded, handsome man. He had been poisoned and forcibly took advantage of her. Afterward, she fled in panic. Unbeknownst to her, she became pregnant two monthster. The time and location she described were a perfect match! Apart from Feng Tian himself, the only person who knew about that incident was that woman! After the woman finished speaking, the hall fell into an eerie silence. Jing Yu discreetly observed her master¡¯s expression. Feng Tian¡¯s face showed no emotion. However, a suffocating aura enveloped him. Could it be that this time they had found the right person? Could this daughter of a herbalist be the true mother of the young master? Chapter 213 - 213: The Mastermind Chapter 213: The Mastermind Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian instructed Jing Yu to take the woman down first. Jing Yu arranged for the woman to stay in a courtyard and then returned to report to Feng Tian. ¡°Master, how should we treat Miss Lin from now on?¡± Formerly, Master had assumed that it was the mother who had abandoned Yuanxi. Now it seemed to be a misunderstanding. Miss Lin was also a victim. It was unlikely that Master would take her life. However, Master¡¯s expression didn¡¯t seem too pleased. After searching for so many years, wasn¡¯t this the day they had been waiting for? ¡°Keep a close watch on her and find out who is behind Miss Lin.¡± Jing Yu was taken aback. ¡°Master, are you suggesting that there is a mastermind using her?¡± Feng Tian nced at him. ¡°Back then? Did you really think she was Yuanxi¡¯s birth mother?¡± Isn¡¯t she? Jing Yu was surprised. Feng Tian¡¯s deep ck eyes chilled. ¡°We¡¯ve searched for five years, and have we ever seen her go there? If she truly cared about her child, she wouldn¡¯t have waited until today to visit that ce.¡± Lin Zhihang¡¯s appearance was too coincidental. Because it was too coincidental, it raised suspicions. Over these years, there wasn¡¯t just one woman pretending to be Yuanxi¡¯s mother, there were at least eighty or a hundred. Naturally, Lin Zhihang was the sole person who could offer a precise time and location. This revtion stirred ripples within Feng Tian¡¯s heart. He had an instinct that the person behind Lin Zhihang might be rted to the one he was searching for. Listening to his analysis, Jing Yu¡¯s expression grew solemn. No one knew the difficulties of searching for someone better than him. All along, he had a feeling as if an invisible hand was erasing the clues, covering up the truth. If she was merely the daughter of a herbalist, with their resources, how could they have failed to find her for so many years? Lin Zhihang seemed more like someone deliberately ced under their noses, causing them to mistakenly believe she was Yuanxi¡¯s mother. Who could have set up such a trap? What was their purpose? If Lin Zhihang wasn¡¯t Yuanxi¡¯s mother, then who was? Should he use severe methods to extract a confession? Lin Zhihang appeared delicate and fragile, likely unable to withstand their myriad harsh methods of torture, which might lead her to reveal the truth. Seeing through his thoughts, Feng Tian said, ¡°Lin Zhihang¡¯s appearance has two possibilities. First, someone doesn¡¯t want us to find Yuanxi¡¯s mother, so they¡¯re using Lin Zhihang to divert our attention. If this is the case, some of our recent actions might have gotten closer to the truth, and we haven¡¯t noticed, but the person behind Lin Zhihang is getting anxious. Second, someone wants to impersonate Yuanxi¡¯s mother, with the purpose of getting close to me or Yuanxi. Of course, the person who clearly knows the time and ce must have something to do with what happened back then. Clearly, the first possibility is more likely. If it¡¯s the second scenario, Lin Zhihang could have appeared at any time, so why wait until today, five yearster?¡± Jing Yu suddenly understood. It actually made sense. There was no need for the impersonator to choose such ate hour. So, could their recent actions really be making the person behind it anxious? Feng Tian looked at him. ¡°Have you recently overlooked something?¡± Jing Yu racked his brain, but he couldn¡¯t think of anything suspicious. The incident of First Lady Gu getting pregnant before marriage was quite suspicious, but she had a son. She definitely wasn¡¯t Yuanxi¡¯s birth mother. Other suspicious individuals had been ruled out over the years. Not being able to find anyone was driving him crazy. ¡°In that case, let her be. Let¡¯s see who has more patience.¡± Jing Yu nodded. They had no other choice. Feng Tian stood up and straightened his sleeves. Observing his preparations to depart, Jing Yu subtly shifted to the side and asked, ¡°Master, are you intending to remain here or return to the Holy Heaven Dynasty?¡± Chapter 214 - 214: Another One from the Island of No Return Chapter 214: Another One from the Ind of No Return Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Since that person is getting anxious, it¡¯s only right for me to make them even more unease.¡± After seeing his master off, Jing Yu turned and headed towards Lin Zhihang¡¯s courtyard. As soon as Lin Zhihang saw him, she approached him, saying, ¡°Young Master, can I leave now?¡± ¡°Some matters haven¡¯t been rified yet. We can only ask Miss Lin to stay here calmly for a few more days.¡± Lin Zhihang frowned, asking, ¡°What do you want to rify? Is it about my child¡­ or is it rted to the child¡¯s father?¡± Jing Yu looked at her meaningfully and replied, ¡°Miss Lin is intelligent. If you have anything else to add, feel free to let me know.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already told you everything I know.¡± Lin Zhihang¡¯s face slightly darkened, and a touch of determination emerged from her vulnerability. ¡°If I have nothing more to say, how long are you nning to keep me here? I want to go home!¡± ¡°Miss Lin, there¡¯s no rush to go back. Your parents haven¡¯t treated you well. Weren¡¯t you unwilling to obey their arrangements for your marriage? Now is a good opportunity for you to escape their forced marriage. You¡¯ll have food and lodging here, along with attendants to serve you. Life will definitely be morefortable than at home.¡± Lin Zhihang retorted angrily, ¡°But there¡¯s no freedom here! Who are you people, after all? Are you that man, or perhaps his enemies?¡± Jing Yu smiled without answering, then turned his gaze towards the servants and said, ¡°Take care of Miss Lin well.¡± With that, he turned and left. Lin Zhixing expressed her anger through scolding, yet he continued without even ncing back. Lin Zhihang was infuriated and wanted to follow, but the servants in the courtyard stopped her. Angry yet helpless, she could only turn back into the room and shut the door heavily. When there were no outsiders around, the anger on her face faded, and her delicate features revealed an icy demeanor that didn¡¯t match her vulnerability. Her eyebrows lightly furrowed as she contemted silently. What did Feng Tian mean? Could it be that he doubted her identity? ¡°You im to be from the Ind of No Return. What evidence do you have?¡± At the same time, an old man appeared at the Gu residence, iming to be from the Ind of No Return. The Gu family suspected his identity. It wasn¡¯t unheard of for someone to impersonate a person from the Ind of No Return, but such lies were easily exposed. The Gu family was currently in a dire situation and had be theughingstock of the entire Tianjing City. There was little to care about, so they invited the man in. If he were a fraud, it would be a good outlet for their frustration. The old man smoothed his white beard and smiled calmly, ¡°Master Gu, have you never doubted the Universe Stabilizer Pill you consumed?¡± Gu Zhicheng was momentarily stunned, ¡°What¡¯s the issue?¡± ¡°Both you and Miss Gu Qingluan have just entered the Stage of the Saint Realm, yet her strength far surpasses yours. The issue lies with the Universe Stabilizer Pill!¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯splexion changed drastically, ¡°Are you saying the Universe Stabilizer Pill is fake?¡± ¡°The Universe Stabilizer Pill isn¡¯t counterfeit, but what remainsrgely unknown is its imperfection. While it can raise an Earth Realm cultivator to the Stage of the Saint Realm, ites with a drawback: instability in cultivation. It falls short of the strength achieved through natural progression. If it were the Universe Stabilizer Pill from my Ind of No Return, this issue wouldn¡¯t exist.¡± Initially, Gu Zhicheng had been skeptical of his words, but after hearing the man¡¯s exnation, he was now mostly convinced. Lately, he had noticed fluctuations in his arcane power, attributing it to the instability of his recent advancement. He hadn¡¯t thought that the Universe Stabilizer Pill might be the problem! He suddenly recalled the scene from the auction where he hadpeted with Gu Qingluan for the Universe Stabilizer Pill. She had worn a smile on her face, a smile that seemed to hold some hidden meaning. At that time, he had assumed she was smiling because he had spent a hefty sum of money.. Now, with the man¡¯s analysis, it seemed that her smile concealed a sinister intention, as if she was waiting to see him fall into a trap! Chapter 215 - 215: A Chance to Turn Over Chapter 215: A Chance to Turn Over Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng clenched his fist, a hint of resentment flickering in his eyes. ¡°Wicked girl! How could your thoughts be so malicious?¡± Quickly, he turned to the elder and implored, ¡°Master, what should I do now? Can my condition improve?¡± The elder pondered deeply, ¡°This¡­ is a bit challenging.¡± ¡°Challenging implies there¡¯s still a way, right? Please, Master, help me! 1¡¯11 offer any reward you desire!¡± The elder¡¯s cultivation was only at the Heavenly Realm. Under normal circumstances, Gu Zhicheng wouldn¡¯t have been so subdued. However, the situation was different when dealing with someone from the Ind of No Return. Especially since the elder had astutely revealed the anomaly in his body. The elder¡¯s expression showed a hint of dilemma. ¡°Master, your appearance in the Gu residence today must mean you¡¯re willing to help. Gu Qingluan and that surnamed Liu are using the name of your esteemed ind to deceive. 1 believe you won¡¯t condone this. If you speak up, I will spare no effort to assist you.¡± ¡°But Gu Qingluan¡¯s strength is extraordinary, and their pills are indeed well-crafted, nearly indistinguishable from real ones. Even if I reveal this to others, they might not believe it.¡± the elder sighed. ¡°For now, the n is to first treat the Gu family master¡¯s condition. Once your cultivation is restored, we can hold them ountable.¡± Gu Zhicheng was ecstatic, ¡°That¡¯s the right course of action! Exactly! Master, please stay at the Gu residence. If you need anything, just say the word.¡± ¡°By the way, I haven¡¯t learned Master¡¯s honorable name.¡± ¡°I¡¯m surnamed Zhang, with a given name of Sheng.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re Master Zhang!¡± Gu Zhicheng praised a few words. Zhang Sheng just smiled, maintaining an unperturbed demeanor that further convinced Gu Zhicheng. Gu Zhicheng instructed his servants to prepare the best guest quarters and to attend to Zhang Sheng¡¯s needs. Upon learning of this, Wang Shi felt doubtful and approached Gu Zhicheng for answers. Gu Zhicheng exined, ¡°If it¡¯s a fabrication, 1 won¡¯t let it slide. If it¡¯s true, we have a chance to turn things around. Don¡¯t you want to avenge this humiliation?¡± Wang Shi fell silent. She hadn¡¯t recovered from the recent blow. After toiling for over a decade, everything had been ruined by that little vixen Gu Qingluan. No one desired revenge more than her. Meanwhile, Gu Qingluan, who had just reimed ny-nine boxes of dowry, was in a great mood. Upon returning to the Jun Residence, she promptly ordered the kitchen to prepare a feast to celebrate. What made her even happier was that Little Yuanxi hade! She thought she wouldn¡¯t see him for a long time, but he hadn¡¯t managed to leave after all. She invited Little Yuanxi and Jing Feng to join her. The newly acquired Moonlight Jade Dew Vase came in handy. She took it out and had it filled with wine. After a gentle sway, she poured it out. The fragrance of the wine wafted through the air, intoxicating those who smelled it. Taking a sip, Gu Qingluan sighed contentedly. What an excellent wine! She refilled her cup and raised it to the others. ¡°Today is a joyous asion. 1 offer a toast to everyone. You all have worked hard, and your efforts will be rewarded. Su Lie, take note. Each person will receive a thousand taels of silver tomorrow.¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss!¡± ¡°Thank you, Mistress!¡± Everyone present cheered with joy, raising their cups and toasting her with smiles. ¡°Mother, 1 want to drink too.¡± Xiaonan caught a whiff of the wine¡¯s aroma, and his mouth watered. Seeing everyone enjoying themselves, he couldn¡¯t help but ask. Gu Qingluan hesitated for a moment. ¡°Mother, just a tiny bit, please? Just a little bit?¡± Xiaonan held up two small fingers, the aroma of the wine incredibly tempting as he licked his lips. ¡°Miss, a little won¡¯t hurt. We¡¯ll keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn¡¯t drink too much,¡± Bo He chimed in with a smile. Rarely was she this ted, and she couldn¡¯t bear to disappoint the little one.. Chapter 216 - 216: Like Master, Like Pet Chapter 216: Like Master, Like Pet Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan nodded at this and said, ¡°You can only have one cup, no more.¡± Gu Xiaonan vigorously nodded, ¡°Yes, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll only have a little.¡± Bo He poured a cup for him. Gu Xiaonan took a sip eagerly. The pungent taste went straight down his throat, causing him to shiver. Seeing this, everyone burst intoughter. ¡°Young Master, is it good?¡± Gu Xiaonan smacked his lips and savored, ¡°It¡¯s good!¡± People were momentarily stunned, then burst intoughter. ¡°Young Master has taste!¡± one of the guards gave a thumbs-up. The wine was quite strong, something that most children wouldn¡¯t enjoy. Even for women, it was difficult to handle. Unexpectedly, the young master actually liked it. Truly fitting to be their master¡¯s son! Little did they know that Gu Xiaonan had drunk more strong alcohol than all of them. If it weren¡¯t for Gu Qingluan¡¯s restraints, he could outdrink them. Gu Qingluan turned to the quiet Feng Yuanxi on the side with a smile, ¡°Little Yuanxi, would you like to try?¡± Feng Yuanxi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Gu Qingluan poured a cup for him as well. Feng Yuanxi took a sip, then began coughing violently. Gu Qingluan quickly handed him a cup of water and took the wine cup from his hand. ¡°You¡¯ve never had alcohol before?¡± Feng Yuanxi sipped the water as his eyes glistened with moisture, shaking his head. His usually porcin-like face had turned beet red. He had only taken one sip, yet he was already feeling lightheaded. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°If you can¡¯t handle it, why didn¡¯t you decline?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes were watery, ¡°I¡­ I wanted to taste it.¡± Both Beautiful Sister and Xiaonan seemed to enjoy it so much. He wondered what it tasted like. Gu Qingluan could understand his curiosity. After all, children were naturally curious about things they hadn¡¯t experienced. Back when her son was less than two years old, he had seen her drinking and even tried to snatch her cup. But Xiaonan¡¯s preferences and abilities had always mirrored hers. That time, she thought that he wouldn¡¯t touch alcohol after finding it too strong, but unexpectedly, he got addicted, drinking a sip and wanting more. She would never let a child drink so much alcohol. It was worrying that he might see her drinking and start throwing tantrums, so she wouldn¡¯t dare drink in front of him. If she wanted to have some wine, she had to do it secretly. With these thoughts in mind, Gu Qingluan quickly turned to look for Xiaonan. The little guy sneakily reached out his small hand towards the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase ced on the table. Gu Qingluan snorted lightly, her hand moved, and the bottle flew into her grasp. Xiaonan jumped up and turned around, meeting Gu Qingluan¡¯s seemingly smiling face. The little guy blinked innocently, ¡°Mother, Xiaobai and Xiaomei said they also want to drink, so I was just about to pour some for them.¡± ¡°Drink! Drink!¡± Xiaomei stood on Xiaonan¡¯s shoulder and chirped crisply. Xiaobai squeaked and fixed its dark eyes on the Jade Dew Vase in her hand. Like master, like pets. A bird and a fox, both of them loved alcohol. Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°You¡¯re still young, drinking alcohol won¡¯t make you grow taller. Come, eat more food.¡± With that, she picked up her chopsticks and added many dishes to Xiaonan¡¯s bowl. Then, she picked up pastries and meat, adding them to Xiaomei and Xiaobai¡¯s tes respectively. Gu Xiaonan secretly pinched Xiaobai. Xiaobai looked at the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase and squeaked eagerly, its eyes filled with longing. ¡°Wine! Wine!¡± Xiaomei also pestered, unyielding. The wine was truly fragrant. Usually, they could resist, but now, even these two adorable pets couldn¡¯t control themselves. Without any prompting from Gu Xiaonan, they began disying their cuteness, begging for the exquisite wine. Everyone watched this scene with amazed chuckles.. Chapter 217 - 217: Daddy, Hug! Chapter 217: Daddy, Hug! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a parrot and a fox beg for alcohol before.¡± ¡°Well, the young master¡¯s pets are unique!¡± ¡°Here, little one, have this cup of wine.¡± One of the guards raised a wine cup with a smile. Immediately, Xiaomei pped its wings and flew over,nding on the table. The guard handed the cup to Xiaomei, who nced at it, lowered its head, and took a sip. Excited, its tail feathers lifted. Xiaobai also couldn¡¯t resist the temptation and was drawn away by another guard¡¯s cup of wine. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes were full of envy. Ah ah ah! He wanted to drink too! Turning his head, he clung to Gu Qingluan¡¯s thigh and swayed while pouting and acting cute. ¡°Mother, can you give me another cup, please? I¡¯m begging you! You¡¯re the best, mother. You won¡¯t refuse such a small request from your child, right?¡± ¡°No negotiation.¡± Gu Qingluan sat upright in her chair, unmoved. Gu Xiaonan pouted, his voice pitiful, ¡°Mother, you don¡¯t love me anymore.¡± Gu Qingluan snorted lightly. ¡°Is not giving you alcohol equal to not loving you? Very well, Gu Xiaonan, from now on, you won¡¯t have a mother¡¯s love.¡± Seeing her expression, Gu Xiaonan quickly released his grip on her hand. ¡°Mother, please don¡¯t be angry. I won¡¯t drink, I promise.¡± Watching everyone enjoying themselves, with even Xiaobai and Xiaomei being fed, Gu Xiaonan felt listless. He absentmindedly poked at the food in his bowl with his chopsticks. The after-effects of the alcohol were strong. One of the guards got drunk and identally knocked over a dish, sshing broth onto Gu Qingluan¡¯s clothes. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t me him, she got up to change her clothes. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes immediately brightened; an opportunity had arrived. He jumped up, grabbed the Moonlight Jade Dew Vase that Gu Qingluan had ced on the table, and tilted his head back to pour it into his mouth. Gulugulu! He drank it as if it were water, downing quite a bit in one go. Bo He saw this and quickly rushed over to snatch. ¡°Oh my, my little ancestor, why are you drinking like this? You might end up drunkter. Be careful, your mother might make you reflect on your actions facing the wall.¡± ¡°It¡¯s delicious! Sister Bo He, give me more, I want more!¡± he said, belching. Bo He didn¡¯t dare to give it to him, holding the Jade Dew Vase high. Gu Xiaonan immediately jumped up to grab it. Bo He couldn¡¯t withstand his insistence and held the bottle away to the other side. ¡°Wine! Sister Bo He, give me the wine!¡± Gu Xiaonan reached out with both hands to chase after her. Bang! He bumped into a pair of long legs and fell to the ground. Bo He quickly rushed over. ¡°Xiaonan, are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?¡± Gu Xiaonan didn¡¯t answer her question, tilting his head to look up. A stern man frowned at him, his eyes deep. Gu Xiaonan grinned and opened his arms, ¡°Daddy, hug!¡± Feng Tian was speechless. Bo He was shocked and quickly said, ¡°Xiaonan, you¡¯re drunk, he¡¯s not your father!¡± ¡°He is my dad!¡± Gu Xiaonan pouted, hugging Feng Tian¡¯s leg, ¡°Daddy, do you want to drink? It¡¯s really delicious!¡¯ Bo He put down the Jade Dew Vase and rushed over to take him off the man. ¡°Sorry, Xiaonan is drunk, he mistook you for someone else. Please forgive him, sir.¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not drunk! I can still fight three hundred rounds!¡± Gu Xiaonan leaned weakly in her arms, waving his hands. Feng Tian didn¡¯t take the words of a little drunkard seriously. He just felt a bit displeased inside: that woman actually let a child drink so much alcohol without any restraint. Wasn¡¯t shecking in proper judgment? Would Yuanxi learn bad things from her? He furrowed his brows and lifted his gaze towards the garden. It was a scene of chaos! Jing Feng faintly heard the voice of his master, turned his head to take a look. Fuck, it really is the master! He quickly got up and saluted. ¡°Master, why are you here?¡± A strong smell of alcohol hit him. Feng Tian couldn¡¯t help but frown, ¡°Where¡¯s Yuanxi?¡± Chapter 218 - 218: Seen Everything Chapter 218: Seen Everything Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Jing Feng was sweating behind his back, ncing back at the scene in the garden. This was bad! The Master had actually seen him bringing the young master to such a ce. Would he be able to keep his life? In a panicked state, he swallowed nervously and answered cautiously, ¡°It seems that the young master just went to Shallow Clouds Residence with Miss Gu.¡± Feng Tian didn¡¯t ask any further questions, turning around and walking away. Jing Feng hurriedly followed. ¡°All! 1 remember now! He¡¯s not a father, he¡¯s the Great Demon King! A scoundrel who bullies Mother!¡± Gu Xiaonan struggled in Bo He¡¯s embrace, trying to break free. Bo He had to exert a lot of effort to hold him back. ¡°Xiaonan, you¡¯re really drunk. What Great Demon King? He¡¯s Yuanxi¡¯s father.¡± ¡°No, he¡¯s the Great Demon King! 1 have to stop him from bullying Mother!¡± Gu Xiaonan struggled, but Bo He held onto him tightly. Meanwhile, Feng Tian had already arrived at Shallow Clouds Residence. ¡°Daddy!¡± Seeing him, Feng Yuanxi stood up in surprise. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Feng Tian smelled the alcohol on Feng Yuanxi, and his face immediately darkened. ¡°You¡¯ve been drinking?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s gaze flickered. ¡°Just had a sip.¡± ¡°I told you that woman had ulterior motives. Letting you drink at such a young age, is she trying to ruin you?¡± As Feng Tian thought about Gu Xiaonan¡¯s intoxicated condition and then nced at his son, who was not much younger, a wave of anger welled up inside him, prompting him to lift his hand. A gust of palm wind pushed the door open forcefully. ¡°Father, no!¡± Feng Yuanxi eximed in shock. Feng Tian had already stepped inside. In his sight was Gu Qingluan¡¯s bare back. Smooth and fair, like snow jade. Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t expected someone to barge in so suddenly and sternly shouted, ¡°Get out!¡± At the same time, she gestured, and a white inner garment flew onto her, quickly covering the provocative creamy skin. On that snow-white back was an imprint of a light pink phoenix. Feng Tian hadn¡¯t anticipated that she would be changing clothes inside. He hesitated for a moment, then retreated in a fluster. Thud! The door closed heavily. The next moment, the door was pushed open again. Gu Qingluan was in the midst of putting on her outer garment. Seeing the man with a ferocious aura intruding, her face immediately turned grim. ¡°Are you blind? Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m changing clothes?¡± Earlier, it could have been a mistake, but now it was clearly deliberate. Thinking about how she had almost been exposed a moment ago, her ears turned red and hot uncontrobly. ¡°No one is allowed to enter without my permission.¡± Before the words had even settled, a sweep of Feng Tian¡¯s sleeve wind closed the door. And he was inside! Outside the door. Feng Yuanxi and Jing Feng were utterly baffled by his actions. Feng Yuanxi was the first to react, rushing to the door. ¡°Father,e out! Beautiful Sister is changing clothes. What are you doing in there? You can¡¯t bully Beautiful Sister!¡± Jing Feng¡¯s eyes widened. What? Miss Gu is changing clothes? What about the Master? Surely he wasn¡¯t actually acting recklessly and mistreating Miss Gu, was he? No, no, no! That couldn¡¯t be! Who was the Master? He was the mostposed and indifferent Royal Highness of the Holy Heaven Dynasty. He hadn¡¯t had any romantic rtionships for over twenty years, and there wasn¡¯t even a woman in the pce. Which woman would dare to approach him? They¡¯d practically turn into ghosts if they tried. How could the Master possibly take an interest in Miss Gu and act so impatiently? He tried to soothe the agitated Feng Yuanxi, whose pounding on the door made a resounding noise. ¡°Young Master, don¡¯t be hasty. The Master probably has something to discuss with Miss Gu. Let¡¯s wait outside for a bit.¡± ¡°Father and Beautiful Sister aren¡¯t even close. What could they have to talk about behind a closed door?¡± Jing Feng was at a loss for words. ¡°No, this can¡¯t be allowed. Father and Beautiful Sister can¡¯t stay inside!¡± Feng Yuanxi raised his hand again and continued pounding on the door. A barrier was set on the door, preventing him from entering. He was so anxious that he looked like an ant on a hot pan. ¡°Father, open the door! Beautiful Sister, are you okay? Just say something if you¡¯re alive.. I¡¯ll find a way to rescue you!¡± Chapter 219 - 219: He’s Xiaonan’s Father? Chapter 219: He¡¯s Xiaonan¡¯s Father? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The barrier kept the sounds from outside at bay. The room was quiet. There was a distance of over ten feet between Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian. ¡°What are you nning?¡± She nced at the tightly closed door behind him, adopting a defensive posture. Feng Tian¡¯s deep and mysterious eyes fixated on her face, holding a hint ofplexity within them. After a long while, he shifted his step and slowly approached her. Instinctively, Gu Qingluan took a step back, stopped, and asked with annoyance, ¡°What on earth are you doing?¡± Is this man crazy? Did he have feelings for her? But she had never actively provoked him. Yet now, he had inexplicably barged into her room. He couldn¡¯t even manage to avoid suspicion while she was changing clothes; instead, he locked the door. A man and a woman alone in a room¡ªclearly, he had some hidden agenda! ¡°Is it you?¡± She did not understand his question. With no context to work with, Gu Qingluan had no idea what he was talking about. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®is it me¡¯?¡± ¡°Five years ago, that night, was it you?¡± His voice was icy, carrying a hidden intent to kill. ¡°What night are you talking about? Exin yourself!¡± Gu Qingluan rolled her eyes. Feng Tian took a step forward, lowered his eyes, and drew closer to her. ¡°Which night could it be other than that night? In the wilderness, a spring breeze¡­¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted. Damn it, the spring breeze! Was he the ¡°stranger¡± who had disrupted Gu Lingxue and Qitian Yu¡¯s ns? No! There¡¯s no way it could be him! For a brief moment, panic surged within Gu Qingluan. If he was the man from that night, wouldn¡¯t that mean he¡¯s Xiaonan¡¯s father? Damn it! Absolutely not! A surge of chaotic thoughts raced through Gu Qingluan¡¯s mind, yet she swiftly regained her outwardposure. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about. Right now, immediately, get out!¡± However, the slight panic that had shed in her eyes hadn¡¯t escaped Feng Tian¡¯s scrutiny. Indeed, it was her! After going around in circles, Yuanxi¡¯s mother was right under his nose! He had almost missed her! This heartless woman had actually abandoned his child! Feng Tian¡¯s chest surged with boiling blood. He grabbed the hand she pointed at him, forcefully pulled her in front of him, held onto her chin, and his voice turned icy and menacing. ¡°Don¡¯t know? Then what¡¯s this?¡± With that said, he forcefully tugged at her fingertip. Rip! The clothes she had just put on were as fragile as paper and tore apart instantly. ¡°You scoundrel!¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t contain her anger. She pped him and simultaneously pushed him away with great force. She rapidly retreated several steps until she was against the edge of the table. While she lifted her clothes back up, she red at him with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Scoundrel! Bastard! He had the audacity to take liberties with her! Her neckline was torn, and no matter how she adjusted it, it wouldn¡¯t sit right. Even more infuriated, Gu Qingluan clenched a packet of poison in her palm. If he dared to touch her again, regardless of whether he was Yuanxi¡¯s father or not, she¡¯d poison him! With a palm print on his face, Feng Tian wasn¡¯t angered. He just smiled softly. ¡°The phoenix birthmark on your back can only be seen by someone very intimate with you. Gu Qingluan, are you still unwilling to tell the truth?¡± That night, Feng Tian only vaguely remembered the phoenix birthmark on her back, faintly glowing. Such a unique birthmark was exceedingly rare. He didn¡¯t believe there could be a second person with it. If it wasn¡¯t for identally catching sight of her while she changed clothes, he wouldn¡¯t have noticed. The person he was looking for was right here! Birthmark? Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t paid any attention to her back. Upon hearing his words, she scanned with her spiritual sense and indeed saw a pink birthmark on her back, resembling a phoenix. He tore her clothes just to see the birthmark? Damn it! Was that necessary? You scoundrel! Did he really need to be so shameless? In her memory, aside from that night with the stranger, she hadn¡¯t been intimate with any other man. If he recognized her, does that mean he¡¯s really the stranger who left after having his fun? Xiaonan¡¯s father? Was his overbearing behavior right now for any purpose? Even if that incident back then was an ident, wasn¡¯t it her who suffered the loss? No matter what his motives were, right now, in this moment, she was not pleased! She was displeased, and he shouldn¡¯t expect an easy time! Suppressing her anger, Gu Qingluan revealed a wicked smile and raised her fingers, counting, ¡°Someone intimate? Even if I don¡¯t have ten, I have at least eight.. Who do you think you are?¡± Chapter 220 - 220: Scumbag’s Kiss Chapter 220: Scumbag¡¯s Kiss Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian erupted in fury, a surging aura enveloping him as a fierce gust of wind roared to life. Crash! Smack! The room¡¯s furnishings shattered and flew through the air, reduced to fragments in an instant. If Gu Qingluan weren¡¯t a Saint, she might have been crushed by his overwhelming presence. Feng Tian teleported in front of her, pinching her chin firmly. ¡°From this day forward, cut ties with thempletely. You are not allowed to be within an inch of any man!¡± ¡°Ugh! Who do you think you are to dictate to me?¡± Gu Qingluan pushed his hand away forcefully and took a step back, purposely taunting him. ¡°I¡¯ll be with whoever I please. Let me contemte, who should I make ns with for tomorrow?¡± She paused, fingers on her chin, and continued, ¡°There¡¯s Master Lin, the cultured and refined gentleman; Young Master Zhou, impressive with his valor and notably well-defined muscles that I¡¯ve missed touching; and then there¡¯s Young Hero Zhang, with his graceful demeanor and a vibrant spirit¡­¡± Before she could finish, her vision blurred, and her mouth was sealed shut! Staring at the eyes and eyshes so close to her, Gu Qingluan was dumbfounded. For the longest time, her mind spun as it gradually caught up. She¡­ she had been kissed by that scumbag? Kissed¡­ Wasn¡¯t he the one who would yell threats every time he saw her? What¡¯s the meaning of this now? What did he take her for? Infuriated and embarrassed, Gu Qingluan gathered her energy and struck at his chest. Before her attack couldnd, the man swiftly retreated. His ears were redder than hers! ¡°Are you insane?¡± Gu Qingluan spat at him, wiping her lips on the back of her hand with determination. Feng Tian felt like he might truly be ill, otherwise, how could he have impulsively kissed her? The sensation of that soft warmth lingered faintly in his mind. After the separation, a faint sense of regret bloomed in his heart. Indeed, he was more than a little unwell! Feng Tian¡¯s thoughts were chaotic, but his face showed little emotion. ¡°If you dare to flirt with those questionable men again, I¡¯ll break your legs! If you dare to talk nonsense again, I¡¯ll seal your mouth!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s mother must not have such loose morals. If one day Feng Yuanxi found out, how heartbroken would he be? What kind of life would he have if it got out? Ignoring the odd feeling within him, he treated his warning as concern for his son. Gu Qingluan paused while rubbing her lips, then nced at him with a sidelong look, coldly smiling, ¡°By what authority do you control me?¡± ¡°Just based on¡­¡± Feng Tian suddenly stopped. This woman seemed to have no idea that she was Feng Yuanxi¡¯s mother, and he didn¡¯t need to let her know. ¡°Can¡¯t think of an answer, huh? You scumbag! I warn you, don¡¯t try to control or meddle in my affairs again! And another thing, a birthmark doesn¡¯t mean much. I didn¡¯t know you in the past, don¡¯t want to know you now, and won¡¯t want to know you in the future!¡± To this day, she didn¡¯t know his full name and had no interest in knowing it! He better stay far away from her, never to cross paths again! Feng Tian hadn¡¯t intended to bring up their child again, but seeing her evade the subject of their past so intensely, a fire ignited within him. His slender, powerful fingers gripped her face firmly, ¡°Not know me? Then what about the child? Would losing him be as if he never existed?¡± The child¡­ Gu Qingluan¡¯s fingers clenched suddenly, a touch of sadness flickering in her eyes. Gu Lingxue had sacrificed her own child in pursuit of refining a divine elixir, using her baby as a living sacrifice. It was a pain that wouldst a lifetime¡­ Seeing her expression, Feng Tian¡¯s fingers suddenly tightened, ¡°Seems you haven¡¯t forgotten!¡± Gu Qingluan let out a muffled sound of pain and snapped out of her sorrow, pushing his hand away irritably. This man was utterly insane! Didn¡¯t he dislike women? Pinching and prodding at her at any little chance, yet now he¡¯s not being germophobic about women? Stepping back a few paces, she created distance between them, hastily speaking before he coulde closer, ¡°I¡¯ve never abandoned anyone, and I won¡¯t take the me for this!¡± Indeed, she had lost a child, but it wasn¡¯t her decision; therefore, he had no right to bring up the idea of abandonment! Chapter 221 - 221: He Had Been Deceived All Along! Chapter 221: He Had Been Deceived All Along! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian¡¯s eyes were dim and unclear: ¡°Five years ago, on Yunuo Mountain¡­¡± Yunuo Mountain? Isn¡¯t that where she was reborn? Gu Qingluan was taken aback. Seeing her reaction, Feng Tian¡¯s gaze turned fierce, as if he wanted to devour her. ¡°You finally remember?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s mind raced. This man was saying that she abandoned someone, but at that time, she had just crossed over. How could she possibly have abandoned¡­ Suddenly, Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes flickered, her heart pounding. If she had to think about who she might have left behind, there was only one person: the child taken by Gu Lingxue. Could it be him? How could this man know about his existence? Wasn¡¯t that child refined into a pill by Gu Lingxue? Could something unexpected have happened along the way, causing Gu Lingxue to lose that child? However, without the divine pill, how could Gu Lingxue have gained special admission to the Qiankun Academy and be a disciple of the Revered One? Gu Qingluan lifted her radiant eyes and looked at Feng Tian. ¡°Where is the ¡®he¡¯ that you mentioned?¡± Feng Tian sneered. ¡°You gave up pretending?¡± ¡°Where is the child? Tell me where he is!¡± Gu Qingluan grabbed his arm and asked forcefully. Feng Tian was taken aback by her disheveled and frantic appearance. Immediately, he let out a cold snort and brushed her away with a flick of his sleeve, his tone icy, ¡°Don¡¯t ever expect to know who he is in your lifetime.¡± Since she chose to abandon him in the beginning, she no longer has the qualification to be Yuanxi¡¯s mother. Gu Qingluan was pushed back several steps and stumbled, colliding with a table. She steadied herself by gripping the edge of the table, disregarding the pain in her waist from the impact. Her voice grew stern as she asked, ¡°Feng, where is that child?¡± In response, Feng Tian gave her a sarcastic smile. Gu Qingluan thought back to his words just now. She knew he had misunderstood. Suppressing her anger, she exined, ¡°I never abandoned that child. He was taken away by someone!¡± Feng Tian dismissed her exnation as a lie. ¡°My child, how could I abandon him? He was taken by Gu Lingxue!¡± Feng Tian¡¯s expression froze. Gu Lingxue? That youngdy who protected Yuanxi? Feng Tian furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Why did she take your child?¡± To uncover the child¡¯s fate, Gu Qingluan had to patiently respond to his inquiries. ¡°Driven by her own selfish desires, Gu Lingxue insisted that the child I carried was extraordinary, capable of being used as an ingredient to refine a divine pill. When I was eight months pregnant, she forcibly opened my belly and snatched the child away.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes reddened, her voice full of strength, almost tearful. Whenever she thought of that scene from that day, her heart ached intensely. Having merged with the memories of the previous inhabitant, the anguish of being cut open paled inparison to the agony of losing a child. This sorrow was deeply imprinted in her mind and heart. Feng Tian¡¯s figure trembled violently. His eyes brimmed with intense killing intent. ¡°She dares!¡± To actually target his son! Yuanxi was his blood, with a special constitution. He was born with divine power, capable ofmanding countless beasts. If someone with malicious intentions discovered this, they could indeed use him as an ingredient for pills. He recalled the scene from five years ago in the mountains. Countless beasts gathered, and in the center, a baby in swaddling clothes cried incessantly. A youngdy in luxurious clothes sat nearby, her eyes filled with fear. The spiritual beasts all protected the baby, while their gazes towards the youngdy were fierce. It turned out he had been deceived all along! Truly, a woman¡¯s heart is the most treacherous! And he had actually regarded her as a benefactor¡­ If Gu Lingxue were here right now, Feng Tian would surely kill her. No, he would make her wish she were dead! Chapter 222 - 222: I’ll Take Revenge Myself! Chapter 222: I¡¯ll Take Revenge Myself! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Ah-choo!¡± Among the crowd on Deer Horn Mountain, Gu Lingxue couldn¡¯t help but let out a sneeze. Immediately, concerned inquiries were directed her way. ¡°Sister Lingxue, are you alright?¡± ¡°Sister Lingxue, did you catch a cold? I have some Fire-Condensing Pills here. Taking one will make you feel better.¡± ¡°Sister Lingxue, did you train too muchst night? With your remarkable talent and high cultivation, and working so hard, it¡¯s hard for us to keep up! Just take it easy, Sister Lingxue. Otherwise, Master will scold us every day.¡± ¡°Really, you, beingzy and all, have the audacity to coax Sister Lingxue into copying your ways? If the Revered One hears about this, you might face some consequences!¡± The speaker then shifted his attention to Gu Lingxue, his tone turning as gentle as water, as if he had undergone a transformation. ¡°Sister Lingxue, don¡¯t pay him any mind. If you¡¯re not feeling well, take a rest. There aren¡¯t many powerful spirit beasts on Deer Horn Mountain. We, your seniors and juniors, can handle them. Just stick with us; no need to take matters into your own hands.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be inappropriate?¡± Gu Lingxue hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s perfectly fine. Sister Lingxue, your abilities are widely recognized. You¡¯re fully capable of aplishing the mission by yourself. You didn¡¯t even have to join us on Deer Horn Mountain if it weren¡¯t for assisting us. If a real threat arises, and we find ourselves unable to manage it, you can step in.¡± Other disciples nodded in agreement. Gu Lingxue nodded and shed an affable yet proud smile. ¡°I appreciate everyone¡¯s concern.¡± They all smiled and waved her off, telling her not to be so polite. Inside, they marveled at how kind and gentle Sister Lingxue was. Having dealt with the crowd surrounding her, Gu Lingxue felt a sense of unease. For some reason, she had a foreboding feeling in her heart. At Qiankun Academy, she feltpletely at ease. Her master promised her that after her cultivation advanced this time, he would gift her a sacred spirit artifact, helping her shine at the uing New Talents Tournament in three months. She shouldn¡¯t have any issues on her side, so was it something rted to the Gu family? She recalled the letter she received from her mother a few days ago, her brows furrowing lightly. Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t died, and she had be even stronger than her father. This unforeseen twist of events had to be halted within Chengyuan Tianjing. Gu Qingluan must not be allowed to reach the Holy Heaven Dynasty at all costs! The person she sent to Chengyuan Tianjing should be arriving soon. In a soft murmur, Gu Lingxue uttered, ¡°Gu Qingluan, if fate permits your survival and you still refuse to seek refuge in obscurity, persisting in your return, don¡¯t hold me ountable for being ruthless.¡± ¡°I can take my revenge by myself; you don¡¯t need to interfere!¡± Gu Qingluan sensed his anger and warned him not to disrupt her ns. She had endured for many years just to personally kill Gu Lingxue. She knew this man was formidable, afraid he would ruin her ns. For the mistakes Gu Lingxue hadmitted, a hundred deaths wouldn¡¯t be enough. She wouldn¡¯t kill her swiftly; that would be too easy! She intended to take away whatever meant the most to Gu Lingxue. Her goal was to strip Gu Lingxue of everything, just as how Gu Lingxue did to the original host. She would leave Gu Lingxue with nothing and force her to give an apology to the original host in the underworld. Feng Tian replied, ¡°Fine.¡± If this was what you wanted. A sudden silence fell over the room. Feng Tian lowered his gaze, looking at Gu Qingluan¡¯s abdomen. She protectively covered her belly with her hand. ¡°What are you looking at? Do you think I won¡¯t dare blind your eyes?¡± Feng Tian didn¡¯t utter a word, then abruptly turned and left. The door swung open, and Yuanxi stumbled in. Before he could fall, someone caught him around the waist and lifted him up to the roof. ¡°Daddy, what are you doing? Let go of me!¡± Yuanxi regained his senses and struggled by kicking his legs.. Chapter 223 - 223: Ask Clearly Chapter 223: Ask Clearly Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Jing Feng was slightly taken aback, swiftly leaping into the air. ¡°Hey, the man with the surname Feng, you haven¡¯t told me where that child is!¡± Gu Qingluan shouted as she pursued, her eyes fixed on a fragment of the cloud-patterned sea-blue robe that vanished at the point where the rooftop met the sky. Scumbag! She had told him everything, yet he revealed nothing. Gu Qingluan cursed in anger. Amid her frustration, an uncontroble sense of joy surged in her heart. The child¡­ Her child was still alive! There couldn¡¯t be better news than this! Sparkling specks of excitement flickered in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes, her lips unconsciously curling upward. ¡°Mistress, why are you so happy? Did something happen?¡± Bo He walked into Shallow Clouds Residence, carrying Gu Xiaonan. ¡°Nothing.¡± She didn¡¯t want to reveal too much before finding the child, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Xiaonan?¡± Bo He sighed. ¡°He fell asleep after drinking too much.¡± ¡°A little fellow who loves alcohol!¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled, ¡°Well, it¡¯s because he¡¯s mine, isn¡¯t it?¡± Bo He grinned. ¡°Can¡¯t deny that, considering he¡¯s the mistress¡¯ offspring.¡± Gu Qingluan gave her nose a slight guilty rub andposed herself, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t attribute it to me; I¡¯m not drunk!¡± Afraid that Bo He might say something irrefutable, she extended her hands, ¡°Give Xiaonan to me.¡± Bo He handed Gu Xiaonan over, and as Gu Qingluan carried her son inside, she instructed Bo He to keep an eye on the guards drinking in the garden. If anything came up, she gave Bo He the authority to handle them. Having received the orders, Bo He left. cing her son on the bed, Gu Qingluan washed his face and feet, removed his outer robe, and covered him with a nket. Gazing at her son¡¯s small face, she couldn¡¯t help but daydream. What would the other child look like? She didn¡¯t know if it was a boy or a girl. If it was a boy, maybe he would look simr to Xiaonan. If it was a girl, she would surely be beautiful and adorable. The more she thought about it, the more restless she became. ncing at her son, who was lost in his drunken slumber, she decided to find that man and ask for clear answers. Once again, Feng Yuanxi was tossed onto the bed in the room. He immediately jumped up, pouting, ¡°Royal Father, did you bully Beautiful Sister again?¡± Feng Tian stared at his little face, his gazeplex. He had thought Yuanxi was abandoned by his mother, but the truth turned out to be so different¡­ She wasn¡¯t in the wrong; she was the victim. Instead, it was he who mistook a viin for a benefactor andmitted countless mistakes. The woman asserted that Gu Lingxue had forcefully sliced open her abdomen and taken her unborn child. The suffering she must have endured! He didn¡¯t know how to face her now. His misunderstandings, mockery, violence towards her¡­ he had evene close to killing her several times. For the first time, Feng Tian fled in guilt. However, his mind was filled with thoughts of her. The resentment she held for having her abdomen sliced open, the pain in her eyes when she lost her child¡­ It was like a dagger repeatedly stabbing into his heart. Regret, self-me, pity, and an indescribable tremor overwhelmed him. ¡°Father, what have you done to Beautiful Sister?¡± Seeing his silence, Feng Yuanxi was getting desperate, ¡°If you don¡¯t tell me, I¡¯ll go find her myself.¡± He was about to jump off the bed and run. Feng Tian grabbed him, lifting him in front of him. He squatted down, his deep, night-like eyes containing mysterious undercurrents. ¡°Xiao Xi, do you really like her?¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± Feng Yuanxi admitted without hesitation. Liking Beautiful Sister wasn¡¯t something to be ashamed of; he wanted the whole world to know. Indeed, the blood connection between mother and son was evident. No wonder Yuanxi had taken a liking to her from the very first encounter, even daring to defy him. So it turned out that his son had found his birth mother long ago. And it seemed that Gu Qingluan also held a deep yearning for Yuanxi. Since that was the case¡­ Feng Tian made a decision.. Chapter 224 - 224: Marry Her Chapter 224: Marry Her Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Do you want to be with her every day?¡± Feng Yuanxi eximed passionately, ¡°Of course, 1 do! 1 even dream about it.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s lips unconsciously curled up, ¡°Then, how about 1 marry her into our family?¡± ¡°Great!¡± Feng Yuanxi replied with joy, but his smiling face suddenly froze into suspicion. He examined Feng Tian from top to bottom, left and right, and then back again. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Royal Father, did you get possessed?¡± Feng Yuanxi asked, concern evident in his eyes. Feng Tian¡¯s expression remained stoic. ¡°No.¡± ¡°That makes sense! With your strength, who could possess you?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded thoughtfully, then asked, ¡°Could you be under a curse?¡± Feeling like he had guessed correctly, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face turned serious, and he summoned Xiao Hei. A small ck snake emerged from his sleeve and extended its forked tongue towards Feng Tian. ¡°Father, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll save you!¡± Feng Yuanxi earnestly dered, patting Xiao Hei¡¯s head, ¡°Xiao Hei, I¡¯m counting on you!¡± Swoosh! The little ck snake straightened its body like a spring and shot towards Feng Tian. A hand as beautiful as jade caught it. ¡°I¡¯m not under a curse!¡± Feng Tian said with a stern face. Was he wrong in fulfilling his son¡¯s wishes? ¡°Hiss!¡± Xiao Hei was captured by him and couldn¡¯t escape, so it looked pitifully at Feng Yuanxi for help. Ignoring Xiao Flei for the moment, Feng Yuanxi was surprised by Feng Tian¡¯s words, his face showing astonishment, ¡°Why? Father, didn¡¯t you dislike Beautiful Sister before? Could it be¡­¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes widened with curiosity. ¡°Did you catch a glimpse of Beautiful Sister changing? Did you ruin her innocence?¡± ¡°Ahem!¡± Feng Tian was caught off guard by his words and started coughing. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. I didn¡¯t see anything.¡± He had just glimpsed her back, that was all. Although that was the truth,ter¡­ He acted on impulse and kissed her. A faint pink tint appeared on Feng Tian¡¯s face, even his ears turning a subtle shade of red. ¡°Royal Father¡¯s lying! You actually mistreated Mother!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s anger propelled him forward, and he delivered a forceful kick to Feng Tian. Despite his diminutive size, his strength exceeded that of an ordinary adult. The kick was potent enough to leave someone¡¯s toes bruised. However, Feng Tian only frowned slightly, ¡°Throw away those random thoughts in your head. I intended to marry her because 1 saw that you genuinely liked her. If you don¡¯t like it, then forget it.¡± ¡°No way! Promises must be upheld! You have to maintain your integrity, Royal Father, you can¡¯t break your promise!¡± Feng Yuanxi immediately protested anxiously. Feng Tian looked down at him from above, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that I¡¯ll marry her and mistreat her?¡± Feng Yuanxi stood with his hands on his hips, ¡°Me and Xiaonan will protect Beautiful Sister! With us around, you can¡¯t bully her!¡± Xiaonan? Feng Tian¡¯s eyebrows, elegantly arched, raised slightly. That child was about the same age as Yuanxi. Could he be his son as well? It shouldn¡¯t be possible. Feng Tian quickly dismissed the thought. Gu Lingxue wouldn¡¯t have left a child for Gu Qingluan. However, if Xiaonan wasn¡¯t his son, then whose child could he be? ¡°My intimate partners are not limited to just ten or eight!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s voice suddenly echoed in his mind. Feng Tian¡¯s expression darkened instantly. Ten or eight? Could she handle that? Regardless of whether she truly had ten or eight partners or not, once she married him, she would belong to only him. His legs were suddenly hugged. Feng Tian looked down. Little Yuanxi was hugging his legs, looking up at him with a smile. ¡°Royal Father, when are you going to marry Beautiful Sister?¡± A moment ago, he had seemed poised to oppose him, but now he appeared surprisinglypliant.. Chapter 225 - 225: Marry Me Chapter 225: Marry Me Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Without waiting for Feng Tian¡¯s response, Feng Yuanxi offered his suggestion, ¡°I think tomorrow would be excellent!¡± If Beautiful Sister were to marry his Royal Father tomorrow, she would be his mother, and he could sleep with his mother every night! Feng Tian was speechless. His son¡¯s thoughts were truly naive. Ignoring the multitude of preparations for marriage, even when focusing solely on his connection with Gu Qingluan, it seemed unlikely that she would agree to marry him. Nheless, certainty eludes this matter. There were countless women in the Holy Heaven Dynasty who wanted to marry him. Even if Gu Qingluan was a bit special, she probably wouldn¡¯t refuse. Women of all ages, from as young as three to as old as eighty, would light up with smiles whenever they saw Feng Tian, clearly captivated by his presence. To the extent that he developed a kind of blind confidence. However, it didn¡¯t take long for this confidence to get shattered to the ground! ¡°Miss Gu? How did you find this ce?¡± Suddenly, Jing Feng¡¯s surprised voice came from outside. ¡°Has Beautiful Sister arrived?¡± Feng Yuanxi immediately left Feng Tian and rushed out of the house. Feng Tian was speechless. ¡°Little Yuanxi!¡± Gu Qingluan was stopped by Jing Feng. Seeing Feng Yuanxi appear, she was also delighted. ¡°Where¡¯s your dad?¡± Feng Yuanxi ran up to her, pouted, and asked pitifully, ¡°Beautiful Sister, aren¡¯t you here to find me?¡± ¡°Ahem!¡± Gu Qingluan patted his head. ¡°1 dide to find you. You left in a hurry earlier, and 1 was worried about you.¡± Feng Yuanxi smiled and pursed his lips. ¡°1 knew it, Beautiful Sister must care about me the most.¡± Gu Qingluan caught a glimpse of Feng Tian walking out of the house and immediately shed to his side, grabbing his hand and flying out of the courtyard. Feng Yuanxi was confused by her actions. Didn¡¯t Beautiful Sistere to find him? Why did she grab his father and run away? Jing Feng was also taken aback. Miss Gu actually grabbed the master¡¯s hand! That¡¯s the master¡¯s hand! Was she not afraid of death? But what shocked him even more¡ª The master didn¡¯t even p her away! The surroundings rapidly receded as Gu Qingluan carried Feng Tian and flew a distance away. After confirming that there was no one around, theynded in a deste open space. Feng Tian didn¡¯t resist at all. Afternding, Gu Qingluan immediately let go of his hand and urgently asked, ¡°Tell me, where¡¯s that child?¡± He didn¡¯t answer, lowered his gaze, and looked at his right hand that she had held. It was as if her warmth still lingered there. Unexpectedly, there was no nauseating feeling. Was it because she was Yuanxi¡¯s mother? He was quite indifferent, but Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t wait any longer. ¡°Say something!¡± ¡°Marry me!¡± ¡°What?¡± Gu Qingluan wondered if she was hallucinating. ¡°Marry me, and 1¡¯11 tell you.¡± Gu Qingluan stared at him as if he were a strange creature. ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Didn¡¯t he dislike her quite a bit? No, didn¡¯t he dislike all women? And now he¡¯s asking her to marry him? Either he has a mental problem or he¡¯s possessed by a ghost. Feng Tian furrowed his brow, ¡°Even though it was an unexpected event five years ago, the fact remains that our actions equate to those of a husband and wife. Therefore, it¡¯s only logical that we should be together.¡± He never had this idea before today. But just now, while talking to Yuanxi, the thought of marrying her popped into his mind, and he couldn¡¯t retract it anymore. He felt it would be good to marry her. Unlike other women, she didn¡¯t cling to him desperately. She was Yuanxi¡¯s birth mother, so he didn¡¯t need to worry about Yuanxi getting hurt. Marrying her would make Yuanxi happy. And he could save himself a lot of trouble. ¡°Hah, so sleeping with someone automatically implies you have to be together? What sort of reasoning is that?¡± Gu Qingluan scoffed with frustration.. If he¡¯s really that pure-hearted, why didn¡¯t he remain chaste after being intimate with Yuanxi¡¯s mother? Chapter 226 - 226: Unexpectedly, He’s Quite Pure-Hearted Chapter 226: Unexpectedly, He¡¯s Quite Pure-Hearted Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°You don¡¯t want to?¡± Feng Tian looked at her puzzled, gazing at her slightly annoyed expression. Her face, as delicate as snow and jade, was adorned with a subtle and alluring blush caused by her anger. Her eyes, akin to blooming peach blossoms, radiated a brilliance even brighter than the stars in the sky. Feng Tian¡¯s fingertip twitched as he restrained the impulse to touch her, his brow furrowing as he asked, ¡°Why?¡± Gu Qingluanughed in exasperation. Why? Did she really need to answer such a foolish question? They had no emotions between them, and their past was merely an ident. Being together like this, what happiness could there possibly be? Seeing her getting angry without answering his question, Feng Tian asked again, ¡°Why don¡¯t you want to?¡± So many women wanted to marry him. Did she know how many women would envy her for marrying him? Gu Qingluan rolled her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t like you!¡± Feng Tian was taken aback. His cold eyes widened slightly as if he hadn¡¯t expected this to be the reason. However, he could also understand. Considering how he treated her before, it was normal for her to be angry. Anger would eventually fade away. As long as he didn¡¯t treat her so harshly and coldly in the future, she might eventually develop feelings for him. He stared at Gu Qingluan, his thin lips parting, ¡°I will make you like me.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Gu Qingluan reached up to her own ear as if cleaning it out. ¡°Make me like you? You might as well go back and take a nap. This wish wille true very soon!¡± After speaking, she turned around with a displeased expression and started to leave. Just a few steps away, she suddenly remembered that she hadn¡¯t asked about the whereabouts of the child. She immediately turned back, ring at him irritably, ¡°Where is that child, after all?¡± ¡°Wait until you marry me, and you¡¯ll know.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s eyes gleamed faintly. ¡°You¡­¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s frustration was evident. Suddenly, a yful spark ignited in her eyes. She turned back to him, a subtle touch of flirtatiousness in her peach-blossom gaze. Her captivating eyes locked onto his, and she encircled her delicate jade arms around his neck. With a slight upward curve of her crimson lips, she asked, ¡°Do I truly need to wait until I¡¯m wedded to you to discover the truth?¡± She blew a breath of air toward his eyes. In the moment her arms wrapped around his neck, Feng Tian¡¯s entire body stiffened like iron! The fragrance of a woman mixed in the air,nding on his eyes. He involuntarily blinked, his eyshes fluttering like delicate butterflies, trembling their wings. His heart thudded like thunder. His blood boiled. A rush of heat surged to the top of his head. His hand rested on her waist, wanting to push her away. At the moment of exertion, he suddenly stopped. Through the thin veil of her dress, he could sense the delicate softness of her waist, and a scorching sensation flowed into his fingertips. His jawline tightened instantly, forming a taut line. ¡°You¡­¡± As he spoke, his voice, deep and mesmerizing, sounded suddenly husky. Feng Tian¡¯s breath hitched, his pupils contracting. Seemingly, he hadn¡¯t anticipated even his voice to change. Gu Qingluan saw his unusual reaction, a mocking snort echoing in her heart. This scumbag, I didn¡¯t expect him to be quite pure-hearted. But since he treated all women as enemies, it was normal for him to be so lost in the face of a little temptation. This would make it even more advantageous for her to act. Gu Qingluan¡¯s smile grew even more enchanting, and her delicately quivering longshes held a hint of seductive allure. Her clear eyes remained fixated on him, never wavering. ¡°Alright, I agree to marry you!¡± Boom! It was as if fireworks exploded in Feng Tian¡¯s mind. Immediately afterward, his body tensed. A brilliant golden thread, as fine as a strand of hair, securely restrained him! Gu Qingluan took two steps back, pping her hands together, a proud expression on her face as she looked at her masterpiece. This guy, daring to challenge her, still had some way to go. Feng Tian looked down at what was restraining him ¡ª A thin, hair-like golden thread.. Chapter 227 - 227: Stripping Naked and Throwing on the Street Chapter 227: Stripping Naked and Throwing on the Street Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion He struggled against the golden threads, but the more he fought, the more they constricted around him, leaving distinct marks on his robe. Gu Qingluan grinned yfully as she reminded him, ¡°No need to waste your efforts. This is a divine artifact crafted from mermaid hair. It¡¯s unbreakable. The more you resist, the tighter it¡¯ll be.¡± ¡°Release me!¡± Feng Tian¡¯s dark and fierce gaze bore into her, his powerful aura filling the air. Before he was trapped, Gu Qingluan even dared to scold him. Now, he was in her hands; how could she be afraid of his threats? ¡°You want me to release you? Just tell me where the child is.¡± Feng Tian narrowed his eyes, ¡°You¡¯re threatening me.¡± ¡°Wow, you¡¯re so clever. You actually figured it out!¡± Gu Qingluan eximed mockingly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She¡¯d been threatened by him several times before, and now it was his turn to taste that fear. Feng Tian¡¯s expression turned as cold as an icy specter, yet his intense gaze remained fixed on her. A person of lesser mettle would have sumbed to fear by now. Unfortunately for him, Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t easily scared. She arched her eyebrows leisurely. ¡°If you don¡¯t tell me, I¡¯ll strip you naked and toss you onto the street!¡± Feng Tian¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°You dare!¡± ¡°Try me and you¡¯ll find out,¡± Gu Qingluan replied with a mischievous smile. She sprinkled some powder on him and then gestured. The golden mermaid threads that bound him danced in the air. With a few swift movements, his sky-blue robe was cut into pieces, hanging loosely on his body. Feng Tian¡¯s face turned grim, ¡°Gu Qingluan, don¡¯t push it too far!¡± He tried to channel his power, but the arcane energy within him was like stagnant water,pletely unresponsive. Gu Qingluan retracted the golden threads into her hand, giving them a light shake and a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t get too worked up. Actually, this looks quite nice. It¡¯s more fun to share happiness than to enjoy it alone. I¡¯ll take you to the busiest street so everyone can see.¡± With that, a sh of gold in her hand bound Feng Tian again. Lifting him up, she headed for the bustling marketce. Before long, the bustling noise reached their ears. Gu Qingluannded with Feng Tian on the roof of a building, overlooking the ceaseless crowd below. She grinned and asked, ¡°What do you think of this ce? As long as you tell me where the child is, I¡¯ll release you immediately.¡± Feng Tian clenched his jaw, his eyes sharp as des. ¡°You dare to drop me?¡± ¡°Hey, you¡¯re the one who asked me to. I didn¡¯t suggest it.¡± Gu Qingluan shamelessly shifted the me onto him. Ignoring the fierce re he shot at her, she brought her fingers together and swiftly drew a circle in the air. The golden threads instantly glowed brightly. The sharp threads cut through his fabric. Swoosh! Feng Tian¡¯s upper body clothes were shredded into numerous pieces, falling like snowkes. Themotion caught the attention of passersby. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± The cold wind intimately brushed against his bare skin. A man who had never appeared so disheveled emitted an intense aura of fury. His narrowed phoenix eyes bore into Gu Qingluan, and on closer scrutiny, a hint of fiery redness gleamed at the edges of his eyes. He began, ¡°Gu Qingluan, you¡­¡± He hadn¡¯t finished his sentence when Gu Qingluan kicked him off the roof. ¡°All, everyone look, what¡¯s that?¡± ¡°A naked man, a disgusting pervert!¡± Voices rang out in the street. People hurriedly made way. Thud! Feng Tian, half-naked, crashed heavily onto the ground. Dust flew in the air. And Feng Tian¡¯s expression was even darker than dirt! Gu Qingluan, no one has ever dared to humiliate this king like this. Just wait and see what 1¡¯11 do to you! ¡°Lan¡­ Lord Lan?¡± A surprised voice suddenly echoed. Upon hearing the familiar voice, Feng Tian¡¯s body froze abruptly.. Chapter 228 - 228: Snatching the Crown Prince’s Carriage Chapter 228: Snatching the Crown Prince¡¯s Carriage Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Qi Tianyou was propelled out of the carriage,nding right in front of Feng Tian. Faced with Feng Tian¡¯s intense and menacing stare, he found his breath hitching involuntarily. Internally, he cursed his luck for taking such a turn. Had he foreseen this, he would have opted to feign ignorance and make a swift departure. However, it was toote for regrets now that he was already here. Qi Tianyou bravely grabbed Feng Tian¡¯s arm, despite his apprehension. ¡°Lord Lan, my apologies!¡± They entered the carriage, and as the curtain, adorned with delicate golden motifs, descended, it provided a barrier against curious onlookers. Qi Tianyou didn¡¯t dare to look too much, draping his own cloak over Feng Tian¡¯s shoulders. He cleared his throat and spoke with a distracted gaze, ¡°Lord Lan, you need not worry. I won¡¯t reveal anything to the public.¡± Luckily, Feng Tian¡¯s identity remained enigmatic, and his appearances in Tianjing were infrequent. It was unlikely that many familiar individuals here would be able to identify him. With this realization, Qi Tianyou¡¯s sense of misfortune deepened. Why did he have to run into him of all people? Feng Tian remained silent, his face as cold as a block of ice, and his dark eyes glinted with a bloodthirsty light. Qi Tianyou was extremely curious. Which audacious warrior dared to insult the renowned Lord Lan of the Cloud ins Continent like this? However, he didn¡¯t dare to ask Feng Tian, fearing that thetter might end his life. Seeing Feng Tian motionless, he asked with concern, ¡°Lord Lan, what¡¯s happened to you?¡± It appeared as if he might have been poisoned; otherwise, considering Lord Lan¡¯s abilities, who could have left him in such a condition? Feng Tian didn¡¯t answer his question but cast him a deathly gaze. When Qi Tianyou wisely sealed his lips, Feng Tian closed his eyes. His body was impervious to all toxins; most poisons had no effect on him. Yet Gu Qingluan¡¯s poison managed to restrain him. He silently chanted an incantation, secretly channeling his energy. Qi Tianyou, like a quail, obediently huddled aside and didn¡¯t dare to disturb him. After a moment, Feng Tian opened his eyes, and a sharp glint flickered in his deep and profound gaze. Qi Tianyou immediately looked over. ¡°Lord Lan, didn¡¯t you return to the Holy Heaven Dynasty? Why are you alone here? Where are your guards?¡± Feng Tian didn¡¯t answer his question. ¡°Take me to Liu Yang Lane.¡± Qi Tianyou instructed the coachman to change their route to Liu Yang Lane. ¡°Get out!¡± Feng Tianmanded right after. Qi Tianyou could not believe his ears. Meeting Feng Tian¡¯s profound gaze, Qi Tianyou reluctantly nodded. ¡°Alright, alright, 1¡¯11 leave this carriage to you.¡± He lifted the curtain and stepped outside the carriage. ¡°Bring me my horse!¡± Having lost his carriage, hemandeered a guard¡¯s horse. The guards didn¡¯t dare toin. Only the close bodyguard furrowed his brow in secret; how could that Lord Lan be so audacious, even snatching the Crown Prince¡¯s carriage! Thank goodness His Royal Highness had a good temperament. If it were any other prince, they would have kicked him out long ago. After tossing Feng Tian onto the street, Gu Qingluan made a hasty escape. Once the initial excitement faded, a sense of worry began to creep in. The sess of her earlier mischief had mainly been due to hisck of vignce. With this recent setback, he¡¯d surely be more cautious, making it difficult to outmaneuver him again. In terms of martial strength alone, she wasn¡¯t a match for him. Shaking her head to dispel her concerns. She held onto the principle of ¡°Adapt and ovee,¡± using it as her guiding philosophy. Since that fellow was willing to take her as his wife, he shouldn¡¯t be so quick to end her life. As long as she wasn¡¯t dead, what was there to fear? Better to focus on finding her child¡¯s whereabouts. Jing Feng, his loyal guard, had journeyed with him from the Holy Heaven Dynasty to this location, indicating aprehensive understanding of his matters. The man with the surname Feng was tight-lipped, but she doubted she couldn¡¯t pry open even a guard¡¯s mouth.. Chapter 229 - 229: Unease Chapter 229: Unease Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Little Yuanxi!¡± Returning to the courtyard she was in earlier, Gu Qingluan spotted Feng Yuanxi sitting on the steps, nked by a dog on each side, like a dynamic duo in ck and white. ¡°Woof!¡± The adorable bun, with its white fur, recognized Gu Qingluan and greeted her with a bark as if saying hello. On the other hand, Briquette had curled itself into a ball, resembling a lump of coal, murmuring to itself, ¡°You can¡¯t see me! You can¡¯t see me!¡± ¡°Beautiful Sister!¡± Yuanxi raised his head upon seeing Gu Qingluan. His grape-like eyes immediately lit up, and he stood up, rushing toward her. Descending from above, Gu Qingluan caught him in her arms with a smile. ¡°Beautiful Sister, where did you and my dad go just now? Why didn¡¯t you take me?¡± Yuanxi pouted with a hint of grievance. ¡°Ahem, 1 asked your dad some private questions that weren¡¯t suitable for children to hear.¡± Yuanxi nodded in understanding and obediently said, ¡°I see. Then I won¡¯t ask.¡± ¡°You¡¯re such a well-behaved child.¡± Gu Qingluan ruffled his hair affectionately. ¡°Miss Gu, where is my master?¡± Jing Feng inquired. In Yuanxi¡¯s heart and eyes, there was only Gu Qingluan now. His poor master was truly pitiable. Gu Qingluan remainedposed as she replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know. After our conversation, we parted ways.¡± Jing Feng harbored hidden doubts. Was Miss Gu telling the truth? He had a sinking feeling that something was amiss. If they had separated, the master should have returned. So why was it Miss Gu who appeared instead? Gu Qingluan exhibited an enigmatic smile as she nced at the two excited yet subdued spirit dogs beside her. Finally, her gaze rested upon Briquette. Sensing the gaze from above, Briquette tensed up even more, its eyshes trembling slightly, revealing its unease. With a meaningful look, Gu Qingluan said to Yuanxi, ¡°Little Yuanxi, are these two spirit dogs obedient?¡± Although she couldn¡¯t sense any arcane power emanating from Briquette, Gu Qingluan was sure it was no ordinary creature. When she initially learned that her son gave these two pets to Yuanxi, she was worried that Briquette might cause trouble. However, from the looks of it now, it seemed to have adapted well with Yuanxi, boasting glossy fur and appearing much better than when she had encountered it in the shop. The most apparent change was that it had gained some weight. Yuanxi nodded affirmatively. ¡°They are very well-behaved. Beautiful Sister, they understand my words and can perform tricks ording to my instructions.¡± ¡°Oh, tricks?¡± Gu Qingluan became interested. Seeing her curiosity, Yuanxi held her hand and led her back inside. ¡°It¡¯s windy outside. Let¡¯s talk indoors. I¡¯ll have SteamBun and Briquette perform for you.¡± Although Gu Qingluan was anxious to find her child, she couldn¡¯t bear to refuse Yuanxi when she saw his eager expression. She thought it wouldn¡¯t hurt to indulge him for a little while. Thus, sheplied and followed him inside. ¡°SteamBun, Briquette,e in quickly!¡± Yuanxi called back. Hearing their names, SteamBun wagged its tail and rushed in enthusiastically. Meanwhile, Briquette was reluctant and moved slowly, hesitating step by step. ¡°Hurry up, Briquette!¡± Yuanxi raised a gracefully arched eyebrow, a clear warning in his gaze. An invisible pressure suddenly descended, causing Briquette to shiver involuntarily. With teary eyes, it reluctantly followed suit. It shouldn¡¯t have been so greedy for the delicious food here! If only it had escaped earlier, it wouldn¡¯t have ended up being mistaken for a performing spirit beast! However, at this moment, regret was toote. Watching their figures as they entered together, Jing Feng felt a growing unease in his heart.. Chapter 230 - 230: Bitterness Chapter 230: Bitterness Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Meanwhile, Feng Yuanxi hadpletely forgotten about his Royal Father. He pulled Gu Qingluan to a long couch and said, ¡°Beautiful Sister, please have a seat here.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and took a seat. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes twinkled as he asked, ¡°Beautiful Sister, can I sit with you?¡± With a yful smile, Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°Of course!¡± She gently lifted him and ced him beside her. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s legs trembled with excitement, his eyes shining brightly. By the way, didn¡¯t his father mention marrying Beautiful Sister? Did they discuss this matter during their conversation just now? He decided to ask. ¡°Beautiful Sister, when will you marry my father?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s smile momentarily froze. Did that scumbag really discuss this with little Yuanxi? Wasn¡¯t he afraid that little Yuanxi would feel upset? She nced down at the little guy. Good. His eyes were gleaming, just like the little SteamBun he raised. There was no trace of sadness in sight. She knew that little Yuanxi liked her, but didn¡¯t he miss his mother? Gu Qingluan felt puzzled, ¡°Little Yuanxi, do you want me to marry your father?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes filled with hope, ¡°Yes, yes, Beautiful Sister. If you marry my father, then 1 can be with you every day, and we can sleep together too.¡± ¡°Do you not miss your mother?¡± At the mention of his birth mother, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes dimmed slightly, ¡°1 do, but my father said she¡¯s dead and will nevere back. I didn¡¯t believe it before, but now that 1 have Beautiful Sister, I think my mother must be like you. Beautiful Sister, can you marry my father? I want you to be my mother.¡± Dead? Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression held a trace of surprise. So, little Yuanxi sneaked out to find his mother because he couldn¡¯t ept it? For some reason, Gu Qingluan felt a sense of unease and a touch of bitterness. Little Yuanxi¡¯s fondness for her wasn¡¯t simply because he liked her, but because he had transferred his affection for his birth mother to her? That woman was really lucky to have such an adorable and well-behaved child. Did her own child, whose whereabouts remained unknown, also think about her somewhere? She hadn¡¯t protected him and put him in danger. He probably wouldn¡¯t want to think about her, right? ¡°Beautiful Sister! Beautiful Sister! Are you okay?¡± Little Yuanxi repeated the words, pulling Gu Qingluan out of her mncholic thoughts. She lowered her gaze and met his anxious eyes, ¡°Beautiful Sister, did I say something wrong? Please don¡¯t be mad at me.¡± ¡°No, little Yuanxi, you¡¯re so well-behaved. How could 1 be mad?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled softly and stroked his little face. Seeing that she wasn¡¯t angry, Feng Yuanxi breathed a sigh of relief. However, he didn¡¯t bring up the topic of marrying his father again. Beautiful Sister didn¡¯t answer, so she probably didn¡¯t want to. He felt disappointed, but he wouldn¡¯t force Beautiful Sister. As long as she was happy and not mad at him, even if things stayed as they were now, it would be fine with him. Feng Yuanxi gathered his enthusiasm and instructed SteamBun and Briquette to perform a show. He was naturally skilled atmunicating with spiritual beasts. As long as he used his arcane power and pressure, the spiritual beasts would listen to him. Thinking that these two spiritual beasts were gifts from Beautiful Sister, he didn¡¯t treat them rudely. He hoped they would be clever and cooperative. This way, he could show Beautiful Sister and make her happy. Feng Yuanxi tossed an iron ring. ¡°SteamBun, jump!¡± SteamBun excitedly leaped up and jumped through the iron ring. ¡°Briquette, your turn!¡± Feng Yuanxi threw an iron ring toward Briquette. Briquette really didn¡¯t want to move. This was so embarrassing! A majestic divine creature like itself had actually lowered its dignity to perform tricks for human amusement. If news of this reached its kin, it would surely be the subject of ridicule! Chapter 231 - 231: That Child Is... Chapter 231: That Child Is¡­ Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ng! The iron ring fell to the ground, rolling several times before slowlying to a stop. Feng Yuanxi was a bit annoyed. Stupid Briquette, it¡¯s actually cking off, so there will be no dinner for it tonight! Through Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes, Briquette understood his meaning, and its stomach growled. It was close to dinner time. It, it wouldn¡¯t bow for a measly meal! With a twist of its head, it struck a posture of unwavering determination. Having failed to intimidate it with his gaze, Feng Yuanxi then addressed Gu Qingluan, exining, ¡°Beautiful Sister, Briquette is a bit stupid. I¡¯ll train it more and showcase its performance to you next time.¡± Gu Qingluan nodded with a smile. In terms of intelligence, that seemingly lively and clever SteamBun couldn¡¯tpare to Briquette. This tiny creature may seem dark and unremarkable on the surface, but within it hid remarkable qualities. Nevertheless, observing it on this particr day, she felt assured that Feng Yuanxi wouldn¡¯t be at a disadvantage. Yet, in response to Feng Yuanxi¡¯s statement, Briquette grew visibly agitated. Which part of it is stupid? It¡¯s about having principles! It¡¯s about having pride, do you understand? After ying with Yuanxi for a while, Gu Qingluan got up to take her leave. Yuanxi was reluctant to part. Influenced by him, Gu Qingluan also felt a hint of mncholy upon parting. Jing Feng was speechless. It¡¯s not like it¡¯s a life-or-death separation; it¡¯s just a few streets away. Was there a need for this? Gu Qingluan suddenly turned and asked him, ¡°Jing Feng, I have a question I¡¯d like to ask you. Can we go out for a moment?¡± Jing Feng was puzzled. What did Miss want to ask him? ¡°Beautiful Sister is calling you, go quickly,¡± Yuanxi urged. Jing Feng could only follow Gu Qingluan outside the wall. ¡°Five years ago, did your master bring back a child from Tianjing?¡± Gu Qingluan asked abruptly. Jing Feng was taken aback by the question and looked at her warily. ¡°1 don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Gu Qingluan gazed at him, not missing the fleeting surprise in his eyes. He indeed knew! ¡°I already know. Your master brought back an illegitimate child five years ago. There¡¯s no need to pretend you don¡¯t know.¡± Jing Feng didn¡¯t understand how she could know about this matter. They had concealed their identities when they came to Tianjing, and no one should know that His Highness had brought back an illegitimate child to the capital back then. Gu Miss seemed so certain¡­ Could it be that she had discovered their identities? Even so, why was she asking about this? Did it have anything to do with her? ¡°Jing Feng, let¡¯s not beat around the bush. I¡¯m bringing up this matter because I¡¯ve already confirmed that the child is the one my friend lost. My friend is critically ill now and just wants to see the child onest time.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s words were earnest, and Jing Feng was left dumbfounded. ¡°Really¡­ really?¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s true. Why would I lie to you?¡± Gu Qingluan shot him a nce. Jing Feng asked with excitement, ¡°Who¡¯s your friend? Where does she live?¡± If what she said was true, wouldn¡¯t His Young Master soon have a mother! Ah! His Young Master is about to have a biological mother! How touching! He had to tell His Young Master this good news. No, he had to tell Master first. Master didn¡¯t seem to like His Young Master¡¯s mother. If he rashly told His Young Master, Master would surely be furious. But no matter what, this was good news after all! They had searched for five years, nearly six. They were finally going to seed. Suppressing her excitement, Gu Qingluan calmly said, ¡°Because my friend is being pursued by enemies, she¡¯s currently hiding in a secluded ce. 1 can¡¯t tell you where. First, tell me where the child is, and I¡¯ll take him to see my friend.¡± ¡°The child is¡ª¡± Jing Feng suddenly stopped. Gu Qingluan¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Seeing he wasn¡¯t speaking, she almost couldn¡¯t breathe. ¡°Just say it!¡± ¡°I will report this matter to Master. Miss Gu, why don¡¯t you wait inside for a while?¡± At this critical moment, Jing Feng didn¡¯t forget his identity and duty. Gu Qingluan was almost driven to death by him. Damn, is it that hard to say it? Would it kill him to say speak up? ¡°Do you want to say it or not? My friend is on the brink of death. If you dy them from meeting for possibly thest time, you¡¯ll be a sinner.¡± With those words spoken, she departed, her sleeves swishing as she went. ¡°Wait!¡± Jing Feng hurriedly called out to her. He couldn¡¯t bear the weight of such a grave usation. Gu Qingluan walked away, leaving him with a cold and indifferent silhouette, not bothering to nce back. As she was about to disappear, Jing Feng panicked and blurted out, ¡°It¡¯s Young Master!¡± Chapter 232 - 232: Not Minding a Few More Chance Encounters Chapter 232: Not Minding a Few More Chance Encounters Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan¡¯s figure suddenly swayed. ¡°Miss Gu, be careful!¡± Jing Feng eximed with concern. He hoped she wouldn¡¯t get injured, or else he¡¯d have to answer to his young master. Turning mid-air, she steadied herself and leaped to Jing Feng¡¯s side, her eyes fixed on him. ¡°Who did you just mention? Little Yuanxi?¡± Once the words were out, there was no taking them back. Besides, with how kind Gu Qingluan had been to his young master, even gifting him precious ninth-grade spirit pills, she wouldn¡¯t harm him. It should be fine to speak openly, right? Jing Feng nodded in confirmation. ¡°Yes, Young Master is the child His Highness brought back to the Holy Heaven Dynasty from Tianjing.¡± Gu Qingluan found it hard to believe and murmured to herself, ¡°How could it be Little Yuanxi? Didn¡¯t Little Yuanxi¡¯s mother pass away?¡± ¡°s, the situation back then was quiteplex. His Highness lied to Young Master to spare his feelings.¡± So, Little Yuanxi didn¡¯t have another mother; she was his mother! She had been so foolish! Upon realizing that the child taken by Gu Lingxue hadn¡¯t actually died, the idea of Yuanxi hadn¡¯t even crossed her mind! That child was hers! Around the same age as Xiaonan, adorable and obedient, like a little celestial being. Moreover, they were so close. If it wasn¡¯t her own flesh and blood, how could there be so many coincidences? Gu Qingluan leaped into the courtyard. ¡°Little Yuanxi!¡± Jing Feng muttered to himself, ¡°Miss Gu is running quite fast. It seems the young master¡¯s mother is truly in a bad state.¡± His face became serious, and he followed her inside. ¡°Beautiful Sister?¡± Feng Yuanxi heard the call and emerged from the house, only to find himself enveloped in a fragrant and soft embrace. ¡°Beautiful Sister, are you okay?¡± Feng Yuanxi was delighted by Gu Qingluan¡¯s hug, but he also sensed that something was amiss with her emotions. Gu Qingluan held him tightly, listening to the little one call her ¡°Beautiful Sister¡±, her heart filled with joy and sorrow. This was her child! A luxurious carriage halted in Liuyang Lane. Feng Tian emerged from the carriage, d in a crescent-moon-colored robe. ¡°Today, 1 owe you a favor for your assistance.¡± He stood at the doorway, turning to Qitian You who was on the carriage. Qitian You couldn¡¯t contain his excitement. This was a favor from the Royal Highness Lan, something countless people could only dream of receiving! He only lent a carriage, and in return, he gained a significant reward. He truly wouldn¡¯t mind a few more ¡°chance encounters¡±. Certainly, these were merely contemtions he allowed himself to entertain internally. Wearing a gentle and courteous smile, he inquired, ¡°Is Young Master Lan nning to stay here temporarily? If there¡¯s anything you require help with in the days toe, feel free to ask without hesitation.¡± Go ahead, ask away! This way, he could rack up a few more favors owed to him. Feng Tian¡¯s expression turned chilly. ¡°Thank you, Prince Qitian, but no need to see me off.¡± If it were anyone else, Qitian You would have long been angered by such a tant dismissal. But when it came to Feng Tian, he couldn¡¯t summon any anger at all. After this period of hosting, he understood the young master¡¯s temperament better than anyone. Nodding slightly, he bid farewell and left. Back in his residence, Feng Tian noticed Jing Feng standing beneath the eaves, looking as clueless as a block of wood. He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Where¡¯s Yuanxi?¡± Jing Feng snapped out of his stupor and rushed excitedly to his side. ¡°Master, it turns out Miss Gu is Young Master¡¯s birth mother!¡± Since Gu Qingluan had disclosed her true identity to Feng Yuanxi, Jing Feng waspletely taken aback. He didn¡¯t even manage to intervene when Gu Qingluan took Feng Yuanxi with her. His thoughts were a jumble of notions like ¡°Miss Gu is the mother of Young Master¡±, ¡°Miss Gu tricked him¡±, and ¡°Miss Gu¡¯s friend is actually her¡±. Feng Tian¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°How did she find out?¡± Seeing that he wasn¡¯t surprised by the explosive news he had just shared, but instead seemed concerned about how Gu Qingluan found out, Jing Feng¡¯s heart trembled. So, the Master knew all along? Did he cause trouble for the Master? Summoning his courage, he admitted to being the one who spilled the beans, assuming he would be met with punishment. However, Feng Tian showed no signs of anger. ¡°Yuanxi left with her?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Jing Feng swallowed nervously.. ¡°Master, what should we do next?¡± Chapter 233 - 233: Sweet and Content in the Heart Chapter 233: Sweet and Content in the Heart Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian tilted his head slightly, casting a casual nce at Jing Feng before entering the house without haste. It seemed as though he had no intention of bringing Yuanxi back. Watching his Master¡¯s calm andposed demeanor, Jing Feng was both amazed and filled with admiration. His master truly exemplified the qualities of a master, always maintaining hisposure in every situation. Upon returning to the residence, Xiaonan was still asleep in her room. Gu Qingluan then took Feng Yuanxi to Xiaonan¡¯s room. ¡°Here is where Xiaonan stays. Do you want to stay with him or have your own room?¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s head was spinning, his heart filled with joy. Beautiful Sister was indeed his birth mother! No wonder he felt so happy whenever he saw her and couldn¡¯t help but draw close to her. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t hear his answer. She looked down and saw Feng Yuanxi with a silly smile on his face. She couldn¡¯t help but smile herself, reaching out and waving her hand in front of him. ¡°Yuanxi, are you listening to me?¡± Feng Yuanxi blinked his eyes and saw the swaying pale hand in front of him. He realized he had zoned out and his fair cheeks grew slightly warm. ¡°Um, either way is fine. I¡¯ll listen to Mother.¡± Mother- Those two words lingered lightly on his tongue, inexplicably sweet. They also filled his heart with a sense of sweetness. Hehe, he had a mother now! And it was his favorite Beautiful Sister! Beautiful Sister was his mother! Lost in his thoughts, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s lips curled up, entering a somewhat infatuated state. Seeing him zoning out again, Gu Qingluan found it both amusing and heartwarming. She owed this child so much. She had assumed that after disclosing her identity, Feng Yuanxi might be angry and disregard her, or perhaps inquire why she had abandoned him. But Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t ask anything. He epted it happily and even seemed extremely pleased. Thinking back to their first meeting. He was such a small child, walking alone in the dense forest, almost being abducted by human traffickers. Her heart ached even more, and she reproached herself further. Having been absent from his life for five years, she was determined to spend the rest of her life making it up to him. No matter what happened, she wouldn¡¯t allow them to be separated again! Feng Yuanxi¡¯s sensible and considerate nature, coupled with hisck of demands, only deepened Gu Qingluan¡¯s affection for him. After careful consideration, she arranged for the left room to be emptied, refurbished, and readied for Feng Yuanxi¡¯s amodation. Although Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi were good friends, they were now brothers, and perhaps they wouldn¡¯t immediately adapt to each other¡¯s presence due to their new roles. Gu Qingluan believed they needed space and time to adjust slowly. While the servants were tidying up the room, Gu Qingluan apanied Feng Yuanxi to explore the mansion. Feng Yuanxi had been here several times before, but he hadn¡¯t visited many ces, so he agreed readily. The sky had turned dark, and themps in the mansion were gradually lit, creating a different kind of ambiance. Had it not been for Feng Yuanxi¡¯s grumbling stomach catching Gu Qingluan¡¯s attention, she might not have realized that he was hungry. Gu Qingluan looked apologetic. ¡°Have you not had dinner? I didn¡¯t realize, I¡¯m sorry, Yuanxi.¡± ¡°Mother, no need to apologize. It¡¯s Yuanxi¡¯s own fault.¡± Ah, he was really adorable! Gu Qingluan immediately took his hand and headed back to Shallow Clouds Residence, asking Qianxi to prepare some child-friendly food in the kitchen. Feng Yuanxi couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Mother, can I eat what you cook?¡± ¡°Do you want to? The chefs in the mansion are from Bugui Building and are even better than me.¡± ¡°I believe that Mother¡¯s cooking is the most delicious.¡± What a cute little thing! Every word he said was like sweet honey. Gu Qingluan had no reason to refuse his small request, so she asked him to wait in the room while she went to the kitchen to prepare for him. Having just recognized each other, Feng Yuanxi didn¡¯t want to be apart from her at all. And Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want to be apart from him either. So, naturally, the mother and son went to the kitchen together. ¡°Mistress!¡± The servants in the kitchen spotted her and quickly bowed. Gu Qingluan nced around the kitchen and dismissed them. ¡°Yuanxi, what would you like to eat?¡± Chapter 234 - 234: What Did You Call My Mother? Chapter 234: What Did You Call My Mother? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Mother, can you make me a bowl of longevity noodles?¡± Feng Yuanxi looked at her with hopeful eyes. When he saw children from other families celebrating their birthdays, they always had longevity noodles handmade by their mothers. Every time his birthday came around, he wished his mother were there so he could also enjoy the taste of her homemade longevity noodles. Gu Qingluan understood Yuanxi¡¯s thoughts, and her heart ached. ¡°Of course, I can.¡± Feng Yuanxi pursed his lips and smiled, saying, ¡°Thank you, Mother.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to thank me, my child.¡± Gu Qingluan gently touched his little face, then washed her hands and started to gather the ingredients. She Kneaded the dough, rolled the noodles, lit the fire, cooked the noodles¡­ Yuanxi sat on a long stool, hands supporting his cheeks, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on the busy figure under themplight, feeling a serene and joyful tranquility in his heart. Before long, a steaming bowl of longevity noodles was ced in front of Feng Yuanxi. Worried that he might not be ustomed to the taste, Gu Qingluan prepared two bowls¡ªone for herself. Within the transparent chicken broth, the noodles took on the appearance of delicate crescent moons, the verdant greens mirrored the brilliance of emeralds, and nestled amidst were two poached eggs¡ªwhite with a faint yellow hue¡ªround and plump, exuding an irresistible allure. ¡°Give it a taste and see if it¡¯s good.¡± Gu Qingluan handed him a pair of chopsticks. ¡°Mmm!¡± Feng Yuanxi eagerly picked up a strand of noodles and slurped it into his mouth, gasping at the hotness but refusing to spit it out. ¡°Take your time and don¡¯t burn yourself.¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Mom¡¯s noodles are really delicious.¡± As Feng Yuanxi chewed, his eyes, ck as obsidian, sparkled with praise. Seeing his adorable eating manner, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but suppress a chuckle. ¡°If you like it, I¡¯ll make it for you again on your next birthday.¡± Feng Yuanxi was delighted. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Can you make it for me every year on my birthday?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Receiving this affirmative answer, Feng Yuanxi¡¯s face bloomed into a radiant smile. ¡°Wow, it smells amazing! You two are enjoying this delicious food behind my back. How unfair!¡± Gu Xiaonan entered the room with an indignant expression, spotting the two substantial bowls on the table in front of them. ¡°Xiaonan!¡± Feng Yuanxi saw Xiaonan and felt a bit uneasy as if he had stolen Xiaonan¡¯s mother. ¡°Hmph, 1 haven¡¯t even addressed the matter of you consuming so much alcohol. Who granted you permission to indulge like that?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s lovely eyes narrowed as she countered. ¡°Uh!¡± Gu Xiaonan, lured by the tantalizing aroma, found himself inadvertently caught up in their conversation,pletely forgetting that he had surreptitiously taken a sip of alcohol. Now confronted, he couldn¡¯t shake the sense of guilt that rendered him momentarily speechless. Yawning and absentmindedly scratching his head, he pivoted to head out. ¡°Mother, the two of you should take your time to eat. Eating slowly is better for your health. I¡¯m feeling a bit sleepy, so I¡¯ll catch some rest.¡± Gu Qingluan looked at him with amusement. ¡°Stop pretending. You¡¯ve slept for a few hours. You must be hungry by now. There¡¯s another bowl of noodles here. Come in and eat.¡± Gu Xiaonan paused in his steps, torn between whether to return and eat. He wondered if this might be his mother¡¯s way of employing a cunning strategy to get him to fall into a trap. He wasn¡¯t going to fall for it! But¡­ The aroma of the noodles his mother cooked was too enticing! Usually, his mother rarely cooked, so should he miss this rare opportunity? His little face contorted in indecision, his eyebrows furrowed. ¡°If you¡¯re not going to eat, I will. If the noodles sit for too long, they¡¯ll get sticky.¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaonan had little regard for anything else. He swiftly turned around and dashed towards Gu Qingluan, eximing, ¡°I¡¯m eating, I¡¯m eating!¡± ¡°Little gluttony!¡± Gu Qingluan yfully swiped his nose. Gu Xiaonan giggled in response, climbed onto a chair, and dragged the bowl in front of him. ¡°Mother, you can have my portion.¡± Feng Yuanxi saw that Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t eaten, so he pushed his own bowl toward her. ¡°No need, I¡¯ll make another one.¡± Gu Qingluan sighed inwardly, thinking that Feng Yuanxi was truly obedient and filial. ¡°What did you call my Mother?¡± Gu Xiaonan looked at Feng Yuanxi in confusion.. Chapter 235 - 235: Sibling Rivalry Chapter 235: Sibling Rivalry Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi¡¯s breath caught, his unease evident as he cast a fleeting nce at Gu Qingluan. If the person he cared most about were to share their affection with someone else someday, he¡¯d surely feel unhappy. Would Xiaonan be angry if he knew that his mother was also his? Gu Qingluan offered him a reassuring look and calmly exined, ¡°Xiaonan, I forgot to introduce you earlier. This is your older twin brother.¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Gu Xiaonan dropped his chopsticks and stood up, his eyes wide with disbelief. Feng Yuanxi felt disheartened. Was Xiaonan really unable to ept this? Gu Qingluan¡¯s brows furrowed lightly. Xiaonan wasn¡¯t usually so narrow-minded. She was about to say something to console him. But before she could speak, Gu Xiaonan spoke up, ¡°Why should he be the older brother? I¡¯m the older brother! I¡¯m the older one!¡± Bother Gu Qingluan and Feng Yuanxi were speechless. Did he not ept the idea of having an extra brother, or was he merely disputing his birth order? ¡°Why aren¡¯t you surprised, Xiaonan?¡± Gu Qingluan asked, puzzled. Gu Xiaonan pouted. ¡°What¡¯s there to be surprised about? Yuanxi and I look so much alike. Since Mom says he¡¯s my brother, then he¡¯s my brother. But Mom, 1 want to be the older one!¡± Gu Qingluan looked at him, then at Feng Yuanxi, her thoughts suddenly stirred. ¡°Yuanxi, have you also undergone a change in appearance?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded. ¡°Yes, both Father and I wore masks. I forgot to tell you.¡± He removed the mask from his face. Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes revealed amazement. She hadn¡¯t expected that they truly looked so much alike. If Xiaonan hadn¡¯t mentioned it, she would have mistaken him for Xiaonan. Wait a moment¡ª ¡°Have you two seen each other¡¯s real faces before?¡± The twins exchanged a nce, guilt flickering in their eyes. They had swapped identities and deceived her for quite a while. Gu Qingluan saw their guilty expressions and crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°Are you two hiding something from me?¡± ¡°Nothing!¡± Gu Xiaonan picked up his chopsticks and scooped up some noodles. ¡°Let¡¯s eat first, if we wait too long, the noodles will be sticky.¡± Feng Yuanxi also buried his face in his bowl, tacitly ying along. Watching the two conspiring youngsters, Gu Qingluan was both exasperated and amused. She couldn¡¯t even get angry. She felt her heart brimming with joy¡ªa happiness she had never experienced before. Children had their secrets. Gu Qingluan wouldn¡¯t pry. She only hoped that her two children would lead happy and healthy lives. If anyone dared to harm her children, they¡¯d have to face her wrath! At bedtime, Feng Yuanxi wanted to sleep with Gu Qingluan. She couldn¡¯t refuse his longing gaze. Seeing this, Gu Xiaonan also wanted to sleep with her. From a young age, he had beenpelled to sleep in a different room from his mother, yet deep down, he also longed to share a bed with her. With the sudden addition of a son, although Xiaonan hadn¡¯t said much, Gu Qingluan worried he might harbor resentment. Thus, she didn¡¯t turn him down. One adult and two childreny on a single bed. Luckily, her bed was spacious; otherwise, there wouldn¡¯t have been enough space to amodate them all. Gu Xiaonan, having slept for a few hours after drinking, wasn¡¯t sleepy. He thought of their earlier topic. ¡°Mom, am I the older brother?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the younger brother!¡± ¡°Why should I be? I¡¯m the older one! I want to be the older brother!¡± ¡°Because Yuanxi came out of my womb before you did.¡± Hearing this, Gu Xiaonan slouched, disheartened. ¡°Anyway, I won¡¯t call Yuanxi my older brother.¡± Whether he called him that or not, he couldn¡¯t change the fact. Turning over, Gu Xiaonan asked curiously, ¡°Mom, why didn¡¯t you ever mention Yuanxi before? Why did he get separated from us? Is Yuanxi¡¯s father also my father?¡± Feng Yuanxi, who had always been hesitant to inquire, found himself unable to contain his breath, his gaze fixed on Gu Qingluan with nervous anticipation. Why hadn¡¯t Mom been with them? Did she not like him? ¡°This is a long story, but it¡¯s time for you both to know.¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t underestimate their understanding due to their age, yet she had shielded them from knowing the truth about everything. Her two sons were intelligent, and the more they knew, the better prepared they would be. She would do everything to protect them, but sometimes she couldn¡¯t cover all angles, leaving room for enemies to exploit. If her sons could fend for themselves and stay vignt, they could protect themselves in dangerous situations and buy time for rescue. Gu Xiaonan knew that there was enmity between the Gu family and his mother, especially from Gu Lingxue, his second aunt, whom his mother despised deeply. But he could never have imagined the extent to which that malicious woman had harmed his mother. Thankfully, his mother was strong. Otherwise, both he and his mother might have perished at the hands of Gu Lingxue¡¯s wicked servants. He clenched his fists, his eyes turning red.. ¡°Mom, rest assured, once I¡¯m at the Qiankun Academy, I¡¯ll definitely annihte that wicked woman!¡± Chapter 236 - 236: Betrothal Chapter 236: Betrothal Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi couldn¡¯t contain his anger, ¡°Shameless woman!¡± Surprisingly, she had the audacity to consider herself his benefactor! Little did he know that she was the reason for his separation from his mother for so many years! However, he wasn¡¯t entirely clear-headed in judging people. He raised his damp eyes to Gu Qingluan, filled with self-me. ¡°Mother, I¡¯m sorry. She¡¯s living so well now, all because of me.¡± ¡°Yuanxi, do you know her?¡± Gu Xiaonan puzzled, ¡°What¡¯s your rtionship with her?¡± Feng Yuanxi exined in detail about his experiences involving Gu Lingxue, from the time he was saved by his father until he left the Holy Heaven Dynasty. Gu Xiaonan was left wide-eyed, and after a moment, he angrily eximed, ¡°What a shameless woman!¡± He added, ¡°Your father is truly foolish! Mistaking a viin for a benefactor!¡± Feng Yuanxi was just a newborn when he was saved; he couldn¡¯t distinguish whether Gu Lingxue was good or bad, so the primary me should be directed at the Demon King. Despite often disying intelligence, he struggled to distinguish between good and bad individuals. Although his mother was genuinely kind, he had always suspected her motives. Ironically, he treated the truly malicious person as a benefactor. What a big fool! The more Gu Xiaonan thought about it, the angrier he became. ¡°He¡¯s still your father¡­¡± Feng Yuanxi stammered. ¡°I don¡¯t have such a foolish father!¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s cheeks puffed up in frustration. But that was an unchangeable fact. Gu Xiaonan climbed out of bed in one gulp, full of vigor, and asked, ¡°Well then, Yuanxi, do you want him or my mother?¡± Feng Yuanxi asked softly, ¡°Can I have both?¡± ¡°Noway!¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s fondness for Feng Tian vanishedpletely. Now, in his eyes, the Demon King was worse than a beggar on the street. His mother had gone through so much hardship, suffered so much, yet the Demon King treated the woman who harmed his mother as a benefactor. He would never forgive him! ¡°Feng Yuanxi, if you choose him, then go back to him and the Holy Heaven Dynasty. My mother and I will live on our own!¡± ¡°Xiaonan, let it be,¡± Gu Qingluan pacified him with a pat on the back. She knew that Feng Yuanxi was facing a difficult decision. After all, that man was his biological father, someone who had raised him since he was a child. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s feelings for him were undoubtedly deep. She wouldn¡¯t force him, nor was there a reason to make him choose between the two. ¡°But Mother¡­¡± Gu Xiaonan pouted. Gu Qingluan interrupted him, ¡°Yuanxi¡¯s father indeed made a mistake, but he was also deceived. Xiaonan, there¡¯s no need to hate him.¡± Gu Xiaonan snorted. Anyway, he was going to start disliking the Demon King from now on! ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, go to sleep. We can discuss this tomorrow.¡± Gu Qingluan embraced one child on each side, gently patting their shoulders to lull them to sleep. As the two children dozed off, she too gradually drifted into slumber. Gu Qingluan expected that Feng Tian would rush over once he realized Yuanxi was missing, but in the following two days, he never appeared. She felt perplexed; could it be that he was still too affected by the poison and hadn¡¯t recovered? If he didn¡¯te, she would have more time to spend with Little Yuanxi. In just two days, the rtionship between the mother and her sons had be exceptionally harmonious. Even the servants in the Jun Residence knew that Young Master Yuanxi was their mistress¡¯s son. Apart from initial astonishment, individuals like Bo He quickly epted the reality. On this day, while Gu Qingluan was teaching her two sons swordsmanship, a servant hurriedly reported, ¡°Madam, the Fifth Prince hase personally to propose to you! Many people have gathered to watch!¡± Chapter 237 - 237: Captivating Allure Chapter 237: Captivating Allure Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Outside the entrance of the Jun Residence, a line of carriages stretched out, each carriage carrying numerous betrothal gifts, extending beyond sight. The nearbymoners were stunned by this disy, gathering to watch. Even pedestrians passing by joined in, standing outside the Jun Residence¡¯s gates, chatting excitedly. A man wearing a purple-gold beaded crown, his long robe embellished with green patterns and shades of purple, a jade belt cinched around his waist, stood proudly at the entrance. His handsome face exuded a sense of confidence and arrogance. This man was none other than the Fifth Prince of the Chengyuan Kingdom, Qitian Yu! ¡°Didn¡¯t the Gu family¡¯s youngdy give birth to a son before marriage? Why would the Fifth Prince be interested in her?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you know? The Fifth Prince and Miss Gu were childhood friends and had a pre-existing engagement. However, due to a scandal involving the Gu family, they expelled Miss Gu to avoid trouble, and the engagement was canceled. Yet, the Fifth Prince never forgot about her. Now that Miss Gu has returned, he¡¯s here to propose!¡± ¡°Wow! I didn¡¯t expect the Fifth Prince to be so devoted. Miss Gu is really lucky. If I could meet a man like the Fifth Prince, I¡¯d have no regrets in life.¡± ¡°You can only dream! Look at yourself¡ªyour status and appearance. Do you think someone like the Fifth Prince would be interested in you?¡± ¡°Get lost! Can¡¯t I fantasize a little?¡± Having rebuked the individual, they couldn¡¯t resist letting out a sigh. ¡°Miss Gu had a tarnished reputation before, and now she¡¯s a mother. Nevertheless, the Fifth Prince harbors no resentment, presenting numerous gifts for the proposal himself. Her fortune is truly remarkable!¡± ¡°That¡¯s true. The Fifth Prince is of noble status, handsome in appearance, and extraordinarily talented. He even won the selectionpetition recently, bing a student of the Qiankun Academy. His future is limitless. Miss Gu must have done countless good deeds in her previous life to have such fortune!¡± ¡°Miss Gu is exceptional too. It¡¯s said that the head of the Gu family is a Saint, but even he can¡¯t surpass Miss Gu. It¡¯s clear that she¡¯s also a Saint. Such a young Saint¡ªhave you ever heard of such a thing? Moreover, her son, at such a young age, has already demonstrated remarkable strength, ranking in the top three of thepetition. I believe his future achievements will surpass even the Fifth Prince.¡± However, someone quickly refuted what this person said. ¡°So what? A woman will eventually get married. Despite Miss Gu¡¯s strength and youth, isn¡¯t it better for her to marry a good man than to live alone?¡± The person praising Gu Qingluan felt that there was a problem with this statement but didn¡¯t know how to counter it at the moment. Just then, someone shouted, ¡°Miss Gu ising out!¡± The Fifth Prince, standing at the entrance, eyes brightened. ¡°Qingluan, you¡¯re here.¡± His gaze was affectionate, and his voice gentle. The surrounding crowd of onlookers secretly marveled. Indeed, the Fifth Prince held deep feelings for Miss Gu. Gu Qingluan wore a long skirt made of moon-white silk, adorned with golden thread embroidery. The hem of the skirt fluttered as she elegantly approached. A delicate silver hairpin adorned her asymmetrical cloud bun, swaying gracefully with her every step. At first sight, she appeared like a celestial being gracing the mortal realm, emanating an ethereal and refined charm that left onlookers entranced and speechless. Miss Gu¡¯s beauty had already be widely known since the selectionpetition. Seeing her now, they couldn¡¯t help but exim in astonishment: Miss Gu was truly captivating and alluring! No wonder the Fifth Prince was interested in her, to the extent that he was willing to overlook the scandal of her lost virtue and propose marriage. Upon seeing Gu Qingluan¡¯s attire, Qitian Yu was also amazed. She seemed even more beautiful than thest time he saw her at the martial arts arena. Gu Qingluan cast a nce at the endless row of betrothal gifts and the countless people outside the gate. Her beautiful eyes then returned to Qitian Yu, who was approaching. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s steps halted, and a self-assured smile appeared on his handsome face. ¡°Qingluan, marry this prince! I¡¯ve already informed my father; I want to marry you as the main consort..¡± Chapter 238 - 238: An Ugly Creature, Daring to Envision Mother Chapter 238: An Ugly Creature, Daring to Envision Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The position of main consort was highly coveted by numerous noblewomen in the capital. Therefore, he was confident that Gu Qingluan wouldn¡¯t decline. Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi, hiding behind the door, stole nces through the crack. Hearing Qitian Yu¡¯s words, both of them were angry. ¡°A toad wants to eat swan meat!¡± Gu Xiaonan snorted. Feng Yuanxi added, ¡°Precisely, has he ever nced in the mirror? An ugly creature having audacious thoughts about our mother! Where does he summon such confidence!¡± He wasn¡¯t even worth a fraction of what Royal Father is! In reaction to Qitian Yu¡¯s proposal, Gu Qingluan responded with a mocking tone, being direct and blunt. ¡°You have the span of half an incense stick¡¯s burn time. Return to where you came from within that limit.¡± Qitian Yu hadn¡¯t expected her to be so impolite. His expression froze for a moment. Those who had thought Gu Qingluan would readily ept were also taken aback. Miss Gu actually refused the Fifth Prince¡¯s proposal? With her awkward status, where could she find a better man than the Fifth Prince? A hint of anger shed in Qitian Yu¡¯s eyes, but he quickly concealed it behind a doting smile. ¡°1 know this might seem abrupt, but you should understand my intentions, Qingluan. Once we are married, I¡¯ll treat your child as my own. When we go to the Qiankun Academy, I¡¯ll take care of him for you. Let me in now, everyone is watching outside.¡± He had put a lot of effort into courting Gu Qingluan. Outside the Qiankun Academy, outsiders were not allowed in, and with Gu Xiaonan being young, Gu Qingluan surely wouldn¡¯t feel at ease leaving her son alone there. His words were bound to touch her. Moreover, he had defeated numerous experts in the selectionpetition, bing one of the top three. With his excellence, what reason did she have to refuse? Gu Qingluan sensed the hidden meaning in Qitian Yu¡¯s words and curved her lips into a mocking smile. ¡°Your intentions? Qitian Yu, do 1 need to tell everyone about your past actions?¡± Qitian Yu apologized, ¡°Are you still upset about what happened back then? 1 exined before, in the heat of the moment and out of anger, I dissolved the engagement between us. But my feelings for you never changed. Over the years, other princes have married and had children, but 1, as the Fifth Prince, haven¡¯t even taken a concubine. Qingluan, my intentions towards you have always been sincere.¡± ¡°The Fifth Prince is truly affectionate!¡± ¡°Even after being rejected by Miss Gu, he¡¯s not angered. That¡¯s definitely true love!¡± ¡°Miss Gu, please agree! The Fifth Prince has deep affection for you. Where else could you find someone superior?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right. If you miss this opportunity, you might not get another.¡± Gu Qingluan looked at Qitian Yu¡¯s pretentious expression and felt a wave of nausea. Having only reunited with her son in recent days, shecked the patience to deal with these scoundrels. Did they truly believe she had let go of past grievances? Since they were pushing her buttons, she wouldn¡¯t hold back. Gu Qingluan apuded with her hands raised. ¡°The Fifth Prince acts well.¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s expression slightly changed, ¡°Qingluan, I¡¯m being sincere.¡± ¡°Do you admit that you did something wrong five years ago?¡± Qitian Yu paused briefly, feeling somewhat strange, but to coax Gu Qingluan into marrying him, admitting a mistake wasn¡¯t a big deal. ¡°Yes, are you willing to give me a chance to change?¡± ¡°Sure, since you made a mistake, kneel down and kowtow to apologize.¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s expression drastically changed. People around them started to gossip. ¡°Miss Gu actually wants the Fifth Prince to kneel down for her, isn¡¯t she too spoiled by favoritism!¡± Chapter 239 - 239: Watching the Show Chapter 239: Watching the Show Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Have you all forgotten? At the martial arena, she orchestrated the downfall of Third Young Master Gu and Fourth Lady Gu. If it hadn¡¯t been for the Crown Prince¡¯s interference, one can only imagine what fate the members of the Gu family would have suffered. This First Lady Gu is quite remarkable,¡± remarked someone with a toneden with sarcasm. The people around changed their gazes toward Gu Qingluan upon hearing his words. After the selectionpetition, the gossip quickly spread throughout Tianjing. Everyone was specting about the deep grudge between Gu Qingluan and the Gu family. Some thought Gu Qingluan was excessively ruthless, while others believed she must have her reasons. Regardless, it was an internal matter of the Gu family, and outsiders had no right to interfere. Now, she was facing the most distinguished member of the royal family, the outstanding Fifth Prince. How could she dare to make such a request to the Fifth Prince? Qitian Yu adjusted his emotions a bit and looked helpless. ¡°Qingluan, don¡¯t be like this.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t the Fifth Prince kneel down? Since we¡¯re acquaintances, let me help you.¡± Gu Qingluan showed a slightly reluctant expression, and with a flick of her finger, a white light flew towards Qitian Yu. Qitian Yu tried to dodge, but he couldn¡¯t avoid it in time. He felt a pain in his knees, let out a muffled groan, and his kneecap mmed heavily onto the stone floor. ¡°Whoa!¡± The onlookers were startled. The guards brought by Qitian Yu immediately drew their weapons. ¡°Outrageous! How dare you harm His Highness the Fifth Prince!¡± Seeing this, Feng Yuanxi was about to rush out to help his mother, but Gu Xiaonan swiftly caught hold of him. ¡°Rx, Mother¡¯s really formidable. These clownish antics won¡¯t stir up a storm. There¡¯s no need for Mother to intervene; Uncle Su Lie can take care of them. Let¡¯s just enjoy the show in peace.¡± As he spoke, Gu Xiaonan offered him a bowl of melon seeds. ¡°Here, crack some seeds; it¡¯ll make watching even more interesting.¡± As he spoke, he deftly cracked a melon seed with his front teeth, rolled the seed into his mouth, and spat the shell into a nearby bucket. He was so proficient, as if he had done it thousands of times. Feng Yuanxi was speechless. ¡°Who dares to step forward! Your master hasn¡¯t said anything yet, and you want to act on his behalf?¡± The guards turned to look at Qitian Yu, who was still kneeling on the ground. This¡­ ¡°Your Highness?¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s face turned pale. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to stand up, but he simply couldn¡¯t! An invisible pressure was weighing heavily on him, like a great mountain. Fury surged within him. He stared at Gu Qingluan with dark eyes. He wished he could tear apart her smiling face. But thinking of his n¡­ He restrained himself. Since he had already kneeled, he couldn¡¯t let it go to waste. Instead of wasting this opportunity, he might as well genuinely apologize. Once Gu Qingluan¡¯s anger subsided, he could marry her and then deal with herter! He ordered the guards back and looked at Gu Qingluan with a gentle expression. ¡°I¡¯ve knelt down. Qingluan, have you calmed down?¡± Gu Qingluan was taken aback by his audacity, as his demeanor remained unshaken even after beingpelled to kneel publicly. He¡¯s quite a character! She lifted the corner of her lips, smiling yfully, ¡°Not yet.¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s breath caught, and after a moment, he suppressed his anger and asked, ¡°What do I need to do for you to calm down and agree to marry me?¡± Her fingers, delicate as jade, brushed against her silky chin as Gu Qingluan contemted. After a brief pause, she inclined her head slightly and suggested, ¡°Why not enlighten everyone with the tale of your coboration with Gu Lingxue to tarnish my innocence? I¡¯m certain everyone is intrigued by that historical event.¡± Amidst the crowd, numerous voices buzzed with discussions about the Fifth Prince¡¯s profound affection and Gu Qingluan¡¯splex history. Her rejection of the Fifth Prince¡¯s proposal left them perplexed. Her hearing was keen, and she heard those conversations clearly. She wanted them to see what kind of person their outstanding Fifth Prince really was. It would also conveniently enhance Gu Lingxue¡¯s ¡°good reputation¡± a bit more, otherwise, it would be a disservice to the enjoyable moments she generously provided to the other party. Unable to take revenge in a timely manner, she felt a tight sense of regret within her. She casually mentioned it, but Qitian Yu¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted, and a flicker of panic shed through his eyes. How do you know? The words almost slipped out of his mouth, but he managed to stop himself in time. He pretended to look puzzled. ¡°1 don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about.¡± People around them were whispering, baffled by Gu Qingluan¡¯s words. ¡°What is First Lady Gu implying? Could it be that she had undisclosed circumstances during her unmarried pregnancy?¡± ¡°Why is Gu Lingxue being dragged into this? Isn¡¯t she the Second Lady of the Gu family, the one who received a special admission to Qiankun Academy?¡± ¡°Why would Second Lady Gu want to cause harm? Five years ago, First Lady Gu waspletely insignificant. How could she bepared to Second Lady Gu? There¡¯s no logical reason for Second Lady Gu to target her.¡± Ignoring the spection of the crowd, Gu Qingluan said lightly, ¡°Bring that person here!¡± Chapter 240 - 240: Gu Lingxue’s Affair with the Fifth Prince Chapter 240: Gu Lingxue¡¯s Affair with the Fifth Prince Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion After a while, a disheveled person was escorted out by two guards. One guard grabbed his hair and pulled it back, exposing his face. ¡°Xiao Anzi?¡± Upon seeing him, Xiao Anzi burst into tears, wailing. ¡°Your Highness, Your Highness, please save me.¡± His voice carried a shrill tone resembling that of a duck, unmistakably revealing his identity as a eunuch from the pce to everyone present. Xiao Anzi, who served as Qitian Yu¡¯s personal attendant, had disappeared some time ago. Despite Qitian Yu¡¯s efforts to locate him, he remained elusive. Little did anyone anticipate that he would eventually be found in the custody of Gu Qingluan. Xiao Anzi had been the messenger conveying Qitian Yu¡¯s messages to Gu Qingluan in the past years. He knew about the n that harmed Gu Qingluan. Qitian Yu felt a sense of panic. So, does Gu Qingluan have knowledge of the truth from that year? Thinking of their recent encounters and how she hadn¡¯t been friendly, beads of sweat formed on Qitian Yu¡¯s forehead. ¡°Luan¡¯er, is it this damned servant who has been spreading lies to you? Don¡¯t believe him!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and said, ¡°Why does the Fifth Prince appear so anxious? This Xiao Anzi is your personal attendant, and he knows better than anyone what you¡¯ve done. If you¡¯re not willing to speak, let him do the talking.¡± She turned her gaze to Xiao Anzi and said leisurely, ¡°Xiao Anzi, repeat the things you¡¯ve said to me.¡± Qitian Yu red at Xiao Anzi with sharp eyes. Xiao Anzi trembled, and his already pale face turned even whiter. ¡°All, it seems I¡¯ve been too lenient with you.¡± Gu Qingluan sighed softly. She lifted her hand, holding a ck pill between her slender fingertips. Xiao Anzi had been staring at her, and when he saw what she held in her hand, his face turned ashen, like that of a dead person. The period of captivity had been an utterly frightening nightmare for him, especially when Gu Qingluan revealed the pill. It was more terrifying than any nightmare he had experienced. Just the thought of it made his body convulse. He couldn¡¯t maintain his tough demeanor and immediately recounted what he had confessed before. Fundamentally, it urred about five years ago when Second Lady Gu approached them, offering to assist His Highness in breaking off his engagement with Gu Qingluan. Subsequently, they coborated. Amid the celebratory feast organized by the Gu Family for Gu Lingxue, they lured Gu Qingluan to the backyard and orchestrated a scheme involving a servant attempting topromise her purity. Yet, an unforeseen incident disrupted their n, allowing Gu Qingluan to flee from the situation. A stir spread through the crowd. Who could have thought that the affectionate Fifth Prince was the mastermind behind harming First Lady Gu? And that Second Lady Gu, who appeared beautiful and kind-hearted, would be so malicious. ¡°Nonsense! Why would our youngdy harm a worthless person like you?¡± Just then, a young girl rushed out to defend Gu Lingxue. Gu Qingluan looked at the girl and narrowed her eyes. She recognized her ¨C the girl was Wang Shi¡¯s maid. ¡°Our Second Lady is the rightful youngdy of the family. She possesses talent, beauty, and apassionate heart. She outshines First Lady Gu in various aspects. There¡¯s no reason for her to wish you harm.¡± Upon hearing the maid¡¯s words, many found them reasonable. Gu Qingluan curved her lips in a faint smile, ¡°Isn¡¯t it easy to understand? Gu Lingxue has an affair with the Fifth Prince.¡± ¡°You! You¡¯re ndering the Second Lady!¡± The maid pointed at her with anger. Qitian Yu¡¯s face turned ashen as he scolded, ¡°Gu Qingluan, stop spouting nonsense! This prince and Second Lady Gu arepletely innocent! We¡¯ve never harmed you! Although I don¡¯t know what means you used to make Xiao Anzi falsely use this prince and Second Lady Gu, this prince believes that no one will believe such groundless talk! You¡¯ve stained yourself with others, and even though this prince is willing to marry you, you repay kindness with enmity like this¡­¡± Smack! Before he could finish, Gu Qingluan¡¯s palmnded on his face. Qitian Yu¡¯s left cheek quickly swelled with redness. Everyone was taken aback. Guards immediately drew their weapons to protect their master. Su Lie unsheathed his sword, and the guards from the Jun Residence also brandished their weapons, facing off against the enemies. The tense atmosphere made the onlookers step back. But they couldn¡¯t bear to leave. Gu Qingluan stood above on the steps, looking down at Qitian Yu. ¡°Your mouth reeks, and it¡¯s bothering me..¡± Chapter 241 - 241: Prefers to Make Life Worse than Death Chapter 241: Prefers to Make Life Worse than Death Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°You¡­¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s eyes turned red with anger. Smack! Another palm strikended on his face. ¡°Your hypocrisy and pretentiousness earlier disgusted me.¡± Qitian Yu had never experienced such profound humiliation. While he had endured Gu Qingluan¡¯s scorn and physical abuse within the confines of the Jun Residence, those moments had remained hidden from public view. Yet, in this instance, he was enduring a public spectacle of humiliation and reprimand in front of a multitude of onlookers. As a prince, being treated this way was a blow to his dignity. ¡°Gu¡­¡± Before he could finish a sentence, he was interrupted again. This time, he was sent flying and tumbled several times before being forcefully dragged across the ground for a few meters. Before he could react, a shoe stomped down on his chest. Qitian Yu¡¯s sight was blurred as he nced upward with narrowed eyes. Gradually, a stunningly beautiful face came into view. Despite the smile on her face, it sent a chilling sensation through him. Qitian Yu recalled the scene in thebat arena, the moment when Gu Jinyue had her tongue severed¡­ The raging fury inside him quickly diminished. ¡°Fifth Prince, here¡¯s your chance. Admit that you had an affair with Gu Lingxue, and 1¡¯11 spare you.¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s breath was ragged. ¡°Do you dare to kill me?¡± ¡°Not to the extent of killing, but 1 do quite enjoy making people¡¯s lives worse than death,¡± Gu Qingluan replied with a smile. Her eyes gleamed like shimmering pools, captivating and enchanting. A shiver ran down Qitian Yu¡¯s spine. If only he had realized that Gu Qingluan had already uncovered the truth about that year, he wouldn¡¯t have been so naive as to propose! Unfortunately, regrets were useless now. ¡°Fifth Prince, I¡¯ve given you an opportunity. If you¡¯re unsure how to present your side, allow me to provide a suggestion. For instance¡ª Gu Lingxue seduced you, and you were tempted by her. You listened to her advice and attempted to tarnish my innocence, thereby ruining the engagement. Unexpectedly, Gu Lingxue abandoned you for her own future, and you turned to me once again. How about that? This version sounds pretty good, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Gu Qingluan had set up a barrier around them. Whatever she said, only the Fifth Prince could hear. Everyone else saw her moving her lips as if speaking but couldn¡¯t hear the words. Her lips curled into a bewitching smile, captivating all who beheld her. Of course, this was overlooking the fact that she had just humiliated and trampled the handsome Fifth Prince into an almost unrecognizable state, standing on his chest. Qitian Yu¡¯s pupils widened. ¡°You¡¯re going too far!¡± ¡°Going too far?¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m teaching you a valuable lesson¡ªhow to shift me onto others. Shouldn¡¯t you be grateful?¡± Qitian Yu was dumbfounded by her audacity. How could she say such a thing without batting an eye? If it weren¡¯t for her, he wouldn¡¯t have been forced into this situation, would he? ¡°It appears the Fifth Prince is holding thoughts of my sister who¡¯s far away in Qiankun Academy. To offer himself for her sake, 1 must oblige your heartfelt sentiment. When my younger sister discovers the depth of the Fifth Prince¡¯s affection, she will surely be greatly touched.¡± Gu Qingluan produced a vial of medicine in her hand and yed with it absentmindedly. ¡°Are you curious why your loyal Xiao Anzi betrayed you? You¡¯ll soon understand his feelings.¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s pupils contracted, and his voice trembled. ¡°You¡­ You dare¡­ We in the royal family also have Revered Ones. If something were to happen to me, my father will not spare you!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°Is that so? Between a prince and a Revered One, who do you think your father would choose?¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s expression froze. Without a doubt, it would be the Revered One. That was why Gu Qingluan had such confidence! Chapter 242 - 242: Damaged Reputation Chapter 242: Damaged Reputation Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Within the realm of the three nations¡ªChengyuan, Dingyang, and Nanqing¡ªa collective of nine sages once thrived. In this assembly, Chengyuan was the most modest,prising merely two. However, this number has grown with the inclusion of Gu Qingluan and Gu Zhicheng, thus amassing a total of four, on par with the esteemed Nanqing. As long as Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t threaten the safety of the royal family, the Emperor would never take action against her. Qitian Yu¡¯s proposal was partly driven by his acknowledgment of Gu Qingluan¡¯s formidable strength. After being exposed by Gu Qingluan, his only hope was shattered. After a fierce internal struggle, he finally lowered his head. ¡°Fine, i¡¯ll talk!¡± Gu Qingluan dispelled the barrier, and Qitian Yu publicly apologized to her and admitted his mistakes. Of course, for the sake of his reputation, he shifted the me onto Gu Lingxue, portraying himself as a sincere man deceived by her. Regarding this, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but curse him silently as a scumbag, but she was pleased to see this unfold. After all, Gu Lingxue was her greatest enemy. ¡°Fifth Prince, are you being coerced by her? Our Second Lady is so kind, how could she be as you described!¡± Wang Shi¡¯s maid, sent to defend her interests, protested with frustration. Considering Qitian Yu¡¯s identity, she dared not insult him directly and could only ce the me on Gu Qingluan. Qitian Yu¡¯s voice grew stern. ¡°Outrageous! When did it be your ce, a servant, to speak here!¡± Two guards immediately stepped forward and dragged the maid away. ¡°First Lady Gu, since you¡¯re unwilling to marry this prince, 1 won¡¯t force you. Pardon the disturbance, perhaps we¡¯ll meet again.¡± With that, he mounted his horse and left. A line of carriages carrying betrothal gifts and guards followed as they departed. Gu Qingluan returned to her residence withposure. Upon entering, she saw two little figures hiding behind the door, munching on melon seeds. ¡°Mother, you¡¯re amazing!¡± Gu Xiaonan offered her a handful of melon seeds. ¡°Do you want some?¡± Gu Qingluan yfully tweaked his little nose. ¡°You two seem to have plenty of free time; why not return to honing your sword skills?¡± The two mischievous youngsters nced at each other, collected the melon seeds and shells, and ran off together. Watching their retreating figures, a faint smile yed on Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips, followed by a glint of cold determination. Gu Lingxue, even though you didn¡¯t seed in killing Little Yuanxi, the grudge from years ago when you tore him from my womb isn¡¯t over. Cleanse your neck and wait, for this is just the beginning! Seeing that the show was over, the onlookers began to disperse while discussing what they had witnessed. The revtions of Gu Lingxue seducing her older sister¡¯s fiance, staining her sister¡¯s purity, and subsequently forsaking her lover for personal benefits were truly astounding. If it weren¡¯t for the Fifth Prince¡¯s confession, who would believe that the esteemed Second Lady Gu was such a selfish and malicious person in private? So many people witnessed it, and with Gu Qingluan secretly fanning the mes, in less than a day, the news spread throughout the streets and alleys, naturally reaching the ears of the Gu family members. Wang Shi mmed the table in fury, ¡°Gu Qingluan! You¡¯ve gone too far!¡± The kneeling maid trembled in fear. Seeing her, Wang Shi¡¯s anger red. ¡°Useless thing! 1 sent you to cause trouble for Gu Qingluan, and not only have you done nothing, but you¡¯ve caused more harm than good! What use do I have for you?¡± ¡°Please spare me, Madam! 1 did my best! Please give me another chance!¡± ¡°Drag her out!¡± Wang Shi impatiently ordered. Two servants entered and pulled the maid away. Wang Shi¡¯s frustration grew. She took a sip of tea and asked the maid, Nanny Lin, who was by her side, ¡°Where is the Old Master?¡± ¡°The Master is in seclusion.¡± Wang Shi¡¯s face fell. She decided to visit Zhang Sheng. Zhang Sheng resided in the finest guest residence of the Gu family, Jade Serenity Residence. Upon seeing Wang Shi enter, Zhang Sheng spoke with dignity, ¡°Madam hase. Is there something urgent?¡± ¡°When can we expect the issue within the Master¡¯s body to be resolved?¡± Zhang Sheng pondered. ¡°I¡¯ve already discussed this matter before. It¡¯s not easy to deal with, it can¡¯t be rushed. Madam, please don¡¯t be impatient.¡± Wang Shi thought to herself, can 1 really not be anxious? Her daughter¡¯s reputation had been ruined by that wretched Gu Qingluan. Every day was torment for her now. ¡°Since you¡¯re an expert from the Ind of No Return, can¡¯t you find another way to treat him?¡± Wang Shi asked in displease.. Chapter 243 - 243: Wearing a Smiling Mask, Yet Feeling Bitter Inside Chapter 243: Wearing a Smiling Mask, Yet Feeling Bitter Inside Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion In recent days, Zhang Sheng had been residing at the Gu residence, and valuable items from his home were being sent to the Jade Serenity Residence. Zhang Sheng readily epted whatever came his way, and in addition to that, he also presented various requests to the Gu family. Gu Zhicheng didn¡¯t hesitate to agree to all of them. The Gu family, which was not wealthy to begin with, was now facing even more difficulties. Gu Zhicheng didn¡¯t handle the household affairs, thinking that the remaining silver wouldst for a while. However, Wang Shi knew very well that the family was truly struggling financially. As a result, she went back to her maiden family and borrowed money from her elder brother. The money borrowed mostly ended up in Zhang Sheng¡¯s hands. Hence, Wang Shi strongly disliked this elderly man. Zhang Sheng raised an eyebrow and spoke seriously, ¡°I understand your worries, but what¡¯s Gu Qingluan¡¯s role? You know it too. If we¡¯re not absolutely sure, taking action recklessly will just end up hurting ourselves. You will be digging your own graves like what happened before. If you don¡¯t trust me, 1¡¯11 leave now!¡± After saying this, he stood up in anger and headed for the exit. Wang Shi couldn¡¯t let him leave for real. Since the family valued him so much, if they found out she had driven him away, she would surely be reprimanded. She quickly stopped him. ¡°Master Zhang, please calm down. That¡¯s not what 1 meant.¡± Zhang Sheng snorted lightly, ¡°Madam doesn¡¯t need to say more. 1 understand. You simply don¡¯t trust me, and I won¡¯t be a bother to you by staying here.¡± After saying that, he still tried to leave. Wang Shi quickly caught up and said, ¡°Master Zhang, you¡¯ve got it wrong! What I meant before is that if there¡¯s anything else you require to handle Gu Qingluan, please inform me. I¡¯ll do my utmost to get it for you.¡± Zhang Sheng¡¯s white brows lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile. ¡°I understand. Next time, please express yourself clearly, Madam. Misunderstandings can createplications that impact rtionships. Also, I¡¯ve noticed that we¡¯recking a few medicinal ingredients. Could you assist me in locating them?¡± A folded paper was handed to Wang Shi. ¡°Of course! 1 understand! 1 understand!¡± Wang Shi smiled on the surface, but she felt bitter inside. If she had known, she wouldn¡¯t havee here to vent. After a few days of interaction, Wang Shi had gained a deep understanding¡ªMaster Zhang was like a money-devouring beast. Every time he presented a list, it felt like he was scraping ayer of skin off her. She didn¡¯t even need to open the list to know that the listed ingredients were extremely expensive. Reluctantly, she took the paper and opened it. Even though she was prepared, she still couldn¡¯t catch her breath and nearly fainted when she saw the prices. Each of these medicinal ingredients couldmand an exorbitant price at an auction. Even if one had the funds, finding them might be a challenge. Given the current financial situation of the Gu family, they werecking in resources altogether! ¡°Hurry and send someone to find these ingredients. The sooner you find them all, the sooner I can treat the head of the Gu family. When the timees, you can seek revenge as you wish. It¡¯ll be easy.¡± Zhang Sheng stroked his beard and spoke leisurely. This statement finally lifted Wang Shi¡¯s spirits a bit. Zhang Sheng slowly pulled out a small porcin bottle from his sleeve. Wang Shi nervously kept her eyes on him. ¡°No need to fret, Madam. You desired vengeance against Gu Qingluan, correct? Here¡¯s a secret potion I¡¯ve concocted. Anyone below the Saint Realm, once they breathe in a small amount, will be unconscious for an hour. Then, I can use a unique whistle to draw them near. I¡¯ve heard Gu Qingluan has a son. If you have her son in your grasp, do you believe she won¡¯t yield?¡± Zhang Sheng¡¯s strategy carried a significant implication. Upon hearing about his n, Wang Shi¡¯s eyes initially lit up, and then she thought about what happened thest time they captured a child. It was a nightmare! Zhang Sheng continued with a significant tone, ¡°If Madam is afraid that Gu Qingluan mighte knocking, you can always pass the buck.¡± Pass the buck? Wang Shi pondered over these three words and suddenly her eyes brightened. They weren¡¯t the only ones with a grudge against Gu Qingluan. The Fifth Prince, who came to propose to Gu Qingluan and was publicly humiliated by her, must harbor a strong grudge against her, don¡¯t he? Coincidentally, the Fifth Prince had also thrown dirt on her daughter. If there was any danger, it was only fair for the Fifth Prince to experience it! Wang Shi had someone send the medicine to the Fifth Prince¡¯s advisor. As soon as the advisor learned about the effects of the secret medicine, he hurried to the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence and presented it to him. Qi Tianyu was burning with rage, and upon learning about the medicine¡¯s use, he was ecstatic. ¡°Gu Qingluan, I¡¯ll make sure you kneel and beg for mercy! Cry and plead!¡± The Jun Residence was like an impregnable fortress; outsiders couldn¡¯t enter. Qi Tianyu¡¯s men concealed the secret medicine in a box, presenting it as a gift to the Jun Residence. They imed it was a gift from the Lushi Auction House to Gu Xiaonan. Lushi Auction House had a good rtionship with Gu Qingluan, and the Jun Residence staff knew that. So, the gift quickly made its way in front of Gu Xiaonan. The gift was beautifully packaged. Qianxi smiled and said, ¡°The Lushi Auction House is generous. I wonder what gift they¡¯ve brought this time. Young Master Xiaonan, please open it and have a look..¡± Chapter 244 - 244: Xiao Nan Was Captured Chapter 244: Xiao Nan Was Captured Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan was also very curious. He unpacked the packaging, revealing a wooden box inside. On his first attempt, he couldn¡¯t open it; the box was a bit tight. He used his fingers to forcefully pry it open. The lid popped open suddenly, and a white mist burst out instantly. At the first sign of trouble, Gu Xiaonan immediately stepped back and held his breath. Feng Yuanxi reacted just as quickly as him, taking protective measures immediately. Qianxi was just a maid,cking any real self-defense skills. Not being prepared, she inhaled quite a bit of the white smoke. ¡°Cough, cough! What is this? A prank?¡± Gu Xiaonan covered his nose and mouth, frowning. ¡°Lushi Auction House wouldn¡¯t y such pranks.¡± He took out a bottle of antidote from his spatial storage and gave one to Yuanxi and himself, then handed one to Qianxi. Qianxi stood still, dumbfounded. ¡°Sister Qianxi?¡± Gu Xiaonan called to her. Seeing no response from Qianxi, Gu Xiaonan exchanged a nce with Feng Yuanxi. ¡°Qianxi is poisoned.¡± Feng Yuanxi raised his hand, using a palm wind to blow the smoke out of the room. Looking back at the wooden box, they saw a spring ced in the center, with white residue powder on it. Someone was using the name of Lushi Auction House to harm them! More precisely, the target should be Gu Xiaonan. ¡°Let¡¯s go tell Mother!¡± Feng Yuanxi said with a serious expression. Gu Xiaonan shook his head. ¡°Mother has too many things to worry about. Let¡¯s handle what we can on our own for now. If we can¡¯t resolve it, then we can ask for her help.¡± Just as he finished speaking, Qianxi suddenly walked towards the door. Neither of them could stop her. ¡°It must be the person who sent the gift causing trouble!¡± Gu Xiaonan asserted. ¡°Let¡¯s follow and see!¡± They trailed behind Qianxi, watching her head straight out the back door. Gu Xiaonan had a rough idea of what the other side intended to do. He held onto Feng Yuanxi and whispered a few words in his ear. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous.¡± Feng Yuanxi disagreed, shaking his head. ¡°There aren¡¯t many in Tianjing who can match us. If the enemy is too strong, then you can inform Mother. I won¡¯t be in danger.¡± Gu Xiaonan meant for himself to pretend to be affected. If Qianxi were the only one involved, the individual orchestrating this might give up on the n midway once they realized it. In order to expose the mastermind, he had no choice but to take a risk. ¡°Here, take Xiaobai! It¡¯s clever and fast! It can give you a hand.¡± Xiaomei was too noisy; Gu Xiaonan found Xiaobai more obedient. Seeing that Qianxi was about to reach the end of the street, Gu Xiaonan tossed Xiaobai into Yuanxi¡¯s arms and chased after Qianxi. Feng Yuanxi lowered his head and exchanged a nce with Xiaobai. Xiaobai: ¡°Squeak, squeak!¡± Everything would be fine. The young master is very clever and can handle it. Feng Yuanxi patted its head. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go too.¡± Quietly, they followed. To avoid being noticed, Feng Yuanxi kept his distance. Up ahead, Gu Xiaonan, with his short legs, quickly caught up with Qianxi, and their pace slowed down. With one tall and one small figure, they appeared as if a master and his servant were taking a leisurely walk together. Residence of the Fifth Prince. ¡°Your Highness, they¡¯ve arrived!¡± A guard came to the front of the Fifth Prince¡¯s sleeping quarters to report. Inside the room, the Fifth Prince was busy with several beauties, paying no attention. ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Lock them up for now, I¡¯ll deal with them when I¡¯m in the mood!¡± Hearing the obsceneughter from inside, the guard curled his lip, replied with an ¡°understood¡±, and went to inform the person whistling to take Gu Xiaonan and Qianxi to the firewood room first. Both of them walked into the firewood room with vacant eyes. To prevent any unexpected events, the guard tied them up with ropes and had someone administer a muscle rxant to them. Then, they locked the firewood room, and after securing it, they left.. Chapter 245 - 245: Uh-oh! Discovered! Chapter 245: Uh-oh! Discovered! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Inside the firewood room, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s vacant gaze quickly regained its luster. He nced at the hemp rope on his body and pursed his lips. ¡°They thought they could tie me up with such a small rope? They really don¡¯t regard me, Gu Xiaonan, highly.¡± With a gentle tug, the hemp rope snapped. He called out to Qianxi a few times, but Qianxi remained motionless. Just then, there was movement on the roof. Gu Xiaonan immediately looked up, alert. ¡°Xiaonan, are you both okay?¡± It was Feng Yuanxi! Gu Xiaonan stood up and brushed off the dust from his buttocks. ¡°I¡¯m fine, but Qianxi hasn¡¯t woken up yet.¡± Feng Yuanxi said, ¡°Let her stay here for now. The firewood room is locked. You can climb down from the roof. They won¡¯t spot you. Let¡¯s go deal with those who harmed you.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Gu Xiaonan nodded. Feng Yuanxi moved aside a roof tile, revealing an opening that a person could pass through. He lowered a rope. ¡°Wait for me a moment. I¡¯ll set up a formation to prevent any bad guys froming in and harming Qianxi.¡± He worked in the firewood room for a while, ensuring everything was in order. Afterward, he pped his hands and walked over to the rope. A faint light flickered in Feng Yuanxi¡¯s hand as the rope swiftly pulled Gu Xiaonan up. Xiaobai excitedly jumped into his arms. Gu Xiaonan patted it and looked around. The vast estate seemed endless. ¡°This is the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence. It¡¯s definitely that ugly Fifth Prince who¡¯s causing us trouble! Let¡¯s split up and find him. Whoever finds him will deal with him. We¡¯ll meet back at the firewood roomter.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded. The two of them separated to take action. Gu Xiaonan carried Xiaobai as they jumped down from the roof, wandering around the Fifth Prince¡¯s estate. His small stature and agility allowed him to easily avoid the servants in the mansion. After circling around for a while, he faintly heard the Fifth Prince¡¯s voice, but something felt off. He followed the sound and saw someone guarding the door. He flew to the rooftop, lifted a tile, and peered inside. ¡°Oh, Your Highness, please don¡¯t¡ª¡± A woman¡¯s scream echoed from the room. Startled, Gu Xiaonan trembled, almost falling from the roof. Steadying himself, he frowned, watching the scene inside. Gu Xiaonan wasn¡¯t sure what they were doing, but whatever it was made him feel nauseous. And this repugnant man dared to propose to Mother? Gu Xiaonan curled his lips in disdain. A womany on the bed, her seductive gaze casually sweeping over. Suddenly, she noticed an eye on the roof and quickly pulled the nket to cover her body. ¡°Ah! Who¡¯s there!¡± Oh no! He was discovered! Without much thought, Gu Xiaonan took several vials from his spatial storage and hurled them into the room. Boom! Under the influence of his arcane power, the vials exploded, filling the room with colorful powder. ¡°What is this? Cough, cough!¡± ¡°It stinks! Be careful, it might be poisonous!¡± Chaos erupted in the room, and the women¡¯s shrieks echoed like a chorus of ducks in a pond. Qitian Yu, upon hearing the mistress¡¯s cry, raised his head alertly. Before he could identify the peeping culprit, he sensed that something was wrong with the smell of the powder. He jumped off the bed, grabbed a piece of clothing, and rushed outside, shouting, ¡°Guards, catch the assassin!¡± The guards, uncertain whether they should rush in to protect their master, immediately found their direction upon hearing themand. They wielded their weapons and went to apprehend the intruder. A streak of blue darted across the roof. Qitian Yu rushed out of the room, catching sight of a fluttering garment. He pointed in that direction andmanded, ¡°Over there, pursue!¡± More guards arrived. ¡°Your Highness, are you alright?¡± Seeing Qitian Yu in disarray, the iing guards involuntarily gasped. ¡°I¡­¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s words were cut short as his stomach suddenly emitted a rumble, followed by a sensation of tightness in his lower abdomen.. Chapter 246 - 246: Accidentally Entering the Secret Chamber Chapter 246: identally Entering the Secret Chamber Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Pfft! A loud fart resounded in the courtyard. Quickly following was a foul smell that could knock people out. The guards almost vomited on the spot. But before they could recover, a series of farts erupted like firecrackers, popping and crackling, creating quite a lively scene. The princes¡¯ concubines rushed out of the house! Qitian Yu was also on the verge of passing out from the stench. His handsome face contorted as if it had been crumpled like a rag. Before he could even curse, his intestines started violently convulsing. Hisplexion couldn¡¯t help but change drastically, and he clenched his fists, trying to control himself. But he couldn¡¯t control it at all. Pfft! Another loud and unrestrained fart echoed! Qitian Yu¡¯s face turnedpletely dark. ¡°All, it¡¯s so itchy!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t scratch it. Your face is covered in pimples, and you¡¯ve scratched it all up.¡± ¡°Yours too, you have red pimples all over your body. It¡¯s so scary!¡± ¡°What is this? It¡¯s so ufortable!¡± ¡°All, my face! My arms!¡± Several disheveled concubines, their attire as unkempt as Qitian Yu¡¯s, seemed oblivious to their appearance as they scratched their skin in difort. When they noticed the looks of theirpanions, they all revealed expressions of horror. Even without looking in a mirror, they could guess that their situation was the same as theirpanions¡¯. Qitian Yu slowly began to feel the itchiness too. Seeing the terrified look of the women, a sense of foreboding arose in his heart. He suppressed the urge to scratch, and angrily shouted at the dumbfounded guards, ¡°What are you idiots standing there for? Summon a physician!¡± ¡°Yes, yes!¡± One guard hurriedly rushed out. Meanwhile, guards pursued Gu Xiaonan, while he darted around, finding hiding spots within the sprawling pce of the prince. Leveraging his higher cultivation and small stature, he quickly shook off the guards and found refuge in a side courtyard. However, with so many guards in the prince¡¯s mansion, he encountered a group of them every few steps. He got lost again and didn¡¯t know how to get back to the woodshed. Just then, Xiao Bai suddenly jumped out of his arms and dashed toward a house. Gu Xiaonan whispered, ¡°Xiao Bai, where are you going? Don¡¯t run around!¡± ¡°Squeak squeak!¡± Xiao Bai stopped and turned back, squeaking at him a couple of times. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s mind raced. Could Xiao Bai have discovered something? Xiao Bai continued ahead. Seeing this, Gu Xiaonan followed. Entering the house, it was sparsely furnished, yet for some reason, Gu Xiaonan felt uneasy. ¡°Xiao Bai, why did youe in here?¡± Xiao Bai jumped onto a bed and tapped the bed frame with its paw. Gu Xiaonan squinted his eyes. ¡°Are you saying there¡¯s something strange about this bed?¡± Xiao Bai nodded. Gu Xiaonan walked over, tapped the bed frame, and found the sound odd. After a bit of exploration, he discovered that a dragon-shaped carving on one of the bedposts could be turned. He gave it a spin, and the bed split open, revealing a staircase. Gu Xiaonan picked up Xiao Bai and went down. ¡°A foul smell.¡± Gu Xiaonan wrinkled his nose. Xiao Bai nodded in agreement. Below was a secret passage, built with sturdy minerals, and adorned with oilmps on the walls. Certainly, the prince¡¯s mansion was affluent, and there was nock of resources, even for obtaining several star stones. Yet, curiously enough, they were relying on coalmps to illuminate a hidden chamber. Quite peculiar. Could the repugnant prince harbor some strange obsessions? Gu Xiaonan muttered softly, his big, bright eyes darting around as he walked forward. Upon passing through a narrow passage, a vast space came into view. ¡°Hiss, what is that?¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes widened, and he gasped in a deep breath.. Chapter 247 - 247: I’m Definitely Not the Offspring of That Ugly Prince Chapter 247: I¡¯m Definitely Not the Offspring of That Ugly Prince Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion In a hidden chamber, numerous iron cages were arranged. Each cage held a woman, some with minor wounds, while others bore severe injuries that were distressing to behold. Their appearances varied, but onemon trait was evident ¨C their exceptional beauty. Gu Xiaonan furrowed his brow. ¡°Why are there so many girls locked up here?¡± Upon hearing his voice, someone raised their head, seemingly surprised by the presence of a child. Seeing Gu Xiaonan¡¯s innocent expression, one woman with captivating fox-like eyeszily inquired, ¡°Little brat, where did youe from? Did Qitian Yu send you here?¡± Approaching them with a small white fox in his arms, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s big eyes sparkled with innocence. ¡°Pretty sister, 1 sneaked in. Why are you all locked up here? Did you do something wrong?¡± The woman in red raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sneaked in? Are you a prince from the pce? Be careful, Qitian Yu might silence you!¡± With a mischievous wink at the end, she spoke yfully. However, her situation didn¡¯t match her lighthearted tone. Gu Xiaonan noticed her exposed skin, covered in shades of blue and purple. ¡°Hong Yao, spare some of your energy instead of teasing the child. Take a moment to rest,¡± a serene woman in elegant white attire nearby gently advised. Hong Yao pouted and made a somewhat provocative gesture, exuding a touch of allure as she did so. ¡°What¡¯s the use of resting? It¡¯s not like¡­¡± Perhaps mindful of Gu Xiaonan¡¯s presence, she didn¡¯t finish her sentence. The white-d woman turned her gaze to Gu Xiaonan. ¡°Youngster, regardless of where you came from, I advise you to leave immediately.¡± Many of those who entered this ce probably had some connection to Qitian Yu. Despite the potential link to Qitian Yu, the woman in white carried apassionate heart. Fearing that he might have identally ended up here and recognizing the peril his discovery by Qitian Yu could bring, she earnestly wished for his quick departure. ¡°Haha, Qingyu, you can hardly protect yourself, yet you¡¯re concerned about others? Besides, who cares about this kid? He might just be Qitian Yu¡¯s offspring. No need for your concern,¡± Hong Yao teased with augh and a smirk. Perhaps touching an injury, she winced and let out a hiss. ¡°I¡¯m not that ugly prince¡¯s offspring! He captured me!¡± Gu Xiaonan retorted. ¡°Hehe, I¡¯ve never heard anyone call Qitian Yu an ugly prince.¡± Hong Yao chuckled, her foxy eyes assessing Gu Xiaonan up and down before settling on his delicately carved face. ¡°Butpared to you, he really isn¡¯t that impressive.¡± ¡°Why did Qitian Yu capture you?¡± Zhou Qingyu ignored Hong Yao¡¯s banter and asked Gu Xiaonan with a furrowed brow. ¡°Could it be that women no longer satisfy him, and now he¡¯s targeting children?¡± Hong Yao interjected, her words dripping with sarcasm as her slender, snowy-white fingers lightly traced her corbone. Gu Xiaonan didn¡¯t understand the meaning behind the woman¡¯s words. In a childlike voice, he answered, ¡°The ugly prince took a liking to my mom, and when she beat him up, he captured me to threaten her.¡± ¡°Tsk, just like Qitian Yu¡¯s style!¡± Hong Yao expressed disgust in her eyes. A trace of disgust appeared in Hong Yao¡¯s eyes. Both Zhou Qingyu and the other women¡¯s expressions darkened. After all, these women were the ones forcibly abducted by Qitian Yu. Looking at the appearance of this young boy, it was likely that his mother was quite beautiful. However, was Qitian Yu now extending his reach even to married women? ¡°Since the ugly Prince imprisoned you all here, you must surely be good people.. I will rescue you from here!¡± Chapter 248 - 248: Cultivating Sinister Arts Chapter 248: Cultivating Sinister Arts Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan, although not fully understanding why they were imprisoned here, detested Qitian Yu, so he naturally wanted to oppose him. Knowing that he was also captured, Zhou Qingyu frowned worriedly and said, ¡°Little one, you should leave quickly. You can¡¯t save us, and mustn¡¯t let Qitian Yu¡¯s men discover you.¡± ¡°Little guy, if you manage to escape, find someone to rescue us!¡± Hong Yao quickly added. Gu Xiaonan responded, ¡°I¡¯m not called ¡®little guy¡¯, I¡¯m Gu Xiaonan. I can save you.¡± Everyone thought he was too naive. How could he, such a little kid, save all of them? Gu Xiaonan approached the cage where Hong Yao was held. Arge lock secured the iron cage. I long Yao said, ¡°It can¡¯t be opened without a key.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the key?¡± Gu Xiaonan asked. ¡°It¡¯s with Qitian Yu, and he usually keeps it on him.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go get it for you!¡± Gu Xiaonan realized he couldn¡¯t break the lock, so he said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about us. If you have the ability, quickly escape from the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion!¡± Zhou Qingyu urged. Gu Xiaonan looked at them with determination. ¡°I will rescue you from here!¡± ¡°It¡¯s useless. We¡¯ve been poisoned. Even if we leave, we¡¯ll still be under Qitian Yu¡¯s control.¡± Zhou Qingyu informed him. ¡°Poison?¡± Gu Xiaonan took out a bottle from his space. ¡°This is an antidote pill. Try taking it.¡± Gu Xiaonan distributed an antidote pill to each of the women. Some of the women appeared rtively normal, while others leaned against the cage motionless, with vacant gazes, like living dead. Seeing those women who had lost their will to live, Gu Xiaonan felt very ufortable. ¡°Sister in white, what¡¯s wrong with these other sisters?¡± There were a total of twenty-eight women in the secret room, and five of them looked like lifeless corpses. A trace of sadness flickered in Zhou Qingyu¡¯s eyes. ¡°All of them have been subjected to Qitian Yu¡¯s persecution, enduring unimaginable torment that has broken their minds and bodies, causing them to lose the desire to live, leading to their current condition.¡± ¡°Why would the ugly Prince harm you all?¡± ¡°To advance his cultivation!¡± Hong Yao sneered lightly, a hint of hatred shing in her eyes. ¡°Little guy, when you get out, remind your mother not to fall into Qitian Yu¡¯s hands. This man is cunning and sly. Despite his appearance of elegance and charm, he has harmed countless young women.¡± These women, some were forcibly abducted by Qitian Yu¡¯s minions, while others were lured by Qitian Yu¡¯s disguises. No matter the method, they all ended up with the same fate ¡ª bing Qitian Yu¡¯s tools. In order to advance his cultivation, Qitian Yu practiced a sinister art that exploited women for dual cultivation. Normal dual cultivation should benefit both parties, with the weaker one gaining greater advantages. However, this forbidden technique was a genuine method of harnessing the yin and strengthening the yang aspects. They were chosen by Qitian Yu not only for their beauty but also due to their exceptional talents. They were either geniuses from prestigious families or ordinary women with bodies suited for cultivation. Qitian Yu kept them confined in this lightless secret room, feeding them high-quality medicine daily and selecting two of them regrly for dual cultivation. Aside from draining their arcane power, he also subjected them to cruel and violent methods. Consequently, they each carried different extents of injuries. Those who came early had more injuries; Those who cameter had fewer; Before them, countless women had suffered and perished tragically. Hong Yao and Zhou Qingyu had only been here for a short time, so they were in better condition. If they stayed for a longer period, perhaps they would be just like those girls with almost no vitality left, longing for death. It was infuriating that Qitian Yu was so ruthless. Even if they wanted to end their lives, they couldn¡¯t. He had inflicted several types of poison on them, one of which left thempletely powerless, unable to even walk. Moreover, they were imprisoned in iron cages like beasts, stripped of all sharp objects. In such circumstances, suicide became a luxury. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my mother is formidable! The ugly Prince is no match for my mother!¡± Gu Xiaonan raised his chubby chin proudly.. Chapter 249 - 249: Incredible Antidote Chapter 249: Incredible Antidote Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Hong Yao, however, didn¡¯t take his words to heart. Children are often like this, blindly confident in their parents, always thinking their parents are the most powerful. Gu Xiaonan sensed their skepticism but didn¡¯t argue. He urged them to consume the antidote pills. Between two fingers, Hong Yao held the ck pill, smiling as she said, ¡°Well, whether this pill can detoxify or not, it probably won¡¯t make things worse than they are now. At worst, it¡¯s a poison targeting the heart. Better to die early and be reborn.¡± She ced the antidote pill in her mouth. After a moment, a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes. ¡°The poison¡­ is neutralized?¡± Zhou Qingyu also wore a puzzled expression. ¡°1 can control arcane power now!¡± As part of his scheme to seize their arcane power, Qitian Yu had administered pills that could trigger the generation of arcane power, regardless of their cultivation efforts. Even without active practice, their bodies would generate arcane power, but the medication had control over it, preventing them from harnessing it freely. But now, they could utilize their arcane power. The other women, eager, swallowed the antidote pills. ¡°It¡¯s really working!¡± ¡°Mine too!¡± ¡°What kind of incredible antidote is this? It¡¯s remarkable!¡± The previously deathly quiet chamber suddenly became lively. Only those few women who were half-lifeless, leaning against the cage or lying on the ground, remained unmoving. The sounds around seemed not to enter their ears. Gu Xiaonan patted Xiao Bai and said, ¡°Xiao Bai, it¡¯s up to you. Please feed them the antidote pills.¡± ¡°Squeak squeak!¡± Xiao Bai touched down on the ground, its upper body lifting as it tapped its small chest with a paw. Then, it lowered its front legs, grasped an antidote pill with its mouth, entered a cage, and gently ced the pill into the mouth of a woman with a vacant gaze. The other four followed the same pattern. Afterpleting the task, Xiao Bai nimbly left the cage and jumped back into Gu Xiaonan¡¯s embrace. Gu Xiaonan praised it with a smile, ¡°Xiao Bai, you¡¯re amazing!¡± Saying that, he ced a spirit pill into its mouth. The pill dissolved instantly, transforming into spiritual energy that spread throughout its limbs. Xiaobai squinted its eyes in contentment. ¡°Beautiful sister, please wait for a while. I¡¯m going to sneak in and steal the key to save you now!¡± Seeing how potent Gu Xiaonan¡¯s antidote pill was, Hong Yao and the others spected that his background was far from simple. However, he appeared too young, causing them to worry. ¡°Please be extremely cautious. If you¡¯re caught, don¡¯t worry about us anymore. Run as far as you can!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the Ugly Prince is currently severely poisoned. He won¡¯t have the time to bother with me for now.¡± As for those guards in the prince¡¯s residence, he¡¯d take them on one by one! They would need to train for another hundred years before they could capture him! After Gu Xiaonan left with Xiao Bai, the chamber fell back into silence. After a while, a woman in yellow clothes whispered, ¡°Do you think Xiaonan wille back?¡± ¡°The Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion is heavily guarded. He entered by mistake, and those people must be searching for him. This journey seems to have more risks than benefits,¡± Zhou Qingyu said with a solemn tone. ¡°All, I hope Xiaonan won¡¯t get caught!¡± Another woman had a worried expression. The young boy was so adorable and courageous. Even if they felt the hope was slim, they were very appreciative of his intention to rescue them. Amidst the women¡¯s concerns and prayers, Gu Xiaonan climbed back to the previous room. ¡°Xiao Bai, you stay here and keep watch. If any troublemakerse in to bother the lovelydies, use your paws to w at their eyes!¡± Gu Xiaonan instructed, his concern for the girls in the room clearly visible. He spoke with a solemn tone. Xiao Bai nodded. Don¡¯t worry, little master, i¡¯ll protect them and wait for your return! The owner and his furrypanion shared a paw shake before Gu Xiaonan exited the room. He crouched on the rooftop, scanned his surroundings, and spotted a group of guards passing not far away. He quickly lowered his head. After a short while, he raised his head once more, ensuring the coast was clear, and then gracefully jumped down from the rooftop to the courtyard below. Chapter 250 - 250: I’m Done For! Chapter 250: I¡¯m Done For! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Quacks! All of you are quacks! If this prince cannot be cured, I will chop off your heads!¡± Inside the main courtyard of the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence. From the side hall next to the main bedroom came the furious roar of the Fifth Prince. Shortly after, several doctors rushed out in a disheveled state. They exchanged nces and shook their heads with bitter smiles. A small head slowly and quietly peeked out from a corner of the roof. Upon seeing the group of helpless imperial physicians, he raised the corners of his mouth and silently chuckled. The poison brewed by Gu Xiaonan wasn¡¯t something that could be easily neutralized. However, there were too many people in the yard. How could he return to the previous room to find the key? Based on his assessment, it seemed that the disfigured prince had been poisoned and likely didn¡¯t manage to get dressed in time. The key should be in the room he had originally upied. However, that room was adjacent to the one he was currently in. Because of the incident, the Fifth Prince had mobilized the most elite forces of the mansion in this main courtyard. It was almost impossible for Gu Xiaonan to enter stealthily. Unless¡­ Gu Xiaonan nced at the room behind the imperial physicians, a devilish smile appearing in his eyes. He stood on the rooftop, lightly descending above Qitian Yu¡¯s room, and lifted a piece of roof tile. Qitian Yu would never have imagined that the ¡°assassin¡± who had ambushed him not only didn¡¯t escape but had actually circled back to give him another blow. Gu Xiaonany on the rooftop, peering into the room below. Several middle-aged and elderly men stood inside the room, along with a few maidservants. Qitian Yuy on the bed,pletely naked, covered in red rashes that looked like burns from scalding water. Seeing Qitian Yu¡¯s miserable state, Gu Xiaonan raised an eyebrow in satisfaction and let his spiritual awareness sink into his storage space. Rummaging around, he finally found a radiant light bomb. This radiant light bomb was different from those on the market. It was Gu Xiaonan¡¯s version, an enhanced version with tremendous power. Without hesitation, Gu Xiaonan threw it inside. Qitian Yu was in the midst of cursing loudly. Suddenly, a deafening explosion drowned out his voice. Qitian Yu¡¯s throat tightened, and he shouted at the top of his lungs, ¡°Protect me! Protect me!¡± Due to his excessive agitation, his voice cracked, and the sharp cry sounded as if a pig was being ughtered. In an instant, the brilliant light emitted by the exploding radiant light bomb filled the entire room. The guards posted outside the room heard Qi Tianyu¡¯s shouts, their expressions shifting abruptly. Without hesitation, they burst through the door. Blinding light poured out, and the guards instinctively shielded their eyes. It was precisely at this moment! Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes were covered by two pieces of translucent ck film. He leaped down from the roof and burst into the neighboring room. He had already scouted the rooftop before. Qitian Yu¡¯s clothes were hanging on a screen inside the room. Entering the room, he went straight for the screen, his hands groping through the clothing. ¡°Found it!¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes lit up. He tightly gripped a bunch of keys and turned around to run outside. In his haste, he collided with someone. Gu Xiaonan was knocked down to the ground by the impact. He immediately sprung up, swiftly darting out with a swoosh. The guard he had collided with vaguely saw a small figure in the blinding surroundings. He reached out to grab, missed, and quickly shouted, ¡°The assassin is here! Someone, quickly catch him!¡± ¡°Cough cough! Capture the assassin! Hurry! Cough cough! Don¡¯t let him escape again!¡± Qitian Yu ordered while coughing. The air was filled with the pungent scent of pepper spray. It stung his eyes, making them hard to keep open, and his throat incessantly itched, provoking coughs. Gu Xiaonan rushed out of the main courtyard, only to find guards charging at him from three directions. There were pursuers behind him as well. Surrounded on all sides, there was no way out! Gu Xiaonan leaped onto the roof, running and jumping with speed. Swoosh swoosh swoosh! A row of arrows was shot at him. Gu Xiaonan agilely evaded them. Even more arrows were directed at him. To evade the arrows, Gu Xiaonan shifted his body, lost his footing, and tumbled downward. In his heart, Gu Xiaonanmented I¡¯m done for! Chapter 251 - 251: Unparalleled In the World Chapter 251: Unparalleled In the World Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The expected pain didn¡¯te. An invisible arcane power caught him from below. Gu Xiaonan opened his eyes and saw Feng Yuanxi standing under the eaves. ¡°Yuanxi! Why are you here?¡± ¡°I¡¯m looking for you.¡± Feng Yuanxi furrowed his brows and nced into the distance. ¡°Let¡¯s leave this ce first and talk.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Gu Xiaonannded steadily on his feet and followed behind Feng Yuanxi as they ran. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Gu Xiaonan noticed that he seemed to have a clear destination in mind. ¡°Leaving the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence. I¡¯ve already rescued Sister Qianxi. I came back to find you.¡± Gu Xiaonan exined, ¡°We can¡¯t leave yet. I have to go save a group of lovely sisters.¡± Feng Yuanxi looked at him in confusion. ¡°It¡¯s a long story. Those people were captured by the ugly prince! I promised them to steal the key and save them. Xiao Bai is guarding there.¡± Feng Yuanxi asked, ¡°Do you know the way?¡± Gu Xiaonan nodded. This time he specifically remembered the route. So, Feng Yuanxi followed him. The two worked together to elude the guards. With some surprises but no real danger along the way, they finally returned to the secluded and deserted courtyard. ¡°Squeak!¡± Upon seeing Gu Xiaonan, Xiao Bai¡¯s alert eyes turned into excitement. ¡°Xiao Bai! I¡¯m back! No bad people came in, right?¡± Xiaobai shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s good then.¡± Gu Xiaonan picked up Xiao Bai and headed into the house. Feng Yuanxi followed, considering themotion outside. He asked, ¡°Did you kill the Fifth Prince?¡± Gu Xiaonan pouted unhappily. ¡°No! He found out. He had a lot of guards around him. I didn¡¯t have time to kill him, so I just threw some of the poison I usually make into his room. He got lucky.¡± Xiao Bai in his arms was sweating. He got lucky? The poison that the young master concocted was unparalleled in the world. Over the years, its young master had forced it to test the poison, an experience that was unquestionably more agonizing than death itself. Fortunately, after each poison test, the young master provided the antidote. This time, the young master casually grabbed a handful of poison without knowing what kinds of poison were present. The Fifth Prince mightck the antidote that the young master provided. If he were fortunate and hadn¡¯t consumed a lethal poison, there could be a chance of survival through medical intervention. However, if he happened to have ingested a fatal poison, the Fifth Prince¡¯s life would be in jeopardy. In its heart, Xiao Bai lit a row of candles for the Fifth Prince. ¡°What a pity!¡± Gu Xiaonan let out a gentle sigh, ¡°Absolutely true! It¡¯s unfair to those who are kind-hearted for such a viinous person to continue living even a moment longer.¡± Inside the secret chamber, the women heard Gu Xiaonan¡¯s voice and turned their heads. They were surprised to see another boy about his size by his side. Today was truly unusual. How many children did the Fifth Prince captured? ¡°Xiaonan, did you find the key?¡± Hong Yao asked. ¡°Found it!¡± Gu Xiaonan held up the key, shook it, and signaled them to see. The women¡¯s faces lit up with joy. ¡°You really found it! That¡¯s great! We can finally leave this cursed ce and no longer endure inhuman torture.¡± Many of the girls shed tears of joy. Some of them remained calm. Escape? They had indeed tried to escape before. They had even tried every possible way to get someone toe and rescue them. But in the end, all their attempts had failed. The Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion was heavily guarded. Even if they managed to ovee the effects of the poison, it would still take time for them to regain theirbat strength. Engaging the guards outside would still put them at a disadvantage. Gu Xiaonan hadn¡¯t thought that far ahead. His first priority was to get them out. As for how to escape with them, he believed they could cross that bridge when they came to it. After unlocking all the doors, those who could walk came out on their own, while those who couldn¡¯t were assisted by others. Feng Yuanxi said, ¡°I¡¯ll go outside and scout.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Feng Yuanxi returned to the upper room andy on the roof to survey. Every now and then, a group of guards passed by underneath. After a while, he returned with a furrowed brow. Just as Gu Xiaonan and the others wereing out of the secret chamber. ¡°The area outside is heavily patrolled by guards. If it were just the two of us, we could navigate around them without much trouble. However, with this many people now¡­ our presence would be too conspicuous..¡± Chapter 252 - 252: Casting Pearls Before Swine Chapter 252: Casting Pearls Before Swine Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Gu Qingluan emerged from the Ster Space and was about to return to Shallow Clouds Residence to find her two sons when she unexpectedly encountered Feng Tian on her way, startling her. A moment of guilt and panic shed through her heart. Feng Tian gazed at her with a faint intensity, his eyes probing. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°I¡­ How would I know? This is a private estate, outsiders aren¡¯t allowed to enter. Don¡¯t you understand this basic rule?¡± She pondered inwardly, who let this guy in so casually? Could it be that he sneaked in himself? The protective barrier she set up didn¡¯t show any abnormal reactions. Feng Tian advanced towards her. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but step back, ¡°What do you want?¡± Was he here to seek retribution for her stripping and tossing him and onto the street? Or was he here to hold her ountable for taking Little Yuanxi away? Her fingers, concealed by her sleeve, subtly curled, the golden jiao silk glinting faintly, ready to strike at the right moment! Feng Tian¡¯s gaze briefly swept over her hand. ¡°You¡¯d better put away what¡¯s in your hand, or¡­¡± He didn¡¯t finish his sentence, but Gu Qingluan could sense the threat in his tone. She wasn¡¯t sure what he might do, but one thing was certain: with his strength, dealing with her would be effortless. On a previous asion when Gu Qingluan had been pushed to her limits, she had resorted to stripping him naked and tossing him onto the street. Looking back, she realized that such an act was a one-time urrence. If she were to provoke him to that extent again, she would be the one facing the repercussions. Pausing in her steps, she locked eyes with him, her determination evident. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s cut to the chase. What¡¯s your intention? If you¡¯re nning to take Little Yuanxi, I vehemently oppose it! He¡¯s my son as well. We were forcibly separated for years, and we¡¯ve only had three days together as mother and son since our reunion. Unless he willingly decides to go with you, 1 won¡¯t allow you to take him by force!¡± Feng Tian lowered his eyes, the deep gaze fixing on her face. ¡°Have you thought this through?¡± Gu Qingluan was in the middle of a lengthy discourse expressing her viewpoint when he interrupted her, causing her to momentarily freeze. Her mind raced quickly. His absence for the past two days raised the question: Was he giving her time to contemte his marriage proposal? With the way she had been teasing him, he hadn¡¯t given up on marrying her? Seeing his earnestness, Gu Qingluan sincerely shared her thoughts, ¡°It¡¯s not possible between us.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s eyes suddenly gleamed with a sharp light. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t share any emotional connection, and forcing ourselves to be together would only lead to mutual suffering. I¡¯d rather live freely and happily on my own.¡± ¡°Emotions can be nurtured,¡± Feng Tian replied softly. ¡°But i don¡¯t like men with bad tempers!¡± Gu Qingluan pouted. Someone who had frequent bursts of anger, strangled people¡¯s necks, and pinched their chins¡ªclearly a tant case of domestic violence. She didn¡¯t have a masochistic streak; only someone crazy would marry him. Feng Tian was speechless. ¡°You see, you don¡¯t like women, and 1 don¡¯t like men with bad tempers. We¡¯re simply notpatible. There¡¯s no need for us to be bound together due to an ident from five years ago. However, we¡¯re still Little Yuanxi¡¯s parents. In the future, we can alternate taking care of him every six months. This way, he won¡¯t miss out on either a father¡¯s or a mother¡¯s affection¡­¡± Feng Tian disliked hearing these words. He furrowed his brow and interrupted her again, ¡°You won¡¯t know if you don¡¯t try.¡± Gu Qingluan scoffed at that, finding it utterly futile! He didn¡¯t seem dumb at all; how couldn¡¯t he understand her words? ¡°Well, I don¡¯t like it, and 1 don¡¯t want to waste time trying. Mr. Feng, please don¡¯t bring this up again.¡± ¡°Feng Tian.¡± ¡°My name is Feng Tian.¡± The name sounded familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere before. In that moment, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t remember, and she mused, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s not important, which is why it slipped my mind.¡± So, she decided not to dwell on it. ¡°You don¡¯t actually have to tell me your name. We can just maintain a nodding acquaintance.¡± Feng Tian didn¡¯t want to continue with this topic. ¡°Where¡¯s Yuanxi?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes immediately turned cautious, ¡°Are you nning to take him away?¡± Chapter 253 - 253: The Wedding Ceremony is Coming Soon Chapter 253: The Wedding Ceremony is Coming Soon Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian didn¡¯t reply, but his expression said it all. Gu Qingluan yed the emotional card with him, saying, ¡°Just when Little Yuanxi and 1 have reunited, can you bear to separate him from his birth mother?¡± However, Feng Tian remained indifferent, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t object to him living with his birth mother, but unfortunately, she¡¯s a heartless person and is unwilling.¡± A lump formed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s throat. When did she be unwilling? She was clearly unwilling to marry him, can he please stay on topic? Man, leave! Let Little Yuanxi stay! She raised both her hands and feet in agreement. Feng Tian strode toward Shallow Clouds Residence, his demeanor calm andposed, as if he were well-acquainted with this ce. If one didn¡¯t know any better, one might mistake it for his territory. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want him to take away Little Yuanxi, but she couldn¡¯t stop him from meeting his son. All she could do was anxiously follow along, silently hoping that Little Yuanxi could convince himself to stay. Inside Shallow Clouds Residence, Feng Tian caught the attention of Bo He and Qianhuan. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity. Young Master Yuanxi was the mistress¡¯s child, and this gentleman was Yuanxi¡¯s father. Wasn¡¯t he the enigmatic figure who shared a spring night with the mistress five years ago? Mr. Feng was undoubtedly impressive, but his face was somewhat ordinary, not matching the mistress¡¯ elegance. Young master Yuanxi¡¯s distinctive looks were all thanks to the mistress¡¯ beauty. Skipping formalities, Gu Qingluan scanned the room and asked, ¡°Where are Xiaonan and Yuanxi?¡± ¡°Qianxi is ying with them in Xiaonan¡¯s room,¡± Qianhuan replied. Gu Qingluan then led Feng Tian to Xiaonan¡¯s room. However, the room was empty. ¡°Weird, where did everyone go?¡± Bo He and Qianhuan looked around in surprise. There was a faint strange smell in the air, almost imperceptible. Gu Qingluan, familiar with dealing with medicines, noticed it. Her gaze fell on a wooden box on the table, which had a spring attached to it and some white powder stuck on top of it. She reached out to touch it. ¡°Be careful, it might be poisonous!¡± Long, slender fingers with well-defined knuckles gently grasped her wrist. Bo He and Qianhuan stood behind, exchanging knowing nces. It seemed that the Mr. Feng cared a lot about the mistress. Could their estate be preparing for a wedding? Gu Qingluan twisted her wrist, freeing it from Feng Tian¡¯s grip. ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing.¡± As her words fell, a translucentyer of light enveloped her hand. Using her arcane power, she lifted the wooden box and brought it close to her nose, taking a delicate sniff. Then, her expression changed. ¡°There¡¯s something strange about this powder. It contains Bedonna, Windchime Flower, and Gufeng Beast blood¡­ These substances can all make someone lose their senses.¡± Bo He and Qianhuan eximed, ¡°How could this be? This was sent by the Lushi Auction House. They wouldn¡¯t harm Xiaonan (Young Master Xiaonan), would they?¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying this was sent by the Lushi Auction House?¡± ¡°Yes, the messenger said the Lushi Auction House sent a gift to the gate, specifying that it¡¯s for Xiaonan. Young Master Lu has sent gifts a few times before, so we didn¡¯t think much of it. Could someone have used Young Master Lu¡¯s name to send this harmful substance? Ah! Won¡¯t the two young masters be in danger?¡± Bo He and Qianhuan were extremely anxious. ¡°When was it delivered?¡± ¡°It¡¯s been over half an hour.¡± A serious expression crossed Gu Qingluan¡¯s face. ¡°Both of you, go inform Su Lie immediately. Check if there are any suspicious individuals in the estate and seal off all the exits. No one is to leave without my orders!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The two women nodded in unison and hurried away. Gu Qingluan extended her consciousness throughout the estate. Feng Tian didn¡¯t remain passive either. Sensing the possibility that their son might have been taken, he closed his eyes and started to search. After a while, Gu Qingluan opened her eyes, worriedly saying, ¡°Xiaonan and Yuanxi are both missing, and Xiao Bai and Qianxi aren¡¯t in the estate either.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, 1 have a general idea of where they might be,¡± Feng Tian said, looking at her sideways. His calm and profound eyes seemed to possess a magical power that soothed Gu Qingluan¡¯s previously anxious heart. Almost without realizing it, she grabbed his arm. ¡°Where are they?¡± The pressure on his arm made Feng Tian pause briefly. A hint of something subtle flickered in his eyes, yet his voice remained as tranquil as water. ¡°They¡¯re at the Fifth Prince¡¯s Residence..¡± Chapter 254 - 254: Blowing Up the Treasure Vault Chapter 254: Blowing Up the Treasure Vault Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Xiaonan, you should go on your own. Don¡¯t get involved with us,¡± Zhou Qingyu responded immediately upon hearing Feng Yuanxi¡¯s words. Having fallen to this point, it was due to their own misfortune. There was no need to burden two children who were so young. Gu Xiaonan clenched his fists, determination gleaming in his pitch-ck eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll go together! I promised to help you and get you out of here, and I absolutely won¡¯t go back on my word!¡± ¡°Little guy, you¡¯re so sincere.¡± Hong Yao sighed, ruffling his small head. He truly was an adorable child. It would be a shame if he fell into Qitian Yu¡¯s hands. ¡°Big Sister in Red, don¡¯t touch my head. I won¡¯t grow taller if you keep doing it.¡± Gu Xiaonan bent over and ran two meters away, speaking earnestly. Hong Yao couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter. ¡°Haha, is that so? Where did you pick up such a misconception? But wait, why aren¡¯t you calling me ¡®beautiful sister¡¯ anymore? Does that mean I don¡¯t look beautiful outside of the secret room?¡± By the end of her words, she pouted in a somewhat aggrieved manner, truly endearing. Her naturally alluring fox-like eyes didn¡¯t miss a chance to send a flirtatious nce in Gu Xiaonan¡¯s direction. Having grown up with Gu Qingluan, Gu Xiaonan had spent much of his life in herpany. While Gu Qingluan might not possess the captivating allure of Hong Yao, she was no ordinary woman. Her character exuded a devilish quality, and she had never missed an opportunity to yfully tease her son. As a result, Gu Xiaonan had long be immune to such antics. Facing Hong Yao¡¯s antics, he remainedposed. ¡°There are too many beautiful sisters, it¡¯s hard to distinguish, so 1 changed the way I address you.¡± Zhou Qingyu couldn¡¯t bear it and gave Hong Yao a stern look. ¡°What are you doing, it¡¯s not the time to fool around!¡± Hong Yao casually shrugged, her intent being to lighten the tense atmosphere. The group seemed weighed down, almost like they were hurrying to a funeral. Nevertheless, their present circumstances were undeniably an improvementpared to the confinement of an iron cage in a hidden chamber. ¡°In fact, you don¡¯t need to worry. I¡¯vee up with a n,¡± Feng Yuanxi suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. Gu Xiaonan asked, ¡°Yuanxi, do you have a n?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded and exined, ¡°While I was searching for the Fifth Prince¡¯s location earlier, 1 took the opportunity to familiarize myself with theyout of his entire residence. The ce is divided into front and rear entrances, as well as left and right side gates. Currently, all four gates are likely under guard. If we intend to exit through a particr gate, we¡¯ll need to handle the guards. However, that¡¯s not the most challenging aspect; the real difficulty lies in reaching the gate. Coordinating our movements with so many people won¡¯t be simple.¡± Everyone nodded; they understood this principle. ¡°To avoid being discovered, the best method is a diversionary tactic. As long as we can lure the guards away from the residence, we can seize the opportunity to break free.¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°I¡¯ll go assassinate the ugly prince! The prince¡¯s residence will definitely be thrown into chaos!¡± ¡°That won¡¯t work, it¡¯s too risky!¡± ¡°At present, there must be numerous experts around the Fifth Prince. Trying to assassinate him is like jumping into a trap.¡± All the women expressed their opposition. ¡°Young one, have you thought of how to draw their attention? Do you want us to go and divert their focus?¡± Zhou Qingyu bent down, locking eyes with Feng Yuanxi, and asked gently. Feng Yuanxi replied, ¡°You don¡¯t need to intervene. Just blow up the treasure vault of the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence, and they¡¯ll naturally rush over there.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do it! I¡¯ll do it!¡± Blowing up a treasure vault sounded really impressive. Feng Yuanxi asked, ¡°Do you know where the treasure vault is?¡± Gu Xiaonan faltered for words. Feng Yuanxi continued, ¡°I¡¯ll go and blow up the treasure vault. Xiaonan, you stay here and observe your surroundings. As soon as you hear an explosion and the nearby guards leave, take them with you and head for the west side gate. The defensive strength there is rtively weaker.¡± Gu Xiaonan frowned, his small face full of concern. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous for you to go alone.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go with you!¡± Hong Yao volunteered. A group of adults couldn¡¯t rely solely on a little kid to protect them with all his might. Feng Yuanxi nced at her, his gaze calm. ¡°You¡¯re too weak..¡± Chapter 255 - 255: Capture of Gu Xiaonan Alive, Reward of Ten Thousand Gold Taels Chapter 255: Capture of Gu Xiaonan Alive, Reward of Ten Thousand Gold Taels Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The tone revealed no ripples, yet inexplicably, Hong Yao felt as if she was being looked down upon, and her heart felt heavy. After all, she was the Vice Pce Master of the Red Moon Pce, a Stage of the Heavenly Realm expert, okay? ¡°There¡¯s no time to waste. All of you are too weak, so don¡¯t cause more trouble. 1¡¯11 escort you out, and Yuanxi will go blow up the treasure vault.¡± Gu Xiaonan swept a nce over the women, let out a sigh, and then ced the small white animal in his arms. ¡°Yuanxi, take Xiao Bai with you. I¡¯ll feel more at ease.¡± ¡°¡­ Alright.¡± Feng Yuanxi pursed his lips and smiled. ¡°Xiao Bai, the responsibility of protecting Yuanxi is on you. Can youplete this mission sessfully?¡± Gu Xiaonan asked with seriousness. ¡°Squeak squeak!¡± Xiao Bai solemnly nodded. Rest assured, young master! 1 promise to fulfill the mission! Concerned that prolonging the situation might bring unfavorable consequences, Feng Yuanxi nced through the gap in the door for a brief moment, confirming the absence of anyone outside, before swiftly taking action. Gu Xiaonan and the twenty-eight women waited in the side courtyard. After about half a moment¡¯s time, a deafening explosion shook the northeastern corner of the prince¡¯s residence. A mushroom cloud shot straight into the sky. Startled while lying on his bed, receiving treatment from the imperial physician, Qitian Yu jumped up, ¡°What¡¯s happening¡­ Hiss!¡± The imperial physician¡¯s hand shook uncontrobly, resulting in a silver needle inadvertently puncturing a pressure point. This caused Qitian Yu to suck in a sharp breath and then angrily shove him away. ¡°Ipetent physician!¡± The fallen imperial physician dared not speak back. ¡°Your Highness, an explosion urred in the northeastern corner!¡± a servant rushed in hastily to report. Qitian Yu¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The treasure vault is right there; someone is raiding it! Hurry, quickly gather forces to the treasure vault!¡± The servant hurriedly went to ry the order. Unsettled, Qitian Yu supported his injured body as he got off the bed. ¡°Your Highness, you shouldn¡¯t move now¡­¡± Qitian Yu red at the other party, eyes reddening. ¡°Get out of my way! If anything happens to the treasures in this prince¡¯s vault, can you bear the consequences?¡± The physician who had tried to advise him immediately fell silent, bowing his head and not daring to say another word. After Qitian Yu left, the remaining physicians exchanged nces. ¡°Let him be, he can go if he wants to. After all, it¡¯s the prince¡¯s own body. Advising him won¡¯t lead to any benefits, it might even attract some trouble.¡± Qitian Yu arrived hastily outside the treasure vault. Amidst rolling smoke and dust, a scene of ruins was faintly visible. Exquisite stone carvings and heavy stone doors had all copsed! Qitian Yu¡¯s vision blurred for a moment, nearly causing him to faint. ¡°Your Highness! Your Highness! Are you alright?¡± A servant quickly supported him, his actions flustered. Qitian Yu¡¯s trembling finger pointed at the treasure vault. ¡°Go and see if the treasures are still there.¡± His voice quivered. Several guards rushed into the smoke. After a while, they came out one by one with reports. ¡°Reporting to Your Highness, the treasure vault is empty.¡± Even with mental preparation, Qitian Yu couldn¡¯t ept it. Suppressing his dizziness, he gritted his teeth and roared, ¡°Gu Xiaonan, i¡¯ll ughter you!¡± His eyes swept menacingly over the people in the residence. ¡°Everyone listen, even if we have to dig three feet underground, we must capture that brat for me!¡± ording to the guards¡¯ reports, the one who had ambushed him was a child. Coupled with the recent report that Gu Xiaonan¡¯s shed, where he was detained, was empty, anyone could deduce that this was all the work of Gu Xiaonan. It didn¡¯t take much to realize that Gu Xiaonan was behind all of this. In this critical moment, Qitian Yu didn¡¯t have the luxury of regretting his decision to bring him here. His sole focus was on making sure the other party suffered dearly. Suddenly, a diminutive figure dashed out from the wreckage. ¡°There, catch him!¡± A vignt guard spotted and pointed excitedly at the direction the small figure was fleeing. Qitian Yu quickly looked over, his face immediately contorted with a fierce, predatory expression.. ¡°Chase after him! Whoever captures Gu Xiaonan alive will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold!¡± Chapter 256 - 256: Mother’s Mighty Entrance Chapter 256: Mother¡¯s Mighty Entrance Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The guards heard the reward and their eyes instantly lit up. They exerted their utmost effort to chase after the person. ¡°You all should go too!¡± Qitian Yu instructed the guards who were by his side. Previously, he didn¡¯t know who had plotted against him, which prompted him to have so many experts protect him. Now that he knew the assassin was Gu Xiaonan, he had no reason to hold back. Not capturing Gu Xiaonan would leave him unable to vent his hatred! Beside Qitian Yu were three experts of the Stage of the Heavenly Realm. Apart from his personal bodyguards, the other two were ones he had hired with a hefty sum. Just a while ago, they were regretting not being able to obtain ten thousand taels of gold. Upon hearing that they could also join the pursuit, they immediately disyed their skills to chase the target. Experts at the Stage of the Heavenly Realm were much stronger than others. In a short while, they had overtaken most of the guards and rushed to the front. Feng Yuanxi dashed forward with all his might, leading them southeast. Suddenly, a sense of danger surged within him. Relying on his intuition, he grabbed Xiao Bai and plummeted downward. Whoosh! A sword light swept past his head. Boom! A nearby wall was instantly destroyed by the sword energy. Feng Yuanxi looked up and saw a cold-faced man. Since his opponent¡¯s first strike had failed, heunched another attack. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s young face turned serious. This person was not weak. In the face of a battle, Feng Yuanxi remained fearless. However, he couldn¡¯t waste time here; the pursuers behind him would catch up soon. Swiftly essing his spatial storage, he took out a concealed weapon. Purple light gleamed as it morphed into an array of razor-sharp projectiles, soaring towards his adversary. Then, he turned and ran. Suddenly, a tall and thin middle-aged man holding a Soul Seizing Banner appeared, chanting incantations. In an instant, the world changed, and a fierce wind began to blow. ck mist emerged from the Soul Seizing Banner, forming ghostly faces that rushed toward Feng Yuanxi with mournful cries. Seeing those ghostly faces, a look of disgust filled Feng Yuanxi¡¯s cold eyes. He was enveloped in purple light as if bathed in sacred radiance, untouchable. The ghostly spirits hadn¡¯t even touched him when they were incinerated by the purple light, screaming and fleeing. However, they couldn¡¯t escape even a yard before being caught by the purple light and consumed. Amidst the piercing screams, they turned into wisps of smoke. Seeing this, the tall and thin man revealed an astonished expression on his pale face. ¡°Impossible! My Soul Seizing Banner is a sacred artifact! How could you easily destroy my ghosts? Let¡¯s see how many more you can eliminate!¡± He infused arcane power into the Soul Seizing Banner, causing it to instantly expand and fly into the air. The banner¡¯s surface rolled violently like a dark cloud obscuring the sun. Below the banner, a demonic wind surged, and countless ghostly spirits emerged from the banner, their faces hideous as they rushed toward Feng Yuanxi. They collided with the purple light and were instantly reduced to ashes. Yet they surged forward like moths to a me,ing one after another. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s youthful face gradually paled. The purple light surrounding him also dimmed. Seeing this, the tall and thin middle-aged man burst into heartyughter. ¡°Little brat, I¡¯m going to refine you into the Soul Seizing Banner and make you my most powerful ghostly spirit!¡± As they were obstructed by him and the emotionless man, the rest of the pursuers started to arrive one after another. Feng Yuanxi bit his lips, his face fearless, except for his tightly clenched fist by his side that betrayed his nervousness. Qitian Yu stood not far away, panting heavily, a look of delight in his eyes. ¡°Old ghost, don¡¯t kill him just yet! Wait until Gu Qingluan arrives and let her witness this little brat being sacrificed to your Soul Seizing Banner!¡± He wanted the person who harmed him to regret it beyond measure, to feel so much pain that they wished for death! Yan the Old Ghost burst intoughter. ¡°Haha, alright! Fifth Prince, don¡¯t make this old man wait too long. I¡¯m looking forward to using this little brat to pay tribute to my precious lost souls!¡± ¡°How dare you! You think you can use my son as a sacrificial offering? Let¡¯s see if you can live to do so!¡± A furious roar resonated through the heavens, bringing with it a pressure reminiscent of an immense tidal wave, rendering it hard to catch one¡¯s breath. Everyone looked up in shock. Who was it? Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes brightened, and he looked toward the distance with excitement. It was his mother¡¯s voice! Chapter 257 - 257: Domination in Seconds Chapter 257: Domination in Seconds Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Perched on Yuanxi¡¯s shoulder, Xiao Bai squeaked excitedly. The mistress is here to save us! ng! A resounding, domineering sh followed swiftly. A cold light pierced the air, cleaving the Soul Seizing Banner that hung suspended. The connection between Yan the old ghost and the banner caused his spirit to writhe in pain, forcing him to cough up a mouthful of blood as his body plummeted from mid-air. Gracefully descending from the heavens was a figure dressed in pristine white. Her presence held an otherworldly air, her gown as immacte as freshly fallen snow, embodying the essence of a celestial being gracing the mortal realm. Amidst the estate¡¯s staff, stares of awe were directed at her, momentarily causing them to forget about her formidable might. Yet, confronted with her chillingly beautiful countenance, Qitian Yu felt an icy surge from his feet to his head, hastily seeking refuge behind his guards, eximing in a panic, ¡°Stop her! Stop her immediately!¡± Gu Qingluan held the Heavenly Heart Qin, her delicate jade fingers gracefully brushing the strings. Yet another melody echoed, its tune vividly showcased. Silver light shed from her fingertips, akin to a shooting star, sweeping forth. The guards blocking Qitian Yu were struck, cries of agony filling the air as they were thrown back. Before Qitian Yu stood defenseless, watching as Gu Qingluan single-handedly dominated the scene. Fear intensified within him, his eyes darting around in rm. ¡°Luo Ying, stop her quickly!¡± From the side, Luo Ying leapt forth, wielding a sword, directly charging at Gu Qingluan. A wry smile curved on Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips as her fingertip lightly brushed the strings. A sharp resonance intertwined with dreadful force, akin to a battering ram, colliding with Luo Ying¡¯s sword. Crack! In an instant, the finest of swords shattered into pieces. Luo Ying¡¯s face betrayed astonishment. What a formidable melody! Twisting away from the attack, he closed the gap with Gu Qingluan barehanded. With a disdainful smile, Gu Qingluan¡¯s index finger lightly flicked, and the edge of her qin transformed into darting des, akin to a deluge of arrows, blocking Luo Ying¡¯s retreat. A cold smile cracked across Luo Ying¡¯s frosty face as he swiftly channeled his arcane power. A protective barrier of arcane power enveloped him. Bang! Bang! Bang! The qin des shed against the barrier. In an instant, countless cracks appeared on the barrier. With a deafening roar, the barrier shattered. Coughing up blood, Luo Ying was flung away like a kite with a broken string. Ignoring himpletely, Gu Qingluan gracefully ascended to the rooftop and took a seat, the Heavenly Heart Qin ced beside her legs. Her fingers moved deftly across the strings, producing a nimble dance of melodies. Within this earthly expanse and the open sky, the air reverberated with the enchanting melody of the qin. Though heavenly in sound, it was a fearsome instrument of death. Feng Tian followed closely behind Gu Qingluan, observing the Heavenly Heart Qin in her hands. A trace of bewilderment flickered in his eyes. Wasn¡¯t this the Heavenly Heart Qin he had gifted to his son? Had his son passed it on to her? He realized that while the Heavenly Heart Qin was powerful, its true potential could only be unlocked by someone proficient in using sound as an offensive tool. Seemingly, his son¡¯s musical talents were inherited from her. Gazing at Gu Qingluan skillfully using the qin to both y music andbat, Feng Tian¡¯s emotions churned. At this moment, the radiance of Gu Qingluan in his eyes was dazzling, a captivating beauty that seemed to hold an entrancing power. Unaware of the stirrings she had caused in a certain someone, Gu Qingluan remained focused on her foes. In just an instant, all of the guards from the pce were incapacitated! Gazing at the fleeing Qitian Yu, a chilling glint shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. With a flick of her thumb, a silvery radiance shot towards Qitian Yu. Sensing the danger, Qitian Yu swiftly evaded. Boom! The silvery radiance struck the ground, stirring up a flurry of dust and debris. Seeing this, a shiver ran down Qitian Yu¡¯s spine. Yet, he persisted in his mad dash forward. Another beam of silvery light hurtled toward him. Qitian Yu managed to take cover behind a building. Amidst the melody¡¯s echoes, the building exploded, engulfed in billowing smoke. Though Qitian Yu evaded with desperation, he narrowly escaped each time. Initially, he felt lucky to elude Gu Qingluan¡¯s sessive assaults. Initially, he felt fortunate to have evaded Gu Qingluan¡¯s repeated attacks. However, as the relentless pursuit continued, Qitian Yu¡¯s arcane power within him diminished significantly. No matter how he dodged, he could never shake off Gu Qingluan. If he still hadn¡¯t realized that Gu Qingluan was toying with him, then he would truly be a fool! Chapter 258 - 258: Sacrificing You to the Heavens Chapter 258: Sacrificing You to the Heavens Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Qitian Yu¡¯s heart was filled with embarrassment and annoyance as he cursed Gu Qingluan¡¯s ancestors up to the eighteenth generation. Suddenly, a de of sound from a qin attacked. Qitian Yu¡¯s movements were sluggish, failing to evade the strike, and he was blown away. Gu Qingluan retrieved the Heavenly Heart Qin, descending from the roof gracefully like a swift swallow. ¡°Mother!¡± Feng Yuanxi rushed towards her, his little face flushed, and his bright eyes sparkled with excitement. The icy demeanor on Gu Qingluan¡¯s face instantly melted into a warm smile. She opened her arms and embraced her son. ¡°Yuanxi, are you okay? Are you hurt?¡± Feng Yuanxi shook his head, ¡°No, thanks to Mother¡¯s timely arrival. Mother, you¡¯re amazing!¡± He looked at her with admiration, his eyes gleaming. Gu Qingluan suppressed augh. ¡°Yuanxi is amazing too!¡± Mother and sonplimented each other, leaving Feng Tian on the sidelines. Feng Tian didn¡¯t feel left out. He looked at the mother and son embracing each other, and for the first time, he found such a scene not displeasing. ¡°You stand beside your father first, and let Mother avenge you!¡± After a brief moment of tenderness, Gu Qingluan pulled Feng Yuanxi out of her embrace. Feng Yuanxi left her fragrant embrace, his eyes revealing reluctance. He obediently nodded. Gu Qingluan soared into the air,nding next to Qitian Yu. She grabbed the back of his clothes, then turned around and flew back. Smack! She threw Qitian Yu onto the ground as if tossing a sandbag. Qitian Yu groaned, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. ¡°Gu Qingluan, what¡­ what do you n to do?¡± Clutching his injured thigh, he struggled to move backward. Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips twitched into a half-smile as she said with a touch of mockery, ¡°You were just thinking of using my son as a sacrifice? Well then, I¡¯ll use you as an offering to the heavens!¡± ¡°You dare! I am the esteemed Fifth Prince! Do you not realize that killing a prince is equivalent to annihting a whole lineage?¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s heart trembled with utmost fear, and he hastily threatened, his voiceden with panic. Gu Qingluan casually hooked a strand of hair that fell before her chest with her finger, herughter carrying a hint of nonchnce. ¡°Do you take me for a fool? In the current court, where does such a charge evene from?¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s eyes darted around anxiously, trying to find a chance to escape. Suddenly, his gaze froze, and he looked incredulously at Feng Tian and Feng Yuanxi not far away. ¡°Mr. Lan? How did you end up here? And that child¡­ isn¡¯t he Gu Xiaonan?¡± Although Qitian Yu was unsure of Feng Tian¡¯s identity, he knew that the other party had a significant background. Even his father showed deference to him. Such a person was not someone he could afford to offend. And the boy standing next to Feng Tian¡­ clearly he was Mr. Lan¡¯s son! If he weren¡¯t mistaken, the little boy¡¯s attire was unmistakably that of Gu Xiaonan. Could it be that he had captured the wrong person from the beginning? Qitian Yu was a mixture of shock and anger. He realized he hadn¡¯t only offended Gu Qingluan; he had also offended the remarkable Mr. Lan! Recalling the numerous people from his mansion who had surrounded the boy earlier, and how Yan the Old Ghost had even used the Soul-Stealing Banner to try to capture the child¡¯s soul, he trembled uncontrobly. How could this be happening! Damn it, it was his subordinates¡¯ fault for not rifying the identity and recklessly bringing someone into the mansion! His mind raced, and Qitian Yu¡¯s thoughts quickly ran through numerous potential scenarios. He understood that Gu Qingluan was ruthless, and it was unlikely she would show mercy now. If he wanted a chance to survive, he could only plead with Mr. Lan. In a split second, Qitian Yu made a decision. He got up and kowtowed to Feng Tian, ¡°Mr. Lan, I am the Fifth Prince of the Chengyuan Kingdom, Qitian Yu! This is all a misunderstanding; I had no intention to harm your son. It was a mistake made by my subordinates, who wrongly captured your son. Please, Mr. Lan, spare me this once, for the sake of the Chengyuan Kingdom and my father¡¯s dignity..¡± Chapter 259 - 259: Hold It Chapter 259: Hold It Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion As long as Mr. Lan releases him, there¡¯s a way to stop Gu Qingluan from killing him! However, he had never expected that the young boy standing by Feng Tian¡¯s side would angrily speak up, ¡°Daddy, this ugly prince is so wicked! Not only does he want to kill me, but he¡¯s also captured many youngdies and tortured them in a secret chamber. This despicable viin is a menace, and his death is well deserved!¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s pupils widened. The boy had discovered the secret chamber? That was his most closely guarded secret, one that couldn¡¯t be known by anyone! His breath grew rapid, and a sh of murderous intent crossed his eyes. Though he acted quickly, it didn¡¯t escape the notice of the three present. A gust of powerful windnded on Qitian Yu¡¯s body, and he felt an intense pain in his chest. A sweetness welled up in his throat, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. It was Gu Qingluan who had attacked him. At this point, with things havinge to this, he was still contemting murder. She had no reason to spare him! As the oppressive sensation surrounded him, Qitian Yu disregarded his pain, his eyes flickering slightly as he instinctively threatened, ¡°If you dare to kill me, my father won¡¯t spare you!¡± His bluff sounded hollow. Gu Qingluan paid it no mind whatsoever. This scumbag, who had harmed the original owner in the past, dared to extend his hand to her son now, attempting to end his life. Even if she were to face the entire royal n of the Chengyuan Empire, she would still eliminate him! Gu Qingluan raised her hand and delivered two resounding ps across Qitian Yu¡¯s face, saying, ¡°These two ps are for using the name of the Lushi Auction House to offer gifts.¡± Qitian Yu spat out a mouthful of blood, his cheeks quickly swelling. Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand rose again, her arcane power sharp like a de,nding on Qitian Yu. Qitian Yu let out a miserable cry, a bloody wound appearing on his chest. ¡°This blow is for your attempt to abduct my son!¡± She lifted her hand, and a burst of radiance emanated from it. ¡°All!¡± ¡°This strike is for sending men to hunt my son!¡± ¡°This one is for your attempt to steal my son¡¯s soul!¡± Gu Qingluan enumerated his wrongdoings, each charge apanied by another wound inflicted upon Qitian Yu. After a while, there was hardly any unscathed flesh left on Qitian Yu¡¯s body. Hey in a pool of blood, barely clinging to life. He had appealed for help from Feng Tian several times, but thetter remained unmoved. As he felt his life slipping away, Qitian Yu red at Gu Qingluan, bloodshot eyes filled with rage. ¡°Gu Qingluan, I curse you to a wretched death!¡± ¡°Evildoer! You¡¯re not allowed to curse my Mother!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s anger red, and he charged over, delivering a kick to Qitian Yu¡¯s face. Qitian Yu let out another pitiful cry. Feng Yuanxi wasn¡¯t satisfied yet and wanted to continue. Gu Qingluan held back the emotionally charged Yuanxi. ¡°Alright, little Yuanxi, don¡¯t dirty your shoes on him.¡± In a daze, Qitian Yu heard Gu Qingluan¡¯s words, his anger and helplessness surging within him, a desire to curse and kill, but with no strength to do so. Gu Qingluan lifted her hand, ready to end Qitian Yu¡¯s life. ¡°Hold it!¡± A shout echoed from a distance. Recognizing the voice of Prince Qitian You, Gu Qingluan paid no heed, her palm radiating white light. In an instant, the light transformed into a de-like form and flew forward. Just as it appeared ready to cut through Qitian Yu¡¯s throat, a beam of white light shot from the side, blocking her assault. Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression shifted. Such formidable strength! Could it be the appearance of the only Saint in the Chengyuan royal family? Feng Yuanxi clutched his hand tightly, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on the direction of the sound. Qitian Yu¡¯s face, on the other hand, showed a mixture of surprise and relief. Only Feng Tian¡¯s face remained calm and uninterested, seemingly unmoved by the arrival of the neer. Qitian You and a man dressed in a ck robe descended from the horizon.. Chapter 260 - 260: The Legendary Royal Saint Chapter 260: The Legendary Royal Saint Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Cloaked in a mysterious ck robe, the man stood tall and erect, his figuremanding attention. He wore a dark silk robe adorned with intricate patterns of gray-blue hues. His visage exuded exceptional handsomeness, highlighted by well-defined features. Thick eyebrows gracefully stretched toward his temples, framing a pair of captivating starlit eyes. His nose, prominent and refined, rested above thin, finely contoured lips. Just from his appearance, he bore a resemnce to Qitian Yu by about thirty percent, but he outshone even Qitian Yu in terms of appearance. What drew even more attention was his aura. Simply appearing there made it impossible for people to overlook him! Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t discern the man¡¯s cultivation level and immediately assumed a guarded posture. Both individualsnded one after the other. Upon seeing Feng Tian, Qitian You¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Why is this guy here too? Didn¡¯t Old Fifth kidnap First Lady Gu¡¯s son and anger her? Then he took a closer look¡ªthere was no way that was First Lady Gu¡¯s son. That young boy was clearly the son of Prince Lan! A wry smile tugged at the corner of Qitian You¡¯s mouth. So, it was actually Prince Lan that Old Fifth offended? If that was the case, they might not be able to save Old Fifth even if they came. Qitian You wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and surveyed his surroundings. The scene was a mess, with bones scattered everywhere. A horrifying sight! The sheer devastation made it easy to imagine the ruthlessness of the one who attacked. Qitian You felt like he was in a really tough spot. Why did he have to be the one to save Old Fifth? In his view, even if Old Fifth died, it might not quench Prince Lan¡¯s fury. However, being entrusted with the task in a crucial moment, even though it was challenging, he had no choice but to carry it out. He cleared his throat and greeted Feng Tian with a sped fist, then greeted Gu Qingluan and Feng Yuanxi as well. Gu Qingluan shifted her gaze from the man beside the Crown Prince to Qitian Yu and said coldly, ¡°Today, I¡¯m determined to take this scum¡¯s life!¡± Qitian You fell silent for a moment and tried to soothe her. ¡°Miss Gu, calm down. Old Fifth did something wrong, but he¡¯s still a prince. Have you considered the consequences of killing him?¡± ¡°Is it equivalent to massacring the entire royal family?¡± Gu Qingluan asked mockingly. ¡°Um¡­ not to that extend¡­¡± Even if she wanted to wipe out the entire royal family, she might not have the ability. Furthermore, the Emperor held First Lady Gu and the significance of the Ind of No Return in high regard. He would be reluctant to engage in any conflict with First Lady Gu. ¡°Then don¡¯t stop me.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze turned cold as she looked at him. ¡°Unless, you want to be my enemy.¡± Qitian You nced at her, then at the son of Prince Lan she was holding, and finally at Prince Lan himself standing beside her. It was evident that these two were currently in agreement. Even if he dared to oppose Gu Qingluan, he wouldn¡¯t dare to go against Prince Lan. Qitian You turned his head slightly and exchanged a look with the Second Imperial Uncle who hade with him. Prince He, Qifei He, was the younger brother of the Emperor and the only Saint in the imperial family. Judging by appearances alone, he didn¡¯t look much older than Qitian You. His demeanor was much moreposed than Qitian You¡¯s. He casually nced at Qitian Yu on the ground and his voice turned indifferent, ¡°What use is there in keeping this trash?¡± ¡°Second Imperial Uncle!¡± Qitian Yu was taken aback. What did the Second Imperial Uncle mean? Did he intend to let him die? Qitian You was also surprised, turning to look at He Wang. ¡°Second Imperial Uncle, Fifth Brother won the selection match and has qualified to enter the Qiankun Academy. As long as Fifth Brother can enter the Qiankun Academy, he will surely achieve great things in the future and elevate the prestige of the nation. How can the other princespare to me?¡± Qifei He¡¯s expression remained icy and determined as he stated, ¡°We have plenty of princes within the imperial family, having one less is not a loss.¡± Qitian Yu urgently interjected, ¡°Second Imperial Uncle, this imperial nephew emerged victorious in the selection match, securing qualification for entry into the Qiankun Academy. As long as this imperial nephew can enter the Qiankun Academy, 1 am bound to achieve remarkable aplishments, elevating the prestige of the Chengyuan Nation. How can other princespare to me?¡± Those foois, how could they even measure up to him? After all, he was the most outstanding prince, second only to the Crown Prince! Qifei Hezily lowered his eyes and nced down at him, then after a moment, he calmly assessed, ¡°The more 1 look, the more 1 see a trash.¡± ¡°Haha!¡± A sudden burst ofughter erupted, catching the attention of the crowd.. Chapter 261 - 261: This Prince Does Not Have Such an Ugly, Foolish, and Evil Son Chapter 261: This Prince Does Not Have Such an Ugly, Foolish, and Evil Son Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Facing the attention of everyone, Gu Qingluan remainedposed and eximed, ¡°Impressive, Prince He!¡± Qitian Yu was nothing more than trash, wasn¡¯t he? They thought they were up against a tough opponent, but it turned out to be a guy who spoke harshly and really didn¡¯t like Qitian Yu. In an instant, Gu Qingluan¡¯s opinion of Qifei He went from negative to positive. Qifei He smiled at her in response. Rumors said that Prince He was cold and aloof, rarely seen in public. However, that wasn¡¯t entirely urate. ¡°Gu Qingluan, shut your mouth!¡± Qitian Yu dared not offend his entric imperial uncle, but he had no reservations about dealing with Gu Qingluan, who intended to kill him. Before Gu Qingluan could react, Feng Yuanxi used his arcane power to deliver a p to Qitian Yu. ¡°Don¡¯t scold my mother!¡± His mother had said not to let Qitian Yu dirty her shoes, so he wouldn¡¯t touch him. Qitian Yu let out a pained cry, and his already disheveled face became even more unbearable to look at. ¡°Mother?¡± Qitian You noticed the way Feng Yuanxi addressed her, looked at him in surprise, and then at Gu Qingluan. Did he mishear it just now? Did the son of the Royal Prince of Lan actually call First Lady Gu his mother? Feng Yuanxi proudly held onto Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand and his eyes sparkled. ¡°That¡¯s right, she¡¯s my mother! My biological mother!¡± He emphasized it strongly. Biological? Qitian You stared in disbelief, his gaze shifting between Gu Qingluan, Feng Tian, and Feng Yuanxi. Was it a joke? However, the Royal Prince of Lan did not deny it. So it was true! Oh my goodness, this is so unbelievable! If this news were to spread, the entire continent would likely be in an uproar. Five years ago, people saw Gu Qingluan as worthless. No one could have guessed that the ¡°savage man¡± connected to her would turn out to be the renowned Crown Prince of the Holy Heaven Dynasty! And the Royal Highness Lan, who was said to be disinterested in women, had brought back a son who turned out to be aplete idiot! With Gu Qingluan¡¯s current status, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if the Royal Highness Lan took an interest in her. But back when Gu Qingluan had nothing to offer, why would the Royal Highness Lan, who was indifferent to any woman, choose her? Was it that people with more discerning eyes were attracted to those who were more capable? Compared to Qitian You¡¯s naive attitude, Qitian Yu was in shock. He couldn¡¯t have imagined that Gu Qingluan would be involved with this mysterious Young Master Lan! Who would have thought? Qitian Yu cursed inwardly. Back then, when he plotted Gu Qingluan¡¯s affair with a servant, who would have thought that this man would intervene? Gu Qingluan and Young Master Lan teaming up was a terrifying prospect. Even his own father couldn¡¯t protect him from them. The threat of death loomed, and Qitian Yu couldn¡¯t stop trembling. No, he didn¡¯t want to die. The only one who could save him now was his Second Imperial Uncle! Ignoring Qifei¡¯ He¡¯s odd behavior, Qitian Yu knelt before him, tears and mucus flowing down his face as he begged for help. Qifei He took two steps back, avoiding his dirty hand, his expression filled with disgust. ¡°What do you want from me? It¡¯s not me who wants to kill you.¡± ¡°Second Imperial Uncle, only you can save me now. As long as you¡¯re willing, 1 can ask Royal Father to let me be adopted under your name. 1¡¯11 be obedient to you in the future.¡± Qifei He¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°No, this prince doesn¡¯t have such an ugly, foolish, and evil son. If I had one, he would have died of shame long ago.¡± Qitian You was speechless. Second Imperial Uncle, have you considered how Royal Father feels? Qifei He retreated a few steps with an expression of disgust, turned to Gu Qingluan, and said, ¡°Little Girl, finish him off quickly.¡± Gu Qingluan was utterly speechless. What did he mean by asking her to ¡°finish him off¡±? Was she supposed to clean up the trash now? However, Qitian Yu¡¯s actions were truly a spectacle. Didn¡¯t he see how disgusted Prince He was with him? Yet he dared to present himself as a potential son with that appearance? Was he tired of living and seeking his own demise? Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t sure if Qifei He¡¯s words had influenced her, but all of a sudden, she found herself reluctant to be the one to end his life. For someone like Qitian Yu, forcing him to live a life that was worse than death would be the ultimate form of punishment. However, that was her personal view. What mattered most was still Yuanxi. ¡°Little Yuanxi, do you wish for his demise?¡± Chapter 262 - 262: Death of the Fifth Prince Chapter 262: Death of the Fifth Prince Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion If Little Yuanxi wanted him dead, she would take action no matter what. Feng Yuanxi looked bewildered for a moment, then answered in a childlike voice, ¡°I do, but, the Fifth Prince captured many youngdies. He caused them a lot of suffering. Yuanxi thinks those youngdies should want to seek revenge personally. Mother, why don¡¯t we hand the Fifth Prince over to them?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s listen to our obedient Yuanxi.¡± Feng Yuanxi blushed at her address, his eyes shining with joy like ck grapes. ¡°Crown Prince, do you have any objections?¡± Gu Qingluan turned to Qitian You. Qitian You nced at Qifei He, who was keeping his distance, and couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly. With his biggest support not even giving him any backing, could he dare to object? The Fifth Prince¡¯s actions didn¡¯t only harm Gu Qingluan; they also affected Royal Highness Lan and his child. Even if they were in the Imperial Court, their father wouldn¡¯t dare to object. ¡°Miss Gu, please proceed.¡± ¡°Crown Prince, you can¡¯t just abandon me like this! Father asked you to save me!¡± Qitian Yu said in urgency. Qitian You averted his face. Seeing that he really wasn¡¯t nning to rescue him, Qitian Yu¡¯s hopes were dashed, and he no longer hid his ugly, monstrous face. His expression turned ferocious as he looked at Qitian You with hatred, ¡°Fine, I understand now! You deliberately did this! You¡¯re afraid that if I go to Qiankun Academy, I¡¯ll be even better than you and steal your position as the heir! Qitian You, you despicable and shameless little man!¡± Qitian You turned his face back with a grim expression, ¡°Shut up! Have you not realized your own mistakes at all? Even now, you¡¯re stubborn!¡± ¡°I spit at you! You¡¯re such a hypocrite!¡± Qitian Yu¡¯s words fell on deaf ears. His mind was overwhelmed with a sense of betrayal. His elder brother had malicious intentions, and his imperial uncle watched from the sidelines. And there was this woman! She used to im to admire him, but in the end, she had an affair with another man and cuckolded him! He couldn¡¯t ept it! No way could he ept this! Crazed madness flickered in Qitian Yu¡¯s eyes, and he suddenly lunged toward Feng Yuanxi, who was closest. ¡°Yuanxi, be careful!¡± Gu Qingluan quickly pulled her son behind her and simultaneously sent out a cold glint from her left hand. Feng Tian, standing nearby, frowned and almost simultaneously took action. Two attacks followed closely andnded on Qitian Yu. Qitian Yu was sent flying, falling to the ground like a broken doll. He lost his breath! Once Feng Yuanxi was confirmed to be unharmed, Gu Qingluan walked forward and found that Qitian Yu had already passed away, but her heart was not free of lingering resentment. This scumbag, even facing death, he still hadn¡¯t learned his lesson and harbored intentions to harm her son. It was best to get rid of such a troublesome person early on for peace of mind. To guard against any tricks, Gu Qingluan struck a few more times to ensure that Qitian Yu was beyond help. If she hadn¡¯t seen his transformation with her own eyes, she wouldn¡¯t have recognized the body as Qitian Yu¡¯s. Looking at the pitiful state of the Fifth Prince, Qitian You felt a chill run down his spine. Thank goodness he didn¡¯t try to stop her. Otherwise, he might have ended up just as pitiful. Seeing that Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t stopped, Qitian You forced himself to speak, ¡°Miss Gu, please calm down. The Fifth Prince got what he deserved, but if we don¡¯t leave his body intact, it would be hard to exin to the Emperor. Perhaps you can stop now?¡± Gu Qingluan gave him a subtle nce, sending a shiver down Qitian You¡¯s spine. ¡°You can be honest in front of the Emperor. If he has any inquiries, he can approach me. I won¡¯t run away.¡± After saying that, she walked back to Yuanxi¡¯s side and took his little hand. ¡°Little Yuanxi, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Wait.¡± Suddenly, Qifei He spoke up. Gu Qingluan paused in her steps and turned to look at Qifei He, her peach-colored eyes slightly cold, ¡°Is there something you need, Prince He?¡± Chapter 263 - 263: The Person I Wanted to See Chapter 263: The Person I Wanted to See Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Qifei He lowered his head to look at the lower part of her body and remarked, ¡°Your skirt is dirty.¡± With a gentle flick of a finger, a white light shed. A piece of white gauze, about the size of a willow leaf, drifted down. Gu Qingluan looked at the white gauze that was tainted with a fresh red mark as it descended in a spiral. She was left speechless and ovee with emotion. He had called her over just to mention this? If he had something to say, he could have simply expressed it. Why resort to cutting a hole in her skirt? At this point, Gu Qingluan felt that this sole Saint of the Chengyuan Royal Family didn¡¯t possess any profound wisdom; he was just a bit peculiar. Seeing that the other party didn¡¯t prevent her from seeking revenge, she decided not to dwell on the issue of her ruined skirt. ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Prince He. In the future, if you encounter such a situation again, you only need to speak up; there¡¯s no need for any physical actions.¡± With that, she took her son¡¯s hand and walked away. Feng Tian¡¯s gaze lingered on Qifei He. Qifei He was smiling as he watched Gu Qingluan¡¯s departing figure. He sensed a chilly and prating stare directed at him, so he slightly shifted his gaze and met Feng Tian¡¯s profound, cold eyes. Qifei He¡¯s expression turned somewhat critical. In Feng Tian¡¯s eyes, he mistakenly interpreted the other party as provoking him, causing his gaze to turn even colder in an instant. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Prince He isn¡¯t fond ofpany. After being outside for a while, it¡¯s about time you head back.¡± ¡°Those are just rumors. I only meet those I want to meet. As for those I¡¯d rather not encounter, I simply avoid them.¡± In the air, it was as if two invisible forces collided fiercely, sparking a shower of sparks. Qitian You¡¯s breathing paused. Why did these two young lords appear as if they were about to start a fight? If a fight broke out, not just the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion, but the entire Tianjing City might end up destroyed. So, he had no choice but to speak up and break the tension, ¡°Young Master Lan, Miss Gu and the others have moved quite a distance.¡± Feng Tian withdrew his gaze and walked away. The sharp edge in Qifei He¡¯s aura quickly dissipated, leaving him with a nonchnt demeanor. However, his gaze revealed a touch of weariness towards life that couldn¡¯t be ignored. ¡°You can head back to the pce to report; I won¡¯t be going.¡± With those words, he disappeared in a blink. Qitian You nced at the scattered remains on the ground, his gaze finally resting on Qitian Yu¡¯s body. He let out a deep sigh. Once again, he had to clean up this mess. Taking advantage of the chaos, Gu Xiaonan escorted Zhou Qingyu and the other women out of the Prince¡¯s mansion and settled them in a nearby inn. Then, he hurried to the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion. Along the way, he spotted Gu Qingluan and Feng Yuanxi walking hand in hand. Excitedly, he rushed forward. ¡°Mother!¡± Seeing her son, Gu Qingluan¡¯s face lit up, and she hugged him tightly. After they separated, Xiao Bai happily hopped back into his arms. ¡°Xiao Bai, did you protect Yuanxi?¡± ¡°Squeak squeak!¡± Xiao Yuanxi was amazing, but Xiao Bai helped too. ¡°Xiao Bai is fantastic!¡± Gu Xiaonan gave it a kiss on the head. Suddenly, he caught sight of Feng Tian walking towards them and his expression darkened. ¡°Why is the Big Demon King here?¡± Big Demon King? Feng Tian observed him closely, finding his appearance increasingly familiar. Could this little fellow really not be his son? Gu Qingluan noticed Feng Tian¡¯s gaze and sensed his suspicion about Xiaonan¡¯s identity. Her heart raced. Her identity had been exposed, but she couldn¡¯t allow Xiaonan¡¯s identity to be revealed as well. At the very least, she needed to ask Xiaonan¡¯s opinion first. If Xiaonan didn¡¯t want to acknowledge him, she would do her best to conceal his identity. To divert Feng Tian¡¯s attention, she held Xiaonan¡¯s hand and moved forward, asking, ¡°Xiaonan, 1 heard you rescued a group of youngdies. Where are they now?¡± ¡°They¡¯re at an inn, and Sister Qianxi is there too. I can take Mother there.¡± Gu Qingluan led her two sons ahead. Feng Tian followed behind, his expression enigmatic.. Chapter 264 - 264: Taking In Chapter 264: Taking In Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The inn wasn¡¯t far, and it had already been reserved by Feng Yuanxi. Qianxi and the other women anxiously waited. Suddenly, Qianxi, standing by the door, eximed, ¡°Mdy and Young Master are here!¡± The seated Zhou Qingyu and the rest of them stood up. Then, they saw a beautiful woman entering with a boy held by each hand. Although the two boys had different appearances, they were equally charming and adorable. As for the woman in the middle, she could be described using all the beautiful words in the world and still not do her justice. Could this woman be Xiaonan¡¯s mother? No wonder Qitian Yu was so determined to have her. Forget Qitian Yu, even the women were eager to steal more than just a few nces at her. Upon meeting, introductions were exchanged, and they learned more about the situation in the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence. Learning that Qitian Yu was dead, these girls, who had been treated like sacrificial vessels, felt relief and cheered. Of course, there was also a tinge of regret that they couldn¡¯t personally end his life. It was through their ounts that Gu Qingluan came to know of the wicked deeds Qitian Yu hadmitted. She knew Qitian Yu was despicable, but she hadn¡¯t realized the extent of his cruelty. He was worse than a beast; even the vile white insects in the pit were far better than him. Fortunately, Qitian Yu was dead, and there was no longer any need to worry about his malevolent influence. Now, the immediate concern was the fate of these two dozen persecuted girls. Aside from a few who seemed to be in better condition, the rest were in appalling states, especially a few who appeared almost lifeless, their eyes vacant and devoid of hope. From their descriptions alone, one could imagine the torment they endured in the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence. While they had been rescued, the emotional scars might not heal for a long time. Gu Qingluan asked about their ns. Zhou Qingyu said she intended to return home. Her family was in the Southern Qing Nation, and she had been abducted during her journey to seek self-improvement. Her family must be worried sick about her. Hong Yao also wanted to return to her sect. Being the deputy pce lord of the Scarlet Jade Pce, she had a much greater mental fortitude than the less experienced girls. Another six girls also mentioned returning to their former residences. As for the remaining twenty, five remained silent, and the rest of them said they had no idea where to go. Some felt too ashamed to face their families, while others had been left destitute due to Qitian Yu¡¯s persecution. ¡°Mother, why don¡¯t we take in these sisters?¡± During their years on the Ind of No Return, Gu Qingluan had saved many people washed ashore. Influenced by Xiaonan¡¯s suggestion, she couldn¡¯t bear to see them left with nowhere to go. Initially hesitant, Gu Qingluan decided to take them in upon hearing Xiaonan¡¯s suggestion. The fifteen girls were overwhelmed with gratitude and knelt down, thanking her profusely. ¡°Please rise. No need to rush to thank me. While I¡¯ll take you in, you won¡¯t be living here for free. You¡¯ll have to work while you¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Madam, rest assured. We won¡¯t be freeloading. As long as we have a ce to stay and make a living, it¡¯s already a great blessing for us.¡± A girl named Huang Xiyue smiled. The others nodded in agreement. ¡°Then, let¡¯s leave it at that. You can stay at this inn for now. I¡¯ll arrange your future amodations.¡± Although she was taking them in, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know their backgrounds and had no intention of bringing them home. At least not for the time being. ¡°You all have injuries. Rest inside the house for now. I¡¯ll have someonee to treat youter.¡± Upon hearing Gu Qingluan¡¯s words, the girls stiffened slightly.. Chapter 265 - 265: His Malicious Intent Towards You Chapter 265: His Malicious Intent Towards You Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Noticing the curious nces from the women, Gu Qingluan quickly grasped their concerns. With a brief moment of contemtion, she offered reassurance, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯re in my care. They understand the importance of discretion and won¡¯t divulge any information.¡± ¡°Thank you, Madam,¡± the women expressed their gratitude. Gu Qingluan instructed Qianxi to go find the innkeeper and arrange amodation and meals for everyone. The fifteen girls who chose to stay went upstairs, while Hong Yao and the others bid their farewells. Gu Qingluan gave them some money, leaving only five dazed-looking women and Zhou Qingyu in the hall. Gu Qingluan attempted tomunicate with them but with minimal sess. Zhou Qingyu hadn¡¯t left, still worried about these women. ¡°Madam, these five sisters suffered the most severe injuries. They¡¯ve closed off their spiritual awareness and are reluctant to wake up. They¡¯re like walking corpses, talking to them won¡¯t help.¡± Closed off their spiritual awareness? Gu Qingluan was taken aback and used her divine sense to observe, confirming it. She was a healer, skilled in treating physical ailments, but dealing with matters of the heart wasn¡¯t her expertise. In this situation, she could only take extra care of them and hope they¡¯d find their way out of their struggles. Feng Tian hadn¡¯t intervened throughout, watching Gu Qingluan interact with the victims. His expression remained calm, his attractive deep eyes flickering strangely. Once, he thought all women were selfish and self-centered. But time and again, Gu Qingluan shattered that impression. She treated her son tenderly, disyed profound worry when he went missing and sought revenge for him without hesitation. All of this was understandable due to her maternal instincts, with reasons to be found. Yet, these persecuted women had no connection to her. She could have easily ignored them. They had been rescued from the pit of fire, and even if they were temporarily lost, they would strive to live. However, she chose to provide them shelter. While she spoke harshly about not supporting idlers, she was, in fact, preserving their self-esteem. Kind-hearted, meticulous, andpassionate. In the face of enemies, she was decisive and ruthless, leaving the impression of a heartless person. Who¡­ ¡­was she really? After making arrangements for the twenty girls, Zhou Qingyu said her goodbyes and departed. Before departing, Gu Qingluan handed her some money as usual. ¡°Madam, thank you. The great favor you and the two young masters have shown to Qingyu will always be remembered. I will repay it in the future.¡± Zhou Qingyu bowed to her in gratitude, then walked out of the inn. Gu Qingluan let out a sigh of relief, noticing Feng Tian was looking at her with a strange expression. She subconsciously touched her face, asking, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Stay away from Prince He in the future,¡± Feng Tian said in a serious tone. Gu Qingluan was confused. Feng Tian¡¯s voice was stern. ¡°He has ill intentions towards you.¡± Gu Qingluan was speechless, ¡°Aren¡¯t you overthinking this?¡± It was a man¡¯s intuition. Qifei He was definitely up to no good. Seeing that Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t believe him, Feng Tian¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°Do you want to get involved with him?¡± He hadn¡¯t forgotten what this woman had said before about having ten or eight intimate partners. Could she be thinking about developing a ninth or tenth? Even though Feng Tian believed that Qifei He couldn¡¯tpare to him in any aspect, he couldn¡¯t guarantee that this woman¡¯s judgment wasn¡¯t clouded, and she might have taken a fancy to him! With this thought, his expression grew even darker. He approached her, lifting her chin, his gaze fixed on her eyes as he spoke in a low voice, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, you¡¯re the mother of two children!¡± Gu Qingluan impatiently pushed his hand away, ¡°No need for your reminder! Even if I have sons, I can associate with whoever I want. What¡¯s it to you?¡± She never thought that she would get further involved with that peculiar Prince He, but she couldn¡¯t stand this scumbag¡¯s attitude. As if they had some kind of rtionship. It was just one time! On what grounds did he have to control her decision? Feng Tian¡¯s eyes churned with waves of emotion, and his imposing aura radiated. The surrounding air pressure suddenly dropped. ¡°Say that again and see what happens!¡± Sensing that he was about to lose control, Gu Qingluan swallowed nervously, taking a step back. However, she refused to back down, ¡°I¡¯ll say it! I want to have a rtionship with¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Feng Tian reached out, pulling her waist and drawing her closer, his lips sealing hers tightly.. Chapter 266 - 266: Daddy, How Could You Bite Mother? Chapter 266: Daddy, How Could You Bite Mother? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Hmm!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes widened in anger as she pushed against his chest with force. Originally, Feng Tian had merely wanted to avoid hearing her utter displeasing words. However, who would have known that with this one kiss, he would be entranced, unable to break free? With one hand gripping her wrists and the other firmly holding the back of her head, he pressed forward, advancing relentlessly. Beside them, Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi¡¯s mouths hung open, their eyes vivid and clear. Now, they were wide with astonishment and curiosity. ¡°Hmm, hmm, hmm!¡± Let me go! Gu Qingluan was infuriated. Was this guy really a dog? He nibbled again and again as if she were a bone to chew on. She bit back with all her might. The taste of blood instantly filled their mouths. Feng Tian¡¯s tongue stung, yet his gaze grew even more wild. Gu Qingluan was nearly overwhelmed by his advances. ¡°No bullying Mother!¡± Gu Xiaonan finally reacted and rushed forward, pping Feng Tian. ¡°Demon King, go away! You can¡¯t bully Mother!¡± Gu Qingluan snapped back to reality. Damn it! This scoundrel! Her son was still here; couldn¡¯t he restrain himself? Engaging in such inappropriate behavior in front of her son¡ªdid he not realize the terrible impact it could have? She raised her knee towards his lower abdomen. Feng Tian swiftly moved to block her knee with his hand. In an instant, a golden light flickered. Having suffered from the Golden Silkworm Thread before, Feng Tian was prepared this time. He spun around, evading the entanglement of the silk. Freed from restraint, Gu Qingluan quickly stepped back several paces, her face alert as she red at him. In that instant, her face blushed, her eyes shimmering like pools of water, and her lips, akin to fragile petals refreshed by rain, radiated a vibrant crimson hue. They glistened with a captivating, dewy allure that held a mesmerizing appeal. Feng Tian¡¯s gaze darkened slightly, involuntarily recalling the wonderful taste from earlier. ¡°Mother, are you okay?¡± Gu Xiaonan ran to Gu Qingluan¡¯s side, asking anxiously. Before Gu Qingluan could reply, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s face suddenly turned serious. ¡°Mother, there¡¯s blood in your mouth. Did the Demon Lord bite you?¡± It wasn¡¯t her blood; it was the scumbag¡¯s! However, before she could respond, Feng Yuanxi interjected, ¡°Father, how could you bite Mother? You¡¯ve gone too far!¡± Standing between Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian, Feng Yuanxi clenched his fists, his expression full of indignation. Feng Tian moved his tongue slightly, still feeling a faint ache. Naturally, he wouldn¡¯t exin to his son that he was the one who had been bitten. Observing Feng Tian¡¯s continued silence, both youngsters interpreted it as an implicit acknowledgment of the usation, fueling their growing anger. ¡°Xiao Bai, bite him!¡± Gu Xiaonanmanded Xiao Bai while pointing at Feng Tian. Xiao Bai bared its teeth and leapt towards Feng Tian. Just as it was about to leap towards Feng Tian, he skillfully diverted it with a swift gesture of his hand. ¡°Squeak¡ª¡± Xiaobai was sent flying, rolling on the ground like a ball of fur. ¡°Xiao Bai!¡± Gu Xiaonan eximed in rm, rushing over to scoop up Xiaobai. ¡°Xiao Bai, are you hurt?¡± ¡°Squeak, squeak!¡± Xiaobai whimpered softly,ining to him. This was his most intimatepanion. The Demon King not only bit Mother but also harmed Xiao Bai. He was truly despicable! Gu Xiaonan¡¯s cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish as he red at Feng Tian. ¡°Demon King, 1 challenge you to a duel!¡± Then he turned his head and asked, ¡°Yuanxi, are you on my side?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded vigorously. ¡°Of course!¡± Even if he was the Royal Father, he shouldn¡¯t harm Mother! ¡°Both of us should face him together!¡± Feng Yuanxi hesitated and nced at the imposing figure of his father. The man¡¯s expression was enigmatic. Feng Yuanxi felt a little apprehensive but couldn¡¯t contain his frustration. Even though the Royal Father had bitten Mother, he didn¡¯t show the slightest hint of remorse ¨C so disappointing! He had pledged to protect Mother! Even if he was the Royal Father, he shouldn¡¯t harm Mother! He summoned Xiao Hei.. ¡°Daddy, 1 want to duel with you too!¡± Chapter 267 - 267: Fighting Chapter 267: Fighting Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Did Gu Xiaonan intend to fight with him? And now, even his own son wants to get involved? Well, isn¡¯t he overstepping his boundaries? If it were before, Feng Tian would have been furious, but at this moment, he didn¡¯t know how to describe his own feelings. These two young ones were truly standing up for their mother with all their hearts. Feng Tian nced at Gu Qingluan and received a mocking re in return. He wasn¡¯t annoyed by it. He looked at the two little ones and said calmly, ¡°Both of you can go together.¡± Gu Qingluan was surprised. ¡°Feng Tian, do you have the audacity to bully two children?¡± ¡°Mother, you¡¯re injured. Sit on the chair and rest. Watch how we avenge you.¡± Gu Xiaonan assisted her in settling onto a nearby bench and then gazed at Feng Tian with resolve. Being a young child, he obviously couldn¡¯t defeat the Demon King on his own. However, there was also Yuanxi to consider. Yuanxi, being the Demon King¡¯s son, might make the Demon King hesitate to fully engage. Hence, the oue of the fight was uncertain. Gu Qingluan was speechless. Son, actually, your mother isn¡¯t the one who¡¯s injured. The one bleeding is the Demon King you¡¯re talking about. She hesitated whether to speak or not, but Gu Xiaonan had already rushed forward. Xiao Bai also charged at Feng Tian with fierce momentum. At the same time, Feng Yuanxi and his little pet snake also made their moves. Gu Qingluan thought Feng Tian would subdue the two kids with a single move, but Feng Tian was only defending and not attacking, suppressing his cultivation to the Stage of the Heavenly Realm. In this way, the two sides fought on equal terms. Bang! The bench was kicked away. tter! The teapot on the table fell to the ground and shattered. Boom! The table shattered into pieces. Gu Qingluan realized that Feng Tian was giving these two kids a chance to vent. She let go of her worries. Upstairs, Qian Xi hurried downstairs, breathless from themotion. ¡°Mdy, what¡¯s going on? Oh, why are they fighting!¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just a sparring match. Go upstairs andfort those youngdies, so they don¡¯t feel anxious or scared.¡± Observing Gu Qingluan¡¯sposed demeanor, Qian Xi quickly gained confidence in her words. ¡°Alright, Mdy!¡± After Qian Xi left, Gu Qingluan walked over to the shopkeeper hiding under the counter, took out a gold ingot, and asked, ¡°Is this gold enough topensate for the damages to the inn?¡± The shopkeeper looked up at the gold in her hand, his eyes lit up. ¡°More than enough!¡± This gold ingot looked like at least ten taels. Even if they smashed the inn, it would be enough to cover the damages. He stood up and happily epted the gold. ¡°Miss¡­¡± Just as he was about to speak, a piece of wood flew his way, scaring him to squat on the ground, trembling as he said, ¡°Maybe Miss should also take cover.¡± Seeing the innkeeper, who was preupied with money and yet somewhat timid, Gu Qingluan smiled and responded, ¡°Thank you, but it¡¯s not required.¡± She turned around and beckoned with her hand. A bench flew over and stopped by her legs. She sat on the bench, propped up her legs, and watched the father and son fight- By the way, the physical skills of these two little ones and the Demon King were quite impressive. Gu Xiaonan, with training from her since childhood, and Feng Yuanxi, well-taught by his father, are both skilled. Seeing the inn nearly wrecked, Gu Qingluan spoke up, ¡°That¡¯s enough, stop now!¡± Strangely, all three of them, upon hearing her words, simultaneously stopped. However, Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi were both hanging on Feng Tian! One was hugging his neck, sitting on his back, while the other clung to his thigh and climbed onto him. He was like a tree, entangled by two little monkeys. A mental image of monkeys climbing trees crossed Gu Qingluan¡¯s mind, making her hold back herughter. Well, this appearance wasn¡¯t much better than being stripped naked and paraded down the street. The big one and the two little ones were all looking at her.. Seeing herugh, Gu Xiaonan jumped to the ground and ran towards her, ¡°Mother, am I impressive?¡± Chapter 268 - 268: "My Skills Are Lousy? You Must Have Misunderstood Chapter 268: ¡°My Skills Are Lousy? You Must Have Misunderstood Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Upon witnessing the young master¡¯s departure from the Demon King¡¯s vicinity, Xiao Bai promptly trailed after him. ¡°You¡¯re impressive!¡± Gu Qingluan brushed aside the strands of hair that had fallen onto her face. ¡°Are you tired?¡± she asked. ¡°I¡¯m not tired at all! I can keep on fighting!¡± Gu Xiaonan waved his little fist. Seeing Gu Xiaonan run over to boast to his mother, Feng Yuanxi swiftly descended from the Demon King¡¯s back. ¡°What about me, Mother?¡± ¡°You¡¯re impressive too, Little Yuanxi!¡± Gu Qingluan took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his forehead. Initially, the three of them had used their arcane powers during the battle, causing quite amotion. However, they had tacitly stopped using their powers, resorting to physicalbat. As a result, by the end of the fight, both children were sweaty, their cheeks rosy and vibrant, exuding an aura of energy and vitality. ¡°Mother, wipe my face too!¡± Gu Xiaonan leaned in with his little head. Amused, Gu Qingluan wiped his face with a smile. A tall figure approached. ¡°Wipe mine too.¡± Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi noticed him and immediately stood up straight, looking at him warily. Gu Qingluan also raised her head to gaze at him. Feng Tian met her gaze without blushing or looking away. Suddenly, Gu Qingluan remembered the forceful kiss he had nted on her earlier. Annoyed, she tossed the dirty handkerchief she held onto his face. ¡°Don¡¯t you have hands of your own?¡± Ignoring Feng Tian¡¯s expression, she held her left and right hands out to the two children. ¡°Xiao Nan, Yuanxi, let¡¯s go wash up and change into clean clothes to avoid catching a cold.¡± ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Gu Xiaonan followed her upstairs, looking back as he walked and using his right hand to pull down the skin beneath his eye, making a funny face at Feng Tian. Feng Tian removed the handkerchief from his face, and upon seeing Xiaonan make a funny expression, his lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile. Noticing his amusement, Xiaonan snorted at him and then turned his head away. Out of sight, out of mind! Feng Tian nced at the innkeeper hiding behind the counter. ¡°Prepare some hot water for them.¡± The innkeeper nodded repeatedly and hurried into the kitchen. Feng Tian then leisurely made his way upstairs. Before long, the inn staff delivered hot water to the room. Standing outside, Feng Tian listened to the cheerfulughter emanating from within, his mood involuntarily brightening. Both little ones, now freshly bathed and fragrant, were like two sticky rice balls. As soon as they opened the door, they spotted Feng Tian standing outside. The smiles on Gu Qingluan and the children¡¯s faces instantly vanished. Feng Tian raised an eyebrow and asked Gu Qingluan, ¡°Have you made up your mind now?¡± ¡°You can forget about it. It¡¯s impossible for us to be together,¡± Gu Qingluan replied, pretending to be uninterested. ¡°Your skills are just too lousy!¡± The pleasure on Feng Tian¡¯s face faded, reced by a dangerous expression in his eyes. ¡°My skills are lousy? You must be mistaken. Let¡¯s try again¡­¡± Growing irritated, Gu Qingluan interrupted sharply, ¡°Feng Tian, that¡¯s sufficient! Xiaonan and Yuanxi are observing! If you persist in your thoughtless behavior, don¡¯t expect me to maintain courtesy!¡± ¡°Great Demon King, do you want to fight again? You¡¯re not allowed to bully my mother!¡± Gu Xiaonan pouted, his small face disying anger. Feng Yuanxi also red at him, showing solidarity. So not only did Gu Xiaonan dislike him, but his own son also didn¡¯t support him? Feng Tian squinted slightly. ¡°Feng Yuanxi, it¡¯s time for you to go home.¡± Feng Yuanxi immediately leaned against Gu Qingluan upon hearing this. Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart tightened. ¡°Are you taking him away? Yuanxi isn¡¯t a child anymore. We should respect his own wishes.¡± Feng Yuanxi was about to speak when suddenly, he heard Feng Tian¡¯s voice in his mind: ¡°If you want to openly call her ¡®Mother¡¯, make the people of the Holy Heaven Dynasty recognize her, and keep her by your side forever,e with me now..¡± Chapter 269 - 269: Help Me Win Over Your Mother Chapter 269: Help Me Win Over Your Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion He looked at his father, his face filled with doubt. Feng Tian remained indifferent. ¡°Yuanxi, do you want to go with him ore back with me?¡± Gu Qingluan asked Feng Yuanxi, her head lowered. Feng Yuanxi bit his lower lip, hesitating. Of course, he wanted to go with his mother, but the future described by his father was tempting. Could his father really fulfill his wishes? ¡°Little Yuanxi?¡± Not hearing a response from Feng Yuanxi, Gu Qingluan¡¯s initial confidence suddenly vanished, and her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Yuanxi was about to leave? In a moment, Feng Yuanxi asked in a soft voice, ¡°Mother, can I leave for a little while?¡± Gu Qingluan felt disappointed. ¡°Don¡¯t you care about me anymore?¡± Feng Yuanxi quickly denied, ¡°Of course not, Yuanxi likes mother, and wants mother!¡± Seeing his anxious appearance, Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart softened. Although Feng Yuanxi had chosen his father between her and Feng Tian, she could understand. After all, the man was his biological father, and their bond was deep. She had decided to be a good mother and not make things difficult for Feng Yuanxi. She gently touched Feng Yuanxi¡¯s head with her hand. ¡°Go with him, ande find me in the Jun Residence whenever you miss me.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, Mother, 1¡¯11 be back soon!¡± Feng Yuanxi assured her. ¡°Good!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. She watched as Feng Tian held Feng Yuanxi¡¯s hand and left. A hint of sadness appeared on her face. ¡°Don¡¯t be sad, Mother. You still have Xiaonan!¡± Gu Xiaonan gave her a hug. As she smelled the milky scent on her youngest son, Gu Qingluan¡¯s mood improved slightly, though not as much as before. She returned to the Jun Residence with Xiaonan. ¡°Miss Gu!¡± Just as they reached the entrance, someone rushed out. Gu Qingluan focused her gaze and looked. ¡°Young Master Lu, why are you here?¡± Her gaze shifted and she looked towards the side of Lu Bainian, then smiled and greeted, ¡°Xiaoyu, you¡¯re here too! Long time no see!¡± ¡°Fairy Sister! Long time no see. I¡¯ve missed you!¡± Lu Siyu said sweetly. Gu Xiaonan curiously sized her up. Sensing his gaze, Lu Siyu turned to look at him, her eyes lighting up. ¡°Beautiful big brother!¡± It was the first time Gu Xiaonan had been praised by such a young girl, and he felt a hint of shyness. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re cute too!¡± Gu Qingluanughed. ¡°Let¡¯s go inside and talk.¡± ¡°Royal Father, please tell me quickly, how can 1 be with mother forever?¡± On the way back, Feng Yuanxi asked eagerly. Feng Tian nced at him with a lowered head. ¡°It¡¯s very simple. As long as I marry her.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s disappointment was evident as he pouted. ¡°Mother doesn¡¯t like you, so she won¡¯t marry you. Saying it is just futile.¡± Veins pulsed on Feng Tian¡¯s forehead. He didn¡¯t need his son to emphasize this fact, and there was also¡­ ¡°It¡¯s only temporary.¡± Feng Yuanxi pursed his lips, showing disbelief. Seeing his son¡¯s expression, Feng Tian furrowed his brows unhappily and sternly rebuked, ¡°Feng Yuanxi, do you think this is just my personal problem? Look at what you¡¯ve done. Not only have you not helped, but you¡¯ve also hindered your father! If you had been of assistance, your mother wouldn¡¯t be so averse to your father!¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyshes trembled slightly. An inexplicable sense of guilt washed over him! Feng Tian asked him, ¡°During these days you stayed with her, did you say anything positive for me?¡± Feng Yuanxi slightly pursed his lips and directed his gaze toward the ground, his voice carrying a faint tone, ¡°I mentioned a few things¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s likely you got swayed by their words right?¡± Feng Yuanxi remained silent. His silence meant Feng Tian had guessed correctly. Feng Tian had anticipated it. Thisd was the type to favor his mother over his father once he had her. With a serious tone, he asked, ¡°Do you truly want our family to be together?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± He wished for it even in his dreams! ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Good!¡± Feng Tian stopped and crouched in front of him. ¡°Then, will you help me win over your mother?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded earnestly. ¡°I will!¡± A faint smile tugged at Feng Tian¡¯s lips as he ruffled the boy¡¯s hair. ¡°Good boy.. Now, tell me, what does your mother like?¡± Chapter 270 - 270: Handsome Scheme Chapter 270: Handsome Scheme Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Mother prefers those with pleasant personalities, Royal Father. It would be wise to work on your temper before attempting to win her over. Otherwise, I foresee frequent disagreements whenever you interact with her,¡± Feng Yuanxi spoke earnestly. Feng Tian¡¯s expression slightly tensed. ¡°Is there¡­ anything else?¡± Anything else? Feng Yuanxi nced at him and asked, ¡°Father, has Mother seen your true appearance?¡± ¡°No,¡± Feng Tian replied. ¡°Absolutely! Everyone desires beauty. Your current mask, Royal Father, is simply unattractive. Putting Mother aside, even the maidservants around her might not find it appealing.¡± Suddenly, Feng Tian remembered that Gu Qingluan had called him an ¡°ugly freak¡±. Could it be true that the woman rejected him because his face was repulsive? Feng Yuanxi stared at him with sparkling eyes. ¡°You know about a n called ¡®Handsome Scheme¡¯, right? Royal Father, you are so handsome. If you take off the mask and reveal your true face to Mother, she might be attracted to you!¡± Feng Tian fell into contemtion. Would he really have to rely on his looks to capture a woman¡¯s attention one day? Upon learning that someone had used the name of the Lushi Auction House to send gifts to Gu Xiaonan, causing him to go missing, Lu Bainian hurriedly came to the Jun Residence to inquire about the situation and apologize to Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan said, ¡°Actually, this matter has nothing to do with you, Young Master Lu. You don¡¯t need to me yourself.¡± However, Lu Bainian still felt indebted. ¡°Indeed, this matter is not connected to you in any way. If there¡¯s anyone at fault, it¡¯s theck of vignce within my household that allowed certain individuals to exploit the situation. Thankfully, Xiaonan has returned unharmed, and those responsible have faced consequences. We can now regard this issue as resolved.¡± ¡°Are you referring to the Fifth Prince? In fact, there¡¯s someone else behind this.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as she asked, ¡°What did Young Master Lu discover?¡± Lu Bannian looked serious. ¡°1 had my people investigate and found that someone from your family¡¯s servants had been secretlymunicating with an assistant from the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence. After interrogating the person they caught, we discovered that the poison sent to your residence was provided by Madam Gu, and further investigation led to another revtion. There¡¯s an alchemist named Zhang Sheng who recently joined the Gu Family. He ims to be from the Ind of No Return and is highly regarded by your family. It turns out he provided the poison to Madam Gu.¡± A fleeting glint of coldness passed through Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. Wang Shi again! It seemed that unless she put an end to thempletely, they would keep reappearing from time to time. While she didn¡¯t know how Lu Bainian managed to gather so much information in such a short time, she had no reason to doubt his words. ¡°Young Master Lu, 1 appreciate this information. It¡¯s crucial to me.¡± Lu Bannian smiled shyly. ¡°I¡¯m merely trying to make amends. There¡¯s no need for Miss Gu to thank me.¡± ¡°By the way, there¡¯s an auction in three days. Would Miss Gu be interested in attending?¡± ¡°Is it the Lushi auction?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s a ck market auction.¡± Gu Qingluan pondered for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll see how things go when the timees.¡± The ck market was a peculiar ce, with its own unique rules and taboos. It was a realm of free trading without concerns about identity, but it was also marked by looting and bloodshed. Ordinary people hesitated to enter, as many who ventured there never returned. Still, the allure attracted many, making it a mysterious and dangerous ce. Gu Qingluan was well aware of this and had even visited the ck market before. She knew a bit about its auction events as well. ck market auctions were unlike regr ones, such as the Lushi auctions. The items to be auctioned were kept secret until the event started, and the bidding process was somewhat different, often involving blind bids. Blind bids meant customers would write down their bid and submit it, with the highest bid winning the item. This added an element of excitement for those who enjoyed taking risks and offered a chance at winning big. The ck market provided opportunities for unexpected gains, but the risk of losing one¡¯s life was also high. Even if one was fortunate enough to acquire the desired item at the auction, they might soon find themselves targeted on the bustling streets of the ck market, bing unwitting prey. Gu Qingluan was not averse to the ck market. Each world had its own set of rules, and if one couldn¡¯t adapt, the best course was to abstain. Seeing herck of substantial interest, Lu Banian remarked, ¡°Last time, Miss Gu showed considerable interest in that unknown ck stone at the auction. I¡¯ve heard that a simr item might appear in the uing ck market auction. If Miss Gu is inclined, you could try your luck there..¡± Chapter 271 - 271: Clean Up Together Chapter 271: Clean Up Together Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Upon hearing this, Gu Qingluan¡¯s curiosity was definitely aroused. ¡°Where did you learn about this? Doesn¡¯t the ck market auction usually keep its auction items confidential until the event?¡± ¡°Last time at the auction, apart from the sky-high Universe Stabilizer from the Ind of No Return, that unknown ck stone was the dark horse. This time, there¡¯s someone willing to pay a high price for a treasure that resembles that ck stone, and the word got out discreetly.¡± If it truly was the Chaos Stone, she had to go see it! Having narrowly missed obtaining the Chaos Stonest time, she regretted it for a long while. This time, she couldn¡¯t afford to miss it again. The growth of the Hongmeng Qi within her was far too slow. After five years on the Cloud ins Continent, the Hongmeng Qi had barely changed. She understood the origin of the Hongmeng Qi and couldprehend the reasons, yet she remained unsatisfied. She yearned to enhance her power swiftly. Ever since she established a contract with the Ster Space using the secret vault of the Jun Residence, she had been practicing inside it, resulting in a slight increase in her Hongmeng Qi. However, the progress was still far too gradual. At this rate, when would she be able to recover her full strength from her previous life and return to the Tianji Continent to seek revenge against Feng Qingwu? If it were just about avenging herself, she wouldn¡¯t be in such a hurry. However, Feng Qingwu not only harmed her but also impersonated her and attempted to rece her. She was concerned that her father would be poisoned by Feng Qingwu and feared that the Infinite Pce would fall into Feng Qingwu¡¯s hands. Once Feng Qingwu gained full control over the Infinite Pce, seeking revenge would be exceedingly difficult. Gu Qingluan thanked Lu Bainian once again for his information. Seeing her appreciation, a pleased smile appeared on Lu Bainian¡¯s handsome face. ¡°I¡¯m d I could be of help to Miss Gu.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°You¡¯ve done me a great favor.¡± She believed in repaying kindness and settling scores. Since Lu Bainian had provided her with so much information, she naturally wanted to reciprocate. She made a gesture, and a bottle of spirit pills appeared in her palm. ¡°I heard that the Lu family also has a selection system internally. Even for branches, if they show exceptional promise, they can be chosen to join the main family and receive cultivation. 1 hope these pills will be beneficial to you.¡± Lu Bainian didn¡¯t know what was inside the bottle, but he was intelligent enough to deduce that, like Mr. Liu, Gu Qingluan was from the Ind of No Return. Therefore, the pills she offered weren¡¯t ordinary. With such a valuable gift, he hesitated to ept it and raised his hand to decline. ¡°Do you genuinely believe that what 1 want is of lesser value than this tiny bottle of pills?¡± Gu Qingluan arched an eyebrow. Lu Bainian promptly shook his head. ¡°Of course not¡­¡± ¡°In that case, ept it. I dislike being indebted to others. Or do you want to watch me struggle with insomnia?¡± With her words, Lu Bainian had no choice but to ept. Considering that she had just saved her son and might have important matters to attend to, Lu Bainian refrained from lingering and took his leave. Gu Xiaonan and Xiao Yuer were ying outside. It was unclear what game they were engrossed in, as the sound of Xiao Yuer¡¯sughter was incessant. When Lu Bainian called her, Xiao Yuer showed reluctance to leave. Gu Xiaonan said, ¡°Let¡¯s y together another day.¡± Xiaoyuer nodded. ¡°Mhmm, Brother Xiaonan, you can alsoe and y with me.¡± In a short span of time, it seemed that the two youngsters had already formed a deep bond of friendship. Lu Bainian was content with this oue. He could discern that Miss Gu was exceptional and destined for great fortune in the future. If Xiao Yuer forged a strong bond with her children, then in the future, even if he encountered difficulties, Xiao Yuer wouldn¡¯t be left without support. After seeing Lu Bainian off, Gu Qingluan contemted how to deal with Wang Shi. Critiquing her own leniency, she hadn¡¯t eradicated them entirely, thus unintentionally affording them opportunities to create further turmoil. If it hadn¡¯t been for the cleverness of her two sons, the situation might have taken a different turn. As for Wang Shi, the true mastermind, she effortlessly reaped the benefits of her orchestrations. With her current strength, killing Wang Shi was simple. However, merely killing her left Gu Qingluan dissatisfied. Then there was that alchemist named Zhang Sheng, who dared to impersonate a person from the Ind of No Return and harm her son. She intended to deal with him as well. ¡°Xiaonan, y inside on your own. I¡¯m going out for a bit..¡± Chapter 272 - 272: Petty Formation Chapter 272: Petty Formation Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion After giving her instructions, Gu Qingluan flew directly towards the Gu Residence. Upon reaching the entrance of the Gu Residence, Gu Qingluan was stopped. The Gu Residence activated its defensive formation. Seeing her, the servants of the Gu Residence hurried inside to report to Wang Shi. Wang Shi was so shocked that she identally knocked over a teacup. ¡°Who¡­ Who did you say hase?¡± ¡°The First Lady! The First Lady is standing outside the main gate right now.¡± ¡°She must have found out! She¡¯s here for revenge! What should I do? What should I do?¡± Wang Shi panicked and paced around. ¡°Madam, didn¡¯t you have the defensive formation activated? She definitely can¡¯t get in.¡± Nanny Lin consoled. ¡°What do you know? Do you think we can prevent her froming in forever?¡± Wang Shi red at her. Wang Shi handed the ¡®knife¡¯ to the Fifth Prince, thinking she would witness a confrontation between them. However, that one prince couldn¡¯t even touch Gu Qingluan, and instead, he was killed by her. When the servants who were sent to gather information returned with the news, Wang Shi became even more fearful. She immediately ordered the activation of the Gu family¡¯s defensive formation. The defensive formation was not meant to be activated on regr days, as it consumed a considerable amount of Xuanling Stones. It was only to be used in times of life and death for the family. Taking advantage of Gu Zhicheng¡¯s seclusion in cultivation, Wang Shi activated the defensive formation. If the Gu family were still as powerful as before, the defensive formation might have held for a while. But now that the Gu family was so impoverished, there were very few Xuanling Stones and Spiritual Beast Inner Cores left. The formation wouldn¡¯tst long. Once the Xuanling Stones powering the defensive formation were depleted, no one would be able to stop Gu Qingluan! Wang Shi¡¯s face turned pale, and she eximed in anger, ¡°Is the royal family just going to watch as Gu Qingluan kills a prince without even questioning her?¡± She thought that since the royal family had a Saint, they would take action if the Fifth Prince was defeated by Gu Qingluan. Yet, the royal family didn¡¯t even lift a finger! ¡°What should we do now?¡± Even Nanny Lin¡¯s expression had changed. Maid Ningxiang spoke, ¡°Madam, Miss shouldn¡¯t dare to do anything reckless. After all, no matter what, you¡¯re her legitimate mother. If she harms you, the world will know about her actions.¡± ¡°She even dared to strike her own father, so what wouldn¡¯t she dare to do?¡± Ningxiang fell silent. Ever since the firstdy disappeared for a few years and returned, she was truly different from before. No one could predict what she might do. Now that she was standing at their doorstep, there was nowhere for them to run. At this moment, Wang Shi regretted deeply. If she had known, she wouldn¡¯t have provoked Gu Qingluan. No, she couldn¡¯t just sit here waiting for death. As she was nning to leave, a figure suddenly flew in. Wang Shi couldn¡¯t dodge in time and was knocked down to the ground. ¡°Madam!¡± Nanny Lin and Ningxiang eximed in shock and hurried over to help her. The one who had collided with Wang Shi was Steward Wang. This caused both of them to exim in surprise. Wang Shi eximed in anger, ¡°You¡­¡± Her words came to a halt, her face contorted with fear, as if she had seen a ghost. ¡°Madam, how have you beentely?¡± Gu Qingluan walked in from outside the main gate, dressed in white and exuding an elegant smile. Her jet-ck eyes seemed to be adorned with stars, capturing everyone¡¯s attention. Wang Shi, however, couldn¡¯t control her trembling. ¡°What¡­ What do you want to do? No, how did you get in?¡± Didn¡¯t she activate the defensive formation? How could Gu Qingluan possibly get in? ¡°Madam, did you really think a mere small formation could stop me?¡± Gu Qingluan asked, bewildered. A mere small formation? Hearing the description from the other party, Wang Shi nearly spat out blood. Was that really just a mere small formation? That was the defensive formation arranged by a formation master that the Gu family had hired.. Even a Saint wouldn¡¯t be able to break through it! Chapter 273 - 273: A Look of a Grim Reaper Chapter 273: A Look of a Grim Reaper Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Yet, there was no denying that Gu Qingluan had indeed entered. Was their Gu family deceived by that Formation Master? Wang Shi cursed in her heart, her face a mixture of pale and green. ¡°You¡­ What are you doing barging in? Our Gu family has no connection with you.¡± ¡°Ha, no connection? Madam bestowed upon me avish gift. If 1 were to not respond in kind, wouldn¡¯t it appear as if Icked decorum? Such rumors wouldn¡¯t bode well.¡± Gu Qingluan furrowed her brows, a subtle smile ying in her eyes. Looking at her appearance, Wang Shi felt a chill all over. ¡°You, don¡¯te any closer! I¡¯m telling you! If you dare to harm me, everyone in the capital will know of your actions!¡± ¡°And what if they know?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s cold smile deepened. ¡°I intend for them to widen their gaze and witness that those who dare to challenge Gu Qingluan won¡¯t enjoy a favorable fate!¡± With her words spoken, her figure flickered, and she appeared right in front of Wang Shi. ¡°All! Help!¡± Wang Shi was terrified, pushing the maid next to her towards Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan casually waved her hand, and the maid screamed as she flew out, crashing into a nearby wall. Without even sparing a nce, Gu Qingluan pursued Wang Shi. ¡°Stop!¡± Just as Gu Qingluan was about to grab Wang Shi, a stern shout rang out. At the same time, a powerful palm wind surged toward Gu Qingluan. She had to dodge. ¡°Old Master, you¡¯ve finally appeared!¡± Wang Shi saw Gu Zhicheng¡¯s imposing arrival and burst into tears of joy! She quickly hid behind Gu Zhicheng. Gu Zhicheng red at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Gu Qingluan, what do you intend to do? Are you trying to kill your mother?¡± ¡°Shut up! My mother died a long time ago! She¡­¡± Gu Qingluan nced at Wang Shi and sneered, ¡°She¡¯s nothing more than a wicked woman with malicious intentions!¡± Gu Zhicheng¡¯s brows knitted. ¡°Regardless of whether she¡¯s your biological mother or not, she¡¯s still your legal mother! Gu Qingluan, don¡¯t allow your newfound confidence to lead you into reckless actions!¡± ¡°And if I want to?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s words left Gu Zhicheng speechless, his anger preventing him from responding. ¡°Do you don¡¯t want me to destroy the Gu family? It¡¯s best if you step aside!¡± Gu Qingluan stared at Gu Zhicheng, her voice icy. Gu Zhicheng widened his eyes and eximed, ¡°You dare!¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you see if I do or not!¡± Gu Qingluan swept her hand, sending a sharp palm wind towards Steward Wang and a few others. They screamed in agony as they were sent flying. Bang! Several loud crashes, blood sttered on the ground. Seeing Gu Qingluan¡¯s attack, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s pupils contracted in shock. In just a few days, her cultivation had improved once again! Gu Zhicheng could hardly believe it. Had she practiced some sinister technique? How could her cultivation rise so quickly! Wang Shi, trembling, pleaded, ¡°Old Master, you must save me! Xue¡¯er can¡¯t lose her mother¡­¡± Being reminded by Wang Shi, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s hesitation faded instantly as he thought of his beloved daughter. If Xue¡¯er found out that he let her mother die without saving her, she would surely hate him. He couldn¡¯t use this eldest daughter anymore; he had to rely on Xue¡¯er at the Qiankun Academy. He must not hurt her feelings. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s expression turned cold as he looked at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Qingluan, regardless of whatever wrongs Wang Shi hasmitted, death is not warranted. You are indeed formidable, but Xue¡¯er is no less capable than you. Don¡¯t ruin your future over a moment¡¯s anger.¡± He was using Gu Lingxue to threaten Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan chuckled. Was she afraid of offending Gu Lingxue? Even if Gu Lingxue didn¡¯te looking for trouble, she would seek revenge on her. She wished she could anger Gu Lingxue to death. However, there was one thing Gu Zhicheng got wrong. ¡°Who said I wanted to kill Wang Shi?¡± Both Gu Zhicheng and Wang Shi were stunned. Didn¡¯t shee in with the appearance of a grim reaper to kill? Chapter 274 - 274: Getting Hands Dirty Chapter 274: Getting Hands Dirty Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Kill her? I¡¯d rather not dirty my hands.¡± Upon hearing this, Wang Shi¡¯s anger red, but she dared not speak out. Gu Zhicheng let out a sigh of relief. ¡°So it was all just a misunderstanding.¡± He had genuinely worried that Gu Qingluan might resort to violence. Although he was also a Saint, he knew he wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against her. If she were to attack, he¡¯d probably end up embarrassed and unable to stop her. ¡°However¡ª¡± ¡°What do you mean, ¡®however¡¯?¡± Both Gu Zhicheng and Wang Shi tensed up. ¡°Madam has sent a gift for my son. Shouldn¡¯t I reciprocate?¡± Snap! Gu Qingluan raised her hand and flicked open a box slightly smaller than a palm, revealing a green, ethereal pill. ¡°As long as Madam consumes it, we¡¯ll consider the debt settled.¡± Without a second thought, Wang Shi refused. What a joke¡ªthere¡¯s no way that what Gu Qingluan presented was something beneficial. It must be a sinister concoction! Gu Zhicheng asked, ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°Mmm, just a poison that leaves one speechless,¡± Gu Qingluan said nonchntly. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s mouth twitched in annoyance. Wang Shi immediately shrieked, ¡°I won¡¯t eat it!¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll have to feed it to you myself.¡± Gu Qingluan took a step towards her. ¡°Old Master! Stop her quickly!¡± Wang Shi tightly grabbed onto Gu Zhicheng¡¯s arm. Frowning, Gu Zhicheng asked, ¡°Qingluan, can¡¯t you show a little tolerance?¡± Gu Qingluan was amused by his request. ¡°Tolerance? Based on your past actions, a hundred deaths wouldn¡¯t be enough topensate. 1 haven¡¯t harmed you, yet you¡¯ve repeatedly targeted me and my son. Gu Family¡¯s Master, why don¡¯t you ask your loving wife why she refused to spare us?¡± Gu Zhicheng turned to Wang Shi. ¡°What have you done now?¡± He had juste out of seclusion and was unaware of what had urred outside. Wang Shi¡¯s gaze flickered, and she stuttered, unable to find the words. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t mind filling him in. Hearing Gu Qingluan¡¯s exnation, Gu Zhicheng almost pped Wang Shi away. What a foolish woman! He had advised her earlier not to provoke Gu Qingluan until his cultivation stabilized, but she wouldn¡¯t listen! Now disaster was upon them, wasn¡¯t it? ¡°Would the head of Gu Family still want to stop me? Gu Family is no longer what it used to be. If Wang Shi continues her reckless behavior, who knows if 1¡¯11 spare her life next time or if the whole Gu Family will be implicated. If she can¡¯t speak, it might bring some peace. Gu Family¡¯s master is a smart person who knows how to choose.¡± ¡°Gu Qingluan, don¡¯t try to deceive the Old Master! You¡¯re out to harm me!¡± Wang Shi scolded, hoping to remind Gu Zhicheng not to be manipted by Gu Qingluan. However, Gu Zhicheng was swayed by Gu Qingluan¡¯s words. Originally, his rtionship with this eldest daughter wouldn¡¯t have deteriorated this much, but it was due to Wang Shi and his younger brother¡¯s family that he grew distant from Qingluan and ended up in this situation. The poison was only causing muteness; it wouldn¡¯t be fatal. This way, Wang Shi could stay quiet for a while, and she wouldn¡¯t cause him any trouble. Regarding Xue¡¯er¡­ Once his cultivation stabilized and he no longer feared Gu Qingluan, he could find someone to detoxify Wang Shi. Xue¡¯er wouldn¡¯t me him anymore. Gu Zhicheng asked, ¡°Will this pill be life-threatening?¡± ¡°No.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. Of course, Wang Shi¡¯s life must be spared. Only then could she witness everything she had schemed and stolen from others crumble to nothing, including her daughter! Gu Zhicheng said, ¡°Give me the pill.¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow in disbelief. Did he not believe her words? No matter, even if an alchemist came to inspect it, unless they tasted it, they wouldn¡¯t discern its true nature! Gu Zhicheng genuinely couldn¡¯t tell. He had someone go find Zhang Sheng to confirm if this poisonous pill posed a danger to one¡¯s life. After a while, a servant reported that Zhang Sheng wasn¡¯t at Jade Serenity Residence. Without much thought, Gu Zhicheng had someone fetch a physician. Naturally, the physician couldn¡¯t decipher anything. Observing his actions, Wang Shi felt uneasy, ¡°Old Master, what are you doing?¡± Observing Gu Qingluan¡¯s rising restlessness and considering that if she genuinely intended harm, she had numerous chances, he felt there was no need for deception. Therefore, he turned to Wang Shi and stated, ¡°Madam, I believe you should ingest this pill..¡± Chapter 275 - 275: Paralysis Chapter 275: Paralysis Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Wang Shi couldn¡¯t help but step back, her face full of disbelief. ¡°No, Old Master, are you joking with me?¡± Gu Zhicheng tried to reassure her. ¡°Please consume it, you won¡¯t die. You¡¯ll only lose the ability to speak. As the mistress of the Gu family, even without words, you can still live well¡­¡± Before he could finish, Wang Shi interrupted him, ¡°1 won¡¯t eat it! You eat it yourself!¡± ¡°I¡¯m doing this for your own good!¡± Gu Zhicheng frowned. It was the best option at the moment, so why couldn¡¯t she see it? ¡°Haha, for my good? Say that out loud and let people hear, is this really for my good?¡± Wang Shi shouted, ¡°Anyway, I won¡¯t eat it!¡± ¡°Have you two reached an agreement?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s cold voice echoed. Wang Shi immediately pointed at her and cursed her forcking any decency. Gu Qingluan curled her lips mockingly. A beam of white light fell on Wang Shi. She let out a miserable cry, clutching her painful shoulder. With a nonchnt nce at Gu Zhicheng, Gu Qingluan said, ¡°My patience has its limits.¡± Gu Zhicheng didn¡¯t dare dy any longer upon hearing this. He seized the moment and firmly grasped Wang Shi¡¯s chin, prying her mouth open, and stuffed the poisoned pill inside. Wang Shi struggled vehemently, tears streaming down her face, a plea evident in her eyes. Unfazed, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s skilled hands easily subdued her. The pill dissolved upon contact. Wang Shi immediately convulsed, her face turning an abnormal shade of red. Recognizing something was amiss, Gu Zhicheng quickly released her. Due to the intense pain, Wang Shi fell to the ground, rolling in agony. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Madam!¡± ¡°Ah! Alih!¡± Wang Shi¡¯s pitiful cries sounded distorted, with her voice reduced to monotonous tones, unable to form even half a sentence. Such a condition was far beyond mere loss of speech. Gu Zhicheng immediately stood up, his expression full of shock. He confronted Gu Qingluan, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say this was a pill that would cause her to be mute? Why is Wang Shi like this? You deceived us!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips curved in a smile. ¡°I merely said that Wang Shi wouldn¡¯t be able to speak. Look, isn¡¯t she unable to speak now?¡± Indeed, she couldn¡¯t speak. But it was merely a misunderstanding on Gu Zhicheng¡¯s part. He thought that being unable to speak meant just that¡ªbeing mute. Yet this time, Gu Qingluan was filled with fiery anger. How could muteness be the only consequence? She had to make Wang Shi pay the price! Wang Shi, and the entire Gu family, needed to understand that provoking her would invite retaliation! Upon hearing Gu Qingluan¡¯s words, Gu Zhicheng¡¯s face turned red with rage. She had clearly misled him! However, given the circumstances, what could he do? Fight? He couldn¡¯t win. The poison? He personally fed it to Wang Shi. If news got out, his reputation would suffer the same fate. ¡°You are truly wicked!¡± In response to these words, Gu Qingluan emitted a gentleughter and remarked, ¡°There¡¯s no way my wickedness could match up to all of you.¡± Today it¡¯s Wang Shi, tomorrow it might be you, Gu Zhicheng, and even Gu Lingxue¡­ It didn¡¯t matter, one by one, they couldn¡¯t escape. Without casting another nce at the two, Gu Qingluan turned and departed. The look Gu Qingluan gave him before leaving left Gu Zhicheng frozen in ce, his words forgotten for a moment. After a while, he finally reacted and raised his voice to call for a physician, or rather, to find Zhang Sheng for help. Yet despite searching the entire mansion, Zhang Sheng was nowhere to be found. The effect of the antidote that Gu Zhicheng fed Wang Shi wasn¡¯t evident. Finally, a physician arrived, but after examination, he could only shake his head, unable to offer any help. Wang Shi didn¡¯t die, but from then on, she could only lie in bed like a stroke victim, unable to speak¡ªa state worse than death. Her hatred was boundless, but she couldn¡¯t voice a single curse. Upon hearing the news, the rest of the Gu family members were thoroughly taken aback. For a while, those agitated thoughts were kept at bay.. Chapter 276 - 276: Daddy Is Trying to Win You Over Chapter 276: Daddy Is Trying to Win You Over Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Next, after dealing with Wang Shi, Gu Qingluan went to find Zhang Sheng. With a servant from the Gu residence guiding the way, she headed to Jade Serenity Residence, but there was no sign of Zhang Sheng. Looking around the furnishings in the room, Gu Qingluan immediately understood ¨C Zhang Sheng had fled! He was quite agile indeed. Regrettably, Gu Qingluan had to return empty-handed. However, she wasn¡¯t nning to let this swindler get away with his deceitful actions so easily. She instructed Su Lie to issue a warrant for Zhang Sheng¡¯s arrest. Zhang Sheng had some skill, as several days passed without any trace of him; he was hiding quite well. With the task assigned to her subordinates, Gu Qingluan put this matter aside. The rescued girls temporarily resided in an inn for an extended period. After contemting for a moment, Gu Qingluan decided to arrange for them to cultivate spiritual herbs in the back mountains of the Jun residence. Considering that they had been tormented by Qitian Yu, they were somewhat averse to being around people. The back mountains were Jun residence¡¯s territory, off-limits to outsiders, providing them with some freedom. Earlier, Gu Qingluan had cultivated a number of herbs in the back mountains, but due to her many responsibilities, she hadn¡¯t the time to care for the medicinal fields. Their arrival was opportune. The fifteen girls in rtively good spirits were ted with this arrangement, expressing gratitude. The remaining five didn¡¯t voice their opinions, but Gu Qingluan took their silence as consent and included them in the arrangement as well. Instructing Su Lie to keep an eye on them, Gu Qingluan felt a sense of closure regarding this matter and temporarily set it aside. Next on her agenda was the ck market auction. If the ck market auction truly had Chaos Stones this time, regardless of the cost, she was determined to acquire them! Her current wealth was remarkable, but auction events weren¡¯t always about money; sometimes, the owners of certain items preferred to trade for other valuable things. Thus, aside from preparing ample Xuanling Crystal Hearts, Gu Qingluan also went to the trouble of refining some high-grade spirit pills. identally producing an excess, she found herself depleting her stock of medicinal ingredients. Contemting as she walked toward the front courtyard, she pondered whether to personally buy more ingredients or delegate the task to her subordinates. That was when she noticed servants carrying boxes, delivering them one by one. ¡°What are you all doing?¡± Upon hearing her voice, the servants quickly greeted her. One of them responded to her query, ¡°Madam, these are gifts sent by Young Master Feng.¡± Young Master Feng? Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Mother!¡± Gu Qingluan looked up as Yuanxi ran towards her. ¡°Little Yuanxi, are these from you?¡± Feng Yuanxi rushed to her side, his smile radiant as he shook his head, ¡°No, it¡¯s from my father.¡± ¡°Your father?¡± Gu Qingluan frowned. ¡°Yes, my father is trying to win you over!¡± Gu Qingluan nced at the boxes being carried in like a stream of water, her lips twitching. ¡°Why is your father causing a scene with you? Take these things back.¡± Just looking at the dozens of boxes in front of her, she had no idea how many more were outside. Feng Yuanxi shook his head vigorously, ¡°How could this be a scene? My father is pursuing you, of course he has to show sincerity. Mother, take a look at these gifts and see if you like them. If you don¡¯t, just toss them in the warehouse. Next time, my father will send you something else.¡± Gu Qingluan had experienced Yuanxi¡¯s generosity before; in his eyes, these items were likely considered worthless trinkets. However, without even opening the boxes, she knew they contained items of considerable value. ¡°No pain, no gain.¡± She addressed the servants carrying the boxes, ¡°Take them all out!¡± The servants exchanged uneasy nces. Sensing the tension, Feng Yuanxi cautiously asked, ¡°Mother, are you upset?¡± Gu Qingluan looked down at him, not disying anger.. ¡°No, and where is your father?¡± Chapter 277 - 277: Black Market Auction Chapter 277: ck Market Auction Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion She wanted to throw a tantrum, but she didn¡¯t want to vent it on Feng Yuanxi. ¡°Daddy is in the carriage. He said he¡¯s afraid you¡¯d be unhappy to see him, so he won¡¯te to bother you.¡± Actually, Feng Tian hadn¡¯t decided whether to use the handsome scheme. ¡°Hmph, he does have some self-awareness,¡± Gu Qingluan sneered. Feng Yuanxi realized that Mother wasn¡¯t upset with him, but rather seemed to be angry with Father. It appeared that presenting gifts wouldn¡¯t be effective. That was why he wanted his father to use the handsome scheme! ¡°Why are you all just lingering there? Return all of these!¡± Gu Qingluan raised her head and addressed the crowd. ¡°Wait a moment!¡± Jing Feng spoke up to stop them. He quickly approached Gu Qingluan, bowed to her, and respectfully said, ¡°Master says that if you don¡¯t like these things, you can leave them for the young master, no need to return them.¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded in agreement, ¡°That¡¯s right, what¡¯s Father¡¯s is mine. If you don¡¯t want them, Mother, then consider them mine. Can I keep them in the storage room?¡± Of course, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t just throw away her son¡¯s belongings. Looking at the little guy¡¯s expectant eyes, she sighed, ¡°Fine, then let¡¯s keep them.¡± Feng Yuanxi and Jing Feng exchanged a nce. Mission aplished! When Su Lie heard the news, he hurried over and was initially startled by the numerous boxes. However, upon learning that they belonged to Young Master Yuanxi, he wasn¡¯t surprised anymore. He directed the servants to carry the boxes to the storage room, maintaining order. With the taskpleted, Jing Feng left after leaving Young Master behind. Upon learning that Feng Yuanxi wanted to stay, Gu Qingluan¡¯s momentary displeasure vanished. Outside the mansion. Jing Feng stood by the carriage, reporting to Feng Tian. Upon hearing Jing Feng¡¯s report, Feng Tian felt a touch of surprise blended with a sense of anticipation. ording tomon wisdom, showcasing one¡¯s wealth as a pursuer was essential. Given her origin from the Ind of No Return, financial constraints weren¡¯t an issue for her. Attempting to sway her with gifts would prove challenging. Feng Tian lowered her head and looked at the third move in the ¡°Ny-Nine Techniques to Woo a Wife¡± book brought by Jing Yu. His slender fingers lightly traced the ink characters on the page. The ink letters disintegrated and turned into nothingness. If wealth wasn¡¯t effective, he had to appeal to her by other means. What about using his beauty? No, he felt there was something else she would prefer over beauty. ¡°Will the ck Market Auction be held tonight?¡± Jing Feng nodded, realizing that his master couldn¡¯t see him, and said, ¡°Yes, it starts at the ninth hour tonight.¡± ¡°Get ready. We¡¯re going to the ck Market Auction tonight.¡± Jing Feng was surprised. His master wanted to go in person? He was aware that his master had a particr interest in something being auctioned, but usually, he¡¯d delegate such matters to a subordinate. This time, however, he intended to attend in person. What sort of valuable item had captured his attention? Though he had doubts, he didn¡¯t dare to question. As night fell. The ck Market wasn¡¯t located in Tianjing, but in an entirely separate space. People could enter by paying Xuanling Stones and using the teleportation array. Various corners of Cloud ins Continent had teleportation arrays leading to the ck Market. As a result, the space within the ck Market was incredibly vast, resembling a gigantic city, drawing people from all corners of the continent. Strangely, the teleportation array they entered from was the only one they could exit from. There was spection among people that this might be linked to the ¡°key¡± they were given during their initial entry into the ck Market. In a certain corner, the teleportation array¡¯s arcane power fluctuated. A sh of white light appeared, revealing a man dressed in ck robes with a silver mask on his face, and he emerged from the entrance. Countless eyes, both overt and covert, turned toward the man. Those who could survive here usually had some discernment. After realizing they couldn¡¯t gauge the man¡¯s cultivation, many shifted their gazes away, except for a few who continued to observe him closely. The person who appeared in the teleportation array was none other than Gu Qingluan in disguise.. Chapter 278 - 278: Itchy Hands Chapter 278: Itchy Hands Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Wearing men¡¯s clothing made traveling significantly more convenient than donning women¡¯s attire, particrly in locations such as the ck Market. Therefore, Gu Qingluan decided to change her attire. Sensing the gazes cast around her, Gu Qingluan released a hint of pressure that managed to deter most people. Of course, she didn¡¯t reveal the power of the Saint Realm. When away from home, it was wise to have a hidden ace up her sleeve. As a result, some lingering nces still remained fixated on her. Gu Qingluan paid no mind; as long as they didn¡¯t provoke her, she wouldn¡¯t bother engaging with them. With aposed stride, she headed towards the Shadow Tower within the ck Market. Where there were people, there was bound to be a martial world. Naturally, even the ck Market had its share of organizations. The Shadow Tower was the most dominant force within the ck Market. And it was hosting this auction. Upon reaching the entrance of the Shadow Tower, she was intercepted. ¡°Entrance requires ten Xuanling Stones.¡± Ten Xuanling Stones were equivalent to ten thousand two hundred gold. Based solely on the entrance fee, the Shadow Tower was already raking in a substantial profit. Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. Before she could inquire, someone nearby eximed, ¡°Ten Xuanling Stones? Why so expensive? Wasn¡¯t it just one Xuanling Stone before?¡± ¡°This time it¡¯s ten. Take it or leave it!¡± another disciple in charge of the fee retorted irritably. The person who found it expensive seemed to be cowed into submission and, though begrudgingly, handed over ten Xuanling Stones. Gu Qingluan retrieved ten Xuanling Stones from her storage ring and handed them to the representative of the Shadow Tower. The person handed her a token, saying, ¡°Go inside. This token can only be used for two hours. Once the time is up, even if you¡¯re still inside, you¡¯ll be forced to leave the Shadow Tower.¡± Gu Qingluan took the rectangr token, which was pitch-ck and cold to the touch, measuring only two inches in length. She casually nced at it before stowing it away and entered the ShadowTower. Rather than a tower, the Shadow establishment was more akin to a castle. The main entrance stood approximately ten meters, and upon entering, the cacophony of voices overwhelmed her senses. The expanse seemed endless, filled with countless people. Clearly, this auction had attracted a significant crowd. Gu Qingluan furrowed her brows and scanned her surroundings. The auction space was open-air with a central elevated tform, encircled by tiers of seats, somewhat reminiscent of an arena. Here, there were no private rooms; everyone was treated equally. Gu Qingluan casually chose a seat with fewer people. ¡°Hey, buddy, let¡¯s get acquainted!¡± Suddenly, a young man in indigo brocade robes approached from not too far away. Gu Qingluan nced at him with mild disinterest. Unfazed by her aloofness, he brimmed with enthusiasm, ¡°Greetings, stranger. Where do you hail from?¡± This time, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t even spare him a nce. Undeterred, he continued, ¡°I¡¯m from Nanqing Country. And you?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips moved, ¡°Cheng Yuan.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re from Cheng Yuan! Your nation has been quite talked abouttely! I¡¯ve caught wind of something about a prominent family¡­ Oh, right! The Gu Family! They¡¯ve had two Saints unexpectedly appear! Is that true?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± ¡°You actually don¡¯t know? Even I, a resident of Nanqing, heard about it. I thought nearly everyone, except the hermits on distant mountains, would know! I was nning to ask you about it, but no worries. If you don¡¯t know, I can tell you what I know¡­¡± Gu Qingluan let him chatter on, her gaze scanning her surroundings. The young man transitioned from discussing recent events in Tianjing City to rumors from their Nanqing Country, before touching on significant happenings in the Holy Heaven Dynasty. Seeing that Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t interrupt him, he grew more animated, ¡°Buddy, you¡¯re the first person to listen to me talk this much! It¡¯s not easy to find someone willing to hear me out. Let¡¯s get to know each other! I¡¯m He Lianjun. What¡¯s your esteemed name?¡± ¡°My surname is Jun.¡± He Lianjun¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°So you¡¯re Brother Jun! It seems we¡¯re destined, Brother Jun. Your surname is Jun, while myst name is also Jun!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips twitched; he managed to make a connection out of that. ¡°Brother Jun, I had a feeling the moment I saw you that you were different from the rest! Are you from a prestigious family? Forgive my ignorance, but 1 couldn¡¯t figure it out in a moment.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just an ordinary nobody.¡± ¡°No worries! Who says you have to be from a prestigious family? Heroes don¡¯t inquire about backgrounds! I¡¯ve been an orphan since I was young, yet I¡¯m managing just fine.¡± He Lianjun raised his hand, seemingly about to pat her shoulder, but after she gave him a casual nce, he inexplicably halted mid-action. He awkwardly grinned, his hand curling as he rubbed his nose. ¡°Um, Brother Jun, is this your first time attending the Shadow Tower¡¯s auction?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± He Lianjun noticed herck of interest and then, in a mysteriously hushed tone, asked, ¡°Do you know why there are so many people at this auction?¡± The entrance fee of ten Xuanling Stones wasn¡¯t trivial, and yet, more people hade this timepared to his previous visits. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t respond, her thoughts echoing the words of Lu Bainian. Could all these people be after the Chaos Stone? But in the eyes of these people, the Chaos Stone was just an inconspicuous rock with no apparent value. Was it really necessary for them to be so enthusiastic? ¡°I heard that the Shadow Tower has discovered something extraordinary this time!¡± He Lianjun suddenly stopped speaking. Gu Qingluan looked at him out of the corner of her eye, noticing his eager anticipation for her response. Did this chatterbox really need her validation? Gu Qingluan casually averted her gaze. Hey, Brother Jun could really hold it in! After waiting for a while and not seeing her inquire, He Lianjun couldn¡¯t hold back and asked her, ¡°Do you know what it is?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡± Gu Qingluan clenched her fist and suddenly felt the urge to punch someone, what could she do to alleviate that? Chapter 279 - 279: Boundary Wall Key Chapter 279: Boundary Wall Key Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Haha, so Brother Jun can change his expression too! I¡¯m just teasing you!¡± He Lianjun burst intoughter, attracting gazes from around him. Teasing her? A faint smile curled at the corner of Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips. With a light flick of her fingertip, a surge of energy shot into He Lianjun¡¯s mouth. ¡°Alih! Ugh, ugh, ugh!¡± He Lianjun¡¯s throat tightened, rendering him unable to speak. He pointed at his own throat while making incoherent sounds, his eyes fixed on Gu Qingluan. His expression shifted rapidly from shock to panic, then submission, and finally to begging within the span of a few breaths. ¡°Do you still dare to tease me?¡± Gu Qingluan inquired. He Lianjun shook his head, his motion resembling the undting rhythm of a wave drum. I won¡¯t dare! I won¡¯t dare! Even with a hundredfold increase in courage, he still wouldn¡¯t dare. ¡°Put your hand down.¡± He Lianjun obedientlyplied, lowering his hand immediately. Once again, Gu Qingluan curved her finger and lightly flicked, sending a surge of energy into his throat. He Lianjun suddenly felt an itch in his throat, coughed, and realized he could speak again. He eximed in delight, ¡°Unbelievable! My voice is back! Brother Jun, how did you do that just now? Can you teach me? It¡¯s so amazing! If 1 could do that, whenever someone speaks rudely, I¡¯d just use this technique to mute them!¡± Gu Qingluan responded with a question, ¡°Why did so many peoplee to the auction?¡± This time, He Lianjun didn¡¯t dare to deceive her. He earnestly shared the information he had gathered with Gu Qingluan. ¡°They¡¯ve alle for the Boundary Wall Key.¡± Gu Qingluan arched an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°It¡¯spletely fine if you¡¯re not aware,¡± He Lianjun remarked with lively enthusiasm, not at all bothered by his earlier loss of voice. He went on to exin eagerly, ¡°Have you ever noticed how the ck Market keeps expanding? The outer limits of the ck Market are referred to as the Boundary Wall, an unbreakable barrier. In the entire world, there¡¯s only one kind of key that can assist people in crossing the Boundary Wall. Beyond this boundary lies an entirely new realm, overflowing with spiritual energy and an abundance of treasures. Once someone is fortunate enough to enter, they¡¯re presented with immense opportunities. When the space reaches maturity after development, the Boundary Wall separating it from the original ck Market disappears, and that space bes an integral part of the ck Market.¡± He Lianjun¡¯s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. ¡°Moreover, those who pioneer in the ck Market gain the privilege of possessing a permanent territory within its bounds! It¡¯s an irresistible allure, who could possibly resist? However, knowledge of the Boundary Wall Key is confined to a chosen few. Don¡¯t be misled by the sheer crowd present today. A significant number of attendees are influential figures from different regions of the Cloud ins Continent. Trust me, a closer look would reveal that many among them are far from ordinary. Have you noticed?¡± Gu Qingluan neither confirmed nor denied. She had indeed observed this phenomenon. Indeed, among those present tonight, many had cultivation levels she couldn¡¯t discern, including numerous Saint and Heavenly Realm experts. Being able to attract so many influential figures, the key was undoubtedly extraordinary. However, how did He Lianjun know? ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re curious how 1 found out, right? Well, in my life, I have two great hobbies. One is drinking, and the other is gossiping. If there¡¯s something 1 want to find out, there¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t discover! Brother Jun, if you ever want to gather information, just let me know. As a token of our acquaintance, I¡¯ll provide information for free the first time.¡± Gu Qingluan nced at the jade gourd hanging from his waist. Noticing her gaze, He Lianjun said, ¡°Drinking isn¡¯t convenient at the moment. After the auction is over, I¡¯ll treat Brother Jun to a drink!¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t refuse.. She asked, ¡°With the key being so important, who would put it up for auction?¡± Chapter 280 - 280: Scavenging Chapter 280: Scavenging Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°This is a secret of the Shadow Tower, and I haven¡¯t gathered much information about it yet. However, I specte it might be rted to the Holy Spirit Flower.¡± The Holy Spirit Flower, a transparent blossom, remained unseen during the day, yet emitted a gentle glow in the nighttime. Under the moon¡¯s illumination, it appeared nearly imperceptible. Delicate and umon, its blooming window was extremely brief, enduring merely an hour. Despite its fleeting presence, it possessed a purifying influence. In regr circumstances, the Holy Spirit Flower¡¯s brief blooming duration was a factor in its rarity. Employing hidden methods to prolong its flowering phase presented a different challenge altogether. The space behind the Boundary Wall was filled with toxic mist, and only those carrying the Holy Spirit Flower were immune to it. ¡°I have a suspicion that those who possess the key might have trouble locating the Holy Spirit Flower. That¡¯s why they¡¯re offering the chance to enter the space beyond the Boundary Wall.¡± ¡°Why not simply state their need for the Holy Spirit Flower? Why involve others and share the opportunity?¡± ¡°Haha, the logic is actually quite simple. Because the space behind the Boundary Wall, aside from the toxic mist, holds many dangers. More people mean more strength. Of course, I estimate that the person holding the key this time probably doesn¡¯t have strong backing; otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t need to share the opportunity. After all, such urrences are rare in the ck Market.¡± ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, wee to the Shadow Tower¡¯s auction!¡± Just then, a clear voice echoed from the central tform. ¡°The auction is about to begin!¡± He Lianjun eximed excitedly. ¡°We¡¯ll chatter, Brother Jun.¡± His notion of ter¡± didn¡¯tst very long. As the first auction item was presented, his mouth couldn¡¯t stay still, and he began introducing it energetically. ¡°Truly deserving of the Shadow Tower¡¯s auction, the first item is extraordinary! It¡¯s actually a ninth-grade arcane beast¡¯s inner core! Moreover, it¡¯s of the fire attribute! This is a tremendous temptation for fire system cultivators! Whether they are alchemists, artifact craftsmen, or cultivators who use fire-based arcane tools, all would benefit greatly.¡± The Shadow Tower employed blind bidding, with participants engraving their bids into the engraved tes they carried. The Shadow Tower would automatically receive the information from the tes. Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t interested in a ninth-grade arcane beast¡¯s inner core, so she didn¡¯t participate in the first round of bidding. He Lianjun casually engraved a number, seeing that Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t move. He advised her, ¡°Brother Jun, just write down any number. If you¡¯re lucky, you might win! The ck Market is perfect for scavenging.¡± Gu Qingluan arched an eyebrow. ¡°That makes sense.¡± So, she picked up her engraved te and jotted down a random number. She didn¡¯t expect to scavenge anything herself. ¡°Congrattions to guest number 666 for winning the ninth-grade Fire Lion Inner Core at the price of eleven Xuanling Stones!¡± He Lianjun marveled, ¡°Number 666? That¡¯s a lucky number. I wonder who won.¡± Gu Qingluan silently nced at her engraved te. Once inside the premises, only her own consciousness had ess to this namete. Seeing the suspended ¡°666¡± on it, she felt a bit surprised. He Lianjun btedly cursed, ¡°What the heck? Eleven Xuanling Stones? Is this a joke? 1 wrote down ten Xuanling Stones, exactly the entrance fee. I bid just for fun. Who the heck is this ¡®666¡¯ guy? Somehow, he bid just one Xuanling Stone more than me and won!¡± The starting bid was exactly ten Xuanling Stones. Logically, during an auction, prices should be several times higher than the starting bid. What¡¯s with this one Xuanling Stone difference? Could there be some behind-the-scenes maniption? Both He Lianjun and the people around him became skeptical, and a sense of restlessness filled the air as everyone began to doubt the legitimacy of the price. Yet, that¡¯s precisely what happened! If Gu Qingluan weren¡¯t the lucky one, she would have doubted it as well. Seeing He Lianjun, who was frustrated and searching for the ¡®666¡¯ bidder, she thought it would be best to remain silent.. Chapter 281 - 281: Ten Thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts Chapter 281: Ten Thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Regardless of everyone¡¯s emotions, the Shadow Tower, as the leading organization in the ck Market, wouldn¡¯t engage in actions that tarnished its reputation. Besides, it was just a ninth-grade exotic beast¡¯s inner core ¨C hardly worth the trouble. With the appearance of the second auction item, everyone¡¯s attention quickly shifted. Regardless of the reasons they came for this event, everyone decided to ce a bid. Whether they seeded or not, there would be no loss. Of course, some individuals desired these auction items more than others, so they would bid rtively higher amounts. This smooth progression of the auction proceeded ordingly. The next item up for auction is a stone, but not just an ordinary one. This stone was previously featured in the recent auction at the Tianjing Lushi Auction House. While it¡¯s not the exact same piece, our Shadow Tower has verified its authenticity through experts from the Tianjing Lushi Auction House. This rare minerales from the same source as the one that garnered a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts in their auction! The rare mineral we¡¯re presenting tonight is twice the size of the previous one, making it even more valuable. As a result, we¡¯re starting the bidding at ten Xuanling Crystal Hearts. Kindly record your estimated value on your namete!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s spirit was stirred. Twice the size of the previous one? If she could obtain this Chaos Stone, not only would her Hongmeng Qi increase, but her cultivation would also take a significant leap forward. As the auctioneer disyed the item, Gu Qingluan became certain that it was indeed the Chaos Stone. She was determined to secure it. While Gu Qingluan had an interest in the Boundary Wall Space, she ced even greater importance on the Chaos Stone. Without hesitation, she inscribed a significantly higher bid, far surpassing the previous one hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts. Presumably, no one would bid higher than her. After all, unless someone recognized the value of the Chaos Stone, they wouldn¡¯t be willing to spend so much money on it. Furthermore, most of the prominent figures attending tonight were here for the Boundary Wall Key, so they would likely save their funds. However, despite her confidence, she remained nervous. Having missed out once before, she feared encountering another instance where victory slipped through her fingers. ¡°Brother Jun, you should refrain from participating in this round of bidding,¡± came a voice from beside her. Gu Qingluan turned to look at He Lianjun, a fleeting hint of coldness shing in her eyes. Although it vanished quickly, He Lianjun still caught it. Aware of the misunderstanding, he didn¡¯t be upset. He lowered his voice and said, ¡°While I understand your chances are slim, it¡¯s always better to be cautious. This rare mineral might have been deliberately put up for auction to lure unsuspecting buyers.¡± Furrowing her brows, Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°You mean it¡¯s a bait? Can you provide more details?¡± ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m not well-informed about it either. Right before I entered the Shadow Tower, 1 happened to overhear a conversation between two people in ck cloaks. From what I gathered, they were discussing using this rare mineral as bait to draw specific individuals and subsequently eliminate them. I¡¯m uncertain whether their intention is to target the highest bidder or if they believe the person who acquires the rare mineral will be their focus. My inclination is towards thetter scenario, which raises the chances of unintended casualties.¡± Gu Qingluan looked at He Lianjun deeply. ¡°You do seem to know quite a bit.¡± Her response was enigmatic. He pretended not to understand, chuckling proudly as he lifted his chin. ¡°Of course! In fact, I have another nickname ¨C Bai Xiao Sheng (Schr at the Pavilion of Myriad Knowledge)!¡± A faint smile tugged at Gu Qingluan¡¯s lips. ¡°Actually, there¡¯s a job that suits you well.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that? Does it pay well? Is it tiring? I¡¯m not interested in hard, tiring work, and low pay won¡¯t convince me either.¡± ¡°An intelligence gatherer at the Pavilion of Myriad Knowledge.¡± Haha, the Pavilion of Myriad Knowledge is quite a significant group! Jun, your suggestion has sparked a great thought in me. If 1 find myself struggling someday, 1 might just head to the Pavilion of Myriad Knowledge and seek a meal! However, for the moment, 1 still enjoy my unrestricted lifestyle!¡± He Lianjun burst into heartyughter. Observing his carefree demeanor, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he was the same on the inside. His recent advice was thought-provoking. If someone had malicious ns, they wouldn¡¯t openly talk about them in a public location, especially in a crowded ce like the ck Market, where the risk of being overheard was significant. Nheless, Gu Qingluan appreciated He Lianjun¡¯s reminder. She was determined to obtain the Chaos Stone. If there was indeed a plot against those who acquired it, she¡¯d have a formidable battle ahead. He Lianjun¡¯s advice was a lifeline. As she pondered, the auctioneer¡¯s booming voice echoed, ¡°The blind bidding for this round has concluded. Congrattions to guest number 999, who secured this treasure for ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts.¡± As the words fell, the entire venue erupted into excitement.. Chapter 282 - 282: 999’s Identity Chapter 282: 999¡¯s Identity Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts? Am I hearing things?¡± ¡°I heard it too, it¡¯s indeed ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts!¡± ¡°Is someone insane? What¡¯s the point of spending ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts to buy such a thing? Why not buy a piece of rock? Even if that rock is truly a rare gem, it shouldn¡¯t be that expensive.¡± ¡°This is outrageous!¡± ¡°If I had ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts, I¡¯d be living the high life every day!¡± ¡°All, 1 really want to know who this VIP No. 999 is!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you guys wonder what that rare gem is? VIP No. 999 is willing to spend ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts on it, so it must be worth that price. I¡¯ve never heard of any natural rare gem selling for such a high price.¡± ¡°I¡¯m curious! How can you not be curious? But what¡¯s the use? Will someone tell us?¡± ¡°Hey, do you think the person who won the bid this time is the same as the one who won the bid in Tianjingst time?¡± ¡°Well¡­ It¡¯s hard to say¡­¡± ¡°Considering that Tianjing is a rtively small town with limited exposure, it¡¯s possible that someone in the current bidding recognizes the true worth of this treasure.¡± As the crowd excitedly discussed, Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart sank. Ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts, who in the world would offer such a high price! She had thought thatst time, Feng Tian had spent a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts to win it, which was already a high price. Even if the price went up a bit this time, it should only be a few times more. To be on the safe side, she had included all the crystal hearts and spirit stones on her body, totaling just about five thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts. She thought she had a sure win, but she still fell behind! Who could spend so many Xuanling Crystal Hearts? It must be someone who recognized the Chaos Stone! But who could it be? Could it also be someone from the Tianji Continent? Just now, He Lianjun had said that the Chaos Stone was a trap. Who had set this trap, and was it specifically aimed at VIP No. 999, who spent ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts? Countless thoughts shed through Gu Qingluan¡¯s mind. Beside her, He Lianjun and the others were as excited as everyone else, specting wildly about the identity of VIP No. 999. He had already spected about the identities of the prominent figures in the Cloud ins Continent, but none of his guesses yielded a definitive answer. After a long while, without getting a response from Gu Qingluan, He Lianjun finally sensed that something was wrong. ¡°Brother Jun? Brother Jun? Are you okay?¡± Gu Qingluan moved her eyes slightly and nced at him. ¡°Brother Jun, are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± He Lianjun breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°i thought you had been possessed just now. You didn¡¯t say a word, and it was really creepy.¡± Gu Qingluan tugged at the corner of her mouth. ¡°You have a vivid imagination.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s not bad.¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t have time to banter with him and asked, ¡°Can you find out the identity of VIP No. 999?¡± ¡°Well, 1 can¡¯t do that, but¡­¡± He Lianjun smirked. ¡°We can sneak into the Shadow Tower and ask around.¡± The Shadow Tower had several methods of trading, one of which allowed VIPs to remain anonymous. They only needed to pay a heftymission and use the tower¡¯s secret technique to have the auctioned item delivered to a designated location. In this way, the safety and privacy of VIPs could be maximally protected. Usually, it was difficult to find out the identity of such high-value clients. But maybe there would be some clues inside the Shadow Tower. ¡°Are you interested in finding out who the big spender is for ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts? It¡¯s not easy to get into the Shadow Tower, and once discovered, it¡¯s a matter of life and death. Honestly, I think we don¡¯t need to go in. Someone set a trap, right? I believe there will be quite a show after the auction ends!¡± Gu Qingluan thought it over and agreed. Let¡¯s wait and see. The excitement at the auction scene increased significantly due to the stimulus of ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts. Many people had no interest in the auction items anymore and continued to discuss the wealthy VIP. Just then, Gu Qingluan suddenly felt a tug in her spiritual sense, as if she was being drawn by something.. Chapter 283 - 283: Lost and Found Chapter 283: Lost and Found Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion She looked up and saw the suspended golden needle on the high tform, and she was instantly stunned. The Primordial Gold Needle! More precisely, it could only be considered a part of the Primordial Gold Needle! Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart surged with overwhelming emotions. The Primordial Gold Needle was her sacred artifact from her past life. It had automatically protected its owner during her self-destruction. When she transmigrated to the Cloud ins Continent, she couldn¡¯t sense the presence of the Primordial Gold Needle. She had thought that the Primordial Gold Needle had been destroyed, but now she could see a fragment of it. The auctioneer proimed, ¡°After being appraised by our expert, the material of this needle is extremely unique. It cannot be melted even with heavenly fire. This golden needle is likely used by practitioners of acupuncture and moxibustion. It¡¯s already a sacred-grade artifact. When used for acupuncture, its effectiveness is more than ten times better than ordinary gold needles! The starting bid is one Xuanling Crystal Heart.¡± Although it was a sacred artifact, not many people could use it effectively, so the starting price wasn¡¯t high. The audience¡¯s response was rtively lukewarm, with only a few expressing interest. Near Gu Qingluan, she overheard a conversation between an elderly man and a young girl. ¡°Grandpa, I want it!¡± The voice of the sweet-sounding girl, who appeared to be around sixteen years old, was round-faced and had a hint of baby fat. She was looking in the direction of the golden needle with bright eyes. The elderly man beside her had a ruddyplexion, and his white beard and hair gave him a kindly appearance as he replied, ¡°Alright, Grandpa will help you buy the golden needle.¡± ¡°Thank you, Grandpa!¡± The girl seemed to believe that the golden needle was already hers and hugged the old man¡¯s arm happily to express her gratitude. Gu Qingluan gazed at the golden needle and thought, ¡°I¡¯ve already missed the chance for the Chaos Stone, but I must obtain the Primordial Gold Needle! Even if this needle isn¡¯t whole, it was once one of my most importantpanions. Now that there¡¯s a chance to reim it, how can 1 let it slip away?¡± She had initially nned to find VIP No. 999, offer money, and provide elixirs in exchange for the Chaos Stone. However, at this moment, she decided to abandon that n. The Chaos Stone was undoubtedly crucial, but in her heart, her formerpanions who had fought alongside her were even more important. In that self-destructive explosion, she had thought that all her contracted artifacts, divine beasts, and more had beenpletely destroyed. Now it seemed that the situation might not be as dire as she had imagined. If she coulde across a fragment of the Primordial Gold Needle here, did it mean that she had a chance to find the others? A surge of excitement filled Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart. Her life goals were no longer limited to revenge; there was also the hope of reunion. The light on her namete vanished in an instant as Gu Qingluan engraved her anticipated price within it. When the auctioneer announced that VIP No. 666 had won the golden needle for one thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts, the auction venue erupted into considerablemotion. Typically, a sacred-grade artifact fluctuated in price between one and a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts. Anything surpassing a hundred was considered a top-tier sacred-grade artifact, nearly on par with divine artifacts. Spending a thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts to purchase a single needle seemed rather extravagant in the eyes of many. However, for those deeply passionate about the art of medicine, such a treasure was exceedingly rare, and impulsive bidding wasn¡¯t out of the question. With the previous bid of ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts, this one thousand seemed less eye-catching. It was soon eclipsed. Upon hearing her namete number, Gu Qingluan heaved a sigh of relief, her eyes filled with satisfaction. At this moment, a girl¡¯s frantic voice rang out, ¡°All! Grandpa, didn¡¯t you say the golden needle would be mine? Now someone else has taken it! What should I do? I don¡¯t care! I want that golden needle!¡± Chapter 284 - 284: Explosion Chapter 284: Explosion Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Yin¡¯er, I didn¡¯t expect someone would spend so much money on a sacred-grade profound artifact. How about we give up on this golden needle, and Grandpa will get you something else?¡± The old man said somewhat reluctantly. ¡°I only want this one!¡± The young girl pouted, looking unhappy. ¡°But the golden needle has already been auctioned off.¡± ¡°Grandpa, please think of a way! You¡¯ll definitely have a solution.¡± The girl shook the old man¡¯s arm while acting cute. The old man was helpless and turned to the young man beside him, instructing, ¡°Go and inquire with the Shadow Tower, see if it¡¯s possible to buy the golden needle.¡± After a while, Gu Qingluan¡¯s namete shed. She infused her consciousness into it, and a message appeared. The Shadow Tower inquired if she was willing to sell the golden needle at a high price. Without hesitation, Gu Qingluan rejected the offer. Xuanling Stones could be earned again, but there was only one Primordial Gold Needle in the world, and she wouldn¡¯t let anyone else have it no matter what. Shortly after, the old man received news. Learning that their offer was rejected, the girl felt extremely disheartened, turning her head away in frustration. Coincidentally, she turned toward Gu Qingluan¡¯s direction and caught sight of Gu Qingluan, who was wearing a mask. However, she only gave a casual nce and didn¡¯t pay it much mind, muttering quietly, ¡°Don¡¯t let me find out who took away the golden needle, or 1¡¯11 definitely give them a beating!¡± Gu Qingluan curved her lips. This little girl was quite young but had a dominant personality. Since when did the golden needle be hers? Two more rounds passed, and the auction wasing to an end, reaching its climax. As expected, just as He Lianjun had described, a Dimensional Barrier Key appeared at the auction. The entire audience was shocked, and Gu Qingluan could clearly sense the heightened atmosphere around her. Including the old man who hade with his granddaughter not far away, everyone¡¯s attention was focused on the tform. The auctioneer¡¯s voice couldn¡¯t hide his excitement, ¡°This final item is the Boundary Wall Key! I believe many of you here are familiar with its purpose, but there may be a few esteemed guests who are still unaware. Therefore, allow me to introduce it properly¡­¡± His description was simr to what He Lianjun had mentioned. After he finished, the atmosphere in the hall became even more fervent. ¡°Now, esteemed guests, you can start engraving your desired prices on your nametes. There¡¯s no starting bid for the key, and in the end, the decision will be in the hands of the key¡¯s owner. They will choose their preferred currency from among all of you.¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t have a Sacred Spirit Flower on her, and she didn¡¯t have the time to find one now. She had a feeling she could handle the toxic mist in the Dimensional Barrier Space, even though she hadn¡¯t been inside. She engraved ¡°the Ind of No Return Sacred Grade Detox Pill¡± into her namete. If it caught someone¡¯s eye, that was great; if not, she wouldn¡¯t be too disappointed. Hou Lianjun looked around with curiosity in his eyes. ¡°I really want to see what everyone will offer as their currency. With so many big shots here, thepetition must be extremely fierce. It¡¯s a pity it¡¯s a blind bid, so we won¡¯t be able to witness the excitement firsthand.¡± Gu Qingluan nodded in agreement. Indeed, a blind bidcked the visual thrill. However, for those who desired the treasure, theck of transparency in bidding didn¡¯t diminish the excitement. When making their offers, they had no idea about theirpetitors¡¯ perceived values, which could lead to two scenarios. One possibility was bidding too low and losing out on the treasure, while the other was overbidding significantlypared to otherpetitors, bing the unwitting victim of their own desire. The Sacred Grade Detox Pill from the Ind of No Return had an exceptional effect. Gu Qingluan had never auctioned it before, only offering up to the Ninth-Grade Detox Pill, which alreadymanded a price of a hundred Xuanling Crystal Hearts. The price of a Sacred Grade Detox Pill would be considerably higher. Perhaps others might hesitate due to its high cost, but for Gu Qingluan, it was a matter of spending a few hours to refine. She offered a generous reward, but she wondered if it would align with the preferences of the Key¡¯s owner. Boom! Suddenly, a loud noise reverberated from the tform. Centered on the tform, a dazzling white light radiated in all directions.. Chapter 285 - 285: Robbing the Auction Item Chapter 285: Robbing the Auction Item Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Everyone involuntarily closed their eyes. Although their physical eyes were shut, their spiritual awareness could still perceive. A dark figure swiftly left the tform. However, it wasn¡¯t the auctioneer. Someone was attempting to steal the Boundary Wall Key! ¡°Damn, this brother has some nerve! He dares to rob an item at the Shadow Tower auction! This is the first time I¡¯ve seen someone attempting a robbery at a Shadow Tower auction!¡± He Lianjun eximed with excitement. The experts from the Shadow Tower were numerous, and their methods leaned toward the sinister. They spoke with strength, and their means of dealing with enemies were extremely ruthless. Anyone causing trouble on the Shadow Tower¡¯s territory would have their hides stripped. As for those who dared to provoke the Shadow Tower, they were simply asking for death! The moment the unexpected happened, the Shadow Tower¡¯s experts quickly rushed from all directions, blocking the thief¡¯s path. The auction attendees, seeing that the Shadow Tower was prepared, sat back, waiting for the Shadow Tower to deal with this audacious thief. In the open space beside the tform, a man in ck attire with a ghostly mask engaged in battle with dozens of Shadow Tower experts. The Shadow Tower¡¯s people moved with eerie grace and coordination, and every move and technique they used was deadly. The man in the ck mask wasn¡¯t a pushover either. Without some skills, he wouldn¡¯t have dared to steal the Key. He fought while retreating. One of the high-ranking Shadow Tower officials shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t let him get close to the exit!¡± The Shadow Tower¡¯s people immediately fortified the path leading to the door. The man in the ck mask, realizing he couldn¡¯t break through the encirclement, suddenly charged toward the seating area where the auction attendees were situated. Right towards¡ª Coincidentally, it happened to be the ce where Gu Qingluan was at! Had the man in the ck mask chosen to battle the Shadow Tower in the open space, the auction attendees might not have intervened. But by approaching them directly, he ensured they wouldn¡¯t remain passive observers. Someone among them had their hand emitting a glowing light, preparing tounch an attack. However, much to their surprise, the man in the ck mask suddenly threw something from his hand into the midst of the crowd. ¡°All, it¡¯s the Key!¡± The crowd was excited, rushing towards the object he had thrown. The man in the ck mask took advantage of the chaos and slipped into the crowd. Gu Qingluan, with sharp eyes, noticed a fleeting golden light from him. The arcane aura emitted at that moment was all too familiar to Gu Qingluan. Her pupils contracted sharply, and she swiftly got up and chased after the man in the ck mask. ¡°Brother Jun, where are you going?¡± He Lianjun was puzzled and quickly followed her. After chasing for a while, Gu Qingluan lost track of the man. He Lianjun caught up, gasping for breath. ¡°Brother Jun, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I have something to do; don¡¯t follow me!¡± Gu Qingluan said in a stern tone, her clear peach blossom eyes scanning the entire area. A short while ago, she had sessfully tracked him using her divine sense, but she was baffled by how he had eluded her detection since then. ¡°Do you need any help?¡± He Lianjun asked. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t inform him of her n. After realizing there was no trace of the intruder, she intended to go directly to the Shadow Tower¡¯s personnel to inquire about the Primordial Gold Needle. She hoped she was mistaken. The Primordial Gold Needle should not have been stolen by that man in the ck mask. Currently, the Shadow Tower had sealed off all exits, not allowing anyone in or out. ¡°I¡¯m going to settle my deal. You can leave or wait outside,¡± Gu Qingluan told He Lianjun. He Lianjun was curious about what she had just acquired, but he also knew that he wouldn¡¯t get answers at this moment. He nodded and said, ¡°1¡¯11 wait here for you.¡± Gu Qingluan approached a building, disyed her emblem, and after the guards at the entrance verified her identity, they escorted her into a stone chamber.. Chapter 286 - 286: Just Left Chapter 286: Just Left Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion After a moment, a man in a ck robe with a silver-trimmed cor walked in. He appeared to be in his early thirties, with an ordinary appearance, but his eyes sparkled with shrewdness. His gaze briefly swept over Gu Qingluan before he tactfully withdrew it and handed over something in his hand. ¡°This is the Primordial Gold Needle and the Ninth-level Arcane Beast Core that you just won. It totals to 1,111 Xuanling Crystal Hearts.¡± Gu Qingluan tossed him the bottomless pouch containing the Xuanling Crystal Hearts. The ck market transactions only recognized physical items like Xuanling stones and gold, not the cards introduced by the Lushi Auction House. And spatial-grade profound artifacts were highly prized on the Cloud ins Continent, usable by only a few individuals. Seeing Gu Qingluan casually toss out a bottomless pouch, a hint of surprise flickered in the man¡¯s eyes. He gave Gu Qingluan a deep look before picking up the bottomless pouch and examining it. Inside were exactly 1,111 Xuanling Crystal Hearts. The man raised his eyebrows and handed over the box containing the Primordial Gold Needle and the Ninth-level Arcane Beast Core to Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan opened the first box, revealing the Ninth-level Arcane Beast Core. She nced at it casually before covering it and then opened the second box. In an instant, golden light radiated from it. Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes brightened as she took out the gold needle and infused her spiritual awareness into it. A familiar sensation surged within her. It was the Primordial Gold Needle! Fortunately, it hadn¡¯t been stolen by that ck-clothed masked man. She ced the Primordial Gold Needle into her storage ring and nodded at the man. ¡°Just a moment!¡± The man suddenly spoke up. ¡°What is it?¡± Gu Qingluan halted, her gaze watchful. ¡°Please don¡¯t misunderstand, I stopped you because 1 need your help.¡± Gu Qingluan remained silent, waiting for him to continue. ¡°This gold needle has been appraised by our experts and is indeed extraordinary. It can quickly heal patients with incurable diseases. However, for some reason, those who are cured experience a rpse of their old illnesses, and their condition worsens.¡± ¡°Are you telling me all of this to say that I¡¯ve been deceived?¡± Gu Qingluan asked in a calm tone. ¡°No, no, not at all. This gold needle is indeed remarkable, but it¡¯s too domineering, and its wielders cannot control it. If it could be controlled, the situations I mentioned earlier wouldn¡¯t ur. If you can tame it, would you be willing to help us save someone?¡± Before Gu Qingluan could refuse, the man continued, ¡°Of course, your reward will not be meager.¡± Gu Qingluan concealed her emotions in her eyes. ¡°How can you be sure that 1 can control it?¡± ¡°Just a gut feeling,¡± the man replied with a smile. His answer seemed rather evasive. Regardless of whether what he said was true or false, Gu Qingluan said, ¡°Who do you want me to save? By the time I can control it, that person may have already passed away.¡± ¡°You need not worry about that,¡± the man replied calmly. ¡°The patient can wait for ten or even twenty years if necessary, as long as you agree.¡± Although the Shadow Tower had a rather unscrupulous way of doing things, there was no conflict of interest with Gu Qingluan. She pondered for a moment and agreed. ¡°Thank you very much!¡± The man¡¯s face lit up. ¡°If the Shadow Tower ever needs to contact you, how can we do so?¡± Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°Once I have mastered the gold needle, I will naturallye to find you.¡± The man handed her a token. ¡°My surname is Tang, and they call me Fourth Young Master Tang. Please ept this token; it¡¯s my emblem. Whenever you need to contact the Shadow Tower, simply show this token, and you¡¯ll reach me.¡± Gu Qingluan epted the token. It had a simr material to her ¡°666¡± emblem but was smoother and more finely crafted. One side of the token was intricately carved with patterns, while the other side had the character ¡°Kun¡± engraved on it. ¡°Now, there¡¯s some chaos outside. You can sit here for a moment and leave when things settle down.¡± Perhaps it was because Gu Qingluan had agreed to save someone, so Fourth Young Master Tang¡¯s attitude towards her was quite cordial. As for the chaos outside, he seemed to pay it no mind at all. A thought crossed Gu Qingluan¡¯s mind as she remembered the Chaos Stone that had been sold for a high price. She asked, ¡°I wonder if the buyer has taken the gem that was auctioned for ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts?¡± Fourth Young Master Tang¡¯s gaze flickered slightly. ¡°The esteemed guest with number 999 just left..¡± Chapter 287 - 287: Are You Tired of Living? Chapter 287: Are You Tired of Living? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ording to the rules of the Shadow Tower, they wouldn¡¯t disclose information about guests to outsiders. For Fourth Master Tang to tell her such information was already an exception, clearly implying that he wanted to do her a favor. Gu Qingluan understood this and thanked him, saying, ¡°Thank you! I have urgent matters to attend to, so I will take my leave.¡± ¡°Farewell.¡± Tang Sier nodded and watched her leave. After a while, one of the Shadow Tower attendants approached Fourth Master Tang and asked, ¡°Fourth Master, would it be unwise to disclose information about the distinguished guest to him?¡± ¡°Have we disclosed anything?¡± Fourth Master Tang gave him a sidelong nce. The attendant¡¯s expression changed when he heard this. ¡°Fourth Master, you¡¯re right. We haven¡¯t said anything.¡± ¡°Brother Jun, have you obtained your treasure?¡± He Lianjun saw Gu Qingluaning out and immediately approached her. Gu Qingluan urgently asked, ¡°Did you see anyoneing out from inside just now?¡± He Lianjun nodded. ¡°Two people just came out.¡± ¡°Did you see where they went?¡± ¡°Why do you want to know, Brother Jun? Do you know them?¡± ¡°Just tell me which direction they went! 1 have an urgent matter to find them!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s tone became slightly anxious. He Lianjun pointed in a direction. ¡°Those two left together and headed in that direction.¡± That direction¡­ Seemed to be towards the main gate of the Shadow Tower. Gu Qingluan immediately rushed over. If she was a step toote, it would be difficult to find them after they left the Shadow Tower. He Lianjun didn¡¯t know what she was nning but followed her. Gu Qingluan saw the tightly closed main gate ahead, and her eyes lit up. With the gate sealed, did it mean that the person with the 999 had not left yet? Suddenly, a strong wind attacked her from behind. Gu Qingluan quickly dodged. The attacker missed and stopped behind her. Gu Qingluan turned to look. It was the ck-clothed masked figure! Cold light shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. Why would theye out and attack her instead of finding a ce to hide properly? Were they tired of living? ¡°Help me!¡± The person stared at her and uttered just two words as if they hadn¡¯t attacked her at all. A faint scent of blood filled the air. Before Gu Qingluan could respond, He Lianjun interjected, ¡°Hey, you¡¯re quite interesting. You attacked my buddy just now and still got the nerve to ask my brother for help?¡± He Lianjun had rushed over, out of breath, and had heard the ck-clothed masked person¡¯s words. He found it amusing. He had seen the attacker emerge from the corner with his own eyes, attempting to attack his buddy. If his buddy hadn¡¯t dodged quickly, he might have already been knocked out, and who knew what the attacker would have done to him! Gu Qingluan crossed her arms and looked at the masked figure. ¡°Give me a reason.¡± ¡°I have something you want on me.¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. ¡°Tell me what 1 want.¡± The masked figure was about to speak when they suddenly sensed fluctuations of arcane power in the air and hurriedly said, ¡°Gold needle!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes narrowed. Someone was approaching! And it wasn¡¯t just one person! Without time to ask how the masked figure knew, she grabbed them and said, ¡°Rx, don¡¯t resist!¡± The ck-clothed masked person tensed all over, almost preparing to counterattack, but they restrained themselves in time, as instructed by Gu Qingluan. Following that, a white light shed on their body, and the masked figure disappeared on the spot. ¡°Hey, where did he go?¡± He Lianjun widened his eyes. The person had vanished right in front of him! Such a big person, where could they have gone? Just then, the sound of strong wind grew closer. Several figures descended from the sky andnded in front of Gu Qingluan and He Lianjun. The leader¡¯s sharp gaze swept over Gu Qingluan and He Lianjun. ¡°Have you seen a ck-clothed person with a masked face?¡± ¡°No.¡± Their straightforward response didn¡¯t satisfy these Shadow Tower personnel.. The leader scrutinized them and asked in a less friendly tone, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Chapter 288 - 288: Getting Into Trouble Chapter 288: Getting Into Trouble Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°We were obviously just passing by.¡± One of them sneered. ¡°Passing by? Now that the Shadow Tower is sealed, no one can leave. You two are not staying in your seats, wandering around. Aren¡¯t you afraid of being taken as thieves or aplices? Come clean!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know the Shadow Tower¡¯s management was so extensive. They even want to control when we leave and stay.¡± Me Lianjun clicked his tongue twice in disapproval. The man wanted to retort but was stopped by the leader. The leader scrutinized them again and said meaningfully, ¡°I advise you both, if you don¡¯t have urgent matters, return to your seats to avoid trouble.¡± Gu Qingluan asked with an unchanged expression, ¡°So, now nobody can leave the Shadow Tower?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Gu Qingluan nodded, ¡°Understood, thank you for the reminder. We¡¯ll go back now.¡± After that, they headed back to the auction hall. He Lianjun followed hastily. ¡°Mu Hufa, these two seem suspicious. Are you just letting them go?¡± one of the Shadow Tower disciples, who had shed with He Lianjun earlier, asked. The leader, who was called Mu Hufa, pointed at the two and said, ¡°You two, keep an eye on them discreetly.¡± ¡°Yes, Mu Hufa!¡± ¡°The rest of you continue pursuing the thief!¡± Gu Qingluan and He Lianjun returned to the auction hall. Most of the people were still present, and the scene was bustling with activity. He Lianjun lowered his voice and asked, ¡°Brother Jun, weren¡¯t you looking for someone earlier?¡± Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°Didn¡¯t you see that all the participants in the auction are still here?¡± She believed the person she was looking for hadn¡¯t left either. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s strange. These top-notch individuals from all over are still seated here without causing amotion. Quite unusual!¡± They found an empty seat and sat down. He Lianjun grabbed someone nearby and inquired, ¡°Brother, did something happen just now? Why is everyone still sitting here?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you know? Someone forcibly took the Boundary Wall Key earlier and, while escaping, threw the key into the crowd. Little did they know the key was not only fake but also poisoned. During the scuffle, the poison powder scattered, and many people nearby were affected, including the Second Prince of the Holy Heaven Dynasty. The Master of the Shadow Tower is furious, and coupled with the fact that some of the poisoned individuals have extraordinary backgrounds, they teamed up to suppress the entire crowd. Naturally, nobody can leave now.¡± Gu Qingluan and He Lianjun exchanged a nce, then looked around. At first nce, it did seem like everyone was still there, but upon closer inspection, some of the people who had been seated near them earlier were now missing. He Lianjun asked a few more questions. The poison inflicted by the masked figure was extremely unusual, and no one had been able to find a cure yet. The masked figure thought that creating chaos would allow them to escape, but when they snatched the key, they unwittingly touched the ¡°Thousand-Mile Trace¡± substance smeared on the key¡¯s surface, leading to their quick discovery. However, this individual was indeed formidable. Despite the pursuit by the Shadow Tower and other experts, they managed to escape the search once again. He Lianjun used a hushed voice tomunicate, ¡°Brother Jun¡­¡± Gu Qingluan gave him a sidelong nce. ¡°Shut up!¡± He Lianjun was only at the low Heavenly Realm stage, and it was easy for people of higher cultivation levels to eavesdrop on his hushed conversations. He rubbed his nose and quietly asked, ¡°We shouldn¡¯t be in trouble, right?¡± ¡°We won¡¯t,¡± Gu Qingluan replied calmly. The Ster Space was an independent realm. When she threw the masked figure inside, it was like tossing them into another world. Even if the figure had been contaminated by the ¡°Thousand-Mile Trace¡± poison, the people from the Shadow Tower wouldn¡¯t be able to find them. However, there was one problem: she wasn¡¯t sure if she had identally been exposed to it. If she had, she might have already been considered a suspect by the Shadow Tower. Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t one to sit around and wait for trouble. She entered the Ster Space with her divine consciousness. ¡°Mistress, Mistress! How should we deal with this person?¡± Heaven Star appeared before her, blinking its starry eyes with excitement.. Chapter 289 - 289: Offer Himself Chapter 289: Offer Himself Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan followed his pointing finger and looked over. The masked man was tightly bound by vines, his eyes shut as if he had passed out. ¡°What happened to him?¡± ¡°He¡¯s injured and unconscious from poisoning.¡± Approaching the masked man, Gu Qingluan scanned him with her spiritual awareness. The situation was even worse than it appeared on the surface; he was close to death. Curiosity piqued, she wondered who this troublemaker disrupting the Dark Tower auction was. With a sh of white light from her fingertip, she aimed for the mask covering his face. The mask emitted a faint glow, absorbing the attackpletely. ¡°Oh!¡± Gu Qingluan was slightly surprised. ¡°Mistress, I just tried it; this mask is very special. I can¡¯t take it off, nor can I break it,¡± Heaven Star chimed in, its adorable ponytail swaying. Gu Qingluan attempted to remove the mask but found it stuck to his face as if it were a part of him. ¡°Never mind, retract the vines. With his current condition, he can¡¯t cause any trouble.¡± Heaven Star nodded. If he hadn¡¯t tried to move around recklessly, he wouldn¡¯t have been tied up like this. The vines retracted swiftly and disappeared into the ground. Gu Qingluan crouched down to examine the man¡¯s injuries more closely. The most severe wound appeared to be the one on his chest, resembling an injury from a sharp weapon. The wound had turned ck, indicating that the poison had entered through it. Gu Qingluan could have used a detoxifying elixir to neutralize the poison, but she chose not to. She used her arcane power to force the poison to concentrate in his legs and sealed it there using gold needles. ¡°You lucky fellow, I just used the Primordial Gold Needle I got on you.¡± Though the Primordial Gold Needle was iplete, it had more than enough capacity to seal the poison. After sealing the poison, she used a gold needle to awaken him. The masked man slowly opened his eyes. Upon seeing the person in front of him, he abruptly regained his senses. He attempted to stand up but soon realized that his legs wouldn¡¯t respond. In his struggle, he inadvertently tugged at the wound on his chest. Instantly, blood gushed out, and he grimaced in pain. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he endured the excruciating agony. Once the intense pain subsided, he mustered a sigh of relief. His first action was to reach for his legs, saying, ¡°My legs¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been severely poisoned, and I¡¯ve sealed the poison to your legs. You won¡¯t be able to move for now,¡± Gu Qingluan exined. The masked man breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°This poison is no ordinary poison; it¡¯s a unique toxin from the Shadow Tower. They say there¡¯s no antidote.¡± Upon hearing this, the masked man¡¯s pupils constricted. Gu Qingluan chuckled softly. ¡°However, I just checked, and I can cure this poison.¡± Her words led to a rollercoaster of emotions on the masked man¡¯s face. The masked man¡¯s eyes flickered slightly as he raised his head and said, ¡°Many thanks for saving my life, sir. I wonder how I can repay your kindness by having this poison cured?¡± Gu Qingluan snapped her fingers and remarked, ¡°Speaking with clever individuals is always effortless. I¡¯ve just saved you once; how about showing me your sincerity first?¡± The masked man¡¯s eyes went through various changes. After a moment of contemtion, he muttered, ¡°I cannot give you the Boundary Wall Key.¡± ¡°Why are you still holding onto the key when your life is hanging by a thread?¡± Gu Qingluan asked in astonishment. The masked man pursed his parched lips and replied, ¡°I risked my life for that key.¡± ¡°Alright, I can forgo the key. So, tell me, what can you offer me?¡± The masked man lowered his head and looked at himself. He realized he had nothing of value from head to toe. After a long pause, he spoke hoarsely, ¡°Can I¡­?¡± ¡°Mistress, is he suggesting that he¡¯s willing to offer himself?¡± Having little exposure to the outside world but having read plenty of books, the starry-eyed Heaven Star couldn¡¯t help but ask, eyes gleaming with curiosity. The masked man¡¯s face instantly turned beet red, and Gu Qingluan noticed that his ears were as red as if they were on fire. She yfully flicked her finger on Heaven Star¡¯s pristine forehead and said, ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense! From now on, read fewer of those messy and uninformative books.¡± Heaven Star touched his own forehead with a somewhat dejected expression and mumbled, ¡°Isn¡¯t it, though?¡± Chapter 290 - 290: Soul Contract Chapter 290: Soul Contract Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Ahem, ahem!¡± The masked figure awkwardly coughed twice, feeling embarrassed. ¡°1 didn¡¯t mean it that way. I¡¯m willing to serve as a loyal servant to repay the favor you did for me, young master. But before I can repay you, may I ask if you could grant me one wish?¡± Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°You want to enter the Boundary Wall Space?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the Boundary Wall Space is extremely dangerous, and more than half of the adventurers who enter it don¡¯t make it out alive. If you happen to be one of those unlucky ones, how will you repay me?¡± The masked figure replied firmly, ¡°I will definitelye out.¡± Perhaps he knew that his wordscked persuasiveness, so he added, ¡°If the young master is still worried, we can make a contract. If 1 die inside the Boundary Wall Space, my soul will return to you immediately to serve you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not of the human race?¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow in surprise. ¡°I am a human, but our n is rather unique,¡± the masked figure paused and continued, ¡°I am of the Spirit n. In our n, as long as our souls are intact, they will return to the n after death. Once 1 make a contract with you, my soul will return to you after death. While our souls may not be powerful individually, they can serve as spiritpanions. You should know that having a spiritpanion can greatly enhance the power of profound artifacts.¡± Gu Qingluan had only read about the Spirit n in books and had never seen one in person. ording to the records, the Spirit n rarely interacted with the outside world. They possessed arcane power from birth, couldmunicate with nature, especially with nts and animals, and were a unique race with innate abilities. At the same time, they possessed a fatal w: excessive innocence and kindness. Kindness was inherently virtuous. However, the Spirit n took kindness to an extreme. They wouldn¡¯t harm others and ced extreme trust in people. This trust was exploited by humans in the past, almost leading to their extinction. As a result, the Spirit n withdrew from the world and went into seclusion due to this reason. Additionally, the Spirit n had a low birthrate. As far as Gu Qingluan knew, there had been no sightings of the Spirit n on the continent for over a hundred years. There might have been individuals who hid their identities and went unnoticed, and some even imed that the Spirit n had gone extinct. Gu Qingluan lightly stroked her chin with her slender fingers, appraising him from head to toe. ¡°Aren¡¯t your Spirit n supposed to be harmless? 1 heard that you just used a fake key to poison many people at the auction.¡± The masked figure¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not a pure Spirit n member.¡± ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re a half-blood.¡± The masked figure tightly pressed his lips together. Gu Qingluan had to multitask, as her consciousness outside the space was keeping an eye on her surroundings. She didn¡¯t have time for a lengthy discussion. ¡°Alright, I agree to your proposal. Let¡¯s make the contract.¡± The masked figure didn¡¯t expect her to agree so quickly. He thought she would continue to question his identity. After a brief pause, the masked figure sat up, supporting himself with his hands on the ground, and drew a circle on his chest with his hand. A drop of blood flew out of his chest, hovering in mid-air. ¡°With my blood as a vow, 1 pledge to serve you. If 1 ever betray this vow, may heaven and earth punish me!¡± As he spoke, a bright white light enveloped him, with Gu Qingluan inside. Gu Qingluan felt a warm aura surrounding her. Simultaneously, a surge of heat was infused into her body. The Hongmeng Qi, concealed within her dantian, surged forth. Gu Qingluan blinked her eyes. How was this possible! Her Hongmeng Qi had actually increased! As the contract was established, the radiance around both of them dissipated. The masked figure¡¯s aura was slightly weaker than before, and he slumped to the ground in exhaustion. Gu Qingluan instinctively reached out to touch him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Chapter 291 - 291: Suspected Chapter 291: Suspected Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion There was no need for the masked figure to answer; Gu Qingluan already had the answer in her heart. The masked figure, named Su Meng, was a descendant of the Spirit n and humans. The Spirit n possessed many secret arts, and one of them was various types of contract magic used to form agreements with humans. The contract Su Meng had just signed with her was the most unequal and devout one, known as the Soul Covenant. Once a Soul Covenant was formed, it bound not only for this lifetime but for all future lifetimes. His soul would be eternally bound to hers. For the Spirit n, death wasn¡¯t a true end as long as their souls remained intact. Each death was just another cycle, with the soul returning to the restrictednd of the Spirit n and eventually being reborn when the time was right. This process bore some resemnce to the phoenix¡¯s rebirth. If Su Meng were more clever, he could have easily signed a casual contract with her since she had no knowledge of the Spirit n. However, he had foolishly entered into the most unequal form of contract, binding himselfpletely. In such an unfair contract, he would forever serve her, and resistance was futile. She could even know his thoughts at will, leaving him with no secrets in her eyes. Gu Qingluan gazed into his eyes and said, ¡°Now I¡¯m sure you¡¯re from the Spirit n.¡± Only the Spirit n would be so naive as to readily sell themselves. She ced her palm on his back and infused her arcane power into his body. Su Meng¡¯s eyes gradually brightened. After a moment, Gu Qingluan withdrew her hand. ¡°How do you feel?¡± ¡°Much better, thank you for your help, Master.¡± Su Meng sat up straight, bowing respectfully to her. ¡°Since you¡¯ve called me Master, I won¡¯t just stand by. I¡¯ve temporarily sealed the poison inside you with golden needles, so it won¡¯t erupt for now. We can¡¯t deal with it here, so I¡¯ll detoxify you after we leave the ck market.¡± Su Meng nodded. He appeared extremely obedient, a stark contrast to the fearsome mask he wore on his face. Gu Qingluan had noticed Su Meng¡¯s thoughts earlier; the mask was a requirement for Spirit n members when they left their homnd. The Spirit n members were all exceptionally beautiful, and that kind of beauty could easily attract trouble. Wearing the mask was a safety measure, and they could only remove it once they returned to the secretnd of the Spirit n. There were some more intimate secrets about the Spirit n that Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t seen earlier. Perhaps it was a restriction ced by the Spirit n, even for those who formed Soul Covenants, not to reveal certain aspects. Putting aside the matters rted to the Spirit n, Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°Do you have an antidote for the poison you administered to them?¡± Su Meng nodded. ¡°No, 1 didn¡¯t have time to prepare one, so there¡¯s only the poison.¡± He extended his hand, and a faint light appeared in his palm, revealing a vial. ¡°Master, do you intend to save them?¡± Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°We¡¯ll assess the situation.¡± She didn¡¯t want to reveal too much, but if necessary, she wouldn¡¯t stand idly by. Gu Qingluan examined the poison and found it rather unique. ¡°What kind of poison is this?¡± ¡°This is a poison I concocted based on ancient texts. It¡¯s called ¡®Dreamlike¡¯. Originally, it contained an ingredient called the Yin-Yang Flower from the Spirit n¡¯s secretnd. I was worried someone might recognize it and cause trouble for the Spirit n, so I made some adjustments to the poison¡¯s form, and the antidote was modified ordingly.¡± ¡°Dreamlike¡± lived up to its name. Those afflicted by it would fall into a deep slumber, as if in a dream, and couldn¡¯t wake up without the antidote. However, it didn¡¯t pose a life-threatening danger. It was clear that Su Meng didn¡¯t intend to harm anyone¡¯s life. His goal had been the Boundary Wall Key from the beginning. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t say whether his actions were right or wrong, but sometimes, for a certain purpose, people were willing to sacrifice things they considered less important. ¡°You can recuperate here; there are many troubles to be dealt with outside. I¡¯ll be leaving now.¡± With these words, Gu Qingluan¡¯s figure disappeared from the Ster Space. ¡°Brother Jun, it seems those two individuals have been watching us all along.¡± Just now, Gu Qingluan¡¯s consciousness outside the space heard He Lianjun say this. She followed his indication and recognized the two individuals as the ones who had been pursuing Su Meng earlier. It appeared that they were indeed under suspicion by the Shadow Tower! Chapter 292 - 292: Solving the Problem Chapter 292: Solving the Problem Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan stood up. He Lianjun asked, ¡°Brother Jun, where are you going?¡± ¡°To solve a problem.¡± Gu Qingluan walked straight to the two of them, holding up the token given to her by Fourth Master Tang. ¡°I¡¯m a friend of Fourth Master Tang Si. Please let him know that 1 might be able to detoxify those who were poisoned today.¡± The Shadow Tower disciples, who had been hostile to Gu Qingluan and Gu Lingxue, were momentarily stunned when they saw the token in Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand. Their expressions changed, and the two of them exchanged nces. ¡°Please wait, Your Excellency.¡± One of them hurried off to find Fourth Master Tang. Shortly after, Fourth Master Tang rushed over. ¡°1 knew it was you!¡± Fourth Master Tang recognized her and showed a knowing smile. Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do you really have a way to detoxify them?¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t make any extravagant ims, ¡°I can give it a try.¡± Looking at the situation, if they didn¡¯t detoxify the poisoned individuals, they might be stuck here all night. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want to waste time here. ¡°Alright, 1¡¯11 take you to try. Just do your best. Besides you, there are many masters proficient in medicine inside.¡± Fourth Master Tang led Gu Qingluan to a loft. Inside the loft, there were many simple beds, each with a person lying on it. Apart from their unpoisonedpanions guarding them, the rest were members of the Shadow Tower and alchemists. Seeing Fourth Master Tang bringing someone in, everyone just nced briefly and didn¡¯t pay much attention. A middle-aged man dressed like Fourth Master Tang was talking to an elderly man, and a pretty girl stood beside the old man. Gu Qingluan recognized these two as the grandfather and granddaughter pair from before. Fourth Master Tang led her over to them and asked the middle-aged man, ¡°Hall Master Lin, have you developed an antidote?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± the middle-aged man, who was none other than Lin Zilong, the hall master of the Shadow Tower, shook his head. ¡°Why did youe here? Weren¡¯t you stationed at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion?¡± Fourth Master Tang introduced Gu Qingluan to Hall Master Lin, saying, ¡°Hall Master Lin, this is Mr. Jun. He is highly skilled in medicine and has considerable expertise in detoxification. How about letting him give it a try?¡± The young girl asked sharply, ¡°I wonder which n Mr. Jun is from?¡± ¡°A small and insignificant sect, not worth mentioning.¡± The girl sneered and turned to Fourth Master Tang. ¡°Fourth Master Tangr, what is the meaning of this? Do you not trust our Canghai Pce? Bringing in some nameless nobody! Can he really cure what Canghai Pce can¡¯t?!¡± Among the impressive physicians she knew, there was no one with the surname Jun. This person, despite wearing a mask, appeared quite young. What abilities could they possibly have? ¡°This¡­¡± Fourth Master Tang looked troubled. He hadn¡¯t expected this young girl from Canghai Pce toe forward and oppose the idea. ¡°Yin¡¯er! Mind your manners!¡± The white-haired old man scolded. The girl rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m just speaking the truth!¡± The old man¡¯s face darkened slightly. ¡°There are always greater talents. Remember not to be arrogant. Don¡¯t underestimate others.¡± After scolding his granddaughter, he turned to Gu Qingluan and apologized. Although his words were polite, his attitude still carried a hint of arrogance. With his status, there were very few people on the entire continent who required him to lower his stature. Both he and his granddaughter essentially looked down on Gu Qingluan, an unknown ¡°youngster¡±. Gu Qingluan responded withposure, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Canghai Pce is renowned for its medical expertise. The youngdy¡¯s confidence is well-founded.¡± She didn¡¯t take offense at their words and turned to Fourth Master Tang. ¡°May 1 examine the condition of the poisoned individuals?¡± Fourth Master Tang was about to speak, but Hall Master Lin spoke first, ¡°We appreciate your goodwill, Mr. Jun, but we have the expertise of Hai Sheng, the grand physician of Canghai Pce, and Master Liu Jiangcheng of the Alchemist Guild here. We believe they will soon develop an antidote. It won¡¯t be necessary to trouble you.¡± A nameless and faceless youth trying to show off his skills was not something they took seriously.. Chapter 293 - 293: If You Can Do It, Go Ahead! Chapter 293: If You Can Do It, Go Ahead! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Fourth Master Tang¡¯s expression changed slightly. The individual had been brought by Fourth Master Tang. When Lin, the Hall Master, declined Young Master Jun¡¯s request, it was seen as a sign of disrespect towards Fourth Master Tang. A hint of displeasure welled up within him, and his voice took on a deeper tone as he stated, ¡°Given that it¡¯s Mr. Jun has good intentions, how could I possibly refuse?¡± ¡°Can good intentions really save someone?¡± The young girl disdainfully huffed. ¡°Kid, I advise you to be sensible, leave on your own, and don¡¯t act tough, or you¡¯ll end up bing aughingstock!¡± ¡°Heh! You make it sound like you¡¯re incredibly powerful!¡± He Lianjun had a strong aversion to these self-righteous and arrogant figures from prestigious sects, who seemed to believe they were the sole possessors of talent. ¡°You all exude such grandeur, yet you haven¡¯t managed to devise a solution.¡± ¡°Mind your own business!¡± The girl was so enraged that her face turned red. She raised her hand to release poisonous powder. Gu Qingluan pulled He Lianjun back, and a white light appeared in front of her, blocking the poison. The poison fell to the ground, and the surface immediately emitted a sizzling sound, corroding the smooth stone ground unevenly. Gu Qingluan¡¯s pupils contracted, and she frowned, saying, ¡°This little girl couldn¡¯t win an argument, so she¡¯s resorting to direct violence. Is this how the Canghai Pce educates its disciples?¡± ¡°Do you dare to insult our Canghai Pce?¡± The girl widened her eyes in disbelief. Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Insult? I only asked based on facts. A youngdy like you can¡¯t distinguish right from wrong?¡± ¡°Shut up! It¡¯s not your ce to lecture us!¡± The girl raised her hand, intending to strike. ¡°Yin¡¯er, step back!¡± The old man, Su Haisheng, spoke in a deep voice. The spoiled young girl, Su Ziyin, was in a fit of anger and wouldn¡¯t listen to him. She simply lowered her hand but raised her chin and looked down her nose at people. ¡°Fine! You go ahead! If you can¡¯t cure the poison on them, you must kowtow to me and apologize sincerely!¡± ¡°Heh, you shameless little bitch! Do you possess the ability to cure the poison? Why should Brother Jun be responsible for it just because your Canghai Pce can¡¯t?¡± He Lianjun sneered. The young girl was quite young, yet her actions were exceedingly malevolent. If Brother Jun hadn¡¯t intervened just now, his handsome face might have been ruined! ¡°Hehe, it seems like you also know your buddy¡¯s abilities. If you can¡¯t afford to bet, then get lost. Staying here will only make you aughingstock!¡± He Lianjun rolled up his sleeves. ¡°You, little bitch, you have a rotten mouth? Don¡¯t think I won¡¯t hit you¡­¡± ¡°He Lian.¡± Gu Qingluan pressed down his hand and looked at Su Ziyin¡¯s face, ¡°I¡¯ll make a bet with you, but it shouldn¡¯t be solely me who faces a penalty if I happen to lose.¡± ¡°Humph! What do you have in mind?¡± ¡°If I manage to cure the poison in them, you must offer sincere apologies to both me and He Lian.¡± Su Ziyin looked at her confidently and briefly had a change of heart. But then she thought about it. She and her grandfather had already examined the patients. The poison on them was quite unusual, and a solution couldn¡¯t be found in a short time. She didn¡¯t believe this boy could solve it! ¡°Fine! But there¡¯s an additional condition!¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Half an hour! You must find a solution within half an hour!¡± Su Ziyin said. ¡°Mr. Jun, don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Gu Qingluan epted this wager. He Lianjun, seeing that she was truly going to make a bet with Su Ziyin, felt a sense of urgency. He lowered his voice and asked in her ear, ¡°Brother Jun, are you confident? This Hai Sheng Grand Physician is the most formidable healer in the Canghai Pce, ranking among the top three on the continent. If he can¡¯t cure the poison, who can?¡± Gu Qingluan tilted her head and gave him a reassuring blink. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s just a matter of detoxifying. There are very few poisons in this world that can truly challenge me.¡± He Lianjun, upon hearing her confidently agree, suddenly remembered something. Could it be that the masked person had given Mr. Jun the antidote? Haha, if that¡¯s the case, Mr. Jun is guaranteed to win! From across the way, Su Ziyin sneered, ¡°Arrogant!¡± He Lianjun provocatively raised an eyebrow at her, ¡°You need the ability to be arrogant!¡± Su Ziyin clenched her fist, wishing she could smack this guy in the face. Why was he so infuriating! Su Haisheng grabbed Su Ziyin¡¯s hand and looked at Gu Qingluan, ¡°I¡¯ll be watching eagerly. Please proceed, honored guest..¡± Chapter 294 - 294: What Familiar Eyes! Chapter 294: What Familiar Eyes! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan nodded and nced around, heading straight towards a makeshift bed not far away. Lying on this bed was an old man, and there was no one else beside him, indicating that he hade to the auction alone. Gu Qingluan stood by the bed and used her spiritual sense to examine the old man¡¯s body. His symptoms were exactly how ¡°Dreamlike Poison¡± would manifest. In the Ster Space, Gu Qingluan had already thought of a way to detoxify him. She took out the Primordial Gold Needle. A golden light suddenly appeared, attracting the attention of everyone present. ¡°It¡¯s the golden needle!¡± Su Ziyin eximed excitedly when she saw it, ¡°So, it was stolen by you, this little brat!¡± She suddenly rushed forward, reaching out to snatch the golden needle. ¡°Brother Jun, be careful!¡± Seeing Su Ziyin about to fight Gu Qingluan for the needle, He Lianjun hurriedly warned and moved forward to intervene. However, there was someone faster than him. In the blink of an eye, a figure appeared behind Gu Qingluan. As Su Ziyin moved in, Gu Qingluan had already detected her intention and was getting ready to confront the young girl. However, to her surprise, a mysterious figure swiftly intervened. Her waist suddenly constricted as she collided with a robust and solid chest. identally, her forehead bumped into the other person¡¯s chin. The pain made her gasp for breath. Did this guy have a chin or was it a chisel? Where did this persone from? She raised her hand to push the person away, but he had already released her and smoothly retreated a meter away. Gu Qingluan: She raised her head and gazed into a pair of deep eyes. A strangely familiar gaze! And from their brief contact earlier, Gu Qingluan also had a faint sense of familiarity. She couldn¡¯t help but take a few more nces at the person. The man had a tall and upright figure. He wore a ck patterned mask on his face, covering only the upper half, revealing thin and pale lips. His lips were perfect, and his jawline was sharp and well-defined, with smooth lines. If she only looked at the eyes, Gu Qingluan might have mistaken him for the scumbag, but this man¡¯s face shape was different from Feng Tian¡¯s. Did she know this man? Why did he save her? ¡°Brother Jun, are you okay?¡± He Lianjun rushed over, grabbing her arms and checking her up and down. The man with the ck mask narrowed his eyes, dangerously watching He Lianjun¡¯s two hands. He Lianjun, seemingly oblivious, was solely focused on Gu Qingluan¡¯s condition. Gu Qingluan shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She pulled her arm away from He Lianjun¡¯s grip and looked up at the man with the ck mask. ¡°Thank you for helping.¡± Although she considered it unnecessary, the man had good intentions, so saying thank you was appropriate. The man with the ck mask replied with a faintly opened mouth, ¡°A small favor, saving lives is more important.¡± His voice was deep and hoarse, like a breeze blowing through a deep mountain, unlike Feng Tian¡¯s voice. Gu Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought it might be Feng Tian, but the face and voice didn¡¯t match. He must have saved her to help detoxify these poisoned people. However, before detoxifying, she needed to settle the score with a certain little girl. Su Ziyin failed to snatch the golden needle and was pushed back by the man with the ck mask. She almost stumbled and looked gloomy. When Su Ziyin noticed Gu Qingluan looking at her, she felt a bit uneasy. Immediately, she cast an envious nce at the golden needle in Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand and straightforwardly asked, ¡°I¡¯ll buy that golden needle from you! How much do you want? Name your price!¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°Did 1 say I wanted to sell it?¡± Su Ziyin spoke sharply, ¡°It¡¯s a waste for a sacred artifact like this to be in your possession. You¡¯re not worthy of it!¡± Her tone implied ack ofprehension of Gu Qingluan¡¯s intentions, and she criticized Gu Qingluan in the process. Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°And do you deserve it?¡± ¡°Of course! I¡¯m a seventh-grade physician. Just give me a few more years, and 1¡¯11 be a Grand Physician! I¡¯ll be the youngest Grand Physician on the entire continent!¡± Su Ziyin said proudly.. Chapter 295 - 295: Turns Out, It’s Someone Without Manners Chapter 295: Turns Out, It¡¯s Someone Without Manners Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion She indeed had the capital to be proud. Born into a major sect, with a renowned physician grandfather, and having extraordinary talents herself, she had be a seventh-grade physician at a young age. The entire Canghai Pce adored her. People around, upon hearing Su Ziyin¡¯s words, were amazed. ¡°This young girl looks like she¡¯s in her teens, yet she¡¯s already a seventh-grade physician?¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t there a genius girl in Canghai Pce who was promoted to a seventh-grade physicianst year? I think this must be her.¡± ¡°No wonder she¡¯s so arrogant; she¡¯s truly a rare genius!¡± ¡°Considering the talent she has demonstrated so far, her future achievements might even surpass those of Grand Physician Haisheng. Impressive! Truly impressive!¡± ¡°Miss Su is the most favored among the younger generation in Canghai Pce. The sacred artifact she¡¯s interested in must be extraordinary. Such treasures should indeed be controlled by talents like her, it¡¯s not a waste.¡± There were praises, ttery, and opposition. A young girl retorted, ¡°You can¡¯t say it like that! In an auction, whoever bids the highest gets the item. Since this gentleman has alreadypleted the transaction with the Shadow Tower, the golden needle is his private property, and others can¡¯t just snatch it away.¡± The people¡¯sments didn¡¯t affect Gu Qingluan¡¯s mood. She raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Su Ziyin, and said, ¡°A seventh-grade physician¡­ quite impressive?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Su Ziyin was furious at Gu Qingluan¡¯s contemptuous gaze, ¡°What¡¯s your rank?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Su Ziyin sneered. ¡°Turns out, you¡¯re someone without rank. How can you dare to look down on me?¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want to argue and raised an eyebrow, asking, ¡°Miss Su, do we continue with our previous bet? You¡¯ve already wasted fifteen minutes.¡± Su Ziyin crossed her arms and said, ¡°Fine, go ahead, cure him! 1 want to see how you detoxify him!¡± ¡°Miss Su, please keep your eyes wide open.¡± Gu Qingluan smirked, then turned towards the elderly man on the bed and infused her arcane power into the golden needle. The golden needle soared and hung above the old man. With a thought, Gu Qingluan transformed one needle into dozens of golden lights, which pierced into the old man¡¯s body. Everyone widened their eyes, watching this miraculous scene unfold. Other participants in the detoxification process and thepanions of the patients also turned their attention. Su Haisheng and Su Ziyin were equally stunned. What kind of technique was this? They could only observe that the old man¡¯s exposed skin appeared to shimmer with a subtle golden glow. In about half an incense stick¡¯s time. Gu Qingluan made a hand gesture. One golden needle flew from the top of the old man¡¯s head andnded in a nearby basin. The basin produced a sizzling sound and quickly became murky. Then the golden needle broke the surface of the water and flew towards Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan grasped the golden needle, and with a thought, she pulled the needle back into her body. Su Ziyin came back to her senses but scornfully said, ¡°ying tricks! Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve already detoxified him!¡± As her words fell, someone excitedly shouted, ¡°He¡¯s awake! Master Zhao is awake!¡± Su Ziyin:¡­ She was forced to swallow her words. She quickly turned her gaze towards the old man on the bed. The elderly man, who had been in a deepa, now opened his eyes and gazed bewilderedly at the people surrounding him. ¡°He¡¯s really awake!¡± Su Ziyin¡¯s face was burning from the embarrassment of her previous outburst. She wished she could just disappear into the ground. In reality, no one paid much attention to her at this moment. Earlier, including the renowned physician Su Haisheng, a group of medical and alchemical experts were all at a loss when it came to dealing with this poison. Everyone believed that detoxification would be a lengthy process. But this young man named Jun casually intervened and miraculously woke the old man up! ¡°Master Zhao, how do you feel now?¡± Zhao Hanqiu propped himself up on the edge of the bed, puzzled. ¡°What happened to me? Why are you all gathered here?¡± ¡°Master Zhao, don¡¯t you remember? Someone tried to steal the key and poisoned everyone, and you fell into aa.¡± Gradually, Zhao Hanqiu recalled the events before his unconsciousness. ¡°All, there was nothing wrong with me at all. It felt like I had a strange dream. I wonder which esteemed expert saved me?¡± He then noticed Su Haisheng and his eyes lit up. ¡°Doctor Haisheng, it must have been you who came to my rescue, right? Thank you very much¡­.¡± Chapter 296 - 296: Being Lazy Even When Choosing a Fake Name Chapter 296: Being Lazy Even When Choosing a Fake Name Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Su Haisheng looked a bit embarrassed and said, ¡°It wasn¡¯t me, it was the young man surnamed Jun next to you.¡± Zhao Hanqiu turned his head in surprise to look. Seeing Gu Qingluan wearing a silver mask by the bed, he couldn¡¯t hide his astonishment. He must be surprised by how young the other person is. But he didn¡¯t question it and gratefully thanked Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan offered a faint smile and advised, ¡°You¡¯ve just detoxified, and your body is still recovering. Please take some rest and avoid overexerting yourself.¡± Zhao Hanqiu nodded and appreciated her calm demeanor, ¡°Young man, may I know your name?¡± ¡°I¡¯m surnamed Jun, with a single name, Qing, like the fresh green.¡± Jun Qing? The man with the ck mask who had been pushed to the edge of the crowd chewed on this name, his lips involuntarily curved up. Even choosing a fake name was donezily. ¡°Jun Qing, my name is Zhao Hanqiu, and I am truly grateful to you for saving my life. If you ever decide to craft your life¡¯s profound artifact, please don¡¯t hesitate to reach out to me. 1 would dly forge it for you without any charge. Furthermore, if you require any assistance with anything else, please feel free to ask; 1 will readily lend a hand.¡± Zhao Hanqiu was a master of artifact forging in the Refining Sect, and his profound artifacts were of excellent quality, and in high demand, with orders reportedly booked for three years in advance. This Mr. Jun had really hit the jackpot! But considering why Master Zhao treated him like this, they didn¡¯t feel bitter anymore. They couldn¡¯t say anything because they did not possess the skill to save Master Zhao. Gu Qingluan nodded with a smile, then turned her gaze to Su Ziyin, who had a displeased expression. She calmly said, ¡°You lost.¡± He Lianjunughed heartily, ¡°Little girl, you haven¡¯t forgotten our bet from earlier, have you? Brother Jun has detoxified the poison, so you have to apologize to us!¡± Su Ziyin¡¯s face stiffened as she said angrily, ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Is that enough?¡± ¡°Hey, is that the attitude you should have when apologizing?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already apologized, what more do you want?¡± Su Ziyin asked unhappily. ¡°Is this how you apologize? There¡¯s no sincerity in it at all.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Su Ziyin¡¯s eyes turned red in an instant, tears welling up as if they were about to fall at any moment. It was as if someone else had bullied her. He Lianjun urged her, ¡°Hurry up, don¡¯t cry! We all witnessed the bet you made.¡± ¡°Yin¡¯er has been spoiled by me and the elders in the pce. She¡¯s wilful and arrogant, and her words and actions were indeed reckless just now. 1 hope Mr. Jun can show me some respect and overlook this matter.¡± Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t intended to hold onto it anyway. But when she heard Su Haisheng¡¯s words, she felt really ufortable. If they were to persist in pursuing the matter, would that mean they were being petty? Where were you when your granddaughter was acting aggressively and even causing harm to others? She gave a faintly mocking smile. ¡°Since you know she¡¯s been spoiled, take her back and teach her properly. Otherwise, if she offends someone she shouldn¡¯t, it won¡¯t only be her who suffers, but also your sect.¡± The brat dared to curse the Canghai Pce! Just because she luckily detoxified someone? Did she really think she was invincible? A hint of displeasure shed in Su Haisheng¡¯s eyes, but he quickly suppressed it and said, ¡°Mr. Jun¡¯s words are indeed correct. After returning, I will definitely teach this girl a lesson.¡± ¡°Grandfather!¡± Su Ziyin stomped her foot in dissatisfaction. ¡°Don¡¯t throw a tantrum anymore, don¡¯t you think you¡¯ve embarrassed yourself enough?¡± Su Haisheng whispered. Su Ziyin reluctantly said, ¡°He¡¯s just relying on the golden needles to detoxify, right? I¡¯ve had my eye on those golden needles for a long time. If I had the golden needles, maybe I could detoxify people too.¡± Everyone subconsciously looked at Gu Qingluan when they heard Su Ziyin¡¯s words. Gu Qingluan also heard Su Ziyin¡¯s words and smiled. Did she really think that all the credit for saving people was due to the golden needles? Chapter 297 - 297: Taking In A Disciple Chapter 297: Taking In A Disciple Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion This little bitch with the surname Su thought that the Primordial Gold Needle had a considerable background, and her intuition was quite urate. However, refusing to acknowledge Gu Qingluan¡¯s abilities was a bias she held. From the way she had interacted with Su isheng today, if she continued to follow him, she might go astray. Having medical skills alone but poor character would inevitably lead to trouble sooner orter. Of course, Gu Qingluan had no interest in what path Su Ziyin would take in the future. Fourth Master Tang took the opportunity to approach, ¡°Mr. Jun, may I ask if you¡¯re avable to detoxify others now?¡± The needle technique he disyed earlier was extremely mysterious, and it must consume arcane power and mental awareness. He wasn¡¯t sure if the other party had the energy to detoxify again. Gu Qingluan nodded. ¡°I am.¡± Now that the Primordial Gold Needle was iplete, it was not as handy to use. This was a good opportunity for her to get used to it. At the same time, it could be considered resolving a lingering issue. Although Su Meng had poisoned everyone, he had always been concerned about this matter. As their mistress, lending a helping hand with the flick of a finger was a simple task. Fourth Master Tang was overjoyed at her response, and the others also became spirited, eager to witness her detoxification technique again. Even the two members of the Su family, who had a grudge against her, boldly approached to watch. Gu Qingluan neither confirmed nor denied, moving to another bed, summoning the Primordial Gold Needle, and detoxifying in the same manner. Once again, everyone couldn¡¯t help but reveal amazement in their eyes as they watched her needle technique. Such an exquisite and unparalleled needle technique had never been seen or heard of before. Even Su isheng, the renowned physician of the continent, who had mastered the Northern Dipper Seven Star Needle Technique of the Canghai Pce to perfection, couldn¡¯t help but feel inferior when he saw Gu Qingluan¡¯s technique. Su Ziyin looked at the young man illuminated by golden light, unconsciously biting her lip. Gu Qingluan wore a silver mask on her face, and her eyes, visible from the outside, were firm and indifferent. She remained calm while needling, disying an elegant demeanor. Clearly, she was young, but she possessed the demeanor of a great figure. And this was precisely what Su Ziyin aspired to. Her previous bias and disdain gradually disappeared as she observed and spent time with her, reced by emotions such as appreciation, admiration, and reverence. The hostility in Su Ziyin¡¯s eyes had long disappeared. Wherever Gu Qingluan saved people, she followed. Of course, He Lianjun and the others did the same; she didn¡¯t stand out. When thest person who was unconscious was awakened, even Gu Qingluan felt tired. ¡°Here, for you to wipe your sweat.¡± A snow-white handkerchief was handed to Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan followed the hand that passed her the handkerchief and saw Su Ziyin, staring at her with a strange expression. Why was this little girl being so kind? Seeing through Gu Qingluan¡¯s thoughts, Su Ziyin became angry and embarrassed. ¡°Take it to wipe your sweat if you want!¡± She tossed the handkerchief toward Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan urately caught the handkerchief, looking at her with a half-smile, half-smirk. ¡°Thank you, Miss Su.¡± Was this little girl admitting defeat? ¡°Hmph!¡± Su Ziyin snorted loudly, her cheeks uncontrobly flushing. To conceal her embarrassment, she changed the subject, saying, ¡°By epting my handkerchief, you¡¯ve agreed to take me as your disciple.¡± Gu Qingluan: ??? Su Ziyin pouted unhappily. ¡°What¡¯s with that look? I¡¯m willing to be your disciple. Aren¡¯t you happy? I¡¯m the most outstanding junior in the Canghai Pce in terms of medical skills! The most talented disciple in a thousand years!¡± ¡°Haha, you¡¯re quite confident! Have you ever looked at yourself? You¡¯re willful, arrogant, and conceited! If Brother Jun takes you as a disciple, I¡¯m afraid he¡¯ll shorten his life.¡± He Lianjun mocked her.. Chapter 298 - 298: Testing Chapter 298: Testing Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Just moments ago, she was on the brink of violence, and now she wanted to be a disciple. She doesn¡¯t even know how to restrain her temper. Only someone insane would ept her as a disciple! ¡°What¡¯s it got to do with you?¡± Su Ziyin red at him fiercely. ¡°You have no reason to bark!¡± ¡°Show me how much you can bark then!¡± He Lianjun immediately retorted. Su Ziyin was left speechless. Unable to argue with him, she could only ¡°kill¡± him with her big eyes, then turned her head and ignored him. She then looked at Gu Qingluan with some difort. ¡°You¡­ are very talented, and I¡¯m smart too. If you ept me as your disciple, you won¡¯t tarnish your reputation. Have you ever considered it?¡± Seeing her awkward expression, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. Su Ziyin¡¯s face immediately darkened, and she blushed slightly. ¡°What are youughing at?¡± ¡°If you want to be my disciple, have you asked for your grandfather¡¯s approval?¡± The medical skills of the Canghai Pce were renowned throughout the world. If their people took outsiders as their masters, it would undoubtedly lead to much criticism. Su Ziyin said, ¡°My grandfather dotes on me the most, he will definitely agree.¡± ¡°Oh, are you sure?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Su Ziyin affirmed. Gu Qingluan looked behind her. ¡°From what I see, it may not be so. You bettermunicate with him first.¡± Su Ziyin sensed something was amiss, turned around, and saw Su Haisheng standing behind her with a stern expression. ¡°Grandfather, did you hear our conversation?¡± She went up and held his arm. ¡°I want to be a disciple of this noble gentleman.¡± ¡°Nonsense!¡± Su Haisheng scolded, ¡°The Canghai Pce has collected countless medical books throughout history, and there are countless experts in medical skills in the pce. How much have you learned? Taking an outsider as your master, can you even imagine how others will view our Canghai Pce?¡± Su Ziyin was startled by his harsh tone. She had been spoiled throughout her childhood, with her grandfather always showering her with affection. She had never experienced such a scolding before, and her eyes welled up with tears for a moment. Su Ziyin pouted and retorted, ¡°Why should I care what outsiders say? 1 just think this noble gentleman is amazing! Can anyone in the Canghai Pce match his acupuncture skills? He was able to detoxify these people so quickly when no one else could. With such talent, why shouldn¡¯t I take him as my master?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a coincidence! He doesn¡¯t know what we know in the Canghai Pce!¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Su Haisheng interrupted her angrily, ¡°Stop it! I can tolerate other things, but this matter is out of the question.¡± Su Ziyin was unwilling to give up. ¡°Grandfather, you¡¯re being unreasonable!¡± ¡°Hmph, 1 think I¡¯ve spoiled you too much in the past, letting you do whatever you want!¡± Su Haisheng said, ¡°Since the key is lost, there¡¯s no need for us to waste any more time here. Now,e back to the pce with me!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going!¡± Su Ziyin turned her head to find Gu Qingluan, but she couldn¡¯t see her anywhere. Where was she? Where had she gone? She wanted to go and look for her but was stopped by Su Haisheng, who forcibly took her away. On the other side, Gu Qingluan found Fourth Master Tang and tested the waters with him. ¡°Have they found the person who stole the boundary wall key?¡± Fourth Master Tang furrowed his brows and shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of technique that person used, but they managed to evade our Shadow Tower¡¯s pursuit.¡± ¡°Will you continue to confine everyone here until you find Boundary Wall Key?¡± ¡°Those who were poisoned have already awakened, and many of the people who came today have high status. We have no reason to keep everyone here. If we continue to prevent people from leaving, the Shadow Tower will be torn down everyone here.¡± He made a joke, but in reality, if the Shadow Tower continued to trap everyone, it would not end well for them with so many powerful individuals present. Gu Qingluan smiled. Fourth Master Tang noticed that she seemed to have something to say and asked in a low voice, ¡°Do you want that stone that was auctioned for ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts?¡± Chapter 299 - 299: 999 Saved Her? Chapter 299: 999 Saved Her? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan casually responded, ¡°Not really, I¡¯m just a bit curious.¡± Fourth Master Tang gave her a deep look, not exposing her lie. His gaze swept around, and he said in a low voice, ¡°The person who obtained the contact has had contact with you. That¡¯s all 1 can say for now.¡± Suddenly, he raised his voice, ¡°Today, we must thank Mr. Jun for his remarkable healing abilities, which saved so many people. Otherwise, we, who belong to the Shadow Tower, wouldn¡¯t know how to solve the problem.¡± Gu Qingluan pondered his previous statement. Someone she had contact with? Today, she had interacted with quite a few people. Which one was he referring to? Just then, a figure approached. ¡°What Master Tang was said right. Mr. Jun, with your exceptional medical skills at such a young age, do you have any interest in joining our Shadow Tower?¡± It was Master Lin! Gu Qingluan temporarily set aside her doubts and smiled calmly, ¡°Thank you for your kind offer, Master Lin, but I¡¯m not one to enjoy constraints. I can only offer my apologies.¡± Master Lin looked at her and then at Fourth Master Tang. ¡°Mr. Jun might have misunderstood our Shadow Tower. We¡¯ve always respected strong individuals and would never impose constraints. Master Tang, why didn¡¯t you brief Mr. Jun about us? It seems he has some misconceptions¡± Fourth Master Tang smoothly steered the conversation, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll rify things next time. Master Lin, there¡¯s no need for you to trouble yourself.¡± Master Lin sneered inwardly. ¡°No need for me to trouble myself? You¡¯re afraid rd snatch him from you.¡± He turned to Gu Qingluan. ¡°Mr. Jun, if there was any misunderstanding caused earlier, I hope you can forgive any perceived disrespect.¡± Gu Qingluan detected the underlying tension between the two masters but had no intention of getting involved. She responded in an official andposed manner, ¡°Master Lin, there¡¯s no need to worry. Anyone would doubt my abilities.¡± Gu Qingluan nced outside. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I wonder if we can leave the Shadow Tower now?¡± Master Lin, feeling relieved that Gu Qingluan held no grudges, showed a sincere smile.¡± Mr. Jun, please wait for a moment. After we¡¯ve discussed matters within the Shadow Tower, if everything is in order, everyone will be permitted to depart.¡± Gu Qingluan nodded, bidding farewell to the two men. Unlike before, she and He Lianjun had be the center of attention wherever they went. He Lianjun eximed excitedly, ¡°Brother Jun, you¡¯re famous now!¡± Gu Qingluan sighed. She didn¡¯t need this kind of fame. Being observed like a monkey, where every move she made was scrutinized by those with ill intentions, wouldn¡¯t aid her in her actions. Nevertheless, she pulled He Lianjun aside into a corner and asked him, ¡°Are the two people you saw earlier here?¡± She almost forgot that He Lianjun had also seen the 999th VIP. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I would have forgotten. Yes, one of the people you¡¯re looking for, didn¡¯t he just save you?¡± ¡°Is it him? Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s him! I have a good memory; 1 wouldn¡¯t mistake him!¡± Gu Qingluan quickly looked around. But she didn¡¯t see the figure with the ck mask. Did he leave again? How did he end up here just now? Could it be that one of hispanions was poisoned, and now that the poison was cured, they left? Gu Qingluan hurriedly left the room. ¡°Brother Jun, where are you going?¡± ¡°I have something to attend to. You don¡¯t need to follow me!¡± She recalled He Lianjun mentioning a scheme involving the Chaos Stone to harm people. This suggested that the man with the ck mask might be in jeopardy. There was no reason to drag He Lianjun, an outsider, into this situation.. Chapter 300 - 300: Tailing Chapter 300: Tailing Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Wait for me, is there anything I can help with?¡± He Lianjun chased after her, but he couldn¡¯t see Gu Qingluan¡¯s figure. He thought she was running awfully fast! After a moment of consideration, he ran toward the main entrance, assuming Brother Jun would be guarding there. Gu Qingluan had indeed intended to head straight for the main entrance. However, she suddenly felt a powerful force immobilizing her. Her vision blurred momentarily as if she had used a teleportation portal. When she regained her senses, she found herself standing outside the Shadow Tower¡¯s main gate. Gu Qingluan nced at the moon in the sky and guessed the reason. She lowered her head to look for the namete. Sure enough, the namete for number 666 was gone. Upon entering the Shadow Tower earlier, the Tower¡¯s staff informed them that once the designated time arrived, individuals who hadn¡¯t departed from the Shadow Tower would be forcibly removed. Could it be that the man with the ck mask had also been forced out by now? Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know how long the validity of his namete was. She assumed that since his number was after hers, his time might not have run out yet. So, she leaned against a pir by the door and waited. People were expelled one by one, but she didn¡¯t see the one she was looking for. After a while, the main door was opened, and a group of people streamed out. Gu Qingluan perked up, closely observing. After most of the people had left, she still hadn¡¯t seen the man with the ck mask. ¡°Brother Jun! So, you were here all along! You made me search for you!¡± He Lianjun suddenly appeared and patted Gu Qingluan¡¯s shoulder. Gu Qingluan shrunk her shoulder, avoiding his hand. He Lianjun smiled and withdrew his hand. ¡°What are you doing here? Are you waiting for that man?¡± ¡°Have you seen him again?¡± ¡°No, I think he must have left a long time ago. Why are you looking for him? Can you tell me? Maybe I can help.¡± Gu Qingluan shook her head. What she needed was the Chaos Stone, something he couldn¡¯t assist with. Oh well, she had done her best. She couldn¡¯t even find the person, let alone the stone. Fortunately, she hadn¡¯te away empty-handed today. Making a contract with Su Meng unexpectedly increased her Hongmeng Qi. This unexpected joy made her realize one thing¡ªthere was more than one shortcut to enhance Hongmeng Qi. Contracting with the Spirit n was another way! She didn¡¯t know if it would only work the first time or if each subsequent contract would also increase it. If it was thetter, she could look for other Spirit ns in the future. Of course, Spirit ns were rare and reclusive, so finding them and convincing them to form a contract willingly with her might be even harder than finding the Chaos Stone. Gu Qingluan put her hands down from her chest and bid farewell to He Lianjun. He Lianjun said, ¡°Are you leaving? I promised to treat you to a drink, and I haven¡¯t fulfilled that promise yet.¡± ¡°Another time.¡± He Lianjun felt a bit regretful, but he also understood that all good things muste to an end. ¡°Alright then, see you next time. We¡¯ll have a drink together. We won¡¯t leave unless we get drunk!¡± After saying goodbye to He Lianjun, Gu Qingluan walked in the direction of the teleportation portal She hadn¡¯t gone far when she realized that there were a few shady figures following her. A cold light shed in her eyes as she quickened her pace. As she sped up, the people behind her did the same. Seeing a corner not far ahead, she quickly turned into it. The individuals following her rushed over, turned the corner, and found themselves in a secluded alley. The person they were looking for had disappeared! ¡°Split up and search!¡± Four of them jumped over the wall and went in opposite directions, while the remaining two rushed into the alley. However, the alley led to a dead end, with no way out! ¡°He¡¯s not in the alley!¡± The two with disappointed expressions realized that if they couldn¡¯t bring the person back, they couldn¡¯t report to their master. They turned to leave the alley and search elsewhere when suddenly, they saw a figure standing in front of them, backlit by the light.. Chapter 301 - 301: Sworn Oath Chapter 301: Sworn Oath Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Those who cultivated had good eyesight. Even though the lighting in the alley was dim, they could still see clearly that the silver-faced man standing in the middle of the alley was their target! The two of them brightened up. Haha, what a twist of fate! Observing their expressions, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle. She pondered over the identity of the individual who had dispatched these subordinates. Hadn¡¯t they yet discerned the roles of the predator and the prey in this situation? It¡¯s quite a miracle that they¡¯ve survived with this level of intelligence! She got straight to the point, ¡°Are you going to confess on your own, or do I have to beat it out of you?¡± The two of them didn¡¯t waste a word and charged straight at her. Seeing their choice, Gu Qingluan sighed lightly. ¡°Why waste each other¡¯s energy?¡± She stood still and didn¡¯t move. When the two men approached, her figure suddenly disappeared from where she had been. Crack! Crack! Following two sessive collisions, both men who pursued her wereunched into the air. One collided with the wall before sliding down, while the other plummeted directly to the ground. Gu Qingluan leisurely walked up to the nearest person. Before he could get up, she stepped on his chest. He was forced to fall back, his back hitting the ground, his face twisted in pain. ¡°Are you ready to talk?¡± Gu Qingluan looked down at him, her voice chilly. ¡°Your Excellency, have you misunderstood? We have no intention of hurting anyone¡­¡± Before he could finish speaking, he felt an irresistible force in his chest, as if a heavy hammer had struck him. It hurt so much that he gasped for air, and his face turned bright red. Gu Qingluan said indifferently, ¡°No need for useless words. I don¡¯t have much patience today.¡± The other person struggled to get up from the ground and hurriedly said, ¡°Please, Your Excellency, spare us. We really just want to ask for your help in saving someone.¡± ¡°Oh? This is the first time I¡¯ve witnessed a ¡®request¡¯ being presented in such a manner,¡± Gu Qingluan remarked, her eyes gleaming coldly. Her eyes, reminiscent of peach blossoms, shimmered with a subtle radiance that made it challenging for anyone to meet her gaze directly. The person who met her gaze felt an invisible pressure, and his breath was momentarily stifled. He gritted his teeth and said with great effort, ¡°I¡¯m sorry if Your Excellency misunderstood. It was our mistake. We really just came on our master¡¯s orders to ask Your Excellency for help.¡± Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°Who is your master?¡± ¡°Please forgive us, Your Excellency, but we can¡¯t say it now.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°It seems we don¡¯t need to continue this conversation.¡± A glint of light flickered in her hand, and as the two men observed, it appeared to be descending toward the man at her feet. The other person hurriedly shouted, ¡°Your Excellency, please spare us. We really just want to ask for your help. If you don¡¯t believe us, we can swear to the heavens!¡± In this world, swearing a solemn oath held great significance. Once you broke your oath, you would be punished by the heavens. Afraid that Gu Qingluan wouldn¡¯t talk to him any longer, the man immediately swore, ¡°I swear on my life that we really came on our master¡¯s orders to ask Your Excellency for help. If there is a single word of falsehood, may 1 not die a peaceful death!¡± ¡°If what you say is false, your master won¡¯t die a peaceful death.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. The man¡¯s face turned pale when he heard this, and he said with difficulty, ¡°Your Excellency, you are making it difficult for me.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re not lying, why should it be difficult for you?¡± The man was at a loss for words. This was the truth, but using his master to make an oath like this was a great disrespect to his master, who was a highly respected figure. If his master found out, he might lose his head. Gu Qingluan impatiently said, ¡°Are you going to swear or not? If not, the two of you can go meet the King of Hell together!¡± ¡°I swear!¡± The man eximed urgently when he heard Gu Qingluan¡¯s words. ¡°I swear, if there is even a half-lie in what I just said, my master¡­ my master¡­¡± Under Gu Qingluan¡¯s cold, prating gaze, he closed his eyes and shouted, ¡°May he not die a peaceful death!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°Very well, I trust you since you¡¯re so sincere.¡± She withdrew her foot and turned to walk out of the alley. The man hesitated for a moment, then realized what had happened, and shouted in confusion, ¡°Your Excellency, please wait! Didn¡¯t you believe me?¡± ¡°I believed you, but 1 have the right to choose whether to help or not,¡± Gu Qingluan replied without looking back.. Chapter 302 - 302: The Immortal Ascension Tower Chapter 302: The Immortal Ascension Tower Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The man previously on the ground struggled to his feet, his limp evident as he caught up with her. He inquired, ¡°Mr. Jun, what would make you consider assisting us?¡± ¡°To secure my assistance, it hinges on your sincerity. I won¡¯t aid individuals with mysterious backgrounds, nor will 1 assist those concealing their true identities,¡± Gu Qingluan responded as she reached the alley¡¯s entrance. The noise of the main road reached their ears¡ªshouts, bustling traffic, and a continuous stream of people. The two men following her exchanged a nce. The shorter one asked, ¡°What should we do?¡± ¡°Our master¡¯s identity is prestigious and cannot be revealed casually; doing so would be a sin. But if we don¡¯t tell Mr. Jun, we may not be able to bring him back, and that would mean failing our master¡¯smand.¡± As they hesitated, Gu Qingluan had already entered the crowd. They immediately rushed towards her without thinking too much, saying, ¡°Mr. Jun, we agree!¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t stop her steps, and they had to keep pace with her as they whispered, ¡°My master is Zhou Qingyu, the first young master of the leading family in Nanqing. I hope you can apany us for a journey, Mr. Jun.¡± Zhou family? Gu Qingluan paused for a moment. Some of the girls they had rescued from the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion a few days ago seemed to be from the Zhou family. What a coincidence. Gu Qingluan had heard of the Zhou family in the South Qing Kingdom. Unlike the newly risen Gu family, the Zhou family was a genuine ancient noble family with a history of a thousand years. They had a strong foundation, produced many talented individuals, and had many outstanding descendants. Zhou Qingyu was the most outstanding figure of this generation and had a well-known reputation on the continent, even earlier than Gu Lingxue. As famous as his talents were, Zhou Qingyu was equally renowned for his character¡ªa well-Im own good person. Gu Qingluan nced at the two men in front of her, doubting whether those rumors were true. Could a widely acimed good person have such secretive subordinates? To find out if it was true or not, she would have to see for herself! ¡°Where are we going?¡± Seeing that she seemed willing to go, the two men were delighted. ¡°To the Immortal Ascension Tower, not far from here.¡± The Immortal Ascension Tower was thergest tavern in the ck market. ¡°Lead the way.¡± The two men were ecstatic. ¡°Please, Mr. Jun!¡± One of them took the lead, and the other followed. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t ignore the ulterior motives of the mastermind, but she didn¡¯t confront them about it After walking two streets, they arrived at the brightly lit Immortal Ascension Tower. The Immortal Ascension Tower was likely the tallest building in the ck market, with a total of ny-nine floors that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. It was Gu Qingluan¡¯s first time here, and even from a distance, the aroma of alcohol wafted towards her, causing her eyes to brighten. ¡°Go get some fine wine!¡± Gu Qingluan instructed one of Zhou¡¯s servants. ¡°Remember, it has to be the best.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The other man nudged him. ¡°Hurry up! 1¡¯11 take Mr. Jun to see the young master.¡± With a gesture of ¡°please¡±, he said, ¡°Mr. Jun, let me take you to see the young master.¡± Gu Qingluan nodded and followed him into the tavern. ¡°What floor is Zhou Qingyu on?¡± ¡°On the fiftieth floor.¡± Gu Qingluan wondered how they would reach the fiftieth floor. Unlike the Heavenly Realm Continent where you could fly with a sword at will, it wasn¡¯t that easy here. Then, the Zhou family servant led her into a square space that looked like a box with one missing side. Someone had juste out of it. After they entered, the Zhou family servant pressed a button on the wall with special symbols engraved on it twice. Then, a white light appeared in front of them, and their box suddenly lifted off the ground and soared into the sky. A hint of surprise shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. Was this a teleportation portal? No, teleportation portals weren¡¯t this slow. With her divine sense, Gu Qingluan could see that the box they were in was rapidly ascending. If it were a teleportation portal, they would have arrived at another location in the blink of an eye. In no time, the box stopped its ascent, and the white light in front of them disappeared. ¡°Mr. Jun, we¡¯ve reached the fiftieth floor. Let¡¯s go.¡± Gu Qingluan nodded discreetly and followed him out. The Immortal Ascension Tower was constructed in extreme luxury. The Zhou family servant led her to a room and knocked on the door, announcing, ¡°Young Master, Mr. Jun has arrived..¡± Chapter 303 - 303: Cold Poison Chapter 303: Cold Poison Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Creak! The door opened from the inside, revealing a young boy dressed as a servant, lie stood by the door, inviting Gu Qingluan inside. Once inside, Gu Qingluan noticed that the room was muchrger than she had imagined. The air was filled with a faint medicinal scent. They passed several decorative bird and flower screens as a young man approached them. He had a slender figure and was dressed in a blue and green silk robe embroidered with elegant bamboo leaf patterns. His refined appearanceplemented his clothing, giving him an air of elegance and nobility. When he saw Gu Qingluan, a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. Perhaps he hadn¡¯t expected her to be so young. Although Gu Qingluan wore a mask, her exposed skin revealed her age to some extent. Quickly, he concealed his astonishment and greeted her with a cupped fist, saying, ¡°Are you Mr. Jun? 1 am Zhou Qingyu, a member of the Zhou family in Southern Qing. I have taken the liberty of inviting Mr. Jun here. If there is any inconvenience caused, 1 hope Mr. Jun can forgive us.¡± Gu Qingluan looked at the legendary young master of the Zhou family, and he matched her expectations. He seemed to be quite polite, but given that he was now seeking her assistance, it was normal for him to be on his best behavior. Gu Qingluan asked directly, ¡°What made you think of finding me?¡± Zhou Qingyu did not hide anything and replied, ¡°Just now, a friend witnessed Mr. Jun¡¯s extraordinary medical skills at the Shadow Tower. Your acupuncture technique was truly remarkable. I thought of inviting Mr. Jun to see if you could possibly cure my younger sister¡¯s stubborn ailment.¡± Gu Qingluan had a hunch that it was the performance at the Shadow Tower that had drawn their attention. After hearing his exnation, she wore an expression that seemed to say, ¡°I knew it.¡± ¡°Where is she?¡± ¡°Please follow me, Mr. Jun.¡± The person was in the inner room. Zhou Qingyu drew aside a curtain, inviting Gu Qingluan inside. Once inside, the medicinal scent grew stronger. A pearwood bed was draped with pink gauze curtains. Through the hazy curtains, one could vaguely see a person lying on the bed. By the bedside stood a maidservant dressed in purple. When she saw Gu Qingluan enter, a trace of surprise shed in her eyes. Could someone this young truly cure the youngdy? Gu Qingluan signaled for her to hang up the curtains. The maidservant named Ziyin moved her lips. Zhou Qingyu frowned. ¡°Ziyin, what are you standing there for?¡± Startled by his words, Ziyin quickly rolled up the bed curtains and hung them on a nearby hook. The woman on the bed came clearly into view. She was quite beautiful, but what surprised Gu Qingluan was that she didn¡¯t resemble Zhou Qingyu at all. At this moment, herplexion was pale, with dark circles under her eyes. Her thin lips were colorless, and her chin appeared pointed due to her thinness, giving her a somewhat pitiful look. With just one nce, Gu Qingluan immediately identified the root of the problem, ¡°Is this a manifestation of the congenital cold poison passed down from her mother?¡± Through careful observation alone, Gu Qingluan was able to pinpoint the cause of Zhou Qingyun¡¯s illness. Her reputation as a highly regarded physician by word of mouth was clearly well-deserved! Zhou Qingyu¡¯s eyes brightened, and he nodded, saying, ¡°Exactly! When my mother was pregnant with Qingyun, she was ambushed by enemies and poisoned with cold poison. Little did we know that when Qingyun was born, this cold poison transferred to her. Back then, if it weren¡¯t for a great physician sealing the cold poison within her body, she wouldn¡¯t have survived beyond three years. However, as Qingyun grew older, the seal gradually weakened, and resealing it proved futile. In the past two years, the cold poison has recurred several times, and Qingyun¡¯s condition has deteriorated. In recent months, she has frequently fallen into aa, her body turning as cold as ice. We¡¯ve consulted many renowned doctors, but they were all helpless. Mr. Jun, do you have any way to save Qingyun?¡± Gu Qingluan furrowed her brow. Zhou Qingyu thought she might not have a solution, and his gaze dimmed slightly. He had experienced such scenes countless times, full of hope each time, only to end in disappointment. Therefore, he didn¡¯t feel too disheartened now. ¡°If Mr. Jun can¡¯t treat her, it¡¯s fine. I know Qingyun¡¯s illness is not ordinary. Even the eminent physician Haisheng from the Canghai Pce was helpless, saying that she can at most live until the age of twenty-two. Perhaps this is¡­¡± Gu Qingluan interrupted him, saying, ¡°Who said I can¡¯t handle it?¡± Chapter 304 - 304: Rescue Chapter 304: Rescue Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Zhou Qingyu was momentarily stunned, then quickly grasped what she had said. He widened her eyes and asked excitedly, ¡°Mr. Jun, are you saying you can save my sister?¡± ¡°The cold poison in her body is not ordinary. It¡¯s caused by a thousand-year-old ice toad. Curing itpletely is difficult, but I can extend her life by several decades without a problem.¡± Extending her life by several decades was something the Zhou family had never even dared to dream of. Zhou Qingyun, who was currently twenty years old, had been diagnosed by both the renowned physician of the Canghai Pce and the Grandmaster of the Danxin Pavilion. They both concluded that she had less than two years left to live. ¡°Can Mr. Jun really make my sister live for several more decades? Please tell us any conditions you have! As long as our Zhou family can do it, we will spare no effort!¡± ¡°I can employ a secret technique involving golden needles to iste the cold poison within her body, preventing it from harming her vital organs, and brain, or causing future fainting spells. However, it¡¯s essential to understand that this congenital cold poison is deeply ingrained in her, and we cannot entirely seal it off. Periodically, the cold poison will resurface, spreading throughout her body. Therefore, consistent treatment with golden needles is required. It¡¯s worth noting that this approach may also impact her ability to walk normally in the future.¡± ¡°All, how can that be!¡± Ziying couldn¡¯t help but interject. Gu Qingluan gave her a faint nce. Zhou Qingyun frowned and said, ¡°Ziying, please don¡¯t interrupt Mr. Jun when he¡¯s speaking.¡± Ziying closed her mouth, somewhat aggrieved. ¡°Mr. Jun, does this mean Qingyun will have to use a wheelchair in the future?¡± ¡°1 haven¡¯t finished speaking. If you can find the zing me Grass, most of the cold poison in her body can be eliminated.¡± Zhou Qingyun asked, ¡°Doesn¡¯t zing me Grass contain a potent toxin?¡± Over the years, he had acquired a broad knowledge of medicine in his efforts to cure his sister¡¯s illness. Gu Qingluan nodded. ¡°Yes, zing me Grass grows in extremely fiery ces and contains a highly prized fire toxin. It¡¯s a case of using poison to fight poison, the only way to eliminate the cold poison inside her.¡± Zhou Qingyun asked with concern, ¡°Won¡¯t it harm Qingyun¡¯s body? With two different poisons colliding, she might not be able to bear it.¡± ¡°Well, given her current physical condition, it¡¯s indeed not suitable for detoxification. We¡¯ll need to prepare her body for some time before using zing me Grass.¡± Seeing that she had considered everything, Zhou Qingyun¡¯s trust in her deepened significantly. He sped his hands and respectfully bowed to Gu Qingluan. ¡°I earnestly request Mr. Jun to save Qingyun. I will have people search for the zing me Grass. Please tell us thepensation you require. As long as you can make Qingyun a normal person again and extend her life by several decades, my Zhou family will bepletely satisfied.¡± The Zhou family was the most prominent family in South Qing, and Gu Qingluan naturally didn¡¯t hold back. She directly stated her request, ¡°One thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts.¡± ¡°What? One thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts, that¡¯s quite an audacious request!¡± Ziying gasped. One thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts could buy so many precious spirit pills. Gu Qingluan regarded her with a half-smile and a somewhat serious demeanor. ¡°Do you believe, in your perspective, that your youngdy¡¯s life is not equivalent to the value of one thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts?¡± ¡°Ziying, what¡¯s gotten into you today? Wait outside, without my permission, you must not enter,¡± Zhou Qingyun said displeased. Ziying¡¯s face turned pale instantly. The young master had never spoken to her in such a severe tone. It¡¯s all because of this guy surnamed Jun! She bit her lower lip, harboring resentment in secret. However, she didn¡¯t dare to show it and could only respond with a low voice before leaving the room with her head down. ¡°Mr. Jun, please forgive her. Ziying is just overly protective of her mistress. We¡¯ve consulted many renowned physicians and alchemy masters, as well as some famous doctors from the streets. All of them were helpless in the face of Qingyun¡¯s illness. Some of them even tried to profit from us by resorting to deceit, giving us false hope and then despair. Ziying has seen it all. When she sees someone as young as you, it¡¯s natural for her to have doubts. Please understand any offense she may have caused.¡± Gu Qingluan remainedposed. ¡°Protection of one¡¯s master ismendable, but it should also be within the bounds of propriety. Otherwise, it¡¯s not protection but harm to the master. I believe Young Master Zhou understands this.¡± Zhou Qingyun¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°Mr. Jun, you make a valid point. 1 will discipline this servant properly in the future.¡± Gu Qingluan continued, ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the matter at hand.. Do you have any objections to the fee I¡¯ve proposed, Young Master Zhou?¡± Chapter 305 - 305: Combining Two into One Chapter 305: Combining Two into One Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°No, one thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts is only fair,¡± Zhou Qingyun said without hesitation. Not to mention one thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts, even if it were ten thousand, as long as it could keep Qingyun alive, it would be worth it. ¡°Young Master Zhou, allow me to be direct and provide you with a detailed exnation. If you manage to obtain the zing me Grass, the treatment will span approximately six months. In the beginning, she will require acupuncture every two weeks. After three months, this frequency will decrease to once a month. Then, after half a year, we will administer the zing me Grass, followed by another round of acupuncture. If you diligently follow my guidance and take care of her, in roughly a year, she should be able to lead a life resembling that of an ordinary person. However, please keep in mind that this is an estimate. Traces of the cold poison will still linger in her body, necessitating vignce in her daily activities, especially in avoiding exposure to extreme cold.¡± Zhou Qingyun¡¯s eyes gleamed brighter, carefully absorbing every word Gu Qingluan. ¡°Alright, well follow your requirements, Mr. Jun. Anything that requires our cooperation, well definitelyply.¡± Gu Qingluan preferred dealing with family members who were less involved in such matters and disliked those who tended to micromanage or provided aundry list of reasons. ¡°By the way, will the two of you be temporarily staying in the ck market?¡± Zhou Qingyun nodded. ¡°Yes, this time we came to the ck market hoping for a stroke of luck.¡± ¡°Alright, then let¡¯s meet next time at the Immortal Ascension Tower.¡± It would be more convenient that way. Otherwise, with one in South Qing and the other in Chengyuan, thousands of miles apart, administering acupuncture would be very inconvenient. After rifying all the details, Gu Qingluan proceeded to prepare for Zhou Qingyun¡¯s acupuncture treatment and asked him to wait outside. After Zhou Qingyun had left, Gu Qingluan removed Zhou Qingyun¡¯s clothing. Although acupuncture could be administered without removing clothing, as she had done in the Shadow Tower for those people, it was much more critical in Qingyun¡¯s case, given the severity of her condition. Without the hindrance of clothing, the treatment would be more effective. Before administering acupuncture, Gu Qingluan entered the Ster Space and obtained the golden needle from Su Meng. She had looked into Su Meng¡¯s memories and knew that he had acquired a golden needle by chance. She estimated that it was also part of the Primordial Gold Needle. Su Meng retrieved the golden needle from his pocket. ¡°Master, what¡¯s the current situation outside? Has their poison been cured?¡± ¡°The poison has been cured. Don¡¯t worry. Right now, 1 have a patient to treat. I¡¯ll tell you more once I¡¯m done.¡± Gu Qingluan exited the Ster Space and nced at the two golden needles of different sizes in her hand. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Next, she pierced her fingertip with the golden needle Su Meng had given her. After absorbing a bit of her blood, the golden needle radiated brightly. Gu Qingluan infused her consciousness into it, and the golden needle shed before merging with the other one suspended in mid-air, gradually bing one. The united golden needle was simr in size when they were apart, but upon closer inspection, one would notice that it emitted a resolute righteous aura. However, this single golden needle alone wouldn¡¯t suffice. She retrieved a set ofmonly used golden needles from her storage ring. These golden needles ranged from thick to thin, fromrge to small, neatly arranged in a row. The Primordial Gold Needle stabilized the universe, while the regr golden needles were used to seal various acupoints to prevent the cold poison from spreading, allowing it to only follow the path she designed. Gu Qingluan first inserted golden needles into acupoints such as Neiguan, Shengmen, and Tianquan to protect the heart meridian. With each needle entering an acupoint, a faint glow appeared. That was her arcane power. Then, she swiftly inserted the Primordial Gold Needle into Zhou Qingyun¡¯s crown, and it instantly disappeared into her hair. A chill emanated from her head, covering the surrounding objects in ayer of frost. Gu Qingluan controlled the Primordial Gold Needle with her consciousness while simultaneously holding the regr golden needles in her hands. As the Primordial Gold Needle moved, the regr golden needles punctured the relevant acupoints immediately. Her needling technique was steady and rapid. If anyone were present at this moment, they would undoubtedly be left in awe.. Chapter 306 - 306: Do You Really Believe Mr. Jun? 306 Do You Really Believe Mr. Jun? Outside the room, Zhou Qingyun paced back and forth, his handsome face filled with worry. Ziying couldn''t help but ask, "Young Master, do you really believe in Mr. Jun? He looks so young." Zhou Qingyun gazed at her, a hint of concern creasing his brow. "Ziying, please refrain from making suchments, especially in the presence of Mr. Jun. In both cultivation and medicine, ''talent'' is a crucial factor. Without innate talent, no matter how many years of study one undergoes, they will remain an average practitioner." Ziying bit her lip and said with a hint of sorrow, "This servant is just worried about the Lady''s well-being. After all, with the Lady''s current condition, she can''t afford any mishaps." "I understand. If there''s another incident, I won''t be lenient," Zhou Qingyun replied sternly. "I know I was wrong. I won''t make the same mistake again!" Ziying replied, her voice filled with dejection. They waited outside for an hour before they heard Gu Qingluan''s voice from inside, saying, "You cane in now." Zhou Qingyun hurriedly pushed open the door and entered. "Mr. Jun, How is Qingyun?" Gu Qingluan''s face was a little pale as she replied, "The cold poison in her body has been temporarily pushed down to below her chest. She''ll wake up in a while, but she may feel some difort in her internal organs." The cold poison was too dominant, and Gu Qingluan couldn''t push it all the way down to her legs in one go. The main reason was the partial damage to the Primordial Gold Needle; otherwise, there wouldn''t have been a need for so many sessions. "Thank you, Mr. Jun!" Just as they were speaking, a soft moan came from the bed. Without any hesitation, Zhou Qingyun rushed to her side. Zhou Qingyun slowly opened his eyes, her voice weak, "Big brother?" Zhou Qingyun gently asked, "How do you feel, Yun''er? Is your head still hurting?" Zhou Qingyun blinked and said weakly, "My head... doesn''t hurt anymore. Big brother, did I faint again? I''m so sorry for making you worry." She showed a hint of apology. "What nonsense are you talking about? I''m your brother. It''s only natural for me to worry about you. You''ve been unconscious for two days. Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?" Gu Qingluan added, "Miss Zhou can only eat light and nd food for now, and there are many dietary restrictions. I''ll write a list for you to avoid any mistakes that might affect your recovery." Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingyu was immensely grateful and said, "Mr. Jun, I am truly indebted to you." Zhou Qingyun heard the conversation between the two and then noticed that there was an unfamiliar man in the room. Zhou Qingyu introduced him, saying, "Yun''er, this is Mr. Jun. He''s highly skilled in medicine, and he''s the one who just woke you up. Moreover, Mr. Jun says he has a way to make you live like a normal person in the future, for several more decades! Are you happy about that?" Zhou Qingyun froze for a moment and then asked, "Is it... is it true?" "Of course it''s true. If you don''t believe me, ask Ziying." Ziying stood nearby and nodded, saying, "Yes, Miss. Mr. Jun said that in just one year, you can live like a normal person." Zhou Qingyun looked at the two of them and smiled bitterly, "You don''t need to humor me. I know my own body. Even the renowned physician Haisheng couldn''t cure me..." What could a young gentleman like him possibly do? Everyone had said she wouldn''t live past the age of twenty-two. "We''re not lying to you. It''s true. If you don''t believe me, ask Mr. Jun." Gu Qingluan reiterated what she had told Zhou Qingyun earlier and then continued, "The cold poison had already spread deep into your body, even affecting your brain, causing frequent dizziness and headaches, right?" Zhou Qingyun nodded. "So, how do you feel now?" Zhou Qingyun hesitated for a moment and then said, "I feel... light." Gu Qingluan smiled gently and said, "That''s because the cold poison has been removed from your brain and pushed down to below your heart. It''s pressing down on your abdomen, causing a sense of heaviness, isn''t it?" Chapter 307 - 307: Snatched Chapter 307: Snatched Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Zhou Qingyun¡¯s eyes were half-lidded. ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯ll continue with the acupuncture a few more times. Once the cold poison reaches your legs, it will not only impact your ability to walk but also make your entire body feel significantly lighter. You will regain the ability to do things you couldn¡¯t before. ¡°Yun¡¯er, do you believe it now?¡± Zhou Qingyu smiled. Zhou Qingyun¡¯s pale face seemed to regain some color. ¡°Yes! I believe you now. Thank you, Mr. Jun! I thought 1 would soon leave my parents and big brother. Thank you for giving me hope.¡± ¡°Practicing medicine and saving lives is the duty of a physician. Moreover, Young Master Zhou has paid the consultation fee, so I should do my best to save you. Miss Zhou, there¡¯s no need to be polite.¡± Gu Qingluan walked to the table and wrote a prescription. ¡°For the next half month, prepare the medicine ording to this prescription. Boil three bowls of water into one bowl of medicinal soup, and take it in the morning and evening. Continue to stay at the Immortal Ascension Tower for half a month, and I wille for a follow-up.¡± Zhou Qingyu solemnly epted the prescription. When he saw Gu Qingluan about to leave, he stopped her. ¡°Mr. Jun, you haven¡¯t received the consultation fee yet.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯ll take the money and run?¡± Zhou Qingyu also smiled. ¡°Mr. Jun, apassionate healer like you, 1 believe you wouldn¡¯t do such a thing.¡± He handed a thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts to Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan epted it calmly, walked to the door, and saw the Zhou family servant whom she had sent to buy wine earlier. ¡°Mr. Jun, here¡¯s the wine you asked for.¡± The other party handed her the wine jug. Gu Qingluan took it and opened the lid. Instantly, a fragrant aroma wafted out. The powerful fragrance made Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes light up. ¡°What kind of wine is this?¡± ¡°This is the ¡®Drunken Immortal Brew¡¯ from the Immortal Ascension Tower. It¡¯s named because even immortals would get drunk after drinking it.¡± Gu Qingluan took a sip from the jug, and the spicy liquor burned her throat, making her shudder. ¡°Good wine!¡± She looked at the Zhou family servant with a hint of light in her eyes. ¡°How much for this?¡± The servant felt ufortable under her gaze. Without waiting for him to answer, Zhou Qingyu said, ¡°It¡¯s just a jug of wine, consider it my thanks to Mr. Jun for saving my sister.¡± After saying that, he nced at the servant, ¡°The wine bill will be settled by the steward when you return.¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t bother with pleasantries with Zhou Qingyu, ¡°Then I won¡¯t be polite.¡± After a pause, she conjured a small item in her hand.¡± It¡¯s a sleeping aid pouch that I made. Wear it, and it can help you sleep better.¡± In Zhou Qingyu¡¯s eyes, Gu Qingluan was now a formidable physician even more powerful than Su Haisheng. When he heard it was a sleeping aid pouch, he quickly took it and put it into his sleeve, expressing his gratitude to Gu Qingluan once again. Gu Qingluan waved her hand, holding the wine jug, and left. A servant stood beside Zhou Qingyu, expressing some concern, ¡°Young Master, we don¡¯t know the background of Mr. Jun. What if he doesn¡¯t show up for the next appointment?¡± Watching Gu Qingluan¡¯s figure receding into the distance, Zhou Qingyu said calmly, ¡°I believe Mr. Jun won¡¯t break his appointment.¡± Gu Qingluan had just left the Immortal Ascension Tower when she saw a group of people rushing in a certain direction. Initially uninterested, she nned to leave the ck market. However, two people passing by her caught her attention, saying, ¡°Hurry up! If we¡¯rete, Master Hu¡¯s elixirs will be sold out.¡± ¡°Who is this Master Hu?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know? It¡¯s Master Hu from the Ind of No Return!¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. Master Hu from the Ind of No Return? Howe she, the owner of the Ind of No Return, hadn¡¯t heard of this? She changed her course and followed the crowd. As she went further, the crowd grew thicker. Gu Qingluan extended her spiritual awareness and observed a crowded street corner up ahead. Most of them were pushing their way in, while a few lucky ones were happilying out with a bottle in their hands. Gu Qingluan stood in front of one of these individuals. The person immediately guarded the bottle in their hand, looking at her warily, ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°What is this thing?¡± The person became even more nervous. ¡°Why should I tell you?¡± Before he could finish speaking, everything before his eyes blurred, and the bottle in his hand vanished. ¡°Oh, my spirit pill!¡± Seeing the bottle in the hands of the person in front of her, he panicked and tried to snatch it back. Gu Qingluan used her fingers to immobilize his body, holding him in ce. Then, she opened the bottle and poured out the pills inside, bringing them close to her nose to take a whiff.. Chapter 308 - 308: His Wig Is Gone! Chapter 308: His Wig Is Gone! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Seventh-grade Void-Breaking Pill? That¡¯s not right!¡± Gu Qingluan frowned, carefully sniffing it. This was clearly a fifth-grade Void-Breaking Pill. She wondered what kind of deception the seller had used to make people mistake it for a seventh-grade pill. Furthermore, this pill had a high level of purity but was created using a special method to give a false impression. If she weren¡¯t the owner of the Ind of No Return, she might have been deceived by this pill as well. The man, who had his pill taken by her, was both shocked and terrified. In the ck market, violence and treachery weremonce. The other party could easily subdue him, and taking his life would be a simple task. He dared not curse and could only tremble as he said, ¡°Young hero, spare my life! If you want the Void-Breaking Pill, take it, but please spare me. We are strangers, with no grievances between us¡­¡± Without waiting for him to finish, Gu Qingluan flicked her finger. A burst of energy struck his chest. Then, she threw the pill back to him. ¡°This isn¡¯t a product of the Ind of No Return. I advise you not to consume it recklessly.¡± The man realized he could move again, grabbed the pill bottle, and fled. As for what Gu Qingluan said, he didn¡¯t pay any attention at all. Gu Qingluan looked at the dense crowd ahead, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes narrowing slightly, revealing a dangerous glint. Someone dared to impersonate the Ind of No Return. She was curious to see who had the audacity to do so! With a light step, Gu Qingluan flew to the rooftop of a nearby building. Below, in the midst of the crowd, a middle-aged man with a goat-like beard sat on a wooden board in front of a carriage. His voice was loud, ¡°Don¡¯t push! This is thest batch of pills! Once it¡¯s gone, there won¡¯t be any left!¡± ¡°Sell it to me! Sell it to me!¡± Everyone pushed harder. ¡°I¡¯ll pay double!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pay triple!¡± In the end, the bottle of pills was snatched up by a chubby man. A bottle of seventh-grade Pureness Pill was sold to him at a high price, almost matching the prices at auctions. Others who couldn¡¯t buy it felt extremely regretful. ¡°Master Hu, when will youe back to sell pills again?¡± ¡°Well¡­ the pills we refine on the Ind of No Return are different from those of other alchemists. Even though they¡¯re both seventh-grade Pureness Pills, we need to invest twice or even three times the effort. The quality of the raw materials is also different, and we need to carefully select them. So, 1 can¡¯t be sure when 1¡¯11 be able to refine more. But don¡¯t worry, as soon as I¡¯m ready, 1¡¯11e back.¡± The man with the goat-like beard bid farewell to the crowd with a smile and then drove his carriage away. Gu Qingluan leaped down from the rooftop andnded on top of the carriage. The carriage trembled slightly, but the middle-aged man didn¡¯t notice anything unusual. He drove the carriage along, humming a tune, clearly in a good mood. Soon, the carriage veered away from the bustling main street. Moonlight spilled down, casting shadows on the ground. The middle-aged man¡¯s humming suddenly stopped for a moment, almost imperceptibly, then resumed. ¡°When nature calls, 1 must attend to it first.¡± He parked the carriage outside a thatched hut, hopped down from the carriage, and headed towards the hut. Once inside, he immediately wiped away his smile, swiftly removed his wig and mask, and peeled off the outeryer of clothing. After a brief moment, an elderly woman with a hunched back emerged from the opposite door of the hut, holding her nose in disgust. ¡°Oh my, who could have caused such a foul odor in here? It¡¯s absolutely intolerable!¡± Sheined as she slowly walked away. No one stopped her! He felt a secret joy. Indeed, no matter how skilled someone may be, they cannot perceive my mastery of disguise! As he basked in his triumph, a chilling light approached. He instinctively dodged. This dodge revealed his agility. He hesitated for a moment and then pretended to fall to the ground, eximing, ¡°Oh dear! My old arms and legs are no good! I¡¯ve gone and fallen down, oh this poor old me!¡± All of a sudden, he sensed a chill on his scalp. Swiftly, he raised his hand to touch his head. His wig was gone! His eyes instantly changed, and a bright light erupted from his cloudy eyes. He bounced up from the ground and darted away into the distance. A powerful pressure descended suddenly, like a mountain, rendering him immobile. With a thud, his knees involuntarily bent, and he knelt down. Who on earth was this formidable presence that hade looking for him? It¡¯s over, it¡¯s over! Today, Song Huize¡¯s life was in grave danger! Song Huize wore an expression of fear and pleaded, tears in his eyes, ¡°Great deity, spare my life! I don¡¯t know where I¡¯ve offended you, great deity. Please, there must be a misunderstanding!¡± Gu Qingluan descended from the sky andnded gracefully in front of him, teasingly saying, ¡°Misunderstanding? I think I understand the situation quite well!¡± Chapter 309 - 309: I’ve Been Looking So Hard For You! Chapter 309: I¡¯ve Been Looking So Hard For You! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The young voice left Song Huize momentarily stunned. He raised his head and saw a ck-d man with a silver mask standing before him. Song Huize¡¯s mind raced. He was certain that he had never seen this person before. In other words, this person shouldn¡¯t be here to confront him about selling fake medicine. With this thought, Song Huize managed to regain someposure. ¡°I¡¯m curious, sir, why have you been following me? I don¡¯t recall us ever meeting before.¡± Gu Qingluan lowered her eyelids, her gaze slightly chilly as she stared at his wrinkled old face. ¡°You must have made quite a bit of money selling elixirs tonight, haven¡¯t you?¡± Song Huize¡¯s eyes darted around, secretly specting: Could this youngster be here to rob me? Heh, with such formidable cultivation, he could do anything, yet he chose to rob others¡¯ money! Song Huize felt indignant, but he dared not show it. The ck Market was a ce where thew of the jungle prevailed. Open and covert robberies were an everyday urrence here. To his surprise, it was happening to him today! Song Huize cursed his misfortune inwardly. He pushed himself up from the ground, performing a Wind-Cleansing Technique to remove the dust from his body. ¡°1 don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about. 1 don¡¯t sell elixirs.¡± Gu Qingluan sneered and a golden light shot out from her fingertip. Song Huize attempted to dodge but found his body suppressed by overwhelming pressure, rendering him immobile. In his mind, he cursed this person¡¯s ancestors up to the eighteenth generation. The Golden Silkworm Thread pulled out something from his embrace, revealing a pile of soft clothing¡ªprecisely the outfit he had discarded earlier, including the mask and wig. ¡°You can continue to y innocent,¡± Gu Qingluan said as she tossed these items in front of him, smiling knowingly. This swindler was indeed skilled. His disguise technique was impable. Whether it was the appearance of the middle-aged man with the goat¡¯s beard or the old woman, they were all lifelike. If it weren¡¯t for her proficiency in disguise and the fact that she had locked onto him with her spiritual sense, she might have been deceived as well. Song Huize¡¯s face darkened. Did this guy have X-ray vision? How did he know everything? Anyway, he had been recognized, and there was no use denying it any longer. ¡°All right, all right, 1 admit it. I¡¯m the one who was selling elixirs just now. What do you want? Since you know who 1 am, you should understand that someone from the Ind of No Return is not to be trifled with!¡± Even now, he was trying to intimidate by saying he was someone from the Ind of No Return. Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes narrowed, her voice turning cold. ¡°Enough talk. Hand over the money you swindled tonight!¡± He wasn¡¯t even scared at this point? Song Huizepared their strengths. The difference was too vast. He couldn¡¯t win in a fight, and saying he was someone from the Ind of No Return didn¡¯t seem to intimidate his opponent either. It seemed he would have to give up the hard-earned money from tonight to save his life. He pulled the bag hanging from his waist and threw it at her feet, looking away in pain. ¡°All the money is here, it¡¯s all yours.¡± Gu Qingluan scanned the bag with her spiritual sense. It was filled with Xuanling Crystal Hearts and Xuanling Stones, worth dozens of Xuanling Crystal Hearts. My goodness, in such a short time, he managed to swindle so much. Before tonight, who knew how many people he had deceived in the name of the Ind of No Return? Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression darkened, and her eyes grew even more dangerous. ¡°Saying you are someone from the Ind of No Returnes in handy, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Seeing her angry demeanor, a realization dawned on Song Huize, and he looked utterly astonished. ¡°Y-y-you¡­ You¡¯re from the Ind of No Return?¡± Could it really be such a coincidence? Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow, and before she could speak, Song Huize knelt before her with a thud.. ¡°Master! 1 beg you to take me as your disciple! I¡¯ve been searching for you so desperately!¡± Chapter 310 - 310: Speak Properly Chapter 310: Speak Properly Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ??? ¡°Speak in anguage that 1 can understand!¡± Gu Qingluan demanded. ¡°Master, you see, 1e from a family of doctors. However, life took a dark turn for me. Our family was torn apart, and 1 lost my loved ones in a tragic manner. I made a promise to myself to restore our family¡¯s honor. The problem was, my innate talent didn¡¯t lean towards medical skills. Even though I grasped all the theories, whenever 1 tried to apply them to a person, things would go wrong. So, 1 shifted my focus to alchemy, but little did I know¡­¡± ¡°Cut the long story short, spare me the chatter.¡± ¡°Okay, just understand this ¨C I never anticipated that the pills 1 crafted would always run into various problems! 1 journeyed across the Cloud ins Continent and sought the favor of numerous esteemed sects, but none were willing to take me in. Even those who initially agreed eventually cast me out. Later, 1 caught wind of the legends surrounding the Ind of No Return and considered joining their ranks. However, it¡¯s shrouded in mystery, and 1 couldn¡¯t locate it. So, 1 resorted to using the Ind of No Return¡¯s name to sell medicine. That way, if anyone from the Ind of No Return spotted me, they¡¯d naturally seek me out! And here you are, led to me.¡± Song Huize grinned at Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t detect any trace of deceit on his face. But this exnation seemed far-fetched. ¡°Master, don¡¯t you believe me? Every word I¡¯ve spoken is the truth. If there¡¯s even a hint of falsehood, let the heavens unleash their fury!¡± At that moment, a bolt of lightning tore through the sky, and it was quickly followed by a deafening roll of thunder. Song Huize¡¯s face turned stone-cold, his expression clearly revealing his fear. ¡°It seems even the heavens disapprove of your lies.¡± Gu Qingluan stared at him coldly. ¡°Coincidence! It must be a coincidence!¡± Song Huize swallowed hard and pointed at the sky, ¡°This is just a sudden change in the weather, haha.¡± Gu Qingluan raised her head to the cloudless sky. ¡°Not a single cloud in sight, where¡¯s the rain?¡± ¡°Well, maybe the heavens suddenly changed their minds and decided not to rain,¡± Song Huize blurted out. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his eyes darting around in panic. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck him. ¡°Master, if you don¡¯t believe me, I swear! What I, Hu Sheng, said just now, if there¡¯s even a shred of falsehood, may I incur divine wrath! Look, isn¡¯t my oath solemn enough?¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled softly, ¡°Hu Sheng? How can 1 believe this is your real name when you¡¯re even hiding what you truly look like? She used a golden thread to remove the wrinkled mask from his face. Song Huize hurriedly raised his hand to shield his face. But it was toote. A youthful face was revealed in front of Gu Qingluan. Much younger than Gu Qingluan had anticipated. Song Huize observed her enigmatic expression, and it seemed like a swarm of rabbits were leaping about in his chest, nearly rattling his heart. ¡°Master, I realize I¡¯ve done wrong! Actually, my name is Hu Bugui. Isn¡¯t it quite a coincidence that my name has ¡®No Return¡¯ in it, just like your Ind of No Return? It seems like fate brought us together.¡± Unfazed by his gibberish, Gu Qingluan asked with a stoic expression, ¡°The individual called Zhang Sheng who showed up at the Gu residence in Tianjing before was you, am I right?¡± Song Huize¡¯s pupils slightly contracted, his heart filled with dread. How could this person know? Was he also in Tianjing? Did he already know that he was impersonating someone from the Ind of No Return? This was a new grudge added to the old one! Should he admit it? Would he be beaten to death if he did? As he hesitated about whether to confess, Gu Qingluan¡¯s voice turned grave. ¡°You have some nerve! Daring to repeatedly deceive others in the name of the Ind of No Return! And even using poison to harm people!¡± Song Huize trembled with fear and hastily defended himself. ¡°1 didn¡¯t harm anyone! It¡¯s a misunderstanding! I admit that I pretended to be Zhang Sheng, but I truly didn¡¯t use poison on anyone!¡± ¡°Did you give Madam Gu a packet of poison?¡± Gu Qingluan coldly scrutinized him. Song Huize nodded. ¡°Yes, but that poison isn¡¯t lethal. It won¡¯t kill anyone.¡± ¡°It might not be lethal, but it could be used by someone else for harmful purposes! You supplied the poison; you must be aware of its potential uses! You handed it to Madam Gu; isn¡¯t that an intention to make her cause harm?¡± Song Huize was left speechless. ¡°Someone with your character, remaining in this world, will only cause harm to more innocent people. Today, 1¡¯11 step in and deal with you.¡± Gu Qingluan lifted her hand, her palm emitting a powerful energy. Her appearance resembled a foreboding star, and it frightened Song Huize half to death. He quickly knelt and begged for mercy, ¡°Great hero, spare my life! Master, spare my life! 1 know I was wrong! I really know 1 was wrong! 1 didn¡¯t intend to harm anyone; 1 just wanted to deceive¡­ oh no, I just wanted to y a trick on the Gu family because 1 didn¡¯t like them. I truly didn¡¯t intend to harm anyone!¡± However, Gu Qingluan remained unconvinced. This kind of person was filled with lies, making it impossible to discern which of his words were true and which were false. A beam of white light shot toward Song Huize. Under her imposing presence, Song Huize couldn¡¯t evade, and he closed his eyes in despair. This time, it was truly over! Chapter 311 - 311: Isn’t That the One She’s Looking For: 999? Chapter 311: Isn¡¯t That the One She¡¯s Looking For: 999? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion However, the expected pain did note. Could it be that he died too quickly, so he didn¡¯t feel it? Song Huize quietly opened one eye and met Gu Qingluan¡¯s cold, de-sharp gaze. He wasn¡¯t dead? Song Huize suddenly opened his eyes wide and touched himself. There was a heartbeat, and his skin was warm! He really wasn¡¯t dead! The joy came too suddenly! He quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude and begged for mercy. Gu Qingluan, hands behind her back, asked mysteriously, ¡°Do you truly understand your mistake?¡± Song Huize vigorously nodded. ¡°I understand, I understand! I won¡¯t dare again!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes held an ambiguous meaning, ¡°1 can spare you this time, but¡­¡± ¡°But what?¡± ¡°Open your mouth.¡± Song Huize obediently opened his mouth. A pill shot into his mouth. Song Huize was startled and wanted to stop her. But the pill slid directly down his throat and dissolved into a gas that permeated his bloodstream. Gu Qingluan said, ¡°To prevent you from going back on your word, I¡¯ve given you a potent poison. You¡¯ll need to take the antidote regrly, or else you¡¯ll suffer in pain until you die.¡± Song Huize hurriedly checked his body but found nothing unusual. Could it be that the masked person had deceived him? Just as he was thinking this, a sudden and intense pain surged in his abdomen, causing him to writhe in agony. ¡°Master, 1 admit my mistake! Please give me the antidote! It hurts so much! 1 can¡¯t bear it!¡± he cried while clutching his stomach and copsing to the ground. After taking the antidote provided by Gu Qingluan, the pain gradually subsided. He sat on the ground in a disheveled state, his face pale, and sweat sticking his hair to his forehead. Gu Qingluan stood nearby, her expression indifferent. ¡°The poison will resurface in a month. If you behave well during this month, I will naturally give you the antidote when the timees.¡± Song Huize wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked, ¡°May 1 know what you need me to do, Master?¡± ¡°From now on, you are not allowed to deceive others under the name of the Ind of No Return.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t dare to do that again!¡± At least until the poison in his body was neutralized, he wouldn¡¯t dare. Gu Qingluan continued, ¡°How many people have you deceived before?¡± Song Huize hesitated for a while and stammered, ¡°I don¡¯t remember.¡± ¡°It seems you¡¯ve deceived too many!¡± Gu Qingluan sneered. Hearing her voice, Song Huize felt his scalp go numb. ¡°Remember how many, and you must repay the money you swindled from others! Confess your deception to your victims. Otherwise, you can await the onset of the poison and your death in a month.¡± Song Huize reluctantly agreed. Gu Qingluan added, ¡°I know you have some knowledge of medicine and poison. After we part wayster, I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t willingly ept your fate and might try to detoxify yourself.¡± Song Huize¡¯s heart shivered, thinking, Does this guy have mind-reading abilities? How can he see through everything? ¡°If you have the ability, then figure it out yourself! I¡¯ll give you that credit!¡± Gu Qingluan mockingly chuckled and left him behind. Song Huize hurriedly shouted, ¡°Wait, Master, how will I find you in a month?¡± ¡°Immortal Ascension Tower.¡± After saying that, her figure disappeared into the night. Immortal Ascension Tower? The Master didn¡¯t even tell him her name! He didn¡¯t even see her face. So, he could only wait for her toe find himter? Even though the other party had guessed his intentions, he still didn¡¯t want to sit and wait for death. He had one unique skill: poison-making. Perhaps he could research the antidote! He didn¡¯t believe that he couldn¡¯t figure it out in a month! After Gu Qingluan finished dealing with Song Huize, she headed towards the location of the teleportation portal. As she neared the portal, she suddenly sensed energy disturbances ahead. There was a fight going on! This path was the only way to reach the teleportation portal. She had to either temporarily avoid the confrontation or continue forward. Without hesitation, Gu Qingluan chose thetter option. As she got closer, the sounds of the battle grew louder. Ahead, a group of people surrounded two individuals. The onlookers around were afraid of getting involved, so they all hid. Most of the people were cloaked in ck. Wait a minute, cloaked¡­ Didn¡¯t Helian mention that those who set up traps were wearing cloaks? The ones surrounded¡­ Gu Qingluan scanned for the figure of the person being attacked. Sure enough, one of the individuals surrounded wore a ck mask with intricate markings on their face. Wasn¡¯t that the 999 she was looking for? Chapter 312 - 312: Holding Tight Chapter 312: Holding Tight Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes brightened. It was as if a windfall hade without any effort! She quickly took cover in a concealed spot, biding her time and observing both sides¡¯ strengths. To her surprise, the hooded ck-cloaked figures possessed extraordinary power; all of them were at the Saint Realm! Are there so many Saint Realm cultivators now? How could so many of them appear all at once to deal with one person? The person they were targeting must be exceptionally formidable. Gu Qingluan turned her gaze toward the man in the ck mask. Surrounded by a group of Saint Realm cultivators, he stood proudly, his eyes icy and devoid of any fear. Even she doubted whether she could remain asposed if ced in his shoes. Who on earth was this guy? Casually producing ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts, this move had undoubtedly attracted top-tier enemies. After a brief pause, both sides resumed their battle! The heavily built man in sturdy clothing, who was with the ck-masked person, found himself outmatched in strength andpletely caught off guard as he was sent plummeting from the sky. One of the cloaked figures casually waved his hand, sending a terrifying arcane power toward the heavily armored man. Just then, a white light shot out, blocking the cloaked figure¡¯s attack. Simultaneously, a strand of golden thread shot toward the heavily armored man, instantly binding his body and pulling him away. In mid-air, both sides of the battle sensed something unusual on the ground. The cloaked figures suspected that the target¡¯s reinforcements had arrived, and one of them shouted, ¡°Make it quick!¡± As he spoke, their attacks intensified dramatically. Under their assault, the ck-masked man couldn¡¯t break free to check on his subordinates. Boom! Crash! When experts shed, the simplest moves often produced the most violent results. The substantial collisions of arcane power resembled a catastrophic tidal wave, spreading destruction in all directions. Terrifying gales swept through, reducing houses to rubble and uprooting trees. In the aftermath, the entire area within a few miles had be a wastnd. Gu Qingluan threw the heavily armored man into the Ster Space and erected a barrier around herself, barely blocking the residual shockwaves. When the smoke and light finally dissipated, she saw that the ck-masked man¡¯s figure had suddenly swayed in mid-air. Seizing the opportunity, the ck-cloaked figures seized the opportunity andunched a simultaneous attack against him. At that moment, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t have time to overthink. All she knew was that if 999 died, she would lose her Chaos Stone! Her body acted faster than her brain. The Heavenly Heart Qin appeared in her hands in an instant, and she plucked a string with her right hand. A passionate and resonant ng. The melody of the Qin reverberated. Boom! The cloaked figures were forced to dodge. Gu Qingluan teleported to the side of the ck-masked man, grabbed his arm, and tried to escape. The man she was pulling noticeably hesitated for a moment, then grabbed her hand in return. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me, just go!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Gu Qingluan channeled her profound power to the utmost and shot away in an instant. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going!¡± Several cloaked figures reacted and simultaneously unleashed their attacks. Dazzling light blossomed in the sky. Five different colors, all flying toward Gu Qingluan and the man. ¡°Grab on tight!¡± Gu Qingluan wrapped 999¡¯s arm around her waist and let go with both hands. One hand gripped the Qin, and the other plucked its strings. The music soared and fell, exuding a deadly aura, transforming into streaks of cold light that blocked the enemy¡¯s attacks and simultaneously counterattacked! In terms of crowd control, sound attacks were unparalleled! Watching the cloaked figures being blocked by the sound attack, Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow with a wicked smile. However, at that moment, she felt a sudden tightness around her waist, nearly causing her to gasp for breath. She turned her head to re at the ck-masked man.. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Chapter 313 - 313: Seven Ultimate Veins Chapter 313: Seven Ultimate Veins Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The man with the ck mask lowered his head and looked down. ¡°There are people below.¡± Gu Qingluan followed his gaze. A cloaked figure darted out from a concealed corner and attacked them. Gu Qingluan immediately threw a fireball at the assant. The mes burned at an extremely high temperature, distorting the air as they appeared. The man realized something was wrong, but it was already toote. The mes touched him, igniting quickly. He let out a wail and fell from the air. Gu Qingluan looked up at the man with the ck mask, her expression suddenly changing. ¡°Are you injured?¡± Half of his face outside the mask was as pale as paper, and under the light of the cold moon, he appeared even more haggard. Without waiting for his response, she scanned with her divine sense and saw a hidden weapon embedded in his back. With his strength, even if he were injured, he shouldn¡¯t have been sessfully ambushed unless¡­ Gu Qingluan thought of a certain possibility in her mind, and her pupils couldn¡¯t help but shrink. That inexplicable familiarity surged up again. Having dyed for a moment, the cloaked figures were getting closer. Gu Qingluan immediately refocused. ¡°You¡¯re quite formidable, able to attract so many experts to besiege you alone. Your name will surely be famous.¡± The man with the ck mask remained silent. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t expect him to answer her. At this moment, she had to devote her full attention to dealing with these cloaked figures. They were all experts, not just random individuals. Carrying what felt like a burden, her speed was slower than theirs. The distance between the two sides was getting smaller. Gu Qingluan furrowed her brows. She had gone to great lengths to save someone, and now she couldn¡¯t just abandon him. She said to the man beside her, ¡°When I call for you, don¡¯t resist.¡± ¡°What are you going to do?¡± ¡°Just obey, and answer when I ask.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± With a thought, Gu Qingluan brought him into the Ster Space. Free from the burden, Gu Qingluannded on a rooftop and smiled coldly at the approaching enemies. She held up the Heavenly Heart Qin, her slender jade-like fingers lightly dancing on the silver strings, and a melodious tune suddenly filled the air. Sometimes, the music echoed like a furious tempest, brimming with anger, while at other moments, it cascaded like a gentle mountain stream, calm and soothing. There were times it resembled the mighty crash of ocean waves, inspiring awe. At other times, it mimicked a gentle breeze, flowing continuously with a melodious rhythm. And asionally, it evoked the thunderous charge of a thousand troops and horses, filled with spirited vigor! The breathtaking music transformed into a terrifying weapon, shing towards the enemies. The cloaked figures were horrified and retreated. Boom! Boom! Boom! As the music reached its climax, it was like thunder striking the earth, causing dust to rise. Gu Qingluan was quickly shrouded in smoke and dust, her chaotic arcane energy fluctuations blocking the probing of divine senses. And at this moment! She put away the Heavenly Heart Qin and swiftly entered the Ster Space. After a moment, the smoke and dust dispersed. The cloaked figures found that Gu Qingluan had disappeared without a trace. They rushed to the spot where she had just been, scanning with their divine senses, not leaving any corner unchecked, but still couldn¡¯t detect her presence. ¡°She must have concealed herself using a special method! 1 don¡¯t believe they can keep hiding forever!¡± Several of them didn¡¯t leave and stayed in ce. In the Ster Space, Gu Qingluan watched for a while and saw that they couldn¡¯t discover the existence of the Ster Space. She stopped paying attention to them. ¡°Mistress, mistress! This man is dying!¡± Hearing Heaven Star¡¯s call, Gu Qingluan appeared next to the man with the ck mask. Hisplexion was even worse than before, with almost no movement in his chest. She quickly grabbed his wrist and ced her fingertip on his pulse. She had never seen such a chaotic pulse! Sometimes, it resembled boiling water, with an extremely faint pulse that seemed to hover just beneath the skin,cking a clear rhythm. At other times, it raced rapidly, one beat following another in rapid session, too swift to tally. And then there were moments when it resembled a leaking roof, the pulse slow and feeble, with long intervals between beats, and then¡­ It was as if all seven types of life-threatening pulses had converged into one person. And the Seven Ultimate Veins were seven types of pulses that would usually be considered a death sentence when urring in a single individual.. Chapter 314 - 314: Clothes Taken Off Chapter 314: Clothes Taken Off Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression turned serious. With a pulse like that, she wouldn¡¯t dare to give him the Nine Revolutions Resurrection Pill, fearing it might cause him to die instantly. She took out the Primordial Gold Needle and inserted it into his chest. Arcane power flowed through the needle into the acupoints. Heaven Star squatted beside her, wide-eyed with curiosity. After about a quarter of an hour, Gu Qingluan withdrew the needle, sweat forming on her forehead. In just this short time, she had expended more energy than when she had saved Zhou Qingyu. She checked his pulse again, her expression changing. ¡°How could this be?¡± ¡°Master, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°His pulse is even more chaotic now,¡± Gu Qingluan said in a deep voice. ¡°Oh, Mistress, are your exceptional medical skills not enough to save him?¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s not necessarily true!¡± There were very few patients in this world she couldn¡¯t cure! Ethically and logically, she wouldn¡¯t give up on him. Gu Qingluan calmed down and sent her consciousness into his body. At a nce, she saw that something was amiss. There was not a trace of arcane power in the man¡¯s body; his dantian was enveloped in a ck mist. As soon as Gu Qingluan¡¯s consciousness approached, the ck mist attacked her. Without paying attention, a corner of her consciousness was devoured. What kind of strange thing was this? Gu Qingluan endured the pain and observed from a distance. The ck mist coiled around the dantian, and a stream of energy slowly flowed toward it, only to be devoured. The energy was the essence; it was the life force! The ck mist fluctuated in size, and the flow of energy varied in speed. No wonder his meridians were in such chaos. If this were to continue, his body would inevitably give in, and he would have to meet the King of Hell. Gu Qingluan summoned her true me and controlled its range, cautiously approaching the ck mist. The ck mist seemed very alert; as soon as the me got close, it immediately stopped absorbing the essence and retreated to the deep recesses of the dantian. Gu Qingluan was concerned that the me might harm the man¡¯s dantian, so she halted at a safe distance. After waiting for a while, Gu Qingluan heard a low groan in her ear. He was waking up! In the following moment, Gu Qingluan pulled her awareness out of his body, blinked her eyes open, and found herself gazing into a pair of intense, narrow purple eyes. Gu Qingluan was momentarily stunned. In the darkness earlier, she hadn¡¯t seen clearly, but now she noticed he had a pair of beautiful purple pupils. Feng Tian had just woken up and, after a few seconds, realized what had happened. His eyshes fluttered gently, and he lowered his gaze to the small hand, white as jade, holding onto his arm. Gu Qingluan cleared her throat and withdrew her hand, exining, ¡°I was just checking your pulse. It¡¯s in a chaotic state, a near-death condition, but 1¡¯11 do my best to save you. How do you feel?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, it¡¯s just a recurring old ailment.¡± Gu Qingluan asked in surprise, ¡°Not from those revered ones who injured you?¡± She recalled the scene of the battle she had witnessed earlier. Faced with formidable foes surrounding him, he remained calm and held his own. Later, due to obscured vision, she didn¡¯t see the details of the fight. The next time she looked, he was on the verge of copse. Now, thinking back, his old ailment must have suddenly resurfaced during that time. If not for that, she wouldn¡¯t have needed to intervene. Feng Tian sat up with effort, coughing several times uncontrobly as if trying to cough up blood. Gu Qingluan¡¯s thoughts moved, and a soft bed appeared nearby. ¡°Do you want to lie down on it for a while? Your condition is quite serious right now.¡± Feng Tian nodded. Gu Qingluan held onto his arm and helped him up. ¡°You still have injuries on your back. Don¡¯t lie down yet; let me treat the wounds for you.¡± With that said, Gu Qingluan seized his cor. Her hand was suddenly gripped. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Taking off your clothes, of course. How can I apply medicine if you don¡¯t remove your clothes?¡± ¡°I¡­ I can do it myself.¡± There was a slight blush on the man¡¯s pale face. Gu Qingluan disagreed, ¡°With injuries like these, can you handle it yourself? Besides, you can¡¯t reach the wounded area. You¡¯re such a big man but why are you being so shy?¡± She freed her hand from his grasp. With a tearing sound, Feng Tian¡¯s shirt was peeled off.. Chapter 315 - 315: No Embarrassment in Looking at a Man’s Body? Chapter 315: No Embarrassment in Looking at a Man¡¯s Body? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°You¡­¡± He was injured, and his reaction was slow. Seeing her efficiently stripping off his clothes, his cheeks suddenly turned hot. Why was she so skilled at undressing a man? Feng Tian¡¯s purple eyes shimmered with a gloomy light. ¡°Don¡¯t talk so much! Sit sideways!¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t pay any attention to his expression and unceremoniously used her hands to turn his shoulders to the side. Feng Tian tried to turn his head to look at her. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Gu Qingluan pushed his head back. She hadn¡¯t had a chance to deal with the wound earlier, and the wound on his back was still bleeding. It looked blurry with flesh and blood, and the blood at the wound was ck. This indicated that the hidden weapon was poisoned. She hadn¡¯t noticed it when she was checking his pulse just now. It was probably because his injuries were too severe, and she had overlooked the poison. Gu Qingluan brought a basin of clear water to clean his wound. Feng Tian couldn¡¯t see her expression, but he could feel something touching his back and the wound. The wound sent a fiery, stinging pain. However, his attention was drawn to another sensation. A warm breath gently sprayed on his back, as if a feather was lightly brushing across. His body involuntarily tensed. Gu Qingluan patted his shoulder. ¡°Rx a bit. Does it hurt a lot?¡± Feng Tian¡¯s half-closed phoenix-like eyes, with long and thick eyshes, trembled involuntarily. ¡°It¡¯s just a minor injury. Handling it casually should suffice.¡± Gu Qingluan ignored his words. Before, she might have ignored him had she not noticed his injuries. But now, with the severity of his woundsid bare before her, she couldn¡¯t just turn a blind eye. He was her patient now, and she had to abide by her principles! Handling this kind of wound was a trivial matter for Gu Qingluan. Not long after, she cleaned the wound and bandaged it. Gu Qingluan left the bed and instructed. ¡°You should sleep on your stomach to avoid putting pressure on the wound.¡± Feng Tian immediately pulled up his clothes. Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°Someone might think you¡¯re a woman. Why are you so shy?¡± Feng Tian gave her a strange, scrutinizing look. Gu Qingluan found herself puzzled by his gaze. Then he asked, ¡°Do you often examine a man¡¯s body?¡± Naturally, he wasn¡¯t a woman, but she was! She didn¡¯t think that impersonating a man made her a man, did she? Was she not embarrassed at all about looking at a man¡¯s body? Feng Tian¡¯s gaze darkened slightly, and he felt a burst of restlessness. Gu Qingluan said, ¡°Why would I look at a man¡¯s body for no reason? But sometimes, when saving lives, there¡¯s no need to be so reserved. In the eyes of a healer, whether male or female, they are just patients.¡± Feng Tian moved his lips, wanting to say something but not knowing how to put it. Gu Qingluan looked at him and brought up the words she had been brewing in her heart for a long time. ¡°I saved your life. Shouldn¡¯t you thank me?¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°The stone you bought at the auction!¡± Gu Qingluan said bluntly. Feng Tian¡¯s eyes flickered for a moment, and he stared at her with an unclear meaning. ¡°Flow do you know it was me?¡± ¡°I have my methods. Now, are you going to agree?¡± Gu Qingluan nced at the sky and grinned, ¡°Those saints are all waiting outside the space. If you refuse, I¡¯ll toss you out.¡± The man¡¯s gaze deepened. ¡°Did you save me just for that stone?¡± ¡°Well, I can¡¯t put it that way. Back in the Shadow Tower, you saved me once, although I found it unnecessary. But I appreciated your goodwill. Out of gratitude, even if it¡¯s not just for that stone, I would still save you. However, if ites at too high a cost, I¡¯ll reconsider,¡± Gu Qingluan said, supporting her chin with a yful smile, her eyes gleaming mischievously beneath her mask. Looking at her eyes, brighter than the stars, Feng Tian became slightly distracted. After a moment, he asked, ¡°Do you know what that stone is?¡± Gu Qingluan scrutinized him. ¡°Whether I do or don¡¯t, what difference does it make?¡± ¡°All other rewards are eptable, except for that stone.¡± Gu Qingluan frowned. ¡°Why?¡± The man said meaningfully, ¡°It¡¯s meant to be a gift for a woman.¡± ¡°Is it someone you like?¡± Gu Qingluan teased.. Chapter 316 - 316: Strange Quirk Chapter 316: Strange Quirk Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Someone I like, huh? Is it because I like her? He had never been so captivated by any woman before. At first, he thought he just wanted to make his son happy, that¡¯s why he went to propose to her. But if he felt nothing, he wouldn¡¯t have gone to such lengths. Even when faced with danger, despite his old ailment ring up, he instinctively shielded her from the hidden weapons. Seeing him agree, Gu Qingluan touched her chin regretfully. ¡°Well, forget it then.¡± Feng Tian asked, ¡°You can make other requests.¡± Gu Qingluan,cking enthusiasm, replied, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about thatter. For now, you should stay here to recover; they won¡¯t be able to find you.¡± Seeing her about to leave, Feng Tian couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°To check on the man who came with you; he¡¯s quite badly injured.¡± Badly injured? Does that mean she¡¯ll have to undress to treat his wounds too? Feng Tian¡¯s expression changed instantly. ¡°Just give him some medicine; no need to undress him.¡± Gu Qingluan turned to look at him, amused. ¡°You seem to be quite concerned about this. Is he as shy as you?¡± Feng Tian¡¯s expression stiffened slightly. ¡°Just do as I say. My bodyguards can be stubborn; if anyone sees his body, they¡¯ll kill them.¡± ¡°I thought your bodyguard was going to offer his body to me as a repayment for a moment. He¡¯s not a woman; what a strange quirk,¡± Gu Qingluan muttered to herself, ncing at him with a hint of amusement. She urged him to rest and not overthink things before she left. After she departed, Heaven Star looked at Feng Tian and then flew after her. ¡°Mistress, wait for me!¡± Watching them disappear into the distance, Feng Tian spread his hand, cradling a dark stone in his palm. The burly man, despite appearing much worse off than the masked man from earlier, wasn¡¯t as severe of a case for Gu Qingluan. His injuries were primarily internal, and with the spirit pills she administered, he would recover in less than three days. After instructing Heaven Star to escort the burly man back to his master, Gu Qingluan went to find Su Meng. The flow of time in the Ster Space was ten times faster than outside. Several hours passed, and Su Meng¡¯s body had nearly fully recovered. When Gu Qingluan approached, he respectfully bowed to her. She gestured for him to rise and inquired about the situation. Su Meng wanted to enter the Boundary Wall Space to search for a rare herb known as the Dragon Phoenix Vine. It was said that this vine could only be found when the Boundary Wall Space had just opened. He needed it to save his sister. Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°Do you still have the key?¡± Su Meng produced the key and showed it to her. ¡°There should be more than just this one key. If you go in, there¡¯s a good chance they¡¯ll figure out that you took the key.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not afraid. As long as I can find the Dragon Phoenix Vine to save Yingying, I¡¯m willing to face any danger.¡± ¡°Where is your sister now? Can you let me see her? Perhaps I can help her.¡± Su Meng, who had formed a soul contract with her, was pleasantly surprised. ¡°Is that possible?¡± ¡°What¡¯s impossible about it?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°If 1 can heal your sister, you won¡¯t have to venture into the Boundary Wall Space. Isn¡¯t that better for both of us?¡± ¡°Thank you, Master!¡± Su Meng grinned, and his innocent expression was genuinely endearing. Even with the mask, his eyes were pure, tempting others to reach out and touch. Gu Qingluan sighed, understanding why so many people coveted and envied the spirits. Beautiful things always drew admiration and jealousy; they were either treasured or destroyed. Su Meng held his palms together, one on top of the other, creating a bright white light between them. When the light faded, he cupped his hands in front of Gu Qingluan.. ¡°Master, could you please take a look at my sister?¡± Chapter 317 - 317: Bird-like Being Chapter 317: Bird-like Being Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan looked at the bird-like being in his palm in his palm, and the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily. ¡°Is this your sister?¡± ¡°Yes, she is. Yingying is still very young, but she used to have the ability to transform into a human form. Unfortunately, she identally ate some Reversal Grass, which caused her to revert to her juvenile stage. Master, do you know of any way to help her get back to her normal state?¡± Su Meng asked, his eyes filled with hope and anticipation. Gu Qingluan had a few ck lines on her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m a human, not a deity.¡± Indeed, her medical skills were quite good, but she didn¡¯t have the ability to make a spirit creature revert from its juvenile stage to adulthood. Su Meng looked disappointed. ¡°Oh, it seems I¡¯ll have to enter the Boundary Wall Space to find the Dragon Phoenix Vine.¡± He lowered his head and lovingly stroked his sister¡¯s furry head. ¡°Chirp!¡± A tiny figure, only three inches tall, sat in his palm. Her skin was as smooth as cream, her features delicately small, and her long, snow-white hair flowed straight down to her feet, concealing her body. If that were all, one could say she was a miniature person. But she had a pair of snow-white wings on her back, making it easy to recognize that she was not human. ¡°Is this how your spirit race members normally look?¡± Gu Qingluan asked curiously. Su Meng nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Are you also like this?¡± Su Meng blushed suddenly. ¡°I¡­ my hair is ck.¡± Gu Qingluan understood that his ck hair was likely due to his mixed heritage, as he only had half of the spirit race bloodline. ¡°Chirp!¡± Su Ying tilted her small head, her shiny ck eyes curiously staring at Gu Qingluan. ¡°What is she saying?¡± Gu Qingluan was at a loss when she heard her chirping like a young bird. ¡°Yingying is greeting the Master. She says the Master is very beautiful.¡± Gu Qingluan showed a hint of surprise. ¡°She can see my face even though I¡¯m wearing a mask?¡± Not only did she wear a mask, but she also wore a human skin mask underneath it. Su Meng smiled. ¡°Yes, the eyes of the spirit race are different from humans; they can see through illusions to the essence.¡± ¡°So you knew what I looked like from the beginning?¡± Su Meng nodded. ¡°How did you know I needed the Gold Needle earlier?¡± Gu Qingluan had been eager to ask this question for a while because she hadn¡¯te across the answer in his memories. ¡°Intuition.¡± Intuition? This kind of intuition was almost like foresight! Gu Qingluan sighed. ¡°Your spirit race is truly unique.¡± They had exquisite appearance, prophetic insight, the ability to see through essence, possessing spiritual power from birth¡­ and many other special abilities, it was no wonder their reproductive capability was so weak. If they could reproduce as prolifically as humans, the spirit race might have ruled the world. Su Meng¡¯s eyes dimmed slightly, and his mood became somewhat mncholic. ¡°In fact, the spirit race also has many ws, and now our people are bing fewer and fewer.¡± Gu Qingluan patted his shoulder. ¡°Where there are gains, there are losses. We must always think in a positive direction. What you can do is use your own strength to help your people, like finding the Dragon Phoenix Vine for your sister.¡± Su Meng¡¯s spirits lifted. ¡°Master, you¡¯re right.¡± He shouldn¡¯t be disheartened. ¡°Will her current state harm her body?¡± Gu Qingluan asked. Su Meng assured her that it wouldn¡¯t. However, Su Ying didn¡¯t want to remain in this juvenile stage forever. ording to the normal rate of growth, it would take her several decades to reach the mature stage and assume a human form. ¡°That¡¯s good then. You can¡¯t go out right now; there are guards outside.¡± Su Meng replied, ¡°I can use an illusion to deceive their eyes. Master can take the opportunity to leave the ck market.¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Are you sure? The ones outside are all Saints.¡± ¡°Yes, but I can only deceive them temporarily. They will find out that I am deceiving them after a while.¡± ¡°I just need a little while.¡± The teleportation portal was not far from there. After passing through it and leaving the ck market, there would be no need to worry about them catching up. Outside the Ster Space, several cloaked figures werepletely focused on searching the surroundings, but they couldn¡¯t detect any trace of the intruders. Cloaked Figure A grumbled, ¡°Did they just vanish into thin air? We¡¯ve been searching for a long time and haven¡¯t found anyone.¡± Cloaked Figure B asked, ¡°Could they have teleported away?¡± Cloaked Figure C affirmed, ¡°Impossible. My divine sense has been locked onto them the whole time.¡± Cloaked Figure A asked, ¡°Yeah, isn¡¯t your divine sense supposed to be tracking them? How did they disappear without a trace?¡± Cloaked Figure C rolled their eyes, ¡°How should 1 know? They suddenly disappeared, as if they entered another space.¡± Cloaked Figure B spected, ¡°Could they have really entered a different dimension?¡± ¡°Maybe! What do we do now? We worked hard to lure them out this time; we can¡¯t let them escape.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s wait a bit longer. We can¡¯t afford to let them slip away again.¡± Just as they were discussing, Gu Qingluan emerged from the Ster Space and walked right past them, in in sight. The group was still engrossed in deliberating on how to find their target,pletely unaware that she had passed right under their noses.. Chapter 318 - 318: Daddy’s Missing Chapter 318: Daddy¡¯s Missing Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan smoothly left the cloak-wearers¡¯ line of sight and entered the teleportation portal. She exchanged some Xuanling Stones and, in the blink of an eye, returned to Tianjing City. Gu Qingluan rushed back to her residence,nding at Shallow Clouds Residence. ¡°Why are you sitting there, Xiaonan?¡± Seeing the little figure sitting on the steps in front of the house, Gu Qingluan asked in surprise. Gu Xiaonan looked up in pleasant surprise, hesitating as he saw the silver-faced man in front of him. ¡°Mother?¡± Gu Qingluan wiped her face with her hand, removing both the silver mask and the human skin mask. Gu Xiaonan was now sure it was her and joyfully threw himself into her arms. ¡°Why are you still awake at thiste hour?¡± ¡°I was worried about you, Mother, so 1 wanted to wait for you toe back.¡± Gu Xiaonan said softly and obediently. Hearing his caring words, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but soften, reaching out to touch his little face. ¡°I¡¯m fine. What about Yuanxi?¡± ¡°He¡¯s already asleep.¡± Gu Xiaonan understood his mother well. When he learnt that Gu Qingluan went to the ck market, he couldn¡¯t fall asleep and had to wait for her return. ¡°You should go to sleep too. Children who stay upte won¡¯t grow tall.¡± Gu Xiaonan nodded obediently and tugged at her sleeve. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Mother, bend down a little.¡± Gu Qingluan bent down as he requested, and their eyes met at the same level. Gu Xiaonan tiptoed and nted a kiss on her forehead. ¡°Mother, please rest early.¡± After saying that, he happily went back into the house, carrying Xiaobai with him. Gu Qingluan was slightly stunned, but after a moment, she chuckled softly. Where did this little one learn such tricks? Gu Qingluan went to rest in her room after washing up. The next day, she was awakened by a child¡¯s tearful voice. She opened her eyes and saw Yuanxi leaning over the edge of the bed, his eyes red. ¡°Little Yuanxi, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart tightened instantly as she sat up. ¡°Mother, Daddy has gone missing.¡± Feng Yuanxi pouted with panic in his eyes. Gu Qingluan was greatly surprised. She reassured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry for now. Tell me how you found out he went missing.¡± ¡°Uncle Jing Feng said that Father went to the ck market for an auctionst night and hasn¡¯t returned yet, and we can¡¯t contact him either. I tried to sense Father¡¯s location, but I couldn¡¯t sense anything at all. It¡¯s as if he¡¯s disappeared into thin air.¡± Feng Tian also went to the ck market for the auction? Gu Qingluan thought for a moment but couldn¡¯t recall seeing him there. She spected that he might have changed his appearance as well. However, it was strange for him not to return after a whole night. The seal on Shadow Tower had been lifted, so unless something unexpected had happened, he should have returned by now. ¡°Mother, could Daddy be in danger?¡± Feng Yuanxi held onto her hand, his eyes filled with helplessness. While their father was very powerful, it was also the time when his old illness was likely to resurface. During these times, he couldn¡¯t use his arcane power. If he encountered enemies now, he would be in great danger. Gu Qingluan held his small hand in return,forting him gently. ¡°No, he won¡¯t be. Your father is very strong; who could harm him?¡± Suddenly, several images of cloak-wearing figures attacking the masked man shed through her mind. If Feng Tian had also encountered a group of Revered Ones, there might indeed be a danger. However, she couldn¡¯t say such things in front of her son, for fear of scaring the little one. Feng Yuanxi blinked his dark eyes. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Absolutely. Perhaps your father is just held up by some other matters. Is he apanied by any of his associates?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded. ¡°Uncle Jingfeng mentioned that Uncle Jingyu went with him, but there¡¯s been no word from Uncle Jingyu either..¡± Chapter 319 - 319: Peerless Beauty Chapter 319: Peerless Beauty Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°It¡¯s possible they¡¯re in a location wheremunication isn¡¯t easy. He¡¯s an adult, and he can look after himself. Consider this, has he ever been away for an extended period before returning?¡± Feng Yuanxi thought for a moment and replied, ¡°Yes, he has.¡± ¡°Then that¡¯s a good sign. Let¡¯s wait for a couple of days. If we still don¡¯t hear from him, 1¡¯11 go to the ck market to find him, alright?¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded. ¡°Yes!¡± She finally managed to soothe the little one. Gu Qingluan got up, freshened up, and had breakfast with her two sons. After spending some time ying with them, she thought about the injured individuals in Ster Space. She asked Xiaonan and Yuanxi to entertain themselves for a while and went back to her room to enter Ster Space. ¡°Good morning, Mistress,¡± Heaven Star greeted her cutely as it appeared. ¡°Good morning, little Heaven Star,¡± Gu Qingluan replied with a smile. ¡°How are those two doing?¡± ¡°Mistress, your medical skills are impressive, so they are recovering very quickly. But that man with the purple pupils is rather peculiar; hecks any arcane power whatsoever.¡± As Gu Qingluan chatted with Heaven Star, she arrived at the temporary dwelling for the two men. As the owner of Ster Space, she could conjure various settings with a mere thought. The two men were currently staying in a wooden house she had created. ¡°Mr. Jun, you¡¯ve arrived,¡± a muscr man who introduced himself as Lei Yu was practicing martial arts outside. He stopped and greeted her when he saw her. ¡°Where¡¯s your master?¡± ¡°He¡¯s resting inside.¡± ¡°May 1 go in and see him?¡± ¡°Of course, Mr. Jun, please.¡± As Gu Qingluan was about to enter the house, she suddenly stopped and looked at the window of the wooden house in astonishment. Within the window, there stood a young man with long, flowing ck hair, d in pristine white attire. His face appeared as though it had been intricately sculpted, possessing sharp and wless contours. On his fair face, his gracefully arched eyebrows framed a pair of narrow, phoenix-like eyes that emanated depth and sharpness. His nose and lips disyed a level of perfection akin to a masterful creation. Despite the eaves blocking the sunlight, causing a dimness within the room, his presence seemed to draw all the radiance of the world towards him, making everything around him appear dull byparison. The world was filled with beautiful people. Having experienced two lifetimes, Gu Qingluan had encountered her fair share of attractive individuals, particrly in realms like the Heavenly Realm Continent where beauty was abundant. However, she had to admit that she had never encountered anyone who looked so astonishing. His entire facecked any imperfections, leaving people in awe and captivated, making them feel ashamed of their own appearances! However, his appearance couldn¡¯t match his aura. Without needing to see his face, just standing there, he exuded a powerful aura, noble and aloof, like a deity overlooking all living beings. Feng Tian stood by the window, observing her distracted state, though his inner thoughts were far from as calm as his outward appearance. His son had urged him to employ the handsome man tactic to pursue Gu Qingluan, and he had initially resisted the idea. However, upon learning that she wasing, a strange impulse overcame him, leading him to remove his mask and reveal his true face. He rationalized it to himself, telling himself that he simply wanted to see if she was as shallow as other women. Despite the fact that he should have felt disdain when he saw her captivated by his appearance, a subtle sense of satisfaction unexpectedly welled up within him. In reality, Gu Qingluan¡¯s momentarypse in concentration was short-lived. With her strong willpower, she swiftly regained herposure. She nced at him, sensing another moment of distraction, before promptly looking away. ¡°I heard you¡¯ve lost your arcane power. Aside from that, do you have any other issues?¡± Seeing her avoiding eye contact, a nearly imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. ¡°There¡¯s some difort in my abdomen. Would you mind taking my pulse?¡± Gu Qingluan cleared her throat softly and stepped into the wooden cabin. Inside the cabin, Feng Tian took a seat at the table. Gu Qingluan cast a quick nce at him, then found a chair and sat down, her gaze lowered. ¡°Give me your hand.¡± Feng Tian ced his hand on the table. His hand, like his face, was equally perfect, neither as robust as an ordinary man¡¯s nor too delicate, with long fingers, well-defined joints, and fair skin resembling polished jade. Gu Qingluan had a thought in her mind, ¡°This man is incredibly handsome, a genuine heartthrob, and on a level that could overshadow an entire continent.¡± Her fingers rested on his pulse, and Gu Qingluan quickly focused her mind and steadied her breath. Last night, she hadn¡¯t scrutinized it closely, but now Gu Qingluan took another nce at the ck mist in his dantian. It bore a resemnce to¡­ dark, malevolent energy. In the Heavenly Realm, Gu Qingluan had encountered the Demon n, who wielded such malevolent energy and posed a considerable menace to cultivators. Could demonic energy cause someone to lose their arcane power? This was the first time Gu Qingluan had witnessed such a phenomenon. Furthermore, the Demon n was incredibly powerful and would never appear on the Cloud ins Continent. I low could he have be tainted by demonic energy? Thinking about his strong interest in the Chaos Stone, Gu Qingluan had a spection in her mind¡ª Could he possibly be from the Heavenly Realm Continent? Chapter 320 - 320: Suspecting His Identity Chapter 320: Suspecting His Identity Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan withdrew her hand and scrutinized the other person. Feng Tianian saw her furrowed brows and asked, ¡°Is it very serious?¡± ¡°It¡¯s quite serious. You should know better than me,¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°May I be so bold as to inquire how you got your old ailment?¡± ¡°I was ambushed,¡± Feng Tianian said softly, a fleeting cold light in his purple eyes. ¡°It happened a long time ago, right?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Gu Qingluan said, ¡°I can¡¯t cure your condition temporarily, but¡­¡± She paused. ¡°But what?¡± ¡°I could probably use that stone of yours to get you treated,¡± Gu Qingluan exined without waiting for him to speak, ¡°I¡¯m not saying this to covet your belongings; it¡¯s just stating a fact.¡± The words sounded like an attempt to deceive. Feng Tianian smiled with a hint of amusement in his eyes. ¡°I understand. It¡¯s just that I can¡¯t give you that stone.¡± Gu Qingluan felt a tinge of disappointment, but she had anticipated this oue. She decided not to press the matter further. ¡°Well, then we¡¯ll just have to be patient. It appears your injury has been ongoing for some time, so there¡¯s no need to rush at the moment.¡± ¡°Yeah, although this injury seems severe, I lose my arcane power only for a few days every year. Once the time passes and my arcane power recovers, the impact won¡¯t be as significant.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she contemted the situation. ¡°Considering your current condition, if you were to face enemies again, you¡¯d likely end up on the receiving end of their attacks. It might be wiser to stay here for the time being. Once these days have passed and your arcane power has fully returned, I can reevaluate your condition. Perhaps by then, I¡¯lle up with a different approach.¡± She had never encountered such a peculiar symptom before. As a physician, she was always curious about challenging and unusual cases, eager to unravel the mysteries behind them. Feng Tianian, watching her eyes light up momentarily, unexpectedly found her somewhat adorable. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll have to trouble you for theing days.¡± ¡°Is yourst name also Feng?¡± The surname ¡°Feng¡± was notmon. As far as she knew, it was the royal surname of the Holy Heaven Dynasty. At first, she hadn¡¯t thought of Feng Tian¡¯s identity, butter, she remembered that Feng Tianian was the famous Prince Lan of the Holy Heaven Dynasty. Now, hearing someone with the surname Feng, she couldn¡¯t help but associate it with him. It¡¯s peculiar to mention, but she wasn¡¯t experiencing an unexined sense of familiarity from this individual for the first time. She could dismiss it as a coincidence if there were just one simrity, but two or three simrities? Feng Tianian attended the ck A/Iarket Auction, and he was present there as well. Feng Tianian possessed significant expertise and could contend with multiple experts. She didn¡¯t know him, and if he didn¡¯t know her as well, why would he go out of his way to rescue her? Furthermore¡­ What was even stranger was that when she undressed him, he acted as though he knew her intimately! She was posing as a ¡°man¡± in front of him! If he didn¡¯t know her identity, how could he behave so strangely? Gu Qingluan regarded him with suspicion. Feng Tianian, unperturbed, asked, ¡°Does Mr. Jun know anyone else with the surname Feng?¡± There was no change in his expression. Gu Qingluan smiled and said, ¡°Yes, his name is Feng Tianian. I wonder if you know him.¡± Feng Tianian remainedposed, ¡°Of course, He¡¯s the Royal Highness of the Holy Heaven Dynasty.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve met him?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°They say Royal Highness Lan is the most handsome man in the world, but it¡¯s not entirely true. I find Royal Highness Lan rather in-looking, even quite ugly, and his son doesn¡¯t resemble him at all. I¡¯ve heard he despises women. Do you think he might have some hidden ailment? Or perhaps he has peculiar preferences, like a preference for men?¡± As Gu Qingluan spoke, she observed his expression. Damn it! I¡¯m sure you would never be able to keep a straight face after hearing these words if you were truly Feng Tianian.. Chapter 321 - 321: Force Him to Reveal the Truth Chapter 321: Force Him to Reveal the Truth Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian remained unfazed and said, ¡°Baseless rumors. He can be hailed as the most handsome man in the world, so he shouldn¡¯t look too bad. Perhaps what you saw wasn¡¯t his true appearance. As for hidden illnesses¡­ I believe, since he has a son, it¡¯s unlikely he has any hidden illnesses or peculiarities. His aversion to women might be because he had some unpleasant experiences.¡± Unable to detect any ws on his face, Gu Qingluan turned her eyes and probed, ¡°Are you close to him? Why do 1 feel like you¡¯re defending him?¡± ¡°Since you¡¯ve done me a favor, I¡¯ll speak frankly when you ask.¡± Haha! What¡¯s he saying? Is he talking nonsense? Gu Qingluan still found him mysterious. She didn¡¯t believe it was impossible to make him reveal the truth! ¡°So, ording to you, did 1 misunderstand him? You seem to know a lot about him. Are you close to him?¡± ¡°We¡¯re just from the same sect,¡± Feng Tian replied calmly. The same sect? Isn¡¯t it more like the same man? On the surface, she pretended not to know and asked, ¡°I see, so do you happen to know the identity of the woman who gave birth to the Royal Highness Lan¡¯s son?¡± Feng Tian replied, ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve met her!¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled, ¡°Not only do I know, but we¡¯re also close. She¡¯s nning to choose a good man from her suitors to marry and raise her child.¡± Feng Tian¡¯s eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. ¡°Suitors?¡± Gu Qingluan nodded. ¡°Yes, indeed. Over the years, many men have been infatuated with her. She initially intended to raise her child on her own without marrying. But recently, it seems that the Royal Highness Lan has been pestering her. She finds it troublesome and thinks it¡¯s better to get married. Since you and the Royal Highness Lan are from the same sect, you should understand his temper. Do you think the Royal Highness Lan would go berserk if he found out about this?¡± Feng Tian squinted his phoenix eyes, his tone ominously cold. ¡°He won¡¯t go mad, but he¡¯ll kill that audacious man.¡± Tsk, he sounded quite domineering. Gu Qingluan coldly chuckled inside. ¡°You can continue acting all you want. Let¡¯s see who¡¯s the better actor!¡± She pretended to heave a sigh of relief. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s fine then. After all, there are plenty of men out there. Men with two legs are everywhere. The Royal Highness Lan can¡¯t possibly kill all the men in the world, right? Thank you, Brother Feng. I¡¯ll convey your words to my friend.¡± Ha! Was she really nning to marry just any man? Feng Tian said sternly, ¡°I advise you to discourage her from this misguided idea.¡± Gu Qingluan furrowed her brow and closely observed the man before her. ¡°Brother, you¡¯re not being fair. My friend has a child, but she hasn¡¯t tied the knot. What¡¯s wrong with her wanting to get married?¡± ¡°If she¡¯s going to marry, why not marry the Royal Highness Lan? He happens to be the child¡¯s father, isn¡¯t that the right thing to do? I believe Yuanxi wouldn¡¯t want a stepfather.¡± ¡°That might not be the case. Even if Yuanxi isn¡¯t thrilled about it, I think he¡¯d stillprehend and back my friend,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a raised eyebrow and a smile. ¡°You can stay here and take a break. I¡¯ll go look for my friend and encourage her to make a move. Time is ticking, and she shouldn¡¯t let any more of it slip away as she¡¯s not getting any younger.¡± She stood up and brushed off non-existent dust from her robe. This was her spatial artifact, and if she left, he wouldn¡¯t be able to leave this ce. Thinking that he¡¯d be trapped here while she went off to marry some random man, Feng Tian couldn¡¯t sit still. ¡°Hold on!¡± With her back facing him, Gu Qingluan wore a mischievous smile in her eyes and continued walking without pausing. Feng Tian sternly shouted, ¡°Gu Qingluan, stop right there!¡± At the same time, Gu Qingluan¡¯s figure disappeared. Feng Tian chased after her and reached the outside of the wooden house. ¡°Master, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Jingyu looked at him in astonishment. It was the first time he had seen his master act like this! Chapter 322 - 322: The Prince: Handsome, Wealthy, Powerful, and Influential Chapter 322: The Prince: Handsome, Wealthy, Powerful, and Influential Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian paid no attention to him and, looking into the empty space ahead, gritted his teeth and shouted, ¡°Gu Qingluan,e back to me immediately! If you dare to marry someone else, I¡¯ll bring Yuanxi back to the Holy Heaven Dynasty and keep you from seeing him!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s figure appeared out of thin air in the courtyard, her disguise removed, revealing her true appearance. She crossed her arms, giving a cold smile. ¡°You¡¯re not pretending anymore?¡± Gu¡­ Miss Gu? How could she be here? Jing Yu widened his eyes, looking at her in astonishment, and suddenly a realization struck him. Could Miss Gu be the Mr. Jun? Had the master recognized her long ago? He turned to look at Feng Tian. At this moment, Feng Tian¡¯s eyes glinted slightly, his extraordinarily handsome face as cold as ice. ¡°Were you deceiving me just now?¡± ¡°I¡¯m being partly honest. I do believe I should find a man to marry.¡± As soon as Gu Qingluan finished speaking, danger flickered in Feng Tian¡¯s eyes. ¡°You want to find someone? Fine, find me.¡± ¡°Find you? Forget it,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a disdainful nce at him. Jing Yu had only had a few encounters with Gu Qingluan, so her confident demeanor when talking to their master took him by surprise. He gasped in amazement. The youngdy of the house was so audacious! She actually dared to speak to the master like this! She was in big trouble! All the women who had tried to please the master in the past had met unfortunate ends, let alone someone with her attitude. However, there was no immediate bloodshed. Feng Tian walked towards Gu Qingluan, his exceptionally handsome face shining brightly in front of her. ¡°How am I worse than those inferior goods?¡± His tone was sour and contemptuous, filled with reluctance. A close-up encounter with such stunning beauty was undeniably overwhelming. Although Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t consider herself a sucker for looks, the desire to be beautiful was universal. Especially when such a handsome face was confronting her, those with weaker hearts might faint. She couldn¡¯t help but take two steps back. She retreated two steps, and he advanced three. Their distance drew closer. His breath sprayed on her face. Gu Qingluan¡¯s breath tightened involuntarily, and she pushed him away. He promptly took her hand and dered, ¡°This prince here possesses the looks, wealth, authority, and strength. What makes me any less than those foolish men?¡± Jing Yu, standing nearby, couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. Is this¡­ still their young master? Wasn¡¯t His Royal Highness the one who hated women the most? Could it be that he¡¯s treating Miss Gu differently because she¡¯s the mother of the young master? But before confirming that Miss Gu was the young master¡¯s mother, His Royal Highness clearly despised the young master¡¯s mother. Could it be that His Royal Highness was injured and possessed by someone else? Otherwise, why would he behave like this, showing jealousy like a woman? It was as if sourness had taken over him. While Jing Yu was lost in his thoughts, Gu Qingluan snapped out of Feng Tian¡¯s relentless advances. Feng Tian couldn¡¯t use his arcane power at the moment, and he was in her Ster Space, unable to truly restrain her. She struggled with all her might, pulling her hand back and pushing off with the tip of her foot to fly backward. Just now, when she had locked eyes with him, her heart had uncontrobly raced. This was unbelievable! Returning to a safe distance, Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart, which had been beating wildly, gradually calmed down. ¡°I¡¯ve already told you the reasons before, and I don¡¯t want to repeat this topic.¡± Gu Qingluan paused and remembered what he had said earlier, mocking him, ¡°Didn¡¯t you already have a woman you liked? Why bother about whom I marry? Are you intending to reap the benefits without doing anything?¡± Back then, unaware that he was Feng Tian, she heard that his Chaos Stone was prepared for the woman he liked, and Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but feel a moment of admiration for his deep affection. But now, she found it nothing but irony. You dog! You scumbag! Feng Tian was momentarily stunned, recalling their previous conversation. He approached her, wanting to exin. ¡°Don¡¯t get any closer to me!¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s words cut him off, and thorns seemed to rise between them.. Chapter 323 - 323: The Only Woman I Like Is You Chapter 323: The Only Woman I Like Is You Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian could only stop in his tracks, gazing at her from a distance, his voice slow and resolute, ¡°There¡¯s no one else, the only woman I like is you.¡± Boom! It felt like an explosion in Gu Qingluan¡¯s mind, leaving her in a nk state. After a moment, she painstakingly pieced together his words, one by one. He likes her? How could that be? This was obviously a scheme, an attempt to deceive her into marrying him. Did he really think she would believe it? She had only just discovered his identity, but he must have known who she was back in the Shadow Tower. Seeing Gu Qingluan¡¯s disbelief, Feng Tian raised his hand, saying, ¡°This Chaos Stone was originally meant to be given to you once we returned to the Heavenly Capital. It¡¯s just that 1 didn¡¯t anticipate the unexpected turn of events.¡± ¡°If it was meant for me, why didn¡¯t you give it to me when I asked you for it before?¡± ¡°That was a trade, and it won¡¯t do,¡± Feng Tian replied with a meaningful look in his eyes. He wanted to give the Chaos Stone to the woman he liked, not use it as part of a transaction. Understanding his intentions, Gu Qingluan¡¯s anger vanished suddenly, reced by a strange feeling. Feng Tian actually liked her, and he had even spent ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts to snatch the Chaos Stone for her? Gu Qingluan had encountered many suitors before, but for the first time, she felt flustered and unsure of how to react. Jing Yu, seeing her silent, grew anxious for his master and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Miss Gu, as soon as my master heard that the Chaos Stone might appear at the ck Market Auction, he cleared his schedule and went to the auction personally. He was worried that the Chaos Stone might be auctioned off at a high price, so he bid much higher than the base price. If he didn¡¯t genuinely care about you, why would he spend so much money and effort?¡± ¡°Jing Yu, be quiet,¡± Feng Tian nced at him. Jing Yu obediently closed his mouth. ¡°Last time at the Lushi Auction House, I noticed you had a strong liking for the Chaos Stone, but the one I had was already depleted, so 1 had to find another one to present to you.¡± Feng Tian suddenly appeared in front of Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan blinked. ¡°Your arcane power has recovered.¡± ¡°Yeah, take it.¡± Feng Tian handed the Chaos Stone to her. The jet-ck stone gleamed in contrast to his snowy white hand. Gu Qingluan felt her heart flutter, but when she thought about how this stone carried his feelings, she hesitated. If she epted it, did it mean she was epting his affection? She wasn¡¯t even sure if she had feelings for him. Feng Tian¡¯s gaze darkened. He could clearly see her hesitation. Ha! He never thought that one day he, Feng Tian, would fall into a woman¡¯s hands, and he would be the one to develop feelings first. ¡°The Chaos Stone could be highly advantageous for you. Passing up on this chance, you never know when you¡¯lle across another one. Are you sure you won¡¯t ept it?¡± Of course, she wanted to ept it! Gu Qingluan hesitated briefly, then her eyes lit up. ¡°What if 1 trade something else in return for it?¡± That way, she wouldn¡¯t feel burdened by it. Feng Tian¡¯s lips curled slightly, and he said coldly, ¡°No trade.¡± With that, he took the Chaos Stone back. This woman was incredibly frustrating. Not only did she reject his affection, but she also resisted epting the gift he was so determined to give her. And it was something she had desperately wanted! ¡°Hey, wait!¡± When Gu Qingluan saw he was about to reim the Chaos Stone, she quickly reached out to halt him. Feng Tian¡¯s hand paused in front of him. ¡°Do you want it?¡± Gu Qingluan frowned, biting her lower lip with her pearly white teeth, her cheeks puffing slightly. It was evident to anyone that she was in a dilemma. In Feng Tian¡¯s mind, a sh of his son¡¯s face crossed his thoughts. It was at this moment that he noticed his son shared some strikingly simr expressions with her.. Chapter 324 - 324: Mistress, Your Face Is So Red! Chapter 324: Mistress, Your Face Is So Red! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Give it to me.¡± After careful consideration, Gu Qingluan extended her hand toward him. Her stunning eyes, reminiscent of peach blossoms, gleamed with a mischievous glint. Since he was unwilling to make a trade, she decided topensate him discreetly instead. In the future, she could repay him with more items. Besides, there was still Little Yuanxi, right? Little Yuanxi was his son, and if she were to repay Feng Tian by giving Little Yuanxi more items, it would mean she was repaying Feng Tian through Little Yuanxi. She could have Little Yuanxi hold onto those items for Feng Tian. Feng Tian was unaware of Gu Qingluan¡¯s little scheme. When he saw her ept, his cold and stern expression softened. He handed the Chaos Stone to her. Gu Qingluan eagerly extended her spiritual awareness into the Chaos Stone. A pure power enveloped her. Her soul trembled! It felt sofortable! Fortunately, she remembered that there were people around her and didn¡¯t get lost in the experience. Gu Qingluan stored the Chaos Stone in her storage ring and offered a sincere thank-you with a smile. It was the first time she had smiled so genuinely at Feng Tian. Feng Tian couldn¡¯t help but feel captivated, his enchanting purple eyes bing even more mesmerizing. His already handsome face grew even more enticing. Gu Qingluan identally made eye contact with him and almost got lost in his gaze again. She quickly averted her eyes. ¡°Your arcane power has already recovered, so there¡¯s no need to stay here. I¡¯ll send you out.¡± With that, she promptly ushered Feng Tian and his guards out of the Ster Space. Without Feng Tian¡¯s imposing beauty, Gu Qingluan felt much better. ¡°Mistress, your face is so red! Are you sick?¡± Heaven Star appeared before her, tilting his little face with curious and clear eyes. Gu Qingluan suppressed her surging emotions, cleared her throat lightly, and calmly said, ¡°No, it¡¯s probably just because it¡¯s so hot outside.¡± ¡°All, is it hot? Isn¡¯t this weather the most favorable?¡± Heaven Star scratched his head, wearing a puzzled expression. The four seasons in the Ster Space were regted by them, so it couldn¡¯t be too hot. Gu Qingluan said earnestly, ¡°Maybe I¡¯m wearing too much, and I need to handle some matters outside. I have to go.¡± With that, she hurriedly slipped away. Heaven Star summoned a thick medical book in his hand and opened it. ¡°However, just a moment ago, Mistress¡¯ heart rate noticeably increased, and her face turned quite red. Can heat really cause your heart to race like that?¡± Gu Qingluan left the Ster Space and saw Feng Tian examining her bedroom. He had put on a human skin mask and reverted to his previous appearance. Gu Qingluan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This face was better; it wouldn¡¯t make others lose theirposure. ¡°Mom, Mom!¡± Suddenly, the door was pushed open. Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi stood outside the door, and when they saw the man in the room, both of them froze for a moment. Then, Feng Yuanxi joyfully ran in and threw himself into Feng Tian¡¯s arms. ¡°Daddy! Why are you here? I thought something happened to you!¡± Feng Tian rarely saw his son so enthusiastic. He paused slightly, then smiled and steadied him. Gu Xiaonan stepped over the threshold and walked to Gu Qingluan¡¯s side. His bright, big eyes looked back and forth between her and Feng Tian. Then he asked a sharp question, ¡°Mom, why is he in your room? What are you guys doing?¡± ¡°Yeah, Dad, when did youe to Mom¡¯s room? We didn¡¯t see you.¡± Feng Yuanxi released his grip, took a step back, and blinked his bright eyes at the two of them. ¡°He arrived here not too long ago. We were in the middle of a discussion. You youngsters don¡¯t need to be concerned about it,¡± Gu Qingluan said with a chuckle, tapping her nose before casting a nce at Jingyu. ¡°Isn¡¯t there someone else in the room? Did you all act like he¡¯s invisible?¡± ¡°All, Uncle Jingyu is here too!¡± Feng Yuanxi finally noticed Jingyu. Jingyu chuckled. ¡°Looks like I¡¯m truly invisible.¡± Gu Xiaonan, upon seeing a third person in the room, patted his little chest in relief. Phew, thank goodness! If it had only been Mom and the Demon King in the room, he would have been worried that the Demon King might bully Mom. Gu Qingluan pulled the two children to the chairs, had them sit down, and poured tea for them while asking, ¡°What brought you two here all of a sudden?¡± Chapter 325 - 325: A Worthy Son for Mother Chapter 325: A Worthy Son for Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi spoke tenderly, ¡°Mother, I visited the Fifth Prince¡¯s treasury in the pce a while ago and helped him tidy it up. I stored the items in my storage bracelet, but I forgot to give them to you.¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t believe her ears. Her son¡¯s words were so refined. Visiting and tidying up? Was he sure it wasn¡¯t a plunder? Now she understood why Qitian Yu had been so furious at that time. If someone ransacked her treasure, she would go mad too. But well, she could only me Qitian Yu for causing his own troubles by trying to capture her son. If he hadn¡¯t done that, none of this would have happened. In any case, karma had its way. Qitian Yu was now dead, and talking about it wouldn¡¯t change anything. Gu Qingluan kissed her son on the cheek. ¡°Since you worked hard to organize all of this, you can keep them for yourself. But remember, you can¡¯t just casually clean out other people¡¯s treasuries; it might bring trouble.¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded obediently. ¡°I understand. The Fifth Prince is a big viin. 1 cleared out the treasury to divert his attention. I won¡¯t go into others¡¯ treasuries casually. But now that the Fifth Prince is dead, these treasures are useless to him. Can I give them away?¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t expect him to want to give them away and asked curiously, ¡°Who do you want to give them to?¡± ¡°I want to give them to the sisters at the back mountain. They suffered so much because of the Fifth Prince; he shouldpensate them. And with some of the remaining wealth, I¡¯d like to buy food for the poor in the city. Mother, is that okay?¡± ¡°Of course! That¡¯s wonderful! 1 never expected our Little Yuanxi to be so kind-hearted. You¡¯re truly a worthy son.¡± Gu Qingluan found herself pleasantly surprised by Yuanxi¡¯s arrangements. She couldn¡¯t help but steal a nce at the man nearby. Although Yuanxi held a prominent social status, his sincere care for the well-being ofmon folk and those facing adversity suggested a wholesome upbringing and positive influences in his life. This seemingly reserved individual had done an excellent job in teaching Yuanxi. Feng Yuanxi blushed slightly, a bashful smile tugging at his lips, and his eyes sparkled even more brightly. Mother praised him! Watching this, Gu Xiaonan couldn¡¯t help but feel envious. He wished he could receive such praise from his mother too. Buttely, he hadn¡¯t done anything worthy of praise. Gu Xiaonan rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. Well, he seemed to be getting into trouble more often. No, he couldn¡¯t let Yuanxi outshine him! What if Mother liked Yuanxi more in the future? Soon, he came up with an idea. He tugged at Gu Qingluan¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Mother, mother!¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Gu Qingluan turned to look at him. ¡°Mother, 1 think when Yuanxi is distributing porridge, 1 can organize a free clinic for the poor who can¡¯t afford medical treatment. They should not only eat well but also be in good health,¡± Gu Xiaonan suggested with sparkling eyes. Gu Qingluan saw his excited expression and quickly figured out his intention, finding it amusing. Although Xiaonan was doing this topete with Yuanxi, she weed this healthypetition. Back on the ind, Xiaonan was her only child, and he was spoiled beyond belief. She hadn¡¯t expected him toe up with such ideas. She agreed to Xiaonan¡¯s proposal. Gu Xiaonan cheered, ¡°Mother, you¡¯re the best!¡± Gu Qingluan and her two sons discussed how to organize this charitable event. Suddenly, Jingyu received a message from his subordinates and whispered a few words to Feng Tian. Feng Tian¡¯s expression changed slightly.. Chapter 326 - 326: Summoned by the Emperor Chapter 326: Summoned by the Emperor Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°If you have something to attend to, you can go ahead. You don¡¯t need to worry about Yuanxi; he¡¯s safe here.¡± Gu Qingluan stated. Feng Tian nodded, saying, ¡°Alright, I¡¯lle backter.¡± Gu Qingluan was speechless. What does he mean? Does he consider this ce his home? How can hee and go as he pleases? Feng Tian didn¡¯t pay much attention to her expression and quickly left with Jingyu. Gu Xiaonan tugged at Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand and said, ¡°Mom, let¡¯s continue our discussion.¡± Gu Qingluan lowered her head and asked the two of them, ¡°Where did we stop?¡± ¡°Mistress!¡± As the mother and her two sons were nearly done with their discussion, Bo He entered, interrupting their conversation. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Gu Qingluan asked. ¡°There¡¯s a visitor from the pce; the Emperor has summoned you.¡± ¡°Oh, is it the Emperor? Is he here to seek revenge for the Fifth Prince?¡± Feng Yuanxi immediately became nervous and held onto Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand. Gu Xiaonan also hurriedly moved closer to his mother. Gu Qingluan¡¯s beautiful eyes slightly narrowed. ¡°Did they say what it¡¯s about?¡± Bo He shook her head. ¡°Mother, you shouldn¡¯t go!¡± Gu Xiaonan grabbed her other hand with a serious expression. He had heard stories about the pce, a treacherous ce filled with many evil individuals. Once one entered, it resembled a bird walking into a trap, with escape nearly impossible. ¡°Mother, you killed the Fifth Prince, those nasty people from his family won¡¯t let you off easily.¡± Observing her two sons fiercely protecting her, one more protective than the other, Gu Qingluan was deeply touched. She gently patted their heads and reassured them. ¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s just a visit to the pce. Don¡¯t you know your mother¡¯s capabilities? The small pce can¡¯t hold me back.¡± ¡°Mom, do you really have to go? Can¡¯t you stay?¡± Gu Xiaonan gazed up with his adorable face, his tiny brows furrowing into two small wrinkles. ¡°Not going would be defying an imperial order, and that¡¯s a capital offense.¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s entire attitude shifted as he burst out, ¡°What¡¯s all this nonsense? That ridiculous imperial decree! How could they execute you if you refuse?¡± Feng Yuanxi exined from the side, ¡°That¡¯s how it is for ordinary people, but Mother is a Saint. No matter which country she¡¯s in, she will be treated with respect. The Emperor won¡¯t actually kill her, but if she defies the order, he can use it against her.¡± The status of the imperial family in the Holy Heaven Dynasty was much higher than in the Chengyuan Kingdom. The Chengyuan Kingdom was, at best, considered a vassal state of the Holy Heaven Dynasty. The distinction between ruler and subject was much less pronounced in the Chengyuan Kingdompared to the Holy Heaven Dynasty. Yuanxi summarized, ¡°So, it¡¯s better to go than not.¡± Gu Xiaonan snorted coldly, his face filled with determination. ¡°If he dares to harm you, Mother, 1¡¯11 tten the pce!¡± Saying this, he looked up at Gu Qingluan and dered, ¡°Mother, I¡¯m going with you!¡± Feng Yuanxi immediately chimed in, ¡°I¡¯m going too!¡± The Emperor of the Chengyuan Kingdom had to show some respect to his father. But their father wasn¡¯t present. The Emperor of the Chengyuan Kingdom had encountered them previously and recognized them as their father¡¯s sons. The Emperor should disy a certain level of respect and avoid any rash actions. Gu Qingluan shook her head, unwilling to let them go to the pce. ¡°Both of you stay here, I¡¯ll go by myself.¡± While she wasn¡¯t fearful of trouble herself, her two sons were her most cherished treasures, and she couldn¡¯t bear to see them in harm¡¯s way, not even when the odds of danger were incredibly slim. ¡°If Mother doesn¡¯t let me go, I won¡¯t let you go either!¡± Gu Xiaonan tightly hugged her waist, acting stubborn. Feng Yuanxi also joined in, trying to persuade her. ¡°Mother, take me with you! I¡¯ve met the Emperor of the Chengyuan Kingdom before, and he knows me. With me there, he won¡¯t dare to mistreat you.¡± Observing the two adorable ¡°attachments¡± holding onto her, as if they wouldn¡¯t release her unless sheplied, Gu Qingluan eventually gave in. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll go together.¡± If they really encountered danger, she could handle it! (T/N: Expert at the Stage of the Saint Realm will be named as ¡®Saint¡¯ in future chapters..) Chapter 327 - 327: He Can Only Blame His Bad Luck Chapter 327: He Can Only me His Bad Luck Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The carriage stopped at the pce gate. ¡°Miss Gu, we have arrived at the pce,¡± the chief eunuch in charge of the decree announced with a smile. Without the emperor¡¯s permission, no one could ride in a carriage within the pce. Gu Qingluan led her two sons out of the carriage. They all wore masks, and although their appearances differed, they were generally of simr age, with strikingly handsome features that drew attention wherever they went. The chief eunuch was surnamed Qin. Eunuch Qin was an attendant by the side of Emperor Xuanzong, and he was also the godson of the Chief Eunuch Overseer, a person of extraordinary status. While others might not know Feng Yuanxi¡¯s identity, he was aware of it. Originally, the emperor had only summoned Gu Qingluan, and the others were not supposed to go along. But when Feng Yuanxi spoke up, Eunuch Qin, being mindful of Feng Yuanxi¡¯s identity, had no choice but to let both childrene. As he conversed with Gu Qingluan, he secretly assessed Feng Yuanxi. Rumors had it that the eldest son of the Royal Highness Lan had recognized Miss Gu as his mother, and it turned out to be true. Furthermore, based on the present circumstances, it was evident that the young master had beenpletely won over by Miss Gu, treating her as if she were his own mother. Miss Gu was truly remarkable. With the Royal Highness Lan backing her from behind, it was no wonder she acted so recklessly, daring even to kill a prince. The only question was whether the Royal Highness Lan would protect her to the end. The Fifth Prince was not just one of the most outstanding princes; his maternal family¡¯s power was formidable, and even the emperor had to show deference. Miss Gu¡¯s behavior had been quite radical this time; it remained to be seen if she coulde out of this unscathed. Eunuch Qin walked ahead, leading the way, with Gu Qingluan and her two sons following behind. It was her first time entering the pce, but it wasn¡¯t the first time for the original host. As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Gu family, even though the original host was not favored by the family and was often subjected to ridicule, she asionally received some invitations. Certainly, all these invitations had to be approved by Wang Shi. Wang Shi¡¯s intention in having her attend these banquets wasn¡¯t to help her socialize or make friends; it was to build her reputation as a ¡°caring stepmother.¡± Later, Wang Shi nned to use her as a contrast to Gu Lingxue, boosting Gu Lingxue¡¯s chances of advancing to a higher status. In her memory, every banquet Gu Qingluan attended was never a pleasant experience. Herst visit to the pce was to attend the birthday banquet of Noble Consort Shu. Noble Consort Shu was the mother of the Fifth Prince. At that time, she was still the fiancee of the Fifth Prince. Considering both logic and emotions, Wang Shi had no choice but to allow her entry into the pce. However, during that period, she was falsely used within the pce, which led to her offending Noble Consort Shu. As a result, she not only received a p from Noble Consort Shu but was alsomanded to leave the pce and strictly prohibited from returning. Merged with the memories of the original host, Gu Qingluan felt the same. During that period, her heart was overwhelmed by the fear and anxiety of istion and helplessness, coupled with the dread and shame of being looked down upon by her prospective mother-inw. Now, since she had personally killed the Fifth Prince, Noble Consort Shu must despise her to the core. Gu Qingluan smiled with a raised lip, her expression calm, without a hint of worry or fear. She was no longer the Gu Qingluan from the past, no longer obligated to seek approval from Noble Consort Shu, and no longer burdened with the fear of oppression. If Noble Consort Shu has some sense, she can continue her role as a concubine in the pce without any disturbances. However, if she chooses to cross paths, there won¡¯t be any mercy. This was Gu Xiaonan¡¯s first visit to the pce; prior to this, he had only gleaned information about it from books and others. Upon entering the pce, his inquisitive gaze wandered in all directions. The buildings were all square, perfectly bnced,cking vibrancy and character. Certainly not as captivating as their Ind of No Return. After a brief survey, his interest waned, and he pouted, remarking, ¡°Mom, it¡¯s too quiet in the pce, and there are hardly any people around. It¡¯s not enjoyable at all.¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°This ce was never meant for amusement. It¡¯s kept quiet to disy the dignity of the emperor. If it were as noisy as a market, it would be disrespectful to the emperor.¡± Gu Xiaonan suddenly realized. ¡°Mother, you¡¯re right! Let¡¯s quickly meet the emperor and then go back. I still need to prepare medicine for the free clinic.¡± Not long ago, they had talked about the details of the free clinic, and now he was brimming with enthusiasm, eager to demonstrate his abilities during the clinic. Eunuch Qin listened to his innocent words and pondered whether they could depart after the meeting. ¡°Eunuch Qin, where is the emperor? How much longer do we have to walk?¡± Gu Xiaonan turned to ask him. Eunuch Qin replied, ¡°The emperor is in the study. It will take about another quarter of an hour to get there.¡± Gu Xiaonan puffed up his cheeks. ¡°That¡¯s too long.¡± Qin Gonggong smiled. ¡°The pce is vast, Young Master Gu will get used to it in the future.¡± As for whether there would be a future, that remained to be seen. Inside a pce building, the Third Princess watched from a distance as a group of individuals strolled across the Taihe Hall square, her brow furrowing in concern. ¡°Why is Gu Qingluan apanied by two children? Wasn¡¯t she known to have only one son?¡± Once Wang Shi uncovered Gu Xiaonan¡¯s real identity, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t conceal her son¡¯s status any longer. It becamemon knowledge that the eldest daughter of the Gu family, who had reappeared after five years of absence, had returned with a son in tow. The pce maid next to the Third Princess also found it strange. ¡°Could it be the Gu¡¯s family child?¡± The Third Princess sneered. ¡°With Gu Qingluan¡¯s rtionship with the Gu family, unless the Gu family has gone insane, it¡¯s impossible for them to entrust a child to her.¡± ¡°Well, since he¡¯s with Gu Qingluan, he can only me himself for being unlucky. Spread the word, let¡¯s deal with them together..¡± Chapter 328 - 328: Don’t Be Afraid! Chapter 328: Don¡¯t Be Afraid! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion In front of the study, Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi were stopped by pce servants. ¡°Miss Gu, His Majesty has summoned you alone; the others cannot enter.¡± The two children immediately held onto Gu Qingluan¡¯s hands tightly. Gu Qingluan smiled faintly and said, ¡°Very well, please convey my apologies to His Majesty.¡± With that, she turned and left with her son. Eunuch Qin, witnessing this, was rmed. ¡°Miss Gu, you mustn¡¯t! If you refuse to meet His Majesty¡¯s summons, it could be seen as defying his order!¡± Gu Qingluan paid him no mind. She had arrived at the door, and if she were to leave now, she might lose her head if His Majesty became displeased. Eunuch Qin hurriedly advised, ¡°Please wait a moment, Miss Gu. Allow me to inform His Majesty of the situation. Could you please wait a short while?¡± Gu Qingluan turned back with a faint smile and said, ¡°Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch.¡± Eunuch Qin wiped the sweat from his forehead and then hurried into the study. After a while, he returned and informed Gu Qingluan, ¡°His Majesty has granted you permission to enter, but Duke Dingbei and the Grand Marshal are present as well. If they spot your son, it might stir strong emotions in them. His Majesty advises that it would be wisest for you to enter alone.¡± Duke Dingbei? The Grand Marshal? Gu Qingluan took a moment to recall. Oh, they were the maternal grandfather and uncle of the Fifth Prince, Qitian Yu. Duke Dingbei had a military background and had earned numerous battlefield achievements. He had trained the formidable Dingbei Army, which was renowned throughout the Three Realms. Even the Emperor had to show some deference to him. Gu Qingluan thought, ¡°Emperor Xuanzong appears to be quite restricted. With this person and that person requiring deference, it seems he has lost some of his imperial dignity.¡± She finally understood why the Emperor had summoned her so suddenly. Based on logic, when she met Prince He and the Crown Prince at the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence, if they had returned to the pce to report, the Emperor should have been sufficiently outraged to dispatch someone to arrest her much earlier, without the need to wait until today. It appeared that Duke Dingbei and the Liu family learnt about the situation and exerted pressure on His Majesty,pelling him to summon her. Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t considered so many factors when she killed the Fifth Prince. If the other party wanted to harm her son and herself, she wouldn¡¯t hesitate even if she knew the opponent was Duke Dingbei¡¯s residence. Even if she were to recall that the Fifth Prince¡¯s maternal family was Duke Dingbei, she¡­ would still have chosen to take action. She even dared to confront the Gu family, the top noble family, so what is stopping her from doing the same to Duke Dingbei¡¯s family? She was truly fearless! Thinking about the potentially inappropriate violent scenes that might urter, Gu Qingluan decided that it would be best for her two sons not to witness them. She lowered her head and said to her two treasures, ¡°Xiaonan, Yuanxi, would you mind waiting for me outside?¡± Gu Xiaonan frowned, about to protest. Feng Yuanxi nodded and said, ¡°Sure, Mother, please be careful. We¡¯ll wait for you outside.¡± ¡°Good boys.¡± Gu Qingluan patted her little son¡¯s head gently, then followed Eunuch Qin into the study. As Gu Qingluan¡¯s figure disappeared behind the door, Gu Xiaonan asked in confusion, ¡°Yuanxi, why didn¡¯t you let me go inside? Those Duke Dingbei and the Grand Marshal that Eunuch Qin mentioned must not be good people. We should go in to protect Mother.¡± Feng Yuanxi replied, ¡°I know who Duke Dingbei and the Grand Marshal are. They are here for revenge on behalf of the Fifth Prince.¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier? How can we let Mother go in alone? They must be trying to trap her!¡± Gu Xiaonan eximed, eager to rush inside. Feng Yuanxi held him back and said, ¡°Calm down. In terms of martial strength alone, they are not a match for Mother. There is only one Saint in the pce, Prince He. I¡¯ve met him before, and he didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of harming Mother. So, these people cannot capture Mother through force. If they genuinely intend to harm her, it would be through treachery. In that case, it¡¯s better for us to hide in the shadows and observe. If we discover they are plotting against Mother, we can intervene then.¡± Gu Xiaonan patted his shoulder and said, ¡°Hey, you¡¯ve thought this through quite well. Let¡¯s quickly find a ce to hide and see what they¡¯re up to!¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded in agreement. The perfect ce for eavesdropping, of course, was the roof. The two of them smoothly flew up to the rooftop. Xiao Bai wriggled out of Gu Xiaonan¡¯s arms. Gu Xiaonan raised a finger to his lips and whispered, ¡°Shh, Xiao Bai, don¡¯t make any noise, or they might discover us.¡± Xiao Mei was too noisy, so Gu Xiaonan left her at home and brought only Xiao Bai. Xiao Bai nodded with its fluffy little head, indicating understanding. ¡°Xiao Bai, please watch out for us. If anyone notices us, give us a signal right away, alright?¡± Xiao Bai nodded solemnly. Understood, young master. Gu Xiaonan patted its head satisfactorily and then joined Feng Yuanxi on the rooftop. They peered inside through the gaps in the zed tiles. Oh my! There were quite a few people inside.. Chapter 329 - 329: Pressure Chapter 329: Pressure Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion In the study, Emperor Xuanzong was seated on a grand throne, dressed in a magnificent golden dragon robe and a regal dragon crown, exuding an aura of authority and power. Below, alongside Gu Qingluan, there were Qi Tianyou, an elderly man with silver hair, a middle-aged gentleman, and Gu Zhicheng. Considering theplex feuds between the two families, Gu Zhicheng, as the Gu family¡¯s patriarch, had been summoned to the pce. Gu Zhicheng had long known about Gu Qingluan killing Fifth Prince Qitian Yu. Apart from a mocking remark about her audacity, he had taken no action, aware that someone woulde after her sooner orter. Sure enough, it didn¡¯t take long for the people from the Duke Dingbei¡¯s mansion toe knocking. As soon as Gu Qingluan entered, Duke Dingbei and the Grand Marshal cast predatory gazes upon her. She calmly greeted Emperor Xuanzong, bowing her head slightly in respect. With her level of cultivation, there was no need for her to kneel. As for Gu Zhicheng, Gu Qingluan acted as if he didn¡¯t exist. Emperor Xuanzong cleared his throat and said, ¡°Gu Qingluan, these two are Duke Dingbei and General Liu. They havee to file aint with me, alleging that you killed Fifth Prince. What do you have to say?¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but admire the Emperor¡¯sposure. He truly lived up to his role as the ruler, showing no hint of knowing that she had killed his son. If it weren¡¯t for Duke Dingbei¡¯s pursuit, wouldn¡¯t this matter have blown over by now? After Emperor Xuanzong¡¯s inquiry, Duke Dingbei and his son looked at her with even more hostility. Unfazed, Gu Qingluan calmly responded, ¡°Is there any evidence to support the im that I killed Fifth Prince?¡± General Liu Miao Wu couldn¡¯t contain his anger and eximed, ¡°Servants from the Prince¡¯s residence witnessed it with their own eyes! Do you think you can deny it?¡± ¡°Deny? Why would I deny it?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°I did indeed kill Fifth Prince, and his death is no great loss.¡± ¡°Your Majesty, you see! She¡¯s admitted it!¡± Liu Miao Wu immediately turned to Emperor Xuanzong. Emperor Xuanzong, who had been waiting for Gu Qingluan to offer some defense, was left speechless by her quick confession. How should he handle this? He was willing to protect her for the sake of the Royal Highness Prince Lan, but couldn¡¯t she at least show some restraint after taking a life? Emperor Xuanzong was utterly baffled by Gu Qingluan¡¯s behavior, with no words to respond. He had to adopt a stern demeanor, his expression growing solemn. ¡°Gu Qingluan, think carefully before you speak. Old Fifth is my son, the esteemed Fifth Prince. Even if he made mistakes, it¡¯s not for you to decide to take his life!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and replied, ¡°Generally speaking, that¡¯s correct. But you see, the Fifth Prince crossed a line. He kidnapped my son and tried to steal his soul, dooming him to never be reborn. If 1 hadn¡¯t arrived in time, my son would have been the one to die! Now, tell me, how could 1 let someone who attempted to harm my child off the hook?¡± Liu Miao Wu grumbled, ¡°Wait a moment! Your son didn¡¯t die, did he? You¡¯re incredibly ruthless! If your son is still alive, why did you harm the Fifth Prince?¡± ¡°Ha! If my son had died, do you think a single life of Qitian Yu couldpensate for it?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze swept over Duke Dingbei and Liu Miao Wu, her dark eyes emitting a chilling light. Duke Dingbei sat in a circr chair, and simultaneously, with Liu Miao Wu standing by his side, they both felt a chill down their spines. Since returning, this youngdy from the Gu family had disyed an extremely dominant side, even causing the head of the Gu family to frequently suffer losses at her hands. Dealing with her was no easy task for them. However, Yu¡¯er¡¯s (the Fifth Prince) tragic death was something they couldn¡¯t swallow no matter what. Duke Dingbei stood up from his chair and bowed deeply to Emperor Xuanzong. ¡°Your Majesty, Fifth Prince has always been known for his kindness and is called a gentleman. Even if he made a mistake, there must be a reason behind it. Now, with just a few words from Miss Gu, he died under unclear circumstances. 1 earnestly request Your Majesty to ensure justice for Fifth Prince.¡± ¡°Please, Duke Dingbei, rise quickly. Aren¡¯t we in the middle of discussing this matter?¡± Emperor Xuanzong waved his hand, and when Duke Dingbei hesitated to sit down, he signaled to Liu Miao Wu with a nce, ¡°General Liu, your father is of advanced age; help him sit down.¡± Liu Miao Wu promptly assisted his father back to his seat. Only then did Duke Dingbei relent and sit back down. He waited for Emperor Xuanzong to administer justice. Emperor Xuanzong cursed internally at the sly old fox but maintained a dignified appearance.. He then turned his gaze to Gu Zhicheng and asked, ¡°Master Gu, what do you have to say about this?¡± Chapter 330 - 330: Wake Him Up For His Own Good Chapter 330: Wake Him Up For His Own Good Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng sighed, saying, ¡°Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This old servant is powerless and can¡¯t control this unfilial daughter. Everything is at Your Majesty¡¯s discretion.¡± This implied that he wouldn¡¯t interfere with Gu Qingluan¡¯s fate. Without Royal Prince Lan supporting Gu Qingluan, Emperor Xuanzong would have easily passed judgment, but now he was uncertain about how to proceed. He furrowed his brows and turned to inquire about the Crown Prince¡¯s opinion. The Crown Prince had been responsible for hosting Royal Prince Lan initially, so he should understand him best. Qi Tianyou couldn¡¯t help but bitterly smile inwardly. If he could discipline Miss Gu, he wouldn¡¯t have needed to cover up the truth about the Fifth Prince¡¯s death for her. Unfortunately, secrets don¡¯t stay hidden forever. Themotion at the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence had attracted too much attention. If Duke Dingbei¡¯s household investigated even a little, they would uncover the true culprit. Qi Tianyou nced at Gu Qingluan and then fixed his gaze on Duke Dingbei and his son. He began, ¡°Duke Dingbei, there¡¯s something you may not know. On the day, that person whom my fifth brother has taken¡­¡± Before he could finish, Gu Qingluan interrupted, ¡°On the day my son was taken by Qi Tianyu, he stumbled upon a secret chamber. Do you know what Qi Tianyue did in that chamber?¡± She had a hunch about what the Crown Prince was about to reveal. He likely intended to use Yuan Xi and his father¡¯s identities to intimidate these people. However, she didn¡¯t want that. Yuan Xi and his father had concealed their identities when they arrived in Chengyuan, and they must have had their reasons. She didn¡¯t want them to be forced to reveal their true selves because of her. Moreover, considering yesterday¡¯s ambush on Feng Tian in the ck market, she could only imagine how many powerful forces were after him. She didn¡¯t know if they were targeting him because he was Royal Prince Lan, but if they were, revealing Feng Tian¡¯s identity would put him and Yuan Xi in grave danger. Qi Tianyou nced at Gu Qingluan and chose not to continue. ¡°No matter what he did, it¡¯s not a reason for you to kill him!¡± Li Miao Wu angrily dered. Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°Is that so?¡± Her beautiful eyes glimmered with a deeper meaning as she fixed her gaze on Duke Dingbei¡¯s face. ¡°They say Duke Dingbei has earned great merits for Chengyuan, being a great hero of this country. But if news were to spread that your grandson forcibly imprisoned dozens of innocent women, would your reputation still stand?¡± ¡°Nonsense!¡± Li Miao Wu eximed loudly, his eyes ring fiercely at Gu Qingluan. ¡°You¡¯ve already killed the Fifth Prince, and now you¡¯re trying to nder him further. How can you be so heartless!¡± Duke Dingbei¡¯s expression darkened, and he stared intensely at her. Gu Qingluan smiled serenely. ¡°General Li, stay calm. Your intense reaction makes me wonder if you knew something all along.¡± ¡°The Fifth Prince is my nephew; how can 1 remain indifferent when he¡¯s falsely used by this murderer?¡± Li Miao Wu¡¯s gaze flickered for a moment, and he spoke with righteousness. Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°Oh, well, a prince holds a high and influential position. Even if he keeps a few women, it¡¯s nothing extraordinary. General Li, 1 suspect your agitation isn¡¯t really about that. Instead, it¡¯s¡­¡± She let her eyes spin yfully as her words hung in the air, relishing the tension in his expression. ¡°Shut up, you venomous woman! Today, 1 will seek justice for the Fifth Prince!¡± Li Miao Wu feared that Gu Qingluan would reveal the unspeakable secret and rushed to cover her mouth. Not far off, Gu Zhicheng promptly stepped aside, wearing a sly smile on his face. What a fool. Didn¡¯t he know Gu Qingluan¡¯s level of cultivation? He dared to charge at her, practically seeking his own death. Gu Qingluan tsked and looked at the charging Li Miao Wu. She casually raised her hand and gave a light wave. Smack! With a mere palm strike through the air, Li Miao Wu was sent flying. On the rooftop, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes sparkled as he eximed, ¡°Mother is formidable!¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded in agreement. Mother was truly incredible. Duke Dingbei couldn¡¯t contain himself and stood up in anger. Qi Tianyou¡¯s brow twitched. This¡­ Did General Lickmon sense? He actually assaulted a Saint in this ce. Emperor Xuanzong¡¯s throat tightened, and he grabbed the armrest of his dragon throne. ¡°Outrageous! You should know what ce this is! How dare you resort to violence here!¡± Gu Qingluan lowered her hand, turned to face Emperor Xuanzong, and innocently said, ¡°Your Majesty, please calm down. General Li seems to have been overwhelmed by grief and temporarily lost hisposure in front of the royal presence. To help him realize the gravity of the situation, 1 had no choice but to wake him up.¡± (T/N: The Royal Highness Prince Lan will be renamed to simply Royal Prince Lan in future chapters..) Chapter 331 - 331: Exposed Chapter 331: Exposed Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion You hit him out of concern for his well-being? Listening to her shameless exnation, the people present involuntarily curled their lips. As for Liu Miaowu, who had been pped, thrown against a golden pir, and had just managed to get back on his feet, hearing this caused him to involuntarily cough up a mouthful of blood. However, it was unclear whether he had been beaten to the point of spitting blood or was so infuriated that he vomited blood. ¡°Wu¡¯er! How are you? Do you need the Imperial Physician to attend to you?¡± The Duke of Dingbei saw the miserable state of his son, and his eyes turned red in an instant as he rushed over to support him. Liu Miaowu coughed and spat out some blood, saying, ¡°Father, I can hold on.¡± The Duke of Dingbei was not known for his good temper. He couldn¡¯t bear to see someone beating his son like this in front of him. He turned to the Emperor and said, ¡°Your Majesty, you have seen it too. This woman is acting outrageously, killing princes, assaulting courtiers, and disrupting the imperial order. I¡¯ve heard that even the Gu family has been in turmoil because of her. Numerous lives have been lost, and many have been left maimed or wounded. Can you truly endure such a wicked individual?¡± He knew that he couldn¡¯t beat Gu Qingluan, so he had to exert pressure on the Emperor. He also understood that the reason the Emperor hadn¡¯t taken action against Gu Qingluan was because of her strength. He knew very well what a Saint could bring to a country. Therefore, he could understand the Emperor¡¯s decision. At the same time, he also understood how much suspicion an uncontroble powerful individual could provoke among those in power. So, he wanted the Emperor to understand that although Gu Qingluan was a Saint, what she brought to the Chengyuan Empire and the Qishi royal family might not necessarily be beneficial but rather a threat! Sure enough, Emperor Xuanzong, who was already displeased, furrowed his brows when he heard Duke Dingbei¡¯s words and showed a hint of anger. Gu Zhicheng secretly rejoiced. Good, if the Emperor were to deal with Gu Qingluan, it would be perfect. But how could Gu Qingluan allow herself to be manipted by others? Before Emperor Xuanzong could speak, she coldly sneered. ¡°Duke Dingbei, you¡¯re quite good at deflecting me. Clearly, it was your son who attacked first, and I merely acted in self-defense. How does that make me outrageous?¡± She suddenly raised her voice, ¡°Why did your son suddenly attack? Don¡¯t you know why? Are you afraid I¡¯ll say it? I insist on saying it!¡± Liu Miaowu wanted to stop her urgently. But for some reason, he opened his mouth several times but couldn¡¯t speak. On the other hand, Duke Dingbei, who didn¡¯t know the truth, saw his son trembling all over and thought that Gu Qingluan had beaten him like this. He couldn¡¯t bear it and red at Gu Qingluan with a sinister look, hoping to see what she would say next. She turned to Emperor Xuanzong, raised her eyebrows, and said in a clear voice, ¡°The Fifth Prince didn¡¯t imprison those women just for pleasure. He used them as cauldrons to practice dark arts. Countless women have tragically died in secret chambers. When we discovered it, there were only dozens left in the secret chamber. There may be simr secret chambers elsewhere. These women, those without background or strength, were forcibly kidnapped by him, leading to their ruin. As for those with status, he used sweet talk and deceit to quietly hide them in the pce. If this matter is exposed, not only will the Fifth Prince¡¯s reputation be tarnished, but the entire royal family will be scorned by themon people!¡± Duke Dingbei angrily rebuked, ¡°Nonsense! This is impossible!¡± In his eyes, his well-behaved grandson would never be such a wicked person. With Qitian Yu¡¯s status, there were plenty of women willing to offer themselves, and as for those dark arts, how could Qitian Yu possibly practice them? He was certain that this wicked woman was ndering him! Emperor Xuanzong, after hearing Gu Qingluan¡¯s words, was greatly shocked and didn¡¯t pay attention to Duke Dingbei¡¯s denial. He furrowed his brows and turned to Gu Qingluan for confirmation, ¡°Is this true?¡± Gu Qingluan looked straight ahead and replied, ¡°Every word is true.¡± Emperor Xuanzong looked puzzled and turned to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had not reported this matter to him before. Qitian You, too, was unaware of this matter, his eyes filled with confusion.. Chapter 332 - 332: Exceptional Acting Skills Chapter 332: Exceptional Acting Skills Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Zhicheng sneered strangely. ¡°Is it true? You need to provide evidence.¡± Liu Miaowu immediately echoed, ¡°Right, empty words won¡¯t do! You¡¯re ndering him.¡± This woman definitely couldn¡¯t produce any evidence. If there was evidence, why hide it until now? The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this made sense. His sense of guilt disappeared in an instant. He angrily pointed at Gu Qingluan, clutching his chest. ¡°Miss Gu, you harbor a malicious intent! Just because the Fifth Prince ended your engagement years ago, you¡¯ve nursed a grudge all this time. And now, not only have you taken his life, but you also seek to tarnish his reputation! Someone with your intentions has no rightful ce in this world!¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his forehead. He cried out in pain and instinctively covered his temples. On the roof, Gu Xiaonan snorted angrily. Daring to insult his mother, he was asking for trouble! ¡°Who attacked me?¡± Liu Miaowu scanned his surroundings with a sharp gaze. Gu Qingluan sneered. ¡°This is the Imperial Study. Do you really believe that just anyone can freely ess it?¡± Upon hearing her words, Emperor Xuanzong and the others, who had just begun to hope, felt their hopes dwindle. If the Imperial Study were truly that easy to ess, the Emperor would have faced countless assassination attempts by now. Liu Miaowu¡¯s forehead throbbed with pain. He was already injured, and now he felt even worse. Nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms surged within him. He earnestly reminded Emperor Xuanzong, ¡°Your Majesty, there was indeed someone who attacked this humble official just now. We must apprehend them; otherwise, it could jeopardize Your Majesty.¡± Before Emperor Xuanzong could speak, Gu Qingluan mocked, ¡°You¡¯re acting like it¡¯s real. What are you trying to do? Are you afraid that the Fifth Prince¡¯s crimes will be exposed, so you want to divert everyone¡¯s attention? 1 advise you to stop daydreaming. The Emperor won¡¯t be deceived by your clumsy tricks.¡± Emperor Xuanzong felt that Gu Qingluan¡¯s words were quite reasonable, and his expression turned somewhat unsightly. ¡°General Liu, this is the Imperial Study. The Imperial Guards have guarded it like an impregnable fortress. How could anyone secretly attack you? Do you suspect my authority?¡± Liu Miaowu was startled when he heard this, breaking out in a cold sweat. He stammered, unable to speak. In his panic, he let go of the hand covering his forehead. Gu Qingluan immediately chuckled, ¡°There¡¯s not even a scratch on your forehead. General Liu, your acting skills are truly exceptional. We were almost fooled by you.¡± Indeed, there was not a trace of injury on Liu Miaowu¡¯s forehead. Not only was there no wound, but even the redness had almost disappeared. And that redness was most likely caused by his own pressing earlier. Emperor Xuanzong¡¯s expression immediately darkened. With Gu Qingluan¡¯s earlier spection, he understood perfectly that Liu Miaowu was indeed trying to divert the conversation. As for why he wanted to change the topic, even with just a little thought, it was clear. He must be afraid that Gu Qingluan would reveal more truths that could ruin the Fifth Prince¡¯s reputation. As Liu Miaowu angrily berated Gu Qingluan, Emperor Xuanzong sternly interjected, ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Sensing the Emperor¡¯s anger, Liu Miaowu had no choice but to suppress his burning rage. Emperor Xuanzong looked at Gu Qingluan and asked, ¡°Gu Qingluan, do you have evidence for what you¡¯ve said?¡± Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°Of course, we do. Because this matter involves the privacy of the victims, once the information is exposed, it means their reputations will be tarnished. So, following the wishes of those victims, only a few youngdies are willing to disclose their names and identify the Fifth Prince¡¯s crimes.¡± ¡°Where are they?¡± ¡°Your Majesty, you can take a look at this bloodstained letter first.¡± Gu Qingluan flipped her wrist, revealing a folded piece of white cloth in her hand. An attendant stepped forward to take the white cloth, and with Emperor Qixuan¡¯s signal, unfolded it for inspection.. Chapter 333 - 333: It Ends Here Chapter 333: It Ends Here Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The white cloth was quite long, detailing all the crimesmitted by Fifth Prince Qitian Yu. The words seemed to cry out in blood, and there were many handprints covering the nk spaces. Gu Qingluan exined, ¡°Originally, with the Fifth Prince¡¯s death, and out of consideration for the reputations of these youngdies, I didn¡¯t want to reveal their involvement. However, Duke Dingbei and General Liu are pressing aggressively in favor of the Fifth Prince. Regrettably, 1 have no choice but to present this blood-written testimony to Your Majesty.¡± Emperor Xuanzong descended from his dragon throne and examined the blood-written ount with utmost seriousness. The more he read, the darker his expression became, and his eyes nearly bulged out. Liu Miaowu, suppressing his panic, coldly remarked, ¡°What a joke! These things are the easiest to fabricate. Do you really think you can use the Fifth Prince solely based on this?¡± As Emperor Xuanzong began to regain hisposure, he replied ambiguously, ¡°General Liu has a point. Gu Qingluan, do you have any other evidence?¡± ¡°I can arrange for representatives among those imprisoned women to testify.¡± ¡°That could easily be people you¡¯ve chosen!¡± Liu Miaowu retorted immediately. Gu Qingluan nodded knowingly. ¡°Indeed, that¡¯s a possibility. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. However, I must remind you both: if these imprisoned women, some of whome from prestigious families, learn that the Fifth Prince, who harmed them, hasn¡¯t received the punishment he deserves and is even being protected, they will undoubtedly feel aggrieved, possibly losing their rationality. Whether this poses a threat to the Chengyuan Kingdom is yet uncertain, but Duke Dingbei and General Liu will certainly face suppression or even annihtion.¡± She smiled faintly, appreciating the drastic change in Duke Dingbei and his son¡¯s expressions. ¡°I¡¯m merely offering a friendly warning. If you have nothing to fear, then you can ignore my words. In any case, I¡¯ve presented the evidence. Whether you believe it or not is your choice.¡± Duke Dingbei exchanged nces with his son. He waspletely unaware of Qitian Yu¡¯s actions, but judging from Liu Miaowu¡¯s reaction earlier, it seemed like he knew something. If what Gu Qingluan said was true, they would have to carefully consider their next steps. The Dingbei Residence couldn¡¯t be ruined because of one person, even if that person was his grandson. Liu Miaowu¡¯s eyes flickered, and he dared not meet his father¡¯s gaze. Now, Duke Dingbei understood everything. His son and grandson had done something incredibly foolish without his knowledge. Why didn¡¯t you tell me sooner?! Duke Dingbei red at his son, filled with frustration. If he had known earlier, he could have made preparations in advance, avoiding the current predicament. In his heart, Liu Miaowu thought, ¡°How could I dare to inform you, Old Master? If you knew, you might have broken our legs.¡± With matters havinge to this point, saying more was pointless. Duke Dingbei closed his eyes, and in an instant, he seemed to age several years. After a moment, he opened his eyes, no longer as sharp as before. ¡°Whether this matter is true or false cannot be determined based solely on Miss Gu¡¯s words and a mysterious blood-written letter. The person in question has already passed away, and pursuing this matter further won¡¯t bring them back to life. Therefore, let this matter rest here!¡± ¡°Dad¡­¡± Liu Miaowu was shocked. His father was giving up on seeking revenge? Duke Dingbei looked at his son with iron-like eyes, expressing his displeasure. Realizing his father¡¯s resentment towards him, Liu Miaowu shrank back in fear. Emperor Xuanzong wasn¡¯t foolish; he understood Duke Dingbei¡¯s attitude and knew that what Gu Qingluan had said was true. He was also deeply angered at the Fifth Prince. However, the person was already dead, and pursuing it further would yield no results. Moreover, if this matter were to be made public, it would deal a significant blow to the royal family¡¯s reputation. It was better to keep it hidden. Emperor Xuanzong looked at Gu Qingluan and said, ¡°Gu Qingluan, since Duke Dingbei has decided not to pursue this any further, what should we do with this blood-written letter?¡± Chapter 334 - 334: Bearing a Burden Quietly Chapter 334: Bearing a Burden Quietly Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan understood his meaning and smiled, ¡°What blood letter?¡± A me erupted from her fingertip andnded on the blood letter. The eunuchs holding the blood letter quickly released it. Before the blood letter could touch the ground, it turned into ashes. Emperor Xuanzong was very satisfied with Gu Qingluan¡¯s tactfulness. ¡°Summoning you to the pce today was simply to meet the youngest Saint of our Chengyuan Kingdom. Saint Qingluan, at such a young age, possessing such cultivation, is truly the pride of our Chengyuan!¡± This was a way to justify why he had summoned her to the pce. The Emperor had given her a way out, and Gu Qingluan naturally took it. Emperor Xuanzong was even more pleased with her now. What he disliked the most were people who acted arrogantly. Rumors had it that Gu Qingluan was arrogant and disrespectful, but it seemed that wasn¡¯t entirely true. As the saying goes, ¡°Hear with your ears, see with your eyes.¡± The Crown Prince smiled and said, ¡°Congrattions to our Royal Father for acquiring two Saints. It¡¯s a significant reinforcement for the Chengyuan Kingdom, further enhancing our already formidable strength.¡± Now, the Chengyuan Kingdom had four Saints. Previously, there were only two, and they were overshadowed by the South Qing and Dingyang Kingdoms, which had left Emperor Xuanzong frustrated. Now, he could finally wipe away that humiliation and stand tall. Emperor Xuanzongughed heartily. Apart from him, no one could see how truly delighted he was. Duke Dingbei and his son were feeling incredibly stifled, and Gu Zhicheng¡¯s mood hadn¡¯t improved either. They had hoped that Duke Dingbei¡¯s family could quell Gu Qingluan¡¯s arrogance, but it turned out that this father and son were so uncooperative that they let Gu Qingluan easily pass over this matter. Gu Qingluan had killed their close nephew and cousin! If anything happened to the Crown Prince, the Fifth Prince was the most powerful contender for the throne. Gu Qingluan had crushed their hopes, and they didn¡¯t even n to pursue it! Gu Zhicheng felt quite exhausted. At that moment, Emperor Xuanzong suddenly remarked, ¡°Patriarch Gu, you¡¯re truly fortunate to have such a wonderful daughter. Even 1 can¡¯t help but envy you.¡± Gu Zhicheng could not utter a reply. Well, was this really good fortune? It felt more like a stroke of bad luck. The Gu family was on the verge of being ruined by this unfilial daughter. Emperor Xuanzong then changed the topic. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about the recent disagreements between you and your daughter. Frankly, it¡¯s quite unnecessary. There shouldn¡¯t be any lingering animosity between a father and his daughter. As a father, you should be willing topromise when needed, show understanding when necessary, and not engage in disputes that make you a subject of ridicule!¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. It seemed that after solving Duke Dingbei¡¯s troubles, Emperor Xuanzong was now attempting to mediate the conflict between her and the Gu family. Why didn¡¯t she notice before that this emperor had the potential to be a neighborhood busybody? She couldn¡¯t believe that Emperor Xuanzong, with all his spies and informants, didn¡¯t know the extent of the feud between her and the Gu family. Did he really not understand? As Emperor Xuanzong scolded, Gu Zhicheng felt a sense of frustration, bearing the suffering in silence. But he couldn¡¯t say anything. He certainly couldn¡¯t reveal all of his family¡¯s issues to the emperor. If he did, it would be a massive blow to both the Gu family and his own reputation. On the surface, he smiled and casually agreed, trying to divert the topic. But Emperor Xuanzong wasn¡¯t easily fooled. His stern gaze swept over Gu Qingluan and Gu Zhicheng. ¡°The Gu family is the foremost noble house in Chengyuan, and now you have two Saints, solidifying the Gu family¡¯s position. Beyond the public and private interests, this is a good thing. Neither of you should act recklessly. If the Gu family were to decline, it would bring no benefit to either of you. This is my final word; both of you should go back and think carefully.¡± Gu Zhicheng straightened up. ¡°1 humbly heed your wise words.¡± The emperor¡¯s words held truth. If he and Gu Qingluan kept on opposing each other, they¡¯d both endure losses without any gain. He wished this stubborn young woman would grasp the wisdom of ¡°when one suffers, both suffer¡±. He gave Gu Qingluan a meaningful look. In response, Gu Qingluan casually smiled at him. That smile wasn¡¯t the gesture of reconciling differences; instead, it seemed like she was up to mischief. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s spine instantly went cold. That stubborn girl, what was she up to now? Chapter 335 - 335: Son Missing Chapter 335: Son Missing Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t care about it at all. She disregarded what the emperor said as if it didn¡¯t matter to her She didn¡¯t need the Gu family to maintain her position and status. The emperor, who had never been in her shoes, couldn¡¯t possibly empathize and make choices for her. She wouldn¡¯t easily let go of her grudge against the Gu family. She simply brushed off the emperor¡¯s scolding, and it went in one ear and out the other. Afterward, she gracefully exited the study. Gu Zhicheng followed her, wanting to say something but hesitating. Gu Qingluan pretended not to notice him and looked towards the courtyard. Not seeing Xiaonan and Yuanxi, her heart tightened slightly. She turned to the pce maid standing outside and asked, ¡°Where are the two boys who came with me?¡± ¡°They are resting in the side hall,¡± one of the pce maids exined. Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression eased a bit as she instructed her to lead the way. The pce maid guided her to the side hall. However, there was no sign of the children inside. The pce maid was visibly surprised and said, ¡°I¡­ 1 brought the two young masters to the side hall as per His Majesty¡¯s orders after you entered the study.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes turned icy, and she suddenly released a powerful aura. The entire pce could feel the oppressive atmosphere. Gu Zhicheng, who hadn¡¯t left yet, and the few people in the study were all taken aback. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The Crown Prince was the first to emerge from the study and happened to see Gu Qingluan exiting the side hall, her face filled with anger. Seeing her in such a state, the Crown Prince¡¯s heart skipped a beat. It wasn¡¯t the first time he had seen Miss Gu in this fierce demeanor. The only thing that could make her this angry was her son. So¡­ Did something happen to her child? Gu Qingluan looked at the people who followed the Crown Prince out of the study, and a cold light flickered in her dark eyes. ¡°Did you all take Xiaonan and the other boy?¡± Emperor Xuanzong was also taken aback, and he looked at the pce maid waiting at the door, asking, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The pce maid who had guided Gu Qingluan stammered, ¡°I¡­ 1 brought the two young masters to the side hall to rest, but now both of them are gone.¡± ¡°Could they have gone off to y somewhere?¡± Emperor Xuanzong furrowed his brows and said, ¡°Someone, immediately go and find the two young masters!¡± He nced at Duke Dingbei and Liu Miaowu from the corner of his eye. Both of them wore maliciously gleeful expressions and nothing else. Emperor Xuanzong had reasons to suspect the two of them, and Gu Qingluan naturally shared those suspicions. ¡°Why are you staring at us? Your son is missing, and you think we¡¯ll find him for you?¡± Liu Miaowu taunted. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t get mixed up in this, or you¡¯ll witness the Duke of Dingbei¡¯s estate facing utter destruction!¡± ¡°This is outrageous!¡± Duke Dingbei¡¯s face turned red with anger. This stubborn girl was indeed overly arrogant! Did she believe that she could wipe out the entire Duke Dingbei¡¯s mansion? To do so, she first have to hand the Dingbei Army! However, Gu Qingluan paid no attention to his reaction. She leaped onto the rooftop in a single bound. Her consciousness extended like a tide in all directions. In an instant, Gu Qingluan noticed that two pieces of zed tiles on the rooftop of the study had been lifted. Combined with Liu Miaowu¡¯s inexplicable beating earlier, Gu Qingluan suspected that her sons might be responsible. They must have hidden on the rooftop to eavesdrop. Not much time had passed since Liu Miaowu was assaulted. In such a short time, where could they have gone? She had instructed them to wait obediently, and they wouldn¡¯t have run off on their own. But if it wasn¡¯t their decision to leave, who could have taken them away so silently? Xiaonan and Yuanxi were no ordinary children. Anymotion caused by their abduction should have been impossible for her to miss. Gu Qingluan¡¯s mental perception encountered interference within a pce located to the west.. Chapter 336 - 336: Who Dares to Come Closer, I’ll Break Her Neck Chapter 336: Who Dares to Come Closer, I¡¯ll Break Her Neck Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion She fixed her gaze¡ª It was the Huaqing Pce! That was the pce of Consort Shu! Why would a concubine¡¯s pce set up a barrier capable of blocking a Saint¡¯s divine perception? Such a barrier was beyond the abilities of ordinary people and consumed a vast amount of Xuanling Stones. To do this, they must be involved in something they didn¡¯t want others to know! Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes instantly turned cold as she flew toward the Huaqing Pce. Liu Miaoyue, you¡¯d better pray that Xiaonan and Yuanxi are safe! Seeing the direction Gu Qingluan left in, Duke Dingbei and Liu Miaowu were both surprised. ¡°Could she be going to find my younger sister?¡± ¡°Hurry and go over to check!¡± Duke Dingbei and Liu Miaowu didn¡¯t even have time to bid farewell to the Emperor before they hurriedly followed. Emperor Xuanzong heard what Liu Miaowu said, and his heart tightened. He instructed the Crown Prince to send people to investigate as well. Gu Zhicheng¡¯s eyes flickered, and he followed suit. Gu Qingluan¡¯s sons were in trouble; how could he not go and see what was happening? That illegitimate child was truly detestable! If he could die in the pce, it would be good news indeed. Gu Qingluan quickly arrived at the Huaqing Pce but was blocked by a barrier, so she was unable to enter. A measly array barrier dared to obstruct her way? Ha! Gu Qingluan casually waved her hand, and a terrifying arcane power shot out, instantly shattering the barrier. The head guard at the gate crossed his spears and stood in her way. ¡°How dare you?! Who do you think you are to trespass into Huaqing Pce?¡± Gu Qingluan unfolded her divine perception, and the entire pce appeared in her mind. She didn¡¯t see the Consort Shu, nor did she see Xiaonan and Yuanxi. ¡°Where is your mistress?¡± she asked the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper didn¡¯t recognize Gu Qingluan and rebuked her with a cold face, ¡°How dare you inquire about the whereabouts of Consort Shu? Leave immediately!¡± Gu Qingluan beckoned, and the guard¡¯s neck fell into her hand. The guard¡¯s face turned pale as he was choked. Veins popped on his neck as he stammered, ¡°Re-release¡­ Release¡­ you¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll ask again, where is Consort Shu?¡± ¡°The Consort¡­ the Consort Shu has left the pce.¡± Left the pce? Gu Qingluan scrutinized him. ¡°Where did she go?¡± The guard opened his mouth, about to answer when a strange and mocking female voice interrupted. ¡°Who¡¯s this? Someone with quite the audacity to eveny a hand on Consort Shu¡¯s guard.¡± ¡°The humble one pays respects to the Third Princess.¡± Another guard immediately knelt and saluted. Gu Qingluan nced and saw a youngdy dressed in a crimson-purple pce gown embroidered with gold and silver threads walking towards her. Behind her followed a group of pce maids and eunuchs. Despite the passing years, Gu Qingluan still recognized her. The Third Princess, Qi Lingyue, was Gu Lingxue¡¯s closest friend! ¡°Oh, you¡¯re Gu Qingluan? You¡¯re surprisingly still alive? If you had even a shred of shame, aftermitting such offenses, you should have ended your own life long ago.¡± The Third Princess disyed her disdain and contempt for Gu Qingluan. In this critical moment, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t afford to waste any more time here. She turned away and pressed on with her questioning of the guard. The Third Princess, being ignored, shed anger in her eyes and sternly reprimanded the guard, ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to tell her anything! The mistress¡¯s whereabouts are not for you to divulge! Do you want to die?¡± The guard, hearing this, didn¡¯t dare to disclose anything. He gritted his teeth, looking like he would rather die than yield. Gu Qingluan shook off the guard, then suddenly appeared in front of the Third Princess. Despite the Third Princess having decent cultivation, in front of Gu Qingluan, she was like a child who hadn¡¯t reacted. Gu Qingluan had already lifted her off the ground. ¡°Ah! Gu Qingluan, what are you doing? Put this princess down immediately! Do you hear me?¡± The Third Princess screamed. ¡°Third Princess!¡± ¡°Release the Third Princess!¡± Seeing this, the pce attendants were shocked and rushed forward, trying to save her. Gu Qingluan, holding the Third Princess, flew to the rooftop and pinched the Third Princess¡¯s neck, saying, ¡°Hold it right there. If anyone dares toe closer, I¡¯ll break her neck..¡± Chapter 337 - 337: Get Ready to Collect Your Son’s Corpse Chapter 337 - 337: Get Ready to Collect Your Son¡¯s Corpse Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Everyone immediately stopped in their tracks, looking at them nervously. ¡°Whether the Third Princess can survive depends on your cooperation,¡± she said, lowering her eyelids and casting a cold gaze at the guards of Huaqing Pce. The two guards turned pale at her words. Offending Consort Shu meant certain death, but staying silent and causing harm to the Third Princess would result in the same grim oue. What were they to do?
    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you speaking? If Third Princess encounters any mishap, can you bear the consequences?¡± scolded the personal maid of Third Princess, her eyes filled with threats. The guards looked at the Third Princess, who was being strangled by Gu Qingluan, appearing on the verge of losing consciousness. The third Princess was the daughter of the Noble Consort, the most prestigious princess. If anything happened to her, they would undoubtedly lose their heads. Panicking and without considering anything else, they quickly spoke up, ¡°Consort Shu is in the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence! She has been at the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence these days!¡± Fifth Prince¡¯s residence? Gu Qingluan hesitated briefly. Were Xiaonan and Yuanxi taken there? Currently, she harbored the most resentment towards Consort Shu for what she had done to her and her son. Her divine sense had not detected the presence of her two sons in the imperial pce, so she had no other option but to take this gamble. Leaving the Third Princess behind, she quickly departed from the pce. Thrown by her, the Third Princess fell towards the ground, terrifying the pce attendants who rushed forward to save her. The third Princess activated her arcane power, spun around, and gentlynded on the ground. The pce attendants breathed a sigh of relief and crowded around her, anxiously asking, ¡°Third Princess, are you alright?¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± The third Princess rubbed her sore neck, her eyes filled with spite. Gu Qingluan, you¡¯re quite something! I¡¯ll remember this grudge! Everyone was startled, thinking of the Third Princess¡¯s violent temper. They all quickly knelt down, begging for mercy. This time, the Third Princess didn¡¯t scold or beat them. She looked in the direction Gu Qingluan had left, her eyes revealing a bloodthirsty smile. ¡°Gu Qingluan, no matter how audacious or formidable you may be, you can¡¯t save your son from death!¡± Qi Tianyou and hispanions hurried to Huaqing Pce, only to discover that neither Gu Qingluan nor Consort Shu were present. Upon asking, they were informed that both of them had gone to the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion. Without dy, they altered their path and made their way to the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence. Upon her arrival at the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion in her rescue mission, Gu Qingluan left a trail of casualties in her wake. The few surviving servants and inhabitants of the mansion either fled in terror or were driven to madness, rendering the residence eerily deste, as if it had been forsaken. After the Fifth Prince¡¯s death, white cloth was hung in the residence. Every day, mournful music filled the air, making it even more deste. In the front hall, there was a mahogany coffin where Qi Tianyuy. He had been beaten to an unrecognizable state, and despite their efforts to tidy him up, he still looked horrifying. Consort Shu stood beside the coffin, looking at her most proud and beloved son inside. Tears welled up in her eyes once again. ¡°Your Highness, please take care of yourself. If the Fifth Prince is in the heavens, he would surely not want to see you so heartbroken,¡± an elderly hunchbacked man beside her advised. His voice was sinister and sounded like a venomous snake, making people feel ufortable. Consort Shu wiped away her tears with her sleeve and turned to look at him. Her delicate and beautiful face, which appeared to be in her early thirties, was well-maintained. However, at this moment, her face was filled with hatred, distorting its beauty. ¡°Mr. Gui, let¡¯s begin.¡± The old man nodded and took out a Yin-Yang mirror from his robe. cing it on Qi Tianyu¡¯s chest, Consort Shu stared at Qi Tianyu¡¯s disfigured face with madness in her eyes. ¡°Tianyu, rest assured, that wretched woman¡¯s illegitimate child will join you soon..¡± Chapter 338 - 338: Going Crazy Chapter 338 - 338: Going Crazy Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Above the coffin, two children hung in the air: Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi. They were bound back to back, their eyes tightly shut, in an unconscious state. The Yin-Yang mirror showed one side in white and the other in ck, merging the realms of life and death. Mr. Gui positioned the white side towards the Fifth Prince and the ck side towards the two children, then gestured for Consort Shu to step back. Consort Shu quickly retreated to a corner. Then, Mr. Gui held his hands in a specific formation and silently chanted an incantation. Consort Shu anxiously watched his every move.
    A beam of ck light shot forth from Mr. Gui¡¯s hands, prating the Yin-Yang mirror. The mirror reflected a ck light that enveloped the two children. The two children furrowed their brows, struggling within the confines. Seeing this, Consort Shu revealed a glimmer of joy. She nervously clutched her handkerchief, refusing to look away. Suddenly, Feng Yuanxi opened his eyes, revealing a pair of amethyst-like purple eyes. Consort Shu couldn¡¯t contain her surprise and eximed, ¡°Purple eyes! Mr. Gui, how¡­ how is it possible for him to wake up?¡± A hint of surprise shed in Mr. Gui¡¯s eyes, followed by an excited expression. His entire body trembled uncontrobly. Indeed, he possessed a divine physique. Even in this critical moment, he managed to awaken! Once he took control of this body, his cultivation would progress at an astounding rate. In no time, he would not only recover his peak state but also potentially ascend to unimaginable heights. Calming himself slightly, he reassured Consort Shu, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Your Highness. Even if he¡¯s awake, he won¡¯t be able to escape.¡± Consort Shu rxed a bit upon seeing that Feng Yuanxi couldn¡¯t break free from his restraints. ¡°Mr. Gui, please send their souls to the underworld as my son¡¯s servants as soon as possible, to prevent any unforeseen events.¡± Mr. Gui nodded. ¡°Of course, 1¡¯11 send them away right away.¡± He continued with his incantation, and the ck light emitted by the Yin-Yang mirror grew increasingly intense. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s eyes appeared somewhat vacant. Initially calm, he began to struggle again as the dark energy surrounding him increased. His face contorted in pain, and he fought against his bindings once more. Behind him, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes remained tightly shut, mirroring his plight. Their faces grew paler, and a white mist emerged above their heads. Mr. Gui, delighted by the situation, immediately exerted more effort. As Gu Qingluan burst into the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence, this was the scene that greeted her. Though invisible to the naked eye, her spiritual senses could clearly discern those two white apparitions¡ªthe souls of Xiaonan and Yuanxi. Someone was attempting to steal her sons¡¯ souls! At that moment, thest thread of Gu Qingluan¡¯s restraint snapped, and an overwhelming wave of rage surged forth. She bellowed, ¡°Get lost!¡± A terrifying pressure descended like a mountain. Consort Shu¡¯s legs went weak, forcing her to kneel on the ground. Simultaneously, her chest seared with pain, and she spat out a mouthful of blood. Mr. Gui¡¯s situation wasn¡¯t much better than hers. He was sent flying, crashing violently into the wall with a resounding thud before falling to the ground. Without his arcane power to support it, the Yin-Yang mirror immediately lost its effect, and the ck light shrouding the two children disappeared. The two children had their eyes tightly shut, their faces as pale as paper, their fates hanging in the bnce. Gu Qingluan had never seen them in such a pitiable state, and her heart leaped into her throat in an instant. She flew into the hall from outside, her arcane power acting like a de, severing the ropes that held the two children. Gu Qingluan caught the two children just in time. Her spiritual awareness quickly scanned their bodies. There were no injuries on the two children¡¯s bodies, and the souls that had been extracted had returned to their bodies. Only then did she rx slightly. Suddenly, a wave of Yin energy surged towards them.. Chapter 339 - 339: Incomplete Soul Chapter 339: Iplete Soul Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan looked up and saw a mirror hanging in mid-air, its dark surface facing her, emitting a ck light towards herself. This treacherous thing had almost extracted Xiaonan and Little Yuanxi¡¯s souls just now. Her eyes brimmed with anger as she raised her hand and swept it. Her arcane power transformed into a sharp sword, cleaving towards the Yin-Yang mirror. The Yin-Yang mirror didn¡¯t shatter but violently shook in mid-air. The old man who controlled the Yin-Yang mirror let out a sudden splutter and spewed a mouthful of blood. Gu Qingluan temporarily ced her son to the side, using her finger as a brush to draw a formation around them. Then, she swiftly moved in front of the old man, striking his forehead with the palm of her hand. Mr. Gui, suppressed by her imposing aura, showed a terrified expression. He had long experienced this woman¡¯s abnormal strength. When this palm struck, he knew he was in grave danger. He shouted hoarsely, ¡°You can¡¯t kill me!¡± A faint smile tugged at the corner of Gu Qingluan¡¯s mouth, her eyes filled with icy killing intent, and her hand¡¯s momentum didn¡¯t waver. Mr. Gui urgently yelled, ¡°Their souls are with me! Do you want them to be idiots for the rest of their lives?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand suddenly stopped, just a hair¡¯s breadth away from the top of his head. Mr. Gui, who nearly met his demise, was full of fear on his face. Seeing her stop, he shuffled backward. Gu Qingluan kicked him to the ground with one swift motion. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Mr. Gui tumbled over, struggling to look at her. Despite her fierce demeanor, his ruthless actions made him feel a chill in his heart. However, thinking of what he held in his hand, his fear faded away. He revealed an unsightly smile on his face, full of wrinkles. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear? Your son lost a part of his soul and if you kill me, they¡¯ll never be normal people again. If you don¡¯t believe me, take a look for yourself.¡± Gu Qingluan turned around, and she saw Feng Yuanxi opening his eyes. His eyes had turned purple, but there was no sign of vitality in them. Gu Qingluan called out to him several times. He seemed to hear her call and slowly turned his head in her direction. There was no joy on his face as before. He looked dumb, like a puppet doll. Gu Qingluan¡¯s spiritual awareness entered his mind, but at the entrance of his realm of the mind, it was blocked by a mysterious force. She couldn¡¯t see his soul. But Yuanxi¡¯s condition was evident. Gu Qingluan then examined Xiaonan¡¯s body. She found that Xiaonan¡¯s soul was fainter than that of a normal person, indicating that his soul was iplete. ¡°Hand over their remnants!¡± Gu Qingluan looked at the old man, her eyes sharp. Mr. Gui chuckled. ¡°Do you think 1 would give them to you now?¡± If he handed over their souls now, he believed she would kill him immediately. ¡°Gu Qingluan! Do you want to save them? Do you want them to be normal people? Kneel before my son! Do you hear me? Kneel down immediately!¡± Consort Shu crawled up from the ground, staring at her with hatred. She seemed like she wanted to devour Gu Qingluan alive. Gu Qingluan extended her hand. Consort Shu flew towards her, screaming in fear. Smack! Gu Qingluan seized her by the neck and looked at Mr. Gui. ¡°Speak! If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll kill her!¡± Consort Shu struggled to free herself, but as a low-level arcane practitioner, she couldn¡¯t even budge Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand. With a slight squeeze of Gu Qingluan¡¯s fingers, Consort Shu immediately lost consciousness. Mr. Gui leaned against the wall, his old face showing no signs of nervousness. ¡°Go ahead and kill her.¡± Consort Shu stopped struggling, looking at him in disbelief. ¡°Mr¡­ Mr¡­ Gui, what do you¡­ mean¡­.¡± Chapter 340 - 340: Soul Absorption Technique Chapter 340: Soul Absorption Technique Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Mr. Gui¡¯s gaze was cold and unrelenting; it was clear he wasn¡¯t joking. He truly had no intention of caring about her fate! Consort Shu was both shocked and furious. That cursed old man, how dare he! Gu Qingluan also felt somewhat surprised but quickly understood. This old man didn¡¯t consider Consort Shu his mistress at all. In this situation, his own life was obviously more important. Seeing that Consort Shu was useless, Gu Qingluan tossed her aside. Consort Shu crashed into a pir and fainted. Mr. Gui¡¯s pupils constricted. While he pretended to remain calm, his eyes were greedily fixed on Gu Qingluan. ¡°Consort Shu¡¯s words do make sense. If you want to save the two children, then use yourself as the exchange.¡± ¡°Use me as an exchange?¡± Her crimson lips curled into a sinister smile. Mr. Gui saw her expression and suddenly had an ominous premonition but couldn¡¯t pinpoint what was wrong. He knew that this woman cared deeply for her son, and her son¡¯s remaining soul was in his hands. She wouldn¡¯t dare to kill him. ¡°Why not 1 use you as an exchange?¡± Gu Qingluan ced her hand on his forehead. In an instant, Mr. Ghost felt a tearing, excruciating pain in his mind. His pupils shrank, and he cried out in horror, ¡°Soul¡­absorption!¡± Indeed, Gu Qingluan had used the Soul Absorption technique. Soul Absorption was an extremely cruel spell that forcibly extracted the memories of others. Those subjected to it would suffer damage to their soul at best, and at worst, death. Because this method was so cruel, it was ssified as a forbidden technique. Moreover, it was difficult to master, and very few people in the world knew how to use it. In her previous life, Gu Qingluan had read countless books and was a fanatic when it came to cultivation. That¡¯s why she had learned the Soul Absorption technique. Never did she expect that, after crossing over to the Cloud ins Continent, she would use this technique. Gu Qingluan¡¯s face suddenly changed. ¡°How could this happen?¡± She had originally thought she would be able to discern where the old man had hidden Xiaonan and Yuanxi¡¯s souls. However, it turned out that this guy was just a clone, and his memories were limited! She hadn¡¯t found any memories about the hidden location of Xiaonan and Yuanxi¡¯s souls. ¡°haha! You can¡¯t find it!¡± Mr. Guiughed maliciously. Just as he hadughed a couple of times, he abruptly stopped, his eyes bulged, and he dropped dead on the spot. Gu Qingluan¡¯s face turned ashen, and she kicked him away. Damn it! Soul Absorption was already overbearing, and this guy was just a soul clone, unable to withstand it. He didn¡¯t even wait for Gu Qingluan to ask questions before he died. Through the Soul Absorption just now, Gu Qingluan also discovered something. To be precise, the soul concealed within this body belongs to the mysticist who, on that day, attempted to use the Soul Seizing Banner to sacrifice Little Yuanxi¡¯s soul. His name is Yan Laogui. At that time, Gu Qingluan¡¯s attention had been on Qitian Yu, and she hadn¡¯t expected this guy to use the Cicada Shedding technique, where the soul leaves the body, to possess the body of a servant in the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion. In the rtively small Cloud ins Continent, a cultivator of the Heavenly Realm, surprisingly possesses such abilities, demonstrating a remarkable mastery in manipting souls to this extent. No wonder he was able to abduct Xiaonan and Yuanxi from the pce without a sound. The thought of Xiaonan and Yuanxi¡¯s souls being in his hands filled Gu Qingluan with worry. She had to find out his whereabouts in order to locate Xiaonan and Yuanxi¡¯s souls. Yan Laogui had suffered severe injuries when he was in the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion back then, and now his clone had been destroyed by her. He must be seriously injured and unable to escape. He was more likely to be hiding in some concealed ce. In the past, he had been hired by Qitian Yu, and after Qitian Yu¡¯s death, he joined hands with Consort Shu. Now, only Consort Shu knew where he was. Just at that moment, a group of people rushed in. ¡°Yue¡¯er!¡± ¡°Little sister!¡± Chapter 341 - 341: Gu Qingluan, How Dare You! Chapter 341: Gu Qingluan, How Dare You! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Duke Dingbei and Liu Miaowu rushed to Consort Shu¡¯s side, nervously helping her up. After confirming that Consort Shu was not dead, the father and son breathed a sigh of relief. Then they confronted Gu Qingluan, ¡°Gu Qingluan! How dare you injure Consort Shu!¡± Qitian You arrived with his men at the same time. Seeing Consort Shu unconscious and the two little boys in the corner with closed eyes, he felt a headacheing on. The children had really been abducted by Consort Shu. Were these two children alright? He stepped forward to check on their condition, but Gu Qingluan stopped him. Qitian You asked with concern, ¡°Miss Gu, are the children alright? The imperial physician is on his way and will arrive soon. Please don¡¯t worry.¡± These two children absolutely could not die. If they died, not only Consort Shu but also the Duke Dingbei¡¯s residence would be in ruins. No, even their Chengyuan Kingdom might suffer a catastrophic fate. So, he silently prayed that they had merely been rendered unconscious. ¡°How could they be fine?¡± Gu Qingluan sneered, her eyes filled with a chilling coldness. Seeing Gu Qingluan exuding an icy aura, Qitian You couldn¡¯t help but shiver, sensing an ominous premonition. ¡°What¡­what happened to them?¡± Maintaining a distance of about three feet, he carefully examined the two children, but he couldn¡¯t find any injuries on them. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t answer him and walked directly to Consort Shu. ¡°What are you nning?¡± Duke Dingbei and his son shielded Consort Shu, with one holding her in his arms and the other extending his arms to block the way. Gu Qingluanmanded, ¡°Step aside!¡± Her gaze was icy. Liu Miaowu shivered but gritted his teeth, standing his ground. ¡°Gu Qingluan, don¡¯t go too far! My sister is Consort Shu. How dare you offend her? You¡¯ve injured her, and now you want to kill her?¡± Gu Qingluan, expressionless, unleashed a surge of arcane power, not bothering with his words. Liu Miaowu, deeply concerned for his father and sister who were behind him, stood his ground and summoned his mystical weapon, the Crimson Iron de. He shouted loudly, causing the Crimson Iron de to glow brightly and form a shield in front of him. Boom! The overwhelming arcane power shattered the Crimson Iron de into pieces. The arcane power continued its advance, striking Liu Miaowu¡¯s chest, sending his body flying uncontrobly. ¡°Wu¡¯er!¡± Duke Dingbei¡¯s eyes nearly burst with rage. Consort Shu, who had awakened amidst themotion, witnessed this scene and shouted in a pale voice, ¡°Big Brother!¡± Liu Miaowu collided heavily with a pir, blood spewing. He then copsed, twitched briefly, andy still, leaving everyone uncertain about whether he was alive or dead. ¡°Gu Qingluan, how dare you!¡± Duke Dingbei red with reddened eyes, looking as if he would devour Gu Qingluan alive. Gu Qingluan cast a fleeting nce at him, her eyes cold and more intimidating than his gaze. Duke Dingbei was momentarily silenced by her overwhelming presence, rendered speechless. Gu Qingluan shifted her gaze to Consort Shu and asked, ¡°Where is Yan Laogui?¡± Meeting her eyes, an inexplicable fear spread through Consort Shu¡¯s heart. Consort Shu¡¯s body trembled, and she stammered, ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Gu Qingluan swiftly approached her and pulled her up. Duke Dingbei tried to intervene but was pushed away by a single palm from Gu Qingluan. ¡°Let go of me, you wretch! Let go of me!¡± Consort Shu screamed, struggling to free herself. Gu Qingluan tossed her aside near a coffin and warned, ¡°If you don¡¯t speak, I¡¯ll make sure he¡¯s utterly destroyed! You won¡¯t even get to keep his bones!¡± Consort Shu exploded with rage upon hearing this. ¡°How dare you!¡± Gu Qingluan sneered, raising her hand, and a crimson me ignited in her palm.. Chapter 342 - 342: Mother Will Bring You Home Chapter 342: Mother Will Bring You Home Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The scorching heat twisted the air. Even without touching it, Consort Shu could feel the unusual nature of that fire. Thinking that her son might have perished entirely, she cried out in sorrow, ¡°1 don¡¯t know! I don¡¯t know! Isn¡¯t he already dead?¡± Gu Qingluan had no patience for further words and once again used the Soul Absorption technique. Consort Shu let out a dreadful scream. Duke Dingbei roared in anger, ¡°Gu Qingluan, what are you doing? Release my daughter!¡± He leaped up, his palm suddenly glowing, aiming directly for Gu Qingluan¡¯s back. Qitian You quickly intervened, saying, ¡°Duke Dingbei, no!¡± Bang! Duke Dingbei didn¡¯t hit Gu Qingluan; instead, he was sent flying by her. At the same time, Consort Shu¡¯s seven orifices bled, and she fainted. Gu Qingluan withdrew her hand, her expression as dark as ink. Consort Shu truly didn¡¯t know the whereabouts of Yan Laogui. Qitian You rushed over, met her fiercely determined gaze, and hurriedly exined, ¡°I mean no harm.¡± Gu Qingluan averted her eyes and set the coffin on fire. If Consort Shu were awake right now, she might have been infuriated. Qitian You, seeing this, moved his lips but ultimately didn¡¯t say anything. He reached down to check beneath Consort Shu¡¯s nose, confirming that she hadn¡¯t died, and breathed a sigh of relief. Gu Qingluan, after disposing of Qitian Yu¡¯s body, came to her sons¡¯ side. ¡°Little Yuanxi, Xiaonan, Mother will take you home.¡± Feng Yuanxi stared at her, dazed, not saying a word, and devoid of expression. Gu Xiaonan remained unconscious, his little face pale. A pang of sorrow struck Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart. She had promised to protect them, but they had suffered such harm. She felt utterly useless. A tear formed in her eye and fell onto Yuanxi¡¯s lips. He stirred and swallowed the tear. His lips quivered, taking in that single tear. Suddenly, the lifeless eyes blinked once, and a small hand reached out to touch Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan was taken aback, then joyfully grasped his little hand. ¡°Little Yuanxi, do you remember me?¡± Feng Yuanxi gazed at her nkly, his purple pupils reflecting her face, dull and lifeless. Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart plummeted in an instant. She gently kissed his little hand while suppressing her sadness. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I will retrieve your souls, and soon you¡¯ll be back to normal. Trust me, I¡¯ll make sure you return to your usual self as soon as possible.¡± She lifted them, one in each arm, and walked out of the front hall. ¡°Gu Qingluan, today I will kill you!¡± Up ahead, Duke Dingbei shouted in anger. However, Duke Dingbei had just discovered that his son had passed away. The loss of his grandson and son, coupled with the uncertain fate of his daughter, drove this angry old man to the edge. Even though Gu Qingluan was a powerful Saint, he vowed to make her suffer dearly. Qitian You, standing in the hall, quickly ran outside and was stunned by what he saw. Soldiers surrounded the courtyard from all sides. These were not ordinary soldiers; they were from the Dingbei Army! Leading them at the forefront were the elite forces of the Dingbei Army¡ªthe Seventy-Two Generals! Every one of these generals was an Earth Realm expert, battle-hardened and experienced. They had faced countless battles, stood against overwhelming odds, and taken countless lives on the battlefield. Once, these Seventy-Two Generals managed to drive a Saint away from the Dingyang Kingdom. Although the Saint had just reached that status and had an unstable cultivation level, it didn¡¯t diminish the might of the Seventy-Two Generals. Ordinary folks, even with seven hundred and twenty soldiers, couldn¡¯t stand a chance against a single Saint. But the Seventy-Two Generals pulled it off! When did Duke Dingbei manage to call upon the Seventy-Two Generals? It was nothing short of madness! Chapter 343 - 343: The Person Who Dares to Hurt My Wife and Child Should Die! Chapter 343 - 343: The Person Who Dares to Hurt My Wife and Child Should Die! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Qitian Yu pleaded urgently, ¡°Duke Dingbei, please don¡¯t do anything rash! We¡¯re in Tianjing; how could you bring them here?¡± ¡°Shut your mouth! The Emperor instructed you to go to the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion and save lives, but this malicious scoundrel seems to wish for the Fifth Prince¡¯s demise and purposefully avoids helping him! Don¡¯t assume I¡¯m unaware. When you and Prince He arrived at the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion, he was still alive! You¡ªdeserve to die!¡± Duke Dingbei¡¯s gaze at Qitian You was filled with resentment. Qitian You¡¯s expression froze, then he angrily retorted, ¡°Duke Dingbei, don¡¯t spew baseless usations! It was the Fifth Brother who offended Miss Gu and Mr. Lan. Even Second Imperial Uncle couldn¡¯t save him. How could I?¡± However, Duke Dingbei didn¡¯t believe a word he said; he thought Qitian You was being evasive. ¡°Today, none of you will leave here alive!¡±
    Duke Dingbei¡¯s face contorted with rage. ¡°Seventy-Two Generals, obey orders, kill them all, leave no one alive!¡± The guards who hade with Qitian You had already been killed by the Seventy-Two Generals, leaving only a few who nervously gripped their swords, forming a protective circle around him. The Seventy-Two Generals immediately sprang into action. des shed, swords shed, and arcane energy erupted. Thebined onught descended in an instant. Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression remained unchanged as she released her imposing presence. The pressure of a Saint surged like a tidal wave, sweeping in all directions. The Dingbei soldiers standing on rooftops and around the vicinity spat out blood and copsed. The Seventy-Two Generals encountered some resistance. However, they didn¡¯t fall or spit blood. This was the unique ability of the Seventy-Two Generals. Their resilience against the pressure of an expert was pushed to the limit. That¡¯s why they were able to repel an enemy with a Saint in the past and almost wiped them out. In an instant, the Seventy-Two Generals closed in on Gu Qingluan. Apart from a few who had been sent to deal with the Crown Prince, the rest all converged on her. Gu Qingluan held her child in her arms and couldn¡¯t free her hands to fend them off. She pointed her toes and leaped high into the air. Nine of the Seventy-Two Generals descended from above, theirrge des aiming for her head. Two fists couldn¡¯t match four hands, let alone in this situation where there were over a hundred hands. If Gu Qingluan¡¯s hands were free, she could still resist. But she only had a pair of feet, which could block attacks from above but not from below. Qitian You was protected by guards in the middle. When he saw Gu Qingluan surrounded by dozens of des, his heart tightened, and he eximed, ¡°Miss Gu, be careful!¡± Cold determination gleamed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes as she cradled her son in her arms, releasing her arcane power outward. ¡°Back off!¡± A dazzling light burst forth from her. Ding! The des and swords struck the radiant barrier and were sent flying. The Seventy-Two Generals shouted together, their bodies abruptly stopping in mid-air, and then they charged at her like arrows released from a bowstring. The weapons imbued with arcane power emitted intense light and shed at her simultaneously. ¡°Watch out!¡± Qitian You, who had been keeping a close eye on Gu Qingluan, was identally struck on the arm by one of them. He winced in pain, his face turning pale. Duke Dingbei watched Gu Qingluan being besieged, a crazed smile appearing in his old eyes. ¡°Gu Qingluan, now die!¡± Die? The enemy didn¡¯t die, how could she possibly die? Just as Gu Qingluan was about to unleash her Hongmeng Qi, a tremendous pressure, terrifying enough to send shivers down one¡¯s soul, swept over them. ¡°Those who dare harm my wife and child deserve death!¡± A familiar, deep male voice echoed from the sky, its majestic and furious tone exploding in the minds of everyone present. It was Feng Tian! Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart trembled, and she looked up at the sky. Qitian You also recognized the voice, his face filled with joy as he turned to look in the direction of the sound.. Wanna gift the story? Try one. COMMENT 3ments o VOTE 1 Lett SEND GIFT Chapter 344: Domineering Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Bang! Bang! Bang! Duke Dingbei¡¯s group took a severe beating, with some soldiers sent flying and others forced to their knees. Their faces turned red, veins bulging in their necks. Duke Dingbei was bleeding from all seven orifices, trembling all over. ¡°Who is it? Such incredible power!¡± The Seventy-Two Generals, including Duke Dingbei, wore expressions of disbelief as they endured the pain. They looked up at the sky with perplexed and shocked faces. They had fought on numerous battlefields and were known as the strongest army of the Chengyuan Kingdom. They had even sessfully repelled Saints in the past, but they had never faced such a dire situation before. Who could it be that, solely with their aura, pushed them into such a state? A fierce wind swept through the sky, and a streak of white light rapidly approached. A tall figure gradually became visible within the dazzling light. His features weren¡¯t particrly handsome, but at this moment, everyone was awestruck. His elongated, jet-ck eyes were sharp and seemed bottomless, like an ancient abyss. Anyone who met his gaze would feel their soul quiver uncontrobly. His flowing ck hair and snow-white robeplemented each other, making him look like a celestial being, gazing down upon the world. The crowd was deeply moved. If this man were more handsome, women across the world, and perhaps even Chapter 344 - 344: Domineering Chapter 344 - 344: Domineering Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Bang! Bang! Bang! Duke Dingbei¡¯s group took a severe beating, with some soldiers sent flying and others forced to their knees. Their faces turned red, veins bulging in their necks. Duke Dingbei was bleeding from all seven orifices, trembling all over. ¡°Who is it? Such incredible power!¡± The Seventy-Two Generals, including Duke Dingbei, wore expressions of disbelief as they endured the pain. They looked up at the sky with perplexed and shocked faces.
    They had fought on numerous battlefields and were known as the strongest army of the Chengyuan Kingdom. They had even sessfully repelled Saints in the past, but they had never faced such a dire situation before. Who could it be that, solely with their aura, pushed them into such a state? A fierce wind swept through the sky, and a streak of white light rapidly approached. A tall figure gradually became visible within the dazzling light. His features weren¡¯t particrly handsome, but at this moment, everyone was awestruck. His elongated, jet-ck eyes were sharp and seemed bottomless, like an ancient abyss. Anyone who met his gaze would feel their soul quiver uncontrobly. His flowing ck hair and snow-white robeplemented each other, making him look like a celestial being, gazing down upon the world. The crowd was deeply moved. If this man were more handsome, women across the world, and perhaps even men, would go crazy for him. Even Gu Qingluan, who had seen his true appearance, was now captivated by his presence. In her mind, she remembered the world¡¯s description of the Royal Prince Lan a peerless enchanting man! Even without striking looks, his charisma was so overpowering that one couldn¡¯t tear their gaze away. Feng Tiannded beside Gu Qingluan, his ice-cold narrow eyes quickly softening as he looked at her with concern. ¡°Have they hurt you?¡± Gu Qingluan was the first to regain herposure, hiding her astonishment. She replied with hope in her eyes, ¡°I¡¯m fine, but Little Yuanxi and Xiaonan had their souls taken. Do you have a way to track where they¡¯re trapped?¡± Last time, he was able to locate Yuanxi at the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion. Will he be able to find out where Yuanxi is this time? Upon hearing this, Feng Tian nced at Yuanxi and immediately noticed his condition, his soul being iplete. His eyes slightly darkened as he reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, 1 have a way. For now, let¡¯s deal with these bullies.¡± ¡°Humph! Such arrogance!¡± Duke Dingbei stood up, clutching his chest, filled with anger. ¡°Who are you? 1 am Duke Dingbei, and I advise you not to meddle in our affairs! If you want to interfere, you will have to seek consent from the million of Dingbei¡¯s soldiers!¡± The Seventy-Two Generals also stood up, forming a protective line behind Duke Dingbei, holding their weapons with a strong aura of determination. The Duke Dingbei Army had never feared formidable foes. They had won battles against stronger adversaries multiple times, turning defeat into victory and creating countless legends. This man was undoubtedly powerful, but who could say they couldn¡¯t create another legend? ¡°Shit!¡± Qitian You, who was observing from the sidelines, couldn¡¯t help but inhale sharply. He knew the Duke Dingbei Army was bold, but he didn¡¯t realize they were this audacious. Was the pressure just now not enough to make them realize the strength of this individual standing before them? If they knew that the person in front of them was the extraordinary prince of the Holy Heaven Dynasty, would they still dare to be so arrogant? Feng Tian nced indifferently at Duke Dingbei and the soldiers behind him. A mocking smile flickered across his deep, narrow eyes, and he spoke with an air of arrogance, ¡°Who am I? You¡¯re not qualified to know! As for the Duke Dingbei Army¡­¡± He raised an eyebrow, his tone domineering and disdainful, ¡°I have no need to justify myself to an army that is about to get wiped out!¡± Utterly audacious! Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but click her tongue in amazement. She had witnessed this guy¡¯s cold and arrogant dominance before, and every time, it made her itch to give him a beating. Today, for the first time, she found this guy strangely pleasing. As the Crown Prince of Chengyuan, Qitian You should have been angry that his country¡¯s army was being belittled like this. However, he could only feel helpless. In the eyes of the Holy Heaven Dynasty, Chengyuan was truly insignificant. But Duke Dingbei and the others were unaware of Feng Tian¡¯s background and were infuriated by his contempt. ¡°You¡¯re too arrogant!¡± ¡°Wipe us out? Haha, there have been plenty of people who wanted to wipe us out. Those folks have long been buried in their graves!¡± The Duke Dingbei Army had won numerous battles and enjoyed great acim in Chengyuan. Their self-confidence was sky-high, so when someone mentioned wiping them out, it sounded like a joke to them! Duke Dingbei raised his arm and shouted, ¡°Men, today let¡¯s teach this ignorant youngster a good lesson.. Make him understand that arrogancees at a cost!¡± Chapter 345 - 345: Instant Break! Chapter 345 - 345: Instant Break! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Yes!¡± All, including the seventy-two generals, in the Duke Dingbei Army present, shouted together. ¡°Get into formation!¡± Everyone quickly ran, trapping Feng Tian and Gu Qingluan in the center. They formed several circles, their movements eerie and ghostly fast.
    The Duke Dingbei Army could outmatch the strong with their tactics and formations. Qi Tianyou was somewhat familiar with the Duke Dingbei Army¡¯s strength and immediately warned Feng Tian and Gu Qingluan, ¡°Be careful; the Duke Dingbei Army is known for their versatile and unpredictable formations. Even Saints have suffered losses against them.¡± Feng Tian stood still, unruffled, showing no signs of nervousness. Upon hearing the warning, he casually chuckled, ¡°They are just ying mind games.¡± Qi Tianyou was left dumbfounded. Before he could say anything further, Feng Tian suddenly moved. No, he vanished. Bang, bang, bang! The formation emitted bursts of explosive sounds, bewildering the onlookers. The seventy-two generals, led by Duke Dingbei, were all sent flying like sandbags. Their formation was broken in a second! Qi Tianyou stared in disbelief. The Duke Dingbei, who stoodmanding from the rear, couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. This was the unbeatable formation of the Duke Dingbei Army! Yet, in the blink of an eye, it was shattered by the enemy? It was in this moment of hesitation that a shadow fell over Duke Dingbei. It was him! Duke Dingbei¡¯s pupils shrank to their limit as he hastily retreated. A slender porcin-white hand reached out, grabbing his cor, and hoisting him off the ground as though he were a rag, tossing him casually at Gu Qingluan¡¯s feet. Duke Dingbei¡¯s forehead collided with the marble floor, causing immediate swelling and reddening of his skin. Before he could react, a sharp, tearing pain shot through his scalp as his hair was yanked from behind, forcefully lifting him from a crawling position to a standing one. Duke Dingbei¡¯s face contorted and reddened, letting out a pitiful cry. Then, a powerful force struck his kneecap. There was a crisp cracking sound, and Duke Dingbei let out another agonizing scream as his knee hit the ground heavily, his face twisted beyond recognition. ¡°Tsk, how could you be so violent to an elderly person? It makes us look disrespectful to our elders,¡± came a mocking voice from above. Duke Dingbei quickly looked up, ring at Gu Qingluan, who towered over him. ¡°Qingluan, you¡¯re right.¡± Feng Tian, who stood behind Duke Dingbei, nodded approvingly. He released the grip on Duke Dingbei¡¯s hair. With no support, Duke Dingbei fell forward, face down, eating a mouthful of dirt. Meanwhile, Gu Qingluan was visibly shaken by a certain someone calling her ¡°Qingluan¡±. She red at Feng Tian. Was he having too much fun with this act? She didn¡¯t mind when he referred to her as his ¡°wife¡± when he first appeared, but now he was pushing it too far! Feng Tian exchanged a smile with her. Qi Tianyou, who had been excitedly watching the fight was speechless. He suddenly realized he was forced to watch a public disy of affection. ¡°Give me the children; you must be tired,¡± Feng Tian said, reaching out to help her with the two children. ¡°First, clean your hands. Look at what dirty things you just touched,¡± Gu Qingluan said with disdain. Feng Tian looked apologetic. ¡°Sorry, I almost forgot.¡± He took out a dark blue silk handkerchief from his space and carefully wiped his fingers one by one. In truth, he had only touched Duke Dingbei, so his meticulous cleaning was clearly a sign of disdain for Duke Dingbei¡¯s filthiness. It was undoubtedly humiliating! The Duke Dingbei Army had suffered a defeat, and Duke Dingbei himself had faced humiliation on multiple asions. Even the mostposed individual would struggle to stay calm in such a situation, and Duke Dingbei was no exception. In a fit of rage, his mind was consumed by anger.. His bloodied face contorted with ferocity as he charged towards the child in Gu Qingluan¡¯s arms, shouting, ¡°Die!¡± Chapter 346 - 346: A Monster and a Perverse Woman, a Perfect Match! Chapter 346 - 346: A Monster and a Perverse Woman, a Perfect Match! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan sensed his intention and instantly kicked him away. Duke Dingbei flew backward as if he were a useless sandbag, crashing heavily into the Duke Dingbei Army. Screams filled the air. Watching her two sons, one unconscious and the other bewildered in her arms, Gu Qingluan¡¯s chest surged with anger. Her ck eyes coldly locked onto the struggling Duke Dingbei as she smirked, ¡°It¡¯s you, old man, who deserves to die. Rest assured, your daughter will join you soon.¡± She ced both sons into Feng Tian¡¯s embrace, then unleashed a surging arcane power with a wave of her hand.
    Duke Dingbei heard Gu Qingluan¡¯s words, his pupils dting. ¡°You¡­¡± He wanted to escape, to roar, but it was all toote. Everything was submerged in the overwhelming shockwave. ¡°Duke¡± The Duke Dingbei Army was on the verge of despair, their cries filled with grief and fury. Although they were Chengyuan¡¯s army, their faith was in Duke Dingbei. With Duke Dingbei¡¯s death, it was as if their faith had crumbled. Fury raged within the Duke Dingbei Army¡¯s chests as they roared, ¡°Everyone, attack together, avenge the Duke!¡± The arcane power within each person suddenly surged, crazily absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy. Qitian You¡¯s expression changed. ¡°This is bad, they¡¯re going to self-detonate!¡± A Stage of the Heavenly Realm self-detonating was as powerful as a full-powered strike from a Saint. And here, there were dozens of Stage of the Heavenly Realm and countless Earth and Arcane Realm individuals. Simultaneous self-detonations would be a devastating attack, enough to raze the entire Tianjing City! Gu Qingluan calmly summoned her Heavenly Heart Qin, plucking the strings with her fingertips. The music was short and intense, resonating in all directions. The souls of those who were self-detonating instantly ruptured, like bubbles being popped. The untamed spiritual energy that hadn¡¯t yet settled within their cores spiraled uncontrobly, rushing out of their bodies and dissipating into the surroundings. Watching the falling soldiers of the Duke Dingbei Army, Qitian You swallowed hard. Those were hundreds of people who intended to self-detonate simultaneously! He had initially thought he was going to meet his end there, filled with despair, and yet, Gu Qingluan had casually resolved it with a flick of her fingers on the Qin? He looked at her slender figure ahead and realized deeply at this moment just how ruthless and perverse this woman could be! He nced sideways at Feng Tian, who held the two children, wanting to see how this man would react to Gu Qingluan¡¯s fierceness. But he saw Feng Tian¡¯s lips curl slightly, his eyes filled with admiration and pride. Qitian You felt a sense of suffocation. Indeed, he was the Royal Prince Lan, no wonder he was captivated by her. A monster and a perverse woman. What a perfect match! With a single move, she had annihted hundreds of people, yet Gu Qingluan¡¯s expression remained calm as if she had just exterminated a group of ants. She turned and looked in the direction of the main hall. Qitian You recalled her words earlier, knowing she was preparing to kill Consort Shu. He was torn about whether to intervene. Last time, he had failed to stop Gu Qingluan from killing the Fifth Prince. Could he persuade her this time? Moreover, seeing her single-handedly annihte hundreds of elite soldiers of Duke Dingbei, he didn¡¯t have the courage to step forward and dissuade her. He gave Feng Tian a pleading and pitiful look. However, Feng Tian didn¡¯t even spare him a nce, as his eyes followed Gu Qingluan¡¯s every move. Wherever she went, his gaze followed. Qitian Yu sighed inwardly. He had already watched enough of this public disy of affection. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want to leave any future troubles, so she went inside to kill Consort Shu. However, she found no trace of Consort Shu inside. Qitian Yuo followed her and, upon realizing Consort Shu was missing, said, ¡°1 will immediately return to the pce and report to my Royal Father.¡± Seeing that Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian agreed, Qitian You quickly left. Allowing Consort Shu to escape left Gu Qingluan feeling extremely displeased. She pressed her temple, suppressing her negative emotions, and came to Feng Tian¡¯s side. Looking at their two sons, her eyes darkened slightly. ¡°Do you have a way to retrieve their souls?¡± ¡°Soul Retrieval Technique.¡± Feng Tian nced around and furrowed his brows lightly. ¡°There are too many casualties here. Let¡¯s go back first. The Soul Retrieval Technique requires a quiet ce.¡± The two of them returned to the Jun Residence with their sons. Gu Qingluan dismissed the servants at Shallow Clouds Residence. The two of them locked themselves in a room. Feng Tian stood in front of Feng Yuanxi, cing his fingertips on Feng Yuanxi¡¯s forehead. His eyes turned purple, meeting Feng Yuanxi¡¯s gaze. Two pairs of equally beautiful purple eyes shone with a dazzling and mysterious light, exuding an indescribable sense of mystery. After a while, fine sweat beads appeared on Feng Tian¡¯s forehead. The technique he was using was not simple. Gu Qingluan nervously observed. Until Feng Tian withdrew his hand. ¡°How is it?¡± Gu Qingluan examined Xiaonan and Yuanxi¡¯s bodies. Their souls were not fully restored. Feng Tian¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Yuanxi¡¯s soul is trapped and cannot be retrieved. We must go to rescue him.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart trembled. ¡°Where are they?¡± Feng Tian replied in a solemn tone, ¡°In the ck Market.¡± Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t expected Yan Laogui to hide in the ck Market. The ck Market had many areas where one couldn¡¯t move freely, making it much more difficult to find someone there. Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°In which part of the ck Market?¡± Feng Tian replied, ¡°The ck Market is a separate space. 1 can only roughly estimate that they are in the ck Market. I cannot pinpoint their exact location. Perhaps, when we reach the ck Market and use the technique again, we can find them.¡± With no time to lose, both of them wasted no words. They took their two children and hurried to the ck Market. Once they arrived at the ck Market, they booked a room at an inn. Feng Tian used the Soul Retrieval Technique again. This time, it took longer than the first attempt, and Feng Tian¡¯splexion turned paler than paper. Gu Qingluan watched him with concern.. Chapter 347 - 347: A Must to Go to the Most Dangerous Place Chapter 347 - 347: A Must to Go to the Most Dangerous ce Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion After a period of time, Feng Tianian withdrew his hand and raised his purple eyes to look at her. Gu Qingluan immediately asked, ¡°How is it? Did you find them this time?¡± A faint smile appeared on Feng Tian¡¯s face. ¡°Yes, if I¡¯m not mistaken, they are in the Shadow Tower.¡± Gu Qingluan showed a surprised expression. ¡°They¡¯re actually in the Shadow Tower? Could it be that Yan Laogui is associated with the Shadow Tower?¡± Although she had used the Soul Absorption technique to search Yan Laogui¡¯s memories, it was only a fragment of his consciousness, and she didn¡¯t know the full extent of his rtionship with the Shadow Tower.
    If Yan Laogui was hiding in the Shadow Tower, it would be tricky. As the top power in the ck Market, the Shadow Tower had strict security, making it difficult for outsiders to infiltrate. But even if it meant going to the most dangerous ces, they had to explore them! Gu Qingluan said, ¡°I know the Fourth Master Tang of the Shadow Tower. Perhaps 1 can ask him for help.¡± She exined her n to Feng Tianian. She would go to Fourth Master Tang as ¡°Jun Qing¡± and ask for his assistance, while Feng Tianian would temporarily stay in the Ster Space and follow her into the Shadow Tower. Once they were inside the Shadow Tower, they would split up. Feng Tianian would look for Yan Laogui, and she would dy Fourth Master Tang. Once he located the remnants of Xiaonan and Yuanxi¡¯s souls, they would reunite. This was currently the most appropriate n. It allowed them to enter the Shadow Tower smoothly without alerting suspicion. Feng Tianian nodded in agreement with her proposal. Yan Laogui had been severely injured, and there was no guarantee that he wouldn¡¯t take it out on Xiaonan and Yuanxi. Every minute counted. The two of them didn¡¯t dy any further and immediately headed to the Shadow Tower. When they arrived outside the Shadow Tower, Gu Qingluan presented the token given to her by Fourth Master Tang. After a moment, a Shadow Tower disciple led her inside. This was the first time Gu Qingluan had entered the Shadow Tower during daylight. The architecture of the Shadow Tower primarily consisted of dark elements. After passing through the main gate, a massive square came into view. Gu Qingluan discreetly observed her surroundings while following the Shadow Tower disciple towards a three-story tower. The disciple escorted her to a guest room inside the tower. Gu Qingluan noticed a man with his back turned to her in the room, which struck her as odd. When the man turned around, it wasn¡¯t Fourth Master Tang but the Hall Master Lin! Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes flickered slightly. ¡°What is the meaning of this, Hall Master Lin?¡± Hall Master Lin smiled and said, ¡°Please forgive me, Mr. Jun. Fourth Master Tang happened to be absent from the Shadow Tower right now, but when 1 heard you hade, I allowed you in.¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but feel ufortable with the way Hall Master Lin looked at her. However, her meeting with Fourth Master Tang was just an excuse, and she certainly couldn¡¯t leave because of it. She nodded and said, ¡°Thank you, Hall Master Lin. I¡¯ll wait here for Fourth Master Tang. You¡¯re a busy person, and there¡¯s no need to entertain someone like me.¡± A glint appeared in Hall Master Lin¡¯s eyes, and he gave a meaningful smile. ¡°Mr. Jun, you¡¯re being too humble. Your medical expertise has made you a sought-after healer. However, your enigmatic identity has led many to seek help directly from our Shadow Tower. If you allow it, you may find yourself quite busy. Did Fourth Master Tang previously entrust you with saving someone? If so, you don¡¯t have to wait for Fourth Master Tang. 1 can escort you there immediately.¡± Gu Qingluan hesitated. ¡°Is that¡­ appropriate?¡± ¡°No problem. Honestly, the person in need of treatment is one of our hall masters here at the Shadow Tower. Whether Fourth Master Tang takes you or 1 do, it makes no difference.¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but feel that there was more to this situation. Hall Master Lin seemed to be interrupting Fourth Master Tang, possibly trying to take credit. Hall Master Lin gazed at Gu Qingluan with a faint smile. ¡°What do you think, Mr. Jun? Do you doubt my character?¡± ¡°How could that be?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°It¡¯s just that this matter was entrusted to me by Fourth Master Tang, and if 1 diagnose and treat the patient without going through him, it might not sit well.¡± ¡°Your consideration is greatly appreciated, Mr. Jun. However, he¡¯s currently on a mission and won¡¯t be back at the Shadow Tower anytime soon. But the patient¡¯s situation can¡¯t afford any dys. If you go now to provide treatment, you¡¯re actually assisting him. If any dy on his part results in the patient¡¯s condition worsening, the responsibility would fall on him.¡± Hall Master Lin had reached a point where Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t easily refuse without potentially offending him. If she were driven out, it would be troublesome. So, she pondered for a moment and nodded. ¡°Then, please lead the way, Hall Master Lin.¡± Hall Master Lin¡¯s eyes lit up slightly. ¡°Mr. Jun truly understands righteousness. Please follow me.¡± With that, they left the guest room. While Hall Master Lin wasn¡¯t paying attention, Gu Qingluan released Feng Tianian from the Ster Space. They had already discussed everything that needed to be exined in the Ster Space. They would stay in contact using the Transmission Jade Technique. Gu Qingluan tried to dy as much time as possible, waiting for Feng Tianian to find the remaining souls of Xiaonan and Yuanxi and reunite with her. As soon as Feng Tianian appeared, he immediately concealed himself in the shadows. Once Gu Qingluan had followed Hall Master Lin some distance away, Feng Tianian left the tower.. Chapter 348 - 348: A Big Mistake Chapter 348 - 348: A Big Mistake Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The area of the Shadow Tower was muchrger than they had imagined. In front of them, the attic courtyards were arranged in abyrinthine fashion. The farther they went, the wider the spaces between the buildings became. Further back, a mountain stood tall. The mountain was cloaked in a dark green hue, surrounded by lingering clouds and mist. As they reached the foot of the mountain, Hall Master Lin let out a whistle, and in an instant, a cry echoed from above. Gu Qingluan looked up and saw arge eagle soaring towards them.
    The eagle had a massive body, and as it approached, it seemed to biot out the sun, causing a gusty wind. Itnded in front of the two of them, emitting a rumbling sound from its throat. Hall Master Lin was the first to hop onto the eagle¡¯s back, signaling for Gu Qingluan to follow. She calmly descended onto the eagle¡¯s back beside him. The giant eagle pped its wings and took to the sky. Its speed was astonishing, and the wind howled as they soared through the air. Throughout the journey, Hall Master Lin attempted to build a rapport with Gu Qingluan, engaging in conversation. Honestly, if Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t started off with a negative impression of him, she wouldn¡¯t have minded him at all. But maybe he thought she was close to Fourth Master Tang, which is why he kept trying to get on her good side. Despite his efforts, she stayed cautious, suspecting that he had hidden intentions. Hall Master Lin may have thought she and Fourth Master Tang were close, but no matter what he said, Gu Qingluan felt he had hidden intentions, which led her to remain cautious in her responses. Before long, the giant eaglended on a tform halfway up the mountain. As soon as they touched down, the eagle took off. They followed a stone-paved path forward. Ahead, a group of people came into view, with Su Haisheng and Su Ziyin from the Cang Hai Pce leading the way. The other party also noticed Gu Qingluan and Hall Master Lin. ¡°Teacher Jun!¡± Su Ziyin¡¯s eyes lit up, and she rushed towards them with excitement. Su Haisheng¡¯s face immediately darkened, and he sternly shouted, ¡°Yin¡¯er,e back!¡± However, Su Ziyin paid no heed and ran up to Gu Qingluan, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at her. ¡°Teacher Jun, are you here to treat Hall Master Wen?!¡± Ignored by Su Ziyin, Su Haisheng was infuriated but refrained from scolding his own granddaughter. Instead, he red menacingly at Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow and looked at Su Ziyin. ¡°Teacher Jun? I¡¯m afraid you are addressing me wrongly.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t address you wrongly! Did you consider my previous proposal? My medical talent is really exceptional, and you have no reason not to take me as your disciple! You don¡¯t need to worry about my grandfather; I¡¯ve already persuaded him,¡± Su Ziyin said with her cheeks blushing, her bright ck eyes eagerly fixed on Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan nced at Su Haisheng. Thetter snorted. Su Ziyin turned back to him and coquettishly said, ¡°Grandfather, please quickly tell Teacher about your consent. You promised me, and you can¡¯t go back on your word!¡± It¡¯s a mystery how she convinced Su Haisheng, but despite his grumpy demeanor, he grumbled, ¡°Kid, if my granddaughter wants to be your student, consider yourself lucky. Refusing her would be a big mistake!¡± Gu Qingluan found his reaction amusing. She crossed her arms and asked with a half-smile, ¡°I¡¯ve only heard forced buying and selling, but this is the first time I¡¯ve seen someone forcing others to take on a disciple. Aren¡¯t you afraid that I¡¯ll sabotage your little granddaughter after bing her teacher?¡± Su Haisheng¡¯s expression changed, and he sternly said, ¡°You dare!¡± ¡°Grandfather! Teacher is just teasing you! Teacher would never mistreat me, right? I¡¯m so cute; you surely wouldn¡¯t bear to scold or hit me, right?¡± Su Ziyin turned back to Gu Qingluan and blinked her big eyes. ¡°Right, Teacher?¡± Cute and adorable beings could always melt hearts. Even Gu Qingluan, in the face of such a young girl, couldn¡¯t help but show a bit more leniency. However, willingly epting a disciple and being coerced into it were two different matters. Moreover, this Cang Hai Pce¡¯s little princess seemed to have been pampered quite a bit, so if she was to ept her as a disciple, she would need to put her to the test. Gu Qingluan said, ¡°If you want to be my disciple, there are a few conditions..¡± Chapter 349 - 349: Test Chapter 349 - 349: Test Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°You¡­¡± Su Haisheng stared at her, but Su Ziyin interrupted him before he could say anything, ¡°What conditions? I¡¯m definitely fine with it!¡± The young girl was very confident. Gu Qingluan nced at Su Haisheng, who was attempting to convey a threat through his gaze. She had a pretty good idea of what he was thinking. In his view, his granddaughter was exceptional in every regard, and Gu Qingluan should feel fortunate to have his granddaughter as her discipline. If Gu Qingluan were to propose demanding conditions, it would be a significant error in judgment. Gu Qingluan had encountered many of these self-important old folks and didn¡¯t pay them much mind. Her gaze shifted to Su Ziyin, and she said, ¡°If you want to be my disciple, there will be no Miss Su of the Canghai Pce here. From now on, you must obey my orders.¡±
    Su Ziyin nodded vigorously. ¡°No problem! Respecting and obeying the teacher is a must!¡± ¡°Secondly, you must not harm others indiscriminately, and you absolutely cannot deceive others using my name.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t, I promise!¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow at her. ¡°Are you sure?¡± During the rescue operation at the Shadow Tower, Su Ziyin had her eyes on Gu Qingluan¡¯s Primordial Gold Needle and snatched it without hesitation, nearly injuring herself in the process. Recalling that incident, Su Ziyin¡¯s expression turned embarrassed. ¡°I won¡¯t do it again, 1 promise. You can trust me.¡± ¡°Good, third point! If you be my disciple, you must abide by my rules.¡± Su Haisheng couldn¡¯t help but speak, ¡°So many conditions! Yin¡¯er, perhaps we should rethink this. Our Canghai Pce is a highly esteemed sect, and many people aspire to join but can¡¯t. Why go through all this hassle?¡± He felt that this young guy might not have good intentions, and he worried about how Gu Qingluan might mistreat his granddaughter in the future. However, Su Ziyin had been deeply impressed by Gu Qingluan¡¯s mastery of the Primordial Gold Needle that day, and she was determined to be her disciple. She had no intention of heeding anyone else¡¯s advice. ¡°Grandfather, please don¡¯t dissuade me. I¡¯ve made up my mind,¡± she said, then turned to Gu Qingluan. ¡°I understand the rules for discipleship. I can meet all three conditions. Is there anything else? Are you willing to ept me now?¡± ¡°Lastly, I don¡¯t ept foolish individuals. You must pass a test to be my disciple.¡± ¡°I¡¯m smart!¡± Su Ziyin lifted her delicate chin, brimming with confidence. ¡°Tell me about the test.¡± Gu Qingluan opened her hand, holding two pills, one green and one brown, in her palm. ¡°Identify the ingredients of these two pills..¡± ¡°What¡¯s so hard about this?¡± Su Ziyin confidently smiled, revealing two adorable little tiger teeth as she spoke. She epted the two pills from Gu Qingluan, starting by sniffing the green one. Her eyes brightened, and she eximed, ¡°This pill has Trillium, Dendrobium, Yuan Shen, and even tiger bone in it, am 1 correct?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. The young girl indeed had some skills. She said, ¡°Now, smell the other pill.¡± After sniffing the brown pill, Su Ziyin¡¯s expression froze momentarily, and her brows furrowed unconsciously. She spoke more slowly than before, ¡°This pill contains Red Root, Su Zi, Qing Pi, Frankincense, Reishi mushroom, and¡­ and¡­¡± Oh, there seemed to be one more ingredient, but she couldn¡¯t be sure which one it was. ¡°You can taste it,¡± Gu Qingluan suggested. Su Ziyin immediately tossed the pill into her mouth without hesitation, not even considering the possibility of it being poisonous. Su Haisheng wanted to stop her but didn¡¯t have time, so he could only watch her with a mixture of anger and helplessness. He was extremely protective of his granddaughter. From a young age, she had disyed exceptional medical talent, and she genuinely loved the field of medicine. But now, this intense affection he felt for her had suddenly soured. He couldn¡¯t believe how her enthusiasm had led her to idolize some unknown, arrogant young man who had suddenly appeared in their lives! He cast a sour nce at Gu Qingluan. Su Ziyin chewed the pill, and suddenly, her eyes brightened, and she eximed in excitement, ¡°1 know! It also contains Nine Miles Fragrance!¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± With that question, Su Ziyin started to feel a bit uncertain. She carefully savored the lingering taste in her mouth. ¡°It indeed has Nine Miles Fragrance. 1 won¡¯t make a mistake!¡± Gu Qingluan shook her head, ¡°You¡¯re wrong..¡± Chapter 350 - 350: An Agreement Chapter 350 - 350: An Agreement Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°How is that possible? Where did 1 go wrong?¡± Su Ziyin protested, her cheeks puffed up like a squirrel with a mouthful of food. ¡°There¡¯s no Nine Miles Fragrance in it, and you¡¯ve missed two ingredients.¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Su Ziyin was confident in her taste buds. Anything she had sampled before, she could recognize without fail.
    ¡°You overlooked Mountain Agarwood and Mermaid¡¯s Tears. These two herbs, whenbined, produce a scent simr to Nine Miles Fragrance.¡± Su Ziyin¡¯s expression shifted. She had been debating between Nine Miles Fragrance and Seven Miles Fragrance earlier. Although these two were essentially the same herb, differences in age could affect their scent, especially when mixed with other ingredients. However, the result was clear: neither Nine Miles Fragrance nor Seven Miles Fragrance was present! She had no idea what scent would result from thebination of Mountain Agarwood and Mermaid¡¯s Tears, but she had no doubt about Gu Qinghian¡¯s words. So, she had failed! Su Ziyin¡¯s whole attitude drooped, much like a deted balloon. She felt both regretful and embarrassed. ¡°Do you think 1 was just boasting earlier?¡± Seeing her granddaughter so distressed, Su Haisheng¡¯s heart ached as well. ¡°Yin¡¯er, let¡¯s head back. Grandfather will give you proper guidance. It¡¯s okay not to recognize it. Even Grandfather didn¡¯t know that mixing Mountain Agarwood and Mermaid¡¯s Tears would create the fragrance of Nine Miles Fragrance.¡± It might have been wiser if her grandfather hadn¡¯t mentioned it, because as soon as Su Ziyin discovered that even her grandfather was unaware, she no longer wished to return, convinced of Teacher Jun¡¯s remarkable skills. ¡°Teacher Jun, can you give me another chance?¡± Su Ziyin suddenly grabbed Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand, pleading pitifully. In truth, Gu Qingluan had already epted her. This girl did indeed possess great talent. However, when they agreed on the test, she couldn¡¯t simply let her pass after failing. After pondering for a moment, Gu Qingluan finally said, ¡°Seeing how sincere you are, 1 can give you one more chance.¡± Su Ziyin was thrilled. ¡°You said it! 1 will definitely pass this time!¡± ¡°As long as you can sessfully refine the pill you attempted earlier, I will ept you as my disciple.¡± Alchemy was a highly intricate craft. It involved precise measurements of ingredients, their specific ratios, the sequence of their addition, the intensity of heat applied, and various other factors. A slight error in any of these aspects could result in a failed alchemical process. Currently, Su Ziyin only had information about the raw materials in the pill,cking details on the entire procedure. Sessfully crafting it posed a significant challenge. Su Haisheng felt that Gu Qingluan was deliberately making things difficult for his granddaughter. It seemed like she didn¡¯t want to take his precious granddaughter as her disciple and was intentionally testing her. He was quite angry, and his gaze towards Gu Qingluan was far from friendly. However, Su Ziyin was brimming with determination. ¡°Alright! It¡¯s a deal. If I can refine an identical pill, you must ept me as your disciple!¡± Then, she wrinkled her nose slightly. ¡°But I¡¯m missing some herbs here. 1 need to go prepare them first.¡± ¡°You have three days. We¡¯ll meet at noon at the Immortal Ascension Tower three days from now.¡± Su Ziyin nodded vigorously. ¡°Great! See you in three days! You¡¯re going to have a new disciple! Teacher Jun, goodbye for now. 1 need to gather the herbs!¡± With that, she attempted to lead Su Haisheng away. Su Haisheng hurriedly exined to Hall Master Lin about his helplessness in dealing with the patient. Hall Master Lin wasn¡¯t surprised and still thanked him for taking the time toe. He then provided them with the consultation fee and had them escorted out. The grandfather and granddaughter duo left in a hurry. Hall Master Lin withdrew his gaze and teased, ¡°It looks like we should congratte Mr. Jun in advance. Soon, you will have such an extraordinary and well-connected disciple.¡± Gu Qingluan let out a light sigh. ¡°Hall Master Lin, your humor is appreciated. Let¡¯s proceed to visit the patient.¡± Hermunication jade technique remained silent, leaving her uncertain about Feng Tian¡¯s progress. For now, they could only bide their time as necessary.. Chapter 351 - 351: Blood Eating Chapter 351 - 351: Blood Eating Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion At the foot of the mountain, in a perpetually shadowy ce, there was a cave dwelling. It rarely saw the light of day, and shade-loving nts grew wildly, concealing the entrance. Feng Tian followed the aura to this location. He hid behind a tree and extended his spiritual consciousness into the cave. Inside the dimly lit cave, an eerie atmosphere prevailed. The decoration consisted of white bones and human skin, adding a ghostly touch to the surroundings. There were three stone chambers in total. Among them, one of the stone chambers emitted a strong smell of blood, catching Feng Tian¡¯s attention.
    With a single nce, his eyes turned as cold as ice. On the ground of the stone chambery over a dozen corpses in a pitiful state. They werepletely withered, reduced to mere skeletons, evidently drained of their blood. The sole living individual present was a young man who appeared delicate, had a pallidplexion, and possessed unsettling, snake-like vertical pupils that were light gray in hue. In his hand, he held a female corpse, with his teeth biting into her neck, greedily sucking her blood. The female corpse rapidly withered before the naked eye, while, conversely, the young man¡¯splexion seemed to have improved slightly. Yet, he still looked like a person on the brink of death. He discarded the withered corpse he had been holding, then licked the blood from the corner of his mouth with a dissatisfied expression. In a sharp and crazed tone, he dered, ¡°Gu Qingluan, your actions have transformed me into this abhorrent state. In due time, I, Yan Laogui, will extract your blood and trap your soul, ensuring you never find reincarnation.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn¡¯t help but cough violently, a heart-rending cough that seemed as if it could make him cough up his internal organs. His entire face quickly turned ashen, and he emitted a piercing, unbearable howl. Unable to bear it any longer, he tremblingly retrieved a jade pendant from his pocket. The bottom of the jade pendant was white, with a red streak on top, as if blood had seeped into the jade. ¡°Today, 1 will make amends by using the souls of you two ones.¡± Due to the pain, his hands were shaking severely, making it nearly impossible to hold the jade pendant. He ced it on his thigh, formed a seal with both hands and began chanting incantations. Feng Tian noticed the jade pendant he had retrieved, and a momentary glint of sharpness flickered in his eyes. He exerted formidable pressure towards the other individual. ¡°Spurt!¡± Yan Laogui immediately spat out blood from his mouth, his entire body imprisoned by a terrifying force. Such a formidable pressure! He eximed in terror, ¡°Who¡¯s out there?¡± A tall figure shed in from outside. The jade pendant on Yan Laogui¡¯s leg flew into the hands of the neer. He recognized Feng Tian, the guy who had arrived with Gu Qingluan at the Fifth Prince¡¯s mansion that day. However, he didn¡¯t expect the other party¡¯s strength to be so formidable, even more abnormal than Gu Qingluan! Where is Gu Qingluan? Did shee too? His two eyeballs rolled in panic. After confirming that there was no Gu Qingluan behind Feng Tian, he calmed down slightly and tried to tempt him, ¡°How much did Gu Qingluan offer you? I can double it if you release me.¡± Feng Tian inspected the jade pendant in his hand, ensuring that the souls of Yuanxi and Xiaonan resided within it. Without wasting words, he fixed a cold, merciless stare upon the opposing individual and proceeded to shatter Yan Laogui¡¯s soul with his spiritual power. Yan Laogui¡¯s spiritual essence was already damaged, and he couldn¡¯t withstand the forceful attack. His eyes bulged, and he fell t on the ground. Feng Tian put away the jade pendant and turned to leave. Little did he know that, after his departure, a centipede emerged from Yan Laogui¡¯s ear and quickly disappeared into a crack in the stone.. Chapter 352 - 352: Stealing Credit and Yet So Arrogrant Chapter 352 - 352: Stealing Credit and Yet So Arrogrant Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Mr. Jun, do you have a way to save Hall Master Wen?¡± Inside the Ice Cold Cave, Hall Master Lin fixed his gaze on Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan was contemting how to respond when she suddenly sensed some activity from a Communication Jade Technique. Her spiritual awareness swept over the Communication Jade Technique, and upon seeing the message inside, she was pleasantly surprised. She urgently wanted to leave so that the souls of Xiaonan and Yuanxi could return to their bodies, restoring them to normal. She didn¡¯t want to dy for even half a moment.
    ¡°Hall Master Lin, I¡¯m truly sorry, but with my current abilities, I can¡¯t cure Hall Master Wen.¡± Although she was eager to return, she spoke the truth. Hall Master Wen¡¯s condition wasplex, and with her previous cultivation level in her past life, she would have had a hundred percent chance of curing him. However, at this moment, her chances were less than ten percent. Hall Master Lin grasped her intent and spoke with resolve, ¡°Mr. Jun, there¡¯s no need for you to me yourself. Hall Master Wen¡¯s illness is truly challenging to cure; otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have persisted for so long. You can return when you believe your skills are up to the task.¡± Saying this, Hall Master Lin handed a token to Gu Qingluan. The token resembled the one given to her by Fourth Master Tang, but this one had the character ¡± (Shen) engraved on it. ¡°Fourth Master Tang is frequently away, and there¡¯s a chance you won¡¯t locate him if you seek him out. However, if you ever need to treat Hall Master Wen, you cane straight to me.¡± Gu Qingluan casually epted the token, ¡°Alright.¡± The two of them descended the mountain. Gu Qingluan secretly used the Communication Jade Technique to contact Feng Tian. Coincidentally, Feng Tian was also at the foot of the mountain. Therefore, Gu Qingluan devised a pretext to divert Hall Master Lin¡¯s attention, allowing Feng Tian to materialize, and Gu Qingluan promptly ushered him into the Ster Space. She then continued walking with Hall Master Lin towards the outer area. Hall Master Lin personally escorted her to the entrance of the Shadow Tower. Several horses rushed over and stopped at the entrance. Fourth Master Tang took the lead on his horse. When he saw Gu Qingluan, his eyes lit up. However, he quickly noticed Hall Master Lin standing beside her, and his gaze darkened slightly. He turned his gaze away and looked at Gu Qingluan, greeting her with a smile, ¡°Mr. Jun, what brings you here?¡± Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°I originally wanted to check on the condition of the patient you mentioned. But since you weren¡¯t here, Hall Master Lin escorted me there.¡± She was straightforward. In a few words, she exined the situation. Fourth Master Tang¡¯s face darkened slightly, and he looked at Hall Master Lin with cold eyes, ¡°Hall Master Lin, don¡¯t go too far!¡± Hall Master Lin smiled calmly, ¡°Too far? Where have I gone too far?¡± Fourth Master Tang was about to speak but caught sight of Gu Qingluan and decided to hold back his questioning words. He asked Gu Qingluan, ¡°What¡¯s the diagnosis?¡± Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t save him right now.¡± Upon hearing this answer, Fourth Master Tang felt a slight sense of relief. Although he wanted the patient to wake up, he also had a selfish motive. He hoped that the physician who could save him would be someone he rmended. Wasn¡¯t that the case with Hall Master Lin? Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t resort to such desperate measures. Fourth Master Tang suppressed his irritable emotions and exchanged a few words with Gu Qingluan. Sensing Gu Qingluan¡¯s urgency, he had keen insight and wisely changed the topic at the right moment. Once Gu Qingluan departed, the warmth on his face faded entirely. He fixed a stern gaze upon Hall Master Lin and spoke firmly, ¡°Lin Shenming, Mr. Jun is here at my invitation. If 1 discover your interference again in the future, don¡¯t expect me to be courteous!¡± Hall Master Lin responded with a casual smile, ¡°We, the ten Hall A^asters, have always adhered to the principle of every man for himself. If you can¡¯t retain someone, that¡¯s your issue. As for not showing courtesy to me¡­ You don¡¯t appear to be acting very politely at the moment. Indeed, empty vessels make the most noise.¡± Fourth Master Tang¡¯s face became even uglier upon hearing this. Hall Master Lin had attempted to steal his credit. Still, he had the boldness to disy arrogance. Did he believe that his seniority entitled him to act without restraint? Gu Qingluan, unaware of the tension at the entrance of the Shadow Tower after her departure, returned to the inn she had booked earlier. She entered her room, set up a defensive barrier, and then stepped into the Ster Space. ¡°How are Xiaonan and Yuanxi doing?¡± Chapter 353 - 353: Mother, Are You a Devil? Chapter 353: Mother, Are You a Devil? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion She appeared next to Feng Tian. Feng Tian had just reunited their souls with their bodies. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the two children are alright. Thankfully, their souls weren¡¯t apart for long. They were just a bit startled, and they¡¯ll wake up shortly.¡± Gu Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief. She walked to the bedside, took Little Yuanxi¡¯s hand, and checked his body. His pulse was steady, breathing regr, and the slightly paleplexion from before had returned to normal. His adorable little face looked as if it belonged to a porcin doll. Her tense heart finally rxed. She reached out and covered them with the bedsheet. Then she turned to Feng Tian. ¡°Where did you find their souls? What about Yan Laogui?¡± Feng Tian briefly described what had happened in the cave. When Gu Qingluan learned that their sons¡¯ souls had almost been consumed by Yan Laogui, she was both shocked and furious. ¡°He doesn¡¯t deserve a quick death!¡± Confronting such a wicked individual, he should have endured torment, and his soul should have been scattered! ¡°Mother?¡± As she was talking to Feng Tian, she heard Yuanxi¡¯s voice from behind. Gu Qingluan turned her head with a joyful expression. She saw Yuanxi, with his drowsy eyes, looking at her in confusion. ¡°Mother, where are we? Weren¡¯t we in the pce?¡± Her son finally recognized her! Gu Qingluan was overjoyed and gazed at him tenderly, her voice incredibly gentle. ¡°There was a little ident. How do you feel? Is there any difort in your body?¡± Yuanxi touched his head. ¡°My head hurts a bit.¡± Gu Qingluan immediately grew concerned and began to check his body. Feng Tian stood nearby and reassured them, ¡°After a soul returns to the body following separation, there¡¯s usually some difort. Just rest for a while, and everything will go back to normal.¡± Yuanxi didn¡¯t know what had happened, but he knew he had caused his mother to worry. He patted Gu Qingluan¡¯s hand andforted her in his childish voice, ¡°Mother, I¡¯m fine now. My head doesn¡¯t hurt anymore.¡± Why is he so well-behaved? Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart felt warm, and she wished she could hold him in the palm of her hand. ¡°Well, Yuanxi, if you¡¯re feeling ufortable anywhere, you must tell me.¡± Feng Yuanxi nodded. At this moment, Gu Xiaonan, who was lying on the inner side of the bed, also woke up. He woke upter, but he seemed more energetic than Feng Yuanxi, appearing as if he had just had a good night¡¯s sleep. Learning that they had been harmed by a viin named Yan Laogui, Gu Xiaonan clenched his fists and wanted to seek revenge. When he found out that Yan Laogui was already dead, he felt somewhat regretful. Gu Qingluan yfully pinched his little nose. ¡°No mischief, okay? Do you think you can take on that guy? Starting tomorrow, both you and Yuanxi will have a set hour for meditation and training.¡± ¡°What? That¡¯s too demanding, Mom! You¡¯re joking right?¡± Gu Xiaonan gave Gu Qingluan an adoring look, hoping to gain some favor. Gu Qingluan snorted lightly. ¡°Do i look like I¡¯m joking?¡± Gu Xiaonan clutched his tiny chest and intively stated, ¡°Mom, my heart hurts. I got scared by the bad guy and i need a good rest. I can¡¯t push myself too hard.¡± Meditation and practice were so boring. There were so many exciting and tasty things beyond the ind. It felt like a missed opportunity to spend life on meditation and practice. Gu Qingluan furrowed her brow at him. ¡°Your physical condition is quite delicate. Just half a day of soul separation has resulted in so many side effects. It appears 1¡¯11 need to include an additional half-hour of physical training, starting tomorrow morning.¡± Why did she increase the amount of training? Gu Xiaonan was on the verge of tears.. ¡°Mother, are you a devil?¡± Chapter 354 - 354: Rebellion Chapter 354: Rebellion Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan pinched his smooth little cheek with a yful smile. ¡°I¡¯m not a devil. I¡¯m your mother.¡± Gu Xiaonan teared up- Turning to find an ally, he hoped that Yuanxi could persuade their mother. However, Feng Yuanxi chimed in, ¡°Mom has made a wise decision. Our recent encounter with the bad guy has proven that our spiritual strength isn¡¯t sufficient. Even though Mom and Dad rescued us this time, there¡¯s no guarantee we¡¯ll be as fortunate in the future. So, it¡¯s important for us to dedicate ourselves to training and bing stronger. We mustn¡¯t let Mom and Dad worry about us.¡± Gu Xiaonan moved his lips. He understood the reasoning behind it. Well, at least he had apanion in thisborious cultivation process. Gu Xiaonan naturally reached out to pat Xiaobai but found nothing there. Looking around with concern, he asked, ¡°Mom, have you seen Xiaobai?¡± Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°Xiaobai was knocked out and left in a corner. I¡¯ve already retrieved and ced him safely at home.¡± Gu Xiaonan let out a sigh of relief. ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that!¡± Seeing that her two sons were okay, Gu Qingluan decided to head back home. She instructed them to stay in the Ster Space while she took action. Upon returning to Tianjing City through a teleportation portal from the ck market, Gu Qingluan immediately sensed a tense atmosphere. The once bustling streets, usually teeming with people, now stood nearly deserted. asionally, she caught sight of individuals hurrying past, their steps quick and anxious. A passerby happened to be passing, so Gu Qingluan stopped them and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°The Dingbei Army has rebelled, surrounding Tianjing City. Looks like we¡¯re going to war.¡± Gu Qingluan had anticipated that the Dingbei Army might protest, but she hadn¡¯t expected them to rebel directly. Her expression changed slightly. After the passerby answered her question, they hastily departed. Gu Qingluan released Feng Tian and discussed this matter with him. Feng Tian replied, ¡°Dingbei Army is usually stationed at the northern border of Chengyuan Kingdom. Only a small portion remains with Duke Dingbei. Judging from the situation, it seems Dingbei Army may have harbored ill intentions and secretly returned to the vicinity of Tianjing City.¡± Gu Qingluan nodded; it was indeed the case. The journey from the northern border to Tianjing City would take at least a dozen days, even when hurried. To conceal their whereabouts, it would take even longer. It was clear that the Dingbei Army had been lurking outside for some time. No wonder Duke Dingbei dared to threaten her with death. Given a bit more time, with a million troops besieging her, Gu Qingluan might have fallen into his hands. However, Duke Dingbei had never anticipated that both Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian were extraordinary, far beyond the capabilities of other Saints. Ending his life and those of his seventy-two generals proved to be a simple task for them, to the point that Duke Dingbei couldn¡¯t even anticipate the arrival of a million troops. Gu Qingluan decided to return to the Jun Residence to assess the situation before making further ns. Feng Tian apanied her. As they approached the main gate, they saw Qitian You pacing outside. Qitian You spotted them and immediately greeted them, ¡°You two have finally returned!¡± ¡°Does the Crown Prince have something important to discuss with us?¡± Qitian You said, ¡°The Dingbei Army has rebelled! They havepletely surrounded Tianjing City now. The Imperial Guards defending the capital only number a hundred thousand, far fewer than the Dingbei Army. In terms of marching and warfare, the Dingbei Army is highly experienced, while most of the Imperial Guards are sons of noble families who have never set foot on the battlefield. In a face-off between the two armies, the Imperial Guards have no advantages.¡± At this moment, he shot a meaningful look in Gu Qingluan¡¯s direction. ¡°The Dingbei Army¡¯s sudden presence near Tianjing City is undoubtedly nned in advance. Yet, they are using Duke Dingbei¡¯s demise as a pretext. Numerous government officials are suggesting handing Miss Gu over as a means to pacify the Dingbei Army¡¯s fury..¡± Chapter 355 - 355: Panic Chapter 355: Panic Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan had yet to react when Feng Tian¡¯s expression turned stern. ¡°What nonsense!¡± Sensing the chilling aura emanating from him, Qitian You silently thanked himself for persuading his father. They were well aware of the formidable strength of the Dingbei Army. When the Dingbei Army suddenly surrounded the imperial city, panic spread rapidly. Some even suggested forcefully pushing Gu Qingluan out, gaining support from many. However, Qitian You believed that such an approach would lead to disaster. On one hand, Gu Qingluan possessed formidable strength, making capturing her no easy task. It might result in a futile endeavor and worsen the situation in Tianjing City. On the other hand, Gu Qingluan had two formidable forces backing her. Firstly, there was the mysterious Ind of No Return. The fact that Mr. Liu still resided in the Jun Residence indicated a close rtionship between the two parties. Secondly, there was the Royal Prince Lan, Feng Tian. His stance on Gu Qingluan was already quite evident. If they dared to eject Gu Qingluan, they would undoubtedly incur the wrath of Royal Prince Lan¡¯s fierce retaliation. With all these factors considered, only madness would lead to handing Gu Qingluan over to the Dingbei Army. Qitian You took a deep breath. ¡°After you left the Fifth Prince¡¯s residence, I immediately sealed off the area. How could the Dingbei Army learn that it was Miss Gu who killed Duke Dingbei? And how would this news swiftly reach the ears of the court officials, generals, andmoners on the streets? There¡¯s only one possibility: someone is spreading rumors! The Dingbei Army¡¯s rapid action indicates there must be someone manipting them from behind the scenes. With Duke Dingbei dead, it¡¯s highly likely that those behind the Dingbei Army¡¯s rebellion are agents of an enemy nation. They¡¯re using Miss Gu as an excuse, both to have a pretext for an invasion and to weaken the power of Chengyuan. Currently, Chengyuan has four saints, and certain individuals may be feeling threatened.¡± He smiled at Gu Qingluan and said, ¡°So, Miss Gu, rest assured, both His Majesty and this Crown Prince will stand by your side!¡± Listening to Qitian You¡¯s words, Gu Qingluan regarded him with newfound respect. She eased her expression, offering a gentle smile as she replied, ¡°I appreciate the trust from His Majesty and the Crown Prince. If you require any help, don¡¯t hesitate to ask. As a Chengyuan citizen, 1 won¡¯t hesitate to fulfill my responsibilities should our nation encounter challenges.¡± Qitian You¡¯s eyes brightened, and he responded, ¡°Okay, if it everes to that, 1 won¡¯t hold back with you, Miss Gu.¡± Being the Crown Prince and given the current state of affairs in the kingdom, he had numerous responsibilities to fulfill. After conveying the royal family¡¯s position, he quickly rode away on his horse. Gu Qingluan turned her gaze toward Feng Tian and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s your take on this?¡± ¡°The Crown Prince¡¯s spection is highly usible. They are smart enough to not set their sights on you.¡± Feng Tian snorted softly, and a hint of coldness flickered in his narrowed eyes. Gu Qingluan added, ¡°In the future, when the Crown Prince takes the throne, Chengyuan is expected to grow stronger under his leadership.¡± As they conversed, they entered the mansion. ¡°Your Highness!¡± Jing Feng arrived, having received the news, and greeted Feng Tian with a bow. Feng Tian instructed him to investigate the situation of the Dingbei Army. Gu Qingluan, on the other hand, didn¡¯t remain idle. Even though Qitian You hadn¡¯t officially asked for her assistance yet, she assumed she would eventually need to be on the frontlines. Thus, she began preparations to ensure she was well-prepared. Within the Jun Family residence, witnessing their master¡¯sposed demeanor, the residents rxed their initially anxious feelings and carried out their duties as if it were any other ordinary day. However, the situation was quite different elsewhere. At the city¡¯s towers, warfare raged on. Tianjing City had activated its defensive formation. Outside the city walls, the Dingbei Army¡¯s relentless assaults struck the defensive formation¡¯s barrier repeatedly. With each assault, the protective barrier quivered, and over time, its shimmering glow waned, leaving the defending troops on the towers deeply unsettled.. Chapter 356 - 356: Public Anger Chapter 356: Public Anger Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Inside the city, there was no peace to be found. A portion of the Dingbei Army had already infiltrated the city. As soon as the conflict erupted, these individuals began to pige and create chaos, throwing the popce into turmoil. The royal forces and major ns mobilized a significant number of troops to quell the rebellion within the city. However, the rebels had disguised themselves so well that it was nearly impossible to distinguish friend from foe. Simr scenes yed out in various corners of Tianjing City. Groups that had gathered, either in hiding or preparing to counter-attack, suddenly found themselves under attack by the rebels, catching them off guard. With the enemy having more advantage, capturing the rebel forces within the city proved exceedingly difficult. Often, the rebels would sow chaos in one area, and by the time reinforcements arrived, they had already fled to another. The continuous repetition of this pattern led to few casualties among the rebels but depleted the support forces, leading to internal conflicts and achieving little progress. This situation struck fear into the hearts of the citizens of Tianjing City. At this moment, on a street that had just endured a violent upheaval, survivors, overwhelmed by fear, found it entirely natural to express their frustrations. ¡°The Dingbei Army is Chengyuan¡¯s pride, defending our northern borders for thousands of miles. Duke Dingbei is renowned for his unwavering loyalty andmitment to our nation. So, why this sudden rebellion? What on earth happened?¡± A young man dressed as a schr snorted, ¡°You still don¡¯t know? The Dingbei Army has been driven to the brink! If they weren¡¯t pushed to their limits, why would they choose to besiege the city, even if it means bearing thebel of ¡®rebels¡¯? They were once the most respected and admired soldiers!¡± ¡°Your words carry a deeper meaning, sir. Who do you believe has pushed the Dingbei Army to rebel? Have the Emperor and the court lost their minds? Don¡¯t they realize that their stability depends on the Dingbei Army¡¯s loyalty?¡± The schr curled the corner of his mouth and said, ¡°Well, who else could it be? It¡¯s none other than the recently unrivaled Gu family¡¯s First Lady, Gu Qingluan!¡± ¡°What does she have to do with this?¡± The schr borated, ¡°Have you heard about Miss Gu Qingluan¡¯s recent actions? She vandalized the Gu family¡¯s sign, expelled her own family members from their home, showed no regard for her elders, and mistreated her own siblings! While publicly, the Gu family ims their matriarch is bedridden due to illness, it¡¯s clear she was poisoned and left paralyzed by Gu Qingluan. As for the second son and fourth daughter of the Gu family, one is unable to speak, and the other is physically handicapped, all thanks to Gu Qingluan¡¯s deeds! If she treats her own family in such a manner, one can only imagine how she deals with outsiders. I overheard a Dingbei Army soldier saying their leader, Duke Dingbei, was killed by Gu Qingluan, yet the Emperor chose to shield her. Can you me the Dingbei Army for feeling disheartened? Can you me them for rebelling?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe it! This Gu Qingluan is no ordinary person! How could shemit such heinous acts?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard a bit about her history. A few years ago, she was meant to be engaged to the Fifth Prince, but she became entangled in an extramarital affair while still unmarried. It¡¯s bad enough to cheat, but she even became pregnant before marriage! A woman like her probably has no understanding of decency and modesty.¡± ¡°But why would she want to kill Duke Dingbei?¡± ¡°Why else! Someone like her likely has a rotten heart. She doesn¡¯t need a motive to harm others!¡± ¡°Why is the Emperor protecting her? Look at what Tianjing City has be now, from its former prosperity and peace!¡± ¡°She must have used some means to deceive the Emperor!¡± ¡°This is infuriating! Just because of her, so many of us have suffered!¡± The schr sighed. ¡°Indeed, the Dingbei Army said that if we hand over the criminal Gu Qingluan, they will withdraw their troops. All the suffering we¡¯ve endured today is her doing!¡± ¡°Where is she now? Let¡¯s go and arrest her! Hand her over to the Dingbei Army!¡± ¡°I agree!¡± ¡°Count me in!¡± In the crowd, the incendiary schr wore a strange smile. Simr scenes yed out in various locations. Those who had recently experienced violence, lost their homes, and harbored a reservoir of negative emotions were easily stirred by a few words. As a result, not long after, countless people swarmed towards the Jun residence, surrounding itpletely. Another group went to protest outside the pce, demanding that the Emperor immediately order the arrest of Gu Qingluan.. Chapter 357 - 357: Crap, They’re Making a Move! Chapter 357 - 357: Crap, They¡¯re Making a Move! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi sat on stools, positioned as if they were guarding the entrance to the alchemy room, much like two little sentinels. That was the scene Bo He saw when she arrived. ¡°Xiaonan, has the mistress note out yet?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± Gu Xiaonan shook his head. Seeing that something was amiss with Bo He¡¯s expression, he inquired, ¡°Sister Bo He, is something wrong outside? 1 think 1 heard someone calling for Mother.¡± Bo He¡¯s face disyed a hint of anger. ¡°Indeed, someone is calling for the mistress. Those people are truly foolish and ignorant. They were easily swayed into thinking that the Dingbei Army¡¯s rebellion was because of the mistress. Now many people have gathered outside the Jun Residence, pressuring the mistress to show herself.¡±
    Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi immediately stood up, their two cute and delicate faces expressing anger. ¡°What do they want?¡± Gu Qingluan had released the two of them from the Ster Space and had instructed them to stay at home and not wander around. They only knew that the Dingbei Army had rebelled, but they didn¡¯t know the specifics. Bo He¡¯s face turned grim. ¡°They want the mistress to take responsibility and appease the anger of the Dingbei Army.¡± ¡°What nonsense! What crime has Mothermitted?¡± Gu Xiaonan clenched his small fists. ¡°If you wish to use someone, there¡¯s always a pretext.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s beautiful dark eyes shed with a hint of maturity beyond his years. ¡°They only want someone to bear their wrath.¡± Just as they were speaking, a deafening boom resounded. They all looked up. The formation barrier that enveloped the Jun Residence was slightly shaking. Someone was attacking the Jun Residence. ¡°Oh no, they¡¯ve started!¡± Bo He¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sister Bo He. As long as it¡¯s not a Saint, they won¡¯t break through Mother¡¯s formation barrier in a short time,¡± Gu Xiaonan reassured her. Mother was a Grandmaster in formation techniques. After the protective barrier around the Jun Residence had been breached by that old man Gu Zhicheng once before, she reinforced the formation. Even if Gu Zhicheng himself tried to attack the barrier, it wouldn¡¯t be a simple task. However, now that people hade to confront them, there was no reason to stay hidden! Gu Xiaonan picked up Xiaobai and said, ¡°Let me see who¡¯s outside.¡± Feng Yuanxi immediately said, ¡°I¡¯ll go with you!¡± Xiaomei flew out of her cage and followed closely behind them. Bo He cast a concerned nce at the firmly sealed door of the alchemy room. Fearing for the safety of the two young masters, she hastened to join them. ¡°Gu Qingluan! Come out!¡± ¡°Do you really believe you can hide like a coward in there? Weren¡¯t you acting all high and mighty before? You¡¯ve shown your prowess, so why not confront the Dingbei Army outside? Hiding won¡¯t benefit you at all!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t think you can stay safe by hiding in there!¡± ¡°Come out! Come out now!¡± All sorts of mor were directed at the Jun Residence. The people who hade were throwing vegetables, eggs, and stones towards the Jun Residence in order to vent their anger. A pile of spoiled vegetables and broken eggs had already umted outside the Jun Residence. When Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi arrived and saw this scene, their faces turned red with anger. ¡°All! I¡¯m going to beat them up!¡± Xiaobai squealed along with them. Xiaomei circled above Gu Xiaonan¡¯s head, noisily shouting, ¡°Beat them up! Beat them up!¡± Feng Yuanxi grabbed Gu Xiaonan¡¯s hand firmly and said, ¡°Don¡¯t act impulsively!¡± ¡°Yuanxi, don¡¯t stop me! 1 have to teach them a lesson! How dare they insult Mother? They¡¯re all bad people!¡± ¡°There are too many of them. If you rush out like this, it could be dangerous. 1 have a way to deal with them.¡± Feng Yuanxi¡¯s anger was no less than Gu Xiaonan¡¯s. In his eyes, his mother was perfect, and anyone who insulted her was a viin. Gu Xiaonan turned to him and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡± Feng Yuanxi took out a jade flute and said, ¡°Just watch and see..¡± Chapter 358 - 358: A Total of Nine Chapter 358 - 358: A Total of Nine Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion As he spoke, he put the jade flute to his lips and blew it. The melodious sound of the flute rang out. Before long, there was a rustling sound from all directions. The crowd surrounding the Jun Residence was furious, and they didn¡¯t pay attention to those faint sounds. But Gu Xiaonan could see it clearly. His alreadyrge eyes widened even more as he watched those little creatures crawl out from the cracks in the ground, emerging from corners.
    It was the first time he had witnessed such a sight. The snakes, rats, insects, and ants swarmed in a dense mass, covering everything in their path, making it unrecognizable. They crawled towards everyone and bit anyone in their path. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s bugs! So many bugs!¡± ¡°And snakes too!¡± ¡°My goodness! Where did all these disgusting creaturese from?¡± The crowd panicked, and they immediately started swatting away the repulsive things crawling on them. Many of the people present had arcane powers and attempted to use their powers to eliminate the creatures. However, there were just too many snakes, rats, insects, and ants, and they couldn¡¯t bepletely wiped out. Watching them panic and frantically swat at the disgusting creatures, Gu Xiaonan burst intoughter and pped his hands in excitement. ¡°Well done! Bite them! Let¡¯s see if they dare to insult our mother again!¡± Xiaobai jumped out of his arms and looked at the mass of creatures on the ground, taking a step back in disgust. Meanwhile, Xiaomeinded on Bo He¡¯s shoulder, covering her eyes with her wings. ¡°Yuck, it¡¯s so scary! My eyes are burning!¡± ¡°Oh, why are you hiding? We have a barrier protecting us; they can¡¯t get in,¡± Gu Xiaonan said, ncing disdainfully at his two littlepanions. He then looked at the scene outside the gate and felt that it wasn¡¯t exciting enough. He decided to add some fuel to the fire. Upon hearing Gu Xiaonan clear his throat, Bo He¡¯s face paled, and she hurriedly intervened, saying, ¡°Xiaonan, Yuanxi¡¯s beast-controlling flute is sufficient for now. Your singing is a potent weapon, and we don¡¯t need it at the moment.¡± The idea of exposing her ears to it was unbearable for her. Gu Xiaonan furrowed his brow, saying, ¡°It¡¯s not enough. They insulted our mothers; there¡¯s no limit to how much torment they deserve.¡± Seeing his determination to sing, Bo He came up with another excuse, ¡°Think about it. Your singing is incredibly powerful. If it drowns out Yuanxi¡¯s fluteter, what will happen? Those little creatures won¡¯t be controlled anymore, and they might even be stunned by your singing. That wouldn¡¯t be in these people¡¯s favor, would it? Right now, they¡¯re already frightened by the insects and rodents ¨C it¡¯s quite satisfying to see them suffering like this.¡± Gu Xiaonan thought it over and realized she had a point. While his singing was potent, it didn¡¯t seem to have the same intimidating effect on these creatures, judging by their distorted expressions. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll sing another time.¡± She finally managed to convince Gu Xiaonan. Bo He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Outside the mansion gate, many people were so frightened that they didn¡¯t even think about settling scores with Gu Qingluan. They turned and ran. Seeing the crowd dispersing, a shout suddenly rang out from within the crowd. ¡°They¡¯re under someone¡¯s control! It has to be Gu Qingluan! She¡¯s a witch! She can manipte all these bugs and snakes!¡± ¡°Exactly! It¡¯s got to be Gu Qingluan, that witch! We can¡¯t let ourselves be frightened off like this, or we¡¯ll be doing exactly what she wants!¡± ¡°Everyone, use your arcane power to protect yourselves. These things aren¡¯t poisonous; at most, they¡¯ll leave a few bites. If we don¡¯t hand Gu Qingluan over to the Dingbei Army today, we won¡¯t just get bitten a few times; we might lose our lives!¡± ¡°Everyone, focus your attacks on the barrier! As long as the barrier breaks, Gu Qingluan won¡¯t be able to hide inside and control these disgusting creatures to harm us!¡± Several shouts followed one after another. Their words had an impact. The initially chaotic and panicked crowd gradually calmed down. They realized that these bugs and snakes didn¡¯t have much offensive power. They were merely frightening to look at, and even their protective arcane power couldn¡¯t be breached. Once they calmed down, their anger towards Gu Qingluan grew stronger. While they cursed and attacked the barrier, they also began clearing away the bugs and snakes around them. This time, the creatures summoned by Feng Yuanxi were different from the previous attack on Wang Shi¡¯s mansion. Back then, all the creatures were summoned to attack both Wang Shi and the Gu family members, regardless of whether they were poisonous or not. That¡¯s why even the experts with arcane power couldn¡¯t resist them. But this time, Feng Yuanxi considered that many of the people present were ordinary citizens who had been manipted intoing here. So, he summoned only frightening but non-lethal creatures. Certainly, his intentions went beyond merely frightening people away. Without employing this strategy, how else could he identify those who were causing trouble? Feng Yuanxi put down his flute and asked Gu Xiaonan, ¡°Did you see the ones who were shouting just now?¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes gleamed like stars, brimming with fury.. ¡°I spotted them! There were nine in total!¡± Chapter 359 - 359: I’m Not a Bastard! I Have a Daddy! Chapter 359: I¡¯m Not a Bastard! I Have a Daddy! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion These nine viins were the troublemakers! Feng Yuanxi smirked, his sharp gaze filled with an icy determination. ¡°Let¡¯s catch these nine troublemakers first, then deal with the rest.¡± As twin brothers, they shared an unspoken understanding. Meanwhile, Bo He, standing nearby, looked puzzled. The two brothers had already figured out how to deal with the problem. Feng Yuanxi yed his flute once more, and the snakes and insects that were previously confused without the melody resumed their calcted assaults on the people. However, this time, they didn¡¯t charge at everyone but rather focused on those nine individuals. ¡°Hmm?¡± Gradually, others began to realize that the bugs and rodents nearby had decreased in number, except in a few specific areas where their presence had increased significantly. This unexpected change made them instinctively halt their attacks. At this moment, nine people found themselves tightly surrounded by the creatures. ¡°Quick! Hurry and kill them!¡± They twisted and turned, trying to shake off the creatures clinging to them, shouting for help from others. Right as everyone was getting ready to help them, Gu Xiaonan suddenly showed up at the entrance, cradling a small fox in his arms, looking adorable as can be. Seeing that nobody had noticed him, Gu Xiaonan wrinkled his small nose. Under the influence of his arcane power, his childish voice was audible to everyone. ¡°Do you want to meet my mother?¡± Everyone¡¯s spirits lifted, and they immediately looked toward the source of the voice. Seeing the boy who resembled a little celestial being before them, a look of astonishment shed in their eyes. After a good while, someone¡¯s mind finally cleared. ¡°Your mother? Are you that illegitimate child of Gu Qingluan?¡± someone questioned, speaking rather brashly. Gu Xiaonan furrowed his brows, disliking the way they referred to him. He retorted with annoyance, ¡°I¡¯m not an illegitimate child! 1 have a daddy!¡± The person who asked tauntingly continued, ¡°Oh! Not an illegitimate child? Then who¡¯s your father?¡± ¡°My father is¡­¡± Gu Xiaonan was about to answer when he suddenly thought better of it. He held back and stared at the person with big, defiant eyes, asking indignantly, ¡°Why do you care who my father is? What are you doing causing such amotion outside our mansion?¡± ¡°Why else? Your mother killed Duke Dingbei, angered the Dingbei Army, and they¡¯re on the verge of rebellion because the Emperor is shielding her. She¡¯s hiding to avoid trouble!¡± Gu Xiaonan wrinkled his small nose and replied, ¡°My mother didn¡¯t hide; she¡¯s busy!¡± ¡°This woman is disgusting. She¡¯s afraid toe out herself, so she sends her son? Is she throwing her son into the lion¡¯s den?¡± ¡°Do you think we won¡¯t harm a child? Ha! Everyone, stop waiting. Let¡¯s catch this kid first and use him to force Gu Qingluan to show up!¡± The crowd rushed forward to capture Gu Xiaonan. Bang! A barrier blocked them. The person who had charged forward was thrown back, causing a pileup. Gu Xiaonan stood inside the barrier, his ck and bright eyes looking coldly at the chaotic scene of people falling over each other. He calmly uttered two words, ¡°Foolish fools!¡± Hearing his words, everyone was infuriated. ¡°You brat, just wait until I rip your mouth apart!¡± ¡°Being foolish and not even realizing it makes you more than a fool.¡± Gu Xiaonan continued his taunts. They red at him angrily. If it weren¡¯t for the barrier, they would have already rushed in to give him a beating. Someone couldn¡¯t hold back and retorted, ¡°You brat! Don¡¯t get too smug! Do you think you can hide inside forever?¡± ¡°Wait until we break this barrier, then you¡¯ll see!¡± Gu Xiaonan stuck out his tongue at them, his lips moving rapidly, spewing a stream of insults without the need for conscious thought. All sorts of insulting words flowed effortlessly from between his thin, pale pink lips without any thought. Upon hearing him cursing, Xiao Mei couldn¡¯t help but leave Bo He¡¯s shoulder and fly out to join in the swearing. Originally, they were quite upset about his insults, but when they noticed even a little creature like Xiao Mei joining in, it infuriated them even more. They engaged in a heated exchange of curses. As their argument continued, the nine troublemakers became ensnared by vibrant snakes and encircled by swarms of insects and rodents descending from above the crowd. Before anyone could grasp the situation, five of the troublemakers had already had bugs enter their mouths. Witnessing this, everyone was left in shock and promptly began attacking the insects and snakes. ¡°All!¡± The bugs that had originally covered the troublemakers¡¯ mouths flew out, apanied by pitiful cries. Although their attacks were mainly aimed at the insects and serpents, they inadvertently struck the remaining four troublemakers. Seeing the situation, the crowd had no choice but to stop. Ultimately, they could do nothing but watch as these individuals were carried into the barrier by a swarm of flying insects.. Chapter 360 - 360: I’m Feel Sorry For Your Intellect Chapter 360: I¡¯m Feel Sorry For Your Intellect Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan grinned mischievously at them. ¡°A bunch of dummies!¡± Everyone grew furious. It turned out this kid deliberately diverted their attention to abduct theirrades. But why? ¡°What are you nning to do? Release them quickly!¡± Gu Xiaonan sighed. ¡°You¡¯re in denial even after I call you dummies. Did you really believe these nine people were on your side?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Tsk tsk, I genuinely feel sorry for your intellect.¡± A robust man protested, ¡°You stinky brat, speak your clearly without insulting us!¡± ¡°Considering your pitiful and utterly foolish state, I¡¯ll reluctantly enlighten you.¡± Gu Xiaonan nced at their faces, sighed with a forced expression, and continued, ¡°You came to find my mother because of these few people, right?¡± The crowd paused, pondering the situation. Upon reflection, it did seem that someone had initially mentioned Gu Qingluan. They turned their gaze towards the nine individuals, who werepletely covered in serpents and insects except for their heads. Before long, they identified a couple of faces among the nine who had previously shared the ¡°truth¡± with them. ¡°Yang Shusheng was right! Wasn¡¯t it your mother who killed Duke Dingbei and angered the Dingbei Army?¡± someone questioned. Gu Xiaonan pursed his lips, ¡°My mother did, in fact, kill Duke Dingbei, but that urred just today. Did the Dingbei Army teleport here? How could they swiftly arrive from the Northern Region as soon as Duke Dingbei passed away?¡± The crowd fell silent. This¡­ It does seem highly unlikely. One person could teleport, but an entire army of millions? Another person shouted, ¡°Even if they came for other reasons, it¡¯s because Duke Dingbei died that they rebelled!¡± ¡°Duke Dingbei¡¯s death was kept under wraps. How did the Dingbei Army find out so quickly?¡± Gu Xiaonan¡¯s words left the crowd speechless once again. He huffed, his adorable face filled with a chilling air of seriousness. Combined with Feng Yuanxi¡¯s flute melody, it created a paradoxical image. ¡°All of you¡¯re still in denial even after I said you¡¯re all fools! Do you know you¡¯ve been used as pawns?¡± The group exchanged bewildered nces. They had been manipted? ¡°These nine individuals are spies nted by the Dingbei Army in Tianjing City!¡± ¡°The Dingbei Army belongs to the Chengyuan Kingdom. How can you call their people spies? Even if they are spies, it could be for our benefit!¡± ¡°Stubborn fools!¡± Feng Yuanxi set aside his flute and walked out from the gate. As the crowd heard his voice, they looked up. Another child? Didn¡¯t Gu Qingluan only have one child? Following behind Feng Yuanxi were guards from the Jun Family. The serpents and insects he had summoned receded like a tide, and the guards approached, seizing the arms of the nine individuals and binding them. ¡°If the Dingbei Army were truly just, they wouldn¡¯t have wreaked havoc and caused deaths in the city! Your dear ones wouldn¡¯t have met such a tragic fate!¡± Feng Yuanxi approached Gu Xiaonan, his gaze prating as dark as the night as if he could peer into their souls. ¡°Without the Emperor¡¯smand, no army is permitted to depart from its designated post. The Dingbei Armying secretly to Tianjing is already a significant conspiracy!¡± ¡°What do you two brats understand? Don¡¯t be fooled by them! The Dingbei Army must have received orders to return, but they didn¡¯t expect Duke Dingbei to be suddenly killed. With the Emperor protecting the murderer, they had no choice but to revolt.¡± A schr named Yang shouted loudly, his face covered in angry welts from insect bites. Gu Xiaonan chuckled, approached him, and tugged on his belt with force. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Schr Yang shouted. Snap! A piece of a que fell to the ground.. Chapter 361 - 361: Gu Xiaonan’s Nonsense Chapter 361 - 361: Gu Xiaonan¡¯s Nonsense Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan picked up the item, and Schr Yang became visibly nervous. ¡°Return that to me!¡± Gu Xiaonan nced at the token and looked at the three characters carved on it, immediately revealing an adorable smile. He showed the token to everyone, saying, ¡°Uncles, aunties, brothers, and sisters, I¡¯m young and don¡¯t know too many words. Could you take a look and see if there are any writings on it?¡± Everyone stared at it and their expressions darkened. Dingbei Army!
    The golden token was prominently carved with the three words ¡°Dingbei Army¡±! ¡°Damn it! Schr Yang is actually a member of the Dingbei Army in disguise!¡± ¡°We¡¯ve really been deceived!¡± The crowd red at Schr Yang with hatred. Seeing everyone¡¯s expressions as if they wanted to eat him, Schr Yang lowered his head guiltily. If there was a crack in the ground here right now, he would definitely crawl into it. Under Gu Xiaonan¡¯s guidance, the guards searched the eight other individuals and found eight identical tokens. All of these people were spies from the Dingbei Army! The anger of the crowd immediately shifted to these nine individuals. Their trust had been exploited, something no one could tolerate. Moreover, these nine people were members of the Dingbei Army, the executioners who had destroyed their homnd and killed their loved ones! Gu Xiaonan observed the expressions on everyone¡¯s faces, and a mischievous smile formed on his lips as he confidently dered, ¡°You see, the Dingbei Army had been nning a rebellion for a long time. Their leader, Duke Dingbei, is a rather unsavory character. My mother stumbled upon evidence of his rebellion, and in response, he tried to have her killed. Fortunately, hecked the strength to seed, and instead, my mother defeated him. The Dingbei Army was just waiting for an opportunity to rebel, and they opportunistically used my mother as that excuse. Don¡¯t let these traitors to our nation deceive you!¡± The conversation was, of course, a fabrication by Gu Xiaonan. But who would have thought that such a young child could invent such stories? Moreover, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s ¡°facts¡± were well-structured and logical, making them seem almost real. As everyone listened, they had a feeling of sudden realization. So, the anger grew, and even the deceased Duke Dingbei was cursed along with the nine others. The faces of those nine individuals turned red, and they angrily red at Gu Xiaonan, saying, ¡°Nonsense! Don¡¯t falsely use us! You¡¯re trying to smear our lord!¡± Gu Xiaonan calmly responded, ¡°You¡¯re getting defensive because you feel guilty.¡± As everyone looked, those red faces did indeed seem like they were feeling guilty. ¡°These Dingbei Army scoundrels almost made us wrongfully use an innocent person!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! If Miss Gu had been taken by them, we would have one less powerful ally in Tianjing City. It would make it even easier for the Dingbei Army to attack!¡± ¡°Exactly! They clearly want to make us turn against each other!¡± ¡°More than that! The Dingbei Army wants to make us act unjustly! If they win, we¡¯ll be aiding the oppressors!¡± ¡°It¡¯s unforgivable! We rushed to the Jun Residence to settle the score with Miss Gu, but what if she held a grudge against us? It¡¯s all the fault of these Dingbei Army bastards!¡± Filled with shock and anger, everyone threw whatever they had left at the nine individuals, only to have it blocked by a barrier. Someone asked Gu Xiaonan to throw the Dingbei Army spies outside the barrier so they could teach them a lesson. Gu Xiaonan saw that they were genuinely angry, so he waved his hand, and the guards threw the nine people outside the barrier. Without the protection of the barrier, the nine were immediately overwhelmed by the crowd. Their screams were drowned out by the sound of fists. It didn¡¯t take long before they were beaten into submission. The crowd, though relieved, was still worried that Gu Qingluan would hold a grudge ande after them. Gu Xiaonan understood their concerns and smiled. ¡°My mother knows that you were deceived, so she won¡¯t kill you. But while you may escape death, you can¡¯t escape punishment. If youe to your senses, go to the front lines and help defeat the Dingbei Army. By doing so, you can make amends for your actions, and 1¡¯11 persuade my mother to spare you.¡± Upon hearing this, the crowd considered it a favor and didn¡¯t dare to refuse. Furthermore, their homes had been destroyed, and they had nowhere to go. It was time to pick up their weapons and fight the enemy. Led by the burly man, the group assured Gu Xiaonan that they would go to the city gates immediately to help. When Feng Tian arrived, he witnessed everyone leaving.. Chapter 362 - 362: Xiaonan Is Angry Chapter 362 - 362: Xiaonan Is Angry Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Jing Feng asked in surprise, ¡°Why did they all leave?¡± After Feng Tian left the Jun residence for some time, he did not expect trouble toe to the residence in his absence. When he rushed back, he expected to find a crowd gathered around the residence. However, to his surprise, all he saw were people scattering in various directions. ¡°Daddy!¡± Feng Yuanxi sensed his father¡¯s presence, looked up, and upon seeing Feng Tian, his eyes lit up. ¡°Daddy!¡± Feng Tiannded outside the barrier.
    When Gu Xiaonan spotted him, memories of the insults hurled at him by the townspeople shed through his mind, causing him to purse his lips unhappily. Feng Yuanxi opened the barrier and let Feng Tian in. ¡°Young Master, I heard that many people came to the Jun Residence to cause trouble. How did you manage to get rid of them?¡± Jing Feng asked curiously. Feng Yuanxi raised his chin proudly and exined how he and Xiaonan had worked together to unravel the Dingbei Army¡¯s plot, exposing the truth to the infuriated citizens, and more. Jing Feng was amazed andmented, ¡°Young Master and Young Master Xiaonan are truly amazing!¡± In such a tough situation, even most grown-ups wouldn¡¯t have been able to handle it, but these two youngsters managed to solve the problem at the Jun residence effortlessly.¡± The Young Master was the Master¡¯s child, and showing exceptional intelligence from a young age was expected. However, no one anticipated that Miss Gu¡¯s other child would be equally formidable. Miss Gu had raised her children exceptionally well! Feng Tian overheard their conversation, lowered his head, and looked at Gu Xiaonan. Gu Xiaonan suddenly huffed at him and called out, ¡°Xiao Bai, Xiao Mei, let¡¯s go!¡± Xiao Bai jumped into his arms from the ground, while Xiao Mei fluttered her wings and flew by his side. Gu Xiaonan walked confidently towards the main gate. Jing Feng blinked and remarked, ¡°Young Master Xiaonan seems to be angry?¡± Feng Yuanxi nced at Feng Tian with a contemtive expression. He hadn¡¯t mentioned to Uncle Jing Feng that people had been insulting Xiaonan, which had surely upset him. Xiaonan probably wants to openly acknowledge Daddy, right? But earlier, he was angry with Daddy and didn¡¯t want to recognize him. And yet, Daddy was stupid enough to not realize Xiaonan¡¯s identity. It¡¯s no wonder Xiaonan was upset. If it were him, he would surely feel sorrowful too. Feng Yuanxi pursed his lips, hesitating whether to tell Daddy the truth. After a moment of contemtion, he decided it was best to remain silent for now. If Xiaonan wanted to acknowledge his father, he would do so voluntarily. In response to Jing Feng¡¯s question, he replied, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because Daddy arrived toote. Mother was in the alchemy room working on pill refinement, and when trouble came knocking, Daddy didn¡¯t show up. Xiaonan might have some grievances about that.¡± Jing Feng suddenly realized and hurriedly exined, ¡°Young Master Xiaonan has misunderstood. Master was summoned to the pce by the Emperor. As soon as he heard that someone was besieging the Jun residence, he rushed over from the pce. The Master cares deeply for Miss Gu.¡± Feng Yuanxi said, ¡°I¡¯ll go and inform Xiaonan of this news to prevent any misunderstandings.¡± Watching him rush inside, Jing Feng shook his head and mumbled, ¡°Children these days are really hard to understand.¡± Fortunately, he didn¡¯t have children; otherwise, dealing with them every day might have left him bald. Feng Tian remained silent, entering the main gate with a pensive look. Earlier, the way Xiaonan had looked at him wasn¡¯t just anger; there seemed to be a trace of sadness. What could he be sad about? Given their rtionship, if Xiaonan had any grievances, he probably wouldn¡¯t show them to him directly. Yet, at this moment, Feng Tian couldn¡¯t quite fathom why Xiaonan would feel this way.. Chapter 363 - 363: Looking for a Husband for Mother Chapter 363 - 363: Looking for a Husband for Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Yuanxi found Gu Xiaonan inside the room at Shallow Clouds Residence. He sat on the bed, legs crossed, with Xiaobai lying beside him. In his hand, he held Xiaomei, wanting her to sing for him. Xiaomei struggled to escape his grasp. ¡°Naughty Xiaomei, I¡¯m not happy, and you don¡¯t even want to sing a song for me? Do you still recognize me as your young master? Hmph! I can see that you don¡¯t like me at all! Are you going to abandon me too?¡± ¡°Feathers! My feathers! My beautiful feathers!¡± Xiaomei cried, her voice tinged with tears, and two teardrops formed in her round eyes.
    Xiaobai raised his small paw and gently patted Gu Xiaonan¡¯s leg, chirping softly, his voice slightly lower than usual, patientlyforting him. Feng Yuanxi entered the room, and everyone present, including a person and two pets, immediately stopped talking and turned their attention to him. Seeing it was Feng Yuanxi, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s tense body rxed, and he lowered his head to continue questioning Xiaomei as if Xiaomei were an unfaithful lover. The green parrot, originally despondent, saw Feng Yuanxi as a savior and quickly sought his help. ¡°Yuanxi, Yuanxi, save me! Save Xiaomei! Don¡¯t let Xiaomei be bald!¡± Feng Yuanxi closed the door, walked to the bedside, and rescued Xiaomei from Gu Xiaonan¡¯s hands. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Gu Xiaonan red at him. ¡°Just because you¡¯re my mother¡¯s son doesn¡¯t mean 1 won¡¯t hit you!¡± Feng Yuanxi gently smoothed Xiaomei¡¯s feathers and then released her. Xiaomei immediately flew up to the ceiling beam, her two small eyes watchful of Gu Xiaonan, afraid that he might suddenly pounce on her again. Gu Xiaonan continued to re at Feng Yuanxi,pletely ignoring Xiaomei. Feng Yuanxi asked softly, ¡°Xiaonan, are you upset with Father?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not!¡± Gu Xiaonan replied loudly, but it sounded more like he was protesting too much. Feng Yuanxi said, ¡°We have a special connection, Xiaonan. I know what you¡¯re thinking.¡± Gu Xiaonan turned his head away, displeased. ¡°Fine, I¡¯m angry with him! He wasn¡¯t there when the Jun Residence was in crisis. He only showed up after we had everything under control, and he was useless!¡± Feng Yuanxi walked up to him. ¡°It¡¯s not because of that.¡± Gu Xiaonan frowned. ¡°Stinky Yuanxi, I¡¯m not in a good mood right now. Don¡¯te and argue with me, or I¡¯ll beat you up too!¡± He waved his small fist, threatening the other person. Feng Yuanxi wasn¡¯t afraid at all and directly asked, ¡°You actually want to acknowledge Daddy, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°No! Don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡± Gu Xiaonan widened his eyes. ¡°You can deceive others, but you can¡¯t deceive me,¡± Feng Yuanxi said with a slight smile. Gu Xiaonan and he locked eyes for a moment, then heaved a sigh and muttered softly, ¡°So annoying, why do I have a twin brother.¡± Feng Yuanxi squinted his eyes and corrected him, ¡°I am the older brother.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re the younger brother! Stupid younger brother!¡± Gu Xiaonan insisted. The two of them started arguing over who was the older brother and who was the younger brother. Xiaobai and Xiaomei exchanged nces. Their young master¡¯s attention had been diverted, so he probably wouldn¡¯t dwell on sad things for the time being. Despite the argument, they managed to restrain themselves from getting physical. Nevertheless, after a while, they were both red-faced and panting, lying on the bed like two pancakes. After a good while, Feng Yuanxi turned to look at Gu Xiaonan. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I can find out what Daddy thinks of you.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not allowed to say anything!¡± Gu Xiaonan said angrily. ¡°Stupid Daddy! He deserves to have one less son! If he doesn¡¯t want to be my father, there are plenty of people who do! Once we¡¯ve stabilized the Dingbei Army, I¡¯ll find a husband for Mother. I don¡¯t believe I can¡¯t find a better daddy than him!¡± Feng Yuanxi was taken aback by his words. ¡°You¡¯re not really going to find a husband for Mother, are you? Daddy would be furious..¡± Chapter 364 - 364: Confidence in Father’s Strength Chapter 364 - 364: Confidence in Father¡¯s Strength Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°It¡¯d be the best if he were to die of frustration!¡± Gu Xiaonan was full of resentment. Wasn¡¯t his stupid father supposed to be very clever? He still hadn¡¯t recognized him until now; he deserved to die of frustration. Feng Yuanxi looked at Gu Xiaonan¡¯s angry and aggrieved appearance, his lips moved a few times, but he didn¡¯t try to stop him anymore. After thinking for a moment, Xiaonan thought about arranging a marriage for his mother. Surely there had to be some kind ofpetition? Well¡­ Why not first find out how Xiaonan nned to arrange a marriage for his mother and then have his father participate in it?
    He believed his father could definitely defeat thepetition and win the heart of his beautiful mother. So, he asked, ¡°Have you thought about how to find a husband for Mother?¡± ¡°Mother is so beautiful and powerful, she¡¯s the best woman in the world. Of course, she should be matched with the best unmarried man in the world! At the very least, he should be good-looking, have profound cultivation, be wealthy and influential, and most importantly ¨C have a good temper! He should dote on Mother, and of course, both of us too. 1 heard that many stepfathers are bad, so first, he must treat us well, otherwise, there¡¯s a problem with his character, and he can¡¯t marry Mother.¡± Feng Yuanxi silently thought: Good looks, cultivation, wealth, and influence, Royal Father checks all those boxes. The only thing left is the temper. But Royal Father¡¯s recent behavior had been pretty good; he wasn¡¯t harsh at all. He should barely pass, right? Meanwhile, Gu Xiaonan had no idea what he was thinking. Once he had this idea, he couldn¡¯t control his wandering thoughts. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. Suddenly, he sat up, raised his fist and said, ¡°I¡¯ve decided! I¡¯m going to organize a grand martial artspetition to find a husband for Mother!¡± Feng Yuanxi, upon hearing this, felt even more reassured. He had confidence in his Royal Father¡¯s strength. ¡°What kind of martial artspetition?¡± Just at that moment, the door opened, and Gu Qingluan walked in from outside. ¡°Mother!¡± Gu Xiaonan heard her voice, looked at her excitedly, and was about to tell her his n. But when he saw Feng Tian following her, all the words he was about to say were swallowed back. Hmph! He wouldn¡¯t let this idiot man know! Otherwise, he would definitely cause trouble! ¡°Mother, you heard wrong. Yuanxi and 1 agreed to have a martial artspetition and start training early.¡± He moved to the edge of the bed, jumped to the floor, and ran towards Gu Qingluan. ¡°Mother, have you finished refining the pills?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s almost done.¡± Gu Qingluan had refined thousands of pills in one go. Although their grade wasn¡¯t high, she had managed to refine so many in just half a day. It was simply abnormal, and if word got out, it would surely cause a sensation throughout the continent. She was also forced to do so. Fighting was not child¡¯s y. Once a battle started, the number of casualties wouldn¡¯t be just a few dozen or a few hundred. This time, the Dingbei Army came prepared and caught Tianjing City off guard. The casualties would be even more severe. All she could do was to contribute her part by providing healing and life-saving pills to the soldiers defending the city. ¡°I heard you and Yuanxi settled the troublemakers, that¡¯s impressive.¡± Gu Xiaonan replied with excitement. ¡°Mother, you know about it too.¡± Feng Yuanxi also got off the bed and walked up to her. He looked at the martial attire she was wearing and asked in surprise, ¡°Mother, are you preparing to go out?¡± Gu Qingluan changed into a white suit, looking heroic. ¡°Yes, your father and 1 are going to help at the city gates. You two brothers stay at home. If you encounter danger, hide in the secret chamber, okay?¡± ¡°I want to go with Mother! I can fight bad people too!¡± Gu Xiaonan immediately hugged her leg, afraid she would leave him behind. Gu Qingluan furrowed her brow and said, ¡°Be good and listen! You¡¯re both still young, and it¡¯s not safe for you to be involved in such situations. Stay at home so 1 can be less worried.¡± ¡°Home isn¡¯t safe either. There might be troublemakers again.¡± Gu Qingluan hesitated. This was indeed a problem. If someone wanted to harm her and took the opportunity to break into the Jun Residence and kidnap Xiaonan and Yuanxi, it would be disastrous. Feng Yuanxi looked at her with bright eyes. ¡°Mother, if you¡¯re worried, you can let us hide in the Ster Space.¡± That was a good idea. Without further ado, Gu Qingluan sent her two sons into the Ster Space. Then, she left the Jun Residence with Feng Tian. A horse galloped towards them and stopped outside the Jun Residence¡¯s gate. It was Qitian You! ¡°What¡¯s going on¡­¡± Qitian You was surprised to see theme out. Gu Qingluan smiled faintly. ¡°You¡¯re here to let us join the battle, right? Which city gate is under the most pressure?¡± ¡°The North Gate.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± With that, she pointed her toes and flew into the air. Feng Tian followed closely behind. Qitian You watched their rapidly departing figures and couldn¡¯t help but marvel. Such incredible speed! Truly befitting of Saints! He quickly tightened the reins and urged his horse towards the North Gate.. Chapter 365 - 365: Captured Chapter 365 - 365: Captured Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion At that moment, at the North City Gate. Boom! ¡°Ahh!¡± Explosions and cries of agony echoed one after another.
    A barrier at the North Gate had shattered, and the Dingbei Army was concentrating their firepower on that spot. The Imperial Guards were trying to counterattack at the breach, but they were sted into the sky by the enemy¡¯s powerful attack. The barrier waspletely shattered. The Dingbei Armyunched a fierce assault on the city walls. They had acquired weapons from somewhere, and their destructive power was enormous. The attacks from the cannons hit the city walls, causing the stones to immediately fall off as if they were made of fragile material. These walls were constructed from sturdy ck Cloud Stones, and ordinary attacks couldn¡¯t leave a mark on their surface. However, when bombarded by these cannons, they crumbled like tofu. ¡°We¡¯re in trouble! General Song, their weapons are too powerful! The city walls are about to be breached, and once they¡¯re down, there will be nothing to stop them from entering the city!¡± A soldier, bloodied and frantic, rushed to the city tower to report to the North Gatemander. General Song Chongliang¡¯s face grew even darker upon hearing this. ¡°Why panic? Do they have weapons we don¡¯t? Listen up, everyone! Hold the North Gate at all costs! As long as we have breath in our bodies, we won¡¯t allow the Dingbei Army to break through!¡± He raised his hand and ordered, ¡°Archers, fire!¡± Soldiers on the city parapets raised ming arrows and aimed them at the Dingbei Army outside the city gates. Swish, swish, swish! Arrows with mes shot out, creating a sky full of arrows that formed a sea of fire. The Dingbei Army raised their shields overhead to block the iing arrows. The metallic sh resounded. Those arrows had limited effect on the Dingbei Army. On the city tower, Li Tianhao, dressed in battle attire, faced off against the Dingbei Army outside the city gates from a distance. Song Chongliang furrowed his brow and inquired, ¡°Lord Li, what should we do now? We¡¯re far inferior to the Dingbei Army in terms of both weapons and troops. If we continue like this, even if the city gate isn¡¯t breached, our morale will be shattered.¡± Li Tianhao, known as the War God, was the most trusted powerhouse that Song Chongliang had at his side. If even Li Tianhao couldn¡¯t find a way to deal with the enemy, Song Chongliang couldn¡¯t think of anyone else who could hold the line. Li Tianhao had been observing. Among the Dingbei Army, there was a conspicuous war chariot. Standing on the war chariot was a man dressed in white armor. He wore a silver mask on his face, revealing a pair of star-like ck eyes. Both the Dingbei Duke and his son had been killed. Who was this man, and how could hemand the Dingbei Army? After careful consideration, Li Tianhao couldn¡¯te up with a suitable answer. Upon hearing Song Chongliang¡¯s inquiry, Li Tianhao spoke in a deep voice, ¡°What else can we do? We can only fight!¡± ¡°Actually, there¡¯s another way,¡± whispered a vice general beside Song Chongliang. ¡°Didn¡¯t the Dingbei Army rebel to avenge the Dingbei Duke? If we could hand over Gu Qingluan, this conflict mighte to an end.¡± Earlier, a Dingbei Army officer had made it clear that they would immediately withdraw if Gu Qingluan were surrendered. Song Chongliang frowned, wondering if this was the only option avable. Li Tianhao¡¯s expression darkened as he retorted, ¡°Nonsense! The Dingbei Army is just using it as an excuse. Do you believe that?¡± The vice general was scolded by him, turning red in the face, and closed his mouth in frustration. As they were discussing, a terrifying energy surged towards them, and a blinding light made it impossible to keep their eyes open. ¡°General Song, be careful!¡± ¡°Lord Li, watch out!¡± Soldiers nearby cried out in rm. Song Chongliang and the vice general hurriedly retreated to avoid it. Li Tianhao snorted and summoned the zing me Spear, thrusting it towards the approaching energy ball. The zing me Spear burned brightly, not losing its radiance against the light ball. When the two collided, there was no explosion. Li Tianhao skillfully redirected the light ball, sending it soaring into the sky. Boom! The light ball exploded in mid-air. A tremendous energy radiated in all directions. The dazzling light illuminated half of the sky. People¡¯s eyes were momentarily blinded. When the light subsided, Li Tianhao stood proudly on the city tower, holding the zing me Spear. ¡°Lord Li is mighty!¡± The Imperial Guards cheered, their eyes filled with admiration and respect as they looked at him. ¡°He truly deserves the title of ¡®God of War¡¯ of Chengyuan Nation! Without the Dingbei Army¡¯s support, the Dingbei Duke would be nothing!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! Lord Li, with the zing me Spear in hand, can sweep through thousands of enemies. Such a powerhouse truly deserves the title ¡®God of War.¡¯ The Dingbei Duke is just a hollow name.¡± ¡°With Lord Li here, not even the Dingbei Army can break through!¡± Li Tianhao¡¯s appearance boosted the morale of the Imperial Guards. On a Dingbei Army war chariot. The man in white armor asked, ¡°Who was that person just now?¡± On the side, atop a spirited horse, General Chen Chong respectfully lowered his head and replied, ¡°In response to Young Master Yun, he is Li Tianhao, known as the War God of Chengyuan Nation.¡± ¡°Oh? So, he¡¯s Li Tianhao! Indeed, he has some skill. If you were to fight him, who would be stronger?¡± Chen Chong scratched his nose and said sheepishly, ¡°I was once a defeated subordinate of Li Tianhao.¡± Xiao Jingye sneered lightly, ¡°Stage of the Heavenly Realm, Level Nine. That¡¯s worth a try.¡± ¡°Young Master Yun, Lord Li reached Stage of the Heavenly Realm, Level Nine several years ago,¡± Chen Chong reminded him. ¡°I can see that for myself!¡± Xiao Jingye sneered dismissively. ¡°Just Stage of the Heavenly Realm, Level Nine.¡± In his heart, Chen Chong thought that Stage of the Heavenly Realm, Level Nine was the highest stage below the Saint Realm. There were only a few Saints in the world. Young Master Yun was a bit too arrogant. ¡°Saint Yin Qing, could you please teach this man surnamed Li a lesson so that they, Chengyuan Nation, will understand that surrender is the correct choice?¡± Saint Yin Qing? Chen Chong was surprised as he followed Xiao Jingye¡¯s gaze. A mysterious figure cloaked in a hood had been apanying Xiao Jingye, and Chen Chong had never known his identity. It turned out he was a Saint! No wonder Young Master Yun had so much confidence! However¡­ Chengyuan Nation currently had four Saints. Relying solely on Saint Yin Qing might not be enough to deal with Chengyuan. While Chen Chong was sighing, Saint Yin Qing had already flown towards the city gate, targeting Li Tianhao¡¯s vital points. He was incredibly fast, and no one had time to react. Song Chongliang and the Imperial Guards watched in astonishment as a mysterious figure suddenly flew out from the enemy ranks and appeared in front of Lord Li. He grabbed Li Tianhao by the throat! ¡°Lord Li!¡± Everyone rushed forward to stop him but were effortlessly swept aside by the opponent, sent flying and battered, with stars in their vision, and heads bleeding. Under the pressure of his opponent, Li Tianhao¡¯s movements were restricted. His attacks were slow, and each one was easily blocked by the opponent. As for Li Tianhao, he was caught by the throat, unable to breathe, his face turning red as he struggled desperately. Yin Qing sneered disdainfully, grabbed his throat, and flew away from the city tower, returning to the Dingbei Army.. Chapter 366 - 366: You Are Miss Gu? Chapter 366 - 366: You Are Miss Gu? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Well deserving of a Saint!¡± Chen Chong looked at him with profound admiration, his attitude extremely deferential. On the battlefield, a Saint was the ultimate weapon. In fact, most Saints didn¡¯t appear on the battlefield. On one hand, their destructive power was immense, capable of iming thousands of lives with a single strike. If both sides deployed Saints for victory, the casualties would be devastating, rendering ordinary soldiers almost insignificant. Therefore, the general practice was to adhere to this rule, only using Saints when facing the imminent threat of a nation¡¯s destruction. Saints were usually stationed in the rear to deter neighboring countries. On the other hand, Saints held a prestigious status, and the Emperor¡¯s decrees didn¡¯t wield much influence over them.
    No emperor dared to give orders to a Saint. Pissing off a Saint was enough to make a ruler cry. Chen Chong couldn¡¯t fathom how Young Master Yun had managed to enlist the Saint Yin Qing¡¯s assistance, and that he was willing to engage in battle. Yin Qing tossed Li Tianhao in front of Xiao Jingye and raised his chin slightly, saying, ¡°Young Master Yun, I¡¯ve brought you the man. Handle it as you see fit.¡± Xiao Jingye pped his hands andughed heartily. ¡°SaintYin Qing is truly exceptional!¡± Li Tianhao was immobilized, unable to move, and he raised his head to look coldly at the young man in the white armor before him. ¡°Despicable!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Lord Li has seen countless battles on the field. Are you suggesting you¡¯re unfamiliar with basic tactics like deception? Moreover, our attack is straightforward and honorable. There are no hidden schemes involved. Is it possible that someone as experienced as Lord Li, who¡¯s been a War God for so long, can¡¯te to terms with defeat?¡± Xiao Jingye asked with a mocking smile, his eyes filled with disdain. Li Tianhao puffed out his cheeks. ¡°Do you know what I¡¯m referring to? Saints are not allowed to participate in conflicts between nations; it¡¯s an unwritten rule. Don¡¯t you know?¡± ¡°Oh? Who established this rule? I¡¯m not aware of it! In my eyes, there¡¯s only victory and defeat,¡± Xiao Jingye said with a sly grin. At this moment, a furious roar came from the city tower, prompting the Dingbei Army to quickly release Li Tianhao. Xiao Jingye asked in astonishment, ¡°Are all Chengyuan people so naive?¡± ¡°Are you not a Chengyuan citizen?!¡± Li Tianhao¡¯s eyes emitted piercing light as he stared intently at Xiao Jingye, as if trying to see through his mask. Xiao Jingye didn¡¯t show a hint of panic that might reveal his identity. He smiled at him and then looked up at Song Chongliang on the city tower. ¡°If you want Lord Li to return safely, trade him for Gu Qingluan. Otherwise, I¡¯ll use Li Tianhao¡¯s head to decorate my banner!¡± With that, he signaled for someone to ce a de at Li Tianhao¡¯s neck. ¡°Despicable!¡± ¡°So vile!¡± The Imperial Guards on the city tower, witnessing this scene, were seething with anger. The Dingbei Army was truly despicable! ¡°General Song, what should we do now? That¡¯s Lord Li!¡± The Li family was one of the four major families in Chengyuan, and Li Tianhao was not only a War God but also the current head of the Li family. If anything happened to Lord Li, it would surely cause chaos in Tianjing City. ¡°Quick, go find Gu Qingluan!¡± ¡°Huh? Are we really going to do that? Miss Gu is so powerful; how can we capture her?¡± Song Chongliang rolled his eyes impatiently. ¡°Who told you to capture her? I want you to invite her here! As for what she does after she arrives¡ªwhether shees to apologize or goes out to kill those Dingbei scoundrels¡ªit¡¯s not our call!¡± ¡°Oh, I see now! General, you¡¯re truly wise!¡± As the soldier turned to leave to find someone from the Jun Residence, he saw two individuals descending from the sky. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Gu Qingluan,¡± she replied. ¡°You¡¯re Gu¡­ Gu¡­¡± Song Chongliang suddenly turned around, his eyes lighting up as he saw Gu Qingluan, dressed neatly. ¡°Are you really Miss Gu? Hurry, Lord Li has been captured by the enemy¡¯s Saint.. Now, only you can save him!¡± Chapter 367 - 367: This Woman Is Bold Enough Chapter 367 - 367: This Woman Is Bold Enough Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Song Chongliang couldn¡¯t care about his own safety and reached out to grab Gu Qingluan¡¯s arm. But before he could touch Gu Qingluan, a scorching gaze met his eyes, causing his hand to involuntarily retract. Without Song Chongliang needing to say anything, Gu Qingluan had already noticed the situation below the city tower. Li Tianhao was currently having a de held to his neck. Gu Qingluan spotted a mysterious figure among the enemy forces, cloaked and clearly notcking in strength, likely the Saint that Song Chongliang had mentioned.
    Her eyes narrowed involuntarily. That cloak looked so familiar. She cast a sidelong nce at Feng Tian. Feng Tian subtly nodded in response. Indeed, these were the same cloaked individuals who had tried to assassinate Feng Tian that night at the Shadow Tower. Since then, Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t had the chance to investigate their origins, and now they were somehow associated with the Dingbei Army. She wondered about the nature of their rtionship. Looking around, there was only one Saint. Gu Qingluan then said to Feng Tian, ¡°To prevent revealing your presence to them, you shouldn¡¯t get involved.¡± Feng Tian gazed at her with deep, mysterious eyes. ¡°Are you concerned about me?¡± Gu Qingluan smirked, her lips curling slightly. ¡°Who¡¯s concerned about you? Don¡¯t tter yourself!¡± With that, she descended directly from the city tower. The people on the tower were in shock, never expecting her to fly down like that. Feng Tian¡¯s unfathomable gaze remained fixed on her. The Dingbei Army was equally astonished to see someone descending from the city tower. ¡°Who is that?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t she care about her own life? Daring to leave the city like this!¡± ¡°It¡¯s Gu Qingluan!¡± ¡°So, she¡¯s Gu Qingluan?¡± Xiao Jingye, upon hearing Chen Chong¡¯s words, raised an eyebrow and looked at Gu Qingluan with newfound interest. He gave a sly smile and said, ¡°This woman is quite bold, daring to charge at us. Does she think we won¡¯t kill her?¡± Chen Chong clenched his fist in anger. ¡°Gu Qingluan killed Duke Dingbei. We must kill her to avenge Duke Dingbei!¡± Xiao Jingye¡¯s eyes gleamed briefly, and he nced at Yin Qing. ¡°Saint Yin Qing, in a battle between you and her, who woulde out on top?¡± Yin Qing frowned. ¡°I will only know after I¡¯ve fought.¡± The face hidden beneath the hood was shadowed, making it difficult to read. Xiao Jingye said, ¡°We¡¯ll have a chance to see what she¡¯s capable ofter. For now, we have a hostage. I want to see how she reacts.¡± As Gu Qingluan ventured into the midst of the enemy forces, the Dingbei Army, recognizing her as the one who killed Duke Dingbei, red at her in anger. If it weren¡¯t for their orders to refrain from acting withoutmand, they would have attacked her without hesitation. Xiao Jingye assumed Gu Qingluan hade to negotiate, but she charged straight towards him. As he felt the sharp gust of wind brushing against him, his expression changed, and he immediately called for Yin Qing to block Gu Qingluan. Yin Qing, who had been disregarded, wore a serious expression. He quickly maneuvered behind Gu Qingluan and unleashed a powerful arcane palm strike towards her from behind. Gu Qingluan seemed to have eyes on the back of her head as she leaned slightly to avoid the attack in the most effortless manner possible. Then, she counterattacked with a swift strike. Yin Qing retreated in astonishment. Gu Qingluan immediately pursued Xiao Jingye. However, after the scare from earlier, Xiao Jingye wasn¡¯t going to stand still and let her catch him. He had many soldiers stand in front of him, while he positioned himself behind them, leaving Yin Qing to take Li Tianhao as a hostage. Yin Qing immediately understood and turned to face Li Tianhao. ¡°Stop! Or I¡¯ll kill him!¡± However, Gu Qingluan seemed as though she hadn¡¯t heard his threat. She leaped over numerous soldiers with a clear and precise target¡ªXiao Jingye! Her movements were as swift as lightning, and the other soldiers couldn¡¯t stop her at all. In the blink of an eye, she was standing in front of Xiao Jingye. Xiao Jingye hastily threw several talisman papers at her. Various attacks like fierce winds, lightning, and fireballs assaulted Gu Qingluan chaotically. However, before they could even approach her, Gu Qingluan effortlessly waved her hand and extinguished them. Xiao Jingye broke into a cold sweat. This woman was too formidable! No wonder Duke Dingbei met such a grim end at her hands! He regretted personally getting involved and entangling himself with this jinx of a woman. However, it was toote for regrets. As Xiao Jingye dodged and strategized, he realized that he had no leverage against Gu Qingluan. This crazy woman seemedpletely unconcerned about Li Tianhao¡¯s fate. Without a hostage, what could he use to threaten her? Suddenly, Xiao Jingye¡¯s eyes lit up. He had an idea! Chapter 368 - 368: Woman, You’ve Been Tricked! Chapter 368 - 368: Woman, You¡¯ve Been Tricked! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Stop! Otherwise, I¡¯ll immediately have the Dingbei Army attack the city!¡± Just now, due to Li Tianhao¡¯s capture, both sides temporarily ceased fighting. As long as Xiao Jingye gave the order, the battle would immediately resume. Xiao Jingye didn¡¯t believe that this kind of threat would leave the other side unfazed. Gu Qingluan smirked, a clear expression of disdain in her eyes. Xiao Jingye understood her meaning and chuckled, ¡°Alright! You forced me into this!¡± He shouted loudly, ¡°Dingbei Army, listen up! Immediately attack the city with all your might! The first one to kill a hundred Tianjing Capital Guards will be rewarded with ten thousand gold taels!¡± His amplified voice reached far and wide.
    The Dingbei Army, filled with renewed energy, charged wildly towards the city tower as if they had been given a powerful boost. Song Chongliang¡¯s expression changed dramatically as he urgently shouted, ¡°Quick! Attack! Attack the enemy!¡± Feng Tian, seeing Gu Qingluan chasing deeper into the enemy ranks, unconsciously furrowed his brows. Boom! Boom! Boom! War erupted, and one careless step could lead to being sted into pieces. Feng Tian seemed like an anomaly, standing above the city tower, unmoved. Song Chongliang couldn¡¯t recognize Feng Tian¡¯s identity. Seeing him standing there foolishly, he was quite angry and reached out to grab him. ¡°What are you doing standing here foolishly? Waiting to be bombarded? Hurry up and hide!¡± Before he could touch Feng Tian, the other party dodged out of the way. Song Chongliang didn¡¯t pay much attention to it and advised him to leave quickly, as staying here would be life-threatening at any moment. Feng Tian was indifferent to the Tianjing Capital Guards, even to the life and death of the entire city of Tianjing Capital. The Chengyuan Kingdom was just a subsidiary state of the Holy Heaven Dynasty, and if internal conflicts erupted, the Holy Heaven Dynasty would refrain from interference. Getting involved could easily lead to misunderstandings about the Holy Heaven Dynasty¡¯s intentions. As Song Chongliang beat down an enemy who had climbed the tower, he turned around to see Feng Tian still standing in the same ce. Annoyed, he scolded, ¡°Can¡¯t you understand humannguage? Get down quickly! You might get yourself killed!¡± As he was scolding, suddenly Feng Tian swung his palm towards him. Song Chongliang widened his eyes. Damn, even though his attitude was a bit harsh, he was still doing it for his own good. Was he really trying to kill him? Feeling the majestic force flying towards him, Song Chongliang was both shocked and angry, but for some reason, his legs couldn¡¯t move a step. Dazzling arcane power flew past him. Boom! An explosion sounded just to his side. Song Chongliang turned his head and saw a Dingbei Army soldier screaming as he was sent flying out. Arge knife fell not far from him, vibrating on the ground continuously. When he turned back, he couldn¡¯t see Feng Tian¡¯s figure anymore. Did that man just save him? Song Chongliang touched his head with lingering fear. He then refocused his energy to deal with the Dingbei Army soldiers who kept charging up. The number of Dingbei Army soldiers was overwhelming. For every one he knocked down, two more rushed up. Several ces were already unable to hold them back, allowing the Dingbei Army to charge up. Suddenly, a chaotic battle erupted in the city tower. Meanwhile, Gu Qingluan had prated deep into the enemy ranks, and the panic in Xiao Jingye¡¯s eyes disappeared. He smirked maliciously, ¡°Woman, you fell into my trap!¡± Boom! The ground beneath Gu Qingluan¡¯s feet suddenly sank. Cold light shed in her eyes, and she leaped into the air. However, at that moment, countless rockets flew towards her. Simultaneously, massive stones were thrown from above, directly aiming for her head. If she continued flying upward, she would collide with those stones and rockets! There was no trace of panic on Gu Qingluan¡¯s face. She had seen countlessrger-scale battles than this. Did they really think they could kill her with these? Gu Qingluan raised an arrogant eyebrow, and suddenly, a powerful energy burst forth from her. The rockets turned to dust in an instant, and the stones exploded, scattering in all directions. ¡°All!¡± The Dingbei Army soldiers who were closer were pierced by the stones and screamed in agony. Xiao Jingye stood on a hillside, witnessing this scene. His pupils contracted involuntarily. ¡°This damned woman is even more powerful than 1 imagined! But this is just an appetizer!¡± Right after he spoke, a deafening roar resonated through the air and thend.. Chapter 369 - 369: Seventh-Grade Saint Beast Chapter 369 - 369: Seventh-Grade Saint Beast Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feeling the threat emanating from beneath the ground, Gu Qingluan lowered her gaze and was met by a gaping maw. The pitch-ck throat resembled an endless abyss, with gleaming white teeth exposed, each as long as a person. Between those white teeth, a blood-red, forked tongue darted rapidly toward her. The tongue¡¯s tip split into two sharp des. Gu Qingluan conjured a longsword in her hand and swung it at the pointed tongue.
    Sizzle! The tongue was soft and slippery, and the sharp sword failed to leave a wound on it. Instead, it slid down along the tongue. The Giant Emperor Lizard seized the opportunity, rolling her into its mouth! Not far away, Xiao Jingye¡¯s eyes lit up. Sess! Who would have thought that suddenly, a man in white robes appeared out of thin air and punched the Giant Emperor Lizard in the back. The Giant Emperor Lizard howled in pain, and its mouth involuntarily opened wide. Whoosh! A white light shot out from its mouth. It was Gu Qingluan! Xiao Jingye sighed and clenched his fist. Why didn¡¯t she die? Feng Tian, on the other hand, observed her with interest. Gu Qingluan stood suspended in mid-air and, noticing Feng Tian not far away, asked in surprise, ¡°Why are you here?¡± Didn¡¯t he agree to hide himself? If the Cloaked Ones discovered his identity, it would surely bring great trouble. Currently, although there were many Dingbei Army soldiers, she believed she could handle them. However, if more Saints were to join the battle, the situation would be unpredictable. Feng Tian¡¯s gaze swept over her from head to toe, confirming that nothing was amiss, and then he rxed his furrowed brows. ¡°You¡¯re in danger.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s heart seemed to skip a beat. He riskeding up here because she was in danger? Even if it meant potentially exposing his identity and attracting the attention of those Cloaked Ones? Gu Qingluan had been saved by Feng Tian before, but this time, it touched her in a way it hadn¡¯t before. However, before she could fully process her emotions, the agitated Giant Emperor Lizard went on a rampage. Its long, spiky tail swung toward them, and it simultaneously spat out a three-yard-long tongue to attack them. Feng Tian¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Be careful!¡± He kicked the tail of the Giant Emperor Lizard while simultaneously keeping an eye on her. Gu Qingluan swiftly dodged the Giant Emperor Lizard¡¯s long tongue and swung her sword at it. With one wielding a sword and the other using bare fists, they engaged in a fierce battle with the Giant Emperor Lizard. This Giant Emperor Lizard was a saint beast, a seventh-grade saint beast, possessing formidablebat prowess. In the past, it could be described as invincible. But now, it was crying out in pain and fleeing in embarrassment after being beaten by Gu Qingluan and the man for just a moment. It had lost all its initial imposing aura. Xiao Jingye watched this scene from afar in astonishment. ¡°Where did these two freakse from?¡± Especially the man, he was an absolute freak! He didn¡¯t use any weapons; a single punch could break through the incredibly tough outer skin of the Giant Emperor Lizard. Such divine power! Xiao Jingye, who had originally been in a winning position, now had a grim expression and no longer looked pleased. He looked toward the direction of the city gate. His expression finally improved somewhat. It¡¯s okay, if they can hold off these two big freaks, it will buy time for the Dingbei Army. Once they break into the city, he will be halfway to sess! With a stern gaze, Xiao Jingye nced at the battlefield and then discreetly hid himself. On the other side, Yin Qing, who was using Li Tianhao as a hostage, taunted, ¡°It seems no one cares about whether you live or die.¡± Li Tianhao stood tall with his back straight as a sword, disdainfully ignoring Yin Qing¡¯s words. ¡°Now that you have no more value¡­¡± Yin Qing was in the middle of his sentence when he suddenly froze, lifting his head to look in Feng Tian¡¯s direction. A familiar power. Could it be¡­ Yin Qing¡¯s eyes instantly brightened, and his heart raced. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to y with you anymore. I¡¯ll send you on your way first. If you want to me someone, me those heartless folks like Gu Qingluan.¡± After saying that, Yin Qing¡¯s fingers, which were gripping Li Tianhao¡¯s neck, suddenly exerted force. ng! A de of a sword appeared before Yin Qing. Feeling the power of the sword, Yin Qing hurriedly dodged. Li Tianhao was dragged back several meters by him, his face turning purple. Gu Qingluan, holding the Heavenly Heart Qin, flew over. Her long hair, tied at the back of her head, danced in the wind, radiating a heroic aura. She coldly fixed her gaze on Yin Qing and said with parted lips, ¡°Release him!¡± Chapter 370 - 370: Can Casual Needling Save Lives? Chapter 370 - 370: Can Casual Needling Save Lives? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Yin Qing sneered, ¡°You¡¯re asking me to let him go, and I¡¯ll do it? Well, don¡¯t get too full of yourself, youngdy. Just because you have some skills, it doesn¡¯t mean you can act all high and mighty!¡± As he spoke, he kept an eye on the distance. The white-robed man who reminded him of someone was still battling the colossal emperor lizard in a bloody frenzy. If the man were toe over here, he wouldn¡¯t be able to escape on his own. He needed to find a way to inform his superior, so he wouldn¡¯t lose his life here. So, he changed his tone, ¡°I can release him if you want! As long as you swear not to participate in the battle between the Dingbei Army and the Chengyuan Nation¡¯s army, I¡¯ll release him immediately.¡±
    Li Tianhao struggled to speak, ¡°Miss Gu, don¡¯t worry about me, just kill him!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Yin Qing shouted, his face twisted with a grimace, and he tightened his fingers around Li Tianhao¡¯s neck. Li Tianhao grunted, and veins popped on his forehead. Although Gu Qingluan had fought with Li Tianhao before, they had no personal grudges, and Li Tianhao was known for his integrity. After losing their fight, he immediately left the Jun Residence and never intervened in her family¡¯s affairs again. There weren¡¯t many people who could keep their word like him, especially someone as renowned as the War God of Chengyuan. Many people at the North City Gate had witnessed the scene of the Dingbei Army using Li Tianhao to threaten her. If she let him die, she would undoubtedly face countless usations. Both morally and personally, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t just stand by. She calmly replied, ¡°Alright, 1 agree!¡± Yin Qing was momentarily stunned by her quick agreement. Did she have a hidden agenda? After some thought, he realized that there was no room for trickery in this situation. Yin Qing immediately asked her to swear to the heavens. Gu Qingluan swore to the heavens that she wouldn¡¯t kill any enemies on the battlefield. A white light shed, indicating the oath had been made. If she broke her promise, she would face divine punishment. Yin Qing smiled, ¡°Miss Gu, you¡¯re decisive.¡± With that, he suddenly threw Li Tianhao towards her. However, as he threw him, he delivered a powerful blow to Li Tianhao¡¯s back. Li Tianhao coughed up blood and was sent flying toward Gu Qingluan. Gu Qingluan¡¯s face suddenly darkened, and the Golden Silkworm Thread shot out from her fingertips, instantly wrapping around Yin Qing. Yin Qing sneered with contempt, activated his arcane power, and made a vigorous attempt to break free. To his surprise, the golden threads entwined around him tightened with force, restricting his arcane power and causing him to uncontrobly fall to the ground. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t even look at him; instead, she caught the flying Li Tianhao. He was gravely injured, showing signs of impending death. Gu Qingluan quickly stuffed a life-preserving elixir into his mouth and checked his pulse. Yin Qing had shattered Li Tianhao¡¯s heart meridian with that palm strike, and his life force was rapidly draining away. He tried to speak to Gu Qingluan, blood spilling from his mouth in intervals, ¡°Gu¡­ Miss Gu, don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t worry¡­ about me. Stop¡­ stop the Ding¡­ Ding¡­¡± ¡°Stop talking!¡± Gu Qingluan nced at him and tapped his chest a few times with her hand. Then, she channeled her arcane power into his body to repair his heart meridian. Li Tianhao furrowed his brow, ¡°No¡­ no need to¡­ waste¡­¡± He understood that he was beyond saving, and there was no need to waste energy on him. Gu Qingluan ignored his words, ced him on the ground, and took out the Primordial Gold Needle. At this moment, she couldn¡¯t afford to worry about the possibility of exposing her identity; saving a life was the priority. The Dingbei Army saw her busy with saving someone and rushed towards her. ¡°Get lost!¡± Gu Qingluan shouted loudly and waved her hand, sending the Dingbei Army soldiers flying. She couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted while saving Li Tianhao. After some consideration, she released Su Meng from her Ster Space. ¡°Guard me, and don¡¯t let anyone get close.¡± Inside the Ster Space, time passed ten times faster than outside; one day outside equated to ten days inside. Coupled with Gu Qingluan¡¯s spiritual pills and elixirs, Su Meng¡¯s injuries were almostpletely healed. Upon hearing hermand, Su Meng dutifully stood guard nearby and kept anyone from approaching. When he saw a cloaked figure struggling desperately against the golden threads, Su Meng pointed his fingers. The person was sent flying uncontrobly towards him. Su Meng held a dagger to his neck and warned the approaching Dingbei Army, ¡°Don¡¯te any closer! If anyone takes one step closer, I¡¯ll kill him!¡± The Dingbei Army, aware that Yin Qing was the reinforcement summoned by theirmander, was afraid that he might really be killed, so they dared not approach. Taking advantage of this moment, Gu Qingluan swiftly applied acupuncture to save Li Tianhao. She inserted the needles rapidly, making it seem like an impromptu procedure. Could impromptu needling really save a person¡¯s life? After a while, Gu Qingluan retrieved the Primordial Gold Needle. Li Tianhao¡¯splexion had visibly improved. Everyone was astonished; had he truly been revived? The one most surprised was Yin Qing. He knew full well the power of his own recent attack. A close-range attack from a Saint was deadly, and those below the Saint stage had no chance of survival. But Li Tianhao was brought back to life! Gu Qingluan¡­ where did she acquire such abilities? Gu Qingluan handed Li Tianhao over to Su Meng and then grabbed Yin Qing, throwing him to the ground. Yin Qing, a dignified Saint, had never been treated like this before. He was infuriated and shouted in a rage, ¡°You little brat, you better release me immediately! Otherwise, the consequences are something you can¡¯t bear!¡± Gu Qingluan snorted, kicked him in the chest, and then checked her own ears, ¡°I didn¡¯t quite hear that, could you repeat it?¡± Chapter 371 - 371: Until He Left a Breath Chapter 371 - 371: Until He Left a Breath Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Such humiliation left Yin Qing trembling with anger, and he red at her fiercely. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s gaze turned icy, and she applied pressure with her foot. Yin Qing¡¯s threat got stuck in his throat. After a long pause, he questioned with frustration, ¡°You just swore not to participate in the battle between the two armies. Do you intend to break that oath?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have remembered if you didn¡¯t mention it.¡±
    Gu Qingluan turned her head and spotted Feng Tian flying toward them. She beckoned with her finger. ¡°Come and beat him up.¡± Feng Tian had just defeated the Giant Emperor Lizard, and his white robe remained untarnished. If his face were any more handsome, he would have looked like a walking light source. Of course, he had now attracted the attention of countless onlookers. A seventh-grade saint beast, the Giant Emperor Lizard, had been beaten to death by him! What a monstrous feat! Feng Tian¡¯s deep gaze first scanned Gu Qingluan from head to toe, then turned to focus on Yin Qing. ¡°How should i beat him?¡± ¡°Until he left a breath,¡± Gu Qingluan replied, her lips carrying a faint smile, but her words were chilling. The Dingbei Army soldiers in the vicinity couldn¡¯t help but shudder. Yin Qing, a mix of shock and anger, sounded anxious, ¡°You dare! Do you know who 1 am?¡± Feng Tian calmly looked at him, then punched him in the face without any change in his expression. ¡°Alih!¡± Yin Qing let out a miserable scream, and a few of his teeth fell from his mouth. Don¡¯t be fooled by the fact that only a few teeth fell out. Keep in mind that saints not only had profound arcane power but also tougher bodies than ordinary people. To knock out a few teeth with a single punch required unimaginable force. Ordinary individuals couldn¡¯t achieve such a feat. ¡°Demoness, release Saint Yin Qing!¡± Chen Chong shouted, holding a knife and pointing it at both of them. Surrounded by Dingbei Army soldiers, no one dared to step forward. Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian¡¯s strength was far too formidable. They had even bloodily defeated a saint and a seventh-grade saint beast. Despite having plenty of soldiers, charging at them would only turn them into cannon fodder. However, as soldiers, they couldn¡¯t run away, especially Dingbei Army soldiers, who didn¡¯t have the word ¡°escape¡± in their lives. When Gu Qingluan heard the voice, she looked up. Chen Chong met her gaze and instinctively took a step back, unable to conceal his fear of her. Having just scanned the surroundings with her divine sense and not seeing the man in white armor, Gu Qingluan raised the corner of her lips mockingly. ¡°You¡¯re amander of the Dingbei Army, 1 presume?¡± Chen Chong looked at her with murderous intent in his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s right! You killed Duke Dingbei, and we¡¯re here to avenge him!¡± ¡°I¡¯m quite curious, are you loyal to Duke Dingbei or to Chengyuan and Emperor Xuanzong? Did Duke Dingbei teach you to betray the country and oppose the court?¡± Chen Chong immediately responded, ¡°Nonsense! Our lord is loyal and devoted; he would never betray the country!¡± ¡°If you haven¡¯t betrayed the country, then what are your actions now considered?¡± ¡°It¡¯s because of you! You killed our lord! We¡¯re here to demand justice from the Emperor!¡± ¡°Justice?¡± Gu Qingluanughed. ¡°Have you ever considered the Emperor¡¯s authority? Without an imperial edict, military forces are not allowed to leave their stationed areas. Before Duke Dingbei died, you were already outside the Heavenly Capital City. Weren¡¯t you preparing for rebellion?¡± ¡°Nonsense! We came to protect the Emperor! Our lord said that someone was nning a rebellion, so we rushed to support the Tianjing Capital.¡± Gu Qingluan observed Chen Chong¡¯s flushed and angry face, seemingly genuinely unaware of the situation. She raised an eyebrow in surprise. ¡°Did Duke Dingbei say it like that to you?¡± Chen Chong nodded. Gu Qingluan smirked. This was getting interesting. She had initially thought that the Dingbei Army had been brainwashed by Duke Dingbei, treating him like a deity and disregarding the concept of the ¡°nation¡±. But it turned out that Duke Dingbei had deceived them from the beginning. When she revealed the truth to Chen Chong, he didn¡¯t believe her, thinking she was ndering Duke Dingbei. Gu Qingluan remainedposed and said, ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, feel free to ask others.. Who did Duke Dingbei say was nning a rebellion?¡± Chapter 372 - 372: Nailed To the Pillar of Shame Chapter 372 - 372: Nailed To the Pir of Shame Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Chen Chong replied, ¡°The Crown Prince!¡± ¡°Ridiculous! As the Crown Prince, your future inheritance of the throne is guaranteed. Why rebel?¡± Chen Chong repeated what Duke Dingbei had told them. In Duke Dingbei¡¯s words, the Crown Prince¡¯s improper behavior had angered the Emperor, while the Fifth Prince continued to shine and receive the Emperor¡¯s praise. The Crown Prince was afraid of losing his position as the heir to the throne to the Fifth Prince, so he plotted to seize power and overthrow the dynasty. Since Duke Dingbeicked concrete evidence to report the Crown Prince to the Emperor, he had the Dingbei Army quietly waiting in the mountains outside Tianjing City.
    If the Crown Prince rose in rebellion, they would immediatelye to the Emperor¡¯s aid. But before the Crown Prince could make his move, Duke Dingbei died. A spy from the Dingbei Army who had entered the city with Duke Dingbei informed everyone that Duke Dingbei had been killed by Gu Qingluan and Qitian You working together. The Dingbei Army couldn¡¯t use the Crown Prince without evidence, but it was an undeniable fact that Gu Qingluan had killed Duke Dingbei, so all fingers pointed at her. If Gu Qingluan died, Qitian You would lose a significant ally, and when theyter asked the Emperor to investigate the truth, they would likely expose Qitian You¡¯s ambitions. Chen Chong remained calm and saw no need to conceal these events. Xiao Jingye, disguised as a member of the Dingbei Army in the crowd, heard Chen Chong¡¯s ount and realized that the situation had turned against them. He red at Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian, annoyed. It was these two who had ruined his ns! However, the Dingbei Army had divided into four groups, attacking from the east, west, south, and north cities. The other three ces had not yet reported any disastrous news; perhaps there was still a fighting chance. He adjusted his helmet on his head and quietly slipped away. As for Yin Qing¡­ Captured so easily by Gu Qingluan, she had shown no skills at all. What use was keeping her! After listening to Chen Chong¡¯s words, Gu Qingluan chuckled. ¡°You¡¯ve all been deceived by Duke Dingbei.¡± Chen Chong couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± ¡°Wait until you see the Emperor, and you¡¯ll realize you¡¯ve put your trust in the wrong person,¡± Gu Qingluan said, giving him a cold look. ¡°Do you want toe with me willingly, or do you want me to take action?¡± Chen Chong verbally expressed disbelief, but he had already begun to doubt deep down. He scanned his surroundings, looking for Master Yun. Master Yun was the son of the illegitimate daughter of Duke Dingbei who had been living in exile, and he was also the son of Prince Yun of the Kingdom of Dingyang. Several years ago, the Duke brought him into the Dingbei Army. At that time, Chen Chong felt that the Duke¡¯s actions were inappropriate and advised him to send Master Yun away. It was Master Yun who, through his actions time and time again, proved to everyone that he had no ill intentions toward the Chengyuan Kingdom. Several times when they were in danger, it was Master Yun who strategized and helped them defeat the enemy. Chen Chong saw how Master Yun constantly worked for the benefit of the Dingbei Army and silently regarded him as one of their own. Duke Dingbei¡¯s strong support and mentoring of Master Yun eventually led everyone to see him as the future leader of the Dingbei Army. During theirst meeting, Duke Dingbei had told them that if anything happened to him, they should fully obey Master Yun. When Master Yun proposed to besiege the city with military force, Chen Chong had reservations, but Master Yun had saved him before, and his trust in the Duke made him ultimately agree. If everything Duke Dingbei said was a lie, then what about Master Yun? Had he been scheming all along? After all, he had spent so many years in the Dingbei Army for a reason, right? At this moment, Xiao Yunjing was absent, so Chen Chong was the highest-ranking officer in the army. All the soldiers looked at him. ¡°General Chen, you can¡¯t go with them! Be cautious, it could be a trap!¡± ¡°Yes, General Chen! We¡¯ve followed the Duke for so many years; we know him well, don¡¯t we? But this woman, she killed Duke in a cruel manner. We must not trust her.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go together! Even if it means death! Besides, we¡¯vee this far; there¡¯s no turning back now! Let¡¯s give it our all, maybe we can survive!¡± If the ims made by the opposing side are urate, it means they have rebelled, which is a serious offense that could result in the punishment of multiple generations, even to the point of extermination. It¡¯s toote to stop now. Li Tianhao¡¯s face showed concern as he spoke, ¡°You¡¯ve been deceived by Duke Dingbei, and there¡¯s no intention of rebellion among you. If you surrender now, I¡¯m confident that His Majesty will be merciful in his decision.¡± ¡°That sounds nice! Can you represent His Majesty?¡± one young officer sneered. The Dingbei Army members who had been swayed by the idea calmed down. Indeed, the kind words from the other side were just an attempt to deceive them into surrendering. Whether they had acted out of their own will or had been influenced by someone else, the fact that they had risen in rebellion and besieged the city could not be changed. Countless defenders of Tianjing City had been killed or injured, and the city had suffered immense losses. They didn¡¯t believe that the Emperor would truly let bygones be bygones. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, I can send someone to request a royal decree from the Emperor. A monarch¡¯s word is his bond. If you see the royal decree, will you still doubt it?¡± Gu Qingluan asked. The officers of the Dingbei Army exchanged nces. Gu Qingluan gazed into the sky. Though it was quite far away, she could faintly see shes of light in the distant sky. The defenders at the other three city gates were likely in a difficult situation, and they didn¡¯t have the luxury of time to linger here. In a serious manner, she emphasized, ¡°This is your sole opportunity to vindicate yourselves. If you decline, both you and your families will be branded as traitors and nailed to the pir of shame in the Chengyuan Kingdom..¡± Chapter 373 - 373: Treatment Chapter 373 - 373: Treatment Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a traitor!¡± a general immediately dered. ¡°My parents, wife, and children are all in Tianjing City. I¡­ I surrender!¡± ¡°I surrender too! 1 never intended to rebel!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Chen Chong frowned as he looked at them. Although he could understand their feelings, he still didn¡¯t know if what this woman was saying was true or false. If she was deceiving them, surrendering would mean putting their lives in the hands of the enemy, and their lives would be at risk. ¡°General, if you¡¯re not sure, you can wait outside the city for a while. The imperial decree will arrive soon,¡± Gu Qingluan said calmly.
    ¡°General Chen, let¡¯s wait for a while. If we don¡¯t receive the imperial decree by then, we can continue the siege.¡± The Forbidden Guards of Tianjing City numbered only a hundred thousand, and with a few others, it was just over ten thousand, far fewer than their Dingbei Army. There was no need to fear the enemy¡¯s tricks. Under the persuasion of his subordinates, Chen Chong agreed to Gu Qingluan¡¯s proposal. ¡°I¡¯ll grant you the span of two incense sticks to burnpletely (T/N: approximately 30 minutes) as we await the emperor¡¯s decree. If it doesn¡¯t arrive within that time, we¡¯llunch a full-scale assault on the city!¡± ¡°In the time it takes for two incense sticks to burnpletely, we¡¯ll have only just met with the emperor. How can we possibly return in time?¡± Gu Qingluan replied. Chen Chong thought for a moment and realized it made sense. The distance from the city gate to the imperial pce was quite substantial, and to reach the emperor from the pce gate, one had to pass throughyers of guards and inspections, which would naturally take time. After a brief contemtion, he clenched his teeth and said, ¡°One hour! At most, one hour! No more than that!¡± ¡°Agreed! One hour it is, we have a deal!¡± Gu Qingluan and the others then led Li Tianhao back up to the city tower. Yin Qing was also brought up as a hostage. Gu Qingluan had poisoned him, rendering him unable to use his arcane power, and he was also ced under a restraint, making him unable to move. There was no time to deal with him for now, so Gu Qingluan left him in the care of Su Meng. Song Chongliang and hisrades were ted to see that Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian had returned unharmed and sessfully rescued the leader of the Li family. They erupted in cheers and joined in the celebration. ¡°Miss Gu, you¡¯re amazing!¡± Gu Qingluan remainedposed in the face of praise and me. ¡°Now is not the time to celebrate. The Dingbei Army has been temporarily appeased. I¡¯ve questioned them, and they were all deceived by Duke Dingbei, thinking that the Crown Prince was rebelling, which is why they marched from the Northern Territory to Tianjing City. You must immediately send someone to the imperial pce to report and request the emperor to issue a decree exining the situation. Remember, you only have an hour.¡± ¡°An hour? That¡¯s too rushed!¡± Song Chongliang frowned. ¡°What are you waiting for then? Send someone quickly!¡± The Dingbei Army has set a very short time, obviously fearing any tricks. This was the time that Gu Qingluan had fought for Tianjing. If Emperor Xuanzong couldn¡¯t show sincerity, then it wouldn¡¯t be anyone else¡¯s fault. Song Chongliang dared not dy any longer and immediately called for the fastest rider among his men to rush to the imperial pce and find the emperor. Watching the rider hurry away, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, as he arranged for someone to enter the pce, Gu Qingluan had already approached the injured soldiers. Several seriously wounded soldiersy on the ground, groaning in pain. They had just been shelled, and their intestines were exposed. The others were afraid to touch them. The military doctors were limited and couldn¡¯t immediately save everyone. Gu Qingluan walked up to one of the severely injured soldiers and fed him a spirit pill. The soldier, who had been in excruciating pain, suddenly felt much better. However, his intestines were still exposed, and without prompt treatment, infection would likely set in, leading to his demise. Gu Qingluan treated his wound, first using golden needles to stop the bleeding from several arteries in his body. The blood that had been flowing out immediately stopped. She then cleaned the wound, removing any dirty debris, including some necrotic organs, before sewing up the wound. The entire procedure flowed seamlessly, without any pause. By the time she had finished treating the soldier¡¯s wounds, he was able to speak. He looked up at Gu Qingluan with gratitude in his eyes. ¡°Thank you so much, Miss!¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee. Rest well, and I¡¯ll have someone convey the instructions for your careter.¡± Since most of the soldiers present had suffered external injuries, the instructions for their care were simr. She didn¡¯t have the time to individually exin, so she nned to write them downter for someone to pass on to the wounded. Gu Qingluan was about to get up when suddenly, a blood-covered soldier rushed toward her. ¡°Miss Gu, please, save my big brother! My big brother is on the verge of death.¡± Feng Tian acted quickly, pulling Gu Qingluan aside, preventing the soldier from touching her. Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°Where is your big brother?¡± The soldier quickly got up and led her, saying, ¡°He¡¯s not far from here. Follow me.¡± They walked about twenty meters and came upon a soldier lying on the ground, barely resembling a human, covered in blood like a lump of minced meat. Feng Tian furrowed his brows slightly and stood in front of Gu Qingluan, concerned that she might be repulsed by the gruesome sight. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Gu Qingluan said calmly. After all, she wasn¡¯t one of those sheltered youngdies. What did he have to worry about? Feng Tian pressed his lips together and stepped aside. Gu Qingluan approached the injured soldier. The soldier¡¯s younger brother asked hopefully, ¡°Miss Gu, can my big brother be saved?¡± Gu Qingluan looked at the soldier on the ground, who was no longer in a human form, and a hint of surprise shed in her eyes. ording tomon sense, with injuries like this, he should have been dead long ago. Yet, the soldier on the ground still had a breath of life! Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t respond to the soldier¡¯s younger brother¡¯s question. She walked up to the wounded man and suddenly sensed a familiar arcane energy fluctuation emanating from his chest.. Chapter 374 - 374: Endless Secrets Chapter 374 - 374: Endless Secrets Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion She scanned with her divine sense and was immediately startled. Was that a Chaos Stone? Although it was only the size of a bean, it was undoubtedly a Chaos Stone. This also rified why this individual had sustained such severe injuries but managed to endure until now. However, a Chaos Stone, while possessing mysterious and formidable energy, couldn¡¯t fulfill its true potential without someone to harness it.
    If Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t save him, he would soon sumb. Gu Qingluan already had a fist-sized Chaos Stone in her possession, but such valuable items were always wee. If she could acquire this Chaos Stone, it would be even better. Gu Qingluan turned to the soldier¡¯s younger brother. ¡°I can save him, but 1 need something from your older brother.¡± The younger soldier¡¯s face was smeared with blood and dirt, but what stood out were his clear, ck-and-white eyes. He had only held a glimmer of hope, never expecting that the other party would truly have a solution. He nodded immediately. ¡°As long as you can save my older brother, you can have whatever you want!¡± ¡°I have to remind you, what 1 want is the stone on your older brother¡¯s chest. You might not know its value, but your older brother¡¯s survival until now depends on it.¡± The younger soldier replied, ¡°If my brother is gone, what use is a stone? This stone is our family¡¯s heirloom, entrusted to my brother by our father. If it can save my brother¡¯s life, I believe neither my brother nor my father would object. Miss Gu, please, save my brother!¡± Gu Qingluan noticed the sincerity in his eyes and couldn¡¯t help but admire him. She had already exined the remarkable properties of the Chaos Stone, yet this person remained unmoved, disying an unusual mindset. Anyone with a hint of ulterior motives, upon learning about the extraordinary nature of this stone, would probably wish for its owner¡¯s demise just to im it for themselves. Gu Qingluan nodded and took out a spirit pill from her spatial storage, feeding it to the injured soldier. It was the Nine Revolutions Resurrection Pill, a sacred-grade elixir that could extend one¡¯s life. With just one pill, as long as there was a breath left, it could bring back half of one¡¯s life. For most people, its value far exceeded the Chaos Stone on the soldier¡¯s chest. Next, she ced her hand above the injured soldier¡¯s body and activated the Hongmeng Qi within her. The Hongmeng Qi also possessed rejuvenating properties. A white halo enveloped the injured soldier¡¯s body, and his injuries were visibly healing at a rapid pace, with new flesh and blood growing. Under Gu Qingluan¡¯s concealment technique, only those with higher cultivation levels than hers could see what was happening. Others could only see that the bleeding had stopped. Feng Tian looked at her in astonishment. He could sense that the power and arcane energy she was using were different, a kind of miraculous power. He felt like he had seen this kind of power somewhere before, but he couldn¡¯t recall where. Where did shee from? There seemed to be endless secrets about her. Every time he thought he had figured her out, she would surprise him even more. Feng Tian gazed at her intently. After a considerable time, Gu Qingluan withdrew her hand. Using the Hongmeng Qi had consumed too much of her energy, causing her upper body to sway uncontrobly. Feng Tian quickly stepped forward to support her shoulder. ¡°Rest for a moment over there.¡± At this moment, Gu Qingluan¡¯splexion had paled, and her once delicate features carried a hint of fatigue, evoking sympathy. Seeing her like this, Feng Tian couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang in his heart. His brows furrowed involuntarily, and his eyes darkened. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Gu Qingluan said. She wasn¡¯t ustomed to physical contact with strangers, so she quickly moved away from him. Feng Tian looked at his empty hands, his gaze growing even more somber. ¡°Miss Gu, how is my older brother?¡± the younger soldier anxiously inquired. Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°He¡¯s out of danger now. With about half a month of recovery, he¡¯ll be fully healed.¡± ¡°Really? He was so severely injured, and he¡¯ll recover in just half a month?¡± The younger soldier found it hard to believe. ¡°Yes.¡± Half a month was actually a conservative estimate. The Hongmeng Qi was no ordinary energy; it was the primordial source of energy formed during the primordial chaos before the creation of the world. It possessed incredibly potent regenerative abilities. In truth, she could have healed the soldier using the Primordial Gold Needle, but it would have taken more time, and the healing effect wouldn¡¯t have been as good as with the Hongmeng Qi. If it weren¡¯t for her interest in the soldier¡¯s Chaos Stone, she wouldn¡¯t have wanted to owe anyone favors or use the Hongmeng Qi. Although the younger soldier found it hard to believe, he could sense that his older brother¡¯s condition had improved significantly. Previously, his brother had been on the brink of death, but now his breathing was stable, indicating a considerable improvement. He knelt before Gu Qingluan in excitement, kowtowing in gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Miss Gu, for saving my life! From now on, Jinli will be at your service, willing to do anything for you.¡± Gu Qingluan took a step back and teased, ¡°Are you trying to back out of your promise?¡± Chapter 375 - 375: Fine, You’re Exceptionally Talented Chapter 375 - 375: Fine, You¡¯re Exceptionally Talented Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°No, no, no, I promised to give you this stone. How could I go back on my word?¡± Jinli repeatedly waved his hand, then reached out to take the stone hanging around his brother Jinwen¡¯s neck. Suddenly, he remembered what Gu Qingluan had said earlier and hesitated. He turned to her and asked, ¡°If I take this stone off now, will it affect my big brother¡¯s life?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, your brother will be bouncing back to life even without it.¡± Upon hearing this, Jinli no longer hesitated and removed the Chaos Stone from his brother¡¯s neck, handing it over to Gu Qingluan. Looking at her fair and clean hand extended towards her,pared to his own bloodstained one, he spoke up, ¡°Wait a moment, Miss Gu.¡±
    He took out a piece of cloth from his pocket and wiped the stone, which had been stained with his own blood, before presenting it to her. Gu Qingluan epted the Chaos Stone. As she held it, a warm sensation emanated from the stone, and a surge of spiritual energy flowed into her palm. The almost depleted Hongmeng Qi within Gu Qingluan¡¯s body stirred to life. The spiritual energy flowed through her meridians into the Hongmeng Qi sphere. Gu Qingluan¡¯s consciousness felt as if it had been cleansed, and she felt somewhat better than before. The Chaos Stone was truly incredible! Gu Qingluan silently absorbed the stone¡¯s energy for a moment and then stood up. Seeing her heading towards other wounded individuals, Feng Tian showed disapproval on his face.¡±Don¡¯t you need to rest for a while?¡± ¡°1¡¯11 stop after saving a few more people.¡± This battle had started because of her. Although it was inevitable that there would be such a battle even if she hadn¡¯t killed Duke Dingbei, since she had be the catalyst, she should bear the responsibility that came with it. Feng Tian originally had no intention of taking action, but seeing her like this, he didn¡¯t want her to be too exhausted, so he decided to help with treating others. Gu Qingluan caught a glimpse of his actions out of the corner of her eye and couldn¡¯t help but be surprised. First, she didn¡¯t expect that the dignified Royal Prince Lan of the Holy Heaven Dynasty would condescend to help heal some mere soldiers. Secondly, she didn¡¯t expect Feng Tian to be so proficient in dressing wounds. If one didn¡¯t know any better, they might mistake him for a physician. Feng Tian noticed her gaze and nced at her, saying, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Gu Qingluan, without feeling caught off guard, lifted the corner of her lips slightly and teased, ¡°Your skills are so adept. Are you sure you haven¡¯t secretly practiced as a doctor?¡± Feng Tian barely showed a smile and replied, ¡°No, 1 just learned.¡± ¡°Just learned?¡± Was he showing off his cleverness? Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t believe it for a second. Seeing her disbelief, Feng Tian reached out his hand and said, ¡°Give me the gold needle.¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. Did he want to unt his needling technique? She was curious to see the results of his ¡°just learned¡± skills. Feng Tian took the gold needle from her hand and used it to stop the bleeding of a soldier who was still bleeding profusely. This soldier also had severe external injuries, and conventional methods wouldn¡¯t have been able to stop his bleeding. Feng Tian made a few precise needle insertions, and the bleeding stopped. Gu Qingluan widened her eyes slightly. Using acupuncture to stop bleeding wasn¡¯t unusual; he might have known it from the beginning. However, the technique Feng Tian had just used was her own creation, with no equals. In other words, he had indeed learned it from her! Fine, you¡¯re exceptionally talented. Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want to converse with him any further. She turned her head and continued to treat the next wounded individual. Feng Tian saw that she seemed a bit frustrated, and a subtle smile appeared on his lips. Rarely did he see her show this kind of expression, like a little girl. It was both unfamiliar and intriguing. Both of them worked efficiently, and with the presence of military doctors and city physicians, it didn¡¯t take long to treat the most severely injured soldiers. For those with less severe injuries, Gu Qingluan entrusted them to the military doctors and city physicians. She provided a few instructions for halting bleeding, and tending to external wounds, and gave them some medicinal remedies. Afterward, she departed from the North Gate. She didn¡¯t inform Song Chongliang when she left. When Song Chongliang came looking for her, he learned that she had already gone to the other city gate.. Chapter 376 - 376: As Individualistic as Ever Chapter 376 - 376: As Individualistic as Ever Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Looking at the orderly scene in front of him, Song Chongliang sighed. ¡°We owe it to Miss Gu this time. If it weren¡¯t for her, the city gate would have been breached long ago, and we would have all been done for.¡± The deputy general who had previously suggested pushing Gu Qingluan out to appease the anger of the Dingbei Army touched his nose and said with embarrassment, ¡°1 was really confused before, and 1 almost made a big mistake.¡± Song Chongliang nodded. ¡°When the battle is over, you should go to the Jun Residence to apologize! Although Miss Gu doesn¡¯t know what you did, you can¡¯t pretend it didn¡¯t happen.¡± The deputy general agreed deeply, looking ashamed. ¡°Yes, i will definitely apologize to Miss Gu.¡± Song Chongliang continued, ¡°i¡¯ll go with you. She saved all of us, and we should thank her properly. Earlier, I didn¡¯t know who spread the rumors that Miss Gu was ruthless and unscrupulous, but now it¡¯s all nonsense. Those rumors were spread by some malicious people. Let¡¯s take this opportunity to let everyone know that Miss Gu is beautiful and kind-hearted!¡±
    ¡°Great idea! I¡¯ve already thought about what to do!¡± Gu Qingluan, who had already left, was unaware of the two men¡¯s ns. She had instructed Su Meng to escort Yin Qing back to Jun¡¯s Residence, while she and Feng Tian rushed to the other city gates. The other city gates were not as quickly pacified as the North Gate. ording to what Qi Tianyou had said earlier, besides the North Gate, the situation at the South Gate was the most critical. So, she and Feng Tian went directly to the South Gate. Even before they saw the South Gate, they heard the rumbling noise. Gu Qingluan expanded her spiritual awareness and saw from a distance that the South City Gate was engulfed in mes of war. The city¡¯s defensive barrier had long been broken, and the forces on both sides were vastly unequal. The city gate seemed about to copse, and the city guards on the tower were desperately trying to stop the Dingbei Army, but the Dingbei Army¡¯s numbers were simply too great, and they couldn¡¯t hold them off. Qi Tianyou was standing on the tower, directing the city guards, his voice already hoarse. Originally, he had intended to go to the North Gate, but on the way, he heard about the dire situation at the South City Gate, so he turned in this direction. However, even with him here, the situation remained grim. When Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian arrived, Qi Tianyou seemed to see a savior and asked excitedly, ¡°Young Master Lan, Miss Gu, how did youe? How¡¯s the situation at the North Gate?¡± Gu Qingluan briefly exined the situation at the North City Gate, and Qi Tianyou was overjoyed, ¡°If that¡¯s true, it¡¯s great. We can also tell them the truth here, and then the chaos can be quelled.¡± The situations on both sides were different. Gu Qingluan shook her head and analyzed the reasons to him. At the North Gate, Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian initially defeated a powerful Grade 7 Saint Beast and captured a Saint. This disy of strength discouraged the Dingbei Army. Furthermore, a mysterious figure in white armor had concealed their identity, causing confusion among the enemy ranks, which eventually led them to be open to negotiation. But on the South City Gate side, it was obvious that the Dingbei Army was in a frenzy. They could see that the city gate was about to be breached, and they wouldn¡¯t stop. Plus, Qi Tianyou, in their eyes, was the prince plotting to usurp the throne, and his presence here had only deepened their hatred, so they wouldn¡¯t listen to him. Gu Qingluan scanned the surroundings and found that there wasn¡¯t a single Saint on the city tower. ¡°Where¡¯s Prince He?¡± Qi Tianyou¡¯s gaze darkened slightly. ¡°Second Imperial Uncle said that if we can¡¯t even deal with the rebels, there¡¯s no need to cling to this throne.¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but smirk. In her mind, the scene of meeting Prince He shed back. She thought, ¡°This Prince He is as individualistic as ever.¡± ¡°Second Imperial Uncle has always been ustomed to a carefree life, not involved in politics. Thest time he stepped in was because he happened to be with Father when he learned that Fifth Brother was in trouble. Father begged Second Imperial Uncle, and that¡¯s why he was willing to step in.¡± Of course, he did step in, but in the end, he didn¡¯t make a move to save anyone. Qi Tianyou couldn¡¯t help but feel helpless. ¡°What about Gu Zhicheng? Is he being lofty too?¡± This was a good opportunity to show his worth. If Gu Zhicheng intervened, he would definitely gain a good reputation and benefit from it.. Chapter 377 - 377: Royal Prince Lan Is Jealous Chapter 377 - 377: Royal Prince Lan Is Jealous Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Qi Tianyou¡¯s face darkened. ¡°The servants from the Gu family said he¡¯s in seclusion.¡± In seclusion? Is it true seclusion or just a pretense? Who knows? If Gu Zhicheng intentionally avoids appearing, there must be a reason for it. The Dingbei Army¡¯s siege of the city was likely predicted by someone in secret. Otherwise, in the current dire circumstances faced by Chengyuan, the traditional unwritten rules that Saints often adhere to be irrelevant.
    Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t say anything more. The situation was critical, and there was no time for further discussion. She nced at Feng Tian and then said, ¡°I previously swore not to participate in the battle between the two armies. If you need help, go to him.¡± Qi Tianyou didn¡¯t know why she made such an oath, but he could guess the reason. Without Gu Qingluan¡¯s assistance, their chances of victory were greatly diminished. But asking the Royal Prince Lan for help? That was just wishful thinking! Feng Tian also had no intention of intervening further. Killing the Giant Emperor Lizard earlier had already been an exception. Helping the injured was only to prevent Gu Qingluan from getting too tired. As for the battle between the Dingbei Army and the Tianjing Imperial Guards, it was essentially an internal struggle of Chengyuan. As a prince of the Holy Heaven Dynasty, he was not suitable for interference. Getting involved would only raise suspicions about his motives. Seeing no sign of assistance from Feng Tian, Qi Tianyou sighed. ¡°In that case, both of you should return for now.¡± ¡°Although we can¡¯t go to the front lines, we can still help from behind. There shouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡± Qi Tianyou looked at her in surprise, ¡°You mean¡­¡± Gu Qingluan walked to the side of the city wall facing the inner city. Qi Tianyou followed her. Then they saw a group of carriages and horses approaching from afar. When they saw the man riding at the front on horseback, Qi Tianyou widened his eyes, ¡°Mr. Liu?¡± Indeed, the leader of the group was none other than Liu Meng! He followed Gu Qingluan¡¯s orders to gather medicinal ingredients from various pharmacies in the city. Relying solely on the pills she could produce wasn¡¯t enough. So she had sent Liu Meng to purchase medicinal ingredients. Of course, these medicinal ingredients weren¡¯t just for healing; they would also be used as weapons against the enemy! In a situation where they were outnumbered, no matter how quickly the wounded were healed, they couldn¡¯t beat the enemy. So they could only rely on strategy, not force. How could they use strategy? Medicine was the simplest method. Gu Qingluan exined her n to Qi Tianyou. Although Qi Tianyou had long witnessed Gu Qingluan¡¯s abilities, he was still amazed by her idea at this moment. ¡°Excellent! It¡¯s really amazing!¡± ¡°Liu Meng¡¯s manpower is insufficient; we need to send some people to assist him.¡± Qi Tianyou quickly dispatched a team to help Liu Meng. He also asked Liu Meng for a prescription, had it transcribed, and distributed it to several trusted individuals. He instructed them to go to the city and procure the herbs ording to the prescription and prepare the concoction for the townsfolk. Relying solely on the herbs Liu Meng had purchased wouldn¡¯t be enough for the entire city¡¯s poption. When war broke out, many merchants hoarded goods, and medicines were among them. Only through the pressure and incentives of the court could they be forced to reveal the medicinal ingredients they had concealed. In addition to medicines, Liu Meng also brought alongrge pots. These pots were set up on the main street inside the city gates. People were curious about the purpose of these pots. Soon, water began to heat up, and a peculiar fragrance filled the air. Those who smelled the aroma felt invigorated. Qi Tianyou looked at Gu Qingluan in amazement, ¡°This medicine also has a refreshing effect?¡± Gu Qingluan smirked. ¡°1 added two types of refreshing herbs to it. It didn¡¯t take much effort.¡± From the time the Dingbei Army rebelled to the present, everyone¡¯s spirits had been tense, and fatigue was inevitable. However, with the battle still ongoing, there was no time for rest and rxation, so medicine was the only way to boost their spirits. Qi Tianyou was deeply impressed. While the idea of using medicine to boost morale wasmon, everyone had been too preupied with the battle to consider it. Moreover, with so many people present, it would have been challenging to distribute enough medicine to everyone. Using the scent saved a lot of time and effort. Liu Meng brought two bowls of the medicine over, ¡°Miss Gu, would you like a bowl?¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t need it; you all can have it.¡± As she said this, she took the bowl that Liu Meng had offered and gave it to Qi Tianyou. Just as Qi Tianyou was about to ept it, he suddenly felt a piercing gaze. He followed the sensation and met the deep eyes of Feng Tian. What did Royal Prince Lan mean? The gaze was strangely intimidating. Had he offended him in any way? Qi Tianyou¡¯s mind raced, and he looked down at the bowl in front of him and then at the person holding it. An unbelievable suspicion popped into his mind¡ª Could it be that Royal Prince Lan was jealous? Chapter 378 - 378: Grievance Chapter 378 - 378: Grievance Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Qi Tianyou¡¯s lips twitched, and he waved his hand, saying, ¡°1 can manage it myself, no need to trouble Miss Gu.¡± As he took the bowl from Liu Meng¡¯s hand, Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but be puzzled. She had offered it, so what difference did it make? Just as she was about to return the bowl to Liu Meng, she suddenly felt a scorching gaze on her. Turning her head, she saw Feng Tian wordlessly looking at her, his deep eyes seemingly filled with a hint of grievance.
    Gu Qingluan:¡±???¡± What was he feeling aggrieved about? Liu Meng seemed to sense something and coughed lightly while covering his mouth. ¡°Miss, I¡¯ll go attend to my tasks first.¡± After saying that, he left in a hurry. Qi Tianyou also said, ¡°I¡¯ll check if there¡¯s anything 1 can assist with.¡± Gu Qingluan asked Feng Tian, ¡°Do you need it?¡± Feng Tian kept a stern face and replied, ¡°Do you think I need it?¡± Fine. Gu Qingluan handed the bowl of medicine to him. Feng Tian¡¯s gaze shifted to the side, and he said, ¡°1 don¡¯t want what others have left.¡± His tone carried a hint of coyness. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter. ¡°Are you trying to imitate Xiaonan? If you don¡¯t want it, just say so.¡± Then, she halted a nearby soldier and inquired, ¡°Have you had your medical soup?¡± Beside them, Feng Tian¡¯s expression immediately grew as icy as a winter night. The soldier, feeling favored, replied with gratitude, ¡°No, I was just about to go drink it.¡± ¡°Perfect, here you go.¡± ¡°Thank you! Thank you, Miss Gu!¡± The soldier received the bowl with both hands, his face filled with gratitude. The soldier, feeling the icy gaze directed at him, shivered and almost dropped the bowl in his hands. He hastily stammered his thanks to Gu Qingluan and quickly departed, not daring to linger. It wasn¡¯t just him; Gu Qingluan could also feel a chill radiating from her surroundings. She turned her head and met Feng Tian¡¯s pitch-ck narrowed eyes. Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°But didn¡¯t you say you didn¡¯t want it?¡± Feng Tian gritted his teeth. ¡°You did it on purpose!¡± This woman¡­ Was she intentionally trying to annoy him? Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but curl her lips into a smile. ¡°On purpose? You¡¯re overthinking it. 1 have other matters to attend to. Feel free to do as you please.¡± Feng Tian really wanted to ignore her and just leave in a huff. However, as he nced at the continuously burning city towers, he pursed his lips and still followed behind her. But this time, it wasn¡¯t as close as before; there was some distance between them. He wanted to make her understand that he was now angry! Gu Qingluan sensed the man not too far behind her, following at a distance, his resentful gaze almost materializing on her back. She muttered softly to herself, ¡°Childish!¡± Unbeknownst to her, a subtle smile had appeared on her own face. While the brewing and consumption of the medicine were in full swing, Gu Qingluan remained active. She established a substantial Wind Gathering Formation beneath the city tower, using the tower as its central point. After some thought, she added an enhancing formation to the Wind Gathering Formation. Once Gu Qingluan had arranged the formation, she went up to the city tower. Under the intense enemy attack, the Imperial Guards suffered heavy losses. Qi Tianyou, wearing armor, stood on the city tower and directed the defense. However, even with his presence, the morale of the Imperial Guards remained low. Looking into the distance, the Dingbei Army seemed to stretch endlessly, their numbers beyond sight. They took turns, with one group fighting and then the next, giving the Dingbei Army a significant advantage. Amander rushed to Qi Tianyou, looking disheveled. ¡°Crown Prince, we¡¯re running out of weapons, and we have too many wounded soldiers. We won¡¯t be able to hold off the Dingbei Army charging up much longer!¡± ¡°How much longer can we hold out?¡± Qi Tianyou asked. ¡°Less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.¡± Qi Tianyou turned to Gu Qingluan with a questioning look. Gu Qingluan nodded and said, ¡°It¡¯s enough!¡± Qi Tianyou turned to themander and said, ¡°Hold on a little longer; there will be a turning point very soon..¡± Chapter 379 - 379: The Show Begins Chapter 379 - 379: The Show Begins Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The militarymander didn¡¯t know what the turning point was, but since the Crown Prince said so, he could only follow his words. In his heart, he had actually lost hope. As a soldier, he could only obey orders and stand on the battlefield until the very end. Just then, a clear male voice came from the enemy side. ¡°Listen, guards of Tianjing City! As long as you surrender, we can spare your lives! If you resist stubbornly, the only result awaiting you is death!¡± ¡°Death! Death! Death!¡±
    The Dingbei Army roared in unison. Gu Qingluan heard this voice and found it familiar. She raised her eyes to take a look. Huh! Isn¡¯t this themander who was previously at the North Gate? She thought he had hidden away out of fear, but it turned out he hade to the South Gate. If she hadn¡¯t sworn an oath before, Gu Qingluan would have flown out and dragged him back. The other side had obviously noticed Gu Qingluan too, and their faces changed slightly when their eyes met. However, he soon gave Gu Qingluan a provocative look. Clearly, he knew that Gu Qingluan had taken an oath not to participate in the battle. Gu Qingluan clenched her fist. Why did he look so arrogant? She really wanted to give him a couple of punches. Afterward, Xiao Jingye raised his voice and dered, ¡°Anyone who captures Crown Prince Qi or Gu Qingluan, whether they are alive or dead, will receive a reward of one million taels of gold!¡± One million taels of gold? Countless people¡¯s eyes lit up, and they looked at Gu Qingluan and Crown Prince Qi with greed in their eyes. Even among the guards, there were those who were tempted. For ordinary people, one million taels was an enormous sum, enough tost them for several lifetimes. The Dingbei Army had long regarded Gu Qingluan and Crown Prince Qi as their sworn enemies, and this reward undoubtedly added fuel to their desire to eliminate them. As the Dingbei Army continued to press them, they appeared more and more defeated, showing signs of imminent defeat. It was inevitable that some of them would entertain thoughts of surrender. Not surrendering meant certain death, but if they could capture the Crown Prince or Gu Qingluan, they would not only avoid death but also receive one million taels of gold. Gu Qingluan and Crown Prince were like two treasures, instantly attracting the attention of countless people. Qitian You had a stern expression. ¡°This person truly understands how to manipte people¡¯s emotions!¡± He looked at Gu Qingluan with concern. ¡°Miss Gu, please be careful not to get hurt.¡± As the Dingbei Army rushed toward them like they were on fire, Gu Qingluan revealed a yful smile. ¡°They should be the ones to be careful. I was just thinking they were too far away, but 1 should thank the guy in the white armor.¡± Just as they were talking, a figure squeezed in between them. Qitian You looked at him, noticing the cold aura surrounding him, and quickly moved aside. ¡°Mr. Lan, do you have any insights?¡± Feng Tian replied coldly, ¡°None.¡± The single cold word silenced any further questions from Qitian You. Could it be that he¡¯s jealous again? Qitian You discreetly moved even further away. Feng Tian¡¯s slightly furrowed brow rxed a bit. He turned to Gu Qingluan. ¡°Do you need me to capture him?¡± Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°No rush, the real show is about to begin. It won¡¯t be interesting if we capture him now.¡± There was a faint, almost imperceptible scent in the air. Gu Qingluan flicked her fingers and infused a Xuanling Stone into the formation. The Wind Gathering Formation and the Enhancement Formation activated simultaneously. A strong wind suddenly rose. Battle gs fluttered, and robes danced in the air. Inside the city tower, iron pots emitted hot steam, carried by the wind towards the Dingbei Army. The soldiers climbing thedders suddenly felt dizzy, their limbs weak, and they fell down. This fall caused a chain reaction, and several others below suffered the same fate. Those charging forward and engaged inbat¡­ One by one, they fell to the ground, poisoned. Prince Qi¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Excellent!¡± In contrast, Xiao Jingye, upon seeing people falling, sensed that something was amiss.. He immediately used his arcane power to protect himself and shouted, ¡°It¡¯s poison! Cover your nose and mouth!¡± Chapter 380 - 380: Publicly Trying to Steal Her Favor Chapter 380 - 380: Publicly Trying to Steal Her Favor Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The Dingbei Army covered their noses and mouths one by one. However, people continued to fall one by one. Xiao Jingye witnessed this scene and felt dizzy. Soon after, his body swayed violently. ¡°Master Yun¡­¡± A nearby officer reached out to support him but ended up copsing before he could help.
    Xiao Jingye realized he was poisoned too. He quickly took out a vial and consumed the pills inside. The heavy and weak feeling gradually dissipated. However, he was the only one with the antidote, and he only had three pills, all of which were obtained at a high price by his royal father. They couldn¡¯t save the over twenty thousand Dingbei Army soldiers. With resentment in his eyes, he red at the several figures on the city tower. At this moment, he had no idea that all of this was orchestrated by Gu Qingluan. If he knew that Gu Qingluan had ruined his ns again, how would he feel? Gu Qingluan was oblivious to his thoughts. For her, those who offended her needed to be prepared for misfortune. If the Dingbei Army hadn¡¯t posed as a threat to her, she might not have intervened in today¡¯s battle. me it on the Dingbei Army for provoking her. As the Dingbei Army fell, a minor assassination attempt unfolded on the city tower. The rewards proposed by Xiao Jingye were tempting to some of the Imperial Guards. Of course, these individuals didn¡¯t even touch the clothes of Qitian You and Gu Qingluan before being subdued. Qitian You deeply despised these opportunistic individuals. Gu Qingluan remained calm. ¡°The enemy has helped us identify those with ill intentions. It saves us from being stabbed in the backter.¡± Qitian You found her reasoning sensible, and his expression returned to normal. ¡°Miss Gu, you always think things through.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and looked at the fallen Xiao Jingye. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the rest to you. I¡¯m going to help Liu Meng.¡± Liu Meng was preparing a sedative and treating the wounded. With the enemy no longer a significant threat, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t want to waste time on them. Instead, she hoped to save more lives by assisting others. The South Gate was secured, and the Imperial decree for the North Gate had already been delivered. Upon hearing the content of the decree, Chen Chong and hisrades were deeply moved, feeling deceived and harboring resentment toward Duke Dingbei. They immediately surrendered. As for the Dingbei Army at the East and West Gates, upon learning of the situation at the North and South Gates, they lost their will to fight. Before long, they surrendered as well. After all, the Dingbei Army had been deceived by Duke Dingbei and didn¡¯t consider themselves rebels. Now that they knew the truth, surrender was their only chance for survival. The oue of this decisive battle was unexpected for everyone. The hundred thousand Imperial Guards not only defended Tianjing City but also swiftly concluded the war, capturing the leader of the Dingbei Army. This achievement would undoubtedly leave a glorious mark in history. Amidst the jubtion of the entire city, Xiao Jingye was perhaps the most resentful person. He was escorted into the city by the Imperial Guards, and his mask was removed, revealing a face that took everyone by surprise. He appeared very young, looking like he was in histe teens, resembling a young man. At this moment, that face seemed to have swallowed something unpleasant, making it very unattractive. ¡°Miss Gu is here!¡± Someone shouted, and the crowd automatically made way. Xiao Jingye immediately lifted his head and red in that direction. Gu Qingluan, with her long strides, walked over at a leisurely pace. ¡°I heard you wanted to see me.¡± ¡°Gu Qingluan! The Chengyuan Kingdom didn¡¯t treat you well. Do you remember when the Gu family abandoned you, and Fifth Prince canceled your engagement? Have you forgotten all that? Now you¡¯re actually helping the Chengyuan Kingdom. Don¡¯t you have any pride left? Don¡¯t you hate them anymore? If 1 were you, 1 would leave Chengyuan Kingdom and go to Dingyang Country! Gain their support,e back, and crush Chengyuan, making those who once bullied you suffer a fate worse than death!¡± The people around were all members of the Tianjing City Imperial Guards. They were so furious at Xiao Jingye¡¯s words that their lungs felt like they were about to explode. This guy was tantly trying to steal Gu Qingluan¡¯s favor in such a shameless manner! Chapter 381 - 381: Displeased With Her! Chapter 381 - 381: Displeased With Her! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan smiled when she heard the words and said, ¡°Have you inquired about me?¡± Xiao Jingye saw her smile and thought he had impressed her. He immediately said, ¡°Your reputation has long spread throughout the continent, bing aughingstock. Even the Qiankun Academy has people spreading malicious rumors about you. If 1 were you, 1 wouldn¡¯t be able to bear this humiliation!¡± ¡°Have you not heard that I killed the Fifth Prince? Have those who provoked me from the Gu family received their retribution?¡± Gu Qingluan raised her delicate eyebrows, revealing a hint of coldness in her smile. Xiao Jingye continued, ¡°Just those few people? Were there only a few who bullied you? Back then, your suffering was caused by everyone here! Including the royal family and the major ns of the Chengyuan Kingdom! Haven¡¯t they mocked you? Haven¡¯t they made fun of you? Even if they didn¡¯t take action, they watched you be aughingstock, didn¡¯t they?¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but sigh. This guy had quite the eloquence; she was almost convinced by him. Seeing her reaction, Xiao Jingye pressed on, ¡°Don¡¯t you know? Gu Lingxue, the second youngdy of the Gu family, thrives in the Qiankun Academy. How many people support her? Do you think thating back to Tianjing City and killing a few people makes you powerful? Hah! You have a narrow perspective! Compared to Gu Lingxue, you are far behind¡­¡±
    Before he could finish his sentence, a punchnded squarely on his face. Xiao Jingye screamed in pain. His face was knocked to one side, his handsome face quickly swelling and reddening, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. Those around, including the soldiers, winced as if they had been punched themselves, feeling a twinge of pain. However, as they watched Xiao Jingye get beaten up, they couldn¡¯t help but secretly revel in his misfortune. This guy had be a prisoner, and he was still so arrogant with his mouth. Even the bystanders felt irritated listening to him. Xiao Jingye turned back to re at Gu Qingluan angrily. ¡°Are you embarrassed?¡± Gu Qingluan blew on her fist and then lifted it towards him. Xiao Jingye instinctively dodged. Her fist didn¡¯tnd on his face again. In a cold and indifferent voice, Gu Qingluan said, ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to hit someone for a long time. If you want to get beaten up, feel free to continue.¡± Xiao Jingye: He wasn¡¯t crazy, so how could he possibly want to get beaten up? However, after a while, he couldn¡¯t hold back and said, ¡°Don¡¯t think that you¡¯re all glorious now. Once Gu Lingxue returns, you¡¯ll be nothing!¡± ¡°What¡¯s your rtionship with Gu Lingxue?¡± Gu Qingluan looked at him with a dangerous gaze. He kept mentioning Gu Lingxue; could it be that he was also a supporter of Gu Lingxue? She hadn¡¯t expected someone who had caused such turmoil to be rted to Gu Lingxue. ¡°I¡­¡± Xiao Jingye met Gu Qingluan¡¯s menacing gaze and his momentum weakened by three points. ¡°1 have no rtionship with her! 1 just dislike her.¡± This answer surprised Gu Qingluan. ¡°You dislike her? Didn¡¯t you say she¡¯s very talented? Has many supporters?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! But I just don¡¯t like her! Just because others support her doesn¡¯t mean I have to as well! Is that not allowed?¡± Xiao Jingye snorted disdainfully. ¡°Miss Gu, this guy is definitely trying to deceive you.¡± Qitian You, who stood nearby, reminded Gu Qingluan. ¡°He must have found out that you and Second Lady Gu don¡¯t get along and is trying to win your favor using this method.¡± Judging from Gu Qingluan¡¯s behavior since returning to the Gu family, everyone could tell that she had no fondness for Gu Lingxue. It was not entirely impossible to win Gu Qingluan¡¯s favor by excluding Gu Lingxue. However, this guy yed his role quite convincingly. Naturally, Gu Qingluan also guessed this possibility. She scrutinized Xiao Jingye and asked, ¡°Who are you? How do you know about Gu Lingxue¡¯s situation at the Qiankun Academy?¡± Chapter 382 - 382: Actually, I Was Forced Chapter 382 - 382: Actually, I Was Forced Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°I¡¯m a student of the Qiankun Academy! My name is Xiao Jingye, the son of Prince Yun from the Kingdom of Dingyang.¡± Xiao Jingye revealed his identity. His status within the Dingbei Army was known to only a few, but it would soon be exposed by those old folks led by Chen Chong. He couldn¡¯t hide it even if he wanted to. ¡°It¡¯s actually you!¡± Qitian You was extremely surprised. ¡°So, he¡¯s a member of the royal family of Dingyang! No wonder the Dingbei Army rebelled!¡±
    ¡°How did this guy manage to infiltrate the Dingbei Army? And everyone actually listens to him! It¡¯s unbelievable!¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t the Dingbei Army have anyone left? Don¡¯t they know that he¡¯s a spy from an enemy country?¡± Everyone was furious, and the way they looked at Xiao Jingye seemed as if they wanted to tear him apart. Xiao Jingye, on the other hand, remained fearless, showing no hint of fear on his face. Gu Qingluan scrutinized him for a moment and calmly said, ¡°So, you¡¯re Young Master Yun. I¡¯m quite curious how a member of an enemy royal family became themander of the Dingbei Army. Did Duke Dingbei and your group conspire together to rebel long ago?¡± Xiao Jingye shrugged and said, ¡°Well, you¡¯ve got it wrong. In reality, 1 was coerced.¡± ¡°Coerced?¡± ¡°Ridiculous! Duke Dingbei is already dead, how could he have coerced you?¡± Sighing, Xiao Jingye continued, ¡°Well, he¡¯s already dead, and I didn¡¯t want to speak ill of him, but since you all insist on hearing it, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± After listening to Xiao Jingye¡¯s description, everyone found it quite absurd. Xiao Jingye imed that Duke Dingbei poisoned him, forcing him to obey his orders, or else he would die from the poison. Duke Dingbei was interested in him because he had a Saint by his side. Of course, Duke Dingbei was also interested in the support of the Kingdom of Dingyang that came with him. If the Fifth Prince attempted to seize the throne, Dingyang would have to step in to support Duke Dingbei. Xiao Jingye was the beloved son of the Prince Yun, who was the most trusted and favored imperial brother of the Emperor of Dingyang. As long as Xiao Jingye was in the hands of Duke Dingbei, Dingyang would bepelled to support him. The story sounded incredibly bizarre, and no one believed it. Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°You have a Saint apanying you, and Duke Dingbei could threaten you?¡± Xiao Jingye smirked. ¡°I did try to resist his threats, but that old man Duke Dingbei was quite stubborn. More importantly, I value my life. He¡¯s already in his seventies or eighties, and his death wouldn¡¯t be a big loss, while I¡¯m in the prime of my life. I couldn¡¯t let us both meet our end. Besides, Duke Dingbei¡¯s n didn¡¯t actually harm me, so I just went along with it.¡± After exining, he winked at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Honestly, your treatment in our Kingdom of Dingyang will be much better than in Chengyuan. We will definitely treat you as an honored guest¡­¡± Attempting to poach someone so openly was quite unusual. Qitian You immediately interrupted him, saying, ¡°Young Master Yun, you¡¯re joking! We in Chengyuan won¡¯t mistreat Miss Gu!¡± He turned to Gu Qingluan with a serious expression and said, ¡°Miss Gu, rest assured, after this battle, your strength and loyalty are evident to all. Royal Father, the Emperor, will surely reward you generously and provide you with the treatment befitting a Saint.¡± Concerned that Xiao Jingye might say something unexpected again, Qitian You had him taken away. Tianjing City was now out of danger, and there were people to handle the follow-up matters, so Gu Qingluan took her leave. She and Feng Tian returned to the Jun Residence, but suddenly, a slight stabbing sensation reached her soul. Feng Tian immediately noticed her unusual behavior and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Gu Qingluan said in a low voice, ¡°Damn it, something¡¯s happened to Su Meng!¡± She swiftly entered the residence. She had a soul contract with Su Meng, and she sensed Su Meng¡¯s location and quickly sought him out.. Chapter 383 - 383: Yin Qing Escapes Chapter 383: Yin Qing Escapes Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion They arrived only to find Su Meng and a maid lying in a puddle of blood, with the curtain gently swaying nearby. Feng Tianian nced at the curtain and swiftly chased after. Gu Qingluan entered the room, her divine sense scanning Su Meng and the maid¡¯s bodies. A weapon had struck Su Meng¡¯s chest, and dark blood oozed out. However, there were no wounds on the maid, and a daggery nearby. Luckily, she had detected a life-threatening threat to Su Meng and arrived just in time. If she had been even a momentter, Su Meng could have lost his life. The maid had merely fainted, so Gu Qingluan paid no attention to her and immediately went to help Su Meng. A quarter of an hourter, Su Meng slowly opened his eyes and saw Gu Qingluan. He wore an apologetic expression and said, ¡°Master, you¡¯ve saved me once again, but unfortunately, I failed. Yin Qing managed to escape.¡± Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°What just happened?¡± The maid didn¡¯t possess any arcane power, so she shouldn¡¯t have been able to harm Su Meng. Furthermore, Yin Qing¡¯s cultivation had been sealed by her, so he should not have been able to harm Su Meng either. Su Meng¡¯s guilt was evident on his face as he exined, ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. I was careless. 1 didn¡¯t expect this maid to suddenly attack me. I was unprepared and got injured. Yin Qing took advantage of the situation to escape.¡± Gu Qingluan helped him sit down and rest before waking up the maid. The maid, upon waking up, had no recollection of her recent actions. Upon learning that she had used a dagger to harm Su Meng, she panicked and exined, ¡°I truly don¡¯t know what happened. I came to serve tea to Mr. Su Meng, and then¡­ I can¡¯t remember anything else. Please spare me, Mdy! I truly don¡¯t know anything! 1 didn¡¯t mean to harm anyone!¡± Just then, Feng Tianian returned from outside. ¡°I didn¡¯t manage to catch the person.¡± A hint of surprise shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes. When they arrived, the curtain was still swaying, indicating that the person had just left. With Feng Tian¡¯s skills, how could he not have caught up with them? Curiosity welled up in her. She decided to inquire further about the situation from Feng Tianian. However, Feng Tianian didn¡¯t reveal everything to her. The less she knew about the mysterious techniques they practiced, the safer it would be for her. He told her, ¡°They use a unique technique that can cloud the mind. This maid still retains a hint of demonic energy, suggesting that Yin Qing employed it to bewilder and manipte her into harming Su Meng.¡± Demonic energy? Gu Qingluan hadn¡¯t sensed the presence of demonic energy when she previously shed with Yin Qing. Could it be because Yin Qing concealed the demonic energy? ¡°In the future, be extremely cautious when encountering people like Yin Qing,¡± Feng Tianian earnestly advised her. After a pause, he added, ¡°You¡¯ve offended Yin Qing, and given their style of action, they won¡¯t let it go easily. You need to be especially careful in theing days.¡± Gu Qingluan nodded in agreement. She didn¡¯t dare to underestimate the situation, especially since she had witnessed a group of Saint-level cloaked figures in the ck market. If she had to face so many Saints alone, her chances of winning were slim. But now that they were in the open, while the enemy remained concealed, it would be difficult to fend off any retaliation from Yin Qing. After some thought, Gu Qingluan decided to temporarily keep Xiaonan and Yuanxi in the Ster Space. She would bring them out once they had dealt with Yin Qing. Feng Tianian agreed with Gu Qingluan¡¯s decision. They couldn¡¯t watch over the two children day and night. If Yin Qing targeted the children, they might have moments of vulnerability and be taken advantage of. ¡°While it¡¯s safer for Yuanxi and Xiaonan to stay in the space, it¡¯s not a long-term solution. It would be best to find out Yin Qing¡¯s whereabouts or lure him out of hiding.¡± Gu Qingluan pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Isn¡¯t he associated with Xiao Jingye? Maybe we can go talk to Xiao Jingye to learn more about him.¡± Feng Tianian nodded. ¡°You cane with me..¡± Chapter 384 - 384: No Progress with Basic Necessities Chapter 384: No Progress with Basic Necessities Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion The two of them went to find Crown Prince Qi Tianyou. Qi Tianyou was busy with official duties and was currently reporting to the Emperor in the pce. They changed their path and headed towards the pce. This time, they had achieved great sess, and even the pce attendants treated them with much respect. One of the pce attendants went to inform him. Before long, Qi Tianyou emerged from the pce, still wearing the armor he had on during the city¡¯s defense, clearly too busy to change. ¡°Mr. Lan, Miss Gu, what brings you here?¡± Gu Qingluan stated their purpose. Qi Tianyou furrowed his brows upon hearing this, ¡°Well¡­ Xiao Jingye is currently a criminal of the court, detained in the royal dungeon. Without my father¡¯s permission, no one is allowed to see him.¡± Gu Qingluan calmly exined, ¡°We¡¯re here to inquire about Yin Qing¡¯s situation. He has escaped. If we don¡¯t capture him soon, we can¡¯t predict what he might do. He might try to rescue Xiao Jingye, or worse, he might take matters into his own hands. Do you trust leaving such a dangerous person outside?¡± Qi Tianyou furrowed his brows in surprise, ¡°Yin Qing has escaped? This is a matter of great significance, and we need to act swiftly. Here¡¯s what we can do: you can take this pce token and interrogate Xiao Jingye in the dungeon. I¡¯ll inform the Emperor immediately.¡± He removed a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Gu Qingluan. ¡°Very well.¡± Gu Qingluan epted the jade pendant and set off immediately. Qi Tianyou rushed into the pce to inform Emperor Xuanzong. Inside the dungeon. Xiao Jingye was held in solitary confinement in one of the cells. Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian were led to the cell by a jailer. When they saw the young man lounging inside the cell with his legs crossed, Gu Qingluan teased, ¡°Well, it appears that Young Master Yun is having a rather rxed time here in Chengyuan Country¡¯s dungeons.¡± Xiao Jingye recognized Gu Qingluan¡¯s voice. He turned his head, looking at them from inside the cell. ¡°It¡¯s indeed quite rxing here. Miss Gu, would you like toe in and experience it? Of course, if you¡¯d like to stay, there¡¯s plenty of space. 1 wouldn¡¯t mind making room for you.¡± The cell was surprisingly well-furnished, resembling a guest room. Chengyuan Country had treated this enemy and ¡°spy¡± from another nation remarkably well. Gu Qingluan stood outside the cell and replied calmly, ¡°No need. I prefer my own amodations.¡± Xiao Jingye turned his head back and gazed upwards, a piece of straw dangling from his mouth. ¡°Oh, then why are you here? You¡¯re not a court-appointed official, so there¡¯s no need for you to conduct the interrogation, is there?¡± ¡°Yin Qing has escaped.¡± Xiao Jingye chuckled. ¡°Isn¡¯t that great? Are you here to check if I ran away with him? Don¡¯t worry; he won¡¯t take that risk. The dungeon is not an easy ce to break out of.¡± ¡°No, we want your assistance in capturing him.¡± Xiao Jingye spat out the straw from his mouth, sat up, and couldn¡¯t believe his ears. He rubbed his own ears, ¡°Did 1 hear that right?¡± ¡°You heard correctly. We want your help in capturing Yin Qing.¡± ¡°Why should I help you?¡± Gu Qingluan looked at him and calmly said, ¡°To offset your deeds.¡± Xiao Jingye sneered and nced at both of them, ¡°Is this your idea, or is it that old man Xuanzong¡¯s idea? If he wants me to betray Yin Qing to seek leniency for myself, shouldn¡¯t he send Crown Prince Qi at least? Moreover, 1 am also a victim here. The Duke of Dingbei, who was the suprememander of millions of troops in your Chengyuan Country, abducted me from the Kingdom of Dingyang. We haven¡¯t settled the score with your Dingyang Kingdom yet! Do you think Chengyuan Country dares to harm me?¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. So, this was the reason he felt so confident? ¡°Everything you¡¯re saying is just your side of the story. Duke Dingbei is no longer here, and there¡¯s no concrete proof. However, the fact remains that you led the Dingbei Army in the attack on Tianjing. Even if representatives from Dingyang Kingdom were to arrive, they wouldn¡¯t be able to clear you of your involvement.¡± Xiao Jingye shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s a matter for the envoys to worry about. I only need to spend some time in the dungeon. I¡¯ll be free sooner orter.¡± With his nonchnt attitude, it seemed like he waspletely unaffected by the situation. Gu Qingluan silently stared at him for a while. Xiao Jingye¡¯s eyes sparkled with cunning. ¡°What do you think of my previous proposal? If you agree to go to the Kingdom of Dingyang, I can tell you everything I know about Yin Qing.¡± Gu Qingluan responded with another question, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of dying now that Duke Dingbei has poisoned you?¡± Xiao Jingye¡¯s expression slightly stiffened. Gu Qingluan scrutinized him with a piercing gaze. ¡°Or perhaps, Duke of Dingbei never poisoned you at all. Are you just making up stories?¡± Xiao Jingye immediately retorted, ¡°Of course, he poisoned me. If you don¡¯t believe it,e in and feel for yourself.¡± He extended his hand forward. Gu Qingluan motioned for him toe closer. Xiao Jingye remained seated on the bed. ¡°If you want toe in, go ahead. With that man behind you, I doubt I could escape even if I wanted to.¡± His gaze shifted to Feng Tian, and suddenly he became enthusiastic, ¡°Hey, what¡¯s your name? Do you have any intention of serving our Kingdom of Dingyang? We offer the best treatment to Saints¡­¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but smirk. This guy was always trying to gain an advantage. He actually wanted Feng Tian to serve the Kingdom of Dingyang? Could their Kingdom of Dingyang afford it? She was curious to see Xiao Jingye¡¯s reaction once he learned about Feng Tian¡¯s identity. But she couldn¡¯t see it for now. Feng Tian paid no attention to Xiao Jingye¡¯s recruitment efforts and spoke indifferently, ¡°1 heard that Consort Yun is critically injured, bedridden and unable to get up. Despite inviting countless doctors, they are powerless to treat her illness. If you stay in Chengyuan Country for a while longer, you might not even get to see her onest time.¡± Gu Qingluan looked at Feng Tian in surprise. How did he know all this? Could he have investigated it beforehand? No, he had been with her all this time. There was no way he could have found out about Xiao Jingye¡¯s situation. Was he bluffing? The smirk on Xiao Jingye¡¯s face disappeared abruptly, and he asked, ¡°What did you say?¡± (T/N: Crown Prince Qi tian You will be rewritten as Qi Tianyou from this chapter onwards.. i¡¯ll separate his first andst names for better recognition) Chapter 385 - 385: Explanation Chapter 385 - 385: Exnation Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Feng Tian didn¡¯t answer but countered, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since you¡¯ve gone back, hasn¡¯t it?¡± Xiao Jingye looked at his calm demeanor, suppressed his anxiety, and smirked nonchntly. ¡°Don¡¯t try to get information from me. My mother¡¯s health has never been great, but it¡¯s not as bad as you make it sound. She¡¯s always been like this, so don¡¯t try to deceive me.¡± ¡°How long has it been since you contacted anyone from the Yun Pce?¡± Feng Tian continued to inquire. Xiao Jingye pursed his lips. ¡°Not long, I got in touch a few days ago.¡± However, deep down, he was far from as calm as he appeared. Feng Tian raised an eyebrow, ¡°Is that so? Could it be that my information is incorrect? Or perhaps the Yun Pce doesn¡¯t just have a consort?¡± Xiao Jingye¡¯s expression darkened. His father, the king, had only loved his mother. In the entire Wang Mansion, there was only one mistress! This guy, he couldn¡¯t hold back his words! Feng Tian turned to Gu Qingluan and said, ¡°It seems like he won¡¯t reveal anything about Yin Qing¡¯s background. Staying here is just a waste of time. Let¡¯s go.¡± Gu Qingluan, who had just heard their conversation, guessed Feng Tianian¡¯s intention and nodded in agreement. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s think of a way to lure him out.¡± The two turned and left without hesitation. Xiao Jingye watched their retreating figures, his handsome young face expressionless. As he saw them about to disappear around the corner, he finally couldn¡¯t contain himself. ¡°Stop! Tell me clearly! What¡¯s wrong with my mother?¡± Feng Tian and Gu Qingluan exchanged nces. This guy was quite clever, and he was able to hit his enemy¡¯s sore spot. Feng Tian turned around and looked at Xiao Jingye from a distance. ¡°Are you willing to talk now?¡± ¡°First, tell me about my mother¡¯s condition.¡± Feng Tian exined, ¡°Consort Yun has always had a delicate constitution, but with Prince Yun¡¯s favor, there weren¡¯t many issues. However, half a month ago, there was an assassin in the Yun Pce. Consort Yun was injured while trying to save Prince Yun. The weapon used by the assassin was poisoned. Given Consort Yun¡¯s health, she couldn¡¯t have survived the night. Prince Yun used a sacred-grade elixir to save her life, but it was just a temporary measure. They¡¯ve called in numerous doctors, but none have been able to save her. At the moment, it seems she has only a few days left.¡± ¡°No, this can¡¯t be true!¡± Xiao Jingye refused to believe it. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe it, you can ask the envoys from Dingyang Kingdom when they arrive,¡± Feng Tian replied, his thin lips curling slightly, his voice ice-cold. ¡°It will take at least ten days for the envoys from Dingyang Kingdom to reach Tianjing. By the time they arrive, Consort Yun should have passed away.¡± Xiao Jingye could wait, but could he endure it? He had the option not to believe, but the consequences could be grave. Xiao Jingye¡¯s eyes unknowingly turned red. He rushed to the cell door and grabbed the iron bars. ¡°Let me out! Call someone to release me immediately! I want to go back and see my mother!¡± Feng Tian asked calmly, ¡°How much do you know about Yin Qing?¡± Xiao Jingye¡¯s grip on the bars tightened, and he seemed to be struggling. After a moment, he replied slowly, ¡°I don¡¯t know much about him. Yin Qing, the Saint, came to me voluntarily. Although 1 found it strange, 1 thought there was nothing worth fussing about. Even if there was, getting a Saint as a bodyguard was a great deal no matter how you looked at it.¡± ¡°How long has he been by your side?¡± Gu Qingluan inquired. ¡°Not long, just a few months.¡± ¡°Is there anything peculiar about him?¡± Xiao Jingye pondered. ¡°If 1 were to mention something unusual, sometimes he would disappear for a while. He imed it was for personal matters. Although he served me, he¡¯s a Saint, and I couldn¡¯t keep a tight leash on him.¡± ¡°Do the both of you have a ce to stay in Tianjing City?¡± Xiao Jingye nodded and provided them with the address of the ce they had previously stayed. Then, the two of them asked him a few more questions. Most of Xiao Jingye¡¯s answers were inconclusive. As he had mentioned, he knew too little about Yin Qing. ¡°Oh, 1 suddenly remembered something!¡± Chapter 386 - 386: F * ck, You Can’t Keep Your Promise! Chapter 386 - 386: F * ck, You Can¡¯t Keep Your Promise! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion ¡°Oh, i suddenly remembered something!¡± Xiao Jingye suddenly said. Gu Qingluan¡¯s spirits lifted. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Just a while ago, I saw a few people dressed in ck cloaks just like Yin Qing. They passed by and entered a room. I didn¡¯t get a clear look, but I overheard them talking about traps and Chaos Stones as if they were nning to set a trap for someone. Maybe they sensed someone outside, as theyter set up a barrier, and I couldn¡¯t hear anything more.¡± Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian exchanged a nce. It seems they weren¡¯t mistaken! Yin Qing was indeed one of the cloaked figures who ambushed Feng Tian. Their conspiracy was most likely rted to the assassination at the Shadow Tower in the ck market. At the time, it was in the ck market, and people from all over the continent frequented it. It was unexpected that they were also in the Heavenly Capital City. This time, they probably had more than just Yin Qing to deal with. Gu Qingluan furrowed her brows, temporarily setting aside this issue, and asked, ¡°Has Yin Qing never revealed anything about his identity?¡± Xiao Jingye replied, ¡°He¡¯s very cautious in his speech, and he¡¯s revealed very little about his background, only saying that he¡¯s a wandering cultivator with no sect or faction. I¡¯ve investigated him before, but I couldn¡¯t find anything.¡± So, what Yin Qing said was clearly false. ¡°Are you not afraid to keep such a person close to you, fearing that he might betray you?¡± Gu Qingluan teased with a smirk. Xiao Jingye touched his nose and snorted, ¡°I¡¯m not someone who gets easily scared.¡± With the limited information they obtained from Xiao Jingye, they would have to go to the ce he mentioned. If they couldn¡¯t find Yin Qing there, they would have to find a way to lure him out. Previously, Gu Qingluan had considered using Xiao Jingye to lure out Yin Qing, but now it seemed that if he was approaching Xiao Jingye, he must have some ulterior motive. The chances of him risking his life to save Xiao Jingye were slim. Even if they put Xiao Jingye on the chopping block, Yin Qing probably wouldn¡¯t show up. This n wouldn¡¯t work, so they would have to rely on Gu Qingluan or Feng Tian to take the risk. ¡°When will you release me? I¡¯ve told you everything I know,¡± Xiao Jingye asked anxiously. ¡°We don¡¯t have the authority to release you.¡± Xiao Jingye¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°You¡¯re going back on your word?¡± He was on the verge of swearing in public. ¡°I¡¯ll exin the situation to the Emperor, but I don¡¯t think there¡¯s much hope.¡± ¡°F*ck! You can¡¯t even keep a promise!¡± Xiao Jingye finally couldn¡¯t hold back his curses. Looking at the man and woman in front of him, he felt an urge to kill. Gu Qingluan replied calmly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll definitely have a chance to see your mother.¡± A sh of insight crossed Xiao Jingye¡¯s mind. ¡°So, were you lying to me just now? My mother isn¡¯t seriously injured?¡± He didn¡¯t know whether to be angry or amused. He had been yed, and he had every reason to be angry. But if his mother was fine, that was good news. Watching the mixed emotions on his face, Gu Qingluan shook her head. ¡°I didn¡¯t deceive you, but I¡¯ll find a way to help treat your mother.¡± ¡°Can you?¡± Xiao Jingye looked at Gu Qingluan with suspicion. Weren¡¯t they saying that his father had invited renowned physicians, but none could save his mother? This woman was young, could she really do it? He understood that she had impressive talents, but human abilities had their limits. She had be a Saint at a young age, thanks to her exceptional talents and opportunities.. Given her achievements in martial arts, did she really have the time to study medicine, let alone surpass experts dedicated to healing and alchemy? Chapter 387 - 387: She Had Already Acknowledge Their Relationship Chapter 387: She Had Already Acknowledge Their Rtionship Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan smiled calmly. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Consort Yun¡¯s injuries, so I can¡¯t guarantee that I can definitely heal her, but I can assure you that she¡¯ll live until you¡¯re out.¡± Xiao Jingye coldly snorted, ¡°You haven¡¯t even seen her, what assurance do you have? Woman, don¡¯t make empty promises!¡± ¡°You can only trust me for now. Do you have any other choice?¡± Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingye was almost infuriated. ¡°You better deliver on your words. If I find out my mother is dead when I return, I¡¯ll make sure you pay!¡± Gu Qingluan paid little heed to Xiao Jingye¡¯s threats. She couldn¡¯t guarantee everything else, but she had confidence in her medical skills. Suddenly, there were hurried footsteps behind them. Gu Qingluan turned around and saw Qi Tianyou rushing over. ¡°How¡¯s it going? Did Young Master Yun provide any instructions?¡± ¡°He doesn¡¯t know much either. To capture Yin Qing, we¡¯ll have to find a way to draw him out. Yin Qing has strong support, and there are others with simr strengths. Leave this to us; you don¡¯t have to be part of it.¡± Qi Tianyou was taken aback. Yin Qing was a Saint, and his associates weren¡¯t any weaker. Did that mean there were more Saints involved? ¡°Do you not need assistance from others?¡± These weren¡¯t ordinary foes; they were Saints! ¡°Having too many people can lead to chaos. Leave it to us.¡± Since Gu Qingluan put it that way, Qi Tianyou had to agree. In a conflict between Saints, others couldn¡¯t easily intervene. However, he decided to inform his Second Imperial Uncle when he returned. Second Imperial Uncle wasn¡¯t interested in most matters, but perhaps he would be interested in the appearance of so many Saints in the Heavenly Capital City? Meanwhile, Xiao Jingye saw Qi Tianyou and immediately requested to be released. As expected, Qi Tianyou didn¡¯t agree to his unreasonable request. Xiao Jingye then asked him to gather information from the Yun Pce and to urge the envoys from the Kingdom of Dingyang. Qi Tianyou didn¡¯t understand why he was suddenly so anxious, but he agreed casually. Gu Qingluan was about to go and rescue Consort Yun, so she didn¡¯t want to dy any further. She and Feng Tian left the prison. At this moment, the night was deep, and a crescent moon emitted faint light in the sky. For two individuals with deep cultivation, this level of darkness was not a challenge. Gu Qingluan curiously asked Feng Tian, ¡°How did you know about Consort Yun¡¯s severe injury?¡± ¡°Yesterday evening, I returned to take care of some business, and Jing Feng had found out about the news through the documents he organized. Consort Yun sustained severe injuries, and not even the famous doctors from Dingyang Kingdom could provide a remedy. Prince Yun offered a substantial reward for medical assistance, and this information also circted within the ck market.¡± Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°I see! A reward in the ck market makes things much more convenient.¡± She had just been thinking about how to quickly reach Consort Yun. Now that she knew she could contact them through the ck market, it would be much easier to rescue Consort Yun. Feng Tian nced at her, and a hint of concern shed in his dark eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t have to rush over to rescue her right now. You¡¯ve been running around for days. You should take a good rest.¡± Gu Qingluan looked at the sky and realized he was right. Since she was summoned into the imperial pce by the Emperor yesterday, one problem after another had arisen. It had been two days and two nights without proper rest. She had been mentally on edge, and she hadn¡¯t noticed it until Feng Tian pointed it out. Now, she felt a wave of exhaustion washing over her. ¡°Shall we part ways here then?¡± Feng Tian raised an eyebrow. ¡°Are you trying to get rid of me?¡± He thought she had already epted their rtionship. Gu Qingluan was speechless. ¡°You have your own ce to stay. Do you intend to stay at my home? Given our rtionship, it¡¯s not appropriate for you to live in the Jun Residence.¡± Feng Tian immediately countered, ¡°What¡¯s so inappropriate about it?¡± Chapter 388 - 388: I’ll Listen to You, Yuanxi’s Mother Chapter 388: I¡¯ll Listen to You, Yuanxi¡¯s Mother Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Did she not just say it? Couldn¡¯t he understand humannguage? Feng Tian lowered his eyes, a trace of displeasure crossing his face. However, when he saw Gu Qingluan¡¯s eagerness to distance herself from their rtionship, he suppressed the sudden surge of anger. He had to remember! She doesn¡¯t like bad temper! After reminding himself three times, Feng Tian¡¯splexion returned to normal. His deep, seductive voice resonated in the night, ¡°Now is a turbulent time. Yin Qing is lurking in the shadows, ready to seek revenge at any moment. 1 can¡¯t trust you alone at home. Yuanxi has been without his mother for nearly five years, and I don¡¯t want him to lose his mother again in the future, causing him sadness. Moreover, Yuanxi is with you. If something happens to you, will he be safe?¡± Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t argue. As he looked at her speechless expression, Feng Tian¡¯s lips curled up imperceptibly. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Mother of my child.¡± Gu Qingluan shuddered. Why the heck ¡°Mother of my child¡±? ¡°Can you not call me that? Just use my name!¡± This term of address felt too awkward as if their rtionship was very intimate. Feng Tian¡¯s fleeting smile in his eyes disappeared, and he pretended not to understand. ¡°Why not? Aren¡¯t you the mother of Yuanxi? How about ¡®Yuanxi¡¯s mother¡¯?¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow and gazed at him, appearing genuinely confused. She couldn¡¯t help but question herself ¨C could he truly notprehend it? She pressed her temple, feeling a headacheing on. Feng Tian continued, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to acknowledge that you¡¯re Yuanxi¡¯s mother? If he finds out¡­¡± ¡°Alright, alright! Call me whatever you want!¡± Gu Qingluan interrupted him. She hadn¡¯t realized this man could be so naggy! Feng Tian¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°Hmm, 1¡¯11 listen to you, Yuanxi¡¯s mother.¡± Ah, ah, ah! This guy must be doing this on purpose! Is he getting addicted to it or something? Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t be bothered with him and walked ahead quickly. She left Feng Tian looking at her leaving in rage. Feng Tian chuckled softly. His previously cold and stern face softened after changing his expression, exuding a somewhat charming aura. ¡°Mom, mom, what¡¯s happening outside? Did we win the battle?¡± As soon as Gu Qingluan entered the Ster Space, she was surrounded by Gu Xiaonan, Feng Yuanxi, and Heaven Star, the three little ones. Her two sons clung to her legs, one on each side. Since Heaven Star couldn¡¯t grab a leg, he simply jumped up and wrapped his arms around Gu Qingluan¡¯s neck. It had been one full day outside, but in the Ster Space, five days had already passed. These five days had been torment for Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi. Even though they had be good friends with Heaven Star, and he had shown them around the space, revealing many fascinating things, their hearts were still attached to Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian. Gu Qingluan first pulled Heaven Star off her neck. ¡°You¡¯re trying to strangle me, aren¡¯t you?¡± Heaven Star pouted with a hint of grievance, ¡°Mistress, do you not like me anymore?¡± ¡°Of course not, your ce in my heart hasn¡¯t changed.¡± Gu Qingluan calmly expressed her feelings. Noticing Heaven Star¡¯s mouth still raised high enough to hold a bottle, she leaned down and nted a kiss on his forehead. ¡°Mom, I want a kiss too!¡± As soon as Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi saw her, they immediately clung to her legs, swaying back and forth, and chimed in unison. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t help but smile. These kids were a handful, but they were a happy handful. She cherished every moment with them. Her greatest joy was that both her sons were alive and growing up healthy. Her greatest relief was that both of her children were alive and growing up healthy and strong. Lowering her head, she gave each of her two sons a sweet kiss. Gu Xiaonan and Feng Yuanxi looked thoroughly satisfied, their faces beaming with happiness. ¡°You two!¡± Gu Qingluan gently tapped their smooth foreheads. The two little ones giggled. Feng Yuanxi asked obediently, ¡°Mom, are you hungry? i just made some food, and it¡¯s still hot. Let¡¯s eat first.¡± Gu Qingluan was surprised, ¡°You prepared a meal for me too?¡± ¡°Yeah, I thought you¡¯d be too busy to eat after finishing your work, so 1 cooked and waited for you toe in and eat.¡± ¡°Little Yuanxi, you¡¯re so considerate.¡± Gu Qingluan was deeply moved and nted a kiss on his cheek. Feng Yuanxi¡¯s little face lit up like a flower. Not to be outdone, Gu Xiaonan chimed in, ¡°Mom, I made something too!¡± ¡°Oh? What did you make?¡± ¡°I made chicken soup!¡± ¡°Really? Then I must taste how delicious Xiaonan¡¯s soup is.¡± Gu Xiaonan was confident. ¡°It¡¯s definitely delicious!¡± He had already tasted it; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t dare to let Mother drink it. It would be quite embarrassing if it didn¡¯t turn out well. The mother and her two sons, along with Heaven Star, entered a room together. On the round table, there was an abundant spread of dishes. Gu Qingluan had tasted Feng Yuanxi¡¯s cooking before; he had quite a talent for it, and the dishes were delicious. Seeing the spread of colorful and aromatic dishes on the table, her eyes lit up, and her stomach suddenly growled with hunger. The four of them gathered around the table. Suddenly, Gu Qingluan thought of the two little pets and asked, ¡°Where are Xiaobai and Xiaomei?¡± In the past, Xiaobai and Xiaomei would eagerly join the feast, their noses leading them to the food. It was only now that Gu Qingluan realized she hadn¡¯t seen them since entering the Ster Space. Gu Xiaonan¡¯s big eyes blinked for a moment, and he hesitated before exining, ¡°They¡¯ve already eaten and went outside to digest.¡± As the owner of the Ster Space, Gu Qingluan could instantly grasp the situation throughout the entire space with a single thought. While she was asking the question, her consciousness had already expanded. Despite hearing her son¡¯s words, what her consciousness revealed to her was Xiaobai and Xiaomei lying on the grass, their bellies up in the air. They were making little noises, but it didn¡¯t seem like they were digesting anything at all.. Chapter 389 - 389: What Kind of Extraordinary Son Is This! Chapter 389: What Kind of Extraordinary Son Is This! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion She didn¡¯t expose Gu Xiaonan¡¯s lie and decided to ask Yuanxiter about what had happened. ¡°Let¡¯s all eat together.¡± Gu Xiaonan enthusiastically served Gu Qingluan a bowl of soup. ¡°Mother, please try this. It¡¯s ginseng and wolfberry chicken soup that 1 cooked. It¡¯s delicious.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled, took a spoonful, and, seeing the expectant look in the little guy¡¯s eyes, nodded. ¡°It¡¯s really good.¡± Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaonan¡¯s eyes curved in pride. ¡°I told you so! My soup is definitely delicious! Just look at who 1 am! I¡¯m a little genius!¡± Feng Yuanxi and Heaven Star both couldn¡¯t help but smirk. Indeed, he¡¯s quite the genius. Over the past few days, Gu Xiaonan had been learning how to cook soup with Feng Yuanxi in the Ster Space. He had exploded the kitchen three times, burned it five times, and encountered countless other mishaps. As for the soup he made, it had given Xiaobai and Xiaomei diarrhea yesterday, and now both of them were lying outside, feeling miserable. The soup today, in fact, was secretly enhanced by Heaven Star as per Feng Yuanxi¡¯s instructions. Otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have reached this level of deliciousness. Of course, only Feng Yuanxi and Heaven Star knew this secret, and they tacitly agreed not to tell Gu Xiaonan. Compared to Gu Xiaonan¡¯s single soup, Feng Yuanxi was much more skillful. There were a total of eight dishes and one soup on the table. Gu Xiaonan made the soup, but all eight dishes, five meat and three vegetable dishes were prepared by Feng Yuanxi. His culinary skills had improved considerablypared to before. Gu Qingluan was picky with her food, but she enjoyed every bite, praising the dishes one after another. Feng Yuanxi was delighted. ¡°Mother, if you like it, I¡¯ll cook for you every day.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t do. You¡¯re still young, and you shouldn¡¯t waste your time on this.¡± ¡°Cooking for Mother is not a waste of time. Yuanxi enjoys it.¡± What kind of extraordinary son is this! Gu Qingluan was deeply moved. Gu Xiaonan, upon seeing this, hurriedly said, ¡°I¡¯ll cook for Mother too in the future!¡± Heaven Star, with its mouth full of food, mumbled, ¡°Then 1¡¯11 join in too!¡± It had been pitiable before, spending so many years in the Ster Space without knowing there were so many delicious foods in the world. Even though the books in the library mentioned them, reading about them in books was not the same as experiencing them firsthand. These days, he had been enjoying greasy meals a lot and had developed quite a liking for them! Gu Qingluan smiled. ¡°Alright, Yuanxi and Xiaonan can cook for me when you have time. But for now, I need to talk to you about the situation outside.¡± Upon hearing that it was about something important, Gu Xiaonan and the others all turned their attention to her. Although these children were young, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t treat them as ordinary kids. She briefly recounted the events that had happened outside. The three kids listened as if they were hearing a story, their reactions full of surprises and gasps. When it came to the crisis and critical moments, all three of them showed anxious expressions. But when they heard that the enemies had been defeated and turned into captives, the three little ones simultaneously breathed sighs of relief, showing joyful expressions andvishing praise on Gu Qingluan. They seemed to have learned these sweet words from somewhere, and if they continued this way when they grew up, they would surely captivate countless hearts. After informing them of the events, Gu Qingluan also exined that they would need to stay in the Ster Space for some time. She had thought her two sons might have some emotional reactions, but to her surprise, both of them epted it calmly. Gu Qingluan wondered, ¡°Aren¡¯t you bored staying here?¡± Although the Ster Space was vast, it was quite empty, and besides Heaven Star, who had intelligence, even adults would find it hard to stay focused here. Feng Yuanxi shook his head. ¡°No, not at all. There are plenty of books in the library for us to read. Plus, the aura here is dense, which makes cultivation more efficient. Xiaonan and 1 are not strong enough to help you right now, so it¡¯s the perfect opportunity for us to cultivate here.. Once our strength improves, we can assist you in dealing with the bad guys!¡± Chapter 390 - 390: Why Doesn’t Miss Gu Understand Romance? Chapter 390: Why Doesn¡¯t Miss Gu Understand Romance? Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Xiaonan nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s right! Mother, just wait. Well be your little helpers in no time!¡± Oh, these kids are so responsible! Gu Qingluan suddenly felt like being a mother was a breeze. She didn¡¯t have to worry about their upbringing like other parents. But then, she thought again and felt overjoyed. Indeed, they were her sons, so well-behaved, responsible, diligent, and eager to learn. They truly had her qualities! After spending the night outside and several days in the Ster Space, Gu Qingluan rested well and, after briefing the two children, returned to the outside world. Su Meng sensed her presence and came to see her. ¡°Su Meng, how is your recovery?¡± ¡°Thank you for your concern, Mistress. I¡¯ve recovered quickly, your medical skills are truly remarkable,¡± Su Meng said with a faint smile. Seeing Su Meng hesitate, Gu Qingluan asked, ¡°If you have something to say, feel free.¡± Su Meng nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the boundary space is about to open, and I¡¯m nning to go there.¡± ¡°When?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve learned it will happen at noon today.¡± Gu Qingluan pondered. ¡°Noon today¡­ that conflicts with my schedule. I¡¯m nning to rescue Consort Yun, so I might not be able to apany you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. I can go alone. You should attend to your own matters.¡± ¡°Then be careful on your own. I¡¯ve heard that the boundary space is full of dangers, and it¡¯s easy to run into trouble. If you encounter danger, don¡¯t rush forward. Make sure to escape. If there¡¯s no other option¡­¡± Gu Qingluan thought for a moment, then took out a bunch of items from her storage ring and handed them to Su Meng. ¡°Here, there are poisons, life-saving healing medicines, and various talismans. Don¡¯t worry about using them up; I can always refine more.¡± Su Meng looked at the items in his hand, recognizing that they were all high-tier treasures, not ordinary items. If he were to buy these, it would cost a fortune. His mistress had given them to him without hesitation! Su Meng was deeply moved, his eyes shining as he stared at Gu Qingluan. ¡°Mistress, rest assured, I will return safely.¡± Deep inside, he vowed to find as many treasures as possible to bring back for Mistress. His mistress was just too kind to him! ¡°Good!¡± Gu Qingluan smiled and bid farewell to Su Meng. ¡°Where is Feng Tian?¡± she asked Bo He, who was following her. Bo He replied, ¡°I was just about to tell you, Mr. Feng is waiting for you outside.¡± Gu Qingluan, hearing this, walked straight out of Shallow Clouds Residence. A man standing beneath a tree ahead of them turned to face them. He wore a ck robe that entuated his handsome features. His fair skin wasplemented by a pair of icy eyes that bore directly into her. ¡°Sorry for the wait. Shall we set off now?¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we have breakfast first?¡± Feng Tian inquired. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve already eaten. Haven¡¯t you?¡± Gu Qingluan replied, feeling quite full after being fed by her two sons before they left. Feng Tian pursed his lips. ¡°I have.¡± ¡°In that case, let¡¯s go,¡± Gu Qingluan said, taking his word for it. Jing Feng, who was standing nearby, hesitated to speak. If it weren¡¯t for Feng Tian shooting him a sideways nce, he might have already spoken up. Oh, why is Miss Gu so clueless about romance? Having a meal together is such a good way to build rapport! Early in the morning, his Master came to Shallow Clouds Residence and even reserved a table at a famous teahouse, nning to invite Miss Gu for breakfast. But who knew she had already eaten? It seemed that the path to pursuing Miss Gu was a long and challenging one for his Master! The three of them entered the ck market together.. Chapter 391 - 391: Mercenary Guild Chapter 391 - 391: Mercenary Guild Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Today, Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t dress in men¡¯s clothing, and her face drew attention wherever she went. Of course, even when dressed as a man, she was no longer an inconspicuous figure in the ck Market. As the three of them entered the ck Market, they attracted numerous gazes. Having grown ustomed to such scenes, the three of them felt no difort and headed straight for the Mercenary Guild. The Mercenary Guild was another major organization within the ck Market.
    Here, people could post tasks or take on missions. Posting a task required payment, whilepleting a task earned a reward. Jing Feng informed Gu Qingluan that Prince Yun had posted a hefty reward for a medical mission in the Mercenary Guild. Anyone who could cure the Consort Yun would receive ten thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts. This reward was exceptionally high, catapulting the mission to the top of the mission board, surpassing the tasks that had traditionally held the top three positions. Therefore, anyone with an interest in the ck Market would know about it. Gu Qingluan had been incredibly busytely and hadn¡¯t had the chance to keep up with thetest updates. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have overlooked this news. Upon arriving at the five-story building of the Mercenary Guild, which upied a vast area, they heard the noisymotion from within. The hall was bustling with a mix of individuals: some were there to collect missions, some to finish them, and others to propose new ones. Several walls in the hall were covered in white jade on which arrays had been carved. Whenever a mission was posted, it would be engraved on the jade. People craned their necks to look at the mission board, searching for tasks they couldplete. Gu Qingluan immediately spotted the most eye-catching jade que with the first-ce mission. The task with the highest reward not only hadrger and redder lettering but also stood out conspicuously. Quite a few people had gathered around the mission board. Gu Qingluan scrolled down a bit and noticed the second-ranked task¡ªCapture an image of the true face of the Cloud Central City Lord, reward: five thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts. The third-ranked mission was simr¡ªCapture an image of the true face of the Bugui Building Lord, reward: five thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts. Judging by the reward, it was likely on par with the second-ranked task. The fourth task on the mission board was to capture the notorious demon lord Darkhawk, with a reward of four thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts. Gu Qingluan suspected that the second and third tasks were posted by the same person. However, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder, was it really worth spending so much money just to know the appearance of the Cloud Central City Lord and the Bugui Building Lord? She rubbed her chin in thought. Should she take on the third mission? Five thousand Xuanling Crystal Hearts would easily fall into her hands. Immediately, Gu Qingluan shook her head. It would be better not to reveal her true identity, or else trouble would surely follow one after another. Thinking about the potentialplications, she pushed this idea out of her mind. Speaking of which, she was quite curious about the Cloud Central City Lord. The level of mystery surrounding the Cloud Central City Lord was on par with her own. To this day, no one knew what the Cloud Central City Lord looked like. Cloud Central City had only appeared on the continent for a little over a decade, yet its influence was immense. It could be said to be thergest force on the continent, surpassing even the Holy Heaven Dynasty and the Two Pces. However, Cloud Central City tended to keep a low profile, and many people on the continent were unaware of its existence. The fourth mission involved a mysterious character named ¡°Darkhawk¡±, who always wore a mask in front of outsiders. It was said that anyone who opposed Darkhawk met a gruesome end. The individuals posting this reward undoubtedly had deep-seated grudges with Darkhawk. Many people wanted to kill Darkhawk, but so far, no one had seeded; instead, they disappeared one by one. Gu Qingluan casually browsed through the other missions. Since she hade with a specific goal today, she didn¡¯t have time to wander aimlessly. She instructed Jing Feng to take on the first mission. Normally, a mission could only be epted by one person or a team at the same time, but because this mission was incredibly challenging, and many had failed toplete it, the conditions had been rxed to allow multiple individuals to ept it simultaneously. It had been on the bounty board for so long without anyone seeding. When Jing Feng went to ept the mission, the Mercenary Guild staff informed him that three people had epted the task today. Gu Qingluan wasn¡¯t surprised by this information. Jing Feng said, ¡°Prince Yun and the Consort Yun are here in the ck Market, and the guild¡¯s members will take us to them.¡± After waiting for a while, a Mercenary Guild staff member led the three of them out of the guild building. It took about fifteen minutes to reach their destination. It was a quiet residence, nestled amidst the bustling market yet insted from the noise. After exining their purpose, the guards allowed them inside. In a hall, several individuals were already seated. A hint of surprise shed in Gu Qingluan¡¯s eyes.. Chapter 392 - 392: Don’t You Insult My Master! Chapter 392 - 392: Don¡¯t You Insult My Master! Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion It was quite a coincidence, it turned out to be Su Haisheng and Su Ziyin. Su Haisheng and Su Ziyin nced at Gu Qingluan and the others. They didn¡¯t recognize Gu Qingluan. After all, Gu Qingluan had disguised herself as a man before and was wearing a mask. The servants in the mansion informed Gu Qingluan and her group, ¡°A master is currently diagnosing the queen inside the house. Please wait for a moment.¡±
    Gu Qingluan and Feng Tian sat down, while Jing Feng stood behind Feng Tian. The hall was silent. Su Haisheng discreetly observed the people across from him. Su Ziyin, on the other hand, seemed more conspicuous. She rolled her big eyes and curiously looked at Gu Qingluan and her group. ¡°Which one of you took on the task?¡± ¡°I did.¡± Gu Qingluan smiled. Did the little girl prepare the medicine? Tomorrow is the appointed day, and she actually found time toe here. ¡°Are you a physician too?¡± Su Ziyin showed a surprised expression as if she thought Gu Qingluan was too young. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Consort Yun¡¯s injuries are severe, and they have triggered her old illness. It¡¯s not something anyone can treat.¡± She was almost advising Gu Qingluan not to waste her efforts. Perhaps because she was humiliated by Gu Qingluan recently, she didn¡¯t put it too bluntly. Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°If it¡¯s too easy, I won¡¯t even bother treating the patient.¡± Su Ziyin took a deep breath. ¡°You¡¯re too arrogant.¡± Gu Qingluan retorted, ¡°Aren¡¯t you all the same?¡± Su Ziyin couldn¡¯t argue with that. She and her grandfather departed from Canghai Pce to explore the world, partly for the purpose of enhancing their skills. Facing challenging medical cases could help unlock their potential and enhance their expertise in medicine. Both sides fell silent. It wasn¡¯t until a maid entered and saw so many people in the hall that she asked, ¡°Who will go first to treat the queen?¡± Gu Qingluan looked at the other side, ¡°They arrived first, so let them go first.¡± Su Haisheng stood up, smoothed out the wrinkles on his robe, and cast a reserved nce at Gu Qingluan before calling Su Ziyin to go with him. They were gone for about a quarter of an hour, and the maid who had delivered the message before walked in again, looking somewhat frustrated. ¡°It¡¯s your turn now. Which of you are going?¡± Obviously, Su Haisheng had no solution for Consort Yun¡¯s illness. ¡°You two stay here and wait for me.¡± ¡°Miss Gu, you can definitely do it!¡± Jing Feng encouraged her. Gu Qingluan silently smiled. She turned her gaze and locked eyes with Feng Tian. Feng Tian stared at her and said softly, ¡°1 believe in you.¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow. ¡°What a coincidence, so do 1.¡± She walked out of the hall. On the way, she ran into Su Haisheng and his granddaughter again. Su Haisheng had a solemn expression, and Su Ziyin seemed somewhat dejected. Seeing Gu Qingluan approaching, Su Ziyin perked up and murmured softly, ¡°If Master were here, it would be great. Master would definitely be able to cure Consort Yun.¡± Su Haisheng snorted disapprovingly, ¡°You haven¡¯t even been formally epted as his disciple, yet you keep calling him ¡¯Master¡¯. That brat just got luckyst time; he¡¯s not as impressive as you make him out to be.¡± ¡°Grandfather, you¡¯re not allowed to insult my master! My master is really amazing!¡± Gu Qingluan chuckled lightly. This little girl was truly interesting. Her grandfather was a renowned physician, and she heard her praising an outsider all day, which was quite exasperating. ¡°Hey, what are youughing at?¡± Su Ziyin thought Gu Qingluan was mocking her and immediately pulled a sour face, ring at her unhappily. Gu Qingluan said with a smile, ¡°I think you¡¯re absolutely right.¡± Huh? Su Ziyin was baffled. Seeing the sincere expression on Gu Qingluan¡¯s face, the anger she had just felt vanished instantly. Uh, what¡¯s wrong with this girl? They were practically strangers. Did she even know who her master was? It was a bit odd that Gu Qingluan suddenly endorsed what Su Ziyin said. Gu Qingluan walked past them without paying any attention to Su Ziyin¡¯s expression. Su Ziyin puffed up her cheeks. Forget it, she was a weirdo, and although she was quite beautiful, she was not really rted to her. She might as well think about how to get along with her master when she meets him tomorrow. By then, she could bring her master to see Consort Yun, and maybe her master could save Consort Yun. ¡°Your Highness, Miss Gu is here.¡± ¡°Come in.¡± A hoarse male voice came from inside the room. Gu Qingluan entered and saw a man sitting at the table exuding an aura of nobility. He was exceptionally handsome, almost a mirror image of Xiao Jingye, or rather, Xiao Jingye was a mirror image of him. Perhaps because of his youthful appearance, he looked very young, and if one didn¡¯t know he was already forty years old, one might think he was in his twenties. At the moment, his face was pale, and he appeared weary. It was evident that he hadn¡¯t been resting welltely, and he was under a lot of pressure. When he saw Gu Qingluan, he paused for a moment, seemingly surprised that she was so young. His proud sword-like eyebrows furrowed imperceptibly. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Miss Gu to be so young. May I inquire about your master¡¯s lineage?¡± Perhaps having received too many physicians recently and being disappointed too many times, Prince Yun had lost hope, and seeing Gu Qingluan, who was so young and unfamiliar, he asked out of habit.. Chapter 393 - 393: Changing Fate Chapter 393 - 393: Changing Fate Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Gu Qingluan replied, ¡°The Ind of No Return.¡± Prince Yun widened his eyes slightly and asked, ¡°You¡¯re from the Ind of No Return?¡± The Ind of No Return had always been mysterious, and the only person known to have appeared from there recently was Liu Meng in Tianjing. However, Liu Meng rarely showed himself to outsiders, making it difficult for anyone to meet him. Moreover, considering the distance between Dingyang Nation and Tianjing, it would take quite some time for Prince Yun to invite him.
    Prince Yun had also dispatched a team to search for the Ind of No Return in the East Sea. Unexpectedly, someone iming to be from the Ind of No Return hade for a consultation. Prince Yun scrutinized the woman in front of him. She was undeniably beautiful, especially her eyes, which seemed enchanting and full of vitality. In the realm of cultivation, one could not judge someone¡¯s age by their appearance. Prince Yun couldn¡¯t discern Gu Qingluan¡¯s cultivation level, so he regarded her as a senior due to her age. He stood up, and his attitude became warmer than before. ¡°So, you are a senior from the Ind of No Return. I apologize for my previous oversight.¡± Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow; did she really look that old? Prince Yun was nearly twice her age. She didn¡¯t feelfortable being addressed as a ¡°senior¡±. ¡°You can still call me Miss Gu.¡± Prince Yun adapted easily. ¡°Alright, Miss Gu, could you please examine my wife?¡± Although he called her ¡°Miss¡±, he still regarded her as a ¡°senior¡± in his heart. However, if she disliked that term, he wouldn¡¯t use it directly. After all, women of all ages seemed to be sensitive about their age. A maid lifted the curtain, and the two entered one after the other. Inside the room, there was a bed with a sleeping beauty lying on it. Compared to Prince Yun, thedy on the bed appeared much older. Of course, her features were delicate, and if she were ten years younger, she would undoubtedly be a rare beauty. However,pared to Prince Yun, the age gap seemed significant. Prince Yun doted on his wife greatly, and Gu Qingluan had initially thought that thedy must be exceptionally beautiful. With that thought in mind, Gu Qingluan started to focus on her examination. She sat down by the bedside and ced her hand on the pulse of Prince Yun¡¯s wife. Prince Yun stood by, suppressing his anxious emotions as he waited. He alternated between watching his wife and observing Gu Qingluan, hoping to find answers from her expression. After examining the pulse for a while, Gu Qingluan removed her hand. ¡°Miss Gu, can you treat my wife¡¯s condition?¡± ¡°It is treatable, but the most significant issue with her health isn¡¯t the injury on her chest; it¡¯s an old ailment.¡± Yunwang nodded in agreement. ¡°Exactly! Master Su also mentioned that.¡± Since childhood, Prince Yun¡¯s wife had been frail, often gued by minor illnesses, and asionally suffering from severe ones. After marrying Prince Yun, she had undergone meticulous care and was much healthier than when they first met, but she still had some health issues, making her weaker than the average person. This time, when facing an assassin, Consort Yun sacrificed herself to shield Prince Yun from a sword strike. It was as if that strike had ignited a hidden issue within her body. Someone who had been leading a normal life with proper care and medical attention suddenly deteriorated. If it weren¡¯t for Prince Yun sparing no expense on medicines and the treatment of renowned physicians, Consort Yun would have long since passed away. However, this situation couldn¡¯t be sustained for much longer. The vitality within Consort Yun¡¯s body was rapidly draining away. Such symptoms were usually associated with the elderly. Physicians could save the critically ill but couldn¡¯t stop the effects of aging. As people age, the first sign is a decline in bodily functions, a depletion of vitality. Except for immortals, no one could halt this process. Even immortals faced the inevitability of aging and mortality. Immortality remained a mere fantasy, an unattainable dream. To this day, no one had achieved it. By all ounts, Consort Yun wasn¡¯t old, and her body shouldn¡¯t have exhibited such symptoms. It was likely due to something she experienced during her youth that had an impact on her health. This recent injury had elerated her aging process. Of course, since Consort Yun¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t a natural result of aging but rather a consequence of her experiences, Gu Qingluan had a method to defy fate and grant her a new lease on life. Upon hearing that Gu Qingluan had a solution, Prince Yun was filled with astonishment. ¡°What method is it? Miss Gu, please tell me. Even if it means exchanging my own lifespan for Consort¡¯s vitality, I am willing to do so..¡± Chapter 394 - 394: Reconstructing the Body Chapter 394 - 394: Reconstructing the Body Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion His expression was genuine, devoid of any falsehood. Gu Qingluan sighed inwardly. She couldn¡¯t believe that the powerful Prince Yun would go to such lengths for his beloved. Thinking of Xiao Jingye, the product of their love, he must be highly favored in the Yun Pce, which exined hisck of fear when captured by the Chengyuan Kingdom. With Prince Yun doting on Consort Yun to this extent, how could he not protect the child she had given birth to?
    Gu Qingluan informed Prince Yun, ¡°I don¡¯t need your life. I can save Consort Yun, but the process will be extremely painful, and 1 can¡¯t guarantee that it will definitely seed.¡± Prince Yun¡¯s face changed slightly, and he asked, ¡°What¡¯s your level of confidence?¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t overstate it, saying, ¡°About eighty percent.¡± That meant there was still a twenty percent chance of failure. Prince Yun looked grave. While the sess rate wasn¡¯t one hundred percent, it was the greatest hope he had heard of so far. All the physicians who had epted the reward missions and even Master Su had shaken their heads. While they could identify Consort Yun¡¯s health issues, they couldn¡¯t provide a remedy. If Gu Qingluan knew their answers, she wouldn¡¯t be surprised. After all, the method she intended to use was recorded only in the Heavenly Realm Continent, and even there, very few people practiced it. Consort Yun was fortunate to encounter her. If it had been anyone else in the Cloud ins Continent, they would have been helpless. However, the conditions here were rudimentary,cking several essential celestial medicines found only in the Heavenly Realm Continent. Gu Qingluan couldn¡¯t guarantee the treatment¡¯s sess. After a moment of silence, Prince Yun moved his lips and asked, ¡°Miss Gu, may I inquire about your n to save the queen?¡± ¡°To rebuild her physical form.¡± Prince Yun gasped, ¡°Rebuild her physical form? How can that be done?¡± At first hearing, it sounded extremely challenging. Gu Qingluan smirked. ¡°It means recing all her blood, flesh, and bones. Her original ones are deteriorated, and even the ones that haven¡¯t decayedpletely have been infected, with vitality rapidly fading. Only bypletely recing all her blood, flesh, and bones can she be reborn.¡± Prince Yun, who considered himself knowledgeable, heard about such a method for the first time. ¡°Is it possible to do this?¡± ¡°I can do it,¡± Gu Qingluan replied calmly. Her confident demeanor eased Prince Yun¡¯s anxious heart somewhat. ¡°Then the Consort¡­¡± ¡°The process will be painful, of course. Rebuilding her physical form relies not only on me but also on Consort Yun herself. Because the medical procedure is excruciating, if Consort Yun can¡¯t endure it and gives up midway, then the treatment will fail.¡± Just thinking about it makes it clear how painful this medical procedure would be. To rece all of a person¡¯s blood, flesh, and bones, not just a small part, even the strongest willpower would find it difficult to endure. Prince Yun turned to look at Consort Yun. Shey motionless on the bed, like a wooden doll, her breathing barely noticeable. If one didn¡¯t look closely, they might mistake her for a corpse. Prince Yun covered his face with both hands. Gu Qingluan knew that making this decision was incredibly difficult. If the treatment failed, Consort Yun would die. But if they didn¡¯t try to save her, she would still die, only it would be a slower process. She waited quietly for Prince Yun¡¯s decision. After a moment, Prince Yun lowered his hands, raised his head to look at her, and said with determination, ¡°Please, Miss Gu, please treat my consort.¡± He had no other options. This was their only hope now. If his beloved died, he would join her! Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t know what was going on in Prince Yun¡¯s heart. His decision didn¡¯t surprise her at all. ¡°Very well, 1 will do my best.¡± Prince Yun, his eyes red, said, ¡°Whatever medicinal materials you need, please tell me, and I will have them prepared immediately.¡± ¡°We do need quite a few medicinal materials, and the three most important ones are listed.¡± Gu Qingluan didn¡¯t mince words. Rebuilding a physical form was an incredibly challenging task, and the required materials were rare and diverse. Her own space contained only a portion of them. She walked towards the outer room and said, ¡°I¡¯ll write you a list, and you can find the materials ording to what¡¯s listed.¡± Prince Yun covered Consort Yun with the nket and then hurriedly followed her to the outer room. Gu Qingluan smoothly wrote several pages and handed them to Prince Yun. When Prince Yun saw the contents of the list, his eyes widened, ¡°What¡­ What are all these? I¡¯ve never heard of many of these before..¡± Chapter 395 - 395: Extremely Rich Chapter 395: Extremely Rich Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion Due to Consort Yun¡¯s poor health, Prince Yun had developed some medical knowledge over time. While he had encountered various medicines in the past, the ingredients listed in this prescription, such as ¡°Dragon Marrow, Phoenix Blood, and Divine Wood,¡± were unfamiliar to him. Moreover, just by looking at items like ¡°Dragon Marrow, Phoenix Blood, Divine Wood,¡± listed above, he knew they were hard toe by. Gu Qingluan said, ¡°Prince Yun, do your best to find them. 1 can use the Primordial Gold Needle technique to control the aging of Consort Yun¡¯s body functions. To cure her and rebuild her physique, that¡¯s the only way.¡± Prince Yun clutched the list in his hand, his gaze fixed on Gu Qingluan. ¡°If we use the Primordial Gold Needle, how long can we dy it?¡± ¡°One year.¡± Prince Yun didn¡¯t hesitate and quickly called someone in, handing over the list and instructing them to collect the materials listed. If these materials were gathered, Prince Yun would undoubtedly have to pay a hefty price, but he had no hesitation. Gu Qingluan said, ¡°1 need to start needling Consort Yun now, so please step aside.¡± ¡°Alright, alright!¡± Prince Yun nodded eagerly. ¡°Do you need assistance?¡± Before leaving, Prince Yun asked this question. Gu Qingluan knew that Prince Yun was worried, so she said one of the maids could stay. Prince Yun left Consort Yun¡¯s personal maid in the room to assist. Gu Qingluan took out the Primordial Gold Needle and had the maid remove Consort Yun¡¯s clothes. She inserted the gold needle into various acupuncture points, and the llongmeng Qi permeated through the needle. Ilongmeng Qi represented vitality, which was in direct contrast to the lifelessness within Consort Yun¡¯s body. When these two opposing forces met, Consort Yun, as the vessel, showed a painful expression. The maid anxiously covered her mouth to prevent herself from making any noise. She was quite sensible. Seeing that she didn¡¯t disturb her, Gu Qingluan¡¯s brows rxed, and the speed of her needling increased. The Primordial Gold Needle was different from ordinary needles, and with the added power of llongmeng Qi, its effects were far greater than the sum of its parts. When she finished needling, Consort Yun¡¯s pale and dull face showed a faint blush, as if a touch of pink had emerged from the pale, wintry branches. The maid covered her mouth, preventing herself from crying out. How long had it been since she had seen Consort Yun look this good? Ever since she had been by Consort Yun¡¯s side, herplexion had always been paler than normal people¡¯s. Her pallor was not the healthy l