"Well, the Third Young Master does have a point. My surname is not Xiao; it is Gu. Strictly speaking, I am indeed not a member of the Xiao Family. Over the years, I have also been deeply indebted to Uncle Xiao, several elders, and all the uncles for their care."
"How about this? Recently, I plan to go out on a journey. The medical clinic I run in Wutan City will be handed over to the Xiao Family as a token of my gratitude for all these years of care."
"Sister Xun'er, since the Third Young Master has put it this way, spare his life."
"Besides, someone like the Third Young Master could be crushed to death by a single finger of mine. His powerless roaring makes no difference to me whatsoever."
Gu Changqing smiled, walking forward slowly and looking at Xiao Yan, who was trembling with fear, as he spoke casually.
Let alone the fact that Xiao Yan was not yet a Dou Zhe, even if he were a Dou Di, it would be impossible for him to deal with the immortal Gu Changqing.
In his perfected state, Gu Changqing existed for all eternity. Even if heaven and earth perished, he would not perish. Let alone a Dou Di, not even an Immortal Emperor could annihilate him.
And certainly not an ordinary Xiao Yan.
"Pfft!"
Nalan Yanran was amused by Gu Changqing's words, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she looked in his direction.
She had not been able to out-argue Xiao Yan earlier not because she lacked reason, but because Xiao Yan was extremely skilled at shifting concepts and arguing fallaciously.
It was only when Gu Changqing laid bare Xiao Yan's shamelessness and hypocrisy in just a few words that she suddenly saw the light.
She felt immensely grateful to Gu Changqing. To think she had felt humiliated on account of Xiao Yan's letter of annulment! Now, she felt it was completely beneath her dignity to argue with such a person.
Such a waste of status!
Swish! "For the sake of Uncle Xiao, I will spare your life this time. The Xiao Family did indeed raise me, but that has nothing to do with you, Xiao Yan. I will repay the Xiao Family's kindness of upbringing myself; the Third Young Master just needs to learn to watch his own mouth."
Xiao Xun'er also withdrew her golden flames, gave Xiao Yan a cold warning, and turned to walk toward Gu Changqing.
Crack!
Crack!
Xiao Yan's fists clenched so hard they cracked. Watching Xiao Xun'er's graceful back, he felt an urge to forcefully take her right then and there.
"Xiao Xun'er, today you humiliate me so. The day I rise, I will surely make you a slave beneath my crotch!"
Xiao Yan roared frantically in his heart, though he did not dare utter a single word aloud.
"Alright, the farce is over. I should go check on my patients at the clinic. Sister Xun'er, let's go."
Gu Changqing called out to Xiao Xun'er and leisurely strolled out of the main hall.
"Wait!"
Seeing that Gu Changqing was about to leave, Nalan Yanran blurted out instinctively.
It was only when Gu Changqing stopped and turned back to look at her with a hint of confusion that she stepped forward a few steps, feeling both nervous and expectant as she said:
"Thank you for helping me out of a tight spot. My name is Nalan Yanran."
"Think nothing of it. I simply couldn't stand someone's lack of manners."
Gu Changqing waved his hand and walked away without looking back.
Nalan Yanran opened her mouth. Seeing that Gu Changqing did not look back, she ultimately swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
Yet deep in her heart, she firmly etched Gu Changqing's appearance into her memory.
This was the first time she had ever met someone who understood her so truly and supported her decision to annul the engagement.
It felt as though she had found a kindred spirit, even though she was still completely unfamiliar with him.
"Hmph, Gu Changqing, is it? I'll remember you!"
Seeing the woman of his affections staring intently at the vanishing back of Gu Changqing, the handsome youth narrowed his eyes slightly, a malicious plan brewing in his heart.
After leaving the main hall, Gu Changqing did not immediately set off for his medical clinic.
Instead, he pulled Xiao Xun'er aside and asked her to go to the marketplace to gather some medicinal herbs for him first.
As for himself, he turned back, cast an invisibility spell, and hurried toward the back mountain of the Xiao Family.
In the back mountain of the Xiao Family, Gu Changqing had changed into a set of black clothes and a mask, his figure completely concealed within the mountain terrain. Ordinary people could not possibly detect him with either their naked eyes or soul perception.
Such was the miraculous nature of an Immortal cultivator's invisibility spell.
"Young Master Changqing truly possesses miraculous methods. Even this old man cannot easily detect this concealment technique."
In a certain shady spot within the mountain, Ling Ying—who had been arranged by Xiao Xun'er to protect Gu Changqing—looked at the spot where Gu Changqing had concealed himself and clicked his tongue in wonder.
He was a Dou Huang with an affinity for darkness, and his concealment skills were top-notch.
Even so, when Gu Changqing used his invisibility spell, if he remained completely motionless, Ling Ying could not detect him at all.
For a mere Dou Zhe to be able to conceal himself from the perception of a dark-attribute Dou Huang showed just how formidable Gu Changqing truly was.
Gu Changqing remained hidden within the mountain, not moving an inch.
Even Ling Ying could not figure out why Gu Changqing wanted to hide here. Could he be practicing some peculiar cultivation technique?
It wasn't until a figure radiating gloomy and manic energy arrived at the spot that Ling Ying's expression turned slightly peculiar.
"Ah—"
"Gu Changqing, Xiao Xun'er, the two of you have opposed me and made things difficult for me since we were kids!"
"Today you humiliated me even further. Another day, I will surely make you pay with your blood, repaid a thousandfold!"
Xiao Yan had run to the peak of the back mountain of the Xiao Family, roaring up at the sky and venting the fury burning in his heart.
He had never felt such intense humiliation in his entire life!
Even when he was considered good-for-nothing for three years, he had endured it.
But today, Gu Changqing had jumped out to expose him, forcibly ripping away the last shred of decency he had left; and Xiao Xun'er had stepped forward wanting to kill him, while he lacked the ability to fight back.
Such humiliation was something he would remember for a lifetime, never daring to forget it for a moment! If he did not exact this revenge, he swore he would no longer be Xiao Yan!
"Hehe, little fellow, it seems you need some help?"
Just as a spark of vengeful fury was planted deep within Xiao Yan's heart, an aged, eerie laugh suddenly echoed in his ears.
Xiao Yan's expression shifted drastically. He whipped around sharply, his hawk-like eyes scanning his surroundings with razor-sharp intensity, yet there was not a single person in sight.
"Hehe, stop looking. I'm right on your finger."
The eerie laugh rang out clearly once more, startling Xiao Yan so badly that his finger jerked violently.
Immediately afterward, his gaze snapped toward the black ring on his right index finger.
"Are you the one speaking?"
Xiao Yan forcefully suppressed his wildly pounding heart and asked in a trembling voice.
"The little fellow has pretty good composure; you didn't jump off in fright."
A teasing laughter echoed from within the ring.
"Who are you? Why are you in my ring? What do you want?"
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and rapidly fired off the questions puzzling his mind.
"Don't worry about who I am for now; in any case, I'm not going to harm you. Ah, after all these years, I've finally met someone whose soul strength passes muster. How fortunate! Hehe, though I still have to thank this little fellow for feeding me offerings for the past three years, otherwise I'm afraid I'd still be fast asleep."
The aged voice carried a hint of banter and mischievous amusement.
Yet those words, falling upon Xiao Yan's ears, were no different from a thunderclap out of a clear blue sky.