Chapter Six: Teaching Zhuyan a Lesson
Ye Qingqing rolled her eyes lazily, unwilling to bother with Zhu Yan, that fool.
Seeing Ye Qingqing remain silent, Zhu Yan sneered, “I get it. You deliberately spread false information to make others wary of your Ye family during the scramble for the secret realm’s opportunities, right?”
“There’s no need for such petty tricks with me. You should know how I feel about you by now,” Ye Qingqing replied with a look of speechless resignation. “Stop pretending to be clever. The true prize is the secret realm’s opportunities. Gu Liuyun is a Foundation Establishment cultivator; when dealing with him, you must be cautious and never offend him.”
Zhu Yan was lost in his own world, completely disregarding Ye Qingqing’s words, his sharp gaze fixed on Gu Liuyun and Ye Manman.
“Don’t worry, Qingqing. I will prove by my actions that I’m the best man for you.”
“If we can’t even speak the same language, there’s nothing more to say,” Ye Qingqing said with a weary expression, annoyed, then turned and walked away.
The head of the Ancient Martial Arts Association, who oversaw the opening of the secret realm, counted the attendees and said slowly, “Everyone has arrived. Prepare to enter the secret realm.”
“Wait!”
As the association leader finished speaking, Zhu Yan stepped forward to block him.
“What else do you want?” the leader asked, frowning.
“I want to confirm something. Only cultivators are allowed to enter this secret realm, right?”
“That’s correct.”
Zhu Yan smirked and pointed at Gu Liuyun.
“If that’s the case, why is there a useless person who cannot cultivate sneaking in?”
Everyone’s eyes followed his finger and landed on Gu Liuyun.
Today’s attendees in the secret realm were all outstanding heirs of various cultivation sects, mingling freely.
Several sharp-eyed individuals immediately recognized Gu Liuyun’s identity.
“Why does he look so familiar? Isn’t that Ye Qingqing’s useless fiancé?”
“Why isn’t Ye Qingqing beside him? Isn’t that Ye Manman, the second Miss Ye?”
“Hahaha, the Ye family must be in decline. Are the two sisters both serving one useless man?”
Among the crowd, Ye Qingqing clenched her teeth tightly. Listening to the sharp, biting ridicule made her feel like needles pricked her back, and her almond-shaped eyes angrily glared at Zhu Yan’s retreating figure.
“That idiot! What exactly is he trying to do?”
The association leader glanced over the roster and said calmly, “Mr. Gu Liuyun has passed verification and indeed qualifies to enter the secret realm.”
Zhu Yan sneered coldly, “Must be some kind of dirty trick!”
Some took the lead, and others quickly followed suit.
---
“Yes, Gu Liuyun is a well-known useless person, born without a spiritual root and unable to cultivate!”
“Why should such a useless person take up a precious spot in the secret realm?”
“If the Ye family has no one else, they should give the chance to someone more deserving!”
Ye Manman stepped forward unhappily, standing in front of Gu Liuyun in a protective stance. “This is a spot reserved for my Ye family. It shouldn’t concern any of you.”
Zhu Yan sneered again, “A useless person is still useless, only daring to hide behind a woman!”
“You!” Ye Manman, furious, took a step forward.
Gu Liuyun’s lips curved into a faint smile as he raised a hand onto Ye Manman’s shoulder. “Such dirty work shouldn’t be done by a woman.”
Ye Manman was momentarily stunned but then obediently nodded and stood behind Gu Liuyun.
Gu Liuyun stood with his hands behind his back, and a powerful aura suddenly surged forth.
The gathered elites all felt an immense pressure.
Zhu Yan, at the center of this pressure, nearly lost his footing.
“This is clearly the aura of a Foundation Establishment expert!”
Everyone was filled with doubt and amazement.
“If you can defeat me today, the Ye family’s spot will be yours,” Gu Liuyun said with a half-smile, beckoning Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan was startled by Gu Liuyun’s sudden display of power but quickly composed himself.
“You must have used some dark magic. A useless person will always be useless!”
Zhu Yan growled low and charged at Gu Liuyun with a punch.
The gust of wind accompanying the punch roared like dragons and tigers, overwhelmingly powerful.
It was the family’s secret technique of the He Xi Zhu clan—the Dragon and Tiger Fist!
The punch was fierce, like a tiger descending the mountain, overwhelming everything in its path. The earth churned beneath the force, and the roar sounded like a dragon tearing through the land.
Despite such a fierce attack, Gu Liuyun did not move an inch. He stood firm and punched back at Zhu Yan.
“Boom!”
The two fists collided.
Dust rose everywhere.
A shattered figure was sent flying like a kite with its string broken, crashing heavily to the ground.
It was Zhu Yan.
He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his right arm twisted unnaturally—clearly broken.
---
Gu Liuyun slowly emerged from the dust.
After such a massive impact, not a shred of dirt marred his clothes, a stark contrast to Zhu Yan’s battered state.
“Brother Liuyun, you’re amazing!”
Ye Manman’s eyes sparkled like stars as she hugged Gu Liuyun’s neck and planted a fiery kiss on his cheek.
“N-No way. You’re clearly a useless person without a spiritual root...” Zhu Yan’s eyes were filled with hatred as he glared up at Gu Liuyun.
“Mr. Gu, please show mercy.”
A clear male voice came from the crowd.
A man dressed in a white embroidered shirt, with an imposing presence, stepped forward.
“I am Zhu Rong, eldest son of the He Xi Zhu family. I ask you, Mr. Gu, to forgive his ignorance.”
“What if I don’t?” Gu Liuyun sneered coldly.
The path of cultivation is ruled by the strong.
In the face of absolute power, the weak must submit.
Zhu Rong’s expression remained unchanged as he took out a jade pendant and handed it to Gu Liuyun. “On behalf of the Zhu family, I offer this apology and a small token. Please do not disdain it.”
The jade pendant was translucent and lustrous, radiating a refined brilliance. Even an outsider could tell it was priceless.
At this moment, Gu Liuyun was only half a step awayI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.