"But Senior, you clearly have feelings for Senior Chu Xuanzhengfa. There's obviously affection between you two," Chu Feng said.
"Affection is one thing. Affection is affection, but recognition is recognition."
"I, Gu Mingyuan, would rather marry a man I recognize and respect than one I merely like but who is weaker than me," Gu Mingyuan said.
Hearing this, Chu Feng found himself at a loss for how to persuade her further. He could feel just how resolute her stance was.
Besides, Chu Feng knew this was a matter between Gu Mingyuan and Chu Xuanzhengfa. He could only offer a few gentle words of persuasion — he had no right to interfere.
So, with a hint of apology, Chu Feng said, "I'm sorry, Senior. I was being presumptuous. I shouldn't have brought this up."
"It's fine. After all, you only mean well — you want what's best for us, and what's best for Lingxi."
"But feelings really can't be forced."
"Kind of like your father…"
At this point, Gu Mingyuan suddenly cut herself off, then shook her head with a bitter smile.
And upon seeing this, Chu Feng realized something…
No wonder Gu Mingyuan treated him so well. She seemed to hold particularly deep feelings for his father, even though the two of them didn't appear to be very familiar with each other.
"Chu Feng, promise me — if something ever happens to me and I meet an unfortunate end, you must protect Lingxi," Gu Mingyuan said suddenly.
"Rest assured, Senior. I will protect her with my life," Chu Feng replied.
"I'm at ease. I've already seen that for myself," Gu Mingyuan said with a warm, gratified smile.
…
After that, Chu Feng chatted idly with Gu Mingyuan for a while, but they didn't talk for long, since the three of them seemed to truly be in a hurry to leave.
And when Chu Lingxi, Gu Mingyuan, and Chu Xuanzhengfa were about to depart, Chu Feng naturally went to see them off. Even though he couldn't escort them all the way to the teleportation formation, at least he could watch them leave.
"Chu Lingxi!!!"
But just as Chu Lingxi and the others were about to depart, a voice rang out from the palace where Chu Feng had been cultivating.
It was the voice of the old Daoist Ox-Nose.
"I'm giving you one last chance. Are you truly going to give up?"
"If you give up, you can forget about ever receiving my help again in this lifetime. And you can forget about ever obtaining the power of the Heaven-Given Divine Force."
The old Daoist Ox-Nose's voice came once more. He knew Chu Lingxi was about to leave, and there was a trace of anger in his tone.
Honestly, hearing the old Daoist Ox-Nose's words stirred a pang of sadness in Chu Feng's heart. The old Daoist usually carried on with a carefree, jovial air, bearing none of the dignity expected of a senior. But over these past days, whether or not the old Daoist had truly been helping them, Chu Feng had seen it all with perfect clarity.
Chu Feng knew that the old Daoist Ox-Nose had very high expectations for Chu Lingxi. The reason he asked these questions was precisely because he didn't want her to leave.
But unfortunately, Chu Lingxi's mind was already made up.
"I thank you for your care, Senior, and I thank you for bringing my father and Chu Feng out of the Gate of Death. But as for this Heaven-Given Divine Physique, I truly cannot accept it. Senior, I bid you farewell," Chu Lingxi called out in a clear voice.
And after hearing those words, the old Daoist Ox-Nose's voice did not sound again.
After that, the three of them truly departed.