The banquet began.
In this small hall, there were only three Gu Immortals: Fang Yuan, Wu An, and Chi Shang. Wu An was naturally just a sidekick to keep the drinks flowing. The main event was, of course, the interaction between Fang Yuan and Chi Shang.
Fang Yuan took the initiative to toast Chi Shang, speaking politely with a smile on his face, especially praising Chi Shang's attainment in the Formation Path.
You don't hit someone who's smiling at you.
Chi Shang, befuddled and confused, ended up drinking quite a lot of fine wine without even realizing it.
He sized up Fang Yuan, beginning to see him from a different perspective.
"This Wu Yihai fellow is actually quite pleasant. Was he deliberately provoking me before? Or does he still need something from me?" Chi Shang muttered inwardly.
"Truth be told, Immortal Friend Chi Shang, what I admire most in my life is talented people like you!" Fang Yuan laughed heartily, walking over to offer a toast.
Chi Shang stammered and raised his wine cup. Before Fang Yuan even took a sip, he drained a mouthful on his own.
It turned out that Fang Yuan's repeated toasts had already become a conditioned reflex for Chi Shang.
But Fang Yuan's words really did feel good to hear. Especially coming from a rival in love—such flattery and praise gave Chi Shang an enormous sense of accomplishment.
"No."
"I should stay on guard."
"This Wu Yihai fellow might just be putting on an act. He's still very cunning."
Chi Shang did not let down his vigilance, but no matter how he looked at it, Fang Yuan's smiling face appeared genuine and sincere.
Heh, let alone Fang Yuan's acting skills—the Attitude Gu alone was no joke.
"Immortal Friend Chi Shang, please take a look." Fang Yuan extended his hand and handed Chi Shang a mortal-level Information Path Gu.
"What's this?" Chi Shang wondered inwardly. He sent his mind probing into it and his expression changed dramatically.
It turned out this mortal-level Information Path Gu contained a letter Fang Yuan was about to send to Qiao Si Liu. But in the letter, Fang Yuan heaped praise on Chi Shang—his admiration overflowed, and he frankly admitted his own shortcomings. He said that challenging Chi Shang with Formation Path problems before was purely overestimating himself, showing off before an expert, not knowing his place—completely unworthy of being called a hero of the Southern Border.
Of course, this world did not have the idiom "showing off before an expert," but that was the general meaning.
After reading the letter, Chi Shang felt somewhat embarrassed himself.
Fang Yuan's praise was indeed a bit exaggerated.
"Am I really that outstanding?"
"I never thought of myself as a hero of the Southern Border."
"I wonder what Fairy Si Liu will think when she sees this letter?"
All sorts of thoughts surged through his mind, and Chi Shang's mood could not help but lift with joy.
When he looked at Fang Yuan again, his gaze had shifted once more.
Fang Yuan sat down right next to Chi Shang. This intimate gesture actually did not make Chi Shang feel any aversion.
"Immortal Friend Chi Shang, I've surveyed the entire Gu Immortal world of the Southern Border, and I fear only your talent is worthy of Fairy Si Liu. On this point, I concede!" Fang Yuan laughed heartily.
"Oh?" Chi Shang didn't know what to say. Joy shone on his face, but some suspicion still lingered.
Fang Yuan continued: "But I won't give up. A fair lady is a gentleman's delight. Though my talent is inferior to yours, I will work twice as hard. This time you've beaten me by a nose, but from now on let us compete fairly. What do you say?"
Hearing these words, the suspicion on Chi Shang's face finally melted away. For the first time, he raised his cup and toasted Fang Yuan: "Good, fair competition. Between gentlemen, competition should be fair."
His words implied that he already regarded Fang Yuan as a gentleman.
Fang Yuan burst into laughter and patted Chi Shang on the shoulder. "To be honest, I find all my other rivals disgusting and annoying, but you're different, Chi Shang. You brim with talent, open and aboveboard, and I genuinely admire you. If you win Fairy Si Liu's favor in the future, I will absolutely bless the two of you, because I know that if I lose to you, I won't have been wronged. As for the others—hmph, they're nothing but clowns."
Chi Shang was so flattered he felt embarrassed, rubbing his nose as he mumbled, "Actually, some of the others are quite strong too."
"We didn't know each other before tonight—come, let's have a drink!" Fang Yuan raised his cup again.
This time Chi Shang acted even more decisively: "Drink!"
He threw his head back with a gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing as a full cup of wine went straight down his stomach.
Then he let out a belch, his face turning bright red.
"Straightforward!" Fang Yuan gave a thumbs-up and personally refilled Chi Shang's cup.
His smile was warm, his enthusiasm full, his sincerity apparent.
But in reality, his heart was perfectly calm as he recalled the intelligence he had gathered on Chi Shang.
The Wu family's intelligence channels were trustworthy.
Fang Yuan had long known: this Chi Shang, since his youth, had been spotted after an accident by Chi Qu You, who recognized his talent in the Formation Path and gave him extensive cultivation.
In the Chi family, Chi Shang held the title of "Formation Maniac."