At the evening banquet, aside from stealing glances at Bai Lian, Fang Yuan also took the initiative to toast the Bai Clan Patriarch, his expression sincere, carrying a look of gratitude.
The Bai Clan Patriarch said nothing, but was quite satisfied in her heart.
That evening, Bai Lian took the initiative to visit Fang Yuan, mentioning a friend of hers who had suffered a poisonous injury. Only the Clear Heat Gu could provide the best treatment. But the Clear Heat Gu was rather rare, so she wanted to borrow one from Fang Yuan.
"Finally couldn't hold back, huh?" Fang Yuan sneered internally, but without a second word, he lent her the Clear Heat Gu.
After this, Bai Lian seemed greatly grateful.
Fang Yuan again took the initiative to engage her in conversation, full of warmth, and the two drew closer and closer, their relationship heating up rapidly.
By the fifth day's evening banquet.
The Bai Clan Patriarch suddenly asked directly: "Nephew, does your Guye Clan wish to settle and establish a stronghold on White Bone Mountain?"
Fang Yuan hastily stood up, forcing himself to look calm, but unable to hide the panic in his eyes: "White Bone Mountain is adjacent to the Bai Family Stronghold. One could say it is your noble territory. How would this junior dare to offend?"
The Bai Clan Patriarch laughed inwardly, growing ever more certain that the Guye Clan's destination was indeed White Bone Mountain.
She again said with false sincerity: "Nephew may not know, but the situation here is complicated. Our Bai Clan is under great pressure. If the Guye Clan could settle on White Bone Mountain as our ally, that would be for the best."
Fang Yuan hastily denied it.
Bai Moxing also urged him, and Fang Yuan seemed moved, but refused to commit with his words.
After the evening banquet ended, Bai Lian also came to beat around the bush. Fang Yuan's expression was conflicted, but he still did not admit anything.
"Hmph, this kid, his mouth is tight enough." After the banquet, in a tent, Bai Moxing gnashed his teeth and sighed.
"This is exactly how a young master of a clan should behave. I am not surprised. We should add more pressure," the Bai Clan Patriarch said, her gaze distant.
And so the next morning came.
Before Fang Yuan had even risen, he was woken by the sound of an argument outside the tent.
He walked out and saw Bai Zhanlie and Bai Lian pulling at each other.
"Bai Zhanlie, how many times have I told you? Stop pestering me. Matters of the heart cannot be forced!" Bai Lian broke free from Bai Zhanlie's hand, cold as ice. "I still have things to do. You should leave first."
"Today's hunting competition is about to start — what else do you have to do? Going to find that pretty boy from the Guye family again, aren't you?" Bai Zhanlie growled angrily.
"What are you saying! Young Master Fang Zheng is very kind-hearted. He lent the Clear Heat Gu without hesitation. If not for his help, would Bai Shengjing have recovered so quickly?"
"Lian'er, can you stop being so naive? The Clear Heat Gu, heh heh — I think he just wanted to get close to you. Didn't you notice the way he looks at you?" Bai Zhanlie said urgently.
Bai Lian glared: "Bai Zhanlie, that's enough! Ah — Young Master Fang Zheng..."
The arguing pair noticed Fang Yuan standing outside the tent.
Fang Yuan's expression was somewhat awkward, his gaze somewhat worried. He said to Bai Lian: "So it's Miss Bai Lian. Whatever the matter, why don't we talk inside the tent first?"
"You kid!" Bai Zhanlie flew into a rage, wanting to confront Fang Yuan, but was stopped halfway by Bai Lian.
"Bai Zhanlie, what do you think you're doing? Have you lost your mind? He is an honored guest of our clan!"
"What honored guest? Nothing but a stray dog." Bai Zhanlie spat, pointing his finger at Fang Yuan's nose. "Kid, if you've got guts, let's have a contest — a real fight with real weapons! Whoever loses must never bother Lian'er again."
"Hmph, I'm at the First Transformation, you're at the Third Transformation — you have the nerve to say that? Is the great Bai Clan devoid of fairness?" Fang Yuan's expression turned ugly.
"There is no fairness in this world — only strength and weakness. If you don't dare to compete, you're a coward! So the Guye family produces cowards, eh? Ahahaha..." Bai Zhanlie threw his head back and laughed, attracting the attention of many people around them.
"What's going on?" Bai Moxing arrived at that moment.
After Bai Lian explained, Bai Moxing immediately scolded Bai Zhanlie: "You're being utterly reckless, daring to be rude to an honored guest!"
Bai Zhanlie held his head high: "He doesn't even dare to accept a challenge — he's no warrior. Since he's no warrior, why should we show him courtesy?"
"You!" Bai Moxing glared angrily.
Bai Lian said: "Any fool would accept your kind of challenge. Young Master Fang Zheng's cultivation dropped because of his injuries. If he were at his peak, you might not be his match."
A young lady speaking up for Fang Yuan like this — if the real Fang Zheng were here, he would probably be filled with immense gratitude.
But Fang Yuan sneered inwardly: What a performance!
"I'll take Young Master Fang Zheng's place and compete with you," Bai Lian continued.
Bai Zhanlie was so angry he was panting: "Why are you standing up for him? Besides, what right do you have to represent him? That pretty boy, that useless coward — I could take ten of him! I won't compete with you. Kid, if you've got guts, step forward yourself. Can't even make a sound? Are you even a man?"
"If you want to compete, let's compete! Who's afraid of whom?" Fang Yuan said, apparently unable to withstand the taunt, craning his neck, speaking in an impulsive tone.
"Elder, did you hear that? He agreed!" Bai Zhanlie immediately shouted happily.
Bai Moxing frowned: "In life, one should have the courage to accept challenges. Nephew Fang Zheng, your courage is evident to all. But you are our clan's honored guest. If anything were to happen to you, it would be difficult for us to explain to the Guye Clan. Moreover, with the disparity in your cultivation levels, such a challenge would be unfair."