The martial arena was bustling with activity. Over fifty or sixty dueling platforms dotted the grounds, each surrounded by spectators — it was quite the grand event.
Some of the larger families, like the Cangyan Family, the Gu Family, and the Longyin Family, each claimed their own platform for themselves, seizing this occasion to test the strength of their newly emerging talents.
"Let's head over,"
"Mm." Gu Bei nodded. Though his expression remained calm, his heart was surging with excitement.
The group made their way toward where
When the other members of the Gu Family spotted Gu Lan and Gu Bei, they shuffled back and began murmuring among themselves.
"So Gu Lan and Gu Bei have come too!"
"Gu Lan has been in seclusion ever since her meridians were sealed. She's finally willing to come out!"
The younger generation of the Gu Family couldn't help but feel sentimental. The Gu Family had many branches, but among the younger generation, those who supported Gu Lan were still numerous. Before her cultivation was crippled, Gu Lan had commanded enormous prestige within the Gu Family — far surpassing Gu Heng. Even though her meridians were blocked and her cultivation completely destroyed, many people still held her in deep respect.
"Have you heard? Gu Bei made quite a splash at yesterday's auction. By rough estimates, he spent over four hundred thousand spirit stones. Absolutely staggering — I wonder where he got that kind of money!"
"Gu Bei never went to the Greater World to establish his own faction, and he never participated in the battle for the Divine Pool. How could he have so many spirit stones?"
"I have no idea, but spending money alone doesn't make someone capable! Maybe it was his sister Gu Lan's money!"
The Gu siblings whispered among themselves. After Gu Lan's meridians were sealed, the family members had originally placed their hopes on Gu Bei, but he had proven to be a tremendous disappointment — a total wastrel. At such a young age, he had already taken in over twenty young women, hiding them away like prized possessions. Though he possessed the astonishing talent of a seventh-grade Heavenly Spirit Root, his cultivation progress was far from satisfactory.
All this time, Gu Bei had languished at the very bottom of the Earth Fate Realm and was regarded by his clan members as useless.
But yesterday's display had caught everyone off guard. That level of financial power was simply beyond what an ordinary person could muster. Some of the younger clan members began to reassess Gu Bei in a new light.
Today, the siblings had appeared together. What did they have in mind?
Gu Heng's gaze fell upon Gu Bei and Gu Lan, and he let out a hearty laugh. "Gu Lan, Gu Bei — you two came to attend the event as well?" His eyes, however, flashed with an almost imperceptible glint. He knew full well about Gu Bei's show at the auction last night.
Gu Bei was showing signs of wanting to step into the spotlight, which put Gu Heng on alert. One of them was crippled, and now the other still refused to stay in line!
But no matter how restlessly you act, I'll make sure you suffer a crushing blow!
"Cousin Gu Heng, hello. We're just here to look around. The weather tonight is lovely, isn't it?" Gu Bei deflected with a casual laugh, putting on his usual carefree air.
Several of the elders turned their gaze to Gu Lan.
"Gu Lan, how is your health?" One of them, an old man in golden robes, smiled kindly. He was the Grand Elder of the Gu Family's main branch —
"Thanks to the Grand Elder's concern, I've been feeling much better lately," Gu Lan replied with a polite nod. At this moment, she was using a special secret technique to conceal her true strength, so even someone of Gu Ya's caliber couldn't detect her real cultivation level.
"Good," Gu Ya nodded, but inwardly he sighed. Gu Lan's meridians were blocked — she was effectively crippled. Heaven truly hadn't blessed the Gu Family. In all his years, Gu Lan was the most extraordinarily talented descendant he had ever seen in the past century. The current first heir, Gu Heng, wasn't even close to matching her.
Beside him, Gu Heng sighed. "What a shame. Gu Lan looks much healthier than before, but unfortunately, those sealed meridians still can't be repaired."
Though Gu Heng feigned sympathy, Gu Lan could hear the mockery laced through his words. The old her would have felt a sharp sting in her heart upon hearing such a thing. But now, she was calm. If Gu Heng knew that her cultivation had not only recovered to its peak but had actually advanced further — she wondered what expression he'd make.
"It's so lively today. I heard the younger generation of the Gu Family is holding duels here, so I came to join the fun," Gu Bei said, steering the conversation elsewhere. Despite his disdain for Gu Heng, he was exercising restraint and not engaging him head-on.
Right now, Gu Heng was the Gu Family's first heir. Though Gu Bei privately wanted to knock him from that position, before the assembled elders, appearances still had to be maintained.
"Oh? Cousin Gu Bei is interested too? As it happens, our young geniuses are all competing today — we're hoping to discover one or two promising prospects. Why not give it a try yourself, Cousin Gu Bei?" Gu Heng said with a smile.
Gu Ya and the other elders turned their eyes to Gu Bei. He was the family's infamous wastrel, notoriously lazy in his cultivation. But yesterday's events had left them genuinely puzzled. Four hundred thousand spirit stones was not something just anyone could produce — even they, elders of the clan, couldn't claim they could pull out that sum all at once! This had prompted them to pay attention to the young man. After all, he was Gu Lan's brother.
Gu Bei's talent was genuinely good. If he were willing to train hard, he might well achieve something of substance and grow into a pillar of strength for the Gu Family.