Chapter Four: Most Likely Done with Intent

The family council had just concluded when Changying Gu, with a darkened face and several followers, aggressively blocked Gu Xuan and Gu Ling’er as they were about to leave.

Ling’er’s fiery temper ignited instantly, and she shouted angrily, “Changying Gu, I never expected you to be just like your brother—clingy as a stubborn plaster I can’t shake off! Step aside at once, or else!”

Before she finished speaking, her inner energy erupted violently, surging outward like a roaring tide.

The nearby followers quickly stepped back, fearing being caught in the blast.

Yet Changying Gu showed no fear; his eyes bloodshot, he glared viciously at Ling’er.

“Ling’er, don’t get too cocky! Don’t forget, my cultivation level is a full rank above yours!”

With that, he unleashed his energy with full force. In an instant, two overwhelming, majestic auras collided thunderously, like two fierce beasts locked in a deadly standoff. The entire scene instantly became tense, a battle about to erupt at any moment.

Ling’er sneered defiantly, refusing to back down.

“Hmph, Changying Gu, if you weren’t just a year older than me, do you really think you could be a rank higher? How dare you say such things—perhaps it's time you relinquish the title of top peer!”

Changying Gu’s face flushed red with embarrassment and anger. He wanted to retort but found himself at a loss for words.

He knew in his heart that although Ling’er’s cultivation was slightly inferior, if a fight truly broke out, he might not easily gain the upper hand.

“Ling’er, don’t waste your energy on a scoundrel like him. Let’s go.”

Gu Xuan, who had remained silent beside Ling’er, swiftly reached out and firmly grabbed her, signaling her to calm down to avoid escalating the situation.

Seeing his brother at a loss, Gu Yun’s displeasure deepened. He turned his gaze toward Gu Xuan, lips curling into a malicious sneer.

“Gu Xuan, don’t think that having Ling’er protect you means I won’t do anything to you. Hmph, a worthless man relying on a woman—just a motherless child!”

His cutting words stabbed sharply at Gu Xuan’s heart.

He could endure others calling him useless, but his mother was a sacred line no one was allowed to cross.

In that moment, a volcanic fury erupted within Gu Xuan, uncontrollable.

He flashed like a black lightning bolt, vanishing instantly from Gu Yun’s sight.

Before Gu Yun could react, a massive fist thundered down upon him with overwhelming force.

Gu Yun was stunned; he never expected the so-called useless Gu Xuan to possess such strange and swift agility. Now, there was no time to dodge.

At the last critical moment, Gu Yun hastily raised his hands to shield his face.

With a deafening “bang,” Gu Yun was blasted backward like a kite with a broken string, stumbling back a dozen steps before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.

The gathered peers erupted in uproar.

“Did you see that? How did Gu Xuan suddenly become so powerful?”

“Yeah, unbelievable—he actually punched Gu Yun flying!”

“Could it be that he’s broken through his level? What should I do? I underestimated him before…”

Whispers and astonished murmurs spread like wildfire.

Gu Yun struggled to steady himself, shame and anger boiling over. He pointed at Gu Xuan and shouted fiercely, “How dare you ambush me! You’re courting death!”

Ling’er, seeing this, shouted loudly, “Try touching Brother Xuan and see what happens!”

She was about to strike.

“Stop!”

A sudden roar echoed like thunder, causing everyone present to tremble within.

Just as Gu Yun clenched his fists, ready to retaliate, Third Elder Fenglin Gu appeared like a ghost before them.

He had anticipated that these hot-headed youths would not let things go easily, so he had quietly stayed nearby to observe.

Fenglin Gu looked sternly at the group of young people and scolded harshly, “If you truly believe in your abilities, then you should display your true strength openly in the upcoming clan competition, not brawl secretly like children! Such behavior disgraces our Gu family!”

His gaze then locked onto Changying Gu, burning with fury.

Despite being the eldest son of the Gu family, Changying Gu was startled by the elder’s glare, sweat beading on his forehead.

Though unwilling, he dared not retort.

He gritted his teeth, bowed deeply to Fenglin Gu, and said softly, “Third Elder, we were indeed wrong this time. Please forgive us.”

Fenglin Gu snorted coldly, irritated.

“Today’s conduct is utterly disappointing! Now get out of here!”

Changying Gu’s face shifted between pale and flushed, but he dared not say another word. He and his men slunk away in disgrace.

“Hmph! Like father, like son—both rotten to the core! Let’s go!”

The Third Elder muttered curses as he turned to beckon Gu Xuan and Ling’er to leave with him.

…

Inside Fenglin Gu’s residence:

“Father, why did you stop me? Even if I had fought, not even Changying Gu could have gained an advantage over me!”

Ling’er stomped angrily, hands on her hips, her delicate face flushed with lingering fury.

“Thanks to Third Uncle’s timely intervention, otherwise today’s conflict might have spiraled out of control,” Gu Xuan said earnestly, carefully pulling Ling’er aside to sit on a nearby chair.

“Sigh, Ling’er, your temper is simply too rash. Though your cultivation is impressive, your perspective and grasp of the situation are not as sharp as Xuan’s.”

He then glanced at Gu Xuan, eyes filled with quiet approval.

“Father, what exactly are you talking about? I don’t understand a word,” Ling’er said, confusion and disbelief written all over her beautiful face.

“Boy, what’s your take on all this?” Fenglin Gu looked at Gu Xuan, curious and expectant.

“In my opinion, the events today were most likely orchestrated by our eldest uncle,” Gu Xuan replied.

“Ah? Brother Xuan, you think it was uncle? That can’t be!”

Ling’er stared at him, shocked and incredulous.

“Ling’er, hold on. Let Xuan finish.”

Gu Xuan nodded slightly and continued.

“My thought is this: on the surface, uncle merely introduced the upcoming clan competition. But in truth, it was far more complex. His real aim was to test how many family members stood with him, and to leverage the relationship between Ling’er and me to secure more coveted spots for his two precious sons in the sect or academy.”

His expression grew serious.

“Good, keep going,” Fenglin Gu encouraged, smiling faintly, clearly impressed with Gu Xuan’s insight.

“At today’s gathering, those two sons of uncle openly conspired to mock me in front of everyone on such a critical occasion. Their obvious goal was to see if anyone dared to stand up and defend me. If no one did, all the better.

“As an elder, you cannot intervene in disputes among peers. That leaves only Ling’er willing and able to support me.”

“But didn’t uncle personally stop Changying Gu later?” Ling’er’s large eyes were full of confusion.

Gu Xuan slowly turned his head, inhaled deeply, and said solemnly, “Ling’er, that’s exactly the point.”

“Brother Xuan, please explain! What does uncle mean by this?”

“Uncle chose to intervene just as Changying Gu was about to retort, stifling his anger. This leaves Changying Gu, already resentful of Ling’er, simmering with even more frustration. It’s easy to imagine that after the meeting, he won’t let the matter drop quietly but will seek trouble for us.

“If we had lost our tempers and fought back, we would have fallen right into uncle’s trap! He might even use Ling’er’s private brawling as an excuse to disqualify her from the competition.”

“Then Gu Yun would lose his qualification too. Ha! I’m not afraid of him!” Ling’er clenched her fists, her face stubborn and unyielding.

“But Ling’er, don’t forget uncle has two sons.”

“Brother Xuan, what do you mean?”

“Exactly. Uncle isn’t sure who’s stronger between you and Changying Gu. If you lose your chance to compete, Changying Gu’s victory is guaranteed. As for me, a mere rank-three energy cultivator, no one cares whether I’m eliminated.”

“Well said!”

Fenglin Gu slowly stood up, his face full of admiration.

“Child, I never expected such insight from one so young!”

He patted Gu Xuan’s shoulder earnestly.

“Remember, true strength isn’t measured by cultivation alone, but by a heart that discerns right from wrong and an unyielding will.”

Turning to Ling’er, he added, “Ling’er, you must learn from Xuan and stop being so impulsive.”

“Yes,” they both replied in unison.