Elsewhere, the Sect Master left Yunxiao Peak and went straight to find Gu Qingyuan.
By the time he arrived, the Seventh Elder had just finished delivering the pills and informing Gu Qingyuan of the challenge.
The moment Gu Qingyuan heard Lu Xingyao had come in person, battle intent surged through him.
Their grudge went all the way back to the Heaven's Chosen Tournament. Both were elite disciples of their generation, proud and unwilling to yield. Every encounter ended in earth-shaking duels, often with both sides injured.
Since then, every meeting had led to another fight. Wins and losses came and went, but their relationship only grew worse.
Lu Xingyao was the person Gu Qingyuan despised most—and also the greatest obstacle on his path to fame. And now, while he was still recovering from his injuries, that man had shown up. It was nothing short of a direct insult.
"Senior Brother, rest assured. I'll recover as quickly as I can and fight him with everything I've got. I won't let Lu Xingyao get his way!"
Gu Qingyuan narrowed his eyes. The sect was in crisis. If he could defeat Lu Xingyao in battle, not only would he reclaim the reputation he had lost over Song Wanníng, but he might also clear the spirit stone debt he owed the sect for purchasing pills.
Two birds with one stone. He was more than willing.
"Junior Brother Gu."
The Sect Master landed in front of him, his tone grave.
"This matter is more serious than it appears. We don't know how many eyes are watching us right now. Lu Xingyao is just the beginning. If we lose, the trouble will only keep coming. Our two Divine Transformation ancestors have yet to respond. Wentian Sect stands at the edge of the storm, its future uncertain." The Sect Master forced out a pained smile that looked worse than crying.
"I originally thought, since you were injured, you wouldn't be able to fight right away. I tried to have him challenge Junior Sister Song instead. But who knew he'd refuse?"
"He's still on Yunxiao Peak right now. Who knows what they're doing…"
He deliberately chose his words to provoke Gu Qingyuan.
Everyone knew Gu Qingyuan and Song Wanníng had fallen out. Neither was willing to back down. If he played up Song Wanníng's standing, it was sure to ignite Gu Qingyuan's fighting spirit.
And sure enough, Gu Qingyuan shot to his feet.
"Where is Lu Xingyao?!"
His face darkened, expression stormy.
"On Yunxiao Peak…" the Sect Master answered in surprise.
In the next instant, Gu Qingyuan took to the sky, flying straight toward the peak.
The Sect Master: "…"
Seventh Elder: "…"
"He didn't even get that worked up when I said Lu Xingyao came to challenge him…"
The Seventh Elder rubbed his nose with a sigh, looking increasingly uneasy.
Was Junior Brother Gu getting less and less reliable these days?
It was hard not to worry.
The Sect Master looked just as fed up.
"Whatever. As long as he doesn't ruin the duel."
On Yunxiao Peak, Song Wanníng and Lu Xingyao were still locked in a silent staredown, while Li Ruo looked like a nosy little mouse munching on melon seeds, eyes darting around and barely holding in her giggles.
That was the scene Gu Qingyuan walked in on—those two locked in what looked like a meaningful gaze.
Rage exploded in his chest.
He dropped from the sky, killing intent rolling off him in waves as he aimed it straight at Lu Xingyao.
All three turned to look.
Li Ruo immediately pouted, visibly annoyed. The person she disliked the most had arrived.
Song Wanníng raised an eyebrow. "Well, someone's eager to fight."
She glanced at his injuries. He clearly hadn't recovered yet. Rushing here like this… was he stupid, or just too arrogant?
Only Lu Xingyao's eyes darkened slightly.
He turned. The moment his gaze met Gu Qingyuan's, sparks flew. The air thickened with the scent of gunpowder.
"Lu Xingyao."
"Gu Qingyuan."
Their voices struck like flint and steel. The atmosphere grew dangerously charged.
Gu Qingyuan stared at him, and memories surged.
Lu Xingyao had set his sights on Song Wanníng a long time ago.
As a fellow man, he could easily sense the hostility behind that interest—along with the not-so-subtle attempts to curry favor.
Back then, Gu Qingyuan had also liked Song Wanníng. There was no way he would accept that. So he made sure to twist her view of Lu Xingyao, constantly telling her that the other man hated her and only challenged her to defeat her.
Song Wanníng had believed him. Every time she saw Lu Xingyao, she gave him the cold shoulder, and every duel between them grew more brutal.
Occasionally, she got hurt. Her resentment deepened.
Later, when their engagement was finalized, Lu Xingyao finally stopped showing up around them.
But now, just after that engagement had been broken off, here he was again, as fast as lightning.
As the saying went, a wolf's ambition is clear for all to see.
It wasn't like Song Wanníng lacked admirers. Most of them were exceptional men in their own right.
But so what?
He had been by her side first. He was the one who had her heart.
Even if they were separated now, he believed she still cared for him. No other man should even try.
As these thoughts twisted through his mind, Gu Qingyuan opened his mouth to mock Lu Xingyao—but was cut off.
"I heard, Gu Daoyou, that you've fallen for your own disciple? Why didn't you bring her along? I'd love to see this mysterious girl for myself," Lu Xingyao said, voice laced with sarcasm.
"Don't you agree, Song Daoist?"
He looked past Gu Qingyuan with exaggerated curiosity, clearly poking at the scandal.
Gu Qingyuan had given up Song Wanníng for some disciple. He was dying to know what made her so special.
"You—!" Gu Qingyuan was stunned and furious.
Lu Xingyao had always been tight-lipped, yet now he was mocking him out loud?
Was he that desperate to show off in front of Song Wanníng?
His expression soured further.
"That well-behaved little disciple of his is still in Erosion Wind Cave," Song Wanníng said coolly. "If you want to see her, you'll need to stay in Wentian Sect for a few days."
Lu Xingyao smiled faintly.
So Song Wanníng no longer cared for Gu Qingyuan. In the past, she would've blown up. Now she was calm as the clouds.
He smiled for real, glad for her.
Gu Qingyuan was a hypocrite. He had never deserved her.
"Very well. Then I shall trouble Song Daoyou for a few days."
Lu Xingyao ran with it immediately, making it clear he planned to stay right on Yunxiao Peak.
Gu Qingyuan's rage flared.
"Wentian Sect has plenty of guest rooms. I'll take you there!"
Lu Xingyao didn't flinch.
"I've been friends with Song Daoyou for many years. What's wrong with staying here? You've long since broken off your engagement. If you're objecting this much… could it be you still have feelings for her?"
His eyes gleamed with cold intent, a trace of killing aura stirring beneath the surface.
Gu Qingyuan was the kind who wanted to eat from both bowls at once.
Greedy. Shameless.
He wanted to keep her while chasing something new?
"Watch your mouth!" Gu Qingyuan shot back, then stole a quick glance at Song Wanníng.