Since Gu Fei had made his stance clear, Jia Xing Tian didn't say much more. While the surrounding empires of the Jia Ma Empire did have some strong individuals, none were overwhelmingly powerful. With Gu Fei's unfathomable strength and the seventh-rank magical beast by his side, he certainly had the confidence to make such a statement.
After discussing the Snake-People Tribe's migration, the atmosphere at the banquet relaxed considerably. Jia Xing Tian, adhering to the principle of being a good host, didn't pry further, but Yao Ye couldn't hold back her curiosity.
She noticed Queen Medusa staying close to Gu Fei, and how Gu Fei would occasionally touch Queen Medusa's belly, to which she responded with a sweet smile. That behavior clearly indicated affection.
Could it be that Queen Medusa and Gu Fei were together? The idea seemed unbelievable to Jia Xing Tian. The cold, bloodthirsty Queen Medusa, known for her lack of emotions, actually liked a human?
While Jia Xing Tian was shocked, Yao Ye felt a surge of jealousy. After learning of Gu Fei's return, she had meticulously dressed up, hoping to make a good impression on him, or even win his heart. Yet, up to this point, Gu Fei hadn't spared her a glance.
"Young Master Gu Fei," Yao Ye decided to initiate a conversation. "It seems you've grown much stronger since our last meeting. Did you encounter some great opportunity?"
"Nothing special, just natural talent," Gu Fei responded, cutting the conversation short, which made Cai Lin chuckle and playfully roll her eyes at him.
Yao Ye forced a smile and continued, "Young Master Gu Fei, you truly are a prodigy. I'm certain you'll be one of the strongest in the world someday."
"That's a given..." Gu Fei began to respond, but then, noticing Cai Lin rolling her eyes again, he stopped and simply smiled.
Yao Ye wasn't foolish. She realized that Gu Fei's attention was entirely on Queen Medusa and that he had no interest in speaking with her. Though she felt deeply disappointed, she didn't persist.
Just as Yao Ye fell silent, a more energetic individual made her entrance.
"Master Gu Fei! How could you come back without telling me? I've been dying to show you my progress in alchemy!"
The door burst open, and a lively young girl bounced into the room.
"When did you take on a disciple?" Cai Lin asked.
Gu Fei sighed with a smile. "She insisted on calling me Master."
Yu Er approached Gu Fei, her mischievous eyes sparkling with admiration. With her arrival, the banquet became much livelier. Yu Er kept chatting with Gu Fei, but before they could talk much, Yao Ye interrupted.
A subordinate whispered something to Yao Ye, and she frowned slightly before turning to Gu Fei.
"Young Master Gu Fei, Nalan Yanran wishes to see you. She seems to be in quite a hurry. Do you want to meet her?"
"Why does she want to see me?" Gu Fei frowned. He had little connection with Nalan Yanran, aside from helping her grandfather remove poison at Yun Yun's request. But that was because of Yun Yun, not Nalan Yanran.
"She didn't say," Yao Ye replied, "but tomorrow is her teacher Yun Yun's wedding day. Instead of helping at the Misty Cloud Sect, she's come here..."
"Yun Yun's wedding?" Gu Fei was taken aback. He hadn't expected Yun Yun to be getting married.
Beside him, Queen Medusa's beautiful eyes flashed with curiosity. She had been with Gu Fei since her failed evolution and knew of his acquaintance with Yun Yun, and that their relationship seemed somewhat ambiguous. However, she was smart enough to remain silent and just listened quietly. Now, she wasn't a queen but merely someone standing by Gu Fei's side. Whatever he decided to do was up to him.
"To whom?" Gu Fei asked.
"Master Gu He," Yao Ye answered.
"Gu He?" Gu Fei's frown deepened. In the original timeline, this event also occurred, but Yun Yun had been forced into it by Yun Shan. He wondered if this time Yun Yun was also being coerced.
"Let her in," Gu Fei said.
Soon, Nalan Yanran was led in by Yao Ye. She stumbled into the hall and, upon seeing Gu Fei sitting there, looked like someone dying of thirst who had just found water. She was about to rush forward when Yao Ye suddenly pulled her back.
"Young Master Gu Fei is a distinguished guest of our royal family. You must not show any disrespect!" Yao Ye's voice echoed in Nalan Yanran's mind, and she quickly regained her composure, hurrying to stand before Gu Fei.
"Young Master Gu Fei, please save my teacher!" Nalan Yanran pleaded with a voice tinged with tears. She knew that her teacher and Gu Fei were friends, and it was only because Yun Yun had pleaded on her behalf that Gu Fei had been willing to help her grandfather before. She believed that if she explained Yun Yun's current predicament, Gu Fei would surely help.
With Gu Fei's mysterious strength, it shouldn't be difficult for him to rescue Yun Yun, but the key was whether he was willing to help.
"Just now, Yao Ye mentioned that your teacher is marrying Gu He. Is that why you're here?" Gu Fei asked directly.
"Yes! That's exactly why I'm here," Nalan Yanran replied urgently.
"Is your teacher willing?" Gu Fei asked again.
"Of course not!" Nalan Yanran immediately answered. "Although my teacher respects Master Gu He, it's purely out of courtesy, with no feelings involved. When my grandteacher suggested the marriage, my teacher refused firmly, but my grandteacher, wanting to secure an alliance with Master Gu He, sealed my teacher's Dou Qi and confined her..."
"Now, my teacher is trapped in the Misty Cloud Sect. I know you and my teacher are friends, so I came to ask for your help. If you don't, then my teacher..."
Nalan Yanran experiences sadness, emotional value +60
As she spoke, Nalan Yanran began to cry, her tone filled with deep sorrow.
After hearing Nalan Yanran's account, Gu Fei's brow furrowed, and his vast Dou Qi unconsciously began to surge around him.
"So strong!" The mere release of a fraction of his aura caused discomfort for both Yao Ye and Nalan Yanran, and Jia Xing Tian quickly intervened to protect them.
He could sense that Gu Fei's Dou Qi was as vast as an ocean, while he himself was but a small stream in comparison.
"Outrageous... Yun Shan's actions are unworthy of a master!" Gu Fei said angrily.
He had once advised Yun Yun to leave the Jia Ma Empire for a broader world, but she had hesitated out of concern for the Misty Cloud Sect. Gu Fei had respected her decision, but he hadn't expected this to happen.
"If she doesn't want to marry, no one can force her!"
(TL/n: First batch release of the day. Let me know which name you guys prefer for Gu Fei's first daughter: Xian Le or Xian Yue. Don't forget to leave a review and I'll see you guys soon.)