Gu Fei felt a warm sensation in his heart as he gently touched Xian Yue's small face, then glanced at Xiao Yixian and Cai Lin, feeling a deep sense of contentment.
The happiest thing in this world is to be together with family, living joyfully. There's nothing more important than that.
"Gu Fei, my young friend, you've granted us a tremendous opportunity. You are a great benefactor to our dragon tribe. If you ever need anything in the future, our dragon tribe will fully support you!" Zhu Li said, brimming with excitement as he expressed his gratitude.
"You're being too kind. Zi Yan is my friend; helping her was never about seeking any reward," Gu Fei replied with a smile, shaking his head.
After Xiao Yi Xian, Cai Lin, and Qing Lin finished celebrating Zi Yan's breakthrough to Dou Saint, Gu Fei returned to rest and recover his energy.
After absorbing some of the energy from the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, Gu Fei felt he was just a step away from reaching Nine-Star Dou Venerate. Originally, he planned to take a nap before attempting the breakthrough.
Unexpectedly, after sleeping for two days and nights, Gu Fei woke up to find that he had already broken through to Nine-Star Dou Venerate.
"If only sleeping could always lead to breakthroughs," Gu Fei mused with a smile, feeling the energy within him after waking up refreshed.
"I wonder when I'll be able to step into the Saint realm!"
Zi Yan's breakthrough ignited a fierce determination in Gu Fei's heart; he was getting closer and closer to Half-Saint.
With Zi Yan becoming a Dou Saint, Gu Fei was eager to reach that realm as well, and then make his final push towards the realm that no one has ever reached.
However, Gu Fei knew that the gap between Nine-Star Dou Venerate and Half-Saint, let alone Dou Saint, was enormous.
To become a Half-Saint, one must go through the arduous process of nine compressions and refinements of Dou Qi.
Many people spend their entire lives stuck at this stage, eventually passing away in despair.
"This isn't something that can be rushed."
Gu Fei reined in his aura, stopped checking his internal condition, and stood up, walking out of the main building.
Yesterday, Xiao Yi Xian had informed him that the Gu clan was hosting a banquet to welcome the Lei clan's delegation and had invited Gu Fei to attend.
Although Gu Fei wasn't too keen on going, since the invitation had already been delivered to his doorstep, it would be rude not to attend.
After a simple preparation, Gu Fei headed towards the banquet venue.
On the way, he overheard some rumors about the banquet's purpose, but he didn't pay much attention to them.
Upon arriving at the venue, he saw that all the Lei clan members had already arrived, with Lei Dong sitting in the front row. Lei Dong noticed Gu Fei's arrival and first checked to see if Zi Yan was with him. Only after confirming that she wasn't did he fix his sullen gaze on Gu Fei.
Gu Fei gave Lei Dong a brief glance, sensing his slightly hostile gaze, but he didn't mind and simply found his seat.
Xun'er's gaze also fell on Gu Fei, her expression complicated. There was a mix of reluctance, confusion, disappointment, and some lingering attachment.
From start to finish, Gu Fei didn't spare her a single glance, which made Xun'er feel as if she had fallen into an abyss.
"After all, the women around him are so exceptional... It seems he doesn't need me!"
"Like bees drawn to flowers... I must become even more outstanding!"
Xun'er thought to herself, subconsciously clenching her fists.
While the younger generation was entangled in their emotions, the Lei clan elders who looked at Gu Fei were filled with admiration.
At just over twenty years old, Gu Fei had already reached Nine-Star Dou Venerate. This talent was even more terrifying than Lei Dong's was back in the day, and the people around him were equally formidable.
Shortly after Gu Fei's arrival, Gu Yuan, Gu Lie, and other Gu clan elders also entered.
"Hehe, the Gu and Lei clans haven't interacted much in over a decade. Now that we're together, let's make the most of it…"
Once everyone had gathered, Gu Yuan warmly welcomed the Lei clan elders. After the usual exchange of pleasantries, the banquet officially began.
As the banquet commenced, the Lei clan wasted no time in displaying their decisive nature. Right after Gu Yuan finished his greeting, a Lei clan elder stood up and said, "Clan Leader Gu Yuan, we are here today to propose a marriage alliance for Lei Dong. This is the gift our Lei clan has brought."
As the elder spoke, numerous chests filled with rare treasures appeared.
"May I ask which lady the Lei clan wishes to propose to?" Gu Lie inquired.
"Naturally, it's to propose to Miss Xun'er, the daughter of Clan Leader Gu Yuan!" the Lei clan elder replied.
As soon as these words were spoken, the room was filled with a mixture of surprise and understanding. This news had actually been circulating for days, and both the Gu clan elders and Gu Yuan were well aware of the Lei clan's intentions. Many elders even felt that with Lei Dong's excellence, he would be a good match for Xun'er.
Gu Yuan's question was merely a formality to prevent any unexpected changes. After all, if the Lei clan suddenly backed out, it would be embarrassing for Gu Yuan, Xun'er, and the Lei clan alike.
"Xun'er, what do you think?" Gu Yuan naturally wouldn't agree without consulting his daughter, whom he cherished deeply.
Xun'er, who had been focused on Gu Fei, stood up upon hearing her father's inquiry and immediately rejected the proposal, saying, "Father, I only like Gu Fei. In this lifetime, I only wish to become Gu Fei's wife."
"In my eyes, Gu Fei is the most outstanding person in this world!"
Hearing this, Gu Fei furrowed his brows slightly. He hadn't expected Xun'er to publicly declare her feelings like this.
The Lei clan had just proposed marriage, and Xun'er's words completely disregarded their dignity, almost as if she was rubbing their faces in the dirt. Lei Dong's face turned slightly red with anger.
As soon as Xun'er finished speaking, the Lei clan members frowned at her. Even Gu Yuan didn't expect such a blunt rejection from her, and his gaze shifted from Xun'er to Gu Fei, his brows furrowing.
He wasn't too worried about offending the Lei clan; he was just surprised that Xun'er would be so direct…
Gu Yuan remembered that before Xun'er and Gu Fei were engaged, the situation was quite the opposite. Now, everything seemed to have reversed.
"Xun'er, we all know that Gu Fei's talent is extraordinary, and he is indeed the most outstanding individual in our Gu clan. However, there are always people more talented and skies beyond the skies. It's wise to keep some room for maneuver," a Gu clan elder interjected, trying to smooth things over.
Gu Lie stood to the side, feeling somewhat awkward. Since the matter involved his grandson Gu Fei, he found it difficult to comment.
Xun'er, however, dismissed the elder's advice and continued, "There might not be people more talented, and there might not be skies beyond the skies. Gu Fei's talent surpasses all others, and no one can compare!"
"In my heart, he is the most outstanding person!"
Upon hearing this, Lei Dong finally lost his temper. He stood up, his Dou Qi surging around him. If not restrained, he seemed ready to charge at Gu Fei.
"Hmph, the most outstanding person?"
"He's nothing more than a coward who hides behind women!" Lei Dong retorted angrily, clearly believing that his Half-Saint status made him superior to Gu Fei.
A few days ago, he could have easily defeated Gu Fei in public, but Zi Yan's sudden appearance stole his thunder. If it had only been Gu Fei, why would he have left so humiliated?
Gu Fei looked at Lei Dong indifferently, uninterested in a verbal spat.
But Xun'er was not willing to let it go.
"Lei Dong, do you think your talent is remarkable? Do you think you can compare to Gu Fei?"
"Tell me, how old are you now? Probably close to thirty, right? At nearly thirty, you've barely reached Half-Saint. What was your cultivation level when you were twenty-two?" Xun'er fired back with a series of pointed questions.
(TL/n: First batch release of the day. We're halfway caught up with the raws now. Thanks for the support and don't forget to leave a review. See you guys soon.)