Under Xun'er's envious gaze, Gu Fei officially became the Seventh Commander of the Black Submerged Army, admired by many clan members. Although Gu Qing Yang also succeeded in becoming the Eighth Commander, standing next to Gu Fei, he appeared insignificant.
Gu Qing Yang could only offer a helpless smile.
After the inauguration ceremony, Gu Fei returned to Xiao Yi Xian and the others.
Zi Yan immediately bounced over, inspecting the Black Submerged Army uniform in Gu Fei's hands.
"It looks impressive, but not as good as the one Xiao Yi Xian picked out for you."
"Of course, Xiao Yi Xian's taste is unmatched. Otherwise, how could she be with me?" Gu Fei boasted, causing Xiao Yi Xian to laugh, her face flushing slightly.
"What are your plans next?" Xiao Yi Xian asked with concern.
"After becoming a commander, I need to stay with the Black Submerged Army for training. You all can rest at my residence. With Venerable Tian Huo looking after you, no one will disturb you."
Gu Fei glanced at Yao Tian Huo, who nodded in understanding. Xiao Yi Xian and the others then followed Venerable Tian Huo back to the bamboo house to continue their cultivation, while Gu Fei went with Gu Zhan to the Black Submerged Army's training grounds to start training the soldiers.
Most of the Black Submerged Army were passionate young men from the Gu clan, eager to improve their strength and talent—qualities that Gu Fei possessed in abundance. Many soldiers deeply admired him, so despite being new, Gu Fei faced no resistance and everything proceeded smoothly.
As a clan prodigy and now a commander, Gu Fei's influence within the clan grew daily. Elder Gu Lie hadn't stopped smiling for days.
"Brother Qing Yang, my task is complete, so I'll be leaving now!"
One day, after completing his duties, Gu Fei bid farewell to Gu Qing Yang and prepared to leave.
Just as he was about to step outside the training grounds, a soft yet somewhat detested voice called out, "Brother Gu Fei, it must have been hard training the soldiers every day..."
Gu Fei frowned, looking up to see that it was Xun'er.
Today, Xun'er was noticeably more polite than usual, even coming to the training grounds to warmly inquire about Gu Fei.
"As the commander, it's my duty."
Gu Fei didn't want to engage with Xun'er further, responding flatly without changing his attitude despite her sweetened tone.
Xun'er's eyes flickered with a bit of sadness at Gu Fei's indifferent words, but she still feigned enthusiasm. However, before she could speak again, Gu Fei cut her off.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."
Gu Fei's tone was distant as he walked away, not giving Xun'er a second glance.
Xun'er stood there, stunned, watching Gu Fei's departing figure. She hadn't even had a chance to say what she wanted to...
Feelings of grievance slowly surfaced. When had she ever been treated so coldly...
"Xun'er, you're here at the training grounds too..."
Gu Qing Yang and Gu Yao happened to be coming out of the grounds, and Gu Yao cheerfully greeted Xun'er.
"What does it have to do with you?" Xun'er snapped, venting her anger from Gu Fei's coldness onto Gu Yao.
"Xun'er, Gu Yao didn't do anything to provoke you... Besides, you should understand how he feels about you!" Gu Qing Yang frowned. Since Gu Fei no longer wanted her as his sister, Xun'er choosing Gu Yao wouldn't be a bad option.
"What feelings? He boasted that he could defeat Gu Fei last time, and what happened?"
"He was utterly humiliated. What use is there in making grand claims without the strength to back them up?" Xun'er retorted angrily, not giving Gu Yao any face.
"Xun'er, Brother Gu Fei is indeed beyond my reach!"
"His strength surpasses mine by far!" Gu Yao admitted sincerely. He had no complaints about losing to Gu Fei.
"Hmph, do you think I would want a partner who is weaker than Gu Fei? If I end up with someone inferior, a failure, how could I hold my head high in the clan?"
"Do you want to see me ridiculed by others in the clan?" Xun'er shouted, her attitude cold and ruthless.
Gu Yao felt a pang in his heart at her words.
He looked at the beautiful Xun'er in front of him, his body trembling.
"Have I been wrong all along?"
"Is this what Xun'er really thinks..."
"All this time, have I just been deluding myself...?"
At that moment, Gu Yao suddenly realized that he might have been mistaken in who he liked all these years.
"Finding someone better than Brother Gu Fei is probably impossible!"
"At least that useless brat from the Xiao clan could never manage it!"
Gu Yao's eyes suddenly became sharp, his tone turning harsh.
"What... what did you say?" Xun'er hadn't expected Gu Yao to insult Brother Xiao Yan to her face. This was her one taboo, something even Gu Yao, who had always obeyed her, had dared to cross!
Moreover, Gu Yao had previously sent someone to kill her Brother Xiao Yan. At this moment, Xun'er looked at Gu Yao with anger.
If not for her lack of strength, she would have attacked Gu Yao herself!
"I'm just stating the truth!"
"You've wronged Brother Gu Fei for the sake of a useless member of the Xiao clan..."
"I used to not understand Brother Gu Fei's decision, even thinking he was wrong. But now, I realize just how wise his choice truly was."
After saying this, Gu Yao turned his head away, no longer looking at Xun'er.
Xun'er, who had always been surrounded by admirers, suddenly felt the sting of rejection from someone who had once pursued her fervently. Her already downcast mood plunged even further.
"I..."
Xun'er started to speak but couldn't finish, turning away with a lonely figure, leaving in frustration.
...
After leaving the training grounds, Gu Fei returned to the bamboo building, where Zi Yan was playing around with Qing Lin.
"You finally came back. I was getting so bored here... You're back just in time; Xiao Yi Xian just finished her cultivation."
As soon as Zi Yan finished speaking, Xiao Yi Xian stepped out of her room.
Fresh from cultivation, Xiao Yi Xian was still surrounded by the energy of heaven and earth, her Dou Qi abundant, clearly having made significant progress.
The Woeful Poison Body, when properly harnessed, truly is a powerful tool for advancing one's strength.
"Did anyone cause you any trouble while I was away?" Gu Fei asked, pulling Xiao Yi Xian into his arms.
Xiao Yi Xian shook her head, then asked, "Are you adjusting well to the Black Submerged Army?"
"The army's management is strict, but it mainly applies to ordinary soldiers. Commanders have much more freedom."
"That's good to hear," Xiao Yi Xian replied softly.
"You've been worrying about Xiao Yi Xian, afraid that she would suffer when you're away, while I'm bored out of my mind, not sleeping or eating well, but no one seems to care about me..." Zi Yan teased, poking her head out to look at Gu Fei and Xiao Yi Xian.
"Alright, alright. I'm planning to refine some eighth-tier pills now that I'm back, and I'll make some extra for you."
Hearing that she would soon have more pills to eat, Zi Yan immediately became overjoyed.
After giving some further instructions, Gu Fei prepared to start refining pills.
This time, he was aiming to refine a high-quality eighth-tier pill!
As the pill was formed, a six-colored pill thunder suddenly descended upon the mountain peak where Gu Fei was located!
"Is this six-colored pill thunder? The unique sign of an eighth-tier pill?"
"It seems to be coming from the Seventh Commander's mountain peak!"
"Just over a year ago, the Seventh Commander had just broken through to the seventh tier, and now, less than two years later, he's already advanced to an eighth-tier alchemist?"
Gu Fei's ability to refine eighth-tier pills once again caused a stir.
An eighteen year old eighth-tier alchemist, capable of producing pills that summoned six-colored pill thunders, would be considered a genius even among the Yao clan, known for their expertise in alchemy.