However, speaking of Gu Fei, he's still only at the Dou Venerate level, while Lei Dong is a Half-Saint. Gu Qingyang couldn't help but feel uncertain.
"Whether he can win or not, how will we know if we don't try?"
Gu Yao immediately decided and got up, ready to go find Gu Fei.
Ever since the competition for the commander position, Gu Yao had admired Gu Fei deeply, seeing him as his lifelong goal. To him, Gu Fei was undoubtedly the number one among the younger generation.
"In any case, let's try first!"
Gu Qing Yang quickly followed Gu Yao, heading swiftly towards the mountain where Gu Fei resided.
...
On the mountain where Gu Fei resided.
Zi Yan was nearing the end of her absorption of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and no longer needed Gu Fei's assistance. Gu Fei had a day of leisure, slightly recovering the energy he had expended over the past month.
"When Zi Yan emerges from her seclusion, she should have a completely new appearance."
Gu Fei glanced at Zi Yan, who was still absorbing energy, and smiled as he recalled the brief encounter with the mature young girl in the Pill Realm.
Once she fully absorbs the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, Zi Yan will physically mature.
"Someone's coming!"
Gu Fei sensed a few figures rapidly approaching from the outside. In a flash, he appeared in the air above the mountain.
"It's them?"
Seeing the identities of the approaching figures, Gu Fei's eyes showed a hint of curiosity.
"Why are you two here in such a hurry?"
Gu Qing Yang, Gu Yao, and Gu Zhen exchanged glances and smiled helplessly.
"It's quite embarrassing to say, but the Lei Clan delegation has come to visit the Gu Clan, and their younger generation has challenged our clan's youth. However..."
"None of us could match a man named Lei Dong. His strength has already reached the level of a Half-Saint."
"A Half-Saint..."
Gu Fei's eyes flickered slightly.
A half-saint's strength is indeed at the top among the younger generation of the Gu Clan. It's normal that they couldn't match up to him.
"So, you came to ask me to step in?" Gu Fei asked directly.
"That's right. After considering it, we realized that you are the only one who can restore the Gu Clan's honor."
"However, I'm not interested in competing for fame."
Gu Fei shook his head and declined. He was never one to seek attention or fame. If there was no real need, he wouldn't challenge anyone.
Moreover, against Lei Dong, he wasn't entirely confident in winning. The gap between a Dou Venerate and a Half-Saint was like a chasm. Although Gu Fei possessed impressive abilities to fight above his level, Lei Dong was also a prodigy. The idea of fighting above one's level only applied to ordinary strong individuals.
Furthermore, after spending so much time refining the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit for Zi Yan, he was quite tired. In his current state, his chances of winning were even smaller.
Gu Qing Yang and Gu Yao stood there with grim faces. Their initial worry that Gu Fei might not be a match for Lei Dong now seemed unnecessary because Gu Fei had no intention of fighting at all.
"Gu Fei, this concerns the honor of the younger generation of the Gu Clan. You should at least give it a try," Gu Qing Yang urged.
"Brother Qing Yang, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm truly not interested in this."
Gu Zhen, seeing Gu Fei so resolute and not even willing to give it a try, felt displeased.
"I've long heard that Gu Fei of the Gu Clan is an extraordinary talent. I wonder if there is an opportunity to spar today?"
This voice was familiar to Gu Qing Yang and the others but unfamiliar to Gu Fei.
Gu Fei looked up at the sky, where a group of people dressed in silver robes had appeared.
The person in the lead remained silent, while those around him kept chattering.
"Is he too scared to fight?"
"The so-called number one genius of the Gu Clan isn't much after all!"
"Hahaha, just a mere Dou Venerate, compared to Brother Lei Dong, he stands no chance at all. If he doesn't fight, he's being sensible; after all, why seek humiliation?"
"By that logic, I would call him a wise man, for knowing when to back down is wisdom!"
The members of the Lei Clan continued to taunt Gu Fei, with some even directly insulting him, hoping to provoke him into accepting the challenge.
As long as they could get Gu Fei to accept the challenge, Lei Dong's goal would be achieved.
As the Lei Clan members arrived, the entire mountain quickly became lively.
More members of the Gu Clan came to watch, including Xun'er, who observed from a distance.
Everyone wanted to see how Gu Fei would handle this situation. After all, the difference in strength was apparent. If Gu Fei fought, his chances of winning were slim. But if he didn't, he would lose a lot of face.
This was Lei Dong's calculated plan.
Hearing the provocations directed at Gu Fei, Xiao Yi Xian and Cai Lin both frowned.
They were worried for Gu Fei, knowing he had been exhausted over the past month and was likely not in the best condition.
They wanted to help Gu Fei, but their strength was insufficient to offer any real assistance.
"Brother Gu Fei...you shouldn't accept the challenge today. Wait until you've recovered."
Xiao Yi Xian and Cai Lin both stepped forward and took Gu Fei's hands, hoping he wouldn't agree to the fight.
The appearance of these two stunning beauties immediately drew envious looks. The Lei Clan members hadn't expected Gu Fei to be so fortunate.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing..."
Gu Fei smiled at the two women, then turned his gaze to Lei Dong.
It was clear that Lei Dong was the mastermind behind this situation.
"A Half-Saint, huh..."
"A Half-Saint is still not a true Saint..."
Gu Fei stared directly at Lei Dong, showing no fear despite Lei Dong's strength.
This calm demeanor surprised Lei Dong, who couldn't help but think more highly of Gu Fei.
"Gu Fei, do you dare to fight me?"
Lei Dong's fighting spirit was ignited by Gu Fei's composure, and he directly challenged him.
Gu Fei didn't shy away. Since the challenge had come to his doorstep, how could he refuse?
Just as he was about to step forward to accept the challenge, a clear and melodious voice suddenly rang out.
"If you want to challenge Brother Gu Fei, you must first get through me!"
As the voice fell, a purple-gold light burst from the bamboo building.
Then, a graceful figure slowly emerged, stepping on the purple-gold light, with a terrifying aura that grew stronger with each step.
The woman who appeared was dressed in a purple-gold robe, adorned with dragons and phoenixes that seemed to dance like living beings, exuding an unmistakable air of nobility. Her figure was tall and slender, with long purple hair cascading like a waterfall down to her slender waist, eventually reaching her curvaceous hips.
The woman was stunningly beautiful, with eyes that had transformed from purple to purple-gold, giving her an aura of mystery and allure.
Under the gaze of these purple-gold eyes, it felt as if even the heavens and earth would submit.
Zi Yan was no longer the little girl she once was.
She had completely transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful young woman.
Many eyes were first captivated by her noble aura, then focused on the wings behind her.
There, a pair of purple-gold wings, about a meter long, fluttered gently.
As they moved, the sound of wind and thunder could be faintly heard, resonating in the hearts of all present.
"This is...Zi Yan?"
Cai Lin, sensing the familiar aura, was momentarily stunned.
Xiao Yi Xian, realizing it was indeed Zi Yan, stared in shock. There was much about her that still reminded her of the young girl they knew, except for the maturity.
"So soon? I thought it would take a few more days..."
Even though Gu Fei had anticipated Zi Yan's transformation, seeing the drastic change still left him momentarily speechless.
"Do you like it?" Zi Yan asked, casting a flirtatious glance at Gu Fei.
Though she looked more mature, her inner self was still that of a little girl.
In the sky, Lei Dong's face turned grim as he watched Zi Yan's sudden emergence.
He could sense that Zi Yan's strength was several times greater than his, almost on par with the two elders who had accompanied him from the Lei Clan.
"Could she be a Dou Saint, and at least at the three-star level?"
The pressure in Lei Dong's heart intensified, and at that moment, Zi Yan's gaze swept toward him.
"Who just said they wanted to challenge Brother Gu Fei? He is like a master to me. If you want to challenge my master, you'll have to get past me first!"