"What!
Are you afraid?"
The one who spoke these words was not Jingtao Gongzi, but Yu Dingxing, the leader of the Bingxuan Sect's Nine Sons.
He originally held no advantage in this competition for Leng Yanqiu's hand. Whether in cultivation strength or status and background, he fell far short of the three distinguished young lords from the Nine-Hua Alliance. However, with Jingtao Gongzi stepping forward to support him, his confidence naturally swelled.
"Afraid? Of course."
Gu Qingfeng poured himself another drink, glanced around, raised his Taixu wine cup, and smiled. "You're all so imposing, how could I not be afraid?"
In Yu Dingxing's mind, because of this man before him, Brother Jingtao had lost face twice in a row. This slight absolutely had to be avenged. Yet he did not make a move himself, instead looking toward Jingtao.
Yu Dingxing was no fool.
Although he possessed a Great Nature Illusory Color and his strength had increased significantly after fusing with the Bingxuan Seed, he didn't believe Gu Qingfeng would be his match.
To be honest, he looked down on him.
Of course.
Not believing was one thing.
Looking down was another.
Gu Qingfeng's very existence forced him to be wary.
At the very least, he dared not act rashly.
He had heard the rumors about Gu Qingfeng's bizarre strength and formidable physical body.
Add to that the Venerators' Salute from Wan Wei, Liu Piaopiao, and the others.
The Ice Profound Ancestor's insistence that Leng Yanqiu must dual cultivate with Gu Qingfeng.
All of this was more than enough to prove that Gu Qingfeng was no simple man.
Especially at this moment, facing the imposing aura of him and the others, this man showed not a trace of fear or apprehension. Instead, he remained as calm as a breeze, leisurely pouring his own wine.
Even though the man claimed to be afraid.
Everyone could see he didn't look the slightest bit afraid. He just sat there lazily, as if watching a spectacle.
It was truly baffling.
And impossible to gauge.
He felt this way.
And Jingtao Gongzi was no different.
Yu Dingxing looked down on him.
Jingtao Gongzi looked down on him even more.
Yu Dingxing was wary.
Jingtao Gongzi was equally wary in his heart.
He, too, did not move, only staring fixedly at Gu Qingfeng.
If it were anyone else today, he would have struck without hesitation to teach them a lesson.
But facing Gu Qingfeng here and now, he became extremely hesitant.
"Jingtao, it seems you don't dare to make a move!"
At that moment, Luo Wenzhenghao stepped forward, mocking him. "If you don't dare, just say so. I'll do it for you."
Whether Luo Wenzhenghao was deliberately mocking or was also wary of Gu Qingfeng and wanted to use this chance to let Jingtao test the waters first was unclear.
Jingtao Gongzi roared back angrily, "What did you say!"
"I said you don't dare to make a move!"
Luo Wenzhenghao stood with his hands behind his back, his expression arrogant, a smile playing on his lips. "Isn't that right?"
Shui Yunruo, who had been silent all this while, stared at Gu Qingfeng and secretly transmitted her voice to Jingtao. "Jingtao Gongzi, do not be provoked. This Gu Qingfeng is mysterious, bizarre, and unfathomable."
Jingtao glanced at Shui Yunruo. How could he not know Luo Wenzhenghao's intention? After a moment's consideration, he snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "I'm merely refraining from dealing with him out of consideration for his personal connection with Old Sen."
"What a convenient excuse."
In truth, Luo Wenzhenghao also couldn't gauge Gu Qingfeng's true identity, background, or cultivation strength. He, too, was quite wary in his heart. That's why, upon seeing Jingtao Gongzi not make a move, he spoke out with sarcasm, hoping to provoke Jingtao into testing him.
As the two mocked and jeered at each other, Wen Yansheng and Tian Xiangyue also stepped forward and joined in the ridicule.
Watching these young brats trade verbal barbs, Gu Qingfeng immediately lost interest. After draining his cup, he stood up, preparing to leave. But the moment he moved, the Bingxuan Sect's Nine Sons and Eighteen Chief Disciples behind him immediately closed in.
However, it wasn't just the Bingxuan Sect's Nine Sons and Eighteen Chief Disciples who closed in. The moment he rose, Wen Yansheng, Tian Xiangyue, Luo Wenzhenghao, and Jingtao Gongzi, who had been trading insults, stopped with remarkable tacit understanding and all advanced toward him in unison. As they moved, the hall chiefs who had come with them also surrounded him.
Each one glared fiercely. Clearly, none of them wanted Gu Qingfeng to leave.
"What's this? Not letting me leave now..." Gu Qingfeng glanced at these people, unhurriedly gathering his wine jug and Taixu cup. "I have no grievance or enmity with any of you. I came today only to attend the Bingxuan Sect's celebration, nothing more."
"No grievance or enmity?
Hmph!"
Luo Wenzhenghao took a large step forward, stopping opposite Gu Qingfeng, and declared arrogantly, "I said that if the Bingxuan Sect's Ancestor dares to have Leng Yanqiu form a cultivation partnership with you, I will annihilate the Bingxuan Sect. Likewise, if you dare to form a cultivation partnership with Leng Yanqiu, I will annihilate your Yunxia Sect, including you!
Never mind that you're not from the Crimson-Letter Sect. Even if you were, I, Luo Wenzhenghao, wouldn't give a damn."
"Rest assured, I have no interest in Leng Yanqiu, much less in forming a cultivation partnership with her."
After storing the wine jug and Taixu cup in his storage pouch, Gu Qingfeng said softly, "When I meet the Bingxuan Sect's Ancestor later, I will explain it to her myself. After that, whoever wants to form this partnership can go ahead."
With that, he left. No one else tried to stop him.
Indeed.
They hadn't wanted Gu Qingfeng to leave because the Ice Profound Ancestor intended for Leng Yanqiu to form a cultivation partnership with him.
Now that Gu Qingfeng had personally stated he would not form a cultivation partnership with Leng Yanqiu.
What reason was there to stop him?
Perhaps because they hadn't expected Gu Qingfeng to say such a thing, everyone in the hall was greatly astonished and also felt puzzled.
They didn't understand why Gu Qingfeng would say this.
Did he not want to form a cultivation partnership with Leng Yanqiu?
No!
Impossible!
Leng Yanqiu was not only a famously gifted daughter of the Great Nature, but she had also fused with a rare treasure like the Bingxuan Heart. The benefits of forming a dual cultivation partnership with her went without saying. Any man would desire to dual cultivate with her.
So why would Gu Qingfeng...
Some said Gu Qingfeng must be afraid.
Previously, when the Ice Profound Ancestor insisted that Leng Yanqiu form a dual cultivation partnership with Gu Qingfeng, some speculated it was probably because she valued his identity as a member of the Crimson-Letter Sect.
Now that Jingtao Gongzi had come forward to confirm Gu Qingfeng was not from the Crimson-Letter Sect.
Once the Ice Profound Ancestor learned the truth, she would certainly change her mind.
That wasn't the important part.
The important part was that so many admired Leng Yanqiu. There was Young Lord Wen Yan, Young Lord Tian Xiang, and Young Lord Luo Wen who brought six vice hall masters and over a hundred hall chiefs. Although Yu Dingxing's competitiveness was weaker, he had Jingtao Gongzi's support. It was said that today, Hall Master Si Qianhua of the Thousand Expeditions Hall and the famous Young Lord Long Fei would also come.
Facing so many powerful opponents, setting aside whether the Ice Profound Ancestor would change her mind, even if she truly had Leng Yanqiu form a cultivation partnership with Gu Qingfeng, he probably wouldn't dare accept, would he?
If he dared agree, whether he could leave the Bingxuan Sect in one piece today would be a question.
It seemed Gu Qingfeng must be afraid.
That's why he had no choice but to publicly declare he would not form a cultivation partnership with Leng Yanqiu.
If he weren't afraid, why would he leave at this moment?
He was afraid.
Not just probably.
But definitely.
Almost everyone thought so.