Su Hua was a person with a heart as still as water.
She was also one who transcended worldly dust, a being with a state of mind beyond the ordinary.
She had never cared about the opinions of others, nor about their attitudes toward her.
She had always believed this to be true.
However, it was only after meeting Gu Qingfeng that she suddenly realized she was not as calm as still water, not as transcendent as she thought, and certainly not someone with a truly detached state of mind. At the very least, this fellow's lazy, casual attitude made her extremely uncomfortable, making her feel as if she were being ignored. Not only that, but it also made Su Hua feel like she was some unreasonable, willful person deliberately picking a fight with him.
Damn it!
Su Hua had never experienced this feeling before, and it was the first time she had tasted the unpleasantness of being disliked. Especially when Gu Qingfeng spoke without even bothering to look at her, it made her grind her teeth in frustration.
Damnable fellow.
Today, I must see what abilities you possess that allow you to be so utterly arrogant!
How utterly detestable!
Su Hua did not show her inner displeasure; her flawless, nation-toppling beautiful face remained composed and indifferent.
Just then, Huo Dong stepped forward and said, "Immortal, whether he truly modified Little Blue Flower Language or not can be determined by asking him a few questions."
After speaking, without waiting for Su Hua's consent, Huo Dong looked at Gu Qingfeng, who was sitting on the Four-Steed Grand Carriage, and smiled faintly. "Young Lord Chiyan, is it? Allow me to introduce myself. My surname is Huo, given name Dong."
Anyone active in the Four Great Regions knew the name Huo Dong.
One of the thirty-six most famous Young Masters of the Hua Pavilions within the Nine-Hua Alliance.
One of the Ten Little Hidden Dragons of the Four Great Regions, and moreover, the Heir Apparent Disciple of Yuqing Sect, the number one sect in the Four Great Regions.
Everyone had assumed that when Huo Dong announced his name, Gu Qingfeng would surely be startled, or at the very least, greatly shocked.
Strangely, that was not the case.
Not only was there no shock, he didn't even show a trace of surprise or doubt. He didn't even lift his head or give Huo Dong a proper glance.
Someone beside Huo Dong angrily rebuked, "How insolent! Young Master Huo Dong is the Heir Apparent of Yuqing Sect and the renowned Young Master Hidden Dragon. How dare you show such disrespect?"
Everyone had thought perhaps Gu Qingfeng didn't know Huo Dong's status, hence the lack of reaction. But even after someone announced Huo Dong's identity, Gu Qingfeng still showed no reaction. Similarly, he did not look up. Instead, he pulled out a large pile of spirit stones from his storage bag, examining one, then another, and replied offhandedly, "Are you asking me to prove myself, or to show respect?"
The person beside him was about to reprimand him again but was stopped by Huo Dong. Staring at Gu Qingfeng, Huo Dong smiled faintly. "Good, very good. Truly worthy of being Young Lord Chiyan."
Having said that, he didn't elaborate further and asked, "Let me ask you, was it really you who modified Little Blue Flower Language at Yunxia Sect that day?"
"Who else?"
"Oh?"
Huo Dong continued with a smile, "Since you were able to modify Little Blue Flower Language so perfectly, your mastery of the Musical Arts must be peerless under heaven."
"Of course."
Gu Qingfeng still didn't look up, selecting some spirit stones, pondering what fun things to make for Little Jin'er, and replied casually with a laugh, "When it comes to the Musical Arts, in this world, if I claim to be second, absolutely no one dares claim to be first."
Everyone could tell that Huo Dong's phrase 'peerless under heaven' was a deliberate trap, a form of praise meant to set someone up for a fall.
Anyone else would modestly deny it.
Yet, no one expected this fellow to brazenly shoulder the title of 'peerless under heaven.' Not only did he shoulder it, but he also boasted, saying that in this world, if he claimed second, no one dared claim first.
Who would dare utter such grandiose words?
Not to mention the current era, even in the ancient era, those legendary overlords and tyrants wouldn't dare speak such arrogant words.
Yet, this fellow said them anyway.
This made the crowd, who already believed Gu Qingfeng was a fraud, even more convinced that he was a complete and utter charlatan.
Many people laughed.
Especially Wei Jiaojiao, who covered her mouth, laughing gleefully. "Oh my, peerless under heaven? Claiming second, with no one daring to claim first? Young Lady Lan, this heir of the King from your Fengyun Branch is truly impressive."
Lan Fei'er was deeply embarrassed.
Ever since the few old Chixiao seniors had confirmed Gu Qingfeng as the King's heir, the Fengyun Branch had become completely tied to Gu Qingfeng, sharing the same fate. Gu Qingfeng's words and actions now represented the Fengyun Branch. Deceiving Su Hua was already shameful enough, and now, on the Taixuan Platform before so many people, he was spouting such outrageous boasts. The humiliation made Lan Fei'er unable to lift her head.
Yet, in this situation, she couldn't say anything.
Say what?
Publicly sever ties with Gu Qingfeng?
Wouldn't that be slapping the faces of the few Chixiao elders?
So, even if Lan Fei'er had a hundred reservations in her heart, at this moment, she had no choice but to stand on the same side as Gu Qingfeng.
"Interesting, truly interesting."
Huo Dong stood with his hands behind his back, a smile on his face, looking dashing and elegant. "In that case, might I seek your guidance on a few points?"
"Seeking guidance isn't impossible, but I'm here today to provide proof."
"If you can answer five of my questions, that would be the best proof."
"Is that so?"
Gu Qingfeng snapped his fingers, and Fei Kui immediately stepped forward to pour wine. "Can you make that decision?"
"Of course."
As soon as Huo Dong's words fell, Tu Gao immediately stepped forward, sneering, "Huo Dong, aren't you overstepping? What gives you the right to make that decision?"
"I dare say my understanding of the Musical Arts is passable. Asking a few questions to test the truth is something I can surely decide. Why shouldn't I?"
"Oh? So you mean none of us here can match your mastery of the Musical Arts?"
Immediately, Wang He, Ma Zhengtian, and others also stepped forward. They all knew Huo Dong wanted to use this opportunity to show off in front of Su Hua. Naturally, they wouldn't let Huo Dong have this chance easily. They all wanted to showcase themselves, none willing to yield.
Gu Qingfeng laughed. "What's this? No one can make the decision?"
"I wonder if I have the qualifications."
At this moment, Situ Zhengnan stepped forward.
"Are you up to it?"
"I dare say my words carry some weight in the Four Great Regions."
Situ Zhengnan was being somewhat modest. Given his status as one of the Twelve Princes, his words carried far more than 'some weight' in the Four Great Regions. Without exaggeration, on the Taixuan Platform today, his status was the highest, and his words carried the most authority. With a single word from him, no one would dare oppose.
"Well? Does anyone have any objections?"
Situ Zhengnan's gaze swept over Huo Dong and the others one by one. They looked at each other, wanting to say something but hesitating. Their statuses and backgrounds were roughly equivalent, and none were willing to yield. However, Situ Zhengnan's status made them wary. After all, he was the direct disciple of Hua Xiong, the Alliance Lord of the Nine-Hua Alliance, and one of the Twelve Princes. Even if they were dissatisfied in their hearts, they didn't dare show it.
"Immortal Su Hua, what is your opinion?"
"Young Master Situ, please allow me to handle this."
"Oh? Does Immortal Su Hua not trust me?"
"Young Master Situ misunderstands. I did not mean that. I am aware of your mastery of the Musical Arts. It's just..." Before Su Hua could finish, Situ Zhengnan said, "It's merely testing the truth, a trivial matter. Why trouble the Immortal to personally intervene?"
"Young Master Situ, this is the Immortal's own affair. I believe it's best left to the Immortal herself. There's no need for us to interfere."
Tu Gao stepped forward and spoke up. He hadn't dared to contradict Situ Zhengnan earlier, but now, seeing that Su Hua also seemed unwilling to let Situ Zhengnan take over, he seized the opportunity to interject. Immediately, the other Little Hidden Dragons also stepped forward, suggesting the Immortal handle it herself. In their view, if they couldn't seize this opportunity, they certainly wouldn't let Situ Zhengnan have it either.
"Oh?"
Situ Zhengnan looked at the Ten Little Hidden Dragons with some surprise. "It seems you all have quite the opinion of me..."
"Young Master Situ misunderstands."
The Ten Little Hidden Dragons all seemed discontent, posturing as if ready to confront Situ Zhengnan head-on.
Just as the group was arguing, Gu Qingfeng suddenly spoke. "Enough, what's there to argue about? If you all want to make the decision, then stop fighting. Come at me together. Anyone present who is unconvinced, who doesn't believe me, who wants to stand up for Sister Su, can all step forward. Since you're all demanding proof from me, then today, I'll put on a grand show, letting you little brats broaden your horizons and witness what true peerlessness looks like."