Perhaps not expecting Mu Zibai to suddenly say such a thing, Qing Ning's willow-like eyebrows arched as she asked, "What do you mean by that!"
"Nothing much. I just think these crystal fragments should belong to everyone."
Mu Zibai stared at the crystal fragments on the array eye. Although he tried hard to disguise his greed, and his expression appeared indifferent, the glint flashing in his eyes betrayed him.
At the very least, Qing Ning had already guessed his intentions. With an unhappy expression, she said, "Mu Zibai, he saved us! You can't do this!"
"He merely did us a favor. 'Saving our lives' is an overstatement."
Mu Zibai said leisurely, "Moreover, since we entered the cave dwelling together, helping each other is only natural. If he were in danger, I would also act without hesitation to assist. However, a favor is a favor, and rules are rules. One cannot monopolize resources simply because they offered help. I believe you understand this principle."
"I admit that is indeed the rule, but when we entered, he was acting alone, not with us."
"That is no excuse."
Mu Zibai's tone began to turn unfriendly. "Qing Ning, do not forget that I was the one who discovered this cave dwelling first. Allowing him to enter was already an immense favor I granted him!"
"You!"
Qing Ning was momentarily speechless, unable to refute him. Although she came from the Nine Hua Alliance and held a noble status, she and Mu Zibai were friends of many years. She understood his character somewhat and knew that seeing those crystal fragments must have ignited his greed.
Mu Zibai said very gently, "Fellow Daoist, these crystal fragments belong to everyone. I advise you to hand them over."
Across from them, Gu Qingfeng still stood beside the array eye, unhurriedly and carefully picking up the fragments of Purple-Gold Heavenly Shining Crystal. His movements were calm and unhurried, his expression particularly indifferent. Only his eyes were slightly narrowed as he watched the two arguing, a trace of disdainful and amused smile hanging at the corner of his mouth.
"I just saved you. It's fine if you show no gratitude, but now you want to snatch my crystal fragments? Little fellow, aren't you being rather dishonorable?"
"My apologies. These are the rules. Since they are the rules, everyone must abide by them. No one is an exception."
Seeing Gu Qingfeng still picking up fragments, Mu Zibai's expression showed some anger. He said in a deep voice, "I'll say it once more. These fragments belong to everyone. I advise you to hand them over."
"And if I don't?"
"You won't?"
Mu Zibai sneered and shouted, "Then don't blame me for being impolite!"
Looking at the arrogantly self-assured Mu Zibai, Gu Qingfeng smiled—a somewhat disdainful smile. "In this world, contending for ownerless items is inherently understandable. If you have the capability, the skill, and the courage, killing for treasure is also permissible... However...
The prerequisite is that you possess the ability. Little fellow, do you have that ability?
Can you defeat me?"
"Oh?"
Hearing Gu Qingfeng say this, Mu Zibai couldn't help but scrutinize him carefully, as if trying to discern something from Gu Qingfeng's face. But he was quickly disappointed, because he could see nothing on Gu Qingfeng's face—neither feigned composure nor genuine confidence.
"You don't even know who I am. You don't even know the extent of my strength, yet you dare to rob me?"
Gu Qingfeng tilted his head and asked, "Have you not considered the consequences?
What if you can't defeat me?
Have you thought that you might not only fail to snatch the fragments but also lose your life? Haven't you considered any of this?
Think it over carefully. Consider it thoroughly before you act."
"Are you trying to scare me?"
Mu Zibai glared angrily, his voice stern and sharp.
"Scare you? Little fellow, you're overthinking it."
Gu Qingfeng said slowly, "The reason I'm saying this to you is solely because you are a disciple of Yunxia Sect. That is all."
Gu Qingfeng held a special sentiment for Yunxia Sect. After all, Yunxia Sect carried the memories of his youth. Although those memories weren't particularly beautiful, he had been unable to forget them to this day.
If possible, he truly did not wish to become enemies with these little fellows from Yunxia Sect.
Of course, not wishing for it was one thing; not wishing did not mean it wouldn't happen.
He was merely offering advice. Whether the other party listened or not was beyond his consideration.
Those familiar with Gu Qingfeng knew he was a man of principle. Whether it was persuasion, warning, reminder, or concession, he would only do it once. If you listened, fine. If you didn't, he would absolutely not do it a second time. Never.
Clearly, Mu Zibai did not heed his advice. He shouted coldly, "I'll say it one more time. These fragments belong to everyone. This is the last time!"
Seeing Gu Qingfeng ignore him, Mu Zibai snorted coldly and shouted, "Let me see what ability you have to act so arrogantly before me!"
As his words fell, he took a step forward, intending to force the issue. At that moment, Qing Ning flashed in front of him, blocking his way. "Mu Zibai! You cannot do this."
"Qing Ning! Why are you siding with an outsider? Don't forget it was I who brought you here!"
"I am grateful that you thought of me when you discovered the cave dwelling, but he did save us... We cannot do something so ungrateful!"
"Qing Ning! Step aside!"
Qing Ning shook her head, her stance firm.
"You!"
Mu Zibai was furious. Qing Ning's cultivation was higher than his, and she came from the Nine Hua Alliance. If she didn't step aside, he couldn't very well force his way.
However, right at that moment, with a creak, a stone door inside the hall opened, and a group of four or five people walked in. They were none other than Yunxia Sect's Li Qiandong, Huang Yao, and Fenghuo Sect's Huo Yong and Zhang Hengsheng.
"Huang Yao, what happened to you?"
Seeing Huang Yao's pale face, clutching his chest, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, looking utterly disheveled and being supported by Li Qiandong, both Mu Zibai and Qing Ning were greatly surprised.
"Did you encounter danger?" Qing Ning asked with concern.
"It's him! He's the one who attacked me!"
The moment Huang Yao saw Gu Qingfeng, he roared in furious agitation. "It was him!"
What?
Qing Ning was greatly taken aback. "Is there some misunderstanding?"
"No misunderstanding, True Monarch Qing Ning. He was the one who attacked," Li Qiandong said. "Junior Brother Huang Yao and I were waiting outside. After this person arrived, without a word, he attacked and beat Junior Brother Huang Yao into this state."
Qing Ning turned to look at Gu Qingfeng.
"That's right."
There were many fragments within the array eye, and each one was very unstable. Gu Qingfeng was picking them up with great care. Seeing Qing Ning's inquiry, he did not hide it, replying very calmly, "I was the one who hit him."
"You..." Qing Ning was speechless.
"Qing Ning, now you see what kind of person he is!"
Originally, with Qing Ning blocking the way, Mu Zibai couldn't easily force the issue. But now, with such a perfect excuse, Mu Zibai no longer hesitated. He circulated his spiritual power, ready to act.
"Mu Zibai, don't be impulsive!"
While Qing Ning was blocking Mu Zibai, over there, Huang Yao, upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, had already lost his senses. Enduring his injuries, he frantically circulated his spiritual power, summoned his Thunderbolt Palm, and launched an assault.
It wasn't just Huang Yao who acted; Li Qiandong did as well.
He didn't know who Gu Qingfeng was, and at this moment, he didn't care. With Senior Brother Mu Zibai here, he had confidence. In his mind, no matter who this person before him was, today he would make him pay the price.
However, that was only what they thought.
Never mind Mu Zibai being here; even if the founding ancestor of Yunxia Sect were here, it wouldn't matter.
When Huang Yao attacked with his Thunderbolt Palm, Gu Qingfeng raised his hand and slapped down, striking the crown of his head. With a thud, Huang Yao didn't even have time to grunt. Blood flowed from his seven orifices as he knelt on the spot, already unconscious.
At the same time, Li Qiandong, who was also attacking, saw Huang Yao collapse on the spot without even lasting one exchange. He was scared out of his wits and wanted to turn and flee, but it was too late. Gu Qingfeng kicked out, striking him directly in the back.
*Cough!*
Li Qiandong spat blood from his mouth and nose, his bones fractured, as he was sent flying sideways and landed on the ground.
This scene happened too suddenly, so suddenly that everyone present couldn't believe their eyes.
"Junior Brother! You... You're seeking death!"
*Whoosh!*
Mu Zibai was greatly enraged. Spiritual power circulated within his body, radiant light shimmered around him, and he summoned a flying sword. Wielding sword techniques, he launched a direct assault.
As the foremost Head of the Twelve Courts of Yunxia Sect, Mu Zibai possessed Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer cultivation, had established a Colorful Foundation, and had cultivated six exceptionally powerful sword techniques to the perfect seventh and ninth levels.
"Ignorant fool!"
Gu Qingfeng's narrowed eyes suddenly snapped open. With a wave of his hand, he shattered the flying sword in Mu Zibai's grasp into countless fragments. A kick followed, and Mu Zibai instantly spat blood from his mouth and nose, was sent flying sideways, and crashed directly into the hall's wall. The moment he struggled to stand up, Gu Qingfeng flashed into appearance, grabbed him by the neck, and slammed him against the wall.
*Thud!*
Mu Zibai cried out in pain. Colorful radiance immediately shimmered around his body—he had established a Colorful Foundation, and this was the manifestation of his Colorful Spirit Protection!
But the moment he summoned his Colorful Spirit Protection, Gu Qingfeng raised his hand and slapped the top of his head. That single slap instantly dispersed and shattered his Colorful Spirit Protection.
*Thud! Thud!*
Two more slaps followed.
Mu Zibai's body no longer emitted any radiance, and even his robes were torn to shreds.