“Grandfather, why would you ask such a question? The Xu Clan is a vassal force of the Tantai Clan, and I’ve heard that this time, Miss Tantai Xing’er has invited a great many people. Naturally, they’ll attend,” Gong Mingyue said.
“I’m warning you to keep your distance from that Xu Morong,” the Gong Clan Patriarch replied.
“After all, you’re now someone with a fiancé.”
“Grandfather, you’ve seen what kind of person that Chu Feng is. Are you really still intent on pushing me into a pit of fire?” Gong Mingyue asked.
“The engagement has already been set—you should accept it,” the Gong Clan Patriarch said. His tone, unlike earlier, was no longer as firm, carrying a hint of persuasion.
“Forget it, Grandfather. If you truly thought Chu Feng was a talent, why didn’t you step in to save him earlier? Deep down, after seeing his true colors, haven’t you already grown disgusted with him?” Gong Mingyue pressed.
“Nonsense!” The Gong Clan Patriarch’s face darkened with anger.
But Gong Mingyue showed no fear, continuing, “Grandfather, stop being stubborn. I grew up by your side—I know you well. I know you care about face, but I also know you love me more. You wouldn’t really throw me into a pit just for the sake of appearances.”
She paused, then added, “I’ve noticed you seem to know the Wuma Clan Patriarch. Instead of agonizing over whether I should marry that Chu Feng, why not talk to the Wuma Clan Patriarch and arrange an engagement between me and Wuma Shengjie?”
“What?”
Her words stunned everyone present. They all found it unbelievable.
Even the Wuma Clan Patriarch froze in place.
Gong Mingyue had always been fiercely proud and self-assured from a young age.
Even Xu Morong of the Xu Clan, who’d pursued her for years, had been consistently rejected.
She was like a legendary snow lotus atop an iceberg—untouchable, untainted by the mundane, the saintess in the hearts of the Gong Clan’s younger generation.
Yet today, she’d said something like this—how could people not be shocked?
It turned out Gong Mingyue wasn’t above worldly desires or disinterested in men—her standards for a future husband were simply sky-high.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been smitten by Wuma Shengjie upon meeting him, even proposing such a thing herself.
After speaking, Gong Mingyue ignored the crowd’s reactions. She turned, leading the younger generation toward the Tantai Clan’s territory.
Now, only the Gong Clan Patriarch and a few elder clan powerhouses remained.
But these elders dared not speak.
Gong Mingyue’s defiance of the Patriarch surely meant he was in a foul mood—they weren’t about to provoke him now.
“Wuma Shengjie, eh?” the Gong Clan Patriarch suddenly muttered, then fell into deep thought.
The Gong Clan members exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up with delight.
Everyone knew marrying Gong Mingyue to Chu Feng paled in comparison to pairing her with Wuma Shengjie.
With Wuma Shengjie’s talent—perhaps not on par with Linghu Hongfei—his future was still boundless.
Their joy stemmed from knowing Gong Mingyue’s words had sparked their Patriarch’s consideration.
—
Meanwhile, the Wuma Clan Patriarch was leading Chu Feng and others toward Ice Summit Peak at a rapid pace.
He’d learned Chu Feng’s cultivation was sealed and needed help from Master Liangqiu and others at the peak.
From Wuma Shengjie, Chu Feng also discovered that Master Liangqiu and his group hadn’t actually left Ice Summit Peak. The rumor of their departure was a ruse to disperse the onlookers.
As for how the Xu Clan encountered Chu Feng or why they targeted him, the Wuma Clan Patriarch didn’t pry—he already knew the friction’s cause.
But he and Wuma Shengjie were intensely curious about where Chu Feng had been.
Chu Feng didn’t hide it, recounting his experiences.
He then learned that, while he’d been unconscious, significant events had unfolded.
All the younger generation had suffered backlash—even Master Liangqiu and his peers weren’t spared.
This forced a postponement of the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars selection.
Without the top contenders, the event lost its meaning.
Of course, the delay wasn’t publicly attributed to the backlash—an excuse was concocted instead.
Hearing this, Chu Feng felt a surge of relief.
Earlier, when the Xu Clan mentioned their clash with him, they’d cited specific dates. Realizing the original Ten Stars selection date had passed, he’d felt a pang of disappointment.
Now, it turned out the event hadn’t happened—it was delayed.
If he could undo his backlash, he could still participate and prove himself.
“Chu Feng, you’re incredible! Truly worthy of being Xuanyuan’s son,” Chu Chengkong said, eyes gleaming with joy and glistening with emotion.
When Chu Feng first returned to the Chu Clan, Chu Chengkong had been sent to the Nine Dragons Upper Realm on a mission, missing subsequent events.
His impression of Chu Feng lingered at the moment Chu Feng ascended the Nine-Level Thunder Platform.
Now, he learned Chu Feng was key to breaking Ice Summit Peak’s formation—the figure in the Nine Dragons Saint Robe who’d appeared there days ago.
As a Chu Clan member and Chu Xuanyuan’s friend, he was genuinely thrilled and proud of Chu Feng.
“Don’t get too excited yet,” the Wuma Clan Patriarch said to Chu Chengkong. “The Ten Stars selection is where young friend Chu Feng will truly shine. Those mocking him today will soon realize how foolish their insults were.”
“Absolutely! I can’t wait to see their regretful faces,” Chu Chengkong replied.
Watching his two seniors chatter about him like eager children, Chu Feng smiled.
“Oh, Chu Feng, here,” Wuma Shengjie suddenly said, handing him an invitation.
“Who’s this from?” Chu Feng asked.
“Tantai Xing’er. She’s hosting a gathering for the younger generation—or rather, she’s prepared one for you,” Wuma Shengjie explained.
