Chapter 79

Chapter 79: When Love Rivals Meet, Eyes Burn Red

Elsewhere, after leaving Cloudsky Peak, the Sect Master went to find Gu Qing Yuan.

When he arrived, the Seventh Elder had just handed Gu Qing Yuan the pills and finished explaining the duel.

The moment Gu Qing Yuan learned Lu Xing Yao had come, his fighting spirit flared.

His “hatred” with Lu Xing Yao dated back to the heavenly prodigy tournament. They were both rising talents of their sects, neither willing to yield. They fought until the world spun, and it ended with both sides badly injured.

After that, every time they met, they fought. Sometimes one won, sometimes the other. Their relationship only grew worse.

Lu Xing Yao was the person Gu Qing Yuan hated most—and the biggest stumbling block on his road to fame.

He had barely been injured, and the other man came sniffing around. It was beyond insulting.

“Senior Brother, don’t worry,” Gu Qing Yuan said, eyes narrowing. “I’ll recover as quickly as possible, fight with everything I have, and I won’t let Lu Xing Yao’s scheme succeed!”

The Heaven-Questioning Sect was in a critical situation. If he defeated Lu Xing Yao on behalf of the sect, the reputation he’d lost because of Song Wan Ning would return.

And the spirit stones he owed the sect for buying pills earlier? In a time like this, they wouldn’t dare demand them.

Two birds with one stone.

He was more than happy.

“Junior Brother Gu.”

The Sect Master descended from the clouds and landed before him, expression heavy. “This is a major matter. You must treat it seriously. Who knows how many forces are watching us right now?”

“Lu Xing Yao is only the Myriad Swords Sect’s vanguard. If our Heaven-Questioning Sect loses, trouble will come wave after wave. And the two Divine Transformation Ancestors still haven’t replied. Our Heaven-Questioning Sect is swaying in the storm, and the future is uncertain!”

Misery churned in his chest, but he forced out a smile uglier than crying.

“At first I thought you were injured and couldn’t handle it, so I wanted him to switch and challenge Junior Sister Song. Who knew he wouldn’t agree…”

“He’s still on Cloudsky Peak right now, and who knows what he’s doing!”

He said it deliberately, aiming the words like a blade.

Gu Qing Yuan sprang to his feet.

“Where did you say Lu Xing Yao is?”

His face darkened, so gloomy it seemed ready to drip.

“On Cloudsky Peak…”

The Sect Master blurted it out, startled—and in the next moment, Gu Qing Yuan shot into the air and headed straight for Cloudsky Peak.

The Sect Master: “…”

The Seventh Elder: “…”

“When we said Lu Xing Yao came to fight, he wasn’t even this worked up…” the Seventh Elder muttered, rubbing his nose, unease rising.

Why was Junior Brother Gu becoming more and more unreliable?

The Sect Master snorted. “Forget it. As long as he doesn’t mess up the duel, it’s fine!”

—

On Cloudsky Peak, Song Wan Ning and Lu Xing Yao faced each other. Li Ruo hovered nearby like a little mouse watching a show, eyes darting between them, snickering under her breath now and then.

When Gu Qing Yuan arrived, he saw the two of them standing together as if locked in some quiet, private moment.

Rage surged up.

He dropped from the sky with killing intent, pointing straight at Lu Xing Yao.

The instant he appeared, all three noticed.

Li Ruo puffed out her cheeks, displeased. Her most hated person was here.

Song Wan Ning lifted a brow. “Oh? You’re in such a hurry to fight?”

Her gaze swept over Gu Qing Yuan’s injuries. He clearly hadn’t recovered. Rushing over like this—was he stupid, or just arrogant?

Lu Xing Yao’s brows sank slightly.

He turned his head. His gaze collided with Gu Qing Yuan’s the moment Gu Qing Yuan landed. Sparks flew; the air turned thick with gunpowder.

“Lu Xing Yao.”

“Gu Qing Yuan.”

The tension snapped taut.

Looking at the man in front of him, Gu Qing Yuan couldn’t help remembering the past.

Long ago, Lu Xing Yao had set his sights on Song Wan Ning.

As a man, Gu Qing Yuan could sense the hostility. He could also sense the way Lu Xing Yao tried to show favor to Song Wan Ning.

Back then, Gu Qing Yuan had feelings for Song Wan Ning too, and he couldn’t accept it. So he’d fed her lie after lie, making her believe Lu Xing Yao hated her—making her believe everything he did was only to beat her.

Song Wan Ning had believed it. Naive as she was, every time she saw Lu Xing Yao, she scowled. Each duel grew harsher than the last.

And since Lu Xing Yao sometimes injured Gu Qing Yuan, Song Wan Ning’s hostility toward him only deepened.

Later, after Gu Qing Yuan and Song Wan Ning became engaged, Lu Xing Yao finally stopped showing up.

But the moment the engagement was canceled, he came rushing back.

His intentions were as obvious as daylight.

In truth, Song Wan Ning had countless admirers—most of them talented geniuses.

So what?

Gu Qing Yuan had stayed close. He’d taken the advantage early. He’d occupied Song Wan Ning’s heart long ago.

Even if they were separated now, Song Wan Ning would only have him in her heart.

Other men shouldn’t even dream of it.

Gu Qing Yuan was about to spit out a few barbs when Lu Xing Yao spoke first.

“I heard Fellow Daoist Gu fell in love with his own disciple. Why didn’t you bring your disciple along, so we old acquaintances can have a look?” His gaze slid past Gu Qing Yuan’s shoulder in open mockery. “Fellow Daoist Song, don’t you think so?”

Gu Qing Yuan’s eyes widened, shock and fury crashing together.

Lu Xing Yao was famous for being tight-lipped. Mocking him like this—now?

Was he that eager to show off in front of Song Wan Ning?

Song Wan Ning spoke from behind Gu Qing Yuan, calm as water. “His obedient disciple is still in the Eroding Wind Cave. If you want to see her, you’ll probably have to stay in the Heaven-Questioning Sect for a few days.”

Lu Xing Yao’s lips curved slightly.

So Song Wan Ning no longer loved Gu Qing Yuan.

If this were the past, she would have exploded. She wouldn’t be this calm. This unbothered.

A brief smile flickered in Lu Xing Yao’s eyes, genuine satisfaction rising in his chest.

A hypocrite like Gu Qing Yuan didn’t deserve Song Wan Ning.

“All right,” Lu Xing Yao said, seizing the opening without hesitation. “Then I’ll have to trouble Fellow Daoist Song for a few days.”

Gu Qing Yuan’s temper ignited instantly.

“The Heaven-Questioning Sect has countless guest rooms. I’ll take you there right now!”

“Fellow Daoist Song and I have been friends for years. What’s wrong with staying on Cloudsky Peak?” Lu Xing Yao’s gaze sharpened, vicious light flashing. “Fellow Daoist Gu, you and Fellow Daoist Song have been unengaged for a while now, yet you keep blocking it. Could it be you still have feelings for Fellow Daoist Song?”

Gu Qing Yuan’s jaw tightened.

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

He snapped back at once—then flicked a glance at Song Wan Ning as if it meant nothing.