Gu Liantian let out a long sigh, slowly stood up, and announced, "In that case, in early September, our Gu clan will set up a stage at the Chen Long Army's training field to compete for the qualification to participate in the Grand Heavenly Contest. At that time, you two can determine the winner!"

"We will comply with the City Lord's decree!"

Everyone understood the situation, knowing it was settled, and refrained from saying more, bowing their heads in agreement.

"If there's nothing urgent, let's call it a day."

Exhausted, Gu Liantian was about to dismiss everyone when he suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Thirteenth Brother, we haven't seen each other for a long time. Come to the City Lord's mansion later, and let's catch up."

Bowing respectfully, Gu Xuanyuan, who held great respect for his elder brother, quickly replied, "Don't worry, Brother, I'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Gu Liantian took one last look at Gu Feng. Ultimately, the path this child must walk is his own, and as a father, he can only do his best.

Without saying more, he left the Council Hall accompanied by a group of maids and attendants.

Seeing this, everyone else felt it was pointless to stay and gradually dispersed.

Gu Huaisheng, with his disciples and visiting scholars, walked past Gu Feng as if they were strangers.

Gu Feng couldn't be bothered to acknowledge them.

He knew that the mastermind behind all this was his seemingly sage-like Third Uncle. An open attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden one is hard to guard against!

Gu Feng wasn't afraid of villains, but when a villain is also insidious and cunning, one must be cautious.

"Hmph!"

Gu Chunfeng fiercely flicked his sleeve at Gu Feng, glared at him viciously, and turned to leave.

As he walked past Gu Feng, Gu Kun, with bloodshot eyes, sneered menacingly, "Gu Feng, in a few months at the stage, I'll personally take out your Golden Core! To honor my mother's spirit in heaven!"

"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed..."

With a slight smile, Gu Feng fanned himself and teased, "Your mother doesn't have any spirit in heaven. Her Elemental Infant had its intelligence erased, no different from being scattered to the winds. I saw it with my own eyes."

Clenching his fists tightly, Gu Kun's eyes were filled with ferocity, and the blood-red True Core energy leaked uncontrollably, filling the air with a strange stench.

He wished he could rush forward now and tear Gu Feng to pieces.

Xia Lengling's death was later defined by Gu Liantian, who emerged from seclusion, as an accident. No one expected that Gu Feng's body would harbor a remnant soul left by a senior in the Shape-shifting Realm. It wasn't Gu Feng's fault!

Moreover, Xia Lengling was merely an in-law to the Gu family, insignificant and inconsequential, so the matter was left unresolved.

However, the seed of hatred had been deeply planted in Gu Kun's soul, and he was willing to pay any price to avenge his mother.

Gu Xuanyuan, noticing Gu Kun's strange expression and his look of wanting to devour someone, quickly stepped in front of Gu Feng and scolded, "You little bastard, if you have the guts, settle it on the stage in the future. Don't bare your fangs and claws here, or I'll cripple you if I'm in a bad mood!"

Stolen novel; please report.

Noticing the commotion behind him, Gu Chunfeng quickly shouted, "Kun'er! Don't get entangled with him, come back to the mansion with me!"

Gu Kun gritted his teeth, withdrew his blood-colored True Core, and said in a low voice, "I'll let you be arrogant for a few more days. Your life is mine to take!"

With that, he followed Gu Chunfeng without looking back, and the two of them flew away swiftly.

"Same to you..."

Gu Feng squinted his eyes. He had long harbored murderous intent toward this nephew. If he didn't eliminate him, he would never have peace in the Gu family.

Scratching his head in doubt, Gu Xuanyuan pondered, "This little bastard is quite strange. The aura of the True Core in his body doesn't seem like the cultivation method of our Gu family!"

Gu Feng chuckled, not saying much. He felt this wasn't the place to talk and turned to Gu Xuanyuan, saying, "Thirteenth Uncle, are you interested in visiting my residence?"

"Oh! You have your own residence now? Not bad!"

With a smile of interest, Gu Xuanyuan slapped his thigh and said, "What are we waiting for? Lead the way!"

Gu Feng nodded. He was genuinely happy that Thirteenth Uncle had returned to Heroic Spirit City. When he was young and weak in cultivation, no one wanted to play with him, and it was always Thirteenth Uncle who took time to accompany him in causing mischief around Heroic Spirit City.

His protective nature surpassed even Gu Liantian's.

Without saying more, Gu Feng flew up on his sword light, heading toward Qiong Feng Pavilion.

Gu Xuanyuan, along with his subordinates Zuo Yuan and Bai Yu, followed closely behind.

In no time, the four of them arrived above Qiong Feng Pavilion.

Gu Feng led the three of them to land directly in the courtyard.

Gu Xuanyuan looked around, seeing the splendor of Qiong Feng Pavilion, which was not inferior to the City Lord's mansion in the Imperial City, and couldn't help but be secretly amazed.

"You brat, your residence is even more luxurious than mine in the Domain Palace!"

Zuo Yuan and Bai Yu also marveled, finding it indeed better than the conditions in their military camp in the Domain Sky.

With an awkward smile, Gu Feng felt a bit embarrassed and quickly invited the three of them into the inner residence.

Manager Wu and Jiu Long came out to greet them.

Seeing Gu Xuanyuan behind Gu Feng, Manager Wu was slightly taken aback and quickly bowed, respectfully saying, "Old servant pays respects to Thirteenth Master!"

"Oh! Isn't this Old Wu?"

Gu Xuanyuan laughed heartily, quickly helping him up, "Did you move here with this brat?"

"Thirteenth Master jests. After the young master came of age and established his own household, it's only natural for this old servant to follow."

Saying this, Manager Wu immediately arranged for maids and household servants to set up a banquet to welcome the three of them.

Gu Xuanyuan nodded in satisfaction, suddenly noticing Jiu Long's presence, and stepped forward to greet him, "Oh! Brother Long! It's been years! How come you're here too?"

Jiu Long returned the greeting and said quietly, "The City Lord was concerned about Gu Feng's safety and ordered me to protect him, so I've been living here."

After speaking, Jiu Long paused, sensing something different about Gu Xuanyuan, and quickly asked, "Brother Xuanyuan, could it be that your cultivation has reached the Body Fusion Realm?"

"Brother Long, you have a keen eye!"

Gu Xuanyuan laughed heartily, knowing that those present were genuinely good to Gu Feng, so he didn't hide it and said, "I experienced several life-and-death battles in the Domain Palace and glimpsed a sliver of opportunity in the midst of danger, barely stepping into the Body Fusion Realm!"

Jiu Long nodded, his face full of envy, and quickly congratulated, "Then I must congratulate Brother Xuanyuan! Having such an opportunity is truly a blessing for us cultivators."

"Hahaha, Brother Long, there's no need for that. This little opportunity is nothing worth mentioning!"

Gu Xuanyuan, with his carefree nature, never showed a good face to those he disliked but was never overbearing to those who were kind. He was a natural hero with a chivalrous spirit.

That's why Gu Feng used to enjoy hanging out with him, feeling free and unrestrained, unbound by conventions!

The maids and household servants set up the banquet perfectly.

Everyone laughed as they took their seats, chatting and reminiscing about past adventures.

Gu Feng animatedly recounted his experiences over the past year.

Gu Xuanyuan listened, bewildered, not understanding the business strategies Gu Feng spoke of, but he laughed along anyway. As long as the kid was happy, nothing else mattered to him.

Suddenly, Fang Feixue burst in anxiously, shouting, "Gu Feng! Something terrible has happened!"

Everyone was stunned, the atmosphere awkward.

Fang Feixue stood there dumbfounded, and upon seeing Gu Xuanyuan, she was shocked.

Having served in the Chen Long Army for many years, Fang Feixue was naturally familiar with Gu Xuanyuan, who had always held high prestige in the army.

Coming to her senses, Fang Feixue quickly bowed and said, "Commander of the Royal Guards, Fang Feixue, pays respects to Thirteenth Master!"

"Captain Fang!?"

Gu Xuanyuan was more surprised today than he had eaten meals, quickly asking, "Why are you here? And what's this... Royal what?"

"Replying to Thirteenth Master, it's the Royal Guards," Fang Feixue quickly replied.

"Right! The Royal Guards! What is this Royal Guards about?!"

Gu Feng chuckled wryly and had to confess his "crimes" of establishing the Artifact Crafting Department and the new Royal Guards.

Initially surprised, Gu Xuanyuan couldn't help but laugh heartily, slapping the table and jokingly scolding, "You brat, setting up a private army and even poaching from the Chen Long Army! You even sent people to monitor those Elders! Hahaha! You brat! You've done everything I wanted to do but didn't dare! Truly my good nephew!"

"Thirteenth Uncle isn't angry? Won't blame me?" Gu Feng asked suspiciously.

"What's there to blame!"

Gu Xuanyuan laughed heartily, curling his lips, "If you can pull it off, it shows you have skills! Those Elders deserve their bad luck!"

Raising his cup, he downed the fine wine and continued, "Besides, I've always hated those stupid family rules! Rules are dead, but people are alive! I still remember what you told me when you were eight, something about not being suffocated by what? How did it go?!"

Rolling his eyes, Gu Feng quickly reminded, "Living people can't be suffocated by urine..."

"Yes! That's it!"

Gu Xuanyuan slapped his thigh, saying, "Living people can't be suffocated by urine! It's simply a profound truth!"

Zuo Yuan and Bai Yu turned their heads, clinking their glasses, having long been accustomed to Gu Xuanyuan's bold and humorous antics.