"What is the Ancestor thinking? Why would he arrange for Fengyao to marry this Chen Chang'an?"
"Who exactly is this Chen Chang'an? Why does the Ancestor favor him so much?"
"No way. Fengyao is the rising star of our Gu Family’s younger generation. We can’t just let her be betrothed to some unknown outsider without a proper explanation."
"Exactly. Even if Fengyao really has to marry him, we should test this guy first and see if he’s even worthy of her."
Gu Fengyao was the beloved jewel of the Gu Family, and not just because she was the most talented of the younger generation.
The most important reason was that, despite the Gu Family’s flourishing lineage, Fengyao was the only girl in her generation.
With over a hundred doting older brothers, she was practically cradled in their palms.
Now that they’d learned Gu Fengyao was engaged to some unknown man, how could they possibly accept it so easily?
A hundred of them marched in a grand procession to the courtyard where Chen Chang'an resided, their imposing presence demanding that he be taught a lesson.
These past few days, Chen Chang'an had been living quite leisurely—lounging on a rocking chair, idling about, with Gu Xian'er attending to his every need.
When he wasn’t bantering with Da Huang, he was simply enjoying his comfortable little life.
As for Gu Fengyao, before returning to the Gu Family, she had clung to Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er every day. But now, she was hiding away, too embarrassed to show her face.
"Chen Chang'an, what do you think you're doing?"
The moment the Gu Family’s younger generation arrived at the courtyard, they saw Gu Xian'er feeding Chen Chang'an a grape.
The sight struck a nerve.
How dare he, already engaged to their sister, openly carry on with another woman right under the Gu Family’s roof?
Did he have no respect for the Gu Family at all?
Chen Chang'an had sensed their arrival, but their attitude displeased him.
"Are you blind? Can’t you see I’m eating? Why ask such a stupid question?" Chen Chang'an replied without even lifting his head.
Then, he opened his mouth again, letting Gu Xian'er feed him another grape.
"You—you’ve got some nerve!"
"Do you even know what position you’re in right now?"
"We advise you to behave yourself, or we won’t let you off easy."
"That’s right! You’re Fengyao’s fiancé—you should keep your distance from other women. Do you think the Gu Family is some pushover?"
"With behavior like this, how could you ever be worthy of our Gu Family’s young mistress?"
Chen Chang'an remained unfazed by their accusations, replying indifferently, "This engagement was arranged by your Ancestor. If you have a problem with it, go talk to him."
"If you can get it annulled, I’d thank you for it."
"Well? What are you waiting for?"
His words left them momentarily speechless.
Go to the Ancestor? What a joke! Even if the Ancestor were in a good mood—which he hadn’t been these past few days—they wouldn’t dare.
Forget about whether they could even find him—their elders would thrash them black and blue for disturbing the Ancestor.
Did they have a death wish?
"You—don’t think just because the Ancestor arranged this, you can rest easy and do whatever you want!"
"Exactly! If the Ancestor knew what kind of man you are, he’d never allow it!"
"Chen Chang'an, if you want to marry Fengyao, you’ll have to get through us first!"
Get through you?
Who the hell are you?
"Are you Gu Fengyao’s father?"
"You—nonsense! We’re her brothers!"
"All of you?"
"Her father must’ve been quite the stud."
"You—you’re utterly shameless!"
"We’re not her blood brothers, but we’re of the same generation. I’m her cousin, so what?"
"We’re her cousins, so what?"
"Don’t we have the right to discipline you?"
"Chen Chang'an, enough talk. Face us in a fight. Let’s see what the Ancestor even saw in you."
"You’re just at the first level of the Divine Transformation Realm, yet you dare act so high and mighty in our Gu Family?"
Acting high and mighty?
Chen Chang'an smirked at them.
You fools, I am high and mighty. Even your Ancestor has to call me "Senior."
"Xian'er, go play with them. It’s been a while since you’ve had a proper fight."
"You could use the exercise."
"Just don’t go too hard on them."
"After all, we’re in the Gu Family. Killing them would be awkward."
"Hmm… as long as they don’t die, it’s fine."
Hearing Chen Chang'an’s words, Gu Xian'er nodded, then stood up and walked toward the Gu Family’s younger generation.
"Chen Chang'an, what’s the meaning of this? You won’t fight yourself, so you send a woman?"
"Chen Chang'an, are you looking down on us?"
"Open your eyes and see—our cultivation is at the…"
Chen Chang'an saw it clearly. These people were only a few years older than Gu Fengyao, and their cultivation was all within the Divine Transformation Realm.
In terms of talent, they were only slightly inferior to Gu Fengyao.
In any other place, they’d be considered prodigies.
After all, as members of the Gu Family, how could they be weak?
But Gu Xian'er was no pushover either. Since she was also at the Divine Transformation Realm, she was the perfect match for them.
"If I fought, it’d just be bullying."
"Try beating her first."
Beat her?
Though they were annoyed, they figured defeating this woman shouldn’t be too hard.
"Who’s going first?"
"Don’t say we’re bullying you—I’ll go."
"Fine."
Bam!
"Next!"
"Hmph, my turn!"
Bam!
"Keep going!"
Bam!
"Anyone else left?"
Gu Xian'er’s movements were swift and ruthless.
Out of the hundred-plus young Gu Family members, barely any could last a single move against her.
By the end, over a hundred of them were sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain as they stared at Gu Xian'er with newfound fear.
Who the hell is this woman? She’s terrifying!
At the third level of the Divine Transformation Realm, her combat power was easily at the peak of the ninth level!
Chen Chang'an and Da Huang watched with approval, noting that Gu Xian'er had held back.
"It seems the Seven-Scented Blazing Fruit really was useful."
"Xian'er’s combat power has improved significantly, especially the martial techniques from her cultivation method—they’ve grown much stronger."
Back in the capital of the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty, Chen Chang'an had acquired the Seven-Scented Blazing Fruit at an auction, and Gu Xian'er had consumed it long ago.
At the time, the effects hadn’t seemed obvious, and she hadn’t had a chance to fight since.
But now, it was clear—the fruit had been perfect for her. Her combat power had increased by at least fifty percent.
"Though lately, her cultivation progress has slowed down."
It had been over three months since Gu Xian'er broke through to the third level of the Divine Transformation Realm, yet she hadn’t advanced further. Chen Chang'an found it puzzling.
Logically, the energy from the Immortal Spirit Fruit she’d consumed earlier shouldn’t have been fully absorbed yet—her progress shouldn’t be this sluggish.
Though Chen Chang'an wasn’t sure what Chen Yunxuan was up to these days, given that kid’s relentless drive, his cultivation had to be far beyond the fourth level of the Divine Transformation Realm by now.
"You… just who are you?"
"How can you be this strong?"
The Gu Family’s younger generation couldn’t comprehend it—how was this woman so powerful?
Moreover, such a powerful woman—why would she willingly stay by Chen Chang'an's side? And even appear to serve him like a maid?
This… What virtue or ability does Chen Chang'an possess to deserve this?
"Am I strong?"
"I think it's just that you're too weak," Gu Xian'er said indifferently.
Huh?
How could she say something so insulting? We’re weak? Are you joking? It’s clearly that you’re absurdly overpowered!
"Who would’ve thought that the strength we took such pride in would be so utterly worthless."
"Indeed. This woman looks even younger than us, yet she’s already…"
"Wait, younger than us? And her cultivation is…"
"Gu Xian'er?"
"You’re Gu Xian'er?"
Suddenly, it dawned on them. Someone younger than them would undoubtedly rank on the Human Rankings. A woman, with cultivation at the Divine Transformation Realm’s third level—who else could it be but Gu Xian'er?
Gu Xian'er, at just twenty-one years old?
"That’s right. I am Gu Xian'er."
Gu Xian'er had never bothered to hide her identity; she simply disliked flaunting it.
By Chen Chang'an's side, her role was to remain low-key and avoid overshadowing him.
"You—you’re ranked third on the Human Rankings! Why are you following Chen Chang'an?"
"Because I’m his maid. Is there a problem?"
"His maid? You’re Chen Chang'an’s maid?"
"Have you lost your mind? Someone like you—how could you serve another as a maid?"
"No, this is absolutely unacceptable!"
Birds of a feather flock together—their reactions were identical to Gu Fengyao’s back then.
"Truly cut from the same cloth. All of you are insane."
Gu Xian'er couldn’t be bothered with these defeated opponents and turned to walk back to Chen Chang'an’s side.
The crowd watched as Gu Xian'er stood beside Chen Chang'an, their hearts burning with fury.
How could someone of her stature be reduced to a mere maid?
Chen Chang'an!
You… what a sin you’ve committed!