“Chapter 101”

"Chapter 101"

"Gu Manling, dressed in a white robe similar to Gu Dongting's, stood elegantly, her cold and proud demeanor akin to a solitary white lotus blossoming in water."

"Shen Wang sized her up and couldn't help but find her attire disagreeable: 'In that outfit, you can't compare to Gu Dongting.'"

"Even though Gu Dongting wore the same white robe, he exuded a natural charisma and a proud, fierce aura. In contrast, Gu Manling lacked that transcendent quality and seemed to force a lofty demeanor."

"On her own, she might have looked appealing, but next to Gu Dongting, she appeared overly fragile and affected."

"Gu Manling's pretty face shifted slightly as she responded coldly, 'This is the traditional attire of the Gu family.'"

"Previously, when Shen Wang mocked others or even during his bout with Dao Chunyan, most people just watched for entertainment without interjecting. But seeing Gu Manling's change in expression, they became indignant."

"‘It’s well-known that this is the Gu family's traditional attire. She is Master Gu's sister; what's wrong with her wearing it?’"

"'Master Gu is a man; how can you compare him to a woman!'"

"'Just because you're strong doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. Bullying a woman is no achievement!'"

"'Gu Fairy's beauty is unparalleled, aloof and solitary. I think you're just sour grapes for not being able to reach her.'"

"Shen Wang, who had only uttered a single sentence from beginning to end, was baffled: '???'"

"'Of course she can wear white, but how does her wearing this outfit compare to Gu Dongting?' Shen Wang, now indignant, slammed the table, engaging in a verbal duel with the crowd, 'Gu Dongting’s face, his demeanor, his poise… which of these can she match?'"

"The crowd pondered and compared Gu Manling with the memory of Gu Dongting… indeed, she fell short."

"Someone racked their brains and finally blurted out, 'Master Gu is a man of iron and steel. Comparing him to a woman, what are you implying?'"

"Shen Wang felt wronged: 'They wear the same clothes, and even look somewhat alike...'"

"Isn’t it understandable to think of Gu Dongting upon seeing her?"

"With just a few words from Shen Wang, the admiring gazes turned scrutinizing. Gu Manling clenched her fists, unable to maintain her aloof demeanor, her mask of composure cracking to reveal a glimmer of sullenness."

"Shen Wang noticed but didn’t pay much attention."

"From the back of the crowd, someone confusedly asked, 'What’s going on?'"

"A person at the front, without raising their head, angrily explained, 'It’s all because of that Shen Wang. Not only did he bully Fairy Gu using his strength, but he also slandered Master Gu, claiming he’s like a woman.'"

"The person seemed puzzled and further inquired, 'Why? Because of his long hair?'"

"'What else could it be, two tigers can’t share a mountain. He’s just jealous of Master Gu...' the person at the front explained impatiently, rolling their eyes. As they turned to tell the person behind them to stop asking, they caught sight of who it was, their pupils dilating in shock, 'Master... Master Gu!'"

"Gu Dongting had spent the night organizing the advancement of contestants with the judges and discussing the next stages of the competition. He had no intention of attending such a leisurely banquet."

"But considering it was Shen Wang’s first competition, and although he was accompanied by Shi Yan, Shi Yan's status and strength were not notable in the capital, Gu Dongting worried Shen Wang might feel out of place, so he hurried over after finishing his work."

"Upon entering, Gu Dongting immediately noticed groups of people clustered together, forming a circle around Shen Wang in the center."

"Surprised, he inquired about the situation, only to find the explanation both amusing and exasperating."

"'Master Gu, you're finally here!'"

"With the call of 'Master Gu,' the crowd parted in unison, creating a wide path for Gu Dongting."

"As Gu Dongting walked in, people around him bombarded him with complaints and rants, like chicks flocking to their mother."

"'Master Gu, he defeated Dao Chunyan!'"

"'Chou Yin also lost to him!'"

"'He’s an independent cultivator with no sect, yet he’s trampled the prestige of our major sects into the ground. Master Gu, you must show him his place!'"

"'Master Gu, please teach him a lesson and let him know our might!'"

"'He even insulted Fairy Gu, it's unbearable!'"

"Gu Dongting looked towards Shen Wang, who stood at the center of the crowd. It seemed he had heard something amusing, as a sly smirk curled his lips, revealing a villainous grin."

"Shen Wang drawled in a low voice, 'Master Gu, are you going to discipline me?'"

"Gu Dongting moved next to Shen Wang, his eyes showing resignation. He turned to the others and said, 'With so many of you ganging up on him alone, it's simply disgraceful!'"

"Chou Yin: '???'"

"Dao Chunyan: '???'"

The others: "???"

Gu Dongting frowned slightly, his tone revealing a hint of dissatisfaction: "Cultivators should rely on talent and character, not the power of their sects. Is your vision limited to just sect rivalries?"

The others: "???"

Turning to Shen Wang, Gu Dongting's frown deepened: "The world is full of talented individuals. Exceptional aptitude is not rare and isn’t exclusive to major sects... As seniors and elder brothers, you should be open-minded and self-aware. There's no need to belittle yourselves, nor should you be narrow-minded and envious of others."

Gu Dongting was genuinely displeased.

"Today it's Shen Wang standing here, with absolute strength to protect himself. What if, one day, a talented individual inadvertently receives a legacy and steps into cultivation, yet without such strong abilities?"

"Facing the questioning of disciples from almost all major sects, how would they fare?"

"Everyone initially thought Gu Dongting would come to reclaim the prestige for the younger generation of the mystic world. However, they didn’t expect him to side with Shen Wang, treating everyone equally without sugarcoating his words."

"Though naturally reserved and aloof, Gu Dongting is usually just reserved in character, and it was rare for him to show such anger."

"While the crowd listened dejectedly to his reprimand, they couldn't help feeling aggrieved: 'It's not like we bullied him. It was he who bullied all of us.'"

"In the silence, Gu Dongting heard this complaint and looked at the speaker: 'If you hadn’t provoked him, why would he retaliate?'"

"Knowing Shen Wang’s aversion to trouble, he would never engage in something both troublesome and unrewarding."

"The young cultivators who were reprimanded opened their mouths, thought back, and realized they had indeed been the ones to provoke first. They sheepishly closed their mouths."

"Someone muttered, 'What about him bullying Fairy Gu? Aren't you going to address that, Master Gu?'"

"Hearing this, everyone eagerly looked up at Gu Dongting, their gazes filled with anticipation."

"In the mystic world, it’s well-known that the Gu family is fiercely protective of their own, intolerant of outsiders bullying their kin."

"Gu Dongting paused, glanced at Gu Manling standing aside, and asked indifferently, 'How did he bully you?'"

"Gu Manling bit her lip: 'He said that... I don't look as good in white as you do.'"

"Gu Dongting waited for a while, only to hear this. A rare hint of perplexity appeared in his eyes: Is that all?"

"The others thought about it and realized that was indeed all Shen Wang had said."

"However, Shen Wang had just defeated two strong figures in the mystic world, and people were resentful towards him. And there he was, a tall man standing in front of Gu Manling, his dominance over her apparent."

"Especially since Gu Manling’s expression changed and she looked aggrieved after hearing that comment, eliciting sympathy from the crowd and further anger towards Shen Wang."

"Now that they had calmed down, they realized it was all over such a trivial matter..."

"It was indeed somewhat laughable."

"At that moment, Gu Dongting and Gu Manling, standing together in similar white attire, shared a similar cold demeanor. The slight resemblance in their features was accentuated by their dress and demeanor, making them look quite alike."

"The difference was that Gu Manling appeared like a delicate white lotus, trembling and fragile in the breeze."

"In contrast, Gu Dongting was like a sturdy, resilient poplar, tall and firm, reaching into the skies."

"Shen Wang’s comment about not measuring up seemed not entirely unfounded."

"Gu Dongting paused, and being her brother, he didn’t speak harshly but simply remarked, 'Cultivators should focus on their path, appearances are just a shell.'"

"Gu Manling bit her teeth and lowered her head: 'I understand.'"

"'We are of different genders, how can we be compared?' Seeing Gu Manling’s demeanor, Gu Dongting softened his tone, 'If someone cares about you, you are unparalleled in their eyes, no need to force comparisons with others.'"

"Shen Wang, who had been silent behind Gu Dongting, suddenly spoke with a half-smile, 'Even the renminbi has its detractors, let alone you. It’s best not to think too highly of oneself.'"

"Gu Dongting: '...Though bluntly put, the reasoning is sound.'"

Gu Manling almost couldn't hold back her anger, her eyes reddening with indignation and frustration.

Gu Dongting, unaware of Gu Manling's emotions, turned to the other cultivators present and said, "You're bullying with numbers and power. Do you realize your mistake?"

The others: Who is bullying whom here? This is outrageous!!!

Internally fuming, the crowd replied weakly, "We realize our mistake."

Gu Dongting nodded: "In that case, apologize to Shen Wang."

The young cultivators were almost red-eyed with rage: Humiliated, rubbed in the dirt, and now they have to apologize to the instigator!!!

This is infuriating!!!

With tears in their eyes, they looked at Shen Wang and apologized fiercely: "Fellow Shen, we're sorry!"

Shen Wang, feigning authority, felt quite amused and said with a smile, "No worries, I magnanimously forgive you all."

The young cultivators: Damn it!!! They were so angry they could go berserk!

Under the fiery gaze of everyone, Shen Wang smiled even more joyfully: He loved this feeling of infuriating others without consequence, when they hated him to death but couldn't do anything about it.

Glancing at Gu Dongting, Shen Wang's expression softened, cherishing the feeling of being unconditionally protected...

It's really wonderful.

No wonder those minor villains dare to act so boldly, thinking of the thrill of having such backing, Shen Wang almost wanted to provoke those people again.

Gu Dongting then nodded, signaling to everyone, "Let's not dwell on this matter and continue the banquet."

The crowd returned to their seats, heads hung low. The atmosphere remained heavy for a while before it slowly started to ease, though it still felt somewhat subdued.

Shen Wang quietly asked Gu Dongting, "They are like this... are they okay?"

Gu Dongting looked up and said indifferently, "They've had it too easy for too long. It's time they took a fall to realize there are always greater powers out there."

Shen Wang nodded in agreement, then turned away from them, chuckling, "Today I truly learned what 'spoilt by favor' means..."

Gu Dongting was momentarily stunned by the phrase, then he too burst into laughter.

The two of them whispered and laughed together, causing those secretly watching to tear their handkerchiefs and grind their teeth in envy: Had they known the bond between them was this strong, they wouldn't have provoked them or enjoyed the drama.

Basking in the envious and resentful gazes of the crowd, Shen Wang strutted about, reveling in his moment of triumph. His gaze swept around and suddenly stopped at a corner.

A youth there seemed downcast, his head lowered, ignoring everyone. A man beside him leaned in and said several things, but the youth didn't look up.

Just as Shen Wang wondered why the man was leaning so close, almost touching the youth’s face.

Suddenly, the man lifted the youth's chin and kissed him firmly on the lips.

Shen Wang's eyes widened in shock.

Oblivious to their surroundings, the man and youth continued their embrace. After a long kiss, the youth finally smiled, nestling close to the man like a cat and returned the kiss.

Gu Dongting, following Shen Wang's gaze, crushed the wine glass in his hand!