Her master, revered at the Southwest Base, grew ambitious. He aimed to use her marriage to form an alliance with the Gu family, seeking autonomy over the Southwest Base. The Gu family's motive was obvious – control over the military.

"What about after the meeting?"

Han Xi slapped her hand on the tea table, causing Zhou You to worry that it might shatter with a single blow. Fortunately, her touch was gentle.

"This Gu Zhao is insufferable," she remarked. "Though blessed with good looks, his words are nauseating. He thinks marriage is a mere formality. He says I can continue to live at Emei Sect, while he remains in Dawn City. We're even free to see other people if we wish."

"And what's this about wanting two children after marriage? One bearing his surname, and one mine, just so both our families aren't left without heirs."

The two men without heirs exchanged glances and chuckled, "Well, he's certainly thinking long-term."

"He wishes!" Han Xi playfully kicked Zhang Huaizen, "What's the use of sitting there and laughing? Or should I consider marrying Gu Zhao?"

Zhang Huaizen took her hand, pulling her close and holding her, "Calm down. He's just challenged me, hasn't he? Give me a few days and I'll get your revenge."

Zhou You, having just heard this news, looked at them in surprise.

Shao Qi, who also only learned of this today, said to Zhou You, "Let's go watch the duel. Gu Zhao is skilled, and I'm not quite sure of his specialties. This will be a good opportunity to gauge his strength."

Frowning, Han Xi added, "If he's confident enough to issue a challenge, it means he knows what he's up against. The three major sects' techniques are well-known. He doesn't need to be better than Huaizen, just capable of countering his moves."

Such is the downside of famous sects. With their techniques widely promoted, many are familiar with their martial arts, making it easier to counter them.

"What happens if you lose?" Zhou You inquired curiously.

Han Xi shrugged, "Well, it's just a matter of losing face. We represent the prestige of our sects. If we lose in a duel, it will definitely affect the sect's reputation."

"Reputation, schmeputation. If you three major sects continue this way, you'll soon be replaced. Martial arts should have a pure heart and the perseverance of long-term practice. There are no shortcuts to real success."

Zhang Huaizen stood up, "Honestly, it might not be too bad. If I don’t become the sect leader, I can join the Emei Sect by marrying into it."

Han Xi raised an eyebrow at him, a big smile on her face, "Sure, I’ll start preparing the dowry to marry you into my home!"

The two of them teased each other while Zhou You tried to hide his embarrassment. It was clear though, they truly cared for each other. He wondered how smooth their journey of love would be.

"Don't worry, I'll be your witness. I'll personally lead the wedding procession and ensure the groom reaches your bed without a hitch," Shao Qi whispered into Zhou You's ear, teasing, "When's our wedding?"

"Didn't we already get our marriage certificate?"

"Yes, but we need to have the wedding ceremony after."

"We'll see." Zhou You hadn't really thought about a formal wedding. In his heart, they were already family.

Chapter 213: Duel Challenge

That night, there was a shocking report from the research institute. A researcher was unfortunately attacked by an insect during an experiment. By the next morning, he had turned into a mummified corpse.

The next day, research on this insect was halted urgently. All the specimens were recalled and securely stored in a temperature-controlled room.

Shao Qi and Zhou You were summoned to discuss countermeasures. Near the southern Yunlan Mountain Range, people had discovered more of these insects, and in large numbers. They seemed to be migrating southward, perhaps seasonally.

"How can a single insect be so deadly? Even if it needs to feed, one insect can't possibly drain all the blood from a human," Zhou You expressed his doubts.

They played a surveillance video for him. In it, the exhausted researcher was seen dozing off on the lab table. The insect in the glass container slowly cut its way out and crawled into the man's ear.

The scene was horrifying. Everyone watched in shock as the researcher jolted awake, frantically slapping his body. The trails of bugs were evident on his bare skin, revealing their disturbing movement.

"His blood wasn't wholly drained but rather bled out."

Zhou You observed numerous small cuts all over his body. His internal organs must've ruptured. The lacerations from the bugs' movement made him look like a blood-soaked gourd.

Once he bled to death, his laboratory was splattered with blood everywhere. The bug never emerged from his corpse, which was eventually sent to the morgue.

In the end, the bug was extracted, but it had grown noticeably, soaked in blood. Its sight was bone-chilling.

Shao Qi, wearing gloves, grasped the bug. A blue light momentarily flashed on its back before fading.

To outsiders, the intricacies were hidden, but Zhou You saw everything clearly. Shao Qi effortlessly neutralized the bug's psychic attack and even absorbed its energy.

A single bug's energy was finite. Zhou You had observed that once they exhausted their psychic power and didn't replenish it quickly, their aggressiveness diminished.

"Deploy reconnaissance drones to capture the movement of the swarm, predict their destination, and monitor their growth," Shao Qi suggested. Everyone agreed, and both the military and research institute dispatched a hundred mini drones. How much useful footage they'd retrieve was uncertain.

"This approach is too passive. We need to find a way to counter these bugs promptly. So far, aside from the Flying White Tiger, we haven't been helpless against any mutant creature," lamented Director He Yuan.