In one day, it would be Gu Qingcheng's Promotion Ceremony. She was the Gu Family's newly promoted Grandmaster and a Heaven's Proud Daughter.
The entire Azure Dragon Province City was incomparably lively.
Quite a few forces, openly or covertly, entered the fray one after another, fanning the flames of public opinion. They intended to exert pressure through public opinion, creating hidden dangers and driving wedges between people.
Of course, even more forces had focused their energy on tomorrow's upcoming Promotion Ceremony. They prepared congratulatory gifts and made all manner of calculations.
Among the various forces, there were also juniors preparing to attend the ceremony, unable to contain their excitement as they looked forward to witnessing the bearing of the Gu Family's Alluring Fairy tomorrow.
Under such circumstances, Chen Ping'an met this renowned Alluring Fairy in the Gu Family's rear garden. To be precise, after many days apart, he saw once more the fiancée bound to him by a marriage contract witnessed by Heaven and Earth.
After many days apart, Gu Qingcheng was still as beautiful as ever—beautiful enough to shake the soul, unlike anyone of the mortal world.
She wore a plain white rainbow robe, its skirts drifting like flowing clouds. Moonlight seemed to condense upon it like dew, and when she moved lightly, it was as though silver ripples spread outward.
Gu Qingcheng's gaze was cold and clear, like that of a solitary fairy in the Moon Palace. Only the moment she saw Chen Ping'an did a trace of a gentle smile appear on her face.
But.
Only that trace.
"Miss Gu." Chen Ping'an smiled warmly and naturally took a seat before Gu Qingcheng.
His action naturally drew the dissatisfaction of the sword-bearing girl at the side.
The girl glared at Chen Ping'an with a pair of lively, wide eyes.
Chen Ping'an seemed utterly unaware. He sat ramrod straight, his expression gentle as he looked at Gu Qingcheng before him.
After many days apart, Gu Qingcheng's temperament had grown even colder. Yet the coldness around her was not the chill of ice, but rather a sense of having transcended dust and cast off the mundane.
At a single glance, she seemed not to belong to the mortal realm, like a cold fairy of the Guanghan Palace, ethereal and drifting, speaking directly of the Human World.
"Several months have passed since we last met. Congratulations, Miss Gu, on making further progress and entering the Grandmaster Realm. Such speed truly earns Chen's admiration."
With broad sleeves flowing like clouds and wrists whiter than snow, Gu Qingcheng poured Chen Ping'an a cup of tea.
"Young Master Chen possesses peerless talent and ranks among the Hidden Dragons. Qingcheng's meager progress is unworthy of such praise from Young Master Chen."
Gu Qingcheng's brows and eyes were picturesque, cold as snow. Though her voice was soft, she sat like an ice-lotus fairy, carrying a solitary aura that kept others a thousand miles away, leaving them able only to admire her from afar and not dare profane her.
Chen Ping'an's gaze was calm as he gladly accepted the tea from Gu Qingcheng's hand.
Whether to show closeness or for some other calculation, Gu Qingcheng had not used True Essence to float the tea over. Instead, she chose to hold the tea in her fair hand and personally offer it to Chen Ping'an.
When Chen Ping'an accepted the tea, their fingertips faintly brushed. Though they had not fully touched, that soft, tingling sensation made one's heart sway and stirred yearning within.
Chen Ping'an was seasoned and shrewd by nature, so he naturally would not be easily affected.
But clearly, the sword-bearing girl at the side saw this exchange, and it aroused her intense dissatisfaction.
Had Gu Qingcheng not remained as composed as usual, without the slightest strange color, the girl would likely have called him a lecher outright.
Even so, the girl gritted her pearly teeth and stared fixedly at Chen Ping'an, watching to see whether he would commit any further improper acts.
Perceiving the girl's behavior, Chen Ping'an secretly found it amusing.
This girl was truly entertaining!
Gu Qingcheng did not speak much. As Chen Ping'an drank the spiritual tea, he chatted idly with her, speaking a sentence here and there.
They spoke only of ordinary matters, nothing unusual at all.
Having learned his lesson previously, Chen Ping'an did not entertain any thoughts of probing with his senses this time.
He had not forgotten the marvels of the Bright Moon Golden Wheel, the Divine Firmament Ancient Sword, and the rosy light at the edge of the clouds.
Though his cultivation had now advanced greatly and he had entered the First Breakthrough Gate upon the foundation of Nine Spiritual Patterns, he still did not wish to suffer that ordeal when facing Gu Qingcheng.
Mm, it was quite good for an engaged couple to retain a little mystery.
Chen Ping'an secretly nodded, convincing himself.
In truth, during their conversation, the urge to probe her with his senses arose several times. Yet whether intentionally or not, each time he was met by the sword-bearing girl, gritting her silver teeth as she stared fixedly at him.
That look was as though she were guarding against a big bad wolf with utmost vigilance.
Chen Ping'an felt somewhat speechless.
When my wife enters the household next time, I'll have you wait outside! On our wedding night, let's see if you still dare stare! Chen Ping'an thought with considerable optimism, unable to suppress a smile.
For a great family like the Gu Family, a personal maidservant by Gu Qingcheng's side would most likely be sent along as part of her dowry on the day Gu Qingcheng married.
In theory, on the day Gu Qingcheng entered his household, she would most likely enter with her as well.
Whether she would attend them in bed was another matter, as that mostly depended on the principal wife's attitude. But waiting outside the room was truly unavoidable.
Chen Ping'an would not even need to bring that point up himself.
Furthermore, in reality, the personal maids who accompanied the principal wife as dowry often became the lord's concubines within a few years.
Thinking of this, Chen Ping'an could not help but find it intriguing.
Taking advantage of a lull in his conversation with Gu Qingcheng, he blinked at the sword-bearing girl beside them.
The girl's mouth immediately puffed up.
By the look of it, if Gu Qingcheng had not been present, she would have charged at him directly with her sword in hand.
Chen Ping'an smiled but did not tease her further. He turned serious and said to Gu Qingcheng before him, "Regarding tomorrow's celebration, how does Miss Gu need Chen to cooperate?"
Gu Qingcheng seemed unaware of their actions. Her gaze remained cold and clear, her bearing as frigid as an immortal's. "Young Master Chen, follow your heart and do as you wish.
"What Young Master Chen wishes is also what Qingcheng wishes."
As I wish? Chen Ping'an drew out the words in his heart, savoring their meaning.
Tomorrow was Gu Qingcheng's Promotion Celebration. According to what had been said before, as Gu Qingcheng's future husband, he needed to make a thunderous entrance at the start of the celebration, use the greatest possible momentum to push the event to its climax, and completely ignite the public discourse of Azure Dragon.
This was both a calculation for the Gu Family and something Chen Ping'an had promised.
But was this
truly what Gu Qingcheng wanted!?
Chen Ping'an did not know.
Chen Ping'an had another important matter to attend to at the Gu Family.
After seeing Gu Qingcheng and conversing with his famous fiancée, Chen Ping'an did not stay long.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, he expressed his intention to leave.
Gu Qingcheng did not try to keep him. Her broad sleeves and tassels swayed as she gave a graceful bow.
"Thank you for Miss Gu's spiritual tea." Chen Ping'an stood with cupped hands and gave a solemn bow.
The two had been seated facing one another, already not far apart. When they bowed, the distance between them shortened even more.
A man and a woman, white robes and a moon skirt, bowing with cupped hands—like an immortal couple.
Seeing this scene, the sword-bearing girl's vicious expression softened somewhat, and her tightly gritted silver teeth loosened a little.
As the two bowed to one another, like husband and wife performing their rites, it left one's mind dazed.
"Miss Gu, until tomorrow!"
Chen Ping'an rose after cupping his hands. A faint, lingering fragrance coiled around the tip of his nose, stirring endless yearning.
Looking at the moonlike beauty before him, Chen Ping'an held his breath and steadied his mind, guarding his heart carefully.
"Until tomorrow."
Gu Qingcheng's broad sleeves fell, and beneath her rainbow robe, she appeared unlike one of the mortal world.
"Miss."
A trace of bewilderment flashed across the sword-bearing girl's pretty face. Her bright eyes softened faintly, as though she had glimpsed a direction for the future through a mist.
Yet before her gaze could completely soften, she saw the white-robed young man make a face at her the instant he turned around.
"You!" the girl fumed.
Chen Ping'an gave a soft laugh and departed with easy grace.
All that remained was the girl's slightly flat chest rising and falling, her bright eyes glaring viciously at his retreating back.
"Ah, ah, ah!"
Gu Qingcheng said nothing as she watched the delicate girl at the side bare her fangs and brandish her claws.
Her expression was cold and clear, her eyes flawless, just like the Bright Moon within a golden wheel.
The girl held her sword as the breeze brushed past, like the clouds and rosy haze of the Divine Firmament.
Beneath the Divine Firmament, all things withdrew, and even Celestials found it difficult to resist.
Yet the Divine Firmament's might was as deep as an abyss and vast as the sea. If one wished to borrow it, what could one borrow!?
Chen Ping'an was also a frequent guest of the Gu Family.
After leaving Gu Qingcheng, he headed toward the Gu Family's Hall of Elders.
He moved through the Gu Family's rear garden without obstruction, as though entering his own home.
Along the way, maids and maidservants who saw him showed respect and greeted him one after another.
"Greetings, Son-in-law."
"Good day, Son-in-law!"
"..."
Chen Ping'an did not put on airs. Smiling warmly, he gave a slight nod.
Such behavior naturally made the maidservants' favorable impression of him grow greatly, leaving their hearts unable to settle.
Those able to move about in the Gu Family's rear garden were naturally selected from among the best. If placed in the outside world, any one of them would count as outstanding.
Years of serving and moving about had broadened their horizons.
Yet no matter how discerningly they judged him, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an was unquestionably a Heaven's Proud Son.
Such a man was rare in the world.
Seventh Miss
had truly found a satisfactory husband.
They only wondered which maidservants would be fortunate enough to marry over with Seventh Miss.
If they could have such a husband, even serving as slaves and maids would bring indescribable joy; they would accept it as willingly as sweet dates.
Chen Ping'an naturally did not know the maidservants' thoughts.
What he was calculating at this moment was another matter.
From the realm she displayed outwardly, Gu Qingcheng was indeed a Grandmaster. But whether she had concealed anything was difficult to say.
Combined with his previous perceptions, Chen Ping'an felt the latter possibility was likely quite high.
Even from the most conservative perspective, Gu Qingcheng's combat strength could not be underestimated.
Back then, he had slain the veteran Grandmaster Blood Bat Wei Yiqi while newly promoted to Grandmaster. Now that Gu Qingcheng had entered this realm, she likely could accomplish the same.
The perfected Bright Moon Sword Technique, once driven by True Essence after entering the Grandmaster Realm, would see its combat strength surge explosively. Its power was likely impossible to estimate.
Even if she was not the equal of Flame Saber Zhong Lisheng and his ilk, she was probably not far off.
The most critical point was this.
According to Chen Ping'an's deduction, Gu Qingcheng was very likely not
Chen Ping'an's eyes were tranquil, but a trace of gravity surfaced in their depths.
If that was truly so, then he understood Gu Qingcheng's thoughts even less.
The Gu Family estate covered an enormous area, but with Chen Ping'an knowing the way like the back of his hand, he still arrived smoothly at the Gu Family's Hall of Elders. Though the Hall of Elders was usually unoccupied, as Great Grandmasters, their senses were keen and their spirituality abundant, so they naturally knew of Chen Ping'an's arrival.
Before he arrived, several Gu Family Elders had already gathered in the Hall of Elders.
As they conversed, several Elders with time to spare arrived one after another.
Though fewer Elders were present this time than before, the overall atmosphere still revealed their indescribable regard for Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an had come with a clear purpose. After briefly exchanging pleasantries and greetings, he directly brought up the matter of the Azure Cang Prince Manor.
"Azure Cang Solicitation? Such a thing happened!"
Lan Lao's expression was somewhat grave.
"People from the Azure Cang Prince Manor entered the city?" Heng Lao asked in a deep voice.
Liang Xiaoxian and the others had entered the city with extreme discretion. After entering, they secluded themselves within their residence and shut their doors, never emerging.
Though the Gu Family's intelligence network spread throughout Azure Dragon Province City, it was still quite difficult for them to learn of this under such circumstances.
Of course, this was only temporary.
If Liang Xiaoxian and the others remained in Azure Dragon for a long time, the Gu Family would inevitably discover them.
However, the group had only just arrived. Their sole outing had taken place deep at night, so the Gu Family naturally had not known.
Using ordinary Martial Path cultivators as informants to keep watch would ultimately make it impossible to effectively detect the movements of top Grandmasters, much less Martial Dao Great Grandmasters.
Especially when the latter deliberately concealed their tracks.
After learning of this matter from Chen Ping'an, the several Elders were quite surprised.
But after their brief surprise, they quickly calmed down.
"We should have expected it. The Azure Cang Prince Manor thirsts for worthy talent. Ping'an, your talent shines brilliantly, and your Hidden Dragon ranking had leapt forward before this. The Azure Cang Prince Manor certainly would not give up!"
"Liang Xiaoxian coming forward is no different from before. Then the force behind her should be the representative faction among the Virtuous Selection Faction of the Azure Cang Prince Manor. It belongs to the same faction as the force backing Ji Changkong!"
"The representative faction of Virtuous Selection! The Azure Cang Assistant Duke!"
"Everyone, discuss it."
"This second recruitment attempt is likely determined to succeed! This matter is no trifling matter; we must report it to the ancestor as soon as possible!"
"Raging Waves Splitting the Earth has also arrived. It truly seems to be so! Furthermore, if we refuse the solicitation..."
"Ping'an handled this appropriately, leaving room to maneuver!"
"..."
Chen Ping'an did not conceal the details of Liang Xiaoxian's solicitation, only hiding the portion concerning his own cultivation.
In the Gu Family's understanding, Chen Ping'an's Martial Path Realm had entered the Jade Balance Middle Stage, and his combat strength had touched the threshold of a Great Grandmaster. However, after obtaining the Treasure Prototype, the Skyfall Cold Star Saber, once its refining was complete, his combat strength would receive a considerable increase.
In ordinary combat, though he could not display the Skyfall Cold Star Saber's true might, it could still raise his overall combat strength to a certain degree.
Should he encounter danger, he could unleash it with full force at a crucial moment and erupt with a peak strike that might overpower an ordinary Martial Dao Great Grandmaster.
Though Chen Ping'an's Martial Path Realm could not sustain the Skyfall Cold Star Saber's expenditure for long, he could still unleash one or two strikes at a critical moment.
With the full might of the Treasure Prototype supporting him, supplemented by the Overlord Saber Secret Skill, it would not be unusual for his peak combat strength to reach a level that overpowered ordinary Martial Dao Great Grandmasters.
However, though he could overpower them, defeating them would be somewhat like a fantasy beyond the heavens. The Treasure Prototype's might was immense, but in actual use, he could only unleash it at full power once or twice.
Such methods were more than enough for self-preservation, but defeating and suppressing an opponent was rather unlikely.
During their conversation, Chen Ping'an also mentioned every detail concerning the increased terms of the Azure Cang Prince Manor's solicitation. There was no intention to compare or disparage anyone; he was simply explaining the matter objectively, so that the Gu Family could grasp more comprehensive details and make an overall judgment.
Once the matter had been fully discussed, Chen Ping'an had nothing else to attend to. Meanwhile, the Gu Family Elders had just learned of the Azure Cang Prince Manor's second solicitation and had many details to deliberate.
After briefly discussing matters concerning tomorrow's celebration, Chen Ping'an cupped his hands in salute and prepared to take his leave.
"Ping'an, at tomorrow's celebration, you must act high-profile. Please do not forget."
"Ping'an understands."
Chen Ping'an answered respectfully, then cupped his hands and took his leave.
After leaving the Hall of Elders, Chen Ping'an headed outward. As he passed a garden rockery, he seemed to sense something and gazed to one side.
However, after only a single glance, he withdrew his gaze.
"Gu Qingcheng."
Chen Ping'an's expression darkened as he left the Gu Family directly.
Once he boarded the carriage, Chen Ping'an's mood shifted.
During this meeting, Gu Qingcheng had not mentioned a single word about their previous agreement.
Could it be that the famed Alluring Fairy intended to go back on her word!?
She had emerged from seclusion today only because of tomorrow's celebration!
If that was the case, could it be that she had truly gone into seclusion before to avoid him!?
Chen Ping'an shook his head slightly, a smile appearing on his face.
Qingcheng, oh Qingcheng.
If the fairy of Guanghan Moon Palace had developed mortal feelings, would she still be the Chang'e unsullied by worldly dust!?
Though in such a moment, he ought to recite a poem and sigh toward the heavens.
"I had meant for my heart to shine upon the Bright Moon, yet the Bright Moon shone upon a ditch instead."
Yet for some reason, in such a scene, he found it rather intriguing. Behind that icy aloofness, he saw a trace of barely perceptible worldly feeling.
Perhaps, even if...
She should still possess a mortal heart, without losing the purest feelings at the bottom of her heart.
If that was truly so, then perhaps the matter of delicate hands preparing soup would no longer be an unattainable dream.
And that lovely girl...
Chen Ping'an's smile gradually faded. His eyes deepened, and a trace of solemnity surfaced in his expression.
A single day was always so brief and swift.
The Grandmaster celebration for Gu Qingcheng—the former top-ranked contender on the Azure Dragon New Talent Rankings and the Gu Family's current prodigy—would be held today atop Small Pan Mountain, the Gu Family's ancestral grounds.
Inside the room, Chen Ping'an sat cross-legged and slowly opened his eyes.
"Tonight, something major will happen!"
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