Gu Baihong's drastic emotional change seemed to have aroused Su Mingyue had been frozen like a sculpture not far away.
The female Great Scholar, holding a book in her hands, finally made a move.
She first turned her head slowly, her light-colored eyes, which revealed no change in emotion, indifferently swept over Gu Baihong's face, which was slightly distorted by jealousy and hatred, and then landed on Ye Li's calm and unwavering face.
Her gaze lingered on Ye Li for a moment, without the resentment of Gu Baihong or the admiration of the Eldest Princess. Instead, it revealed the scrutiny of someone who had discovered a rare find.
"What is it?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly.
Just then, Baiyue's introduction rang in his ears, and he quickly learned that this Great Scholar was a renowned High-ranking Venerable in the academy.
He even made an exception and recruited Gu Baihong, whose character was not up to par, as his disciple, which caused a great deal of discussion.
"It's nothing."
Su Mingyue shook her head slightly, then looked away. Her pale fingers lightly touched the yellowed pages of the book, and the relevant words immediately appeared on the paper.
No one knew that this book, which only she could read and record, was already filled with numerous studies on the extreme forms of [righteous energy].
The most extensive section focuses on the impact of those with extreme personalities cultivating Vast Righteous Qi.
"Heh." Ye Li chuckled lightly, ignoring the strange master and disciple pair from the academy. He glanced at Gu Baihong's direction and quickly looked away.
They seemed completely unaware of the intense Killing Intent.
After smoothing out the smile from his lips, he turned to Chen Yuangu and said:
"Let's go, I'm ready."
Chen Yuangu snapped out of his daze and quickly stepped aside to make way, "Young friend Ye, please!"
Although I had heard the rumors that the Eldest Princess and the Third Princess had greeted this person together yesterday.
However, witnessing firsthand how the usually dignified Eldest Princess Zhaoyang was so ruthless in winning people over still greatly shocked this Great Scholar who had long resided in the academy.
From another perspective, why would Ye Li be able to get the Eldest Princess, who is also a Venerable One, to act in this way?
Perhaps he possesses the potential to become a supreme being! If so, even if he isn't Gentleman from the academy, he deserves to be treated with the utmost respect by this Great Scholar!
The two figures disappeared at the end of the misty path leading deep into the academy.
On the Guanlan Platform, the tense and eerie atmosphere did not dissipate; instead, it became even more frozen, like ice.
Li Yingluo's face turned completely cold. She turned abruptly to look at the Eldest Princess, and even though she tried her best to suppress it, the anger contained within her voice was still palpable.
"Li Huaian, what exactly do you mean?!"
She truly hadn't expected that Ye Li's actions yesterday would not only fail to make this proud and arrogant elder sister give up, but would instead make her even more outrageous!
To think that someone would disregard the rules to such an extent in order to win over Ye Li... Li Yingluo felt an unprecedented threat.
Li Huaian's gaze remained fixed on the direction Ye Li had disappeared in, as if he hadn't heard Li Yingluo's question. A hint of the smile he had shown when he treated Ye Li lingered on his face.
Only when Li Yingluo's angry voice pierced the air did she slowly withdraw her gaze, her cold eyes turning to her third sister, instantly regaining the aloofness and majesty befitting Eldest Princess.
"Rules?" A slight smirk played on her lips, her calm voice carrying a chilling undertone that easily drowned out Li Yingluo's anger, echoing throughout the surroundings.
"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. General Ye's value is enough for me to make an exception for him."
"Ling'an, I will give you what you dare not give, and I will do what you cannot do."
"This is my intention."
Is that clear enough?
Her words were resolute and unquestionable, like statements of fact, yet they deeply pierced the heart of Gu Baihong standing beside her!
"You!!" Li Yingluo was choked by the words, her chest tightened, and her face flushed red and then turned pale, but she couldn't refute them for a moment.
She stared intently at Li Huaian, her eyes so red they seemed about to bleed!
That damn cat that steals fish!
I must do even more! I absolutely cannot let Ye Li waver!!
"..."
Just as Li Yingluo was plotting her next move...
The Eldest Princess suddenly turned around, her gaze falling directly on Gu Baihong, who was breathing rapidly, her brows furrowing slightly.
She reacted quickly, and at that moment she clearly felt the almost tangible, insane Killing Intent emanating from Gu Baihong, directed at Ye Li.
This Killing Intent was not only extremely strong, but also... quite detrimental to national affairs.
"Gu Baihong."
The woman's indifferent voice broke the silence once again.
Gu Baihong's body trembled violently as she met Li Huaian's cold, warning eyes, and her heart tightened instantly.
"Your Highness, I..."
"Stop with your scheming." The Eldest Princess's icy voice wasn't loud, but it exploded in Gu Baihong's ears like thunder:
"Do you really think I didn't sense your Killing Intent just now? Ye Li has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats in the Xianjing Continent, so he naturally has the qualifications to go to the Divine Mountain for tempering. What do you have?!"
"Remember! What I need is a usable knife, not a madman whose mind is clouded by emotions!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Baihong's face turned deathly pale, her body swayed, and her heart was filled with unbelievable humiliation!
He never expected that his prince, whom he regarded as a wise ruler, would warn him in this way because of an outsider!
He deserves no credit!
But are all those years of following and dedication completely worthless?!
However, Li Huaian clearly had no intention of continuing to beat around the bush with him.
"When you pay your respects at the mountain later, if you are truly capable, you can defeat him honorably. I would be happy to see that happen." Her tone was devoid of warmth, yet carried immense weight.
"But if I discover that you have done anything that crosses the line or could harm Ye Li's very foundation..."
Li Huaian didn't continue, but the chilling threat in his unfinished words sent a shiver down Gu Baihong's spine more than any actual punishment.
Gu Baihong felt a metallic sweetness rise to his throat, which he then forced down.
He clenched his teeth so hard his gums almost cracked, lowered his head, and used all his strength to squeeze out a few words from his throat:
"Understood!"
However, the facts and the words were quite the opposite.
His Killing Intent towards Ye Li had never been so overwhelming!
Why?! Why is it that Ye Li can so openly gain His Highness's favor?!
Just then, Chen Yuangu's gentle voice came from the jade Jade Pendant at his waist:
"Mr. Gu, young friend Ye has chosen your Songhe Mountain. Trouble set off immediately to the mountain to make preparations."
"The mountain worship ceremony will begin in one hour."
Upon hearing this, Gu Baihong turned around and leaped off the Guanlan Platform, transforming into a streak of light and rushing towards a majestic mountain peak in the distance!
"Ye Li... Ye Li...!"
He muttered to himself, his last line of defense crumbling, replaced by a utterly insane and resolute frenzy!
Can't it damage the root cause?
Alright! Then he will openly and honestly, on Songhe Mountain, in front of everyone, in the most fair and just way, completely crush Ye Li!
Crush his pride! Destroy his Dao Heart! Turn him into a complete and utter waste!
In this way, everyone should understand that Gu Baihong is the most valuable one!
"..."
Gu Baihong's figure disappeared into Songhe Mountain.
On the Guanlan Platform, Su Mingyue had unknowingly put down the book in her hand and was looking intently at the lush and majestic Songhe Mountain.
His gaze was focused, as if he were examining a particularly valuable experimental sample.