Chapter Three: Pay Them No Mind

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At the entrance to the Gu family residence.

“Ling’er, go back and rest early,” Gu Xuan said, his mood unusually heavy, for tomorrow was the day of the family’s important council meeting. The elders would be discussing the arrangements for the upcoming family tournament among the younger generation—a contest crucial to every Gu family descendant.

Gu Ling’er gazed at the profile of Gu Xuan’s face, deep worry reflected in her eyes. Though his cultivation ranked at the bottom of the family, she had witnessed all his efforts over the years.

She gently took his hand, her voice soft yet resolute: “Brother Xuan, don’t put too much pressure on yourself for tomorrow’s council or the upcoming family contest. I believe in you. No matter the outcome, you are the best.”

Looking into Ling’er’s eyes, so full of concern, a surge of determination rose in Gu Xuan’s heart.

“Don’t worry, Ling’er. I won’t give up. Before the family contest, I will break through to the fourth level of Profound Qi!”

They exchanged a smile, as if all their worries melted away at that moment.

Ling’er rose on her tiptoes, whispering softly into Gu Xuan’s ear, “Brother Xuan, I’ll go back now. See you tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Ling’er tiptoed back home like a cautious kitten, glancing around as though afraid of being discovered. Yet as soon as she quietly entered the house, she found her father, Gu Fenglin, already waiting in the living room.

Seeing his daughter return, Gu Fenglin took a sip of tea before asking, “Off to the back hill with that boy again today?”

Ling’er scratched her head and smiled sheepishly. “Yes, Father. Tomorrow is the family council, after all. I went to the back hill with Brother Xuan to spar a bit, to see how prepared he is.”

Gu Fenglin sighed softly. “I really don’t know what’s so special about that boy, making you care so much about him.”

Ling’er obediently walked to her father’s side, poured him a cup of tea, and began to gently massage his shoulders. Her expression turned somewhat melancholic.

“Father, is there really no way to help Brother Xuan with his situation?”

Feeling his daughter’s concern, Gu Fenglin shook his head, a trace of helplessness flashing across his face. “What can be done? All these years, among your generation, he’s been the slowest to advance. You’ve already reached the seventh level of Profound Qi, while he’s just at the third. Among your peers, the normal range is at least fourth or fifth level. I’ve never seen a junior like him! It’s infuriating!”

The more Gu Fenglin spoke, the angrier he became, almost pounding the table.

Hearing her father’s words, the hope in Ling’er’s eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deeper melancholy.

“Father, is there truly nothing we can do to help Brother Xuan?”

Gu Fenglin looked at his daughter, his emotions a tangled web. He stood, patted Ling’er’s shoulder, and consoled her: “Ling’er, some things cannot be forced. Everyone’s talent and opportunities are different; all we can do is our best. For now, I can ensure he gets his monthly elixirs. As for anything more, it will depend on his own fate.”

With that, he took a book from his sleeve and placed it in Ling’er’s hands. On the cover was a large character for “Medicine.”

“What’s this?” she asked.

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Ling’er looked at her father with confusion, though excitement fluttered in her heart.

“I know you, my dear, wouldn’t give up so easily. Take a look—there should be some herbs inside that can help that boy.”

A smile immediately blossomed on Ling’er’s face. “Thank you, Father! I’ll go read it right away.”

Clutching the book as if it were a treasure, she dashed out of the room.

Gu Fenglin chuckled, stroking his beard and shaking his head. “This girl—just a moment ago she was so gloomy.”

He ambled over to the window, gazing up at the descending dusk. His expression darkened, worry etched into his features.

“I hope there’s truly a way in that book to change that boy’s fate. Otherwise, the Gu family won’t be able to tolerate him much longer…”

The next day, the family council convened in the Gu clan’s great hall, a hubbub of voices filling the air.

“Everyone, today we are gathered to discuss the approaching family tournament,” intoned the clan leader, Gu Shan, his voice sonorous and commanding, echoing through the hall. He was a sixth-level Grand Master, a formidable force even in the entire New City.

“In three months, we will hold our annual family tournament—a stage for our younger generation to display their abilities and a test of their cultivation progress.”

As the clan leader’s words fell, the atmosphere grew more tense. The younger clan members whispered among themselves, casting glances at Gu Xuan—some with disdain, others with pity.

“Brother Xuan, don’t pay them any mind,” Ling’er said, gripping his arm tightly, her gaze filled with concern.

“Don’t worry, Ling’er. I know what I’m doing,” Gu Xuan replied with a slight smile and a gentle shake of his head. Though his tone was calm, it carried an unmistakable determination.

Yet, as soon as he finished speaking, a ripple of derisive laughter sounded from his peers, joined by several of the elders.

They whispered among themselves, as if sharing some secret.

“Isn’t that Gu Xuan? Do you really think you’re qualified to enter the tournament with your cultivation? After all these years, you’re still stuck at the third level of Profound Qi. You bring shame to our clan!”

Gu Yun’s voice rang out across the hall.

“Always lingering around… A mere fifth-level Profound Qi cultivator. Let’s see how I’ll teach him a lesson!” Ling’er was about to step forward, but Gu Xuan held her back with a shake of his head.

Just then, the clan leader’s eldest son, Gu Changying, stepped out. His cultivation had reached the eighth level of Profound Qi, one level above Ling’er, making him the strongest among the Gu family’s younger generation.

He strode up to Gu Xuan, his face full of disdain.

“Gu Xuan, are you sure you want to participate? What a joke! You’re only at the third level—you don’t even meet the basic qualifications!”

As soon as he finished speaking, laughter broke out among the juniors. Even the clan leader, Gu Shan, watched this scene with satisfaction, stroking his beard with a smug expression. His sharp gaze flickered to a corner of the hall, as though observing something.

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Gu Xuan raised his head and met Changying’s gaze directly. “Please rest assured, cousin. Before then, I will break through to the fourth level of Profound Qi!”

Gu Changying let out a cold laugh. “Gu Xuan… That’s the best joke I’ve heard all day. Your cultivation has been stuck at the third level for a year. Where does your confidence come from?”

“Enough!” Ling’er finally could not bear the jeers any longer. She stepped forward, glaring at Changying, her words brimming with challenge.

“Big Brother Changying, what’s the point of targeting Brother Xuan just because his cultivation is lacking? If you want a challenge, come spar with me. I’ve long wanted to see your skills for myself!”

As she spoke, a surge of blue Profound Qi rose around Ling’er, suddenly charging the air with tension.

The clan leader, Gu Shan, glanced at an elder seated beside Gu Xuan, face dark, fists clenched but making no move.

Changying was about to retort, but Gu Shan stopped him with a wave, as if having achieved his purpose. He chuckled, stood up, and declared, “That’s enough! Changying, you’ve said too much today.”

Gu Shan looked at the elders and juniors present, a sly smile playing at his lips as he continued, “No matter how low Gu Xuan’s cultivation, he is still your cousin. We are all family.”

Beneath his words lingered a note of contempt, and though he had stopped the juniors’ mockery, it was clear he held no respect for Gu Xuan either.

“In our Gu family, strength has always been the only measure. Everything will be settled after the tournament. There’s no need for further debate.”

The hall quieted considerably. Gu Shan nodded to the third elder before taking his seat.

Gu Fenglin rose and said, “Let me remind everyone not to forget the true purpose of our family tournament. It is to select the outstanding among our juniors, so they may be chosen by the empire’s top sects or academies.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Gu Xuan and Ling’er.

“In recent years, the Wang and Song families in New City have been developing rapidly. Our younger generation should support one another now more than ever.”

With that, he gently patted Ling’er’s head and sat down.

Kind and fair, the third elder Gu Fenglin had always looked after Gu Xuan. His strength had reached the fourth level of Grand Master.

The clan leader, Gu Shan, then stood and addressed the hall: “My third brother is correct. Our Gu family has survived in New City thanks to the cultivation methods and elixirs left by our ancestors, and also to the remarkable talent of our clan’s children. After discussion among the elders, this year’s top three in the tournament will not only be rewarded with their choice of cultivation method, but the family will also award three Energy-Enhancing Pills.”

“My goodness, Energy-Enhancing Pills! I’ve heard that those who take this pill can speed up their cultivation tremendously—someone at the ninth level of Profound Qi could break through to Profound Practitioner in no time!”

“That’s not all! Even those of us at the fourth or fifth level could advance quickly after taking one!”

“I must place in the top three…”

The younger generation erupted with excitement, their voices abuzz.

“Silence!” came the command.

“Today’s council meeting ends here. I hope you all seize this opportunity. With three months to prepare, I look forward to seeing your achievements.”