Chapter 32: The Struggle for Gu Yan

Inside the cave, the elders from each family, along with everyone else, watched Liu Haoran, who was visibly agitated, each lost in their own thoughts.

Ke Yan gazed at her partner, feeling deeply moved—her partner was truly a man among men. But when she saw Liu Haoran’s eyes repeatedly glancing at Gu Yan, filled with undisguised greed, her anger flared uncontrollably. She stamped her foot in fury and glared at Liu Haoran.

Liu Haoran, however, had all his attention fixed on Gu Yan and didn’t notice Ke Yan’s small gestures at all.

Ke Yan, even more incensed, marched over to Liu Haoran, stretched out her hand, and pinched his waist with all her strength.

The sharp pain snapped Liu Haoran back to his senses. He spun around angrily to Ke Yan and cursed, “Are you insane? You shrew!”

Ke Yan was stunned by the insult, staring at Liu Haoran in disbelief. Since they had been together, Liu Haoran had never spoken to her like this. Now, for the sake of another woman, he called her a shrew. Aggrieved and hurt, tears instantly welled in her eyes.

Seeing Ke Yan so wronged, her elder approached, pulled her behind, and fixed Liu Haoran with a furious glare.

Liu Haoran’s own elders, seeing this, worried the Ke family might retaliate, so they stepped protectively beside Liu Haoran.

As for Liu Haoran’s actions, his elders seemed rather unconcerned. Young people are often like this when it comes to romance; they’d all been there themselves.

When Dong Haohu heard Liu Haoran challenge him to a duel to the death, his eyes flickered apprehensively. As a fifth-level warrior at his peak, he was no match for Liu Haoran and dared not accept the fight. Still, he refused to lose the war of words and shot back, “Liu Haoran, don’t think I don’t see through you. You want to claim Miss Gu Yan for yourself? You’re too late. Whoever gets there first wins. Now that Miss Gu Yan is in my arms, she’s mine.” He tightened his grip around Gu Yan as he spoke.

Seeing this, Liu Haoran was so enraged he nearly exploded, his fists cracking menacingly, longing to cut Dong Haohu down on the spot.

In a low, furious voice, he growled, “Dong Haohu, if you’re a real man, let go of Miss Gu Yan and fight me to the death. The victor claims her.”

Hearing Liu Haoran repeat the challenge, Dong Haohu’s own anger surged. Relying on your cultivation to bully me? He roared, “Liu Haoran, you’ve got some nerve! You’re a year older, only a little bit stronger, and you think you can throw your weight around. Why don’t you go challenge my family’s patriarch to a duel? If you win, you can have Miss Gu Yan.”

Hearing Dong Haohu refer to himself as “your father” three times in a row, Liu Haoran’s eyes blazed. His sixth-level warrior’s presence grew fierce as he demanded, “Who are you calling ‘your father’?”

The three Liu family elders also let their auras leak, staring coldly at Dong Haohu, evidently furious.

Meanwhile, the Liang and Ke family elders were unconcerned with the quarrels of their juniors. After all, their girls hadn’t married into these families yet. Matters of the heart needed some tempering to find the right person. They watched the brewing conflict between the Dong and Liu families with great interest, almost hoping for an all-out fight.

Those from other factions crowding the cave’s entrance couldn’t get in and dared not make trouble. They could only wait outside, listening to the rising commotion within. As they realized the argument was over a woman, they grew curious—what kind of woman could make the four great families turn against each other?

Feeling Liu Haoran’s murderous intent and the killing aura surging around him, Dong Haohu shrank back, a flash of fear in his eyes. Though he was unwilling, he dared not provoke Liu Haoran further. After all, he was no match for him. Cowardice was his only choice now.

Seeing the three gloomy Liu family spirit masters, the two from the Dong family also felt a chill. Compared to the Liu family, the Dong family was weaker. They looked at Dong Haohu, hoping he would recognize the situation and back down.

Under Liu Haoran’s oppressive gaze, Dong Haohu had no choice but to reluctantly lay Gu Yan back on the stone, leap away, and rejoin his family’s spirit masters. He glanced at Liang Zi, hoping she wouldn’t be angry with him, but Liang Zi’s face was dark, and she didn’t even look at him.

Regret filled Dong Haohu’s heart—not only did he fail to win Gu Yan, but he also lost Liang Zi. And it was all Liu Haoran’s fault.

“Hmph!”

Seeing Dong Haohu yield, Liu Haoran snorted coldly, leapt onto the stone, and eagerly bent down to scoop Gu Yan into his arms.

Feeling Gu Yan’s soft figure and alluring fragrance, Liu Haoran thought the struggle worthwhile.

In the space of resurrection, Gu Feng watched as Gu Yan was passed from one person to another and was already livid. He glanced at the revival timer—two hours and twenty-five minutes remained—and fumed. At the same time, he discovered a flaw in the Undying System: if he were alone, self-destruction would solve everything, but with loved ones present, it only left him helpless and anxious.

Watching Liu Haoran hold Gu Yan, the three Liu family spirit masters addressed the other forces, “Since Haoran has claimed this girl, let’s end this here. The Liu family will take its leave.”

With that, the three Liu family spirit masters all looked to the three spirit masters of the Liang family. In Senyuan Town, aside from the Town Lord’s residence, only the Liang family could rival the Liu family.

Only now did the other forces realize—the four great families had all mobilized to fight over a single maiden. Who was this beauty of such ethereal grace?

Ke Yan, her eyes fierce, stepped forward to block them. “I disagree.”

How could Ke Yan not care about Liu Haoran’s betrayal? She was nearly driven mad with rage and refused to let Liu Haoran have his way. If he made her suffer, she would make sure he did too.

Liu Haoran looked at her indifferently and said with confidence, “You have no right to disagree. Nor does your family.”

Except for the Liang family, everyone agreed—neither the Ke nor the Dong family could afford to provoke the Liu family.

Seeing Ke Yan standing against the Liu family, a Ke family spirit master frowned and barked, “Yan, what’s gotten into you? Apologize to Young Master Liu at once!”

“What?” Ke Yan was full of grievance. She didn’t think she was at fault—she was the victim. Why should she apologize? Tears streamed down her face.

Liang Zi, having just suffered betrayal herself, felt for her friend. She stepped forward and said to Liu Haoran, “I promised Gu Yan I would take her home, so you have no right to take her away.”

In truth, Gu Yan was just an ordinary woman. Liang Zi and Ke Yan were only fighting for her because they couldn’t swallow the betrayals of Liu Haoran and Dong Haohu.

Seeing Liang Zi step up, Dong Haohu, resentful that Liu Haoran was interfering, chimed in, “Liang Zi is right. I also think it’s best if she takes Gu Yan away.”

Liu Haoran, infuriated, threatened, “Dong Haohu, do you have a death wish? Or do you think your family can challenge mine?”

Ignoring the warning looks from her own family’s spirit masters, Ke Yan added, “I also think Sister Liang Zi should take Gu Yan. If the Liu family thinks it can take on all three of our families, let them try!”

Now that Ke Yan had drawn in all three families, Liu Haoran found himself in a predicament, glaring at Ke Yan as if he wished to cut her down on the spot.

The Liu family was already at a disadvantage against the Liang family alone—the Liang family was first in power, the Dong family second. There was a clear gap between first and second, and now all three families stood united.

The three Liu family spirit masters hadn’t expected a single girl to be so troublesome. They looked to the two Ke family spirit masters and asked in a low voice, “Is this your stance as well?”

After all, Liu Haoran and Ke Yan’s relationship had made the Liu and Ke families strong allies. The same could be said for the Liang and Dong families.

Now, because of one woman, the four great families were at odds. The other factions, who’d been enjoying the spectacle, were inwardly delighted, wishing the fight would break out immediately.

The two Ke family spirit masters, unsure how to respond, simply closed their eyes and said nothing.

Seeing this, the Liu family spirit masters could only snort coldly and reluctantly instruct Liu Haoran to hand Gu Yan over to Liang Zi.

In the resurrection space, seeing Gu Yan finally end up in Liang Zi’s hands, Gu Feng breathed a sigh of relief and resolved to repay Liang Zi one day. As for the Liu and Dong families, he added them both to his blacklist.