Chapter 51: The Arrival of Powerhouses from All Sides

The tremendous commotion in Senyuan Town startled countless arriving forces, leaving them shaken and fearful that their own strength might not suffice for what was to come. Thus, all the major factions sent out signals for reinforcements.

Those who received the summons responded without hesitation, dispatching their strongest to aid. The battle between Senyuan Town and Qianfeng Territory ended in a decisive victory for Senyuan Town; apart from the ninth-level spirit thief who escaped severely wounded, all other spirit wielders were annihilated, with only a handful of ordinary bandits managing to flee. As for the missing spirit master, none knew whether he lived or died, and rumors abounded regarding Gu Feng’s fate. Some claimed he was rescued by powerful family members; others insisted he had perished.

Only Gu Yan, temporarily residing in the town lord’s mansion, was confident that Gu Feng was alive. She knew the one who died was merely Gu Feng’s avatar, and believed her brother would soon come for her.

Liang Zi, too, believed Gu Feng had survived. Unaware of Gu Feng’s secret, she simply felt intuitively that he could not die.

Zhu Genghua, having seen Gu Yan several times within a few hours, expected her to be overwhelmed with grief. Yet, he found her entirely untroubled. When asked, Gu Yan merely replied that her brother would never die, offering no further information.

Thus, Zhu Genghua presumed Gu Yan was so distraught that she had become unnaturally calm, and would eventually accept the truth once the shock wore off.

Gu Yan’s presence in the town lord’s mansion was anything but tranquil. Indeed, with her beauty, peace was elusive wherever she went.

Zhu Genghua’s son, Zhu Yunlong—the young lord—was talented, capable, held considerable authority, and was not prone to debauchery. Nevertheless, the moment he saw Gu Yan, he was utterly captivated. He vowed to marry her.

From then on, Zhu Yunlong abandoned his cultivation, devoting himself to pursuing Gu Yan. He ignored the ongoing battles with bandits, focusing solely on her.

Gu Yan’s heart belonged to Gu Feng, leaving no room for others. Zhu Yunlong’s relentless advances filled her with dread.

Liang Zi, rather than assisting Gu Yan, openly praised Zhu Yunlong in front of her, extolling his virtues. This only increased Zhu Yunlong’s fondness for Liang Zi, who declared he would reward her handsomely and that the town lord’s mansion would deepen its cooperation with the Liang family.

Liang Zi was so excited she nearly leapt for joy.

Her actions were driven largely by self-interest.

Gu Yan, being too pure, confided everything to Liang Zi once they grew close—including the fact that she and Gu Feng were not actually siblings.

Upon learning this, Liang Zi’s feelings changed; she began to see Gu Yan as a rival and treated her as such.

To avoid Zhu Yunlong, Gu Yan, who never considered leaving the mansion, pulled Liang Zi aside early the next morning, saying, “Sister Liang Zi, I want to go shopping. Will you go with me?”

Liang Zi’s eyes gleamed, and she agreed cheerfully. “Of course!” she replied, then added, “Wait for me, Gu Yan. I’ll just change my clothes.”

Gu Yan, innocent as ever, happily consented and waited in place.

Liang Zi left, sought out Zhu Yunlong, and informed him of Gu Yan’s plan to go shopping.

Zhu Yunlong, ever shrewd, instantly understood what he must do, and began preparing with excitement. He planned to engineer a romantic encounter.

In the revival space, Gu Feng watched Gu Yan, finding her increasingly beautiful and observing everything happening outside. Seeing her about to leave, he glanced at the timer—twenty-seven minutes remained before his resurrection. He was not worried about Gu Yan coming to harm.

Liang Zi accompanied Gu Yan out of the mansion, followed by ten seventh-level warriors—a formidable escort arranged by Zhu Genghua. Whether Gu Feng was dead or alive, he had promised to care for Gu Yan, and he meant to keep his word. Besides, he knew his son’s intentions and regarded Gu Yan as his future daughter-in-law.

Unfortunately, Senyuan Town was no longer as it once had been. With experts from all major factions arriving overnight, spirit wielders now crowded the town. The once-proud high-level warriors now hid away, overshadowed by the influx of talent.

As the number of experts grew, rumors spread throughout Senyuan Town. A master of geomancy had predicted that the area held the potential for a dragon’s ascension—a sign of a dragon vein beneath the town. Whoever obtained its energy would soar to greatness, becoming a peerless figure.

Inside the revival space, Gu Feng was stunned by this news. If Senyuan Town truly had a “dragon” poised to ascend, it seemed most likely to be himself. With the Undying System, he could never die; naturally, he was destined to soar like a dragon. This made him curious about the geomancer who made such an accurate prediction.

Of course, Gu Feng understood he was the dragon, and the dragon vein’s energy belonged to him. As for its location, these people would unwittingly lead him there.

Gu Yan, upon leaving the mansion, headed straight for the busiest parts of town. Her breathtaking beauty, completely unobstructed, quickly drew attention. In moments, word of her appearance and loveliness spread across several streets.

Zhu Yunlong, upon hearing this, nearly fainted in dismay. In the past, it would have been nothing, but now Senyuan Town was overflowing with spirit wielders and prodigies—many stronger than himself. With Gu Yan’s beauty, he believed any man would be moved.

And so it was. As soon as Gu Yan appeared, every man in sight stared, unable to look away, and followed her.

Within just twenty minutes, thousands trailed behind her, all men.

Among them were many of considerable status. They sized each other up, realizing none held a decisive advantage, and so simply followed Gu Yan, hoping for a chance.

Dong Tailong, eldest son of the Dong family, was corpulent and monstrously ugly. Aged thirty-four, his talent was mediocre—only a ninth-level warrior at his age. His character was abysmal, with thirty-three wives and concubines; as he liked to say, he married one each year. Backed by the power of his family, any woman he desired either married him or died.

Now, having just turned thirty-four, he was searching for his next wife.

Staying at the finest inn in Senyuan Town, Autumn Moon Pavilion, Dong Tailong was accompanied by two wives, enjoying their company as he strode out.

His purpose in Senyuan Town was clear: he fancied himself a peerless figure, destined for the dragon vein’s energy. Once he obtained it, he would ascend to greatness, claim beauties from across the world, and fill his harem not with three thousand, but thirty thousand—or even three hundred thousand—planning to sleep with ten women each day, forever living in pleasure.

Stepping out of Autumn Moon Pavilion, Dong Tailong spotted Gu Yan approaching, followed by a vast crowd. He froze in place, drooling.

After a moment, he shouted excitedly, "My thirty-fourth wife!" Despite his bulk, he moved with surprising speed, rushing toward Gu Yan.

Gu Yan, seeing Dong Tailong charging at her, was horrified. She tried to hide behind Liang Zi, but Liang Zi, frightened herself, dodged away.

Utterly desperate, Gu Yan called out loudly for Gu Feng.

In the corner, Gu Feng, newly resurrected and greatly empowered, burst forth, intercepting Dong Tailong a second before he reached Gu Yan.

Unluckily, Gu Feng was caught in Dong Tailong’s fierce embrace—a hug meant for Gu Yan.