Chapter 249: Challenge Again

Chapter 249: Challenge Again

Facing the questions of the two, Gu Changge couldn’t help but fall into contemplation.

Just then, a timid figure peeked through the crack of the door for quite a while.

It was only then that she poked her head out and came over.

“Is that girl pretty?”

Yuan Youbai also awoke from her cultivation, just in time to hear the discussion outside.

However, her point of interest was different; she was not concerned with the power of the Dongfang Family in Central State.

On the contrary, she was curious about the looks of the girl who dared challenge Lord Jun.

“She is pretty indeed.”

Gu Changge rubbed his forehead, already getting a headache from the two people questioning him, and now even Little Hanhan was chiming in.

Nevertheless, he casually answered Little Hanhan’s question.

“Well, that settles it then.”

“If she’s pretty, she should be snatched away to become a bride.”

“Mother thought father was good-looking and snatched him back to her cavern abode!”

“If Lord Jun is stronger than that girl and finds her pretty, why not just snatch her away to the Gu Family next time?”

Yuan Youbai tilted her head and spoke earnestly.

Gu Changge was left blinking in astonishment.

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Were the customs of the Dragon Clan really so fierce?

But the Dongfang Family was no ordinary family; it wasn’t feasible to snatch her away forcefully.

Although… it seemed he didn’t need to resort to force.

Moreover, what he cared about more was what the other party meant; if there was mutual affection, as the wives had suggested, he indeed found no issue with that idea.

If the other party had no such thoughts, then why insist?

Even if he missed out on the Dongfang Family today, once he proceeded to Central State, wouldn’t there be plenty of Heavenly Pride Girls from many families in Central State?

“Forget it, let’s not talk about this for now.”

“All the wives have woken up; let’s pack up and move to a new place.”

Gu Changge coughed twice, not wanting to set any conclusions for them just yet.

Liu Qingqing and Wang Yue heard what Lord Husband said and did not say more; they supported whatever choices Lord Husband made. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

But as for Little Hanhan, hearing they’d be moving to a new home, she happily returned to her room to pack.

However, once back in her room, she realized there wasn’t much to pack.

Ever since she had the Space Ring, she had not wasted any time; she kept everything in the Space Ring given by Lord Husband.

The room was empty…

Wang Yue also returned to her room with a smile.

“Right, this is something Sister Zhu Qin asked me to bring to Lord Husband.”

For a moment, only the two of them were left in the courtyard, Liu Qingqing suddenly remembered something and handed over a Storage Pouch.

“My wife, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten about this matter.”

Gu Changge took the Storage Pouch, casually examined its contents with his Divine Sense, and laughed.

Apart from a head, there was also an Image Keeping Pearl, which obviously recorded the process to give to himself as leverage.

But now the situation was vastly different.

In the past, he might have wanted leverage for control.

But he hadn’t expected to grow so fast.

Leaving Duanbei City was less than half a year ago, and both his strength and status had changed drastically.

This leverage, for him, had become dispensable.

He casually put the Storage Pouch away, planning to deal with it when he arrived at Young Master Palace.

However, Yayun did die deservedly.

Back then, scheming against his wife nearly caused her demise outside Duanbei City, and she deserved death for it.

Additionally, during the incident outside Heavenly Cold Sect last time, he remembered she almost tricked him.

Helping that Ninth Grade Annihilation Realm from Central State target him!

…

Meanwhile, inside an inconspicuous inn.

Dongfang Mingyue’s time recently had been anything but peaceful.

Having witnessed that man, at Fifth-grade Ruins Realm, calling forth a Heavenly Tribulation, and then successfully enduring it to use it for body tempering.

She plunged into self-doubt.

Although she failed to challenge him last time, she always believed that as long as she did not suppress too much of her Realm, even if she faced Gu Changge using the Early Stage of Void Refining Realm.

She had a great chance of winning.

If she fully unleashed her Realm, facing a Late Stage Ruins Realm with a Late Stage Void Refining Realm would make winning as easy as flipping her hand!

But now…

She began to doubt.

She had never seen such a ferocious person!

If he could even refine Heavenly Tribulation, what could he not do?

Could she really win against him using her full strength in the Late Stage of Void Refining Realm?

“But I, as a Sword Immortal, can’t just skulk back to Central State like this…”

Dongfang Mingyue thought it through and couldn’t just let it go!

That Flying Sword held a special significance for her.

For some reason, she suddenly remembered a vow she had made.

If someone could make her admit he was truly stronger than her, then she would become Daoist Couple with him!

This vow was known by many Heavenly Pride individuals in Central State.

Many had come to challenge her, but until now, no one had made her admit that they were much stronger than her!

At the same Realm, she almost always won; at most, it was a tie or a close defeat, and after a few more fights she could win some and lose some; no one could consistently beat her.

Anyone who could do so was far above her in Realm and much older than her, those individuals naturally dared not challenge her at Dongfang Family, and the Dongfang Family wouldn’t want it either!

If she had to speak of someone she deemed powerful, in Central State, there was only one.

The First Peak of the Sword Sect, the person with the Innate Sword Body.

But that person was nearly a thousand years old now, and had reached the True Monarch Realm.

Naturally, there would be no possible feelings there.

However, Gu Changge now made her feel a great disparity…

Just his ability to attract a Heavenly Tribulation at the Fifth Grade already surpasses that senior from the First Peak of the Central State Sword Sect with the Innate Sword Body!

Thinking this way, her eyes gradually became resolute.

After leaving a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone in the room, she stealthily left the place.

She headed to the Gu Family Mansion again!

When she once again stood outside the Gu Family Mansion, her mindset was utterly different.

The first time she stood here, she came with the certainty of victory, intending to challenge and bring back the Young Dragon, to prove to her clan that she was strong enough, to show those geniuses of Central State her capabilities!

Then, she would have gone to challenge the Saint Heir from the Ninth Peak of the Sword Sect!

However, upon standing here the second time, she wasn't as confident in her heart.

But Dongfang Mingyue still stood straight, like a sword poised to strike.

Before she could speak, a Deacon in front of the Gu Family Mansion recognized her as the previous challenger.

"Isn't that the girl who lost a Heavenly Rank Flying Sword to the Young Master?"

A Deacon at the entrance of the Gu family suddenly brightened up and said.

"It really does seem like her!"

"Looks like she's here to challenge the Young Master again, huh?"

"But this time she's only holding a lower Earth Rank Flying Sword, doesn't that mean she has even less of a chance?"

"It's hard to say... after all, this lady's Realm is no joke, Sixth Grade Late Stage of Refining Void Realm, if she doesn't suppress her Realm, her strength will naturally be much more terrifying than the last time."

"What's there to say? If she's facing someone else, maybe, but against the Young Master... I say it's all the same."

Before the girl could even speak, the Deacons of the Gu family hurried back to the Inner Court, planning to report the news of her arrival to the Young Master.

Seeing that the girl who had challenged Young Master Gu had returned, the onlooking crowd naturally gathered around without any prompting.

Only this time, what they mostly discussed was whether it would be the same as last time, when Young Master Gu hadn't even made a few moves before the girl was overwhelmed.

In the face of these discussions, Dongfang Mingyue was as calm as still water.

She wasn't influenced by these comments.

She also didn't wait for the people of the Gu Family to report her, and, with her Spiritual Power enhanced, she shouted toward the Inner Court of the Gu family: "Dongfang Mingyue, has come to challenge Young Master Gu Changge!"

"She really did come to challenge again!"

"Heh, now we've got another great show to watch. I wonder if this girl has prepared anything else."

"Last time, she lost a Heavenly Rank Flying Sword, and such a quality Magic Treasure is rare even in the Northern Domain!"

"She's like a cash cow for Young Master Gu!"

"I'm not so sure, maybe this time she won't be offering a Treasure but herself instead?"

"Last time she did say that if she lost, she would marry Young Master Gu."

"But it seems like Young Master Gu... is not too keen on the idea."

Hearing her announcement, the crowd affirmed that she truly intended to challenge Young Master Gu again.

The area became lively in an instant.

However, someone's unrestrained words made Dongfang Mingyue frown and look over.

When their eyes met, that person quickly made a gesture of apology.

Although Dongfang Mingyue didn't say much more, the discussions she overheard made her somewhat doubtful.

Indeed...

She indeed wanted a Husband who was stronger than herself.

But...

This guy showed no interest last time, what if he doesn't want to this time either?

She didn't bring any Magic Treasures with her, he couldn't refuse to fight her just because she didn't have a Magic Treasure to offer as a prize, could he?

She realized the problem, Gu Changge was not like those geniuses from Central State who came eagerly to challenge her.

Those who wanted to become her Daoist Couple.

He had already rejected her once!

How could she be sure he wouldn't do it again?

This sudden thought had Dongfang Mingyue regretting her decision, considering a retreat.

If she was rejected again, the embarrassment would be monumental.

From Central State, the disgrace would reach all the way to the Northern Domain!

...

At the Gu Family, outside the Young Master Palace.

Gu Changge had just settled down with his Wives.

Curiously inspecting his newly built Young Master Palace.

Then he heard the familiar voice.

"Is that the girl?"

Wang Yue asked with a smile, looking at her Husband.

"Indeed." Gu Changge nodded and began to walk outside.

Whether or not a Daoist Couple could be formed, at least the Dongfang Family seemed quite powerful, and perhaps they might even bring him some new treasures this time.

With that thought, he also casually picked up the Heavenly Rank Flying Sword leaning against the door of the Young Master Palace.

He hadn't yet Refining the Flying Sword to prevent any trouble in case the Dongfang Family couldn't afford to lose; it could be used to trade for some other benefits.

"I want to go watch, too!"

Yuan Youbai, having just chosen a room, heard the commotion and hurriedly ran out, following Lord Jun's steps.

Liu Qingqing and Wang Yue exchanged a look and followed as well.

"Sister, what do you think about that girl?"

Wang Yue casually asked.

"She is extremely beautiful, her personality... let's just say she's straightforward, but she's honest and can afford to lose."

"As for her family background, it's definitely better than yours and mine."

"Her Realm is also higher than both of ours."

"Overall, she's quite excellent."

Liu Qingqing casually voiced her opinion.

However, Wang Yue blinked mischievously and said, "Sister, what are you even saying? I was asking if you think that girl has a chance against Lord Jun."

"..."

Liu Qingqing's steps faltered, and she chose to stop talking.

Seeing this, Wang Yue covered her mouth and giggled quietly, no longer teasing on purpose.

But she had also gotten a sense of Liu Qingqing's view.

Then she too would follow with the same intention, as it would still be for the benefit of Lord Jun, and if the girl truly caught Lord Jun's eye, that would be her greatest fortune.

At this very moment, the three of them were holding the elixirs given by Lord Jun but had yet to consume them.

Once the elixirs were refined, all three could develop their Acquired Dao Bodies!

Even in the Central State, how many could boast of possessing Acquired Dao Bodies?

While it wasn’t unique in the world, it was quite evident that this girl definitely wasn’t one of them.

Soon, Gu Changge and his group had already passed through the Inner Court and arrived outside the residence.

The two of them locked eyes again, yet it was entirely different from the first time.

Dongfang Mingyue’s gaze was complex as she once again endowed her pupils with Spiritual Power to survey this man, but the result remained the same.

His Root Bone was very poor…

Yet… the deeds he had done were completely at odds with the Root Bone he displayed.

Just as her gaze inadvertently swept over Liu Qingqing, she suddenly froze.

“What’s going on…”

“Wasn’t she an Acquired Spiritual Body before… and her qualifications were about the same as mine?”

“Why has her Root Bone suddenly turned… exceedingly poor?”

Dongfang Mingyue was dumbstruck, and at the same time, she turned her gaze towards the other two who had come out with Gu Changge, another woman, and a lolita.

The other woman’s situation was similar to that of Liu Qingqing.

However, the white-haired lolita, she recognized at a glance, was the young dragon that had escaped from the Central State.

But…

Was the Dragon Clan’s Root Bone also this poor?

Something was amiss, exceedingly, and thoroughly amiss!

At that moment, she suddenly realized.

He was not of poor Root Bone, but had used some means to conceal his true condition!

No wonder he could easily defeat her in the same realm!

But what kind of qualifications did he really possess?

Why would that trigger a Heavenly Tribulation?

Dao Body?

She had never heard of a Dao Body that could trigger a Heavenly Tribulation.

“Miss, for this challenge, have you prepared any treasures?”

Gu Changge had not pondered this much; facing this girl from the Dongfang Family, he directly asked.

“No.”

“I came to the Northern Domain in a hurry this time and did not bring anything worthwhile.”

“All I have left are some Spirit Stones and elixirs, none of which count as treasures.”

“If you dare to fight me at full strength without suppressing your realm, the same words apply, I am willing to become Daoist Couple with you, and my Dongfang Family will support you wholeheartedly.”

“When the time comes to go to the Central State, my Dongfang Family will be your firm support!”

“Even if you have no such intentions towards me, I won’t force it; you can stay on nominal terms as you wish, and with that status, you will be stable enough to establish yourself in Central State.”

“And when you go to Central State, you can choose three Magic Treasures from the Dongfang Family’s Treasure Vault.”

“How about it?”

Dongfang Mingyue, having her train of thoughts interrupted, also answered his question very seriously.

In her words, there was even an undertone of humbleness.

If the other party was uninterested, even just keeping the title would suffice.

This remark made both Gu Changge and Liu Qingqing startle.

It felt familiar.

But the situation now was entirely different from the initial one.

Initially, it was because Gu Changge couldn’t cultivate.

But today, it was Dongfang Mingyue who was worried that he might not fancy her.

“Miss, have you thought this through?”

“This is a lifelong commitment, not a matter to be taken lightly.”

Gu Changge pondered for a moment, then asked.

“I mean what I say!”

Dongfang Mingyue answered without hesitation.

“Then it’s settled.”

Gu Changge did not rush to clarify his own feelings, but he agreed straightforwardly.

As Dongfang Mingyue said, he was not even sure what he really felt at the moment, was it just for a bet, or because he was attracted to her…

But even on a nominal basis, it would be greatly beneficial to him.

Not just the benefits Dongfang Mingyue described herself, but unexpectedly, he might also gain a new Daoist Couple panel—that was what he cared about the most!

Of course, this was also because he found this girl tolerable; otherwise, he wouldn’t want to randomly bind Daoist Couples, striving for quality and not quantity had always been his philosophy!

“It looks like… there’s no escape.”

Wang Yue, witnessing this scene, couldn’t help but mutter under her breath.

Lord Jun might not have realized it, but she could feel that the girl’s look at Lord Jun was quite different.

Everything implied that she wanted to become Daoist Couple with Lord Jun and even feared that Lord Jun would refuse her, hence why she mentioned even staying on nominal terms.

Even Liu Qingqing couldn’t help but develop a curious thought.

The current situation was different from when she and Lord Jun had first met; the implications of these words were naturally different now.

“If Lord Jun marries another.”

“Would Youbai call her sister or younger sister?”

Yuan Youbai, however, was concerned about a completely different issue.

Frowning, he pondered for a long time before seriously asking the two people beside him.

“Giggle…”

“Whatever you like.”

Wang Yue, hearing this, rubbed his head, finding it very amusing.

“Wow!”

“She really wants to be Young Master Gu’s wife!”

“For a moment, I’m not sure who is getting the better end of the deal…”

The observing cultivators, although guessing a bit, were still surprised to hear her say it herself.

Even the Gu Family Elders who appeared upon hearing this had a peculiar look on their faces.

Gu Kuang, naturally, hadn’t missed out on the news about his grandson.

He appeared on the mansion’s wall at the first moment, leisurely lifting his wine gourd to his mouth.

Hearing this, he chuckled and muttered, “Grandson’s luck in love is indeed not bad; just don’t know when he will give us a great-grandson.”

In his eyes, his grandson was surely winning.

Even if that girl didn’t suppress her realm, it did not matter.

After all, last time although the girl had suppressed her realm, the grandson didn’t even exert himself; just those two Innate Divine Abilities were enough to easily suppress an opponent across realms.

This was still him having no idea that the grandson had already unconsciously mastered not just two Innate Divine Abilities… thus such confidence.

After Gu Changge agreed, he casually tossed the Low Grade Heavenly Rank Flying Sword he had brought to Dongfang Mingyue.

“What is this?”

Dongfang Mingyue took her Flying Sword, slightly frowning, feeling that he was perhaps underestimating her.

“As this is a duel with full strength, it’s still best for Miss Dongfang to use her own sword.”

Gu Changge simply waved his hand nonchalantly.

And recalling this guy even refined the Heavenly Tribulation, Dongfang Mingyue took a deep breath and no longer refused!

She, too, wanted to see just how strong this guy could be, and if she put all her strength into it, what the outcome would be!

However, this time, she didn’t even bring up what price Gu Changge would have to pay if she won…

She didn’t mention taking Yuan Youbai or even her own Flying Sword!

Clearly, she herself hadn’t noticed that she was only thinking about what to do if she lost and hadn’t even considered what it meant to win!