The gift was a glazed stone. Although it had no great use, it shone brilliantly and was a treasure of the highest quality.
Little Yi Hao liked it very much. He hugged the glazed stone to his chest, overjoyed.
"Thank you, Mother. Mother is the best to me."
Gu Qianying was equally happy and held him in her arms.
She gently patted his back.
"You must be good to your mother in the future."
Little Yi Hao happily raised his hand, "Naturally."
Little Yi Hao's birthday was celebrated with great success.
Time flew by.
It was soon late at night. Gu Qianying had promised to sleep with Little Yi Hao, but she still had important tasks at hand. Bai Yufeng was watching her closely.
Gu Qianying could not afford to be negligent.
So, she could only wait until late at night, when Little Yi Hao fell asleep, before she prepared to sneak away.
The wooden door creaked open. Gu Qianying quietly peeked out.
A young man was leaning against the doorframe, yawning.
Dark circles were visible under his eyes, and his mouth was unshaven, clearly having not slept.
He clicked his tongue and said in a hoarse voice,
"Leaving already? Why not stay a little longer? When he wakes up, he'll be making trouble with me, his uncle, again."
Gu Qianying was just about to go find Duan Xifeng, who was waiting there. His presence was exactly what Gu Qianying wanted.
She slowly adjusted her clothes and gave a simple smile.
"Brother, I was just about to look for you. What a coincidence."
"I."
Duan Xifeng stopped Gu Qianying from speaking, as if he had already guessed what she was going to say.
His eyes darkened slightly. He rested his head against his temple and said helplessly,
"If you want to go, then go. I will take good care of your son. Have you forgotten? I traveled a long distance just to protect you and your son. As an uncle, I should be more responsible."
Gu Qianying smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Brother."
The young man called out to Gu Qianying again, "Remember to be safe. The Saint Feather family's waters are not ordinary. Protect yourself. Even if you get nothing in the end, your brother can find other ways. I refuse to believe that this vast world can stop the two of us!"
Gu Qianying stood there in a daze. Hearing this, her heart was deeply touched, and she dared not turn her head.
She could only respond with a heavy nod.
"Thank you, Brother. I will do as you say and will not endanger myself."
The next day.
Bai Hong's matter had been settled.
Since this person had stated his support for Bai Yufeng, and after several days of interaction, Gu Qianying felt that Bai Hong was a man of his word.
She thought he would not switch sides midway.
So, she moved on to the second person on her agenda.
This person's name was Bai Yong, a mere martial artist, who was usually very confident in his martial arts skills.
He claimed to be invincible in the world.
To gain his support, she had to impress him and make him sincerely convinced. Only then could she possibly win his vote.
Gu Qianying sent him an invitation, arranging a martial arts competition at Fenglin Pavilion two days later.
Fenglin Pavilion was Bai Yong's usual training ground.
This place was far from ordinary, filled with traps. If one fell into it without caution, they might find themselves in dire straits the next moment.
The Bai family knew that Bai Yong was a madman and rarely competed with him.
When he finally received an invitation, he accepted it without hesitation, not even bothering to check Gu Qianying's identity.
It was only later that he learned the truth of the matter.
Two days later, Gu Qianying was all tidied up and headed to Fenglin Pavilion in a refreshed state.
On the way.
Gu Qianying suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
She looked closer and her face showed surprise, for the person was none other than Bai Yufeng.
Bai Yufeng was dressed very simply that day, holding a fan, and standing alone under a tree.
Gu Qianying looked at him in a daze.
She suddenly had the impression of a refined scoundrel.
She smacked her head hard, "Don't think nonsense here. What refined scoundrel? That's Bai Yufeng, someone who can kill you at any moment."
She warned herself inwardly, then walked up with a smile.
The person was very well-behaved, asking quietly.
"Young Master, what brings you here with such good spirits today? Did you come specifically to see me off?"
Bai Yufeng had learned yesterday that Gu Qianying was going to Fenglin Pavilion.
He also knew well how terrifying that place was.
Therefore, he was worried and had come specifically to escort her.
He walked along the roadside indifferently, saying nothing, only glancing at Gu Qianying from the corner of his eye.
His heart fluttered again, and he quickly dismissed his thoughts.
He would never have any feelings for such a woman, never.
When they finally reached the entrance of the pavilion.
Gu Qianying smiled, "Young Master, aren't you worried that if I fail, you won't be able to become the clan leader?"
Bai Yufeng replied coldly, "Then you should also remember that if I can't be the clan leader, you won't get the antidote either."
Gu Qianying nodded with ease, "That's natural. So I will go all out today and will not let anyone down."
Bai Yufeng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Are you seeking death?"
Gu Qianying smiled and asked, "Did I do something wrong?"
The man was speechless. He thought that Gu Qianying didn't take him seriously and couldn't say anything.
He could only express his insincere thoughts.
"You'd better die in there, die far away, so I don't have to come and collect your corpse."
Gu Qianying's lips twitched, and a cold glint appeared in her eyes. Her attitude towards Bai Yufeng also turned unpleasant.
"Yes, it's best I die far away, and you never become the clan leader. I wish you well."
Bai Yufeng looked up abruptly, gritting his teeth.
"You."
Gu Qianying stuck out her tongue at Bai Yufeng, ignored him, and quickly walked into Fenglin Pavilion.
Bai Yufeng took a deep breath and fanned himself with his fan, but even so, he could not alleviate his inner anxiety.
His body stiffened as he turned to the right.
The large door of Fenglin Pavilion was slowly closing.
His heart skipped a beat, and he could no longer remain calm.
After a moment, he transformed into a blur and, following the formation, entered ahead of Gu Qianying into Fenglin Pavilion.
Fenglin Pavilion was fraught with danger.
It was a place with many checkpoints, not easily passable by ordinary people.
For Gu Qianying to see Bai Yong, she had to first break through the eighteen bronze figures. Only by passing them could she truly reach Bai Yong.
The eighteen bronze figures transformed into a formation. With a loud shout, they emerged from the void.
They held shining golden staffs.
Spiritual energy surged from the staffs. With a wave towards the empty space, they shattered the surrounding trees into pieces.
"Ha!"
One of them stepped out from the front of the formation. With a series of swings, the aura within him surged again.
Gu Qianying was surprised and retreated just in time.
She began to ponder a solution.
The eighteen bronze figures attacked with defense.