Shu Yu Pavilion's lessons were not extensive, and class would be dismissed in half an hour.
Because she was already very familiar with the textbook material.
For Gu Qianying, it was instead a source of vexation.
After a full class, Gu Qianying was drowsy. To leave a good impression on Bai Yangping, she fought against sleep, exhausting herself.
Finally, when the gong sounded outside, her body could finally relax a little. Gu Qianying yawned and slowly pushed herself up from her desk. She floated to the center of the garden, preparing to breathe some fresh air and refresh herself.
She tiptoed and let out a mocking laugh.
"Indeed, I am getting old. I feel out of place here, it's truly uncomfortable."
As she spoke, Bai Xiaoxiao and the others suddenly approached, laughing. They all had gentle smiles on their faces as they came forward to greet Gu Qianying. There was no arrogance or overbearing demeanor about them, which made Gu Qianying somewhat suspicious.
This was quite inconsistent with the usual behavior of Bai Xiaoxiao and her group.
Gu Qianying glanced at them warily, a sense of unease settling in her heart. She couldn't help but ask.
"Young ladies, I am but a poor woman. Since you look down on me, why approach me? I fear you are also displeased, and I feel uneasy."
Gu Qianying had no intention of fostering good relations with them. Bai Yangping was her target.
Rather than spending time interacting with these people, it would be better to focus her efforts during class to gain Bai Yangping's favor. That was what truly mattered.
Bai Xiaoxiao frowned slightly, playfully grabbing Gu Qianying's arm and speaking in a sweet, childish tone.
"How can you misunderstand us like this? We sisters often speak without thinking, and our words can be harsh. Please don't take it to heart. You know, we don't have many friends usually."
Gu Qianying was bewildered. If Bai Xiaoxiao's definition of not having many friends
meant only having four or five, then this person truly spoke without a second thought, which was astonishing.
Bai Ziyun also pouted aggrievedly, "Exactly! We consider you a friend, how can you treat us like this?"
Gu Qianying rubbed her temples with annoyance, clicking her tongue.
When something happens suddenly, there must be a reason.
She had just thoroughly embarrassed several of them in class.
These pampered young ladies who had never suffered hardship likely wished they could tear her mouth apart, and would hardly come to offer her friendship.
Gu Qianying curved her lips into a smile, her demeanor changing from before. She slowly let go of the wariness on her face, subtly extricated herself from their grasp, and then smiled, saying.
"So that's how it is. Then I am truly grateful to you. I was worried I wouldn't have any friends in Shu Yu Pavilion. From today onwards, you are my best friends."
Gu Qianying's words were truly innocent and pure.
Bai Xiaoxiao and the others couldn't help but chuckle, secretly laughing behind her.
How could they possibly consider Gu Qianying a friend? It was a colossal joke.
Bai Xiaoxiao then said, "Since that's the case, how about this? We'll take you to a nice place to have fun. The afternoon class hasn't started yet, so it won't delay us."
Gu Qianying let out a cold laugh inwardly.
As expected, these people were about to play a trick.
Gu Qianying shrugged her shoulders and casually spread her palms.
"That would be wonderful. You truly are my good friends."
She scrutinized Bai Xiaoxiao and the others. Although they wore innocent expressions, the scheming in their eyes was impossible to hide.
Gu Qianying shook her head at their foolishness. If they had the time, they should have spent it studying the books more.
Why bother with such insincere flattery with her? No wonder their spiritual power was weak. Even with the backing of the Sheng Yu family, they were merely a few pieces of trash.
Gu Qianying followed them to a lotus pond.
As it was deep autumn, there were no lotus leaves in the pond; instead, it was murky. Only a few withered leaves, yellowed and clinging to the surface, lay scattered upon it, looking particularly bleak.
Gu Qianying's mouth twitched, unable to hide her emotions. She pointed forward.
"Is this the beautiful scenery you all spoke of?"
Having successfully lured Gu Qianying here, Bai Xiaoxiao and the others dropped their pretense, their faces revealing sinister expressions.
They crossed their arms and sneered.
"Did you really think we wanted to befriend you? Bitch, you embarrassed us today, you deserve to die. How dare you act so presumptuously in front of me? What a joke."
Seeing them drop their masks, Gu Qianying naturally saw no need to wear one herself.
Her cold eyes narrowed slightly, and she swept a glance at Bai Xiaoxiao.
"What do you want to do?"
Her tone was very light, showing no fear.
This was because Gu Qianying knew that these few grasshoppers in autumn wouldn't last long.
Bai Xiaoxiao and the others rolled up their sleeves and let out sharp laughter.
"What else can we do? Today, we're going to pin you down in the water, you vixen. We'll let you drown alive. Then we'll see how you try to fawn over Master Bai."
The group did not underestimate Gu Qianying. They all drew upon their spiritual power, transforming it into several whips crackling with lightning, which they directly lashed out at Gu Qianying.
Spiritual energy surged from the whips, turning into streaks of blue lightning in mid-air.
Gu Qianying remained standing steadily, her eyes showing no trace of emotion.
She merely curved her lips into a cold smile. "Is this all you can do?"
Bai Xiaoxiao laughed wildly and then said to Gu Qianying.
"Bai Qing, your father is an ordinary person from the Sheng Yu family, one of the most ordinary. You cannot inherit superior bloodlines. Do you think your aptitude can compare to our Zi Dian?"
Gu Qianying smiled and finally raised her palm. The lightning was only a finger's width away from her.
The lightning crackled and hissed, roaring like a venomous snake, baring its fangs and trying to tear Gu Qianying to shreds.
Meanwhile, Gu Qianying condensed her power, forming an ethereal palm that surged forward.
The palm moved slowly, yet it carried an invisible pressure.
To everyone's astonishment.
The streak of lightning shattered within the palm, instantly dissipating.
Bai Xiaoxiao and the others were immediately startled. After a sharp cry, they all retreated.
They knew that their Zi Dian was no ordinary thing, yet Gu Qianying had destroyed it with her bare hands.
This person was definitely not an ordinary individual.
"Who are you? Are you truly Bai Qing?" Bai Xiaoxiao's face showed surprise as she tried to back away, intending to flee.
Zi Dian was already their strongest move.
If Gu Qianying could so easily neutralize it, they were now powerless against her.
Gu Qianying slowly raised her eyes, a chill emanating from them.
She merely let out a cold laugh. "Miss Bai, you don't need to know who I am. You only need to know that I always retaliate for any slight, and I kill without a trace. It is your misfortune to have fallen into my hands today."
With that, a torrent of power erupted, transforming into a gale that swept up Bai Xiaoxiao and the others.
With a splash.
Bai Xiaoxiao fell into the murky pond, instantly becoming a mud-covered doll.
Gu Qianying stood with her hands behind her back and slowly walked forward.
"What a pity, what a pity. Useless beings."