Everyone except those from Hongchen Mountain had frozen expressions. Who could have imagined that Gu Shuai would deliver such an explosive speech?
Even Lin Xueyan and the others gaped, too shocked to close their mouths.
"What a formidable fellow, even more so than us!"
Fang Zhiwei, in particular, was dumbfounded. She had thought her own feelings for her master were already beyond reason, but this guy was unimaginable!
They were so stunned that they even forgot that Gu Shuai was trying to poach their people.
As for Qian Hong, who regarded Xu Binglan as his goddess, his mood at that moment was beyond words.
"This brat... one day, I will kill him!"
Only the people from Hongchen Mountain felt utterly ashamed. They huddled together, as if afraid of being identified.
Shameful... it was truly too shameful...
Ye Yun, after listening to Gu Shuai's elaborate introduction, fell into a long silence.
After a considerable pause, he couldn't help but ask,
"I think that if one is ill, one should seek treatment promptly and not give up."
The reason for saying this was the overwhelming impact of the other party's actions on him.
How could a disciple describe their master to an outsider like this? He was fortunate to be alive; wasn't he afraid his master would...
Just as he thought of this, he seemed to realize something and quickly began to explain to Xu Binglan.
"Ahem, Elder Xu, this fellow is just being mouthy, don't..."
"Uh..."
Ye Yun had expected Xu Binglan to be furious that her disciple was being openly peddled like an object.
However, when he looked at her, he found that her expression remained as calm as ever. She stood there, cold and indifferent, as if unaffected by anything Gu Shuai had said.
"What is it? Elder Ye?"
Instead, Xu Binglan seemed puzzled by his hasty explanation.
Ye Yun, looking at her, was utterly bewildered.
"Uh... your disciple said that about you, aren't you angry?"
"Angry? Why would I be angry?"
Xu Binglan cast a questioning glance at him, her voice still as cold yet gentle as before.
It was as if nothing had happened at all.
"..."
Ye Yun stared, dumbfounded, observing Xu Binglan, who stood there serenely. He found it preposterous.
If she was a woman of ice, she truly was like an ice mountain.
But why did she seem more like... a natural airhead?
As he was in a daze, Gu Shuai chuckled beside him.
"Elder Ye, there's no need to worry. Master doesn't mind these things. If she did, how would I dare to say them? Am I tired of living?"
Indeed, for any other person, after such a detailed and comprehensive introduction, they would surely meet a similarly detailed and thorough death.
At this moment, it was Xu Binglan who spoke gently.
"Elder Ye, it's our first meeting. I've heard about your past affairs."
"Before this, my unfilial disciple Shuai Shuai has been indebted to your care."
After speaking, she bowed with extreme dignity.
Such humility, coupled with her delicate demeanor and words, made it difficult to imagine that she was a quasi-emperor cultivator with terrifying power.
Moreover, Ye Yun had done his research; she was the second strongest in Hongchen Mountain, second only to the Great Emperor Hongchen himself, who was at the Emperor level!
"You are too kind. I didn't really take care of him much; rather, he helped me a little."
Ye Yun smiled faintly and engaged in a brief chat with her.
Finally, as Ye Yun had heard, Xu Binglan spoke softly to him.
"Elder Ye, after this Three Mountain Exchange Meeting concludes, could we find a place to discuss some matters?"
As she finished speaking, Gu Shuai beside her spoke with a look of courting death.
"Senior Ye, Master has something important she wishes to 'deeply discuss' with you!"
"..."
Ye Yun raised an eyebrow. He naturally understood the double entendre of those words.
He had initially thought that the other party was deliberately teasing his master, taking advantage of her seemingly naive nature and lack of understanding of such matters.
Then, Ye Yun realized he was mistaken...
"Shuai Shuai..."
Xu Binglan slightly raised her eyes and looked at Gu Shuai beside her with great amiability.
"What did I tell you before?"
At this moment, Ye Yun understood everything.
Gu Shuai also realized he had gotten carried away.
His master's aloof yet somewhat dazed demeanor was simply too tempting to tease verbally.
However, after the teasing, Gu Shuai felt a genuine sense of fear. He said timidly,
"Um, you said... not to say anything 'colorful' to Master..."
"And what is the penalty for violating that rule?"
"..."
Gu Shuai instantly deflated. He silently retreated a couple of steps and said sheepishly,
"Master... look, there are so many people here? Your disciple didn't mean it, please let it go."
He looked pleadingly at his master, hoping she wouldn't punish him.
Xu Binglan, her fingers resting on her lips, seemed to ponder the matter with great seriousness.
Finally, she looked at Gu Shuai and gently shook her head.
"No, Master does not wish to forgive you."
Upon hearing this, Gu Shuai's face turned pale. He was almost on his knees before his master.
Even his immortal companion beside him silently retreated a considerable distance, their familiarity with the situation clearly indicating this was not the first time.
Ye Yun, however, became curious. What kind of punishment could make this fellow so terrified?
Then, a second later, he understood...
"Master, no!!!"
After Xu Binglan pronounced her sentence, Gu Shuai, like one fleeing from a demon, turned and bolted.
Xu Binglan directly raised her jade-like hand. Before Gu Shuai could run two steps, he was enveloped in a silver light.
His hands and feet were bound by an unseen force, rendering him unable to move.
"Master!!! I was wrong!!!"
Gu Shuai cried out loudly, but Xu Binglan outside remained unmoved.
As Xu Binglan formed a seal in the air before her, the silver sphere began to spin in place.
A tenth of a second later, the light barrier enclosing Gu Shuai, along with Gu Shuai himself, spiraled upwards, transforming into a speck of light that vanished into the sky.
Everyone present gazed upwards at the disappearing speck of light.
"Uh..."
Ye Yun took a moment to recover and tentatively asked,
"Elder Xu, he just..."
Hearing Ye Yun's question, Xu Binglan finally looked at him, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"It's nothing. I've just sent him into space to reflect for a while."
Her smile was gentle, but her words were rather terrifying...
"Spa-space?"
Ye Yun's mouth twitched. My goodness, this was quite ruthless.
He then couldn't help but ask,
"So, when do you usually let him down?"
"..."
Xu Binglan pondered for a moment, as if contemplating a very difficult matter.
After a while, she slowly said,
"I'm not sure. I forget things easily, so I'll only let him down when I remember."