Just as the Black Annihilation Army soldiers were turning red, feeling as if they were about to be crushed by the overwhelming pressure, Xiao Feng finally withdrew his aura and asked calmly, "Now, do I qualify to meet Elder Gu Yuan?"
"Y-Yes..."
Hearing Xiao Feng's words, the commander of the Black Annihilation Army, both embarrassed and annoyed, nodded awkwardly.
The declining Xiao Clan no longer commanded the respect of the geniuses of the Gu Clan, but a seventeen-year-old Dou Venerate powerhouse certainly did.
It was worth noting that Gu Xun'er, who was the same age as Xiao Feng, had only recently broken through to the Dou Ancestor level after awakening her divine bloodline. It would take her at least another year or two to reach the Dou Venerate level.
Gu Xun'er was already the most talented among the younger generation of the Gu Clan. If even her cultivation speed couldn't match Xiao Feng's, how could the other Gu Clan disciples dare to look down on him?
If they insisted on calling Xiao Feng trash, then what did that make them, the elite of the Gu Clan, who possessed the bloodline of a Dou Emperor and abundant cultivation resources? Were they even worse than trash?
"Please follow me!"
Seeing that the pressure Xiao Feng had just released was no weaker than that of the four great commanders, the Black Annihilation Army commander's attitude became respectful, and he quickly led him to meet the clan leader.
After all, the strength and talent Xiao Feng had displayed were at least on par with, if not superior to, Gu Yao's. Even the higher-ups of the clan, upon learning of this, would likely no longer oppose his relationship with Gu Xun'er.
By then, Xiao Feng would be the son-in-law of the clan leader. The Black Annihilation Army commander certainly didn't want to be on his bad side in the future.
Besides, even without Xiao Feng, an ordinary Black Annihilation Army commander had no chance of pursuing Gu Xun'er anyway. Why should he go out of his way to antagonize Xiao Feng?
"Such terrifying pressure! His strength is probably even greater than Commander Asura's. He must have reached the peak of Dou Venerate."
"No wonder the young clan leader acknowledged him. He's truly fearsome!"
"A seventeen-year-old peak Dou Venerate powerhouse? No wonder the young clan leader said he has the potential to become a Dou God..."
Watching Xiao Feng and the commander leave, the Black Annihilation Army soldiers, who had just recovered from their shock, couldn't help but start discussing.
The principle of respecting the strong was universal across the entire Dou Qi Continent, and the Gu Clan was no exception.
After personally experiencing Xiao Feng's strength, the hostility they felt toward him gradually transformed into reverence for a true powerhouse.
In truth, most of the Gu Clan disciples' hostility toward Xiao Feng was more akin to the frustration of seeing the school belle being taken by a delinquent from a rival school. It was far from the level of a vendetta over a stolen wife.
Now that they knew the so-called delinquent was actually the top student and heartthrob of the rival school, and that the two were a perfect match, these "boiling sheep" naturally didn't dare to cause any more trouble.
Under the guidance of the Black Annihilation Army commander, Xiao Feng quickly passed through the spatial tunnel in the Ancient Saint City and arrived at the legendary Gu Realm, where he met the current clan leader of the Gu Clan—Gu Yuan!
Although Gu Yuan's actual age was over a thousand years, he appeared to be only around forty years old. Dressed in simple hemp robes, his face carried a gentle smile that instinctively put people at ease.
As Xiao Feng curiously observed Gu Yuan, the latter was also calmly sizing up his future son-in-law.
[A seventeen-year-old at second transformation of Dou Venerate? Just as Ling Ying said, he's a true little monster.]
With his strength at the late nine-star Dou Saint level, Gu Yuan could instantly see through Xiao Feng's true cultivation level.
Moreover, after Ling Ying returned to the Gu Clan, he had reported everything about Xiao Feng in detail to Gu Yuan.
According to Ling Ying's report, when they left the Jia Nan Academy half a year ago, Xiao Feng was only a four-star Dou Emperor.
Yet, in less than a year, Xiao Feng had broken through from four-star Dou Emperor to the peak of Dou Venerate. Even Gu Yuan was startled by this.
As Gu Yuan silently observed Xiao Feng, the latter suddenly clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your son-in-law, Xiao Feng, pays his respects to Father-in-law."
Gu Yuan's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but laugh bitterly, "You brat, don't go calling me that. When did I ever say I'd betroth Xun'er to you?"
"Father-in-law, Xun'er and I are deeply in love. She has already vowed to marry no one but me. I'm sure you understand her personality—once she sets her mind on something, not even nine Ancient Void Dragons could pull her back."
Halfway through his words, Xiao Feng's tone shifted, becoming domineering as he added, "Besides, apart from me, is there anyone else in the entire Dou Qi Continent who is worthy of Xun'er?"
"Hahaha..."
Seeing Xiao Feng's confident demeanor, Gu Yuan was amused and couldn't help but laugh, "You really are as thick-skinned as Ling Ying said, a little monster with a face thicker than a city wall.
But rough as your words may be, there's truth to them. Since Xun'er is so devoted to you, and your cultivation talent is unparalleled in this era, as her father, I really have no reason to stand in your way."
(ω)
Xiao Feng's eyes lit up slightly. He hadn't expected Gu Yuan to be so reasonable. It seemed there was hope!
Noticing the change in Xiao Feng's expression, Gu Yuan's face took on a playful look as he said,
"So, have you prepared the betrothal gift? If you want to marry my daughter, you'll need to offer the most precious treasure in the Dou Qi Continent as a gift."
[I knew it wouldn't be that simple. How could a father-in-law not find some excuse to make things difficult for his son-in-law?]
Xiao Feng shook his head helplessly, then took out a fragment of the Tuo She Ancient God Jade and handed it to Gu Yuan, saying,
"Father-in-law is right. Xun'er deserves the best betrothal gift. This fragment of the Tuo She Ancient God Jade has been passed down through generations in my Xiao Clan. Using it as a gift should be sufficient, right?"
!!!
Gu Yuan, who had only intended to tease Xiao Feng, was shocked when he saw the fragment of the Tuo She Ancient God Jade. His pupils contracted sharply as he said,
"Brat, since you know this is a fragment of the Tuo She Ancient God Jade, you must also know what it represents. Are you really willing to use it as a betrothal gift?"
"Father-in-law, you underestimate Xun'er's importance to me. Compared to her, even a complete Tuo She Ancient God Jade is nothing."
"Brother Feng!"
As soon as Xiao Feng finished speaking, a voice filled with sobs rang out.
Gu Xun'er, dressed in a light green robe, stood at the entrance of the reception hall, her eyes brimming with tears.
When Gu Xun'er heard that Xiao Feng had arrived, she rushed over immediately, fearing that Gu Yuan might give him a hard time. She happened to overhear the conversation between Xiao Feng and Gu Yuan.
"Silly girl, why are you crying? Shouldn't you be happy to see me?"
Xiao Feng walked up to Gu Xun'er with a smile, deftly wrapping his arm around her slender waist and using his finger to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eye.
(End of Chapter)