"Xu Ran, your strength far surpasses mine, so you are worthy of Xun Er," Gu Qingyang said with a complex expression as he looked at Xu Ran. What was he just thinking? Jealousy? But it was precisely because of his own lack of strength, what right did he have to be jealous of Xu Ran?
Xu Ran's strength was such that even the Supreme Elder felt inferior, truly making him a peerless genius of his generation.
Gu Qingyang suddenly came to an understanding, his face showing a look of shame.
"Your strength is also commendable; the power of those two Sky Level Battle Skills was quite impressive. Among those of the same 'Cultivation Level,' there are few who could defeat you," said Gu Qingyang, not wanting to offend someone who is already smiling. Indeed, he could be considered one of the few true geniuses in this world.
"I...," Gu Qingyang said, lowering his head in shame. The more Xu Ran acted as if his rudeness had been of no concern, the more acutely he felt the gap between himself and Xu Ran.
"Lord Xu Ran, may I have a word with you in private?" Gu Dao asked reverentially, despite being a renowned one of the Three Immortals of the Gu Clan, not showing any pretense.
Having witnessed Xu Ran's strength, he now fully regarded Xu Ran as a true powerhouse, one capable of influencing the entire Continent's future.
Being on good terms with such a powerhouse would be highly beneficial to the future of the Gu Clan.
Otherwise, in the turbulent times to come, the Gu Clan might also vanish into the dust of history.
Since time immemorial, as recorded in the annals of the Gu Clan, there have been too many families that once shone brightly but ultimately faded away during those historical turning points, just like the Xiao Clan did back then.
"Supreme Elder," Xun Er expressed her worry that Gu Dao might make a move against Xu Ran; she didn't want any conflict to arise between her family and Xu Ran.
"Girls do eventually leave their homes. You haven't even married yet, and you're already starting to take his side," Gu Dao said helplessly. He had watched Xun Er grow up since she was little, after all.
However, Xun Er had the highest concentration of the Dou Di Bloodline in the Gu Clan for a thousand years. If Xu Ran hadn't shown such formidable strength earlier, it might indeed have been troublesome for him to be with Xun Er.
But now, Xu Ran had proven his strength.
Such a person, the Gu Clan could not afford to antagonize.
Binding Xu Ran to the Gu Clan through Xun Er was also a profitable deal for the Gu Clan.
With the Continent becoming increasingly unstable, during such special times, stronger allies were needed to support each other, to advance and retreat together to survive the future.
"Supreme Elder, I, I, I..." Xun Er's face turned red, and she looked down at her beautiful legs, feeling a bit embarrassed.
In her heart, the family was important, and so was Xu Ran. If she really had to choose, she would likely unwaveringly choose Xu Ran.
"The Clan Leader said when we were on our way here, if the rumors of Lord Xu Ran's strength were true, we would not stop the two of you from being together. And now, Lord Xu Ran's strength has proven to be much greater than we anticipated, and naturally, we won't be the ones to break up a loving couple. From now on, the family will no longer interfere in your relationship," said the Elder.
"Oh."
Only then did Xun Er breathe a sigh of relief, her face growing hotter and hotter.
Under normal circumstances, the astute Xun Er would have surely discerned the family's intentions. But love renders a woman's intelligence to zero.
"Xun Er, Zi Yan, why don't you take them out for a walk? I would like to have a chat with Elder Gu Dao," Xu Ran said, ruffling Xun Er's long black hair, and smiling slightly.
"Let's go. Let's take a stroll around the school, there's no need for us to worry about matters between men." Xiaowu took Xun Er's hand and pulled her away.
Although they had just met, Xu Ran believed they would get along very well.
Even though their personalities were different, they were both kind-hearted and not the type that couldn't get along with others.
"Xu Ran, you really are fortunate. Whether it be the emperors of The Empire or the Clan Leaders of the Ancient Families, none of them can match you in this regard," Gu Dao remarked with admiration.
He wasn't being sarcastic to Xu Ran.
Rather, he understood that being able to have so many extremely talented women coexist peacefully was an ability in itself.
Being able to manage his "Harem" so well demonstrated Xu Ran's unique personal charm and convincing abilities. Otherwise, those Heaven's Proud Daughters would definitely not listen to Xu Ran so earnestly.
He had also seen those philandering fellows, who couldn't even manage two or three close female confidantes without every one of them being extremely cautious. Upon meeting, even if they didn't come to blows, their words would be filled with sarcasm and mockery.
Gu Qingyang, standing behind Gu Dao, also nodded seriously, agreeing with Gu Dao's words.
As the Grand Commander of the Hei Yan Army of the Gu Clan, he found even managing his own subordinates to be troublesome, not to mention the even more headache-inducing task of dealing with women. They couldn't be hit, scolded, or punished, and yet, they had to be obedient; Gu Qingyang felt that he probably couldn't accomplish that.
"Soul Hall suffered a setback at the hands of Xu Ran last time, and they have yet to make a move. There must be significant actions pending. I wonder what Xu Ran's true strength is. If you need the Gu Clan's assistance, it would be our unshirkable duty to help," Gu Dao's face turned serious.
Now, to help Xu Ran would mean that the Gu Clan and the Hun Clan were thoroughly at odds.
"My strength? It should be a tad stronger than Hun Tiandi. If those from the Hun Clan come, they probably won't be able to cause me much trouble. So, I appreciate the Gu Clan's kindness, but I'd prefer to settle my own scores with the Hun Clan," Xu Ran eagerly hoped for the Hun Clan to come quickly so he could create a few more powerful combat puppets.
"Xu Ran, you aren't kidding, are you?" Gu Dao exclaimed, shocked.
Beyond Dou Sheng, trying to improve one's strength is as hard as ascending to the heavens.
Hun Tiandi had been at the Dou Sheng Pinnacle for a very long time. Even their Gu Clan's strongest, Gu Yuan, didn't dare claim to be stronger than Hun Tiandi.
Was Xu Ran being young and rash?
After what had just happened, they no longer dared to underestimate Xu Ran.
"I speak the truth, there aren't many on this Continent that I consider my equals," Xu Ran shrugged as a tremendous aura surged forth, and in a moment, Xu Ran's aura swelled to the level of the Dou Sheng Pinnacle.
"Now you should believe it."
"Dou Sheng Pinnacle!!!"
"Even our Clan Leader doesn't possess such a formidable oppressive force!"
Gu Dao and Gu Qingyang looked at Xu Ran in shock as the oppressive force emanating from him made them break out in cold sweats. They had witnessed Gu Yuan in action before, and even the aura of Gu Yuan, the supreme of the Gu Clan, seemed to pale compared to Xu Ran.
"Xu Ran's strength is truly breathtaking. I never expected you to have reached the summit of the Continent. It seems we of the Gu Clan worried needlessly," Gu Dao said respectfully, lowering his stance even further.