Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 373: Chapter 369: Conflict Intensifies

”Is that Gu Feng? Is he about to make a move?”

”I wonder how strong Gu Feng is now.”

The crowd of Martial Artists watched with rapt attention.

Although Gu Feng was from a Middle Grade Sect, which wasn’t a particularly powerful background, he was a true genius. His Cultivation had reached the God-Seizing Realm, and his strength placed him among the top twenty of Liang Province’s younger generation.

What did it mean to be in the top twenty?

You have to understand, Liang Province had over a dozen Upper Grade Sects, not to mention a behemoth like the Top Grade Sect, the Extreme Heaven Sect.

The top twenty spots were almost exclusively held by these Major Sects. For Gu Feng, someone from a mere Middle Grade Sect, to break into their ranks and claim a spot in the top twenty was a testament to his exceptional talent.

Just then, his gaze swept across the crowd before finally landing on Ning Jiang.

”Jiang Ning, is it? Let’s have a match.”

As he spoke, the focus of the crowd shifted to Ning Jiang.

Lan Nongyu’s earlier familiarity with Ning Jiang had led many to secretly size him up. In fact, some had already wanted to choose Ning Jiang as their opponent.

They just weren’t confident enough.

And now, Gu Feng was doing what many of them had wanted to do.

”Not interested.”

However, Ning Jiang’s blunt reply took everyone by surprise.

This was the first refusal since the dueling competition had begun.

After all, among the younger generation, who wasn’t concerned with face? Refusing a challenge would absolutely lead to being looked down upon.

”Not interested? I’d say he knows he has no chance of winning and is too scared to fight,” someone sneered immediately.

This came from someone who was jealous of Ning Jiang because of Lan Nongyu, and he was far from the only one in the room.

Boos and hisses rose from all around.

”If you’re scared, just say so. What’s this nonsense about ’not interested’?”

”If you don’t dare to get on the stage, why even come to the tea party? What a disgrace.”

”Coward,” Fang Heng sneered.

Lü Qinghe’s lovely brows furrowed. She hadn’t expected Ning Jiang to refuse, and her disappointment in him deepened. She was also furious with her father, Lü Xingfan. She truly couldn’t understand why he would have her marry Ning Jiang.

’When I get back, I’ll have another talk with Father. If he finds out that Ning Jiang refused a challenge at the tea party, he’ll surely give up on him, right?’

Lü Qinghe thought.

”Enough. Since Young Master Jiang says he’s not interested, then he’s not interested.”

Just as the hall filled with mocking voices, a sharp cry rang out, silencing everyone.

It was Lan Nongyu.

Of everyone present, only she could appreciate Ning Jiang’s state of mind.

How could someone with Ning Jiang’s level of strength possibly care about a petty affair like this dueling competition?

Gu Feng, with his God-Seizing Realm Cultivation, was challenging Ning Jiang? Ning Jiang could kill him with a single slap.

When an ant provokes a True Dragon, why would the True Dragon even take notice?

”Miss Lan, that’s a bit biased of you, don’t you think?”

”That’s right. If he’s really so strong, why is he afraid to accept the challenge?”

”Miss Lan, who is this person, exactly? From the way you’re acting, you seem to know him well?”

The crowd asked, one after another.

They had seen all of Liang Province’s outstanding young talents, but they had no recollection of Ning Jiang whatsoever.

”Heh, I just so happen to know a few things.”

Before Lan Nongyu could speak, Gu Feng cut in impatiently. ”He’s from the Nine Profound Sect. And what’s more...”

He glanced at Lü Qinghe, then said flatly, ”He’s Lü Qinghe’s fiancé!”

The moment he said this, Lü Qinghe’s expression changed instantly.

”I see.”

”It seems people from the Nine Profound Sect are just that cowardly.”

”The Nine Profound Sect is just a minor Middle Grade Sect to begin with. This is to be expected.”

This time, the crowd’s mockery extended to the Nine Profound Sect as well.

”It’s all your fault! You’ve made the Nine Profound Sect a laughingstock!” Fang Heng glared at Ning Jiang, furious.

A chill filled Lü Qinghe’s heart.

She was a smart woman. She knew Gu Feng had always been infatuated with Lan Nongyu. By revealing Ning Jiang’s identity now, he was likely trying to make Lan Nongyu aware that Ning Jiang already had a fiancée, hoping to stop her from developing any feelings for him...

She glanced at Gu Feng, but he avoided her gaze, ignoring her completely.

A bitter smile touched her lips. She knew then that her infatuation with Gu Feng would never be reciprocated.

In Gu Feng’s eyes, there was only Lan Nongyu; she didn’t exist. It had all been her own wishful thinking, her own one-sided affection.

”Let’s go.”

Lü Qinghe didn’t want to stay here for another moment.

Fang Heng then snarled at Ning Jiang, ”Don’t you dare follow us. We have nothing to do with you. The Nine Profound Sect does not have a disciple like you.”

With that, the group walked out.

Seeing Ning Jiang standing there alone, a cold smirk played on Gu Feng’s lips. He had achieved his desired effect; now everyone looked down on Ning Jiang. ’He must be feeling terrible right now, right?’

But in the next moment, the entire hall fell silent once more.

Then, Lan Nongyu rose from the head seat. She moved with the grace of a floating lotus, coming to Ning Jiang’s side. ”Young Master Jiang,” she said softly, ”may Nongyu sit beside you?”

Her words nearly made everyone’s eyes pop out of their sockets.

Who was Lan Nongyu?

She was one of the three great beauties of Liang Province, immensely popular, and her strength was great enough to place her in the top ten of the province’s younger generation.

Yet this peerless lady was now using an almost pleading tone to ask if she could sit next to Ning Jiang?

It was as if she wouldn’t dare to take the seat unless he agreed.

What had Ning Jiang possibly done to deserve such treatment from Lan Nongyu?

”That’s very thoughtful of you.”

Ning Jiang glanced at Lan Nongyu. He understood that her deferential posture was a deliberate act to preserve his face and silence his mockers.

”Dammit.”

Gu Feng’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, his eyes practically spitting fire. The closer Lan Nongyu acted toward Ning Jiang, the more his hatred burned. He wished he could eat Ning Jiang alive.

”Alright, let the dueling competition continue,” Lan Nongyu announced, completely ignoring the crowd’s reaction.

”Fine, then I’ll challenge someone else.”

Gu Feng, seething with anger, chose another opponent.

SPURT.

In less than ten moves, Gu Feng’s opponent was defeated.

It was the fastest battle to conclude so far.

’Gu Feng’s strength has increased again. I’d say he might even have what it takes to rank in the top fifteen of the younger generation,’ the crowd thought, inwardly astonished.

After defeating his opponent, Gu Feng smugly turned to look for Lan Nongyu’s reaction.

But to his utter frustration, Lan Nongyu hadn’t even been watching.

”Young Master Jiang, please have some tea.”

Lan Nongyu’s wrists were as white as snow. She held the teapot, completely focused on brewing tea for Ning Jiang. A natural, alluring fragrance emanated from her, enough to make a man lose his composure.

The other Martial Artists watched with immense envy, wondering what good karma Ning Jiang had accumulated to be treated so attentively by Lan Nongyu.

The dueling competition continued, one match after another.

After dozens of matches, the dueling competition finally came to a close.