Xun'er was sulking because Gu Fei had refused to answer her questions directly and had left her behind to take that woman into the cave. Ling Ying, who had remained silent like a shadow, witnessed the farce and hesitated before speaking.
"Miss, since Master Gu Fei has spoken, there's no way he would go against Xiao Yan," Ling Ying began, his tone confident. "Master Gu Fei holds great prestige among the younger generation in the clan. Even though I don't know him well, I do know that he doesn't just rely on his strength to gain support. He also earns respect through his personal charm."
"From what I've seen, he's sincere. There's no deception in him," Ling Ying continued, trying to reassure Xun'er.
Gu Fei was indeed a man of his word. Since he claimed that he wasn't involved with Xiao Yan, it meant he truly wasn't. Ling Ying held deep respect for Gu Fei, both for his talents and his noble status.
When Ling Ying first learned of Gu Fei's engagement to Xun'er, he had remained silent. After all, he had watched Xun'er grow up and had always felt that no man was truly worthy of her. However, after observing Gu Fei for some time, Ling Ying came to accept him as Xun'er's rightful partner.
Previously, when Xun'er had asked him to contact Xiao Yan, Ling Ying had been reluctant. In his eyes, Xiao Yan simply couldn't compare to Gu Fei. Between the two, Ling Ying clearly favored Gu Fei for Xun'er. They were both gifted, and together, they seemed a perfect match. Though Xiao Yan was calm and steady, his talent paled in comparison to Gu Fei's.
Despite his preferences, Ling Ying couldn't stand against Xun'er's stubbornness. Having been by her side for many years, he often found himself yielding to her wishes.
"Master Ling, I understand that Gu Fei would never harm Brother Xiao Yan. I let my anger get the better of me earlier," Xun'er admitted softly, lowering her head. Though she was typically unyielding, she now felt a twinge of guilt.
The last time she had misunderstood Gu Fei was when Gu Yao sent men to deal with Xiao Yan. Now, despite her best intentions, she had repeated her mistake. She had become upset watching Gu Fei walk alongside Yun Yun into the cave. The sight had stirred an uncomfortable feeling within her.
"I have to go in," she suddenly declared, biting her lip. "What if that woman has bad intentions?"
Ling Ying sighed but made no move to stop her. Instead, he remained outside to stand guard.
Xun'er hesitated at the cave entrance just as the sound of rushing wind pierced the air. A shadow loomed overhead.
"Humans are not permitted to enter without the master's permission. Step back," a deep voice commanded.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King hovered in the sky, its massive body casting a shadow over them. The broken horn on its head still throbbed with pain, though Gu Fei had already tended to it.
The lion had been on high alert all day, wary after encountering several powerful individuals. First, there was Dou Huang Yun Yun, who had come seeking the Purple Spirit Crystal and cut off part of its horn. Then, there was Dou Zong powerhouse Gu Fei. And among those who had come for Gu Fei later, many were at the peak of Dou Huang level.
Ling Ying, who often blended into the background like a shadow, had been largely ignored. Yet the Amethyst Winged Lion King remained cautious of him, watching him warily while giving the warning.
Though it knew it might not be able to defeat them, the lion still felt compelled to show its loyalty to Gu Fei by standing its ground. Besides, these two humans clearly knew the master, so they were unlikely to attack.
Despite the lion's warning, Xun'er looked up, unafraid. "Move!" she snapped, her voice sharp.
The lion bristled with anger. Ling Ying stepped forward, placing himself between Xun'er and the beast.
"Miss, Master Gu Fei may be upset right now. It would be wise not to disturb him," Ling Ying cautioned. "Give him time to calm down. If you go in now, it might only make things worse."
After a moment of hesitation, Xun'er relented, her gaze cold as she turned away from the cave entrance.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King's fighting spirit slowly dissipated, and Ling Ying breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that if Xun'er hadn't calmed down, a confrontation with the lion would have been inevitable. Even if they emerged victorious, injuries were certain.
...
Meanwhile, inside the cave, Yun Yun and Gu Fei walked side by side. She had noticed Xun'er's burning gaze but said nothing. After a few more steps, however, she couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer.
"The Xiao Yan you mentioned earlier," Yun Yun began, "is he the same Xiao Yan from the Xiao family in Wutan City?"
Her instincts told her that they were indeed the same person, but it puzzled her. How could someone from a small place like Wutan City be connected to these powerful young elites?
"Yes," Gu Fei replied casually, confirming her suspicions without elaborating further.
He was aware that Xun'er and Ling Ying were still lingering outside the cave, which irritated him. It wasn't jealousy over Xun'er's feelings for Xiao Yan; it was the fact that he had been wrongly accused and unfairly judged. Naturally, this left him feeling sour.
Gu Fei sighed. Fortunately, his bond with Xun'er had loosened over time. If this had happened earlier, he might have spent the entire day distracted by doubts and frustration.
Clearing his mind of these thoughts, Gu Fei found himself thinking about another girl—an innocent, purple-haired, purple-eyed girl who was waiting for him in a distant valley. Whenever she was around, negative emotions seemed to vanish entirely.