Chapter Twenty-Five: Call Me Father

Gu Weiyu looked up to see Gu Weifang speaking with a mocking expression. Before her words could finish, the outcome of the match in the arena was already decided; as expected, Gu Qingsong had won.

“See, I knew it would turn out this way!” Gu Weifang continued.

“Sixth Brother has improved a lot. Last year, he lost to Third Brother in less time than it takes to burn a stick of incense, but this year he held out for over an hour!” Gu Weihuan whispered softly from the side.

Gu Weifang shot her a fierce glare and turned her attention to the center of the martial arena, where the second match had already begun.

Gu Weiyu gave Gu Weihuan a thumbs-up, then refocused on the match.

––––

“Next group: Gu Weifang versus Gu Weiyu.”

Gu Weiyu turned, just in time to meet Gu Weifang’s provocative gaze. “Eleventh Sister, do you dare make a bet with me?”

“A bet?” Gu Weiyu raised an eyebrow. “What kind of bet?”

The two stood in the arena. Gu Weifang said, “Whoever loses must kneel and kowtow three times, and call the winner ‘Grand Aunt’ three times!”

“Alright, but if I win, you don’t need to kneel or kowtow. Just call me ‘Father’ three times!” Gu Weiyu replied, raising her brow, undaunted.

“Hmph! You think you can beat me?” Gu Weifang snorted. She had no idea what “Father” meant, but she certainly didn’t believe she could lose.

Their verbal sparring was left unchecked by anyone in the martial hall; such disputes among the younger generation were generally ignored by elders as long as things didn’t go too far.

“Match begins!”

At the words of the attendant in green, Gu Weifang and Gu Weiyu moved simultaneously.

Gu Weifang, possessing fire, wood, and water spiritual roots, launched a fireball as her opening move. Unfortunately, it was more intimidating in appearance than substance—nothing but a flashy bluff.

With a slight curve to her lips, Gu Weiyu produced a fireball as well. The two collided, and Gu Weifang’s fireball burst like a bubble in an instant.

Gu Weiyu was momentarily stunned; she hadn’t expected Gu Weifang’s fireball to be so fragile.

A soft laugh sounded from somewhere, “With that, she wants someone to kowtow?”

Gu Weifang seemed to hear it, her face twisting in embarrassment. Suddenly, a talisman appeared in her hand, which she quickly flung toward Gu Weiyu.

Gu Weiyu was startled, activating Swiftwind Steps to dodge, but it was nearly too late.

The talisman shimmered with spiritual energy, transforming into a volley of earthen spikes that shot toward her—a first-grade attack talisman!

Gu Weiyu’s instincts screamed danger; her heart pounded fast and hard. If those spikes struck her... just imagining it sent a chill down her spine.

Talismans weren’t unheard of in these minor contests, but they weren’t cheap. Gu Weifang must have been desperate to use one now!

A smile crept onto Gu Weifang’s face, as if she could already see Gu Weiyu being struck, battered and humiliated.

“What?” Gu Weifang’s eyes widened—the earth spike talisman had missed.

She felt a pang; that talisman had been a gift from cousin Xingyun, and she had only the one!

How could such a powerful talisman fail to hit that wretched girl!

She prepared to attack again, but something even more unbelievable happened—

She realized her feet couldn’t move—she was bound tightly by vines, though she hadn’t noticed when it happened.

Momentum carried her forward, and she fell flat on her face.

“Fifth Sister, don't be so hasty—I really don’t need you to kowtow!” Gu Weiyu’s voice sounded above her, making her grind her teeth in frustration.

“Gu Weiyu wins!” the green-robed attendant declared, smiling at Gu Weiyu. He’d thought Eleventh Sister was about to lose, but the tables had turned at the last moment!

“Fifth Sister, come on, call me ‘Father’ three times!” Gu Weiyu laughed, looking down at Gu Weifang, who was covered in dust and dirt.

“It was just a little joke between children, Eleventh Sister—you took it too seriously, didn’t you?” A delicate, affected voice sounded. Gu Weiyu turned to see that Gu Weifang’s mother, Mrs. Lu, could no longer keep silent.

“Seventh Aunt, that’s not right. Cultivators don’t break their word!” Gu Weiyu replied sweetly.

“Besides, I didn’t make Fifth Sister kneel or kowtow, or call me ‘Grand Aunt’ three times—only to call me ‘Father’ three times!”

Gu Weifang’s face turned crimson, wishing she could find a hole to hide in.

At that moment, Gu Jun, seated above, grew stern and spoke, “Seventh daughter-in-law, do not interfere in matters among the younger generation!”

Mrs. Lu, intimidated by the family head, promptly closed her mouth, casting a sympathetic glance at her daughter.

Under the gaze of all present, Gu Weifang, humiliated, called Gu Weiyu “Father” three times, her hatred for Gu Weiyu simmering.

“Next group: Gu Weihuan versus Gu Qinghu.”

Gu Weihuan and Gu Qinghu were evenly matched, fighting for a long time before Gu Qinghu edged out a win.

Though Gu Weihuan lost, she remained spirited, showing no sign of discouragement. Many nodded in approval.

“Gu Qinghu wins! Next group: Gu Qingxing versus Gu Qingyun!”

––––

This was the last match among the younger generation—and the most laughable.

Recently, Gu Qingyun hadn’t improved much except for mastering Swiftwind Steps, which he used with great proficiency. As soon as the match began, he dashed all around the arena, leaving Gu Qingxing helpless. In the end, the green-robed attendant couldn’t bear to watch anymore and declared it a draw.

“Ha ha... Eleventh Sister, your methods really work!” Gu Qingyun returned to his seat, grinning from ear to ear. He was no longer the sole loser—he’d brought someone down with him!

Gu Weiyu laughed and patted his shoulder. “Enough joking, watch the match!”

Next up were the matches for their uncle’s generation. Their allocation for cultivation resources in the coming year would also be decided by these contests.

Unlike the gentle pace of Gu Weiyu’s group, the participants of Uncle Sixteen’s generation had mostly reached high stages of Qi Refining, with even the weakest at the mid-stage. Their matches were naturally spectacular.

“Go, Uncle Sixteen!”

When Gu Hui entered the arena, Gu Weiyu and Gu Qingyun couldn’t help cheering for him from the sidelines. He lived up to their expectations, handily defeating Uncle Seven.

Gu Weiyu watched with relish, thoroughly enjoying the thrilling matches.

––––

“The first round of the minor contest is over. Next is the second round: the Challenge Matches!” The green-robed attendant announced again, “Who will challenge first?”

During the Challenge Matches, anyone could challenge or be challenged, and once a challenge was issued, the challenged must accept.

Gu Weiyu had no desire to challenge anyone. She discreetly glanced around; the patriarch still hadn’t arrived, and both Lu Xingyun and Tenth Aunt had disappeared at some point.

“Uncle Eight, I’ll go first!” A gentle young voice sounded. The crowd turned to see it was Third Brother, Gu Qingsong.

The green-robed attendant, Gu Yu, smiled at him. “Third Brother, whom do you intend to challenge?”

He assumed Gu Qingsong would challenge Fourth Sister, Gu Weilan. After all, she was younger than him, but her cultivation far surpassed his, likely making him quite frustrated.

“I challenge—Eleventh Sister!” Gu Qingsong declared loudly, his voice ringing through the martial hall.