The Great Martial Saint!

"It's really lively here!" Old Lan, dressed in a plain brocade robe, sat inside the carriage, his eyes taking stock.

She has been stationed in Canglong for many years and has not come out for many years.

She had visited Xuanling City in her younger days, but that was sixty years ago.

Looking at the atmosphere of Chongcheng now, it still feels quite novel.

"It's much more lively than Canglong Prefecture City," she commented with a faint smile.

Although her face is covered with wrinkles, her youthful beauty can still be seen in every smile and frown. In her younger days, Lan Lao was a renowned beauty in Canglong, but nothing is immune to the ravages of time.

Even a grandmaster, as powerful as he is, cannot withstand the passage of time. After hundreds of years of life, he is nothing more than a handful of dust.

Old Lan tilted her head slightly, looking at the scenery outside the car, a genuine smile on her face, and she exuded a calmness that came with having weathered many storms.

In my younger years, I was quite concerned about my aging and fading beauty, and I thought about how to slow it down. But now, that feeling has long since faded.

Compared to countless others, her life was destined to be lucky.

In her youth, she was protected and cared for by her elders, who provided her with a safe haven. In middle age, she was protected and sheltered by her ancestral ancestors. Even in her old age, she could still witness the family producing outstanding talents and brilliant minds.

A pillar of the contemporary generation, and at such a young age, he has already been included in the Hidden Dragon Secondary List, with the potential to advance further and challenge for the Hidden Dragon Main List. What was initially thought to be a compromise, a stopgap measure under the circumstances, has turned out to be the birth of a true prodigy for the family, a brilliant talent who shines even on the Hidden Dragon List.

Such an outstanding person, to be Gu Jia's husband, is truly Gu Jia's good fortune.

Earlier news had spread that Ping An had killed a senior elder of the Hengshan Sect with a single strike, displaying a power akin to that of the Wind and Cloud Sect. Who knows how surprised and delighted she must have felt at that moment?

At less than twenty-eight years old, he has already achieved so much. How outstanding will he be in the future?

Do not!
He is already outstanding enough as he is now, without having to wait until tomorrow.

Whether in terms of combat power or status, they have long surpassed those old guys.

Looking at Ping An's current achievements, she always feels like she has lived many years in vain.

She was breathtakingly beautiful.
It was a stroke of luck and good fortune for her to marry such a man, arranged by family alliance.

Looking across the entire region, Qingcheng is exceptionally outstanding, possessing both talent and ability. Yet, compared to Ping An, she undoubtedly pales in comparison.

If she can seize this opportunity, it will be the greatest blessing of her life.

As soon as the thought arose, a trace of worry couldn't help but surface in Old Lan's heart.

"Unfortunately, I was ultimately unable to persuade Qingcheng to go with me."

A hint of worry flickered in Old Lan's eyes.

She had sought out Qingcheng several times before coming here, intending to accompany Xuanling. But in the end, the journey did not come to fruition.

Qingcheng declined her suggestion, citing the approaching pass and the need for focused cultivation, as it was inconvenient for her to travel far.

"The pass is approaching?"

She was skeptical of Qingcheng's explanation. But judging from Qingcheng's reaction, even if she was slow to realize, she knew that there must be a problem between the two of them.

What woman wouldn't want to see her future husband? Especially if elders in the family are willing to vouch for him, no longer bound by strict etiquette, with close elders accompanying her, and the added prestige of family authority—in such circumstances, wouldn't any woman want to go out and see him?
But Qingcheng refused.

"They were clearly very affectionate before, what happened?" Old Lan wondered.

She repeatedly urged him, not only for the sake of the family, but also for the sake of Qingcheng's future.

With Ping An's natural talent and steady cultivation, the possibility of him becoming a martial arts master is extremely high. In fact, it could be said that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the probability is close to 99%.

Even with the challenges of navigating the chasm between heaven and man, and the illusions of inner demons that require careful planning, which may waste some years, a peaceful future is still something many people can dream of.

With Ping An's current talent, if he were willing, many powerful forces, such as the Bicang County Prince's Mansion, the Wenxin Sword Pavilion, and even the Hengshan Sect, would be willing to extend an olive branch and offer their daughters as marriage partners.

If Ping An were willing, even the high and mighty Celestial Queen might be tempted to invest, provide early support, and arrange a future Daoist partnership.

Such excellence is beyond her reach, even if she were to take on a family role.

Back in the day, when Ping An first rose to prominence, the Gu family had an ancestor to oversee things, and the younger generation could barely be considered a match for her. But now, the difference between them is quite significant.

From those years ago to today, the positions of both sides have long since shifted, with the offensive and defensive roles changing hands.

If the Gu family abandons this marriage alliance, Ping An will likely be snatched away by someone else. Even if the Gu family is unwilling to give up, there will probably be no shortage of forces with designs on them.

Such a person, whether for Qingcheng's happiness or for the future of the family, sincerely hopes that Qingcheng can hold on tightly and that both of them will be well.

But now, it's clear that there's some misunderstanding between the two. And judging from their recent reactions, this misunderstanding is largely something that Qingcheng cares about.

Like in the past, when Ping An visited, he was willing to humble himself and take the initiative to see Qingcheng. But later, that was no longer the case.

Clearly, Ping An's patience was also limited. While Qingcheng was undeniably beautiful, possessing a captivating allure that would be breathtaking even to a woman, this world ultimately belonged to the martial arts.

Ping An might soften his heart for a moment, taking care of Qingcheng's feelings with tenderness, but how could such one-sided behavior last? Especially for a man of Ping An's stature and heroic spirit.

If this continues, and feelings gradually fade, then Qingcheng's days will likely not be easy.

"Ah," Old Lan sighed softly.

She wandered around Xuanling City for a while and overheard some rumors circulating in the streets.

These rumors, in turn, dispelled her doubts.

"A vital town in the north, where a beautiful woman is kept."

"In Canglong Prefecture, I spent the night in the misty rain."

"The thunderous mountain scenery captivated me at first sight."

"The romantic escapades of the Xuanling Giant and the Prodigy Mangdao!"

"."

The rumors that were being discussed so widely made everything that had been puzzling Old Lan cleared up at that moment.

"Could it be that Qingcheng is angry with Ping because she cares about this?" Old Lan looked enlightened, and the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

Looking back at the timeline, it seems that Qingcheng hasn't paid much attention to Ping'an since the Grandmaster Celebration. This must be because the rumors spread to the city and reached Qingcheng's knowledge.

Master Lan understood and could comprehend Qingcheng's feelings.

But such is the nature of geniuses and their romantic escapades. A prodigy like Ping An, shining like a constellation of stars, wouldn't he attract several admirers?

In his youth, Old Lan always scoffed at such things. But now, he has gradually come to terms with it.

Qingcheng is still young and there are many things she doesn't understand. But she's been through it all, and some things can't be simply ignored. This world is inherently unfair, whether it's the distribution of resources or matters between men and women.

If you want fairness, you must be exceptionally good, both in terms of your own abilities and your background.

Normally, the Gu family's fortune would be a great asset to the city, but in front of Chen Ping'an now, the Gu family's resources seem rather weak.

If he achieves great success in the future, even his family will have to rely on his reputation and influence.

For a man to have beautiful wives and concubines while he is alive is a common occurrence.

Not to mention men, women often hear similar stories in the world.

How they can be matched is never fixed.

However, judging from Ping An's current situation, he is destined to be restless. If you have chosen him, then you must accept this situation. If you are truly unwilling, then you must either give up or find a way to influence and change things.

But whatever the case, what has already happened can only be accepted.

Otherwise, it will only cause unnecessary trouble.

Old Master Lan saw this clearly and had already begun to consider how to resolve Qingcheng's inner conflict upon returning home.

Elder Lan wandered around Chongcheng for a while before heading to the Gu family's residence. Besides her, several other elders, along with some clan elders and younger members, accompanied her on this trip.

Since this is a grand event in Xuanling, and there's an opportunity, it's natural to bring some people along to broaden their horizons. With so many people coming, it would be perfectly appropriate for Qingcheng to accompany them, both in terms of status and public opinion.

Unfortunately.
"Forget it, let's not think about it anymore. What's past is past, we'll figure out a way later." Old Lan smiled.

Not long after Elder Lan and his party arrived at the Gu family's residence, Chen Ping'an naturally received news of their arrival.

Lan Lao has always respected Chen Ping'an of the Gu family, and among the elders of the Gu family, he is one of the ones with whom he has had the most contact.

If we're talking about getting to know each other better and becoming closer, then Gu Qingchan is the only one left.

He was just planning to reveal his identity and was preparing to go into seclusion. With Elder Lan coming, he could explain the matter together. The Gu family and others had come from afar, and since he was stationed at Xuanling, he should go and meet them.

"Ping An, it's only been a few months, but you've become even more radiant." Old Lan smiled kindly, "Your reputation has even reached my ears."

"Haha, Elder Lan, you flatter me. It's just a trivial matter, yet it has troubled you so much," Chen Ping'an said with a cheerful smile.

They were all old acquaintances, so there was no airs between them. After just a few words, they were all very relaxed and friendly.

"Originally, Qingcheng was supposed to come along this time, but she had some insights into her cultivation, and I said a few more words, so in the end she couldn't come." Old Lan embellished his words, expressing his regret that Qingcheng didn't come to Xuanling: "To be honest, it's my fault for being nosy. If I hadn't said those words, even if she had some insights, Qingcheng would have come along this time."

As soon as she finished speaking, Old Lan observed Chen Ping'an's expression. Seeing that his eyes were calm and he seemed lost in thought, she jokingly teased him, "Ping'an, you're not blaming this old woman for being nosy this time since you didn't get to see your little wife, are you?"

Is Gu Qingcheng coming?

Upon hearing Elder Lan's words, Chen Ping'an's heart skipped a beat. However, upon hearing what he said next, he breathed a sigh of relief.

His face was calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

Thank goodness.
Old Lan, you didn't just talk too much, you saved my life!
If that really happens, I'll be dead, even if I'm not.

What had happened before already made him feel a little guilty, and after experiencing this again, he was now being further embellished by the rumors circulating in Xuanling City.

This is practically taking his life!

Logically speaking, he shouldn't be so afraid of his wife, but he's bound by the kindness of others!
The Star Sword that was given to him is still worn at his waist!
Furthermore, with Gu Qingcheng coming over, he really didn't know what gift to give her, and he didn't have anything presentable to offer.

This happened so suddenly, without any warning.

Fortunately, they didn't come along.

Chen Ping'an's emotions were in turmoil. Seeing Elder Lan looking at him intently, he calmly smiled and replied.

"Elder Lan is too kind. How could Ping An be so? Although Ping An is a little disappointed that Fairy Qingcheng could not come with Elder Lan, Fairy Qingcheng's cultivation is more important than Ping An's regret."

Chen Ping'an said a few polite words.

Old Lan's eyes brightened slightly, and he understood.

"There is indeed a problem."

Putting aside the issue of address, the reaction just now was clearly somewhat off.

A stunningly beautiful fairy?

Who calls their fiancée that? You've met before. She always teases you by calling you her "little darling," so at this moment, she should at least call you "alluring beauty," not "fairy."

Chen Ping'an isn't some clueless blockhead; this kind of address just doesn't seem right.

It's either a thought in your heart or a resentment in your heart.

It's probably because they're considering the feelings of those old folks that they haven't reacted on the spot.

It seems he still cares that Qingcheng didn't come.

Old Lady Lan sighed inwardly and immediately began to speak well of Qingcheng. She made up her mind to repair the young couple's relationship as soon as possible.

Otherwise, if someone takes advantage of the peace and tranquility, it would be a real joke.

Ping An is her husband from the Gu family. As long as Ping An is willing, no one can take him away.

Judging from the current situation, Ping An undoubtedly cares about Qingcheng; otherwise, given Ping An's temperament, he wouldn't have time to listen to her nonsense. Since that's the case, then she should make the most of it.

With that in mind, Old Lan continued to steer the conversation towards Gu Qingcheng.

The elders accompanying her, including Elder Rong, although they didn't know what Elder Lan was planning, couldn't help but cooperate with her when they saw her doing this.

Chen Ping'an stayed at the Gu family's residence for nearly an hour, and for most of that time, the conversation mainly revolved around Gu Qingcheng.

This made Chen Ping'an even more anxious. The Star Sword at his waist had a dazzling silver scabbard.

Chen Ping'an's mood was as hazy and confused as his eyes.

After explaining the reason for his upcoming seclusion, he bid farewell and left the Gu family's residence.

Is this the oppressive aura of the official wife/partner?!

This person isn't here, yet he's left feeling guilty and tormented.

If someone were to come, that would be terrible!

Chen Ping'an's emotions were in turmoil and he was quite unsettled.

Outside the Gu family's residence, the Zhenfu Division's carriage was already waiting. He went straight onto the carriage and glanced at the plaque of the Gu family's residence.

"Never mind, when I see Gu Qingcheng next time, I'll just hug her and take the initiative!"
This is too agonizing!

Chen Ping'an's mind gradually calmed down. Looking at himself, he looked the same as usual, but he felt somewhat disheveled no matter how he looked at himself.

"Looking pathetic? Chen Ping'an, you asked for it!"

Chen Ping'an gave a self-deprecating laugh, and his turbulent emotions gradually calmed down.

Some things, once done, always come at a price.

However, how he will pay the price is perhaps unknown.
You can decide for yourself.

Xuanling City remains bustling as ever. As the Xuanling Auction approaches, the number of mid- to high-level cultivators appearing on the streets and alleys is increasing.

On the third day after Elder Lan and his party arrived in Xuanling City, the latest edition of the Hidden Dragon Ranking was officially updated for the entire dynasty.

The rankings were released, and the four kingdoms were shaken to their core.

The weather is ever-changing and ever-changing.

Countless powerful figures gazed at the list in silence, then sighed deeply: "The world we live in today is a time of great contention!"

The greatest contenders are the proud and ambitious, the hidden dragons vie for fortune, and the common people fight for their lives.

In this era of great strife, the signs of war have already emerged! (End of Chapter)