Chapter 313: Now, Who's More Qualified?
"A nobody from who-knows-where can be invited as an external ally? Miss Gu Yan, don't you think you're taking this far too lightly?"
Mo Tao's tone was calm, but the change in his expression betrayed a hint of displeasure.
His faint voice spread across the dock, instantly causing the atmosphere to tense ever so slightly.
The nearby Gu Clan disciples could only look on helplessly. They were clearly used to Mo Tao's veiled sarcasm by now.
After his words, several of the disciples began sizing up Lin Fan, though they couldn't discern anything about his cultivation. Still, compared to Mo Tao—who was known across the Tianfeng Sea Region—they naturally leaned toward trusting Mo Tao more.
After all, Mo Tao had some reputation among the younger generation. But Lin Fan? A complete stranger.
Ahem...
Gu Ling coughed softly, then smiled as he looked at Lin Fan before turning to Gu Yan.
"Xiao Yan, you've already heard about Yuntian. The Gu Clan is in a tight spot right now.
"Even though you've broken through to the Minor Mastery Life Xuan Stage, it won't change much. Mo Tao's strength is well-proven, and he's more than capable of filling in for Yuntian."
Gu Ling knew Gu Yan didn't care for Mo Tao, so he assumed she had randomly chosen someone to try and edge him out.
But the Gu Clan's results at the Martial Meet were at stake—there was no room for personal grudges.
As for Lin Fan's strength, Gu Ling couldn't sense anything from him. In his eyes, Lin Fan was just hiding his aura with some minor technique and probably wasn't anyone outstanding, especially since he was an unknown in the Chaos Demon Sea.
Lin Fan chuckled softly at Gu Ling's words.
"What are you laughing at?" Mo Tao scowled, clearly annoyed.
Lin Fan didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "What's your cultivation level?"
Mo Tao raised his chin proudly. "I'm at the peak of the Minor Mastery Life Xuan Stage, one step away from Great Mastery. What could you possibly compare with?"
"You act like you're at the peak of the Samsara Stage, just a breath from Reincarnation," Lin Fan said mockingly, shaking his head.
Boom!
Before Mo Tao could retort, Lin Fan released the full force of his Perfect Life Xuan Stage aura—pressing it directly onto Mo Tao like a crashing wave.
Thud!
Caught completely off guard, and with an insurmountable gap in strength between them, Mo Tao's knees buckled under the pressure and he dropped to the ground!
Uproar!
Gasps filled the air. The Gu Clan disciples were stunned.
Especially those who had remained stationed on Martial Meet Island—they'd never seen Lin Fan in action and never expected him to be this powerful. Just by releasing his aura, he'd forced the peak Minor Mastery Mo Tao to his knees!
"Perfect… Life Xuan Stage!"
Gu Ling's eyes widened, his voice trembling with excitement.
Someone who looked so young had already reached the peak of the Life Xuan Stage?! That talent was beyond belief!
Even the top three young elites of the Tianfeng Sea Region—Zhou Qian, Xie Yan, and Shentu Jue—were still far from that level.
In fact, even many of the Gu Clan's elders were only on par with Lin Fan in terms of cultivation.
After his shock came joy.
With someone like Lin Fan as their external ally, wasn't the Gu Clan practically guaranteed victory at the Martial Meet?
"Now… who's more qualified?" Lin Fan asked calmly, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.
"What's going on here?"
Since this was the Gu Clan's private dock, a few of the clan elders managing operations nearby had naturally noticed the commotion.
Two middle-aged men with serious expressions and powerful auras quickly approached, their eyes full of caution.
They were clearly elders of some standing. Seeing them arrive, the Gu Clan disciples immediately greeted them respectfully, and Gu Ling quickly explained the situation.
The two men were visibly shaken upon hearing it. They turned to look at Lin Fan, stunned.
"Our external ally should be as strong as possible. Since Miss Yan has brought in Young Master Lin Fan, who possesses Perfect Life Xuan Stage cultivation, then naturally, he's the better choice," said a gentle, feminine voice from beyond the crowd.
Everyone turned.
The crowd parted, and a graceful young woman in simple robes stepped forward.
Her outfit accentuated her elegant curves, and her beauty was striking—her peach blossom eyes full of warmth. Her soft voice was almost hypnotic.
"Sister Mengqi."
Her arrival drew respectful greetings from the younger Gu disciples, and even Gu Yan's expression brightened slightly.
Lin Fan gave the graceful beauty a glance but didn't show much reaction. Her strength—also at the peak of Minor Mastery Life Xuan Stage—was of no interest to him.
"Mengqi," Gu Ling and the others nodded to her in greeting.
"You bastard!"
Mo Tao finally broke free of the suppressive aura, surging his Yuan Power and standing up. He looked at Lin Fan with fury—and fear.
He hadn't expected someone who looked so unassuming to have such overwhelming strength.
His heart seethed with resentment, but the gap between them was clear. He gritted his teeth and restrained the urge to lash out.
Mo Tao clenched his fists and turned toward Gu Ling and the others. "I had no intention of attending your Five Clans Martial Meet. I only agreed because your clan invited me so sincerely."
"And now, on your turf, I'm humiliated like this. Doesn't the Gu Clan owe me an explanation?"
Gu Ling and the others looked awkward and unsure how to respond.
Gu Mengqi stepped in, her voice gentle, "Indeed, this wasn't handled well on our part. Brother Mo Tao, I'm truly sorry you were slighted."
"But Young Master Lin merely released his aura. He didn't deliberately target anyone. It was… an unfortunate accident."
"On behalf of the Gu Clan, I apologize. We'll also prepare a gift for you to express our gratitude—and our regret."
"Moreover, we'd be honored if Brother Mo Tao stayed on Martial Meet Island as a guest to observe the event. We'll treat you with the utmost respect."
Hmph!
Mo Tao snorted coldly and turned his head away, saying nothing more.
The Gu Clan had made it clear they wouldn't stand up for him, so there was no point pushing it.
"Brother Lin Fan, it looks like our Gu Clan may have to rely on you for this Martial Meet," Gu Mengqi said with a soft smile.
Lin Fan smiled back. "Miss Mengqi, you're too kind. Still, before the Martial Meet begins, I think we'd best finalize the matter of my payment first."
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