Chapter 238: Feng Hongbo's Offer, Gu Ran's Unexpected Predicament

Falling shy of his anticipated outcome, Gu Ran could not help but harbour some regret.

However, could he hold the mysterious female cultivator accountable for wiping out all the demonic beasts?

No, he couldn't!

That mysterious woman had become the saviour of the entire Black Wood Island.

From the beginning to the end, everything she did was altruistic, aimed for the collective benefit.

She alone had vanquished the Dao Palace realm demon and eradicated a majority of the demonic beast tide...

She had even lent a hand to him, Gu Ran, intervening with a simple 'Hmph'.

Gu Ran himself was, at his core, a man of principled values.

His Heavenly Fate Value and bloodline granted him a potent intuition, sharp senses that alerted him to the potential danger posed by this mysterious female cultivator, instigating a deep-rooted aversion within him.

Yet, what he was observing ignited an intense sense of discord within him.

These contrasting sentiments had now been magnified under the influence of Jiang Chen.

Gu Ran, who should have been gleefully advancing in levels and savouring a surge in strength, was now confronted with a stagnation.

This naturally seeded a degree of discontent in his heart.

These adverse sentiments, for now, he could only bury deep within himself.

Gu Ran was a solitary figure, devoid of friends to confide in and without any likelihood of finding someone to converse with, let alone the fact that his secrets were not for public consumption.

Just then.

"Mm-hmm."

"I, too, am wounded. You all need to tread with caution."

"These demonic beast corpses will pollute the Spiritual Qi in the surroundings, so I'll remove them."

Nangong Wan's voice echoed once more, gradually dissolving into the void.

"The esteemed senior has departed!"

"She has vanquished the Dao Palace realm demon but has suffered injuries herself!"

"I earnestly hope she recuperates soon!"

"Yes, may the heavens bless the esteemed senior with a speedy recovery!"

"..."

One after the other, the rescued cultivators vocalized their immense gratitude, bowing once again.

However, some individuals felt an intense rush of exhilaration at Jiang Chen's 'departure'.

'The female senior has departed!'

'Excellent, I initially harboured reservations about making my move while she was present.'

'Now that she's injured, she will undoubtedly leave this isolated place to return to her cave mansion for recuperation.'

'With this, Black Wood Island will once again fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of my Feng Clan.'

'Handling a mere Heavenly Origin realm cultivator will be as simple as netting a fish in a pond.'

'...'

Feng Liu's exhilaration was evident, his gaze incessantly lingering on Gu Ran.

The group of cultivators surrounding him resonated with Feng Liu's sentiments.

They promptly deciphered his intentions, and their gazes, too, were drawn to Gu Ran.

'Dare to fixate on me!'

'These individuals are truly repugnant!'

After casting a fleeting look at Feng Liu and his associates, Gu Ran chose to withdraw first.

After all, Feng Hongbo, who was in the Inquiring Journey realm, was still present.

But just then.

"Haha!"

"Young friend!"

Feng Hongbo approached Gu Ran, wearing a pleasant smile, and inquired respectfully, "May I know your honourable surname?"

"Oh."

"I am named Niu Qing."

Gu Ran nonchalantly concocted a pseudonym. "How may I assist you, senior?"

He was equally vigilant concerning Feng Hongbo.

"Yes!"

"Young friend Niu Qing, your performance during the grand battle was remarkable!"

"And being such a young Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, undoubtedly you will be able to ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm."

"I wonder if you would be interested in assuming the role of a Guest Elder in our Feng Clan? We will take care of all your cultivation resources!"

"In the future, there will be even more promising prospects. You could affiliate with a larger Clan, or even the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect!"

Feng Hongbo spoke earnestly and with a serious demeanor, "And all you need to do... is to cultivate, nothing more!"

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone present exhibited surprise.

The conditions Feng Hongbo proposed were extraordinarily generous!

This wasn't merely about recruiting a Guest Elder; he was openly offering full patronage to this 'Niu Qing'.

Feng Liu was also taken aback tremendously.

His father was actually presenting such advantageous terms to 'Niu Qing'.

He was treating him even better than his own offspring!

Moreover, if his father was doing this, how was he supposed to make a move on 'Niu Qing'? How was he supposed to pilfer others' concealment secret art or treasure?

With these thoughts, Feng Liu's jealousy towards Gu Ran escalated steadily, almost to the point where he wanted to rip him apart!

Just then, something even more astounding transpired.

"Thank you for your offer, senior. But I must decline."

"I am accustomed to my freedom, considering the four seas as my dwelling, I can't endure any restrictions."

Gu Ran offered a fist and palm salute—a gesture of gratitude—towards Feng Hongbo, and responded in a nonchalant tone.

His intuition told him that while Feng Hongbo's goodwill was sincere, it was not devoid of ulterior motives.

He had guessed right.

Indeed, Feng Hongbo was also highly intrigued by Gu Ran's concealment treasure.

Because even with his Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm combat prowess, he couldn't decipher Gu Ran's invisibility skill.

How could he remain indifferent?

However, Feng Hongbo's method was far more nuanced than Feng Liu's, promising a bright future to keep Gu Ran within his reach, then plotting to gradually make his move.

But now, he hadn't anticipated that Gu Ran would reject his offer so categorically!

"What!"

"That Niu Qing actually declined?"

"The Feng Clan is the most formidable force on our Black Wood Island, and it also holds significant sway among the surrounding islands."

"If Niu Qing had agreed, with Elder Feng's assistance, he would undoubtedly have been able to break through to the Inquiring Journey realm, ascend to the Second Step on the Cultivation Path, and earn the admiration of countless individuals!"

"The critical point is that Elder Feng didn't demand anything in return; it was practically like extending benefits, akin to establishing friendship. Niu Qing turned all these down!"

"Wow, this Niu Qing is not ordinary, I also sense a hint of him looking down on others."

"That's right, I share the same sentiment, he seems a tad arrogant simply because he possesses some abilities."

"Haha, I once thought likewise. I also imagined I could cultivate to the Dao Palace realm and rule the Lustrous Yang Domain, but I was merely naive!"

"..."

Many cultivators around couldn't resist engaging in discussions, with a myriad of conjectures surfacing one after another.

"Niu Qing, my young friend!"

"You need not dismiss my proposal so hastily."

"You have recently partaken in a monumental battle, resisting the demonic beast tide; why not stay on Black Wood Island for a few days to recuperate, and give my proposal some thought during this time."

With his vast life experience, Feng Hongbo managed to maintain his composure exceptionally well. His smile was quite natural, void of any awkwardness.

"Still, I must refuse."

Gu Ran shook his head and responded, "I intend to depart from Black Wood Island today and venture to other islands to hunt demonic beasts."

But just at that juncture.

"This is not good!"

"The teleportation array has been destroyed in the grand battle!"

A cultivator, marred with injuries, hurried over from a distance, exclaiming with a face contorted by distress.

"What?!"

"The teleportation array has been destroyed!"

"How severe is the damage? Can it be fixed? If not, we're in deep trouble!"

"I spotted some demonic beasts approaching the teleportation array earlier. I never imagined my apprehensions would materialize."

"Now we're trapped. None of us can vacate Black Wood Island anytime soon."

"..."

One by one, the cultivators voiced their astonishment, followed by a profound feeling of helplessness.

Gu Ran was also flabbergasted. He hadn't anticipated the destruction of the teleportation array!

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