There were quite a lot of people around who shared the same sentiment. Jiang Tong had initially tried to stop them from saying such things about Gu Xiqiao but she gave up when it became obvious that what she was doing was futile.

It was also because she harbored the same feeling towards Gu Xiqiao as these people.

The people of the ancient martial arts world were notoriously proud of themselves; them looking down on common humans was a rather common sight to see.

However, gradually, these people started to doubt their own beliefs. Many of them kept their eyes fixated on the group that surrounded Gu Xiqiao.

Wait a minute. That old man talking to Gu Xiqiao, wasn’t he today’s birthday star, Tang Wenbo? Why was he speaking in such an amiable and friendly tone to Gu Xiqiao?

Also, the man standing next to her, who was also engaged in the conversation, wasn’t he Wanqi Jue, the new leader of the UK’s forces? He had used his own power to regain the seal of inheritance and subsequently, toppled the previous leader who possessed it. News of this happening shook the world when it happened, especially for the people of the Supernatural World. One would not be exaggerating to claim that his presence in the UK was comparable to Jiang Shuxuan here in China. It was rare for even people of the ancient martial arts world to have links with him, so why was he so friendly with Gu Xiqiao?!

What truly baffled them was the look of respect in Wanqi Jue’s eyes when he spoke to Gu Xiqiao!

WTF?

It didn’t just end there. Close to her was also Baili Bin, the man who had rocked the ancient martial arts the other day. His other-worldy powers came back full force after his leg injury was declared healed, as was demonstrated when he and Jiang Shuxuan took down the international ruffian together. Although it has been ages since he last appeared at the Trial Tower, many people agreed that his powers had already caught up with Baili Qu’s.

Baili Bin had always kept a low profile in the ancient martial arts world, rarely making an appearance in public. He may have a gentle and warm personality, his attitude towards most people remained chilly. But how on earth did he get to know Gu Xiqiao? And they seemed to be quite close friends at that!

The most surprising thing of all however, was the reaction of the elder who attended today’s ceremony upon hearing that Madam Jiang was bringing her daughter-in-law with the intent to pick a bone with her.

The fiery look on his face completely died out the moment he saw Gu Xiqiao. In the next second, his eyes were open so wide that his eyeballs seemed as if they would pop out at any moment!

Finally, he did what everyone never would’ve expected him to do. He pulled out a Buddhist scripture and began reciting it!

After reciting a few lines off the pages, he walked over and hid behind Gu Xiqiao’s back like a subservient dog.

Such an odd situation obviously stupefied everyone. It was barely excusable for anyone else to do what he did, except himself. Aren’t you the great, revered elder of the Jiang family? Why are you raising your white flag so easily? Have you created a double-standard just because of the young lass’ looks? Or perhaps there was something special about this daughter-in-law who Madam Jiang has chosen.

With this suspicion in mind, the people of the ancient martial arts world began to appraise Gu Xiqiao. No matter how they looked at her, she looked and felt just like a regular human being!

“Great Elder, you… what are you doing?” The second elder, who saw his senior act like this couldn’t help but pull him away from Gu Xiqiao’s side. “Didn’t we agree that we’d come here to persuade Madam Jiang to abandon her decision? And to force that Miss Gu to back down? Why the sudden change in attitude?”

The third elder nodded. He leaned in and added to the exchange: “And why are you looking at her like a dog at its master?”

The subsequent elders overheard the conversation and all of them looked disapprovingly at the Great Elder. “That’s right. Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

The Great Elder stole a glance at Gu Xiqiao to make sure she wasn’t looking his way before he replied in whispers. “Utter nonsense! Do you really think I’d do such a thing? Right, did you bring your scriptures?”

They all then responded in unison. “Why are you asking this now?”

Of course, he was afraid that they’d receive such a shock later on that they’d never be able to recover from it! The Great Elder was fairly certain that they usually had their scriptures on them and so he asked them, “Do you still remember that mysterious saviour who rescued both me and Madam Jiang? That person’s Miss Gu!”

The other elders almost had their jaws drop to the ground when they heard what he said.

Although they had not seen Gu Xiqiao in person that night, they did see the marks made on the battlefield after the fighting was over. It was way too violent, especially the gullies carved out of the ground by lightning. According to their estimates, the person who did this had already reached the level of Xiantian!

The people on this level were generally old hermit sages, only to be found once in a blue moon. They assumed that it was the work of such a person; never in a million years would they have thought that it was this young lady who was responsible for such brutal destruction!

“Great Elder, are you simply pulling our legs?”

“Things are so grave out there and you still think I’m joking with you lot?” The Great Elder took in a deep breath. “Also, she’s the leader of the Peace Squad, who have brought you down to your knees.”

Everyone went silent upon hearing that.

They peered at the Great Elder, then at Gu Xiqiao who was chatting away carefreely. Gradually, a look of horror rose up in their eyes. “Great Elder, it’s… her?”

As if being the person who saved the Great Elder wasn’t enough, she had to be the leader of the darned Peace Squad?

How could it be her?!

This young lady appeared to be weak, skinny and delicate! In no way did she look like some martial arts master. The leader of the Peace Squad? Preposterous!

However, the Great Elder had never deceived them before. After all, he carried the responsibility of maintaining the entire family’s image. He would never joke with them in such a way.

And so, the doubt in their mind was wiped away.

These elders finally understood why the Great Elder had asked them if they had brought with them their Buddhist scriptures!

“The elders of the Jiang family are looking at you constantly.” Wanqi Jue, with his brows furrowed, brought to Gu Xiqiao’s attention what was going on. He knew that these old geezers were impossible to please. “Perhaps they are plotting something against you?”

“Why are you so worried about this?” Murong Feiye brought a glass of alcohol over, which he stuffed into Yin Aoxue’s hand, who was standing next to Wanqi Jue. Looking at this based purely in terms of capability, the ones who should be worrying are the elders.

Gu Xiqiao reached out and yanked the glass out of Yin Aoxue’s hand. “You’re too young to be drinking.”

Yin Aoxue made a sour expression. Her hand had already moved away pretty swiftly and yet it was still intercepted by Gu Xiqiao. “Pretty sister, please, I’d like to drink a little…”

“Go ahead,” Gu Xiqiao casually passed the glass back over to Yin Aoxue. “If you’re not looking to grow taller that is.”

As she said this, she looked down at Yin Aoxue from above condescendingly.

Drinking alcohol stunts your growth? Yin Aoxue stared up at Gu Xiqiao’s dreamy eyes. She was obviously conflicted about this but in the end, she made the call to stave off alcohol, for now.

If Jiji were present, it would undoubtedly have slapped its forehead at how absurd Gu Xiqiao’s claim was. “Beauty Qiao, seems like your disease of uttering bullcrap while maintaining a straight face is incurable” was what it most likely would have said.

“Hey, hold on for a moment.” Noticing that these guys had started wandering off the main topic, and perhaps were on the verge of starting a round of poker, he asked, “Can’t you guys show even one bit of concern about the elders?”

This especially applied to Gu Xiqiao, who was still in the mood for jokes and giggles.

Baili Bin had just ended his conversation with Baili Qu and he overheard Wanqi Jue’s question when he approached Gu Xiqiao. She casually pointed her finger at the elders. “Am I supposed to be concerned about which part of the scripture they’re reciting at this moment?”

Her rebuttal took Wanqi Jue by surprise. He looked over at the seven elders and sure enough, they were standing in a circle, reciting their silly little scripture.

Wanqi Jue honed in on what they were talking about. Apparently, they were discussing which specific paragraph calmed their hearts down the most.

WTF?

Baili Bin looked at Gu Xiqiao and suddenly threw her a question. “How did the Great Elder come to know who you are?” He was speaking to Baili Qu, and most of their conversation revolved around the old man not daring to meet Gu Xiqiao in person. He tried to convince Baili Qu but before that could happen, into the room walked the seven elders of the Jiang family.

As a result, Baili Qu had sent Baili Bin over to save the day.

In case the seven elders had anything to say, they’d definitely back off when they see a member of the Baili family standing around Gu Xiqiao.

To his surprise, the Great Elder walked off before he even made his way over.

Baili Bin couldn’t help but suspect that the Great Elder must’ve met Gu Xiqiao at some point in the past. Nothing else could have explained his odd behavior other than that.

“You’re talking about them?” Gu Xiqiao cleared her throat. “I saved the white-bearded one once.”

The white-bearded one? She’s referring to the Great Elder then?

Baili Bin was stunned. In the next moment, he could stifle his urge to laugh no longer. Patting Gu Xiqiao’s shoulder, he gave her a thumbs up. “Well done.”

***

As this group of people laughed away, Jiang Tong and co ran out of patience.

“Tong Tong, what’s up with these people?” The girl next to Jiang Tong frowned. Why were they acting in such a manner? Wasn’t she just a commoner?!

Jiang Tong pursed her lips. There no longer was the look of satisfaction on her face that she initially had. She assumed that the others would bring down Gu Xiqiao before she made a move. Who would’ve thought that she was so well-acquainted with everyone here? Hell, even Tang Wenbo appeared to see eye-to-eye with Gu Xiqiao. Something was definitely wrong with this whole situation! But where?!

Jiang Tong’s expression darkened.

The girl standing next to her noticed this and began to panic. Amidst the raging fury, she saw a tall figure march in through the front door. “Tong Tong, look!”

“What?” Jiang Tong looked over. “Cecily?”

“It’s her!”

The girl watched as Cecily approached Gu Xiqiao. She whispered into Jiang Tong’s ear, “You clashed with Cecily quite frequently in the past have you not? Judging from her attitude, you think she’ll let Miss Gu off the hook that easily?”

Jiang Tong smiled. “Cecily is not someone you’d want to mess with that’s for sure.”

Cecily’s pace was hasty. She obviously wasn’t here to see Old Man Tang, as she marched straight towards Gu Xiqiao. Seeing the angry look on her face, a gleam materialized on Jiang Tong’s face.

Let them fight. The best outcome of course, would be for Cecily to take Gu Xiqiao’s life. Let them destroy each other!

From an outsider’s perspective, Cecily was walking towards Gu Xiqiao with a raging expression. As someone from the top 10 of the youth ranking list, Cecily’s position in the ancient martial arts world was far above Jiang Tong’s. They all spared a look of sympathy for Gu Xiqiao. This was a demoness they were talking about, someone whose temper was so bad that she was comparable to a nuclear bomb when she was angered. Death awaited those who dared to cross her.

Cecily was closing in on Gu Xiqiao swiftly.

“Madam Jiang, that’s Cecily!” A lady next to Shu Chen called out. “She’s heading straight for your daughter-in-law!”

Shu Chen turned around to find the ‘raging’ Cecily doing just that. Out of worry, she had forgotten how strong Gu Xiqiao actually was. Still, she was able to keep her cool.

She produced a bone fan out of thin air, which was sent flying straight for Gu Xiqiao in the next instant.

It was also at this moment that Cecily arrived before Gu Xiqiao. She stomped on the brakes and gleefully wrapped her arms around Gu Xiqiao. “Qiao Qiao, I finally have the chance to see you again!”

This scene baffled everyone.

Were they actually looking at the demoness, Cecily? Perhaps they had gone blind?

Everything that happened tonight was beyond the comprehension of a sane, rational person. One question simultaneously popped up in everyone’s mind. Just who was this daughter-in-law of Madam Jiang? Why was she friends with so many big figures of the ancient martial arts world?

She was just a regular girl. How could she possibly exert so much influence?

Wanqi Jue grabbed the bone fan out of the air and proceeded to return it to Shu Chen quietly.

The person who was most astounded was quite obviously, Jiang Tong.

“What’s happened to Cecily?” The girl next to Jiang Tong had her jaw wide open.

Jiang Tong inhaled deeply. “If she had not known that Madam Jiang has already recognized the woman as her daughter-in-law, she would never have acted so calmly.”

What she said did make sense. “Tong Tong, let us go and mess this thing up.”

Jiang Tong responded with a subtle nod.

The two then slowly made their way towards Gu Xiqiao. Jiang Tong stayed behind, staring at the various treasures she had worn for today’s occasion. Jealousy almost poured out of her eyes. Her friends nodded at Jiang Tong before they walked straight up to Gu Xiqiao’s face. Before they could speak however, Gu Xiqiao was the first to open her mouth.

“Is this an entire set of jasper you’re wearing?” Gu Xiqiao flashed a smile at the girl who walked up to her unannounced.