CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 11: AM I SICK?

When Zhou Ting and Han Qianqian arrived at the City Lord Mansion, Gu Qingqing and Yun Ran had just finished drawing lots.

This time, there were about three hundred and twenty participants in the martial arts tournament, just an even number. The first four days were elimination rounds, cutting half the participants.

Gu Qingqing drew for the morning of the third day, while Yun Ran drew for the morning of the first day. After discovering that they both faced opponents they didn’t know, they decided not to worry about it and planned to deal with it when the matches came.

Upon exiting, they ran into Zhou Ting and Han Qianqian.

Zhou Ting arrived with an imposing air, wanting to show off in front of the person she liked. But when she actually got there, she didn’t dare to do anything and could only watch them pass by with wide eyes.

Yun Ran was on guard, expecting Zhou Ting to do something, but Zhou Ting did nothing, leaving her quite surprised.

"What’s wrong, Sister Yun? Why does your expression look a bit strange?" Gu Qingqing asked, noticing Yun Ran’s frequent urge to look back.

"You know how Zhou Ting loves to cause me trouble, but just now she did absolutely nothing! I’m quite curious if she’s plotting something big," Yun Ran shared her concerns.

Gu Qingqing had been chatting with Yue Zhao and others and hadn’t noticed Zhou Ting. Hearing Yun Ran, she quickly looked back and saw Zhou Ting staring dreamily in their direction.

"Why do I feel like her gaze is a bit weird?" Gu Qingqing paused and thought for a moment before continuing, "Remember that Qiu Yuyan? It looks a bit like how she used to look at Senior Brother Si."

Yun Ran was stunned, couldn’t help but take a look at Zhou Ting too, and found out that she was indeed looking at them as Gu Qingqing described.

"What the heck? Does she have a crush on someone here?" Yun Ran’s gaze involuntarily shifted among Yue Zhao and the others.

"You mean she has a crush on a senior brother? How is that possible? She doesn’t even know the senior brothers," Gu Qingqing found it a bit inconceivable.

"Didn’t you just say it yourself? Her gaze looks like Qiu Yuyan’s gaze at Senior Brother Si, and Qiu Yuyan liked Senior Brother Si," Yun Ran whispered to Gu Qingqing.

Gu Qingqing: "..."

Back then, she was too young to understand what that look meant!

"So, does that mean love?" Gu Qingqing curiously asked.

"Pretty much, but I’m not entirely sure either," Yun Ran thought for a moment and replied with a dry laugh.

Gu Qingqing: "Oh!"

Although their voices were low, Si Lin and the others, with their cultivation, could hear everything. Their conversation was so amusing that even Si Lin’s eyes were filled with laughter, not to mention Nan Hua and the other two.

Nan Hua used a fan to cover his face, but his eyes were full of amusement, while Mu Chen and Rong Ye kept their mouths tightly shut. But from their slightly fierce expressions, it was clear how hard it was for them to hold back their laughter!

Fortunately, Gu Qingqing and Yun Ran were engrossed in their discussion and didn’t notice.

...

When Yun Ran and the others came over, Han Qianqian kept giving Zhou Ting meaningful glances to stop them, but Zhou Ting seemed like she had turned into a fool, not reacting at all, and simply watched Yun Ran and the others leave.

After they walked far away, Han Qianqian turned around and saw Zhou Ting still chasing after Yun Ran and the others’ departing figures with her eyes, leaving her speechless.

"Cousin, what happened just now? Weren’t you going to find the person you liked? When Yun Ran and the others walked by, I kept giving you glances, but you didn’t react?" Han Qianqian waved her hand in front of Zhou Ting, and once Zhou Ting snapped back to reality, she quickly asked.

"Huh?" Zhou Ting was momentarily stunned, but then a flash of embarrassment crossed her face, which she quickly covered up, "I just remembered I still have something to ask my brother, let’s go back home first."

"But..." Han Qianqian wanted to say more but saw Zhou Ting leaving directly, so she swallowed her words and followed Zhou Ting back.

When they got home, they happened to run into Zhou Qi, who was also returning from outside and was a bit surprised to see them.

"Ting’er, Qianqian, weren’t you two out having fun? Why are you back so early?" As he spoke, he glanced at the sky and noticed it was still early. Suddenly realizing something, his expression changed, "Or did someone bully you outside?"

"Brother, what are you thinking? In this Huazhou City, how many people can bully me?" Zhou Ting rolled her eyes at Zhou Qi, resigned to her brother’s imagination, "I just got tired from walking around and wanted to come back early."

"Yeah, cousin, it’s just that we both got tired and wanted to come back early, no one bullied us." Han Qianqian always felt a bit shy in front of Zhou Qi. She glanced at him quickly, then lowered her head to hide the emotions in her eyes.

Zhou Qi was just concerned for his two sisters. Knowing that they weren’t bullied, he felt relieved and was about to head to his own courtyard but suddenly stopped, "Ting’er, do you know who has been around Yun Ran lately?"

He had sent several invitations to the Yun Family but had been rejected each time, only knowing that the person who challenged the 196th floor of the Trial Tower was friends with Yun Family’s Yun Ran, but nothing else. The curiosity was eating away at him, and he was eager for a match with the person.

"Why are you asking about this, Brother?" Zhou Ting never paid much attention to matters like the Trial Tower, and hearing Zhou Qi suddenly bring up Yun Ran, she was somewhat surprised.

"A person in Huazhou City challenged up to the 196th floor of the Trial Tower, named Gu Qingqing, believed to be a friend of Yun Ran. I thought since you often encounter Yun Ran, you might know," Zhou Qi explained directly, as it was something the whole of Huazhou City was aware of, with no need for secrecy.

Zhou Ting was utterly shocked when she heard this for the first time.

She looked at the equally shocked Han Qianqian beside her, and they both found it hard to believe.

"Is that guy really that powerful? I thought she was just a little sister being protected by Yun Ran." Since Gu Qingqing looked noticeably younger than them, Zhou Ting assumed she was Yun Ran’s little sister, never expecting her to be so formidable!

"So she really is a girl?" This time it was Zhou Qi’s turn to be surprised. It wasn’t that Zhou Qi underestimated women, but over the years, formidable girls in Huazhou City were indeed rare.

"She’s a girl. As for how formidable she is, I’m not sure," Zhou Ting paused, "But she participates in the tournament. If she is really strong, you will run into her sooner or later, Brother."

Learning that Gu Qingqing was participating in the tournament, Zhou Qi raised his brows and then formed an expression of anticipation, "That’s good, then I’ll wait."

With that, Zhou Qi walked away.

Zhou Ting and Han Qianqian both returned to Zhou Ting’s courtyard.

...

Gu Qingqing was unaware that someone was thinking about her. After she and Si Lin returned to their lodgings, she sensed an activity in the magic device kept in her storage bracelet used to contact Jun Wu. She hurried back to her room and retrieved the device.

As she infused spiritual power into it, ripples appeared on the surface of the device, and soon, a handsome face emerged.

Five years had passed. Not only had Gu Qingqing changed a lot, but Jun Wu had also changed significantly.

He had grown into his looks, resembling Jun Yutian somewhat, but even more strikingly handsome than Jun Yutian.

His skin was very fair, his hair jet black, tied up in a jade crown. Beneath his sword-like eyebrows were deep black eyes that seemed magnetic, pulling people in.

He had a high nose bridge and beautifully shaped lips colored a faint pink, which contrasted slightly with his somewhat cold demeanor.

He wore a dark blue brocade robe, the slightly open collar revealing a hint of white skin, exuding a sense of allure.

Upon seeing Gu Qingqing, his expression softened considerably, like an iceberg melting.

"Geng Geng." His voice was slightly deep yet filled with doting affection, and his gaze was intensely focused on Gu Qingqing.

"Jun Wu, I finally got in touch with you. I’ve already reached the Sub-immortal Realm." Gu Qingqing was more lively than usual when facing Jun Wu. When she first arrived in the Sub-immortal Realm, she thought about contacting Jun Wu but wasn’t able to. Now that she finally saw him, she naturally complained a bit.

"I’m sorry, Geng Geng. I was in the Trial Land of the Holy Land before and couldn’t contact the outside world." Jun Wu’s face showed immediate remorse, followed by a hint of joy, "Where are you now? I’ll come to find you."

He had waited for years for Gu Qingqing to come to the Sub-immortal Realm, and it had been five years since they last met due to her slumber. He missed her so much that he wished he could appear in front of her right away.

"I’m currently in Huazhou City, the Prefecture of Eastern Yangzhou Prefecture. Don’t come looking for me. My senior brothers are already here. After participating in the martial arts tournament in Huazhou City, we’ll return to Lingxi Sacred Land. My master is already waiting for me there. You can wait for me at Lingxi Sacred Land," Gu Qingqing quickly explained, not wanting Jun Wu to come only for her to leave, making them miss each other again.

"Alright, I’ll set off for Lingxi Sacred Land tomorrow. Geng Geng, you should come back soon too and don’t dawdle too long in Yangzhou Prefecture," Jun Wu agreed gently.

"Mm-hmm, I know. Senior Brother Nan is already setting up the transmission array. As soon as the martial arts tournament ends, we can go back." Gu Qingqing nodded obediently, her step摇’s tassels swaying with her movements.

Jun Wu was charmed by Gu Qingqing’s serious demeanor, and a slight smile played on his lips.

"Geng Geng," he called softly. When Gu Qingqing looked over in confusion, he chuckled softly, "I miss you."

He gazed at Gu Qingqing, his eyes intensely focused as if she were the only one in his world.

Gu Qingqing’s ears turned slightly red, and she was stunned when meeting Jun Wu’s gaze.

She felt as if she had been drawn into Jun Wu’s eyes, enveloped by his presence, her heartbeat suddenly racing, almost as if about to leap out of her chest.

She unconsciously placed a hand over her heart, her cheeks belatedly turning a faint pink, and whispered, "I miss you too."

Jun Wu had been watching Gu Qingqing’s expressions closely. When her cheeks flushed, his initially tensed heart relaxed suddenly, and his smile deepened into one more pronounced upon hearing her words.

To avoid making Gu Qingqing uncomfortable, Jun Wu aptly changed the topic and began talking about Huazhou City with her. They ended up chatting for over half an hour until Rong Ye came to find Gu Qingqing.

After setting the device down, Gu Qingqing placed her hand over her heart, feeling the beating had returned to normal, but she still remembered the feeling of her heart wanting to jump out, finding herself a bit uneasy.

When Rong Ye arrived, she immediately expressed her concern.

"Fifth Senior Brother, am I sick?" she asked with a hint of bewilderment, her hand still over her heart.

"What’s wrong? Where do you feel uncomfortable?" Hearing her concern, Rong Ye immediately became tense, asking worriedly, and scrutinizing her closely.

"While chatting with Jun Wu just now, when he looked at me and said he missed me, my heart started to race, almost like it was going to jump out of my chest. Am I sick?" Gu Qingqing described her feeling, then looked at Rong Ye in confusion.

Rong Ye had initially thought Gu Qingqing might have sustained an injury unknown to them, but upon hearing her description, his face turned dark, and his chest heaved, flames almost shooting out of his eyes, though he had to restrain himself from revealing it to Gu Qingqing.

Facing Gu Qingqing’s puzzled look, Rong Ye nearly cursed.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he forced a smile, "You’re fine, you’re healthy. Don’t overthink it. Your brother just remembered something he has to do and needs to leave for a bit."

After speaking, Rong Ye stood up amidst Gu Qingqing’s confusion, and with heavy steps, he walked out.

Upon leaving Gu Qingqing’s courtyard, he happened upon Mu Chen, who was tending the herbs. Mu Chen was taken aback upon seeing Rong Ye’s expression.

"Rong Ye, what’s up with you? Who upset you?" he asked, putting away the herbs in his hand, unusually concerned.

"Who else could it be?" Rong Ye gritted his teeth, nearly igniting, "It’s of course that guy Jun Wu, who has his sights on Geng Geng!"

"Jun Wu? Where is he? What did he do?" Mu Chen glanced behind Rong Ye, finding no trace of Jun Wu, then turned back with a questioning look at Rong Ye.

"He’s actually courting Geng Geng!" Rong Ye turned his head and exclaimed forcefully.

"What?" Mu Chen was shocked, grabbing Rong Ye’s arm, "What’s going on?"

Rong Ye recounted his conversation with Gu Qingqing to Mu Chen, who also became furious upon hearing it.

"Even though I was prepared, hearing you say this makes my hands itch!" Now, Mu Chen, like Rong Ye, was clenching his teeth, convinced that if Jun Wu were in front of him, he’d punch him without hesitation!

"Come on, let’s go find the big senior brother. We need to address this; Geng Geng is still young!"