Some nearby Gu Yue Gu Masters who noticed Fang Ming's Rank 2 peak stage cultivation from earlier began discussing quietly.
"Rank 2 peak stage already…"
"This speed is too fast."
"It reminds me of Bai Ning Bing."
The mention of Bai Ning Bing made several people fall silent.
During the previous alliance meeting, Bai Ning Bing had stepped out first and dominated the tournament. Now, although Fang Ming was not Bai Ning Bing, his speed of advancement was also frightening. Many of them hated Fang Ming's arrogance and bad temper, but Gu Masters worshipped strength.
Rank 2 peak stage at his age was enough to make people look at him differently.
"Maybe he can dominate this tournament too," someone muttered.
Fang Ming stood nearby, expression calm and proud, as if the surrounding attention was only natural.
Above them, the three clan heads stood in the rock building.
Gu Yue Bo swept his gaze across the gathered Gu Masters and spoke.
"The three-clan alliance will pull together in times of trouble. For the Gu battle tournament, in the spirit of competition, competitors shall stop before fatality occurs. Start."
The alliance slope quieted.
The Gu Masters from the three clans looked at each other.
No one stepped out immediately.
The first person to step out would gain attention, but if he lost, he would also lose face in front of all three clans. Worse, he would shame his own clan.
The silence stretched.
Some Gu Yue Gu Masters looked toward Fang Ming with anticipation.
One of them hesitated for a moment, then cautiously approached.
"Fang Ming, do you want to open the competition first challenge this time?"
Several people nearby were secretly listening.
Fang Ming glanced at him disdainfully.
"Only a clown would go up there and perform for the crowd to cheer for him. I, Fang Ming, am going to be a great person in the future. How can I leave such shameful behavior in my biography?"
The Gu Master froze.
The nearby listeners were also stunned.
This answer was completely unexpected.
What made it even more bewildering was Fang Ming's expression. He looked completely confident, as if what he had said was not nonsense, but the obvious truth.
Chi Shan stood at the side, looking at Fang Ming with a complicated expression.
There were many things he wanted to say.
For a moment, he did not know where to start.
What was worse was that after hearing Fang Ming speak so confidently, Chi Shan felt that there was somehow a little reason in those words.
After some time passed, the Xiong clan Gu Masters finally moved.
The group was led by Xiong Li.
They crossed through the crowd and arrived near the Bai clan's side. Soon, Xiong Jiang stepped out and challenged Bai Bing Yi.
The match began quickly.
Xiong Jiang used Roaming Zombie Gu and Shadow Bond Gu, while Bai Bing Yi attacked with Water Drill Gu. Bai Bing Yi's attack tore through Xiong Jiang's defense, but Shadow Bond Gu reflected part of the damage back to him. After seeing the result, Bai Bing Yi admitted defeat.
The fight ended without turning into a life-and-death struggle.
It was only a tournament.
Both sides had shown ability, tested methods, and preserved enough face for the alliance.
After that, Xiong Li's group did not retreat.
They turned and walked toward the Gu Yue clan's side.
The Gu Yue Gu Masters quickly became alert.
Xiong Li stopped before their formation and called out loudly.
"Gu Yue Fang Ming, please step out!"
The crowd stirred.
Fang Ming's name had already spread beyond Gu Yue Village because of the River Swallowing Toad incident. The Xiong clan valued strength, and Xiong Li was known as Qing Mao Mountain's strongest man. For him to call Fang Ming out at this time was not strange.
The Gu Yue Gu Masters around Fang Ming instinctively opened a path.
In an instant, Fang Ming was exposed before the three clans.
Xiong Li looked at him.
"I heard you chased away the River Swallowing Toad alone. Since you also have great strength, why don't we compare strength here?"
Many eyes fell on Fang Ming.
Chi Shan looked tense.
The surrounding Gu Yue Gu Masters also watched him closely. Some were expectant, some nervous, and some were simply waiting to see what Fang Ming would do.
Fang Ming looked at Xiong Li.
Then he spoke plainly.
"I refuse."
The alliance slope fell silent.
The silence only lasted for a breath.
Then the crowd stirred.
"I refuse."
Fang Ming's words seemed to remain in everyone's ears.
Many Rank 2 Gu Masters below the rock building looked at him with surprise. Some thought they had heard wrongly. Some stared at him as if seeing something absurd.
Xiong Li had challenged him in front of all 3 clans.
And Fang Ming had refused directly.
"He refused?"
"He really refused?"
"He is already Rank 2 peak stage, yet he does not even dare to accept a strength contest?"
The whispers spread quickly.
Soon, surprise turned into scorn.
Some Xiong clan Gu Masters laughed openly. Bai clan Gu Masters also looked toward the Gu Yue clan formation with mocking expressions.
The faces of many Gu Yue Gu Masters became ugly.
Fang Ming was part of Gu Yue Village. If he fought and lost, it would still be acceptable. Xiong Li was famous for strength, and losing to him was not shameful. But refusing without even stepping out made many Gu Yue Gu Masters feel humiliated.
"Fang Ming, what are you doing?"
"Even if you lose, it is only a spar!"
"You are Rank 2 peak stage. Are you going to throw away our clan's dignity like this?"
Fang Ming stood where he was, expression calm.
Courage.
Dignity.
Clan honor.
Reputation.
These words sounded grand, but in the end they were only ropes. The clan used them to pull Gu Masters forward, and Gu Masters used them to comfort themselves after being pulled.
Fang Ming had no interest in becoming a dog that rushed out because others clapped and shouted.
Let them despise him.
Let them step away.
The farther these people stayed from him, the easier it was to hide the things he did not want seen.
The Gu Masters who had been crowding around him earlier began moving away. Their expressions were embarrassed, and no one wanted to stand too close to Fang Ming now.
Soon, Fang Ming stood alone.
Xiong Li looked at him, then suddenly laughed.
"I am truly disappointed."
His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly across the nearby crowd.
"So this is Gu Yue Village's bravery?"
The Xiong clan Gu Masters laughed.
The Gu Yue clan side became even more uncomfortable.
At this moment, Gu Yue Qing Shu stepped out.
His expression was calm, and his long green hair moved slightly in the cold wind.
"Xiong Li."
The laughter slowly lowered.
Qing Shu looked at Xiong Li and spoke gently.
"If you want to spar with someone from Gu Yue Village, I will accompany you."
The gazes around the alliance slope shifted again.
Xiong Li looked away from Fang Ming and toward Qing Shu.
Fang Ming remained where he was, alone and unconcerned.
The tournament continued.