Gu Qingli was momentarily stunned, for this had never crossed her mind.
Soon, she realized that the inner power cultivated by her Phoenix Fire Technique must have some striking resemblance to the martial sword techniques of this world, which had inadvertently led her to this unexpected outcome.
"Little Li, what technique did you use just now? Its power is truly formidable!"
Thinking back to how a mere five-year-old girl had defeated two One-Star Warriors, Dongfang Kunlun couldn't help but feel awe-struck.
Of course, Gu Qingli couldn't confess the truth and could only offer a sheepish smile.
"I don't really know, I just trained on my own. They all call me useless, so I figured I'd experiment on my own."
Dongfang Kunlun, however, didn't suspect her words. After all, if someone had truly been teaching her, the people from the Gu family wouldn't have cast her out as they did.
Now, it was clear that the Gu family had failed to recognize her potential, while he had unwittingly acquired a gem.
Dongfang Kunlun felt a deep sense of pride. Truly, his luck was extraordinary. The little girl was still just a child, but once her true abilities were unlocked, she would soar to greatness, leaping beyond the ordinary in due time!
Laughing triumphantly, Dongfang Kunlun affectionately ruffled Gu Qingli's little head, his voice full of indulgence, "Good, good, let's see if I don't cultivate a genius who will shake the heavens! Ha ha ha!"
Gu Qingli stared at her master in disbelief. How could a man several centuries old still behave like a child, laughing so boisterously as though he were proud of some small victory?
Dongfang Kunlun, more and more excited by the future potential of Gu Qingli, couldn't contain his laughter, the sound filling the air around them.
Once his laughter died down, he began to teach her in earnest, explaining in detail how to cultivate her battle qi.
Gu Qingli listened with rapt attention, her innate comprehension and memory abilities impressing Dongfang Kunlun further, causing his admiration for her to grow.
While their bond deepened, back at the Gu family estate, chaos erupted. The head of the family, Gu Yifeng, was taken aback with shock and anxiety after hearing Gu Ming's report. His face flushed a strange mix of red and green, making him appear rather unsightly.
Dongfang Kunlun, one of the most prodigious talents among the Four Great Aristocratic Families, had taken the so-called "useless" Gu Qingli as his disciple? How could this be?
Gu Ming rushed in, his forehead beaded with sweat, and the two guards whom Gu Qingli had incapacitated began to regain consciousness.
"He says it wasn't Dongfang Kunlun who injured them, it was... it was?"
"It wasn't Dongfang Kunlun? Then who could it have been?"
Gu Yifeng narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. Who would dare offend the Gu family so boldly? If it was Dongfang Kunlun, they had certainly suffered a blow, but if it wasn't him, the situation would be far simpler.
Thinking of how his daughter, Gu Qinglin, had been injured so terribly, his anger flared uncontrollably.
"It was... it was Gu Qingli!"
Gu Ming frowned, unsure whether to believe what he had heard.
Gu Yifeng stood up sharply, the four elders around him exchanged bewildered glances. This couldn't be true, could it?
"Are they out of their minds?"
"Has their brain burned out? How could a child that small have done this? Both of them are One-Star Warriors!"
The four elders were the Gu family's protectors, always by the head of the family's side, managing matters within the clan. As for the other ancient figures, they were either out training or in secluded meditation, constantly pursuing higher realms once they had attained power.
Gu Ming wiped the cold sweat from his brow and offered a bitter smile. "That's what they said. Xiaolin and Han Jiao still haven't woken up."
One of the elders coughed lightly and said, "If it was Dongfang Kunlun, then they're either alive because he spared them, or... well, if it was Gu Qingli, it's utterly laughable. Besides, she's so young. However, it's strange that Dongfang Kunlun would take her as his disciple. We must not underestimate this."
The others nodded gravely. Gu Yifeng's expression darkened further as he said, "Let's wait for everyone to wake up and tell us what happened. But for tonight, we must be on high alert. If things go wrong..."
The four elders all nodded solemnly. Kunlun City, with its strength, was now like a colossus to the current power of the Gu family.