Chapter 11: The Confrontation Between Gu and Poison

In this world, does every force have its counter?!

As Jun Liuyi paused, the Gu Saint Ye Ge Yue felt a faint sense of vigilance rising in his heart.

"I and the Gu Saint can be considered fellow disciples after all." She stepped forward one pace at a time, showing none of the fearful distance others maintained. "Between Gu and poison, which one holds the upper hand? I fear the Grandmaster would not show favoritism."

Hearing this, Ye Ge Yue leaned forward slightly and said, "If that is the case, on what basis does the Saintess believe that mere toxins could restrain my Gu poison and save the lives of the people from the Spirit Control Sect? And on what basis do you believe that I would be restrained into compromise?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the indignation in his eyes was fully revealed. According to Jun Liuyi's logic, did her presence here at this very moment not imply that everything was under her control? In other words, she was certain that the toxins she had developed could suppress his Gu poison!

Jun Liuyi thought to herself that the temperament of the Gu Saint, Ye Ge Yue, was indeed as the rumors in the martial world suggested. A few probing words had yielded complete confirmation.

He possessed the appearance of a fallen immortal and was upright and open, yet he was extremely conceited regarding his mastery of Gu arts. Whenever someone looked down upon his Gu techniques, this man would fall into a rage that he could not hide.

"It was out of necessity that Liuyi resorted to such a low tactic." Jun Liuyi smiled faintly, her eyes filled with nothing but sincerity as she looked at him.

"Since the Gu Saint has come to demand an explanation, it proves that my actions to prepare for the worst have been triggered. My Spirit Control Sect's request to borrow the Cold Jade Pillow was truly an act of desperation. I also believe that the Fifth Elder of the Spirit Control Sect did not act disrespectfully last night; so I must ask, why would the Gu Saint take the initiative to strike at our Fifth Elder?"

Casting a look that suggested a mutual understanding, Jun Liuyi continued, "People say the Gu Saint is upright and honorable, and would truly never commit such an act. Therefore, when the Fifth Elder was about to arrive, it was I who insisted they carry this medicinal powder to prevent any unforeseen trouble."

She finally stopped at a point very close to Ye Ge Yue.

"The Gu Saint's abilities cannot be underestimated, so the poison in our Fifth Elder's body would harm both the victim and the user. The Gu Saint cannot be unaware of this point." Jun Liuyi raised her eyes to look at him, a killing intent tightly staining her gaze. "The thing no sect can tolerate most is a traitor. To prevent a single piece of rat dung from spoiling the whole pot of porridge, I presume the Gu Saint would also choose to seek victory through danger!"

Shangguan Jun, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke in a low voice, "We came here today, firstly to reduce unnecessary harm, and secondly because we do not wish to be provoked by other sects."

The two of them played off one another, appropriately providing the Gu Saint with a way to save face.

According to Jun Liuyi's reasoning, it meant that the traitor was working for the Strange Gu Alliance. Thus, when Shangguan Jun spoke, he was implying that the Strange Gu Alliance should not allow itself to be used by others.

At that moment, several Protectors, who had been seething with anger, suddenly attacked the nearest Jun Liuyi.

They mobilized their Gu insects with extreme speed, but less than five meters from Jun Liuyi, flames suddenly erupted with a *whoosh*.

Facing this sudden change, the faint smile remained on Jun Liuyi's face. "Though they say the Gu Saint is upright and honorable, I have heard many other rumors as well."

Turning toward the Gu insects that were being burned close to her, she let out a low laugh. "In the Strange Gu Alliance, only the Gu Saint is upright and requires no vigilance; all other disciples must be dealt with cautiously. If it weren't for this, I doubt our Fifth Elder would have been forced by Liuyi to carry this poison. Seeing this now, I was indeed correct."

Ignoring the Gu insects on the ground, Jun Liuyi searched in the direction they had come from, approaching the two Protectors who controlled the Gu step by step, her smile undiminished.

However...

As she drew closer, the people beside the two Great Protectors turned pale with horror. The Gu insects on their bodies seemed restless, surging out one after another and scattering in all directions.

"Damn it!" The Left Protector was so incensed he was about to strike.

"Did this Saint permit you to move?" A reprimand came from the person in the main seat. The folding fan at his waist snapped open and shut violently, and the Gu insects that were originally in a state of frenzy gradually settled down.

"All of you, withdraw. This Saint has matters to discuss with them." Reclosing his fan, Ye Ge Yue swept his gaze across the crowd, and without a word, he stood up and made a gesture toward the two of them. "This way, please."

Unlike the previous distance, Ye Ge Yue's eyes now held a bit more human warmth.

Nodding slightly, Jun Liuyi followed behind Ye Ge Yue, ignoring the hostile gazes behind her.

After Ye Ge Yue led them through several turns and bends, the two finally entered the inner courtyard of the Strange Gu Alliance. After exchanging a glance with Shangguan Jun, Jun Liuyi's confusion only deepened.

Amidst her confusion, a voice drifted from ahead: "I understood everything you said in the hall just now."

The person leading the way finally stopped before a door.

His silver hair fluttered with the light breeze. Ye Ge Yue pushed open the door and continued, "It is undeniable, however, that if you cannot borrow it, you will inevitably be forced to fight."

Hearing Ye Ge Yue's words, Jun Liuyi's brow furrowed slightly. As she looked at the scene before her, her eyes filled with wariness.

"Young Master, be careful in a moment. No matter what happens, do not move to save me."

Her words made Shangguan Jun's expression grow even more solemn.

"I have seen the Saintess's skills, and I would also like to know who truly holds the upper hand." Walking to the arched gate on the left, Ye Ge Yue turned a switch.

Upon entering, five miniature paths resembling stone monuments immediately came into view on the stone table, leading straight to the main seat opposite.

Ye Ge Yue's long robes swayed, and in the blink of an eye, he was seated on the opposite side. "If the Saintess's poison can pass these five gates, this Saint guarantees everything will remain as it was."

Jun Liuyi looked at the person opposite her and saw that his excitement was hard to hide.

She then looked at the five enclosed stone monument paths before her; they were five different colors, appearing empty without a hint of trickery.

"What does the Gu Saint mean?"

"These five stone paths are what this Saint shall contest with you. Each color represents a type of Gu poison. Since the Saintess possesses a Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart, you can naturally invest different toxins in advance to suppress the Gu insects, can you not?"

Ye Ge Yue's words caused Jun Liuyi's lips to press into a straight line. What Ye Ge Yue said was *suppress*, not *counter*—meaning she could only block them, not kill them!

Although Shangguan Jun was somewhat worried, he continued to watch Jun Liuyi quietly with a smile. He knew well that staying silent at this moment was the best way to help Liuyi remain calm.

"The Gu Saint said 'suppress,' but you also understand that if these Gu insects are suppressed, it is merely a slowing of their speed for a short while; given enough time, they can still break free. Following this logic, is this not a game that Liuyi is destined to lose?"

Raising her beautiful eyes, Jun Liuyi looked at Ye Ge Yue and let out a few low laughs. "Furthermore, coming to the Strange Gu Alliance, I did not prepare so many medicinal materials on my person. Is the Gu Saint not being a bit too much of a bully with this contest?"

Before her voice had even faded, Ye Ge Yue turned the handle of the main seat, and the bookshelf on the right suddenly opened up to reveal a whole new world.