"Hmm?"
Upon hearing Lei Ying's intention to offer the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade for the Gu Clan to join the so-called "Soul Annihilation Alliance", Gu Dao couldn't help but be taken aback.
The Gu Clan's Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade was likely stolen by the Soul Clan. Clan Leader Gu Yuan speculated that the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jades of other ancient clans had probably suffered the same fate, leaving behind only counterfeit jades.
Therefore...
Upon hearing Lei Ying's proposal to use the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade to bring the Gu Clan into the "Soul Annihilation Alliance," Gu Dao became interested.
He wanted to know if the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade that Lei Ying presented was genuine or fake.
In Gu Dao's view, there was a high chance that it was fake. After all, if the Gu Clan couldn't even protect their own Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade, what about the other ancient clans?
Gu Dao gradually regained his composure and looked at Lei Ying, asking, "Lei Ying, you're willing to offer the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade?"
"Yes," Lei Ying nodded earnestly and replied, "As long as the Gu Clan and Clan Leader Gu Yuan can join our alliance, the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade is nothing compared to it. Our alliance is willing to offer it."
He thought to himself, "Indeed, no one can resist the temptation of the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade!"
Gu Dao neither agreed nor rejected Lei Ying's offer, stating, "Lei Ying, please wait a moment. This matter is of great importance and not something I can decide alone."
"I need to consult with the Clan Leader."
"Please wait a while, Brother Lei Ying."
"Alright," Lei Ying nodded slightly and watched as Gu Dao left. He murmured to himself, "As expected, that guy Gu Yuan claims to be in seclusion, but he's just avoiding confrontation."
"Unfortunately... he still can't resist the temptation of the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade."
...
Gu Dao arrived at Gu Yuan's residence and recounted Lei Ying's visit in detail. Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan's lips curled up slightly as he said, "He wants to make the Gu Clan join the alliance by offering a fake Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade? Is he foolish? Or am I the fool?"
Having heard Gu Yuan's response, Gu Dao already had an idea in mind. He asked, "Clan Leader, should I go out and reject Lei Ying?"
Gu Yuan pondered for a moment and replied, "No, I'll go in person. Lei Ying has come several times, and it's not good to keep avoiding him while claiming seclusion. This time, let him give up completely!"
...
In the main hall, Gu Yuan and Gu Dao entered one after the other. Gu Yuan looked at Lei Ying, met his gaze, and greeted him with a fist over his palm, saying, "Brother Lei Ying!"
"Brother Gu Yuan!"
Lei Ying also quickly returned the greeting.
Gu Yuan sat down without beating around the bush and straightforwardly asked, "I just emerged from seclusion, and Gu Dao has informed me about everything."
"Lei Ying, is it true that you want to invite my Gu Clan to join the alliance by offering the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade?"
"Naturally!" Lei Ying replied, "It is true. As long as Gu Yuan and the Gu Clan join our alliance, we are willing to offer a Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade as an exchange. Furthermore, after annihilating the Soul Clan, there will be resources from the Soul Clan to distribute."
"Alright," Gu Yuan nodded slightly.
He thought to himself, "Are they serious about annihilating the Soul Clan? I hope it doesn't backfire and end up with the Soul Clan annihilating us instead." Regarding this so-called alliance, Gu Yuan held no hope whatsoever.
Seeing Gu Yuan's nod, Lei Ying understood that it was a sign of interest. As long as he persevered and exerted more effort, he was confident he could bring the Gu Clan onto their "thief ship" of an alliance.
Lei Ying didn't hesitate and flipped his palm, revealing the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade. He said, "Brother Gu Yuan, this is the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade."
Swish!
Gu Yuan stretched out his hand, and the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade appeared in his palm. Gu Yuan played with the jade and immediately recognized it as fake, confirming his previous suspicion.
Casually toying with the fake Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade, Gu Yuan glanced at Lei Ying and said, "Brother Lei Ying, I'm sorry, but I cannot agree to your alliance proposal."
"Hmm?"
Lei Ying, who had been confident of his victory, looked at Gu Yuan with confusion.
He wondered, "Why is it completely different from what I believed? Did I approach it the wrong way? Or is it that I need to offer more than just one piece of the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade?"
Lei Ying continued, "Please, Brother Gu Yuan, give me an answer. Why can't you join our alliance? Do you have any requirements?"
"If there are any demands, please speak up. Our alliance will do our best to fulfill them. If one piece of the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade is not enough, we can negotiate."
"No... it's not that!"
Gu Yuan shook his head.
Looking at the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade suspended above his palm, Gu Yuan said calmly, "Lei Ying, the reason I am unwilling to join the alliance is because I doubt your sincerity."
"Hmm?"
Lei Ying became even more puzzled upon hearing this.
Sincerity? Their alliance had visited the Gu Clan multiple times, and now they even offered the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade to entice the Gu Clan to join their alliance.
Gu Yuan was questioning their sincerity?
Was he serious?
If even they are considered lacking sincerity, then there is no one with sufficient sincerity on the entire Dou Qi continent.
Meeting Lei Ying's gaze, Gu Yuan calmly said, "Lei Ying, take a good look at the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade you sent."
As he spoke, he tightened his grasp, and the suspended Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade was crushed in his hand.
Lei Ying's gaze also fell on Gu Yuan's palm, only to see Gu Yuan slowly loosen his grip, and powder slowly fell from his palm.
"This..."
Lei Ying was dumbfounded, shocked and unable to accept what he saw.
Gu Yuan said calmly, "Lei Ying, you sent a fake Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade. And you are telling me that your alliance has ample sincerity?"
"I..."
Lei Ying, upon hearing these words, was at a loss for words. He had seen with his own eyes that the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade he presented was crushed by Gu Yuan. He was certain that Gu Yuan had not switched the jade during that time.
The Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade he gave to Gu Yuan was the same one that had now turned to powder in Gu Yuan's hand. What more could be said? There was only one truth.
That the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade was fake.
No wonder Gu Yuan said they lacked sincerity. They were indeed lacking. Presenting a fake Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade, how could that be considered sincere?
Lei Ying didn't know what to say.
He knew that staying here any longer would only bring further humiliation upon himself. Lei Ying clasped his fist and said, "Brother Gu Yuan, we will definitely provide you with an explanation. Farewell!"
With that, Lei Ying left the Gu Clan, his mind filled with curses directed at Ling Zun and the Ling Clan. He never expected them to play him like this and create trouble.
He trusted them so much. He trusted the Ling Clan.
Now they had presented him with a fake Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade to deceive the Gu Clan.
This a serious matter.
Watching Lei Ying's departing figure, Gu Dao said calmly, "It seems that their alliance is going to encounter problems."
As Lei Ying left and passed by him, Gu Dao clearly sensed the sinister aura emanating from Lei Ying. Although he concealed it well, Gu Dao still sensed it.