Jin De's response was quite clever.
Originally, Gu Qingfeng's bizarre and formidable strength had given him some cause for concern. But now that his good disciple Wen Jingshan had already unified the Three Colors of Great Nature, he believed that no matter how strange or powerful Gu Qingfeng's physical body might be, it could absolutely not shake Wen Jingshan.
That wasn't the important part. The important part was Wei Qing's acknowledgment.
Compared to the bizarrely powerful Gu Qingfeng, Jin De was more worried about Wei Qing. After all, Wei Qing came from the Nine-Hua Alliance, a behemoth that held sway over the four territories. He had been wondering what to do if Wei Qing opposed later. Now, this was perfect. Wei Qing had brought up Gu Qingfeng and spoken those words of acknowledgment.
Jin De knew this was an excellent opportunity.
The Three Elders of Yunxia were no fools either. Hearing Jin De's words, they immediately grasped the underlying meaning. Especially Yun He True Person, who also questioned, "Lord Wei, since you acknowledge that Gu Qingfeng is a direct disciple of our Yunxia Sect, then if Jing Shan defeats him, you will also acknowledge Jing Shan as the heir apparent of our Yunxia Sect, correct?"
"Hmph! You're quite good at climbing the pole you're given!" Shui De sneered. "That Gu Qingfeng is nothing but trash. If defeating him qualifies one to be the heir apparent of Yunxia Sect, then Wen Jingshan's path to becoming heir apparent is far too easy!"
"Shui De, what right do you have to speak here!" Jin De angrily rebuked. "We are speaking with Lord Wei."
"You!" Shui De was momentarily speechless with anger. He turned to Wei Qing and said, "Young Master, you must not agree to this."
Wei Qing did not respond. He remained sitting upright, head slightly lowered, unhurriedly savoring his fragrant tea. After a moment of contemplation, he set down his teacup and replied calmly, "Very well. As long as Wen Jingshan can defeat Gu Qingfeng, I will acknowledge him as the heir apparent of Yunxia Sect."
"Young Master, you..." Shui De hadn't expected Wei Qing to actually agree. He wanted to dissuade him, but when Wei Qing glanced his way, Shui De immediately shut his mouth, not daring to speak another word.
Within the venue, everyone heard Wei Qing's agreement. Both the Three Elders of Yunxia and Jin De were elated. Jin De pressed further, "Lord Wei, we have all heard your words clearly. If Jing Shan defeats Gu Qingfeng, you will acknowledge his position as heir apparent. Do your words... represent the Nine-Hua Alliance?"
"My words..." Wei Qing picked up his teacup again, his right hand gently sliding the lid across the rim. He said leisurely, "Naturally represent the Nine-Hua Alliance."
"Good! Good! Excellent!" Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Jin De looked towards Huode in the distance and said, "Huode, didn't you want Gu Qingfeng to contend for the heir apparent position? Then have him come forward and fight Jing Shan."
"Contend for the heir apparent?" Huode was not a man of refinement; to be precise, he was rather slovenly. His sitting posture naturally wasn't great either, with one leg crossed over the other. He held a large bowl of wine, took a big gulp, and said, "We're not contending for the heir apparent."
Huode's words left everyone present somewhat unable to comprehend. Because everyone knew beforehand that Gu Qingfeng was brought by Huode to contend for the heir apparent. Why was he backing out at this critical moment?
Was it because he was afraid after seeing Wen Jingshan unify the Three Colors of Great Nature?
Yes.
That must be it.
Everyone had witnessed firsthand how formidable Wen Jingshan's Golden Color True Body was. On top of that, he had unified the Three Colors of Great Nature and instantly annihilated Mo Long in the blink of an eye. Remember, Mo Long had opened three successive glows, and his Spiritual Power had even doubled in the end. Even so, he was still instantly obliterated by Wen Jingshan. Anyone would be afraid.
But was he really afraid?
Two people in the venue did not believe so: Ouyang Feiyue and Wei Qing.
Although they didn't know why Huode refused, one thing was certain: Gu Qingfeng was definitely not afraid.
Besides, did he look afraid?
Half-reclining, half-sitting, legs crossed, one hand propping up his head, the other holding a wine cup, taking occasional sips. His originally stern face wore an expression of utter ease. There wasn't a trace of fear about him.
"Huode, you previously begged us to give Gu Qingfeng a chance. Now we are giving you this opportunity. Why are you not contending?" Yun He True Person reprimanded.
Huode shot him a disdainful look and sneered, "Only giving it now? What were you doing earlier? Do you really think I care?"
"How dare you!" The Three Elders of Yunxia were furious.
Huode couldn't even be bothered to look at them. He picked up his bowl and started gulping down wine again.
If this were before, Huode would definitely have had Gu Qingfeng step forward to contend. But as for now... Huode had changed his mind before coming.
He had always planned to have Gu Qingfeng contend, but the more he thought about it, the more afraid he became. Huode knew Gu Qingfeng's temper. If they contended to the end and the Three Elders of Yunxia still refused to agree, this kid would definitely resort to thunderous means and unleash a massacre.
If he ended up killing the Three Elders of Yunxia, then Yunxia Sect would become the subject of ridicule in the future, and its reputation would plummet.
So, he holed up in his room for three days and finally came up with what he thought was a pretty good idea.
He figured that since Lord Wei of the Nine-Hua Alliance was here today, he definitely wouldn't let Wen Jingshan take the heir apparent position so easily. He would inevitably use force to suppress them. Huode reckoned that when both sides started fighting, he would have Gu Qingfeng step in. This way, they could avoid a lot of trouble and wouldn't give outsiders anything to gossip about. Even if the Three Elders of Yunxia were eventually killed by the Nine-Hua Alliance, it would be the Nine-Hua Alliance who did it. At least they wouldn't be ridiculed or talked about.
Then, when they snatched it back from the Nine-Hua Alliance, they could become the benefactors of Yunxia Sect.
Huode was quite impressed with himself for coming up with such a plan that killed three birds with one stone.
What he never expected was for Lord Wei of the Nine-Hua Alliance to suddenly and proactively bring up Gu Qingfeng.
That was beyond his expectations.
But what he didn't know was this:
Wei Qing was waiting. Waiting for Gu Qingfeng to step forward.
And Huode was also waiting. Waiting for the Nine-Hua Alliance to step forward.
Wei Qing waited because he was wary. Wary of Gu Qingfeng.
Huode waited also because he was wary. Also wary of Gu Qingfeng. The difference was that Wei Qing's wariness stemmed from *not knowing* how terrifying Gu Qingfeng was, while Huode was the exact opposite. It was precisely *because* he knew how terrifying Gu Qingfeng was that he was wary.
"Lord Wei, Gu Qingfeng simply dares not accept the challenge, which is equivalent to voluntarily giving up. You see..." Jin De's words came through. Wei Qing responded indifferently, "I said that for me to acknowledge Wen Jingshan as the heir apparent of Yunxia Sect, I must personally witness him defeat Gu Qingfeng."
Jin De and the Three Elders of Yunxia couldn't understand why Wei Qing insisted that Wen Jingshan must defeat Gu Qingfeng for him to acknowledge it.
Yes.
They couldn't understand.
The key was that Gu Qingfeng had been sitting there drinking wine from start to finish, maintaining his silence. As for Huode, no matter what they said, he simply refused to fight. He wouldn't fight even if you talked the heavens down. He was just that willful.
The more Huode refused to fight, the more Jin De believed Huode was afraid. To force Gu Qingfeng to fight, he not only used provocative words but even tried to goad him.
It wasn't just Jin De who stepped forward to provoke. Li Changxin also stepped forward. He had always wanted to personally tear Gu Qingfeng to pieces. Originally, he was waiting for his father to arrive and take action himself. Now it seemed he didn't need to wait; Wen Jingshan could handle him. Seeing that Gu Qingfeng and Huode's side dared not accept the challenge, Li Changxin resorted to both sarcasm and ridicule.
*Slap!* Huode suddenly slammed the table and roared angrily, "A bunch of ignorant fools who don't know they're being used!"
"Being used?" Jin De sneered. "Huode, I think you're just afraid, aren't you? I almost forgot, even you were no match for my disciple back in the day. And you call me ignorant? Hmph!"
"You!" Huode was a man who cared about face. Losing to Wen Jingshan back then was already humiliating enough. Now, having Jin De bring it up in front of so many people, his pride naturally couldn't take it.
"Hehe..." At that moment, Wen Jingshan suddenly chuckled. He opened his white jade fan and gently fanned himself in front of his chest, smiling as he said, "Whether Huode is afraid or not, I don't know. But I do know that Young Master Chiyan, Gu Qingfeng, definitely won't be afraid."