Led by Liuguang Que and Long Qianren, the Immortal Dynasty nobles didn't even place the true Monarch Chixiao in their eyes, so why would they care about a Monarch Chixiao whose authenticity was unknown? As for what Bei Changqing and Wan Huaiyu said about him being more terrifying than imagined, or having an infinite number of Natural Color Spirits—in their view, it was the biggest joke of all.
The Immortal Dynasty nobles present could hardly contain themselves, eager to show off their prowess and flaunt their power at the temple fair. However, the Immortal Dynasty envoy Yun Bao hadn't given the nod, so they didn't dare act recklessly.
Thus, they all petitioned Yun Bao for permission to fight.
Yun Bao didn't respond. He remained seated in his chair, sipping fragrant tea while secretly probing Gu Qingfeng.
His previous life had been the Mighty Immortal, enfeoffed by the Nine Heavens. In this life, he was a Purple-Gold True Immortal. Neither his experience nor his discernment could be compared to other immortals. If not for this, the Immortal Dynasty wouldn't have sent him as the envoy to descend upon Yanluo.
More than three hundred years ago, being torn apart alive by Monarch Chixiao had been a deep-seated pain in Yun Bao's heart, an indelible shame and shadow, and above all, fear.
Although he said that if he ever saw Monarch Chixiao again, he would definitely seek revenge...
Those were just empty words.
If he truly faced Monarch Chixiao, he wouldn't have the courage to make a move.
Now.
Bei Changqing, Wan Huaiyu, and Qin Hao all said that Gu Qingfeng was Monarch Chixiao. This made Yun Bao's heart race with panic. Especially regarding Wan Huaiyu and Qin Hao—others might not know their identities, but he had secretly investigated and knew that in their previous lives, they were lofty Nine Heavens Profound Immortals. Their backgrounds were so profound that even he, the former Mighty Immortal, could only look up to them.
Now, these two former Nine Heavens Profound Immortals were saying Gu Qingfeng was Monarch Chixiao. Although their claims sounded exaggerated and absurd, it was enough to startle Yun Bao.
More crucially, he had been staring at Gu Qingfeng in the pavilion, trying to probe for any clues.
Yet, to his disappointment, he couldn't probe out anything, couldn't see through anything.
This made him even more uncertain.
After much thought, he felt the best course now was to first verify whether this Gu Qingfeng was truly Gu Qingfeng.
And he immediately thought of one person.
Blackhearted Lord Zhou Taihe.
Without hesitation, Yun Bao secretly sent a voice transmission to inquire Zhou Taihe about Gu Qingfeng's identity.
At this moment.
On Zhou Taihe's side.
Over a dozen nine-tribulation loose immortals.
Hundreds of tribulation loose immortals.
Over eight hundred ancient Earth Immortals.
Almost everyone was on edge.
Because they were right next to the Immortal Dynasty personnel. In other words, Zhou Taihe and the others had heard almost everything the Immortal Dynasty people said just now. Those ancient Earth Immortals had lived through the era belonging to Monarch Chixiao and naturally knew how terrifying the Monarch's existence was. Now, the Gu Qingfeng in the pavilion might very well be the Monarch from back then. How could they not be afraid?
They were like this.
And the hundred-plus Chixiao followers who had sided with Zhou Taihe were even more like ants on a hot pan, their hearts filled with fear and anxiety. Some were not only pale with fright but also had cold sweat constantly beading on their foreheads.
They regretted it!
Regretted following Zhou Taihe to pledge allegiance to the Immortal Dynasty.
They were afraid!
Scared to death.
They all knew that if Gu Qingfeng really was Monarch Chixiao, then today would be their day of death.
As for Zhou Taihe himself, he sat upright and proper. He wasn't on edge like the over eight hundred ancient Earth Immortals, nor was he fearful and anxious like the Chixiao men. On the contrary, he sat with his eyes closed, his expression calm, showing no worry, no fear at all.
However.
That was only on the surface.
In truth, deep in his heart, he was more afraid, more terrified than anyone else.
Especially when he heard Wan Huaiyu say that Gu Qingfeng was Gu Qingfeng, Zhou Taihe's mind couldn't help but tremble.
Several times, he wanted to release his divine sense to probe.
But in the end, he gave up.
Because he didn't dare!
He was afraid!
Afraid that Gu Qingfeng really was Monarch Chixiao.
Yun Bao's voice kept transmitting over. Zhou Taihe responded, "Envoy, can this matter be reported to the Immortal Dynasty?"
"What! Does that mean he really is Monarch Chixiao?"
"I don't know."
"Since you don't know, then why are you afraid!"
"Aren't you afraid?"
Zhou Taihe's counter-question left Yun Bao at a loss for how to respond.
Reporting to the Immortal Dynasty—he had considered it too.
But what if Gu Qingfeng wasn't Monarch Chixiao? What then?
What would others say?
That he had no courage, that he got scared by a fake Monarch Chixiao and immediately reported to the Immortal Dynasty?
Yun Bao knew very well that if that happened, not only would his face be completely lost, but his career in the Immortal Dynasty would likely be ruined.
But if he didn't report to the Immortal Dynasty, and Gu Qingfeng really was Monarch Chixiao, then what about him...
What should he do?
Yun Bao hesitated, caught in a dilemma.
...
In the pavilion.
Gu Qingfeng sat on the imperial chair, legs crossed, sipping wine while listening to Old Monster Tang describe the situation in the venue. After listening for a while, it was nothing more than just the Immortal Dynasty wanting to deal with Yanluo. Gu Qingfeng grew too lazy to listen further and asked impatiently, "Alright, just tell me when we're making a move."
"Making a move? What move?"
"I'm saying, Old Monster Tang, what did you have me come here for today?"
"My Ancient Lord, my Ancient Ancestor! You mean after all I just said, you didn't listen to a single word? Didn't I say? Today, if we can avoid making a move, we should avoid it. If the Immortal Dynasty really makes a move, then it won't be too late for you to act!"
"Old Monster Tang, you should understand that force is the most effective and direct means to solve trouble. Your approach of waiting to see the Immortal Dynasty's attitude and then acting accordingly doesn't solve the root problem."
"Nonsense! How could I not know that? But the problem is, our Yanluo royal family isn't qualified to challenge the Immortal Dynasty yet! Right now, we can stall for one day is one day. Of course, if you, kid, were willing to always have our Yanluo royal family's back from now on, that would be a different story."
"Have your Yanluo royal family's back? You old rascal think quite beautifully. You think I really have nothing better to do?"
"So that's it. Since you're not willing to always have our back, we can only make do, taking one step at a time. Right now, the Immortal Dynasty side isn't making a move, so we're not in a hurry either. We'll wait for them to make their move, see what move they make, then we'll act."
"Fine, then you wait slowly."
Hearing this, Old Monster Tang immediately grew anxious and hurriedly asked, "Where are you going, kid? Ancient kid, let me tell you, if you're not here today, our Yanluo royal family is finished! And you promised to help with this. You can't just leave!"
"Relax. Since I promised you, I'll naturally handle the matter properly. And I'm sitting here just fine; I didn't say I was leaving!"
"Then what did you mean by that just now?"
"Quite a few brothers from the Chixiao Sect came today. I was originally thinking of taking care of your Yanluo royal family's business first, then catching up with them. Since you say we have to wait for the Immortal Dynasty to make a move, I can't just sit here idly with you. Might as well use this time to catch up with these old comrades."