Ancestral Patriarch Xuanze had attained the Dao and become an Immortal over five thousand years ago. The height of his cultivation in the present day was absolutely unimaginable. In the eyes of the Ancestral Patriarchs of Taiji Sect, if their Patriarch made a move, he would certainly be able to annihilate that Gu Qingfeng. Even if he couldn't annihilate him, he would definitely be able to stop Gu Qingfeng from slaughtering Taiji Sect.
Ancestral Patriarch Xuanze paid them no heed. He merely glanced at them, shaking his head with extreme disappointment. Then, something both unbelievable and utterly shocking occurred. This Ancestral Patriarch, who had been an Immortal for over five thousand years, walked up to Gu Qingfeng, knelt on the ground, and said with cupped fists,
"This old man, Xuanze, pays his respects to the Monarch."
Xuanze's kneeling and bowing plunged the scene into dead silence and left everyone from Taiji Sect completely dumbstruck.
They had been counting on Ancestral Patriarch Xuanze to avenge them. No one had ever imagined that not only would Ancestral Patriarch Xuanze kneel before Gu Qingfeng, but he would also respectfully address him as Monarch.
Monarch.
Could it be that this Gu Qingfeng truly was the Monarch?
They didn't know.
The people of Taiji Sect were utterly terrified out of their wits.
Meanwhile, Tang Yunhao and his wife from the Yanluo Royal Family, as well as the over three hundred Crimson-Letter people like Heishui and Heisha in the distance, were also shocked into a state of bewilderment.
When Gu Qingfeng appeared, Old Master Tang had knelt and hailed the Monarch.
Then, the reincarnated great powers of the Immortal Dynasty, Wan Huaiyu and Qin Hao, had knelt and hailed the Monarch.
Now, even Taiji Sect's Ancestral Patriarch Xuanze was kneeling and hailing the Monarch.
What in the world was going on?
Was this person truly the Monarch?
Or had they all mistaken his identity?
Could one person be mistaken? Could all these people be mistaken?
Moreover, Old Master Tang and Xuanze were both seniors who had cultivated for nearly ten thousand years. With their vast experience and sharp eyes, it was impossible for them to be mistaken, right?
What's more, Wan Huaiyu and Qin Hao's previous-life identities were great powers whose prestige surpassed even that of Nine Heavens Immortals. It was even more impossible for them to be mistaken.
Could it be...
...he truly was the Monarch?
Tang Yunhao and his wife, as well as the Crimson-Letter people like Heishui and Heifo, didn't know whether to believe it or not. Yet, their hearts grew increasingly agitated, agitated beyond control.
On the scene.
Gu Qingfeng stood there, hands clasped behind his back. He showed no surprise at Xuanze's appearance, as if he had known all along. And indeed, that was the case. He had long known Xuanze was here. This was precisely the reason he had not yet moved against Taiji Sect. He responded, "Senior, there is no need for such courtesy."
"You are the Monarch of the Great Dao, the Monarch who saved this world and ushered in a new era. As a cultivator of this world, this old man should kneel in respect."
"I have left these people for you."
Gu Qingfeng replied casually, just as Old Master Tang had surmised. He was a man who valued sentiment and righteousness. Back in the day, Xuanze had given him guidance. He had always remembered this kindness in his heart. Sparing Taiji Sect could be considered repaying that old debt of gratitude.
"Monarch, please do not misunderstand. This old man's appearance here today is not to plead for mercy."
No one expected Xuanze to utter such words. Everyone was taken aback, including Old Master Tang, who said, "Xuanze, have you gone senile in your old age? Since this kid Gu has already spoken and is willing to let your Taiji Sect off, why are you being so ungrateful?"
"Today's events stem from certain disciples of our sect offending the Monarch in the past. Who would have thought they would not repent, but instead abandon the royal family, pledge allegiance to the Immortal Dynasty, and offend the Monarch once more? Their crimes are truly unforgivable. This old man has no words to offer. I am ashamed before the successive generations of Ancestral Patriarchs of Taiji Sect, and I am ashamed before the Monarch for his past leniency towards Taiji Sect. Here, on behalf of Taiji Sect's successive Ancestral Patriarchs, I apologize to the Monarch."
As he spoke, Xuanze knelt and performed a grand bow once more.
His meaning was also very clear.
Everyone could tell that Xuanze had not come today to plead for Taiji Sect's mercy, but to clean house. Not only because Taiji Sect had offended Gu Qingfeng, but also because they had abandoned the Yanluo Royal Family, broken faith and betrayed righteousness, and even pledged allegiance to the Immortal Dynasty, acting as their pawn. By sentiment, by reason, and by law, their crimes were unforgivable.
"Since that is the case, then handle it as you see fit."
After Gu Qingfeng finished speaking, Xuanze bowed in thanks once more before finally rising to his feet.
When the Ancestral Patriarchs of Taiji Sect's Inner Council snapped out of their profound shock, they wailed that they already knew their mistake, hoping Ancestral Patriarch Xuanze could forgive them this once.
Xuanze paid no heed to their cries. He merely shook his head in disappointment, unwilling to say more. "You have cultivated in Taiji Sect for so many years. If you have no merit, you at least have toil. After apologizing to the Monarch, go and confess your crimes before the successive generations of Taiji Sect's Ancestral Patriarchs. Then... end it yourselves."
What?
End it themselves?
Upon hearing this, Taiji Sect's old Sect Master, Vice Sect Master Cang Yun, and the dozen or so Ancestral Patriarchs who had taken action immediately collapsed to the ground, utterly despairing.
And right at that moment.
Two figures descended from the sky, abruptly appearing on the scene.
They were two women.
One was tall and sturdy, over three meters in height, wearing a gray robe with her hair tied in a ponytail.
The other was a woman in white, as beautiful as a celestial Immortal.
She was truly as beautiful as a celestial Immortal, beauty that could topple cities and kingdoms, an absolute beauty before which even the most enchanting rose would pale.
She appeared.
Standing in mid-air.
Her snow-white robes fluttered slightly, as if amidst mist or within fog. Her three thousand strands of black hair cascaded naturally, a few locks gently floating.
"Su Hua."
"Fairy Su Hua."
"Fairy Hua has arrived."
No one knew who shouted this, nor did anyone pay it any mind. Among all those present, without exception, no one had expected Fairy Su Hua to descend so suddenly.
The name Su Hua was known to everyone in this world.
In her previous life, the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden.
In this life, the Nine Heavens Envoy.
Her status was so noble that even Nine Heavens Immortals, and even reincarnated great powers, had to pay their respects upon meeting her.
And everyone knew that Fairy Hua never flaunted her status as the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, nor did she hold herself aloof as the Nine Heavens Envoy. Instead, she was approachable and amiable. Since reincarnating into this world, she had often traveled across the world on lecture tours, guiding people out of confusion, resolving their worries, and was deeply respected.
Su Hua's sudden arrival was unbelievable, utterly shocking, and even more delightfully unexpected.
This was true for both the people of the Immortal Dynasty and the Four Great Families and Seven Great Sects.
Although they had not taken action against Gu Qingfeng earlier.
That did not mean they didn't want to.
Now, Gu Qingfeng had killed thirty-six Immortals of the Immortal Dynasty, over two hundred Immortal Dynasty nobles, and hundreds of Scattered Immortals in one breath. The remaining Immortal Dynasty officials all understood clearly that even if they survived and returned this time, they would inevitably be unable to escape punishment from the Immortal Dynasty. Those Immortal Dynasty nobles all had powerful backgrounds. Now that they were all dead, they would have no way to account for it upon their return.
As for the Four Great Families and Seven Great Sects, because their family Ancestral Patriarchs had all been annihilated, and many of their Sect Masters and Elders had also died, with their direct disciples injured or crippled, without Ancestral Patriarchs to preside over them and without direct disciples to succeed them, only some mediocre members remained. The so-called Four Great Families and Seven Great Sects were basically existing in name only. Even if they didn't decline, they could never be glorious again.
Thus, when Fairy Su Hua descended, everyone from the Immortal Dynasty, the Four Great Families, and the Seven Great Sects all rushed over in a swarm, recounting Gu Qingfeng's crimes, hoping Fairy Hua would uphold justice for them.