The proprietor of Luo Xuan Old Soup had specially prepared fragrant tea. After Elder Bai Xuan and the other seniors finished their soup, he immediately served it.
"This matter..." Elder Bai Xuan picked up the fragrant tea, took a sip, and nodded, perhaps in appreciation of its flavor. Stroking his beard, he said, "Recently, the sect has been abuzz with discussion. As for whether Lady Female Sect Leader is emerging from seclusion because of the Monarch, we old folks truly don't know."
"There's another thing." The proprietor of Luo Xuan Old Soup, while pouring tea, asked further, "I heard that recently, the Monarch is also planning to pay a visit? And I even heard a formal Visiting Card has already been sent?"
Hearing the proprietor mention the Visiting Card, Elder Bai Xuan and the others all frowned, exchanged glances, then shook their heads and sighed, looking utterly helpless.
Seeing their expressions, the proprietor's heart skipped a beat. He said in surprise, "So... the matter of the Visiting Card is true?"
"It is indeed true. Our Shangqing Sect did receive Monarch Chixiao's Visiting Card a few days ago."
"Heavens! I thought it was just hearsay, a false rumor. I never imagined Monarch Chixiao would really come." The proprietor of Luo Xuan Old Soup sighed with emotion.
Over on his side, Gu Qingfeng was even more bewildered. Just moments ago, he was wondering how others could know about his coming to Shangqing Sect. Now it was even more bizarre—a damn Visiting Card had been sent?
Who sent the card?
Gu Qingfeng thought carefully. Not many people knew he was coming to Shangqing Sect.
Black Buddha, Black Water, and the others knew, but they would absolutely not take it upon themselves to send any Visiting Card.
Apart from them, that only left Su Hua.
Could it be that woman Su Hua?
That also seemed unlikely.
Gu Qingfeng clearly remembered that back in the cave dwelling, Su Hua had been worried his identity would cause trouble, which was why she kept pleading to come with him. How could she possibly send a Visiting Card on his behalf?
But if not Su Hua, then who else?
No one else knew he would come to Shangqing Sect.
Could it be someone sent a Visiting Card in his name?
Who the hell would have nothing better to do?
Why was this so damn strange?
"Elder Bai Xuan, right now, not many know about the Monarch's Visiting Card, but paper can't ultimately wrap fire. Once the news spreads, your Shangqing Sect will become a place of trouble," said the proprietor of Luo Xuan Old Soup. "I heard that in the Great Northwest, the Monarch killed dozens of nobles. In Yanluo Kingdom, he went on another killing spree, wiping out over a dozen Immortals and hundreds of nobles. Especially the Liuguang Family and the Yunshang Long Family—they've been searching for the Monarch all this time. If they learn he's coming to Shangqing Sect to pay his respects... I'm afraid the Immortal Dynasty will also send quite a few people then?"
"Ai!" Elder Bai Xuan sighed mournfully, his tone filled with helplessness. "That is precisely what we fear most. But there's no helping it. Since the news has already leaked, it's impossible to stop. We can only act according to circumstances when the time comes."
At this moment, a Scattered Immortal beside him advised, "Elder Bai Xuan, don't worry too much. Whether that Monarch from Yanluo is the real Monarch is still uncertain."
The proprietor said, "But didn't they say Fairy Hua has already confirmed it?"
"That may be so, but Fairy Hua has never met Monarch Chixiao. How can she be sure that fellow surnamed Gu from Yanluo is definitely the Monarch? Of course, I'm not doubting Fairy Hua. I absolutely trust her character. I just think Fairy Hua might have mistakenly believed that fellow surnamed Gu is the Monarch."
Another Scattered Immortal chimed in, "Isn't there also talk that the fellow surnamed Gu, what's his name... Gu Qingfeng, right? Might have fused with a remnant consciousness of the Monarch? Fairy Hua, unable to bear seeing him die at the hands of the Immortal Dynasty, deliberately shielded him..."
Elder Bai Xuan reprimanded, "Hey! Don't speak carelessly. Everyone knows what kind of person Fairy Hua is. This old man dares to vouch with my character that Fairy Hua would never shield anyone."
"Elder Bai Xuan, don't forget, back in the Great Northwest, Fairy Hua falsely claimed that Gu Qingfeng had turned to ashes. Yet, in the end, Gu Qingfeng didn't die... If that's not shielding, what is?"
Elder Bai Xuan wanted to refute but couldn't find a suitable reason. He could only shake his head helplessly. "The problem lies right here. Ever since the news of Monarch Chixiao's return spread, it seems everyone under heaven is discussing it. Some believe, some doubt, some are half-convinced. And right at this time, Monarch Chixiao sends a Visiting Card, and somehow the news has leaked out."
"After the news spread, many from various sects and forces have been heading towards Shangqing Sect. They all want to see if that Gu Qingfeng from Yanluo Kingdom is the real Monarch Chixiao."
"Let them look if they want. It has nothing to do with our Shangqing Sect."
"It's definitely not that simple."
"How so?"
"If that Gu Qingfeng is also a fake Monarch, it wouldn't matter much. But what if he is the real Monarch..." When Elder Bai Xuan said this, the other Scattered Immortals from Shangqing Sect all fell silent. The proprietor of Luo Xuan Old Soup also fell silent.
Because they all knew that if Gu Qingfeng truly was Monarch Chixiao, then things would blow up completely. It might even plunge the world into chaos.
Back when Monarch Chixiao campaigned across the world, almost every major sect in this realm had been slaughtered by him, including the so-called number one under heaven, Shangqing Sect.
Setting aside the grudges between Monarch Chixiao and the various sects, the enmity between Monarch Chixiao and the Immortal Dynasty was unavoidable. Everyone knew that in this world, this was a feud that could never be circumvented.
Back then, Monarch Chixiao slaughtered Immortals, destroyed the Immortal Dynasty, severed the Immortal River, dominated the Nine Heavens, trod upon the Nine Palaces, and defied the Nine Heavens.
This was more than just defying the dignity of the Immortal Dao; it was trampling upon its very honor. And he did it right in front of the Nine Heavens, slapping the Immortal Dao in the face. Not just slapping, but stomping it fiercely underfoot, grinding every last shred of the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao's dignity and face into the dust, leaving not a trace behind.
Under such circumstances,
how could the Immortal Dynasty let him go?
How could the Cloud Realm let him go?
How could the Nine Heavens let him go?
How could the entire Immortal Dao let him go?
"Indeed, if that Gu Qingfeng is truly Monarch Chixiao, then it's too terrifying... The Immortal Dynasty would absolutely not let him off easily!"
"No! You haven't grasped this old man's meaning."
The other Scattered Immortals and the proprietor of Luo Xuan Old Soup looked at Elder Bai Xuan in confusion.
Elder Bai Xuan said, "You're only thinking about whether the Immortal Dynasty will let the Monarch go. Have you not considered whether the Monarch will let the Immortal Dynasty go? Think about it: back then, even the Judgment of the Nine Heavens couldn't kill the Monarch. Today, how could they possibly deal with him? Moreover, what kind of person the Monarch is, I need not say; everyone knows in their hearts. This old man may not know how powerful the Monarch's strength is today, but I know that since the Monarch dares to return, he surely does not fear the Immortal Dynasty."