"Ancestral Grandfather, don't speak nonsense. Our Shangqing Sect has never said we would join forces with other great sects to deal with the Monarch."
"Oh? Would Shangqing Sect be that kind? Highly unlikely, I'd say.
Let's not mention others, but just look at that bunch of council elders in your Shangqing Sect. Which one of them didn't get beaten up by that kid Gu back in the day? Especially that stubborn old fogey Chongxu—he was beaten so badly by that kid Gu that he lost control of his bowels. And your grandmaster's wife, she was slapped so hard by that kid Gu that her face was bruised and swollen. These are all people of status and reputation, who value face more than their own lives. Could they possibly swallow this insult?
They've been holding it in for a full three hundred years. Now that kid Gu has finally returned—do you think they'll let it go so easily?"
"Elder Chongxu and my grandmaster's wife are both highly respected Immortal seniors of our time. I believe they wouldn't hold a grudge over past events."
"You little girl, how long have you known them? I've known them for a lifetime. Don't I know what kind of characters they are? Each one of them is a sanctimonious hypocrite. In front of you all, they're full of benevolence and morality, but when they see a Celestial Immortal Lord descending from the Nine Heavens, they're all scrambling to kneel and lick his boots."
"Ancestral Grandfather, they are, after all, seniors of our Shangqing Sect. Please don't speak of them like that in front of me. Moreover, even if they truly hold a grudge over past events, it wouldn't affect the entire Shangqing Sect's decision. Besides, the Female Sect Master has long since taken over the position of Sect Head. If the Female Sect Master doesn't speak, who in the entire Shangqing Sect would dare move against the Monarch?"
"That much is true."
After leaving Dragon Pond, the two began walking toward Elixir-Eater Town. Luo Xuan Ancestor said with concern, "But, having said that, what is that girl Ye Tianlan's attitude?"
"Ancestral Grandfather, I'm merely an outer sect elder. How would I know the Female Sect Master's intentions?"
Not only did Luo Xuan Mingyue not know the Female Sect Master's intentions, she had never even met the Female Sect Master in person. She was born in the Present Era, while the Female Sect Master had entered seclusion over three hundred years ago, right after the Monarch's trial, and had never emerged since.
"Also, Ancestral Grandfather, how many times have I told you? Don't address the Female Sect Master by her name directly. The Female Sect Master is not only the Sect Head of our Shangqing Sect, but also a Palace Master of the Immortal Court, a council elder of the Cloud Summit, and most importantly, a Celestial Immortal Lord personally bestowed by the Nine Heavens."
"So what if she's the Shangqing Sect Head? What of being an Immortal Court Palace Master?
What of being a Cloud Summit elder?
What of being a Nine Heavens Celestial Immortal Lord?
In this old man's eyes, she's still that little girl."
"Ancestral Grandfather, if you keep this up..." Seeing Luo Xuan Mingyue getting serious, Luo Xuan Ancestor quickly changed his tune. "Alright, alright, alright. This old man won't call her 'little girl.' I'll call her 'Female Sect Master,' how about that?"
Although Luo Xuan Ancestor spoke boldly, as if he didn't take Ye Tianlan seriously, deep down, he was actually very wary of her.
That's right.
Wary.
Nine Heavens Celestial Immortal Lord.
Cloud Summit elder.
Immortal Court Palace Master.
Each of these identities was more intimidating than the last, any one of them enough to scare a man to death.
Setting these identities aside, just being the Sect Head of Shangqing Sect alone was not someone Luo Xuan Ancestor could afford to provoke.
Moreover, he also knew that Female Sect Master Ye Tianlan's identity was not limited to just these.
The moment he thought of Female Sect Master Ye Tianlan, Luo Xuan Ancestor couldn't help but furrow his brow. "Ah, now that your Shangqing Sect is under that girl Ye Tianlan's—oh no, under the Female Sect Master's—leadership, that kid Gu...
I'm afraid he won't be able to avoid it this time."
Luo Xuan Mingyue pursed her lips, displeased. "Who told the Monarch to bully the Female Sect Master so badly back then?"
During the World Martial Gathering back then, the Monarch publicly flirted with the Female Sect Master, gambling for Immortal fate.
Afterwards, the Female Sect Master admitted defeat and fulfilled her promise, willing to become dual cultivation partners with the Monarch.
Yet, she was met with the Monarch's heartless rejection.
Because of this, the Female Sect Master's spirit nearly broke. She suffered deviation in her cultivation three times. Even so, when the Monarch faced the Immortal Dao's judgment, the Female Sect Master disregarded her own life to shield him from the verdict.
This matter was known to all, and Luo Xuan Mingyue naturally knew of it too.
Although she had grown up listening to Luo Xuan Ancestor's tales of the Monarch's heroic deeds and had always regarded the Monarch as a hero in her heart, ever since she learned how the Monarch had wronged the Female Sect Master back then, Monarch Chixiao was no longer a hero in her eyes, but a thoroughgoing philandering heartbreaker.
Not just her.
Even Luo Xuan Ancestor, who wouldn't tolerate outsiders speaking the slightest ill of Monarch Chixiao, when recalling those past events, also felt that Monarch Chixiao had truly wronged Female Sect Master Ye Tianlan back then.
To this day, he still couldn't understand why Monarch Chixiao had rejected Ye Tianlan's Immortal fate back then.
Others might not know.
But Luo Xuan Ancestor was very clear: Monarch Chixiao was absolutely not a heartless, ungrateful person. If he were, back when the Immortal Court wanted to execute the Female Sect Master, Monarch Chixiao wouldn't have risked his own life to rescue Ye Tianlan.
There was one more thing that bothered him the most.
After the Monarch saved the Female Sect Master back then, the two had even drunk his old soup together. The affectionate way they acted truly seemed like a pair of Daoist partners. Moreover, Luo Xuan Ancestor clearly remembered that Monarch Chixiao had said back then that he might form a partnership with Ye Tianlan.
So why did it fall through later?
Why exactly?
This was a question Luo Xuan Ancestor had pondered for so many years without finding an answer.
However.
Discussing this now was meaningless. The fact remained that Monarch Chixiao had wronged the Female Sect Master back then, and because of it, the Female Sect Master had suffered mental instability and cultivation deviation. Given Female Sect Master Ye Tianlan's temperament, she would surely not let it go. Otherwise, why would she choose to emerge from seclusion precisely at this time? Nine times out of ten, it must be targeting that kid Gu.
Having lived for over ten thousand years, Luo Xuan Ancestor had seen far too many cases of love turning to hatred.
He also knew very well that once a woman becomes ruthless, she's more terrifying than a damned old demon.
"By the way, any movement from the Immortal Court's side?"
Luo Xuan Mingyue shook her head. "Not for now. I heard Fairy Hua personally stepped forward to persuade the Immortal Court not to move against the Monarch."
"If Fairy Hua is willing to speak up for that kid Gu, then this matter becomes much easier. Fairy Hua has good connections and a wide network. If she steps in, the great sects wouldn't dare not give her face. Your Shangqing Sect, and even the Immortal Court, probably wouldn't dare refuse Fairy Hua this favor."
"The problem now is, no one knows whether the Gu Qingfeng Fairy Hua speaks of is the true Monarch Chixiao."
Luo Xuan Mingyue said, "After all, Fairy Hua has never met the true Monarch Chixiao."
"What?
Weren't you the one who admired Fairy Hua the most?
Do you also suspect Fairy Hua is deliberately shielding him, falsely claiming he's the Monarch?"
"Ancestral Grandfather, don't twist my words. I'm afraid Fairy Hua might have mistaken that Gu Qingfeng for the Monarch."
"That's also possible. How can Fairy Hua be so sure that Gu Qingfeng is that kid Gu? If she's mistaken, it's not impossible."
"So now, all the great sects and various worlds want to take this opportunity to see whether the Gu Qingfeng Fairy Hua speaks of is the true Monarch Chixiao."