The Dacheng Sect was also a sect with ancient heritage. Although it couldn't compare to the Shangqing Sect, it was not to be underestimated, ranking among the top ten sects in the world and being the foremost sect of the Tianzhao Kingdom. It boasted countless experts. Its sect master, Golden Cicada Master, had been a renowned and influential powerhouse even in the Ancient Era, serving as the Kingdom Preceptor of Tianzhao. Having achieved immortality for thousands of years, his cultivation was unfathomably profound.
Speaking of which, in the Ancient Era, Golden Cicada Master, in terms of both cultivation strength and influence, could have become a peerless immortal master comparable to the likes of Zhen Jue and Zhen Ting. Unfortunately, during the Ancient Era, in an attempt to curry favor with the Immortal Dynasty, he took the lead in besieging Gu Qingfeng, only to be beaten by Gu Qingfeng until he knelt on the ground, half-dead. Not only did his reputation plummet, but he also nearly caused the Dacheng Sect to be annihilated by Gu Qingfeng.
That was the greatest stain on his life, and also its greatest turning point.
Therefore, upon receiving news that Gu Qingfeng was coming to pay respects at the Shangqing Sect, he had rushed over at the first opportunity.
Now, hearing that Gu Qingfeng still recognized him, Golden Cicada Master's heart couldn't help but lurch. He wanted to say something, but facing the smiling Gu Qingfeng before him, he couldn't utter a single word.
"The sect master of Chunyang Sect, Old Senior Mo," Gu Qingfeng turned his gaze to another elder and continued, "You look just the same as back then, haven't changed a bit."
"Old Senior Feng Jue of Qianxing Sect, Old Senior Dongji of Biyue Sect, Old Senior Sanmei of Huoyun Sect... Grandmother Fenglai of Tianshui Sect..." Gu Qingfeng's dark eyes swept over the faces of the major sect leaders present one by one. With a faint smile, he recited their names: "Old Senior Yunfang of the Ximen Yunhe family, Old Senior Daluo Shanhai, Senior Xuanqi of Lingshe Valley, Old Master Panhu of the Huwei Wang family..." He not only recited the names of the major sect leaders but also listed the names of the prominent immortal family leaders present in this world.
Without exception, every sect and family whose name was called had participated in the siege against Gu Qingfeng in the Ancient Era, and without exception, they had all nearly been annihilated because of that siege.
The various sect masters and family heads present exchanged glances, as if surprised that Gu Qingfeng still remembered them. Not only did he remember, but he recognized their identities at a single glance. Perhaps because the shadow Gu Qingfeng had cast over them in the Ancient Era was too profound, when their names were called, their hearts grew uneasy, and their expressions became unnatural.
"I never expected to run into so many old friends from back in the day today. What a pleasant surprise. How about we find a place later, have a couple of drinks, and catch up?"
No one had expected Gu Qingfeng to suddenly say such a thing.
Even Su Hua beside him was stunned.
The various sect masters and family heads were utterly dumbfounded.
Have a couple of drinks?
What kind of joke was that?
Who would dare?
No one dared.
At that moment, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out.
"Kid Gu!
Hahaha!
It really is you, kid!
You've really come back, kid!
Hahaha!"
In response appeared an elder, one who looked somewhat unkempt and slovenly.
Everyone present recognized him as the famous Wine Immortal Zhen Yang of this world.
"Old drunkard!
It's you!"
Upon seeing Wine Immortal Zhen Yang, Gu Qingfeng immediately stood up, overjoyed.
"Good kid, you still remember this old man!
Excellent, excellent!
It wasn't in vain that I made you drink so much wine back then!
Hahaha!"
Wine Immortal Zhen Yang was also extremely excited upon seeing Gu Qingfeng. He patted Gu Qingfeng's shoulder and threw his head back with a loud laugh.
Gu Qingfeng was genuinely happy.
Because back when he was cultivating at the Shangqing Sect, aside from Old Master Luo Xuan who had taken good care of him, only Wine Immortal Zhen Yang remained. In his heart, he had always regarded Old Master Luo Xuan as an elder, while Wine Immortal Zhen Yang was more like a special 'drinking buddy' to him. Truth be told, the main reason he was so fond of drinking now was largely because Wine Immortal Zhen Yang had forced it on him back then.
"I heard from Old Master Luo Xuan that you've been away for many years. When did you return?"
"Isn't it because I heard you were still alive, kid, that this old man rushed over? I thought it might be another fake, but who would have thought...
Hahaha!
It really is you, kid!"
It was clear that Wine Immortal Zhen Yang had also been thoroughly deceived by many impostors claiming to be Gu Qingfeng over the years. Indeed, that was the case. Not to mention others, regarding the several hard-to-distinguish true and false Chixiao Monarchs in the South Sea, Wine Immortal Zhen Yang had gone to see them several times. Not only did he fail to ascertain their authenticity, but he almost lost his life there.
Soon, a group of council elders from the Shangqing Sect also arrived. Gu Qingfeng immediately spotted Immortal Master Zhen Ting among the crowd.
Upon seeing Immortal Master Zhen Ting, Gu Qingfeng put away his smile, walked over respectfully, bowed his head, and cupped his hands in salute: "Disciple Gu Tianlang pays his respects to Martial Uncle."
"Monarch, please rise quickly."
Just as Gu Qingfeng was about to bow, Immortal Master Zhen Ting's expression changed. He immediately supported Gu Qingfeng's hands, saying solemnly, "What virtue or ability does this old man possess to deserve a bow from the Monarch? This is improper, absolutely improper."
Gu Qingfeng said earnestly, "You are, after all, my martial uncle. It is only right and proper for me to pay my respects to you."
Wine Immortal Zhen Yang chimed in, "I say, Senior Brother, what airs are you putting on? Kid Gu is, after all, our Eldest Senior Brother's disciple. What's wrong with him bowing to you?"
"Although Tianlang is Eldest Senior Brother's disciple, he is also the Monarch of the Immortal Dao of this world. This old man is merely a cultivator. How could I possibly accept a bow from the Monarch? According to the old rules, it should be this old man bowing to the Monarch."
As he spoke, Immortal Master Zhen Ting actually cupped his hands, preparing to bow in return. How could Gu Qingfeng dare accept Immortal Master Zhen Ting's bow? He immediately stopped him.
"Martial Uncle, why must you do this?"
"Kid Gu, forget it. You know my senior brother has always been such a stubborn, inflexible, and pedantic person."
Gu Qingfeng certainly knew that Immortal Master Zhen Ting was a rather stubborn and pedantic person, and also one who strictly adhered to old traditions and rules. Precisely because of this, he was upright and fair, never showing favoritism or bending the law. This was also why Gu Qingfeng respected him.
Although Immortal Master Zhen Ting had not personally instructed Gu Qingfeng during his cultivation days at the Shangqing Sect, at the very least, Gu Qingfeng knew that Immortal Master Zhen Ting regarded him as a disciple of the Shangqing Sect. For that alone, Gu Qingfeng was willing to call him 'Martial Uncle' from the bottom of his heart.
"Martial Uncle, I've returned."
Gu Qingfeng said these words.
Immortal Master Zhen Ting looked at Gu Qingfeng, just looked at him, his expression somewhat complex, his words even more so. After a long while, he nodded and said, "It's good that you've returned... it's good that you've returned..."
Beside them, the group of Shangqing Sect council elders also stared at Gu Qingfeng with very complex gazes—filled with doubt, speculation, wariness, sighs, worry, and fear.
And Yun Wan, her brows still tightly knit, continued to gaze at Gu Qingfeng. She had grown up hearing the great name of the Chixiao Monarch and had always wanted to see for herself what kind of person this Chixiao Monarch was, the one who had caused her master, Ye Tianlan, such heart-wrenching grief back then.