Rumor had it, a few years ago...
The Flying Crane Gang on Flying Crane Ridge, in order to seize a valuable crystal, brutally slaughtered a family of spiritual field farmers.
Not many days later, a woman descended from the sky.
No one knew who that woman was.
It was said she wore robes of pure white, cold as frost, holding a white jade sword. With a single sword strike, snowflakes swirled, frost coalesced, and Flying Crane Ridge was instantly frozen into an icy mountain.
When the woman left, the icy mountain shattered. The Flying Crane Gang, over a thousand strong, was annihilated in the blink of an eye, and the entire Flying Crane Ridge was reduced to a pile of ruins.
One sword. Just one sword.
No one knew the woman's identity.
Flying Crane Ridge was not only a major faction within the Flowing Gold territory but also a subordinate of the Southern-Dipper Sect.
Upon learning of this, the Southern-Dipper Sect was enraged and immediately issued a warrant for the mysterious woman.
Some said that on the very day the Southern-Dipper Sect issued the warrant, the mysterious woman alone barged into the Southern-Dipper Sect.
As for what happened inside the Southern-Dipper Sect, again, no one knew, because the very next day, the Southern-Dipper Sect activated its protective grand formation, sealed its gates, and closed its doors. They remain sealed to this day.
This incident caused a huge stir back then. It was only after several years that people learned the mysterious woman's surname was Leng, and her given name Yanqiu.
As for who Leng Yanqiu truly was, no one knew that either.
Now, hearing Cangsong say that Bing Xuan Sect's new sect master was Leng Yanqiu, how could Huode and Rende not be shocked?
"This succession ceremony is the foremost event for our Bing Xuan Sect in the last hundred years. We hope you all attend promptly."
With that, True Being Ziyun made to rise and leave, while Cangsong took out a red invitation and handed it over.
"Hold on."
Huode suddenly called out.
Ziyun, who had reached the doorway, turned her head and looked at him coolly.
"Our Yunxia Sect and your Bing Xuan Sect have long ceased all contact. I don't think we need to attend your succession ceremony."
Even now, thinking about the incident years ago when he and his fellow disciples went to Bing Xuan Sect and were beaten up, Huode still felt a surge of anger. Moreover, Bing Xuan Sect had later personally come to their door to humiliate them. Huode naturally hadn't forgotten. He sneered, "What's this about? Asking us to attend your Bing Xuan Sect's succession ceremony—are you planning to publicly humiliate our Yunxia Sect again?"
True Being Ziyun's expression remained cold. "Our Bing Xuan Sect is no longer the Bing Xuan Sect of yesteryear, and your Yunxia Sect is also no longer the Yunxia Sect of yesteryear."
Her words were ambiguous.
However, both Huode and Rende understood the underlying meaning. It was nothing more than saying that the present-day Yunxia Sect simply couldn't be compared to the Bing Xuan Sect. In other words, your Yunxia Sect now has nothing left worth humiliating.
Though Huode and Rende gritted their teeth in hatred at this, they couldn't refute it.
"Having your Yunxia Sect attend is the wish of several Ancestors."
The several Ancestors of Bing Xuan Sect—each was an old monster who had lived for over a thousand years, a full generation senior even to the former Yunxia Three Elders.
"I've conveyed the message. Whether you attend or not is your business. However... I hope you consider this carefully. This might be your Yunxia Sect's only chance."
With that, True Being Ziyun gave Gu Qingfeng a deep look. Seeing him still sitting in his chair, leisurely drinking, she inwardly raised an eyebrow but didn't dwell on it, turning to leave.
"A chance? What chance? Explain yourself clearly before you go!"
By the time Huode asked, True Being Ziyun had already left with her entourage.
"Huode, oh Huode, can't you even understand such words?"
Cangsong mocked, "Several Ancestors of our Bing Xuan Sect, remembering old ties and out of respect for the founders of both sects, cannot bear to see you devoured by the Nine-Hua Alliance. So..." He paused, then sneered, "So, you'd better not be ungrateful."
After throwing down that remark, Cangsong left with a loud, mocking laugh.
"You spineless traitor!"
Huode had a fiery temper. Pointing at Cangsong, he cursed loudly. But the more fiercely he cursed, the more triumphant Cangsong's laughter became.
"Junior Brother, let it go."
Rende came over to persuade him. "We should discuss whether to attend or not."
"Discuss what? What's there to discuss? Have you forgotten how Bing Xuan Sect humiliated us back then?"
Mentioning the past made Huode want to curse. He said angrily, "None of those old things in Bing Xuan Sect are any good! They look down on everyone! And now they talk about wanting to help us? Utter nonsense! I think they're eighty percent likely trying to use this chance to humiliate us again!"
"Our Yunxia Sect really doesn't have anything left worth them humiliating..." Rende shook his head with a sigh. "If I guess correctly, Bing Xuan Sect probably wants to use this opportunity to sever the agreement made between the founders of our two sects once and for all."
"Let them sever it! Our Yunxia Sect doesn't rely on them anyway."
"But this matter has been dragging on for centuries... It's time to settle it. As Ziyun said, today's Yunxia Sect is no longer the Yunxia Sect of old, and Bing Xuan Sect is no longer the Bing Xuan Sect of old. The gap between us and Bing Xuan Sect is far too great. Before, they didn't annul the agreement, perhaps worried it would affect Bing Xuan Sect's reputation—after all, it was an agreement made by the founders. Now is a very special time. I imagine Bing Xuan Sect won't care about such things anymore..." Saying this, Rende sighed again. "In that case, let's make the trip."
"Senior Brother, we swore back then that we would never set foot in Bing Xuan Sect again. Have you forgotten?"
"But... but someone has to go for this matter."
"We just won't go. What can they do?"
Huode picked up a bowl of wine and downed it in one gulp. He said furiously, "They want to slap our face, and we're supposed to stick it out for them? I've endured that kind of humiliating anger once already. I absolutely will not endure it a second time."
"This..." Rende was momentarily at a loss for words.
Just then, a voice spoke up.
"How about letting me go?"
Hmm?
The voice came from Gu Qingfeng. Huode sprang to his feet, pursed his lips, cleared his throat, and asked, "Ancestor, there's no need for you to get involved in this kind of affair, is there?"
Gu Qingfeng looked at the exquisitely crafted invitation shimmering with flowing light, took a sip of wine, and smiled. "You know what, I'm actually quite interested in this little spectacle."
Interested?
What a joke.
Others might not know, but Huode clearly understood that Gu Qingfeng was not someone who enjoyed spectacles. If you asked him to quietly go to a manor to listen to music, fine. But to attend some tedious ceremony? He definitely wouldn't have any interest. Especially a ceremony that had nothing to do with him. How could he be interested?
Was it to stand up for Yunxia Sect?
That was even more ridiculous.
Huode knew Gu Qingfeng's nature. Although the kid had agreed to help, it was only to help him personally.
Helping him and helping Yunxia Sect were two different things.
Out of regard for his face, Qingfeng might stand up for Yunxia Sect.
But that would depend entirely on the situation.
If the Nine-Hua Alliance attacked, Huode was certain the kid would step up.
But for trivial matters like Bing Xuan Sect's nonsense, unless their people came charging over, Gu Qingfeng couldn't be bothered. And attending some ceremony? He'd rather spend that time sunbathing than go to some tedious ceremony out of sheer boredom.
"Kid Gu, you really don't need to..." Huode was about to say more when Gu Qingfeng stood up, patted his shoulder, and said, "It's settled then."
"Why?!"
"It has nothing to do with your Yunxia Sect. It's my own private affair."
Yes, just as Huode had thought, Gu Qingfeng was indeed idle, but not idle enough to attend some tedious ceremony. The reason he wanted to go was to figure out Bing Xuan Sect's Ice-Profound Heart, which was related to the Yanyang Heart.
That's it for today, just two chapters. We'll continue tomorrow.