"True Being Ziyun, Brother Qin, how have you been lately?"
Mu Yulong acted quite courteously, stepping forward on his own initiative to cup his hands in greeting.
True Being Ziyun nodded slightly in acknowledgment. When she saw Murong Fei and Wei Qing in the distance, her willow-like brows also involuntarily furrowed. Then, she fixed her gaze on the desolate mountain enveloped in rainbow light.
The relationship between Qin Wanli and Mu Yulong wasn't particularly good; they had even clashed before. Qin Wanli had initially been somewhat puzzled as to why Mu Yulong was being so polite, but the moment he saw Murong Fei and Wei Qing, he immediately understood. He snorted coldly and paid Mu Yulong no further mind.
"In the past few days, six cave mansions have appeared. With Brother Qin's strength, you should have entered long ago. I wonder why..." Mu Yulong might as well not have brought this up. The mention instantly made Qin Wanli furious. He angrily retorted, "If it weren't for the delay caused by going to the Yunxia Sect, I would have entered long ago!"
For the upcoming grand ceremony of the Bingxuan Sect, True Being Ziyun needed to notify not only the Yunxia Sect but also many other sects within the Qingyang region. It was precisely because of notifying these sects that they missed the best opportunities. When the cave mansions appeared in the past few days, they arrived too late each time.
As for Qin Wanli blaming this mistake on the Yunxia Sect, it was purely because he disliked them. He felt that inviting the Yunxia Sect to participate in the Bingxuan Sect's grand ceremony was a complete waste of resources.
"Yunxia Sect?"
Mu Yulong chuckled. "I've only recently emerged from seclusion, and the name I've heard most often is Yunxia Sect. It seems the Yunxia Sect recently produced a rather remarkable genius. What was his name again? Gu Qingfeng? I heard that person failed his Foundation Establishment, resulting in a mutated physique with an exceptionally powerful body. The Fengying Li Family of the Qingyang region, along with several old masters who had survived their longevity tribulations, seem to have been killed by him."
"Hmph! Genius?" Qin Wanli's expression was arrogant, his words dripping with disdain. He snorted coldly, "Him? At the Yunxia Sect, he couldn't even withstand a single move from me. How dare he call himself a genius?"
"Oh? Is that so..." Mu Yulong was doubtful, unsure of the truth. Firstly, he had never seen that Gu Qingfeng; perhaps the rumors were indeed somewhat exaggerated.
The surrounding crowd buzzed with discussion. News of the Yunxia Sect had long since spread far and wide. Everyone knew the Yunxia Sect had produced a mysterious genius. Now, hearing Qin Wanli claim that Gu Qingfeng couldn't even withstand a single move from him, some believed it, while others were skeptical. After all, Qin Wanli's strength was evident for all to see—a genius who had opened three golden colors. The power of a single move from him would be utterly terrifying.
"Brother Wei, you were present during the Yunxia Sect's heir-appointment ceremony that day. You should have some understanding of that Gu Qingfeng."
In the distance, suspended in mid-air, Murong Fei stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile on his face as he gazed at the rainbow-shrouded desolate mountain. He asked, "Do you think Qin Wanli's words are credible? Could that Gu Qingfeng truly not withstand a single move from him?"
Beside him, Wei Qing, who had remained silent, didn't even think before shaking his head and replying, "I don't know."
"Oh?" Murong Fei shot him a meaningful glance and smiled. "It seems every time I mention the name Gu Qingfeng, no matter what I ask, your answer is always 'I don't know.'"
As the hundred-year deadline approached, geniuses from both the surrounding regional sects and the Nine-Hua Alliance had emerged from seclusion one after another. And after emerging, the name they heard most frequently was Gu Qingfeng. This was true for Mu Yulong of the Spirit-Capital Sect, and Murong Fei of the Nine-Hua Alliance was no exception.
He knew Wei Qing had also been present that day, so he wanted to ask about Gu Qingfeng. Yet, no matter what he asked, Wei Qing's response was always those three words: "I don't know."
This piqued his curiosity.
What puzzled him even more was that Wei Qing had always been a very confident person, his face perpetually wearing a smile that suggested everything was under his control. However, ever since the Natural Spirit Mutation, Wei Qing had become withdrawn, and that smile of supreme confidence had vanished from his face.
Could it really be because of Gu Qingfeng?
Others might not understand Wei Qing, but Murong Fei knew that although Wei Qing kept a low profile, his strength was absolutely unfathomable. He simply couldn't imagine what kind of person or event could make Wei Qing so silent.
Even if that Gu Qingfeng wasn't a reincarnated individual, so what if he was? It must be remembered that Wei Qing had personally eradicated a reincarnated great power several years ago.
Murong Fei didn't understand and couldn't figure it out. He only felt the situation was somewhat bizarre, thinking that after this Natural Spirit Mutation event concluded, he must investigate thoroughly.
At that moment, a mocking voice suddenly rang out within the area.
"These little brats nowadays, as soon as they open a bit of colored spirit, they all act so high and mighty. Little brat surnamed Qin, this old monk asks you: is it true that Gu Qingfeng truly didn't dare to receive a single move from you?"
The speaker was a bald, fat man wearing a kasaya robe, somewhat resembling a monk—but only resembling one. Apart from his bald head and that greasy kasaya, nothing else about him was monk-like. On the contrary, he was currently vigorously gnawing on a piece of fragrantly roasted game held in his hand. Particularly eye-catching were the two ancient bronze hammers hanging at his waist.
Many people present recognized this meat-eating monk.
He called himself Master Bu'er.
No one knew where he came from, nor where he was going. Everyone only knew this monk had been wandering around the surrounding regions for many years. He claimed to be a Buddhist, yet never performed Buddhist deeds. He frequently engaged in stealing chickens, digging pits, and setting traps. It was even said he had peeped on people bathing—a lecherous monk everyone denounced.
But while everyone denounced him, no one dared to lay a hand on him.
It wasn't because Master Bu'er possessed formidable strength.
On the contrary, Master Bu'er never fought back when hit nor retorted when scolded. If you wanted to hit him, he would offer his head for you to strike to your heart's content, ensuring you were fully satisfied.
Yet, for some unknown reason, anyone who ever struck him would inevitably suffer misfortune.
Yes!
Every single one.
Without exception.
Some suffered cultivation deviation, some had their Dao companions seduced by others, some went inexplicably mad, and others fell prey to strange illnesses.
Some said Master Bu'er carried a curse.
Striking him would invoke the curse.
After this matter spread, no one dared to lay a hand on Master Bu'er anymore. People avoided him like the plague, keeping as far away as possible. Sure enough, when he appeared now, the people around him scattered in a panic.
"It's you, you lecherous monk!"
Qin Wanli had naturally heard of Master Bu'er's curse. Otherwise, given his pride, anyone who dared question him would have been slain by his sword long ago.
"That's right, this old monk is that lecherous monk." Master Bu'er grinned like Maitreya Buddha as he gnawed on his greasy delicacy. He asked, "This old monk is asking you: is it true that Gu Qingfeng couldn't withstand a single move from you?"
"So what if it is!" Qin Wanli summoned his icy short sword, wiping it with a piece of glazed, translucent gauze.
"That Gu Qingfeng can slap to death a True Being who has survived a longevity tribulation. How could he possibly not withstand a single move from you?" Master Bu'er chuckled. "Are you just blowing hot air?"
"So what if it's a True Being who survived a longevity tribulation?" Qin Wanli said disdainfully. "I, Qin Wanli, can also eradicate one with a single move!"
"You can because of your three golden colors, but that Gu Qingfeng relies purely on physical strength." Master Bu'er finished his delicacy, wiped his greasy hands on his kasaya, then used his sleeve to clean the corners of his mouth. He said, "Young man, three golden colors and physical strength are two different concepts. Although this old monk doesn't know exactly how strong Gu Qingfeng's physique is, there's one thing I can say for sure: it's absolutely impossible for Gu Qingfeng to be unable to withstand a single move from you. As for whether you can withstand a single move from him, this old monk has some doubts about that."
"What are you to dare question me, Qin Wanli?!" With a *hua* sound, radiant light flashed around Qin Wanli's body, as if he were about to make a move.
"Wanli!" True Being Ziyun called out, stopping him.
That day at the Yunxia Sect, she had also been present. To be honest, True Being Ziyun wasn't too clear on whether Gu Qingfeng could withstand a single move from Qin Wanli. Because to this day, she still couldn't figure out whether Gu Qingfeng had been feigning composure back then or was truly fearless.
However, right at that moment, someone—no one knew who—shouted.
"Look! That's him! That's Gu Qingfeng!"
"I saw him at the First-Grade Manor! He's the Gu Qingfeng who's been making such a stir recently!"