Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng could no longer contain himself and burst into hearty laughter.
His laughter was ancient and domineering, yet wild and unrestrained.
It held both unexpected delight and the joy of meeting an old acquaintance.
In truth, ever since he first laid eyes on the Old Daoist on the deck of the Xuantian vessel, he had felt a sense of familiarity. He just couldn't tell whether this familiarity was related to the Daoless Age or some other reason.
Later, drinking and chatting with the Old Daoist on the deck, he felt an increasingly familiar aura about him.
Whether it was the slovenly attire, the tone of speech, the mannerisms, or every word and action—all of it reminded Gu Qingfeng of someone.
That someone was Huode.
However, he wasn't sure, nor could he confirm it.
After all, it had been a very, very long time since he last saw Huode.
Moreover, when he left the mortal world back then, he had also reconstructed a physical body for Huode. As for what Huode had become now, he had no idea. He didn't even know if Huode was still alive.
To confirm the Old Daoist's identity, he deliberately dragged him into this space.
When the Old Daoist said that Saintess Niangniang would have to call him 'Old Master' upon meeting him, and that You Di would respectfully address him as 'Ancestral Patriarch'...
Especially when the Old Daoist spoke of his connection with You Di, Gu Qingfeng finally became certain. This slovenly, unkempt, foul-mouthed Old Daoist before him was none other than Huode.
Gu Qingfeng laughed because he never expected to run into this old rascal Huode in the vast, boundless expanse of the Great Desolate.
He was immensely happy, utterly thrilled.
Having slumbered for ten thousand years and awakened decades ago, he had never felt such joy as he did today.
Even when he encountered the Great Monk Daxing in the One-Line Sky forbidden ground of the Flowing Sands Minor Secret Realm back then, he was merely pleasantly surprised, not truly moved.
This time, meeting Huode on the Xuantian vessel stirred a genuine excitement deep within his heart.
His friendship with the Great Monk Daxing was, at best, that of drinking buddies—a relationship that could turn adversarial at any moment.
In comparison, Gu Qingfeng's bond with Huode was far more than just that of drinking companions.
To be precise, Huode's earlier words weren't an exaggeration—at least, Gu Qingfeng didn't think so.
Back in the day, it was indeed Huode who set him on the path of cultivation. It was also with Huode's help that he established his foundation. When he caused a major disaster at the Cloud Mist Sect, it was Huode who saved his life.
Thus, in Gu Qingfeng's heart, he had always regarded Huode as a mentor, a friend, and family.
Yes, family.
Across the myriad heavens and worlds, the vast Great Desolate Heaven and Earth, the only person Gu Qingfeng considered family was Huode. There was no second.
Given this, how could he not be overjoyed and excited to see Huode now?
However, while he recognized Huode's identity, Huode had no idea he was Gu Qingfeng.
Seeing Gu Qingfeng laugh so maniacally, Huode thought he was being mocked for boasting. Instantly enraged, he pointed at Gu Qingfeng and shouted, "You damned brat! Do you think I'm blowing hot air?
Looks like I'll have to show you the real deal before you'll believe me, huh?"
As he spoke, Huode flipped his palm, producing a wine cup. The cup was about the size of an infant's fist, not particularly refined or even good-looking. Its colors were a mix of black and white, resembling the Tai Chi Yin-Yang symbol as if containing infinite transformations. He said, "Do you know what this is?
This is a wine cup forged by You Di himself back in the day, called the Taixu Cup. When he left, he gave it to me, saying it was some kind of token. As long as I show this cup in the Great Desolate, everyone will recognize it."
Gu Qingfeng looked at the cup and couldn't help but chuckle.
Indeed, this Taixu Cup was something he had forged back then, though he later lost it. He couldn't remember how he lost it and never imagined it would end up in Huode's hands.
"Kid," Huode said, holding the Taixu Cup proudly in his palm, "You might not know what the Taixu Cup is, or you might be wondering if it was really forged by You Di himself... Tsk tsk...
If you have any discernment, why don't you probe it with your Divine Sense? Once you do, you'll know whether I'm telling the truth or not."
With that, Huode simply closed his eyes, no longer looking, just holding the Taixu Cup in his hand.
Typically, when Huode reached this point and revealed the Taixu Cup, the other party would usually show some apprehension.
Because the Taixu Cup was indeed personally forged by Gu Qingfeng.
Moreover, it was forged using the unique Nine Underworlds Ancestral Flame.
As everyone knew, throughout Heaven and Earth, only the Nine Nethers Emperor possessed the Nine Underworlds Ancestral Flame.
Therefore, anyone with a bit of knowledge, upon probing with their Divine Sense, could detect the Nine Underworlds Fire contained within the Taixu Cup.
A moment passed.
Gu Qingfeng showed no reaction.
Huode figured the kid must be scared stiff. He opened his eyes and said, "Well?
Did you detect the Nine Underworlds Ancestral Flame within the Taixu Cup?
Now you know whether I'm telling the truth, right?"
"That's right, this thing was indeed forged by You Di," Gu Qingfeng replied indifferently. "But so what?"
"What do you mean, 'so what'? You little brat, you're not big, but your tone sure is!"
The Old Daoist pointed at Gu Qingfeng. "Do you think You Di was utterly destroyed back then? Is that why you're not afraid?"
Seeming worried that Gu Qingfeng might not believe him, Huode sneered, "Have you even considered what kind of existence You Di is?
Over all these years, haven't there been plenty of rumors in the myriad heavens and worlds about his death? When has You Di ever truly died?
Back then, even the combined forces of the Three Thousand Great Daos couldn't kill him. Instead, he beat them until they were crying for their parents. Even that so-called incarnation of karma, the messenger of fate—Old Man Tianji—didn't dare make a peep on the sidelines. Remember, You Di was on the verge of achieving Sagehood back then. How could such a figure die so easily?"
"Besides, if You Di were really dead, would Saintess Niangniang have waited for him all these years? Do you think you're smarter than Saintess Niangniang?"
Huode continued, "Kid, let me tell you the truth. You Di isn't dead. He's alive and well. Not just alive and well, but drinking fine wine every day, listening to tunes, living a carefree and content life. I even met him for a drink not long ago."
Gu Qingfeng looked at Huode here, and the more he looked, the more he wanted to laugh. He didn't reveal his identity, wanting to tease this old rascal a bit. So he said, "You say You Di is still alive, not only alive but that you met him a few years ago? And even drank with him?
Is that really true?"
"Of course! You think I'm bluffing?"
"No, actually... this is quite a coincidence."
Huode was confused. "Coincidence? What coincidence?"
Gu Qingfeng nodded. "It's not that I don't believe you. To tell you the truth, I also know You Di is alive. Just as you said, not only is he alive, but he's living quite comfortably. Moreover, for the past few years, I've been with You Di every day, drinking and listening to tunes. But I've never seen you around."