Meanwhile.
While Bai Ze, Leng Jue, Mo Baiyu, and the others were still discussing how to eliminate Gu Qingfeng, Gu Qingfeng himself remained aboard the Xuantian Vessel, chatting idly with Lixin Xianzi while sipping wine. It wasn't until he had drunk and eaten his fill and began to feel a bit weary that the feast finally came to an end.
Huode, fearing that Gu Qingfeng might try to charm Lixin Xianzi and High Immortal Qingqing, kept urging him to leave. However, Lixin Xianzi insisted that the two of them stay on the Xuantian Vessel and had already arranged quiet rooms for them to rest.
Besides, the Xuantian Vessel had fine wine, beautiful company, a pleasant environment, and abundant spiritual energy. For someone like Gu Qingfeng who enjoyed the good life, naturally, he had no desire to return to that smoke-filled, chaotic passenger ship. So, regardless of how Huode tried to persuade him, Gu Qingfeng turned a deaf ear and, following Lixin Xianzi's arrangements, settled into a quiet room on the Xuantian Vessel.
After getting Gu Qingfeng and his companion settled, Lixin Xianzi hurriedly made her way to Qingqing's room.
Ever since Qingqing had fused with the Yunshui Sword, Lixin Xianzi had noticed her complexion was extremely poor. At the time, Lixin Xianzi felt certain something significant had happened—something serious enough that, given her understanding of Qingqing, the girl wouldn't have been so flustered otherwise.
However, with Gu Qingfeng and Huode present, it wasn't appropriate to ask. It would have been impolite to leave Gu Qingfeng and his companion drinking alone while she excused herself. So, it was only after accompanying Gu Qingfeng that she could rush to Qingqing's room.
When the door opened and Qingqing saw it was Lixin, she asked, "Master Aunt, what brings you here?"
Lixin Xianzi didn't answer. Instead, she stepped directly into the room, closed the door, and, just to be safe, cast a formation to isolate the room.
"Master Aunt, what's wrong?"
Lixin Xianzi stared at Qingqing with a serious expression and asked earnestly, "Tell me honestly, what exactly happened?"
Qingqing shook her head and replied, "Nothing happened."
"If nothing happened, why was your face so pale and your expression so panicked after you awoke from your meditation?"
"Master Aunt, I told you, I was just... too tired. After fusing with the Yunshui Sword, my spirit was very weary..." Lixin Xianzi didn't press further, but her gaze remained fixed on Qingqing.
Perhaps out of guilt, Qingqing seemed unable to meet Lixin Xianzi's eyes. Under Lixin's stare, her expression grew increasingly flustered.
"Qingqing, you've never been good at lying since you were a child. So, don't try to cover it up or hide anything. Just tell me honestly, what happened?"
"Master Aunt, I..." Qingqing hesitated, thinking it over before saying, "Master Aunt, I didn't mean to hide it from you. It's just that this matter is too terrifying. And I only suspect it; I can't be sure if it's true at all. I'm afraid telling you would frighten you, and I don't want you to worry and fear on my account..."
"What's too terrifying? And it would frighten me? Are you joking? I've lived most of my life, Master Aunt, and I've never been frightened by anything."
"Master Aunt, I'm not trying to scare you. This matter is truly terrifying. If word got out... it might even shake the entire Great Wasteland, the Three Thousand Great Daos, and even the Myriad Heavens and Worlds..."
"Shake the Three Thousand Great Daos? And the Myriad Heavens and Worlds?" Lixin Xianzi was utterly shocked, staring at Qingqing in confusion. "I say, little girl, have you gone silly from cultivating lately? Why are you talking such nonsense? Shake the Three Thousand Great Daos? The Myriad Heavens and Worlds? Don't be alarmist! You've only cultivated for a few years, talking about shaking the Three Thousand Great Daos and the Myriad Heavens and Worlds. What do you know!"
"It's true, Master Aunt! I'm really not trying to scare you!"
"Then tell me what it is!"
"I..." Qingqing was on the verge of tears, truly unsure whether she should reveal this matter.
Seeing Qingqing's hesitant, torn expression drove Lixin Xianzi to distraction. She shook Qingqing's shoulders and cried, "You silly girl! Just say it! What exactly happened? Don't leave me hanging! If you don't tell me, don't blame Master Aunt for being rude! I'll strip your clothes and throw you outside!"
"Master Aunt, stop shaking me! I'll tell you! But you have to promise first that you absolutely won't let this get out. You can't even tell Golden Flower Granny or Qiao'er!"
"Fine, I promise."
"Swear it!"
"What in the world is this blasted matter, making it so mysterious? First, you want me to promise, then swear! Do we have to be this cautious? Don't you trust your Master Aunt? Fine, I'll swear! Honestly!"
Only after Lixin Xianzi had sworn did Qingqing take a deep breath. Looking at Lixin Xianzi, she said seriously, "Master Aunt, let me ask you first. Did the master of the Yunshui Sword say he came from the Nine Nethers?"
"That's right, that's what he said. Not only that, he even gave himself the Daoist title Chixiao."
"And is his surname Gu?"
"It seems so."
"What's his name?"
"His name? I'm not too sure about that. Anyway, that old Daoist Huode keeps calling him 'Young Master Gu'. Why? What's the point of asking this all of a sudden? Don't tell me this matter about shaking the Myriad Heavens and Worlds is related to that Great Old Master surnamed Gu?"
Qingqing nodded. "Earlier, Yuanwu insulted and humiliated You Di, so Senior Huode gave him a severe beating. Then Senior Huode threw Yuanwu before the Great Old Master and told him to deal with it as he saw fit. Master Aunt, you've been puzzled by this, haven't you?"
"Yes, I certainly couldn't figure it out. But does that have anything to do with what you're talking about?"
"Of course it does, and it's a very big connection. I'm telling you, that Great Old Master surnamed Gu is very likely You Di himself! And Senior Huode knows the Great Old Master's identity, which is why he made Yuanwu apologize to him!"
"What? What? You're saying that Great Old Master is You Di? Hahahaha!"
Upon hearing this, Lixin Xianzi couldn't help but burst into laughter, as if she had just heard the funniest joke in the world, laughing heartily.
"Master Aunt, what are you laughing at! I'm not joking with you!"
"Qingqing, oh Qingqing, after all that talk, you just wanted to tell me this?"
"Yes!"
"Heavens! Hahahaha!" Lixin Xianzi couldn't hold back her uproarious laughter.
"Master Aunt, I'm really not joking! Please stop laughing! What's so funny about this!"
"Alright, alright, I'll stop. Qingqing! I think you really have gone silly from cultivating! You're saying that guy is You Di? Hahaha! Has your head been squeezed by a door, or are your eyes blind? That guy who has nothing to offer, who can't stand or sit properly, whose speech is frivolous and manners casual—you're saying he's You Di? I'd sooner believe Mo Baiyu, Yuanwu, or any of them are You Di than him! If he's You Di, then this old lady is the Saintess Niangniang!"