Old Jin knew that Mo Baiyu had two fatal flaws: a narrow mind and intense jealousy, making him incapable of tolerating others.
Previously, when Gu Qingfeng was still on his ship, Mo Baiyu had already developed a deep-seated hatred for Gu Qingfeng because of Immortal Yunyan.
This worried Old Jin greatly.
Although he didn't know who Gu Qingfeng was, nor did he believe Gu Qingfeng was You Di, one thing Old Jin was clear about: Upper Immortal Qingqing and Lixin Xianzi would never show such reverence toward Gu Qingfeng without reason. There must be something outsiders didn't know.
That alone was enough to prove that even if Gu Qingfeng wasn't You Di, he was absolutely not someone they could afford to provoke.
For this reason, he had been earnestly trying to persuade Mo Baiyu, fearing that in his desire to show off before Upper Immortal Qingqing, Mo Baiyu might impulsively do something irreparable in a moment of recklessness.
As the saying goes, what you fear most is what comes to pass.
Old Jin never expected Mo Baiyu would ultimately act on impulse and step forward.
This frightened Old Jin terribly. He immediately flashed over to dissuade him: "Master, don't be impulsive!"
"I am not being impulsive."
Mo Baiyu stood in mid-air, one hand placed before him, the other behind his back. His expression was steady, appearing very calm.
Indeed.
Mo Baiyu was not an impulsive person. Even before the Upper Immortal Qingqing he admired, he could restrain his emotions. This time, he had stepped forward only after careful consideration and deliberation.
He was no fool; in fact, he had always been clever.
Naturally, he also knew that Upper Immortal Qingqing and Lixin Xianzi would not revere Gu Qingfeng without reason. He understood there must be something outsiders were unaware of.
Old Jin said that even if Gu Qingfeng wasn't You Di, he was definitely not someone they could provoke. Mo Baiyu didn't disagree with that point.
Yet he still chose to step forward in the end.
The reason was simple.
He felt this was a rare, once-in-a-millennium opportunity to make a name for himself.
Mo Baiyu clearly understood that given Upper Immortal Qingqing's influence, today's events would surely spread quickly. Whether it was Lixin Xianzi giving a massage, Upper Immortal Qingqing playing the qin, or someone claiming to be You Di—all were explosive news that would undoubtedly set the Great Desolate ablaze.
Faced with someone claiming to be You Di, the two ancient-era Immortal Dao luminaries Jinyan and Wuhua, along with several hundred Immortal Dao experts from the Wuling Immortal Realm, dared not act rashly. Upper Immortal Qingqing and Lixin Xianzi were even frightened to their knees.
Only Mo Baiyu stepped forward.
This way, he could both show off before the Upper Immortal Qingqing he admired and prove his courage to the world.
As for whether Gu Qingfeng was truly You Di, that wasn't important to Mo Baiyu.
What mattered was that Gu Qingfeng claimed to be You Di, and Qingqing, Lixin Xianzi, and everyone else seemed to believe it. By stepping forward, Mo Baiyu wanted to tell everyone that he was challenging You Di. Even if he lost in the end, it would be a glorious defeat.
Who was You Di?
He was the overlord who burned the Nine Heavens, commanded the Nine Nethers, severed the firmament, and was hailed as the one who ended the Ancient Era. Daring to challenge him was in itself a supreme honor. In the future, when this spread, it would be said that while the many experts of the Wuling Immortal Realm dared not act due to You Di's fearsome reputation, and Lixin Xianzi and Upper Immortal Qingqing were frightened to their knees, only he, Mo Baiyu, fearless and undaunted, dared to challenge You Di. Such supreme honor would be enough to make Mo Baiyu's name resound throughout the Myriad Heavens and Worlds.
And this was precisely what Mo Baiyu wanted most.
Of course.
Mo Baiyu was no fool.
He also knew this matter carried immense risk.
However, he had confidence in minimizing the risk, in protecting himself, even in avoiding any accidents.
Still, just in case.
Before stepping forward, he had already sent a secret message talisman to his family, notifying the clan elders to come as quickly as possible. Moreover, he believed that once he stepped forward to take the lead, others present would also step forward.
"Young man, what's the matter?"
Gu Qingfeng glanced at him, asking indifferently.
"This junior believes you are the Great Old Master You Di who shook the Great Desolate in the Ancient Era!"
Mo Baiyu said these words to let everyone present know that he believed Gu Qingfeng was You Di. Even if it was later proven that Gu Qingfeng was an imposter, when this matter spread in the future, Mo Baiyu could say he had believed it to be true at the time. This would further highlight his courage.
Gu Qingfeng asked another question: "And so?"
"Just now, Great Old Master You Di, you said to come one by one or all together. Now, this junior boldly steps forward, wishing to seek a lesson or two from Great Old Master You Di!"
As Mo Baiyu's words fell, everyone present was shocked and pale, especially the several hundred Immortal Dao experts from the Wuling Immortal Realm. Along with their shock, they also felt quite embarrassed. After all, they were all esteemed seniors and experts. Faced with a You Di of unknown authenticity, not daring to act rashly was one thing, but their courage was actually inferior to a junior's? This made them feel their pride was somewhat wounded.
Beside them, Old Jin, who followed Mo Baiyu, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, continuously trying to persuade him. Unfortunately, Mo Baiyu turned a deaf ear.
"Little guy, you've misunderstood. What I said earlier was directed at the people from the Wuling Immortal Realm. They're here to avenge their disciple. I took on this matter for Huode, so I had no choice but to step up and deal with it. What, are you also from the Wuling Immortal Realm? Or do you also want to avenge that... what's his name again?"
"This junior is neither from the Wuling Immortal Realm nor has any friendship with Yuanwu. Therefore, I do not wish to avenge him."
"Do we have any grievances between us?"
"This junior has no grievances with Great Old Master You Di."
"Since there's no grievance, then why are you jumping out? Go cool off somewhere. At such a young age, what are you doing blindly joining the commotion?"
"Great Old Master You Di!"
Mo Baiyu did not leave. Not only did he not leave, he even stared down at Gu Qingfeng from his elevated position. Although his mouth respectfully addressed Gu Qingfeng as Great Old Master You Di, his arrogant expression and eyes revealed more defiance and jealous hatred.
"Your venerable self once swept across the Great Desolate, shaking Heaven and Earth, known throughout the Myriad Heavens and Worlds. This junior admires you immensely. Today, having the fortune to meet the legendary You Di here, this junior feels deeply honored. However..." Mo Baiyu's tone shifted, "...at the same time, I wish to take this opportunity to boldly seek a lesson or two from the Great Old Master. I hope Great Old Master You Di will not be sparing with your instruction!"
"If it's just seeking instruction, then forget it. Although I, your lord, am bored to death, I never fight idle battles, nor do I have the habit of instructing others. You'd better find someone else to seek instruction from."
"What if this junior insists on having Great Old Master You Di instruct me!"
"Oh ho, quite the arrogant little fellow."
Gu Qingfeng asked with interest: "Then I must ask, if I don't agree, what do you plan to do?"
"Hah! Could it be that the Nine Nethers Emperor who once shook Heaven and Earth now dares not even accept the challenge of a mere Upper Immortal like me, Mo Baiyu?"