Qingqing spoke with utmost seriousness.
From the initial moment when the Five-Phase Cloud-Water Sword encountered Gu Qingfeng and burst into sword-song, to her inviting Gu Qingfeng onto her vessel.
From Gu Qingfeng gifting her the Five-Phase Cloud-Water Sword, to her merging with the Cloud-Water Sword and entering the sword-spirit world.
From suspecting Gu Qingfeng's identity, to feeling fear in her heart.
From the people of the Five Spirits Immortal Realm coming to cause trouble for Gu Qingfeng, to Gu Qingfeng intimidating the crowd with the power of a single word.
Qingqing explained everything clearly. She not only stated that those crippled by Gu Qingfeng had brought it upon themselves, but also clarified that her kneeling was not under threat, but stemmed from her fear of You Di.
It wasn't that Qingqing was intentionally shielding him; the facts were simply as she described.
Her words carried a clear tone of self-blame and deep remorse.
After Qingqing finished speaking, the Elder Kaishan beside her produced the Five-Phase Cloud-Water Sword and said, "This old man once crossed swords with You Di in the past, and I have some understanding of the Five-Phase Swords he forged. After repeated verification, I can confirm that this immortal sword Qingqing found back then is indeed the Cloud-Water Sword, one of the Five-Phase Swords forged by You Di."
"If that's the case," Shi Que asked gravely, "does it mean You Di has truly returned from death?"
"The only thing this old man can confirm is that this immortal sword is indeed the Five-Phase Cloud-Water Sword forged by You Di back then. As for whether You Di has truly returned from death... I apologize, but as I have not witnessed it personally, I dare not make a definitive judgment. And Qingqing has never met You Di in person, so she likewise cannot confirm whether the person who claimed to be You Di aboard the Xuantian Vessel is the real one."
The events that occurred earlier on the Xuantian Vessel had already been recounted by many who were present. Their purpose in coming to see Qingqing was to verify the identity of that immortal sword. Although neither Qingqing herself nor Elder Kaishan could definitively confirm whether You Di had truly returned from death, this did not deter the gathered crowd.
In their view, since the immortal sword in Qingqing's possession was indeed the Five-Phase Cloud-Water Sword, then the person who claimed to be You Di on the Xuantian Vessel was most likely the genuine article. After all, many had witnessed with their own eyes that day how the Five-Phase Cloud-Water Sword burst into sword-song upon seeing its former master, You Di. And Qingqing herself had stated that it was only after receiving You Di's guidance that she managed to merge the Five-Phase Cloud-Water Sword with herself.
All evidence pointed to You Di having truly returned from death.
Regarding this,
the assembled immortals and demons gathered before the gates of the Plum Blossom Immortal Realm engaged in fervent discussion.
If they had harbored doubts about You Di's return before, after confirming that Qingqing's immortal sword was the Five-Phase Cloud-Water Sword, they were almost all convinced that You Di had truly returned.
"Sigh... it seems You Di has truly returned from death..." "Who says otherwise? Just thinking about it feels unbelievable. You Di has died and revived, revived and died, back and forth so many times. How is it he just won't stay dead? We all thought that after being dead for ten thousand years this time, he should have been completely extinguished... yet who would have thought...
He actually revived again. It's truly beyond words. This is just too miraculous."
"If You Di has revived, we're in for trouble."
"Indeed. The Book of Destiny records: 'When Original Sin finds its true master, the Great Dao will fall, the Present Era will end, Heaven and Earth will be reborn, and the Era of No Dao will begin...'
According to legend, You Di is the true master that Original Sin has been seeking."
"His revival this time is probably to slaughter the Great Dao and end the Present Era..."
At that moment,
someone in the crowd asked, "Elder Kaishan, I believe you, venerable elder, have also heard the rumors regarding the Book of Destiny. Is this matter true or not?
Is You Di truly the true master sought by Original Sin?
Has he returned this time to slaughter the Great Dao?
To end the Present Era?"
"This..." Elder Kaishan pondered for a moment, then shook his head and replied, "This old man has indeed heard the rumors about the Book of Destiny. As for whether they are true or false, I do not know. I also advise everyone here that rumors are, after all, just rumors. Until they are proven, I hope everyone refrains from spreading misinformation. Doing so will only cause panic."
As soon as Elder Kaishan's words fell, an Immortal Dao prodigy sneered, "So what if the rumors are true? What does it matter if You Di is really the true master sought by Original Sin?
If he dares to show himself, we will still obliterate him. We absolutely will not let him bring chaos to Heaven and Earth!"
"Exactly!
No matter how powerful You Di is, he's just a single individual. With so many of us here, how could we possibly fear him?"
"The Ancient Era was the Ancient Era; the Present Era is the Present Era. The reason You Di could bring chaos to Heaven and Earth in the Ancient Era was because the origins of the Great Dao had all dried up then, and the Great Dao Ancestors were in slumber. But in the Present Era, the origins of the Great Dao have already revived, and the Great Dao Ancestors have awakened one after another. Even he wouldn't be able to stir up much of a wave."
"Our Immortal Dao now dominates Heaven and Earth. The various immortal mansions, immortal dynasties, and immortal realms are filled with countless experts. As long as You Di dares to show his face, we'll definitely make him regret it!"
"You Di must be afraid. Otherwise, he wouldn't be hiding and not daring to show himself."
"Hmph!
If he dares to show himself, I, Xu Feng, will take the lead and be the first to obliterate him!"
"Count me in!"
"And me!"
"With us of the Monster Dao here, what need is there for you Immortal Dao to take the lead!"
The Immortal Dao prodigies stepped forward one after another, and the Monster Dao prodigies were not to be outdone. Both sides shouted their slogans louder than anyone else.
Watching this scene,
some elderly seniors from the Ancient Era in the distance couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh.
"Sigh... truly a bunch of youngsters who don't know the immensity of Heaven and Earth. Back in the day, You Di burned the Nine Heavens, severed the firmament, slaughtered the Great Dao, defied Heaven and Earth, and shook the Great Wasteland with his might. How terrifying he was is beyond the imagination of these little ones. And yet they have the audacity to boast here about obliterating You Di. They truly have no idea of the danger they're courting."
"What's even more lamentable is that they actually say You Di hasn't shown himself because he's afraid. That's probably the funniest joke in all of Heaven and Earth. Who doesn't know that You Di is aloof, domineering, and possesses a supreme, defiant courage that doesn't even regard Heaven and Earth itself? If he wants to do something, there has never been a question of whether he dares or not."
These elderly seniors who voiced their sighs had all lived through that era at the end of the Ancient Age when You Di dominated Heaven and Earth. They might not know whether You Di was truly the true master of Original Sin, but one thing they were all clear about was that You Di's existence was unimaginably powerful, unimaginably terrifying, and unimaginably dreadful.
A senior who appeared profound and inscrutable said, "You all underestimate these young people. You think of them too simply. Those who have come here are all top-tier Immortal Dao prodigies from the various Heavenly Domains. Whether in terms of cultivation achievements or experience and knowledge, they are all quite remarkable. Do you really think they are as arrogant and ignorant as they appear on the surface?"
"No!"
The profound senior gazed at the stream of Immortal Dao prodigies stepping forward and said, "You Di's fame is so great; how could they not know of his terror? Don't be fooled by how loudly they shout their slogans. If they actually encountered You Di, I believe none of them would dare to make a move. However, that doesn't stop these Great Dao prodigies from shouting their slogans in front of a large crowd."