Gu Qingfeng’s words not only startled Lady Blackwater, but even the old beggar beside them was taken aback. Sha Xiang, who had been standing obediently nearby, trembled in shock.
“I’m talking to…
the esteemed lords of the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao!”
Gu Qingfeng’s voice carried neither vast momentum nor sharp, intimidating power. It was like a gentle breeze sweeping through the Lingluo Heavenly Domain, then slowly rising, piercing the sky, permeating space, and reaching directly to the Nine Heavens above.
When his words echoed out, everyone in the Lingluo Heavenly Domain was stunned. No one had expected Gu Qingfeng to speak up at this moment, and it seemed he was actually addressing the Nine Heavens.
What did he intend to do?
No one knew.
Nobody understood.
Everyone watched intently.
On Blackwater Mountain.
Gu Qingfeng didn’t even bother looking up at the sky. He remained reclining, one arm wrapped around Lady Blackwater’s slender waist, the other slipping inside her smooth silk robe to playfully caress her beautiful legs. He spoke with utter nonchalance. “Everyone has traveled here with great effort from across the myriad realms. Those who should be training aren’t training anymore, those in seclusion have left it, those comprehending the Great Dao have stopped, and even those damned alchemists aren’t properly refining pills anymore.”
“It wasn’t easy for everyone to come. After arriving, some are shouting slogans at the top of their lungs, some are bowing and cupping their hands in salute, others are hiding who-knows-where in some remote corner, and still others have projected their divine sense to watch from afar. All this trouble and exertion… it’s really not easy.”
“Everyone is waiting for your Nine Heavens Immortal Dao to step forward and uphold justice for the Great Dao and all living beings. Including me—I’m waiting too. Can’t you at least give a reply? Don’t leave everyone hanging like this. Without your Nine Heavens Immortal Dao taking the lead role, this show can’t go on.”
When Gu Qingfeng’s words reached them, everyone gathered in the Lingluo Heavenly Domain was dumbfounded.
No one had expected Gu Qingfeng to say such things.
Anyone with eyes could see that the people gathered in the Lingluo Heavenly Domain were publicly petitioning in order to force the Nine Heavens to descend and execute him.
And this fellow?
Not only had he been leisurely drinking wine with Lady Blackwater in his arms, but now he was openly questioning the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao? And even saying that he, too, was waiting for the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao to descend?
Waiting for what?
Waiting for the Nine Heavens to descend and kill him?
What kind of logic was that?
What act was he putting on?
His courage was simply too great!
He didn’t show the slightest bit of respect for the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao!
Not only did he show no respect for the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao, he seemed to hold no regard either for the hidden Great Wasteland magnates and Ancestors, the Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands, the Three Thousand Great Daos, the Sacred Grounds and Forbidden Lands, or even the Guixu Patriarchs lying in wait.
“This old man always thought he’d seen a thing or two in his time,” the old beggar said, giving Gu Qingfeng a thumbs-up. “But meeting you today, little brother, has made me realize I’ve wasted most of my life. Truly eye-opening. Gutsy. Damned gutsy. Just for that line you said, this old man is all in. If you dare to put on this show today, I’ll definitely help set the stage.”
“Hehe.” Lady Blackwater also smiled and said, “If Elder Brother You Di is putting on a show today, this servant will gladly join you on stage.”
“Well now, wouldn’t that be awkward?”
“What? Does Elder Brother You Di not want this servant to accompany you?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to.” Gu Qingfeng raised his cup and drank, then said with a smile, “It’s just that I’ve always preferred solo performances.”
In the Lingluo Heavenly Domain.
The representatives of the Great Wasteland magnates were still petitioning the Nine Heavens.
However.
The Nine Heavens Immortal Dao had yet to respond.
“That criminal disciple Gu Tianlang is openly challenging the dignity of the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao, showing such utter disregard! This old man once again implores the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao to descend upon this Heavenly Domain and execute this criminal!!”
Lord Saint Yang, his emotions running high, knelt in mid-air, shouting indignantly at the top of his lungs. Though he appeared thus on the surface, inwardly his confidence was waning and his anxiety growing.
Because according to the plan, as long as all the major magnates petitioned together, the Nine Heavens would descend. Yet despite continuous petitions for so long, the Nine Heavens still hadn’t responded. This gave Lord Saint Yang a faint, uneasy premonition.
However.
He wasn’t the only one worried. North Cauldron Immortal King of Dan Ding Valley, Blackflame Star Lord of True Martial Immortal Realm, Mystic Jade Immortal Lord of the Illusory World Family, and all the major magnates—the representatives of the various Immortal Realm clans and families who were currently petitioning—were all beginning to worry. No one knew what was happening on the Nine Heavens’ side, or why there was still no movement.
“Immortal King, what exactly is going on? Why hasn’t the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao taken any action?”
Lord Saint Yang was too worried. He sent a secret transmission to North Cauldron Immortal King.
“This King doesn’t know the situation either right now. I’ve already sent word to the Nine Heavens, but haven’t received any information back yet.”
Lord Saint Yang said anxiously, “You… you’ve really done me in! If the Nine Heavens doesn’t show up, we… what do we do!”
“What are you afraid of!”
“What do you think I’m afraid of? If that criminal Gu Tianlang makes a move, we’ll all die here today!”
“Lord Saint Yang, just set your heart at ease. Today, the Ancestors of our Dan Ding Valley have all come. We absolutely won’t let Gu Tianlang lay a finger on you. Moreover, the Ancestors of all the major magnates, the Ancestors of the Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands, the Ancestors of the Great Dao, and the Ancestors of the Sacred Grounds and Forbidden Lands are all watching this place. Do you think Gu Tianlang would dare make a move?”
North Cauldron Immortal King snorted coldly. “Lord Saint Yang, let this King tell you: right now, we’re not afraid of Gu Tianlang making a move. What we fear is that he won’t dare. If he dares to act, this King guarantees he’ll be instantly annihilated without a grave to bury him. What do you think all those Ancestors are waiting for? They’re waiting for Gu Tianlang to strike!”
“Then… what do we do now?”
“Perhaps the Nine Heavens side is making a final decision. Let’s seize this opportunity to continue petitioning the Nine Heavens. The more momentum we build on our side, the less footing those Ancestors within the Nine Heavens who want to negotiate with Gu Tianlang will have.”
“Alright! Let’s do it!”
Lord Saint Yang took a deep breath, knelt on the ground, cupped his hands, and continued his petition. “Now that all living beings face calamity, this old man dares to ask the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao: as the leader of the Great Dao, why do you turn a blind eye and disregard the lives of all beings? This old man, Lord Saint Yang, once again represents the myriad beings of all realms in imploring the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao to descend and execute the criminal disciple Gu Tianlang!!”
At that moment.
Gu Qingfeng’s indifferent voice came from mid-air.
“Alright, enough with petitioning the Nine Heavens.”
On Blackwater Mountain, Gu Qingfeng patted Lady Blackwater’s bottom, signaling her to stand up. “You’ve been petitioning for so long, and the Nine Heavens hasn’t paid you any mind. What’s the point of keeping it up?”
Gu Qingfeng stood up and stretched his back heartily. “How about this: since this show has already begun, and the lead actors from the Nine Heavens Immortal Dao don’t want to make an entrance for now, why don’t us supporting extras warm up the stage first? Otherwise, the audience has come from so far away, and it’s not good to keep them waiting like this. What do you all think?”