Gu Qingfeng's words immediately stirred unease among the crowd.
No one had expected that the collective plea from the representatives of the major powers gathered in the Lingluo Heavenly Domain to the Nine Heavens Immortal Path would fail to summon the Nine Heavens, but instead provoke the You Di on Blackwater Mountain to speak up.
In an instant, everyone was thrown into a panic, trying to decipher the meaning behind Gu Qingfeng's words.
What did he mean by 'warm up and set the stage'?
Was he planning to take action?
Did he dare?
Didn't he know that the Ancestral Patriarchs from the various factions of the Three Thousand Great Daos' grotto-heavens and blessed lands were watching intently from the shadows, waiting for an opportunity?
On Blackwater Mountain, perhaps having sat for too long, Gu Qingfeng stretched his waist, then twisted his neck as if loosening his joints, and said, "So, what do you think of my proposal?"
After speaking, Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, gazing at the countless crowd gathered in the Lingluo Heavenly Domain, and asked, "Who agrees? Who opposes?"
Who agrees? Who opposes? Who dares to agree? Who dares to oppose?
Within the scene, whether it was the North Cauldron Immortal King of Dan Ding Valley, the Black Flame Star Lord of the True Martial Immortal Realm, or the Profound Jade Star Lord of the Fantasia Clan, the representatives of the various major powers all wore expressions of facing a formidable enemy, their faces tense, looking at each other, none daring to speak.
"Since no one opposes, then it's settled. You've been pleading for so long; if you're not tired of it, I've grown impatient waiting."
Gu Qingfeng leaped up, his figure vanishing from Blackwater Mountain. When he reappeared, he was already standing in the Void.
His movement was no trivial matter; in an instant, like a tiger descending a mountain, it frightened the crowd gathered in the Lingluo Heavenly Domain, scattering them like startled birds and beasts, who immediately summoned their immortal armor and weapons, unleashing all their various creations.
"The show is about to begin. The stage is this Void of the Lingluo Heavenly Domain. Those who are performing, stay here and get your tools ready."
Above the Void, Gu Qingfeng walked slowly, unfastening his collar while rolling up his sleeves, saying, "This is my first time putting on such a big show, so I'm not very experienced. Later, I might not be able to distinguish who's performing and who's watching. To prevent accidents, those who are watching, please leave voluntarily and head to the various world civilizations to observe. I advise you, don't harbor any wishful thinking. When I put on a show, I've never recognized kin or foe."
Within the crowd in the Lingluo Heavenly Domain, the timid, the fearful, and the spectators, all afraid of getting involved in trouble, hurriedly headed towards the various worlds.
Among the crowd, Immortal Li Xin watched Gu Qingfeng strolling in the Void, her expression one of horror. "He's gone mad! This guy is insane! The Nine Heavens clearly don't want to fight him, yet he actively steps forward! Heavens! What is he doing? The Great Wasteland magnates pleading to force the Nine Heavens to show themselves is one thing, but why is this guy also forcing the Nine Heavens to appear? Those Great Wasteland magnates are forcing the Nine Heavens to show up to execute him; what is he forcing the Nine Heavens to appear for? What on earth does he want to do?"
Beside her, Old Master Kaishan's emotions seemed particularly complex, whether agitated or something else, his voice trembling slightly as he said, "Attitude. This is the You Di's attitude."
"Attitude? What attitude?"
"An attitude of solitary pride, of absolute dominance, of unyielding defiance, and of unbridled arrogance!" Old Master Kaishan's face flushed slightly red. "The You Di is still that same unrivaled You Di from back then. He has never changed—"
"But... but doesn't he know that right now, the Ancestral Patriarchs from the various factions of the Three Thousand Great Daos' grotto-heavens and blessed lands are all watching him intently?"
"He knows. How could the You Di not know? He just wants to declare his attitude to all existences across the myriad heavens and worlds."
In the distance, Huode watched Gu Qingfeng rolling up his sleeves in the Void. He knew Gu Qingfeng was about to take action. "It's over! This kid is about to make a move, and judging by his stance, he might go on a massive killing spree..."
"A madman! This guy is a madman, a thoroughbred madman! How can he do this? How can he be like this!" Nalan Qianqiu's delicate face was deathly pale, her entire body trembling with anger. "If he would just lower his head to the Nine Heavens, admit his mistake, give the Nine Heavens a way out, they would also give him a huge face. This matter could be settled today. Why does he refuse to do something so simple and easy? Does he have to stir up trouble, incurring the wrath of heaven and resentment of the people, and cause rivers of blood to flow before he's satisfied? Does he really think those awakened Great Dao Ancestral Patriarchs from the grotto-heavens and blessed lands are all useless? Does he really think the Ancestral Patriarchs from the Sacred Grounds, Forbidden Lands, and Guixu are here just to watch the show? Does he really think he's the King of Heaven, able to do whatever he wants, lawless and unrestrained?" Nalan Qianqiu couldn't help but scream inwardly. This was her heartfelt sentiment, words she had long wanted to say to Gu Qingfeng but never dared to voice.
Suddenly, a beam of light fell upon Nalan Qianqiu. It was a message talisman, one from the Nine Heavens. After reading the Nine Heavens' message, Nalan Qianqiu's expression first froze, then she couldn't help but feel overjoyed. Without a second thought, she leaped up and rushed forward.
Nalan Qianqiu hailed from the Langya Grotto-Heaven. She was both the senior sister of the Saintess Lady Suhua and the junior sister of the Lord of Langya, the legendary woman of the Great Wasteland, Cang Yan. Besides this, she possessed an even more widely known identity: the esteemed Lady of the Nine Heavens Immortal Path. Within the Nine Heavens, the Great Wasteland, and across the myriad heavens and worlds, she held a pivotal position.
Seeing Nalan Qianqiu appear, the crowd gathered in the Lingluo Heavenly Domain instantly erupted, for Nalan Qianqiu, as a Lady of the Nine Heavens Immortal Path, represented the Nine Heavens in a sense. Her appearance brought hope to everyone, and many cheered excitedly.
Nalan Qianqiu paid no heed to anyone, charging directly in front of Gu Qingfeng. Before she could even open her mouth, Gu Qingfeng preempted her, saying, "What's up, Sister Nalan? Do you also want to join me in putting on a good show?"
"No! That's not it!" Nalan Qianqiu stated directly, "Gu... You Di, can you listen to me for a moment? Just one sentence!"
"Speak away. I never said you couldn't open your mouth. However, if it's the same old story as before, I'd advise you to save your breath."
"It's like this. Just now... just a moment ago, I received a message talisman from the Nine Heavens. The Nine Heavens have already... decided to discuss reconciliation with you. I believe the Nine Heavens will personally appear very soon."
Her words stirred up a thousand waves.
Nalan Qianqiu's statement struck the crowd in the Lingluo Heavenly Domain like a bolt from the blue, leaving their minds blank, frozen in place, eyes wide, mouths agape, unable to believe it, and incapable of believing it.
They had been pleading to the Nine Heavens. They had been pleading all along, requesting the Nine Heavens to descend and execute the criminal disciple Gu Tianlang.
Finally, they had summoned a heavyweight Lady of the Nine Heavens. But what they never expected was that the message Nalan Qianqiu brought was not a decree from the Nine Heavens to execute the You Di, but rather... news that the Nine Heavens intended to discuss reconciliation with the criminal disciple Gu Tianlang!