Strange occurrences happen every year, but this year has been particularly full of them.
Just as everyone was discussing the Bingxuan Sect, they suddenly discovered that the Yunxia Sect, which had mysteriously vanished for many days, had reappeared.
Many found this unbelievable.
Some said the Yunxia Sect must have been hidden away using a formation array.
The reason for hiding was obvious enough: after Gu Qingfeng killed so many people from the Bingxuan Sect and the Nine Flowers Alliance at Crimson-Letter Manor, the Nine Flowers Alliance wouldn't let them off, and the Bingxuan Sect even less so.
Indeed, upon learning of the Yunxia Sect's reappearance, Leng Yanqiu was preparing to lead her people to the Yunxia Sect. Firstly, to avenge the elders who died at Gu Qingfeng's hands, and secondly, she wanted to seize this opportunity to display the power of the Bingxuan Heart to everyone, establishing her authority and intimidating the surrounding territories.
What she didn't expect was that before she could set out, Ancestral Patriarch Zhu Xia actually stepped in to stop her.
On this morning.
Dozens of elders led by Elder Yuhua gathered in the main hall of the Bingxuan Sect.
Leng Yanqiu.
The nine personal disciples and the eighteen chief disciples also stood in orderly formation.
Elder Yuhua stepped forward and asked, "Ancestral Patriarch, that little beast Gu Qingfeng previously killed hundreds of our Bingxuan Sect members at Crimson-Letter Manor, after which he deliberately hid away. Now that heaven has opened its eyes, I don't understand why you..."
"This old one has said this matter need not be mentioned again."
Zhu Xia's words caused everyone present to be taken aback. How could such a matter, with so many Bingxuan Sect deaths, not be mentioned? What did the Ancestral Patriarch mean? Though filled with doubts, no one dared ask further. After all, Zhu Xia was the Bingxuan Sect's Ancestral Patriarch, someone who had been by the side of the Bingxuan Ancestor back in the day.
"That Gu Qingfeng is not someone you can afford to provoke."
If Zhu Xia's earlier statement about dropping the matter had left Yuhua and the others puzzled, this sentence made them doubt their own hearing. What did she mean, 'that Gu Qingfeng is not someone we can afford to provoke'?
When Zhu Xia spoke these words, the Bingxuan Sect elders were utterly bewildered, while the nine personal disciples and eighteen chief disciples showed clear defiance.
Indeed.
In their minds, Gu Qingfeng was at best a bit stronger in physical body and a bit more formidable in spiritual power. What else did he have?
Whether it was the eighteen chief disciples led by Xu Xingchen or the nine personal disciples, they might not have dared claim they were a match for Gu Qingfeng before, but now they had all fused with Bingxuan Seeds, their strength multiplied several times over. Eliminating Gu Qingfeng would be as easy as turning over a hand.
"This old one has said, if you can't afford to provoke him, then you can't afford to provoke him."
Zhu Xia sat upright in the central chair on the hall's high platform, her voice grave. "Never mind that you have only fused with Bingxuan Seeds; even Yanqiu is far from being his match. That is why this old one tells you to let this matter rest."
What!
Even Leng Yanqiu was no match for him?
How was that possible!
Leng Yanqiu had fused with the Bingxuan Heart! Her strength was peerless, every move and technique containing the profound mysteries of the Great Bingxuan. How could she possibly not be a match for that Gu Qingfeng? Everyone present found it incomprehensible, especially Leng Yanqiu herself. She understood the power of the Bingxuan Heart better than anyone.
"Ancestral Patriarch."
Leng Yanqiu had been standing quietly all along. She was a proud and arrogant woman, having been so since childhood.
Blessed with a Heaven's Chosen Prismatic Spirit, she had opened four colors, and all four were Illusory Colors.
The Prismatic Spirit of Heaven and Earth was profound.
One color was Common.
Two colors were Gold.
Three colors were Purple.
Four colors were Cyan.
Five colors were Illusory.
Moreover, she was naturally gifted and intelligent, proficient in over ten Yellow-rank Great Perfection sword techniques, with a cultivation base at the ninth revolution of the Golden Core.
In her view, even without using the power of the Bingxuan Heart, she could easily eliminate Gu Qingfeng.
"Ancestral Patriarch, aren't you exaggerating a bit too much?"
Leng Yanqiu's expression was haughty, her tone quite disdainful. "What kind of thing is that Gu Qingfeng? How could I, Leng Yanqiu, not be his match?"
With a cold snort, Leng Yanqiu continued, "Although I've only just fused with the Bingxuan Heart and cannot yet wield the power of Bingxuan, with my four Great Nature Illusory Colors, eliminating Gu Qingfeng would be as easy as turning over my hand!"
"The world is vast, filled with countless mysteries. The existence of many people is not as simple as it appears on the surface."
Zhu Xia looked at Leng Yanqiu, her voice heavy. "Especially Gu Qingfeng. His existence, his strength, far exceed your imaginations."
Despite Zhu Xia's serious tone, neither Leng Yanqiu, the nine personal disciples, nor the eighteen chief disciples believed her. They were all itching to rush to the Yunxia Sect right then and tear Gu Qingfeng to pieces.
"How dare you!
Have you all rebelled!"
Zhu Xia roared in anger, shouting, "This old one said not to provoke him! Are you treating my words as wind past your ears?
Still want to go kill him?
Hmph!
Truly ignorant of the heights of heaven and the depths of the earth! Let me tell you, don't be defiant, and don't go provoke him, otherwise you won't even know how you died when the time comes!"
Zhu Xia stood up, her furious eyes glaring at the crowd, her voice stern and severe. "From now on, whoever dares to cause trouble at the Yunxia Sect, this old one will be the first to kill them! No exceptions, no matter who it is! Do you hear me?"
In the great hall, the eighteen chief disciples, the nine personal disciples, and even Leng Yanqiu herself all flushed red, clenching their fists tightly. Clearly, they were resentful, but out of respect for Ancestral Patriarch Zhu Xia's authority, they had no choice but to remain silent.
"Yanqiu, prepare yourself these next couple of days. Afterwards, this old one will personally take you to the Yunxia Sect."
"Ancestral Patriarch."
Leng Yanqiu seemed somewhat confused. "Ancestral Patriarch, didn't you just forbid us from going to the Yunxia Sect?"
"Since you have fused with the Bingxuan Heart, according to the testament left by the Bingxuan Ancestor, you must go to the Yunxia Sect and form a dual-cultivation partnership with its heir, who is also Gu Qingfeng."
Zhu Xia said these words calmly and evenly, but to everyone's ears, they struck like a bolt from the blue.
The Bingxuan Ancestor's testament?
The Yunxia Sect heir?
Dual-cultivation partners?
They could hardly believe their ears. Previously, the Yunxia Sect's Gu Qingfeng had killed so many of their sect members. The Ancestral Patriarch forbidding revenge was one thing, but now she actually wanted them to abide by some Ancestor's decree and fulfill a dual-cultivation agreement with the Yunxia Sect's heir?
"Ancestral Patriarch!
This must not be allowed!"
Elder Yuhua stepped forward, his emotions agitated. "That Gu Qingfeng killed so many of our Bingxuan Sect members! How can you let Yanqiu form a partnership with him? It must not be allowed! It must not!"
"This old one has said this matter is not to be mentioned again!"
"Even if we don't mention that matter, there's no need for you to make Yanqiu form a partnership with that little beast from the Yunxia Sect!"
"Our Bingxuan Sect and the Yunxia Sect have long had a dual-cultivation agreement. This is the Ancestor's testament."
"Although it is the Ancestor's testament, so much time has passed! Why must we still comply with it? Moreover, the Yunxia Sect of today isn't even comparable to a third-rate family! If we fulfill this dual-cultivation agreement, it will only drag down our Bingxuan Sect! I beg the Ancestral Patriarch to reconsider!"
"How dare you!"
Zhu Xia's furious shout caused Elder Yuhua to grunt, blood spurting from his mouth and nose as he knelt on the ground.
"The Ancestor's testament must be obeyed!"
"No!
No—" Leng Yanqiu's expression shifted between light and dark. She shook her head, saying, "I cannot possibly form a partnership with that trash surnamed Gu from the Yunxia Sect! What kind of thing is he? How could he possibly be worthy of me? I cannot form a partnership with him! Impossible!"