"How is the old master doing now? I remember he was already a famous Transcendent True Person when I was a child, right? His attainments in formations were considered top-tier grandmaster level, and I think he even survived one Longevity Tribulation, didn't he? Back at the end of the ancient era, especially in our Great Northwest where spiritual energy was scarce and resources were poor, it was quite remarkable for the old master to achieve such accomplishments."
Gu Qingfeng strolled casually through the Spirit Seclusion Garden, his thoughts seemingly returning to his youth as he sighed, "It's been almost over four hundred years now, hasn't it? How is Old Master Shi Tong doing?"
"He's still quite remarkable now. He's survived two Longevity Tribulations, his Golden Core has undergone eighty-one revolutions, making him a Great Perfection Transcendent True Person."
Huode sat back down in his chair, crossed his legs, played with Gu Qingfeng's Taixu Cup, poured a cup of wine but didn't dare drink it, and continued, "Old Master enjoys high prestige in the Four Great Regions. When it comes to formations, everyone knows his grandmaster reputation. His descendants and disciples are also well-known. Among his generation of old-timers, some have died, some have been crippled, some have been wiped out... only Old Master Shi Tong and a few others are still doing alright."
"As long as he's doing well, that's good."
Gu Qingfeng had returned to his homeland after being judged by the Heavenly Dao this time, firstly to seek his karma, and secondly to repay all the kindness he owed from back then. Hearing that Old Master Shi Tong was doing well also made him happy. Suddenly remembering what Huode had said earlier, he asked, "You said earlier that Old Master Shi Tong was looking for me? What's going on? Did he recognize me? Or did you tell him?"
Gu Qingfeng pondered. After being judged by the Immortal Dao back then, he had used supreme means to reform his shattered physical body, so his appearance had long since changed. In the Celestial Realm, he had tempered his body countless times with Nine Nethers Fire—sometimes even he couldn't remember his own face. After being judged by the Heavenly Dao, all the spiritual aura on his body had dissipated completely.
Gu Qingfeng was absolutely certain that as long as he didn't say anything, no one in heaven or earth could recognize him. If Shi Tong had recognized him, then Huode must have revealed it. Unexpectedly, as soon as his words fell, Huode sprang to his feet, displeased, "Kid Gu, what kind of talk is that? Am I that kind of person? Do I have nothing better to do than tell others your identity? I still want to live a few more years!"
Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow and asked, "Then why is Old Master Shi Tong looking for me?"
"The old master is looking for Young Master Chiyan, Gu Qingfeng, not the Chixiao Monarch, Gu Tianlang!"
"So that's how it is. You old fellow confused me."
Gu Qingfeng shook his head, feeling somewhat speechless, and asked, "What does he want with me?"
Huode gave him an annoyed glare, sat back down in the chair, and played with the Taixu Cup as he said, "Isn't it obvious? You caused such a huge commotion at the Bingxuan Sect celebration. The old master must have seen your considerable strength and wants to recruit you to join his group."
"Join his group?"
Gu Qingfeng was a bit confused and said, "If I remember correctly, Old Master Shi Tong has no sect or faction, right? Where was he cultivating again?"
"Liuren Mountain."
"Right, that's it, Liuren Mountain."
Gu Qingfeng slapped his forehead and laughed, "Back then, in order to secretly learn formations from Old Master Shi Tong, I really made quite a mess on that mountain for several months."
"Well, isn't the end of the year coming up soon? The hundred-year term is almost here. Many sects don't want to be annexed by the Nine-Hua Alliance, so they've created a Four Regions Assembly, planning to unite and resist the Nine-Hua Alliance. You know how it is with these spontaneously organized forces—they usually need many respected senior experts to lend their prestige. Old Master Shi Tong is one of them."
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng pretty much understood and smiled, "So that's what's going on."
"The old master came in person a couple of days ago, wanting to see you. You weren't here at the time. He waited for several days but still didn't see any sign of you. Later, he had urgent business and had to leave. The old master probably really wants to recruit you. Although he left, he had his chief disciple waiting outside the whole time. Do you want to meet him? If so, I'll call him in."
"Since Old Master Shi Tong isn't here, forget it. I don't know his disciple, so there's nothing to talk about."
Gu Qingfeng rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "Have his disciple go back first. Tell him I'll visit the old master in a couple of days."
Huode nodded. This outcome was within his expectations. He knew Gu Qingfeng was someone who would repay grievances tenfold and kindness a hundredfold. If not for that, with so many people coming to pay respects, he wouldn't have specifically mentioned Old Master Shi Tong's matter.
Because he understood clearly—and had heard Gu Qingfeng mention it more than once—that upon awakening this time, he wanted to repay all the kindness he owed from back then, to make up for the regrets left behind when he departed in such haste.
For enemies, this kid would repay them tenfold, a hundredfold.
For benefactors, he would repay them tenfold, a hundredfold as well.
...
That afternoon, the sun blazed high in a bright, sunny sky.
As the largest, most luxurious, and safest mountain villa in the surrounding region, Chizitou Mountain Villa had always been considered the ultimate mountain villa in the entire world, without equal. Throughout the world, any mountain villa bearing the 'Chizi' prefix was the same.
Although the consumption at Chizitou Mountain Villa was high, many people would still visit periodically.
Not because the villa was luxurious, nor because it was safe.
But because Chizitou Mountain Villa had now become a phenomenon—a phenomenon of cultivation culture inheritance and exchange.
If you wanted to purchase rare cultivation resources, whether elixirs or immortal art techniques, then please go to Chizitou Mountain Villa. If Chizitou didn't have it, then nowhere else would.
If you wanted to make friends and expand your connections, then please go to Chizitou Mountain Villa. Anyone in the surrounding region with status or background would gather at Chizitou every few days.
If you wanted to know some piece of gossip or news, then please go to Chizitou Mountain Villa. Every day, many people here discussed all sorts of major and minor events happening in the world.
This phenomenon had existed even before the Calamity and had continued to this day, not only enduring but growing even more intense.
As for why this phenomenon existed, the reason was simple.
Because the existence of Chizitou emphasized two words: non-action.
They never interfered in the conflicts of any faction, nor would they participate—they were an absolutely independent existence.
Although Chizitou presided over the underground order within the world, it was only the underground order. To be precise, it wasn't presiding over it but maintaining it.
After all, this world contained not only humans but also demons, monsters, ghosts, and other beings.
The existence of Chizitou was to maintain the peace of this underground order.
If not for Chizitou, during the Calamity era when heroes vied for supremacy and demons and monsters threw the world into chaos, that situation could never have been resolved. If not for Chizitou, this world would have long descended into chaos, and there would be no peace like today.
If not for Chizitou, the rare resources occupied by demons and monsters would forever belong to them, and the resources occupied by humans would forever belong to humans. The exchange of rare resources between the two sides would be impossible, and the cultivation civilization of this world could never have flourished so prosperously.
Looking across the world, only Chizitou could thrive in both the aboveground and underground, the white and black paths.
Even the Immortal Court didn't have this capability.
Why?
No particular reason.
Simply because Chizitou bore the name of the legendary overlord who shook the immortals and demons, laughed proudly across the world, and dominated the ancient era—the Chixiao Monarch.