The not-so-spacious Spirit Seclusion Garden was now packed with people. They had all come from afar upon hearing news of Fairy Su Hua, chasing a spirit bird that could speak human language all the way here. They never expected to end up at the Yunxia Sect, let alone encounter Gu Qingfeng, the Young Lord Chiyan whose fame had recently shaken the Four Regions.
Nearly everyone knew about Gu Qingfeng's deeds at Liuren Mountain, including how he had killed a deputy helm master of the Dianyun Branch Hall. And now, the Young Helm Master of that very Dianyun Branch Hall, Xu Jintong, along with over a dozen of the branch's experts, were right here. Yet Gu Qingfeng showed not a trace of fear. Far from it, he was casually chatting away while holding a little girl in his arms and sipping wine.
It had long been rumored that Gu Qingfeng's background was mysterious and bizarre, that he was wildly unrestrained and looked down on everyone. Only now, witnessing it firsthand, did the crowd realize the rumors were not false. This Gu Qingfeng truly was an arrogant, unrivaled character.
At this moment, the three Hua Pavilion Young Lords—Chang Tianrui, Situ Zheng, and Bai Hanfei—remained silent. Xu Jintong, however, stared at Gu Qingfeng and asked with an expressionless face, "Was it you who killed a deputy helm master of our Dianyun Branch Hall at Liuren Mountain?"
As Xu Jintong's words fell, the atmosphere in the garden instantly turned solemn. Master Wenzhu, who had been worried and fearful all along, quickly pulled Xiao Jinr over. Gu Qingfeng smiled, released Xiao Jinr, and gestured for her to return to Master Wenzhu's side. Only then did he cross his legs, glance at Xu Jintong, nod, and admit, "That's right. I killed him."
The scene was truly bizarre.
Everyone could feel the murderous aura enveloping the Spirit Seclusion Garden. The expressions of those present were all tense and cautious. Only Gu Qingfeng seemed completely unperturbed, his demeanor and bearing radiating a leisurely ease, as if the one who had killed the Dianyun Branch Hall's deputy helm master at Liuren Mountain wasn't him but someone else. He offered no rebuttal, no explanation, simply admitting it cleanly and directly.
This made one wonder: just what level of confidence must a person possess to remain so composed and indifferent when facing a hostile Xu Jintong?
"You... seem exceedingly arrogant," Xu Jintong's voice carried a bone-chilling coldness.
"What do you mean 'seem' arrogant?" Gu Qingfeng replied unhurriedly, pouring himself another drink, raising the cup for a light sip, and smiling. "I am arrogant by nature."
Arrogant!
Truly arrogant to the extreme.
That's what everyone thought.
However, only Huode knew that these little brats were lucky—they had caught Gu Qingfeng in a good mood, just looking for some amusement. He figured Xiao Jinr's appearance had put Gu Qingfeng in high spirits. If Xiao Jinr hadn't shown up, these brats would absolutely regret barging into the Yunxia Sect.
Arrogant?
What a joke.
If the kid Gu were to truly unleash his arrogance, forget the Four Regions, even the entire world, even the True Immortals of the Nine Heavens above would tremble in fear.
"So, are you here for revenge?" Gu Qingfeng said indifferently, his tone light and casual. "Or what? If you want revenge, then make your move."
Too arrogant.
Simply arrogant beyond measure.
The other members of the Dianyun Branch Hall glared at Gu Qingfeng with furious expressions. The previous killing of their deputy helm master had already damaged the branch's reputation. Now that Gu Qingfeng was right here, if they didn't eliminate him today, how could they ever show their faces in the Four Regions again? However, with the Young Helm Master not taking action, they didn't dare make a move themselves.
"Young Helm Master, why waste words with him? Let him witness your power!"
Xu Jintong did not respond, merely staring fixedly at Gu Qingfeng. The leisurely ease about Gu Qingfeng, the composure and indifference evident in his every gesture, made Xu Jintong uncertain and unwilling to act rashly.
"They're here to seek revenge from me," Gu Qingfeng then turned his gaze to the three Hua Pavilion Young Lords. Holding his fine wine, he took a light sip and asked, "What about you three?"
Chang Tianrui, Situ Zheng, and Bai Hanfei all disliked Gu Qingfeng, but it was merely distaste—they bore him no enmity. Chang Tianrui said with a faint smile, "Since emerging from seclusion, the name I've heard most often is yours. I've long wanted to exchange a few moves, but today I have no such interest."
Situ Zheng also smiled and said, "Since the Great Calamity a century ago, the Four Regions have seen far too many ignorant, self-important, arrogant, and overbearing people. Most, however, were fleeting flashes. I hope when the Tai Xuan Stele opens, I can still see you acting this insolent. Don't disappoint me."
Following them, Bai Hanfei spoke up, "Gu Qingfeng, whether you're arrogant or overbearing has nothing to do with me. You haven't provoked me, so I won't stoop to your level. The reason I, Bai Hanfei, came here today is solely to track a spirit bird that speaks human language. Have you seen it?"
After speaking, he took a step forward, his voice booming imposingly, "My spiritual sense has been locked onto that spirit bird. It vanished here, and I am certain it must be hiding within the Yunxia Sect. Don't tell me you haven't seen it."
"A spirit bird that speaks human language? Of course I've seen it. In fact..." Just as Gu Qingfeng was speaking, the spirit bird that had transformed into a teacup beside him instantly reverted to its original form. It glared fiercely at Gu Qingfeng and scolded, "You little brat! How dare you expose my whereabouts! Just you wait, Grandaunt!"
"I only said I'd seen it, I didn't expose your whereabouts. What are you getting so worked up about? Come, come over to my side. I guarantee no one will dare lay a finger on you."
As Gu Qingfeng reached out his hand, the spirit bird let out a sharp cry and shot skyward. But the moment it reached mid-air, whoosh whoosh whoosh—Xu Jintong and the three Hua Pavilion Young Lords immediately surrounded it, followed quickly by everyone else closing in.
Though none of them knew exactly what this spirit bird was, the fact that it could speak human language and transform meant even a fool could tell it was no ordinary creature.
Cornered and desperate, the spirit bird shouted, "Let me tell you, Grandaunt's master is Fairy Su Hua! Whoever dares touch a single feather on Grandaunt today, Fairy Su Hua will definitely not spare you!"
A person's reputation is like a tree's shadow.
The name of Fairy Su Hua was known to all, recognized by everyone.
Upon hearing Fairy Su Hua's name, almost everyone among those poised to attack froze in place.
Under normal circumstances, no one would take such a claim seriously. But the key was, these were not normal times. That very morning, Fairy Su Hua had been paying respects at the Mausoleum of Lord Chixiao. If this spirit bird truly was raised by Fairy Su Hua, it wasn't impossible.
"If your master is truly Fairy Su Hua, why didn't you say so at the mausoleum?" Chang Tianrui was skeptical, but it was only suspicion. If this really was Fairy Su Hua's spirit bird, he truly wouldn't dare touch it.
"Hmph! Grandaunt just wanted to play a little joke with you brats! I never expected you greedy lot would actually try to capture Grandaunt! How utterly unreasonable!" The spirit bird flapped its injured wings, its small eyes glaring fiercely as it guarded against everyone, shouting, "Don't say Grandaunt didn't warn you! My master is nearby, and I've already secretly notified her. My master will be here any moment now!"