"Oh, is that so..." Ma Zhengtian gave a faint smile and did not continue to tangle with Tu Gao. It wasn't that he was afraid, but simply that he didn't want to stoop to his level.
He understood clearly that Tu Gao's arrogance stemmed not only from his own strength but, more importantly, from his master, who was also the Sect Head of Qixing Sect.
In the eyes of outsiders, the Sect Head of Qixing Sect was an unfathomably powerful expert. But Ma Zhengtian knew that this man's identity was far more than that—it was extremely special, so special that he could enter and leave the Taixuan Secret Realm at will.
What was the Taixuan Secret Realm?
Ma Zhengtian, Huo Dong, and the others all knew. Not only did they know, but they had been in secluded cultivation there for years. They were well aware that a mighty and vast Daozun resided within the Taixuan Secret Realm.
Even the reincarnated great powers hiding within the Nine-Hua Alliance regarded him with both fear and deep respect.
At the same time, many members of the Nine-Hua Alliance had seen their cultivation advance so rapidly precisely because they had received guidance from this Daozun. From the Alliance Leader and Elders down to the Young Lords of the Huage and the Taixuan Young Masters—including Huo Dong, Wang He, Tu Gao, and even Ma Zhengtian himself—all had received pointers from that Daozun.
They understood even more clearly that the Taixuan Secret Realm was not a place just anyone could enter and leave freely. Even the several Alliance Leaders of the Nine-Hua Alliance and those reincarnated great powers were no exception.
However, Tu Gao's master, the Sect Head of Qixing Sect, was an exception. Rumor had it that the Sect Head of Qixing Sect was a registered disciple of this Daozun.
In a sense, it was no exaggeration to say that Qixing Sect was a direct lineage of the Nine-Hua Alliance. At least, in the eyes of people like Huo Dong and Ma Zhengtian, this was the case. It was also for this reason that Tu Gao dared to look down on everyone and, relying on this backing, had the audacity to speak arrogantly and scorn the Chixiao People of the Chizi Head.
"Ma Zhengtian, three years ago, I lost to you. But today, three years later, you are no longer my match."
Tu Gao held his head high, his expression disdainful. "Don't think that just because you've inherited the Dragon-Elephant Totem, you're invincible under heaven. Let me tell you, when the Taixuan Stele opens, I will definitely make you regret it!"
"Is that so? I look forward to it."
"Hmph!" Tu Gao flicked his sleeve with a cold snort and left directly.
The venue buzzed with noise as the crowd discussed animatedly, mostly talking about the major events that had occurred in the Four Great Regions.
And the major events in the Four Great Regions over the past year were almost all related to Gu Qingfeng. First, there were the seven mysterious caves manifested by the anomalies of the Great Nature, then Chixu Manor, Bingxuan Sect, the Black-Raven Secret Realm, Liuren Mountain...
Huo Dong had initially been merely curious and had chatted casually about it earlier. Given his status, he naturally did not—and would not—take Gu Qingfeng seriously. As for things like intimidating thousands with a single shout or annihilating over a dozen Nascent Soul experts of Fenghui Sect with one move—these might be earth-shattering feats in the eyes of others, but to him, they were utterly insignificant.
Several years ago, he had single-handedly slain several Nascent Soul experts and had even severely wounded an ancient Nascent Soul monster that had cultivated for millennia. And that was just years ago. Today, if he wished, slaying Nascent Soul monsters would be nothing to him.
However, the matter of the so-called Twelve Chixiao People kneeling did pique Huo Dong's curiosity. He smiled and inquired, "Brother Ma, I heard that Gu Qingfeng has connections to your Chizi Head and might even be the successor of a certain Chixiao Banner Lord. Is that true or false?"
"The successor of a Chixiao Banner Lord? Hah, Huo Dong, you're overthinking it."
"Oh?" Huo Dong uttered a light sound of surprise. "How so?"
Beside them, Wang He also laughed. "Could it be another fraud? Only this time, instead of impersonating the successor of the Monarch, he's impersonating the successor of a Chixiao Banner Lord?"
"If he were truly the successor of one of our Chizi Head's Chixiao Banner Lords, do you think he would be serving as a mere Heir Apparent Disciple in a minor sect like Yunxia?"
"Ha! That's true enough."
"So, does that mean Elder Sen and the other Chixiao People from the Fengyun and Huoyun branches were deceived?" Huo Dong chuckled. "I heard that because of this matter a few days ago, the twelve Chixiao People from Fengyun and Huoyun had quite a falling out with your Leiyun and Dianyun branches?"
Ma Zhengtian raised an eyebrow. "Huo Dong, since when have you been so interested in the affairs of our Chizi Head?"
"Brother Ma, don't misunderstand. I have no other intentions." Huo Dong stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the picture of a gentleman. "I'm just somewhat interested in Gu Qingfeng, that's all."
"Heh..." Ma Zhengtian looked at Huo Dong as if seeing through his thoughts. "Huo Dong, I know what you want to do. But I advise you to abandon that notion."
"Oh? I'm not sure what matter Brother Ma is referring to?"
"What kind of person you, Young Lord Huo, are, I'm not unaware. There's no need to play dumb in front of me."
Initially, Ma Zhengtian had been puzzled as to why Huo Dong was so interested in Gu Qingfeng. But when Huo Dong inquired about the recent unpleasantness between the Fengyun and Huoyun branches and the Leiyun and Dianyun branches, Ma Zhengtian immediately realized that Huo Dong wanted to recruit Gu Qingfeng.
Having competed openly and covertly with Huo Dong for years, Ma Zhengtian understood his character very well. He knew this man had immense ambition and particularly enjoyed recruiting and buying people over. He knew that after the Centennial Term, the situation in the Four Great Regions would inevitably be reshuffled. Now that the Nine-Hua Alliance was clearly propping up Qixing Sect, Huo Dong, as the heir apparent of the top sect, had to plan for the future to secure a firmer standing within the Nine-Hua Alliance. To this end, Huo Dong had been openly and secretly recruiting various sects all along.
And a superbly powerful expert held far greater value than any minor sect or clan.
Clearly.
Huo Dong's inquiry about the recent falling out between Fengyun, Huoyun, Leiyun, and Dianyun was to confirm whether it had truly happened, to probe the actual situation, and to find out Leiyun and Dianyun's attitude toward Gu Qingfeng.
It seemed Wang He had also discerned Huo Dong's intentions. Still toying with the vulture on his shoulder, he smiled and said, "Tu Gao isn't here now, Young Lord Huo. There's no need to speak in veiled terms. If I guess correctly, you wish to recruit Gu Qingfeng, don't you?"
Huo Dong did not hide it. He smiled and asked, "What? Does Young Lord Wang have the same idea?"
"I've heard this Gu Qingfeng is quite extraordinary. I am indeed interested. If he could be taken into my service, that would naturally be excellent. However... since Young Lord Huo has this intention, how could I possibly compete with you?"
"Ha! Young Lord Wang is too modest."
"I advise you to think carefully before making a decision. That Gu Qingfeng previously killed quite a few people from the Nine-Hua Alliance and offended many families within the Alliance. Of course, for someone of your stature, Young Lord Huo, this isn't a problem. A word from you could settle it. But you must give careful consideration to the Murong Clan's side. After all, an entire collateral branch of the Murong Clan was nearly wiped out by Gu Qingfeng at Chixu Manor."
Wang He spoke unhurriedly, his tone measured. "Previously, several of the Murong Clan's old monsters and Murong Xian were in secluded cultivation within the Taixuan Secret Realm and were unaware of this matter. Now they have emerged from seclusion and should all know about it. Given Murong Xian's temperament, he will definitely not let Gu Qingfeng off. And he will inevitably tear him to pieces in public."
Then, shifting his tone, Wang He finally looked at Huo Dong, a smile on his face. "You understand better than anyone that the Nine-Hua Alliance intends to prop up not only Qixing Sect but also the Murong Clan. If you recruit Gu Qingfeng... heh... I'm afraid the Murong Clan will..."