Wei Jiaojiao had always viewed Lan Feier as a thorn in her side, a bone stuck in her throat.
Although both were among the Ten Little Phoenix Hairpins of the Four Great Regions, in terms of fame and influence, Wei Jiaojiao had always been inferior to Lan Feier. In the past, she had even been defeated by Lan Feier.
This had always displeased her greatly, and she had never been convinced.
In terms of family background, Lan Feier was merely the disciple of the Fengyun Branch Hall's Helm Master, while she was the granddaughter of the Leiyun Branch Hall's Grand Elder.
In terms of cultivation, Lan Feier had only achieved eighty-one rotations of the Golden Core, while she had already formed her Nascent Soul.
In terms of innate gifts, Lan Feier merely possessed a Four Realms, Nine Layers Great Nature Colored Spirit and the Boundless Sea Treasure Body.
Wei Jiaojiao, on the other hand, possessed a Five Realms, Nine Layers Great Nature Colored Spirit. Although it was an acquired inheritance and couldn't compare to Lan Feier's Boundless Sea Treasure Body, Wei Jiaojiao also possessed two supreme-grade seeds: Tai Xuan and Dragon-Elephant. In her mind, her current strength could absolutely leave Lan Feier in the dust.
She had painstakingly secluded herself in the Tai Xuan Secret Realm for several years, all for the day she could trample Lan Feier underfoot and let everyone know that Lan Feier was inferior to her. Today was absolutely a rare, perfect opportunity.
"Lan Feier, you've always disliked this young lady, and you've always disliked our Leiyun Branch Hall, haven't you?"
Wei Jiaojiao's face was brimming with a smile as she stroked the little fox in her arms, staring at Lan Feier. "But, what can you do about it even if you dislike it?
Heh, even the twelve Senior Chixiao from your Fengyun and Huoyun had to personally come to our Leiyun Branch Hall, only to leave with their tails between their legs. And you?
You dare to dream of meddling in our Leiyun Branch Hall's affairs?
Heh...
Lan Feier, aren't you overestimating yourself a bit too much!"
"I am well aware of my lowly status and have even less qualification to meddle in your Leiyun Branch Hall's affairs."
Lan Feier said expressionlessly, her tone faint. "I only know that the Crimson-Letter Sect's purpose is to take demon-slaying and upholding the Dao as its duty, to guard the order of our domain, and not to participate in the disputes of any faction. Those who violate the Crimson-Letter Sect's purpose will inevitably face retribution."
"Retribution?
Hehehehe..." Wei Jiaojiao covered her mouth, laughing with utter disdain. "Even your so-called Senior Chixiao from Fengyun and Huoyun had to respectfully address our Leiyun Branch Hall's Elder Fang as 'Old Helm Master' when they saw him. What makes you think you can do anything?"
"Out of respect for Elder Fang, the Senior Chixiao from our Fengyun and Huoyun may be helpless, but that doesn't mean other Chixiao people are powerless."
Lan Feier spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, her voice soft yet cold. "The Crimson-Letter Sect is spread across the world, and so are the Chixiao people. One day, your Leiyun Branch Hall will pay the price for violating the sect's purpose."
"Is that so?
This young lady is so scared!
So it seems your Fengyun and Huoyun have even more formidable figures, huh? More formidable than our Leiyun Branch Hall's Elder Fang?"
Wei Jiaojiao's words were dripping with mockery and sarcasm. As she spoke, she seemed to suddenly remember something, the smile at the corner of her mouth growing even richer. "Ah, this young lady just remembered. Your twelve Senior Chixiao from Fengyun and Huoyun recently claimed to have found a successor of Monarch Chixiao, didn't they?"
Hearing Wei Jiaojiao mention Monarch Chixiao's successor, Lan Feier immediately sensed that things were about to turn sour.
Because in this world, there were far too many swindlers impersonating Monarch Chixiao's successors or descendants. It had almost become a widely known joke. If others believed Gu Qingfeng was Monarch Chixiao's successor, that would be one thing. But for it to be the several Senior Chixiao from Fengyun and Huoyun... that was simply the biggest joke of all. Lan Feier didn't need to think to know that Wei Jiaojiao would definitely seize this opportunity to mock them extensively.
Sure enough.
Wei Jiaojiao suddenly raised her voice, addressing the surrounding crowd. "I'm afraid you all don't know yet, do you?
A couple of days ago, the twelve Senior Chixiao from Fengyun and Huoyun went to our Leiyun Branch Hall to see Elder Fang. They claimed they had found Monarch Chixiao's successor, and they spoke as if it were absolutely true. Do you know who it is?
I heard it's the famous Heir Apparent Disciple of Yunxia Sect, someone called Gu Qingfeng?
And his Daoist title is Chiyan Gongzi?
Hehehe...
I'm dying of laughter..."
Quite a few people had gathered around, not only including young prodigies like Huo Dong, Wang He, Ma Zhengtian, and Xu Jintong, but also elders from various major sects. Everyone had heard rumors about the falling out between the twelve Senior Chixiao and the Leiyun Branch Hall a few days prior and knew a little about it.
It was said that the twelve Senior Chixiao from Fengyun and Huoyun had gone to the Leiyun Branch Hall because of the Dragon-Elephant Seed and the Nine-Hua Alliance matter. They met the former Old Helm Master, Elder Fang, but ended up leaving in disgrace. It seemed that upon leaving, they mentioned they had found Monarch Chixiao's successor disciple, none other than Gu Qingfeng, who had recently gained quite a reputation in the Four Great Regions.
Many found this rather amusing.
Although Gu Qingfeng was a bit mysterious, a bit bizarre, and possessed considerable strength, could he really be Monarch Chixiao's successor? Was that even possible?
Weren't there already plenty of people in this world impersonating Monarch Chixiao's successors or descendants?
If others were fooled, that was one thing. But how could the twelve Senior Chixiao from Fengyun and Huoyun also be taken in?
Not only did they treat him with utmost respect, they even knelt before that Gu Qingfeng. Spreading this news was truly both exasperating and laughable.
"Monarch Chixiao's surname is Gu, his given name Tianlang, his Daoist title Chixiao. That Gu Qingfeng's surname is also Gu, and his Daoist title also contains the character 'Chi', named Chiyan. Ah, ah, ah...
I think he's not Monarch Chixiao's successor at all; perhaps he's Monarch Chixiao's descendant! What do you all think?"
Faced with Wei Jiaojiao's mockery and sarcasm, and the murmuring discussions of the surrounding crowd, Lan Feier could only brace herself, stiffen her resolve, endure the awkwardness, and remain silent.
What could she say?
Say that Gu Qingfeng was Monarch Chixiao's successor?
Not only would others not believe it, even she herself didn't believe it.
She truly couldn't understand what methods Gu Qingfeng had used to completely fool the twelve Senior Chixiao, making them believe so firmly—and it was a genuine, unwavering belief. After learning of this matter, she had tried to advise them, more than once, only to be severely reprimanded by the twelve Senior Chixiao.
Especially regarding the surname and Daoist title. Just as Wei Jiaojiao said, Monarch Chixiao's surname was Gu, and that Gu Qingfeng's surname was also Gu. The Monarch's Daoist title was Chixiao, and he called himself Chiyan. Wasn't this a swindler's usual trick?
It was so obvious. Why were the twelve Senior Chixiao so utterly convinced?
Beside her, Huo Wu Chen Yue had been keeping her head lowered, lost in thought.
She also didn't believe Gu Qingfeng was Monarch Chixiao's successor. But if she said she didn't believe it, there seemed to be a hint of something to it. Because she clearly remembered that Gu Qingfeng had played a piece called 'Heartless Monarch, Infatuated Consort' back at Liu Ren Mountain. This piece was composed by the World-Honored Lady, Jun Xuanji. In all the world, there were few who could play its profound mysteries, and even fewer who could evoke its artistic conception. Yet Gu Qingfeng had not only evoked the artistic conception, he had played it perfectly.
If he really was a swindler, then wasn't this guy just too brilliant?