Gu Qingfeng sat on the chair, leaning slightly to one side with his legs crossed, taking occasional sips of his wine. Opposite him stood the three reincarnated individuals—Wan Huaiyu, Qin Hao, and Elder Jin—standing upright and proper, their words seemingly filled with awe and reverence for Gu Qingfeng.
It truly was the case.
Many people in the hall saw it clearly. While Wan Huaiyu and Qin Hao's attitude couldn't be called respectful, it was undoubtedly one of reverence.
Elder Jin was even more extreme, cautiously and sincerely offering apologies to Gu Qingfeng, speaking of having eyes but failing to recognize greatness, of offending, and asking for magnanimity.
Elder Jin was a reincarnated great power!
Even someone of Situ Zhengnan's status treated him with utmost respect. Yet now, not only did he perform a greeting ritual to Gu Qingfeng, but he also apologized so humbly?
What kind of person, what kind of status, could make Elder Jin apologize so deferentially?
What was even more unimaginable was that after the three of them paid their respects, Gu Qingfeng seemed to not recognize them at all. From their conversation, it appeared they had never met before, having only seen each other once?
And from that one encounter, Gu Qingfeng seemed to have no impression of the three.
This scene left everyone in the hall unable to comprehend it, nor could they imagine what was really going on.
Yes.
They couldn't imagine it.
It was like an ant having met three elephants, yet that ant couldn't remember ever seeing the three elephants.
Wasn't that backwards?
Even if there was no impression, it should be the elephants having no impression. How could it be the ant's turn?
What puzzled everyone the most was that these three elephants clearly had the ability to crush the ant, yet upon meeting, they showed reverence towards the ant. Not only that, but they also apologized to the ant?
Would elephants apologize to an ant?
The answer was certain.
No.
Unless that ant possessed terrifying capabilities that made the elephants wary.
But an ant was ultimately an ant. Even if you talked until the heavens fell, it was still an ant. No matter how powerful an ant was, it couldn't possibly be a match for an elephant.
In their view, someone like Gu Qingfeng—who possessed neither great fortune nor was a reincarnated being—was an ant. Even if his musical attainments were peerless under heaven, he was still an ant.
Although no one knew the true strength of Elder Jin and the other two, many could sense that Elder Jin and the others each carried several profound and mysterious spiritual auras. No one knew what terrifying things they had cultivated during their many years of seclusion within the Nine-Hua Alliance. Moreover, just thinking with their toes, if they could ascend to immortality in their previous lives, how could they be easy to deal with in this one?
Why would they revere Gu Qingfeng?
And after only one meeting?
This made no sense at all!
At the Taixuan Platform, Gu Qingfeng invited the three to sit and drink with him, but none of them dared. After exchanging greetings, they obediently retreated to the side. This scene left everyone even more dumbfounded.
"It seems this old man was shortsighted earlier and failed to see through you. I never expected you to be so deep and unassuming."
Not far away, the Great Elder of the Leiyun Branch, Old Master Long Sheng, stood up. Stroking his beard, he stared intently at Gu Qingfeng as if trying to see through him. But no matter how he looked, aside from the spiritual aura of the Purple Mansion, he could see nothing else. He said in a deep voice, "May I ask who you are?"
"I am a god."
Gu Qingfeng took a light sip from his Taixu Cup, looked at Old Master Long Sheng, and smiled. "Do you believe it?"
"A mere youth dares to recklessly call himself a god? Truly arrogant and ignorant!"
"Don't say that. I've been arrogant since I was little."
Gu Qingfeng picked up the wine cup, raised his hand to pour more wine, and said, "As for ignorance... one of us two might be ignorant, but it certainly isn't me."
"How dare you!"
Old Master Long Sheng erupted in thunderous rage, his roar causing the entire hall to tremble.
Throughout the entire Four Great Regions, no one had ever dared to speak to Old Master Long Sheng of the Leiyun Branch like this.
Because this old master's seniority was immense, his qualifications extremely deep. He had survived four longevity tribulations and cultivated for over three thousand years. As early as a thousand years ago, he was already a famously renowned Nascent Soul old monster in the Four Great Regions. Later, after Lord Chixiao disappeared and demons and monsters threw the world into chaos, this old master joined the Crimson-Letter Sect, following Old Master Fu and others in campaigns north and south, achieving great merits and earning widespread fame. He was a veritable senior of the Crimson-Letter Sect.
It was no exaggeration to say that among the four great branch halls of the Crimson-Letter Sect in the Four Great Regions, aside from the old Incense Master Fang from the former Chixiao Sect, Old Master Long Sheng's words carried the most weight. Most importantly, it was said he was also sworn brothers with Old Incense Master Fang.
Even the leaders of major sects had to respectfully address him as 'Old Master.' And because he was Old Incense Master Fang's sworn brother, the few old Chixiao members from the Fengyun Branch Hall also gave him some face, calling him Old Master Long Sheng.
Because of this, Old Master Long Sheng could summon wind and rain in the Four Great Regions, with no one daring to provoke him.
Under normal circumstances, if someone dared to act so presumptuously before him, Old Master Long Sheng would undoubtedly not hesitate to teach them a lesson. Even if it were one of the Ten Minor Hidden Dragons, he would dare to strike them without hesitation. But facing Gu Qingfeng here, he hesitated.
And what made him hesitate was none other than the reverent attitude Elder Jin, Wan Huaiyu, and Qin Hao had just shown towards Gu Qingfeng.
After all, he was a Nascent Soul old monster who had cultivated for over three thousand years and seen much of the world. He might not know or be able to deduce Gu Qingfeng's identity, but one thing he understood clearly: the three reincarnated individuals—Elder Jin and the others—would absolutely not revere someone so deeply for no reason.
"Gu Qingfeng, this young lady sees you truly have a death wish!
My grandfather is the Great Elder of the Leiyun Branch, the famous True Monarch Long Sheng! Not only is he a founding elder of the Crimson-Letter Sect, he also shares a sworn brotherhood with Old Incense Master Fang! Even the Chixiao members of the Fengyun Branch Hall have to call my grandfather 'Old Master'! What are you, to dare act so presumptuously before my grandfather!"
Wei Jiaojiao, usually relying on Long Sheng being her grandfather, was accustomed to being arrogant and domineering. Now seeing Gu Qingfeng dare to be disrespectful to her grandfather, she naturally wouldn't stand by idly. Of course, while she might be arrogant and domineering, she wasn't a fool. She hadn't failed to see the attitude the three reincarnated individuals had towards Gu Qingfeng earlier, so she didn't dare act rashly.
"A founding elder of the Crimson-Letter Sect?
Hah!"
Gu Qingfeng sneered, showing a hint of surprise upon hearing about Old Incense Master Fang. "Is the Old Incense Master Fang you speak of the one surnamed Fang, given name Qing, who was once an Incense Master of the Black Nether Banner in the former Chixiao Sect?"
"Who in the Four Great Regions doesn't know that the old Incense Master guarding our Leiyun Branch is the very Incense Master of the Black Nether Banner who once followed Lord Chixiao to slay all the immortals and demons under heaven!"
Wei Jiaojiao held her head high, filled with arrogance, and shouted, "Let me tell you, no matter what your identity, background, or strength, before our Crimson-Letter Sect, you are nothing!"
"Is that so? I'm quite interested in seeing just how impressive your Crimson-Letter Sect really is."
"I think you're looking for death..." Wei Jiaojiao wanted to say more but was interrupted by Old Master Long Sheng. He looked at Gu Qingfeng and asked in a deep voice, "I heard you claim to be the heir of Lord Chixiao?"
"I have never said such a thing."
"Oh?
In that case, why did the twelve Chixiao members from the Fengyun and Huoyun Branch Halls declare you to be Lord Chixiao's heir?"
"You shouldn't ask me that question. You should go ask them."
Old Master Long Sheng wanted to say more, but Gu Qingfeng had already lost interest, or perhaps more accurately, lost the patience to listen further. "Enough. We'll discuss your Crimson-Letter Sect matters later. I will definitely experience the might of the Crimson-Letter Sect then."
With that, Gu Qingfeng drained the wine in his cup in one gulp. He looked at the crowd in the hall and said solemnly, "It's getting late. Let's not waste words. Since all of you find me displeasing, let's be straightforward. Will you come one by one?
Or all together?"
PS: Yesterday, two chapters were duplicated. However, VIP chapters cannot be deleted since some have already subscribed to them, so they could only be modified.
Today's new chapter has also been uploaded, which is Chapter 435. Since it's a modified chapter, it might not show as an update. Those who have subscribed can simply refresh.
I was sick and hospitalized recently, so updates weren't very stable. These past two days, I'm preparing to come back at full strength. Starting tomorrow, I'll make up for the chapters I owe!