"I've already been forced to put on a show for you brats several times today. Putting on a show once is a performance, putting it on ten times is still just a performance. Since that's the case, I might as well go all the way and finish this performance properly, so you little bastards won't come looking for trouble with me again in the future."
Gu Qingfeng's sitting posture was rather inelegant. He leaned to one side, legs crossed, looking every bit the frivolous, carefree young master of a wealthy family. His lazy, casual demeanor made it incredibly difficult to associate him with the title of Lord Chixiao's successor or disciple.
"So, anyone who has a grudge against me, holds resentment, finds me displeasing to the eye, or feels unhappy, unconvinced, or unwilling in their heart—today, anyone can come and have a go."
Gu Qingfeng waited for a moment, but no one stepped forward. He asked again, "Let me ask once more, is there anyone else?"
The crowd below murmured amongst themselves, yet no one dared to step up. The Ten Little Hidden Dragons and the Thirty-Six Hua Pavilion Young Masters stood surrounding Gu Qingfeng, unsure whether to stay or leave. Their previous joint assault had failed to budge him an inch, utterly humiliating them. None knew how to face this situation, each lost in thought on how to salvage their dignity.
After waiting a while longer, Gu Qingfeng asked once more. Again, no one stepped forward.
After another pause, Gu Qingfeng's voice rang out again: "Since no one else is coming, let's consider this matter settled, turned over like a page. From now on, let's coexist peacefully. You go about your business, I'll go about mine. I won't provoke you, and I hope you won't come looking for trouble with me for no reason."
His gaze swept over the Ten Little Hidden Dragons and the Thirty-Six Hua Pavilion Young Masters one by one, as if seeing their unwillingness. He said, "At the same time, I hope you understand one thing. The reason I sat here today, letting you attack without fighting back, isn't because I have a good temper, nor is it because I lack the capability or the courage. It's simply because I'm in a good mood today. That's all."
"You're all young people. Young people are competitive, fond of showing off their prowess and putting on a show. I can completely understand that. After all, I was young once too, and when I was young, I put on far more shows than you lot. However..." His tone shifted. Gu Qingfeng picked up his Voidless Cup and drained the wine in one gulp. "However, one must know when to stop and quit while ahead. If your cultivation is high and your strength is great, you can afford to be arrogant. If your cultivation is low and your strength is weak, then be honest and don't stir up trouble."
With that, Gu Qingfeng stood up, hands clasped behind his back. He looked out at the countless people gathered on the Taixuan Platform and declared, "Let everyone listen! Today, I'll just sit right here and let you all attack me. Anyone can. Until you've had your fill, until you're satisfied, until you're stuffed full. So, I'll ask one final time—is there anyone else!"
Sit there?
Let everyone attack?
Until they've had their fill?
Until they're satisfied?
Until they're stuffed?
No one knew to what degree of confidence a person must possess to dare utter such arrogant words.
Time ticked by, yet still, no one dared to step forward.
"Let's get the unpleasantries out of the way first. Today, I'm letting you attack me, but you're choosing not to. If anyone dares to come looking for trouble with me for no reason in the future, then don't blame me for being impolite. At that time, I definitely won't just sit here taking hits without fighting back like I am today."
"Alright, that's settled then. Everyone, take care of yourselves."
Gu Qingfeng had just returned to his chair and was about to put away his wine gourd when a voice suddenly rang out.
"What bold words you speak, sir!"
Everyone looked over. The speaker was an elegant young master—none other than Situ Zhengnan, one of the Twelve Kings and the direct disciple of the Nine-Hua Alliance's leader.
He stood there with an air of grace, a folding fan gently waving before his chest, a faint smile playing on his lips—a smile of confidence and composure.
Standing beside him was Ling Feng, hailed as the foremost among the Taixuan Young Masters.
Ling Feng also seemed to be smiling, but his smile was not one of confidence. It was a smile of disdain, as if he did not take Gu Qingfeng seriously at all.
Besides Ling Feng, four elders also stood beside Situ Zhengnan.
Most people present did not recognize these four elders, nor had they seen them before. However, judging from the powerful spiritual aura emanating from them, these were no ordinary individuals.
Indeed, that was the case.
Others might not know, but the Ten Little Hidden Dragons and the others were aware. These four elders were also reclusive experts of the Nine-Hua Alliance. Though not reincarnated individuals, they were Body-Snatched Reincarnators.
To qualify for Possession Rebirth, one must cultivate the Nascent Soul to Great Perfection, undergo Nascent Soul Transformation, and even reach the Profound Realm.
Seizing the workings of Heaven, discarding one's own Physical Body, and occupying another's body to be reborn.
Typically, this was a last resort. When one's Physical Body was destroyed or their lifespan was nearing its end, some would choose Possession Rebirth. If possible, no one would resort to possession, as it was an all-or-nothing endeavor. If it failed, not only would the Nascent Soul be destroyed, but the soul would also dissipate, leaving no chance to even become a ghost.
Furthermore, even after a successful Possession Rebirth, because the body was snatched, it lacked vital essence, energy, and spirit. One's cultivation would forever stagnate, never advancing again. In other words, there would be no further chance of attaining immortality.
Moreover, after Possession Rebirth, although one possessed a new Physical Body, it was not one's own. It would inevitably conflict with the Nascent Soul. To survive and live, Body-Snatched Reincarnators had no choice but to cultivate some evil secret arts to refine the body into a kind of 'magical treasure'.
Possession Rebirth had always been considered an evil secret art. Because of this, even in ancient times, Body-Snatched Reincarnators were viewed as demonic cultivators, no different from evil demons or fiends, and were targets of righteous extermination.
However, that was only in ancient times. In the current era, where reincarnated individuals are a dime a dozen, who would bother with Body-Snatched Reincarnators? The Immortal Court didn't care, the Crimson-Letter Sect tacitly allowed it, and others wouldn't meddle in such trivial matters.
Add to that the fact that those who performed possession were originally masters of the Nascent Soul Profound Realm, three times more terrifying than ordinary Nascent Soul old monsters. Having refined their snatched bodies into treasure cauldrons, their strength was so fearsome that even Daozun who had cultivated their Primordial Spirit would steer clear, let alone others.
One had to admit, Situ Zhengnan truly lived up to being one of the Twelve Kings of the Nine-Hua Alliance, commanding even Body-Snatched Reincarnators. It was truly admirable.
Many had thought Situ Zhengnan had remained silent because he knew he was no match for Gu Qingfeng. Seeing him finally step forward now, many felt a surge of joy in their hearts, especially the Ten Little Hidden Dragons and the Thirty-Six Hua Pavilion Young Masters. Although they did not submit to Situ Zhengnan, faced with the mysterious and bizarre Gu Qingfeng, they hoped even more that Situ Zhengnan would step up. They could then follow up on his victory, at least salvaging a shred of their dignity.
Moreover, they all knew that if there was anyone present capable of obliterating Gu Qingfeng, it would undoubtedly be Situ Zhengnan.
Because they had heard that Situ Zhengnan's Great Nature Flowing Color Spirit had long since transcended the ninth level, entering a transcendent realm.