"Aunt, my master she..." Earlier, Ouyang Ye had only felt wronged. She never expected her aunt to suddenly arrive, let alone that her aunt would scold her master so harshly, and that the two of them almost came to blows. This left her momentarily at a loss.
"Girl, don't bother with that bitch of a master of yours anymore."
Ouyang Feiyue pulled Ouyang Ye along as they walked quickly away, speaking with a serious and stern expression: "And there's one thing you must know. Starting today, don't go looking for Gu Qingfeng anymore. It's best to stay far away from him and not get involved with him in any way."
"Aunt, what exactly happened?"
Remembering the words her aunt had just spoken to her master, Ouyang Ye was filled with confusion and asked, "What's wrong with Gu Qingfeng? And you said he's extraordinary, and told my master not to provoke him... Aunt, have you already investigated Gu Qingfeng's identity?"
"If only I had found out, but unfortunately, I haven't."
Ouyang Feiyue said earnestly, "What exactly that guy surnamed Gu's identity is, I can't say for sure right now. But one thing is certain: his existence might be terrifying, perhaps even more terrifying than I imagined."
"Aunt, how do you know?"
"Don't ask so many questions. Just don't provoke him anymore."
"But... but... he's also a disciple of Yunxia Sect now. It's impossible for us not to see each other, right? Can't I even talk to him if we meet? And tomorrow seems to be the day he's challenging the Trial Array, right? I was planning to go watch."
"Stubborn girl, your aunt isn't joking with you. Until I figure out his identity, you'd better keep your distance. As for tomorrow... you can go watch, but you must stand by my side."
"Aunt, you're going too?"
"That guy is mysterious and bizarre. Your aunt also wants to see what kind of skills he really possesses."
...
Night fell.
The moon was dark and the wind high.
Disciples from both the inner and outer sects of Yunxia Sect gathered in small groups, all discussing tomorrow's event where Gu Qingfeng would challenge the Trial Array.
At this very moment, in a hall, Elder Ren De was pacing back and forth. When he occasionally stopped, he would stroke the long beard on his chin, gazing at the night sky with a seemingly worried expression.
Indeed.
Ever since learning that Gu Qingfeng was the disciple Huode had found to compete for the Heir Apparent position, Elder Ren De had decided to lend a hand. After all, he didn't want the thousand-year foundation painstakingly passed down by the sect's predecessors to be ruined by Shui De and Jin De.
He was a bit worried, concerned about whether Gu Qingfeng could pass the Trial Array tomorrow and whether he could pass the assessment.
Even though Huode had given his guarantee, Ren De still felt somewhat uneasy.
Because just moments ago, he had received news that both Shui De and Jin De had hurriedly left Yunxia Sect and would not appear tomorrow. Shui De had asked True Person Feixue to conduct the assessment on his behalf, while Jin De had asked Guang Yuan to do the same.
Ren De couldn't understand. What were Jin De and Shui De up to? What conspiracy were they plotting?
He had wanted to discuss this with Huode, but Huode was out. Fei Kui said Huode would return in the evening, so Ren De could only wait anxiously here.
Time passed bit by bit, and the night grew deeper.
Suddenly, two people entered the hall. One was a somewhat slovenly-looking old man in gray robes, and the other was a short, plump, round middle-aged man.
They were Elder Huode and Fei Kui.
"Junior Brother, you've finally arrived. Jin De and Shui De left in a hurry today..." Ren De recounted the matter. Huode nodded and replied, "I already know about this. It's not some trick they're playing. It's because Old Master Hong emerged from seclusion today. As soon as they got the news, they rushed over."
Hearing about Old Master Hong, Ren De's expression changed. First came joy, followed by even greater worry.
The joy was because Old Master Hong was a highly respected senior in the Qingyang region, known as one of the Qingyang Five Elders. His seniority was high, his face carried great weight, and most importantly, Old Master Hong had always maintained very good relations with Yunxia Sect.
The worry was that Shui De and Jin De rushing over must be to win over Old Master Hong. If, during the competition for the Heir Apparent position, Old Master Hong sided with either Shui De or Jin De, then things would turn disastrous.
"Senior Brother, with Old Master Hong emerging from seclusion, I must also pay him a personal visit. Tomorrow's assessment for that kid Gu will be entrusted to you."
Ren De understood the importance of Old Master Hong and nodded, asking, "Junior Brother, does that Gu Qingfeng truly have the capability..." "Don't worry about that. The assessment will be easier for that kid Gu than passing gas. What really worries me isn't that... I'm afraid..." "Afraid of what?"
"Afraid that kid won't be able to control his temper... If he starts killing people then, it'll be troublesome."
Yunxia Sect's web of interests was complex. Every elder, every executive, every guest elder, even every direct disciple had family or factional interests behind them. Killing anyone would be a loss to Yunxia Sect.
But his words truly made Ren De pause in surprise. The trial assessment hadn't even begun yet. Whether Gu Qingfeng could pass was still unknown. Why was Huode worried about him killing people? What kind of logic was that? He asked, "Why would he kill people for no reason?"
"That kid's temper isn't good. Although he appears harmless on the surface, laughing and joking, with a carefree attitude, that's just the surface. A leopard cannot change its spots. That kid has a wolfish nature at his core. If anyone shows killing intent toward him, he absolutely won't show mercy. What's even more frightening is that when his temper flares up, even he himself can't control it."
Huode advised, "So, Senior Brother, if anyone is foolish enough to show killing intent toward him tomorrow, you must intercept them first."
After saying this, he turned to Fei Kui and said, "And you, Fei Kui. My senior brother is, after all, a council elder with many considerations. If he finds it inconvenient to act, you step in. No matter who it is, knock them down first. Absolutely cannot let that kid Gu make a move. Once he acts, the other party will either die or be crippled. If it were just that, it wouldn't be a big deal. What I fear is if their people come seeking revenge. If he's in a good mood, it might be okay. But if he's in a bad mood, he'll start slaughtering on the spot, and that would be disastrous..." This...
Huode's words made Ren De deeply furrow his brow and left Fei Kui dumbfounded.
After being stunned for a good while, Ren De finally asked in astonishment, "Senior Brother, just who is that Gu Qingfeng? From how you describe him, he sounds... he sounds like a ruthless, cold-blooded demon."
"A demon? If he were a demon, then there would be no demons in this world..." Huode sighed deeply and said, "As for who he is, don't ask. His identity is too special. Knowing it won't do you any good; it might even bring you mortal danger. If it were exposed, the world would undoubtedly fall into great chaos."
Once his identity is exposed, the world falls into great chaos?
This...
Fei Kui couldn't even imagine what kind of person's identity, once exposed, would cause the world to fall into chaos. Not just him, even Ren De was wide-eyed, both shocked and horrified.
"Alright, it's getting late. I need to hurry to Old Master Hong's place. Can't let Shui De and Jin De gain the upper hand. Senior Brother, remember my words well!"
Huode sighed with regret. To be honest, if there had been even the slightest alternative, he would never have asked Gu Qingfeng to help with this matter. Even now, he felt some regret in his heart. He wasn't worried about Yunxia Sect falling into the hands of Shui De and Jin De, because he knew that since Gu Qingfeng had agreed to help, he would definitely be able to reclaim Yunxia Sect.
What truly frightened him was that by the time Yunxia Sect was reclaimed, all its people might be dead...
What use would that be!
However, this wasn't what worried Huode the most. What truly worried him was if, because of helping him, someone guessed Gu Qingfeng's identity...
Then the world would truly fall into great chaos...
Those immortal dynasties he had once annihilated...
Those sects he had once crushed...
Those experts he had once beaten to a pulp...
And those women who had been searching for him all along...
Those brothers who had been waiting for his return...
Good heavens!
Huode felt like crying. The more he thought about it, the more he regretted it. Now he lived every day in constant fear and anxiety...