For several days, Gu Qingfeng had been holed up in his room, studying the mixed-color crystal he had discovered in the ancient cave dwelling.
He had cultivated for five hundred years, ascended to the Immortal Dao throne, the Demonic Dao throne, and even the Heavenly Dao Imperial throne. Though he dared not boast of knowing everything, he could absolutely be called a man of extensive experience. Yet after studying it for so many days, he still couldn't figure out what this thing was.
He didn't know what the crystal was, nor what the mysterious space inside it was. He also hadn't figured out why there was Judgment within it.
This drove Gu Qingfeng to near madness, making him feel he had truly wasted all these years.
Of course, it wasn't a complete waste. After days of lurking, he had at least figured out one thing: the two women inside also seemed unaware of what this mysterious space was. Furthermore, they weren't the only ones who could enter the space; it seemed there were others. From their conversation, he learned there was another person who could enter.
During the days Gu Qingfeng lurked, he discovered another divine sense would occasionally appear. He didn't know if this was the third person they mentioned. If not, that meant there was a fourth person who could enter.
Gu Qingfeng considered probing to find out who they were and how they entered. But after some thought, he decided to let it go. The situation was unclear; who knew if there were others lurking in the space? He decided to wait and observe, to understand the situation first.
...
Early the next morning, as the sun rose.
Rear-Mountain Lingyin Garden.
Fei Kui had prepared the washing supplies early and was now standing at the door waiting. Today was the day Gu Qingfeng was to participate in the trial assessment. Seeing the assessment time was almost upon them, yet there was still no movement from inside.
Fei Kui was anxious, but could only wait obediently here.
He dared not call out.
He dared not make a disturbance.
Ever since hearing what the Old Master said yesterday, Fei Kui was still somewhat dazed. Especially the Old Master's words, "If his identity is exposed, the world will be thrown into chaos," kept echoing in his mind. Even the Old Master was that afraid, so how could Fei Kui dare to disturb him?
At that moment, someone suddenly barged into Lingyin Garden.
A stunningly beautiful face, a bewitching figure, exuding endless charm—who else could it be but Ouyang Feiyue.
"Fei Kui, where is Young Master Gu?"
"The Young Master is resting inside," Fei Kui replied with a bow.
"Still resting? The assessment is about to start..." Before she finished speaking, the door opened, and Gu Qingfeng walked out, putting on his clothes while smiling. "Yo, big sister, what brings you to me so early in the morning?"
"Young Master, good morning... Today is the day you participate in the assessment. I'm here to cheer you on, of course, and to congratulate you in advance on your smooth promotion."
Fei Kui, having heard the Old Master's words, dared not show disrespect to Gu Qingfeng. As for Ouyang Feiyue, ever since her failed attempt to probe him two days ago, she no longer dared to call him 'Qingfeng little brother' and had also started calling him 'Young Master' along with Fei Kui.
"I haven't even taken the test yet, and you're already here to congratulate me? You think that highly of me?"
Ouyang Feiyue smiled, her face like a flower. "A mere trial assessment, how could it possibly trouble Young Master?"
"Hahaha! I like hearing that."
When Gu Qingfeng came out, Fei Kui hurriedly brought over the clean water he had prepared. After washing up, he handed him a towel, then fresh fruits, and fine wine.
Seeing this scene, Ouyang Feiyue became even more convinced of her own thoughts.
Originally, she had come to probe what this guy had asked her after she was bewitched that day. But when she saw Fei Kui serving Gu Qingfeng like he was an ancestor, Ouyang Feiyue felt it was better not to probe. Fei Kui serving him with such reverence—who knew what kind of person this guy really was?
She felt somewhat afraid.
Especially watching Fei Kui serve him with such caution made her heart shiver.
"Didn't the Old Master say he'd return today?" Gu Qingfeng asked after washing up.
"The Old Master returned yesterday but didn't dare disturb you. He left again in the middle of the night on urgent business..."
"He's quite busy."
"The Old Master instructed this humble one last night to pass on a message to you."
"What message?"
"The Old Master said..." Fei Kui glanced at Ouyang Feiyue, thought for a moment, and said, "The Old Master said to ask you, for his sake, to try not to get angry..."
"What kind of talk is that? Why would I get angry for no reason?"
Fei Kui lowered his head, unsure how to respond to this statement. Beside him, Ouyang Feiyue couldn't help but frown upon hearing this. What did 'try not to get angry' mean? What was the Old Master implying?
What if he did get angry?
Could it be...
As the Old Master said, if he got angry, it would be a major event?
She didn't understand, didn't know, and dared not ask further.
"Let's go."
Since he had promised Huode, Gu Qingfeng would naturally handle the matter properly. Leaving Lingyin Garden, he noticed Ouyang Feiyue following and asked, "You're coming too?"
"Young Master, how could you forget? I'm also a guest elder of Yunxia Sect." Ouyang Feiyue's smile was captivating and alluring. "Moreover, I've been on the Old Master's side from the very beginning. Of course, that's not important. What's important is that I'm here to cheer you on, Young Master."
Gu Qingfeng glanced at her, smiled, and said nothing.
Yunxia Sect, Trial Grounds. The place was already packed with people, as if nearly all the disciples from inside and outside the inner sect had come.
After all, everyone knew Gu Qingfeng was taking the trial assessment today. Once he passed, it meant he would become a Nine Halls direct disciple.
This was a major event for Yunxia Sect. Not only had the disciples come, but nearly all the deacons, managers, and elders from the inner and outer sects were present. Many guest elders like Ouyang Feiyue had also arrived.
Whether they were deacon elders or guest elders, almost all of them knew Yunxia Sect was about to undergo a 'change of dynasty.' They also clearly understood that Gu Qingfeng was the disciple Huode had found to contend for the Heir Apparent position.
Although many deacon elders and guest elders supported either Shuide or Jinde, most were still hesitating, unable to decide. They were all old foxes, knowing that choosing the wrong side would have severe consequences—not only would their interests suffer, but they might also lose their lives. Therefore, until the final moment, no one dared to blindly pick a side.
Now, the momentum of Gu Qingfeng, whom Huode had found, was incredibly fierce. He might very well be a dark horse, so they needed to observe him carefully.
On the high platform, Rende, Mude, and about seven or eight other Yunxia Sect council elders sat upright. They were today's chief examiners. Besides them, there were Guangyuan and Feixue. Originally, these two had no right to sit here, but council elders Jinde and Shuide were temporarily away, so they were acting as substitutes for the review.
Apart from these council elders, dozens of deacon elders sat on both sides of the high platform, with nearly a hundred guest elders nearby.
Many of Yunxia Sect's prominent disciples had also come, including the Twelve Courtyards chiefs led by Mu Zibai.
Five Nine Halls direct disciples were present today.
Zhong Tianying, Li Wang, Fan Dongkun, Lü Cheng, Jiang Yuan—these five were not only Nine Halls direct disciples of Yunxia Sect but also renowned far and wide, each an outstanding genius. However, the four with the greatest fame, highest strength, and deepest backgrounds among the Nine Halls direct disciples—Mo Long and Jin Jingshan—for some reason, did not appear. Some said Mo Long and Jin Jingshan probably didn't even consider Gu Qingfeng worth their attention.
As the assessment time drew nearer, finally, Gu Qingfeng and his party appeared at the trial grounds.
The grounds instantly erupted in commotion, with everyone's eyes sweeping toward them.
At that moment, a giant sword flew over, embedding itself fiercely into the ground about ten meters in front of Gu Qingfeng, causing the ground to instantly crack open.
Whoosh!
A figure cut through the air, landing on the giant sword in an instant.
Everyone recognized him.
Nine Halls direct disciple, Li Wang.
"Li Wang, don't you dare be presumptuous!"
"Li Wang, stand down!"
"Li Wang! What are you doing!"
Li Wang suddenly blocking Gu Qingfeng's path immediately drew angry rebukes from elders like Rende. Even Guangyuan, who was on Elder Jinde's side, was no exception. Only True Person Feixue sat there with a cold smile, watching the show.
Facing the elders' angry shouts, Li Wang paid no heed, his gaze fixed dead on Gu Qingfeng.
(Let's stop here for today. The plot has developed to this point, and it's about to explode...
So...
Four chapters tomorrow...
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