That morning.
Everyone from the Council Elders at the top to the Outer Sect Stewards at the bottom, and even the Transmission Masters, were gathered at the foot of a mountain peak.
The peak was named Flaming Sun Peak. It was the main peak of Yunxia Sect and the very root of the sect's existence.
As was well known, Yunxia Sect occupied a Flaming Sun Fire Spiritual Vein, and the root of this fire spiritual vein lay beneath this very Flaming Sun Peak.
The Flaming Sun Fire Spiritual Vein was a rare and precious fire spiritual vein. Otherwise, Yunxia Sect could not have relied on this vein to pass down its legacy for so long. When the Cataclysm of the Myriad Heavens occurred, many had wanted to wipe out Yunxia Sect to seize this Flaming Sun Fire Spiritual Vein.
After surviving the calamity back then, for the sake of safety, the Three Supreme Elders had sealed off this mountain peak with a formation.
And this sealing had lasted for over ninety years, just two months short of a full century.
Huode and Rende were the first to arrive. Soon after, Shui De and Jin De also arrived one after the other. Both seemed equally surprised by the Three Supreme Elders' sudden emergence from seclusion, but this wasn't important, especially for Jin De, who was eager for the Three Supreme Elders to emerge sooner.
"Huode, you didn't expect the Three Supreme Elders to emerge so suddenly, did you?"
Jin De sneered, his face dark. "When the Three Supreme Elders emerge later, if they learn that Mu De and Guang Yuan were both crippled by that Gu fellow you brought in, I'd like to see how you explain yourself!"
Huode didn't even glance at him, too lazy to respond.
"And you, Shui De! The Three Supreme Elders were forced to sign a century-long contract with the Nine-Hua Alliance back then, yet you dare collude with the Nine-Hua Alliance, coveting to swallow our Yunxia Sect whole! I eagerly await to see how the Three Elders will deal with you once they learn of this!"
"I've said it before: a wise man knows how to adapt to the times. Our three grandmasters are reasonable people; they will naturally weigh the pros and cons."
Shui De placed his hands in front of him, squinting his eyes with a thin, insincere smile. "It's you I'm worried about. All these years, in your efforts to win over those families, you've not only made our Yunxia Sect a mess but also ceded away two-tenths of our spiritual vein resources... If the Three Grandmasters learn of your dealings, how do you think they'll deal with you?"
"Then let's wait and see."
The radiance enveloping Yunxia Peak, shimmering with a layer of variegated colors, was gradually dissipating. Clearly, the formation was ceasing its operation.
After about half an hour, the grand formation shrouding the mountain peak finally stopped operating, and Flaming Sun Peak finally appeared before everyone's eyes.
It was a towering peak. Everything on the mountain, from the rocks to the trees, was fiery red. Even the peak itself looked like a blazing pillar of fire. One could vaguely see a stone gate halfway up the mountainside.
Then, with a resonant *hum*, the stone gate slowly opened.
Immediately, three old men walked out. Without exception, the three elders wore green robes, held horsetail whisks, and had white hair and beards. Coupled with the faint white radiance shimmering around them, they appeared quite transcendent and immortal.
The three were precisely Yunxia Sect's Three Supreme Elders: Yun Zheng, Yun Fa, and Yun He.
They were also the famously renowned Three Elders of Yunxia, simultaneously recognized as three grandmasters within the Qingyang region. Having cultivated for nearly a millennium, they had survived the first major longevity tribulation, and the Golden Core within their bodies was exceptionally profound.
When the three elders appeared, the Steward Elders and others standing at the foot of the mountain immediately bowed respectfully, welcoming the Three Supreme Elders' emergence from seclusion.
Among the Three Supreme Elders, True Being Yun He was the eldest. Gazing at his disciples and grand-disciples below, he nodded expressionlessly and said calmly, "All rise..." The reason the three elders had secluded themselves for a century was firstly to protect the Flaming Sun Fire Spiritual Vein, secondly to enhance their cultivation, and thirdly, for the sake of the century-long term.
As soon as True Being Yun He finished speaking, Jin De stepped forward. First, he vehemently denounced Shui De for colluding with the Nine-Hua Alliance in an attempt to annex Yunxia Sect. Then, turning the tables, he accused Huode of colluding with demons and killing Mu De.
Not to be outdone, Shui De accused Jin De of not only making Yunxia Sect a mess but also ceding away spiritual vein resources...
As the two argued noisily, the Three Supreme Elders standing on the mountain peak listened to their mutual accusations, seemingly unsurprised. The leading True Being Yun He waved his hand and said, "We are already aware of the matters. There is no need for you to mention them further..."
True Being Yun He's statement left both Jin De and Shui De bewildered. The Three Supreme Elders had been in seclusion and never emerged. How could they know?
Could it be...
Both suddenly remembered one person: Sect Head Tu De. It must be him. Only the Sect Head had the qualification to enter Flaming Sun Peak.
Just as the two were speculating, another old man walked out from within the stone gate. This elder had a pale complexion, looked haggard, and his expression was deeply dejected. It was precisely Sect Head Tu De.
When Tu De appeared, he looked at Huode and then shook his head slightly, as if very disappointed.
"Jin De, come up with me."
Yun He called out. Jin De was startled. Though puzzled, he hurriedly ascended the peak.
"Shui De, come with me."
True Being Yun Zheng then called Shui De up.
"Rende, come with me."
True Being Yun Fa then called Rende up.
No one knew what was happening. Everyone was somewhat confused.
Seeing Sect Head Tu De walk down, Huode quickly went up to support him and asked, "Senior Brother, how did things go? Why does the situation look off to me?"
Huode knew his Sect Head senior brother had gone to see the Three Supreme Elders two days prior. He had specifically asked his senior brother to mention some matters regarding Gu Qingfeng, hoping the Three Supreme Elders would appoint Gu Qingfeng as the Heir Apparent.
"I've said all that needed to be said, but the Three Grand-Uncles do not believe that Gu... can accomplish it. They unanimously believe that since Gu Qingfeng failed his Foundation Establishment, appointing him as Heir Apparent would simply fail to command respect..."
"Didn't you tell them how formidable that kid Gu is?"
"I did... I said everything that needed to be said. But the Three Grand-Uncles believe that no matter how powerful he is, it's useless. Jin De has many followers and the support of numerous sects, families, and factions behind him. Offending Jin De means offending half of the Qingyang region. Most importantly, the Three Grand-Uncles said one person simply cannot contend against the Nine-Hua Alliance... Alas..."
"Damn it! So what do they mean?"
"The Three Grand-Uncles are also hesitating over whether to choose the Nine-Hua Alliance or Jin De... Calling them up is probably to question them for clarity."
"Damn it! Those three old fogies are getting more and more muddle-headed with age! That kid Gu lacks the strength to contend with the Nine-Hua Alliance? What utter bullshit! If they were told that kid Gu's true identity, it'd scare them to death!"
Could Gu Qingfeng's identity be exposed?
The answer was definite.
No.
If it could be exposed, this matter would be much easier to handle. Then it wouldn't be a question of whether the Three Supreme Elders agreed or not, but whether they could survive the shock.
However, both Huode and Tu De knew it couldn't be spoken aloud. Otherwise, if word spread, the world would fall into chaos.
"No! I'm going to fetch that kid Gu right now and let them see for themselves whether he has the strength to contend with the Nine-Hua Alliance or not!"