Xiao Zhao's words made Bai Niannian's heart race, her bright eyes filling with urgency. "And then! What happened?"
A hint of pride instantly appeared on Xiao Zhao's tender cheeks, and he puffed out his chest slightly, humming in a low voice, "My master is supremely powerful, how could she be compared to someone like that? She couldn't even harm a single hair on my master's head!"
Bai Niannian's smile bloomed, bright and radiant. "It's best that everyone returned safely!"
"You must be my grand-disciple," Gong Yi Yuan said proactively, his gaze falling squarely on Bai Niannian.
At his words, Bai Niannian's expression immediately changed.
She widened her eyes and looked at Feng Ninghe in surprise. "Master, isn't he that old man we met on the street? How did he suddenly become your master?"
Gong Yi Yuan was still wearing the clothes Feng Ninghe had given him. His hair was half gray, but his eyes were sharp and bright.
Feng Ninghe quickly explained, "I haven't officially taken him as my master yet, so he's not my master."
"Oh, it's only a matter of time. You'll be my disciple before long," Gong Yi Yuan declared confidently.
He held the upper volume of an ancient text. To master the exquisite art of alchemy, he needed the upper volume.
This book was written by an eighth-grade alchemist. If even a whisper of its existence spread, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation throughout Jinling.
Su Hongxiu's gaze had already fallen upon Gong Yi Yuan.
The man was dressed simply, and his appearance revealed nothing at first glance. A wine gourd hung from his waist.
The gourd was also ordinary.
However, small characters were carved onto its body: Gong Yi.
Su Hongxiu's eyes narrowed slightly at this moment, and his well-defined fingers gently fanned himself with a bone fan. "Senior, I didn't expect you to be here in this secret realm as well."
"Oh?"
Only then did Gong Yi Yuan's gaze shift to him, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "I didn't expect you to recognize me."
In Jinling, these younger generation disciples would definitely not recognize him.
His legend only existed a thousand years ago.
Su Hongxiu smiled openly, his smile as warm as a spring breeze. His temples fluttered gently in the wind, his posture languid and casual. "I saw senior's wine gourd, so I remembered."
Gong Yi Yuan, the Sect Master of the First Sect, had once been a sensation, leading all the sects in Jinling.
As the head of all sects, no one dared to ignore his sect.
However, the First Sect had vanished without a trace six months ago.
Over the years, many had tried to find the First Sect, but there had been no news.
Gong Yi Yuan looked at him with slight satisfaction, nodding repeatedly. "Young man, you have good eyesight."
"Sixth Master, who is this senior..."
Su Xian had never seen Gong Yi Yuan before and found his face unfamiliar, her words tinged with a hint of doubt.
Su Hongxiu did not hesitate and took the initiative to introduce Gong Yi Yuan's identity. "Gong Yi Yuan, Sect Master of the First Sect."
These simple words caused a ripple of shock to flash across Su Xian's eyes.
She quickly cupped her hands towards Gong Yi Yuan. "Greetings, senior."
Gong Yi Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "No need for formalities."
The disciples of the Liu Miao Sect were in an uproar, their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at Gong Yi Yuan.
"I never thought I'd have the chance to see the Sect Master of the First Sect in my lifetime!"
"A thousand years ago, all sects treated the First Sect with respect and considered them the leader. But now, the sects in Jinling are like a scattered pile of sand."
"Now that the First Sect has reappeared, does it mean they will lead Jinling again?"
The disciples of the Liu Miao Sect chattered amongst themselves.
As the discussions reached her ears, Feng Ninghe raised a delicate eyebrow, a hint of doubt on her bright and cold face. "Is the First Sect truly that powerful?"
Si Jianye's cool gaze lowered, falling wantonly upon her. "The First Sect once saved Jinling. Back then, when Jinling was invaded by human puppets, it was the First Sect who led their disciples to save the city."
"Human puppets?"
Feng Ninghe's brow furrowed as if she had recalled something. The female voice that escaped her lips was soft. "I've heard of human puppets. They are said to be neither human nor beast, extremely ferocious, and incredibly tall. They fight without fear of death and come in vast numbers. Their cultivation is no less than that of Nascent Soul stage cultivators."
She had heard of them when she was in Lin Country.
But she hadn't paid much attention, treating it as a mere story.
After all, she had never seen a human puppet and didn't know what they truly were.
Moreover, human puppets had been extinct for a thousand years.
Si Jianye tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping towards the sky.
The man's eyes suddenly turned deep, a few wisps of faint light flickering within them.
Not many noticed the change in Si Jianye's demeanor.
"Gong Yi Yuan, Sect Master of the First Sect?"
A sharp female voice rang out from not far away.
Feng Qingcheng, accompanied by the disciples of the Immortal Sect, arrived in a grand procession.
Her angry eyes were fixed on Feng Ninghe, filled with both resentment and fury.
This wretched woman was clearly a cripple, yet she was blessed with incredible luck. Not only did the King of Hell favor her, but now she even possessed an ancient Qilin as a spirit beast.
The cultivation of this ancient Qilin was equivalent to that of a cultivator in the early stage of Soul Transformation!
The ancient Qilin was exceptionally talented, and its growth potential was not to be underestimated. How wonderful it would be if she could have such a spirit beast?
As long as Feng Ninghe died, the ancient Qilin would become ownerless. With a bit of coercion and persuasion, perhaps she could make this spirit beast recognize her as its master!
At this thought, Feng Qingcheng's expression became somewhat fanatical.
Feng Ninghe raised her eyes and met her gaze.
Their eyes met.
The emotions in their eyes were vastly different.
Feng Ninghe withdrew her gaze as if disgusted, and the female voice that escaped her lips was soft. "Feng Qingcheng, it seems you have a lot to say."
Feng Qingcheng had arrived much earlier but had not rushed forward. Instead, she had been observing from the side.
The Sect Master of the First Sect, Gong Yi Yuan, was renowned, and no one in this world would dare impersonate him.
It was just that the First Sect, which had been in seclusion for so long, was now appearing and intending to take Feng Ninghe as a disciple!
Why did this little slut get such a good opportunity?
Gong Yi Yuan's abilities far surpassed those of Tang Zun. She had even been proud on multiple occasions to have such a master. Now, in comparison, her pride was completely shattered.
Feng Qingcheng narrowed her eyes and quietly looked at Gong Yi Yuan. "Senior, even if you are taking a disciple, you shouldn't do so casually. You know nothing about this woman, and you don't know what kind of person she is."
Her venomous words carried hidden meaning.
Wang Junzhao nodded repeatedly in agreement beside her. "Sister Qingcheng is right. Senior, you need to open your eyes and not be deceived by scoundrels."
Gong Yi Yuan casually crossed his arms, his expression not changing much. "I didn't expect the younger generation of Jinling sects to be so presumptuous. If I want to take a disciple, who are you to point fingers?"
His appearance was simple and unremarkable.
But his strong, resonant voice sent a shiver down one's spine.
Feng Qingcheng's cheeks also curved into a smile at this moment. "Senior, this junior doesn't mean it that way. I'm just afraid you'll be deceived."