Xin Ji delivered a letter for the Demon Realm's co-leader Wei Fengshi, and made an appointment with the other party at Yongbi Bay on the main island of Penglai. However, Xin Ji was late, and it had been almost half a month since the agreed time. It was estimated that the two parties had already reconnected through other means. Since Xin Ji disappeared with the letter, Wei Fengshi would surely track him down. There must be someone monitoring Yongbi Bay.
Who is colluding with the Demon Realm
According to Jun Muzhi, Penglai usually does not refuse demon cultivators to come to the island for transactions, but Gu Pinglin did not care about those unidentified independent cultivators - to be able to get Master Weifeng to write a letter personally, the other party must be quite powerful, and a few independent cultivators would not be taken so seriously by him. And Liuyu Gong Guo Feng, as the actual ruler of Penglai Island, would not be so foolish as to collude with the demon sect, and Gong Pingcang and Gong Shunshi were not blind.
Master Wei Feng's letter is most likely addressed to other righteous sects, so this is a big problem.
This was exactly why Gu Pinglin wanted to go to the main island to investigate. He had offended Guo Feng before, and it would be too conspicuous to go to the main island rashly. Accompanying Duan Qingming to meet his father was a good reason.
The two left the Biyou Palace and took a small boat straight to the main island.
The main island of Penglai is larger than the Fairy Snake Island and the Turtle Island. When you get on the dock, there is a magnificent archway not far in front of you. You can enter the street through the archway. The buildings on the main island are more majestic, and there is a grand atmosphere everywhere. When everyone entered the island, they hurriedly passed by a few streets and didn't have time to learn too much. Now that they revisited it, Gu Pinglin secretly memorized the layout and location.
The market was built beside the main mountain, divided into the inner city and the outer city, separated by a wall. The outer city was at the foot of the mountain, where local fishermen and passers-by lived, with many shops; the inner city was where the Six Imperial Lords, Guo Feng, and his disciples and retainers lived, as well as some important guests from large sects, and there were city gate guards outside.
When they reached the city gate, Duan Qingming stopped and said to Gu Pinglin, "I'm going to see my father. You can have fun and wait for me to come back."
Gu Pinglin said: "Why bother? I will go with you."
Duan Qingming was surprised: "Do you really want to meet my father?"
"Of course, it would be a pity to miss the elegance of the Duan family's Patriarch," Gu Pinglin said slowly, "Are you afraid, or are you worried that I might notice something?"
"You, you always worry about me," Duan Qingming said with a smile, "In order not to let you regret it, please."
He leaned over to gesture, and Gu Pinglin didn't hesitate to walk ahead.
It is not difficult to find that the two have been under surveillance since they landed. It is estimated that Guo Feng already knows Duan Qingming's identity. The two said they were going to pay a visit to Duan Pin and were allowed to pass unhindered.
Unlike the bustling outer city, the inner city had no streets, retaining the original appearance of the mountains and forests, with thick green shades and neat stone paths leading to various courtyards, which was very quiet. Magic was forbidden in the city, and only people with special identities could use the teleportation array. The guest house was on the mountainside, so the two could only walk up the mountain.
The guest house that received the Duan family was of very high standards, with Penglai disciples guarding outside. Duan Qinghou and a young girl were waiting outside the gate. They came forward to greet Duan Qingming as soon as they saw him. It seemed that they had received the news a long time ago.
Duan Qinghou bowed politely and said, "I learned that Sixth Brother had arrived in Penglai, and was about to go see him, but Sixth Brother came over."
Duan Qing held his arm with one hand and said with a smile: "You and I are brothers, no need to be polite. I haven't seen you for a long time, and I miss you very much."
Duan Qinghou stood up straight and said with a smile: "That being said, I also miss Sixth Brother, but it's a pity that I don't have the chance to visit you."
What a picture of brothers being friendly and respectful to each other. Gu Pinglin raised his eyebrows and watched the show.
Compared to the time in Shengong Valley, Duan Qinghou's behavior and demeanor seemed much more confident, and he looked quite smug. Now as long as he didn't make any mistakes, his position as the heir of the Duan family would be secure. Naturally, he had to be more respectful to his brother who no longer posed a threat, so as not to give him a handle.
Duan Qingming seemed unaware and introduced Gu Pinglin to the two of them.
"It turned out to be Brother Gu," Duan Qinghou suddenly realized, but there was not much surprise in his eyes, "Mother often praised in front of father, saying that Uncle Gu was very dedicated in taking care of the Spirit Herb Garden. I heard that Brother Gu was the direct disciple of Master Yue. After meeting him today, he is indeed extraordinary."
Is this a way to win over someone or a warning? Gu Pinglin smiled and thanked him.
"Father is talking with the elder of the family in the hall. Sixth brother, please go in quickly." The young girl next to him smiled. She was not beautiful, with a hard facial contour. Her eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to Duan Qinghou. She was Duan Heng, the daughter of Qi. Gu Pinglin recognized her in his previous life.
"Thank you for the reminder, Fourth Sister," Duan Qingming stepped aside to let Gu Pinglin go, "Let's go."
In front of outsiders, Gu Pinglin also politely gave way, and the two of them walked into the gate side by side, followed by Duan Qinghou and his sister.
In the small hall, Duan Pin and the two elders were discussing something. Duan Qingming stopped outside the door, straightened his robes, and then went in to greet them. The two elders had complicated expressions when they saw him. Originally in their minds, Duan Qingming was the authentic heir, but he gave up Xuanming Sect and insisted on joining a second-rate sect, ruining his bright future.
Duan Pin expressed his concern for his son in a gentle manner, then looked at Gu Pinglin.
Without waiting for Duan Qingming to introduce him, Duan Qinghou smiled and said, "This is the disciple of Master Yue of Lingxin Sect, Brother Gu Pinglin, the son of Uncle Gu of Lingcao Garden. Father should remember him."
Gu Pinglin greeted Duan Pin with courtesy as a junior.
When Gu Jin was introduced to the Duan Clan by Duan Qingming, he was soon suppressed by the Qi Clan. He immediately turned to the Qi Clan and finally gained a foothold in the Lingcao Garden. Because he was good at scheming, he gradually became famous in front of Duan Pin. Duan Pin looked down on the Lingxin Sect, but Gu Jin was a guest of the Duan Clan, and was considered half of his own family. Duan Pin still praised Gu Pinglin: "A tiger father will have a dog son, that's right."
In his previous life, after Gu Pinglin became the head of the sect, he also had contact with Duan Pin. Knowing his character, he said a few humble words and suddenly smiled, "It is true that a tiger father will have a dog son. Senior Brother Duan's swordsmanship is outstanding, and he has entered the Zhoutian realm at the ninth level of the Na Yuan realm. We brothers and sisters are really envious. Patriarch Duan is so lucky."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.
"Na Yuan Jiu Chong?" An elder in the family suspected that he had heard it wrong.
"That's right," Gu Pinglin pretended to be surprised, "Brother Duan didn't tell the head of the family?"
Although Na Yuan is a basic realm, it is of great significance to cultivators. In the world of cultivation, those who can refine Na Yuan to the ninth level are rare. Their Dantian capacity is more than twice that of cultivators of the same level. Just based on this point, they are destined to be superior. Gu Pinglin had discovered this when they were fighting the hook snake together. It was not until this moment that he deliberately mentioned it in front of the important figures of the Duan family.
Who would let go of such a genius
"Are you serious?" An elder stood up, his voice trembling with excitement, "Qingming, are you really the ninth level of Na Yuan?"
Duan Qingming looked at Gu Pinglin from the side with narrowed eyes.
Gu Pinglin just pretended not to see it.
Another elder waved, "Qingming, come here, let me take a look."
"Yes." In the blink of an eye, Duan Qingming had returned to normal. He walked over with a smile and allowed him to hold his pulse and test it.
"How?" Duan Pin asked.
The elder frowned a few times, and after repeated confirmation, he laughed: "Yes, this Dantian capacity is not false, not at all!"
"Why didn't you say so earlier!" The old man smiled, "I knew Qingming was very talented, and he didn't disappoint me... What do you think, Patriarch?"
Duan Pin had a complicated expression.
With the support of the elders and the relationship with the Qi family, Duan Qinghou was the best candidate for succession. However, he had the eldest son of the first wife in front of him, which was legitimate and won the hearts of the elders. If he was mediocre, it would be fine, but he was so outstanding. If they supported him, would the Qi family be willing? It would be disadvantageous for the brothers to fight in the future. But now he had to give up on him. Not to mention that the elders were unwilling, he himself was reluctant to do so. This was a rare ninth-level Na Yuan in the world of cultivation for thousands of years. With such a person, the Duan family had no worries about having a future!
After a while, Duan Pin finally said calmly: "Qingming, you come back first."
Duan Qinghou's face was extremely ugly. After being gently pushed by Duan Heng, he managed to force a smile and stepped forward to congratulate: "Congratulations, Sixth Brother."
Duan Qingming shook his head and said, "I swore that I would not leave Lingxin Sect."
"With your talent, what can the Lingxin Sect teach you?" said an old man, "It's simply a waste of your time..."
Another elder looked at Gu Pinglin and stopped him from saying anything more: "You take fame lightly. You haven't seen the Duan family's supreme swordsmanship yet, so you don't know its depth. Is it true that the Duan family is a first-class family? The help our family can give you is far beyond what the sect can provide. A man should aspire to the great cause. It would be foolish to leave better resources unused and be dragged down by the sect's mundane affairs."
Duan Qingming thought for a moment and said, "Well, let me think about it."
Seeing Duan Pin was about to nod, Gu Pinglin immediately said, "Patriarch Duan and the elders are doing this for Senior Brother's own good. Master is also willing to let Senior Brother go. Why do you have to make excuses and delay things like this?"
"How dare you!" Duan Pin understood and scolded Duan Qingming harshly, "Your last name is Duan, how can I allow you to do whatever you want in this matter! If I ask you to stay, then stay. You don't have to go back today."
It would be easy for the three inner elixir masters to force him to stay.
Gu Pinglin stepped aside.
The two elders advised: "Your father is doing this for your own good..."
Before they could finish, Duan Qingming suddenly became angry: "For my own good? He remarried Qi and had children, and then he forgot about my mother and me. I was framed and left the Duan family, and he knew it very well, but when did he clear my name? Qi sent someone to kill me, and he asked if I was alive or dead? When I failed to obtain the Heavenly Sword, he sent out visiting cards in the name of his eighth brother, but when did he care about my face?"
He has always been gentle and polite, and has never been harsh in his words. Everyone was stunned by what he said, even Gu Pinglin was stunned.
"Did the Qi family really send someone to kill you?" The two elders frowned.
Duan Qinghou reacted and accused him harshly: "Sixth brother! Mother has always treated you well, how could you make up such a lie to slander her!"
"Qingming, I'll take my leave." Duan Qingming walked out with a wave of his sleeves.
Gu Pinglin watched the show, said "goodbye", and followed him out.
Duan Pin and the elders had never expected that Duan Qingming would actually feel resentment towards his family. This was a very tricky matter. His talent was destined to be great in the future. It would definitely not be a good thing for the Duan family if he separated from them at this time. Now that he had someone to rely on, whether Qi admitted it or not, the elders would think that he had been treated unfairly. Moreover, Duan Pin himself knew what Qi had done. Thinking of facing the elders' questions after returning, he felt angry and regretful, but it was not easy to force him to stay.
The two of them hurried down the mountain, one after the other, and went straight out of the inner city.
"That's enough. No need to act anymore." Gu Pinglin said.
"You've caused enough trouble," Duan Qingming stopped and turned around, "That woman from the Qi family will deal with me, aren't you afraid that she'll kill me?"
Gu Pinglin was caught off guard and his wrist was grabbed, but he remained calm: "I'm afraid, I'm afraid you'll cause too little trouble."
"Really?" Duan Qingming suddenly held his entire hand and squeezed it twice gently and ambiguously.
Gu Pinglin's face changed, and he broke free suddenly: "What are you doing!"
Duan Qingming smiled and said, "You are not a woman, so why should you mind?"
Gu Pinglin was choked when his words were echoed back at him.
This abnormal monster was paranoid and crazy in nature, and didn't care about anything when he was interested. After what happened last night, he had been using this to influence his emotions. And it was impossible for him to say that he didn't mind. Gu Pinglin had to admit that it was difficult for him to face this person calmly, and he wanted to kill him with a sword several times.
"No wonder you insisted on following me," Duan Qingming said, "This move was so swift and decisive, it was breathtaking."
"Your response was not bad," Gu Pinglin sneered, "Next, they will try every possible way to persuade you to change your mind, and then you will be able to make your demands more easily."
"for example?"
"The Duan family's advanced swordsmanship, the Duan family's resources, and your reasons for staying in the Lingxin Sect."
"It sounds like we gained a lot. I have to thank you for this time," Duan Qingming laughed, "Let's go to Yongbiwan."
Gu Pinglin pursed his lips tightly, feeling a little blocked in his heart.
I had expected that he would not return to the Duan family, but I had not expected that he would do it in this way. In any case, the Qi family would never sit idly by and the purpose of causing trouble for him was achieved. But he would definitely not let it go after suffering this loss, so I had to be careful.