The Wind Rises in the Human World, the Tribulation Continues

"Since Di Xin sent you, I'll give him that much respect."

Gu Changqing agreed. Kong Xuan was merely a rogue cultivator, but thanks to his profound origins, he had managed to cultivate to the peak of the Quasi-Sage realm, making him practically unrivaled among those below Saints.

His talent and perseverance were truly extraordinary.

"Disciple Kong Xuan bows to Master."

Kong Xuan immediately knelt.

This scene made Qiong Xiao, who was standing nearby, feel a bit awkward.

Kong Xuan was originally her peer, and his cultivation was even higher than hers. Now, her fellow Daoist had become her martial nephew?

"Kong Xuan greets Martial Aunt Qiong Xiao."

Kong Xuan formally saluted Qiong Xiao.

"This… uh… you may rise."

Qiong Xiao felt a little unaccustomed to it. To ease the awkwardness, she asked Gu Changqing, "Since Sect Leader Junior Brother has returned to Golden Turtle Island, why didn't you say anything? I could have handed over the Intercepting Sect to you."

Gu Changqing chuckled, "The three Senior Sisters have managed the Intercepting Sect very well as acting leaders. I didn't think it necessary to disturb you."

"But Junior Brother is the true Sect Leader."

"It's nothing," Gu Changqing said with a smile. "The position of Sect Leader means little to me; it's like a fleeting cloud. If I meet the right person, I can hand it over at any time."

The Primordial World was, after all, only a beginning. Gu Changqing couldn't stay there forever.

However, at present, there was no one in the Intercepting Sect who could truly shoulder such a heavy responsibility.

Dobao was too smooth and lacked courage. Zhao Gongming was too righteous but lacked strategy.

Gu Changqing turned to look at Kong Xuan, a plan forming in his mind.

"Kong Xuan, since you've taken me as your master, I happen to be in need of a Sword Attendant. Do you find that insulting?"

"To serve as Sword Attendant for Master is my honor."

Just a Sword Attendant, no big deal, Kong Xuan readily agreed.

He wasn't very familiar with Gu Changqing, nor had he expected to be so highly regarded immediately upon entering the sect.

"Hmm."

Gu Changqing took out the Four Swords of Zhuxian and handed them to Kong Xuan.

Kong Xuan was slightly stunned but didn't think much of it.

A Sword Attendant is someone who attends to swords, and the Four Swords of Zhuxian are indeed swords.

Gu Changqing smiled faintly, then took out the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Diagram and handed it to Kong Xuan, saying, "You can study this formation diagram when you have time."

The Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Diagram!

As soon as the diagram appeared, not only Kong Xuan but even Qiong Xiao was greatly astonished.

Being a Sword Attendant was one thing, but if this Sword Attendant served the Four Swords of Zhuxian and comprehended the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Diagram, the meaning was entirely different.

Today's Sword Attendant, tomorrow's Sect Leader!

Everyone had faith in Kong Xuan's ability and character, but he had only just joined the sect today!

"This disciple wouldn't dare!"

Kong Xuan held the formation diagram and knelt before Gu Changqing.

How could he not know what the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation meant to the Intercepting Sect?

He had initially thought Gu Changqing didn't trust him, but it turned out to be an excess of trust.

Gu Changqing asked in surprise, "You dared to take me as your master, but you can't accept the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation?"

"This…"

"Thank you, Master!"

Kong Xuan no longer hesitated and carefully put away the formation diagram.

Gu Changqing's strength was beyond doubt. However, no one in the Primordial World dared to take him as their master.

Everyone wanted to cling to a powerful figure, but this particular figure was not stable.

Gu Changqing had wiped out the Human and Chan Sects and driven the Saints out of the Primordial World—a feat of unprecedented scale.

But behind the Saints was the Dao Ancestor. As soon as the Dao Ancestor returned, Gu Changqing would be instantly finished.

Gu Changqing patted Kong Xuan's shoulder and said, "Keep up the good work!"

He then walked out of Biyou Palace.

Kong Xuan hesitated for a moment, then also followed him out.

By the time Qiong Xiao reacted, the two figures had already vanished.

Qiong Xiao could only let out a bitter laugh and shake her head.

This Sect Leader Junior Brother was truly unreliable.

Cultivation isn't just about cultivating; it's also about action.

Kong Xuan did well in this regard.

As the two walked through the Human Race's main street, they drew countless gazes.

Gu Changqing glanced back at Kong Xuan, seeing the four large swords strapped to his back, and frowned. "I'm telling you, can't you put those things away? You look like Zuo Qianhu."

Zuo Qianhu?

Kong Xuan was slightly taken aback. He made a mental note to spar with Zuo Qianhu another day.

Anyone who could catch his master's eye surely wasn't ordinary, perhaps even a master swordsman.

While thinking, Kong Xuan still put the Four Swords of Zhuxian back into his purple mansion.

After walking a bit further, the two remained the center of attention.

This was especially true for the women, who all looked at Kong Xuan with eager expressions.

Gu Changqing rubbed his forehead, then said, "I'm telling you, can't you tone down your good looks a bit?"

Gu Changqing was 100% certain that Kong Xuan was the original "peacock male."

"Good looks?"

Kong Xuan looked confused.

Gu Changqing pointed to his own face, then to the onlookers, and said, "Do you think this counts as traveling incognito?"

The two found a secluded spot, and Kong Xuan toned down his good looks by a hundredfold.

But...

But he was still devastatingly handsome.

Gu Changqing pointed to himself and said, "Can't you be more like me?"

Kong Xuan gave an awkward laugh. "No can do, it's natural."

Gu Changqing: Heh, are you implying something about me?

Gu Changqing shook his head and led Kong Xuan away.

This place was no longer tenable; Kong Xuan was a walking spotlight.

Kong Xuan sighed, toning down his good looks by another hundredfold, making himself "ugly" enough to want to vomit.

Gu Changqing saw that Kong Xuan still had a handsome face and sighed inwardly. He truly was the progenitor of all peacock males.

Though still top-tier in looks, at least it wasn't as exaggerated as before. People probably wouldn't recognize him as Kong Xuan.

No one would believe that the Primordial World's most handsome individual could make himself look like just a regular handsome guy.

When they arrived at a mountain village, they saw everyone in the village performing a ritual of worship.

The deity they were bowing to was not Human Ancestor Nüwa, but a statue shrouded in demonic energy.

Gu Changqing frowned slightly. When the Great Shang established its Immortal Dynasty, it did not worship heaven and earth or ghosts and gods; it only worshipped the Human Ancestor.

These villagers, however, were actually worshipping a Demon God.

"Let's go down and see."

Gu Changqing and Kong Xuan blended into the crowd. When the villagers saw the two staring directly at the Demon God statue, they angrily shouted:

"Who are you audacious commoners, daring to look directly at Lord Demon God?"

"Drag them out and beat them to death with sticks!"

Countless villagers surged towards the two, intent on beating Gu Changqing and Kong Xuan to death with sticks.

The Demon God statue's mouth curved into a smirk.

"Haha... Gu Changqing, I never thought you'd have a day like this!"

Only Gu Changqing and Kong Xuan could hear the Demon God's words.

Kong Xuan's sword-like brows furrowed, and he pointed a finger at the Demon God.

A mere Earth Immortal dares to be so arrogant!

The Demon God shattered at his touch.

But a black light glowed, and the Demon God resurrected once more.

The collapse and resurrection happened in an instant; the villagers didn't even react.

"Undying?"

Kong Xuan waved his hand, sending out a profound light that blocked the villagers.

Gu Changqing chuckled. "It can't exactly be called undying. It's just that his true spirit isn't here. As long as his true spirit isn't destroyed, he won't die."

"I see."

Kong Xuan frowned slightly, surprised that he, a peak Quasi-Sage, was stumped by a mere Earth Immortal.

"Haha… you can't kill me!"

"Gu Changqing, being besieged by the very people you protect—how does that feel?"

"Hmph!"

Gu Changqing pointed a finger at the Demon God, and the Creation Profound Light transformed into the power of karma.

"Impossible!"

The Demon God shrieked, exploding once again.

The power of karma severs karmic ties.

Tracking that sliver of karma and severing his true spirit was but a flick of a finger.

Even after destroying the minor Earth Immortal, Gu Changqing's mood grew heavy.

In the Primordial World, only two great magic treasures could collect true spirits.

One was the Investiture of the Gods List, and the other was the Myriad Spirits Illustrated Book.

He had only heard of the Myriad Spirits Illustrated Book, but the Investiture of the Gods List was widely known.

The Investiture of the Gods List sealed away orthodox Xuanmen disciples; it was impossible for it to contain such demonic energy.

The Myriad Spirits Illustrated Book?

Gu Changqing sent his divine sense into the system, but there was no Myriad Spirits Illustrated Book.

Could it be the Investiture of the Gods List?

Impossible!

As the Lord of the Heavenly Court and a disciple of the Dao Ancestor, how could Haotian collude with the demonic path?

"Let's go."

Gu Changqing led Kong Xuan in a temporary retreat from the stronghold.

"Kong Xuan, go investigate. Faith doesn't appear out of thin air."

"Understood."

After Kong Xuan left, Gu Changqing gazed at the Primordial World with his Dharma Eye.

He saw the entire Primordial World bathed in a crimson glow!

Calamity energy?

Could it be that the Tribulation wasn't over yet?

The Investiture of the Gods List had already returned to the Heavenly Court, so why hadn't the Investiture of the Gods Calamity ended?

Gu Changqing was completely baffled.