Indeed, Gu Changqing had already sensed the Elder of Chaos's return.
After all, with an unsurpassed divine ability that mirrored all the heavens at his command, even the deepest, most hidden, most elusive changes in the Outer Chaos Region could not escape his probing senses.
That familiar aura, though countless times stronger than before, though imbued with an ineffable, mysterious Dao rhythm,
And though the Elder of Chaos had concealed himself so deeply that even Sages such as Laozi and Yuanshi might not detect him,
Was clear as day in Gu Changqing's eyes, with nowhere to hide.
Gu Changqing lay sprawled crookedly on the bluestone, cradling the Wine God Gourd, his face flushed and his eyes hazy with drink.
His gaze drooped as though he might fall asleep at any moment, yet deep within those eyes flickered a profound light that others could scarcely perceive.
He tipped his head back and took a great swig of wine.
Gulp... gulp...
The fine wine slid down his throat, its rich fragrance spreading through his mouth before flowing into his body and relaxing him completely. Yet amid that intoxication, his thoughts grew ever clearer, ever sharper.
"The Elder of Chaos... heh..."
Gu Changqing murmured very softly, his voice steeped in an intoxication that never faded across the ages, seven parts languor and three parts amusement.
"I knew you wouldn't let matters rest."
The corners of his mouth rose slightly into a meaningful smile. There was no surprise in it, no wariness, not even the slightest ripple of emotion.
Only a composure born of... having anticipated this long ago.
In the past, he had seized the Elder of Chaos's accompanying supreme treasure, the Chaos Bead, refined it, and merged it into his own Great Dao.
In that battle, the Elder of Chaos had suffered