"Demon Lotus Sect?" Linghu Xuanji raised his brows slightly, seemingly recalling something. The hand stroking his beard paused.
Then he smiled. "So it is Sect Leader Qing. I have long admired your reputation. In the latest Eternal Evergreen Song Mantra, the Golden Scale Alliance ranks second among the Ten Heterodox Ways. One comment says the Demon Lotus Sect alone has the strength to make the list."
"Though I have long resided in the Central Southern Circuit, even I have heard that Sect Leader Qing is an extraordinary figure. Meeting you today, I see your reputation is well deserved. Truly, on Gou Wu, the waves behind drive on the waves ahead!"
"You flatter me, Patriarch of the Linghu Household." Qing Chen's expression remained unchanged. "What little reputation I have is hardly worth mentioning."
Linghu Xuanji laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over the layer of dark-golden bloodlight that had yet to fade completely around Qing Chen. "If Sect Leader Qing is hardly worth mentioning, then have all my thousand-plus years of formation cultivation gone to the dogs?"
Something stirred in Qing Chen's heart. "You are too kind, Patriarch of the Linghu Household. Who has not heard of the Formation-Hiding True Lord? I only barely held out."
"Hahahaha!"
Linghu Xuanji laughed even louder, waving his hands repeatedly. "Though I feel somewhat unworthy of such praise from Sect Leader Qing, it truly does please me to hear it. Shisan is pure and kind by nature. Anyone he brings must surely be a decent person too."
He paused, then changed the subject. "But to return to the matter at hand, what brings you here, Sect Leader Qing? You do not seem to belong to the Nine Nether Aristocratic Clan, do you? Could you be from... the Qing Household?"
Qing Chen looked at Gong Shisan.
Gong