Chapter 86

21

Hong Qigong still bore the unkempt appearance of an old beggar.

Yet those bright, shining eyes flickered with the light of wisdom and insight into worldly affairs.

Making one dare not underestimate him in the slightest.

And beside Hong Qigong stood a youth who looked about eighteen or nineteen, with a sturdy, solid build and a simple, straightforward face.

That youth wore coarse cloth garments, his skin was dark, his eyes clear, carrying a touch of bewilderment and curiosity.

He was staring with wide eyes, looking as if he had never seen the world before.

Marveling at the beautiful scenery on Taohuadao, which was like a fairyland.

And at the exquisite buildings arranged according to the Qimen Dunjia.

From his mouth came exclamations like "Wow" and "Ah" from time to time.

He seemed rather rustic.

This youth was, of course, the great hero who would later shake the world—Guo Jing.

Only at this moment, he was merely a naive boy who had just stepped out of his shell and was inexperienced in the world.

Huang Rong's gaze swept over Guo Jing.

Seeing his simple, dull appearance, like a country bumpkin.

Her heart could not help but pucker her lips slightly, with no great waves within.

In her view, this youth before her, compared to her father who was peerless in elegance and full of clever schemes.

And compared to her brother Chuan, who was mysterious and Mo Ce, with strength unfathomably deep.

Was simply one in the heavens and one on the earth, with absolutely no basis for comparison.

She quickly withdrew her gaze and concentrated her attention on Hong Qigong.

She stepped forward, bowed gracefully to Hong Qigong, and said with a clear, pleasant voice:

"Huang Rong of Taohuadao greets the elder Hong Qigong."

"I did not know the elder Hong would grace us with his presence; I failed to welcome you from afar, and hope you will forgive me."

Her etiquette was thorough, her words humble, not losing the bearing of a lady from a distinguished family.

Hearing this, Hong Qigong laughed heartily and said in that booming voice:

"Hahaha! What a sharp-tongued little girl! Truly worthy of being Huang Laoxie's daughter!"

"Your little appearance is far more likable than your father, who never smiles!"

He looked Huang Rong up and down, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.

Qu Lingfeng and the other three also hurried forward.

They bowed respectfully to Hong Qigong and said in unison:

"Disciples of Taohuadao, Qu Lingfeng, Lu Chengfeng, Wu Mianfeng, and Feng Mofeng, pay respects to the elder Hong Qigong!"

Their attitude was also extremely respectful.

After all, the one before them was a pillar of the Wu Lin, equal in fame to their own Master.

Hong Qigong waved his hand, signaling that they need not be so formal.

Then, his gaze swept over the crowd, and he asked with some confusion:

"Eh? Where is that old poison Huang Laoxie? Why does he not come out to welcome this old beggar?"

"Could it be that he knows I have arrived and is deliberately hiding?"

He had known Huang Yaoshi for many years, being both enemy and friend, and his speech was never very polite.

Hearing this, Qu Lingfeng hurriedly explained: "Reporting to the elder Hong, our Master has recently gained some sudden enlightenment."

"He is currently in a closed-door death retreat on the island, attempting to break through to the Grandmaster Realm, and likely cannot come out to welcome the elder for the time being."

"We hope the elder Hong will be understanding and not take offense."

"Oh? Huang Laoxie is in a closed-door death retreat? Attempting to break through to the Grandmaster Realm?"

Hearing this, Hong Qigong's face showed a look of shock.

He looked carefully at Qu Lingfeng, seeing that his expression did not seem false.

He could not help but sigh, his tone carrying a certain complexity:

"Alas, with Huang Laoxie's brilliant and extraordinary talent, he should have taken this step long ago; yet for some reason, he wasted so many years."

"Now that he has finally made up his mind to enter a closed-door death retreat, it is indeed a good thing."

A hint of envy flashed in his eyes.

As one of the Five Greats, he naturally also longed to break through to a deeper realm.

Immediately.

Hong Qigong's gaze fell once again upon Qu Lingfeng and the other three.

Those eyes of his, which seemed dull but actually shimmered with sharp light, narrowed slightly.

A look of even greater astonishment appeared on his face.

He was surprised to discover that these four disciples of Taohuadao before him.

Were, were each and every one of them at the Innate Realm cultivation base!

Although the auras of three of them were still somewhat unstable, obviously having just entered the Innate Realm not long ago.

But the eldest senior brother, Qu Lingfeng, with such profound internal energy and such solid foundations.

Had clearly reached the third turn of the Innate Realm, and even vaguely showed a trend of advancing toward the fourth turn!

This... how is this possible?!

One must know that Innate experts are already the pillars of a Men Sect in the Jianghu.

For an ordinary sect, having one or two Innate experts in residence would be enough to make a name across the region.

And this Taohuadao, aside from Huang Yaoshi, this top-tier master.

Actually has four such young Innate disciples?!

Taohuadao's foundation—is it not a little too terrifying?!

"Good! Good! Good!" Hong Qigong could not help but praise three times in a row, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Although Huang Laoxie has an eccentric temperament and is not likeable."

"When it comes to teaching disciples, he really does have some skill!"

He praised sincerely.

Qu Lingfeng heard this, and a slightly embarrassed look appeared on his face.

He hurriedly bowed and said, "Senior Hong, you are too kind."

"The likes of us are dull by nature; whatever modest achievements we have today are not the credit of our master's teaching."

"It is… it is entirely because our Island Master personally instructed us that we were fortunate enough to break through."

When he spoke the words 'Island Master,' his eyes were filled with unconcealable worship and reverence.

That expression was like a devotee gazing up at a deity.

"Oh? Island Master?" Hong Qigong heard this, and his puzzlement deepened.

He laughed and said, "I didn't expect that Huang Laoxie would actually hand Taohuadao over to an outsider to manage?"

"That really doesn't sound like his 'I alone am supreme' temperament."

"This old beggar is rather curious now—this Acting Island Master who can make you all so sincerely convinced."

"What kind of extraordinary person is he exactly? What heaven-defying method does he possess, to make all of you break through to Innate in such a short time?"

He secretly wondered—could it be some reclusive expert Huang Laoxie had invited?

Qu Lingfeng respectfully explained, "Reporting to Senior Hong, our Island Master is no outsider."

"As for his origins… please forgive this disciple for being unable to disclose them for now."

"However, our Island Master is currently also in closed-door cultivation, undergoing an extremely important breakthrough."

"He may only be able to come out in a couple of days to meet you, Senior."

"Oh? Also in closed-door cultivation?" Hong Qigong heard this, his brow lifting slightly, his curiosity growing even stronger.

This mysterious Taohuadao Island Master actually chose to go into closed-door cultivation at this time as well?

Could he also be attempting to break through to some important realm?

He could not help but grow even more interested in this Acting Island Master he had never met.

Just at this moment.

Huang Rong, who had been standing to the side with a charming, winsome smile, suddenly rolled her eyes, stepped forward.