Situ Kong was in a panic. The emperor, upon hearing of the appearance of a deity, had immediately issued a strict order to see if they could obtain a method to prolong life. If they let the deity leave just like that, how would he face the emperor upon his return?
Without hesitation, Situ Kong spoke rapidly, "Great Deity, His Majesty is advanced in years and may not have the time to wait for an opportunity. I beseech you, in recognition of His Majesty's diligent governance of the realm, to bestow upon us a method to extend his life."
A method to extend life? You're asking me? Who the hell am I supposed to ask?
Gu Qingfeng cursed inwardly, but he couldn't let his facade drop. Suddenly, he remembered that in a year's time, he would be heading to the Jade Dragon Secret Realm in search of the Ageless Pill and the Divine Refinement Method. The creator of the secret realm, Qiu Yulong, was only at the Grandmaster level, and the realm restricted entry to those at the True Qi Realm or higher. As a result, it was nearly impossible for most to obtain the Ageless Pill. But he was different!
With his cultivation at the Qi Gathering Realm but combat strength rivaling the Dragon Transformation Realm, even if he couldn't pass the secret realm's trials, he could still force his way in and seize the Ageless Pill and the Divine Refinement Method.
Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng calmly said, "Soon, a destined benefactor will appear before the emperor and present him with the Ageless Pill."
"A destined... benefactor?" Situ Kong fell into deep thought. He didn't believe the deity would speak without purpose. If the deity said there would be one, then there must be. But who could this benefactor be?
Seeing that Situ Kong didn't press further, Gu Qingfeng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he could finally leave.
But just then, a voice tinged with tears called out from behind him, "Ancestor!"
Ugh...
Gu Qingfeng's forehead immediately sprouted a few black lines. Fortunately, he was facing away from the crowd, so no one could see his expression.
"Ancestor, please do not abandon our clan!" The Gu Family's patriarch pleaded with a sorrowful expression, like a stray puppy abandoned on the roadside.
Of course, this was all an act, aimed at keeping Gu Qingfeng, the true deity, within the family.
After all, it wasn't every day that a deity emerged from one's ancestry. If they could bring him back to the family and enshrine him, the Gu Family would become even more prestigious than the imperial family.
From then on, there would be no more talk of the Four Great Families—the Gu Family would stand alone at the top!
"Unfilial descendants failed to recognize the visage of our ancestor, yet the ancestor still saved our family from peril. We are filled with shame! We beg the ancestor to return to the Gu Family, so that we may honor our roots and fulfill our filial duties."
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng nearly choked on the sheer audacity.
Honor our roots? Filial duties? Don't make me laugh!
What you really want is to enshrine a deity!
The others present also silently cursed the Gu Family patriarch for his shamelessness, but at the same time, they were worried. If the Gu Family really managed to bring back a true deity, the balance of power in the capital would be completely shattered, leaving the Gu Family as the sole dominant force.
For a moment, everyone waited anxiously for Gu Qingfeng's response.
Of course, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of agreeing. Only a fool would stick around after putting on such a show.
"The Gu Family of today is no longer the family I once knew," Gu Qingfeng suddenly said in a grave tone.
Hearing this, the Gu Family patriarch's heart skipped a beat.
"You have disappointed me."
These words struck the hearts of every Gu Family member present. Many of them lowered their heads, resembling students being scolded by a teacher.
"Among the younger generation, only one is worthy of notice," Gu Qingfeng abruptly shifted his tone.
The Gu Family members exchanged glances. Only one? Who could it be? Who had caught the deity's eye?
The young prodigies of the Gu Family immediately began questioning themselves. Is it me? As a prodigy of the Gu Family, surely I am worthy of the deity's attention.
Gu Shaoshang also glanced at the younger generation, his gaze eventually settling on a handsome young man named Gu Qingchen. Gu Qingchen's talent and cultivation were exceptional among the family's youth, making him the top contender. If there was indeed one person, it had to be Gu Qingchen.
When Gu Qingchen noticed the patriarch's gaze, he felt a surge of confidence. At that moment, he was certain the deity was referring to him—after all, who else could it be?
Suddenly, a wave of ambition and pride washed over him. Among the countless talents in the world, how many could earn the attention of a deity? Yet, Gu Qingchen was the one being watched!
Of course, Gu Qingfeng had no idea that his casual remark had sent the Gu Family into a frenzy of speculation. In truth, his words were meant to build momentum for his true identity, and they weren't solely directed at the Gu Family. They were also meant for the Imperial Preceptor and the powerful figures of the Great Yan Dynasty.
He needed to link his true identity with that of the deity to maximize his benefits. That's why he had mentioned that only one person was worthy of notice—it was all groundwork.
In the future, when he revealed his true identity and presented the Heaven-rank Spirit Weapon, the Kalan Pearl, even a fool would be able to connect the dots between his true self and the deity. After all, the Kalan Pearl had been given to the deity by Demon Pu in front of everyone!
Moreover, the Kalan Pearl was impossible to forge—it was a mid-tier Heaven-rank Spirit Weapon!
This plan was flawless!
"Reflect on your actions," Gu Qingfeng sighed, as if lamenting the failures of his descendants. Then, without delay, he activated a Minor Teleportation Talisman, vanishing into the void.
The crowd was only mildly surprised by the deity's ability to traverse space. After all, this was a deity—such feats were to be expected.
After Gu Qingfeng's departure, the Gu Family grounds fell into a brief silence before the noise of conversation resumed.
Those with high emotional intelligence quickly stepped forward to congratulate the Gu Family on having a true deity among their ancestors.
Even though the deity had left, he had mentioned that one person had caught his eye. What did that mean?
It meant the deity's attention!
That single remark was enough to elevate the Gu Family's status significantly.
......
A thousand miles away, ripples appeared in the air as if space itself were water. A moment later, a figure of unparalleled beauty emerged.
It was Gu Qingfeng.
He scanned his surroundings like a thief who had just pulled off a heist, wary of being followed.
After confirming that no one was chasing him, he let out a sigh of relief.
"That was intense!" Gu Qingfeng exclaimed, then chuckled. "But being treated like a deity feels amazing. The way everyone revered and fawned over me—it's intoxicating."
Gu Qingfeng was a simple man. He enjoyed being in the spotlight, being admired. He might never reach the level of detachment where he could remain unaffected by worldly opinions, but he didn't care.
He was who he was, and he liked it.
"Ah, if only I were a real deity. Then I could stay in the capital, living a life of luxury. Going out with a grand procession, returning home to a harem of beauties, feasting on delicacies every day, having someone to quench my thirst and warm my bed. Now that's the life!"
This was Gu Qingfeng's ideal, a life of utter mundanity. It was crude, but it was also realistic. It might seem lowbrow compared to the lofty pursuits of higher realms, but how could one appreciate refinement without first experiencing the mundane?
Without the mundane, how could one understand what it means to be refined?