Such a powerful voice successfully drew the attention of the entire crowd. When people turned their gaze to the speaker, everyone present couldn't help but be surprised. The core disciples and elders of the Azure Dragon Sect, in particular, were utterly shocked, their expressions as vivid as could be.
Because in that corner, a familiar figure was slowly stepping out. He was a hunched, elderly man with thinning hair, dressed in a sloppy manner and possessing a rather ugly appearance.
Yet at this moment, his body emanated an aura of the Xuan Wu Seventh Stage. This was none other than Elder Li, the very same elder who had saved Chu Feng from Gong Luyun that day.
"Elder Li? How can it be him? This old man... he's actually a Xuan Wu Seventh Stage expert?"
At this moment, let alone others, even Chu Feng, who had been saved by Elder Li, was greatly surprised. No one would have imagined that a gatekeeper elder within the Azure Dragon Sect possessed such strength. His cultivation level was something even the sect masters of some first-rate sects didn't possess.
"Who are you?" Gong Tianping naturally didn't recognize Elder Li, but the aura emanating from him forced him to treat the matter with gravity.
Although both were at the Xuan Wu Seventh Stage, Elder Li's aura was far more profound. It was evident this old man had stepped into this realm a long time ago.
"This old man is Li Changqing," Elder Li said with a smile.
"What? Li Changqing? Isn't that the name of the Azure Dragon Sect Master?"
"Could it be... this Elder Li is our Azure Dragon Sect's Sect Master? But as the dignified Sect Master, why would he be working as a gatekeeper elder?"
As soon as Elder Li spoke these words, not only the Azure Dragon Sect members, but even the outsiders were shocked. The Azure Dragon Sect Master had always been a mysterious figure; few had seen his true face, and he rarely made an appearance. But people knew he had a name: Li Changqing.
"He is indeed our Azure Dragon Sect's Sect Master. In order to discover outstanding disciples, the Sect Master did not remain sitting high above in his position. Instead, he concealed his identity and took the humble post of a gatekeeper elder within the Azure Dragon Sect's Core Area."
"That day, when Gong Luyun wanted to kill Chu Feng, it was the Sect Master himself who intervened. Today's duel between the two can also be said to have been overseen and witnessed by the Sect Master a year ago."
At that moment, the old woman among the Six Elders of the Pavilion spoke up, and the other five showed no signs of surprise. Zhuge Liuyun also smiled calmly, indicating these few had long known Elder Li's true identity.
Seeing this scene, everyone believed Elder Li's identity. However, what surprised people even more was that the Azure Dragon Sect's Sect Master was actually a Xuan Wu Seventh Stage powerhouse. Such strength was definitely enough to lead the Azure Dragon Sect into becoming a first-rate sect. It turned out that from the very beginning, the Azure Dragon Sect was never in the same league as the second-rate sects!
"Haha, speaking of which, I was also dragged into that duel a year ago. That day, I bet on Chu Feng winning, so Gong Luyun said that if he won, he would make me and young friend Chu Feng kneel before him and apologize."
"To be honest, I did worry a bit. After all, I am a sect master. If I truly had to kneel and apologize to a disciple within my own sect, my face would be completely lost."
"But thankfully, young friend Chu Feng did not disappoint me!" Now that his true identity was revealed, Elder Li no longer needed to hide. He smiled, stroked the few sparse, thin hairs on his chin, and even made a joke about the duel from back then.
"Li Changqing, as a sect master, you are so unfair! You favor Chu Feng, colluding with him to suppress my son. Do you think you still deserve to be a sect master?" Hearing Li Changqing speak so about his son, Gong Tianping pointed at Li Changqing's nose and angrily rebuked him.
"Unfair? If this old man hadn't intervened that day, your son would have killed a genius of my Azure Dragon Sect. All the esteemed guests here today would not be able to witness this genius's splendor."
"Gong Tianping, I remember every one of your son's actions clearly. I appointed him the First Disciple because I valued his talent, but his character truly disappoints me."
"Although cultivation is very important in this world, being a good person is even more so. Otherwise, no matter how powerful one's cultivation, they would only bring disaster to the world. Gong Tianping, as Gong Luyun's father, don't you feel you failed to teach him properly and bear a heavy sin?" Li Changqing retorted.
"Hmph! This is your territory; you can say whatever you want. I can't be bothered to waste words with you. Make Chu Feng release my son immediately, or my Xuan Wu City will never be finished with your Azure Dragon Sect!" Gong Tianping shouted.
"Not a chance! This life-and-death battle was witnessed by this old man himself. The loser deserves death. Chu Feng, since Gong Luyun was unrighteous, you need not be merciful. Do it!" Li Changqing didn't take Gong Tianping seriously at all and waved his hand at Chu Feng, signaling him to kill Gong Luyun.
"Yes, Master!" Chu Feng didn't hesitate. He raised the golden greatsword in his hand and made as if to slash at Gong Luyun's neck.
"Dare to touch my son, and I will kill you first!" Seeing this, Gong Tianping's expression changed drastically. He unleashed his own Xuan Wu Seventh Stage cultivation. Layer after layer of Xuan Force spread out, launching an attack directly at Chu Feng on the Combat Platform.
"Boom!" However, the tide-like Xuan Force had just surged forth when it was suppressed and swallowed by another wave of Xuan Force, blocking the attack.
"Anyone who dares attack a disciple of my sect should not blame me for being impolite!"
It turned out Li Changqing had made his move. At this moment, he not only blocked Gong Tianping's attack but also propelled the immense Xuan Force within his body, launching a counterattack against Gong Tianping and the numerous Xuan Wu City experts behind him.
"You old fossil! If anything happens to my son, I will raze your Azure Dragon Sect to the ground!" Gong Tianping was now completely furious. With gritted teeth, he pounced back at Li Changqing. At the same time, the entire army of Xuan Wu City behind him also attacked together.
At this moment, Zhuge Liuyun and the Six Elders of the Pavilion were about to intervene, but Li Changqing waved them off, saying, "No need to help. A mere Xuan Wu City is enough for this old man to handle alone!"
As soon as Li Changqing said this, it caused a huge uproar. Many people doubted if he was just boasting. After all, in the end, he was only at the Xuan Wu Seventh Stage, the same cultivation realm as Gong Tianping. A single Gong Tianping could already contend with him; how could he possibly face the entire Xuan Wu City?
But soon, all those who had doubted him realized they were wrong. Li Changqing did not use any overly flashy martial arts, but every move he made was vast and open, radiating immense power. Under his control, the Xuan Force sometimes transformed into barriers to block attacks, other times into sharp blades to strike the enemy.
This seemingly frail old man truly relied on his own strength to withstand the numerous experts of Xuan Wu City. And judging by his appearance, he was doing it so casually that he didn't look strained at all.