"Everyone, allow me to introduce him. This is the renowned Heaven Master of Xuanhuang Heaven," Meng Xuanji announced loudly, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.
"Haha, so the Heaven Master of Xuanhuang is here. I thought, with such a noble status, he wouldn't bother attending a gathering meant for young people like us," someone immediately responded with a laugh. The tone sounded complimentary but carried a hint of mockery.
The speaker was a young man in a python robe, exuding a dragon-like aura, seemingly a prince from an imperial dynasty.
Qin Zi looked at him and replied indifferently, "Although I am the Heaven Master of Xuanhuang, I am also young. What's wrong with attending a gathering like this?"
The python-robed youth smiled stiffly, his tone dripping with sarcasm: "True, but a Heaven Master is still a Heaven Master, and there's a difference in status. After all, you aren't like us juniors."
Qin Zi chuckled and retorted, "If you think there's such a difference in status, why aren't you kneeling when you speak? Do you address your father in this tone as well?"
"What did you just say?!" The python-robed youth's face turned dark. Comparing him to his father was clearly an insult.
Qin Zi replied coldly, "What's the problem? Are you implying that the Heaven Master of Xuanhuang is not as dignified as your father? If you didn't know who I was, that's one thing, but you clearly knew I'm the Heaven Master and still acted so casually. Are you trying to disrespect Xuanhuang Heaven?"
He was not just making a point—he was slapping a label of disrespect on the youth!
Disrespecting Xuanhuang Heaven was not something anyone could easily admit to, as the consequences could be severe.
"You... You're slandering me!" The python-robed youth wasn't foolish; he understood the gravity of the situation and was starting to panic.
"Slandering? You dare speak like this without proper respect? Kneel and address me properly!" Qin Zi's voice grew stern.
At that moment, everyone's expressions changed slightly. They hadn't expected Qin Zi to openly use his status to pressure others.
It wasn't the most honorable tactic.
But once this move was played, it seemed... almost impossible to resist.
This was the weight of Xuanhuang Heaven, the weight of its thirty-eight great powerhouses, and the weight of the majestic world that backed them!
"You... I..." The python-robed youth, intimidated by Qin Zi's overwhelming dominance, turned red with anger and stuttered incoherently. He looked around at the crowd, seeking support, but saw that most had turned their heads, distancing themselves from him.
"Zifang, help me!" In the end, he turned to a white-clad figure for help.
That person was tall and graceful, with an air of freedom. A faint white light surrounded him, making him seem as if he stood apart from the world like a celestial being.
The man's expression flickered slightly.
After a brief moment of consideration, he stepped forward, wearing a warm smile. "Brother Qin, surely you didn't come here today in your official capacity as Heaven Master of Xuanhuang, did you? I imagine you came as a peer to exchange ideas with us young people. So, why not lay aside your title for now?"
Qin Zi looked at him and asked, "Who are you?"
"I am Zhang Zifang, a descendant of the Longevity Zhang Clan. Technically, my family is descended from Xuanhuang Heaven as well. My ancestor became a great figure and founded his own clan, separating from Xuanhuang Heaven," the white-clad youth said with a genteel smile.
"If you're descended from Xuanhuang Heaven, then as the Heaven Master of Xuanhuang, I am at least of the same generation as your ancestor. What makes you think you can address me as an equal?" Qin Zi asked coldly.
People like this white-clad man, with their courteous demeanor, often thought highly of themselves. They assumed their stature warranted respect from others, and they presented themselves as righteous, expecting others to honor their image.
But to Qin Zi, people like him were nothing but pretentious fools!
Zhang Zifang's expression turned awkward under Qin Zi's rebuke, clearly caught off guard.
"Master, please calm your anger!" At this moment, Meng Xuanji, the Holy Son of the Yin-Yang Sect, stepped in to mediate. "These two must have subconsciously treated you as a peer, forgetting that there is a hierarchy of respect. Please, don't take it personally."
Qin Zi gazed at Meng Xuanji. In his eyes, this man was likely the most challenging figure present.
He was polite and respectful, making it difficult for Qin Zi to provoke a confrontation, for who would attack someone with a smile?
But even so, Qin Zi would not let it go. He shot back, "Why should they be allowed to disrespect me, yet I must tolerate it? Who made that rule? You?"
"This..." Meng Xuanji's face stiffened. He realized he was now stuck in a difficult situation.
At this moment, Qin Zi was like a mire—if he refused to yield, anyone who tried to intervene would only get pulled in deeper.
Qin Zi glanced at the python-robed youth and Zhang Zifang, then declared, "These two were disrespectful. Have them kneel and apologize—surely that isn't too much to ask?"
"This..." Meng Xuanji hesitated, knowing that both of these men had significant backgrounds. Forcing them to kneel would reflect poorly on the Yin-Yang Sect.
However, failing to address the insult to the Heaven Master of Xuanhuang would result in far bigger trouble.
The weight of Xuanhuang Heaven far surpassed the influence behind these two individuals.
Finally, after a struggle, Meng Xuanji stiffened his neck and reluctantly said, "Brother Song, Brother Zhang, please... apologize to the Heaven Master."
As he spoke, his face turned red with embarrassment, feeling like a traitor.
The two men's faces flushed with anger and humiliation, their emotions a mix of frustration and regret.
They blamed themselves for their loose tongues!
Why had they stepped forward to provoke this Heaven Master? While he might be a paper tiger, a mere title from Xuanhuang Heaven was enough to crush them!
"Thud, thud!"
In the end, they gritted their teeth, their faces twisted in agony as they knelt down, teetering on the edge of madness.
"We were disrespectful earlier. Heaven Master, please... forgive us!"
The final words were spat out through clenched teeth, as though they might shatter their jaws.
"Stand up. In the future, refrain from playing such petty tricks... learn your lesson and reflect on your actions," Qin Zi said coldly.
The two stood up in silence, retreating into the crowd in shame. After losing so much face, they had no desire to remain any longer.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, the surface of the lake ahead began to ripple violently, with beams of light shooting up from its depths, bright and dazzling.
"The Sun and Moon Phenomenon is emerging!" someone shouted in excitement.
Qin Zi looked towards the lake and saw two enormous orbs, one golden and one silver, rising slowly from either side of the lake. Water parted as they ascended, and from these orbs, beams of light—one cold, one hot—shot into the sky, splitting it into two distinct halves.
The sun rose in the east, and the moon ascended in the west!
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Celestial sounds reverberated across the sky as rings of light, formed from divine runes, began to encircle the orbs.
These light rings crisscrossed, rotating slowly. As they did, the essence of the Great Dao filled the air, and countless chains of laws appeared in the heavens, awe-inspiring to behold.
"The aura of the Dao is so rich! The mysteries of the world are unfolding before me! I feel like I'm about to gain enlightenment!"
"No wonder the Sun and Moon Phenomenon only appears once every ten thousand years. It's incredible! I'm so glad I came!"
"Hahaha, I'm about to break through!"
Voices of joy erupted from the crowd. Many were elated, immediately sitting down to cultivate.
Although most had ulterior motives for coming here, the chance to strengthen themselves came first.
Around the lake were numerous high platforms, towering like giant pillars. People began sitting cross-legged on the platforms, observing the Sun and Moon.
Meng Xuanji gestured toward an exceptionally large platform, towering a thousand feet tall, and politely said, "This spot has been specially prepared by the Yin-Yang Sect for you, Heaven Master. It's the best vantage point for observing the phenomenon. Please, take your seat."
"Hmm."
Qin Zi nodded calmly and began flying up. But as soon as he ascended a few dozen feet, his brow furrowed.
He realized something.
A strange pressure was emanating from the top of the pillar, and it seemed the higher he went, the stronger the pressure became!
Qin Zi's eyes narrowed.
So this was their hidden challenge!