Ming Mingzhong's reaction upon seeing the young man was even stronger than when he saw Zhou Feiyu. He let out a soft "Ah", unable to conceal his inner shock.
"Qi... Qi Rongsheng? How did he come down from Fengming Mountain?"
Actually, it's no wonder Ming Mingzhong overreacted. After all, when it comes to Qi Rongsheng among the people in the metaphysical world, nine out of ten will show envious looks.
Especially in the eyes of the younger generation, Qi Rongsheng is just like the perfect child others always talk about.
At the age of 25, Qi Rongsheng and Zhou Feiyu are from the same sect, real brothers in the same lineage.
If Zhou Feiyu's path of cultivation was as smooth as if he had a cheat code, then Qi Rongsheng's life is like a cool - style novel, a true favorite of the Heavenly Dao.
He joined the Zhengyi Sect as an ordinary mortal in his childhood. In just 20 years, he became a leader among the younger generation in the metaphysical world. He was as famous as Fu Sui and was known as one of the two outstanding talents in the metaphysical world.
The distance from where Qi Rongsheng stood to the Taoist temple gate was only a few steps, but he walked slowly. Occasionally, when he walked a bit faster, he would cough softly.
He took out a handkerchief and gracefully wiped the corner of his mouth, making the steps look like a red carpet.
Yu Nian only glanced at the young man and slightly raised her eyebrows in surprise. Although this man was weak in physique, he was born with the right qualities for the metaphysical world.
Qi Rongsheng was thin, and his pale face made the dark circles under his eyes look even heavier. But his eyes were very bright. Since he entered the door, his eyes had been fixed on Yu Nian's face, never looking at others.
Feng Chengyuan also felt Qi Rongsheng's gaze and a faint sense of uneasiness welled up in his heart.
Qi Rongsheng stopped in front of Yu Nian, straightened his clothes haughtily, as if waiting for Yu Nian to ask first.
Cai Jia's eyes lit up the moment she saw Qi Rongsheng: "It was this Taoist priest who told me to come!"
Yu Nian slightly raised her eyebrows: "Why?"
Qi Rongsheng smiled: "Isn't it said outside that you are a leader in the metaphysical world? I just want to see your abilities."
Yu Nian stared at him expressionlessly for a moment, then turned to Ming Mingzhong and asked, "Do you know him?"
Ming Mingzhong pondered for a moment and whispered, "Not really. But most people in the metaphysical world have heard of him. His name is Qi Rongsheng. He is the senior brother of the Zhengyi Sect on Fengming Mountain. He even appeared as a special guest in the Metaphysics Competition."
He Zhiping was a loyal fan of the Metaphysics Competition. He had watched the competition over and over again and was very familiar with the names and backgrounds of every contestant and guest.
He knew that Yu Nian was still doubtful, so he whispered a reminder: "He's the one that Xue Jinyan mentioned in passing, a die - hard fan of the Grand Master Xuande!"
There were so many people participating in the Metaphysics Competition that Yu Nian naturally couldn't remember everyone. She didn't care much and just let out a soft "oh" before shifting her gaze.
Qi Rongsheng was stunned, and his smile froze on his face.
Who was he? He was the senior brother of Fengming Mountain! He became famous at a young age, enjoyed great glory, was respected by the old and loved by the young. Wherever he went, he was the center of attention. How many people vied to talk to him!
Senior Brother Qi grew up amidst praise and exclamations. Whether they were people in the metaphysical world or not, as long as they heard his name, they would show a look of sudden realization and say, "Is he Qi Rongsheng who has repeatedly set records in the metaphysical world?"
This feeling was really great.
However, as time passed and he heard too many words of praise, Qi Rongsheng no longer felt anything special. He thought he had matured and didn't care about others' opinions.
But when he met Yu Nian today, Qi Rongsheng realized that he still had a long way to go before he could be truly mature.
What did "oh" mean?
What did "mentioned in passing" mean?
What did "it's normal if you don't remember" mean?
Qi Rongsheng was so angry that he laughed: "You really don't know me?"
Yu Nian replied truthfully: "I don't have much of an impression."
Qi Rongsheng was choked. He took a deep breath and decided to act like the senior brother of Fengming Mountain. He said slowly, "I've seen your performance in the Metaphysics Competition. It's just so - so. From your words and deeds to your way of catching demons, you've been imitating the Grand Master Xuande all the time."
As soon as he said this, both Yu Nian and Hongxi were obviously stunned. It took Yu Nian a while to react and she looked up in surprise: "...... What did you say?"
Hongxi wanted to laugh but didn't dare. This was like mistaking the real one for a counterfeit!
It pretended to be calm and asked the senior brother, "Oh? You even know what the Grand Master Xuande's words and deeds are like. Have you met her?"
Qi Rongsheng snorted and proudly raised his head: "You can deceive others, but you can't deceive me. In terms of researching the Grand Master Xuande, no one in the metaphysical world can surpass me."
After saying that, he provocatively glanced at Yu Nian: "The real is always real, and the fake is still fake no matter how similar it is! Stay away from our Grand Master Xuande. Don't even get close!"
Yu Nian's mouth twitched, and she rarely fell silent.
When she was the Grand Master Xuande, there were indeed many people who liked her, but no one had ever been as crazy as Qi Rongsheng.
This feeling was very strange, so Yu Nian simply ignored Qi Rongsheng.
But in Qi Rongsheng's eyes, this meant something else - he was actually being ignored?
So he folded his arms and looked around, saying with a hint of disgust, "You guys are really amazing. You've managed to turn a good Qingxin Taoist Temple into this."
Ming Mingzhong stepped forward indignantly: "What's wrong with the Qingxin Taoist Temple? The incense here is quite prosperous!"
Qi Rongsheng sneered: "What's the use of prosperous incense? Without this imposter who imitates others, can the Qingxin Taoist Temple produce another capable celestial master?"
He Zhiping's mouth twitched non - stop. He finally understood where the annoying air around Zhou Feiyu came from when they first met. It turned out to be inherited from his senior brother!
"Senior Brother!" Zhou Feiyu's face darkened a bit. "Don't forget our purpose for this trip."
Qi Rongsheng paused upon hearing this, snorted, and finally calmed down and stopped talking.
Zhou Feiyu coughed. He seemed to haven't slept well for many days, and his eyes were full of bloodshot eyes.
He apologized to Yu Nian and said, "Don't mind. My senior brother doesn't mean any harm. He is usually quite gentle to others, but as soon as the topic of the Grand Master Xuande comes up, he will be extremely... crazy. We came here rashly because we want to go to the Ghost Market with you."
Yu Nian suppressed her inner surprise and asked calmly, "What for?"
Zhou Feiyu let out a deep sigh, as if enduring great grief.
"My sister is missing."
"Zhou Qian? What exactly happened?"
Zhou Feiyu said, "A week ago, my sister led a group of junior brothers and sisters from Fengming Mountain down the mountain for training. It should have been finished in two days, but they never came back and completely lost contact with Fengming Mountain. Moreover, the natal crystals they left on the mountain were flickering, which means they should have been attacked and their lives were in danger. And just a few days ago, many disciples saw with their own eyes that a fire dragon shot up into the sky near a forest in the west. It burned for a whole joss - stick's time before it went out."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions became solemn.
Zhou Feiyu let out a deep sigh again. When he opened his eyes again, they were blood - red. He said with difficulty, "Do you know what that fire dragon represents?"
Yu Nian said, "The fire dragon is a special technique of the Zhengyi Sect. When in danger, they can light the fire to ask for help from their fellow sect members hundreds of miles away."