The Gu Di!
Upon hearing this name, everyone present was greatly startled.
Especially the Miao Jiang people, their expressions changed drastically. Some were terrified, some were lost in reminiscence, and some were stirred within.
And some…
Fell into extreme fervor.
Yes, fervor!
The Gu Di was a legendary figure.
A hundred years ago.
A peerless figure emerged from the southwestern Miao Jiang region.
His talent in the Gu Dao was unprecedented, unmatched in history!
He began cultivating the Gu Dao at the age of five, had a thorough understanding by ten, and by fifteen, no one but the then Miao Jiang chieftain could surpass him!
He was the Gu Di.
But this was merely the beginning of his legendary life.
At eighteen, the Gu Di easily defeated the Miao Jiang chieftain, thereafter having no equal and becoming the new leader.
Subsequently, in pursuit of even greater power, he entered a forbidden area sealed by generations of Miao Jiang, unexpectedly obtaining a supreme heavenly book containing countless secret Gu Dao techniques.
From then on, he became engrossed, lost in his studies.
Another five years passed in a flash.
The Gu Di emerged from the forbidden area, his hair white but his countenance that of an immortal. All the high-ranking Miao Jiang experts were awestruck.
The world was in great turmoil, and the southern foreign tribes were restless, harboring intentions to disrupt the realm and invade the Central Plains.
The southwestern Miao Jiang region was the first land they intended to conquer.
Upon hearing this news from his people, he rode day and night, heading to the front lines alone, and returned the next day.
Many Miao people assumed he had encountered trouble.
But after the scouts reported from the front lines, they were all utterly astonished and henceforth revered him as a deity.
This was because…
Tens of thousands of foreign soldiers had been slaughtered overnight by a mysterious person.
Their deaths were gruesome, leaving no intact bodies. Even the seasoned leaders in the camp had mysteriously disappeared.
Later, they learned.
All those individuals had been refined by him into Gu Dao puppets.
One against ten thousand!
What a great feat, what unparalleled dominance.
From that moment on, the Gu Di was the uncrowned king of the entire southwestern Miao Jiang region, with no one dissenting in the slightest.
As his power grew.
The Gu Di's ambitions also expanded day by day.
Finally, at the age of thirty-five, believing himself invincible, the Gu Di rashly launched what he called the "Northern Expedition," intending to conquer the world and rule the Great Xia.
In the beginning.
Everything went smoothly. The Gu Di advanced with great slaughter, reaching the imperial capital.
However, the imperial capital was, after all, the imperial capital.
Just as the Gu Di was on the verge of success, several elders who had never appeared before emerged and confronted him.
This battle was apocalyptic, darkening the heavens and obscuring the sun and moon.
It lasted for seven days and seven nights, resulting in millions of casualties and blood flowing for a thousand miles!
Mountains were shattered, and rivers were diverted!
In the end, the five elders paid a heavy price of three dead and two injured before finally slaying the Gu Di, preserving the foundation of the Great Xia.
The two surviving elders also passed away shortly thereafter.
The Gu Di became the Miao person who came closest to the throne in history, revered as a god by countless Miao people, and hailed as a celestial being.
This history.
Was not only familiar to every Miao person but was also known to Bai Zihe, Yan Zhiyun, and the others.
And at this very moment.
The Evil King had activated a secret technique to summon the true body of the Gu Di…
How could the Miao Jiang people not be shocked?
And no one noticed.
At this moment, Liu Qianxun's eyes also shone brightly, reacting extremely intensely.
Crack, crackle!
The temple shook violently, and beams of light converged on the statue.
Soon after.
A figure gradually materialized in the void.
In his left hand, he held a staff made from a golden Gu insect, and in his right, he carried a blank heavenly book. His face was gaunt but exuded peerless majesty.
As his eyes opened and closed, he displayed the bearing of an emperor.
"Miao Ren Weiduo pays respects to Lord Gu Di!"
The Evil King immediately knelt, pressing his face to the ground, showing utmost reverence and daring not to overstep. His eyes gleamed with fanaticism.
The Miao guards, who had been stationed in various places, now all appeared behind the Evil King and knelt with him.
"We pay respects to Lord Gu Di."
Bowing their heads and ears, prostrating themselves, their piety was extreme.
"What is the matter for which you summon me?"
The Gu Di's eyes flickered, sweeping over the crowd below.
The Evil King maintained his posture and quickly said, "Lord Gu Di, the Central Plains' enemies have attacked today. As your unworthy descendant, I could not eliminate them, and thus disturbed your slumber. I beg for punishment."
After speaking, the Evil King lowered his body even further.
"Central Plains' enemies?"
"Hmm…"
The Gu Di looked at Bai Zihe, a hint of disdain flashing across his face. "Has the Miao Jiang of today fallen to such a state?"
"Even such a weakling dares to offend my Miao Jiang?"
"What a laughable jest."
Upon hearing the Gu Di's displeasure, the Evil King's body trembled.
Fortunately, the Gu Di did not seem overly displeased with him. Instead, he turned his gaze to Lin Tianxuan, his emaciated face condensing a hint of imperial might.
"You, kneel and take your own life."
He spoke softly, yet it carried an aura of authority.
It was as if he were not speaking to Bai Zihe, but issuing a decree on behalf of heaven and earth.
It was a command.
Bai Zihe did not respond.
"Hm?"
The Gu Di's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze shifting, a powerful aura sweeping over. His look towards Bai Zihe became somewhat impatient.
He was enraged.
Enraged that Bai Zihe dared to defy him and not immediately kneel and end his own life.
The faint killing intent, though seemingly ethereal, was felt even by Liu Qianxun and Yan Zhiyun.
Facing such a legendary figure, Yan Zhiyun was nervous. She whispered, "Junior disciple, what is going on?"
"Didn't the Gu Di die a long time ago? Why has he resurrected today?"
Bai Zihe glanced at the majestic and endlessly imposing Gu Di, and a cold sneer of disdain escaped him. "This is not the true Gu Di, merely an illusionary manifestation."
"It has the form of the Gu Di, but not his spirit."
As his words fell.
The Gu Di immediately became furious.
"Insolent! How dare you question my identity."
"You shall be granted death!"
As he spoke, the Gu Di transformed into a dark cloud and charged, carrying a majestic, heaven-shrouding power.
Before he even arrived.
Dust and stones flew, and gusts of wind arose.
They whipped at everyone's clothes, making it impossible to even open their eyes.
This was the wrath of an emperor!
The next second, the dark cloud reached Bai Zihe. Only then did everyone clearly see its true nature.
It was composed of countless flying insects, their mouths bared, exuding a chilling aura.
Yan Zhiyun was suddenly aghast. "Junior disciple, be careful!"
Bai Zihe remained unfazed.
As the swarm of insects descended, he slowly pushed out a palm.
Instantly, the palm wind surged like a mountain, carrying a fierce gale that swept through the nine heavens.
The two collided, and all vanished.
The powerful shockwave sent everyone flying backward, kicking up dust and stones, with smoke billowing, and only slowly settled after a long while.
Bai Zihe stood in his original position, completely unharmed!
The dark cloud that had been the Gu Di had already dispersed, vanishing without a trace.
Bai Zihe's gaze fell upon the Evil King's face, his killing intent sharp. "Three moves have passed. You should be on your way!"
"Oh?"
Instead of fear, a sinister smile spread across the Evil King's face. He pointed behind Bai Zihe and sneered, "The third move is still far off. Look behind you!"