I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

Chapter 255 – Golden-Winged Eagle King: Isn't This Just Free for the Taking?

"Golden-Winged Daoist, I was unaware of your arrival. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."

Outside the Qingqiu royal palace, a handsome man stood with a graceful bearing. His face bore no trace of age, and he smiled as he cupped his hands respectfully toward the figure seated in the ornate carriage.

The Golden-Winged Great Sage leapt down from the carriage, sweeping his gaze over the nine tails behind the handsome man. He returned the courtesy and said, "You're too polite. I am Jinchi. May I ask how you are addressed?"

The man spoke in an unhurried tone, "I am Bai Yu. Thanks to the praise of fellow Daoists from Myriad Demon Mountain, they bestowed upon me a refined title: Great Sage of Spirit Binding. At present, I oversee the Qingqiu Kingdom."

Hearing this, the Golden-Winged Great Sage respectfully said, "So it's Senior Spirit Binding, one of the Ten Great Sages of Myriad Demon Mountain."

Bai Yu waved his hand. "Titles are just external fame. Since you've come from afar, please enter the palace so we may converse properly."

"Please."

Chu Feng and the others followed behind Bai Yu into the palace.

Before long, the group of cultivators arrived at the imperial garden.

Chen Qianqian had never been to such a beautiful place. Her wide-eyed curiosity made her look just like Granny Liu's first visit to the Grand View Garden.

However, knowing this wasn't her home, she behaved obediently, holding the hands of her master and mistress as she walked and took in the surroundings.

"Please be seated."

Bai Yu invited Chu Feng's group to sit within a pavilion.

"Thank you, Daoist."

Chu Feng and the others gave a slight bow before sitting down one after another.

Bai Yu noticed the white-robed human cultivator beside the Golden-Winged Great Sage had taken the principal seat to the left and a flicker of surprise flashed through his eyes.

"Golden-Winged Daoist, may I ask how this Daoist is addressed?"

The Golden-Winged Great Sage replied, "My fault for forgetting to make introductions. This is my senior brother, Chu Feng, head of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute at Wendao Academy."

"Oh."

When Bai Yu heard the name Chu Feng, a trace of astonishment surfaced on his face, but he quickly returned to normal, cupping his hands and saying, "So it is Half Saint Chu himself. My apologies."

Chu Feng returned the courtesy. "I noticed you were chatting happily with my junior brother earlier and didn't report my name in time. I hope you'll forgive the oversight."

After a few pleasantries between the two—

The palace maids had already brought out wine and dishes.

The banquet formally began.

After three rounds of drinks—

Bai Yu was the first to speak. "For the two Great Sages to personally visit Qingqiu, I imagine it's not just a casual trip?"

Chu Feng smiled. "To be honest, Jinchi and I have come under the dean's orders to pay a visit to Senior Qianhuan."

As soon as these words were spoken, Bai Yu paused mid-action, his expression growing more serious.

"Do you have a token?"

"I do."

As he spoke, Chu Feng took out the token entrusted to him by the dean from his storage ring and handed it to a nearby palace maid.

The maid carried the token before Bai Yu.

Bai Yu picked it up and examined it carefully. After a while, he finally said, "This is indeed the token of Lord Qianhuan. However, Lord Qianhuan is currently not within the Qingqiu royal city. According to the rules of our Qingqiu fox clan, to meet Lord Qianhuan, one must pass four trials."

Chu Feng said, "As the saying goes, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' Whatever the tests may be, feel free to name them."

Bai Yu laughed. "It's said Half Saint Chu is unparalleled in grace. It seems today I'll be able to witness it firsthand. For now, let's enjoy our drinks. Tomorrow, I'll escort Half Saint Chu to begin the trials."

"Very well."

Chu Feng raised his wine cup. "Daoist, you're indeed straightforward. I'll drink to that."

"Cheers!"

Two hours later, the banquet concluded.

Chu Feng's group was arranged to rest in a side hall of the palace.

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning, Chu Feng didn't sleep in. He rose early and casually gave Chen Qianqian some painting guidance.

Roughly half an hour later, a fox-clan palace maid arrived outside the side hall and respectfully announced, "Your Highnesses, Lord Bai Yu invites you."

"Understood."

Chu Feng responded, then had Chen Qianqian put away her painting and followed the palace maid out of the hall.

Bai Yu was waiting once more in the imperial garden where they had gathered the day before.

"Daoist Chu, you've arrived."

Chu Feng cupped his hands. "Apologies for making you wait."

"I just arrived as well. Please, follow me."

As Bai Yu spoke, he gestured with an inviting hand.

"Please."

Chu Feng followed behind Bai Yu's group, leaving the rear garden. After passing through several palace gates, they arrived outside a temple.

Bai Yu stopped, turned toward Chu Feng, and said, "Daoist Chu, this is our Qingqiu ancestral temple. The content of the trials lies within. Please wait here a moment while I inform the clan elders."

Chu Feng replied, "Much appreciated."

A moment later, Bai Yu returned from inside and said to Chu Feng, "Daoist, the four clan elders have stated that the four trials this time will be zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If you can defeat all four elders in these arts, then your group may proceed to the teleportation array and travel to Qingqiu Immortal Mountain."

Upon hearing this, the Golden-Winged Great Sage nearly burst into laughter. Compete with my elder brother in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Isn't that just giving it away?

Never mind those four old foxes—even his adoptive father wouldn't dare claim superiority over his elder brother in those disciplines.

He blurted out instinctively, "Daoist, are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"

???

Bai Yu looked at the Golden-Winged Great Sage in confusion and asked, "Did I perhaps relay the message incorrectly?"

"No, no—it's just... surprising."

The Golden-Winged Great Sage grinned from ear to ear.

"Daoist Chu, please."

Bai Yu didn't waste words with the Golden-Winged Great Sage and gestured toward Chu Feng.

"After you."

The Golden-Winged Great Sage followed behind Chu Feng and asked, "Daoist Bai, may I observe the match?"

"You may, but you cannot enter the testing chambers—only observe from outside. It's not that we fear you will give Daoist Chu hints, but rather that if two Great Sages clash with divine abilities, the repercussions might affect others."

Bai Yu offered this explanation deliberately.

"That works for me."

The Golden-Winged Great Sage looked thrilled. He was already eager to watch Chu Feng completely crush those four old foxes.

They stepped into the ancestral temple. On the small plaza, a fox immortal statue immediately caught Chu Feng's attention.

The statue looked nearly alive, especially the lifelike eyes. A single glance caused a tremor in Chu Feng's soul.

This statue was clearly of an Immortal Emperor-level figure.

The group of cultivators crossed the plaza and entered the temple. From a distance, they saw four old men with immortal demeanor, white hair, and youthful features, seated around a stone table sipping tea.

Each of them radiated the aura of a Half-Saint—and all were above the Golden-Winged Great Sage in strength.

"Bai Yu greets the four clan elders."

"No need for formalities."

One of the elders in a plain robe uttered those words lightly, then turned his gaze toward Chu Feng.

"You're the youngster who wishes to meet Lord Qianhuan?"

Chu Feng replied politely, "That is indeed this junior."

"Since you hold Lord Qianhuan's token, we'll follow the proper rules. Which one of you will undertake the first test?"

As he spoke, the elder turned toward the three other Half-Saints beside him.

"Why not follow the order of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting?" said a Half-Saint in green robes as he stroked his beard.

As soon as he spoke, the red-robed elder across from him objected, "No way. It's always you who goes first. The rest of us never get a turn. I say we draw lots instead."

"Exactly!" another Half-Saint echoed in agreement.

The elder in the plain robe spoke up, "Enough arguing. Let this young brother Chu decide. While we're at it, we should introduce ourselves."

The three Half-Saints nodded in unison. "That works."

Then, the four Half-Saints began to introduce themselves.

The elder in plain robes said, "I am the Great Sage of Demon Chess."

The green-robed Half-Saint said, "I am the Great Sage of Soul Zither."

The red-robed old man said, "I am the Great Sage of Thunder Calligraphy."

Finally, the blue-robed Half-Saint said, "I am the Great Sage of Dharma Painting."

After their introductions, all four looked at Chu Feng with anticipation, waiting for him to make a choice.

Chu Feng responded without hesitation, offering a slight bow. "This junior, Chu Feng, humbly requests guidance from all four seniors—together."

The moment those words fell, the entire hall fell silent. All the fox clan cultivators simultaneously turned their eyes toward Chu Feng...

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