Why do I have so many masters?

The scholar in the blue robe sat atop the bamboo chair, simply nodding casually without opening his mouth to respond.

However, deep inside, Gongsun Jing had already slightly relaxed. He raised his head only to find the scholar as inscrutable as ever, whose mere seated presence filled his entire field of vision. Everything else in Heaven and Earth paled in comparison.

Having once served as a colonel in the military, he naturally understood what this situation implied and couldn't help but feel fear, his expression growing even more respectful.

There was another person beside the scholar in the blue robe—likely a man, judging by his physique, albeit rather slender. He wore a blue robe, and his face was covered by a mask, obscuring his actual features. He merely stood there with his head bowed. Though his expression was unclear, his body language showed utmost respect toward the scholar.

This must be one of 'Dragon Head's' disciples...

Gongsun Jing had a slight epiphany.

This figure could be described as a lean man, but he might as well be an undeveloped youth.

However, bringing a disciple here today—what could be the purpose? Was it to cultivate him vigorously?

As this thought crossed his mind, a flash appeared in the corner of his eye. Gongsun Jing's gaze followed. The scattered thoughts in his mind abruptly stiffened, and his pupils constricted as he stared ahead at the man in the blue robe with a mask. His right hand opened, revealing a golden flow of Qi swirling around and forming a golden dragon spiraling in his palm.

He saw the golden dragon coiling around the arm of the man in the blue robe.

The Dragon Head looked back as if curiously observing him.

Gongsun Jing's heart almost stopped beating in that moment, then rapidly accelerated.

A rush of blood surged into his brain, causing his consciousness to blur slightly, as if in a dream. His blood flowed, and the sound of it almost resembled the whoosh of a tsunami or the windblown sand of the Great Desert.

Such exquisite control?

And yet, he could control it so delicately without any leakage of Qi, without causing the slightest anomaly between Heaven and Earth.

Gongsun Jing took a sharp breath, averted his eyes, and bowed his head, daring not to look any longer.

A voice trembled in his mind.

Fourth Rank!

Only a master above Fourth Rank could manipulate the forces of Heaven and Earth to such an extent. The lifelike movements of the golden dragon made him believe it could be the work of a Grandmaster who had crossed into Upper Third Rank.

These deductions were nearly instantaneous. To Wang Anfeng's eyes, the middle-aged man remained composed; after bowing, he shifted his gaze down in a sharp and respectful manner, neither too humble nor too proud, internally commending him.

Little did he know that deep within, it was as if a thousand troops were waging war, clashing mightily, turning the world upside down.

He had initially thought the terror of this 'secret realm' lay in its mystery, its profound unfathomability, and his ignorance of Yin Longshou's background.

But now, a different opinion was rising within him.

Sometimes, knowing more can be more terrifying. The scant information you know does not bring any relief to your heart but shatters your expectations again and again, showing you just how far off you were from the truth.

Gongsun Jing slightly closed his eyes, concealing his gaze so as not to be perceived, while images surfaced in his mind.

There was the former field veteran who had displayed fierce spear techniques.

The self-proclaimed Dragon Head, unfathomable in his green robe.

And now... this man, whose details he could finally discern a little.

It was the details he noticed that delivered the final blow.

A powerful figure whose disciples nearly approached the realm of Upper Third Rank—what realms could he himself have reached? And an organization with several Upper Third Rank members, just how terrifying could it be, and could the power displayed possibly...

At that thought, Gongsun Jing severed this line of thought, emptied his mind, allowing himself to be in the vast expanse of the sky and the Great Desert, his heart as calm as still water, daring not to think further.

He feared that continuing this thought would lead him to wholly submit to this power, losing himself, becoming like a puppet.

Gongsun Jing's facial expressions changed, concealable from Wang Anfeng but not from the scholar.

Mr. Yin lazed back on the bamboo chair, watching the man before him swiftly regain his composure from an initial state of terror and fear, eyes revealing a sense of great admiration.

His fingers lightly tapped on the armrest of the bamboo chair, producing a sound like that of a Jade Dragon Chime, reverberating around, cleansing stray thoughts. Gongsun Jing's body shivered slightly, feeling those suppressed thoughts completely dissipate with the sound. His mind was momentarily clear and refreshed, his Inner Strength Martial Body subtly improved, and he felt a slight joy, but then he heard a voice at his ear.

"His mental state isn't bad."

A sudden chill ran through his heart. Lifting his eyes, he saw the Scholar lounging on a bamboo chair, his posture relaxed, his right elbow resting on the armrest, palm supporting the mask on his face. Although his features were completely obscured by the mask, Gongsun Jing seemed to see a mocking, playful expression. Although it appeared to be a compliment, he somehow detected scorn and disdain, which deepened his sense of gloom and powerlessness.

It was as though he was completely shrouded in shadows.

No sunlight, no bright moon, no morning stars could be seen.

But years of experience had granted him sufficient expertise and adaptive instincts. He raised his hand in greeting and said,

"I am unworthy of Longshou's praise."

Yin Longshou nodded casually, seemingly indifferent. His fingers lightly tapped on the armrest as he spoke:

"You came here today, presumably... to make a decision."

Gongsun Jing's body stiffened slightly. He had never expected this man before him to ask so directly, moreover about such a sharp issue, especially when he felt most powerless. His mental state became slightly unbalanced, but at this point, the arrow was already on the bowstring, and he could not refrain from shooting. After a moment's thought, he bowed with his fists clasped and said:

"Naturally."

The scholar remained relaxed, indifferent even after receiving the answer, and casually remarked, "Last time, you did not take the jade slip, it seems you didn't take what this seat needed either, so this time, let's see what you're capable of..."

As he spoke, he casually waved his hand.

The surrounding environment immediately transformed dramatically, from the peak of a mountain to flat ground.

There was the sound of flowing spring water, dense bamboo forests surrounded them, and a giant tree soared into the sky, branching out in numerous directions like a dormant giant dragon. From the outstretched branches hung jade plaques tied with red threads, creating a staggering scene. Gongsun Jing looked up at the huge old tree, its green leaves blocking out the sun, with only rays of sunlight piercing through the gaps, dotting the area, leaving his mind blank.

Light like rain.

In his mind, only this phrase remained.

In that moment, the jade plaques lightly stirred, and one of them broke free, drifting towards Gongsun Jing.

The man instinctively grasped it in his hand, feeling its warm, soft texture, unlike any high-quality jade he had ever seen before. Both sides were intricately carved with fine, clear text. Before he could clearly see what was written, the man in the green robe, Longshou, already pointed at the man in the blue robe next to him and casually said:

"From today onwards, you are under his command."

"Address him as Hall Master."

"Any objections?"

Gongsun Jing knew he had no room to negotiate. His heart was shaken by the implication of the title 'Hall Master', yet he managed to maintain a composed exterior. He turned to face Wang Anfeng, who was still trying to understand the situation, and bowed with his fists clasped, saying: Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire

"Gongsun Jing, at your service, Hall Master."

His voice paused slightly, then turned solemn as he continued:

"Three thousand disciples of the Giant Peng Gang, at the Hall Master's command."

Wang Anfeng was shaken by these words. His baffled expression was completely hidden behind the mask, unseen by others, and he failed to respond. The Scholar's eyes flashed with displeasure, and with a subtle movement of his fingers behind his back, he used Qi Force to control Wang Anfeng's body, making him nod slightly towards Gongsun Jing as a response.

Underneath the mask, his eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

He took a somewhat disapproving look at the young man beside him.

............…

On Shaoshi Mountain.

Wu Changqing looked toward the part of Heaven and Earth undergoing changes, not far away, his expression slightly helpless. The world was no longer as intact as when he first arrived. The transformation of Heaven and Earth was, in fact, not far from Shaoshi Mountain, only concealed from the view of Wang Anfeng and the others by the Scholar's methods.

From the outside, he could see clearly.

The medical book in his hands turned to a new page; the old man shook his head and murmured softly:

"To directly use the Everlasting Tree, which is meant for hanging red threaded jade slips on the Qixi Festival."

"He is being quite... frivolous."

PS: First update