Why the disciple would say this is not merely speculative—it stems from Dong Guanqin's clear intention to become the Grand Marshal of the Immortal Realm. For a long time, the Immortal Realm has remained fragmented. Indeed, in ancient times, there were several instances when the realm was unified, and every master who achieved such unification eventually ascended to the heavens. As Grand Marshal, one would command the entire Immortal Realm, drawing an endless flow of resources—herbal medicines, divine artifacts, and other items that enhance cultivation—toward a single individual. Previously, this vision remained only a fantasy, as there were so many sects, each with its own lifestyle and cultivation customs, operating independently without interference. Even with broad connections, one could hardly influence others. But now, it's different—thanks to the gathering of all sects around a single lotus platform, this is an unparalleled opportunity. As long as they secure the Lotus Platform and demonstrate a level of strength that convinces everyone, and then offer them a few small favors, becoming the Grand Marshal won't be difficult. He had casually shared this idea with his close disciples, who naturally rallied around his goals. Yet this matter must not be revealed prematurely—otherwise, it might provoke widespread discontent and ultimately lead to failure. Thus, whenever his disciples brought up the topic, he immediately countered them and gave a subtle gesture, signaling that they should drop the subject. The disciple, being perceptive and quick-witted, quickly realized his mistake and promptly bowed low in deference. Dong Guanqin led them on patrol, offering a brief nod to acquaintances he encountered. The Fire God, observing Dong's self-important demeanor, grew increasingly irritated and remarked, "I just can't stand his arrogant attitude. He truly believes the Lotus Platform is his own—well, it's mine!" A group of disciples dressed in red Taoist robes纷纷 expressed agreement, naturally praising their master—there was no need to learn such behavior; it came instinctively to them all. Hundreds of kilometers away, Qin Feng and He Muqing gradually descended, having flown continuously for several hours and now needing a break. Especially He Muqing, whose level lagged behind Qin Feng's; though Qin, the young lord, had slowed his pace, she still kept up with relentless effort, rapidly depleting her spiritual energy. This secluded mountain valley, untouched and uninhabited, was perfectly suited for temporary rest—indeed, it would serve well as a camping site with no issues at all. As they approached about fifty meters above the ground, they spotted a gentle plume of smoke rising from within the valley. Someone must be here—unlikely, since they had planned to rest here in advance, and He, leveraging her military status, had confirmed this area as uninhabited. Qin Feng furrowed his brow, "It's possible we're not alone—perhaps there are others who have also chosen to rest here temporarily!" "It's very likely," the leader nodded. Together, they slowed their flight, and soon spotted a group of seven or eight people dressed in Taoist robes, with two fires lit—one for roasting meat, the other for boiling soup. A whole sheep had been roasted and released a delicious aroma, while steam rose from a pot hanging nearby, carrying a fresh, fragrant scent. Well, these people clearly know how to enjoy life. Since they were strangers to one another, they decided to listen first, to learn each other's identities before making any move. The man in charge of roasting the meat was a middle-aged gentleman who continuously turned the wooden skewers while sprinkling seasonings onto the meat, with lamb fat dripping steadily onto the coals below, sizzling softly. The others seemed well-prepared to begin eating, yet it was strange that the meat had been fully cooked and yet no one had started to serve or eat it. The person in charge of grilling turned around and asked, "What's happened to Xiao Ling? She's been gone for so long now and still hasn't returned!" One of the younger monks replied, "Master Brother, Xiao Ling is a girl who finds everything unusual. Having arrived at such a scenic mountain valley, she must have taken a good walk—this walk has completely taken up her time!" Another added, "Why don't we just serve her a separate meal and wait for her? We all know her personality—there's no telling when she'll return. We can't keep waiting forever!" Master Brother shook his head and said, "No way. When we left, our master specifically instructed us to look after Xiao Ling. How can we begin serving dinner without waiting for her to return?" The younger monks looked visibly disappointed. Master Brother and the master truly adored Xiao Ling—she was treated with such constant care and attention that she had become unruly, often causing trouble within the monastery. Yet, once Master Brother had spoken, the younger disciples could only watch helplessly as the lamb roasted outside crisp and inside still tender, praying fervently it wouldn’t burn. Waiting passively wasn’t an option either. Someone else stepped in: “Brothers, what do you think of Qin Feng? Ranking eleventh at the Gathering of the Immortal Deities is one thing; I’ve even heard he’s the discoverer of the Lotus Platform—Dong Qiankun and the Fire God Master both came after him!” Master Brother replied: “I also think he’s no ordinary person. Self-taught, and I’ve heard his rank is quite high.” Qin, standing quietly in the background, couldn’t help but smile with quiet confidence—almost slyly: “Did you see that, Qingqing? I’ve gained some recognition in the cultivation world, even people I don’t know praise me!” He Liang, the leader, gave him a withering look and scoffed, “What’s so remarkable about that? Can you really guarantee everyone will think the same?” At that moment, a senior disciple with a long face hummed, "Doesn't necessarily follow. If he were truly a master, why didn't he claim the lotus platform for himself right away upon discovering it? Instead, he ends up being watched over by Dong Qinkuan, the Fire God Elder, and the Immortal of the Misty Heights—this clearly shows he lacks the strength to stand against all three. That's why he had to hand it over reluctantly. Moreover, those three ranked first, second, and third, so logically he should have ranked fourth. Yet he ended up in eleventh place. In my opinion, Qin Feng is merely a pretender, someone who fakes prestige—nothing particularly impressive about him!" Man, she actually was right. The sly smile on Qin's face quickly faded, replaced by several thin lines of concern. The elder brother still seemed unsatisfied and continued, "How can anyone believe someone who's self-taught? Consider the sheer difficulty of cultivation—no other endeavor compares. I simply can't believe that someone without a master guiding them could achieve much. Qin Feng, I'm certain, must be someone who loves to boast, with a rather unreliable personality. I'm also certain he's arrogant!" Qin's expression grew increasingly strained as he stared at the ceiling, visibly irritated.