Chapter 184 - Arc 12: Ruyi Xianzhuang | Chapter 184: Demonic Qi
Translator: Lynn
Hi! I’m back!
Sorry for the delay guys, here are your due chapters!
He stands tall and perfectly upright, boasting a complexion akin to fine powder and lips resembling vivid vermilion. His appearance is exceptionally handsome, dressed in brocade garments and crowned with jade.
This man’s countenance surpasses the realm of mere “beauty”; upon encountering it, people can only perceive an exceptional level of allure, finding it challenging to divert their gaze.
Throughout Xu Ziqing’s lifetimes, he has encountered countless ordinary individuals and cultivators. However, regardless of their status, none can rival this person’s appearance.
He observed the man, a tinge of suspicion emerging within him. The birthday celebration had already begun, and this man arrived after the owner arrives. Why? If it were indeed a birthday gathering, it implied tardiness and insincerity. If not for a birthday, could it be an intention to bring about trouble?
Just a while ago, the man mentioned the term “old friend,” and Xu Ziqing pondered over the identity of this old friend.
Perplexed, Xu Ziqing redirected his gaze towards the man before him.
It wasn’t a deliberate act of neglect; upon hearing the man’s voice, he became slightly cautious. Due to his attentiveness to his words, he initially cast a glance at the person standing behind him.
Seeing the woman behind him in her present state, he was somewhat surprised.
Not because this woman was exceptionally beautiful, but rather because she appeared quite ordinary.
Her appearance was average, verging on the upper middle-class; her demeanor was unassuming. Particularly in the presence of numerous enchanting female cultivators in the main hall, she seemed even less noteworthy.
Yet the enchanting voice that had entranced him earlier emanated from her—a fact that left people amazed.
Even more astonishing was that once you noticed this woman, you found it impossible to avert your gaze, ensnared as if by an irresistible force.
Xu Ziqing’s reaction was swift, nearly the moment he laid eyes on the woman, his thoughts shifted.
In an instant, a chill ran through him, like being doused with a bucket of cold water, abruptly quelling his wavering intentions.
Promptly, Xu Ziqing felt a cold sweat, hastily glancing sideways.
He had previously been ensnared by Su Furong’s charm, and he recognized that sensation all too well. However, the woman before him possessed a charm skill a hundredfold superior to that of Su Furong, making it exceedingly challenging to defend against.
… He wondered about his Shixiong’s condition.
In apprehension, Xu Ziqing turned his head and found solace upon seeing Yun Lie’s demeanor.
Despite the entrancement affecting many individuals on either side, his brother’s expression remained utterly composed, as serene as ever.
Noticing Xu Ziqing’s disquiet, Yun Lie understood the situation and subtly nodded in acknowledgment.
Xu Ziqing smiled, feeling considerably more at ease.
At this moment, Mu Wuxin let out a soft mocking snicker from the elevated platform, jolting everyone mentally, rousing them from the palace’s ensnarement, and compelling them to face their own folly.
At once, cultivators with lower cultivation dared not meet the woman’s gaze any longer. Conversely, those with profound cultivation displayed subtle signs of discontent and heightened vigilance.
Mu Wuxin’s voice remained cold, devoid of emotion: “So, the junior sister has emerged from seclusion. Why was I not informed? Furthermore, let me, the senior sister, dispatch disciples to welcome you.”
The woman “giggled” playfully, her voice akin to a melodious silver bell, pleasing to the ears: “Dear sister, I appreciate your concern.” She sighed softly, “It’s not that I’ve emerged from seclusion. This younger sister foresaw that my senior sister had an old friend coming to honor her on her birthday, albeit a tad late. This sister thus welcomes him to please the senior sister…Please, honor the younger sister’s desire.”
The conversation between the two women seemed harmonious, akin to sisters. However, to the discerning ear, an indescribable strangeness underscored their words.
This, however, unveiled the woman’s identity to many cultivators. Given her ability to converse on equal terms with Yunu Venerable1It’s not Jade Girl Venerable. Fixed!, she must be another Mahayana Venerable of this generation, Sunu Venerable Yu Nongqing.
Following Yu Nongqing’s words, the man stepped forward, respectfully cupping his hands: “I am Lang Tianqi, a cultivator from overseas, extending birthday wishes to the village owner.”
This individual made no mention of old friendships, but those observant enough could discern that his cultivation was no higher than Nascent Soul. How could such a person be as old as these two venerable? Unless he were a junior, but if that were the case, why not just state it plainly? Instead, he seemed to conceal something.
Cultivators were suddenly filled with various thoughts.
Mu Wuxin’s demeanor remained indifferent, unchanged: “Even if belated, the intention remains, so let us invite our guests to their seats. This applies to the junior sister as well; since you have emerged from seclusion, why not join us for a toast?”
Seeing Yu Nongqing’s affectionate demeanor, she refrained from further confrontation and spoke lightly. Then, she gracefully proceeded, resembling a leisurely walk on a flat surface, towards the elevated platform.
Just below Mu Wuxin’s throne, a seat materialized quietly. Before anyone could react, Yu Nongqing also transformed into a faint phantom and seated herself.
When Mu Wuxin assumed her position, akin to Yu Nongqing, it gave off a flickering, alternating between light and dark, a sensation of half calmness and half distortion. It seemed discordant, yet strangely harmonious, accompanied by light and shadow.
While many eyes were fixed on Yu Nongqing, Lang Tianqi, the self-proclaimed overseas cultivator, had already taken his seat. His seat was just to the left of Yun Lie’s low table, remarkably close to him.
Xu Ziqing couldn’t resist stealing another glance at Lang Tianqi, noticing that his gaze seemed to traverse countless dimensions, fixated on Mu Wuxin’s figure beyond the mist on the elevated platform. Everything else appeared to be beyond his perception.
Intrigued—truly intrigued.
Who was this person, and what was his connection to Mu Wuxin? Given their vastly different cultivation levels, there had been no prior interaction. The relationship between the Yunu group and the Sunu group was not as harmonious as it appeared. What role did Lang Tianqi play in all of this?
In many instances, the more enigmatic something seemed, the more it left people puzzled, yearning for clarity.
Xu Ziqing struggled with his curiosity and finally managed a wry smile. He always had to get to the bottom of things, otherwise, he would feel uneasy. It was okay to have some curiosity on ordinary days, but too much curiosity could turn into a disaster. Among the few individuals in front of him, even Lang Tianqi, who was the weakest in cultivation, was at the Nascent Soul Stage. How could he, a mere ant in the Foundation Establishment Stage, attempt to fathom the complexities between them?
Meditate, meditate, don’t worry too much…
After several attempts to restrain his curiosity, Xu Ziqing fixed his gaze, fearing that a moment of carelessness would lead to trouble.
It would be fine if he were the only one here and he alone got involved, but his senior brother was by his side. If he were targeted by others, his senior brother would certainly come to his aid. If something were to happen to his senior brother because of it, he would deeply regret it.
Ever since Yu Nongqing entered the main hall, the complexions of the six Sunu envoys became increasingly radiant, and their auras grew more distinct. If the hall was solemn and majestic before, it now bore a more relaxed atmosphere, with many young girls engaging in chatter and laughter, adding a touch of tenderness and charm.
The hall seemed to have acquired a hint of worldly ambiance, and the fragrant breeze enticed, making people feel intoxicated.
Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but feel that what was originally a place for pure cultivation had taken on an oddly festive tone. This troubled him, and he furrowed his brow.
Such a birthday banquet was indeed peculiar…
On the other side, Lang Tianqi poured his own drink and didn’t engage with the female cultivators, projecting an air of detachment from the world.
He hadn’t presented a congratulatory gift, as if his presence itself was the congratulation, and there was nothing more to it.
While Xu Ziqing scooped up a spoonful of spiritual food, he sent a voice transmission to Yun Lie: “Senior Brother, do you recognize this Senior Lang?”
Yun Lie paused for a moment, then responded through voice transmission: “Avoid any interaction with this person.”
Upon hearing this sudden warning, Xu Ziqing was startled.
If it were just due to Lang Tianqi’s Nascent Soul stage cultivation, Yun Lie wouldn’t have issued such a warning. Unless Lang Tianqi had some other background that made his senior brother feel uneasy. Especially… Xu Ziqing could sense the caution in his senior brother’s warning.
His heart sank a little. Xu Ziqing never hid anything from Yun Lie, so he asked again via voice transmission: “Why, Shixiong? Can you tell me the reason?”
Yun Lie lowered his eyes: “This person is mysterious and exudes a demonic Qi.”
Xu Ziqing’s eyes widened in surprise: “…A demonic Qi?”
Yun Lie nodded slightly: “This person is not of the righteous path, but a practitioner of the demonic path.”
This revelation left Xu Ziqing truly astonished. He wouldn’t doubt his senior brother’s words. He had heard from his master that this senior brother had vanquished countless demons in his early years. He was well-versed in the ways of demons, and his senior brother had achieved clarity in sword intent. Hence, he became sensitive to the aura of otherworldly beings. Well, since his senior brother stated that this person cultivated the demonic path, no matter how well he concealed it, he could not be wrong. However, because of this, Xu Ziqing found it hard to believe.
In this Mahayana Venerable’s birthday banquet in the realm of immortality, an individual cultivating the path of demons unexpectedly made an appearance. If someone came here to cause trouble, at most they might be deemed overly confident, but to come for a birthday celebration… It would be even stranger if he was genuinely here to celebrate a birthday!
In an instant, Xu Ziqing felt that this birthday banquet had become complicated and perplexing.
If it were merely a disagreement between the Yunu sect and the Sunu sect, it would be normal. From his perspective, the cultivation methods and personal styles of the two sects of cultivators were very different, making it understandable that they found it difficult to get along.
But no matter what internal strife the two factions were embroiled in, getting entangled with a practitioner of the demonic path changed everything.
Xu Ziqing thought silently, “… Is he from the chaotic path or the devilish path?”
Yun Lie replied, “He’s a bit of both, neither purely righteous nor purely evil.”
While the two brothers were communicating through sound transmission, someone from the high seat spoke again.
Yu Nongqing smiled and calmly stated, “Senior Sister, if you have something to say, now’s the time. The birthday banquet is nearing its end, and it would be a shame to miss the opportunity.”
Mu Wuxin responded slowly, “Junior Sister is certainly well-informed.”
Yu Nongqing laughed lightly, jesting, “But can I match my senior sister’s expertise?”
Mu Wuxin’s tone remained light, “It’s all thanks to the master’s guidance.”
Yu Nongqing playfully clapped her hands and then raised her voice, projecting throughout the hall, “Since Senior sister is being modest, allow me, the junior sister, to explain. This time, during the Immortal Fruit Conference, in addition to the original 18 Immortal fruits, the owner graciously wishes to select a good match for the twelve Ruyi envoys of Ruyi Xianzhuang, making them Daoist couples, and hence, an additional Immortal fruit will be awarded… I wonder if you young heroes have any wishes?”
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1It’s not Jade Girl Venerable. Fixed!