Chapter 826: Drunk and Being Outdone

The East Sea Demon Emperor maintained a courteous demeanor. She noticed two young disciples following him. The male disciple was handsome and refined, exuding the aura of a perfected Core Formation Stage Nine cultivator. She recognized him and showed approval.

“I remember you’re Xiang Zhenyuan, aren’t you?” she said. “It’s been two years, and you’ve already cultivated to the peak of Core Formation. That’s truly impressive.”

Xiang Zhenyuan looked at the beautiful Sea Demon Emperor, who seemed to be of a similar age to himself and his companions. Slightly reserved, he quickly replied, “I’m honored that the East Sea Demon Emperor still remembers a junior like me. Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to break through to Core Formation Stage Eight using your palace’s Spirit Cleansing Pool, which led to my current achievement.”

The East Sea Demon Emperor nodded slightly. Then, she looked at another girl, around seventeen years old, with a Core Formation Stage Eight cultivation. She was slender and attractive, with well-applied makeup. There was a hint of pride in her eyes.

“This must be the prodigious new disciple Tower Master Wei mentioned, correct?” she said. “Cultivating to Core Formation Stage Eight at seventeen, truly remarkable. Much stronger than my East Sea demon race.”

The East Sea Demon Emperor offered praise without reservation. A Core Formation Stage Eight cultivator so young was considered top-tier even in Taicang Great State.

Wei Wuji gestured, “Guifeng Yin, come and greet the East Sea Demon Emperor.”

Guifeng Yin stepped forward and gave a respectful bow. How could she harbor any pride before this long-renowned East Sea Demon Emperor? Moreover, it was true, just as the rumors said. The East Sea Demon Emperor was truly beautiful. An ageless, peerless beauty, and unparalleled power at the pinnacle of the current era. She practically lived the dream of every woman. No wonder her master always held her in his heart. Who wouldn’t admire such an ageless, undefeated, and stunning Demon Emperor? If she were a man, she’d be thinking of her too.

Wei Wuji was very proud of Guifeng Yin and said, “Feng Yin is one of the most outstanding disciples in our Myriad Manifestations Void Realm in this recent generation. It’s a pity she’s a female disciple; otherwise, it’s highly likely she would have been on the Dharma Seal Vajra’s salvation list.”

Xiang Zhenyuan, standing nearby, secretly felt envious. His talent was actually quite excellent as well. He was also ranked highly within the Myriad Manifestations Void Realm. Yet, he hadn’t caught the Dharma Seal Vajra’s eye. He couldn’t make it onto that legendary salvation list.

The East Sea Demon Emperor smiled and nodded, “She’s indeed a fine girl.” But deep down, she didn’t entirely agree. Even if Guifeng Yin were a male disciple, it’s unlikely she would make it onto the salvation list. In Taicang Great State, there were many so-called prodigies more renowned than Guifeng Yin. But very few were explicitly named by the Dharma Seal Vajra for salvation. His salvation list wasn’t for outsiders to determine who would certainly make it. It didn’t count until he personally named them. The phrase “highly likely” was somewhat overly optimistic.

Wait a moment! Speaking of which, didn’t Jiang Fan make it onto the Dharma Seal Vajra’s salvation list? Previously, she hadn’t had a very direct sense of this. Comparing her to Guifeng Yin right now, only now did she realize Jiang Fan’s astonishing talent. A salvation list that even a seventeen-year-old Core Formation Stage Eight cultivator might not make, yet Jiang Fan was on it!

“Is this little fellow’s value truly so high?” the East Sea Demon Emperor couldn’t help but mumble.

“What did you say?” Wei Wuji was surprised. How could the East Sea Demon Emperor be talking to him but thinking of someone else? “Little fellow? Who was that?”

“Oh, oh, no one,” the East Sea Demon Emperor snapped back to attention. Naturally, she wouldn’t reveal Jiang Fan’s background to avoid causing him unnecessary trouble. Her gaze returned to Guifeng Yin, and she asked, “Tower Master Wei, is your visit to borrow the Spirit Cleansing Pool for this young disciple?”

Wei Wuji waved his hand, “How could I trouble you for such a minor matter?” He said gravely, “The Myriad Manifestations Void Realm is aware that the Abyssal Beasts have activated the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar. They specifically dispatched me to investigate on the mainland. Passing through the East Sea, I came to visit you. And, if convenient, to allow my young disciple to use the Spirit Cleansing Pool.”

The East Sea Demon Emperor simply disregarded his second-to-last remark. She nodded and said, “Borrowing the Spirit Cleansing Pool is easy to arrange…”

Suddenly, she remembered Jiang Fan was still in the Spirit Cleansing Pool. Wouldn’t that cause a conflict? But remembering Jiang Fan was a true gentleman, she said, “It’s fine. However, there’s already someone cultivating in the Spirit Cleansing Pool. When Feng Yin uses it, please try to stay a bit further from the other person to avoid mutual interference.”

Guifeng Yin nodded repeatedly, “This junior naturally understands.” She was more worried about others disturbing her. For a prodigy like her, every cultivation opportunity was extremely precious. No waste could be tolerated.

“Someone else?” A flicker of surprise crossed Wei Wuji’s mind, but he didn’t take it seriously. Perhaps it was a demon who had accomplished something. “Zhenyuan, you accompany Feng Yin. If there’s any mutual interference, stop promptly and prevent any misunderstandings between them.”

Xiang Zhenyuan clasped his fist, “Yes, Master.”

The East Sea Demon Emperor instructed a Demon King to lead the two disciples. Then she said, “Tower Master Wei, let’s talk in the reception hall. When the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar appeared, I was nearby. Whatever the Myriad Manifestations Void Realm wishes to know, I might be able to answer some questions.”

Wei Wuji was greatly surprised. “You were there that day?” he asked.

“Excellent,” he continued, “that saves me a trip to the mainland.”

The East Sea Demon Emperor nodded gently. But she couldn’t help but inwardly grumble: “Old Dream’s long legs truly weren’t for nothing. I had just returned to the East Sea and hadn’t even warmed my seat when she’d already delivered the news to Taicang Great State. What a pity for those long legs, wasted on her good-for-nothing husband.”

**Spirit Pool**

Jiang Fan was completely unconscious at this moment. Fortunately, he had entered a cultivation state before getting drunk. The roots of the Grand Void Ancient Tree were continuously absorbing the spiritual energy from the Spirit Pool. This filled his body with spiritual energy, subtly reaching a critical point. He was on the verge of breaking through to Core Formation Stage Eight.

“There really is someone here,” Guifeng Yin stood by the pool, faintly seeing a figure in the pink mist, and quietly mumbled.

Xiang Zhenyuan pressed his hand down, saying, “Don’t be rude.” Then he clasped his fists and said, “Brother, we are here to cultivate using the Spirit Pool. Pardon our intrusion.”

The other party remained motionless. Xiang Zhenyuan awkwardly lowered his clasped fists.

Guifeng Yin snorted softly, “How arrogant. He won’t even respond to my senior brother’s greeting.”

Xiang Zhenyuan said, “Never mind, it’s their territory, so say less. Hurry and cultivate. The spiritual energy in this pool is very concentrated, enough for you to break through to Core Formation Stage Nine.”

Guifeng Yin nodded. She immediately entered the Spirit Pool and instantly felt an extremely rich spiritual energy. Joyfully, she closed her eyes and circulated her cultivation technique to absorb the spiritual energy into her body.

But as she began to absorb, she noticed something was subtly wrong. The spiritual energy in the pool was all converging towards that figure. He was like a drain at the bottom of the pool. All the spiritual energy flowed towards him.

“Strange, what kind of cultivation technique is this? So overbearing?” Guifeng Yin felt a little indignant. If someone in Taicang Great State was stronger than her, that would be fine. But to be outdone by someone in the East Sea would be a bit embarrassing.

“Compare cultivation techniques?” she thought. “Heh heh, my Myriad Manifestations Void Realm’s cultivation technique ranks among the top ten in the Outer Domain Divine Sects. Are we afraid of a comparison?”