Chapter 106: Luantai Angel, Jiang Ning

The Five Seas Realm elder of the Nine Li tribe was greatly moved by these words. His gaze immediately fell upon Li Weiyi, and he urgently asked, "Are you truly in the Rushing Spring Realm?"

Yao Yin spoke up for Li Weiyi, saying, "Of course, my guard is in the Rushing Spring Realm. Even if he were in the same realm, he wouldn't bother attacking the Dharma-Path Fire Ape; he'd consider it beneath him. If he were truly in the Five Seas Realm, he probably wouldn't even deign to glance at it. After all, the Dharma-Path Fire Ape is far too weak!"

Many Nine Li cultivators recognized Yao Yin.

"She's the granddaughter of the Medicine Li tribe's chief. That cultivator who split the Dharma-Path Fire Ape with a single saber strike—could he really be a Nine Springs Paragon?"

"Haha, her comments about the Dharma-Path Fire Ape are truly gratifying."

"The Medicine Li tribe hides its strength well. With one move, they reveal a Pure Immortal Physique and two Nine Springs Paragons, each more formidable than the last."

Yao Yin continued, "If the Dharma-Path Fire Ape hadn't been so aggressive, trying to kill my other guard, how could it have met such a fate? It only has itself to blame for being so overconfident."

"You say he's in the Rushing Spring Realm, and he truly is in the Rushing Spring Realm?"

How could the Tiger Demon and Wolf Demon believe someone in the Rushing Spring Realm could cleave the Dharma-Path Fire Ape with a single strike?

Not even a Hundred Meridian Full Silver Pure Immortal Physique could accomplish that.

From the huge warship, the woman's voice came again, tinged with mockery: "There's an essential difference in the Qi levels between the Five Seas Realm and the Rushing Spring Realm. Is there no one else here who can discern it? If you try, won't you know whether he's in the Rushing Spring Realm?"

The Tiger Demon engaged the Nine Li tribe's Five Seas Realm elder, while the Wolf Demon seized the opportunity to circle around, its four legs pounding as it quickly closed the distance with Li Weiyi and his two companions.

The Wolf Demon's abdomen turned fiery gold, with countless flames intertwining within. The air temperature on the bank sharply rose.

"Whoosh!"

A powerful gust of fiery Qi, brimming with magical energy, erupted from its lungs and Qi Sea.

The flames were not scattered; instead, they condensed into fiery gold saber and sword gleams. Where they swept past, deep gouges were left on the ground.

"Good timing! The Rushing Spring Realm will cleave the Five Seas Realm today!"

Li Weiyi shouted fearlessly, taking three steps forward. His fighting spirit and aura surged with immense power as he fully activated his Ancestral Field Qi.

He gripped his saber with both hands and slashed it forth.

"Boom!"

Golden saber light illuminated the river, splitting the oncoming flames.

The two forces were locked in a stalemate for several breaths. The Wolf Demon's power waned, and the flames from its mouth ceased.

Li Weiyi's internal Qi, however, was endless and incredibly potent. With soaring morale, he raised his saber and charged, engaging the Wolf Demon in close-quarters combat.

During the previous exchange, all the martial arts masters on the ships observed intently and with full concentration.

They discovered that the black-clad man's Qi level was indeed in the Rushing Spring Realm, which was simply unbelievable.

On the distant warships, the nine Chieftains of the Nine Li tribe emerged from their cabins in single file, gazing out from the deck.

Upon confirming that Yao Yin's guard was truly in the Rushing Spring Realm, the Green Li Chieftain was in high spirits and joked, "Alright, your Medicine Li tribe really hides its strength well. You stay quiet, then when you act, it's with two Nine Springs Paragons! What's the background of that young man? How is his combat power so incredible?"

The nine Chieftains had gathered there to discuss whether to cancel tomorrow's Mang Mountain Grand Sacrifice, to prevent the young elites of the nine tribes from being hunted down by demon clans and forces like the Sui Sect.

Such a retreat would naturally be a severe blow to the Nine Li tribe, making them a laughingstock worldwide.

However, the casualties of not retreating were something they absolutely could not bear.

Because this decision was so significant, the Chieftains of the nine tribes had gathered here.

Although the Medicine Li Chieftain knew nothing about it, he still put on a brave face, feigning nonchalance: "It's just the Rushing Spring Realm; many factors influence combat power, it's nothing extraordinary. Perhaps we previously overestimated the Dharma-Path Fire Ape; it truly crumbles when facing a genuine master."

The Cyan Li Chieftain, Li Songlin, said, "What's there to be smug about? If you had such a trump card, you should have revealed it earlier."

The Beast Li Chieftain said, "Regarding the cancellation of the Mang Mountain Grand Sacrifice, it now seems necessary to reconsider."

After perceiving that Li Weiyi was indeed in the Rushing Spring Realm, the Nine Li tribe's Five Seas Realm elder felt a great surge of confidence. He sent the Tiger Demon flying with a single palm strike, then shifted his body, retreated, and used grappling techniques to seize one of the Wolf Demon's legs, violently flinging it away.

The two demons crashed onto the riverbank, creating two large craters, and immediately roared in fury.

The Five Seas Realm elder stood with his hands clasped behind his back, seemingly transformed. Full of vigor, he cursed, "If you're not convinced, then fight again! When our Nine Springs Paragons of the Nine Li tribe were killed by the Dharma-Path Fire Ape, were we not convinced? The Dharma-Path Fire Ape is too arrogant; does it really think it's invincible throughout Lizhou? Does it truly believe there's no one in our Nine Li tribe who can handle it?"

Which elder wouldn't be full of confidence if their juniors showed promise?

A fierce gust of wind suddenly arose.

A thick, pitch-black demonic cloud flew out of Yao Pass City, appearing over the dock, its demonic energy shrouding several miles.

The figure within the demonic cloud was colossal and clad in armor, resembling a fiery red ape-like mountain dozens of meters tall. Countless lower-realm cultivators trembled and knelt, suppressed by its aura.

Several Chieftains of the Nine Li tribe shot out from their warships like meteors, moving to intercept.

As the situation escalated, the Chieftain-level figures from various major forces appeared one after another. Beams of light and auspicious mist emanated from their bodies, making it difficult for ordinary cultivators to discern their forms and faces.

Among the many large ships, a small boat drifted over.

Shi Jiuzhai stood on the boat, watched the commotion for a while, then couldn't help but say, "To my old friends from Tianya Ridge, a word of caution: don't fall for the Nine Li tribe's cunning scheme. There's something very strange about this matter."

An old ape in the confrontation asked, "What's strange?"

Shi Jiuzhai replied, "How could a mortal Rushing Spring Realm cultivator, who just appeared out of nowhere, be this powerful? The Dharma-Path Fire Ape is a ninety-five meridian Full Silver Pure Immortal Physique."

Li Weiyi immediately felt over a dozen combat intent and spiritual power senses fall upon him, but he wasn't afraid of being exposed, as he wore high-grade magical night-traveling attire.

Shi Jiuzhai pointed at Yao Yin, reminding the demon cultivators of Tianya Ridge again: "That young girl's mother is the renowned Yao Qingxuan. Surely you understand now?"

All the cultivators present, even the demon cultivators of Tianya Ridge, had their memories stirred upon hearing the name "Yao Qingxuan."

Shi Shishi lay on the small boat, a foxtail grass stalk in his mouth, and asked, "Brother Jiu, what's so special about her mother being Yao Qingxuan? What kind of cunning scheme does the Nine Li tribe have?"

Shi Jiuzhai smiled, "You're too young; you haven't experienced those years. Yao Qingxuan is extraordinary, but even more extraordinary is the great demon behind her, far away in the Ash Lands of the extreme west."

The old ape from Tianya Ridge immediately understood everything and said with emotion, "Does Dharma King Jiuzhai mean that the young man, the Nine Springs Paragon with abnormal combat power, is from those Ash Lands in the west? The Nine Li tribe wants to use Yao Qingxuan's daughter to stir up conflict between Tianya Ridge and the Ash Lands of the extreme west?"

Shi Jiuzhai scratched his head, "The Nine Li tribe is no match for Tianya Ridge, so of course, they can only choose to leverage external power. From what I know, this girl has been missing for several months recently and only returned suddenly today."

Within the demonic cloud, which covered several miles, the giant ape, dozens of meters tall, murmured, "So it's Yao Qingxuan's daughter! You Nine Li tribe are truly becoming more cunning and more ruthless."

With these words, the demonic cloud receded like a tide.

Tianya Ridge naturally did not want to provoke that legendary great demon over the death of a Rushing Spring Realm demon cultivator. It would be too complicated and not worth the trouble.

Li Weiyi watched all the Tianya Ridge demons retreat, lost in thought. He then looked towards Shi Jiuzhai's direction, only to see that the small boat had already departed.

From the huge warship a dozen zhang away, a slender woman dressed as a maid emerged. Her voice, infused with Qi, resonated melodiously: "My master wishes to invite the young master who cleaved the Dharma-Path Fire Ape to board the ship for a discussion."

This maid was very young, but her Qi was profound, and her face showed nothing but haughtiness.

Earlier, it was the mysterious woman on this warship who, with a single remark, had pinpointed Li Weiyi's cultivation level, demonstrating exceptionally keen insight.

Li Weiyi asked, "May I ask who your esteemed master is?"

The maid replied, "Since you are curious, wouldn't you know once you board? With your courage, are you afraid this warship is a dragon's pool and a tiger's den?"

"Whoosh!"

The warship's array light veil appeared, instantly illuminating the entire Sui River and the surrounding mountains. It resembled a divine ship from the Nine Heavens, leading one to wonder if immortals resided upon it.

The array light veil opened a ten-foot-wide slit, formally extending the invitation.

Yao Yin was somewhat worried: "Yao Pass City currently has various forces gathered. The other party is mysterious and unfathomable, and it's hard to tell if they are friend or foe. I think it's better not to go."

"Since the other party is unfathomable, why would they bother with a Rushing Spring Realm cultivator like me?"

Li Weiyi was a person of intense curiosity and a strong desire for exploration. He stepped on wisps of Qi, moved along the warship's outer wall, passed through the array light veil, and landed on the deck.

The light veil closed, and the array sealed off the entire warship.

The maid was quite young, not yet twenty, but she was surprisingly a Pure Immortal Physique. Only by being in close proximity to her could one truly sense a profound and unfathomable presence; her cultivation was definitely not in the Rushing Spring Realm.

Li Weiyi followed her to the third level of the ship's tower, observing the ship as he went, hoping to ascertain the ship owner's identity beforehand.

"Lady, as a dignified Pure Immortal Physique, with beauty, talent, and cultivation that surpasses your peers, how can you be content with being a maid?" Li Weiyi asked.

The maid, maintaining a serious expression, said, "If one can serve those from the heavens, wouldn't it be a hundred times better than being a mortal cultivator?"

Upon reaching the third level of the ship's tower, the maid stopped, glanced at Li Weiyi, and subtly covered her nose, clearly disdainful that he hadn't bathed or burned incense.

From inside the room, a pleasant voice came out: "Can you guess my identity?"

"Originally, I couldn't guess..."

Li Weiyi glanced at the maid who had retreated ten steps away, then continued, "But seeing your haughty, 'above mortal affairs' demeanor, I immediately guessed. I heard that the Luan Terrace Angel has arrived in Lizhou to procure provisions and resources for the imperial army. In this world, only those from Lingxiao Palace dare to call themselves 'people from the heavens'."

She had initiated the invitation, yet the invited party wasn't even granted entry. Li Weiyi had never seen such a stance before.

The voice from inside the room said, "Since you are so displeased, why don't you turn around and leave immediately?"

"Thank you, Luan Terrace Angel, for letting me go."

Li Weiyi truly didn't want to stay there for even another second; the heavens were not where he belonged. Therefore, he turned and left.

"Whoosh!"

The maid's figure shifted, instantly teleporting in front of him.

A chilling, spiritual longsword was already at his neck.

"Zhuang Yue, put away your sword. Do not treat a guest this way."

The voice from inside the room quickly added, "My name is Jiang Ning; you may also call me Luan Terrace Angel. Envoys of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace cannot be in the same room as a man. This is the Palace Master's decree, not my intentional disrespect towards you."

The lofty Luan Terrace Angel suddenly adopted such a polite and humble tone, which paradoxically made Li Weiyi uneasy.

Zhuang Yue retracted her sword and retreated to a distance again, glaring at him with a threatening look.

The voice from inside the room spoke very directly: "I invited you aboard because I have a favor to ask. Within the newly expanded space in Immortal Burial Town, a special place has appeared with a carved inscription, named Thirty-Three Li Mountain. Only Rushing Spring Realm cultivators can enter its core. I sincerely invite you to cooperate and retrieve the treasures within."

Li Weiyi asked, "If I refuse, will I be able to leave this ship alive?"

The voice from inside the room chuckled softly: "Lingxiao Palace is a righteous path of the imperial court. You can leave anytime you wish. But are you sure you want to give up the opportunity to enter Thirty-Three Li Mountain?"

Li Weiyi said, "If I don't cooperate with you, I can't enter Thirty-Three Li Mountain?"

"You can't!"

The voice from inside the room added, "The Nine Li tribe doesn't have the power to send you into the mountain because they have too many enemies. And those who dare to directly oppose Lingxiao Palace are very few."

"That statement might be a bit incorrect, wouldn't you say? I see the whole world opposing Lingxiao Palace. If the Angel truly had such confidence, this massive warship wouldn't be guarded by a grand array!"

Li Weiyi bid farewell and quickly departed, not daring to have any deeper involvement with people from Lingxiao Palace.

He certainly didn't want to make enemies with the entire world.

Reaching the edge of the lowest deck, just as he was about to disembark, Li Weiyi thought of a crucial question. He quickly turned and bowed: "Don't worry, I understand completely and will absolutely not reveal the Angel's identity or whereabouts."

After disembarking, Li Weiyi felt an immense sense of dread, wishing only to get as far away from that ship as possible.

What was all this about?

He had almost gotten entangled in the world's biggest trouble.

Hurrying back to the great ship bearing the 'Medicine' flag, Li Weiyi came face to face with the Cyan Li Chieftain, Li Songlin, who was standing on the bank, observing him with a scrutinizing gaze.