Chapter 333: Dragon Gate's Sixty-Year Successor

Li Weiyi considered whether to pretend to be an eccentric old curmudgeon and simply decline.

The young girl's voice rang out again: "My lady said that the cult's Spirit Master had already died from spiritual fire self-ignition."

Qi Xiao and Tuobabu Tuo could no longer smile. The way the other party spoke, it was clear they had already figured out that the Rice Cult's targets were them. Perhaps they had been noticed the moment they boarded the ship.

This sent a shiver down their spines!

"The Taishi family has very shrewd and highly cultivated formidable individuals," Tuobabu Tuo warned via voice transmission.

Qi Xiao suddenly thought of something, his expression changing drastically. He warned Li Weiyi, who had already opened the door, via voice transmission: "I know who that lady is! Her surname is Long, and she's from Longmen. She married Taishi Qingcang, the Taishi family's top master below the transcendent level, and was quite a formidable figure in the previous sixty-year cycle. Weiyi, just be careful and we'll discuss it in detail when you return."

Li Weiyi's head already throbbed when he heard the surname "Long," and Qi Xiao had only said half of what he intended.

The door was already open; he was in a difficult position.

Not going to meet them now, or getting off the ship directly, would both give the impression of having something to hide.

The maidservant, who looked sixteen or seventeen, with bright eyes and pearly teeth, was surprisingly a Pure Immortal Physique. After seeing Li Weiyi's appearance, she first paused in surprise, then quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were so young, sir. I thought Spirit Masters were all old seniors over sixty years of age!"

Li Weiyi currently appeared to be around thirty years old.

He sighed inwardly, thinking that if he had known he would be forced to act and expose his strength, he should have presented himself with an older appearance.

Li Weiyi cupped his hands and chuckled, "Please don't continue to flatter me. Before the Taishi family, I feel like a firefly observing the sun and moon, full of awe. Please lead the way. What may I call you, young lady?"

"I don't have a formal name; you can just call me He'er."

The maidservant found the Spirit Master's words very amusing; he was not at all as rigid as the other Spirit Masters she had met before. Covering her mouth, she giggled and gracefully led the way.

Li Weiyi followed behind, ascending the stairs, secretly pondering the purpose of their summons and the questions he might be asked.

Taishi Bai waited at the top of the stairs, showing respect for the guest.

Li Weiyi finally had the chance to properly observe this Taishi family's top-ranked elite. With his Pure Immortal Physique, he had an imposing bearing and deep, focused eyes, showing no hint of the profligacy often associated with noble descendants.

He was undoubtedly the perfect dream lover for countless women.

In contrast, Li Weiyi had an ordinary complexion and a slightly chubby face. Although neatly dressed and standing ramrod straight, he appeared like a mortal compared to a banished immortal.

Taishi Bai was slightly surprised to see how young the other man was.

As his ancestor was a Saint Spirit King Master, with countless disciples and grand-disciples, he had met many Spirit Masters. However, very few could reach the Four-Star Spirit Master level by the age of thirty. Even if the other party had slowed down their aging process, extending their age to forty, it would still be incredibly astonishing.

He had clearly heard Li Weiyi's words from below and smiled, "The Taishi family oversees the court's sacrificial rites and music, and we are not as cruel and bloodthirsty as cults, so there's no need for awe, my friend. The situation was critical just now; if you hadn't intervened heroically, countless innocent lives would have been lost. I deeply admire such a benevolent and righteous person."

Li Weiyi waved his hand and said, "With Young Master Taishi's cultivation, killing that cult's Spirit Master would have been a mere flick of the wrist."

"Killing is easy, but breaking the spell and clearing the evil barriers are difficult. Please, my mother has been waiting for a long time. What is your esteemed name?" Taishi Bai gestured for Li Weiyi to go first.

"Zuo Ning!"

How could Li Weiyi dare to say he was Sima Jingyuan? He used a fictitious name. So far, Taishi Bai had left a very good impression on him; as one of the top elites of a major family, he showed no trace of arrogance.

It was clear that as long as one possessed strength, respect would be earned anywhere.

Just as they reached outside the door of the brightly lit main hall, a magnetic female voice from inside asked, "Is Mr. Zuo from the Eastern Regions?"

If the other party was from Longmen, they would undoubtedly know the Eastern Regions very well. Standing outside the door, Li Weiyi quickly cupped his hands and bowed, "This junior is from Shuzhou in the Southern Regions."

Shuzhou was remote, vast, bordered the Western Regions, and was mostly desert. The Den Wolf Royal Army's stronghold was there, and it had been plagued by war and chaotic forces for many years.

Sure enough, after Li Weiyi spoke, silence fell inside, and no further questions were asked.

Li Weiyi subtly raised his eyes. Behind the curtain, he could vaguely discern a graceful and noblewoman seated in the center. Her hair was styled high, and her long gown flowed to the floor, obscuring her age and appearance.

To her left, a slender and beautiful figure sat with extremely long legs crossed, and something resembling a tail swayed beneath the chair.

In the center of the hall, there was a charred corpse.

Lady Long's voice came again: "Mr. Zuo, at such a young age, your spiritual power is already so formidable. In Lingxiao City, no more than five people within a sixty-year cycle possess such talent. May I ask who your master is?"

Li Weiyi already had a strategy to respond: "When I was young, I practiced with an old painting vendor for two months, but I haven't been able to find him since! Also, please don't call me 'sir,' madam; just 'Zuo Ning' will do. It truly makes me feel uneasy."

Behind the curtain, the graceful figure with a tail let out a charming, melodious chuckle.

A look of surprise flashed across Lady Long's face: "There are countless reclusive masters in the world, and it's normal for some powerful ones to seclude themselves for decades at a time. Perhaps that extraordinary person was one such individual. Zuo Ning, you boarded the ship in Jinxian, didn't you? Why were the cult members pursuing you?"

"Mother, aren't we supposed to be expressing gratitude?"

Taishi Bai sensed something was off and gently reminded her.

He knew his mother had an extremely strong personality, and continuing to question like this would likely offend their guest.

Lady Long chuckled, "Don't take offense, Zuo Ning, I was merely curious and had no intention of prying into your secrets. At home, I've always managed everyone, accustomed to knowing all their backgrounds thoroughly to prevent spies from infiltrating. I just unconsciously asked too many questions!"

Li Weiyi still didn't understand the Taishi Madam's purpose in summoning him, but he knew that not answering clearly now might lead to future trouble. So, he forced a smile, "Madam is truly remarkable; your insight and wisdom fill Zuo Ning with the utmost admiration. I thought the three of us boarded the ship in Jinxian unnoticed. What's even more astonishing is that Madam could instantly deduce that the cult was pursuing us three."

The figure with the tail said sweetly, "You three were the most urgent to board the ship, and two of you are Pure Immortal Physiques, heavily wrapped, which instantly indicates an unusual background. Soon after you boarded, the cult's demons chased after you. Who else would they be looking for?"

"Also, if it weren't for everyone falling under the evil spell and fighting amongst themselves, you probably would have remained hidden, wouldn't you? So, if you must blame someone, blame yourself for being too soft-hearted and kind."

Taishi Bai asked with a hearty laugh, "Cousin, is kindness also a fault?"

"For everyone else, kindness is a life-saving medicine. For him, it's a fast-acting poison," she said.

Li Weiyi said, "Young lady, you've spoken perfectly! But this poison, I must take it, willingly or not. After all, they were injured and died because of me."

Taishi Bai was moved.

Li Weiyi sighed, "To be honest, the three of us in Fuzhou incurred a deep vendetta with the cult, killing many of their followers. Now, we're cornered and planning to flee to Lingxiao City. Only there will the cult not dare to act presumptuously."

"Well done! Fuzhou has indeed been turbulent these past two years. It's said the cult's stronghold is there, and the court will eventually wipe them out," Taishi Bai said with great spirit.

Lady Long's voice sounded, remaining calm and serene: "Since you are going to Lingxiao City, travel with us. We can look out for each other."

Li Weiyi distinctly felt that at this moment, Lady Long's gaze focused on him seriously for the first time.

Although her eyes remained calm, Li Weiyi felt as if he were exposed to scorching sunlight, where every minute detail would be perceived by her.

Li Weiyi showed no hesitation, displaying a look of pleasant surprise: "If I travel with Brother Bai and Madam, even if the cult had ten times their courage, they wouldn't dare approach us again."

After He'er saw Li Weiyi off.

Taishi Bai entered the hall and went behind the curtain: "Mother, are you trying to recruit him? Did you figure out his background?"

Lady Long appeared to be under thirty years old, with elegant eyebrows slanting into her temples and eyes as deep as a serene pool. Her dignified demeanor held an air of unparalleled charm and grace.

Her gaze was sharp: "He's evading the important points and hiding something. But in times of chaos, ability comes first; everything else is secondary."

Taishi Bai pondered, then asked, "What do you mean by 'evading the important points and hiding something,' Mother?"

Lady Long casually glanced at him: "Did he mention the identities of his two Pure Immortal Physique companions? Did he say why he killed so many cult followers? We can investigate slowly once we return to Nanyan Pass. That spiritual technique of his, 'Breaking Evil and Purifying the Mind,' is something I've never heard of; it's very profound and could be of great use. In the coming days, try to subtly inquire more."

Only then did Taishi Bai understand Lady Long's intention, his eyes wide with surprise: "Mother, are you referring to the Grand Court of Sacrifices, or the Lingxiao Palace?"

Back in the cabin, Qi Xiao immediately closed the door and said via voice transmission: "Do you know that Taishi Bai's mother was the inheritor of Longmen in the previous sixty-year cycle, and once enjoyed immense renown? She later married Taishi Qingcang, the Great Elder. And Taishi Qingcang has a significant connection to our destination."

"Nanyan Pass?" Li Weiyi asked.

Qi Xiao said, "He is the General Commander of Nanyan Pass!"

Li Weiyi suddenly realized the truth. The other party was a figure of such high status and immense power; their own cultivation must be terrifyingly superb. No wonder, despite being invited for thanks, he couldn't even get a cup of tea and was interrogated standing outside.

From this perspective, even if he hadn't intervened earlier, Lady Long could have easily resolved all the trouble.

In such a perilous situation, she surprisingly didn't immediately kill the Rice Cult's Spirit Master and allowed the evil spell to continue. Was it due to a cold nature, or was there another hidden reason preventing her from acting easily? After all, individuals of such noble status as Lady Long and Taishi Bai shouldn't have been on a merchant transport ship.