Chapter 784 - 129: True Monarch Gathering (Part 3)

The Cangyue Saintess shook her head coldly and sent a voice transmission: "No need. This youth’s aura is refined and his bearing steady; he is definitely no commoner. There may be secrets behind him. If you strike rashly, I fear you’ll only stir up needless trouble." In her heart she faintly felt something odd, constantly sensing a trace of familiarity in this Cultivator’s aura, yet she could not recall where she had seen him before.

Li Ji’an had no idea about the calculations of the two behind him. After obtaining the high-grade Tier Three Star-pattern Steel, he took another stroll around the city to replenish some needed Talisman Materials, then found a quiet inn to stay in and began sorting the Spiritual Materials purchased on this trip.

The next morning at dawn, just as Li Ji’an finished organizing the Spiritual Materials, he received a voice transmission from True Monarch Qingxiao: "Chang’an, I have already inquired clearly about the matter of the small trade gathering. Come at once to the Guest-Welcoming Tower at the south gate of the Celestial Essence Immortal City and join me to attend the meeting."

Li Ji’an replied via voice transmission: "This junior will head over at once." He then rose, left the inn, and hurried toward the Guest-Welcoming Tower.

The Guest-Welcoming Tower was the top-grade restaurant of the Celestial Essence Immortal City, luxuriously decorated.

Those coming and going were all High Tier Cultivators.

When Li Ji’an arrived at the entrance of the Guest-Welcoming Tower, True Monarch Qingxiao was already waiting there.

Today she had changed into an even more splendid azure Magic Robe; the aura around her body was restrained, yet it still could not conceal the majesty of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

"True Monarch." Li Ji’an bowed in salute and greeted her via voice transmission.

"Come with me." True Monarch Qingxiao nodded slightly.

She led Li Ji’an into the Guest-Welcoming Tower and walked straight toward a private room on the top floor.

Inside the private room, several Nascent Soul True Monarchs were already seated, all with vigorous auras and extraordinary temperaments.

Among them, a Cultivator in a black Daoist Robe was from the Cyan Cloud Holy Land, one of the three great Holy Lands.

Another, dressed in a ginger-colored Daoist Robe, was an Elder of the Ye Clan, one of the two Ancient Noble Families.

True Monarch Qingxiao led Li Ji’an into the private room, cupped her hands toward the Nascent Soul True Monarchs, and spoke with respectful tone: "Qingxiao greets fellow Daoists."

The several Nascent Soul True Monarchs nodded in response.

She had originally intended to introduce Li Ji’an, but seeing that after responding they once more closed their eyes to rest, clearly not putting Li Ji’an in their eyes at all, she could only give up.

She then led Li Ji’an to sit to the side.

At this moment, the door of the private room was pushed open again, and two figures walked in.

Li Ji’an lifted his eyes and frowned slightly; the newcomers were precisely Cangfeng True Monarch of the Cangyuan Holy Land and the Cangyue Saintess!

Cangfeng True Monarch wore a black robe, his face cold and stern as ice.

A biting sword intent coiled around him, the pressure of a Nascent Soul Stage condensed yet not released.

The gaze of the Cangyue Saintess swept across the private room; when her eyes landed on Li Ji’an, a trace of surprise flashed within them.

Her brows then knit slightly.

With the arrival of the Cangyue Saintess and Cangfeng True Monarch, the True Monarchs within took the initiative to greet them, for they themselves were Honored Guest Elders of Holy Lands and Ancient Noble Families, whereas Cangfeng True Monarch and the Cangyue Saintess were the core of the Cangyuan Holy Land; their identities were not on the same level at all.

Though they were likewise Late-stage Golden Core, the other True Monarchs had never spared Li Ji’an a proper glance, yet when facing the Cangyue Saintess, they treated her as an equal of their generation.

After all, among Late-stage Core Formation Ascendants in this world, those who could truly succeed in Nascent Soul were fewer than one in a hundred, while the Saintess of the Cangyuan Holy Land was already a sure thing.

Before the two had even sat down, more people arrived outside the door.

It was none other than Murong Yan, who had accompanied the Cangyue Saintess yesterday.

His status likewise earned him recognition from the other True Monarchs as an equal of their generation.

When Murong Yan saw Li Ji’an, an unabashed hint of mockery surfaced in his brows and eyes.

Yesterday he had not been clear about Li Ji’an’s background; today he had a firm grasp of it.

Letting his gaze sweep over True Monarch Qingxiao again, the corner of his lips curled into a faintly delighted smile.

A mere Core Formation Ascendant of the Qinglan Sect dared oppose him, a Young Master of an Ancient Noble Family?

Although it was only a brief exchange of glances, it was still enough for True Monarch Qingxiao to notice something. She inconspicuously swept a look at Li Ji’an, a trace of gravity flashing deep within her eyes.

She already understood in her heart that Li Ji’an had actually formed a grudge with the Saintess of the Cangyuan Holy Land and the heaven’s chosen of the Murong Clan.

This was undoubtedly a troublesome matter for the Qinglan Sect.

Yet, as a Nascent Soul True Monarch, she naturally possessed depth of mind and bearing; moreover, the Qinglan Sect was nominally under the support of the Ye Ancient Clan, and was far from the sphere of the Cangyuan Holy Land, so she was not overly worried.

She merely maintained her usual composure, cupped her hands toward Cangfeng True Monarch, and spoke with respect yet steady tone: "Qingxiao greets Cangfeng True Monarch and greets the Saintess."

When facing the Cangyue Saintess, she did not dare to treat her as casually as she did other Late-stage Core Formation Cultivators.

Still less did she dare to treat her as a junior.

The Cangyue Saintess, as the Saintess of the Cangyuan Holy Land, was a designated Nascent Soul Seed, fully supported by the Holy Land and of peerless Talent.

Her future ascension to Nascent Soul True Monarch was almost a foregone conclusion, and her eventual achievements might far surpass her own.

Cangfeng True Monarch inclined his head slightly, his voice cold and hard as iron, without the slightest unnecessary emotion: "No need for many courtesies."

"True Monarch overpraises this junior." The Cangyue Saintess replied faintly, then let her gaze fall upon Li Ji’an behind True Monarch Qingxiao: "May I ask True Monarch Qingxiao, how should this fellow Daoist be addressed?"

True Monarch Qingxiao feigned surprise and could not help turning her head to glance at Li Ji’an: "Oh? Younger sister has had dealings with our Sect’s Elder Chang’an?"

"Hehe, so he’s an Upper Sect Elder—no wonder he had such confidence." Before the Cangyue Saintess could speak, Murong Yan at the side could no longer hold back.

"Daoist Murong flatters us. I wonder, has our Sect’s Elder Chang’an perhaps had some misunderstanding with you?" True Monarch Qingxiao’s heart sank as she attempted to smooth things over.

"Misunderstanding? Heh~" Murong Yan gave a light laugh, casting a deep look at Li Ji’an.

Before he could say more, a Purple Robe True Monarch pushed the door open and entered: "Thank you all for waiting. Since everyone has arrived, let us begin this small gathering."

Murong Yan fell silent and no longer paid attention to Li Ji’an.

"Fellow Daoist, pray stay your hand for a moment!" Just then, another frivolous voice came from outside the door.

Immediately after, a bloated figure squeezed his way in unhurriedly.

This man wore a golden Magic Robe stretched taut by his fat; his belly bulged like a leather ball.

His triangular eyes were squinted into slits, his face piled with a fawning yet infuriatingly shameless grin.

It was precisely Yuanbao True Monarch, the one who ten years ago had caused Li Ji’an’s whereabouts to be exposed!