Chapter 484 - 163: I Want You to Help Me Cultivate, Furious, Six Desires Heart Demon Inheritance

As the heaven-blessed daughter of a Saint Noble Family, her future accomplishments might not be inferior to Emperor Xia’s. Thus, by addressing him as "Young Master," she was clearly placing Jiang Lan on the level of a peer.

"There’s no need for such formalities, Miss Tantai." A smile played on Jiang Lan’s lips as well.

As he entered, he had been observing the cultivation fluctuations from Tantai Qing. Although she appeared to be at the Sixth Realm, with his Destiny Dao Fruit, he could clearly sense that her life essence far surpassed that of an ordinary Sixth Realm cultivator.

Her true strength, even if not yet at the Seventh Realm, was not far from it.

"Young Master Jiang, you have come thousands of miles from the Celestial Central Province. I hope you will forgive me if my hospitality has been lacking." Tantai Qing maintained a gracious smile, extending a delicate, slender hand to gesture for Jiang Lan to take a seat.

From the moment Jiang Lan entered the private room, she had been scrutinizing him, trying to see through to his cultivation. But no matter what Secret Technique she used to probe, she could not get a clear look, as if he were shrouded in a hazy mist.

On the surface, he had the cultivation of the Sixth Realm, yet he gave her a faint, unsettling feeling in her heart.

Tantai Qing did not underestimate him in the slightest. Her reputation as the foremost figure of Immortal Ascension Island’s younger generation was not unearned. At a similar age and realm, she had never encountered a situation like this.

This could only mean one thing: the man before her, Jiang Lan, was far more deeply hidden than she could have ever imagined.

"You’re too kind, Miss Tantai," Jiang Lan said with a small laugh. "To take time from your busy schedule to host a banquet in my honor is the very definition of sincerity. How could I possibly have any complaints?"

Tantai Qing spoke softly, "Thank you for your understanding, Young Master Jiang. The Demon Abyss has been restless lately, and there are fears that Demonic Qi might leak out and wreak havoc on the surrounding area. I am trusted by my peers on Immortal Ascension Island and am expected to set an example. Because of this, I was indeed worried I might have neglected an honored guest."

"You flatter me, Miss Tantai. I’m hardly an ’honored guest.’ The Tantai Family is a Saint Noble Family that has stood at the apex of the world for over ten thousand years. I am but a junior from a younger generation. How could I possibly be considered an honored guest of the Tantai Family?" Jiang Lan waved his hand dismissively.

Tantai Qing shook her head and continued in her soft voice, "The Changlong Business Alliance and my Tantai Family’s own chamber of commerce have a great deal of business with one another. Many of my family’s mineral veins rely on the Changlong Business Alliance to be liquidated for profit. If our family’s chamber had to make the round trip to the Celestial Central Province on its own, not to mention the risks involved, the time lost would also be significant..."

"Over the years, thanks to the trade routes opened and protected by the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the major Noble Families of Immortal Ascension Island have profited immensely. To us, the Prime Minister’s Mansion is a great benefactor. Therefore, Young Master Jiang is naturally an honored guest."

Jiang Lan clapped his hands and laughed. "I see I can’t win an argument against you, Miss Tantai. But I imagine you didn’t arrange this banquet tonight just to tell me these things."

Hearing this, Tantai Qing’s gaze suddenly fixed on Jiang Lan. She held out her jade-like hand, and the dark, profound Six Desires Pearl materialized in her palm.

"In that case, I will get straight to the point. Young Master Jiang, what did you mean by giving this to me?" she asked, choosing to feign ignorance for the time being.

"This is the Six Desires Pearl, formed when a Great Cultivator of the ancient Buddhist Sect saw through the Red Dust and cast aside the Seven Emotions and Six Desires. I trust I don’t need to elaborate on how precious it is to you, Miss Tantai?" Jiang Lan asked, watching her with keen interest.

A flicker of light crossed Tantai Qing’s eyes. She lowered her gaze and said, "Please forgive my ignorance, but I don’t understand what you mean, Young Master Jiang."

"If you don’t understand, then let’s drop it," Jiang Lan said. "However, there is one thing I’d like to remind you of, Miss Tantai."

"Please, speak freely, Young Master Jiang." Tantai Qing inclined her head as if listening intently.

"Helian Wen is not dead," Jiang Lan said, his eyes on her face, the same look of keen interest still playing on his lips.

Tantai Qing froze. Hearing that name again after so long left her momentarily dazed.

But she quickly recovered, her gaze turning profound as she stared fixedly at Jiang Lan.

If Jiang Lan sending the Six Desires Pearl could have been explained away as a probe, a guess, or even a coincidence, then him speaking the name Helian Wen was enough to prove he knew a great deal.

"It seems, Young Master Jiang, that you know quite a lot about me..." Her tone became flat.

"Not a lot, no. I just happen to know all your secrets, including the truth behind the theft of the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill from the Elder Pavilion all those years ago..." The smile never left Jiang Lan’s face.

Tantai Qing’s expression changed instantly. Her gaze toward Jiang Lan turned chillingly cold, a hint of killing intent flickering within.

"Are you sure you want to make a move on me?" Jiang Lan asked leisurely.

Tantai Qing’s imposing aura deflated, and she regained her composure.

If she were to attack here, she would certainly alert Jiang Lan’s subordinates. Besides, she was not certain of his true strength. Attacking him rashly was not a wise choice.

"I don’t understand any of what you’re talking about."

She said coolly, banking on the fact that Jiang Lan could produce no evidence. With her current fame and prestige, even if the matter were exposed, how many people would believe it?

All the evidence had long since been destroyed by her.

Hearing this, Jiang Lan couldn’t help but admire her cleverness and composure. To remain so calm under these circumstances was impressive.

He also knew why Tantai Qing was so confident; after all, he couldn’t produce any concrete evidence either.

Furthermore, an Elder from the Elder Pavilion had also been involved in the theft of the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill back then—namely, Tantai Qing’s own grandfather, an existence on the verge of stepping into the Eighth Realm.

With him protecting her from behind the scenes, it would be impossible to do anything to the current Tantai Qing, even if real evidence were presented.