Chapter 259: Chapter 254 Mid-Autumn
"The Emperor is the Emperor, not the Human Emperor..."
Jiang Li muttered to himself as he left, "The Emperor is still the Emperor, not the Human Emperor, or perhaps... the Emperor is merely the Emperor..."
Different interpretations, different answers.
If it was the former, there was still a possibility for the Emperor to become the Human Emperor; but if it was the latter, then the waters behind it were deep indeed.
Jiang Li walked and whispered, almost exiting the inner hall without hearing Elder Tianxuan call out to stop him.
It seemed that Tianxuan intended to be the riddler in this matter.
In the end, Jiang Li solved old puzzles only to encounter new ones. With a gain and a loss, his confusion only deepened.
In Tianxuan’s boudoir, within a space as splendid as a white jade palace, was a bath several zhang in size; Tianxuan was by the pool, combing her long hair.
After Jiang Li left, she had just finished arranging her hair and with a gentle wave of her hand, the vast space transformed, instantly turning into a delicately furnished bedroom.
This was her true boudoir.
Tianxuan sat down in front of the jade dressing table, while looking in the mirror, she turned to the Illusion Compass placed on the table and said, "You should be more competitive. There are plenty of fox spirits eyeing Jiang Li."
This time, with Tianxuan cleaning up and the scheming at Kunxu Immortal Palace, Jiang Li decisively chose to be adversarial; but what about next time?
What if someone truly sincere took interest?
Jiang Li might be shameless, but it had to be admitted that he was indeed extraordinarily handsome. The appearance of the Divine Farmer, combined with his ever-deepening cultivation, made Jiang Li appear increasingly transcendent. Anyone who saw him would have to praise him as having the appearance of both Heavenly and Man.
Moreover, with his growing fame throughout the world, he was like an exceptionally promising stock.
Any woman wanting to find a suitor would consider Jiang Li for the shortlist upon meeting him.
Surrounded by scheming groups, Gongsun Qingyue who should have claimed him a long time ago was still hesitating, indeed a cause for concern.
’No, a push is necessary.’
Tianxuan made up her mind.
Time flew quickly; two days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time when the sky was clear and the breeze gentle and refreshing.
During this festive season, the atmosphere at Dinghu Sect also took on a celebratory air.
Although the Sect was not a family, it did not miss out on such an opportunity to strengthen the sense of belonging among its disciples. Led by Elder Tianxuan, they selected a batch of Spiritual Medicine from secret places, allowing Pill Masters to refine them into mooncakes – or rather, Elixir shaped like mooncakes, which could also be considered medicated cuisine...
In essence, they needed to be both nourishing and as intricate as mooncakes.
A challenging task, but under Elder Tianxuan’s authority, all Pill Masters of the Sect worked tirelessly for two days and finally managed to create these special mooncakes.
The release of the mooncakes today caused the Sect’s disciples to line up in a frenzy. Then, once they had eaten the mooncakes, they felt their power grow while savoring the taste, and the dual stimuli brought supreme joy, enhancing their sense of belonging.
When Jiang Li arrived at Yaoguang Hall, he saw the line was ridiculously long, stretching all the way to Wuqu Ping.
Fortunately, Jiang was now a respected member within the Sect, and by simply moving to the front of the queue, the crowd automatically parted ways, allowing Jiang Li to enjoy the privileges of a great figure.
"Thank you all."
Jiang Li smiled and nodded his thanks as he passed by Yaoguang Hall, heading towards the ferry.
There, Feng Ziyang and Yun Qiuchi had already arrived ahead of time, and a familiar figure was nearby, not far off, telling stories to Outer Disciples.
"But one day in Yong Province, the Five Finger Mountain descended from the sky. Several of the era’s foremost gallants debated on the mountaintop. Two disciples of the six great powers had arrived. Do you know who was absent?"
Qi Changsheng vividly narrated the tale, and although his performance was a bit exaggerated and lacked polish, the content of his story was indeed captivating, attracting many Outer Disciples to listen.
Hearing Qi Changsheng’s question, one of the Outer Disciples immediately said, "Could it be the disciple of Fire House Buddha Hell Karma Tathagata?"
"Karma Tathagata has no disciples, only followers," Qi Changsheng corrected.
"Could it be the Emperor’s disciple?" the Outer Disciple asked again.
"How could the Emperor possibly have disciples?" Qi Changsheng denied once more.
"Could it be that a disciple of the great master of the Devil God Sect didn’t come?"
"If the Devil God Sect dared to come, it wouldn’t be about debating and exchanging skills; it would be a collective act of Demon Suppression."
So here comes the question, with two of the six great masters’ disciples present, and three denied by Qi Changsheng, who else is left?
"Could it be..." the Outer Disciple pretended to realize, "Is it the Senior Brother?"
"Correct!" Qi Changsheng clapped his hands, "In this grand gathering of young talent, our Sect’s Senior Brother was unable to participate. Fortunately, our Sixth Brother Jiang Li was present at the right moment, triumphing over the many and letting the world know that Dinghu Sect’s disciples are second to none."
The truth of the matter had come to light.
Jiang Li could tell at a glance that the Outer Disciple who asked the question was from his clan, putting on a staged dialogue with Qi Changsheng.
The other Outer Disciples didn’t know the ins and outs and listened with a blank exasperation that gave a certain Sixth Senior Brother, who was no less talented than others, a boost in reputation.
Qi Changsheng was about to continue speaking when a voice suddenly reached his ears, "Aren’t you afraid that the eldest senior brother will make things difficult for you?"
On hearing this, he looked around and indeed saw a familiar figure next to Feng Ziyang and Yun Qiuchi.
"The sky won’t fall with someone tall to bear it; isn’t that right, Junior Brother Jiang, standing right above me?"
Qi Changsheng said with a smile through a voice transmission and then addressed everyone, "Fellow Junior Brothers, Senior Brother Jiang has something to discuss with me, um... To find out what happens next, please tune in to the following episode."
Although Qi Changsheng had joined the Sect before Jiang Li, under the True Inheritors, everyone else was a Junior Brother, so in front of others, Qi Changsheng had to address Jiang Li as "Senior Brother" too.
While tossing out this irresponsible tease, he pushed through the crowd and approached the trio with a big grin, saying, "Senior Brothers and Senior Sister, Junior Brother Qi Changsheng has been ordered by the Artifact Pavilion Elder to guide the three of you, if you please."
"There’s no need for formal introductions, Qi Junior Brother."
Yun Qiuchi fluttered her folding fan with a mischievous glint, "The sole seller of the notoriously well-known ’Young Hero A Bin’ and ’Miss Bai Jie’, your reputation precedes you, Junior Brother. Your name is indeed thunderous in my ears."
That being said, her gaze was actually sizing up Jiang Li.
Clearly, this Senior Sister was quite the gossip, having heard a fair share of rumors within the Sect, such as, for example, the grubby book author Cao Xuande is suspected to be the pen name of True Disciple Jiang Li...
"Indeed, it is thunderous, but unfortunately, it isn’t a good reputation," Jiang Li, ignoring Yun Qiuchi’s gaze, earnestly advised Qi Changsheng, "Junior Brother Qi, be mindful of the impact."
As of today, I, Jiang, have become somewhat of a character myself and naturally must sever ties with the past vigorously.
After all, it is Cao Xuande who writes the books; what does it have to do with me, Jiang Li?
Qi Changsheng’s face stiffened for a moment, but facing the blame-shifting from Jiang Li, he could only accept it helplessly.
Now, Jiang Li is indeed his, Qi Changsheng’s, protective umbrella. The fact that book selling hadn’t caused any trouble was all thanks to Jiang Li’s shielding, so naturally, Qi Changsheng had to take some blame for his protective umbrella.
"The Senior Brothers and Sister have taught me well."
Qi Changsheng said with an embarrassed smile, while leading the trio onto a rather delicate-looking small boat.
Once he channeled True Qi into the boat, it began to move on its own, speeding towards the location of the Artifact Pavilion.
In about fifteen minutes, a red glow caught their eyes and a scorching hot wave of air hit them head-on. Everyone on the small boat felt the surrounding air become hot and dry, as if they had entered a vast desert in the blink of an eye.
Two days later, the Artifact Pavilion Island resembled a gigantic furnace with every inch of air boiling with heat; even breathing felt as if the airways were on fire.
Within a hundred yards around the island, the water boiled, the lake churned, and a dense mist arose—the region had been thoroughly boiled.
Anyone below the Eighth Rank probably didn’t even have the right to approach this place.
Qi Changsheng maneuvered the small boat through the thick mist and torrents of hot air. The charred mountains and surging red waters came into view, and along with them, an enormous figure loomed.
"Senior Brother, let’s head over there."
Jiang Li immediately signaled for Qi Changsheng to steer towards where the giant figure was.
On the scorched ground, Elder Tianpeng stood in a black robe and a Xuan Crown, silent and still. Beside him stood three other figures—one of which was the sister and brother team of Yan Hanqing and Mu Lingyi—though next to Elder Tianpeng’s towering stature, the three of average height appeared somewhat insignificant.
"Thump—"
The small boat docked, and the group quickly disembarked, greeting in unison, "Elder Tianpeng, we pay our respects."
"Hmm."
Elder Tianpeng nodded without showing the usual familiarity. Instead, he turned to the third accompanying person and said, "The person you wanted to meet is now before you, but whether you can persuade him is up to you."
He then addressed Jiang Li, "There’s no need to consider me; act according to your own heart."
With that, Elder Tianpeng left straight away, indicating his intention not to interfere.
Seeing this, how could Jiang Li not understand that Mo Sect had gone to Elder Tianpeng to do their work?
’This won’t be easy,’ he thought, touching the sword at his waist.
The Mo Wu Battle Box was in his possession, and Jiang Li could not fail to figure out why Elder Tianpeng had arranged the introduction for people from Mo Sect.
Obviously, it was because of Elder Tianpeng’s relationship with Mo Sect.
Although Elder Tianpeng had expressed that there was no need to consider him, as a junior, one should still take the elder’s position into account.
’Just hope the other side isn’t too stingy.’
Jiang Li looked towards the third person who was clearly in charge.
This was a woman.
Dressed in Mo Sect’s characteristic brown clothes and straw sandals, she appeared to be in her forties, still graceful but that was all—she lacked the transcendent aura of a high-grade cultivator and showed no sign of using her cultivation to maintain her youth.
Jiang Li even felt that she had intentionally let her appearance age like a normal person; otherwise, even without deliberate maintenance, she should be able to maintain a youthful look for a hundred years.
"Mo Sect’s Tan Wuwei, at your service."
The woman greeted him as she would a peer and cut to the chase, "I wonder if Gentleman is interested in a fifth-rank Human Attribute Dao Fruit? Mo Sect is willing to offer a fifth-grade Dao Fruit to request your service with the sword."
The straightforward approach proved quite effective.