As Chen Luo pondered, the dense immortal essence surrounding the Great Demons of Ascension gradually dissipated, replaced by human men and women in elegant attire.
Xie Yiqian awkwardly clenched his fists. "I still don't like human hands. Although they're flexible, they're too fragile. How can they compare to the might of my divine pincers!"
Most of the other Great Demons shared similar sentiments, which was why they often only partially transformed, rather than fully assuming human form.
However, as it was the Dragon Empress's request, all ten thousand demons naturally obeyed.
Seeing Chen Luo standing still, as if lost in thought, Xie Yiqian, who had transformed into a burly middle-aged man, strode forward with a hearty laugh.
"Kid, welcome to the Vast Sea Sect. Let's go, the Dragon Empress wishes to see you!"
The clear laughter of the approaching figure brought Chen Luo back to his senses. Having somewhat anticipated what had happened, Chen Luo was not surprised. Instead, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, following the local custom.
"Please lead the way, sir!"
Xie Yiqian was taken aback for a moment, then patted Chen Luo's shoulder with a laugh. "Good lad, it's rare for a Great Demon like me to be called 'sir' by a human. I am Xie Yiqian. I will definitely offer my full support in matters concerning you and Princess Linglong!"
Chen Luo was stunned. What matters between me and Linglong? Is it about being a cauldron? How will you help?
As Chen Luo stood in a daze, a lazy voice echoed again. "Old Crab, restrain yourself. Young Master Chen is very weak, do not harm him!"
Xie Yiqian's hand, which had been about to descend, suddenly froze. He quickly looked at the young man he had just patted several times, feeling a pang of panic.
It's over. I didn't hold back much just now. Although my strength is greatly reduced after fully transforming into human form, it's still too easy to cripple a human cultivator!
But when he looked, he saw Chen Luo still maintaining the posture from his earlier bow, as if the pats had had no effect on him.
Seeing this, Xie Yiqian's eyes lit up.
"As expected of the man chosen by Princess Linglong, is your physique also a result of the so-called Luo Immortal Body? Haha, human bodies have always been weak. We were worried that if Princess Linglong got too excited, she might accidentally injure you during... ah!!!"
"Cough cough!! Elder Xie!! Hurry and bring Young Master Chen over!!!"
From the direction of the lazy voice, Linglong's familiar voice anxiously interrupted Xie Yiqian's words. The gazes of those around them towards Old Xie were already filled with pity.
Good heavens, even if we think about it, you should at least consider the occasion! If you speak like that, Princess Linglong will surely hate you to death?! If Princess Linglong hates you, will the Dragon Empress let you off?! A group of Ascended Great Demons seemed to already foresee Elder Xie's tragic fate of being banished to guard the sea eyes, and they all took two steps back to distance themselves.
Alas, Elder Xie, who always acted with impunity, wasn't very bright. This was a common ailment among demons; their bodies were powerful, but their spiritual intelligence was lacking.
However, no matter how dull his mind, he could now feel the killing intent from Princess Linglong. Some things truly shouldn't be said carelessly!
A drop of cold sweat slid down Elder Xie's forehead. He quickly grabbed Chen Luo and led him through the crowd towards the direction from which the lazy voice had come.
"Pr-Princess! Old Xie is bringing Young Master Chen over now!!!"
Chen Luo looked at the burly man pulling him with amusement and took the opportunity to follow him deeper into the main hall.
The hall, entirely constructed from spirit crystals, had an aura so dense that mortals could perceive it with the naked eye. However, the spirit crystals were merely the most basic building blocks of this grand hall.
After passing through nine great doors with Elder Xie, the path was lined with various decorations emitting potent spiritual energy fluctuations. The corridors beyond the last few doors were even adorned with immortal crystals.
The wealth of the Vast Sea Sect was evident from this.
As the ninth door, seemingly entirely built of immortal crystals, slowly opened, Elder Xie stood at the entrance, motioned for Chen Luo to enter, and then quickly turned to leave, muttering to himself.
"I, a crab-brained fool, why do I say everything! The Princess is a true descendant of the dragon脉, what's wrong with her having a stronger body! A strong woman and a weak man, it can still be fortunate... ah!!!"
Before Elder Xie could finish speaking, a dazzling streak of immortal essence shot out from within the door, striking the muttering elder and sending him flying to the edge of sight.
Chen Luo, standing beside the great door, silently mourned for Elder Xie as he gazed at the thick and powerful immortal essence.
After completely repelling Elder Xie, the ninth immortal crystal great door fully opened, and boundless radiance flowed out from within. A lazy, gentle voice also reached Chen Luo's ears.
"Young Master Chen, please forgive my rudeness. Welcome to the Vast Sea Sect."
As the light dissipated, everything behind the door came into Chen Luo's view.
The ground was a massive slab of deep blue gemstone. The gemstone's transparency allowed Chen Luo to see a waterfall surging upwards from below.
In the center of this gem hall stood a magnificent, indigo-colored throne. Countless spirit crystals emitting powerful energy fluctuations were embedded in the throne, and in Chen Luo's eyes, spiritual patterns, no less complex than transformation techniques, subtly appeared around the throne.
But all of this was far less captivating than the figure seated upon the throne.
Silver-white hair cascaded down to her chest. Her magnificence was such that even a loose-fitting gown could not conceal it. Her skin, as if condensed from pure snow, made one wonder if a gentle touch would leave a faint red mark.
A peerlessly beautiful face, capable of both joy and displeasure, exuded an innate majesty and nobility, gazing at Chen Luo with a hint of laziness.
Her slender, bare legs were casually propped against the front of the throne. Her feet, clad in exquisite shoes that resembled crystal high heels, revealed flawless white toes that would surely elicit cries of "food-grade" from certain enthusiasts.
However, a pair of dragon horns, similar to Linglong's but more refined and prominent, along with a pair of entirely non-human vertical pupils, revealed the woman's true identity.
She was Linglong's mother, and the ruler of this Vast Sea Demon Kingdom—the Dragon Empress.
After a fleeting glance of admiration for the Dragon Empress's beauty, Chen Luo's gaze returned to a posture of equal regard.
Chen Luo clasped his hands together, performing a salute according to the customs of this world.
"Junior human spirit cultivator—Chen Luo, pays respects to the Dragon Empress."
The Dragon Empress had observed Chen Luo's every subtle change in expression. Indeed, Chen Luo was the first male who could so easily detach himself from her beauty.
Furthermore, Chen Luo's gaze was unexpectedly clear. Not only was there no infatuation, but there was also no trace of the avarice that usually disgusted the Dragon Empress. This earned her a measure of favor and curiosity.
As an Ascended True Dragon, although the Dragon Empress did not possess a human's special physique, the True Dragon's physique was superior to ninety-nine percent of the special physiques in this world.
Humans even referred to the Dragon Empress as having the Immortal Dragon Body. And one of the characteristics of the Dragon Empress's physique was an innate, superhuman charm.
It was precisely because of precedents like the Immortal Dragon Body that Palace Master Gong and others were not surprised that such physiques as the Luo Immortal Body could involuntarily evoke favor.
However, thinking of her daughter's plans, and the appearance of the young man before her, which even she felt was somewhat inferior, the Dragon Empress had to temporarily suppress the curiosity in her heart.