Chapter 196: Chapter 158: Prodigies of All Nations Appear, the Demon-Slaying Grand Assembly, 2 Greatly Ominous Hexagrams

Any Martial Artist who reached the Tenth Realm—be it in the Jianghu, the imperial court, or the otherworldly Blessed Land Cave Heavens—would be respectfully addressed as a Martial Venerable.

In every nation and great Dynasty, such an expert would be a guest of the highest honor. They would be offered exorbitant salaries to serve as Tributors. Some would even be granted the title of Marquis or King, entrusted to oversee an entire province and hold the lives of millions in their hands without question.

The strength of his Flesh Body alone had reached the Tenth Realm. His exact combat prowess, however, was yet to be measured.

He finished his Cultivation.

Lu Mingyuan drew the glow of the Relic into his body, and a line of text immediately materialized before him.

Venerable Purple Fate Grid—Nine Orifices Exquisite, Refinement Level reached 35%.

Unlocked Life Chart Trait: Daoxin (Basic Level).

Daoxin (Basic Level): A purified heart with few desires. Unmoved by external gains or personal losses. Supreme Forgetting Emotions. To sever a thought, one must first sever the person. The host is immune to distracting thoughts of sorrow or joy, and Heart Demons cannot take root.

Lu Mingyuan thought to himself, ’The Buddha’s Relics have been an immense help. If I ever get a chance to leave this place, I really should burn some incense for the Seven Ancestors.’

The benefits of “Daoxin” were self-evident. For a Cultivator, the higher their Realm, the stronger the demonic nature brewing within their heart. If their Realm advanced too quickly, their mental state could become unstable, leaving them vulnerable to a backlash from their Heart Demon. Such a fate would end in the utter obliteration of both body and Dao.

The “Daoxin” trait was the perfect safeguard against this danger.

He looked up at the sky and realized it was getting late.

He then removed an amber-shaped bead from his wrist and the cyan Jade Pendant from his waist.

The bead was the Mani Purifying Divine Pearl, a gift from the White-robed Monk, Jiang Shan. With envoys from every nation attending the grand banquet, he couldn’t possibly wear it openly. The cyan Jade Pendant was a Magical Treasure from Princess Jinwu, used for storing other Treasures and comparable to a Sword Nurturing Gourd.

The Famous Sword Yang Su was being nurtured inside it. Lu Mingyuan carefully hid these Treasures within his Acupoints.

Next, it was time to return to Qingzhu Hall, change his attire, and head for Changle Palace.

He changed into a casual, red-and-black robe with a Python Pattern and set out early for his destination. He called for Zi Yun and Hong Wan to accompany him. They were, after all, his guards in name, even if he no longer required their protection.

Upon stepping into Changle Palace, Lu Mingyuan immediately noticed the lively atmosphere. At the entrance, officials from the Ministry of Rites were busy receiving tribute from the various envoys.

This was his first time visiting this place in his own body.

The last time, he had used a disguised clone.

He took his seat, sitting straight and proper, and observed many distinguished figures. They appeared to be the younger generation from the various nations, among them a number of leading prodigies.p>

He also spotted many experts, their auras unfathomably deep. It was clear at a glance that they were extremely powerful.

For example, there was a white-haired old man in the eastern part of the hall who had brought a child to the feast. Wherever he walked, Cultivators with swords would feel the blades at their waists hum softly. There was also a Young Master in a black robe, followed closely by an Old Eunuch. He was clearly no simple figure; wearing a dragon-carved crown, he was likely a Crown Prince or someone of similar rank.

Then his eyes fell on a young man in voluminous green robes, wearing a tall crown fastened with a Jade Hairpin. A frost-blue Dragon Bracelet was clasped around his wrist. With his high-bridged nose and deep-set features, he looked like one of the Great Frost People. ’He couldn’t be the Crown Prince of the Silver Frost King, could he?’

He also recognized familiar faces from nations neighboring Great Yan, who attended every year: Princess Jinwu, and representatives from Goryeo, Great Frost, Brahma, and Nan Zhou…

In addition, envoys from many other countries were present.

Even the lords from the Sea Countries had arrived.

The Southern Sea of Great Yan stretched for tens of thousands of miles, encompassing the Seven Seas of the Nan Zhou, hundreds of islands, and twenty-eight overseas nations. All were vassal states of Great Yan, such as Divine Wind Country, Chuyun Country, Liuzhu Country, White Fish Country, and Dongchuan Country.

If ever there was a sight of all nations paying tribute, this was it.

「After a short wait.」

Prince Jin, Lu Guangjing; Prince Langya, Lu Yunwan; and Prince Chongwen, Lu Yunqing all arrived with their retinues.

As the Eighth Prince entered, he even gave Lu Mingyuan a smiling greeting.

Only Prince Jin’s arrival cast a pall over the atmosphere. Lu Mingyuan could clearly hear Lu Yunqing give a cold snort, and he could feel the frosty tension from a great distance.

A quarter of an hour later, Cultivators from the Three Religions arrived to oversee the event.

The White-robed Celestial Master, Xu Changqing, was particularly conspicuous. Upon entering, he gave Lu Mingyuan a slight nod.

Notably, Lu Mingyuan spotted a Daoist Robe Woman standing beside Xu Changqing, holding a Duster.

She wore a black and white Daoist Robe and a Lotus Crown. Her dark hair was neatly combed back, revealing a smooth forehead adorned with a vermilion dot between her brows. Her profile was beautiful enough to topple nations, and her interlocking eyelashes were as thick as brushes. A fair hand extended from a spotless sleeve, forming the Calm Heart Dao Seal, while her other hand held a snow-white Duster. Her figure was mature and exquisitely curved, and her aura of pure, unearthly beauty was simply sublime.

Even Lu Mingyuan, who had seen his fair share of beautiful women, had to marvel at this Daoist Robe Woman’s unparalleled beauty.

She clearly had a pure and elegant aura and wasn’t exactly young—appearing to be in her early thirties. Yet, the longer he looked, the more a seductive, bewitching feeling grew within him, and wicked thoughts began to surface.

[Overwhelming Lust has triggered “Zen Heart.” Fate Grid Refinement Level has increased to 40%.]

’Triggering “Zen Heart” with just a single glance?’

’Forgive me, forgive me.’

He cursed inwardly, his expression impassive. ’I can’t believe I just had the wicked thought of “I have to find a way to haul her home.” This woman must be using some kind of Demon Technique or a seductive Evil Skill.’

’It’s not my fault. It’s because she’s just too beautiful.’

’Huh? Wait a second…’

’Why is she looking at me, too?’

Lu Mingyuan soon realized she had noticed him.

’But this is the first time I’ve ever seen her.’

’Could it be the effect of my “Imperial Family” Fate Grid?’

「Meanwhile.」

’He’s here too?’

Sui Yuqing quickly withdrew her cold gaze and moved to her designated seat.

“That’s normal. Prince Huai’an has always been well-behaved and hasn’t caused any major trouble, so he’s allowed to move about the Harem freely.”

Xu Changqing explained from beside her. He then formed a Taoist Technique with his hands and said, narrowing his eyes,

“Elder Sui, the qi in Changle Palace is chaotic, and experts abound. However, using my Qi Observation Skill, I’ve detected the presence of Demon Qi.”

“You sensed it too?” Sui Yuqing gave a slight smile. A trace of Golden Light flickered in her starkly black-and-white pupils, as if she had opened a Celestial Eye. The world before her became a colorless, pure white expanse, where three strands of black qi drifted above Changle Palace.

“This Demon Qi has been lingering ever since I first stepped into Changle Palace. It seems our targets are quite fearless.”

Sui Yuqing’s vision returned to normal. She glanced toward a corner of the hall at three bearded, middle-aged men in feathered crowns and Confucian Shirts. They all had the gentle and refined air of Confucian Scholars. The placard on their banquet table starkly displayed the two words: “Yunhu Country.”

「At this moment.」

Lu Mingyuan took a sip of wine to quench his thirst, his eyes continuously scanning the surroundings.

Soon, his gaze fell upon three men. Under the effects of his “Recognizing People” ability, he noticed their expressions were odd and unnatural.

They faintly exuded a sinister air, and they seemed to regard everyone around them with disgust and hatred.

’Yunhu Country…’

’These must be the three National Preceptors from Yunhu Country.’

Lu Mingyuan mused.

’Do they hold a grudge against the other nations?’

Just as Lu Mingyuan was speculating, the Six-Yao Turtle Shell in his mind suddenly began to glow, and text materialized upon it:

[In the Wilderness World, the myriad Demon Race seeks vengeance. At the great conference, many will display their Divine Techniques. The Demon Race’s far-reaching plot requires utmost caution.]

Lu Mingyuan’s heart went cold as he read the divination.

’What do they mean, “seeks vengeance”? Don’t tell me something is going to happen at this Demon Slaying Conference.’

’The Demon Race has been quiet for centuries. Are they finally making a move?’

His brow furrowed as he carefully read the details of the divination.

There were two omens of great evil, and the last was only one of middling good fortune. It seemed turning this disaster into a blessing was going to be difficult.

The three divinations were as follows:

[Lower Trigram of Evil: Expose the true identities of the three National Preceptors in public. The fortune: You will gain immense fame, catch the eye of prodigies from every nation, and steal the spotlight. The misfortune: You will be marked by the Demon Race, added to their kill list, and calamity will befall you. The other Princes will covet what you have, leading to a siege from all sides and trapping you like a cornered beast. A great evil!]

[Middle Trigram of Evil: Remain hidden and do not act; watch the tigers fight from a mountaintop. The fortune: You will ensure your personal safety for a time. The misfortune: The world will descend into chaos, the Western Border army will invade, and Great Yan’s fated destiny will be cut in half. A great evil!]

[Middle Trigram of Good Fortune: Observe the situation and react accordingly. Ally with the Taoist Sect. Leap the Dragon Gate. Slay all who challenge you. Prince Huai’an shall rise. The fortune: You will preserve Great Yan. The misfortune: You will be marked by the Demon Race and added to their kill list. Your Fluorescent Green Fate Grid, “Reading the Room,” can be upgraded to the Venerable Purple Fate Grid, “Celestial Heart Wisdom Eye,” and you will gain the ability to fuse Fate Grids.]

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