Chapter 331: The Astonished Xin Mengrou and the Enraged Xiang Mingmao

Chapter 331: The Astonished Xin Mengrou and the Enraged Xiang Mingmao

"It was bestowed upon me by Senior."

Cailinger replied with an honored expression on her face.

Xin Mengrou was shocked. Could the power of the heavenly dao's rules be given to someone as a gift?

"It's nothing but a trifle."

Li Xuan, however, shook his head.

With a casual gesture, he captured the power of the heavenly dao's rules and condensed them into pills of dao comprehension. He then casually tossed them onto the table.

"If you need them, take them. I don't mind." he said nonchalantly.

Xin Mengrou was stunned into silence. With a quick sweep of her hand, she grasped the pills that contained the essence of the heavenly dao's rules. What kind of ability was this?

"I dare not accept Senior's gift without having achieved anything worthy."

Xin Mengrou calmed her shocked emotions and replied respectfully.

Li Xuan raised an eyebrow. This Xin Mengrou had a good temperament. On the other hand, Cailinger, who was standing beside her, was far from impressive. Her eyes were glued to the pills of dao comprehension on the table, unable to look away.

"Being here is an opportunity in itself. There's no need to be so polite."

Li Xuan said with a smile.

"Since you say so, thank you for your generosity, Senior."

After a moment of thought, Xin Mengrou took two pills of dao comprehension and said, "Two should be enough."

Li Xuan nodded and waved his hand. The remaining pills were then thrown to Su Lingxiu, letting his disciple slowly research them.

Cailinger's face fell in disappointment.

"Greed will be your downfall," Li Xuan said with a faint smile.

"Cailinger is being greedy," she said, lowering her head in shame.

After a moment of contemplation, Xin Mengrou asked respectfully, "Senior, may I seek your guidance on the martial path that I cultivate?"

She had already reached the pinnacle of the Spirit Realm and found it extremely difficult to progress any further.

However, with the pills of dao comprehension, she felt that she was one step closer to the next realm.

Li Xuan smiled faintly and said, "When it is a dream, it is a dream. When it is not a dream, it is still a dream. Illusion and reality blend, and reality becomes illusion. It is like a dream, yet not a dream. It seems real, yet not real..."

After a series of abstruse pointers, Li Xuan finally said, "If you can comprehend the profundity within, you will be able to walk your own path and break free from the constraints of the martial art you cultivate.

"At that time, you can be considered the founder of a new path."

Whether or not Xin Mengrou could achieve this, Li Xuan didn't really mind. If she succeeded, it would be thanks to his brilliant guidance as a sage. If she failed, it would be because she lacked the insight to grasp the opportunity.

Either way, he wouldn't lose out, maintaining the demeanor of a sage.

Of course, his abstruse pointers weren't without basis. They were rooted in certain theories and principles.

Xin Mengrou was deeply shaken. The more she pondered Li Xuan's pointers, the more she felt their profoundness. They seemed to contain the ultimate truths of the heavens and the earth. If she could truly comprehend them, she felt that she might be able to create her own unique martial path.

"The martial art I cultivate is the Grand Intangible Divine Art. Throughout history, only a handful of people have successfully cultivated it. I am the only one in the Grand Intangible Sect to have mastered it in the last ten thousand years...

"If I can understand Senior's guidance, I will transcend the Grand Intangible Divine Art and forge a martial path comparable to it, or perhaps even stronger."

Xin Mengrou thought to herself.

The reason she held such a high position in the Grand Intangible Sect was because she had successfully cultivated the Grand Intangible Divine Art, an extraordinary martial art.

With these thoughts in mind, Xin Mengrou stood up and bowed respectfully. "Xin Mengrou thanks Senior for your guidance."

"Mmm."

Li Xuan nodded.

Since she wasn't an enemy and had come to see him, a sage, and gained some opportunities, it was only natural.

Moreover, Du Yu'er was related to Xin Mengrou by blood, so there was some connection there.

After receiving guidance and obtaining the pills of dao comprehension, as well as confirming that Xu Yan's master was indeed an extraordinary sage and not Blood Spirit Child, Xin Mengrou didn't stay for too long before taking her leave.

She had to return to the Grand Intangible Sect to contemplate the sage's pointers!

As soon as Xin Mengrou left, Cailinger also returned to continue her contemplation and refinement of the pills of dao comprehension.

When Ziyun met Su Lingxiu, they naturally spent some time catching up. Su Lingxiu introduced Yue'er to them, and the three women gathered together.

Su Lingxiu continued to refine pills, now with the help of Ziyun.

After meeting his master, Meng Chong shared his experiences in the Spirit Realm, as well as his insights and gains in the martial path.

Outside the Evergreen Pavilion, a young man approached.

With his appearance, the numerous martial artists who had been queueing up all gave way.

"I am Xiang Mingmao, and I have come to visit the Dan Yi Xianzi (Dan Yi Fairy)

."

Shi Er looked up at the young man. Dressed in purple robes, he exuded an air of nobility. Despite his seemingly easygoing demeanor, he couldn't quite hide the arrogance lurking beneath the surface.

He was a proud talent of the Great Zhou Royal Family.

Although the young man's identity was impressive—possibly a prince or even an emperor of the Great Zhou Royal Family—Shi Er didn't pay it any mind. Su Lingxiu was busy at the moment, so how could she have time to see outsiders?

"The pavilion master is occupied today. Please come back another day. Next!" Shi Er said.

Xiang Mingmao's eyes flashed with anger. How dare they treat him, the heir of the Purple King lineage, one of the nine lineages of the Great Zhou Royal Family, with such casual disregard?

However, he didn't lose his temper immediately. After all, the Evergreen Pavilion was somewhat extraordinary, so he added, "Please inform her that the heir of the Purple King of the Great Zhou is here to visit the Dan Yi Xianzi."

Xiang Mingmao was seething inside. When had he ever been so humble?

"I've already said she's busy. Even if you're the heir of the Purple King, or even if the Great Zhou Emperor himself came, she wouldn't see them!" Shi Er rolled her eyes and continued, "Next!"

Xiang Mingmao's face turned ashen, and the martial artists standing behind him in the queue quickly retreated in fear. Who would dare step forward now?

They were also shocked by the audacity of the Evergreen Pavilion's manager. To outright say that even the Great Zhou Emperor wouldn't be granted an audience was bold to a fault. Weren't they afraid of angering the Great Zhou Royal Family?

"How dare you!"

A middle-aged man standing next to Xiang Mingmao immediately shouted, "You, a mere subordinate of the Evergreen Pavilion, dare to be so arrogant? How dare you disrespect our Great Zhou Emperor! You have some nerve!"

Boom!

The might of a powerful expert burst forth, suppressing Shi Er.

Swish!

In front of Shi Er, a layer of radiant light appeared, surrounded by purple thunderous light. This was the defensive formation of the Evergreen Pavilion's flying ship, triggered by their interaction.

Although the formation on the Evergreen Pavilion's flying ship had been set up by Fang Hao, Li Xuan had casually enhanced its power.

Even Xin Mengrou wouldn't have been able to break through the formation of the Evergreen Pavilion's flying ship unless the spirit crystals were completely depleted and the formation couldn't be maintained.

Shi Er remained unperturbed. Instead of being intimidated by their outburst, he casually dug his ear and said, "I'm just stating the facts. Even if your Great Zhou Emperor came today, he wouldn't be able to see her. If you think you can cause a ruckus here, go ahead and try."

At this moment, Shi Er finally understood the joy of being a powerful expert.

Take Xu Yan, for example. People called him arrogant, but everyone acknowledged that he had the strength to back it up!

"So, this is how it feels to be arrogantly carefree," Shi Er thought to himself.

Xiang Mingmao and his guard stared at the rippling purple thunderous light, their eyes narrowing slightly. The rumors were true—the Evergreen Pavilion was indeed a divine artifact.

"Yes, Young Master!"

The bodyguard immediately retracted his aura, his posture humbled.

"Since the Dan Yi Fairy is not receiving guests today, I shall return tomorrow!" Xiang Mingmao said through gritted teeth, forcing a smile as he cupped his hands together.

"Tomorrow? It's useless even if you come tomorrow. We still won't be receiving outsiders." Shi Er replied expressionlessly.

Xiang Mingmao clenched his jaw, suppressing his anger as he asked, "Then may I ask when the Dan Yi Fairy will be available to receive guests?"

"How should I know? It's not like I'm in charge here!" Shi Er rolled her eyes.

Xiang Mingmao's face darkened as he turned and stormed off, barely holding back his rage.

"I'm in a bad mood today. The Evergreen Pavilion will not be open for business!" Shi Er huffed, her displeasure evident as she activated the formation, sealing off the reception area before turning to leave.

However, she felt a surge of satisfaction in her heart. "Although I'm not a powerful expert, I now understand the joy they feel!"

The matter with Xiang Mingmao was but a minor incident, and no one paid it any mind. Just as Shi Er had said, even if the Great Zhou Emperor himself came, he wouldn't be granted an audience with Su Lingxiu.

News of Xiang Mingmao being turned away from the Evergreen Pavilion spread throughout Xiaoxing Lake, and the Great Zhou martial artists waited to see if Xiang Mingmao, the heir of the Purple King lineage and one of the Great Zhou royalty's proud talents, would swallow this insult.

The next day, Xiang Mingmao returned. This time, it was Meng Shushu who was receiving guests, as Shi Er was cultivating.

"I, Xiang Mingmao, heir of the Great Zhou's Purple King lineage, have come to visit the Dan Yi Fairy." As he spoke, he presented a box with both hands. "Please accept this small token of my sincerity."

Meng Shushu opened the box and glanced inside. It contained a divine-grade spirit herb, but having seen many such herbs before, she didn't find it particularly rare or valuable.

"The pavilion master is busy refining pills today and won't be seeing any guests!" Meng Shushu said as she took the spirit herb and placed a small bottle on the table. Such tiny bottles were only used for a single pill.

"This is a Huisheng Pill, a healing medicine. Even if your foundation as a Refining God is damaged, it can restore you to health. Considering your sincerity, we're selling it to you at a low price!"

A single Huisheng Pill in exchange for a divine-grade spirit herb was already giving the Great Zhou royalty immense face. At least, that was Meng Shushu's opinion.

However, Xiang Mingmao didn't share this view. His anger was rising, and he was struggling to contain it. As the heir of the Purple King lineage and a proud talent of the Great Zhou royalty, he was accustomed to being surrounded by adoring crowds wherever he went. Yet, here he was, being turned away again!

"When will the Dan Yi Fairy be available to receive guests?" Xiang Mingmao asked, his voice strained as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"It's hard to say," Meng Shushu replied thoughtfully. "She'll only be available to meet guests when she's finished with her pill research and has some free time. No one is allowed to disturb her during this period."

It was understandable that the Dan Yi Fairy wouldn't be receiving guests while she was focused on pill research.

Xiang Mingmao patiently asked, "Then may I ask when she will emerge from seclusion?"

"How should I know? You can come and ask every day. Whether or not you get to see her depends on your luck," Meng Shushu said impatiently.

"Then I shall return tomorrow," Xiang Mingmao said, having no other choice but to leave.

The next day, Xiang Mingmao returned. This time, Zhou Ying was the one receiving guests.

"I..." Before he could finish his sentence, Zhou Ying interrupted him.

"We're not receiving guests today!"

Xiang Mingmao's face turned red, and the veins on his forehead bulged as he struggled to contain his fury.

Just then, Xu Yan returned.

He strode into the Evergreen Pavilion, and when Xiang Mingmao saw this, he could no longer hold back his anger. "Why is he allowed to enter, while I, the heir of a royal lineage, am kept waiting outside? Are you deliberately defying the Great Zhou royalty?!"

This was the last straw!

Xu Yan turned and glanced at him. A proud talent of the Great Zhou royalty? His strength was indeed impressive, having refined a strand of the world's essence, but to Xu Yan, he wasn't worth the effort of a fight.

Without any interest in engaging, Xu Yan turned and walked away.

Xiang Mingmao was livid. The look of disdain in Xu Yan's eyes ignited his rage. "How dare you, Evergreen Pavilion, act so arrogantly within the borders of the Great Zhou and show such contempt for our royalty? Do you truly believe..."

Xiang Mingmao's composure completely shattered.

Then, he saw a beautiful girl, as enchanting as a celestial maiden, rushing out of the Evergreen Pavilion, her face lit up with excitement as she called out, "Big Brother Xu, you're back!"

Following her, another beauty appeared, equally thrilled to greet Xu Yan. Finally, a figure clad in purple emerged.

Zi Yun!

The Princess of Qing Kingdom, that woman from the inferior realm!

"Zi Yun! Although she's the Princess of Qing Kingdom, she doesn't share the bloodline of our Great Zhou royalty. She's from an inferior realm, yet you let her enter the Evergreen Pavilion while refusing me, a proud talent of the Great Zhou! You, Evergreen Pavilion, truly know no bounds in your arrogance!

"You disrespect our Great Zhou royalty and blatantly snub the Purple King lineage!"

At this moment, Xiang Mingmao lost all control, his rage exploding like a volcano.

Inside the Evergreen Pavilion, Xu Yan had returned, and Su Lingxiu and the others happily greeted him. Suddenly, they heard an enraged voice shouting from outside.

Zi Yun looked up, her eyes widening in surprise. "How did he get here?"

"Do you know him?" Su Lingxiu asked, taken aback.

"He's the heir of the Great Zhou's Purple King lineage. Our Qing Kingdom and his Purple King lineage have never gotten along. That guy is incredibly arrogant and has never missed an opportunity to belittle me, saying things like how people from inferior realms are unworthy of being part of the Great Zhou royalty, and how we taint the purity of his Great Zhou and bring shame to the Qing Kingdom," Zi Yun explained, her face a mix of anger and disdain.

"I see. Don't mind him. Let him throw his tantrum out there," Su Lingxiu said, understanding the situation. She called Zhou Ying back and activated the formation.

Then, the group of siblings happily reunited and caught up with each other, blocking out all external sounds.

Boom! Xiang Mingmao was furious. Together with his bodyguard, he unleashed an attack on the Evergreen Pavilion's flying ship.

Su Lingxiu didn't bother to pay any attention. In the past, there had been others who had set their sights on the Evergreen Pavilion's flying ship, including a supremely powerful expert from the Super Celestial Sect.

As Xiang Mingmao's attack struck the ship, it triggered its defensive formation, and a purple lightning bolt blasted toward him.

"Not good!"

Xiang Mingmao's bodyguard's face paled, and he quickly moved to stand in front of Xiang Mingmao, shielding him. "Young Master, run!"

Boom! The bodyguard unleashed a powerful strike, blocking the purple lightning but ending up covered in smoke.

Xiang Mingmao's expression changed drastically, and he retreated frantically, shouting, "How dare the Evergreen Pavilion! This is a blatant provocation against the Great Zhou!"

Boom! Another thunderous blast shot toward them, and the bodyguard roared, summoning all his strength to counter it. Despite his efforts, he was killed by the attack!

The entire Xiaoxing Lake shook with the force of the explosion, shocking all the martial artists present.

The Evergreen Pavilion had dared to strike against the heir of the Purple King lineage! This was a direct challenge to the Great Zhou royalty, especially since it had occurred within the Great Zhou's territory. The Great Zhou would never let this insult slide.

Xiang Mingmao was also terrified. He hadn't expected the Evergreen Pavilion to completely disregard his identity and directly attempt to take his life.

He fled in a panic, fearing that any delay would result in his death.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end