Chapter 421: A Birthday Gift for Jingli

Chapter 421: A Birthday Gift for Jingli

Snowflakes fell, shimmering on the water's surface like pear blossoms floating in a stream.

Moon Frost gazed at the distant snow-covered landscape, her pupils dilated, and a hint of confusion lingered in her eyes.

The most astonished ones were none other than Cherry Blossom and the Deputy Warden.

In their hearts, a million questions arose.

Was it a conspiracy? A betrayal? An invasion of the Moon Goddess Palace? An ambush on Moon Gatherer Sovereign?

How could a Moon Maiden be in the arms of a man?

Was this a sudden romance in the midst of a war drama?

However, despite their inability to comprehend, they could only attribute it to the irresistible charm of the Yang Deity Venerable, who seemed to have captivated the Moon Maidens of the Moon Goddess Palace.

They had no doubts about Qi Yuan's identity.

Firstly, they had never met Demon Eye Celestial.

Secondly, he was a Yang Deity Venerable from the Mara Clan's territory, and there was no way he could be an imposter. If not Demon Eye Celestial, who else could it be?

The Deputy Warden of Absolute Moon Abyss pondered for a moment and then bowed in the direction of Qi Yuan.

"Venerable, your charm is astonishing, even the Moon Maidens of the Moon Goddess Palace are captivated by you.

I wish to accompany you in a raid into the depths of the Moon Goddess Palace, to deal a heavy blow to Moon Gatherer Sovereign!" The Deputy Warden spoke with determination.

As long as Moon Gatherer Sovereign was injured, the Demon Eye Celestial before them would have the opportunity to ascend to the Yang Deity realm.

She bowed towards Qi Yuan, shattering her original intent.

From a distance, Moon Frost sensed a strong aura of danger.

She wanted to tell Jingli, "Sister, you're dating a Yang Deity of the Mara Clan. Couldn't you have told me? If not, could you at least ask the Yang Deity to spare my life?"

Naturally, she also believed that Qi Yuan was the Yang Deity of the Mara Clan.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to bypass Demon Eye Celestial and arrive here.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her heart was filled with disbelief.

At this moment, Qi Yuan held Jingli's delicate hand and spoke softly, "Today is your birthday, and I have some gifts for you."

Jingli nodded and tightly grasped Qi Yuan's hand, just like how the Moon Maiden had clung to Faceless Sword God's hand, reluctant to let him leave.

Qi Yuan's gaze shifted to Cherry Blossom and the Deputy Warden, and his eyes were as sharp as blades.

Cherry Blossom and the Deputy Warden's minds trembled.

Suddenly, their faces turned pale, and a mouthful of fresh blood gushed out.

"Kneel!"

Qi Yuan's voice thundered like a bolt of lightning.

These two Mythical beings had no ability to resist, and their faces showed disbelief as they knelt straight down.

The gap between a Yang Deity and a Mythical being was like a chasm between heaven and earth, but the disparity was immense.

"Close your eyes," Qi Yuan said.

Jingli glanced at Qi Yuan, seemingly hesitant, but she obediently closed her eyes, her hand tightly holding onto Qi Yuan's, as if afraid that all of this was just a dream.

At this moment, Qi Yuan's eyes revealed a serious expression.

The birthday gift for Jingli had to be special and unique.

Ideally, it should cater to Jingli's desires.

Before coming, Qi Yuan had secretly investigated and learned that Jingli, among the Yin Deities in the Demon Abyss, was a battle maniac and a killing god.

Her wish was for achievements in battle.

Qi Yuan, with his high emotional intelligence and thoughtfulness, was naturally attentive.

He waved his wide sleeve, and in an instant, numerous dark shadows fell from within.

Suddenly, nearly thirty Mythical cultivators appeared.

Additionally, hundreds of Yin Deity Venerables were thrown out from his sleeve.

These Yin Deities were restrained by powerful spiritual force, unable to move or speak.

Their faces were filled with shock and bewilderment, their eyes the only things moving.

Qi Yuan tossed them out and arranged them together with Cherry Blossom and the Deputy Warden.

Looking at the scene before him, Qi Yuan was extremely satisfied.

Even if Jingli didn't cry out of emotion, she would surely be delighted.

"You can open your eyes now and see the birthday gift I've prepared for you," Qi Yuan said happily.

Moon Maiden Jingli opened her eyes, and her first glance fell upon Qi Yuan.

"Look ahead!" Qi Yuan instructed.

Jingli shifted her gaze and saw, not far away, hundreds of Mara Clan members arranged to form...

"Happy Birthday!"

The four large characters were clear.

These restrained Mara Clan members wore warm and kind smiles on their faces, as if they had come to celebrate Jingli's birthday.

Regardless of who they were, their faces were filled with joyous smiles.

Even those with long faces had a smile painted on their bellies, looking especially comical.

Jingli's eyes widened in surprise.

Qi Yuan, seeing this, felt a sense of accomplishment.

"You desire achievements the most, and here are 490 Yin Deities, 29 Mythical beings, and 2 traitors," Qi Yuan boasted, presenting the numbers.

Jingli listened intently, her eyes filled with Qi Yuan.

As for the gift, seeing him was the best luck she could have.

"Hehe, a total of 521 people!" Qi Yuan repeated, intentionally arranging a very auspicious number.

Not only that, but he was also considerate.

Initially, he had planned that when Jingli opened her eyes and looked at these people, they would sing a birthday song for her, imitating a certain restaurant.

The scene before them was undoubtedly a joyous one.

But then, a thought crossed his mind—what if Jing Li, like him, was socially anxious? He might reject this idea.

Moon Maiden Jing Li's expression was one of intense focus as she muttered, "5, 2, 1..."

She understood something.

Looking at Qi Yuan, she lightly tiptoed and, without hesitation, kissed him fleetingly like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Qi Yuan was momentarily stunned, and the softness from before vanished in an instant.

He gazed at Jing Li's exquisite face, his eyes fixated.

Upon their first meeting... had he just been forcibly kissed? If it were any other woman, he would have allowed it.

But this was Jing Li, his online friend and the mother of his daughter.

He... decided to let it slide for now.

If there were more people around, he would have definitely kissed her back; otherwise, it would be too much of a loss.

However, deep down, he knew that his gift must have touched her deeply.

If those passionate "Bo Ya Sheep" and "Li Zongheng" on Blue Planet were to learn from this, they would surely lick their goddess into submission.

"These are all achievements. Should I kill them?" Qi Yuan asked.

Jing Li looked at the group of Mara Clan members, recalling the times she had communicated with Qi Yuan through Crystal Jade Tide, back when she was naive and kind-hearted, a stark contrast to her current ruthless persona.

"I rarely kill people," Jing Li said, her face flushing with embarrassment.

She was glad she had dressed up today.

"Huh?" Qi Yuan was taken aback for a moment. He looked at Jing Li, his words sincere, "Your killing intent is so strong it's almost visible!"

As a Yang Deity, Jing Li's killing intent was immediately noticeable to Qi Yuan, and there was no way to hide it.

To be blunt, her killing intent was even stronger than what he had experienced in the Lufeng Realm.

"This..." Jing Li's face flushed even more, the redness spreading to her crystal-like ears.

Moon Frost, witnessing this scene, widened her eyes, feeling like today's events were somewhat surreal.

Additionally, the man in the blood-red robe was indeed a Yang Deity Venerable.

His actions... seemed somewhat divine? Seeing that Qi Yuan seemed harmless and had a good relationship with Jing Li, Moon Frost also grew bolder and couldn't help but speak up.

"People's physical qualities differ. Jing Li accidentally stepped on an ant, and her killing intent surged."

"Oh, is that so? I've been living under a rock, learning something new every day," Qi Yuan said nonchalantly.

Initially, he had even considered giving Jing Li the Yang Deities from the Netherworld as a birthday gift.

But then, he realized that those Yang Deities couldn't be killed, as doing so would expose his identity.

023

Moon Frost, upon hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief.

This Yang Deity Venerable was somewhat unique and divine.

"Who are you, Venerable?" Moon Frost asked, blinking her eyes.

Her mind was filled with questions.

"I am Qi Yuan," Qi Yuan replied without hesitation, "an old friend from the Moon-Watching Continent."

Upon hearing this, Moon Frost's heart was filled with shock and awe.

It was truly him!

From the start, Jing Li's behavior had hinted at the possibility of her recognizing him.

However, this was almost impossible.

After all, it was highly unlikely for him to have achieved the Yang Deity realm, and even if he had, he would only be a minor Yang Deity, not someone who could emerge from the Mara Clan.

Unless, of course, he had always been a part of the Mara Clan.

"He is Qi Yuan!" Jing Li seemed to understand Moon Frost's confusion and affirmed.

Qi Yuan's eyes flashed with a hint of reminiscence, "I came from the Sky Absolute, keeping our promise, but you never arrived."

Qi Yuan looked at Jing Li, his expression softening.

Under the ancient cypress tree by the Seventh Moon Lake, he had waited for a long time.

"But, I still got to taste your homemade crispy sweet duck."

In Qi Yuan's memory, the small figure of the Moon Maiden appeared.

A smile graced his face.

Initially, Jing Li had promised that when he reached the Seventh Moon Town, she would cook her specialty, crispy sweet duck, for him.

In a 1691 book, he didn't meet Jing Li, but he met the Moon Maiden.

Jing Li didn't make it, but the Moon Maiden did.

Qi Yuan still got to taste the crispy sweet duck.

Moon Frost, upon hearing this, also felt a surge of emotion.

"How did the Venerable appear here?" Moon Frost asked.

This question was of utmost importance.

If Qi Yuan was indeed from the Mara Clan and had achieved the Yang Deity realm, Jing Li's fate could be tragic.

"I ascended from the lower realm and entered the Fifth Heaven of the Mara Clan.

The Yang Deities of the Mara Clan are unruly. They came to rob my home, but I caught them red-handed. I then pretended to be Fiery Flame Tianzun and went to the Demon Abyss. Who would've known that the Demon Eye Sovereign wouldn't uphold martial ethics and secretly spied on me.

I couldn't tolerate it, so I captured him!

Thus, I pretended to be him and came here." Qi Yuan briefly recounted his experiences.

Moon Frost's face revealed a look of astonishment.

Every word Qi Yuan spoke was unbelievable.

Capturing Yang Deities and, in the end, taking down the Demon Eye Sovereign!

This was simply incredible.

Qi Yuan... had almost died in the Sky Absolute at the hands of those elderly Purple Mansion Cultivators.

Suddenly, he had entered the Yang Shen Realm, an unimaginable feat.

Jingli tightly grasped Qi Yuan's hand.

She knew that Qi Yuan had come to the Sixth Heaven to see her, and the price he had paid was definitely not as simple as it seemed.

Just like a familiar face returning from afar, illuminated by the lamplight.

Who could fathom the trials and tribulations of this long journey?

"Are you going to meet the Sovereign of Gathering Moon?" Yue Shuang asked at this moment.

After all, this matter was of great importance.

She couldn't be certain of the truth behind Qi Yuan's words.

Moreover, if Qi Yuan were to take Jingli away, she would also have to consult with the Prime Elder of the Moon Goddess Palace.

After all, Jingli was a Moon Maiden.

Regardless, it was necessary to meet the Yang Shen of the Moon Goddess Palace.

"Okay." Qi Yuan nodded.

This sudden entry was completely different from being discovered during an intrusion.

After all, he now held the position of Deputy Governor, and a stealthy infiltration was enough to severely damage the Sovereign of Gathering Moon.

Once the Sovereign of Gathering Moon learned of the events here, he would also understand. Therefore, she couldn't view Qi Yuan from the perspective of an invader.

Moreover, she still owed Qi Yuan a favor.

Otherwise, without Qi Yuan, the Moon Goddess Palace in the Absolute Moon Abyss would have suffered a heavy blow, and the Sovereign of Gathering Moon would have been injured.

The situation in the Demon Abyss would have collapsed.

...

The Moon Festival Banquet continued, with bustling figures, laughter, and songs filling the air, creating a lively atmosphere.

"It's been a long time since we've had such a lively gathering. Sister Yu Tiao's connections are truly enviable!"

"Half of the Guardians have sent congratulatory gifts, which is quite a sight!"

The sounds of flattery and conversation filled the air.

A brilliant smile appeared in Yu Tiao's eyes.

However, at that moment, suddenly, a vast aura emerged, causing every guest to widen their eyes, their hearts filled with tension.

"Sovereign of Gathering Moon!"

The source of this aura was none other than the Yang Shen Immortal of the Ultimate Reason Realm, who resided in this place.

The Sovereign of Gathering Moon was taking action... Could it be...

In the eyes of all the guests, there was a hint of vigilance, as if something momentous was about to happen.

At this moment, without any hesitation, the guests instantly transformed into a wartime state, ready for the impending battle.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Qi Yuan held Jingli's hand as he looked at the Yang Deity Venerable in front of them, his expression calm.

The Sovereign of Gathering Moon swept his gaze over Qi Yuan, his eyes deep with meaning: "This favor, the Gathering Moon owes you, fellow Daoist."

Yue Shuang had already informed the Sovereign of Gathering Moon of the events that transpired.

Upon learning this, the Sovereign of Gathering Moon felt a sense of relief.

If the Demon Eye Venerable's plan had succeeded, the Moon Goddess Palace's position in the Demon Abyss would have crumbled.

"It's nothing, just a small issue. With my relationship with Jingli, doing this... is quite normal." Qi Yuan replied calmly.

The Sovereign of Gathering Moon reluctantly acknowledged Jingli as half a parent, and he still had to show respect.

The Sovereign's gaze fell on Jingli, and he sighed: "This child, sigh..."

Then, he turned to Qi Yuan: "You've just entered the Sixth Heaven and haven't joined any major power yet. Since you won't be staying here for long, how about joining my Moon Goddess Palace?"

The Sovereign of Gathering Moon extended an invitation.

After all, she had seen the remnant soul of the Demon Eye Venerable and knew the terror of this man.

If a Yang Shen Immortal of the Ultimate Reason Realm were to join the Moon Goddess Palace, it would indeed be a powerful addition.

Qi Yuan shook his head: "No, thank you."

He already had his marriage certificate ready, how could he join the Moon Goddess Palace?

Moreover, there was another reason—he wanted some freedom.

Joining the Moon Goddess Palace as a Yang Shen would require him to become a subordinate of the Prime Elder.

This was something he couldn't accept for the time being.

Hearing this, the Sovereign of Gathering Moon felt a hint of disappointment.

After all, the Moon Goddess Palace was currently in a precarious state, and those in the Ultimate Reason Realm wouldn't easily join.

Other major powers wouldn't refuse a Yang Shen Immortal of the Ultimate Reason Realm either.

"Please keep today's events confidential. I still have important matters to attend to in the Mara Clan."

Qi Yuan said calmly.

He needed to retrieve what was stolen from his family.

"Alright!" The Sovereign of Gathering Moon nodded, feeling a surge of excitement.

Qi Yuan's actions against the Mara Clan were beneficial for the Moon Goddess Palace.

"If you need any assistance, feel free to send me a message!" The Sovereign of Gathering Moon said, his heart filled with anticipation.

Currently, the Demon Eye Venerable had suffered a severe injury, leaving only two Ultimate Reason Realm experts in the Mara Clan.

This was an opportunity for the Moon Goddess Palace.

"Sure." Qi Yuan agreed without hesitation.

It seemed he would have to continue his undercover role and keep up the act.

At this moment, the Sovereign of Gathering Moon shifted his gaze to Jingli, and it was time to discuss their... private matter.

In the Moon Goddess Palace, Moon Maidens were not allowed to marry.

"Jingli, with your contribution and the addition of the Mara Clan's Yin Shen, your merits are more than enough."

The Sovereign of Gathering Moon didn't elaborate further, but his meaning was clear.

Jingli could ask the Prime Elder for one favor.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end