"Senior Brother Changshou, we bear the responsibility of leading the team today. We must work together to uphold the prestige of our Du Xian Sect."
"Mmm, Junior Sister Youqin speaks truly."
"Senior Brother Changshou, the elders instructed before departure that later, several Heavenly Immortal seniors will proceed to the main platform, while we must go to the observation terrace. There is a risk of disturbance during this time; we must remain vigilant."
"Mmm, Junior Sister Youqin speaks truly."
"Senior Brother Changshou, has your cultivation been smooth these past few years?"
"Mmm, Junior Sister Youqin's words are very... Cultivation has been passable, quite smooth, in fact."
Li Changshou replied with a smile, mentally appending a silent addendum:
*'Indeed, it is largely thanks to you, Junior Sister Youqin, spending all your time in solitary confinement as punishment.'*
Youqin Xuanya pressed her thin lips together, momentarily at a loss for a new topic, yet eager to keep the conversation going...
Unfortunately, her life experiences were almost entirely comprised of cultivation. She could hardly recite a Daoist scripture on the spot.
Perhaps noticing her struggle, Li Changshou took the initiative to speak: "Let us rest our minds for a while, Junior Sister Youqin. You will soon bear a heavy responsibility."
"Mmm," Youqin Xuanya nodded and complied, closing her eyes to nurture her spirit. The tension in her lips eased, restoring her customary cool detachment.
Consequently, due to Li Changshou's remark, the young disciples who had been covertly observing them earlier felt a sense of comfort regarding his "self-awareness"...
After flying for two hours, still a considerable distance from the Eastern Sea, the Du Xian sect's delegation encountered seven or eight other "sect delegations."
To prepare for the East Sea Dragon Palace's Grand Assembly, the various sects that received invitations had secretly agreed upon numerous arrangements.
For instance, the delegation scale for each sect was set at slightly more than ten disciples and ten True Immortals, totaling around thirty people.
This was intended to convey that the human Qi Refiners did not take this Demon-Quelling Assembly too seriously, granting the Dragon Palace only a modicum of face by bothering to participate.
Furthermore, during the assembly's sparring matches, combatants were to stop before drawing blood. Any grudges between sects were to be temporarily suppressed, lest the Dragon Clan have a good laugh at their expense.
There were many similar agreements.
The primary objective of these arrangements was to ensure human Qi Refiners did not lose face before the Dragon Clan, demonstrating the dignity befitting the current protagonists of heaven and earth.
Among them was a slightly peculiar agreement: all young disciples dispatched by the sects had to be under one hundred and fifty years of age.
Why was this so?
Most of the accompanying young disciples were puzzled, but Li Changshou knew the reason.
Dragon eggs required a minimum of one hundred and fifty years to hatch. The young dragons were essentially cultivating within their shells.
A hatchling from the Dragon Palace possessed remarkable strength from birth. Cultivating for a century was sufficient to achieve immortality. If born of a Dragon King's bloodline, they would also possess formidable innate divine abilities.
Based on experience from previous similar assemblies, the Dragon Palace always allowed their young dragons to show off, using this to mock the human Qi Refiners.
As long as the young disciples of the various sects were under one hundred and fifty, victory against these young dragons would naturally be a triumph, bringing joy to their sects. Defeat, conversely, would not constitute a loss of face...
Human destiny was concentrated in the Southern Jambu Continent, while the powerhouse human Qi Refiners were gathered in Central Shenzhou.
If the sects of E Sheng Shen Zhou could not hold their heads high before the Dragon Palace, they would face criticism from the major sects in Central Shenzhou. Thus, the eastern sects placed such immense importance on the concept of "face."
As they approached the Eastern Sea coast, the sky became filled with clouds shimmering with immortal light.
Although the number of sects on E Sheng Shen Zhou was countless, fewer than a hundred were qualified to receive invitations from the Dragon Palace.
However, the Dragon Palace, intending to delineate the boundaries of the Eastern Sea this time, had not only invited established Three Teachings sects like the Du Xian Sect but also the myriad small and large sects within the long, narrow coastal region.
This resulted in a vast number of attendees, even if each sect only sent thirty people. As they approached the assembly site, the sky became somewhat... congested with clouds.
The disciples of the Du Xian Sect were already standing. Youqin Xuanya had returned to her original position, ready to receive instructions from the uncles and aunts at the front.
Li Changshou did not look around much. He stood quietly in the corner, observing his nose and listening to his heart.
A disciple ahead exclaimed in admiration: "As expected of the Demon-Quelling Assembly hosted by the Dragon Palace. Truly, ten thousand immortals gather; it is most magnificent."
"After all, the various sects must grant the Dragon Palace this face. They are one of the three great ancient clans, after all."
A male immortal turned to rebuke him: "Watch your words! Observe more!"
"Counting others' backgrounds on their own turf is easily offensive!"
"Yes, I spoke out of turn, Senior Uncle. Please forgive me."
Another female disciple suddenly spoke: "Is that the site of the assembly?"
Everyone looked in the direction she pointed, immediately letting out fresh waves of admiration.
Li Changshou also cast a glance toward the horizon and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Quite majestic.
Quite the formation!
To the southeast, at an unknown distance over the sea, stood a colossal waterspout.
It resembled the long stem of a lotus, transporting a massive volume of seawater into the air and spreading it into a gigantic water lotus platform.
The waterspout was held immobile by immortal power. The water lotus platform above was stable and broad, surrounded by mist, resembling an immortal realm upon the sea.
That was the main venue of the Demon-Quelling Assembly.
A True Immortal of the sect joked with a smile: "When the Dragon Palace stages these grand occasions, they never disappoint."
Hearing this, Li Changshou chuckled softly, casting a glance at Senior Aunt Jiu Jiu standing near several female immortals...
Along the journey, Senior Aunt Jiu Jiu seemed to have transformed into a different person—extremely quiet. She not only avoided touching the small gourd at her waist but barely dared to speak.
After all, her own master was overhead.
Admittedly, this version of the junior master was quite obedient and endearing.
Having "collaborated" with Senior Aunt Jiu on pill refining and formation arrangement these past few years, the more he interacted with her, the more he felt she could only be described in five words—
*Pity she can speak.*
Ahem, a joke, a joke.
As they drew closer to the waterspout and the lotus platform, the sheer grandeur of the sight became increasingly palpable. The companions could not cease their exclamations at the Dragon Palace's lavish display.
A dense formation of shrimp soldiers and crab generals stood upon the sea surface. These troops bore no resemblance to the minor demons Blue Ling'e had slain previously. Their auras were solid and concentrated.
Even the weakest shrimp soldier possessed an aura fluctuation comparable to a Return-to-Void Qi Refiner. Clearly, this was an elite force of the Dragon Palace's naval army.
At this time, the Heavenly Court was destitute. The Heavenly River lacked soldiers and generals, and the position of Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Court's Navy was merely a title without substance. The strongest naval force between heaven and earth was the Four Sea Dragon Palaces.
As clouds of immortals approached the water lotus, bursts of dragon roars emanated from the waterspout, which spanned ten li in diameter.
Dozens of azure dragons of various colors rushed out from the waterspout, spiraling around it from top to bottom!
At the edge of the water lotus platform above, cascades of water curtains descended. Under the sunlight, rainbows appeared in the sky one after another...
Upon the platform, three thousand figures soared into the air.
They were Dragon Clan aquatic dragon soldiers clad in shining silver-white armor. Most took human form, with dark skin and dragon horns atop their heads.
Their true forms were aquatic dragons, beings of bloodline close to dragons, a formidable main combat force of the Dragon Palace, famous since ancient times.
These three thousand aquatic dragon soldiers were evenly distributed around the platform, responsible for maintaining order at the Demon-Quelling Assembly.
Once they hovered in place, they each released their aura. Uniformly at the True Immortal realm, the spectacle became even more magnificent, exerting a considerable psychological impact on the human Qi Refiners.
This Dragon Clan was still like a starved camel larger than a horse...
One should not make enemies of them, nor need one curry favor. It was best to avoid entangling one's fate with them.
Li Changshou pondered thus.
A senior sister ahead asked: "Does the Dragon Palace attach such importance to this assembly?"
A female True Immortal of the sect chuckled softly and replied in a low voice: "The Dragon Palace just loves putting on these empty shows to flaunt their prestige. Who doesn't know the current predicament of the Dragon Clan?"
Upon hearing the word "predicament," Li Changshou's thoughts delved deeper.
Judging by the Dragon Clan's current demeanor, this former hegemon of heaven and earth was unwilling to fade into obscurity.
Looking at their current strength, which could still be called formidable...
And comparing it to their state after the War of the Investiture of the Gods, where they became cautious rainmakers for the Heavenly Court...
After the Heavenly Court grew powerful, the slightest deviation in rainfall by the Dragon Clan would result in executions. Dragon livers and phoenix marrow became common delicacies for the Jade Emperor...
What tragedies had this ancient giant undergone between the pre- and post-Investiture eras?
Li Changshou sighed internally, his determination to not venture out until he reached the Great Luo realm solidified.
Although the War of the Investiture was still far off, he had to begin his preparations early.
Li Changshou stood in silent contemplation upon the cloud as the Du Xian Sect's cloud, along with several dozen others, drifted closest to the water lotus platform...
Immediately, a golden turtle, shining with golden light, flew up from the platform.
Upon the turtle's back stood two "Chancellor Turtles," dressed in large red brocade robes with tortoise shells upon their backs, their long necks ending in small heads. They looked quite comical.
The turtle on the left cleared his throat, waved a small folding fan in his hand, and spoke in a voice that was warm, rich, and exuded masculine charm:
"Will the Heavenly Immortals and Elders of the various sects please proceed to the Immortal Tasting Terrace above?"
This was the legendary... Dragon Palace Good Voice?
Immediately after, the turtle on the right shouted in a sharp and piercing voice:
"Will the disciples of the various sects please enter the grounds!"
"The surrounding observation terraces are fully furnished with tables, chairs, delicacies, and fine wines! Leading sects of the Eastern Shenzhou have nameplates—look closely!"
"If you are illiterate, you may ask those maids for directions!"
"Sects with lower rankings, if there is no nameplate, just go to the back and find any empty seat yourselves!"
He was remarkably similar to the floor manager at a brothel in the mortal world.
"Pfft..."
Jiu Jiu, who had been quiet for the entire journey, couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh. The entire Du Xian Sect delegation was amused by the two turtle immortals.
Quite the dramatic flair.
The Du Xian Sect naturally did not need to worry about seating. Not only that, their seats were located in the very front ring.
The Venerable Wangqing and several Heavenly Immortal elders flew toward the high platform in the sky.
The sixteen True Immortals of the sect took it upon themselves to guard the disciples. Abandoning their cloud, they flew toward the Du Xian Sect's seating area.
Li Changshou and Youqin Xuanya, the two leaders, had absolutely nothing to do...
The various sects had previously agreed to send thirty people each. The Dragon Palace was evidently aware of this arrangement, as they had prepared only twenty-five cushions and twenty-five low tables for each sect's seating area.
Fruit and tea were also prepared in twenty-five portions.
However, this was a minor matter. Several female disciples took out cushions, combined two tables, and the issue was resolved.
It was the smaller sects that received rather shabby treatment: mere rows of stone cushions, not even low tables, let alone fine wine and fresh fruit.
Li Changshou sat in the corner of the Du Xian Sect's seating area. Beside him stood one of the clam maidens serving the delegation.
His gaze swept over the fruit and wine before him. He let out a soft "huh" of surprise, picked up a crystal grape, examined it briefly, and casually tossed it into his mouth.
The attractive clam maiden nearby stifled a giggle but said nothing, secretly observing Li Changshou.
Soon, Li Changshou opened his mouth and let out a small burp. He had mentally confirmed exactly what it was.
This Dragon Palace—when playing pranks, they did so with grandeur. They had served the entire Du Xian delegation a portion of what was known as "Post-natal Minor Spirit Root" Ice Condensation Immortal Grapes.
Looking closely at the other sects' areas, they had been served a different variety of immortal grapes.
The Ice Condensation Immortal Grape was indeed a good thing. Consuming a small amount could nourish a Qi Refiner's primordial spirit and regulate their qi. It was particularly effective for healing injuries and had an excellent taste. It was quite valuable.
However, it had one drawback: consuming too much could easily cause... flatulence. That was to say, a breach at the rear gate, allowing qi to escape unchecked.
Furthermore, the aftereffects were persistent and difficult to endure. Even immortals could not defend against it.
Li Changshou considered for a moment, then decided to offer a word of caution to Youqin Xuanya...
"Junior Sister Youqin, before eating any of this, you might want to ask the uncles and aunts if there is any issue. I see several fellow disciples have already started eating."
"Just don't say I warned you. Just say you felt something was amiss."
Youqin Xuanya blinked and turned her head to look at Li Changshou. Her delicate, white fingers were pinching a peeled, round grape, placing it into her mouth. She even tilted her head slightly.
Li Changshou:...
Fine. Pretend I never said anything.