Chapter 13 Zou Li is widely recognized in the Immortal Sect as the most ruthless and merciless in his actions...
The area around the Fairy Fish Pond was incredibly lively.
The streets and alleys, lit up with lights, were quiet and surrounded by people.
Those who were boating on the lake dared not continue.
Among those who came was Ning Chaoxue.
She wore a brocade robe and a red skirt, her brows furrowed as she gazed at the edge of the fairy fish pond.
She had originally intended to frame Zhou Fuling, so she released the little demon, hoping to use the demon seal to frame Zhou Fuling for letting the demon go.
As a result, two unexpected events occurred.
First, unexpectedly, the little water demon did not cause any trouble, but the great demon Nightmare Serpent appeared. The water demon's mission failed, and it was bitten to death by the Nightmare Serpent.
Secondly... Zhou Fuling didn't originally have any powerful people around her, but then Xu Qingning came along too!
"He's really favoring that worthless person!" Ning Chaoxue sneered.
She never took Zhou Fuling seriously, after all, whether in terms of family background or cultivation level, Zhou Fuling and Xu Qingning were impossible to be together.
Xu Qingning's high regard for Zhou Fuling was considered beneath contempt by the great cultivators of this realm.
With his status, he could only be involved in a political marriage with a noblewoman from a powerful sect!
It wasn't her, it was someone else.
She still doesn't understand why her father is ordering her to capture Zhou Fuling.
How many threats could Zhou Fuling pose?
"Young Miss."
A celestial official from the Yun Ning Sect cautiously approached.
Yun Ning, located in the Southern Continent, is different from the more free Eastern Continent, and is governed by strict etiquette.
The celestial official knelt before Ning Chaoxue and presented her with a golden book: "We have discovered two spiritual seals, which are exactly the same as the two spiritual seals you previously... previously discovered at Kanghuangzhai."
"Just now, the spiritual power of the young master of Hualing Mountain and the female cultivator surnamed He sensed this."
Ning Chaoxue was startled.
This spiritual seal was copied from Kang Huangzhai.
It uses a spirit-finding talisman specifically designed for the Yun Ning Nan Zhou Xia Yun San Bu, which can react to the source of spiritual power and also imprint its spiritual seal.
A spiritual seal is a magical seal that can identify a person's soul.
She was astonished to see that the spiritual silk was covered with lush green grass and spiritual flowers, exactly the same as the one she had found at Kanghuangzhai that day.
She said, "Hurry up and report to Father!"
As for Zhou Fuling, Ning Chaoxue was not worried. In the future, when Xu Qingning attended the Wanshan Banquet, there would be plenty of time to make her move.
...
To Ning Chaoxue's surprise, another person appeared.
On the other side of the Immortal Fish Pond, accompanied by the roar of a dragon from a jade chariot, a young master arrived in a dragon chariot.
He gracefully stepped off the dragon, surrounded by jewels and precious stones. He wore a purple-gold crown, a gold-threaded robe, and a delicate pendant at his waist. His extraordinary demeanor made him appear as if he were surrounded by a group of celestial officials, like a star being the moon.
“Fairy Chaoxue.” He glanced at Ning Chaoxue and his eyes narrowed.
“Young Master Zou Li.” Ning Chaoxue smiled as well.
A murmur of conversation could be heard from the side:
"Run! Young Master Zou Li and Fairy Chao Xue are both here..."
Why?
"These two are recognized by the immortal sects as the most ruthless and unpredictable young masters, but no one dares to provoke them... One is the son of a supreme immortal, and the other is the daughter of the Yun Ning Sect Master... If you don't want to get involved, it's best to leave."
Ning Chaoxue laughed, though she knew she couldn't compare to Zou Li, the prince of Longtan, in terms of arrogance.
Zou Li, wearing dragon-patterned boots, was invited to sit on a golden chair. He stood on the golden stool and coldly surveyed the edge of the Immortal Fish Pond.
"Young Master, by the Immortal Fish Pond..." a celestial official cautiously reported to Zou Li.
Unexpectedly, Zou Li's expression grew even more gloomy, and he suddenly beckoned the celestial official to come closer.
"Young Master, this, this..." As the celestial official approached, Zou Li suddenly slapped him away.
Under Zou Liyin's glaring gaze, the immortal official's body crashed into a tree branch like a kite, spitting out several mouthfuls of blood and fainting. He was then quietly dragged away.
What about Xu Qingning?
Ning Chaoxue was secretly surprised; she had thought that Xu Qingning would intervene.
This is Xu Qingning's consistent style.
However, Xu Qingning stood pale-faced on the shore, blocking everyone's view. Her phoenix eyes were cold and indifferent. She released Zhou Fuling's hand, as if she were lost in thought.
...What is Xu Qingning thinking? She looks so distracted.
Ning Chaoxue found it amusing.
Xu Qingning raised his head, his gaze sharp as a sword, his aura chilling.
A patrol officer whispered to him, "Young Master Xu, the Immortal Order Platform has received a report that someone is unleashing demons to harm people by the Immortal Fish Pond and harboring Han Clan traitors who are colluding with the demon race. Young Master Li has therefore led his men here. We ask Young Master Xu to make way for us, as we need to apprehend the suspects immediately."
"What order? Where are you?" Xu Qingning asked coldly.
Zou Li's face turned ashen, as if he wanted to say something, but a Dragon Pool Immortal Official beside him pulled him back.
Another celestial official handed Xu Qingning a Dao token wrapped in gold silk.
Xu Qingning looked down and examined it for a moment, then said, "The immortal seal on this order is not in accordance with regulations. According to the 'Immortal Sect Laws,' matters involving demons of the Kun rank or above within the capital city, and the capture of people of the fifth rank or above, must be reviewed by the Prefectural Governor and the Guardian's Office, and stamped with the 'Prefectural Governor's Seal' and the 'Guardian's Seal.'"
"But the dragon playing with a golden lotus on the 'Guardian Seal' on this decree is from three years ago. Now, the mark of the 'Guardian Seal' is an ascending dragon descending from the clouds, holding a golden lotus."
"Young Master Xu..."
How can ordinary people come into contact with the "Guide to Defending Morality"?
Ordinary cultivators would be affected by the spiritual energy and simply accept their fate, unable to discern these details.
The celestial official broke out in a cold sweat.
Xu Qingning said coldly, "This order was probably obtained by Young Master Zou and his Snake Pavilion subordinates after they made a mistake, so it is a forgery."
"But your timing is too perfect. So perfect that I, the Prime Minister of the Eastern Continent, am wondering if you are trying to set a trap for someone?"
Xu Qingning stared at them with a cold gaze.
"Young Master Xu, how dare you? This is Dragon Pool!" the celestial official shouted.
"Xu Qingning!"
Zou Li gritted his teeth and said, "You're as self-righteous as ever. But don't forget, this isn't the Eastern Continent. Even in the Eastern Continent, my mother is the head of a celestial sect, and I'm the young master of Dragon Pool. I'm superior to you! You can't stop me from dealing with whomever I want!"
"..." Xu Qingning was silent for a moment, then let out a cold sneer and looked at Zou Li with pity, "Young Master Li, you are still the same as before, ignoring laws and regulations, and you are so stupid that you lack common sense."
"..." Everyone gasped when they heard Xu Qingning's words.
Zhou Fuling also gasped.
Given Xu Qingning's position, she would never confront Zou Li directly; she would only harm him behind his back.
But that's just how Qingning is.
Well, his feud with Zou Li was irreversible ten years ago.
But Xu Qingning, with his cold expression and hands behind his back, said: “In terms of rank, I am the Prime Minister of the Eastern Continent, a first-rank official, second only to the Governor of the Eastern Continent.”
And you, ten years ago, made a mistake and were stripped of your position as a second-rank Xuanwei in the Central Continent, but now you hold the position of a third-rank Immortal Official. My rank is above yours.”
"In terms of the power of the immortal sect, as one of the twelve questioners of heaven, I can discuss and select the immortals in the 'Discussion on the Dao and Selection of the Supreme,' observe the people's sentiments in the four continents, and directly present the judgment of the guilty to the nine immortal ministers. I can suppress you in the same way."
Faced with Zou Li's ashen face, Xu Qingning spoke as if to a child: "Do I need to tell you again how I can suppress you?"
"Xu Qingning, you, you..."
Xu Qingning: "I know that Young Master Li has wanted to return to Wentiantai for a long time. But after today's events, I can write a letter of conviction. At that time, Young Master Zou Li will be held accountable by the nine immortal ministers, and there will be no return date."
Zou Li's eyes were bloodshot with rage as he said in a hateful voice, "I can't go back, and it's all because of you! Ten years ago, you lied to me and lured me into making a mistake!!"
Xu Qingning's eyes revealed a cold sneer, as if he were looking not at a human, but at a non-human monster.
Hua Yuexi asked from the side, "This is..."
He Yin shook her head: "I don't know either... I only know that ten years ago, Young Master Xu was trapped in the Cold Prison. This Young Master Li suddenly brought the Young Master out of the torture and even knocked him down into the Heavenly Abyss..."
Hua Yue looked at the two of them with disbelief.
"Then...then why is Zou Li blaming Young Master Xu?"
Xu Qingning and Zou Li faced off, with veins bulging on Zou Li's forehead and his lips turning blue with anger.
A slender man in a green robe standing beside Zou Li clasped his hands together and said coldly, "Young Master Xu, your rank and power are not a reason for you to cause trouble. We came here for the peace of Dragon Pool, and to ensure that no suspects escape. We must bring back this cultivator from the Hua family!"
The Hua family?
Xu Qingning raised her eyes.
As expected, it was for the Hua family.
The man in the green robe continued, "If there is nothing wrong, Dragon Pool will naturally release them. But if there are any doubts, the Ten Thousand Mountains Banquet is imminent. Can you bear the consequences of disturbing the peace of Dragon Pool?"
Xu Qingning replied coldly, "I can take responsibility."
He said to Zou Li, "Young Master Zou, you've probably been misled about what happened today. You should carefully examine the people around you, lest you become someone else's pawn."
Having said that, Xu Qingning turned around and saw the officials of Dongzhou protecting the Hua siblings as they prepared to leave.
"Xu Qingning, do you dare to leave?!" Zou Li roared.
Xu Qingning said coldly, "Wait until you return to Tongtiantai before you start arguing with me again, Zou Li."
Xu Qingning glanced to the side and saw his officer Hao Cheng rushing to the side of the young master of Hualing Mountain to protect them.
Xu Qingning didn't have time to investigate further: "Cultivators of Hualing Mountain, come back to the Immortal Abode with me."
Everyone ignored Zou Li and left.
Zou Li stood there, stunned, gritting his teeth, and suddenly stood up.
His eyes flashed with rage as he raised his golden whip.
The celestial official pressed down on his hand: "Young master, do you still want to be punished by the immortals? No! You must return to the Heavenly Platform!"
"Which young master is more deserving of my humiliation!" Zou Li cursed. "Xu Qingning is riding on my head!"
"Get out of the way! What are you doing, blocking the young master?!" A man in blue robes beside him suddenly shouted, "This is Dragon Pool. Do you think our young master can be looked down upon by outsiders? If Xu Qingning dares to treat our young master like this today, tomorrow everyone will be able to trample on Dragon Pool's face!"
The speaker was Zou Li's teacher, known to the world as "Master Qing." This man seemed to intimidate the other celestial officials, who stammered and stepped back.
"...Sir, should I make a move?" Zou Li's face was flushed, and he gripped the whip tightly, his voice escaping through clenched teeth.
Mr. Na Qing said, "The young master is grown up and should make the decision himself."
"..." Zou Li was silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered and shouted, "Seize the Hua siblings!"
He raised his whip, his figure as fast as lightning, a fierce golden light shaking the earth. As the ground trembled, he had already teleported to Hua Yuliu's side.
Zou Li was a master; his imposing aura swept over them, and several people fell to the ground in disarray.
He was extremely ruthless, shooting out a gleaming blue poisonous thorn from his sleeve.
Hao Cheng: "Oh no! This is a Soul-Severing Thorn! Young Master Hua, get out of the way!"
Bang!
The gleaming blue thorn was about to pierce Hua Yuliu's eye, but Hua Yuliu was unable to move due to the oppressive force. With a sword cry of "Changming", the sword energy trembled and Hua Yuliu was shaken away.
Xu Qingning, dressed in a snow-white Taoist robe with sleeves billowing in the wind, possessed an ethereal beauty and captivating, cold gaze. In the blink of an eye, he was engaged in combat with Zou Li.
Zou Li comes from Longtan, and his every move is extremely authentic.
He summoned a golden sword and a silver bow, their imposing aura booming. His sweeping swordplay was so powerful that many people couldn't open their eyes, and even Zhou Fuling couldn't help but secretly show her admiration.
However, Xu Qingning's swordplay was more meticulous. Accompanied by thunder and wind techniques, the sword wind was a mix of real and illusory, and the double shadows spun rapidly. His moves were pure, swift, and continuous, suppressing Zou Li with every move.
A protective array further shielded innocent bystanders from being affected by Zou Li's spiritual power.
The onlookers were all dazzled and mesmerized:
"Weren't the tendons and spiritual veins of Young Master Xu severed? How come he can still overpower Zou Li?"
"Young Master Xu has refined his Golden Core again in just ten years, and his spiritual power has recovered to this extent. He is truly a genius in cultivation!"
"You don't know, before the young sect leader Xu had his accident, he was even more amazing. Now he is only half of his peak cultivation level."
Xu Qingning raised her cold eyebrows and drew her sword with sharp and clear strokes. Before long, Zou Li was beaten until he vomited blood.
Ning Chaoxue was also engrossed in watching the battle, her eyes following Xu Qingning. But remembering her father's instructions, she stared intently at Zhou Fuling and the people around her, unaware that He Yin suddenly turned pale and turned to leave.
"Catch up." Ning Chaoxue said to the person beside her, and the people from Yun Ning Sect quietly retreated.
Upon seeing Xu Qingning and Zou Li again, Xu Qingning unleashed a fierce attack and seemed poised for victory, but Zou Li suddenly went berserk: "Xu Qingning, if my mother had given me the Demon-Slaying Sword, how could you possibly survive?!"
"With the Demon-Slaying Sword here, I will not lose to you." Xu Qingning sheathed his sword, retreated with the wind from the sword, landed gracefully, and said in a low voice, "I do not want to shed blood with you."
Zou Li shouted, "Who says you can have the final say?!"
Xu Qingning raised his hand to block, but suddenly felt a strange force like a needle shooting towards him and Zou Li, which actually drew their sword forces together.
What kind of strange strength is this? Why is it causing their sword forces to collide? Is it an attempt to provoke them?
"Zou Li, stop! Someone's here..."
Xu Qingning felt a jolt in his spiritual veins. He tried to dodge, but his arm and spiritual veins went numb. His sword pierced towards Zou Li.
It looked like Zou Li was about to crash into the Everlasting Sword—
At the critical moment.
Clang clang clang—
At the edge of the Fairy Fish Pond, fallen leaves were shaken open, and thousands of leaves danced in the air.
The lanterns by the pond were also blown apart, and as the lake water surged, an immense pressure descended with a deafening roar—
As the mental energy dissipated, divine thought descended like a deity, deflecting Xu Qingning's sword and knocking Zou Li away.
Almost everyone onlookers, except for the experts beside Xu Qingning and Zou Li, suddenly fell to the ground and cried out in alarm.
This oppressive force was unlike Zou Li's previous intrusion, which could only target a small area of territory, nor was it like Xu Qingning's gentle spiritual power that protected life with purity. Instead, the moment it landed, it seemed as if the entire Dragon Pool—and even the entire Immortal Realm—fell silent.
A pair of crimson boots embroidered with pearls landed on the ground.
A beautiful woman with sparkling eyes, yet exuding an air of authority, walks on fallen leaves.
Behind her stood four female cultivators, dressed in brocade skirts with tiger, wolf, fox, and snake totems. They were also exceptionally beautiful, each carrying a golden ruan or a bili, exuding great majesty.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" People from all directions bowed and kowtowed.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Xu Qingning's pupils dilated slightly. She pursed her pale lips, sheathed her sword, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Immortal."
Zou Li cried out in anguish, "Mother! Mother, you've come!"
A note from the author:
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