Chapter 1238 - A List of Scores to Settle

A stranger they’d happened upon by chance was willing to extend his aid!

A hint of warmth coursed through Shang Qingping’s heart. “Young Lord Shen, I appreciate your good intentions, but I ask that you don’t get involved. I’d hate to see you implicated.”

“It seems to me that helping Qingping treat her wounds is the greatest support you could provide to her,” said Yao Xue. Her attitude had shifted too, and she’d warmed to Su Yi considerably. She was no longer as on guard.

Uncle Hong nodded too.

There was no doubt about it. The three of them were grateful for Su Yi’s willingness to help, but they didn’t think Su Yi could solve their problems.

Meng Changyun remained silent, but he felt a bit strange.

Out amongst the stars, what problem is too great for the Temple Master to resolve?

Su Yi smiled but said nothing.

......

The Divine Cloud World.

One of the greatest worlds within the bounds of the Violet Dome Star Realm.

This was the territory of the ancient Lan Family.

Of the seven great ancient clans, the Lan Family’s position and prestige placed them firmly at the top. The others couldn’t compare.

And Cold Mountain was the Divine Cloud World’s greatest blessed ground, as well as the location of the Lan Family estate.

Starting thirty thousand years ago, the Lan Family had hosted the millennial Cold Mountain Night Banquet here.

A massive manor stood at the foot of Cold Mountain. Higher-ups of all seven great ancient clans had gathered here, bringing the geniuses of their clans’ younger generations.

There were also numerous guests from all over: established experts of the older generation, as well as prominent regional powerhouses.

The manor was lively as guests came and went. All were prominent figures of the Violet Dome Star Realm. Some held high authority within their clans, while others presided over their sects. All of them gathered in the grand hall, laughing, conversing, and clinking glasses.

These elite geniuses of the younger generation gathered in the garden, calling to their friends as they laughed and chatted delightedly.

Pick anyone here at random, and you’d have someone with an extraordinary background.

Su Yi sat alone beneath a flowering tree, sprawled out in his wicker chair. He held a jug of wine, from which he drank alone. Occasionally, a clear breeze blew past, scattering the flower petals onto Su Yi’s clothing.

Many of the attendees already knew he’d come here with the young leader of the Shang Family, Shang Qingping, so they took him as yet another scion of the Shang Family. Almost no one took the initiative to approach him.

Su Yi naturally wasn’t concerned about all that.

In his eyes, an event like this was far too dull.

Fortunately, the scenery was rather extraordinary. It was worth admiring, albeit just barely.

“Did you hear? If Shang Qingping places in the top three, she’ll become Young Master Lan’s Dao Partner.”

“She just wants to ride the Lan Family’s coattails. After all, who in the Violet Dome Star Realm doesn’t know how dire the Shang Family’s situation is?”

“Argh, I used to admire Shang Qingping deeply. I saw her as a lady immortal. Who’d have thought she’d do something like this? It’s truly disappointing.”

“There’s no guarantee Shang Qingping will be able to make it into the top three during tonight’s festivities! She wants to use the Lan Family to boost her position? That’s nothing but the ravings of a madwoman!”

...The sound of discussion emanated from afar.

The young elites of the other ancient clans made no effort to disguise their topic of conversation, either. They discussed Shang Qingping freely, and their words were rife with disdain.

Similar conversations played out throughout the gardens.

No matter how far they’d fallen or how dire their predicament, the Shang Family was still one of the seven great ancient clans.

And Shang Qingping was the leading figure of their younger generation, a proud daughter of heaven blessed with Nine-Yin Profound Meridians. She’d been famous for a long time.

It would have been difficult for her not to attract attention.

However, most of the discussion surrounding her was critical and contemptuous.

This was due to her proposed marriage alliance.

Su Yi heard these discussions too, and his heart felt a bit heavy.

He'd already learned that Shang Qingping was Shang Jianlou’s great-granddaughter!

And his only descendant blessed with Nine-Yin Profound Meridians!

How much would Jianlou’s heart ache if he knew?

Su Yi sighed to himself.

As night approached, Yao Xue arrived with a middle-aged man.

“My name is Shang Wenzheng. Fellow Daoist, thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping my daughter treat her injuries,” the middle-aged man said gratefully.

Only then did Su Yi realize that this gaunt middle-aged man was the current leader of the Shang Family, as well as Shang Jianlou’s grandson.

“It was no more difficult than turning over my hand. It’s not even worth mentioning.” Su Yi subtly inclined his head.

Shortly upon arriving in the Divine Cloud World, Shang Qingping received word that her father was bringing Extreme Yang Immortal Dew. Su Yi then taught Shang Qingping the secret method for refining Serene Profound Ambrosia.

It seemed that Shang Qingping had already made a full recovery.

Shang Wenzheng said solemnly, “Once the Cold Mountain Night Banquet is over, I’ll personally arrange a banquet to express my sincere gratitude. I hope you won’t refuse, Fellow Daoist.”

After chatting a while longer, Shang Wenzheng hurried off. The Cold Mountain Night Banquet was about to begin, and as the leader of his family, he had numerous matters to attend to.

Yao Xue remained behind to accompany Su Yi.

“Shen Mu, Qingping told me to thank you properly on her behalf,” Yao Xue said gently. “And she said that she’d remember this benevolence for the rest of her life.”

Su Yi took a sip of wine. “It’s something I should have done anyway.

Yao Xue thought for a moment, then sighed. “It’s a pity that she’s already made up her mind. Otherwise, I actually think you might well have been able to woo her.”

“....”

Yao Xue swept her gaze across the gathered higher-ups and sighed. “In the past, most of these young, valiant elites were Qingping’s admirers. Now that the Shang Family is in decline, their attitude toward her has changed. They even dare criticize and mock her with impunity. This is what they mean when they speak of the coldness of human affairs.”

Here, her gaze revealed admiration. “But look at you! You’ve come when they needed you most, sending them coal in a blizzard. I can’t help but see you in a new light.”

Su Yi rubbed his forehead. “Will you please believe me when I say that I'm not trying to woo that girl?”

Going by seniority, even Shang Jianlou had to call him “senior.”

Given the circumstances, how could he possibly have untoward thoughts about Shang Jianlou’s great-granddaughter?

In truth, the moment he laid eyes on Shang Qingping, he saw her as his junior, and treated her accordingly.

But Yao Xue obviously didn’t believe him. “Are you.... afraid of the Lan Family’s reprisal? Is that why you’ve chosen to back down?”

Su Yi was flabbergasted.

Why is it that the more she speaks, the further she gets from reality?

“You’re helpless in the face of worldly affairs. I understand,” Yao Xue sighed. “Anyone would have to face this cruel reality upon learning of Shang Qingping’s planned marriage alliance with the Lan Family.”

Su Yi shook his head, unsure of whether to laugh or cry.

There was no doubt about it; Yao Xue’s imagination had run away with her.

Night was imminent, and the guests were all invited to the peak of Cold Mountain. This was where the elites of the seven ancient clans’ younger generations would conduct their discussions of the Dao.

And that was the true main event of the Cold Mountain Night Banquet!

They’d built an enormous ritual ground on the peak. It was covered in formations strong enough to block the attacks of even Heavenly Longevity World Kings.

This was where the discussions of the Dao were to take place.

The area around it was a sea of bobbing heads. The higher-ups of the seven great clans, as well as distinguished guests from both near and far, had all gathered here.

“Look! That’s the young leader of the Lan Family, Lan Tianqi. He’s one of the most dazzling young geniuses of the Violet Dome Star Realm’s younger generation. His talent is extraordinary and unparalleled!” transmitted Yao Xue.

“Oh,” said Su Yi, not the least bit interested. He remained seated in his wicker chair.

The way he saw it, Lan Tianqi was indeed talented. With his jade-colored robes, handsome features, and casual posture, he was like a crane amongst chickens.

Countless eyes converged on him, further offsetting his extraordinary status.

But in Su Yi’s eyes, he was just another Emperor.

A “miraculous genius” like Lan Tianqi might well be rare in the Violet Dome Star Realm, but there was an abundance of them in the top factions of the stars.

Rather, it was the World Kings in attendance who drew Su Yi’s attention.

He had to admit that the ancient Lan Family’s prestige was extraordinary. This was just a banquet, yet they’d gathered more than ten World King experts.

A few were even in the Oneness Realm!

Including the leader of the Lan Family, Lan Haoyun.

His hair and beard were dark as ink, and his bearing was dignified. His every movement drew the crowd’s attention.

“Young Lord, I’ve completed my investigation.” Meng Changyun silently appeared beside Su Yi.

“Let’s hear it,” said Su Yi.

“Over the years, no small number of the Shang Family’s former territories and subordinate factions have been swallowed up,” said Meng Changyun. “The primary culprits are the other six great ancient clans. They cannot escape blame for the Shang Family’s rapid decline.

“After all, no ordinary faction would oppose the Shang Family lightly.”

Su Yi interrupted his report here. “Did the ancient Lan Family participate in this too?”

“Not directly,” said Meng Changyun. “But after other ancient clans seized Shang Family territory, they always gave the Lan Family a share.”

Su Yi stroked his jaw. “Sitting back and letting the profits roll in? That sure is dishonest of them.”

Meng Changyun nodded. “I even suspect that over the years, the Lan Family has been encouraging the invasion of the Shang Family’s territories from the shadows.”

As he spoke, he took out a jade slip, which he passed to Su Yi. “Young Lord, here is a list of names I compiled. It records the factions that invaded the Shang Family’s territories over the years. I’ve thoroughly investigated every name on the list, and I’m sure there are no mistakes. Please, have a look.”

Su Yi accepted the slip, skimmed its contents, and nodded. “That was thoughtful of you.”

The record in the jade slip was quite detailed, including the dates, locations, and factions involved in invading the Shang Family’s territory.

Meng Changyun hurriedly flashed him a modest smile. “This is my responsibility.”

Su Yi fiddled with the jade slip and swept his gaze across the crowd. He said softly, “Ol’ Meng, don’t you think tonight’s the perfect opportunity to settle these scores?”

It was just one light, airy sentence, but it made Meng Changyun’s heart shake.

He could smell the cold murderous intent hidden beneath those calm words.

There’s no doubt about it. His Excellency the Temple Master was waiting for this list of names.

Why? Because he wants to get even at tonight’s banquet!