Chapter 149.1: Dragon King, Give Your Smug Speech

At the mention of the Blood-Clothed Sword God, the expressions of those around subtly shifted. Someone immediately cast a spell, temporarily isolating their conversation from the surroundings.

Zhao Buyu, who was seated at the same table, lowered his voice. "Fellow Daoist, you actually dare to wear a blood-red robe? Aren’t you afraid Huang Tu will create trouble for you when he sees it? Since Bright Palace cannot hunt down the Blood-Clothed Sword God, they may very well take it out on you instead."

Zhao Buyu was the only person at this table listed in the Eastern Lands Prodigy List, and naturally, he drew the most attention. Everyone’s attention gathered on Qi Yuan.

At the moment, two matters commanded the greatest attention on the Cuiyun Continent. The Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle, and the feud between the Blood-Clothed Sword God and Bright Palace. Of course, the latter had unfolded too quickly. Many prodigies who had only recently arrived weren’t fully aware of the details.

Qi Yuan was momentarily stunned. He had been worried that attending the banquet as himself would invite disdain. Yet now, even after switching to the Blood-Clothed Sword God persona, people still wanted to stir up trouble? Wasn't this bullying a little excessive?

Rogue Immortal, standing beside him, muttered, "But none of you are from the Divine Flower Society. How do you know about the Blood-Clothed Sword God?"

He knew there had not been much information about him.

The five others all shook their heads in unison. "This isn't related to the Divine Flower Society."

A puzzled female cultivator asked, "What does this have to do with the Divine Flower Society? Recently, the Blood-Clothed Sword God arrived on Cuiyun Continent and eliminated all obstacles. I heard he has already killed dozens of Violet Palace cultivators from Bright Palace. Unfortunately, none of us managed to witness his heroic appearance. The recording stone didn't capture his face either."

Then she explained, her excitement growing as her eyes sparkled, "Whenever the suona sounded, the Blood-Clothed Sword God would appear, and Violet Palace cultivators would fall. Yet he always came and went too swiftly. Since very few had actually seen him, none could clearly describe his appearance.”

Rogue Immortal was dumbfounded. He sent a voice transmission. "

Qiyuann Sovereign, what are they talking about?

"

Qi Yuan replied sincerely, "

They're exaggerating.

"

Rogue Immortal felt relieved.

"

I only killed nine Violet Palace cultivators. Not dozens.

"

"

...

"

Rogue Immortal was utterly stunned.

The Blood-Clothed Sword God killed Violet Palace cultivators?!

His own sect on the Thunderwalk Continent was considered sizable, yet it had only five Violet Palace cultivators in total.

The Blood-Clothed Sword God...

His mind went into complete chaos, leaving him unable to think clearly.

The female cultivator looked at Qi Yuan again. "Fellow Daoist, it's best to follow Brother Buyu's advice and change your outfit. It may help you avoid unnecessary trouble."

Rogue Immortal glanced at Qi Yuan with a complicated expression. "Why don't we just leave?"

His thoughts were still in disarray. Everything before him felt unreal.

Fake, all fake!

Qi Yuan replied calmly, "We're not leaving. I still haven't seen the Fish-Dragon Golden Core Dance."

He was waiting to watch it and record it for Little Bride.

Seeing that Qi Yuan could not be persuaded, the female cultivator said nothing more. After all, they were strangers who had met only by chance.

Qi Yuan continued eating spirit fruits at the table.

Not far away, dozens of prodigies were welcoming the Heaven Soul Fairy. Huang Tu wore a broad smile, while Xu Tongchen, standing beside him, had already let his thoughts drift far away.

Just moments ago, his True Sun Fire had surged violently. It felt exactly as it had when Qi Yuan was nearby. Yet after scanning the crowd, Xu Tongchen found no trace of him.

Suddenly, his gaze landed on a figure clad in a blood-red robe. His eyes flickered with a strange light. "Qi Yuan?"

Although the man's appearance differed greatly, the aura detected by the True Sun Fire was unmistakably the same. He was almost certain that it was Qi Yuan.

Bewildered, Xu Tongchen quickly averted his gaze, fearing Huang Tu might also notice Qi Yuan's attire. "Why is he dressed like that?"

Of course, he didn’t know that Qi Yuan's Great Forgetfulness Sutra was passively activated. Unless someone deliberately focused their attention on him, they would instinctively overlook his presence.

At that moment, atop a tall building, two Nascent Soul cultivators secretly glanced at the blood-robed figure.

"Is that him?"

They craned their necks forward like shrimp-headed creatures peeping in secret.

They were members of the Cloud Court and were responsible for maintaining order during the Fish-Dragon Banquet. They had to monitor every prodigy in attendance and naturally noticed the blood-robed figure. Both were shaken.

The taller Nascent Soul cultivator was dreadful. "I don't know. I've never seen the Blood-Clothed Sword God before. But I can't see through him at all."

Throughout the Cuiyun Continent, any high-level cultivator who wasn't in seclusion knew of that killing god. Over ten Violet Palace cultivators had perished at his hands. Such strength would be terrifying no matter where in the Eastern Lands.

The shorter Nascent Soul cultivator whispered, "Tixiu will arrive soon. He has seen the Blood-Clothed Sword God once. Perhaps he can identify him."

The Blood-Clothed Sword God appearing at the Fish-Dragon Banquet was simply too unbelievable. Numerous Cuiyun factions had set their sights on him, and Violet Palace cultivators likewise secretly sought to establish ties with him. After all, Bright Palace was notoriously tyrannical, and countless forces secretly longed for its downfall. Of course, all of them were aware that the Blood-Clothed Sword God couldn’t truly destroy Bright Palace, but causing it some damage would be more than enough.

The two Nascent Soul cultivators continued to peek secretly from time to time, silently praying for Tixiu to arrive quickly. If it wasn't him, all the better. If it was, then it would be the Cloud Court Master’s problem. As mere early-stage Nascent Souls, they absolutely did not dare face such a killing god.

If the Blood-Clothed Sword God suddenly went mad and slaughtered all the prodigies, the consequences would be catastrophic.

***

More and more prodigies arrived at the banquet hall. Three of the top ten ranked prodigies had already appeared. Both the outer and inner halls buzzed with activities.

Gao Jien wore a face full of flattering smiles. "Fellow Daoist Zheng, you are extraordinary. I'm certain your ranking will rise again this year!"

Although Gao Jien ranked higher than Zheng Fangxing, he still flattered him. After all, not only was Zheng Fangxing a local prodigy, he was also closely associated with Huang Tu. Maintaining a good relationship with him increased Gao Jien's chance of befriending the Cuiyun Continent's foremost genius.

Zheng Fangxing was in a foul mood. "This battle is crucial. There are far more participants this year than before, it won't be easy."

With the death of his master, his only pillar of support was gone. He could clearly sense the change in Huang Tu’s entourage’s gazes, now filled with contempt. Such was the ruthlessness of the world. Fury boiled within him, with nowhere to go.

Gao Jien chatted with Zheng Fangxing, "I have a junior brother with a Thunder Spirit Root, just like you. Would you like to meet him and offer some guidance?"

Most cultivators enjoyed acting as mentors, boasting whenever they could. Gao Jien used the pretense of seeking advice hoping to draw their friendship closer.

Hearing this, Zheng Fangxing raised an eyebrow. "Very well, I'll meet him."

Surrounded by prodigies who subtly excluded him, he secretly wanted to leave. Led by Gao Jien, Zheng Fangxing arrived at a remote corner, where Rogue Immortal and Qiyuann Sovereign were seated.

"Fellow Daoist Zheng, this is my junior bro—" Gao Jien began, only to freeze mid-sentence as an intense killing intent suddenly erupted from Zheng Fangxing.

Zheng Fangxing stared at Qi Yuan, his expression darkening. "Good. So everyone wants to oppose me?"

An adult's breakdown often occurs in silence, in an instant.

When he learned of his master's death, Zheng Fangxing didn’t erupt in rage. When he was subtly ostracized by the prodigies, he merely gritted his teeth and endured in silence. Yet the moment he saw Qi Yuan dressed in a blood-red robe, he completely lost it.

Gao Jien appeared completely baffled. "Fellow Daoist Zheng, what's wrong?"

In contrast, those seated at Qi Yuan's table instantly understood.

The female cultivator looked at Qi Yuan with anticipation, clearly waiting to watch a good show.

See? I told you to change your clothes. Now someone is going to give you trouble for it!

Zheng Fangxing shouted, "My master was killed by the Blood-Clothed Sword God, and he dares parades around in that scourge’s attire! He's deliberately humiliating me!"

If Qi Yuan had been a renowned prodigy, Zheng Fangxing might have swallowed his anger. However, on the way here, Gao Jien had explained that Qi Yuan had no prestigious background, let alone a place on the prodigy list. Hence, Zheng Fangxing had no reason to endure any longer.

Zheng Fangxing roared, overflowing with killing intent, "Strip!"

Gao Jien remained utterly lost. He had only just arrived on the Cuiyun Continent and knew nothing about the Blood-Clothed Sword God. Not far away, Luo Cha watched the scene unfold, gloating evident in his eyes.

Lei Chong glanced at Qi Yuan and uttered, "Wearing a blood-colored robe to the Fish-Dragon Banquet... This kid really has guts. Is he here to provoke Huang Tu? Strange, such a flashy blood robe, yet Huang Tu hasn't noticed it?"

Qi Yuan innocently stared at Zheng Fangxing. He had deliberately dressed like the Blood-Clothed Sword God to avoid being looked down upon.

Could it be that I look too handsome, and have instead attracted male hostility?

Qi Yuan raised the banner of dress freedom. "Ever heard of freedom of dress? Does my attire cost you anything?"

Zheng Fangxing's rage surged even further.

How dare a little punk speak to me in such a way?!

He shot Qi Yuan with a glare sharp enough to kill. "Lucky you, it’s inappropriate to fight at the banquet. Just wait, once it ends, I’ll make you pay!"

Everyone could feel the intense killing intent dripping from his words.

Gao Jien was stunned for a moment before saying, "Fellow Daoist Zheng, I'm the one who brought him. If he offended you unintentionally, I'll apologize on his behalf. You went a little too far with your words earlier."

Since Qi Yuan was a friend of his junior brother and had been invited by him, he had to protect Qi Yuan.

Zhao Buyu also stood up. "Fellow Daoist, this brother likely meant no offense."

Like throwing fuel onto a fire, Zheng Fangxing grew even more furious. Ever since his master's death, everything he did had been constrained by others. Now, even a little punk dared provoke him, and worse, people were speaking up for that punk?!

He shot Qi Yuan with another vicious glare. "You're really lucky."

Gao Jien secretly let out a sigh of relief, thankful the situation was resolved.