Chapter 1254: The Secret Of The Great Ancestor (I)

So it is the Dragon King of Bei Sea. He could have just summoned me, why go to the trouble of sending an invitation?

The blue-clad demon soldier cautiously lifted his eyes to find a valiant man in soft armor within the cabin. His manner was polite enough as he simply said, "Lead the way."

These blue-clad demonic creatures were all at the late Foundation Establishment Realm. Using his perception technique art, Li Zhouwei saw that they resembled a kind of deep-sea blue prawn. They must surely belong to the Dragon Clan, to possess such standing in the Bei Sea. Li Zhouwei had some acquaintance with Dingjiao, and this Dragon King could be regarded as a senior.

Then a host of sea demons lifted a high-backed throne adorned with exquisite jewels that was as vast as a house. Beneath it were nine black-shelled profound turtles, and on each armrest rested a white Hooked Serpent's head; smooth and lustrous, traced with blue rune patterns that gave off a fierce air.

The Dragon Clan had long used Hooked Serpent nobles for ornamentation, especially on guest seats, where serpent heads served as armrests. Black or gray serpents were disdained; only white ones would do. When Li Zhouwei settled into the seat, his entire body was smaller than one of those heads. The host of demonic creatures swayed as they carried him forward.

Li Zhouwei had assumed some official of the Dragon Clan had discovered his presence, never expecting the Dragon King of Bei Sea himself to summon him. It appeared a great honor, yet in truth was something of a headache.

Is this really necessary...? Nine times out of ten, such unprovoked goodwill hides an ulterior motive, especially from a demonic creature of the Dragon Clan's rank. The dragons and the White Qilin share old ties, and Dingjiao has said that the Dragon King of Bei Sea has even met Emperor Wei Gong himself. If those connections are truly reliable, the entire Eastern Sea would not be devoid of even a single White Qilin...

He sat cross-legged as he sank into thought. The conveyance beneath him seemed slow yet was astonishingly swift, covering several hundred kilometers as the currents rushed by. The toad crouched below the seat gave a sycophantic croak, "Great king, we've reached Changliu Mountain!"

Changliu Mountain?

Li Zhouwei instantly sensed something amiss,

If the Dragon King of Bei Sea invited me, why not to his palace in Bei Sea? What business can he have summoning me to Changliu Mountain instead?

He frowned. The blue-clad demonic creature beside him was quick-witted; as soon as the toad called out, it immediately added in a gentle tone, "Indeed, that is Changliu Mountain ahead. My lord has rarely left seclusion and is now upon the mountain conversing on the Dao with a Daoist Master. Upon learning that you were in the Bei Sea, he bade me invite you for an audience."

It seems this so-called Daoist Master of Changliu Mountain is indeed a close confidant of the Dragon Clan.

Li Zhouwei nodded thoughtfully. The conveyance halted at the mountain's foot, where a sixteen or seventeen years old Daoist nun with rosy cheeks stood waiting. The moment she saw him, she bowed and said, "Greetings, great king. The two honored ones are already waiting atop the mountain."

A faint tremor stirred Li Zhouwei's heart, and his expression shifted slightly as he studied the immortal mountain anew. There was no one else in sight, only this Daoist nun. The two blue-clad shrimp demons followed him ashore. The Daoist nun bowed repeatedly, while the demonic creatures merely inclined their heads.

Li Zhouwei remained silent.

Changliu Mountain also claims a Purple Mansion Realm Dao lineage, yet lowers itself to such servitude... The Unison Sea truly is no more than the Dragon Clan's backyard.

As he ascended the mountain, he saw no cultivators passing by, nor any medicine gardens or pavilions. The spirit trees on either side grew so densely they blocked all view, deepening the strangeness in his heart.

When they reached the summit, the two blue-clad demonic creatures moved ahead to lead the way. At last, a vast, luxurious palace came into sight. They passed through three successive gates, each guarded by demonic creatures. The pillars on both sides grew ever taller, painted with wave patterns of Converging Water.

"Your majesty! The White Qilin has been brought forth!"

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The two demonic creatures spoke in unison, their voices echoing through the vast hall. Then, a sweet, coquettish laughter, soft, high-pitched, and whispering, came from ahead.

Li Zhouwei saluted, raising his brows slightly.

Upon the highest seat sat a broad-shouldered, gray-haired man. His brow was high, his eyes narrow, and his hair unbound. His eyes were unnaturally large, glinting red in the dim palace light. He looked like a demon looming within murky mist.

He wore a suit of silvery soft armor, with long gray-white hair spilling through the gaps between plates and drifting down his body. His hands were as large as human heads, the nails gleaming coldly where they pressed upon the armrests.

The demonic creature sat with legs spread wide, his thighs as broad as a table. Upon his left knee perched a woman with long black hair and a pure face, draped only in a half-white gauze robe. Her snow-pale thighs and much of her upper body were bare, while her eyes were dim and unfathomable in hue.

Dozens of Daoist nuns of differing charms and graceful bearing sat all around the vast palace hall; some holding trays of fruit, others lifting golden ewers as they chatted and laughed coyly, each displaying her own allure.

The pink-cheeked nun who had greeted him below the mountain went up as well, smiling as she greeted her companions. Joining her sisters, she began gently rubbing the Dragon King's foot.

Li Zhouwei lowered his gaze slightly, choosing not to look. His suspicions were abruptly confirmed.

So it truly is as I thought...

The one upon the throne was undoubtedly the Dragon King of Bei Sea. The cultivator who had greeted him earlier had said that two honored ones are waiting on the mountain. If the entire Changliu Mountain was steeped in such debauchery, who else could that Daoist nun on his knee be?

It could only be the Purple Mansion Realm Daoist Master of Changliu Mountain, Daoist Nun Xiangchun.

No wonder Changliu Mountain enjoys such favor... No wonder Daoist Nun Xiangchun treats both humans and demons alike. The demons of Bei Sea dare only whisper that the Daoist Master and the Dragon King are on good terms... That phrase hardly begins to cover it.

I've heard Daoist Nun Xiangchun is at the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion Realm; she is not very old and has only broken through within the past century. The Dragon King of Bei Sea is old enough to be her patriarchal ancestor. Several of his dragon sons are likely older than Daoist Master Xiangchun herself. She can hardly be a proper consort... But the nature of dragons is lustful, and none would dare spread such talk further.

It was, in truth, an awkward situation. The Dragon King of Bei Sea clearly had no qualms about letting word of their relationship spread; that was why he sat there so brazenly. Daoist Nun Xiangchun's thoughts, however, were far harder to guess.

Li Zhouwei could not fathom it. Having finished his salute, he could only speak vaguely, "Greetings to the two honored ones..."

The gray-haired man spoke, his voice matching his fierce appearance. It was rough, deep, and tinged with something sinister.

"White Qilin... I have heard of you from Jiao'er. Now that I have emerged from seclusion and happened to find you in the Bei Sea, I thought it fitting to meet you in person."

He released his grip, allowing Xiangchun to step down from his knee. The group of female cultivators dispersed with a sweep of his sleeve. A gray-black Daoist robe shimmered into being as Xiangchun's feet touched the ground, wrapping her modestly. She took a seat at the side.

Only then did the Dragon King of Bei Sea speak, "This is Daoist Master Xiangchun, the mistress of Changliu Mountain."

When he finished, Daoist Master Xiangchun spoke softly, "Lieyun... So this is the White Qilin. I have read much about them, but this is my first time seeing one."

Li Zhouwei could not tell what these two were plotting. He could only maintain full courtesy and return the salute.

Dongfang Lieyun's standing was clearly far above Dingjiao's. He did not offer a seat, but instead spoke with amused interest, "When I was young, I met Wei Emperor Gong. You are of the true Golden Core lineage and the rightful heir of the Celestial Dynasty; purer even than he was. Yet your temperament is not much like that of a White Qilin. Perhaps that is why your dynasty's fortune wanes and your Bright Yang Fruition Attainment remains unstable."

Xiangchun nodded and spoke gently, "That was during the time of Wei State. Now, he is a White Qilin rarely seen in this world."

The gray-haired man blinked slowly, and his crimson eyes finally landed on Li Zhouwei. Dongfang Lieyun smiled and said, "I summoned you here for Xiangchun's sake."

Li Zhouwei lifted his head as the Dragon King said evenly, "Bright Yang and Veiled Yin stem from the nature of Valley Water. Xiangchun requires White Qilin blood to cultivate her divine ability."

A chill ran down Li Zhouwei's spine, but he quickly steadied himself and answered without changing expression, "To be of assistance to the Daoist Master is this junior's good fortune."

Dongfang Lieyun laughed heartily, nodding slightly toward Xiangchun and saying in a gentle tone, "I shall take him now. Once the required term is completed and a measure of White Qilin blood refined, I will send it to you."

He rose from the throne, casting a vast shadow across the hall. Without sparing another glance for anyone, he waved his sleeve, and azure seawater gathered beneath his feet, carrying him swiftly through the great void.

The great hall emptied in an instant. Daoist Master Xiangchun remained where she stood, coldly gazing into the emptiness. After a long while, a faint smile curved her lips.

"White Qilin blood... It's mine at last!"