Chapter 696: Ao Canghai the Scapegoat

The next morning, a ray of sunlight filtered into the room through a window.

Xiao Nanfeng was seated cross-legged in meditation. Suddenly, a burst of energy shot out from him and rushed out of the room.

"The fifth stage of the True Immortal realm? How did you break through again?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed in surprise.

Xiao Nanfeng opened his eyes only to be dazzled by the sight of the Divine Emperor nude beside him.

"What're you looking at? Haven't you gotten your fill after the entire night?" The Divine Emperor blushed and quickly covered her body with the sheets.

"You're simply too beautiful. I'd never get enough of looking at you," Xiao Nanfeng whispered, lifting her up and hugging her.

"Liar!" the Divine Emperor replied, blushing.

She traced a finger over Xiao Nanfeng's chest. "How did you break through again?"

"It's all thanks to you," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Me?" The Divine Emperor raised a brow, then inspected herself. "It looks like my cultivation has risen by quite a bit too..."

"Truly? Despite being a Boundless Immortal? Our dual cultivation compatibility must be incredible," Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

The Divine Emperor prodded him. "Right, I was going to ask—what sort of dual cultivation technique is that? It was so embarrassing! Where did you learn it?"

"I took down a Buddha cursed effigy in the past, the Buddha of Dual Cultivation, and learned it there," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"The Buddha of Dual Cultivation? The name alone is disturbing," the Divine Emperor said, blushing.

"Of course. I've already finished him off—but this dual cultivation technique isn't bad, is it?"

"No dual cultivation technique should have such tremendous effect. Otherwise, there would be no reason for people to cultivate on their own. Perhaps it's because of a synergistic effect between the candleflame powers you possess, and the shadow powers that I do," the Divine Emperor murmured.

"Why don't we try it and see, then?" Xiao Nanfeng began to kiss the Divine Emperor again.

"No more of that!" the Divine Emperor cried out, halfheartedly pushing him away.

Playful laughter echoed within the room once again.

What had happened in Taixu quickly spread across the world. The cultivators of the Yuqing holy land naturally learned of the news as well.

The disciples of Chiyang Peak gaped upon hearing the news.

"What? Xiao Nanfeng rushed there to save the Demon Child? That's impossible! He and the Demon Child don't get along at all," Xia Lan told the Yuqing disciple before him.

"It's true! The news of the fight at Taixu has already spread throughout the Yuqing holy land," the Yuqing disciple said.

Xia Hong sighed in astonishment. "Xiao Nanfeng really is incredible."

"Incredible? They killed Sage Green Lotus. He's done for!" Xia Lan exclaimed.

The three women glared at him simultaneously.

"Better that someone like him die! He dared to scheme against Yu'er. He deserves it!"

"Right! What's more, the Demon Child was the one who killed Sage Green Lotus. It's none of Nanfeng's business. Should Nanfeng have suffered a beating without counterattacking?"

"Nanfeng isn't to blame for what happened."

The three women all stood on Xiao Nanfeng's side.

Xia Hong nodded. "We won't let anyone pin Sage Green Lotus's death on Nanfeng, but it's troublesome for him to have taken the seventh-grade lotus."

"In what way? That's rightfully Nanfeng's by combat," Han Bingdie replied.

Xia Hong shook his head. "It's not that simple. The seventh-grade lotus is a relic of the Yuqing holy land, and we're obligated to reclaim it if it falls into an outsider's hands."

"But Nanfeng's not an outsider," one of the women replied, frowning.

"That's precisely why it's troublesome. I'm afraid some people will be so shameless as to force us to ask for it back," Xia Hong replied.

"Would they dare? How much more shameless can they get?" another of the women cried out.

"If they weren't shameless, they wouldn't have forced Yu'er to marry into the Southeastern Aquatic Palace," Xia Hong replied.

The cultivators grimaced.

"Even if the hierarch himself comes, we can't agree. Tell him that your father makes all the decisions around here, and that we can't do anything without his being here," a woman suggested.

"Right! Say that. Let them find Nanfeng and try to reclaim the relic on their own. There's a Boundless Immortal helping him out, after all. They won't succeed!" another woman added.

Xia Hong nodded as well.

Just then, a Chiyang Peak disciple rushed into the hall.

"Seniors, a few Mountain Lords are seeking an audience," the disciple reported.

The cultivators present eyed each other. Then, after taking a deep breath and readying themselves, one of the women said, "Invite them in."

In the Hall of Martial Aspects within the Sieve of Heaven, Ao Canghai walked into his office, trailed by several Martial Aspects, with a frown.

"What's going on? Why are there people giving me odd looks today?" Ao Canghai asked.

"We don't know." The other Martial Aspects all seemed perplexed.

"Something must be wrong. Go find out what's going on," Ao Canghai said.

"Understood!" A Martial Aspect rushed out of the hall.

Just as Ao Canghai was about to take a seat, an official entered the hall and reported, "Martial Aspect, several officials have requested an audience with you."

Ao Canghai glanced at the notice. "How strange. What do all these people want with me today?"

"I don't know, Eastern Aspect," the official reported.

"Let one in for now," Ao Canghai said.

"Understood!"

Very quickly, an official was brought into the hall.

"Eastern Aspect Ao, the Cardinal Aspect I serve is currently away on business in the west, and can't come meet you himself. Allow me to apologize on his behalf in advance," the official began.

"What's the matter?" Ao Canghai asked.

"The Cardinal Aspect I serve learned of your recent acquisition of the seventh-grade lotus and would like to trade it for a relic of his own. Please consider the request, Cardinal Aspect Ao."

"What did you say?" Ao Canghai was taken aback.

"The Cardinal Aspect I serve mentioned that using a Boundless Immortal relic obtained from combat in this manner will be difficult to deal with, and that you'll end up being pursued by the party you offended. It will be far easier to use a relic that has exchanged hand a few times—and coincidentally, the Cardinal Aspect I serve has just obtained a Boundless Immortal relic to offer in trade."

Ao Canghai frowned. "Who claimed I obtained this seventh-grade lotus?"

The official was taken aback. "Why, everyone knows about it by now..."

"I don't have this relic. Leave!" Ao Canghai demanded coldly.

"Eastern Aspect Ao—" The official tried to argue a little longer.

"Do you need me to send you out?" Ao Canghai demanded imperiously.

The official gulped, bowed, and retreated.

Ao Canghai fell deep in thought, as if there were a conspiracy that now threatened to engulf him.

Rather than admit any further visitors, he waited patiently until his subordinate Martial Aspect returned.

"Eastern Aspect, we've figured out what's going on. News of the battle that took place at the city of Taixu has spread to the Sieve of Heaven."

"The city of Taixu? The one Li Qianjun rules over?" Ao Canghai clarified.

"Yes, Eastern Aspect."

"That damn Li Qianjun. He made a big fuss about that black coffin with us, but it couldn't even be moved to begin with! So what's going on with Taixu now?"

"This is the situation..." The Martial Aspect recounted what had happened within Taixu.

"You mean Xiao Nanfeng was lucky enough to claim the seventh-grade lotus for himself?!" Ao Canghai exclaimed.

"Not only the seventh-grade lotus, but also the Eye of the Sea from the Southeastern Aquatic Palace. It's in terrible shape, but we can conclusively confirm that he was responsible for tricking us there."

"Damn that Xiao Nanfeng. How could he be so lucky?" Ao Canghai roared. "Are you certain a Boundless Immortal hidden behind a cloud of black fog rescued Xiao Nanfeng?"

"Certainly. The last thing Xiao Nanfeng said was 'Let's return to the Imperial Court.' That's why everyone believed that you were the Boundless Immortal responsible—and that you received the seventh-grade lotus for helping him," the Martial Aspect reported.

Ao Canghai scowled. "What sort of analysis is that? What makes them think I would help out Xiao Nanfeng? Are they crazy?"

"Eastern Aspect, it's possible that you may have been maligned," the Martial Aspect replied.

"It's possible? Aren't you certain? Do you suspect that I'm colluding with Xiao Nanfeng, too?" Ao Canghai shot the Martial Aspect a glare.

"I would never, Eastern Aspect! However, Xiao Nanfeng's history isn't a secret at all. Except for you, he hasn't interacted with any Boundless Immortals who might be willing to help him out. That's why everyone misunderstands."

Ao Canghai gritted his teeth. "Xiao Nanfeng had to have done this deliberately. Damn it, he even tried to get me involved at the very end!"

"Was it really not you, Eastern Aspect? Who could that Boundless Immortal be, then?" the Martial Aspect exclaimed.

Ao Canghai scowled. He too was uncertain. That Xiao Nanfeng had managed to manipulate the Eye of the Sea and transform into a dragon of water was well within range of expectations, but this Boundless Immortal who had appeared out of nowhere—Ao Canghai felt tremendous danger.

"Xiao Nanfeng's growing more and more dangerous while unchecked," Ao Canghai murmured. Killing intent flashed in his eyes.

In a garden in Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng's avatar was having tea. He smiled at the man before him. "How thoughtful of the Yuqing hierarch to leave a spy like you in Yongding."

The man frowned and shook his head. "My avatar was simply out exploring and happened to pass by Yongding. Coincidentally, the hierarch hoped to seek an audience with you through me."

"Do you even believe your own excuse?" Xiao Nanfeng said disdainfully.

The man's face twitched. "Regardless, Emperor Xiao, I represent the sincerity of the Yuqing holy land. You've had a relatively peaceful and enjoyable stay there, and I hope we'll be able to communicate effectively."

"What do you have to discuss? The death of Sage Green Lotus? Do you intend to seek revenge on me?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Hardly, Emperor Xiao. We're concerned about the seventh-grade lotus, a peerless treasure of the Yuqing holy land. Emperor Xiao, when a calamity befell the Taiqing Immortal Sect two centuries ago, the Yuqing holy land lent its assistance to save the sect. Now that a treasure of Yuqing has landed in your possession, would you be willing to return the seventh-grade lotus to us?"

Xiao Nanfeng narrowed his eyes at the man and shook his head. "The Taiqing Immortal Sect is grateful to the Yuqing holy land for what it has done, but that doesn't mean it's easily bullied. A relic on the level of the seventh-grade lotus—should I let anyone just claim it so easily? Send someone more qualified to discuss things with me."

"Emperor Xiao, what sort of cultivator do you think would suffice for such a meeting?" the man asked, frowning.

"The seventh-grade lotus is a Boundless Immortal relic. Send a Boundless Immortal to discuss terms with me," Xiao Nanfeng said.

The man gaped, thinking that he had misheard.