Princess Arrives (Part 2)

Princess Arrives (Part 2)

It was as if he could not wait to display every one of his most powerful treasures, as though he feared others would not know that he was the Washing Yan Ancient Sect's greatest genius—not only possessing formidable strength, but countless powerful treasures as well.

In truth, He Yingjian was not the only one dressed this way today. Many disciples were similarly adorned, as if afraid others would not know how many treasures they possessed.

As one of today's central figures, Li Qiye could not help shaking his head at the sight. He said to Protector Mo beside him, "Are they putting on a monkey show? Every last one of them is dressed to the nines."

Nan Huairen was not yet qualified to stand among the first welcoming party. Only Protector Mo stood beside Li Qiye. Hearing Li Qiye's words, even this usually taciturn man could only give a dry laugh.

"Be serious." He Yingjian, standing at the front, turned back and said coldly, "Princess Li is of noble birth and an honored guest of our Washing Yan Ancient Sect. We must welcome Princess Li with the utmost solemnity, lest we completely disgrace the Washing Yan Ancient Sect!" As he spoke, he shot Li Qiye a disdainful glance.

At this moment, Li Qiye wore nothing but plain cloth garments, simple and unadorned. No matter how one looked at him, he resembled an ordinary mortal! At first, He Yingjian had stood in the same row as Li Qiye, but he disdained to keep company with such trash and had taken the initiative to move to the front.

"Her Highness the Princess has come in person. This is our honor." While they waited, one male disciple could not restrain his excitement and whispered.

He Yingjian held such disciples in even greater contempt. These disciples, whose cultivation and talent were utterly commonplace, wanted to gain Princess Li's favor? That was a toad dreaming of eating swan meat! Hmph, as for a useless good-for-nothing like Li Qiye, he did not even have the right to dream of it...

Thinking this, He Yingjian once again cast Li Qiye a contemptuous glance. Though the Washing Yan Ancient Sect and the Nine Sacred Demon Gate had a hereditary agreement, Li Qiye, as the Chief Disciple, should in theory have been able to marry Li Shuangyan.

But He Yingjian did not take such an ancient agreement seriously at all. In his eyes, a useless good-for-nothing like Li Qiye was no match for him. Even if the Washing Yan Ancient Sect and the Nine Sacred Demon Gate had an old agreement, trash like Li Qiye was not qualified to marry Li Shuangyan, and Li Shuangyan would never take a fancy to such trash!

In He Yingjian's view, as long as he had the chance to get close to Li Shuangyan, he would eventually win her favor. He had immense confidence in himself. His title as the Washing Yan Ancient Sect's greatest genius was no empty name!

Before Li Shuangyan arrived, some of the younger male disciples within the sect began whispering among themselves. One junior brother quietly asked, "Why has Her Highness the Princess come to our Washing Yan Ancient Sect this time?"

"I heard that our Chief Disciple has a marriage alliance agreement with the successor of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate." An older senior brother, who knew a little more, said thoughtfully.

"A marriage alliance?" Upon hearing this, a disciple disdainfully glanced at Li Qiye standing on the Dao Platform. This mortal in plain clothes was nothing but a useless good-for-nothing!

One junior brother said scornfully, "Him? Hmph, I think Her Highness the Princess has come to dissolve the marriage agreement! A good-for-nothing with a Mortal Physique, Mortal Meridians, and Mortal Fate—Her Highness the Princess would not even spare him a glance!"

"Regardless of why Her Highness the Princess has come, perhaps this is an opportunity for us to get close to her." One disciple said excitedly.

Li Qiye had little interest in all this talk and everything surrounding it. So long as it remained within the limits of his patience, acting now and then was fine. But once it went too far, he had no interest in it.

At that moment, with a hum, the Dao Gate rose, shimmering with crystalline radiance. At last, the Dao Gate between the Washing Yan Ancient Sect and the Nine Sacred Demon Gate opened. A group emerged from within, led by none other than Li Shuangyan, successor of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate.

Besides Li Shuangyan, the group from the Nine Sacred Demon Gate included Yu He, the Chief Grand Protector whom Li Qiye already knew, as well as several elite disciples of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate.

Li Shuangyan was still dressed in white. Her peerlessly beautiful face remained as cold as frost, with three parts cold pride between her brows. Like an unmatched maiden as cold as a winter plum blossom, her beauty made the sun and moon pale and caused hearts to lose themselves.

In truth, many disciples of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect were seeing Li Shuangyan's true appearance for the first time. Upon beholding her peerless beauty, countless disciples were left dazed, unable to recover for a long while. Even the female disciples could not help dimming in comparison, feeling ashamed of their own inferiority before her face!

Even He Yingjian, who considered himself the greatest genius, lost his composure the moment he saw Li Shuangyan's true appearance. His mind swayed, and he could not return to himself for a long time.

At this moment, the six Elders were also moved. They had thought Li Shuangyan had come alone, never expecting that even Yu He, the Chief Grand Protector, had arrived.

One had to know that Yu He was a formidable figure, one who could be made a king or marquis. Even among kings and marquises, he was unquestionably one of the strongest. Ordinarily, even when an Elder of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect visited the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, they might not get to see Yu He, the Chief Grand Protector. Yet this time Yu He had personally come to the Washing Yan Ancient Sect. What immense face this gave the Washing Yan Ancient Sect!

The six Elders came back to their senses and immediately led the Protectors forward to welcome them.

"Princess Li and Protector Yu have graced us with your presence, making our humble sect shine with splendor. It is our sect's honor. Our small sect may not have received you properly; we ask that Your Highness and Protector Yu forgive us." The Grand Elder led the Elders and Protectors in greeting them with clasped hands.

Seeing this, Li Qiye sighed softly. The Washing Yan Ancient Sect had truly declined. Even the six Elders could not stand alone against the tide. A dignified imperial lineage and immortal sect had fallen to such fawning servility—it truly left one helpless.

Thinking back to when he commanded the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, when he and that boy Mingren had founded it, when had they ever been so fawning and servile? He had once led the Washing Yan Ancient Sect and swept across the nine heavens and ten earths.

What of great sages? What of ancient gods? Whoever dared stand in the way of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect's rise would be killed without mercy! Back when he commanded the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, what were heavenly demons? What were blood clans? Even the Charm Spirits, the darlings of heaven, had to come and pay homage! Across the nine heavens, ten earths, eight desolations, and heavenly realms, who was qualified to make the Washing Yan Ancient Sect bow and scrape?

"Elder Gu and the others are too courteous." Li Shuangyan merely nodded lightly. As Chief Protector, Yu He stepped forward to converse with Elder Gu and the others, and the two sects exchanged the usual pleasantries.

At this moment, Li Shuangyan's gaze fell upon Li Qiye. Though her bright eyes were cold as frost, they remained incomparably captivating. Yet Li Qiye stood where he was, calm and at ease, leisurely and unhurried.

Li Shuangyan then walked over, with Yu He and the other disciples following behind her.

At this moment, countless disciples held their breath. Who knew how many had their souls utterly entranced by Li Shuangyan? Seeing this, the Grand Elder secretly breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what, Li Qiye had passed the Nine Sacred Demon Gate's assessment. Now that Li Shuangyan was walking toward Li Qiye, it was a good beginning.

He Yingjian, who had lost his composure, finally came back to himself. Seeing Li Shuangyan approach, wild joy immediately surged in his heart. As the Washing Yan Ancient Sect's greatest genius, it was only natural for him to receive Li Shuangyan's favor. Thus, he stood straight-backed, revealed a confident and dashing smile, and went to meet her.

Seeing this, many disciples of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect could not help feeling envy and jealousy. Yet they had to admit that, as the Washing Yan Ancient Sect's greatest genius, He Yingjian was indeed qualified to receive Li Shuangyan's favorable regard.

"I am He Yingjian. It is my honor to make the acquaintance of Your Highness..." He Yingjian stepped forward and cupped his hands, striking what he believed to be his most dashing and charming pose.

Yet Li Shuangyan did not even give him a second glance. She passed directly by his side and walked up to Li Qiye, leaving He Yingjian frozen stiff.

"Young Master Li." Li Shuangyan stood before Li Qiye and spoke only those two words. One was peerlessly beautiful, the other plain and ordinary. Standing together, they seemed as far apart as heaven and earth.

Though Li Shuangyan possessed peerless beauty, Li Qiye merely smiled faintly, calm and composed, without the slightest air of feeling honored. He simply nodded casually and said, "If you can think it through, that would be for the best."

Of course, only a few people present could understand what those words meant.

"It is an honor to see you again, Young Master." Yu He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "My Emperor sent word that he hopes you will certainly visit our sect when you have the time. Once His Majesty emerges from seclusion, he will personally welcome you."

"Since the Demon Emperor has said so, then I will not stand on ceremony." Li Qiye smiled casually and nodded. "When you visit the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, there is no need to be restrained. Should anything prove inconvenient, you may seek out Protector Mo or Nan Huairen."

"I understand, Young Master." Yu He nodded and lightly inclined his head toward Protector Mo and Nan Huairen.

Yet that single gesture sent a jolt through Protector Mo and Nan Huairen. Just one sentence from Li Qiye had changed very, very many things!

Protector Mo and Nan Huairen had pledged themselves to Li Qiye, yet Li Qiye had not brought them any tangible benefits thus far. But now, with just one sentence from Li Qiye, their status could be completely transformed!

Among those welcoming the guests, the Elders took the lead. But given Yu He's status, even the Grand Elder was half a rank lower before a king or marquis like him. Yet with one sentence from Li Qiye, Yu He complied. This meant that Protector Mo and Nan Huairen could directly communicate with a Chief Grand Protector of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate like Yu He.

Any clever person could imagine the implications. Protector Mo and Nan Huairen could not help shuddering inwardly. Li Qiye needed only one sentence to alter their fates—something others could scarcely imagine. At this moment, they could not help feeling fortunate that pledging themselves to Li Qiye had been the wisest decision they had ever made.