Entering the King's Mansion

Chen Yan raised his head, his gaze falling upon the Cloud King's Mansion that stood before him.

Truly magnificent.

The vermilion lacquered main gate, three zhang high and adorned with nine rows of nine gilded studs, declared this residence to be of royal standing. The two white jade qingque statues in front of the gate were a symbol of the Qin family.

The mansion walls, extending from the gate to either side, were constructed from entire blocks of qinggang rock, several zhang high. Such large qinggang rocks were precious even in the eyes of immortals.

The Immortal Masters from the Empty Mountain Sect were undoubtedly honored guests of the mansion.

Therefore, the Cloud King had long since dispatched servants to await their arrival at the gate, respectfully welcoming Lu Li and the others.

"Welcome to the Cloud King's Mansion, esteemed Immortal Masters of the Empty Mountain Sect!"

As they approached, the steward at the forefront of the mansion's welcoming party spoke with a resonant voice. Following him, dozens of servants and maids, lined up in two rows behind him, quickly bowed:

"Welcome to the Cloud King's Mansion, esteemed Immortal Masters of the Empty Mountain Sect!"

This display undoubtedly stunned the cultivators of the Empty Mountain Sect.

"Good heavens, the mansion's grandeur..."

Zheng Fei muttered softly:

"Lord Cloud King is truly imposing. It almost makes me not want to cultivate on the mountain anymore and instead go down to build a nation."

Zheng Fei sighed softly beside him.

"You think that's a good idea? You'd be honestly dealt with if some passing mighty being casually wiped you out."

Li Xiuxiu then chimed in, mocking Zheng Fei's unrealistic idea.

His idea was indeed unrealistic.

No cultivator dynasty had ever been established in this world. For cultivators to rule over mortals was a cardinal sin, regardless of the era.

They would be attacked by all cultivators under heaven.

Cultivators were not to interfere in worldly affairs; this was a consensus shared by all.

"Esteemed Immortal Masters."

The steward at the mansion's gate greeted them with a smile, bowed to Lu Li, who was at the head of the group, and began to speak:

"His Highness the Cloud King has been eagerly awaiting your arrival within the mansion. Shall I lead you to meet His Highness the Cloud King now?"

"Thank you for your trouble."

Lu Li replied.

The group then followed the steward into the mansion. Inside, the courtyard was a riot of flowers, with exotic plants competing in beauty. The rich floral fragrance filled the air, refreshing the mind and spirit. The bluestone path underfoot wound its way through the grounds, flanked by strangely shaped lake rocks, each seemingly meticulously chosen for its unique charm.

Moving further ahead, a magnificent grand hall came into view. The hall featured upturned eaves and ornate brackets, with intricately carved beams and painted rafters. Golden glazed tiles gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight. In front of the hall's entrance stood two qingque statues, though these were slightly smaller than the white jade statues at the mansion's main gate.

However, they were carved more lifelike.

Especially the eyes of these two qingque statues, which emanated a faint golden glow, as if they could come alive at any moment.

It wasn't until Chen Yan drew closer and looked carefully that he realized the eyes of both qingque statues were inlaid with high-grade spirit stones.

"...Spirit stones?"

It wasn't just Chen Yan; Zheng Fei beside him also seemed to notice something unusual about the qingque statues.

"Country bumpkin."

Qian Xun, walking at the very back behind everyone, let out a disdainful scoff.

Zheng Fei frowned and ignored Qian Xun, instead lowering his voice to complain softly to Chen Yan:

"Senior Brother Chen, what's wrong with that guy? Why has he been picking fights ever since we came down the mountain today?"

"He's got a screw loose."

Chen Yan replied indifferently.

Aside from that, he couldn't come to any other conclusion.

"Immortal Masters have arrived!"

The guards stationed at the hall's entrance shouted.

The steward stopped at the grand hall's entrance and respectfully bowed:

"Esteemed Immortal Masters, His Highness the Cloud King is waiting for you inside the hall."

Lu Li nodded, adjusted the Daoist Robe draped over his shoulders, and was the first to enter the grand hall.

The hall was spacious and bright, with exquisite calligraphy and paintings adorning the walls, all by renowned masters.

Of course, the value of these paintings was only significant within mortal dynasties.

Mortal calligraphy and paintings were no different from waste paper to cultivators.

In the center of the grand hall, above the main area, was the Cloud King's throne. However, the throne was empty.

The Cloud King stood on the steps below the throne.

He was a middle-aged man dressed in magnificent robes, with a dignified and composed demeanor.

"Welcome, Immortal Masters, for traveling from afar. This King was remiss in not greeting you sooner. Please forgive me."

As Lu Li and the others stepped into the grand hall, King Yun, Qin Ming, quickly strode forward a few steps to meet them.

"Lu Li of the Empty Mountain Sect, greetings, Your Highness."

Lu Li bowed in Qin Ming's direction.

Although the Qingque Kingdom was entirely subservient to the Empty Mountain Sect, and could even be said to be the sect's lapdog in the mortal world, the courtesies that cultivators were expected to observe outwardly still had to be maintained.

At the very least, they had to preserve appearances.

"Chen Yan, disciple of the Empty Mountain Sect, greetings, Your Highness."

"Zheng Fei, disciple of the Empty Mountain Sect, greetings, Your Highness."

"Li Xiuxiu, disciple of the Empty Mountain Sect, greetings, Your Highness."

"Empty Mountain Sect, Inner Sect Disciple of Yuanhua Mountain, Qian Xun, greetings, Your Highness!"

Only Qian Xun, standing at the back, suddenly raised his voice.

"Manager Yang."

Qin Ming said with a smile.

"Yes."

The manager who had just brought Lu Li and his group into the hall responded.

"Where is Yue'er?"

"Replying to Your Highness, I have already sent someone to the courtyard wing rooms to invite the County Princess to the grand hall."

Manager Yang replied.

"Mm."

King Yun, Qin Ming, nodded.

As soon as he finished speaking, not long after, soft footsteps could be heard from outside the hall. A petite young girl, dressed in a light blue silk dress, slowly walked into the grand hall. She seemed a little flustered and stood beside King Yun.

"Yue'er."

King Yun slightly emphasized his tone as he called the girl's name.

"My daughter, Qin Yue, greets all Immortal Masters."

Qin Yue performed a curtsy.

She raised her eyes and secretly observed Lu Li and his group standing in the hall.

Finally, her gaze fell upon the gilded cloud crane pattern on Chen Yan's sleeve cuff, as if wondering why only this young Immortal Master's attire was different from the others.

Of course, Qian Xun, as a disciple of Yuanhua Mountain, also had slight differences in his Daoist Robe compared to the Outer Court Disciples, though it wasn't very obvious.

The neckline of the Yuanhua Mountain Daoist Robe had several thin, light blue wave patterns painted on it, extending all the way to the opening of the robe.

Compared to the gilded cloud crane of Kongyuan Mountain, it was indeed less conspicuous.

Afterward, Qin Yue raised her head, her gaze briefly met Chen Yan's, and then she quickly averted her eyes.

"Yue'er, what is it?"

King Yun asked.

"It's nothing, Father. My daughter is just curious why only that Immortal Master's Daoist Robe is different from the others."

Qin Yue replied.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, King Yun looked in Chen Yan's direction and also noticed the gilded cloud crane pattern painted on his sleeve cuff. He then raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Is this Immortal Master a disciple of Kongyuan Mountain?"

"Indeed."

Chen Yan bowed in King Yun's direction and then said.

"Does the Immortal Master happen to know an Immortal Master from Kongyuan Mountain named Zhao Bin?"

King Yun asked.