Grand Spectacle, Petty Tricks

"Senior Brother Changshou, you and I bear the responsibility of leading the team today. From here on, we must work together and uphold the prestige of our Du Xian Sect."

"Mm, Junior Sister Youqin is right."

"Senior Brother Changshou, before departure, the elders instructed us that several Celestial Immortal seniors of the sect will soon be going to the main platform, while we are headed for the viewing stands. Trouble is likely to arise during this time, so we must keep a careful watch."

"Mm, Junior Sister Youqin makes a good point."

"Senior Brother Changshou, have your past few years of cultivation gone smoothly?"

"Mm, what Junior Sister Youqin said is very... My cultivation has been all right. It has gone rather smoothly."

Li Changshou answered with a smile, silently adding in his heart:

That was also thanks to you, Poisonous Junior Sister, being continuously punished with closed-door reflection.

Youqin Xuanya pressed her thin lips together. For a moment, she could not find a new topic, yet she still tried hard to keep the conversation going...

Unfortunately, the vast majority of her life experience consisted of cultivation. She could hardly recite a passage from a Dao scripture on the spot.

Perhaps seeing how painfully she was wracking her brains, Li Changshou took the initiative. "Rest your mind for now. Later, Junior Sister Youqin, you will have to shoulder an important responsibility."

"Mm." Youqin Xuanya nodded in response and obediently closed her eyes to rest. Her pursed lips relaxed as well, returning to their usual cool detachment.

At the same time, because of Li Changshou's words, the young disciples secretly observing the two of them also found Li Changshou's "self-awareness" rather agreeable...

After flying for two hours, with still quite a distance remaining to the Shore of the East Sea, the Du Xian Sect party encountered seven or eight other "immortal sect delegations."

To deal with the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace's invitation to this assembly, the immortal sects that had received invitations had secretly discussed many arrangements.

For instance, each sect's delegation would consist of more than ten disciples and more than ten True Immortals, around thirty people in total.

This would make it seem as though the human Qi Refiners did not place much importance on this Demon-Quelling Assembly. They were only reluctantly participating to give the Dragon Palace some face.

For another, sparring at the assembly was to stop at the proper point, with every effort made to avoid bloodshed. Even if immortal sects bore old grudges against one another, they had to suppress them for the time being and could not let the dragons watch them make fools of themselves for nothing.

There were many similar agreements.

The main purpose behind these agreements was to keep the human Qi Refiners from losing face before the dragons and to display the bearing of the current Protagonists of Heaven and Earth.

Among them was one rather peculiar agreement—every immortal sect had to send young disciples under one hundred and fifty years old.

Why was that?

Most of the young disciples traveling with the group were puzzled by this, yet did not dare ask carelessly. Li Changshou, however, knew a little about it.

Dragon eggs needed at least one hundred and fifty years of incubation before they could hatch. Young dragons were effectively cultivating inside their eggs the entire time.

The Dragon Palace's young dragons possessed extraordinary strength the moment they broke out of their shells. After cultivating for a hundred years, they could become immortals. Those with Dragon King Bloodline possessed even more formidable innate divine abilities.

Based on the experience of previous assemblies of this kind, the Dragon Palace would always send out young dragons to swagger and flaunt their might, taking the opportunity to mock the human Qi Refiners.

As long as the young disciples of every sect were under one hundred and fifty years old, if they faced these young dragons and won, they were naturally superior in skill, and their immortal sects would rejoice. If they lost, it would not count as a loss of face...

Human fortune gathered in the Southern Continent of Buzhou, while the experts among human Qi Refiners congregated in the Central Divine Continent.

If the immortal sects of the Eastern Continent could not hold their heads high before the Dragon Palace, they would also face censure from those great sects in the Central Divine Continent. That was why the immortal sects of the Eastern Continent cared so deeply about the word "face."

As they neared the Shore of the East Sea, the sky was filled with white clouds wreathed in immortal light.

Though the number of immortal sects in the Eastern Continent of Sheng was too great to count, fewer than a hundred were qualified to receive invitations from the Dragon Palace.

Yet in order to draw clear boundaries for the Eastern Sea this time, the Dragon Palace had not only invited Three Teachings Immortal Sects with deep foundations like the Du Xian Sect, but also immortal sects large and small throughout the long, narrow region along the edge of the Eastern Sea.

As a result, even though each immortal sect had sent only thirty people, the number of attendees was still enormous. The skies near the assembly grounds were somewhat...

Cloud-jammed.

The disciples of the Du Xian Sect had all risen to their feet by now. Youqin Xuanya had also returned to her original position, ready at any moment to heed the instructions of the martial uncles and martial elders at the front.

Li Changshou did not look much at his surroundings. He merely stood quietly in a corner, eyes watching his nose, ears listening to his heart.

A disciple ahead exclaimed in admiration:

"As expected of a Demon-Quelling Assembly hosted by the Dragon Palace. Ten thousand immortals have truly gathered here—it is immensely grand."

"Every sect has to give the Dragon Palace this much face, after all. They are one of the three great ancient races."

A male immortal turned and rebuked him, "Watch your words, and observe more!

Do not count the roots and origins of others on their own turf. It is easy to commit a taboo that way!"

"Yes, this disciple misspoke. Please do not blame me, Martial Uncle."

Another female disciple suddenly said, "Is that the site of this assembly?"

Everyone looked in the direction she pointed, and cries of admiration immediately rose again.

Li Changshou also glanced toward the horizon and could not help raising an eyebrow.

What a spectacle.

What an array!

Far to the southeast, on the sea surface at an unknown distance from them, stood an incomparably enormous waterspout.

Like the stem of a lotus flower, it carried a vast quantity of seawater into the sky and spread it into a gigantic water-lotus platform.

The waterspout was fixed in place by immortal power, standing unmoving. The water-lotus platform above was broad and steady, while clouds and mist swirled around it like an immortal realm above the sea.

That was the main venue of the Demon-Quelling Assembly.

A True Immortal from the sect joked with a smile, "When the Dragon Palace puts on a spectacle like this, they truly have never disappointed."

Li Changshou chuckled at that and glanced at Martial Uncle Jiu Jiu, who stood among several female immortals...

Throughout the journey, Martial Uncle Jiu Jiu seemed to have become a different person—unbelievably quiet. Not only did she not touch the little gourd at her waist, she hardly dared say a word.

After all, her revered master was right above them.

It had to be said that this version of his little martial uncle was truly obedient and endearing.

After "working together" with Martial Uncle Jiu for the past few years to refine pills and set up arrays, the longer he knew this martial uncle, the more Li Changshou felt that she could only be described in five words—

What a pity she could talk.

Ahem, just a joke. A joke.

The closer they drew to the waterspout and lotus platform, the more directly they could sense the grandeur of the sight. Their companions continuously marveled at the Dragon Palace's lavish display.

The sea surface was packed with Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals. These soldiers and generals were by no means comparable to the lesser demons Lan Ling'e had slain before; each possessed a solid, condensed aura.

Even the weakest Shrimp Soldier's aura fluctuations rivaled those of a Qi Refiner in the Dao Attainment Realm. Clearly, the forces arrayed here were the elite of the Dragon Palace Navy.

At this time, the Heavenly Court was impoverished and bare. The Heavenly River had neither soldiers nor generals, and the post of Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Court Navy existed in name alone. Among all naval forces beneath Heaven and Earth, the strongest was the Four Seas Dragon Palaces.

As white clouds approached the water lotus one after another, waves of Dragon roars resounded from the waterspout, which was ten li in diameter.

Dozens of azure dragons of various colors burst from the waterspout, soaring up and down around it!

Layer upon layer of water curtains descended from the edge of the water-lotus platform above. Under the sunlight, rainbow after rainbow hung throughout the sky...

Looking again at the water-lotus platform, figures rose into the air one after another, numbering a full three thousand.

They were Immortal Flood Dragon Soldiers of the dragon race, clad in bright silver armor. Most bore human forms, with dark skin and dragon horns growing from their heads.

Their true forms were immortal flood dragons whose bloodlines were close to that of the dragon race. They were also one of the Dragon Palace's primary fighting forces and had been renowned since ancient times.

These three thousand immortal flood dragons were evenly distributed around the water-lotus platform, responsible for maintaining order at this Demon-Quelling Assembly.

Once the Immortal Flood Dragon Soldiers had taken their places in the air, they each released their auras. They were all, without exception, in the True Immortal Realm. The scene instantly grew even more spectacular and dealt the human Qi Refiners quite a shock.

The dragon race truly was like a dead camel still bigger than a horse...

They could not be made enemies of, nor was there any need to befriend them. Best not to become entangled with them through karma...

Li Changshou pondered this silently.

A senior sister ahead asked, "Is the Dragon Palace taking this assembly so seriously?"

A female True Immortal from the sect gave a light laugh and replied quietly, "The Dragon Palace loves putting on these empty displays to proclaim their might. But who does not know the dragon race's current predicament?"

Hearing the word "predicament," Li Changshou thought of more.

Judging by the dragon race's present behavior, these former overlords of Heaven and Earth were still quite unwilling to fade into obscurity.

Look at the dragon race now—so competitive, yet still powerful enough to be called flourishing...

Then think of the Heavenly Court's cautious rain-bestowing tools after the Investiture of the Gods...

Once the Heavenly Court grew powerful, if the dragon race so much as slightly violated the Heavenly Rules, or sent down even a few hairs' breadth too much rain, they would be executed. Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow became immortal delicacies regularly sampled by the Jade Emperor...

What terrible tragedies had these three ancient titans endured before and after the Great Cataclysm of the Investiture of the Gods?

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, and his Dao heart grew even firmer in its resolve not to venture outside until he reached the Great Luo Realm!

Though the Great Cataclysm of the Investiture of the Gods was still far away, he had to begin preparing early from now on.

Li Changshou stood quietly upon the cloud, deep in thought. The Du Xian Sect's white cloud, along with several dozen others, was also among the first to drift before the water-lotus platform...

Immediately, a golden turtle gleaming with golden light flew up from the water-lotus platform.

Two "Turtle Prime Ministers" stood atop its shell. Both wore scarlet brocade robes and had turtle shells on their backs, with little heads at the ends of their necks. They looked truly rather comical.

The turtle man on the left cleared his throat, swayed the tiny Folding Fan in his hand, and spoke in a warm, rich baritone brimming with masculine charm:

"Celestial Immortals and elders of every immortal sect, please proceed to the Immortal-Tasting Platform above."

So this was the legendary... Dragon Palace's Good Voice?

Then the turtle man on the right shouted in a sharp, piercing voice:

"Disciples of every immortal sect, please enter the grounds!

The surrounding viewing stands have been prepared with Table and Chairs, fruits, delicious food, fine wine, and fresh brews! The higher-ranked immortal sects of the Eastern Continent have Tokens, so look carefully!

If you cannot read, ask one of the attendants!

As for the lower-ranked immortal sects, if there are no Tokens standing there, go find yourselves somewhere in the back to sit!"

They were exactly like two same-surnamed employees at a brothel in the human Mortal World.

"Pfft..."

Jiu Jiu, who had been quiet all the way, could not help covering her mouth and laughing. The Du Xian Sect party was also amused by the two turtle immortals.

Those turtles sure had a lot of tricks.

Naturally, the Du Xian Sect did not need to worry about lacking seats. Not only that, their seats were in the foremost ring.

At once, Venerable Wangqing and several Celestial Immortal elders flew toward the elevated platform in the air.

The sect's sixteen True Immortals positioned themselves protectively around the disciples. Abandoning the white cloud, they flew toward the Du Xian Sect's seating area.

There was absolutely nothing for Li Changshou and Youqin Xuanya, the two leaders, to do...

The immortal sects had previously agreed that each would send thirty people. The Dragon Palace clearly knew about this, yet in the seating area for each immortal sect, it had prepared only twenty-five Meditation Cushions and twenty-five low tables.

There were likewise only twenty-five portions of fruits, tea snacks, and refreshments.

Still, it was only a minor matter. Several female disciples took out Meditation Cushions and added two tables, muddling through it that way.

Those lesser immortal sects, however, received rather meager treatment. They had only rows upon rows of stone Meditation Cushions, with no low tables at all, much less fine wine and fresh fruit.

Li Changshou sat at the edge of the Du Xian Sect's seating area. Beside him stood one of the Clam Maidens serving the Du Xian Sect members.

His gaze swept over the fruits and wine before him. He gave a quiet inward sound of surprise, picked up a crystal grape and examined it twice before casually tossing it into his mouth.

The rather pretty Clam Maiden beside him immediately covered her mouth and giggled, yet said nothing. She secretly studied Li Changshou.

Very soon, Li Changshou opened his mouth and belched, already confirming what it was.

This Dragon Palace truly went all out even when playing tricks on people. They had directly served every member of the Du Xian Sect a portion of Ice Condensation Immortal Grapes, known as an Acquired Minor Spiritual Root.

Looking carefully at the areas belonging to the other sects, they had been served another variety of immortal-seed grapes.

Ice Condensation Immortal Grapes were indeed good things. Consumed in small quantities, they could nourish a Qi Refiner's Primordial Spirit, regulate a Qi Refiner's aura, and provide excellent restorative effects for the injured. They also tasted superb and were extremely valuable.

But they had one drawback: eat too many, and one would easily... pass wind... in other words, lose control of one's back door, with aura gushing out.

Moreover, the aftereffects came in unbroken waves and were difficult to endure. Even immortals could not guard against them.

After thinking it over, Li Changshou still gave Youqin Xuanya a reminder...

"Junior Sister Youqin, before eating these things, go ask the martial uncles and martial elders whether there is a problem.

I see several fellow disciples have already started eating.

Do not say that I reminded you. Just say you feel something is amiss."

Youqin Xuanya blinked and turned to look at Li Changshou. Her fair, jade-like immortal fingers were pinching a plump, peeled grape as she brought it to her mouth, her head tilting slightly.

Li Changshou:...

Fine, pretend I never mentioned it.