Li Qingshan's expression remained calm, but a hint of understanding flashed deep in his eyes.
He naturally remembered that more than a year ago, by chance, he had rescued Emperor Weapon Yan Ruyu of the demon race, who possessed the Chaos Green Lotus, a demon race imperial weapon, and her people.
They had made an agreement with the Azure Flood Dragon King, promising that Jade Pool would provide protection for his lineage.
"Please send the messenger to the side hall for welcoming guests."
Li Qingshan gave the order in a calm tone.
"Yes."
Yun Zhi accepted the order, and her figure vanished.
After Yun Zhi left, Lin Qingyao looked at Li Qingshan, her beautiful eyes asking:
"Junior brother, when did you first cross paths with the Azure Flood Dragon King?"
gentle tone
She knew that Li Qingshan had had a very eventful trip, but she didn't know all the specific details.
Li Qingshan stood up, his black robes fluttering, and calmly said:
Previously, while traveling, he had accidentally rescued Princess Yan Ruyu's family.
This visit may be related to this.
His words were concise, without elaborating on the Cause and Effect.
But the name " Yan Ruyu " was like a small pebble, gently thrown into Lin Qingyao's heart, which was originally just rippling.
" Yan Ruyu, is she the legendary princess with unparalleled beauty and the blood of a demon emperor?"
Lin Qingyao's tone remained calm and natural, as if she were asking a routine question.
But those Xing Mou that were fixed on Li Qingshan froze slightly for a moment, almost imperceptibly.
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden was one of the most renowned fairies in the Eastern Wasteland, possessing unparalleled beauty and ethereal grace.
She had also heard of Yan Ruyu's reputation for beauty; she was recognized as the most beautiful woman in the demon race, and even among human cultivators, her Feng Cai was widely praised.
Now, upon hearing that Li Qingshan was actually involved with this demon princess, he even promised to "do something small."
A faint, inexplicable sense of unease rose within her.
It's her.
Li Qingshan noticed Lin Qingyao's subtle psychological change and sensed something was amiss, but he didn't dwell on it and simply nodded truthfully.
"She carries on an important lineage of the demon race, and her situation is precarious; I did it on a whim at the time."
He spoke casually, but the words "difficult situation" and "doing it on a whim" were clearly there.
To Lin Qingyao, however, it automatically filled in the blanks of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress.
The image of Li Qingshan chivalrously rescuing the stunningly beautiful demon princess from danger flashed through her mind.
This caused her slender fingers inside her sleeve to unconsciously curl slightly.
She quickly suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, and her face returned to its usual gentle smile, though the smile seemed slightly fainter than before.
"I see.
Since my junior brother made a promise, I should keep it.
I'll go with you to take a look.
"Good."
Li Qingshan nodded.
The two then stood up and, one after the other, stepped out of the Immortal Pool Secret Realm.
Along the way, they encountered disciples and elders from Jade Pool. Seeing the Holy Son and Holy Daughter walking together, everyone still bowed respectfully and whispered their praises.
Lin Qingyao maintained the dignified demeanor of a saintess, with a smile on her face and appropriate manners.
But her mind was no longer as fully immersed in the subtle joy of walking side by side as it had been when they arrived.
Instead, the name that lingered in her mind was Yan Ruyu, a name she had never met but which had already caused her some unease.
Soon, the two arrived at the welcoming side hall.
Outside the hall, two elders in charge of foreign affairs were accompanying a demon cultivator who had taken human form.
This man exuded a fierce aura and had sharp eyes; he was none other than a capable lieutenant under the Azure Flood Dragon King.
He held in his hands a cyan jade pendant that exuded a hint of Daoist charm; it was the token that Li Qingshan had given to Yan Ruyu earlier.
Upon seeing Li Qingshan and Lin Qingyao arrive, the two foreign affairs elders hurriedly stepped forward:
"Holy Son, Holy Daughter"
The demon messenger stepped forward, bowing deeply, his tone filled with urgency and respect:
"This humble demon, Qing Lin, is here on the orders of the Azure Flood Dragon King to pay homage to the Eastern Exalt!"
I have met the Jade Pool Holy Maiden!
His gaze was mainly focused on Li Qingshan, filled with obvious awe.
The news that Li Qingshan had returned from Purple Mountain, carrying the legacy of Wu Shi, had already spread throughout the Big Dipper.
The demon race, being well-informed, naturally knew just how terrifying this young man, now revered as the " Eastern Exalt," truly was.
"Why did the Azure Flood Dragon King send you here?"
Li Qingshan glanced at the token and asked directly.
The messenger, Qing Lin, dared not delay and quickly replied:
"Reporting to the Eastern Exalt, His Majesty has sent this Eastern Exalt to earnestly request that you fulfill your promise made that day!"
Princess Yan's lineage was recently besieged and intercepted by an unknown force, suffering considerable losses, despite the King's best efforts to mediate.
But the other party is powerful and seems to have a very strong background.
To ensure that Princess Yan and the Emperor Weapon are not lost, the king decided to immediately escort the princess's lineage to Jade Pool.
Seeking refuge under the Eastern Exalt's command!
Judging by the timeline, we should arrive at the gates of Jade Pool Mountain no later than three months from now!
He spoke quickly, with anxiety in his voice:
"Your Majesty has said that this matter concerns the imperial lineage of the demon race and may have far-reaching implications. I hope that the Eastern Exalt will make preparations as soon as possible!"
I've heard that Yan Ruyu's lineage not only has a past connection with Li Qingshan, but is also about to seek refuge in Jade Pool, and will even arrive at the mountain gate in a few months.
Lin Qingyao's heart tightened suddenly.
She glanced at Li Qingshan instinctively.
Li Qingshan's expression remained unchanged, as if he had expected this.
He knew this day would come when he made that promise.
He hesitated for a moment, then spoke:
"Reply to the Azure Flood Dragon King, the Jade Pool is already known."
I will make the arrangements.
With a tap of the fingertip, one is instantly transported to the wonderful world of Chapter 234: Yan Ruyu is about to arrive at Jade Pool.
I will make the arrangements.
"Thank you Eastern Exalt! Thank you Eastern Exalt!"
Upon hearing this, the messenger Qing Lin was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly, finally feeling a great weight lifted from his heart.
With the Eastern Exalt, who wields the Beginningless Bell, speaking up, Princess Yan's lineage is now secure.
After the messenger left, only Li Qingshan, Lin Qingyao, and the two foreign affairs elders remained in the side hall.
An elder in charge of foreign affairs looked hesitant and carefully considered his words before speaking:
"Holy Son, accepting the lineage of the demon princess is no small matter."
Present Self Jade Pool is already in the eye of the storm, attracting the attention of all forces. If we get too deeply involved with the demon race now, we will be in serious trouble.
Especially since it involves the Emperor Weapon of the demon race, it might attract even more controversy and trouble. Should we consult the Queen Mother of the West before making a decision?
Before Li Qingshan could speak, Lin Qingyao suddenly spoke up. Her voice was still clear and melodious, but it carried a hint of coldness and determination rarely seen in her usual tone.
"No need."
She stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Li Qingshan, her gaze sweeping over the two elders, her saintly aura emanating naturally:
"Since the Holy Son has made a promise in public, Jade Pool will certainly keep its word."
Protecting Yan Ruyu's lineage is not an alliance with the demon race, but rather a fulfillment of a promise to protect the weak, and also a demonstration of the magnanimity and responsibility of Jade Pool.
As for external criticism,
She paused slightly, her gaze seemingly fleetingly sweeping over Li Qingshan's calm profile from the corner of her eye:
"Why should I, Jade Pool, need to consider the opinions of others when I act?"
The Holy Son, having inherited the Great Emperor's lineage and wielding the Emperor Weapon, the Beginningless Bell, naturally possesses the confidence to face any storm.
"Pass down the order: prepare to welcome the guests immediately; there must be no delay."
Upon hearing this, the two foreign affairs elders exchanged a glance, both seeing admiration in each other's eyes. They said no more, bowed, and left to accept the order.
After the elder left, only Li Qingshan and Lin Qingyao remained in the side hall.
Lin Qingyao lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyelids.
She took a light breath, and as if casually, asked in a seemingly relaxed tone:
"That Princess Yan is said to be exceptionally beautiful, possessing imperial blood, and is a rare and extraordinary woman in the world."
My junior brother's "casual" assistance that day must have been due to his admiring beauty and a feeling of pity, right?
She was taken aback when she asked the question, and her ears burned slightly. She was secretly annoyed at herself for asking such an inappropriate and jealous question.
This is completely out of character for her usual aloof and reserved demeanor.
Upon hearing this, Li Qingshan turned to look at her.
He was not a dull person; he may not have noticed Lin Qingyao's subtle emotional changes earlier.
But at this moment, this question, which clearly carried a probing tone, allowed him to clearly detect the hidden sourness.
He looked at Lin Qingyao's profile, which was trying to remain calm but couldn't hide a hint of embarrassment. Her slightly red earlobes looked particularly sparkling and lovely under the brilliance of the pearls in the hall.
For some reason, instead of feeling troubled, he felt a faint sense of pleasure.
He didn't answer her question directly, but instead leaned forward slightly, getting a little closer to her.
His gaze fell on her slightly trembling eyelashes, and he spoke in a low, calm voice that only the two of them could hear:
"The world's appearances are nothing but rosy bones."
When the great principles clash, how can one have time to attend to other matters?
His breath brushed past her ear, carrying a faint, cool scent like that of a pine tree after a snowfall, yet strangely stirring the calm of her heart.
"What I did was simply follow my heart and keep my promise."
That's true for her.
He paused, his gaze lingering intently on Lin Qingyao's beautiful eyes, which widened slightly in surprise. His tone carried an indescribable meaning.
"The same applies to Jade Pool (Jade Pool)."
After speaking, he straightened up, resuming his usual distance and demeanor, as if the brief moment of closeness and whispering had never happened.
His words and that instant closeness stirred up turbulent emotions in Lin Qingyao's heart, like a lake with a boulder thrown in.
"This applies to her, and it also applies to Jade Pool."
Is he explaining something, or is he implying something?
Was he telling her that he had no special feelings for Yan Ruyu, and that everything he did was simply follow his heart and his promise?
What about Jade Pool, and her?
Countless thoughts swirled in her mind, leaving her in a state of turmoil, and the blush on her cheeks spread uncontrollably.
She dared not look at Li Qingshan again, hurriedly lowering her head to hide her embarrassment, her voice barely audible.
"I... I'll go and supervise my junior sisters' cultivation."
After saying that, he turned around almost hastily and quickly left the side hall, his back view carrying a hint of fleeing in panic.
Li Qingshan stood there, watching Lin Qingyao's fleeting figure, his black robes fluttering gently in the breeze.
He reached out his hand, his fingertips still seemingly carrying the lingering fragrance of lotus blossoms from her body when he approached her.
He remained silent for a moment, and deep within his eyes, beneath the usual indifference and profundity, something seemed to be quietly melting away.
However, this subtle emotional fluctuation was quickly suppressed.
His gaze shifted to the outside of the hall, as if he could already see the demon race that would arrive three months later, weary from their journey, seeking refuge with him.
The arrival of Yan Ruyu's lineage will undoubtedly add further uncertainty to the already turbulent Jade Pool.
The "unknown forces" and "extremely powerful background" mentioned by the Azure Flood Dragon King's messenger are probably not unfounded.
Peaceful days are, after all, fleeting.
His path to becoming emperor was destined to be one of constant turmoil and conquest, a journey marked by perseverance and resilience.
At this moment, a faint ripple of girlish emotion stirs within.
It also quietly merged into this mighty torrent, adding an indescribable and complex color to it.