Free Web NovelChapter 1218: Chapter 942: Three-Way Conference (Part 2)
"Okay, I’ll get right on it!"
Hu Zhile floated back to the courtyard to prepare, while Yan Xuan had a sudden idea and hurriedly shouted before Ling Di could, "Master! Master, let’s host this banquet for the guests at the Turquoise Pool! Or rather, since you don’t want to reveal it to the outside world yet, let’s call it the Jade Platform, how about that?"
It bounced up, extending its paw to recommend with a wave, "Look how beautiful the scenery here is, and it faces our courtyard from afar. The islands, big and small, have plenty of space. Hosting a banquet here, even with little introduction, will let the guests admire our new scenery!"
Ling Di pursed his lips; his proud Menghua Treasure Ship hadn’t even appeared to flaunt around yet, but a senior had spoken, and he had to give face.
Besides, this banquet’s outcome was crucial to whether the Cloud Concealment Sect could relocate; he was too preoccupied to show off now. After the banquet, it wouldn’t be too late to take the guests on the ship for a tour.
As he was thinking, Jiang Yuan set it up in the system interface, and the entire Kunlun Divine Mountain was protected and became part of the courtyard. The activity range of the Menghua Treasure Ship expanded dramatically and slowly floated over.
The sight of the Treasure Ship gliding over the Turquoise Pool was like catching a glimpse of a corner of the Celestial Realm from days of yore, a truly awe-inspiring scene!
"Sir, does that old geezer Du Li qualify to attend?" Qu Luming asked quietly, "If so, we don’t even need an invitation, I’ll just give him a shout."
"Of course, I think Zhile has taken it into account, so there should be an invitation. Please help deliver it."
"Rest assured, I’ll handle it!"
After Qu Luming finished muttering, Xie Chenyuan stepped forward for instructions, "Recently, the daughter of the City Lord of Carefree City, Gongxi Jin, sent me a message. She said she received your benevolence of a Supreme Treasure, and now, with some achievements in her cultivation, she wishes to pay a visit to express gratitude and fulfill past promises."
Jiang Yuan was taken aback, "What promise?"
If memory serves, the side quest involving Gongxi Jin concluded with giving her a scroll of the Mountain and River Map to forge Good Karma. After that, there was no interaction; what promise is there to fulfill?
"I was present when you gave her that Treasure," Xie Chenyuan said quietly, "I remember Gongxi Jin swore to never forget your kindness and to work hard in cultivation, awaiting your future orders. Now, perhaps she wishes to pledge allegiance? After all, the City Lord of Carefree City’s progeny are many, and being the youngest, Gongxi Jin sees no chance of inheritance, so she may be looking for a way out."
Jiang Yuan: ...
He really didn’t remember such a thing happening, but since Good Karma was established, it was just a matter of adding an extra pair of chopsticks, so he decided to invite her over as well.
With the guest list confirmed, Hu Zhile went to organize the invitations, while Jiang Yuan turned to the kitchen to brush up on his Cooking Skill.
Old Dog, carrying the invitations, left the courtyard, using spatial traversal to deliver them one by one.
Aside from the Cloud Concealment Sect, the other nine sects, upon learning that Ling Di was delivering the invitation on behalf of Daoist You, were puzzled—a Tribulation Crossing Realm Demon Beast, used to deliver messages?
Could the rumors be true: that the ancestor-level demon beast of the Cloud Concealment Sect was just a watchdog at Daoist You’s house?
Otherwise, why would it endure such toilsome travel?
The Cloud Concealment Sect had repeatedly divined that chaos was coming, and now, with this up-and-coming figure so closely connected, they wanted to seize the opportunity to understand what was truly happening.
Even though the Ancient Ten Great Sects were close, they were not of the same sect or disciples; each had its own plans and intentions. If they could probe into Daoist You’s depth during this visit, it would be beneficial for future cooperation.
Thus, upon receiving the invitations, each sect leader gladly accepted the invitation.
The sun was high in the sky, and Du Li gently kicked the iron-clad lion demon’s leg, urging, "Don’t dawdle, today we’re visiting an Alchemist. I’m bringing you along to see if he can concoct some Elixir to heal you. If you’re so unwilling, you can rest at home while I attend alone."
The little lion perked up immediately, "I’m going, I’m going! Why didn’t you say earlier? You beat me up so badly. That Elixir you gave wasn’t very effective, anyway; I ache all over right now."
Following Du Li these past two days had truly been an eye-opener!
One had to admit, demon cultivators appearing in human form really played with some peculiar novelties. Just the food and drink alone was far superior to what demon beasts had.
The iron-clad lion demon happily followed its master, thinking how he was at least a Vice Alliance Hierarch’s Spirit Pet and a Void Refinement Realm Great Demon Beast. In just two days, any demon cultivator he met nodded and smiled, full of flattery.
Going to the banquet, how could it not sit in the high seat, indulging in a feast to its heart’s content!
Upon teleporting to Carefree City, Hu Zhile was already waiting at the old spot, and after meeting again, they teleported directly to the courtyard. The next second, Du Li and the iron-clad lion demon were both stunned.
"Oh my goodness!" The little lion, nurtured in the wilderness’s forests, couldn’t help but curse, shouting, "Master, look at the place people live, truly majestic and magnificent! Your Demon Realm Alliance headquarters, apart from houses, are just houses, compared to this courtyard, they’re way lacking."
Du Li glanced at it without replying, walked a few steps forward to observe the vast mountain range below, and the blue-green shimmering Spirit Pool atop the mountain in detail.
Qu Luming kept saying that this was the Kunlun Divine Mountain and Turquoise Pool; whether it was true or not, he had never seen them, naturally unable to discern. But such grandeur was rare in the world; perhaps it truly was possible.
The wind blowing through the mountain ravines carried a rich Spiritual Energy, like clouds, like mist, refreshing and exhilarating. For a moment, Du Li wished to put down his burden and live in seclusion within this vast Divine Mountain, seeking immortality and following his path in carefree contentment.
However, his beautiful fantasy was soon shattered—the next group teleported in was actually the sect leaders of the Ancient Ten Great Sects!
Du Li had never expected to meet his ’adversaries’ directly in such a setting; he was completely bewildered;
The other side was clearly surprised too; each sect leader had brought two direct disciples, thirty people in total, and they took two steps forward with a strong sense of vigilance.
"Daoist You, what is the meaning of this?" the Pavilion Master of the Black Tortoise Pavilion asked coldly.
Jiang Yuan merely smiled and gestured for them to follow, "Esteemed sect leaders, Alliance Leader Du, please follow me."
Everyone maintained a stern expression, but the sect leaders were accommodating, ordering their disciples to first follow Hu Zhile away; Du Li, seeing this, also waved at the iron-clad lion demon, signaling it to amuse itself.
"I’m aware of the long-standing grudges between both sides, but you’ve never met before in your lives; there’s no sense in holding unfounded grudge," Jiang Yuan led the way, bringing them aboard the Menghua Treasure Ship, smiling, "Why not take this opportunity to meet here today and discuss how the future of the Wilderness World should be managed."
He had originally planned to find time to talk with Du Li and others, but since Ling Di and Qu Luming both suggested inviting their people over, he decided: no time like the present, to lay all cards on the table!
Seated for tea, the twelve individuals divided into three factions, making Du Li appear particularly isolated and vulnerable.
"What profound intention does Daoist You have in this arrangement?" the Sect Leader of Chenxi Valley asked, expressionless, "You’re not trying to play mediator, convincing the two races to shake hands and make peace, surely?
If that’s your intention, I advise Daoist You to spare the effort. Between us humans and the wilderness-raiding, plundering demon race, reconciliation is absolutely impossible!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, while Cang Rui, caught in the middle, looked conflicted, uncertain of the consequences the current situation would unfold into.
Especially since it involved the mysterious Daoist You, he dared not casually use Divination.
"Everyone, please calm your nerves." Jiang Yuan gestured, then countered, "The demands of the Ancient Ten Great Sects have always been for the demon race to withdraw from the Wilderness World, returning its rightful ownership, correct?
But from ancient times till now, whether it’s the slaughter-endorsing Xuanyuan Yangguang or past seniors trying to solve the issue with overt actions, using demon cultivators to slay demon beasts, none succeeded. Instead, demon beasts have only grown more numerous, and now the entire Wilderness World is overwhelmed, incapable of maintaining its original state at night.
This clearly indicates that slaughter is not the answer. At least in the Wilderness World, eradicating demon beasts and cultivators through slaughter will not return this land to the human race."
Indeed, hearing this, the expressions of the human cultivators eased slightly. The Pavilion Master of the Black Tortoise Pavilion pressed, "Then, what solution does Daoist You propose?"
Du Li couldn’t help rolling his eyes in his mind, thinking how the Wilderness World was on the brink of collapse. Once the collective Ascension plan achieved fruition, what difference do demon race or human race make? Wouldn’t they all abandon this collapsing world to save themselves?
Discussing such matters at this time, what use would it possibly have.
Jiang Yuan did not directly answer, but turned to Du Li, asking, "Alliance Leader Du, to my knowledge, you are not a native Wilderness cultivator; rather, you drifted here as a child, making it your home, and vowed to save this world, thus giving rise to your Heart Demon.
Also, though the Demon Realm Alliance keeps quiet, the truth is the demon beast numbers in the Wilderness World are growing, becoming its overwhelming burden.
And the Alliance has always attempted to guide demon cultivators to slay demon beasts, trying to reduce their numbers through slaughter to diminish their threat to the Wilderness World. Am I right?"
