This Is What a Villain Is Like

Chapter 122: Chapter 84: Everyone Curses Jiang Lan, Everyone Hates Not Being Him

Although he admired Ling Zhuyun, he also understood her personality. She disliked getting involved in trivial matters, and disturbing her cultivation for no important reason would only displease her.

’Ye’s concern for me... is a bit excessive...’

’I can only apologize for his feelings. I have no interest in romance; my only desire is to pursue the Dao. I only admire him as a friend.’

Only after Ye Ming had left did Ling Zhuyun gently shake her head.

Her words seemed to be spoken to herself, yet also as if she were telling them to someone else.

"Zhu Yun, you are destined to become the Sect Leader of the Jasper Pool Sect. The Supreme Elder sees in you the hope for our sect’s resurgence."

"And you wouldn’t want to disappoint your master."

Shortly after she spoke, a graceful, middle-aged woman with a cold and stunning beauty appeared. Her gaze seemed to hold both a word of caution and a warning.

Ling Zhuyun nodded lightly. "I understand."

"Ye Ming may be extraordinary, but if he hinders your cultivation, the Sect will certainly not spare him," the woman said.

"It’s best you remain only friends. Otherwise, you’ll only bring him harm."

...

「Three days passed in a flash.」

Over these past few days, aside from the increasingly dense purple mist and astonishing phenomena in the mountains outside Anyang City, one event captured everyone’s attention. Jiang Lan, the young master of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, was hosting a "tea-brewing gathering," inviting young Celestial Prides from all corners to the Star-Picking Platform.

Nearly every cultivator and creature was talking about it.

Any disciple from a prominent Immortal Sect received an invitation. Likewise, any young member of the great Ancient Families or powerful clans present in Anyang City was also notified.

Although the young Celestial Prides were surprised by this and didn’t know what to make of it, none dared to defy him or show disrespect. No matter how strange or uncomfortable they felt, they could only hold their noses and accept.

Quite a few gossips speculated that his true intentions lay elsewhere, guessing that the young master of the Prime Minister’s Mansion planned to use the event to "select a beauty."

After all, the True Inheritors of both the Jasper Pool Sect and the Divine Maiden Palace had recently made an appearance at the Jasper Pool Sect. Each was a peerless beauty of heavenly grace with countless admirers, causing a sensation the moment they arrived.

Furthermore, the younger generation of the other major Immortal Sects was not without its own share of refined and devastatingly beautiful women.

This theory gained widespread agreement among the cultivators, who cursed him in their hearts while being endlessly envious and jealous.

Everyone cursed Jiang Lan, and everyone wished they were Jiang Lan.

Upon hearing these rumors, the various Noble Immortal Sects turned pale, yet they couldn’t deny that it seemed plausible.

Consequently, they all instructed their more attractive female disciples to lie low and avoid going out for the next few days, lest they attract Jiang Lan’s attention.

"So Jiang Lan is actually hosting a so-called ’tea-brewing gathering’ and inviting all the Celestial Prides. How ridiculous."

"Everyone knows he’s accomplished nothing in cultivation besides toying with women. A complete waste acting as host and inviting a host of young Celestial Prides..."

"It’s utterly laughable."

A man with an imposing bearing appeared on a long street. Tall and clad in golden battle armor, he rode a Barbaric Beast at the head of a group of Knights.

A golden token hung from his waist, faintly suffused with Dao Rhyme and Dragon Energy. The character "Xia" was engraved on it, revealing his identity as a member of the Royal Family.

Though the current Emperor Xia was still young, the several Princes of Great Xia were forces to be reckoned with. Each one was a regional hegemon with his own army and numerous expert Tributors in his service.

And this man was none other than Xia Jie, the third son of Prince Wuxuan.

"Third Master, Anyang City is crowded, with eyes and ears everywhere. I urge you to be cautious with your words," a man with a scholarly air advised from behind Xia Jie.

"So what if I say it? It’s the truth. He doesn’t care himself, so what’s the harm?" Xia Jie retorted with disdain, his words suggesting a familiarity with Jiang Lan.

"I came to Anyang City this time to help him pick out several fine women. Is he really going to get angry over a few words instead of thanking me properly?"

He made no attempt to conceal his words. Many of the creatures and cultivators on the street who overheard him felt a surge of contempt before quickly getting out of his way.

Members of the Royal Family were not to be trifled with. Those who seemed to recognize Xia Jie’s identity shrank away from him, treating him with the same fearful deference they showed Jiang Lan.

"Sigh..."

The man behind Xia Jie sighed, looking pained.

But Xia Jie, paying it no mind, led his large retinue of Knights toward the Inner City.

Meanwhile, on the Star-Picking Platform deep within Anyang City, the sounds of song and dance drifted through the air. Mist and clouds swirled across the vast, open space.

Maidservants were already in attendance, serving a variety of Spirit Wines and fine delicacies upon the tables. The fragrant aroma of the food and the mellow scent of the wine drifted far, making the mouths of many cultivators outside water with envy.

However, only the Celestial Prides who had received an invitation could attend this so-called tea-brewing gathering.

Ordinary cultivators weren’t even qualified to watch.

In the center of the Star-Picking Platform, all the necessary utensils for brewing tea were already laid out, and several of Anyang City’s most famous tea masters stood ready.

"It seems we’ve arrived early."

A man in a golden robe at one of the tables said.

He looked very young, around twenty years old, wearing a gold-trimmed robe.

Dragon horns protruded from his forehead, and his hair shone as brightly as the sun. A faint divine radiance emanated from behind him, a sign of his immensely powerful vitality.

He was of the Dragon-man Race. With True Dragon Blood flowing through their veins, their physiques were extraordinarily powerful, making them one of the preeminent royal Alien Races in the Nine Provinces Land.

They were also a race with close ties to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. With its backing, they had conquered many other Alien Races over the past few decades.

"Since it’s the Young Master’s invitation, no one will dare to disrespect him. Let’s just wait a little longer."

Another man in a long blue robe smiled and spoke. A scale between his eyebrows clearly marked him as a member of an Alien Race as well.

Near them sat other young figures, both men and women, Human and Alien alike. Shrouded in divine light or brimming with powerful vitality, their strength was clearly formidable.

Evidently, the clans and races they represented had deep ties to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, which was why they had arrived so early.

Their conversation was filled with respect for Jiang Lan and the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

"You all arrived so early?"

Just then, a slightly surprised voice came from nearby.

A pretty young girl approached. She was casually dressed in a simple outfit sewn from animal hide. Her face was exquisite and indistinguishable from a human’s, but upon closer inspection, one would notice her skin was slightly paler, with faint, light-blue veins visible beneath the surface. freeweɓnøvel.com

’She’s here too.’

The expressions of the young elites gathered there shifted slightly. Even the Dragon-man in the golden robe looked a little unsettled.

"Ao Xu, why are you here? Where’s your sister?" the girl asked as soon as she arrived, crossing her arms and walking toward the Dragon-man.