Chapter 257 - 194: Birthday Celebration at the Dragon Palace

In that moment, Qin Xuan cursed Ji Boyan and eighteen generations of his ancestors in his mind.

’Just because my cultivation is the lowest, he’s sending me up?!’

’That son of a bitch Ji Boyan, why don’t you just drop dead!’

"I humbly accept the Demon Monarch’s decree. It is my utmost honor," Qin Xuan said, bowing with the utmost respect.

Ji Boyan nodded, satisfied.

His figure vanished, yet the pressure on deck seemed to intensify.

All eyes focused on Qin Xuan.

Qin Xuan felt his scalp go numb.

The East Sea sent a Purple Mansion Demon Cultivator to welcome the Holy Sect’s Nascent Soul, intending to put Ji Boyan in his place. And what did he do? He just washed his hands of the whole affair, sending a Purple Mansion Cultivator like him instead.

’You, the East Sea Sect, send a Purple Mansion to greet me, a Nascent Soul? Fine. I’ll send a Purple Mansion to deal with you...’

’Let’s see how you save face now!’

But that was no different from throwing me into a pit of fire.

No wonder the divination had said this journey was one of great peril. The slightest misstep would lead to utter damnation.

’That damned Ji Boyan, using me to walk into the line of fire. I won’t forget this!’

Qin Xuan took a deep breath. He cupped his fists at Shi Potian and the others with a wry smile.

"Senior Brother Shi, Senior Brother Lei, the Demon Monarch has commanded it, so this little brother..."

"It’s fine. The Demon Monarch gave us instructions before he left. Junior Brother Qin, you need not worry," Lei Wanjun said via Telepathy, a faint smile on his face.

Shi Potian and Pang Tunyun, the two Star Mansion Cultivators, fell into place behind Qin Xuan, flanking him along with Lei Wanjun. They stood like three Dharma-Protecting Demon Gods, their menacing aura incredibly intimidating.

Only then did Qin Xuan relax slightly.

He carefully sized up the welcoming party from the East Sea.

The leader, Yun Nianqing, was dressed in a simple, elegant cyan dress. After her breakthrough to the Purple Mansion realm, the faint traces of cyan scales on her face had vanished.

Only the pair of small, deer-like antlers on her head were now even more conspicuous.

"I am Qin Xuan. A pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Yun."

Qin Xuan cupped his fists. "By order of the Demon Monarch, I am responsible for liaising with you all on our journey to the Crystal Palace to celebrate the Venerable Lord’s birthday."

Though his heart pounded with anxiety, Qin Xuan’s expression was perfectly composed, neither servile nor arrogant.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, this way, please."

In contrast to Qin Xuan’s composure, Yun Nianqing appeared somewhat flustered.

Especially feeling the fierce gazes of the three Demon Cultivators behind Qin Xuan, Yun Nianqing found her confidence wavering, and a flicker of unease appeared in her eyes.

’I’ve heard the Blood Demon Sect has a Nascent Soul Demon Monarch who excels at Mind Control and can possess any Low-Tier Cultivator in an instant. I must be cautious. For all I know, the Demon Monarch could be hiding among them!’

At this thought, Yun Nianqing grew even more cautious as she led the way forward.

SPLASH!

As several Techniques were cast,

spiritual light flared and the surface of the sea parted.

A magnificent carriage, pulled by three Golden Core Realm Fish Demons, rose slowly from the water. It was entirely crimson and radiated a brilliant light.

One of the Demon Cultivators couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.

"Truly fitting for the Dragon Lord’s birthday celebration. What a display of pomp! They’re actually using Golden Core Demon Race members to pull a carriage!"

Shi Potian, however, curled his lip and spoke in a low-toned telepathic message.

"Hmph. No matter how high their Cultivation, it’s still just a Red-Scaled Fish Carriage... They’re underestimating us. When I return to the Holy Sect, I will definitely report this to Master Demon Child!"

As he spoke, he took out a Memory Stone to record the scene, his expression turning grim.

Pang Tunyun’s eyes narrowed, and his voice was low. "Indeed. We are representing the Holy Sect, after all. I thought the East Sea would at least use a Cyan Scale Flood Dragon Carriage, or failing that, a Purple Armored Turtle Carriage..."

"I can’t believe they dared to bring out a Red-Scaled Fish Carriage. The East Sea has gone too far!"

Qin Xuan didn’t understand what they meant.

Beside him, Lei Wanjun explained via Telepathy, "The East Sea is a realm unto itself, and the Dragon Lord is one of the three most powerful Divinity Transformation Venerables in the world today."

"All guests invited to the Dragon Palace are ranked according to a strict hierarchy.

"Different carriages represent different levels of treatment. The highest is the Purple Gold Flood Dragon Carriage, pulled by nine Golden Core Flood Dragons, reserved for Venerable Divinity Transformation guests.

"Next is the Six Flood Dragons Red Carriage, followed by the Three Flood Dragon Cyan Carriage, both used to welcome guests from Nascent Soul Level factions."

"Golden Core Level factions are received by Python Demons, Purple Mansion by Profound Turtles... and at the very bottom, Foundation Establishment factions are received by Fish Demons!"

Realization dawned on Qin Xuan, and his expression turned ugly.

’We’ve only just arrived in the East Sea, and they’re already trying to make things difficult for the Holy Sect Cultivators?’

’Our Holy Sect has two Venerable Divinity Transformation masters! The East Sea must have eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard to welcome us with a Red-Scaled Fish Carriage meant for a Foundation Establishment faction!’

But looking at the timid Yun Nianqing ahead, Qin Xuan felt this wasn’t something a Venerable Divinity Transformation would orchestrate.

It was too petty.

Clearly, the various Royal Families within the East Sea were not a monolith.

There were hardliners who wanted to put the Holy Sect in its place, and pragmatists who didn’t want to completely burn their bridges.

That’s why, even though it was a Red-Scaled Fish Carriage, they used three Golden Core Demon Cultivators to pull it!

’Damn it, why is this situation so complicated? I just came to wish someone a happy birthday, and now it seems they’re trying to get me killed!’

Qin Xuan subconsciously tightened his grip on the Crystal Bracelet on his wrist. A faint warmth radiated from it, offering a small measure of comfort.

...

Ten thousand fathoms below the sea, palaces stretched on and on.

The carriage cut through the vast emerald waves, passed through layer after layer of wondrous sights, and finally arrived at the deep-sea Dragon Palace.

"So this is the mansion of a Venerable Divinity Transformation..."

One of the Demon Cultivators, seeing such a magnificent sight for the first time, was utterly mesmerized.

Countless Spirit Crystals and precious jades were piled high to form an immense palace, its brilliance dazzling and its grandeur extraordinary.

Led by Yun Nianqing, the group of Demon Cultivators stepped into the main hall.

"How did the Sinful Demons from the Blood Demon Sword Sect get in here? Are they looking to die?!"

Countless powerful Divine Thoughts swept over them.

Upon seeing that Qin Xuan’s group only had Purple Mansion Cultivation, a hot-tempered Golden Core True Monarch from the Demon Race slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet, bellowing furiously.

"Send for Ji Boyan and Chen Xuanba! You are mere Purple Mansion juniors. How dare you enter this place?"

"Get out! You are not welcome in the East Sea!"

BOOM!

A wave of Demon Qi surged forth, revealing the true scene within the palace.