Chapter 258 - 194: Birthday Celebration at the Dragon Palace

On the high platform sat no fewer than nine Nascent Soul Daoist Monarchs from the Demon Race!

Some were Demon Flood Dragons, others Longevity Turtles, and still others Giant Pythons...

Each was an overlord in their own right, all appearing in their true demon forms. Their auras were majestic and overwhelming, pressing down on Qin Xuan and the others, bending their backs and making it hard to breathe!

And at the very center was a blurred, golden-robed figure with the head of a dragon and the body of a man, his presence vast and majestic.

"That must be Lord Long Gong..."

Countless gazes bore down on them, and one of the Demon Cultivators’ Dao Heart almost collapsed.

"Fear not. I am here."

Ji Boying’s voice echoed in the minds of the Demon Cultivators.

Qin Xuan and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief. But then their hearts sank as they discovered that the Blood Demon Sword Sect had been seated right in the center.

???

’Fucking hell, are they trying to get us killed?!’

This time, it wasn’t just Qin Xuan; even Pang Tunyun and the others felt like they were sitting on pins and needles.

The reason was simple: the position was far too conspicuous.

If they had been given the lowest-ranking seats before, now they were being praised to the heavens!

An old turtle at the Golden Core Stage then announced in a loud voice, "The Holy Sect Cultivators have arrived! Please, be seated!"

How could Qin Xuan and the others dare to sit?

They were mere Purple Mansion cultivators; hadn’t they noticed the Nascent Soul Daoist Monarchs standing beside them who didn’t even have seats?

"What is Dugu Hong trying to pull? Does he think the Blood Demon Sword Sect has too many young talents to spare? Sending just a few minor Star Mansion cultivators to offer congratulations."

The representative from Daqian stroked his beard and smiled.

He was a middle-aged scholar dressed in a dark-black official’s robe and a High Mountain Crown. His face was gaunt, and his three long strands of beard drifted without a wind.

Qin Xuan recognized him as Su Xiaotai, the mid-stage Nascent Soul Vice Director of the Daqian Imperial Observatory!

In addition, another elderly Daoist in a cyan robe was present from Daqian.

The cyan-robed Daoist had the air of an immortal sage and carried a Pine Pattern Ancient Sword on his back. Faint phantoms of the Cyan Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise swirled around him. His aura was sharp yet righteous, but it conspicuously lacked the phantom of the Vermilion Bird.

’This must be the Nascent Soul Sect Leader of the Celestial Mountain Four Symbols Sect!’

Upon seeing this, the other factions all broke into knowing smiles.

An old monk from the Western Buddha Country, his face gaunt and wearing a simple gray robe, shook his head slightly.

"It has been a thousand years, and the Blood Demon Sword Sect’s audacity has grown. To think they dare show such disrespect to the Dragon Lord."

The old monk held a string of an Ebony Rosary, each bead containing a miniature Manji-shaped Buddha Seal. His aura was as profound as the ocean.

"You must not, under any circumstances, follow their example."

The old monk instructed the young monks following behind him.

These young monks all bore the tell-tale ordination scars on their heads, their eyes held a glimmer of wisdom. They nodded slightly, surrounded by the faint apparitions of sandalwood incense and Buddhist chants.

"There is a Demon Monarch hidden among those people from the Blood Demon Sword Sect!"

An old crone from the Southern Border Gu Race declared with conviction. She was dressed in elaborate, colorful robes embroidered with bizarre insect patterns.

The old crone leaned on a twisted Snake-Head Wooden Staff, her face a web of intersecting tattoos. Her eyes were murky, but they flashed with a disconcerting green light as she warned, "Later, when we leave, do not walk with that pack of Demon Pups. Beware of their tricks!"

"Yes, Elder!" the young men and women beside the old crone replied in low voices.

...

Aside from these major figures, the other cultivators of unknown origin were all at the Golden Core Cultivation level, with a considerable number of Nascent Soul experts among them.

However, when they saw that the Blood Demon Sword Sect was led by a mere True Mansion Cultivator, followed by three Star Mansion Cultivators, they all looked astonished, finding the situation quite amusing.

Qin Xuan could feel their gazes like physical things, and he had already murdered Ji Boyan a thousand times in his mind.

’Screw it. If I die, I die.’

Steeling himself, Qin Xuan found the seat with his name written on it and quickly sat down.

Shi Potian and the other two followed close behind like iron towers, their grim Demonic Qi clashing with the immortal ambiance of the hall.

"All are present! The presentation of gifts shall begin!"

The Master of Ceremonies called out.

Qin Xuan froze. ’What does he mean, "all are present"? I just got here!’

The old monk from the Western Buddha Country was the first to step forward.

He produced a Purple Gold Alms Bowl containing a handful of murky soil.

"On behalf of Nalanda Temple of the Western Regions, this old monk presents a handful of Eight Treasure Merit Mud. It was gathered from the Western Heaven Pure Land and can purify Nascent Soul Level Karmic Force and nourish all living things. May the Venerable Lord enjoy eternal life and bless the East Sea."

A mere handful of dirt that could purify Nascent Soul Level Karmic Force!

The old crone from the Southern Border Gu Race cackled and produced a pitch-black clay jar.

"This old woman, representing the Southern Border’s Ten Thousand Gu Cave, presents a pair of Unity Life and Death Gu. The male and female share a single fate, their lives and deaths bound together. If the Venerable Lord bestows them upon a favored heir, he is guaranteed a pair of loyal, early-stage Nascent Soul servants. Their minds will be linked, and their combined combat power will double."

A stir went through the hall.

Another Magical Treasure effective at the Nascent Soul Level!

The bizarre nature of this item was beyond most people’s imagination.

The cyan-robed Daoist of the Celestial Mountain Four Symbols Sect announced in a clear voice, "The Four Symbols Sect presents one Four Symbols Mountain-Pressing Stone. It contains a sliver of the Power of Origin from the Four Symbols True Spirit. It can suppress providence and stabilize a Nascent Soul Grotto Heaven. We hope the Venerable Lord will deign to accept it."

The great stone landed with a RUMBLE, exuding a boundless aura as unshakable as a mountain and impervious to all evil.

The more astute cultivators began to sense that something was amiss.

’Why are all these Magical Treasures tailored for the Nascent Soul level?’

Su Xiaotai of the Daqian Imperial Observatory stepped forward, holding a Scroll wreathed in starlight.

"This official, representing the Venerable Lord of Daqian, presents this Star Constellation Map. It details the layout of the Spirit Veins and the nodes of Star Power throughout the East Sea and the surrounding ten thousand miles of ocean. It may be of some small assistance to the Venerable Lord in governing the sea and perceiving the secrets of the heavens."

This map was a strategic treasure of the highest order, a testament to the profound resources of Daqian.

Each gift was incredibly precious, drawing gasps from the crowd and invisibly raising the bar for all who followed.

The pressure surged like a tide, wave after wave, toward the members of the Blood Demon Sword Sect, who had yet to present their gift.

Qin Xuan was completely stunned.

’Why is everyone giving gifts?’

’That bastard Ji Boyan didn’t give me anything!’