Chapter 97: Golden Toad Introduces Yunque Wang, Extending an Invitation to Explore the Honghu Mansion

Flowers clustered in brocade, shadows cast in uneven patterns.

On the walls on both sides hung warm snow lamps, lotus lamps, beast-face lamps, lion-holding-pearl lamps, and so on—a thousand postures and shapes, each with its own bright light, hanging down in brilliant radiance.

The lamp wicks were sparse, falling from time to time, making a tinkling sound upon the floor.

Fang Longye was not surprised to see the visitors. He had already learned that someone had come to call while he was still cultivating in his secret chamber.

Even the fact that the guests could enter the Daoist field directly to wait was due to his transmitted instructions to Qingli.

As his cultivation grew increasingly refined, and with the addition of the supernatural ability to Whip Mountain and Move Stone—which concerned the Earth Veins—his integration with his own Daoist field deepened continuously.

His understanding and control over the entire Daoist field also grew ever stronger.

Even without triggering the formations of Cangmang Mountain, if any demon were to use methods to trespass into the territory of Cangmang Mountain as they were doing now, he would know immediately.

To survey the mountains and rivers of a place is like observing the lines on one's own palm.

This is the unique ability of a cultivator within a Daoist field they have nurtured and managed themselves.

"Brother Jin, what brings you to my wild and desolate mountain?" Fang Longye smiled slightly, responding to the enthusiastic Jin Feng.

That was correct; the visitor was none other than Jin Feng, the fourth son of the Golden Toad King of Mingxi Mountain, whom he had met at the Yuyang Yaofang.

"Brother Fang, you truly know how to joke. If your Daoist field as the Yuanlong Jun is a wild and desolate mountain, then where does that leave the Daoist fields of other demon kings?"

Hearing Fang Longye's inquiry, Jin Feng was instantly choked half to death, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

Not to mention the towering and magnificent treasure mountain outside, just look at the scene surrounding this palace.

All around were exotic flowers and precious grasses, bamboo groves and jeweled trees.

Pavilions and towers were arranged horizontally, with corridors and railings winding about, secluded and exquisite.

Gems, agates, and pearls of a thousand shapes were inlaid on the walls, in front of small pavilions, and so on, with treasure light suffusing the air.

The abundant spiritual energy permeated the body, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

Such a Daoist Cave Abode, such a layout and arrangement.

A wild and desolate mountain?

If those demon kings who were smug about the mere atmosphere of their own Daoist fields heard these words, would they not die of shame and anger?

"It has only been nurtured for a few years, has it not? If my Daoist field is not a wild and desolate mountain, then what is it?" Fang Longye was not being modest; he waved his hand and paced over to the table and chairs to sit down.

"And this is?"

Fang Longye looked toward a beautiful woman who had risen to greet him with Jin Feng earlier and had not yet sat down.

She was tall, slender, and curvaceous, wearing a gorgeous palace dress embroidered with soaring phoenixes. Her hair, black as storm clouds, was parted low; she had fine brows, a small nose, and rosy lips, her skirt hem swaying.

Behind her were circular, shimmering ripples of light, some large and some small, falling upon the ground and blending into a field of jade color.

A weapon resembling both a sword and a hook rotated slowly within the halo of light, echoing up and down; it lacked any sharpness, instead giving one a sense of gentleness.

The surrounding Aura was like mist and clouds, with Clear Qi lingering; every movement was like clouds in the sky or cranes in the firmament, possessing a kind of peace.

Not simple at all!

Another True Immortal Realm demon immortal, no less than Chiyang Wang.

Golden radiance flickered in Fang Longye's eyes, piercing through everything; he could see the ferocity, power, and violence hidden beneath that gentle demeanor.

Clouds in the sky, cranes in the firmament.

They could be colorful clouds drifting in a clear sky or cranes dancing to reflect auspicious light, but they could also, in an instant, become the anger of thunder amidst wind and rain, or the cry of a crane in the high heavens over a sky of blood.

"Brother Fang, let me introduce you. This is Yunque Wang, the descendant of a close friend of my mother's from her youth," Jin Feng introduced enthusiastically.

"Yun Ting, this is the now-famous Yuanlong Jun!"

"What 'famous'? Do not flatter me!" Fang Longye waved his hands repeatedly.

"This concubine, Yun Ting, greets the Dragon Lord." Yunque Wang bowed slightly; her voice carried a kind of peace, like the smoke from cooking fires at dusk—quiet and natural.

"Please, both of you, take a seat. Do not be constrained."

On the palace table, various fruits and immortal delicacies, as well as spiritual tea pots and cups, had already been set out. Beside them sat a slender-necked vase with sparse flower branches inserted, blooming like brocade. After they were seated, the three faced each other.

There were also Longnu, coming and going to add tea and pour water.

Yunque Wang's eyes shifted, her jade-like voice crisp as she spoke first, smiling brightly: "After my cousin returned previously, he mentioned you to me, and I have long felt a sense of admiration. I never expected that in less than ten years, the Dragon Lord would have attained such a reputation."

"I shall use tea in place of wine to toast the Great King."

"Very well."

Fang Longye lifted his emerald cup and took a sip, his eyes clear.

One does not visit the Hall of Three Treasures without a reason; he knew clearly that Jin Feng had brought such a demon king, who reigned supreme among the True Immortal Realm, for a reason.

It seemed the reason lay with this Yunque Wang.

He set down his tea cup, looked at the two before him, and asked Jin Feng: "I wonder, Brother Jin, what brings you to visit?"

The Golden Toad took a sip of tea and laughed: "Firstly, it has been a long time, and I have missed you, Brother, so I came specifically to renew our old friendship. Secondly, now that you, Brother, are famous throughout Bei Zhou, I have come just in time to celebrate your achievements. And thirdly, to introduce my cousin to you and offer an opportunity as a congratulatory gift."

His speech was as smooth and pleasant as ever; he was truly a master of social interaction.

"Oh? Is that so?" Fang Longye looked at the two, his face full of inquiry.

"Dragon Lord, I believe you will certainly be interested in this." Yunque Wang took out a Jade Slip, clear as green jade and moist as water.

Fang Longye took the Jade Slip and examined it with his primordial spirit.

A moment later.

He looked up at Yunque Wang before him; her red lips were moist and her teeth like pearls, which was heart-stirring.

However, he felt not a shred of pity for her beauty; he mobilized all his momentum and pressed it toward her: "Are you certain that what you say is true? The ruins of a Taiyi Realm residence?!"

Yunque Wang's face instantly turned somewhat pale, but she still responded with a soft and pleasant voice: "Every word is true; there is absolutely no falsehood."

Fang Longye investigated repeatedly with his supernatural abilities and found that there was indeed no lie, only then withdrawing his momentum.

He poured her a cup of tea and apologized: "Since it concerns the Taiyi Realm, this opportunity is indeed precious. I hope the Immortal will not take offense~"

Yunque Wang smiled with effort: "Naturally, I do not blame the Dragon Lord. If it were not for the lack of reliable assistance, Yun Ting would not have revealed this to an outsider."

Jin Feng, who had been momentarily stunned by the aura Fang Longye suddenly erupted with, recovered his senses and said with lingering fear: "Brother Fang startled me just now. I hadn't expected Brother Fang to possess such strength."

Fang Longye apologized: "It was my rashness; I disturbed your sister."

Jin Feng poured him a cup of tea and said: "Brother Fang, rest assured, this opportunity is indeed genuine; my mother's background is actually somewhat related to it."

"Although this senior belonged to the Honghu Clan and was at odds with the Dragon Clan, they were, after all, an existence in the Taiyi Realm. In the legacy of their Cave Abode, there must be many treasures that Brother Fang can use, so naturally, it won't—"

"Dragon Lord, please rest assured. To tell the truth, when I invited the Dragon Lord to join, I was already counting on the fact that as the head of the scaled tribe, the Dragon Lord would inevitably be at odds with this senior of the Honghu Clan, which would allow me to obtain a larger share of the opportunity."

Yunque Wang stopped Jin Feng's words and returned to a peaceful expression as she spoke.

Fang Longye narrowed his eyes and met her gaze, only to see her eyes like a pool of autumn water, calm and waveless, composed and self-possessed.

"Good!"

"Since the Fairy has invited me, and it is a ruin of a Taiyi Realm Cave Abode, such a stroke of fortune has come knocking at my door. How could I, Fang, push it away?"

"That is good. I hope the Dragon Lord will come to my Daoist temple to meet at the designated time on the Jade Slip. Do not forget~" Yunque Wang smiled brilliantly.

"I shall naturally comply~"

After a session where both host and guest were pleased, they finally dispersed.

After touring Cangmang Mountain for a while, the two of them took their leave.

……

Outside the Longyuan River, Fang Longye watched the two figures receding into the distance with great interest.

"Yunque Wang? Honghu Mansion? Interesting—"

The second chapter for today~ Thank you all for your support!

(End of this chapter)