Chapter 261: Monarch Arrives Again (Requesting Monthly Votes)

"True Lord Qingxu, and everyone, I have a suggestion."

Nalan Zhi stood up from his seat and said.

"Oh?"

True Lord Qingxu turned to look at Nalan Zhi.

Li Fei also looked at the other party calmly.

In fact, he didn't need Ke Yan's reminder; he had also guessed that the other party might make things difficult for him at this banquet tonight.

As for the way of making things difficult, in front of so many people, the other party certainly couldn't bully the weak, and certainly couldn't use any despicable means.

That was nothing more than a few types.

Li Fei was not afraid at all!

"Everyone may have heard that over a month ago, our Hongyi University went to Datong Prefecture and had an exchange competition with Wu'an University. I originally thought I would see Li Fei at that exchange competition, but he didn't appear at the time."

Nalan Zhi glanced at Li Fei and said in a loud voice:

"For this fastest in history, our Hongyi University is actually very curious and very much wants to have an exchange with him, but it's a pity that we couldn't fulfill that wish last time. This time, having the fate to meet, I want to take this opportunity to make up for this regret; I hope True Lord Qingxu and everyone will fulfill it."

Saying this, he bowed to True Lord Qingxu at the main seat.

"Brother Nalan, how do you want to exchange?"

Qingxia True Person, who was on the side, asked.

Nalan Zhi smiled: "Naturally, it is to make friends through martial arts and exchange martial arts skills."

Qingxia True Person frowned, but before she could speak, Nalan Zhi had already looked at Li Fei:

"Today you represent Wu'an University, and I represent Hongyi University; it should have been you and me exchanging, but I am after all many years older than you, and my realm is far higher than yours, so exchanging with you would be too much of a case of the big bullying the small."

Saying this, he looked at a young man beside him.

The other party immediately stood up from his seat.

"His name is Meng Tao, he is a professor at our Hongyi University, 22 years old this year, and has just broken through to the Dao Foundation stage for a year."

Nalan Zhi pointed at Meng Tao and introduced him.

This Meng Tao had challenged that "one-armed" professor of Wu'an University in that "academic exchange" over a month ago and exchanged "Fast Sword Techniques" with the other party.

Although he lost in the end, he also displayed impressive sword skills and combat power.

"Whether in age or realm, he is comparable to you; why not let him represent Hongyi University and exchange with you, the representative of Wu'an University, to perform for True Lord Qingxu!"

Nalan Zhi pointed at Meng Tao and said to Li Fei.

He said "perform for True Lord Qingxu"; "perform" didn't mean to tease, but to show, to display.

Performing for a True Lord could not be considered humiliating Li Fei.

And it could be considered as putting Li Fei on the spot; if Li Fei refused, it would be somewhat suspicious of not giving True Lord Qingxu face.

Moreover, Li Fei represented Wu'an University today; if he avoided the battle, it would also make Wu'an University lose face.

After all, the opponent's age and realm were indeed comparable to his.

With Nalan Zhi's realm, it was impossible for him to exchange with Li Fei.

So his initial plan was to let Meng Tao from his own sect challenge Li Fei.

Meng Tao was a professor at Hongyi University, while Li Fei was just a student at Wu'an University; originally, the two were not equal in status.

But now Li Fei was the team leader for Wu'an University, representing Wu'an University, so this identity was fine.

Shi Caiming, in order to protect Li Fei, forcibly raised the other party's status; this move had flaws in Nalan Zhi's eyes.

Because status and strength were completely unequal!

Li Fei had broken through to the Dao Foundation stage three months ago, and Nalan Zhi had inquired that Wu'an University had purchased a third-rank inferior implant 【Ghost Feet】 from another province two months ago.

He knew that the internal energy Li Fei practiced was Vajra Energy, and coupled with this 【Ghost Feet】 that Wu'an University had spent a great price to buy, it was easy to deduce that the Dao Foundation Li Fei wanted to practice was 【Mixed Origin Heavenly Gold】.

Then, by inquiring about the time Wu'an University purchased the next fire-attribute implant 【Flame Core】, one could know that Li Fei's current realm only incorporated two types of implants.

Even if Li Fei had already cultivated the 【Ghost Feet】 to the Qi-Transformation stage and completed deep-level stimulation, developing a core-level extraordinary ability, Li Fei's combat power was at most a 3rd-grade Dao Foundation stage.

Plus the addition of combat talent and high-level martial arts, at most it could reach 3.5 grade.

A 3.5-grade Dao Foundation stage martial artist; wouldn't it be easy to target him?

The Meng Tao that Nalan Zhi sent also incorporated two types of implants, had two core-level extraordinary abilities, and was a 3rd-grade Dao Foundation stage.

After the battle with that "one-armed" professor of Wu'an University last time, his sword skills had improved again, and his combat power could already be considered 3.5 grade.

Of course, if it were just like this, Nalan Zhi wouldn't be so confident in Meng Tao.

The important thing was that the internal energy Li Fei practiced was metal-attribute, while the internal energy Meng Tao practiced was fire-attribute.

Fire overcomes metal!

In the case of comparable realms, the five elements overcoming each other would have a great impact on the battle.

Finally, Nalan Zhi had also specially prepared other means for Meng Tao for this battle.

So he believed that this battle was a sure win!

Defeating the representative of Wu'an University in public, making Wu'an University lose face, and incidentally seriously injuring Li Fei, hindering the progress of this peerless genius's cultivation—this was his plan.

Li Fei glanced at Meng Tao and was just about to open his mouth when Ke Yan suddenly stood up and said:

"Vice Principal Nalan, on this occasion today, wouldn't exchanging martial arts skills be inappropriate? Moreover, today is a banquet hosted by the Daluo Sect; for our two sides to exchange here, wouldn't it be somewhat usurping the host's role?"

Nalan Zhi smiled: "Since it is a banquet, what's the harm in having a program? I am letting the two perform for True Lord Qingxu, precisely out of respect for the True Lord and the Daluo Sect; how can it be considered usurping the host's role?"

"This Professor Meng Tao you mentioned is 22 years old this year, four years older than our team leader, and has been at the Dao Foundation stage longer than our team leader; I think such an exchange cannot be called fair."

Ke Yan was eloquent and once again raised a point of refutation.

Nalan Zhi smiled lightly and looked at Li Fei:

"Your team leader is the fastest in history; where can you find an opponent of the same age and comparable realm? Could it be that in the future, he will only dare to exchange with opponents younger than himself and with lower realms?"

Ke Yan frowned, not expecting that Li Fei's "fastest in history" had instead become the other party's breakthrough point.

Indeed, he was the fastest in history; where could one find an opponent of the same age and realm?

Moreover, the martial arts world had always respected the strong and prioritized the capable; there had never been a saying of respecting the old and loving the young.

Being young was not an excuse to avoid battle.

What kind of status one had, one had to face what kind of challenge; this was the principle of the martial arts world!

Since Li Fei was the representative of Wu'an University, he had to be psychologically prepared to face challenges.

"Li Fei."

At this moment, True Lord Qingxu opened his mouth.

As soon as he spoke, everyone closed their mouths and all looked at him.

"Junior is here."

Li Fei bowed to the upper seat.

"If you are willing, then have an exchange. If you are not willing, it doesn't matter; don't have any pressure."

True Lord Qingxu smiled gently.

Nalan Zhi's expression changed.

He didn't expect True Lord Qingxu's attitude toward Li Fei to be quite good.

But it didn't matter; he had never thought that this exchange would definitely succeed from the beginning.

If Li Fei refused, it would be his personal loss and Wu'an University's loss, and Hongyi University wouldn't suffer any losses.

"Thank you, True Lord."

Li Fei bowed again, and then said word by word:

"Junior is willing to perform for the Monarch!"

Hearing this, everyone present had different expressions.

Nalan Zhi showed a smile, feeling that he had calculated the young man's temper correctly.

Ke Yan also felt that although Li Fei looked gentle, respectful, frugal, and yielding, he was ultimately young and vigorous, and couldn't hold back when he should have endured.

Since True Lord Qingxu had already spoken, why did you have to fall into the other party's rhythm again?

The two Wu'an University professors had confidence in Li Fei.

As for the rest, most of them had a mentality of watching the fun, and at the same time were very curious about the weight of this "fastest in history."

"Since that is the case, then please have an exchange."

Seeing Li Fei's answer, True Lord Qingxu nodded and agreed to this exchange.

Just as Li Fei and Meng Tao were about to leave their seats, a somewhat sharp voice suddenly came from outside the great hall:

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince arrives—"

This voice made everyone present stunned for a moment.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?!

This was a title that absolutely could not be used to joke.

At the main seat, True Lord Qingxu looked toward the outside of the hall entrance with a calm expression.

Soon, a young man wearing white clothes, a jade crown on his head, jade hanging from his waist, and a noble aura walked into the great hall surrounded by a group of people.

Following on the left of this young man were several Daoist priests also wearing Daoist robes, but the style and patterns of their robes were different from those of the Daluo Sect.

Following on the right were several people who were clean-shaven and full of yin energy; one look and they were eunuchs from the palace.

"Greetings, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

In the seats, a Vice Principal of a university stood up first and bowed to the person who came.

He had met the Emperor in the palace and had also met the Crown Prince.

At the main seat, except for True Lord Qingxu, everyone else stood up.

This identity of the person who came couldn't be fake.

Everyone present, either lost in thought, or suddenly enlightened, or standing up with a blank expression, bowed to the person who came one after another:

"Greetings, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

In the entire great hall, only True Lord Qingxu was sitting.

A True Lord is also a "Monarch"; even if they see the Son of Heaven, they don't have to bow, so naturally, they don't have to bow to a Crown Prince.

"Hahaha, everyone no need for formalities, please sit."

This Crown Prince of the Great Lan Dynasty waved his hand at everyone with a loud laugh, and then flicked his sleeves and bowed to True Lord Qingxu at the main seat.

"I came uninvited, I hope the True Lord will not blame me."

True Lord Qingxu slowly stood up, walked down from behind the main table, and walked toward this suddenly visiting Crown Prince, smiling:

"Your Highness visiting my Daluo Sect is a blessing for my Daluo Sect; how could I blame you? It's just that if Your Highness wanted to come, why didn't you say so in advance, so I could have someone sweep the bed to welcome you."

"Hahaha, True Lord is too polite."

The Crown Prince smiled, "Not long ago, Father Emperor taught me: If you don't know the world, how can you govern the world? So he ordered me to inspect the seven provinces in the southwest. I heard that the Daluo Sect was holding a Qionghua Banquet today to entertain the representatives of the thirteen universities, and I also decided on the spur of the moment to come and join in the fun, so I rushed here with fast horses and finally arrived in time."

"So that's how it is."

True Lord Qingxu nodded, with an expression of "I know you are talking nonsense but I really believe it."

Everyone present heard these words, and their expressions were different.

They had now heard about the Daluo Sect losing the elixir for the Emperor.

The elixir was lost in the front, and the Crown Prince was sent to inspect the seven provinces in the southwest in the back.

The Daluo Sect happened to be within this range.

And then, just so, the Crown Prince suddenly arrived tonight.

How could there be no connection between these few things?

True Lord Qingxu looked at the few Daoist priests who walked in with the Crown Prince:

"Then I don't know why you, Junior Brother Xuanchen, and the others came here?"

Xuanchen, one of the three great Daoist sects, a True Person of the Shangqing Sect!

Xuanchen first bowed to True Lord Qingxu, and then looked at him calmly:

"Greetings, Senior Brother Qingxu; Senior Brother asks why I came? As everyone knows, this martial arts exchange competition held by His Majesty is participated in by our three great Daoist sects and all the universities. Since my Shangqing Sect is one of the three great Daoist sects, and today's banquet is related to the upcoming martial arts exchange competition, why can't we come?"

These words from Xuanchen made everyone present even more shocked than the Crown Prince's sudden visit!

Although the world always mentioned the three great Daoist sects, they had always been accustomed to only paying attention to the Daluo Sect, regarding the Daluo Sect's will as the will of the entire Daoist lineage.

And the Daluo Sect, as the universally acknowledged Daoist ancestral grounds, had indeed always regarded itself as the leader of the Daoist lineage, representing the entire Daoist lineage to the outside world.

In the previous martial arts exchange competition, Shi Caiming only came to the Daluo Sect to talk to True Lord Qingxu in person and finalized the matter, without running to the Shangqing Sect or the Yuhua Sect, because it was assumed that the Daluo Sect would handle the other two sects.

And in fact, it was indeed so.

But now, listening to Xuanchen's meaning, it seemed that there was a problem within the Daoist lineage.

The Shangqing Sect didn't seem to intend to continue mixing with the Daluo Sect, this old big brother?

Is this latching onto the Crown Prince?

If this were really the case, then the situation in this world would change, and the influence would be no less than the impact brought by the establishment of the thirteenth university, Hongyi University, and perhaps even more so!

The university representatives present had different thoughts, all weighing the pros and cons, thinking about how the situation would change next.

True Lord Qingxu faced Xuanchen's questioning with just a slight smile:

"Junior Brother misunderstood; I was just curious why you suddenly came with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. We are all people of the same Dao; since you came, how could I not welcome you?"

"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and Junior Brother Xuanchen, please."

True Lord Qingxu gestured for a few people to take the upper seats.

"Haha, then thank you, True Lord, True Lord please."

The Crown Prince smiled.

Everyone walked toward the main table directly in front together.

After some declining, the Crown Prince refused True Lord Qingxu's invitation for him to sit in the main seat, and in the end, True Lord Qingxu sat in the main seat, he sat to the left of True Lord Qingxu, and True Lord Xuanchen of the Shangqing Sect sat to the right of True Lord Qingxu, and the rest of the people moved their seats in order.

As for the few eunuchs brought by the Crown Prince, they all stood on one side.

But the eyes of everyone present were good enough to see that these few eunuchs were all palace experts, and they didn't dare to underestimate them at all.

After everyone was seated, there were two "Monarchs" in the great hall.

One True Lord!

One Crown Prince!

Tonight's Qionghua Banquet could finally be considered to have truly started.

PS: In the first two volumes, the protagonist was always fighting across many levels; it was necessary for the plot, no way around it. This volume will change a bit; there will be many plots where the protagonist "crushes" his opponents, letting everyone experience what "invincible" truly is~

I will try my best to write it excitingly, so that everyone doesn't get aesthetic fatigue~

Finally, requesting monthly votes.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 262 =====