The Primordial Law

Chapter 677 Seeing Hongting Again
The group of six, with Li Weiyi and Chang Yujian in front and four martial arts practitioners of the third stage of the Chang family's Longevity Realm accompanying them, walked along the trunk and branches of the ancient tree to a height of 100 feet above the ground.

Look down to the left and right.

The lights of Night Demon City stretched out in all directions, seemingly without end.

The fairy-tale buildings atop the ancient trees were all meticulously crafted by skilled artisans and arranged with energy-gathering arrays. Passing by from the outside and peering into the arrays, one sees a dreamlike scene, where one can hear melodious music and joyful laughter.

Changyu Sword asked, "Have you discerned the depth of Shan Xianzhi's abilities?"

"Very strong, extremely strong."

Li Weiyi recalled Shan Xianzhi's gaze earlier and said, "Jiuyuan ranks second among medium-sized living realms, second only to the Transcending Calamity Realm. The destiny of a living realm that can be called Jiuyuan must be very significant."

"The four most discussed topics in the Demon Kingdom right now are: the Southern Dragon's journey to the capital of Xiaoyao, the return of the Nine Abyss Heavenly Mandate Buddhist Kingdom, the imperial princes of the Central Plains, and the top scholar's challenge to the ancient truth."

Chang Yujian said very seriously, "Shan Xianzhi has returned from his cultivation in the Western Buddhist Kingdom. It is said that he is the most outstanding young master in the Nine Abyss in a thousand years. I don't know how strong he really is. There are many rumors, but I always feel that some of them are exaggerated."

"A more reliable piece of information is that when Wenren Tinghai first met him, he didn't realize how powerful he was and wanted to get rid of him. He struck out with a palm, but Shan Xianzhi remained unmoved, unharmed, and didn't retreat. That's terrifying!"

Li Weiyi was moved: "Wenren Tinghai is indeed the type to take action without hesitation. Even if it's just a probing attack, it's definitely not something an ordinary person can withstand. He must have been frightened at the time!"

"Upon hearing this, he hurriedly invited Shan Xianzhi into his residence and treated him like a Buddha. It is said that Shan Xianzhi left the Western Buddhist Kingdom to sever ties with family and the mortal world. The reason he participated in the Hundred Realms Longevity Competition was to help his clan's ancestor seize the opportunity to become the crown prince and repay the debt of gratitude for being raised."

"Wenren Tinghai should be here tonight, hosting a welcome dinner for Chi Yuan. Believe it or not, they're definitely gathered together to discuss how to deal with you," Chang Yujian said with a smile.

Li Weiyi feigned resentment: "Whether they're plotting against me, I don't know. I only know that they've taken away the seven most beautiful celestial maidens. Brother Chang, don't tell me you weren't prepared? This wine won't taste good; we might as well drink it in the carriage!"

"You've become Yu Yaozi's successor in Taoism, how come you've also picked up some evil influences? Without a few stunning beauties to keep you company, you can't even drink?" Zuo Qiu Hongting's sarcastic voice came from Qiongyu Residence not far away.

"Wow!"

The carved wooden door of Qiongyu Residence opens by itself without wind.

A slender, jade-like hand, as if formed from the first snowflakes, reached out first.

Then, a wide, bamboo-green robe flowed out from the threshold like clouds.

Zuoqiu Hongting stood in the flowing cloud-patterned Taoist robe, her long, jet-black hair loosely tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, a few strands of black hair falling beside her cheeks, her expression cool and aloof like jade.

Her features were so exquisite they were almost aggressive; her eyebrows, eyes, lips, and nose were all captivating. Her jawline was sharp and defined, and her expression carried a hint of mockery as she stared at Li Weiyi, who was two zhang away.

Li Weiyi never expected that her teasing remark would be overheard by her.
This is a mess I can't clear my name even if I jump into the East China Sea!
After a moment of stunned silence, he looked at the Changyu Sword beside him and transmitted his voice: "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

"Don't blame me. I was caught off guard when you suddenly wanted a fairy to keep you company." Chang Yujian shrugged, then explained, "There are many things I can't say, so Yuqing invited her here!"

Zuoqiu Hongting stood under the palace lanterns hanging on the branches, her skin as white as frost and as ethereal as a Taoist fairy: "What are you saying in your telepathic communication? If it really doesn't work, then invite a few immortals over! The Taoist successors of Lingxiao Palace are coming, I'm sure they will be eager to pay their respects."

Chang Yujian was embarrassed and speechless, but a member of the Chang family behind him, who looked like a martial arts fanatic, couldn't stand by and watch as the two distinguished guests asked the immortal to come, but no one else responded. He stepped forward and said, "I'll take care of it!"

He then rushed off to find the person in charge of Xianlin.

……

Qiongyu Residence.

Li Weiyi and Zuoqiu Hongting sat on the north side of Qiongchi, which was regarded as the seats of honor and guests.

Chang Yujian and Chang Yuqing sat at the top, while the other four members of the Chang family sat facing south.

Four handsome celestial maidens played music behind a curtain. Four tall, graceful celestial maidens danced beautifully, their bodies supple and their sleeves flowing like clouds.

Unable to bear the strange atmosphere any longer, Chang Yuqing waved her hand to drive the eight immortals away. Then, she looked at Chang Yujian, who was still drinking, with her bright eyes and said, "Brother, didn't we come here to talk about serious business?"

"Yes, let's get down to business first. Brother Wei, after we go to Xiaoyao Capital, we'll travel alone, and such an accident will definitely not happen again!" Chang Yujian patted his chest to assure him.

Seeing her brother's unrestrained speech, Chang Yuqing assumed he had already drunk too much on the way.

So, with a splash, he threw the bronze wine cauldron in front of him into the jade pool in front of him.

A moment of silence.

Zuoqiu Hongting broke the silence in the room: "Many disciples of the Du'e Temple come from the Demon Kingdom. The Demon Lord's decree and recruitment order caused a sensation. Some came for the resources and opportunities needed for their future cultivation, while others were entrusted by their masters. In short, the vast majority of the Longevity Realm martial artists from the Du'e Temple who had the opportunity to be ranked on the Earth Ranking came to Xiaoyao Capital and joined the Demon Kingdom's camp."

"I don't know what Yu Yaozi promised you, but did she consider your safety when she put you in such a precarious situation where everyone is against you?"

Zuoqiu Hongting's father died under the name "Xiaotian Ling" and harbored hatred for Yu Yaozi for over a decade.

Although she later learned it was due to the Six Thoughts Mantra, how could she possibly have any goodwill towards someone she had hated for over a decade? "Xiao Tianling's" knife was ultimately wielded by Yu Yaozi.

She spoke tactfully, but she was undoubtedly telling Li Weiyi that Yu Yaozi only saw her as a pawn.

A chess piece either eats another or gets eaten.

Chang Yuqing said, "Besides the Crossing Calamity Temple, most martial artists from the Chaos Zone will also join the Demon Kingdom's camp. Although the Holy Temple and the Ancient Clan of Time have also sent envoys to travel through these zones, promising benefits and seeking allies, everyone knows which is stronger and which is weaker."

"Moreover, faced with the enormous temptation of profit, can the helpers recruited by the Ancient Clan from the outside really be trusted?" "So in reality, you have been isolated and are unable to move an inch."

“Brother Weiyi, since you and my brother are friends, I will address you as such! You are such a wise and intelligent hero, you should know the principle that going with the flow leads to kingship and going against the flow leads to destruction. As long as you hand over the Jade Book of Life Spring to us, my brother and I will ask our ancestors to swear an oath on our ancestors and on the reputation of our family, and we will announce to the world that we will protect you and fulfill all the conditions we promise, so that you will have no worries.”

"Furthermore, if you are worried about future retaliation from the Grand Palace Master, we can also use a scheme to complete this transaction in a roundabout way during the battle."

Chang Yujian closed his eyes tightly, hesitant to speak, knowing that after Chang Yuqing said these words, it would be difficult for him to speak of affection and loyalty again.

Perhaps this is the tribulation that every martial artist in the Longevity Realm must overcome.

Li Weiyi suddenly realized something.

The greatest challenge for those traveling north to the capital, Xiaoyao, is never external enemies, but rather their own inner self.

From the Great Elder of the Ancient Clan to the Grand Historian, Zhuang Shiyan, and Wenren Tinghai, and the current situation, all are testing his heart.

The vast majority of them were not enemies, but rather respected elders and sincere friends.

Other cultivators would have long since wavered, become timid, suspicious, and fearful.

If any of these emotions arise in one's heart, upon arriving in Xiaoyao Capital, the Southern Dragon will be transformed into a Southern Worm. From a sword that the world would have been watching with fervor, he will be ridiculed by the world as someone who would have been better off not coming at all.

He must remain steadfast and unwavering in his resolve to have even a sliver of hope of victory.

Li Weiyi's gaze was calm as he looked at Hong Ting, the woman in the Taoist robe to his right: "Are you here as a mediator?"

Zuoqiu Hongting looked over with her bright eyes: "Aren't we best brothers? Even Changyu Sword knows that once you speak, it's like severing our bond with a single sword. Do you think I would advise you to do something foolish? I'm here to tell you about the situation at Du'e Temple, and also to tell you that you don't actually need to participate in the Hundred Realms Longevity Competition. Let's go to Xiaoyao Capital and have a great fight, turn the world upside down, defeat everyone, and then we can return to Dongxu Camp in style. Wouldn't that still be a wonderful story?"

Changyu Sword finally spoke: "The Grand Palace Master can take back the bid for the Spring of Life, but the Spring of Life of the Ancient Clan of Time will definitely not be taken back. The Demon Lord is already satisfied with obtaining the Spring of Life. Brother Weiyi, Miss Hongting's suggestion is absolutely the most appropriate."

"What if I absolutely have to participate in the Hundred Realms Longevity Competition?" Li Weiyi asked.

Zuoqiu Hongting picked up her wine glass, then put it down again, looked at Chang Yuqing, and smiled, "I wasn't wrong, was I? Once he makes a decision on such an important matter, he will never change it for anyone. Small things can be changed, such as whether or not to invite the immortal."

……

Hongyu Residence.

The seven celestial maidens were all renowned throughout Night Demon City, not only for their stunning beauty but also for their exceptional talent and accomplishments.

Countless martial arts practitioners of lower realms regard them as celestial maidens, and would spend a fortune just to see them.

But at this moment, two of the beautiful and ethereal celestial maidens sat in Chi Yuan's arms, being groped all over, daring not to resist in the slightest. Before tonight, they were both sacred and inviolable talented women.

Wenren Tinghai and Qiu Qu each took a seat around the table.

The other three immortals were playing musical instruments, blowing the flute, and striking bells and drums.

The seven immortals had different feelings. Some were delighted, knowing that the people before them were all exceptional individuals who would likely reach a transcendent level in the future. However, some were quite saddened, realizing that their so-called dignity and nobility were as easily crushed as bubbles in the face of power.

Only Shan Xianzhi sat alone in a corner, immersing himself in the atmosphere of the mortal world, yet remaining untouched by any worldly affairs, experiencing something he had never done before.

Wenren Tinghai asked, "Master Xianzhi, did you discern Li Weiyi's cultivation level?"

“This humble monk has used his divine vision, but his eyes are hidden, his energy is concealed, so he can only see the height of the mountain, not what is inside,” Shan Xianzhi said.

Wenren Tinghai then asked, "Did you see his background?"

“I used my supernatural powers to see past lives, but everything before my eyes was blurry, as if I were looking at a white mist. This person is no ordinary person; he is unfathomable,” said Shan Xianzhi.

"How deep can it go, if it's unfathomable?"

Having obtained a great treasure in the Ancient Kingdom of Time Ruins, Chi Yuan's cultivation level greatly improved, and his confidence reached an unprecedented peak. With an arrogant and cold demeanor, he said, "I should have tested him earlier to see just how much he really is."

"I've been instructed not to offend him for now. I have other plans!"

Wenren Tinghai's expression was uncertain, a cruel look appearing in his eyes, it was unknown what he was thinking.

A whooshing sound came from outside, and the doors and windows creaked.

Subsequently, the immortal forest complex shrouded in the formation was also blown gently, its power extremely terrifying.

A deep, resonant voice rang out from outside: "Xue Ding of the Winged Dynasty. Having heard that a disciple of the Demon Kingdom's Emperor is here, I have come to challenge you. Does the newly appointed top scholar dare to accept the challenge?"

In the center of the Red Jade Residence, a fairy in green robes stopped playing, rose gracefully, and opened the window from the direction the sound came from, letting in a gentle breeze.

Everyone inside looked out.

Several dozen feet away, atop a branch stood a proud figure with six wings on its back, exuding an imposing aura. He was like the source of a cold wind, with gusts of wind constantly surging from his body, creating a chaotic atmosphere around him, as if a demon god had descended.

(End of this chapter)