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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 5: [Seeking Immortality in the Eastern Sea]
Volume 5 (Pinyin): [Dong Hai xun xian]
Chapter 20 (457): [Yao Yin Returns]
(20th of Volume 5)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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An Xianjing informed Li Weiyi that a gathering of high-realm cultivators would soon take place, where a Transcendent Realm's Other Shore Heavenly Pill, which had fallen into the Lingxiao Realm, would be revealed, along with other Transcendent Secret Treasures.
They would discuss the division of profits from the excavation of the Ancient Immortal Dragon Remains and other major events surrounding the Lingxiao Realm.
All Great Immortal Realm cultivators who had transcended the lifespan of ordinary humans would be attending.
The younger generation, meanwhile, would converge on Moon Dragon Island.
An Xianjing said, "Your strength is formidable; few among the younger generation can match you. During this competition for opportunities, would you help me look after Ku-Di?"
Ku-Di retorted, "Master, I don't need anyone to protect me! I've already cultivated the Dao Lotus and can defend myself."
Li Weiyi forced a wry smile: "Palace Master An, it's not that I'm unwilling, but the Twin Rice Sect and Rice Palace currently wield immense power, with experts as numerous as clouds. Master Ku-Di would be far safer with them than with me. Her second senior brother alone, Qiongji Daozi, is considered the strongest cultivator below the Immortal Realm."
"Of course, if Master Ku-Di truly faces danger and I am able to help, I will certainly intervene."
Li Weiyi, Ku-Di, Yu'er, and An Xianjing bid farewell and boarded a wooden boat, seven or eight meters long, setting course for Moon Dragon Island, three hundred li away.
An Xianjing stood alone at the ship's rail, watching them depart, a palpable sense of loneliness clinging to her.
Li Weiyi turned to Ku-Di, who was sitting cross-legged at the stern, and asked, "Master Ku, Palace Master An said Moon Dragon Island is bustling with activity. What's going on?"
Ku-Di closed her eyes: "First, stop calling me 'Master Ku.' Second, why are you asking me about the mess you created?"
Li Weiyi looked bewildered: "How did this become my fault?"
Ku-Di replied, "Didn't you send word back to the Lingxiao Realm about the Six-Clawed Immortal Dragon's Qi appearing in the East Sea?"
"What about those alarmist claims you spread? 'Seize the Six-Clawed Immortal Dragon's Qi, and the Living Realm will prosper. Lose it, and powerful enemies will arise, bringing future calamity.' Weren't those your words?"
"For the past three months, the Twenty-Eight Prefectures of the Lingxiao Realm have been in an uproar because of this. Countless experts have been rushing to the East Sea, wave after wave. Every faction wants to seize this opportunity for prosperity."
"Having just weathered a great calamity, the Human Clan is in a state of heightened vigilance, and your words have only intensified their fears! Who wouldn't dread future consequences?"
Li Weiyi's face lit up with relief upon learning the letters hadn't been lost.
Noticing the unusual tone in Kudi's voice, he asked, "Miss Ku, are you human?"
"Whether I'm human or Ricefolk is irrelevant," Ku-Di replied.
Li Weiyi understood: Ku-Di was human.
This explained why An Xianjing had asked him to look after her.
After all, the Twin Rice Sect harbored deep-seated prejudices against humans.
Having grown up in Guan Shan, far from the Twin Rice Sect's core, Ku-Di likely had no connection whatsoever with An Xianjing's two disciples at the Headquarters.
Ku-Di opened her eyes and added, "You should be cautious on Moon Dragon Island. After discovering your secret, the Rice Palace has become intensely interested in the Seven-Clawed Heavenly Dragon Dao Heart Manifestation you've cultivated. Some even claim they intend to seize your Dragon Seed Dao Lotus for research and enlightenment."
"Thank you for the warning," Li Weiyi said.
He activated the Disguise Technique, his features beginning to transform.
His primary purpose in visiting Moon Dragon Island's Sea Market was to fulfill his agreement with the young Liu-surname merchant.
He also planned to purchase four-thousand-year-old Millennial Essence Herbs and Golden Essence Bone Marrow.
There was no need to reveal his true identity, invite trouble, or attract unnecessary danger.
The Little Seven's cultivation realm had stalled at the peak of the Sixth Heaven in the Dao Seed Realm, making it difficult to break through.
They needed high-grade Essence Herbs to advance.
Once they all reached the Seventh Heaven, Li Weiyi would truly be able to move freely below the Immortal Realm.
Ku-Di and Yu'er stared in astonishment at Li Weiyi, who stood at the bow of the ship.
He had changed into a magnificent blue robe, adorned with a white jade hair crown, and now held a folding fan. His demeanor was elegant and his features incomparably handsome.
Often, the more one tries to conceal their abilities, the more suspicion they arouse.
Since this gathering was for the top young experts, it was better to present himself with a striking appearance, achieving the effect of standing out like a crane among chickens while still remaining hidden.
"Miss Ku," Li Weiyi said kindly, "would you like to wear a mask and change your clothes? As Palace Master An's disciple and someone from Guan Shan, you'd be in great danger if recognized by experts from the Lingxiao Human Clan."
Ku-Di shifted her gaze from his face: "I'm not weak. I can protect myself."
Li Weiyi said nothing more.
Propelled by his Psychic Power, the wooden boat sped forward, chasing the setting sun.
As the sea and sky were dyed crimson by the sunset's glow, Moon Dragon Island finally came into view.
Moon Dragon Island was a vast crescent-shaped island in the sea, stretching five hundred li from north to south and a hundred li at its widest point east to west.
The harbor lay on the inner curve of the crescent, near the Eastern Territory of the Lingxiao Realm.
The Sea Market clustered around the harbor, its masts rising like a dense forest, filled with massive warships, many of them spiritual artifact warships.
Martial-Mystic cultivators from across the Lingxiao Realm mostly resided on these ships.
Before Li Weiyi's wooden boat even entered the harbor, Ku-Di, who was aboard, had already been recognized by a Human Martial-Mystic Cultivator on one of the giant warships.
"Guan Shan Martial-Mystic Cultivators dare to come to Moon Dragon Island?" a thunderous voice boomed.
Cang Li leaped from the warship's deck like a beam of light, crashing heavily onto the wooden boat's bow.
Standing on the sea surface, he summoned a two-meter-high wave that surged forward, forcing the wooden boat to retreat from the harbor.
The Jiu Li Tribe had endured a century of Guan Shan's humiliation - a private grudge.
But the slaughter caused by Corpse Cultivation Rice had ignited boundless hatred in all Human Martial-Mystic Cultivators, an experience they could never forget.
This was now a racial vendetta!
Ku-Di, an Inheritor-level expert, rose abruptly, undaunted by Cang Li's imposing aura.
"This is Moon Dragon Island's Sea Market," she declared, "Has the Young Clan Leader consulted the Island Lord before attempting to kill me?"
"You haven't even set foot on the island yet," Cang Li said.
Li Weiyi, having promised An Xianjing his aid, couldn't stand idly by. He sat at the ship's bow, his back to Cang Li, fanning himself with a folding fan.
"Let me speak a word of fairness! Young Clan Leader, even if you kill her, your status and cultivation won't restore the Jiu Li Tribe's honor. I've learned that Miss Ku-Di still adheres to certain principles and doesn't deserve death."
Cang Li's gaze fell on the figure at the ship's bow.
Seeing the man's composure, he knew his origins must be extraordinary.
"Is this about honor? This is about the hatred between our races!"
"I'll do it! She's at the same cultivation realm as me. Killing her will restore the Jiu Li Tribe's lost honor."
In the distance, on the Jiu Li Tribe's warship where their Martial-Mystic Cultivators had gathered, Yin Shi Yi leaped overboard.
His Dragon tail swished as he held a long halberd, his aura radiating murderous intent.
"This is all your fault," Li Weiyi transmitted telepathically to Ku-Di, "If you'd just changed clothes and worn a mask earlier, none of this would have happened. Where are the Twin Rice Sect's experts?"
"I don't need anyone's help."
Ku-Di's heart burned with resentment.
From her Ancestral Field, she summoned her Spiritual Artifact, the Tin Staff, twirling it in her hand with a ringing ding-ding sound.
Li Weiyi was astonished that no Twin Rice Sect expert had appeared to intervene in such a crisis.
He had no desire for Ku-Di and Yin Shi Yi to engage in a life-or-death battle at sea.
Whether one died or was severely injured, it would be a major headache.
With feigned nonchalance, Li Weiyi remarked, "A man fighting a woman? Even if you win, it won't look good."
"This won't do, that won't do. What's with all these rules in a decisive battle? I'm a man, and she's Guan Shan's top genius. Where's the fairness in that?" Yin Shi Yi glared at the young man on the ship, finding his air of profound mystery utterly pretentious.
"I'll handle this!"
A melodious, sweet voice drifted across the sea.
Li Weiyi straightened instantly, snapping his folding fan shut. He turned to watch the graceful figure walking step by step across the water's surface, his heart pounding with surprise.
He knew Yaoyin and Shi Shishi's cultivation levels were too low; they were still undergoing cultivation at the Calamity Crossing Temple and hadn't returned.
'Why is she back so suddenly?'
Yaoyin walked on wisps of ethereal mist, her face veiled. Her dark hair flowed like strokes of a master calligrapher's brush, and her skin glowed with the translucent radiance of immortal jade. Her waist curved with exquisite grace, her neck was slender and elegant, and her aura was both ethereal and vibrant.
She was no longer the young girl they remembered.
Now, she resembled the Lingbo Fairy, a vision of transcendent beauty, embodying the essence of heaven and earth, captivating all who gazed upon her.
Though her true face remained hidden, the Martial-Mystic Cultivators on the ships needed only glimpse her silhouette to imagine the peerless celestial beauty beneath the veil.
Following closely behind her was Qi Jianru, a Giant of the Immortal Realm from the Calamity Crossing Temple.
Once the most promising Heavenly Pride among the True Inheritance disciples, he had now been eclipsed by her brilliance, reduced to a mere supporting role.
"She's the Abbot's newly accepted disciple," one cultivator whispered, "They say her innate talent surpasses even that of the Young Heavenly Emperor."
"The Abbot's disciple? Does that mean she's the True Inheritance disciple of this generation for the Calamity Crossing Temple?"
"Currently, she's a Registered Disciple. But once she reaches the Immortal Realm, she'll immediately become a True Inheritance disciple. Everyone in the temple knows the competition for the True Inheritance has already been decided."
....
Dozens of Calamity Crossing Temple disciples, clad in Daoist robes, gathered on the stone cliffs overlooking the Sea Market, gazing out at the sea.
Among them were the twelve Immortal Patrol Envoys from the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, as well as Fu Wenyan and other exceptionally talented Heavenly Prides, all drawn here by the extraordinary opportunity to excavate the Ancient Immortal Dragon Remains.
Fu Wenyan remarked, "Junior Sister Yao's cultivation speed is remarkable; she's already at the Third Heaven of the Dao Seed Realm. But her opponent is an Inheritor who has condensed a Dao Lotus. Victory won't come easily."
On a warship south of the harbor, where Twin Rice Sect Martial-Mystic Cultivators had gathered, Huang Xu chuckled, "Senior Brother Qiongji, she's your junior sister. Why are you watching so coldly?"
Qiongji Daozi's gaze remained calm and indifferent, offering no response.
Sikong Yanlun sneered, "A mere human - who knows what she really is? She might just be the next Yao Qingxuan or Li Weiyi. All humans associated with Palace Master An should be exterminated."
Qiongji Daozi fixed Si Kong Yanlun with a cold, piercing gaze.
Si Kong Yanlun immediately lowered his head and murmured, "Palace Master An is undoubtedly beyond suspicion. After all, a high-ranking figure from the Rice Palace personally searched her soul, effectively severing her path to transcendence."
Si Kong Yanlun had witnessed Palace Master An being forced to kneel before the Rice Palace dignitary, her soul searched in a humiliating and wretched display.
This experience shattered his former awe of her, stripping away the mystique that had once surrounded her.
The soul-searching process inflicts irreversible damage upon the Soul Spirit, effectively severing a portion of one's innate talent and foundational strength.
This injury becomes glaringly apparent during breakthroughs to higher Cultivation Realms.
Of course, the greatest trauma of soul-searching lies in the humiliation of having all one's secrets exposed.
The higher a Martial-Mystic Cultivator's cultivation, the more unbearable such shame becomes.
This humiliation is a thousand times more degrading than being stripped naked.
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END OF CHAPTER
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