Chapter 191: Record Qingxuan Sect's Gift – One Low-Grade Spirit Stone
Ji Shilong smiled, "Congratulations, Elder Yao. From now on, you are officially an elder of the Shangqing Sect."
"With this, Xuanjiang Prefecture is finally unified. Truly, congratulations are in order!"
Luo Chaotian gave a faint smile, "Things didn't go exactly as Governor Ji anticipated, yet you don't seem displeased, Governor."
Ji Shilong laughed heartily, "My only aim has always been to serve the court. As long as Xuanjiang Prefecture can be used for the court's benefit, that's enough for me."
Luo Chaotian cupped his hands respectfully, "Governor Ji, your broad-mindedness is admirable. I am humbled."
Ji Shilong smiled, "Oh, by the way, this is my attendant, Luo Shuanghan."
"Luo Shuanghan, greet everyone."
Luo Shuanghan nodded, feeling nervous as he glanced at Luo Chaotian.
Luo Chaotian looked pleased and praised, "This attendant by Governor Ji's side is clearly a person of exceptional talent, not one to remain ordinary!"
Ji Shilong chuckled, "His abilities are due to his father's fine upbringing, not to my credit."
"If his father is willing to join the court, I would be even happier."
Luo Chaotian laughed, "With the current circumstances, I'm sure everyone can see the direction things are headed. I believe his father will come to the same conclusion."
Hearing this response, Ji Shilong nodded.
Yao Yunluo and Luo Chaotian exchanged glances, and Yao Yunluo smiled, "Someone, please guide Governor Ji to a seat of honor!"
At the celebration, seating was divided between honor seats and regular seats.
The honor seats were reserved for those of high standing.
At this moment, the only one occupying an honor seat was Su Changqing.
As time passed, more and more cultivators arrived in Divine Sword City.
Anyone with a noteworthy reputation had earned the right to a seat.
Ji Shilong's arrival gave the cultivators a sense of relief.
It seemed that the fate of Xuanjiang Prefecture was sealed.
The Divine Sword Sect would inevitably unify the prefecture.
The question now was whether they would oppose the court or submit to it. Judging by the amicable exchange between Ji Shilong and Luo Chaotian, it appeared Xuanjiang Prefecture's submission to the court was imminent.
Everyone was weighing their options, thinking about how to align with the prevailing powers and maximize their benefit, rather than going against the tide and facing ruin.
"Master, the Verdant Vine Sect has arrived," Luo Chaotian remarked with a subtle movement of his eyes.
Yao Yunluo's expression remained unchanged as he looked toward the newcomers.
Leading them were the Verdant Vine Sect's master, Mo Hanshan, and the young master, Mo Yuheng.
Behind them were several elders of the Verdant Vine Sect, all loyal companions of Mo Hanshan.
Even in these circumstances, they had not abandoned the Verdant Vine Sect.
Mo Hanshan cupped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Elder Yao."
Yao Yunluo smiled faintly, "Mo Hanshan? I knew your grandfather; he was once defeated by me."
"Your status is too low for the honor seats. Take a seat at the end of the regular section."
Mo Hanshan felt a surge of humiliation but could only bow and obey, "Thank you, Elder Yao."
"Why hasn't the Qingxuan Sect arrived yet?" Luo Chaotian frowned.
Ouyang Cang whispered, "Liu Yuanfeng reported that Qingxuan Sect set out some time ago, and neither Murong Yue nor Shen Mo attempted to flee."
"They'll come; they're likely to be among the last to arrive."
Luo Chaotian nodded.
Soon, the regular seats were filled.
Yao Yunluo, no longer needing to greet the younger Core Formation cultivators, took his place at the honor seats and chatted merrily with Su Changqing.
They spoke of amusing incidents among the three major sects of Yuzhou.
Most eyes in the crowd were fixed on the two of them, enviously watching.
Only these two had the status to engage in such conversation.
Everyone else was beneath their notice.
This was the power of Nascent Soul cultivators; this was the prestige of the Shangqing Sect.
At that moment, a hearty laugh suddenly resounded from above.
Then, a robust figure appeared in the midst of the celebration.
"Well, has the celebration already begun?"
"Seems I, Lü Dongxuan, am a bit late."
"What kind of wine did you prepare for this event? If it's too scarce or too poor, I might have to disrupt things!"
As his words ended, Su Changqing and Yao Yunluo's faces stiffened, their good mood instantly vanishing.
Everyone turned towards the direction of the voice.
They saw an odd-looking cultivator.
Despite wearing an elaborate elder's robe, he looked like a rustic farmer.
If he had a hoe, he'd perfectly resemble a village farmhand.
"Where did this rogue cultivator come from? Get lost, get lost!"
A Core Formation stage cultivator, his eyes darting around, stood up and sternly reprimanded. Clearly, this was the perfect time to curry favor.
Whoever spoke up first would gain favor with Yao Yunluo and the Divine Sword Sect!
Lü Dongxuan scratched his head, "What's going on? Isn't this Nascent Soul celebration welcoming me?"
Just as he finished speaking, Yao Yunluo flicked his finger, sending a strand of spiritual energy shooting forward.
In an instant, the Core Formation cultivator's head exploded into a cloud of blood mist.
His headless body toppled backward.
The lively celebration instantly froze, turning colder than a winter's night.
"Drag him out and feed him to the dogs," Yao Yunluo commanded with a wave of his hand.
Su Changqing remarked coolly, "No one is unwelcome here, Lü Dongxuan. Help yourself to the wine."
Lü Dongxuan scratched his head and muttered, "Damn… cleared out the troublemaker before I could even start causing a scene…"
With a casual cough, he found a spot, sat down, and started gulping wine straight from a jar, completely ignoring the shocked expressions of the surrounding cultivators.
The cultivators exchanged bewildered glances at Lü Dongxuan.
They'd never heard of anyone like him in Xuanjiang Prefecture.
Moreover, the one who dared to confront Lü Dongxuan was a Core Formation cultivator, yet Yao Yunluo had killed him without hesitation.
Who exactly was this man?
Curiosity about Lü Dongxuan's identity rippled through the gathering.
After this brief interruption, the celebration resumed its boisterous pace.
People drank and ate heartily, the festivities in full swing.
Time ticked on.
Everyone was eagerly awaiting the final group—the main act of the day.
Before long, a shrill voice announced:
"The Qingxuan Sect has arrived!"
All eyes immediately turned to the entrance of the celebration.
Sure enough, a group had appeared there, though they were only about a dozen in number.
Leading them were none other than Murong Yue and Shen Mo.
Behind them stood Liu Yuanfeng, Wei Xiongtie, Elder Li, and others.
Luo Chaotian smirked, "Deputy Sect Master Ouyang, I'm feeling a bit tired. I'll leave this last group to you."
With that, he took his seat among the honored guests.
Understanding perfectly, Ouyang Cang strode forward, blocking Murong Yue and Shen Mo's path.
"Sect Master Murong, as per custom, the Qingxuan Sect should present a gift to join the celebration. Without a gift, you cannot participate."
Murong Yue raised her brow.
Sending the deputy sect master to greet her, the sect master, was clearly intended as an insult.
Requiring a gift to attend what was essentially a trap?
It was an insult to both her and her sect!
Shen Mo laughed loudly, "Of course we have a gift. Wait here."
He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a rough, low-grade spirit stone, tossing it at Ouyang Cang, hitting him squarely.
"Record this: Qingxuan Sect's gift, one low-grade spirit stone!"
Ouyang Cang's face darkened.
The entire assembly of cultivators reacted, stunned.
Damn, that's bold.
True fearlessness—you have to hand it to Shen Mo!
Yao Yunluo's gaze turned icy.
"Shen Mo, do you really think that because today is a celebration, I wouldn't dare spill blood?"
"If I kill someone first today, it'll be you!"
Lü Dongxuan cleared his throat and spoke up loudly, "Can I say something?"
"The unlucky bootlicker who just tried to flatter you was actually the first person you killed today. Maybe your old age is messing with your memory?"
Yao Yunluo's face froze, his expression turning angry as he glared at Lü Dongxuan.
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