Chapter 6: The Visitor from the Celestial Realm

"A price? What kind of price?" Xuanji Patriarch's narrow eyes narrowed as he looked at the silver-robed girl before him.

The silver-robed girl, however, smiled calmly: "For example, three top-grade immortal artifacts, or treasures of equivalent value."

Xuanji Patriarch's eyes twitched.

"Top-grade immortal artifacts? Three of them?" Xuanji Patriarch had long heard that the Blood Cloud Tower's prices were high, but he was still stunned.

"Ji Ning has only been cultivating for about seventy years!" Xuanji Patriarch couldn't help but growl, "Less than a hundred years! I estimate his strength is at most comparable to a five-hundred-thousand-year loose immortal! As for being comparable to a 'million-year loose immortal,' the possibility is extremely slim. To kill such a little fellow, you want three top-grade immortal artifacts?"

"Don't be angry. This is a transaction, a matter of mutual willingness," the silver-robed girl said with a smile. "Indeed, the possibility of Ji Ning reaching the level of a million-year loose immortal is very small. But the importance of this mission lies not in Ji Ning himself; my Blood Cloud Tower doesn't care about that little fellow at all. The most important thing is Ji Ning's master! He was the champion of the Immortal Fate Convention and disappeared for over thirty years... No one knows who his master is. Perhaps when we attempt the assassination, he might crush a certain token, and his master would suddenly appear! Our Blood Cloud Tower estimates that his master is at least a Celestial Immortal or True Immortal. Once his master appears, the team we send would be doomed! Our Blood Cloud Tower must take great risks, so naturally we ask for a high price!"

A Pure Yang True Immortal or a Celestial Immortal was considered a powerhouse throughout the Three Realms!

In the Grand Xia world, the Xia Emperor was the only Pure Yang True Immortal!

If the Blood Cloud Tower's assassin team encountered a True Immortal or Celestial Immortal, they would naturally be doomed.

"Hmph."

Xuanji Patriarch shook his head. "Don't fool me. In the Three Realms, experts train their disciples by letting them roam and temper themselves. If a disciple dies in battle, it's only because he was outmatched! Those experts and mighty figures of the Three Realms wouldn't act so easily; that would be bullying the weak!"

The silver-robed girl smiled: "Ji Ning's background is not trivial. Three top-grade immortal artifacts, or treasures of equivalent value. That is our Blood Cloud Tower's condition."

"You..." Xuanji Patriarch ground his teeth.

"If you're unwilling, Celestial Immortal Xuanji, you may leave," the silver-robed girl said, still smiling.

"Fine!"

Xuanji Patriarch gritted his teeth, then took out some immortal pills, spiritual materials, immortal artifacts, and a massive amount of liquid essence. Although he had come prepared, top-grade immortal artifacts were very important even to a 'Celestial Immortal.' The Shaoyin clan would not easily part with top-grade immortal artifacts, preferring to use other treasures instead.

"Is that enough?" Xuanji Patriarch's eyes flashed with a fierce light; it pained him.

"Enough," the silver-robed girl nodded. "Celestial Immortal Xuanji, rest assured. This mission will never be divulged by our Blood Cloud Tower; I can swear a Heavenly Dao oath on that. As for Ji Ning... our Blood Cloud Tower will investigate carefully and make thorough preparations, ensuring success in one strike. Within a year, he will surely die."

"Good. I await your Blood Cloud Tower's good news," Xuanji Patriarch nodded.

The price of three top-grade immortal artifacts was neither too high nor too low. For these long-lived Celestial Immortal Patriarchs, they usually had a few top-grade immortal artifacts for self-protection. Some of the most顶尖 Celestial Immortal Patriarchs even had Pure Yang artifacts! So giving up three was only somewhat painful for the entire Shaoyin clan. In the critical moment of turmoil in the Three Realms, they were willing to pay such a price to eliminate a 'threat.'

...

Grand Xia Imperial Capital.

Ji Ning stood on a cloud, flying over the wide streets of the Grand Xia Imperial Capital. He had stayed a day at the Black-White College in Anchan City and visited his good brother 'Beishan Baiwei,' then came to the Grand Xia Imperial Capital. After all, with the Three Realms in turmoil, it was best to purchase a large quantity of precious array materials as quickly as possible.

"Yan Estate." Ji Ning looked at a familiar estate in the distance. Since he was in the imperial capital, he naturally had to visit his cousin first before heading to the headquarters of Treasure Mountain.

Swoosh.

Ji Ning, accompanied by the Whitewater Hound, arrived at the estate gate, while Little Qing coiled around his arm.

"Are you Young Master Ji Ning?" The estate guards recognized Ji Ning at once. The group of guards at the gate all showed surprise. Thirty-plus years was relatively short for cultivators; they had served at the estate thirty years ago and naturally knew Ji Ning.

"I wish to see the princess," Ji Ning said.

"Young Master Ji Ning, please wait a moment. I'll go report immediately." Immediately, a guard rushed off to report.

Soon.

A group of people came out from the estate, led by his cousin, Princess Xiyue.

"Ji Ning." Princess Xiyue saw Ji Ning and immediately showed excitement. "I just learned from Treasure Mountain last night that you had returned. I was planning to visit you after I finish my business here."

"It is fitting for Ji Ning to come see the princess." Ji Ning noticed that beside Princess Xiyue stood a tall, fair-skinned, handsome man who seemed quite close to his cousin. He couldn't help but ask, "And this is?"

"Oh." Princess Xiyue's expression was also a bit awkward. She quickly said, "This is Young Master 'Feng Yungu' from Windbound Isle in the celestial realm."

"I've long heard of Brother Ji Ning's reputation. Meeting you today, I see you are indeed extraordinary," the tall, handsome Yungu said modestly.

Ji Ning nodded inwardly. This Feng Yungu was indeed modest and without any arrogance.

"Come inside quickly. What's the point of standing at the gate?" Princess Xiyue urged, and at the same time, she secretly sent a message to Ji Ning: "Brother, if nothing unexpected happens, Young Master Yungu will be your brother-in-law."

"Ah." Ji Ning was shocked inside, and quickly sent a message, "Cousin, you and him?"

"He will marry into my Yan Prince's estate," Princess Xiyue sent back. "In the future, I will definitely rebuild the Yuchi clan, so I cannot marry out. As for this Young Master Yungu... actually, it's because our Great Xia dynasty has formed an alliance with the Windrest Isle in the celestial realm, so many imperial clan members have become dao companions with Windrest Isle disciples. I found this Young Master Yungu acceptable, and he listens to me well and is willing to marry in, so I agreed to become his dao companion."

Ji Ning understood.

Windrest Isle in the celestial realm?

The Great Xia dynasty?

"Willing to marry in and listens to my cousin. And I can see he is a humble sort," Ji Ning nodded to himself. His cousin was focused on revenge; having such a husband might be a good thing.

"Brother, you don't need to pay much attention to this Young Master Yungu. His status on Windrest Isle is not high, his strength is average, and he's a bit of a pushover," Princess Xiyue sent. "But there is another Windrest Isle disciple at my Yan Prince's estate who is also pursuing me, wanting to take me back to Windrest Isle. That disciple is named 'Feng Yunpeng,' and he holds a very high position on Windrest Isle! He is one of the two sons of the Windrest Isle Lord. The Great Xia Emperor has already sent down orders for us imperial clan members not to cause trouble, so you should be careful as well."

"Oh? Don't worry." Ji Ning replied.

...

Entering the prince's estate.

Weichi Xiyue prepared a welcoming feast for Ji Ning. Ji Ning, Weichi Xiyue, and Young Master Yungu chatted happily. Young Master Yungu seemed naturally somewhat inferior; at least in front of Ji Ning, he was restrained and self-conscious.

"Haha, I heard that the peerless genius Ji Ning, first place in the Great Xia world's Immortal Destiny Tournament, has come to the Yan Prince's estate, and Xiyue, you didn't tell me. That's not right of you." With a loud laugh, a young man in a blue-gold ornate Daoist robe walked in. His eyes were like brilliant stars, his aura outstanding, and behind him were two powerful attendants.

One attendant had the aura of a Fiendgod, likely a Void-level Fiendgod!

The other attendant was a powerful loose immortal.

"Young Master Yunpeng, I didn't want to disturb you," Princess Xiyue said with a smile. "Please, have a seat."

Feng Yungu quickly stood up and yielded his seat, moving to a lower position.

Young Master Yunpeng, however, unceremoniously sat in the seat below Princess Xiyue, facing Ji Ning.

"Ji Ning, this is Young Master Yunpeng, a genius from Windrest Isle in the celestial realm, and a Returning Void Earth Immortal level expert," Princess Xiyue quickly said.

"Greetings, Young Master Yunpeng." Ji Ning gave a slight bow.

Young Master Yunpeng glanced at Ji Ning somewhat dismissively, then his expression changed slightly, and he smiled: "Oh, so Ji Ning, you've also stepped into the Returning Void Earth Immortal level."

"Just the early Returning Void stage; I'm still a bit behind Young Master Yunpeng." Ji Ning said modestly.

"Haha..." Young Master Yunpeng laughed smugly. "I heard you and Xiyue are very close. You should help me persuade her. She's bent on marrying this waste—isn't that a waste of a good thing?" As he spoke, he glanced at Feng Yungu.

No matter how tolerant Feng Yungu was, his expression changed slightly, then he lowered his head.

Young Master Yunpeng laughed even more arrogantly: "Xiyue and I are a natural match!" He reached out to touch Princess Xiyue's hand, but she slightly avoided it, her expression darkening: "Young Master Yunpeng."

"Alright, alright, I'm not in a hurry." Young Master Yunpeng laughed.

After all, Princess Xiyue had the Celestial Immortal 'Yan Prince' behind her, and with the alliance between Windrest Isle and the Great Xia dynasty, he didn't want to cause any trouble.

"Young Master Yunpeng," Ji Ning had taken a dislike to this man, but he still changed the subject, "I heard you're from Windrest Isle in the celestial realm. I've never been to the celestial realm. Could you tell me about it and broaden my horizons?"

Young Master Yunpeng frowned. Introduce?

What status do I have?

Introduce to you?

But glancing at Princess Xiyue, he still snorted indifferently: "The celestial realm is vast. In the east, the Heavenly Court dominates; in the west, the Buddhist Lingshan dominates. Of course, there are also many asuras and celestials living throughout the celestial realm, naturally forming various factions. My Windrest Isle is one of them."

"I heard that after you won first place in the Immortal Destiny Tournament, you didn't become a disciple of the Evergreen Sword Immortal, nor any immortal or demon of the Chi Ming Dao Ancestor's lineage, but vanished without a trace... May I ask where Brother Ji Ning went?" Young Master Yunpeng's eyes lit up as he asked, very curious about this.

"Naturally, I went to study under a master." Ji Ning said calmly.

"Under whom?" Yunpeng asked. "Where did you study?"

"My master ordered me not to reveal it." Ji Ning shook his head.

Young Master Yunpeng couldn't help but frown.

Ji Ning, however, strongly disliked this Young Master Yunpeng, so he said, "Princess Xiyue, I need to go to Mount Tianbao to buy some items. I'll take my leave now."

...