Chapter 837: High-Sounding

"Big Brother, now that the Sacrificial Hall is under your jurisdiction, surely you must know when the High Priest will emerge from seclusion?" Shi Chuankong snorted and said.

"Thirteenth Brother, you wrong me. Although the Sacrificial Hall is under my management now, the High Priest holds a venerable position and his actions are not under my control. I have always respected him greatly, and I truly do not know when he will emerge. If you don't believe me, you can ask Priest Qingyang." Shi Zhanfeng spread his hands helplessly.

As his voice fell, an old man in a priest's robe stood up. His face was gaunt, and his hair and beard were a deep green, faintly shimmering with green light, perhaps due to some cultivation technique.

"Your Highness Thirteenth, the High Priest is indeed in seclusion; otherwise, I would not be attending His Majesty's emergence celebration today. The High Priest never consults us on his actions, and we truly do not know when he will emerge." Priest Qingyang first bowed to the Demon Lord, then turned to Shi Chuankong.

Shi Chuankong frowned upon hearing this.

Though still suspicious, he could not press further given the circumstances.

"Since the High Priest is in seclusion, we can wait until he emerges to treat Fellow Daoist Li's friend. A hundred years is but a blink of an eye to us," the Demon Lord said.

"It's not that I am impatient, but my friend's injuries are currently stabilized by Purple Sun Warm Jade. However, I have little of it left—enough for only twenty or thirty years at most. I cannot wait a hundred years." Han Li sighed lightly and cupped his hands to the Demon Lord.

Shi Pokong had previously promised to find mid-grade Purple Sun Warm Jade for him, but over the years had only found a small piece.

"Purple Sun Warm Jade! I happen to have some, all mid-grade. I'll give them to Fellow Daoist Li as thanks for your contributions to Thirteenth Brother and our Holy Domain. These should be enough to sustain your friend for over a hundred years." Shi Zhanfeng smiled upon hearing this.

With that, he took out a storage ring and handed it over.

Han Li's brow twitched. After exchanging a glance with Shi Chuankong, he took the ring and probed it with his divine sense, his eyes brightening slightly.

The ring contained seven or eight pieces of mid-grade Purple Sun Warm Jade, all of excellent quality.

Shi Pokong, watching from the side, a shadow of gloom passed through his clear eyes.

"Thank you for the gift, Your Highness. With this jade, I can indeed hold out for a hundred years. But after that, I will still need to trouble the High Priest." Han Li withdrew his divine sense and looked at Shi Zhanfeng.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Li." Shi Zhanfeng smiled.

Han Li nodded and said nothing more.

Seeing this, the Demon Lord's calm face showed a hint of a smile, and he was about to dismiss them.

"Father, please wait." Shi Pokong stepped forward.

"Speak your mind." The Demon Lord glanced at Shi Pokong.

"Father, Thirteenth Brother mentioned his ambush on the way back to Yeyang City. He told me some details—those attackers were powerful, and they..." Shi Pokong began.

"I have heard of this and have already sent people to investigate." The Demon Lord suddenly raised his hand to interrupt Shi Pokong, his face turning cold.

Shi Pokong was startled, his clear eyes flickering.

Shi Chuankong's face showed reluctance, and he was about to speak again.

"Father is all-powerful; the results of your investigation will naturally be clearer than ours." Shi Pokong grabbed Shi Chuankong and said.

"You need not concern yourselves with this matter any further. Focus on your own duties." The Demon Lord's expression softened.

"As you command, Father." Shi Pokong agreed.

"...Yes." Shi Chuankong gritted his teeth but lowered his head and said slowly.

Han Li watched the scene with surprise but said nothing, standing quietly aside.

"Alright, you may all withdraw." The Demon Lord waved his hand coolly.

They bowed and withdrew.

The celebration continued, with others reporting on their jurisdictions in order of status and presenting gifts.

The emergence celebration lasted until the afternoon, when all matters were concluded.

The attendees took their leave one after another, leaving only the Demon Lord and the shadow in the hall.

"Shadow, do you think this Li Feiyu resembles that person?" The Demon Lord stared into the void, seemingly lost in thought, then suddenly spoke.

The shadow stood quietly, not responding.

The Demon Lord seemed not to expect an answer. After standing for a moment, he chuckled softly, his form flickering, and vanished.

The shadow flickered and disappeared as well.

...

"Congratulations, Thirteenth Brother! You've only just returned to Yeyang City and already gained great favor, granted a marquis title and the Tianhong Domain. Big Brother is truly happy for you." Outside the hall, Shi Zhanfeng stopped Shi Chuankong and the others, smiling.

Seeing them talking, the others quickly took their leave, eager to avoid overhearing anything they shouldn't.

But Shi Jingxiu and Shi Mingzhen did not leave; instead, they approached.

"Big Brother flatters me. If we're talking about Father's favor, how can I compare to you? The elixirs, armor, and weapons Father bestowed on you are all top-notch—I truly envy you." Shi Chuankong smiled.

"If Father agreed, I would gladly exchange my rewards for yours." Shi Zhanfeng laughed heartily.

Shi Chuankong snorted inwardly but said nothing more.

"Fellow Daoist Li, I greatly admire your profound cultivation. If you have time, please visit my residence." Shi Zhanfeng turned to Han Li and nodded with a smile.

Han Li cupped his hands noncommittally.

Shi Zhanfeng laughed again, flicked his sleeve to wrap around the Eighth and Tenth Princes, and vanished. The next moment, he appeared far away, then flickered again and disappeared from sight.

Han Li's pupils contracted at the sight.

Shi Zhanfeng had likely used a technique similar to 'shrinking the earth to inches,' but his movement was so abrupt that Han Li only sensed a spatial fluctuation after the fact.

This man's mastery of spatial power was far more profound than Shi Chuankong's.

"Big Brother's 'Mirror Void Clarity' has deepened once again." Shi Pokong said with a smile.

Shi Chuankong frowned, a hint of gravity in his eyes.

"Thirteenth Brother, you were plagued by the Decline of Decay for years. I didn't expect that a trip to the True Immortal Realm would break your bottleneck. As your sister, I'm truly happy for you. Unfortunately, I'm too busy to get away; otherwise, I'd like to visit the True Immortal Realm myself." Shi Jingyan approached, smiling.

"Fifth Sister flatters me." Shi Chuankong cupped his hands lightly, his expression somewhat cold.

Shi Jingyan smiled faintly, unconcerned. Her beautiful eyes turned to Han Li, and she walked over gracefully.

Han Li's heart tightened, and he became alert.

A strange, fragrant breeze assailed him, like orchid and musk, intoxicating.

Shi Jingyan walked until she was three feet away but did not stop. Her captivating eyes roamed over him, exuding a strange allure that seemed to draw in his soul.

"What does the Fifth Princess wish to see?" Han Li frowned and stepped back.

"'See' is too strong a word. But one who killed Hua Jing and Zhaogu Zhenren is naturally extraordinary; I had to take a good look." Shi Jingyan stopped and smiled sweetly.

Han Li's eyes flickered, but his face remained impassive.

Shi Jingyan smiled at him, and the fragrance around her suddenly intensified, surging from all directions.

Han Li had already noticed the strange scent and held his breath, sealing his orifices and immortal apertures. Now he narrowed his eyes, covering his body with the law of time.

But the fragrance, like clouds and mist, layered and pervasive, easily penetrated his time law as if it were nothing.

Han Li's entire body was filled with the aroma, as if lying in a garden of flowers.

The fragrance not only filled his body but also seeped into his soul.

His mind went numb, and as he looked at Shi Jingyan, whose robes fluttered and bearing was enchanting, all his wariness vanished, replaced by a sense of intimacy. She seemed like the woman of his dreams, for whom he would gladly be shattered to pieces.

But then, the vast power of his divine sense suddenly stirred and activated on its own.

A colossal sword of divine thought materialized, emitting sharp, fierce energy like raging winds and waves, easily tearing apart the fragrance in his mind.

At the same time, a faint green light flickered in his sleeve, and the fragrance permeating his body surged toward it, vanishing without a trace in an instant.

Shi Jingyan's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise.

"Ahem, Fifth Sister, this is the Holy Imperial Palace. Please mind your conduct." Shi Pokong coughed and said sternly.

"Third Brother, what are you saying? I was just greeting Fellow Daoist Li, wasn't I?" Shi Jingyan smiled charmingly, and the fragrance suddenly vanished. She turned to Han Li.

"The Fifth Princess's 'greeting' is not something just anyone can bear." Han Li gave a wry smile.

"Fellow Daoist Li is certainly not just anyone. If you have time, please visit my palace and tell me about the Immortal Realm. I am quite fascinated by it." Shi Jingyan gave Han Li a deep look, then turned and drifted away.

"Third Brother, Thirteenth Brother, I take my leave as well." The round-faced man cupped his hands to Shi Pokong and the others, glanced coldly at Han Li, and left.

"Fellow Daoist Li, Fifth Sister's 'Heavenly Fragrance Dream Return' is formidable. Are you alright?" Shi Pokong asked Han Li.

"I'm fine, Third Prince, rest assured." Han Li smiled.

"Good, let's return as well." Shi Pokong called for the beast-drawn carriage, and the four of them boarded, quickly departing toward the Luoheng Duke Mansion.