For Li Qiye, it wasn’t that Mei Suyao’s scripture lecture was poor, nor were the principles she spoke of unsound. In fact, he rather admired the principles she discussed.
However, there was no need for Li Qiye to continue listening. In this particular area, he had traveled much further than Mei Suyao. Even without her divine techniques, he could speak so eloquently that heavenly flowers would rain down and myriad visions would appear.
He had once guided Immortal Emperors and dispelled the doubts of True Gods. As someone once known as a tutor to Immortal Emperors, his comprehension of the Great Dao was on a level that a young woman like Mei Suyao simply couldn’t touch.
Li Qiye strolled under the moonlight, admiring the beautiful scenery until he lost all track of time. In truth, he had been here before, in a very distant past. He had once sheltered the Chi Family for three generations, so he was quite familiar with this land. However, compared to its former glory, the Lion Roar Country of today had fallen into decline. It lacked the foundation and resources of its past. After all, through millions of years of ups and downs, the Chi Family’s descendants had consumed nearly all the legacy their ancestors left behind, leaving almost nothing.
Strolling under the moonlight, Li Qiye roamed the entire Imperial Palace. ’It’s time to leave the Lion Roar Country,’ he thought. For him, matters here were more or less settled. The only loose end was the Treasure Box left by the Overlord Immortal Lion King, which he still hadn’t personally delivered to Chi Xiaodao’s grandfather.
"Brother Li, what a refined mood." As Li Qiye stood beside the Boundless Pool in the Imperial City admiring the moon, a celestial voice rang out, sweet and melodious like Immortal Music. Without even turning, Li Qiye knew who had arrived.
Mei Suyao arrived, treading on moonlight as if she were a Fairy from beneath the moon. Anyone who witnessed such grace would be utterly captivated.
Li Qiye continued to quietly admire the beautiful scenery before him, not bothering to turn around. He said with nonchalance, "The Long River Sect is certainly well-informed, just as expected of the number one sect in the East Hundred Cities."
"Brother Li is already famous throughout the world. One needn’t inquire to hear of your deeds." Mei Suyao glided over on the moonlight and stood shoulder to shoulder with Li Qiye.
At this moment, Mei Suyao was veiled in moonlight and mist, looking ethereal and transcendent. Standing next to Li Qiye, her intoxicating fragrance wafted through the coiling mist, putting one’s entire body at ease.
"The lecture was decent," Li Qiye said, finally turning to look at Mei Suyao slowly and giving a nod.
This wasn’t Li Qiye being arrogant or conceited; it was simply his usual disposition, his normal attitude. Even the Heaven-Suppressing Goddess of Heavenly Sea City, Zi Cui Ning, whose background and Dao Practice were in no way inferior to Mei Suyao’s, was treated as nothing special in his eyes.
Mei Suyao smiled, a smile that could captivate all living things and put the moon and flowers to shame. "If it were truly decent," she said, "Brother Li would not have left in the middle. I would be grateful if Brother Li could point out its shortcomings."
What kind of person was Mei Suyao? She was someone who captivated all living beings and had taken the East Hundred Cities by storm. Countless young prodigies were infatuated with her. This wasn’t merely due to her peerless beauty; more importantly, she was an extraordinary person. Her Dao Practice was unfathomably deep, and her comprehension of the Great Dao was profound. As she traveled through the East Hundred Cities, she was willing to lecture on the scriptures for all, dispelling their doubts about the Dao.
Had anyone else heard her words, they would be in disbelief. In the East Hundred Cities, no matter how dazzling a genius might be, none would dare claim they could "correct" Mei Suyao’s principles. When it came to comprehending the mysteries of the Great Dao, Mei Suyao was an absolute authority. Even many experts of the older generation admitted their own inferiority.
"You actually lectured very well. Don’t mind me, I just wanted to admire the scenery," Li Qiye said with a slight smile.
Mei Suyao gently shook her head, her grace enough to mesmerize the world. She said, "When I saw Brother Li listening to my lecture, I knew that you must have an even greater Treasure Scripture in your heart. Why not share it for us to hear?"
Li Qiye simply shook his head without a word, his gaze returning to the beautiful nightscape of the Boundless Pool.
"Does Brother Li disdain to discuss the scriptures with me? Your understanding is profound, and I am ready to listen with the utmost respect." Mei Suyao spoke again. This time, as the words left her lips, they became True Words. The Great Dao resonated in harmony and Immortal Qi surged forth. The sensation was like the spring sun melting snow, like a cool breeze in the sweltering summer. It put one’s entire body at ease, as if stepping through the gates of an Immortal Sect or grasping the Immortal Dao itself. It was an indescribable feeling, mysterious and profound. Anyone standing beside Mei Suyao at this moment would be influenced by her aura, feeling an otherworldly ecstasy and an ineffable sense of affinity. This was the feeling of drawing close to the Great Dao; it placed them both within its domain, instantly closing the distance between them.
At this, Li Qiye slowly turned his head. He looked at the peerlessly beautiful Mei Suyao and said with utter composure, "Girl, don’t use your Arahat Celestial Fragrance Dao on me. Be careful, or I’ll spank you."
The words were incredibly crude. Mei Suyao was a Fairy in the hearts of countless people; no one would have dared to speak to her like that.
"Insolence!" At that moment, a cold shout echoed. A powerful aura swept in as a young man in silver robes, carrying a spear, arrived under the moonlight and bellowed.
It was none other than Saint Child Qianyue, who was determined to follow Mei Suyao. It seemed that wherever she went, he was sure to be there.
Li Qiye didn’t even bat an eyelid, much less glance at Saint Child Qianyue. He spoke with airy indifference, "Tell this lapdog of yours not to bother me. Otherwise, I won’t just deal with him, I’ll deal with you as well."
"You—" Saint Child Qianyue’s face fell. He gripped his Long Spear as killing intent erupted from him, his gaze piercing through the air to lock onto Li Qiye.
"Saint Child, would you mind letting me speak with Brother Li alone?" Mei Suyao spoke, her voice as ethereal as ever, still possessing that peerless beauty that could make anyone fall for her.
Even though Saint Child Qianyue was seething with rage, her gentle words were enough to extinguish his anger. He shot Li Qiye a vicious glare before turning to leave.
"Brother Li is certainly confident," Mei Suyao said after Saint Child Qianyue had left. Her voice was like Immortal Music descending from the heavens, so pleasant to the ear that it could quell the fiercest anger.
Li Qiye couldn’t be bothered to look at her. "Girl," he said, "you have a limitless future, but don’t get too caught up in being a Saintess or a Fairy. The Sleeve Water Immortal Emperor didn’t leave behind the Arahat Celestial Fragrance Dao for you to lecture and teach with. It’s meant for the Enlightenment of all living beings! The Great Dao is magnificent; to stand alone and tread upon the infinite—that is the true path your Arahat Celestial Fragrance Dao should be seeking."
"You are wasting your talent. A Forehead Immortal Bone combined with the Arahat Celestial Fragrance Dao is enough to give you a chance to vie for the Celestial Mandate in the future. The Enlightenment of all living beings is not your current task. Furthermore, you cannot bring me to Enlightenment. In this era, even if your matriarch, the Sleeve Water Immortal Emperor, were here in person, her Arahat Celestial Fragrance Dao might not be able to affect me! Don’t use such petty tricks on me again, or I’ll spank you in front of the entire world." With that, Li Qiye casually strolled away.
Mei Suyao watched Li Qiye’s retreating figure, her peerlessly beautiful eyes growing incredibly profound. She tilted her head in thought, her posture so captivating that even the passing breeze seemed to soften.
By the time Li Qiye returned to the rear garden, the gathering had already ended, and all the young elites had departed.
"Where have you been?" Chi Xiaodie asked anxiously the moment she saw him. "I’ve been looking all over for you."
Li Qiye glanced at her. "Where’s Little Saber?"
"He’s escorting Princess Baosheng back," Chi Xiaodie said. "My Father Emperor wishes to see you. What are your thoughts?"
"Fine, I’ll meet with him." Li Qiye considered it. ’If Chi Xiaodie’s father is reliable, I’ll give him the Treasure Box passed down from the Overlord Immortal Lion King.’
Hearing this, Chi Xiaodie could only smile wryly to herself. Most people couldn’t get an audience with her Father Emperor even if they begged, yet this man was acting as if he could take it or leave it. She didn’t say anything more; she truly couldn’t figure Li Qiye out anymore.
With Chi Xiaodie’s introduction, Li Qiye met the Lion Roar Emperor inside the Imperial Palace. The Lion Roar Emperor was a vigorous, middle-aged man who appeared to be in his fifties. Chi Xiaodao strongly resembled him.
The titles for a Monarch who is also a Cultivator have certain conventions. Most are simply called Emperor. Some, however, are addressed as Human Emperor or Demon Emperor. For example, the Sun Demon Emperor and the Baosheng Human Emperor were true examples of those who earned such titles.
Only the most incredible Emperors could be called Human Emperor or Demon Emperor. The Sun Demon Emperor and the Baosheng Human Emperor, for example, were the most outstanding and dazzling geniuses of the previous generation of cultivators. They were once the two greatest figures of the Middle Grand Realm!
The Emperor of the Qingxuan Ancient Country also referred to himself as a Human Emperor, which was fitting because the Qingxuan Ancient Country was an Ancient Country-level power, absolutely qualifying him for the title.
Thus, the Monarchs of most Jiang Countries only referred to themselves as Emperor, not daring to presume to use the title of Human Emperor or Demon Emperor. This was especially true for the Monarch of the Lion Roar Country. As it was a small country, he certainly wouldn’t dare call himself a Human Emperor; he could only be an Emperor.
Most Emperors of Jiang Countries were at the True Master or Ancient Saint Level. Of course, the rulers of some very small Jiang Countries were only at the Prince Level.
As for Human Emperors, Demon Emperors, or Monarchs of Ancient Countries, their power varied. They could be Saint Venerables, or even Saint Emperors!
"Fellow Daoist, you have changed my son’s destiny. I am eternally grateful. You are like a second parent to him." Upon seeing Li Qiye, the Lion Roar Emperor dared not put on airs and bowed deeply.
Li Qiye accepted the Lion Roar Emperor’s deep bow as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The Emperor then hurriedly invited him to take a seat.
The Lion Roar Emperor was a man of considerable Dao Practice and a diligent Monarch. He spent most of his time in the Imperial City, and especially during the recent sensitive period, he did not dare to leave. Despite this, a trace of indelible worry could be seen between his brows.
After they were seated, Li Qiye got straight to the point. "I wonder, is the Lion Roar Saint Emperor able to come out of seclusion?"
The Lion Roar Emperor was taken aback that Li Qiye would immediately ask about his father. "May I ask why Fellow Daoist wishes to see my esteemed father?" he couldn’t help but ask.
Li Qiye shook his head but didn’t elaborate. Seeing that Li Qiye wouldn’t say, the Lion Roar Emperor didn’t press the matter. He pondered for a moment before saying, "To be frank, Fellow Daoist, my esteemed father has entered death-seclusion. Not even I can see him. If you wish to meet my father, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until he emerges."
Li Qiye mulled it over internally and decided not to hand over the Treasure Box from the Overlord Immortal Lion King. It concerned the Overlord Immortal Lion King’s legacy, so he couldn’t just casually give it to the Lion Roar Emperor. ’If his father, the true heir of the Overlord Immortal Lion King, can’t come out of seclusion,’ he mused, ’then I’ll consider entrusting this Treasure Box to him.’
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