Chapter 149: Hurry and Say It, Dragon King Please Smirk

Chapter 149: Speak Quickly, the Dragon King Summons the Wry Smile

When the Blood-Robed Sword God was mentioned, the expressions of those present shifted.

With a wave of his hand, a spell was cast, temporarily sealing off the conversation in this area.

“Daoist friend, how dare you wear a blood-red robe? Are you not afraid that the host, Huang Tu, will see it and cause you trouble? The Brightness Palace cannot trouble the Blood-Robed Sword God, but they can trouble you... that much is possible,” said Zhao Buyu, a male cultivator at the same table, in a low voice.

He was the only one at this table to make the Eastern Lands Prodigy List, and thus the most noticed among those present.

The others also turned their gaze to Qi Yuan.

Now, in Cuiyun Continent, two matters drew the most attention.

The first was the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle.

The second was the enmity between the Blood-Robed Sword God and the Brightness Palace.

Of course, the second matter had unfolded too quickly, and many prodigies had only just arrived in Cuiyun Continent, so they were not fully aware of it.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan was somewhat bewildered.

It was precisely because he feared that his original identity would be looked down upon at the banquet.

And now, after switching to the Blood-Robed Sword God’s alternate persona, he was still going to be troubled?

Wasn’t that too much of a bully?

Beside him, the Rogue Immortal Venerable muttered in a low voice, “You all are from the Divine Flower Society too? How do you know about the Blood-Robed Sword God?”

His knowledge of the Blood-Robed Sword God was still stuck in the past.

“We are not from the Divine Flower Society,” the five present shook their heads.

The woman among them asked in confusion, “What does that have to do with the Divine Flower Society? Lately, the Blood-Robed Sword God has come to Cuiyun Continent. He slays gods when gods block his path, and kills Buddhas when Buddhas stand in his way. I heard he has already killed dozens of Purple Mansion cultivators from the Brightness Palace. Unfortunately, we have never had the chance to witness the Blood-Robed Sword God’s heroic bearing, nor has any recording stone captured his visage.”

As she spoke, she grew excited, stars shining in her eyes.

When the suona sounded, the Blood-Robed Sword God appeared, and Purple Mansions fell.

Each time, the Blood-Robed Sword God appeared too swiftly; too few had seen his true form.

Yet, when those who had seen him tried to describe his appearance, they could not.

Beside him, the Rogue Immortal Venerable was completely stunned. He transmitted a message: “Origin Heavenly Venerable, what are they talking about?”

“They’re boasting,” Qi Yuan replied sincerely.

Hearing this, the Rogue Immortal Venerable’s heart settled, only to hear Qi Yuan continue.

“Where did I kill dozens of Purple Mansions? Of the Brightness Palace’s Purple Mansions, I’ve only killed nine,” Qi Yuan transmitted.

Rogue Immortal Venerable: “...”

He was utterly bewildered now.

The Blood-Robed Sword God had killed nine Purple Mansions?

His own sect in Thunderwalk Continent was not small, yet it only had five Purple Mansion cultivators.

The Blood-Robed Sword God...

At this moment, his mind was in turmoil, unable to think clearly.

The woman who had spoken earlier looked at Qi Yuan: “Daoist friend, it would be best to follow Brother Buyu’s advice and change your attire, to avoid inviting displeasure.”

The Rogue Immortal Venerable then looked at Qi Yuan with a complicated expression: “Maybe we should just leave?”

His heart was still a mess.

Everything before him seemed illusory.

All false, all false.

Qi Yuan replied, “I haven’t seen the Fish-Dragon Golden Elixir Dance yet; I’m not leaving.”

He was still waiting to witness the Fish-Dragon Golden Elixir Dance and record it for Xiao Jia to see.

The woman looked at Qi Yuan, saw that he could not be persuaded, and said no more.

They were merely chance acquaintances.

Qi Yuan, at the table, continued eating spirit fruits.

At that moment, not far away, dozens of prodigies were welcoming the Celestial Soul Maiden.

Huang Tu’s face was full of smiles.

But behind Huang Tu, Xu Tongchen’s thoughts had drifted elsewhere.

Because, just now, the Solar True Fire within him had leaped violently again.

It felt as if Qi Yuan was nearby.

Yet, after a quick scan, he did not see Qi Yuan’s figure.

Suddenly, his gaze fell upon a figure in a blood-red robe.

A strange look appeared in his eyes.

“Qi Yuan?”

Though the person’s appearance was vastly different from Qi Yuan’s,

the sensation of the Solar True Fire it gave him was exactly the same as before.

He was almost certain it was Qi Yuan.

“Why is he dressed like this?”

He wondered in confusion.

At the same time, he quickly averted his gaze.

He feared Huang Tu would see Qi Yuan in such attire.

Of course, Xu Tongchen did not know that at this moment, Qi Yuan was subtly employing the Great Forgetfulness Heart Sutra.

Unless someone deliberately looked at him, no one would notice him.

They would only unconsciously overlook him.

Meanwhile, atop a high tower, two Nascent Soul cultivators secretly glanced at the blood-red robe and quickly withdrew their gazes: “Is it him?”

The two Nascent Soul cultivators were like sneaky shrimp-heads.

They were from the Cloud Court, tasked with maintaining order at this Fish-Dragon Banquet.

They paid attention to all the prodigies at the banquet.

As they watched, the blood-red robe caught their eyes.

At that moment, both of them were startled.

“I do not know. This old man has never seen the Blood-Robed Sword God.

And him… I cannot see through him.” The tall Nascent Soul cultivator’s face bore a look of wariness.

Now, in all of Cuiyun Prefecture, among the high-ranking cultivators who were not in seclusion, who did not know of that slaughterer, the Blood-Robed Sword God?

Over a dozen Violet Mansions, slain at a word.

Such strength, even across the entire Eastern Lands, marked him as a ruthless man.

“Tixiu will be here soon. He once met the Blood-Robed Sword God; perhaps he can recognize him,” said the short Nascent Soul cultivator.

That the Blood-Robed Sword God had come to the Dragon-Fish Banquet—such a thing was utterly beyond belief.

How many factions in Cuiyun Prefecture now had their eyes fixed on the Blood-Robed Sword God?

And in the shadows, how many Violet Mansions wished to forge a connection with him?

After all, the Bright Palace was overbearing to the extreme; in Cuiyun Prefecture, many factions wished for its downfall.

Of course, they also understood that the Blood-Robed Sword God could not destroy the Bright Palace.

But even to inflict a little more harm upon it would be good.

The two Nascent Soul cultivators occasionally stole glances at Qi Yuan, their only hope that Tixiu would come quickly.

Once Tixiu confirmed it—if it were not him, fine; if it were, better for the Lord of Cloud Court to step forward.

They, two minor Nascent Souls, dared not face a slaughterer like the Blood-Robed Sword God.

If it were true and the Blood-Robed Sword God went mad, slaughtering all the prodigies at the Dragon-Fish Banquet, the matter would be grave.

…

Within the banquet, more and more prodigies arrived.

Three of the top ten prodigies had already come.

The outer hall and inner hall grew even more lively.

At this moment, Gao Ji’en’s eyes held a fawning smile: “Brother Zheng, you are as elegant as jade in the wind; your rank on the Eastern Lands Prodigy List will surely rise again!”

Gao Ji’en ranked higher than Zheng Fangxing on the Eastern Lands Prodigy List, yet he flattered Zheng Fangxing.

After all, Zheng Fangxing was a prodigy of Cuiyun Prefecture and close to Huang Tu.

By building a good relationship with Zheng Fangxing, Gao Ji’en could also befriend Huang Tu, the foremost prodigy of Cuiyun Prefecture.

“This Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle is crucial, and there are more participants than in previous years. It will be difficult.” Zheng Fangxing’s mood was not good at the moment.

His master had fallen.

His only support was gone.

He felt that the gazes of those behind Huang Tu had changed toward him, now tinged with contempt.

Such is the fickleness of the world.

A belly full of rage burned within him, with no outlet.

“I have a junior brother who shares the same lightning spiritual root as you, Brother Zheng.

Would you care to meet him and offer some guidance?” Gao Ji’en said to Zheng Fangxing.

Generally speaking, most people have the flaw of wanting to teach others; Gao Ji’en used the pretext of seeking advice to close the distance.

Hearing this, Zheng Fangxing raised an eyebrow: “Fine, let’s meet.”

At this moment, those around him were all prodigies of Cuiyun Prefecture.

Those prodigies now seemed to be ostracizing him, and he too wanted to leave this area.

Under Gao Ji’en’s lead, Zheng Fangxing came to a secluded corner where the Rogue Immortal Venerable and the Origin Heavenly Venerable sat.

“Brother Zheng, this is my junior brother…” Gao Ji’en began to introduce.

Suddenly, a dense murderous aura burst from Zheng Fangxing.

He stared at Qi Yuan, his face dark: “Oh, so everyone is against me, Zheng Fangxing, is that it?”

An adult’s collapse happens in an instant, silently.

When he learned of his master’s fall, Zheng Fangxing did not fly into a rage.

When secretly ostracized by the prodigies of Cuiyun Prefecture, he paid it no mind, gritting his teeth and enduring.

But then, when he saw Qi Yuan dressed in a blood-red robe,

He could no longer hold back.

Was the whole world coming to bully him?

Beside him, Gao Ji’en looked bewildered: “Brother Zheng, what’s wrong?”

Those at Qi Yuan’s table understood at once.

The woman looked at Qi Yuan with an expression of enjoying the show.

Told you to change clothes earlier, but you didn’t—now you’re hated, aren’t you?

“My master died at the hands of the Blood-Robed Sword God, and he… imitates the Blood-Robed Sword God’s attire—this is deliberately making trouble for me,” Zheng Fangxing said loudly.

If the other party were a famous prodigy, Zheng Fangxing might have ground his teeth and endured.

But on the way here, Gao Ji’en had already introduced him.

That man in the red robe was not listed on the Eastern Lands Prodigy List and had no illustrious background.

So he would no longer hold back.

“Take off your clothes!” Zheng Fangxing’s voice carried murderous intent.

Gao Ji’en was still utterly confused.

He had just arrived in Cuiyun Prefecture and knew nothing of the Blood-Robed Sword God.

Not far away, Luo Cha watched the scene with a gloating look in his eyes.

Lei Chong glanced at Qi Yuan and said, “Wearing a blood-red robe to the Dragon-Fish Banquet—this kid has guts. Is he here to slap Huang Tu’s face?

Strange, with such a conspicuous blood-red robe, why hasn’t Huang Tu noticed?”

Qi Yuan looked at Zheng Fangxing with an innocent expression.

He had deliberately changed into the Blood-Robed Sword God’s outfit to avoid being looked down upon. But because he was too handsome, he ran into a gay man?

“Freedom of dress—do you understand?” Qi Yuan raised the banner of dress freedom. “Do I eat your rice by wearing this?”

Hearing this, Zheng Fangxing’s anger flared even more.

A nobody dared to speak to him like this?

“You’re very lucky—this is the Dragon-Fish Banquet, where fighting is forbidden. After the banquet ends, you’ll get what’s coming to you!” Zheng Fangxing gave Qi Yuan a deep look, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Everyone present felt the thick killing intent in Zheng Fangxing’s words.

At this moment, the bewildered Gao Ji’en was stunned for a moment, then said, “Brother Zheng, he is someone I brought. If he unintentionally offended you, I am willing to apologize on his behalf. Your words just now were a bit too harsh.”

His junior brother’s friend, whom he had brought to the Dragon-Fish Banquet—he had to protect him no matter what.

At that moment, Zhao Buyu also rose and said, "Daoist Zheng Fangxing, this fellow daoist may have meant no offense."

Zheng Fangxing heard this, and the fury in his heart only grew.

Since his master's death, he had been constrained in every action.

Now, a nobody had provoked him, and others were speaking up for that nobody.

"Your luck is very good." He looked at Qi Yuan and issued another threat.

Gao Ji'en heard this and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the storm had settled.

Unexpectedly, Qi Yuan then spoke: "Your luck, on the other hand, is not so good.

Before the Fish-Dragon Banquet ends, you will die here."

At these words, the entire table was stunned.

Especially Zhao Buyu, who had just spoken for Qi Yuan, could not understand.

The storm had clearly been quelled—why was it still like this?

That woman looked at Qi Yuan, her eyes filled with disappointment—how could anyone be so reckless?

"Fine!" Zheng Fangxing was utterly enraged.

But at that moment, Qi Yuan casually waved his hand.

"Go reunite with your master in the underworld."

An ordinary wave, with no flashy technique or profound Daoist magic.

In everyone's sight, Zheng Fangxing's body stiffened.

His expression froze in that instant.

Then... with a soft bang, it shattered instantly.

Broken into seven or eight pieces.

Zheng Fangxing... died at the Fish-Dragon Banquet.

Killed by Qi Yuan with a single, effortless hand!

The crowd's expressions shifted dramatically.

All of this happened too suddenly.

Zheng Fangxing was a figure on the Prodigy List—killed so casually by Qi Yuan?

This was huge!

Everyone felt that something major was about to happen.

At that moment, Qi Yuan turned to the Rogue Immortal Venerable: "Having killed a figure on the Prodigy List, your rank on the list has advanced by one."

The Rogue Immortal Venerable was stunned.

Brother, are you still thinking about the Prodigy List rankings now?

He didn't know whether to be moved or what.

Indeed, Qi Yuan had killed someone, and a prodigy at that.

This scene was instantly caught by those in the hall.

After all, at such a banquet, the smell of blood was rare.

Almost all eyes turned to Qi Yuan; many showed a flicker of surprise.

For these prodigies, upon entering the hall, they would naturally scan the whole room.

Why hadn't they noticed this figure in a blood-red robe?

Had he come in later?

"This man has guts—killing at the Fish-Dragon Banquet!"

"And wearing the Blood-Robe Sword God's attire—that's a slap in Huang Tu's face."

"This man's courage is as great as the Blood-Robe Sword God's."

"Do you think he could be the Blood-Robe Sword God?"

"How could that be? A senior like the Blood-Robe Sword God—why would he come to our Fish-Dragon Banquet? To watch Golden Core dancers?

If he wanted, those Yuan Dan female cultivators would dance in his room."

Some prodigies murmured.

Many watched Qi Yuan with amusement.

At that moment, Huang Tu, in his yellow robe, wore a terrifyingly dark expression.

Surrounded by dozens of prodigies, he walked out of the inner hall and stopped not far from Qi Yuan and the others.

He looked at Zheng Fangxing's corpse on the ground, then at Qi Yuan, and said in a hoarse voice: "Daoist... you have gone too far."

Beside Zheng Fangxing, Xu Tongchen was extremely anxious.

This Qi Yuan... was too fierce!

Killing at the Fish-Dragon Banquet?

He was thinking how to save Qi Yuan's life.

"Where have I gone too far? He wanted to kill me, so I killed him first." Qi Yuan always believed in avenging without delay—night brings many troubles. "What, are you here to avenge him?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the many prodigies behind Huang Tu.

"Are you all here to avenge him?"

Those prodigies exchanged glances, clearly not expecting this blood-robed man to be so bold.

Was he provoking them?

At this point, Gao Ji'en wore a sour face, uglier than anyone's.

When he came, his junior brother had said that friend was a bit mad, different from others.

This wasn't just a bit mad—this was mad beyond human.

One man daring to shout at dozens of prodigies.

"If you are here to avenge him, then... you can only be my enemies, and I will have no choice but... to kill you all." Qi Yuan said lightly, then glanced at the Rogue Immortal Venerable: "If I kill them all, can you enter the Eastern Lands Prodigy List?"

The Rogue Immortal Venerable heard this and could no longer speak.

Zhao Buyu at the table also quietly moved away from Qi Yuan.

After all, this man had a problem with his head—he must be a cultivator of the Obsession lineage.

Huang Tu's face had turned terrifyingly dark.

Beside him, Xu Tongchen quickly said: "Daoist, do you know who he is? He is number twenty-seven on the Eastern Lands Prodigy List—someone you cannot afford to offend!"

He frantically signaled Qi Yuan with his eyes, hoping he wouldn't be too arrogant and provoke the crowd's wrath.

Qi Yuan said lazily: "It's not that I am offending him now—it's that he came to offend me."

Of course, I’m not one to kill the innocent indiscriminately. You may leave, and let it be as if this never happened.

I’ll dispose of this man’s corpse cleanly—it won’t affect you.

Rest assured, I have particular expertise in handling corpses.”

As Qi Yuan spoke, he pulled out a bottle of Corpse-Dissolving Liquid and, before everyone’s eyes, poured it directly onto Zheng Fangxing’s body.

As he poured, Qi Yuan sighed.

Indeed, strength is a man’s greatest beauty and confidence.

Back then, when he used Corpse-Dissolving Liquid on Yu Linglong, he had to do it in secret.

Now, in broad daylight and before a crowd, he dared to act so openly.

The gazes of those present grew even more strange.

Huang Tu’s face had darkened to the extreme: “If this madman of yours can walk out of the Fish-Dragon Banquet today, then I, Huang Tu, am unworthy of a place on the Heavenly Pride List.”

Then, as his words fell,

Qi Yuan, who had been at the table, suddenly vanished.

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

Where is he?

How did he disappear so suddenly?

Has he fled?

These prodigies were astonished, equally amazed by Qi Yuan’s speed.

To vanish before so many eyes—such strength was certainly not that of an unknown on the Heavenly Pride List.

“Even if you’re in the top twenty of the Heavenly Pride List, I, Huang Tu, will not let you off!” Huang Tu stared at the empty seat, his gaze sweeping over Rogue Immortal Venerable and Gao Ji’en, murderous intent seeping from his eyes.

Just then, a languid voice rang out: “I’ve already walked out of the Fish-Dragon Banquet, and now I’ve walked back in. Does that mean you’re unworthy of your place on the Heavenly Pride List?

Could it be… you’ll be struck from the list?

If so, my brother here might just make it onto the main Heavenly Pride List.”

Qi Yuan reappeared, his words startling, and he glanced at Rogue Immortal Venerable beside him.

“…”

“…”

A profound silence fell over the hall.

Many stared at Qi Yuan, finding it utterly baffling.

This man… is he messing around?

Rogue Immortal Venerable, on the other hand, was weeping—this time, truly moved.

Huang Tu’s face turned ashen: “Today, you die.”

In that instant, Huang Tu struck at Qi Yuan without warning.

The other prodigies stood by, watching as if it were a joke.

Yet, at that moment, a hurried voice rang out.

“Stop!”

A fierce aura spread, and throughout the entire Fish-Dragon Banquet, the qi of every prodigy wavered.

They felt their spiritual energy turn sluggish, reduced from prodigies to mere mortals.

“A Purple Mansion?”

The prodigies were startled—why would a Purple Mansion appear at the Fish-Dragon Banquet?

Then, that Purple Mansion figure descended into the hall, waved a hand casually, and halted Huang Tu.

The prodigies inside looked at the newcomer with a mix of confusion and awe.

“It’s the Master of Cloud Court!”

“A senior of the mid Purple Mansion stage!”

The prodigies’ gazes toward that Purple Mansion shifted.

Though they were prodigies, and the top hundred of the Heavenly Pride List had unhindered futures, able to reach the Purple Mansion,

they were not there yet.

To them, the Purple Mansion remained lofty and distant.

The Master of Cloud Court entered the hall, looked at Qi Yuan, and a trace of respect appeared on his face.

“Senior Blood-Robed Sword God, why bother with these juniors?”

At these words, the crowd gasped even more sharply.

This man in the blood-red robe… is the Blood-Robed Sword God?

The woman who had been at Qi Yuan’s table felt her heart tremble.

Gao Ji’en was stunned, his mind in chaos.

Xu Tongchen was even more so.

Qi Yuan is the Blood-Robed Sword God?

He was thrown into confusion.

My master is my friend’s old servant?

The relationships felt tangled.

At that moment, Qi Yuan took in all the awed and bewildered gazes, a flood of emotions surging within him, and he felt a surge of exhilaration.

He looked at the Master of Cloud Court, a smile in his eyes: “Quick, say it—Dragon King, please smirk.”

Sorry, I still haven’t adjusted to the time difference. There’s another chapter coming at six in the morning. Everyone, get some sleep early.

I’ll try to fix my schedule one day, build up some backlog, and then set a fixed time for daily releases!

(End of this chapter)