Chapter 490 - 484: The Court Artist’s Invitation
Chapter 490: Chapter 484: The Court Artist’s Invitation
Because this family was quite powerful, with a Core Formation Ancestor presiding over it, the Foundation Establishment Disciples sent by Du Youqian didn’t dare get too close. They didn’t have a complete grasp of Luo Jinyu’s situation and could only make discreet inquiries.
Du Youqian, however, had no such concerns.
He had been in the county for several days without being discovered by the family’s Core Formation Cultivator.
Concealed from view, Du Youqian carefully observed Luo Jinyu’s actions and learned what other Cultivators thought of him.
As a Cultivator with a Top Grade Spirit Root who was treated reasonably well, Luo Jinyu had already reached the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage.
He ordinarily appeared humble and content with his lot, expressing immense loyalty and gratitude toward the main family branch.
In private, however, Luo Jinyu was extremely cautious and far from unambitious, secretly building up his strength.
Based on several probes into Luo Jinyu’s thoughts, Du Youqian learned that he actually planned to use various means to seize control of the family after reaching Foundation Establishment, concentrating its resources to help him break through to Core Formation.
’So this is the real you, Luo Jinyu...’
’He’s so different from the Luo Jinyu of our past life.’
This time, Du Youqian didn’t just appear before Luo Jinyu and tell him to come with him.
He didn’t even approach Luo Jinyu privately.
A few days later, he dropped all pretense. Revealing himself as the Nascent Soul Cultivator Master Sui Xiao, he sent a formal notice of his visit to Luo Jinyu’s family.
The visit from a Nascent Soul Elder Monster naturally sent the family into a frenzy. They scrambled to prepare the full reception rites for an esteemed guest, all while wondering, ’What could have possibly brought a Nascent Soul Elder Monster to our doorstep?’
The local Zhao Kingdom officials and Immortal Gate Observation Envoys also quickly received the report.
They were, of course, very eager to know the intentions of an unfamiliar Nascent Soul Master who had just arrived in their county.
But they didn’t dare to contact Du Youqian personally. After all, the Immortal Gate Observation Envoys in the county were merely Foundation Establishment Cultivators. What right did they have to appear before a Nascent Soul Master?
They could only report the matter up the chain of command and request that their superiors dispatch a special envoy—at least Core Formation Level, preferably Nascent Soul Level—to make contact.
Anything less would be considered a provocation.
Du Youqian set aside his lofty status and spoke cordially with the family’s ancestor, telling him quite frankly:
"This child from your family was a good friend of mine in a past life. Now that I’ve found his reincarnation, I must take him with me. Naturally, I will offer you some compensation."
"Aren’t you hoping to produce a Core Formation Cultivator?"
"How about this: I will give you a Treasure and a Core Formation Spiritual Object. Let’s leave it at that."
"Furthermore, he will not sever ties with your family. Once he is accomplished in his Cultivation, I will permit him to return and help should your family ever find itself in trouble."
What choice did the other party have?
A Nascent Soul Elder Monster was speaking to him so politely and had promised so many benefits. If he failed to appreciate the favor, the man would likely turn hostile in an instant, bringing annihilation upon his family.
Du Youqian even showed him some face, staying for a cup of tea and a brief chat with the Core Formation Cultivator before leaving with Luo Jinyu.
Luo Jinyu was in a daze, completely bewildered. He had no idea what had just happened. He had suddenly become the past-life friend of a Nascent Soul Elder Monster. This happiness had come so abruptly; it was more preposterous than a giant gold ingot falling from the sky.
Even as he bid farewell to his parents and boarded the Flying Boat with Du Youqian, his mind was still in a whirl. He kept wondering, ’Am I under a Mind Enchantment Art, or are the family elders testing me with some kind of hallucinatory Treasure?’
Once the Flying Boat was airborne and he had gradually calmed down, Luo Jinyu realized the atmosphere aboard was extremely tense.
When he boarded the Flying Boat, he had greeted everyone—the people, the monkey, and the cat. Even though the two girls were mortals, he had greeted them with the utmost courtesy, terrified of leaving a bad impression on the Nascent Soul Elder Monster.
The Nascent Soul Elder Monster, however, didn’t offer any detailed introductions, only briefly stating everyone’s names.
Even then, he had noticed that one of the two women was gentle and approachable, while the other was as cold and sharp as a drawn blade.
Now, he could see it even more clearly: the two women were as incompatible as fire and water.
’Could it be that they are both this Elder Nascent Soul’s concubines, fighting for his favor?’
But after observing them for a moment, he dismissed the idea.
The Nascent Soul Elder Monster was kind to them both, but he showed no signs of lustful intent.
And they, in turn, regarded the Nascent Soul Elder Monster with more reverence than affection.
Luo Jinyu couldn’t help but wonder to himself how he should interact with these two mortal women.
He decided to simply meditate and cultivate on the Flying Boat instead. After all, the Nascent Soul Elder Monster was very generous, providing more than enough Spirit Stones.
However, he had barely begun to cultivate when he was told to stop.
"What’s so good about a trash Cultivation Technique like that? You’re better off performing Scattering and Re-Cultivation sooner rather than later."
Although Luo Jinyu was reluctant to part with the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage he had worked so hard to achieve, he certainly couldn’t argue with a Nascent Soul Elder Monster.
Du Youqian couldn’t even be bothered to teach him a Disperse Secret Skill. ’It would be a pity for a Foundation Establishment Perfection Cultivator to directly perform Dissipating Skill,’ he thought, ’but for a mere Qi Cultivation Middle Stage... it would only take a month or two to get back here by re-cultivating.’
’Why waste time mastering a Disperse Secret Skill?’
’Just perform Dissipating Skill and be done with it.’
And so, for the first time in his life, Luo Jinyu performed Dissipating Skill a thousand zhang up in the sky...
How should one describe it? Let’s just say it wasn’t a pleasant experience.
He hoped he would never have to go through that again.
~~~~~~~~
Before they could even pick up Li Fei, their Flying Boat was intercepted by officials from the Zhao Kingdom.
"Fellow Daoist, please stay your hand! I am Zhao Shan, a Court Artist for the Zhao Royal Court. I was wondering if you had a moment? If you are not in a hurry, I have arranged a banquet and would be honored by your presence."
The one blocking their path was a Nascent Soul Early Stage Cultivator with a handsome, jade-like face. He wore a cyan Crane Robe, carried a Duster, and had a red floral mark between his eyebrows.
To put it charitably: he appeared somewhat effeminate.
To put it bluntly: what a damn sissy.
Du Youqian didn’t want to sour his relationship with the Zhao Kingdom’s officials. He immediately smiled and said, "I was hoping for such an invitation, but dared not ask. Please, lead the way, Fellow Daoist."
Seeing how agreeable Du Youqian was, Zhao Shan let out a delicate laugh, clearly pleased. "Fellow Daoist, please follow me."
With that, he flew downwards.
Below them was a magnificent city called Xiangya City, the single most important city in the southern Zhao Kingdom.
Tens of millions of people lived there. Before they had even landed, Du Youqian sensed the auras of one Nascent Soul and five Core Formation Cultivators within the city.
A thought struck Du Youqian.
From what he had gathered over the past few days, the Zhao Kingdom was presided over by a Void Step Great Power.
Unlike the backwater of the Endless Desert Sea, any nation established in the outside world was presided over by at least a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.
For a nation with a slightly larger territory, it would be impossible to maintain control without a Void Step Great Power.
’And a city of Xiangya City’s scale and importance should have a Divinity Transformation True Monarch stationed here.’
’Of course, even if there is a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, I’m not afraid. If I can’t win a fight, I can at least escape.’
’But if there really is a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, and they’re concealing their aura, that wouldn’t be very friendly.’
Of course, Du Youqian didn’t bring it up himself.
As Zhao Shan descended, arranged for their Flying Boat to land, and led the group to a luxurious mansion for the banquet, Du Youqian was all smiles and pleasantries, showing not the slightest hint of concern.
Besides Zhao Shan, another Nascent Soul Cultivator also attended the banquet. As for the Core Formation Cultivators, two were present and sat in the lowest-ranking seats, while the other three had duties to attend to and couldn’t make it.
The Zhao Kingdom was not particularly tolerant of the Demon Race, but Du Youqian’s status as a Nascent Soul was more than enough to protect a demon or two.
Thus, the Ghost Belly Cat Demon King was taken to a side hall to be hosted separately.
As for Little Wukong, he was assumed to be an ordinary animal. He sat on Du Youqian’s shoulder, smugly stuffing himself at the banquet and devouring at least ten portions of Spirit Fruits.
Only then did Zhao Shan and the others realize Little Wukong was a Demon. But since things had already progressed this far, they couldn’t say anything, lest they make themselves look foolish.
They could only feign ignorance, continuing to chat and laugh with Du Youqian while frequently encouraging him to drink.
After three rounds of drinks, Zhao Shan finally got down to business.
Du Youqian had previously revealed that he was here for the Guiding of a few old friends.
Apparently, the Zhao Kingdom Cultivators were unaware of the Ghost Belly Cat’s unique ability. They had no idea how Du Youqian located his "old friends," let alone how he intended to awaken their Past Life Memories.
But this was a private matter; since Du Youqian didn’t elaborate, they couldn’t press him for details.
Zhao Shan could only ask tentatively, "I wonder how long Fellow Daoist plans to stay in our kingdom?"
Du Youqian smiled. "Ten to twenty days should be about right. Even if something unexpected comes up, it won’t be more than a month."
Zhao Shan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Du Youqian’s Cultivation was only at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, the pressure he exuded was even greater than that of some Nascent Soul Perfect Cultivators Zhao Shan had encountered.
The members of the Zhao Kingdom’s Royal Family could all practice a Secret Technique that allowed them to roughly sense the threat level of other Cultivators.
In Zhao Shan’s perception, Du Youqian’s threat level was a vivid red.
This meant that if they were to fight, Du Youqian could likely slay him with ease in under ten moves!
’That’s just outrageous.’
The Zhao Kingdom’s Royal Family had no shortage of Nascent Soul Late Stage and Perfection Cultivators.
In his perception, their threat levels were merely pale red or orange-yellow. Zhao Shan was confident he could last twenty to thirty moves against any of them.
He was baffled. ’Has the Immortal City Alliance become this powerful?’
’Can they just pull out any random Nascent Soul Cultivator and have them be practically invincible among their peers?’
’And he’s just a little over a hundred years old! He has an excellent chance of advancing to Divinity Transformation, and even reaching Void Step isn’t out of the question!’
He distinctly remembered the Immortal City Alliance as a minor power that, due to its weakness, occupied a vast but barren territory. They had no Void Step Great Power, only a single Divinity Transformation True Monarch presiding over them.
"Would you be willing to stay in the Zhao Kingdom for a time, Fellow Daoist, or perhaps accept a nominal position as a Court Artist? Given your Cultivation and prowess in Magical Combat, our kingdom is willing to hire you for a fee of three million Spiritual Jade per century. You would not normally be troubled with trivial matters, nor would your freedom be restricted. We would only occasionally ask you to instruct the young geniuses of the Royal Family, and to lend a hand in the event the Demon Race launches a large-scale offensive."
’An offer this good?’
Although Du Youqian’s net worth was already over a hundred million, three million Spiritual Jade per century was still a very substantial income. He almost accepted on the spot.