"So it’s the legendary Jade Glaze Body..." Li Qingxian felt Lin Zhenyuan’s oppressive aura. ’I really can’t underestimate the heroes of this world,’ he thought. His own full-powered strike, which even countered Evil Demon Power, had only lightly injured the Bone Filth Child.
His own Qi Fortune, the River of the World, was already quite powerful. Yet this man’s Qi Blood Power was clearly a cut above his own. Factoring in the Jade Glaze Body, even a full-powered strike from a Sixth-Grade Expert might not be able to harm him.
His reputation as a Great Cultivator was well-deserved.
Marquis Nanxiang smiled. "It’s rare for us all to get together. Please, don’t stand on ceremony. Have someone bring a few more pairs of chopsticks, and let’s all sit and chat."
Wang Buku and Jin Yuan exchanged a helpless glance. With their level of influence, there was no way they could have drawn Marquis Nanxiang here personally. The Marquis’s intentions were all too obvious: he was here for Li Qingxian or Songg Baige, or more likely, for both of them. While Marquis Nanxiang was overshadowing the hosts, his status was undeniable. He was the eldest legitimate grandson of a first-rate noble family in Qii Country, a house of the Ten Kings over Five Generations. He had shown them ample courtesy and respect, so they couldn’t say a word.
Smiling, Wang Buku and Jin Yuan made the arrangements, and soon everyone was seated.
After a few polite refusals, Marquis Nanxiang took the seat of honor.
As everyone drank and chatted, the conversation soon turned to this year’s Myriad Phenomena Cyan Cloud Examination.
"Your Highness, Marquis Nanxiang, are you also participating in this Seventh-Grade Cyan Cloud Examination?" Luh Gaoming asked.
"None of that ’Marquis’ stuff. We’re all brothers here. From now on, call me Meng Huaichuan, Huaichuan, or even Xiaomeng," said Meng Huaichuan. "At this table, anyone who calls me Marquis Nanxiang again has to drink a penalty cup."
"The Marquis is magnanimous... Ahem, I’ll drink a penalty cup." Luh Gaoming started to say, but cut himself off. Amidst the laughter of the others, he downed a cup of wine.
Meng Huaichuan watched Luh Gaoming finish his drink, then smiled. "To be honest, I could have broken through the Seventh Grade to advance to the Sixth Grade as early as two years ago. Do any of you know why I delayed?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"Because my father told me that the Celestial Fate Sect would be holding another Myriad Phenomena Cyan Cloud Examination in the near future, and he advised me to wait."
"You were willing to make such a sacrifice?" Luh Gaoming asked in confusion.
"Ah, you all underestimate the Myriad Phenomena Map. If we were anywhere else, I might keep this to myself. But since everyone here is a brother, I’ll reveal a little secret. The Myriad Phenomena Map is a supreme treasure of Qi Fortune, on par with the Mountain and River Cauldron and the Emperor’s Seal. Do you know what is most precious within it?"
Once again, everyone shook their heads.
"Destiny Stars," Meng Huaichuan said with a smile. "I know you might not be impressed. On the surface, the Myriad Phenomena Cyan Cloud Examination is a result of Qii Country petitioning the Celestial Fate Sect for help. But in reality, the Celestial Fate Sect is offering this opportunity on its own accord. It’s all for the ’Life-Separating Platform.’"
With the exception of Shen Xiaoyi, everyone’s eyes lit up. They had never heard of such a thing.
"For those high-level experts, their Fate Grids are already formed and their destinies set. They are fated to have no chance with the Life-Separating Platform. But for Lower-Grade Cultivators, whose Fate Grids are not yet fixed, a great amount of Qi Fortune and a major opportunity could allow them to activate the Life-Separating Platform and obtain a Destiny Star."
"I see." This was the first Li Qingxian had ever heard of this.
Meng Huaichuan smiled. "I’ll be honest. My goal here is not to become the Champion Scholar. We in the Dingnan King Mansion do not lack that bit of Qi Fortune, nor do I need the fame. What I want is to be the first to ascend the Life-Separating Platform and become a Life-Separating Person."
"What is a Life-Separating Person?"
Meng Huaichuan shook his head. "We only know that the Killing King of old was a Life-Separating Person, and that some legendary heroes of past ages were as well. But as for the specifics—where the Life-Separating Platform is, what it looks like, what it means to be a Life-Separating Person—we know nothing. The only reason I know even this much is that an ancestor of mine happened to learn of it. I must ask you all to keep this confidential."
"Of course. Young Master Meng, you were willing to share such a massive secret with us. How could we not know how to act?" Jin Yuan’s earlier displeasure at Meng Huaichuan taking Wang Buku’s seat of honor instantly melted away.
Meng Huaichuan said, "If you help me attain the position of a Life-Separating Person, you will be able to offer a toast to my grandfather alongside me at his birthday celebration. Our Dingnan King Mansion will give you our full backing and recommendation, with a status equal to that of an Honored Guest Minister."
Having said his piece, Meng Huaichuan lowered his head and took a sip of wine.
Everyone exchanged glances. Although Meng Huaichuan had been vague, the phrases "full backing and recommendation" and "status equal to that of an Honored Guest Minister" were an obvious implication.
If they helped Meng Huaichuan secure the position of Life-Separating Person, then upon arriving at the Southern Border, the Dingnan King Mansion could shower them with so much military merit that their chances of advancing to the Upper Grade would skyrocket.
What’s more, a Meng Huaichuan who became a Life-Separating Person would very likely be the next King Dingnan.
Meng Huaichuan set down his wine cup and added, "However, the role of a Life-Separating Person is exceedingly mysterious, and the identities of most have never been revealed. If one of you is chosen and finds you cannot transfer the position, and must take it for yourself, you may still join the Dingnan King Mansion as an Honored Guest Minister afterward."
Li Qingxian instantly understood. Meng Huaichuan was casting a wide net.
Meng Huaichuan’s gaze fell on Li Qingxian. "Xiaoyi’s family and mine are old friends, and she is willing to help me. I wonder, Younger Brother Qingxian, would you be willing as well? Xiaoyi constantly sings your praises, and we all know that you defeated the Nether Son of Nether Mountain on Changg Mountain."
All eyes turned to Li Qingxian. It seemed he was Marquis Nanxiang’s real target.
Li Qingxian chuckled. "Let’s put aside the fact that I don’t even plan to participate in the Myriad Phenomena Cyan Cloud Examination. You should ask Xiaoyi if I won that fight on my own, or with the help of all the other Cultivators present. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have had enough Magical Power to even use my Fate Skills. I’m just a bit quick-witted, nothing more. When it comes to experience, foundation, or Life Artifacts, I’m a far cry from Xiaoyi. She just sees some potential in me, that’s all."
"Oh?" Meng Huaichuan turned to Shen Xiaoyi.
Shen Xiaoyi shot Li Qingxian a helpless glance, her eyes shimmering. "His strength and foundation are a little lacking," she said. "He doesn’t even have many basic Life Artifacts; he just bought a Refining Method from me a few days ago. However, his potential should be greater than my own."
Everyone stared at Li Qingxian in astonishment.
Shen Xiaoyi had the Jiangnan Commerce Association backing her. Even Meng Huaichuan treated her with the utmost respect. The resources at her disposal were immense. And her potential was *less* than Li Qingxian’s?
Songg Baige pursed his lips. "Excellent Young Master, you’ve really got it wrong. When it comes to potential, I’m definitely above him."
"Your potential for being shameless has always been above mine," Li Qingxian retorted.
"Of course. That’s because you don’t have any face to begin with," Songg Baige shot back, not to be outdone.
The two started bickering, and the others watched with a laugh.
Meng Huaichuan chuckled. "Younger Brother Qingxian, do you really not intend to participate in the Myriad Phenomena Cyan Cloud Examination?"
Li Qingxian replied earnestly, "Others might not understand, Brother Meng, but you know my current situation is perilous. Not only am I not participating in the Seventh-Grade Cyan Cloud Examination, I’m planning to leave the Divine Capital with Uncle Zhou for Jiangnan as soon as it’s over."
Meng Huaichuan nodded thoughtfully. "I’ve heard something about Mr. Chunfeng wanting to return to Jiangnan. And that he’s been trading for Holy Decrees and items of imperial calligraphy everywhere, preparing to immerse himself in research. When you get back, tell Mr. Chunfeng that the Dingnan King Mansion has a collection of artifacts from the Old Dynasty. It’s becoming inconvenient to hold on to them, so if he’s interested, he is more than welcome to trade some of his calligraphy and paintings for them."
’It must be nice to be rich and powerful,’ Li Qingxian thought. ’Winning people over is as easy as pouring a drink.’
"I will relay the message to Uncle Zhou," Li Qingxian said.
After they had all chatted for a while, Meng Huaichuan stood up and returned to Room A.
The three took their seats. Meng Huaichuan smiled. "Xiaoyi, you have a good eye for people. This Li Qingxian is no fish to be stuck in a small pond. To resist a temptation like the Myriad Phenomena Cyan Cloud Examination... it means he either has no ambition at all, or his ambitions are monumentally large."