Chapter 1522: The Conference Begins, and Also Offended

Three days passed in a flash.

The Celestial Monarch River remained as turbulent as ever, surging mightily toward the east.

Of course, compared to the majestic Jun River, everyone’s attention was currently focused on the Nascent Soul Grand Gathering. All the Mansion Masters and the leaders of the five great Nascent Soul Powers had gathered. Almost every faction in the Southern Wilderness Province was also present.

With music playing and exquisite delicacies served, the scene was magnificent. Golden Core and Nascent Soul Cultivators, who were usually a rare sight, seemed completely commonplace at this grand event. For most Cultivators, they might not witness such a grand gathering even if they lived out their entire lives.

Above the plaza, Liu Zhou State Governor of the Righteous Sect made a rare appearance on the high platform. He had not shown up for the past few gatherings, so his presence this time naturally surprised the crowd.

Xuan Kui True Monarch even glanced at Ye Jingcheng. He had a lingering feeling that Liu Zhou State Governor’s appearance was related to True Monarch Qianchen right in front of him.

Among the disputes over several Mansions, the ownership of Xiaoshan Prefecture, Tianshu Mansion, and Red Maple Mansion was currently the most suspenseful. In his initial expectations, only Xiaoshan Prefecture and Red Maple Mansion were up in the air; Tianshu Mansion had not been among them.

It was only because the Celestial Sand Sect had persuaded several Elders of the Blood Red Faction and won over the neutral Mansion Master Luo of Tianshu Mansion that this suspense arose. After all, among the twelve Mansions, five were already fixed. Five of the remaining Mansions served as foundational bases that none of the factions would yield, leaving only the two extra Mansions as truly contested.

It was only because the Ye Family was making a move on Tianshu Mansion that the uncertainty had grown significantly. The Righteous Sect likely worried that the Golden Core Grand Competition would damage relationships, so Liu Zhou State Governor appeared in person to prevent any accidents during the arena battles. With the Profound Celestial Demon Sect currently glaring like a tiger watching its prey, losing even one Nascent Soul Power at the border would be a devastating loss to the Southern Wilderness Province.

“Fellow Daoists, I believe everyone has been looking forward to this Nascent Soul Grand Gathering for a long time. The rules remain the same as always. In the arena battles, each faction can send at most three people to participate. Successfully defending the arena three times results in victory. Participants must not exceed two hundred years of age, and their Cultivation must not be lower than the Golden Core Realm. Furthermore, this is primarily a sparring match; under no circumstances should anyone deal a lethal blow.

“As for the rewards, the final seven Cultivators who successfully defend their arenas will each be able to draw one treasure from Junhe Prefecture’s Treasure Vault…

“Moreover, the victors will be able to represent the Southern Wilderness Province in the future pioneering of the Righteous Sect’s Secret Realm.”

Liu Zhou State Governor announced the rules at a leisurely pace.

Of course, he concealed the distribution of the Mansions, adding the pioneering of the Secret Realm and the distribution of the Treasure Vault instead. Because the Secret Realm was a Tier Four Secret Realm and had been explored many times, the crowd did not have much interest in it. However, the Mansion Master’s Treasure Vault still filled everyone with great enthusiasm.

After all, this Mansion Master’s Treasure Vault was actually the Treasure Vault of the Southern Wilderness Province. Though it was just a difference of a few words in name, the quantity and preciousness of the treasures inside were as different as clouds and mud.

At this moment, the Cultivators present began to size up the Golden Core Cultivators of the five factions.

The Golden Core Cultivators of the other four major factions were fine. They had all taken action to some extent before and had considerable reputations in the Southern Wilderness Province. They were even considered household names among the various Purple Mansion Influences and Golden Core Influences. But the crowd knew very little about Ye Jing Hu and Ye Yunxi from the Ye Family. Therefore, most factions were extremely curious.

But someone—who evidently had a technique to see through bone structures and estimate bone age—suddenly revealed that Ye Yunxi was only in her early one hundred and thirties, instantly causing a massive uproar.

Naturally, ordinary people marveled that the Celestial Sand Sect had produced a genius. The Golden Core Sects and Nascent Soul Sects who knew the inside story had entirely different expressions. One had to know that even the participating Golden Core Cultivators from the Liu Family and Jiang Family were nearly two hundred years old. Yet, the Ye Family had only sent out an Early Stage of Golden Core Cultivator in her early one hundred and thirties. She had likely not broken through that long ago and was probably neither clear on nor familiar with the Magical Combat of Golden Core Cultivators.

This made it painfully obvious that the two Cultivators from the Celestial Sand Sect were soft persimmons meant for the picking. Countless Cultivators already began to look down on the Celestial Sand Sect, though to be fair, they hadn’t thought highly of the Celestial Sand Sect’s Ye Family to begin with.

Ye Jingcheng looked around. He noticed that Xuan Kui True Monarch was also glancing at the crowd. The latter possessed a Pupil Skill that allowed him to observe bone age without needing physical contact. But Xuan Kui True Monarch had no motive to expose this information.

His gaze shifted to True Monarch Liu Yuan and Jiang Daorong, finally landing on Liuyun True Monarch.

Liuyun True Monarch of the Liuyun Sect looked like a shrewd little old man. He was short, not even five feet tall, and anyone would feel that he posed no significant threat. The man appeared incredibly composed. However, the more composed he seemed, the more Ye Jingcheng felt that Liuyun True Monarch was the culprit.

But after a single glance, Ye Jingcheng stopped paying attention. These petty schemes were absolutely nothing in the face of absolute power.

Seeing Ye Jingcheng look away, Liuyun True Monarch showed no reaction on the surface, but he let out a sigh of relief in his heart.

Although the Liuyun Sect was one of the four great Nascent Soul Powers, in reality, there was still quite a gap between them and the other factions. Previously, among the twelve Mansions, it appeared on the surface that each faction controlled three Mansions. But in truth, the Liuyun Sect only controlled two and a half. The other half was secretly controlled by the Liu Family. Every year, he even had to give half of his Market profits to the old woman of the Liu Family.

Now that a new Nascent Soul Power had emerged, he believed that the Celestial Sand Sect should rightfully take their place at the bottom. The target of exploitation should become the Celestial Sand Sect, not his Liuyun Sect. Only then would the Liuyun Sect have a chance to secure their control over the two Mansions.

That was why he had secretly arranged for Golden Core Cultivators to spread this news. His goal was to make the Liu Family, Jiang Family, and Profound Puppet Sect target the Celestial Sand Sect more frequently.

“Qianchen Daoist, these juniors of yours look quite decent. However, since Tianshu Mansion has been under our Liu Family’s control for many years, please don’t take it to heart if our attacks are a bit heavy-handed later!” True Monarch Liu Yuan sent a direct Transmission to Ye Jingcheng.

In truth, if possible, True Monarch Liu Yuan did not want to antagonize the Celestial Sand Sect. But they couldn’t just give up Tianshu Mansion for nothing, so she still hoped that Ye Jingcheng would back down in the face of difficulties. Actually, before the grand gathering, she had sought out Ye Jingcheng. However, he had been a man of few words, taking his leave before she could even propose her conditions.

At this moment, Jiang Daorong of the Jiang Family and Liuyun True Monarch of the Liuyun Sect also arranged for their respective juniors to step forward. Before long, thirteen people appeared.

This time, because the Ye Family only had two people who met the conditions, they only sent out two. The Liuyun Sect was in the same boat. They also only had two Golden Core Cultivators.

Liu Zhou State Governor then took out a Small Seal. It flew into the sky and transformed into a full seven Small Seals. After spinning and releasing a massive amount of Spiritual Light, the Small Seals transformed into seven Secret Realm Spaces.

“This must be the Nine-Star Cloud Platform Seal.” Looking up at the sky, Ye Jingcheng marveled at the power of this Magical Treasure.

These seven Spirit Platforms were seven temporary spaces. Their power was similar to his Chessboard Bead; they were trapping-type Magical Treasures. Most crucially, this Magical Treasure could form a maximum of a Ninth Layer Spirit Platform Space to trap and kill opponents. Moreover, the nine Spirit Platforms could overlap.

It was said that this Magical Treasure was an imitation of a certain Spirit Treasure. Coupled with the fact that Liu Zhou State Governor was a Sword Cultivator, Ye Jingcheng silently reminded himself that he would need to be extremely cautious if he ever faced off against the Nascent Souls of these Immortal Sects and Demon Sects in the future.

“Will the impartial Mansion Masters please enter the arena,” Liu Zhou State Governor continued.

Mansion Master Luo, Mansion Master Lu, and the other Mansion Masters who had not settled on a Nascent Soul Power immediately flew into the Spirit Platforms above. The positions occupied by these Mansion Masters would serve as the arenas for their respective Mansions.

“Go,” Ye Jingcheng said, looking at Ye Yunxi. He didn’t make her wait.

Ye Yunxi’s objective was merely to delay as many opponents as possible so that the Daoists of the Profound Puppet Sect could successfully defend the arena in the end. Naturally, she needed to step up early. Ye Jing Hu, on the other hand, was different. He could wait a little longer.

Soon, a Cultivator occupied each of the seven Mansion arenas.

Not many people watched the other arenas, but a large crowd gathered to watch Ye Yunxi’s. She was already quite beautiful, and combined with her high talent but low Cultivation, it naturally attracted a lot of attention.

“Jiang Shengyi of the Jiang Family. Please advise me.” A Cultivator from the Jiang Family stepped forward in front of the arena where Mansion Master Lu was stationed. Although the Jiang Family had a good relationship with the Profound Puppet Sect, this was ultimately about the interests of a Mansion. The dividends alone were enough to support a High-class Golden Core Clan.

“Ye Yunxi of the Celestial Sand Sect. Please advise me,” Ye Yunxi replied. Even though many factions now knew they were the Ye Family, it was obviously better to stay hidden for as long as possible.

As soon as the two finished exchanging pleasantries, Ye Yunxi took the initiative to draw her Magical Treasure. After all, her Cultivation was somewhat lower. She pulled out an azure bead and smashed it toward Jiang Shengyi. It was none other than the upgraded Celestial River Bead.

This Celestial River Bead had been infused with some of the Blue Jade Flood Dragon’s Heavy Water, drastically increasing its power. As it flew out, it felt as if it carried the weight of an entire lake or sea.

BOOM!

Jiang Shengyi similarly summoned a golden Shield. The Shield was a Tier Four Middle-Grade Treasure, boasting equally impressive power. The Celestial River Bead shattered instantly, turning into countless water droplets.

Jiang Shengyi took out a long spear next.

“Ye Daoist, forgive my offense.” Jiang Shengyi’s long spear split into three in an instant. A split second later, they split into nine. The nine long spears flew out with a mighty momentum, stacking Spear Flowers that tore through the air. That fierce Spear Intent was in no way inferior to Sword Intent.

Seeing this, Ye Yunxi had no choice but to form Finger Formulas. Instantly, a massive Celestial Blue Water Palace Secret Technique condensed in front of her. However, unable to withstand the armor-piercing spears, the Secret Technique quickly shattered apart.

Fortunately, as if she had anticipated this, Ye Yunxi executed the Water Dragon Roar Secret Technique. Moreover, while casting the Secret Technique, she had actually utilized half of her Spirit Cultivation with the Silver Moon Flood Dragon, which gave her much stronger control over Water Attribute Secret Techniques.

At this moment, a Dragon Roar echoed, and an Ice Dragon materialized.

BOOM!

The spear shadows vanished, and the Ice Dragon turned into Ice Crystals that scattered into the air, thoroughly shaking the entire Spirit Platform Space.

Standing off to the side, even though Mansion Master Lu was at the Late Stage of Golden Core, he could sense that the combat strength of these two had already surpassed ordinary Middle Stage of Golden Core Cultivators. Thus, he grew serious as he oversaw the battle.

Seeing that the spear failed, Jiang Shengyi prepared to pull out another Magical Treasure. To his shock, he realized that the scattered Magical Treasure Celestial River Bead from earlier had already gathered together once more without him noticing.

“Good move,” Jiang Shengyi said, not feeling indignant, only startled.

He reactivated his previous Shield Treasure. Propelled in a flash, the Magical Treasure multiplied into four identical shields, blocking the Heavy Water Fragments raining down from all directions.

“Ye Daoist, forgive my offense.” Seeing that he hadn’t managed to suppress her, Jiang Shengyi activated a Secret Technique. His Cultivation aura instantly broke past the Middle Stage of Golden Core, eventually nearing the Late Stage of Golden Core. Furthermore, an identical Jiang Shengyi shockingly stepped out from behind him.

A power-boosting Secret Technique combined with a Clone Secret Technique instantly tilted the situation that Ye Yunxi had managed to stabilize back in Jiang Shengyi’s favor.

“Jiang Daoist, forgive my offense as well.” Seeing him go all out, Ye Yunxi also waved her hand. A Silver Moon Flood Dragon flew out beside her, accompanied by a Roc Fish.

This sight instantly caused Jiang Shengyi’s face to fall. If it was just a barely Tier Four Silver Moon Flood Dragon, he still might have had some confidence, but seeing the Late Stage of Fourth Tier Roc Fish, his confidence evaporated completely.

“I concede,” Jiang Shengyi said straightforwardly.

This was an arena battle anyway; as long as he wasn’t injured, he could still participate in challenging the next arena. The Jiang Family already had a decent relationship with the Celestial Sand Sect and the Profound Puppet Sect. Naturally, there was no need to fiercely contest an arena when he knew perfectly well he was outmatched.

Jiang Shengyi’s surrender naturally made many people’s jaws drop. They never expected it to end like this. Even True Monarch Liu Yuan furrowed her brows.

“Qianchen Daoist, although Spirit Beasts aren’t prohibited, they can’t cross over to other arenas.” A Late Stage of Fourth Tier Roc Fish could put up a fight even against a Golden Core Peak Cultivator. Even though True Monarch Liu Yuan had prepared for this, she still felt a bit unsure at this moment. If she could see the Celestial Sand Sect back down voluntarily, that would naturally be for the best.