parentshiftbook Chapter 374 The True Transmission of Ascension, Shaolin Temple
Chapter 374 The True Transmission of Ascension, Shaolin Temple
Chapter 374 The True Transmission of Ascension, Shaolin Temple
The moment Li Xijun and Li Qinghan stepped into Zuiyue Tower, the once noisy and bustling hall seemed to be choked by an invisible hand, and the sound came to an abrupt halt.
All the eyes of the martial arts heroes and geniuses on the Human Ranking were fixed on the two figures at the door.
The young man in black possessed a calm and composed demeanor, as serene as a deep pool and as imposing as a mountain; the woman in white was exquisitely beautiful and aloof, like ice and snow. Such elegance was truly rare in this world.
Some people recognized them instantly, their pupils contracted, and their hearts pounded.
"Yes—it's His Highness the Star Lord! And the White Tiger Saintess!"
"How did they get here?!"
Someone gasped and muttered to themselves, then suddenly realized, "It's because of that ancient secret realm outside the city; even this person has been alerted."
These words shocked everyone in the room.
Some of the wealthy customers who had previously harbored some romantic thoughts about the beautiful proprietress, or even planned to take the opportunity to show off, were suddenly jolted awake as if doused with a bucket of ice water, their cold sweat pouring down their backs.
Who is Star Lord Li Xijun?
That is the de facto successor of the entire Great Xia Dynasty, the master of the Star Palace, and the powerful figure who killed Fairy Muyue of the Xuan Nu Sect and is now ranked on the Earth Ranking.
Li Qinghan, the White Tiger Saintess, is also one of the Four Symbols Venerables of the Star Palace, holding a prestigious position and possessing formidable strength.
The fact that these two people came together, and judging from the proprietress's surprised and delighted expression, makes her identity almost obvious!
Su Manniang, a Grandmaster of the Earth Ranking, one of the Four Symbols Venerables, and the Xuanwu Venerable who has always enjoyed traveling around the world!
Thinking about the expressions they might have inadvertently revealed in the past few days, or even some thoughts that had just crossed their minds, many people turned pale, their legs went weak, and they were filled with lingering fear.
Fortunately, the recent gathering of influential figures in Yuhang City, with so many formidable individuals in attendance, has made them much more cautious and prevented them from making any frivolous remarks. Otherwise—the consequences would have been unimaginable!
Su Manniang took in everyone's reactions, a hint of understanding and amusement flashing in her peach blossom eyes.
Her red lips parted slightly, her voice still soft and alluring, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Esteemed guests, our establishment has distinguished guests arriving today, and we are temporarily unable to serve other customers. We kindly request that you—do us this favor?"
These words were like a pardon. The heroes of the martial arts world in the hall felt as if they had been granted a reprieve. They hurriedly got up and scrambled out, not daring to utter a single unnecessary word, for fear of being a step too slow.
However, as they escaped this suffocating pressure, the news that "Star Lord Li Xijun has arrived in Yuhang" spread like wildfire throughout the entire city of Yuhang.
In a short while, the once bustling and noisy Zuiyue Tower quieted down, leaving only Li Xijun, Li Qinghan, and Su Manniang.
Su Manniang gracefully stepped forward, giving Li Xijun a flirtatious glance, her tone laced with familiar teasing: "Oh, my Star Lord, Your Highness the Crown Prince, you've finally deigned to leave that harem of the capital and come see us poor souls who toil away?"
She leaned closer, her breath sweet as orchids, her voice low yet clear enough for all three to hear: "Remember when you first advanced to the Outer Realm and took over the position of Star Lord? That guy Zhuque and I pretended to give you a grand salute, and then rumors spread like wildfire that we'd been with you for a long time—hmm~"
She drew out her words, her eyes darting around, "I never expected it, I never expected that Zhuque would actually make it real," becoming the Crown Princess, and your bedmate.
She sized Li Xijun up and down, her smile growing increasingly alluring and mocking: "What? Your Highness, you're in such a hurry to see me this time, are you planning to—fulfill those old rumors—by putting me to the test?"
"Su Manniang!"
Li Qinghan, standing to the side, had an icy expression, and a chilling aura seemed to emanate from him. He interrupted her teasing, "Venerable One, please refrain from your nonsense. We have come here for serious business, concerning that ancient secret realm and—news about my mother!"
Seeing Li Qinghan's cold, possessive demeanor, Su Manniang found it extremely amusing. No wonder Mu Wanqiu had enjoyed playing this trick so much before.
Of course, she also knew when to stop, otherwise, like a certain Vermilion Bird, she would get herself into the same mess, which would be quite a spectacle.
She dropped her joking tone, but her eyes still held the languid charm of a mature woman.
"Alright, alright, let's get down to business."
Su Manniang led the two to a quiet private room, personally poured them fragrant tea, and then said seriously, "Nowadays, because of the newly discovered secret realm outside the city, Yuhang City is a place where three forces converge and undercurrents are surging."
"The first is the leader of the righteous path." She extended her slender index finger, "The current acting leader of the Feathered Ascension Sect, currently ranked number one on the Human Ranking—Luo Qingyang. It is said that the key stone for the entrance to the secret realm" is in his hands. He is currently in Yuhang City, attracting attention from all directions."
"The Taoist Yuhua Sect, the foremost among Taoist sects, and the Buddhist Shaolin Temple, the foremost among Buddhist sects, have always been closely allied. Therefore, the Buddhist master who came out to travel this time, Master Pufa, the head of the Prajna Hall of Shaolin Temple, has been guarding him all along. This master is ranked twenty-sixth on the Earthly Ranking, and his mastery of the Yi Jin Jing has reached a state of perfection."
"However," Su Manniang shook her head slightly, "Judging from the past few days, Master Pufa seems to think that the reputation of Shaolin Temple and Yuhua Sect is enough to deter villains. Although he knows that someone is watching, he is not too nervous and seems a bit arrogant."
"The second party is the demonic overlord."
She extended her second finger. "The Path of Calamity and the Seven Emotions Sect, two of the Nine Paths of Evil, have also intervened. The Path of Calamity has sent Cui Yan, the Skin-Peeling Scholar, ranked eighteenth on the Earthly Ranking, skilled in using a pair of skin-peeling knives, both bizarre and ruthless; the Seven Emotions Sect has sent Miao Yin, the Joyful Bodhisattva, ranked seventeenth on the Earthly Ranking, whose seductive arts and vocal attacks are unpredictable."
"Both of them are at the peak of the sixth level of the Outer Realm, and their hands are stained with blood. However, they also know that the situation in Yuhang City is currently murky, and the other side has a powerful background, so they have held back for the time being, but they have been watching from the shadows like lurking venomous snakes."
"The third party consists of local powerful figures and江湖霸主 (jianghu overlords)."
She held up her third finger. "The Cui family of Qinghe has sent their patriarch, Cui Baiquan, at the sixth level of the Outer Realm; the overlord of the Southern Waters, the Great River Alliance, has also sent a vice-leader, Jiang Tianxiong, the 'River-Turning Crocodile,' also at the sixth level of the Outer Realm, whose external martial arts are said to be astonishing. Since their arrival, their attitudes have been ambiguous. The one from the Qinghe Cui family has put on a show of politeness, paying respects to the local aristocratic families, while Jiang Tianxiong has simply disappeared. Currently, a fragile standoff has formed with the other two."
After explaining the situation, Su Manniang sighed softly, her gaze falling on Li Xijun with a hint of helplessness mixed with amusement: "But now—with you, this big shot, showing your face and running into my little temple, the newly formed, fragile three-way balance of power in Yuhang City will probably be turned upside down in an instant by this powerful dragon crossing the river."