38: People from all sides came, and Ye Chen presented them with generous gifts!

[Blue Intelligence: Wanhun Hall, one of the Six Demonic Sects, does not wish to see the Righteous Path forces grow too strong. They have dispatched Venerable Wuying, a Soul Transformation Stage Early Stage assassin skilled in concealment and assassination, who has disguised himself as a Grand Elder of the Luoyun Sect, a small Sect in Zhao State, to infiltrate the birthday celebration entourage.]

He carries a vicious Soul-Extinguishing Needle (a one-time consumable exotic treasure) with the intention of launching a surprise assassination attempt on the Host during the climax of the celebration. [Click to view Venerable Wuying's disguised identity]]

After reading these three pieces of intelligence, a cold glint flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes.

Ye Chen, Wanhun Hall.

It seems this Soul Transformation celebration is destined to be anything but peaceful.

However, since he already knows in advance, these people are no longer threats, but prey delivered to his doorstep.

He immediately sent a voice transmission to Gu Qingxiao, the head of the Enforcement Hall, detailing the appearance and location of the Xingyun Pavilion Disciple who intended to poison him.

"Do not alert him yet. Monitor him secretly. Once this person makes any suspicious move, catch him red-handed and lock him in the Youming Dungeon."

After handling the poisoning matter, Lu Yuan looked at the intelligence regarding Venerable Wuying again.

A Soul Transformation Stage assassin.

If it were an ordinary person who had just reached the Soul Transformation Stage Early Stage, they might truly capsize in the gutter when faced with a sneak attack from a same-rank assassin skilled in concealment.

But unfortunately, he, Lu Yuan, is not only at the Soul Transformation Stage Middle Stage but also possesses a terrifying Divine Sense comparable to the Soul Transformation Stage Late Stage.

That so-called Venerable Wuying is as conspicuous as a firefly in the dark night in his eyes.

...

The next morning.

The Golden Crow rose in the east, and purple aura drifted from the east.

The Azure Cloud Sect threw its gates wide open, and the bell to welcome guests rang throughout the heavens, a full eighty-one times, symbolizing the supreme majesty of the Sect.

At the summit of Longevity Peak, clouds steamed and mists swirled, with thousands of auspicious rays of light.

A massive white jade plaza floated above the sea of clouds, surrounded by nectar, fine wines, spiritual fruits, and immortal delicacies.

Lu Yuan wore a Grand Elder's robe with black base and gold patterns, sitting high upon the main seat, while Gu Qingxue, dressed in her finery like a celestial maiden from the Nine Heavens, accompanied him at his side.

"The envoy from the Yu Hua Immortal Sect, Venerable Yan Nantian, has arrived."

Following a loud shout from the welcoming Elder, a streak of light cut across the sky.

A middle-aged man with an ancient sword on his back and a sharp aura stepped on the clouds as he approached.

This person is named Yan Nantian, a Soul Transformation Stage Early Stage Elder of the Yu Hua Immortal Sect, representing the will of the leader of the Righteous Path in the Eastern Wilderness, arriving to verify if the Azure Cloud Sect is qualified to ascend to a Soul Transformation power.

His gaze was like lightning, sweeping across the entire venue before finally landing on Lu Yuan. Although he sensed that Lu Yuan's aura was unfathomable, he only nodded slightly, carrying the reserve and arrogance typical of a major Sect.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lu, on attaining the Soul Transformation. My Yu Hua Immortal Sect presents one jin of enlightenment tea to show our congratulations."

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Yan. Please, take your seat." Lu Yuan's expression was calm; he did not get angry because of the other party's arrogance.

Following that, forces from all sides arrived one after another.

"The Valley Master of Medicine King Valley has arrived. The congratulatory gift—three Fourth-Stage Medicinal Pills, the Nascent Infant Pill."

As soon as this was said, the entire venue was in an uproar.

The Nascent Infant Pill is a Fourth-Stage Medicinal Pill that assists Golden Core Cultivators in breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. It is priceless, and for Medicine King Valley to offer three at once can be considered a grand gesture.

"A deacon from the Tianji Pavilion has arrived. The congratulatory gift is one Tianji Order, and Venerable Lu has been added to the Eastern Wilderness Venerable Ranking, with a temporary ranking of... ninety-eighth."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan only smiled faintly.

Although the intelligence from the Tianji Pavilion is well-informed, it is clear that they do not yet know he has broken through to the Soul Transformation Stage Middle Stage, nor do they know he possesses several supreme methods.

This ninety-eighth place is merely an assessment based on the combat power of an ordinary Soul Transformation Stage Early Stage.

"The President of the Four Seas Merchant Guild has arrived. The congratulatory gift—a hundred-year mining right to a Third-Stage Spirit Stone vein within Zhao State."

Zhao Sihai was all smiles as he respectfully presented the congratulatory gift.

He is now terrified of Lu Yuan to the extreme, hoping only that this generous gift can eliminate the previous rift.

Subsequently, forces such as the Hundred Refinements Sect, Vajra Temple, Miaoyin Pavilion, and Hundred Flower Palace also entered the venue one after another.

An Elder from the Hundred Refinements Sect presented an ancient-looking "Li Fire Forging Furnace." Lu Yuan took two extra looks at the furnace and ordered his men to store it properly; this was a treasure related to a Dragon-patterned Black Gold vein.

A group of ascetic monks from the Vajra Temple presented a Sarira with flowing Buddhist light.

The female Cultivators of the Miaoyin Pavilion performed the "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Garment" song on the spot, with graceful dancing and moving melodies, causing many young Disciples to blush.

Just when the guests were filling the seats and the atmosphere was lively.

Suddenly, a piercing sound of something breaking through the air came from the horizon.

"Great Yan Kingdom, Sect Master of the Taiyi Sect, Ye Chen, has arrived."

This announcement caused the originally noisy plaza to instantly fall silent.

A massive golden warship was seen breaking through the clouds, hovering above the plaza. Standing on the warship were dozens of powerful Cultivators.

The leader wore a purple-gold dragon robe and a jade crown; his face was handsome but exuded a sinister aura.

It was none other than the Son of Destiny, Ye Chen.

Although he had only ascended to the Soul Transformation Stage for ten years, the aura fluctuations around his body were intense; he had clearly already reached the Soul Transformation Stage Middle Stage.

Behind him, there were faint signs of Dao Laws circulating; clearly, he had comprehended more than one type of Law.

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Innate Dao Body.

As expected of a protagonist of the broken engagement genre, this type of Physique is naturally close to the Dao; comprehending Laws is as simple as eating and drinking.

"I heard it is the birthday of Old Ancestor Lu of Azure Cloud. I have come specifically to ask for a cup of wine." Standing at the bow of the ship, looking down from above, Ye Chen's voice carried a hint of undisguised provocation: "By the way, I have brought a generous gift."

He waved his large sleeve.

Boom.

A three-zhang tall, rusted bronze ancient bell flew out from the warship and smashed heavily into the center of the plaza.

"Dong—"

A dull and ominous bell sound rippled outward, shaking the vital energy of many low-level Cultivators, causing it to surge.

Sending a bell.

Sending to the afterlife.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Everyone looked at this scene in shock. Sending a bell at someone's Soul Transformation celebration is no longer just a provocation; it is a blatant humiliation and a declaration of war to the death.

Gu Qingxue's face instantly turned livid, and killing intent surged in her eyes.

However, Ye Chen seemed not to see the angry gazes of the people around him.

His gaze bypassed the crowd and stared fixedly at Gu Qingxue.

When he saw that the former fiancée he had once regarded as something in his pocket had now grown into such an incredibly beautiful woman, had already attained the Nascent Soul, and possessed an even colder and more noble temperament, the heat in the depths of his eyes was almost ready to burst forth.

But immediately after, he saw Gu Qingxue snuggled beside Lu Yuan, looking at Lu Yuan with eyes full of tenderness and charm.

That was a deep affection she had never shown him.

A twisted jealousy and anger instantly filled his chest.

But in an instant, this emotion turned into a strange sense of pleasure.

"Good, very good."

Ye Chen sneered in his heart.

"This kind of married woman who has been well-trained by someone else is even more flavorful to conquer."

He looked at Gu Qingxue as if he were looking at a personal item temporarily deposited with someone else.