138: Chapter 138 A Golden Carp Is Not a Fish in a Pond

Yan Louchuan felt a surge of excitement in his heart after receiving such a signal from Li Yuan.

He felt that he had finally managed to latch onto a powerful backer.

Regardless of Li Yuan's motives, he had ultimately succeeded in aligning himself.

This conversation lasted for nearly four hours.

In the interim, the Meifengshan Martial Arts Academy served fine wine and delicacies to the group.

Judging by the specifications of the reception, they were being given a great deal of Face.

Compared to when the Amber Sovereign was in power, the courtesy they received now was actually greater.

The Amber Sovereign enjoyed asserting his authority through minor matters.

For instance, the dishes served to Supremes at the initial stage of the Ninth Grade would be noticeably inferior.

He constantly used such things to create a sense of disparity.

As the gathering progressed into its latter half, the atmosphere even became quite lively.

As it was nearing its end, Ning Feichi, who had remained mostly silent until then, spoke up.

"After today's gathering concludes, I have matters to discuss privately with Supreme Li. Please arrange it."

From beginning to end, Ning Feichi maintained his usual attitude.

Calm and cold, detached from everything, yet acting superior.

Ning Feichi's rank was twelfth.

But looking at his demeanor, it was as if he were the First Supreme.

Li Yuan looked up at him, not intending to give him any Face.

"Whatever it is, say it here.

There shouldn't be anything between you and me that needs to be discussed in private."

The previously lively atmosphere changed instantly because of Ning Feichi's words.

The crowd gradually quieted down, watching Li Yuan and Ning Feichi.

Yan Louchuan, who was standing to the side, seemed to think of something and couldn't help but speak up to remind him.

"Supreme Li, perhaps you should still go and talk with him..."

Yan Louchuan's reminder caused the expressions of those around them to shift.

Indeed, they did not know much about Ning Feichi.

But he was certainly mysterious.

Ning Feichi was not a Martial Artist of the Shun Kingdom, yet he was able to join their circle of Ninth-Grade Supremes.

When the Amber Sovereign was present, as domineering as he was, he had treated Ning Feichi with great courtesy.

Hearing Yan Louchuan's words, Ning Feichi stood up and fixed his gaze on Li Yuan.

"You happen to be meeting with the First Supreme of the Jin Kingdom soon.

If you don't want to talk today, we can talk then.

As it happens, I also have something to say to the First Supreme of the Jin Kingdom.

Meeting together will save some trouble."

After saying this, Ning Feichi stood up, activated his movement technique, and directly left the Martial Arts Academy's main hall.

Watching his actions, everyone turned their gaze toward Yan Louchuan.

Everyone present had extremely limited knowledge of Ning Feichi.

This middle-aged man was always supercilious, as if nothing could catch his eye.

The one who knew Ning Feichi best should have been the Amber Sovereign.

Now that the Amber Sovereign was missing, only Yan Louchuan might know some snippets of information.

Seeing everyone looking at him, Yan Louchuan also shook his head.

"I have only heard some peripheral rumors about this person.

Ning Feichi is not his real name. His surname is Ning, and 'Feichi' means 'not of the pond,' implying that he is not someone from our small pond..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding Supremes couldn't help but snort coldly.

"What arrogant words. Is he saying that we Ninth-Grades are all fish in a pond, lacking in perspective?"

"No wonder he always has that look when we see him.

It turns out he has never truly looked us in the eye."

"I'm very curious to know just how powerful this expert who is 'not a creature of the pond' actually is.

Is he capable of finishing us all off with a wave of his hand?"

Hearing the indignation of those around him, Yan Louchuan's expression remained serious.

"I don't know the extent of his abilities; I've never seen him take action.

But I once accidentally saw the Amber Sovereign bow his head to him, and it even looked like... he was being scolded..."

Yan Louchuan spoke softly, his eyes looking into the distance as if recalling that day's events.

The expressions of the surrounding Supremes unconsciously became serious and solemn.

To make the Amber Sovereign bow his head, or even be scolded...

Amidst the hesitation, Yan Louchuan turned back to look at Li Yuan.

"Supreme Li, my words just now were not intended to undermine your prestige.

Having just ascended to the position of First Supreme, authority and credibility are very necessary.

But this Ning Feichi is too unique..."

Yan Louchuan still kept his posture very low, relaying what he knew to Li Yuan.

The other Supremes didn't know much about Ning Feichi's specific circumstances.

This man had no forces of his own in the Shun Kingdom; he was a lone wolf.

Yet the resources he occupied were certainly not few.

It was said that the extraction and transport of those resources were all assisted by the Amber Sovereign's faction.

With things explained to this point, everyone's curiosity about Ning Feichi grew even stronger.

For now, one thing could be tentatively confirmed.

Ning Feichi should indeed have some substance and some skill.

But why he came here, and what his goals and plans were, remained unknown.

Judging from his words just now, Ning Feichi also had communication with the First Supreme of the Jin Kingdom.

It seemed he only interacted with the strongest Martial Artists of each country.

Li Yuan was also somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected such a mysterious figure to exist in the Shun Kingdom.

But as he pondered, he wasn't too worried in his heart.

There was one point Li Yuan understood very clearly.

If Ning Feichi were truly as powerful as an immortal or a god, he wouldn't need to seek cooperation with the First Supreme; he would only need to intimidate.

Under an invincible power, lackeys would naturally flock to him.

The fact that he still chose to talk only proved that Ning Feichi was not that powerful.

What Li Yuan wanted to know most now was where Ning Feichi actually came from.

He claimed not to be a creature of the pond—so was he a character from some Holy Land?

After thinking for a moment, Li Yuan didn't waste any more time.

He went to the back mountain where the bodies were kept and looked at Rong Zhao's corpse.

He used the Corpse Looting Technique.

This Ning Feichi was a variable, but Li Yuan wasn't overly concerned.

By the time they met again, his own strength would have reached another level.

At the Meifengshan Martial Arts Academy, he had already paid his respects to the remains of those Seniors and obtained benefits from them.

In the academy, there really weren't many places left where his Corpse Looting Technique could be used.

But Li Yuan had found another path.

That was to use his status as the newly ascended First Supreme to visit various factions.

During the visits, he would naturally propose to pay respects to their ancestors to show a Junior's esteem.

This process was perfectly reasonable, and the other party might even be quite moved.

The former First Supreme, the Amber Sovereign, had always treated them with arrogance.

Li Yuan, taking over the position, showed them all kinds of courtesy and respect.

Interests were important, but dignity was also very important.

After completing this journey, Li Yuan believed his strength should reach the Peak of the Ninth Grade.

That step would be the pinnacle of cultivation in this world.

As for what lay above the pinnacle, there were no records in any of the various ancient texts or books.

The Senior Emperor Chen whom Li Yuan had encountered was ultimately stuck at that step as well.

Ninth Grade Great Perfection was the highest point one could reach.

Li Yuan had carefully studied Senior Emperor Chen's martial arts experience.

He believed that there were higher Realms in the Martial Dao, but that step was one he himself could not cross.

At the end of his life, he had obtained the Kunlun Endless Canon, but even within it, he still hadn't found a path upward.