44: Ugly ones are not acceptable.
Yingxian Island.
This island was a place specifically used by the Jiang Family to host their most distinguished guests.
The entire island was a massive Magic Treasure of space; it contained its own world within, filled with swirling Immortal Qi and surrounded by divine light.
At this moment, in the center of the island, a massive Dao Discussion Platform built from Nine Heavens white jade was already overcrowded.
No, it should be said that it was "over-immortal-crowded."
Looking around, on the lotus thrones surrounding the Dao Discussion Platform, every single person sitting there was a stunning beauty capable of toppling countries and cities.
Each one possessed a countenance that would drive countless Cultivators mad and a talent sufficient to suppress a region.
These were the Saintesses, Phoenix Goddesses, and Imperial Daughters from the various top forces of the Emperor Immortal Great World.
They had been repeatedly exhorted by their elders, carrying the hopes of their entire Sects and Families, gathering here to await the appearance of that man.
The atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
These Heavens Proud Daughters, who were usually high and mighty with eyes above their heads, were now like commodities placed on a shelf. Although they each tried hard to maintain their reserve and pride, the glances they occasionally cast toward the entrance betrayed their inner tension and anticipation.
"Hmph, to make such a big scene, that Jiang Family Imperial Son really has quite the airs, making so many of us wait for him alone."
A woman dressed in a fiery red long dress, with a hot temperament and an explosive figure, snorted coldly. A fiery red long whip was tied around her waist, and her tone carried a trace of dissatisfaction.
She was the Flame God Sect Phoenix Goddess, daughter of Quasi-Emperor Chiyan, born with the Scarlet Flame Battle Body, ranked 87th on the prodigy list, and her nature was as fiery as her figure.
When had she ever received such contempt?
Beside her, a woman dressed in black gauze, with a bewitching figure and charm naturally flowing from her eyes, covered her mouth and chuckled:
"Hehehe, little sister Yan Linger, why be so angry? He is the number one on the prodigy list, so what if we wait for him? Perhaps he is currently in some sister's gentle embrace, unable to leave?"
As soon as this was said, many of the Phoenix Goddesses around blushed and secretly spat in disdain.
The woman speaking was the current Saintess of the Saint Demon Sect, born with an Innate Charming Bone; every smile and frown could bewitch souls.
"You!"
Yan Linger's pretty face turned red from being choked by her words, but she didn't know how to retort.
Just then, a cold and clear voice rang out.
"He is here."
The one speaking this time was Jade Pool Saintess Qin Mengyao.
She was still dressed in white, sitting quietly on the lotus platform, her temperament ethereal, as if she did not belong to this Mortal world.
But her gaze was firmly locked on the entrance of the Dao Discussion Platform.
Swish!
In an instant, the gazes of all the Heavens Proud Daughters present were cast over in unison.
They saw at the entrance, a slender figure in white, walking slowly with unhurried steps.
He was handsome and dashing, with a smile on his face, and his deep eyes seemed to contain a sea of stars. Even though his cultivation was only at the 6th Realm, Divine Ability Realm, he gave people a sense of calm and composure, as if he controlled everything.
Following behind him was a cold-faced young man in black carrying a long sword, as well as several beautiful women—it was precisely Bai Qingxue and her daughter, Qin Wanwan.
The moment Jiang Yuan appeared, the entire Dao Discussion Platform instantly fell silent.
Countless gazes—curious, inquisitive, scrutinizing, jealous, fanatical... all focused on him alone.
"He... is he the Jiang Family Imperial Son, Jiang Yuan?"
"He looks... like he doesn't have three heads and six arms after all, and his cultivation isn't top-tier either. Why is he ranked first on the prodigy list?"
"6th Realm?! When I accompanied my grandfather to visit the Jiang Family for the Imperial Son's wedding last time, the aura on Emperors Son Jiang was still that of a Mortal!"
"Wait, that was only a month ago? From Mortal to 6th Realm in a month?! Even with a master directly empowering him, this is too fast!"
"Shh! Look carefully! That black-clad swordsman behind Emperors Son Jiang! Chaos Sword Body Jiang Yi! And those two women, they are Creation Green Lotus Saint Body! Both are newly promoted Saint Bodies of the Jiang Family!"
"My god... he actually brought that mother-daughter pair too? What does this mean? A show of force?"
The Heavens Proud Daughters whispered among themselves, each with different thoughts.
But Jiang Yuan acted as if he didn't see the gazes around him.
He walked straight to the very center of the Dao Discussion Platform, to the throne made of ten-thousand-year-old Imperial Flowing Jade Marrow that the Family Head, Jiang Zhan, had personally prepared for him, and sat down brazenly.
Then, he gave a bright smile to the group of stunning beauties below, in all their varied shapes and sizes.
"Ladies, sorry for the wait."
This address of "Ladies" directly stunned all the Heavens Proud Daughters present.
When had they ever been addressed like this?
But for some reason, coming from Jiang Yuan's mouth, they didn't feel the slightest bit of frivolity; instead, there was an indescribable... intimacy?
Jiang Yuan scanned the crowd, taking in the expressions of all the women below. However, his attention was entirely on the System's rating panel.
[Name: Ji Yue 85 / 53 / 88 / E+] (Collapsed)
...
...
[Name: Qin Mengyao 99 / 55 / 103 / D+] (Collapsed)
...
...
[Name: Wang Tengxue]
[Rating: 95]
[Identity: Northern Plains Wang Family Imperial Daughter]
[Physique: Immaculate Body (Saint Body)]
[Data: 176cm, 83 / 58 / 98]
[Chest: B]
[Interface Count: 0]
...
...
[Name: Hu Mei]
[Rating: 91]
[Identity: Saint Demon Sect Saintess]
[Physique: Innate Charming Bone Mutation (Dao Body)]
[Data: 175cm / 130cm, 115 / 68 / 110 — 60 / 55 / 81]
[Chest: G / A]
...
...
[Name: Wonderful Sound]
[Rating: 94]
[Identity: Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple Buddhist Maiden]
[Physique: Buddha Heart Glazed Body (Divine Body)]
...
...
[Name: Feng Ling'er]
[Rating: 90]
[Identity: Primordial Divine Mountain Phoenix Goddess]
...
...
Jiang Yuan was shocked internally.
The quality was truly high.
Although he had already checked many with the System beforehand, the actual display, standing in a row, the impact was truly no joke.
However, when he saw Hu Mei from the Saint Demon Sect, Jiang Yuan paused slightly.
"Data, 175cm and 130cm? Why does she have two sets of data?"
[Replying to host, Hu Mei's Innate Charming Bone is a mutated Dao Body, thus creating a One Body Two Souls state within her. The current state is Hu Mei's normal state.]
One Body Two Souls?
Interesting.
He had to admit, this truly piqued his curiosity.
He could take her in later and study carefully what exactly this "two souls" meant!
As for that Feng Ling'er... Jiang Yuan's gaze lingered on her for a second, then he moved it away directly.
Although her rating barely reached 90, the moment he thought of her previous arrogant demeanor, Jiang Yuan couldn't muster the slightest interest.
Want to marry me?
Get lost!
"Ahem."
Jiang Yuan cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.
"I know that everyone came here today in the name of Dao Discussion, but in reality, you all know clearly what it is for, and I don't like beating around the bush."
He stood up and surveyed the audience; his voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"That's right, I, Jiang Yuan, have the Innate Procreation Saint Body, and my Dao is reproduction! It is creation!"
"As long as you unite with me and bear offspring, not only can it make me stronger, but it can also allow you and the forces behind you to obtain unimaginable benefits!"
"For example..."
He pointed to Qin Yuebai and Qin Wanwan behind him, who had already been reborn and possessed an extraordinary temperament.
"Ascending to the heavens in one step, achieving the Saint Body!"
Although they had long known this was the case, when Jiang Yuan personally admitted it, the shock was still not insignificant.
More accurately, his implication was already very clear.
He, Jiang Yuan, was not just going to "discuss the Dao" and find a Dao Companion, but was going to discuss even more "Dao."
What did this count as?
Wasn't this clearly opening a harem and selecting concubines!
And he said it so righteously, so openly and aboveboard!
Jiang Yuan slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the beautiful faces below that were expectant, nervous, or curious, and a playful smile hooked onto the corner of his mouth.
"Of course, This Imperial Son does not take just anyone. Only those who pass my test are qualified to discuss the Dao with This Imperial Son."
His voice was not loud, but it was clearly transmitted into everyone's ears.
"I don't have any other hobbies, I just like looking at beautiful women."
"Therefore, my first test is..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping back and forth over the group of Heavens Proud Daughters below, and finally, he extended a finger and pointed casually in one direction.
"You, you, and you... you few, you are too ugly, eliminated."