315: The Dragon Emperor, who rarely received a gift upon meeting his wife

The atmosphere in the hall was subtle.

Long Yun stood to the side, looking at Long Qingcheng's majestic profile, which showed no hint of joy or anger, and then at Li Shengyuan's handsome face, which remained calm and smiling. She felt anxious but didn't know how to interject to ease the tension.

Of these two, one was the Supreme who ruled the Demon Domain.

The other was a Human Race Prodigy with unfathomable strength and an equally extraordinary background.

At this moment, the collision of their invisible auras made her, the "introducer," feel a bit suffocated.

Just as the silence seemed about to solidify, Long Qingcheng's picturesque eyebrows twitched slightly, and the faint, half-smile on her lips widened a bit.

She let out a soft "Heh," a laugh like the light strike of a jade chime, breaking the silence.

"As expected of the Young Master Li who can shake the Great Qian court and strike fear into the hearts of the Demonic Cult."

Long Qingcheng's voice returned to its previous steady rhythm, and the heavy pressure around her receded quietly like a tide, as if it had never existed.

"At such a young age, to have such courage and bearing—it's quite interesting."

She stopped deliberately pressuring Li Shengyuan and instead turned to look at the somewhat nervous Long Yun, her eyes revealing a hint of elder-like softness and... a trace of helplessness.

"I must also thank Young Master Li for saving this silly girl's life." Long Qingcheng's tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable seriousness.

"Had you not stepped in in time, given Green Rhinoceros's strength and the Demonic Cult's cunning and ruthlessness in setting the trap, Yun'er might have faced disaster despite her skills. The consequences would have been unthinkable."

Hearing Long Qingcheng mention this, Long Yun also focused her mind. Recalling the previous danger, she nodded with lingering fear, her gaze toward Li Shengyuan filled with sincere gratitude.

At the same time, she breathed a secret sigh of relief; the atmosphere didn't seem so serious anymore.

Li Shengyuan smiled slightly, his attitude humble yet not subservient: "Your Majesty overstates it."

"One should draw a sword to help when seeing injustice on the road, let alone when Miss Long Yun was carrying out Your Majesty's heavy responsibility of investigating the collusion between rebels and the Demonic Cult. Whether for public duty or personal reasons, since I, Li, encountered it, there was no reason to stand by. It was just a small effort; Your Majesty need not dwell on it."

As he spoke, he once again held out the slightly vibrating jade bottle in his hand. Inside, the distorted and struggling soul-shadow of the Green Rhinoceros Demon King was faintly visible.

"This remnant soul of the Green Rhinoceros Demon King shall be left for Your Majesty to handle. Consider it a 'meeting gift' for my first audience. Though it is somewhat 'unique,' I hope it will be of help to Your Majesty in purging internal threats and uncovering the Demonic Cult's conspiracies."

As for the Esteemed Emissary of the Demonic Cult, he was placed separately on the other side; this fellow still had other uses!

Long Qingcheng's gaze fell on the jade bottle, a cold, sharp light flashing in her eyes, but a rather playful smile appeared on her face.

"A meeting gift?"

She reached out, and the jade bottle automatically flew into her long, fair palm, where she held it gently.

"I have ruled the Demon Domain for many years, and it has been a long time since anyone... especially a Junior whose cultivation Realm is not as high as mine, has given me a 'meeting gift.' Young Master Li, you truly make me feel refreshed."

She paused, her fingertips rubbing the gold-and-jade-like bottle, feeling the waves of malice and fear coming from within. The smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by a deep chill.

"However, I accept this 'gift'." Long Qingcheng's voice grew colder, with an unquestionable decisiveness.

"Green Rhinoceros betrayed the Yao Race, colluded with the Demonic Cult, and harbored ill intentions, even nearly harming Yun'er... Its crime is unpardonable even by ten thousand deaths. Simply having its body and soul extinguished would be too lenient."

She looked up at Li Shengyuan, golden light swirling in her eyes: "I will personally cast this remnant soul into the 'Soul Refining Dragon Flame' to burn for a hundred years, letting it suffer the pain of soul incineration as a warning to others!"

"Young Master Li, this time you not only saved Yun'er but also rooted out a cancer for me and the Demon Domain. I will remember this favor."

Having said that, a flash of golden light appeared in her palm, and the jade bottle vanished, clearly having been put away by her.

Then, with a light wave of Long Qingcheng's sleeve, several magnificent jade tables and chairs appeared out of thin air on both sides of the hall, already set with fragrant spiritual fruits and immortal wine.

"Young Master Li, Miss Pei, please be seated."

Long Qingcheng herself took the lead, walking to a large throne beside the main seat and sitting down, her posture casual yet still full of majesty.

"You have come from afar and experienced such a disturbance; you must be tired. Taste the 'dragon saliva brew' and 'Vermilion Jade Fruit' of my Holy Dragon City."

After Li Shengyuan and Pei Shuyun took their seats as invited, Long Yun also obediently sat below Long Qingcheng.

Long Qingcheng picked up the crystal-clear wine cup in front of her, took a small sip, and looked back at Li Shengyuan, asking point-blank:

"Very well, the pleasantries and thanks are over. Young Master Li, since you didn't hesitate to venture deep into my Demon Domain and even come straight to my Holy Dragon City, I assume it wasn't just to deliver this 'gift' of Green Rhinoceros or out of simple justice?"

She leaned forward slightly. Although her tone was calm, that sense of inquiry and control belonging to a superior vaguely surfaced again.

"Let's not beat around the bush. Young Master Li, what exactly is your purpose in seeing me?"

Li Shengyuan was not surprised by Long Qingcheng's directness. He also picked up the jade cup in front of him. The wine inside was crystal clear, with faint dragon-shaped Spiritual Qi swimming in it, and the aroma was rich.

He didn't drink it immediately, but just lightly rubbed the rim of the cup with his fingertips. His face still wore that gentle smile that felt like a spring breeze as he met Long Qingcheng's gaze frankly.

"Since Your Majesty is straightforward, then I, Li, shall be direct as well." He put down the wine cup, his tone calm. "My primary purpose in coming to the Demon Domain actually has much in common with Your Majesty's purpose in sending Miss Long Yun to find the Green Rhinoceros Demon King."

He paused, his gaze becoming slightly deep: "The matter of the Green Rhinoceros Demon King is likely not an isolated case."

"I, Li, have obtained some clues that the Demonic Cult's reach seems to extend not only into the Human Race but also into the Yao Race, attempting to find partners or... create chaos to achieve their goals."

He looked at Long Qingcheng and said slowly: "My trip this time is precisely to discuss with Your Majesty how to deal with this shadow of the Demonic Cult that lurks in the dark, attempting to incite conflict between the two races and bring chaos to the world."

"Dealing with those like the Green Rhinoceros Demon King, who have connections with or might be deceived and used by the Demonic Cult, and clearing away hidden dangers, is one of the key tasks."

"I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"