317: Terrified demons from all sides!

The 'Dragon Perching Garden' that Long Yun led the two to was indeed as tranquil and elegant as Long Qingcheng had described.

Unlike the resplendent opulence of the Holy Dragon Palace, this place featured more ancient trees, peculiar rocks, spiritual springs, cascading waterfalls, and pavilions nestled among them, brimming with Spiritual Qi, and its location was superb.

Standing on the high platform within the garden, one could overlook the vast, thousand-mile-long massive city sprawling across the land below.

Long Yun settled them into the main pavilion, instructed a few gentle-tempered plant and tree Yao Race maidservants standing by, and then said to Li Shengyuan and the other:

"Shengyuan, Shuyun, please rest here for now. If you need anything, feel free to ask them. Before the banquet, I will return to fetch you."

After a slight hesitation, she added, "Her Majesty has asked me to report back, so I must take my leave for a moment."

"As you wish," Li Shengyuan nodded.

Once Long Yun's figure disappeared beyond the garden gate, Pei Shuyun walked to the balcony's edge. Gazing at the vast city below and the distant horizon, she said softly:

"Shengyuan, Her Majesty the Dragon Emperor is keeping us here, having you observe the lives of the various races in the city, asking about the Great Qian's political affairs... What exactly is her intention?"

Li Shengyuan walked to her side, his gaze also directed into the distance, a faint, elusive smile playing on his lips.

"Intention?" He gently placed an arm around Pei Shuyun's shoulder, his tone leisurely:

"Perhaps she genuinely wants to hear the perspective of an 'outsider.' Furthermore, she might be observing our reactions. Or perhaps... she is waiting for certain news, or creating a specific opportunity."

He paused, his smile deepening. "Who knows, maybe during our 'tour' these next few days, there will be good news?"

"After all, we didn't come empty-handed. Demon King Green Rhinoceros's 'gift' carries significant weight."

Pei Shuyun leaned against him, nodding thoughtfully.

Although she didn't fully grasp every intricacy, she trusted Li Shengyuan's judgment.

In the evening, the clouds on the horizon were dyed a brilliant gold and crimson by the radiance of Holy Dragon City.

Long Yun arrived on time, having changed into a more formal palace gown, resplendent yet still retaining a heroic air, appearing much more dignified.

"Young Master Li, Miss Pei, the banquet is about to begin. Her Majesty is hosting it at the 'Holy Dragon Square.' Please follow me."

Holy Dragon Square was located in front of Holy Dragon Palace, vast in area, its ground paved with smooth, mirror-like white jade slabs.

At this moment, the square was brightly lit, countless palace lanterns and gems embedded in the structures illuminating it as brightly as day.

Hundreds of jade tables were neatly arranged across the square, already fully occupied.

Powerful Yao Race experts with formidable auras, high-ranking ministers from various departments, representatives of the mighty Dragon Clan, and even distinguished guests from other powerful races with unique auras had gathered together.

The air was filled with the fragrance of various spiritual fruits and immortal wines, interwoven with fluctuating demonic energy of varying strengths, creating a grand and solemn scene.

As Long Yun led Li Shengyuan and Pei Shuyun through the crowd towards the most prestigious main guest area at the front of the square, countless gazes instantly focused on them.

Gazes filled with curiosity, scrutiny, surprise, and even undisguised probing.

Most of these gazes fell upon Li Shengyuan.

As a member of the Human Race with a profound and unfathomable aura, walking side-by-side with the Dragon Emperor's adopted daughter, he naturally drew attention.

Long Qingcheng was already seated on the highest throne. Today, she wore a more solemn and majestic dark golden dragon-patterned imperial robe.

Seeing Li Shengyuan and his companion arrive, Long Qingcheng raised her hand slightly, and the clamor in the square immediately quieted.

"Esteemed guests," Long Qingcheng's voice, though not loud, carried clearly throughout the entire square, bearing unquestionable authority.

"Today's banquet serves two important purposes. First, to welcome two distinguished guests who have come from afar."

Her gaze turned to Li Shengyuan, her eyes appearing especially profound under the light:

"This is Li Shengyuan, Marquis Li, who hails from the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty and has recently shaken the world with his fame. And beside him is Miss Pei Shuyun."

As soon as the name "Li Shengyuan" was spoken, it was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake. Instantly, a wave of barely suppressed low exclamations and discussions erupted across the square.

"Li Shengyuan? The one who consecutively slew high-ranking members of the Demonic Cult in the northern borderlands and Jiangnan of Great Qian, said to possess unfathomable cultivation?"

"How did he come to our Demon Domain? And even reached Holy Dragon City?"

"Her Majesty personally hosting a banquet for him... his purpose here is likely not simple!"

"I heard he is extremely young, yet possesses such cultivation and bearing. Truly extraordinary!"

"Who is that woman beside him? Her aura doesn't seem weak either..."

"..."

Various gazes of speculation, curiosity, and even faint wariness converged on Li Shengyuan.

Among the crowd were also a few members of the Human Race cultivating incognito within the Demon Domain. Seeing Li Shengyuan in person now, they were all astonished.

Li Shengyuan's expression remained unchanged. He calmly cupped his hands slightly in greeting to all sides, his gaze sweeping over the many powerful figures on the square, among whom were not a few formidable existences of the second and third ranks.

He couldn't help but sigh softly, "Under Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor's rule, the demon kingdom indeed has clouds of powerful experts and a majestic atmosphere, truly broadening I, Li's horizons."

Hearing this, a trace of reserved yet proud smile appeared on Long Qingcheng's majestic jade-like face:

"Our Yao Race possesses innate talents; producing many powerful experts is only natural. Under my governance, the demon kingdom grows increasingly prosperous. In the future..."

She paused slightly, a sharp glint flashing in her golden eyes, "...it will certainly not be inferior to any Human Race Imperial Dynasty."

The ambition and pride implicit in these words invigorated many of the Yao Race ministers present, filling their faces with pride.

Li Shengyuan merely smiled faintly and did not respond.

At this moment, the smile on Long Qingcheng's face gradually faded, her expression turning solemn. An even more concentrated pressure imperceptibly spread out, and the whispers in the square quickly died down.

"As for the second matter, I have a major event of our demon kingdom to announce to all ministers!"

Long Qingcheng's voice turned icy and clear, each word seeming to strike the hearts of all demons like the sound of metal.

Her gaze swept across the assembly like lightning: "Demon King Green Rhinoceros, guarding the border, favored by imperial grace, entrusted with defending a region, should have been diligent in his duties, loyal to his sovereign, and devoted to the state."

"However, this beast harbored wolfish ambitions. He dared to secretly collude with the Demonic Cult, plotting rebellion! Furthermore, he set a trap intending to harm Long Yun, whom I sent to investigate!"

As these words fell, the entire square fell into dead silence, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

All the Yao Race members stared wide-eyed, looking at the Dragon Emperor with disbelief.

Colluding with the Human Race's Demonic Cult?

Harming Long Yun?

Plotting rebellion?

This was a monstrous crime!

Long Qingcheng's voice continued, carrying a bone-chilling coldness: "Fortunately, Young Master Li Shengyuan saw through his treachery and intervened at the critical moment, not only saving Long Yun but also slaying the traitor Green Rhinoceros and the colluding Esteemed Emissary of the Demonic Cult on the spot!"

She raised her hand, and the jade vial containing Demon King Green Rhinoceros's remnant soul appeared again, suspended above her palm, the twisted, agonizing miniature rhinoceros phantom clearly visible within.

"Green Rhinoceros's soul is here! His crimes are irrefutable, his death insufficient to atone!"

"I have decided to cast his remnant soul into the Soul-Refining Dragon Flame, to burn for a hundred years, to enforce the law and serve as a warning to others!"

"As for Young Master Li," Long Qingcheng looked at Li Shengyuan, her tone turning solemn, "to me, and to the demon kingdom, he has the grace of saving my daughter and the great merit of eliminating a traitor and clearing a hidden danger. This favor and merit, I and the demon kingdom will remember in our hearts!"

As her words ended, the entire Holy Dragon Square fell into deathly silence.

Then... "Whoosh!!!"

A tsunami-like wave of exclamations and discussions erupted!

All the Yao Race ministers and powerful experts looked at the jade vial in Long Qingcheng's hand with utter shock.

Then they looked at the calm-faced Li Shengyuan, who seemed as if he had merely done a trivial thing, their hearts roiling with towering waves of astonishment!

Demon King Green Rhinoceros... rebelled?

And was killed by a member of the Human Race?

Along with an Esteemed Emissary of the Demonic Cult?

This news was too shocking; many major demons couldn't digest it immediately... Did Li Shengyuan... come all the way from Great Qian to kill in their demon kingdom?!