242: Stealing the Jade

Inside the Glazed Immortal Realm, by the Azure Wave Lake, Immortal Charm permeated the air.

“Seeing how composed Fellow Daoist Shen is, I assume you are completely confident about the upcoming Jade Research.”

“Hmph.”

Meng Xingchen accompanied him the entire way, appearing exceptionally enthusiastic toward Shen Lian.

However, Shen Lian's attitude toward Meng Xingchen was extremely cold, showing no intention of warming up to him whatsoever.

Seeing Shen Lian's attitude, Song Qingshi, who was standing behind him, grew even more furious.

If Meng Xingchen hadn't secretly instructed him to remain calm using a Secret Art, he would have truly wanted to kill this arrogant lunatic on the spot.

Mu Qiuyuan and Song Yanran mingled within the crowd, their eyes constantly focused on Shen Lian.

“The closer I get to Shen Lian, the more familiar he feels.”

“Is that so? I have the same feeling, but I can confirm that I truly never saw this person before I escaped the Spirit Realm.”

Song Yanran pondered briefly, then suddenly asked, “Do you remember the scene more than five years ago when the three of us sisters were pursuing Yu Xiyan, suddenly encountered a Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth, and half the stars fell into the Void Realm?”

Mu Qiuyuan nodded, “Of course I remember it clearly. I truly didn't expect such a thing to happen at that crucial moment. Otherwise, we wouldn't have ended up in this state, and Yu Xiyan wouldn't have escaped right under our noses.”

Song Yanran replied, “Sense carefully. Isn't the Aura emanating from him very similar to the residual Qi left behind when the entire Universe and Void Realm shattered?”

Hearing this, Mu Qiuyuan immediately calmed her mind and sensed it.

Upon sensing it, she indeed realized that the Aura emanating from Shen Lian felt extremely familiar.

“Are you saying that Shen Lian was involved when the Void Realm was reduced to ashes?”

Song Yanran gently closed her beautiful eyes, “Yes, the Qi on him is exactly the same as what we sensed when the Universe first shattered.”

Mu Qiuyuan grew anxious, “Then we must control this kid immediately to prevent him from escaping our grasp. Perhaps the key to us leaving this Realm Boundary lies with him.”

Song Yanran remained noncommittal, “Before we confirm anything, it's best not to act rashly. Let's first see what his purpose is for coming to the Glazed Immortal Realm.”

“Mm, I'll listen to you.”

Mu Qiuyuan nodded obediently, and together with Song Yanran, began paying closer attention to Shen Lian's every move.

After passing the Azure Wave Lake, everyone arrived in front of a Magnificent Jade Palace.

Meng Xingchen swept his whisk, saying, “Everyone, this is the venue for the Jade Research Assembly. It was originally scheduled for three days from now, but what Fellow Daoist Shen said is not wrong. Why must the Jade Research Assembly be held at a specific time?

Since all you Fellow Cultivators are willing to grace my Glazed Immortal Realm with your presence, you clearly think highly of me, Meng. So, why don't we start the Jade Research Assembly early?”

Having finished speaking, Meng Xingchen slightly raised his left hand.

The next moment, a Square Platform suddenly rose from the center of the Magnificent Jade Palace floor.

The platform was enveloped in Spiritual Qi, subtly containing the auspicious sign of Purple Qi Arriving from the East.

“Is this the legendary manifestation jade that allows one to Attain the Dao?”

Ye Yunran was instantly deeply shaken by this abundant Spiritual Qi.

“Although I haven't fully glimpsed its appearance, the sheer Aura it emits is enough to refresh my heart and spirit. As expected, the manifestation jade is truly extraordinary.”

Everyone was awed by the purple Qi emanating from the platform.

Only three people were exceptions.

Song Yanran, Mu Qiuyuan, and Shen Lian.

Shen Lian merely lightly shook his Folding Fan, showing not the slightest psychological fluctuation toward the bizarre sight of the Purple Qi Arriving from the East, as if he were looking at something ordinary.

Meng Xingchen, standing in front of the platform, secretly took in the expressions on everyone's faces.

When his gaze swept past Shen Lian's face, all he saw was unconcealed disgust and mockery.

He frowned and asked aloud, “Fellow Daoist Shen, what is your opinion on this?”

“A clumsy trick, nothing more than some Jianghu Charlatanism. If your Glazed Immortal Realm uses such methods to deceive the world, then I can only reply with one statement: you cannot afford the price of wasting Shen Lian's time!”

As soon as the words fell, Song Qingshi reached his limit. He stepped forward and pointed directly at Shen Lian, “I have tolerated Your Excellency for a long time! You repeatedly provoke the Glazed Immortal Realm. May I ask where exactly the Glazed Immortal Realm has offended Your Excellency, causing you to speak so disrespectfully?”

Shen Lian curled his lip, “What reason do you think is needed to evaluate the worth of trash? They bring out a Fake Jade to attract everyone's attention—shouldn't people be allowed to speak about it?”

As soon as this was said, everyone was shocked.

Fake Jade?

How is that possible!

Song Qingshi's Dao Heart immediately fluctuated. He angrily shouted at Shen Lian, “You are slandering us! The Precious Jade hasn't even revealed itself yet. How can you determine that it is fake?”

Shen Lian closed his Folding Fan, giving Song Qingshi a mocking look, and shook his head, “I disdain wasting time with an idiot. Step aside. Standing here obstructs my view and makes me feel Murderous Intent.”

“You!”

“Enough.”

Song Qingshi was about to say more, but Meng Xingchen interrupted him.

He walked up to Shen Lian and asked, “Fellow Daoist, you must take responsibility for your words. How did you determine that the manifestation jade inside the platform is fake?”

Shen Lian clasped one hand behind his back, “The manifestation jade is self-contained; no external force can shake loose even a fraction of its energy. This is the information your Glazed Immortal Realm released itself.

Yet, the platform before me is overflowing with Spiritual Power that cannot be concealed. Anyone with a brain should know this is fake.”

Meng Xingchen was stunned, and then heard Shen Lian continue, “Furthermore, if you had truly deciphered the mysteries of the manifestation jade, would you still need to hold this Jade Research Assembly?

I fear the first thing you would do is enter Secluded Cultivation to absorb the power contained within the manifestation jade for your own use.”

“Good. Your Excellency is indeed quick-witted. This Seat admires you.”

Meng Xingchen couldn't help but voice his approval.

“Indeed, the jade stone inside this platform is not the manifestation jade.”

After speaking, he swept his whisk, and the platform immediately dissolved into dust.

He then raised his right hand, conjuring a square Wooden Box that landed on the stone platform.

“This is the jade stone that truly needs to be studied.”

This time, Meng Xingchen did not conceal anything and opened the Wooden Box directly.

Inside the Wooden Box lay a fist-sized white Jade Pendant.

From its appearance alone, the Jade Pendant looked like Unpolished Jade, completely devoid of any Spiritual Qi fluctuations.

Everyone held their breath, collectively focusing on the jade stone.

Shen Lian, however, remained motionless, his profound gaze fixed intently on the Unpolished Jade.

Song Yanran and Mu Qiuyuan, observing in secret, exchanged glances, having already decided to make a move at the critical moment, seize the jade stone, and immediately retreat.

Although their current cultivation was far from their Peak state, moving in and out of the Glazed Immortal Realm was still absolutely effortless for them.

Meng Xingchen said, “Fellow Daoists and Fellow Cultivators, this is the jade stone to be studied at the Jade Research Assembly. For the past five hundred years,

including This Seat and Sect Masters from all sides, we have been unable to decipher its secrets. I hope this time we can achieve a new Breakthrough.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he swept his whisk, transferring the Unpolished Jade into his hand before tossing it toward the Jade Spirit Platform that had appeared in the Void Realm.

But just as the jade stone was about to land on the Jade Spirit Platform—

“Dragon Capturing Art: Return Dragon Pierces the Valley.”

Shen Lian suddenly struck out, raising his palm to form a stream of Dragon Qi, forcibly collecting the jade stone into his own palm.