189: Xiao Jinchen, the heir of the Prince of Weihai

Su Ling gazed at the moon-white figure on the stage, his eyes filled with admiration.

The zither music just now was truly like heavenly music.

What was even more rare was that this music seemed to have the effect of calming the mind and concentrating the spirit, capable of accelerating the circulation of mana within the body.

As the piece ended, the lingering charm echoed around the room. Su Yuehen rose and gave a slight bow before turning to leave the stage, only to be called back by the Young Master Zheng from earlier.

Flicking a finger, a brocade box flew straight toward the high stage. With eyes full of heat, Young Master Zheng said loudly, "I, Zheng, have specifically sought out three Illusory Sound Black Pearls from the Lin'an Sea Area. I wish to gift them to the lady as a token of my admiration."

Illusory Sound Black Pearls were a specialty from the territory of the deep-sea Merfolk Clan, something not possessed by ordinary sea races.

By stimulating these pearls with mana, one could generate sound waves containing spiritual energy, which could transform into clear heavenly music or harsh demonic sounds.

When worn during meditation, the pearls would continuously emit soft sound waves, providing a miraculous effect of calming the mind and concentrating the spirit.

They were especially suitable for Heavenly Sound Valley Cultivators, as they could both resist the intrusion of Mortal World distractions into the Dao Heart and help organize the mind using the pearl's sound after experiencing the seven emotions and six desires, aiding in a Breakthrough of cultivation Bottlenecks.

Whether used alone or for refining Magic Treasures, they were a top-tier choice.

From this, one could also see that this Young Master Zheng not only had a noble status but was also extremely devoted to Fairy Yuehen.

Even so, Su Yuehen's expression remained calm. With a light wave of her sleeve, she gently pushed the brocade box back. "I appreciate your generous gift, Young Master, but I cannot accept it."

As she turned, a dignified beautiful woman at the Soul Transformation stage stepped forward, bowed slightly, and politely declined, "My young lady has never accepted private gifts. Please forgive her, Young Master Zheng."

Young Master Zheng watched Su Yuehen's fluttering dress, which looked like a butterfly, and was momentarily left speechless.

"What kind of person is Fairy Yuehen? How could she be bought off by a mere three Illusory Sound Black Pearls?"

In the quiet hall, a voice full of mockery suddenly rang out.

It caused everyone to look over.

From another private room on the fifth floor, a young man in luxurious robes stood proudly. He swirled his wine cup with slender fingers, a blatant sneer playing on the corners of his mouth.

Hearing this, Young Master Zheng was about to flare up without thinking, but when he turned and saw the luxurious young man, his pupils constricted sharply, and the anger on his face quickly turned into respect. "The Heir is right to lecture me. It was Yuanqian who was impulsive."

"Xiao Jinchen?!"

"Shh, that is the Heir of Prince Weihai... how can you call him by his name?"

"Hiss... even an imperial heir has come. The reputation of this Immortal Gathering Tower is truly getting greater and greater!"

"No wonder Zheng Yuanqian, the son of the Great General of the South, can only swallow his pride."

"The son of a general is nowhere near as noble as the Weihai Heir!"

"That is the Heir of Prince Weihai; even Disciples of the Upper Sect must show him respect."

"I'm afraid this Heir Xiao has also taken a fancy to Fairy Yuehen!"

"You don't say, it's really possible!"

The Cultivators in the hall's private seats discussed via sound transmission, not daring to make the slightest noise.

Although Zheng Yuanqian could not hear those transmissions, how could he not guess what everyone would be discussing?

His lowered cheeks were flushed red, yet he did not dare to show the slightest dissatisfaction in his eyes.

"Take your seat; don't spoil everyone's fun."

Xiao Jinchen clapped his hands and turned to sit back down.

His gaze swept over the private room where Su Ling and the others were, and he nodded slightly.

Song Moting wore a smile and nodded in acknowledgment.

Clearly, he had known this Heir of Prince Weihai for a long time.

On the other side, Zheng Yuanqian could only comply and silently return to his table.

However, the open window of the hall was slowly covered by a Formation curtain.

"Senior Brother Song, do you know this person?"

Su Ling asked curiously.

"The Vast Sea Imperial Dynasty under our Sect's jurisdiction is controlled by the Xiao Imperial Clan."

Song Moting explained calmly, "And Prince Weihai, Xiao Pojun, is the only True Immortal in the entire dynasty. Although Xiao Jinchen is his youngest and ninth son, his talent is the strongest. He reached the Nascent Soul stage in less than a hundred years of cultivation... After that, he was designated as the Heir of the Prince's Mansion by Prince Weihai."

"My Revered Master and Prince Weihai once fought side by side on the Plane Battlefield, and there is much contact between them."

Song Moting sat back down at the table and said with a smile, "Therefore, I have also had several interactions with Xiao Jinchen."

"The descendant of a True Immortal... so that's how it is."

Su Ling and the other two all came to an understanding, their gazes simultaneously falling upon Lu Tao.

Reaching the Nascent Soul stage in a hundred years—this cultivation speed was actually quite similar to Lu Tao's.

"I have no feelings for that kid."

Lu Tao spread his hands with an air of indifference. "If it weren't for his older brothers and sisters being so useless, it wouldn't be his turn to be so arrogant."

Su Ling chuckled and said, "He hasn't really done anything to you, so why so much resentment?"

Luo Xuanxiao and Qi Yunling couldn't help but smile as well.

It had to be said that although Lu Tao's personality was quite easy to get along with, he was still quite flamboyant at times.

For him to describe someone as 'arrogant,' there was likely quite a story to be told between him and this Xiao Jinchen!

"Tch!"

Lu Tao rolled his eyes but did not explain.

Instead, Song Moting took a sip of crimson flame brew and unceremoniously exposed him. "Before the National War, Junior Brother Lu once attended an auction, and this Xiao Jinchen indeed snatched several good items from his hands."

"Haha!"

"So it was a disaster caused by being poor!"

Su Ling and the other two laughed together.

Having spent much time together, they all knew that Lu Tao, who specialized in the Sword Dao, was short on funds.

Nurturing a life-bound Flying Sword cost far more than purchasing Magic Treasures.

Furthermore, True Lord Lu Feng intended to temper him and had never given Lu Tao any support in terms of Spirit Stones.

If not for participating in the National War and earning a large amount of Spirit Stones under Su Ling's planning, Lu Tao's life-bound Flying Sword would probably still be lingering at the high-grade magic treasure level right now!

It wasn't that True Lord Lu Feng was harsh on his only Personal Disciple, but rather that Lu Tao's personality was far too lazy.

He had even strictly ordered Senior Wu Haiya not to provide Lu Tao with any financial assistance.

If he hadn't pressured him so much, Lu Tao wouldn't have even participated in the National War.

If he were supplied with a large amount of Spirit Stones normally, this kid might have just slacked off completely, and who knows when he would have tempered his Sword Intent to be sharp.

Looking at it this way, True Lord Lu Feng really had no choice with this Disciple, which is why he resorted to such measures.

The three of them thought about it; Lu Tao, who already didn't have many Spirit Stones, had finally wanted to bid for a few cultivation resources.

But then Xiao Jinchen had to go and interfere... No wonder his impression of Xiao Jinchen was so poor.

"Stop talking about it, stop talking about it. Just thinking about it makes me angry!"

Lu Tao waved his hand impatiently and took a fierce gulp of crimson flame brew, only to be forced into a grimace by the strong kick of the alcohol.

Both were Disciples of True Immortals, and what's more, Prince Weihai was also a Disciple of the Bitao Sect.

His status compared to Xiao Jinchen's, and the gap in their respective cultivation, were almost identical.

It wouldn't be easy to settle the score.

His peripheral vision fell upon Su Ling, and Lu Tao's eyes suddenly darted around. He smilingly put an arm around Su Ling's shoulder. "Junior Brother Su..."

"Stop, speak properly!"

Su Ling's hair stood on end from his gentle tone. He rubbed his arms and said speechlessly, "You'd better just call me by my name; this is too creepy!"

"Haha!"

Song Moting and the others immediately burst into laughter, thoroughly amused.

"Hmph!"

Lu Tao snorted, gave Su Ling a push, and said fiercely, "That kid will definitely be at the auction in a few days... If you consider me a brother, then help me teach that kid a lesson!"

"No problem, spend as much as you like!"

Su Ling nodded without hesitation and pulled out his savings.

In thirty-five years of cultivation, with the help of the extremely dense Spiritual Qi at Lingyun Villa, the Spirit Stones he spent on cultivation were actually not many.

His main expense was purchasing the blood essence of Fifth-rank Yao Beasts to nurture his azure roc wings.

What remained now, besides the benefits he received every ten years as a Direct Disciple of a Golden Immortal, was about over a hundred million Low-Grade Spirit Stones.