Dominator Emperor

Chapter 40: The Princess Arrives (Part 2)

It was as if he wished he could take out every single one of his most powerful Treasure Artifacts. He seemed afraid that others wouldn’t know he was the Xiyan Ancient Sect’s number one genius—a man who possessed not only formidable strength but also countless powerful treasures.

In fact, He Yingjian wasn’t the only one dressed up like this today. Many disciples were similarly adorned, all looking as though they were afraid others wouldn’t know they owned so many Treasure Artifacts.

As one of the main characters of today’s event, Li Qiye couldn’t help but shake his head at the sight. He turned to Guardian Mo beside him and said, ”Is this a circus? Everyone’s dressed to the nines.”

Nan Huairun wasn’t qualified to stand in the first-rank welcoming party, so only Guardian Mo stood by Li Qiye’s side. Upon hearing Li Qiye’s words, the normally taciturn Guardian could only manage a dry laugh.

”Be more serious.” At this moment, He Yingjian, who was standing in front, turned around and said coldly, ”Princess Li is of Golden Branches and Jade Leaves, an honored guest of our Xiyan Ancient Sect. We must welcome her with the utmost solemnity, lest we bring shame upon our sect!” As he spoke, he shot Li Qiye a disdainful glance.

Li Qiye was clad in simple cloth robes, plain and unadorned. No matter how you looked at him, he seemed like a mere Mortal! Initially, He Yingjian had been standing in the same row as Li Qiye, but he considered it beneath him to be associated with such trash and had voluntarily moved to the front.

”Her Highness the Princess is coming in person! This is such an honor,” one of the male disciples couldn’t help but whisper excitedly as they waited.

He Yingjian was even more disdainful toward such disciples. ’Disciples with such common Dao Practice and talent actually think they can win Princess Li’s favor? That’s like a toad lusting after a swan’s flesh! Hmph. As for good-for-nothing trash like Li Qiye, he doesn’t even have the right to dream...’

Thinking this, He Yingjian once again glanced at Li Qiye with contempt. Although the Xiyan Ancient Sect and the Nine Saints Demon Gate had an ancestral agreement, and logically, as the Chief Disciple, Li Qiye was eligible to marry Li Shuangyan...

...He Yingjian didn’t take this ancient pact seriously at all. In his eyes, a good-for-nothing like Li Qiye was no match for him. Even with the ancient agreement between the Xiyan Ancient Sect and the Nine Saints Demon Gate, trash like Li Qiye wasn’t qualified to marry Li Shuangyan. And Li Shuangyan would never fall for such a useless bum!

In He Yingjian’s view, as long as he had a chance to get close to Li Shuangyan, he could surely win her heart. He had immense confidence in himself; his reputation as the Xiyan Ancient Sect’s number one genius was not just for show!

Before Li Shuangyan’s arrival, some of the younger male disciples within the sect couldn’t help but murmur among themselves. A junior brother asked in a low voice, ”Why is the Princess visiting our Xiyan Ancient Sect this time?”

”I heard our Chief Disciple has an arranged marriage with the successor of the Nine Saints Demon Gate,” a slightly older senior brother, who knew a bit more, said thoughtfully.

”An arranged marriage?” Hearing this, a disciple glanced disdainfully at Li Qiye on the Dao Platform. This Mortal in simple cloth robes was a complete good-for-nothing!

A junior brother scoffed, ”Him? Hmph, I bet the Princess is here to annul the marriage! She wouldn’t give a second glance to a worthless bum with a Mortal Body, Mortal Wheel, and Mortal Fate!”

”Regardless of why the Princess is here, this might be our chance to get close to her,” another disciple said excitedly.

Li Qiye couldn’t be less interested in these discussions or the entire affair. As long as it didn’t test the limits of his patience, he could play along once in a while. But if things went too far, he would lose all interest.

Just then, with a resonant HUM, the Daoist Door erected itself, shimmering with a crystalline glow. The gateway between the Xiyan Ancient Sect and the Nine Saints Demon Gate was finally open. A group of people emerged from within, led by none other than the successor of the Nine Saints Demon Gate, Li Shuangyan.

The party from the Nine Saints Demon Gate, aside from Li Shuangyan, also included the Chief Guardian, Yu He—a familiar face to Li Qiye—and several elite disciples of the Gate!

Li Shuangyan was still dressed in white, her world-toppling beauty as cold as ice. A hint of cold arrogance, about three-parts deep, lingered between her brows. A peerless young woman as cold as a winter plum blossom, her face could make the sun and moon pale in comparison and left all who saw her utterly captivated.

In truth, this was the first time many disciples of the Xiyan Ancient Sect had seen Li Shuangyan’s true face. At the sight of her peerless beauty, countless disciples were struck dumb, unable to regain their senses for a long time. Even the female disciples felt themselves pale in comparison, ashamed of their own looks before Li Shuangyan’s visage.

Even He Yingjian, who considered himself the number one genius, lost his composure upon seeing Li Shuangyan’s face. His heart wavered, and he was unable to regain his senses for a long time.

At this moment, even the Six Great Elders were stirred. They had assumed only Li Shuangyan would be visiting, but they hadn’t expected the Chief Guardian, Yu He, to come as well.

One had to understand that Yu He was a powerful figure, one who could be enfeoffed as a Prince. Moreover, even among Princes, he was absolutely an expert among experts. Normally, even when elders from the Xiyan Ancient Sect visited the Nine Saints Demon Gate, it would be impossible for them to meet Chief Guardian Yu He. For him to personally grace the Xiyan Ancient Sect with his presence was giving them tremendous face.

The Six Great Elders snapped back to their senses and immediately led the other Guardians forward to greet them.

”Princess Li, Guardian Yu, your personal arrival brings light to our humble sect. It is our greatest honor. If our hospitality is lacking in any way, I hope you will both forgive us,” the Great Elder said, leading the other elders and guardians in a deep bow of welcome.

Seeing this, Li Qiye let out a soft sigh. ’The Xiyan Ancient Sect has truly fallen. The Six Great Elders can’t even hold their own. For a magnificent Emperor Immortal Gate to be reduced to such servility... it’s truly lamentable.’

’Back in the day, when I commanded the Xiyan Ancient Sect, when the Mingren Kid and I established this sect, when were we ever so servile? I once led the Xiyan Ancient Sect to sweep across the Nine Realms.’

’Great Sages? Ancient Gods? Anyone who dared to obstruct the rise of the Xiyan Ancient Sect was shown no mercy! Back then, when I commanded the Xiyan Ancient Sect, what were Celestial Demons? What was the Blood Race? Even the Charm Spirits, the darlings of the heavens, had to come and pay homage! Across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, across the Eight Desolates Celestial Universe, who was worthy of making the Xiyan Ancient Sect bow in servitude?’

”Elder Gu and everyone, you are too polite.” Li Shuangyan only gave a slight nod. As the Chief Guardian, Yu He stepped forward to converse with Elder Gu and the others, exchanging pleasantries as was custom between two sects.

At this point, Li Shuangyan’s gaze fell upon Li Qiye. Even though her bright eyes were as cold as frost, they were still incredibly enchanting. Li Qiye, however, simply stood where he was, calm and completely at ease.

Then, Li Shuangyan began to walk over, and Yu He followed with the other disciples.

At this moment, countless disciples held their breath, their souls captivated by Li Shuangyan. Seeing this, the Great Elder secretly breathed a sigh of relief. ’No matter what, Li Qiye passed the Nine Saints Demon Gate’s test,’ he thought. ’Li Shuangyan walking towards him now is a good start.’

At this point, the flustered He Yingjian regained his composure. When he saw Li Shuangyan walking in his direction, he was instantly overcome with ecstasy. ’As the number one genius of the Xiyan Ancient Sect, it’s only natural that I would receive Li Shuangyan’s favor,’ he thought. He straightened his back, put on a confident and suave smile, and moved to greet her.

Seeing this, many of the Xiyan Ancient Sect disciples present couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy and jealousy. However, they had to admit that as the number one genius of the sect, He Yingjian was indeed qualified to be looked upon with favor by Li Shuangyan.

”I am He Yingjian. It is my honor to meet Your Highness, the Princess...” He Yingjian stepped forward and gave a deep bow, striking what he believed to be his most charming and suave pose.

However, Li Shuangyan didn’t even spare him a glance. She walked right past him and stopped in front of Li Qiye, leaving He Yingjian frozen on the spot.

”Young Master Li,” Li Shuangyan said, standing before Li Qiye. That was her only greeting. One was a peerless beauty, the other was plain and ordinary. Standing together, they seemed a world apart.

Even faced with the peerless Li Shuangyan, Li Qiye only offered a calm smile. Unflustered and showing no sign of feeling honored, he simply gave a casual nod and said, ”It’s for the best if you’ve managed to think it through.”

Of course, only a select few people present could understand the meaning behind this sentence.

”It is an honor to see you again, Young Master.” Yu He stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said, ”His Majesty sends a message. He hopes that when you have the time, you will visit our sect as a guest. When His Majesty emerges from his seclusion, he will personally welcome you.”

”Since the Demon Emperor has said so, I won’t be polite.” Li Qiye smiled casually and nodded. ”While you are guests at my Xiyan Ancient Sect, please make yourselves at home. If you run into any trouble, you can find Guardian Mo or Nan Huairun.”

”I understand your words, Young Master,” Yu He acknowledged with a nod. He then turned and gave a slight nod to Guardian Mo and Nan Huairun.

This simple gesture, however, sent a shiver through both Guardian Mo and Nan Huairun. A single sentence from Li Qiye had changed so, so much!

Guardian Mo and Nan Huairun had thrown their lot in with Li Qiye, but so far, he hadn’t brought them any tangible benefits. Yet now, with a single sentence, Li Qiye had completely altered their standing!

During this reception, the Great Elder was nominally in charge. However, given Yu He’s status as a Prince, even the Great Elder was of a much lower standing in his presence. But now, Li Qiye’s words had compelled Yu He’s obedience. This meant that Guardian Mo and Nan Huairun could now communicate directly with someone like Yu He, the Chief Guardian of the Nine Saints Demon Gate.

Any intelligent person could deduce the implications of this change. Guardian Mo and Nan Huairun couldn’t help but tremble inwardly. Li Qiye could change their fates with a single sentence—a feat others couldn’t even imagine. At this moment, they couldn’t help but feel thankful that siding with Li Qiye had been the wisest decision they had ever made.