Chapter 314: Gathering of Storm and Clouds

Chapter 314: Gathering of Storm and Clouds

Ning Xiaochuan glanced at Nie Lanxin, appearing calm and composed as he retreated to a pavilion, leaning against a pillar to sit down.

This lake was the Dragon Clan’s "Sacred Lake," its waters milky white, emitting wisps of white mist that took the shape of Divine Dragons.

Within the lake grew over a dozen rare types of Profound Medicine, among which a few had thrived for a thousand years, surpassing the category of ordinary Profound Medicine and qualifying as semi-"Spiritual Medicine."

By the lakeside stood many young Martial Artists.

Representatives from the Ten Great Sects had all come to offer their congratulations for the birthday celebration. Each was exceptionally handsome and spirited, their eyes gleaming with wisdom.

Every one of them was a peerless genius capable of overshadowing their generation.

From the imperial court’s side, aside from Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Qing, the Golden Roc Prince's Manor had also sent a representative—Prince Jindu, the second son of the Great Golden Roc King and a potential heir to the manor.

Prince Jindu wore a resplendent golden robe, a Short Sword at his waist, with strands of golden Profound Qi swirling around him. He sat on a grand golden chair in the distance, flanked by over a dozen young armored generals—all elite talents recruited by the Golden Roc Prince's Manor.

Prince Jindu exuded an aloof demeanor, making him seem unapproachable.

His cold gaze briefly swept over Ning Xiaochuan before withdrawing.

"Prince Jindu is Princess Qianxi’s elder brother and the strongest in Martial Path cultivation among the Great Golden Roc King’s many sons. Rumor has it he once fought a Martial Venerable without being at a disadvantage. If he finds out about your involvement with Nie Lanxin, he’ll likely cripple you," Yu Qing communicated telepathically with Ning Xiaochuan, a sly smile on his face as he stared at Nie Lanxin in the distance.

Ning Xiaochuan responded mentally, "He’s not Nie Lanxin’s fiancé."

"But you nearly became his sister’s fiancé. Everyone knows of Princess Qianxi’s feelings for you. If not for Yu Ningsheng, the two of you would have already been married. Given the vast disparity in status between you and Yu Ningsheng, it was never going to work out. So, everyone assumes the marriage alliance between the Golden Roc Prince's Manor and the Jian Pavilion Marquis House will still proceed. Heh."

Yu Qing’s eyes remained fixed on Nie Lanxin, though her face was veiled, making it impossible to discern her expression.

Nie Lanxin’s figure was peerlessly elegant, her curves graceful. Even standing quietly by the lakeside, she was a breathtaking sight, drawing the gazes of many Martial Artists.

As if sensing the attention, she turned slightly and glanced in the direction of Ning Xiaochuan and the others. The moment her eyes met Ning Xiaochuan’s, she immediately averted her gaze.

After murmuring something to Nie Lanzhi, the two women walked away, putting distance between themselves and Ning Xiaochuan’s group.

"Fairy Nie, please wait!" Yu Qing stepped forward courteously, bowing with a smile. "I heard the wedding between you and the Sword Saint’s successor is approaching. Congratulations."

Young talents from the various sects also came forward to offer their blessings:

"I’ve also heard the news. Fairy Nie and the Sword Saint’s successor are a perfect match, destined to become a legendary couple in the Martial Path world."

"The union between the Yiyuan Sect and the Tianyin Sect will surely unite our great sects in standing together against the Demon Sect."

"On the day of the grand wedding, we must go to offer our congratulations."

Nie Lanxin's gaze was icy, as if she wished to kill Yu Qing with her eyes alone.

Yu Qing chuckled, "Such a joyous occasion will surely be celebrated by both the Yiyuan Sect and the Tianyin Sect, inviting guests from all corners of the world. I wonder if the princes of our imperial court will have the honor of receiving an invitation?"

Though the question seemed friendly, Nie Lanxin perceived it differently. She replied coldly, "Today is the Dragon King’s thousand-year birthday celebration. This is not the time to discuss such matters."

"The Dragon King’s birthday and Fairy Nie’s wedding are both joyous occasions—there’s no harm in talking about them. To be honest, I have a brother who has long admired Fairy Nie. Hearing of her impending marriage, he was overjoyed and wished to secure an invitation in advance." Yu Qing smiled, pointing in Ning Xiaochuan’s direction.

Nie Lanxin clenched her fingers tightly, casting a freezing glare toward Ning Xiaochuan. In her eyes, this was Ning Xiaochuan deliberately sending Yu Qing to stir trouble.

Ning Xiaochuan himself was now deeply troubled. Yu Qing truly had a loose tongue, speaking without restraint.

Nie Lanxin, for the sake of maintaining decorum, would surely endure it. But if Yu Qing’s careless words spilled the truth, who knew what kind of disaster it might cause?

A commotion arose outside Dragon Valley.

Ye Nan Tian strode in, dressed in a flowing white robe, exuding elegance and grace. A purple flying sword rested on his back, and with each step, a mist of white Profound Qi cushioned his feet, as if he were walking on clouds.

"Young Master Ye has arrived! Today, we finally get to witness the demeanor of the Sword Saint’s successor!"

"Young Master Ye, congratulations!"

"Young Master Ye and Fairy Nie are truly a match made in heaven. How enviable! If only we could attend their wedding and toast to their happiness!"

Ye Nan Tian’s arrival instantly stirred excitement in Dragon Valley. First, because he was the Sword Saint’s successor, holding a prestigious position in the Martial Path.

Second, because he was about to marry the Tianyin Sect’s most beautiful woman, earning the envy of all.

Ye Nan Tian was indeed a man of extraordinary presence, radiating confidence and charm from within, like a Celestial Sword Immortal walking the mortal world.

Two days prior, he had been ambushed by the Mystic Beast Slaughter God Camp. Yet, with his formidable cultivation, he fought his way out, slaying twenty-one of their Martial Artists and arriving at Dragon Valley on time.

Compared to two days ago, his aura had grown even more imposing, giving off an unfathomable majesty. Every wisp of his Profound Qi condensed into a tiny sword—a sign that he had reached the realm of "Sword Qi Resonance." This was the pinnacle of sword intent among sword cultivators, where even a single breath could manifest into a blade, killing without a trace.

Clearly, the battles of the past two days had refined his cultivation, allowing him to break through to a new realm.

Ye Nan Tian gracefully intervened on Nie Lanxin’s behalf, smiling lightly. "The date of my wedding with Fairy Nie has already been set by our elders. Invitations will be sent to the marquis estates of the imperial court. Little Prince, you must attend. And of course, Brother Ning of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House—you must come without fail."

His gaze settled meaningfully on Ning Xiaochuan.

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "I will be there."

"He will definitely go, absolutely must go. After all, missing such a grand moment would be a lifelong regret," Yu Qing said with a laugh.

Nie Lanxin's expression shifted slightly, but hidden behind her veil, no one noticed.

The Small Red Dragon lay sprawled across Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder, fast asleep, drool dripping from its mouth in a glistening thread.

Ye Nan Tian glanced at the Small Red Dragon, a strange glint flashing in his eyes as he smiled amiably. "A few days ago in Hualong City, I was unaware of the Minor Marquis's identity. I merely thought this little creature adorable and wished to purchase it as a gift for Lanxin. My apologies for any offense caused at the time. I hope the Minor Marquis can forgive me."

"No harm done, no harm done. The grudge is already settled," Yu Qing blurted out, nearly revealing too much, making Ning Xiaochuan break out in a cold sweat.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "It was just a trivial matter. Brother Ye need not dwell on it."

"The Minor Marquis's magnanimity is truly admirable," Ye Nan Tian replied with a smile.

The Sword Saint's successor carried an extraordinary presence—not only was he strikingly handsome, but his Martial Path cultivation ran deep, and his refined demeanor was impeccable. Many Heaven's Proud Daughters on the battlefield were instantly smitten, all envious of Nie Lanxin.

As for the male Martial Artists present, they envied Ye Nan Tian even more. To marry a Heaven's Proud Daughter like Nie Lanxin was enough to drive any man in the world mad with jealousy.

"The Demon Sect Saintess has arrived, along with the rising stars of the Six Great Demon Paths!" someone exclaimed in shock.

All eyes turned toward the entrance of Dragon Valley, where a group of young talents from the Demon Sect approached. Among them were the sect's top prodigies of the new generation, as well as enchantingly beautiful Demon Sect Enchantresses.

The most captivating figure, naturally, was the enigmatic Demon Sect Saintess.

This was the first time the Demon Sect Saintess had appeared in public, and many were eager to witness her peerless grace.

Her Highness the Saintess walked forward gracefully, her robes swaying gently. Snowflakes drifted down around her, and her jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall. She carried an ethereal, fairy-like aura.

Though a successor of the Demon Sect, her noble and mysterious demeanor led many present to compare her with Nie Lanxin. In the end, the two were deemed equally stunning—both beauties capable of "making fish sink and geese fall."

Ning Xiaochuan glanced briefly at the Demon Sect's talented youths, his gaze meeting Duanmu Linger's.

She was glaring at him, her eyes wide and round like a fighting hen's.

After using the Blood Devouring Demon Art and falling into a frenzied state, she had vanished into Muteng Forest. Had the Demon Sect Saintess not found her in time, she might have descended into madness completely, becoming a bloodthirsty demoness.

Thus, she held a deep resentment toward Ning Xiaochuan, blaming him for her earlier plight.

"Since she's with the Demon Sect Saintess, the Blood Devouring Demonic Qi in her must have been suppressed," Ning Xiaochuan thought, slightly relieved. He averted his gaze, not wanting the imperial faction to suspect any connection between him and the Demon Sect.

Yet what puzzled Ning Xiaochuan was that Xiao Ling'er was neither with the Demon Sect Saintess nor present in Dragon Valley. She was still so young—could something have happened to her?

"Another Heaven's Proud Daughter. I reckon this Demon Sect Saintess's talent surpasses even Nie Lanxin's. I wonder how devastatingly beautiful her face beneath that veil must be?" Shi Jinyu's mouth watered as his eyes narrowed into slits.

Yu Qing retreated, his expression grave. "Ye Nan Tian's cultivation has broken through. He's likely stepped into the Earthly Venerable Realm. Just now, when our gazes met, he shattered my mental energy with a single blow—I nearly got injured."

Earlier, while Yu Qing and Ye Nan Tian appeared to be exchanging pleasantries, they had actually engaged in a perilous mental energy battle.

Previously, their cultivation levels had been evenly matched, making it difficult to determine a winner. But this time, Yu Qing was effortlessly defeated by his opponent. No wonder the usually flamboyant man chose to retreat so quietly.