First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 1789 - Is This Fate?

Numerous people were envious of Su Yi’s special treatment, but all of them knew that the Giant Whale Spirit Race needed something from him. They naturally wouldn’t dare demand that he agreed to some Talisman Contract.

But against all expectations, Su Yi added his own conditions. “Let Fellow Daoist Xi Ning join me, and I wouldn’t mind helping the Giant Whale Spirit Race decipher the glyphs of the Dragon Palace.”

The crowd was stunned. Even Xi Ning was caught off guard.

The majestic man whispered, “The kid’s actually rather decent. He knows that you’ve done him good. Indeed, this is what they mean when they say that one good turn deserves another.”

Xi Ning’s dreamlike, starry gaze flashed with a hint of strange light. She said nothing at all.

Qin Jianshu couldn’t help but snort coldly. “Xi Ning, that servant of yours sure is filial! But as a servant, calling you ‘fellow Daoist’ is over the line. He has no grasp of propriety whatsoever!”

He was obviously jealous and seizing the opportunity to express his displeasure, as well as to sow discord between Xi Ning and Su Yi.

Xi Ning said icily, “Qin Jianshu, who are you to comment on my affairs? Any more disrespect from you, and when the auction ends, I’ll visit you in person and demand an explanation!”

Qin Jianshu’s pupils constricted. A moment later, he laughed. “Want to compete with me? Very well! Let’s settle this in the ruins of the Dragon Palace!”

His voice was rife with murderous intent, and the atmosphere was oppressive. Still, it was obvious to everyone that Qin Jianshu didn’t dare to fight Xi Ning now.

As for Su Yi? He’d already sentenced Qin Jianshu to death. He naturally didn’t care how the divine son provoked him.

“Tell the Giant Whale Spirit Race that this lofty one accepts their terms,” Qin Jianshu said decisively.

Uproar ensued.

The auctioneer smiled and said, “Sir, I’m sure you’ll acquire enormous benefits in the ruins of the Dragon Palace!”

Immediately afterward, Jin Zhuliu, Gongyang Yu, Qing Wu, and the others agreed, one after another.

Ultimately, the Giant Whale Spirit Race had seized control of the situation. Anyone who wanted to explore the ruins had to work with them.

......

When the auction ended, Su Yi and those who’d agreed to leave their mark on the Talisman Contract left their private rooms. Everyone else dispersed.

It was then that most of the attendees saw Su Yi clearly for the first time.

He was young, dressed in blue, with the detached bearing of one who’d risen out of the dust of mundanity. However, there was little else noteworthy about him.

At least, that's how it seemed at first glance.

Before long, Divine Daughter Qing Wu said, “Little Sister Xi Ning, this subordinate of yours is quite interesting. He hasn’t just disguised his appearance. He’s even hidden his cultivation base! It seems he dares not face other people openly.”

Many of the others’ eyes flashed, but they were unwittingly stunned. Earlier, none of them had realized that Su Yi was in disguise!

Disregarding everything else about him, it was quite impressive that he’d managed to deceive their keen eyes and abilities. He wasn’t at all simple.

Su Yi glanced at Qing Wu. She was dressed in a blue, wide-sleeved dress, and her beauty stood out of the crowd. Her eyes were an ethereal blue, a rare sight.

A black-robed elder whose hair and beard were disheveled stood beside her. His nose was red, and his eyelids drooped; it seemed he’d had too much to drink.

When Su Yi glanced at Qing Wu, the black-robed elder’s eyelids rose. His eyes flashed with imposing light.

Su Yi felt as if sharp swords were scraping his skin, producing prickling pain.

His eyebrows rose, and he said nothing.

Xi Ning led her majestic companion to Su Yi, her steps light and airy, then said coldly, “What does that have to do with you?”

Her tone was casual, yet her words were utterly domineering.

Qing Wu frowned, then smiled sweetly. “Should the opportunity arise, I’d very much like to see what this subordinate of yours really looks like.”

With that, she took another deep look at Su Yi, then said no more on the matter.

But that didn’t mean that the divine children were done talking about Su Yi.

Divine Son Jin Zhuliu laughed. “Miss Xi Ning, your subordinate has already caused quite a splash with his ability to decipher the glyphs of the Dragon Palace. Why not introduce us so we can all get acquainted?”

Jin Zhuliu wore robes whiter than snow, and he tied his hair into a crown. He had a stunning bearing.

He too was accompanied by a servant, a solidly built middle-aged woman. She wasn’t particularly good-looking, and she carried a massive black sword case on her back.

Many of the others jumped in to chime their agreement. After all, they still didn’t even know Su Yi’s name.

Xi Ning was at a bit of a loss; she still didn’t know Su Yi’s name, either.

“Li Xuanjun,” said Su Yi, casually picking a name.

“Li” represented Li Fuyou, while “Xuanjun” represented his ninth lifetime.

“Li Xuanjun?” The crowd mulled that over, but the name didn’t ring any bells.

“Li Xuanjun? Excellent. I quite admire you,” laughed Jin Zhuliu.

Su Yi glanced at him but said nothing. He couldn’t be bothered to concern himself with what these people were after.

Meanwhile, Xi Ning’s melodic voice transmitted directly into his ears.

“I’m sorry. They misunderstood you because we were spotted together. I would have never expected that you’d get me an exemption from the Talisman Contract! If you aren’t opposed, we can explore the ruins of the Dragon Palace together.”

Su Yi was stunned. He couldn’t help but take another look at Xi Ning.

She was a divine daughter from the God Domain, and her status was extraordinarily lofty, yet she’d taken it upon herself to apologize to him. Her character and disposition are really that good?

Even rarer, she was a picturesque beauty with skin as fair as snow. Even clad in plain hemp clothes, there was no disguising her extraordinary good looks. Especially her eyes—they were clear and deep, yet at the same time dreamlike and ethereal, like the stars shining overhead.

“Do you think I’m being overly abrupt?” Xi Ning said quietly. She made no attempt to avoid Su Yi’s gaze. She had a tranquil, graceful deportment.

“I wouldn’t say that,” laughed Su Yi. “I’m just surprised.”

Xi Ning said thoughtfully, “Fellow Daoist Li, have you perhaps guessed my origins?”

Su Yi shook his head. “No, but I’m fairly confident that you, just like Qin Jianshu and Jin Zhuliu, aren’t from the Immortal Realm.”

Xi Ning’s pupils constricted, and she exclaimed, “You’re quite perceptive, Fellow Daoist Li.”

She really wouldn’t have guessed that the young man she’d happened upon by chance would be able to decipher the secret glyphs of the Dragon Palace. Now, it seemed he’d realized she was from the God Domain, too!

After all, disregarding the other divine children, practically no one here knew that they were from the God Domain!

Xi Ning’s perception of Su Yi underwent a subtle shift. She dared say with certainty that she and Su Yi had crossed paths by chance; he hadn’t planned it.

Yet for some reason, chance had brought her and this mysterious, deeply hidden figure together. Xi Ning couldn’t help but feel a bit strange. Is this perhaps an act of fate?

Of course, the “fate” Xi Ning spoke of had nothing to do with matters of men and women...

“Fellow Daoist, if you’re free tonight, I’d like to have a private chat,” said Xi Ning. She was suddenly a bit curious about him.

“Let’s decide later,” said Su Yi. He didn’t rush to refuse her. He was curious too; he wanted to know more about people from the God Domain.

But he also knew that the people the gods had sent into the Immortal Realm weren’t just after good fortune and a chance at divinity. They likely saw him as prey, too!

The closer he got to Xi Ning, the more likely it was that she’d realize that something was fishy about him. It was like playing with fire. A moment’s incaution, and he might well burn himself.

But Su Yi wasn’t afraid of trouble. The more dangerous Xi Ning was, the more eager he felt. Thus, he didn’t refuse her offer.

Xi Ning subtly inclined her head. “Alright.”

As the two of them conversed, the auctioneer and Immortal King Jing Hongyu of the Giant Whale Spirit Race appeared on stage.

“Fellow Daoists, the Giant Whales have decided to set course for the ruins of the Dragon Palace in one month. We request that our fellow Daoists gather on Barrenwood Island in time for departure,” Jing Hongyu said gravely. He then took out jade slips and passed them out. “This contains Barrenwood Island’s location.”

“Why make us wait a whole month?” Qin Jianshu frowned.

Jing Hongyu hesitated, then patiently explained, “Several of the Immortal Realm’s top sects will be sending their experts to participate in this operation as well.”

Uproar ensued. Several of those present frowned with obvious displeasure.

The greater their numbers, the greater the competition!

Qin Jianshu snorted coldly. “Do they have to leave their mark on the Talisman Contract too?”

“Of course!” said Jing Hongyu without even pausing to think. “Please rest assured, everyone. The Giant Whales will treat everyone equally, no matter who they are. Anyone who chooses to work with us must agree to our rules.”

“Of course...” Here, Jing Honyu looked at Su Yi and smiled. “Fellow Daoists Li and Xi are exempt.”

The way the crowd looked at Su Yi shifted. Their gazes contained jealousy, indignation, hints of coldness, and even murderous intent!

The tallest tree in the forest is the first toppled by the wind. The more eye-catching someone is, the more likely others are to insult and detest them, justified or not. That's just how people are.

“Everyone, our clansmen will come to retrieve the scale shortly. If you wish to contemplate its secrets, please seize this opportunity,” Jing Hongyu said with a laugh. “Take this as an expression of our sincerity. We’re going to work together, so we of course cannot be stingy with information.”

The crowd’s gazes mellowed, and all of them looked at the bloodstained scale.

Jing Hongyu, meanwhile, walked up to Su Yi and clasped his fist with a smile. “Fellow Daoist, might we find a place for a private chat?”

His warm, welcoming attitude made many of the others realize that Li Xuanjun, as someone capable of deciphering the Dragon Palace’s secret glyphs, was enormously useful to the Giant Whale Spirit Race!

Su Yi thought for a moment, then glanced at Xi Ning. “Fellow Daoist, if you’re willing, you can come with us.”

Xi Ning was stunned. For a moment, she couldn’t wrap her head around what Su Yi was after. Is he trying to repay my benevolence? Or has he perhaps... developed unrealistic thoughts about me? Or does he want to borrow my influence? After all, with me around, if the Giant Whale Spirit Race tries anything, they’ll die before they even know what's going on.

After a moment’s thought, Xi Ning nodded. “I’d be delighted.”

Jing Hongyu was obviously a bit hesitant, but in the end, he agreed and led both Su Yi and Xi Ning away.