Chapter 280 - 114: Just Know That I’m Good to You, and I Actually Owe Him a Favor Now?

However, the Celestial Prides from the other two families of the Taiyi Sect had recently encountered many fortuitous opportunities, their strength advancing by leaps and bounds.

Some time ago, Li Daoyi had nearly been defeated by a True Disciple of the Ji Family from a lower realm, causing the Sui Ji Li Family to lose face.

Generally speaking, when a True Disciple of the Taiyi Sect couldn’t easily suppress and defeat an opponent from a lower cultivation realm, it was a problem in itself—let alone nearly being defeated. It was no wonder his mother felt disgraced.

If they were in the same realm with equal cultivation, wouldn’t Li Daoyi have been instantly defeated?

The younger generation of the major Immortal Sect Lineages often competed based on their strength within the same realm. To them, raising their cultivation level wasn’t difficult. Unless they were so far ahead as to be unreachable, they all placed more importance on combat power within the same realm.

Jiang Lan had little interest in such matters. After all, his current true strength was already far greater than that of the younger generation.

Inside the palace, a thin mist drifted about, and plumes of fragrant smoke rose from an Incense Burner.

Jiang Lan summoned several maids. After they brought the Snow Jade Skin Rejuvenating Ointment and a Third-Turned Marrow Cleansing Pill, he had them take You’Er away to apply the ointment.

Although You’Er had grown accustomed to her scarred face, she couldn’t help but feel a little hopeful after learning that this ointment could remove her scars.

After all, what woman could refuse the chance for perfect, flawless skin and a beautiful face?

Especially since she would always be by Jiang Lan’s side in the future.

After You’Er was led away, Jiang Lan pondered for a moment before leaving the Prime Minister’s Mansion again, heading for the Desire Immortal Pavilion. He had a task for Song Youwei.

...

「Meanwhile, in a guest inn.」

After putting off the group of Yijian Palace disciples and dealing with a few minor troubles, Ye Ming used a Secret Treasure to conceal all auras within his private room. Only then did he and the Old Ghost begin to examine the Exotic Stone.

Although this was something he had to hand over, he still wanted to examine it first.

However, with his level of knowledge, he couldn’t determine what was inside. No matter if he used Secret Techniques or his Divine Soul, he couldn’t get a clear probe.

The Old Ghost also studied it for a long while before informing him that a Tao Source was sealed within. But as for what exactly it contained, they would have to cut it open to find out.

Even he couldn’t easily determine its contents, but the one thing he was sure of was that whatever was sealed in the Tao Source was absolutely extraordinary.

The faintly revealed Immortal Dawn Radiance carried a pure, grand aura, and from within, one could vaguely hear the faint, distant sounds of ancient ritual chants.

He suspected it was related to an Ancient Celestial Emperor.

Upon hearing this, Ye Ming became even more reluctant to part with it. He began to hesitate, wondering if he should really hand it over.

Right now, many people in the Imperial Capital were watching him; he had already caused a huge stir at the auction.

Even the few Elders leading the Yijian Palace group were watching him closely. They asked about the Exotic Stone, wanting to "borrow" it for a look, while also pointedly inquiring about the origin and whereabouts of his Longevity Liquid.

Of course, Ye Ming wasn’t foolish enough to just hand over his treasures. He could only deflect and make excuses, claiming he had used everything to bid on the Exotic Stone.

But even so, he couldn’t fend off the covetous gazes.

The only thing that gave him some peace of mind was that this was the Imperial Capital, right under the Emperor’s nose. Even the top Immortal Sects wouldn’t dare act recklessly here.

"You won’t be able to hold onto this Exotic Stone. Unless you cut it open right here, but the commotion might attract the attention of even the Royal Family..."

"You have to understand, this might be related to an Ancient Celestial Emperor. If even the Royal Family starts to covet it, things will get even more troublesome."

The Old Ghost sighed, understanding that Ye Ming was holding a hot potato. If he really intended to keep it, he had to be prepared for the endless trouble that would follow.

"Sigh..."

"I knew it. I knew I couldn’t hold onto it. But I never planned on keeping it from the start. This is a perfect opportunity to go and meet that mysterious woman."

Ye Ming felt quite helpless, but he quickly resigned himself to his fate.

He didn’t plan to carry the Exotic Stone on his person. So, after concealing his figure and aura, he quietly left the inn, found a deserted and abandoned courtyard, and set up some Restrictions.

He then found several other secluded locations and did the same, finally hiding the Exotic Stone in a place he believed no one could ever find.

After all, he was going to meet that mysterious woman. If she disregarded the rules and attacked him directly to kill him and seize his treasure, he needed a way to deal with it. That was why he couldn’t carry the Exotic Stone on him.

Following the information he had gathered from the auction, Ye Ming headed straight for the Elegant Immortal Residence, where the mysterious woman was temporarily staying.

In a quiet courtyard surrounded by a bamboo grove, Shang Mingyu, dressed as a scholar, was leaning against a windowsill in the pavilion. Her delicate hand propped up her fair, jade-like chin as she pondered how to seize the Exotic Stone containing the Emperor’s Qi.

A maidservant from outside suddenly reported.

"Miss, that Yijian Palace disciple named Zhang Yuan is here to see you."

Shang Mingyu’s eyes narrowed. She was a little surprised, but she quickly composed herself and stood up. "Have him wait for me in the main hall," she said.

For Ye Ming to show up at her door personally was, to say the least, completely unexpected.

But it also served to confirm Jiang Lan’s words and speculations...

’Logically speaking, since he won the Exotic Stone at the auction and knew I wanted to compete for it, shouldn’t he be hiding somewhere safe? Why would he come looking for me himself?’

Combined with what Jiang Lan had said, Shang Mingyu couldn’t help but guess that this "Zhang Yuan" probably wanted something else.

His true purpose in bidding for the Exotic Stone might have been exactly this.