Chapter 76: A Loli Elder’s Predicament and a Reluctant Alliance

“Your esteemed sect truly produces an abundance of exceptional talents.”

“Indeed, with Ye Zhiqu emerging first and now Liu Chenyan, your esteemed gate is truly blessed with good fortune.”

“Precisely so…”

The expressions of these sect elders instantly shifted, and they hastened to offer their respectful greetings.

Others, recognizing the newcomer, also extended their greetings to Yu Xu Zi.

“Fellow Daoist Yu Xu Zi, may you have been well since we last met.”

“To what auspicious winds do we owe the pleasure of your presence here, Fellow Daoist Yu Xu Zi?”

“…”

All the high-ranking cultivators present recognized the young, black-haired loli as Yu Xu Zi, the Grand Elder of Heavenly Gate Island.

“Is this truly an elder from Heavenly Gate Island?”

“So tiny, and utterly adorable.”

“Indeed, indeed…”

“I’m so tempted to just scoop her up and take her home.”

“Ahhh, my inner loli enthusiast has awakened!”

“…..”

Both male and female cultivators from various sects found themselves utterly charmed by Xian Meng, for as the saying went, ‘lolis possessed three delightful traits: a delicate physique, a fragile constitution, and an endearing susceptibility to being toppled.’

Yu Xu Zi, observing the assembled Daoists, stated, “This humble Daoist has, of course, come specifically to see my esteemed disciple.”

With her words concluded, she promptly transmitted a divine message to Shen Xiulan.

[What is the current situation? Wasn’t I informed of an incident?]

Receiving the divine message, Shen Xiulan found herself caught between amusement and exasperation. She responded, [Loli Yu, you’ve arrived too late. The individual in question has already been driven off by the Grand Void Sword God.]

[Do not call me Loli Yu!]

Yu Xu Zi, upon hearing the abhorred moniker, instantly bristled with indignation.

‘Is this loli physique truly my fault?’

‘Oh, indeed it is. With my body type permanently set, I’m destined to remain a loli, no matter how much I age.’

[Oh, Maiden Yu.]

Yu Xu Zi glared at Shen Xiulan, a flicker of dissatisfaction in her eyes. ‘So, you’re a grown woman now, are you?’ she thought. ‘That ample bosom is nothing but a cumbersome burden; I certainly don’t envy it.’

‘What good is such size? Just beware of sagging. I’m not envious in the slightest.’

‘You’re just trying to deceive our sisterhood, don’t try to deceive yourself.’

“Shen Xiulan!” Yu Xu Zi hissed, each syllable laden with irritation, as she gritted her teeth.

Ignoring the fuming Loli Yu, Shen Xiulan merely mused aloud, “Indeed, if one’s chest isn’t flat, how can one ever flatten the world?”

Even during their days as senior and junior sisters, their playful banter had always been a constant, cherished aspect of their relationship.

Just as Yu Xu Zi prepared to resume her playful debate with Shen Xiulan, a sudden, potent surge of killing intent washed over them, hurtling directly towards their location.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, it has been a long time,” Yu Xu Zi greeted.

Lu Dong descended gracefully upon an immortal crane, his gaze sweeping over Shen Xiulan and Yu Xu Zi. His expression, however, was far from amiable as he declared, “Sect Master Shen, I demand an explanation.”

“Elder Lu,” Heavenly Chosen Palace Master Tianxuan Ji interjected, “this matter has already been thoroughly discussed between this Palace Master and Island Master Shen. Within the secret realm, one’s fate in life and death cannot be attributed to others.”

Heavenly Chosen Palace Master Tianxuan Ji quickly stepped forward, her intent clearly to mediate. She harbored concerns that Lu Dong, fueled by the incident involving Lu Buchun, might ignite an internal conflict with Heavenly Gate Island, a scenario that would undoubtedly leave the three great aristocratic families cackling with glee.

Hearing Heavenly Chosen Palace Master Tianxuan Ji’s measured words, Lu Dong managed to suppress the burgeoning resentment within his heart.

While he was not oblivious to the broader implications of the situation, this was, after all, his own grandson. Such a matter could not simply be dismissed or overlooked.

“I require an accounting,” Lu Dong stated, his features hardening into a severe expression.

“Oh, my, Fellow Daoist Lu Dong,” Shen Xiulan responded, her expression one of utter nonchalance, “is there truly anything that warrants an explanation?”

Lu Dong’s gaze was fixed intently upon Shen Xiulan, his voice unwavering as he declared, “I demand one of Xian Meng’s arms.”

“Fellow Daoist Lu Dong, that is an utterly impossible proposition,” Shen Xiulan firmly refused.

“Are you certain?” Lu Dong pressed, his tone subtly probing.

“Xian Meng is not merely my disciple,” Shen Xiulan admonished, her voice now grave, “but the divine body and dual pupils she has manifested. Do you truly believe our Heavenly Gate Island’s Old Ancestor would simply stand idly by? You would do well to consider the ramifications carefully.”

‘Given Xian Meng’s prodigious talent, Heavenly Gate Island would undoubtedly cherish her as an unparalleled treasure. An arm? He must be living in a delusion.’

Upon hearing Shen Xiulan’s unequivocal warning, Lu Dong’s complexion instantly shifted, his thoughts turning to the formidable Old Ancestor of Heavenly Gate Island, the true power behind Shen Xiulan.

Daring not to press his demand further, he knew he could only swallow his bitter frustration, silently enduring the injustice.

Given Liu Ruyan’s formidable strength, only one individual could possibly suppress her. Though she ranked among the Ninth Quasi-Saints, with the exception of the enigmatic “Ce”—the first-ranked Returner whose power was utterly unfathomable—the others were largely comparable in might.

Yet, the Old Ancestor of Heavenly Chosen Palace only possessed the cultivation of a Quasi-Saint Self, having not even grazed the threshold of a true Quasi-Saint. To challenge Liu Ruyan would be nothing short of a suicidal endeavor.

“Very well, this matter shall be considered settled for now,” Lu Dong conceded, “but I assure you, I will not let Xian Meng off so easily.” With that pronouncement, he turned abruptly and departed.

Observing Lu Dong’s departure, Heavenly Chosen Palace Master Tianxuan Ji exhaled a subtle breath of relief.

At that moment, a sound transmission regarding the matter resonated within Shen Xiulan’s divine consciousness.

Shen Xiulan paused, momentarily startled, yet she instantly recognized the source of the transmission. The sacred energy unmistakably carried the distinct aura of Heavenly Gate Island, and within their sect, the sole Quasi-Saint was none other than their Old Ancestor, Liu Ruyan.

[You are not to interfere in this matter. The Southern Family and Lu Dong shall serve as stepping stones for Xian Meng’s growth.]

“I respectfully obey the Old Ancestor’s decree.”

Turning her gaze towards the retreating Lu Dong, Shen Xiulan declared, “Regarding the affairs between Xian Meng and Fellow Daoist Lu, Heavenly Gate Island will not intervene.”

Yu Xu Zi’s eyes widened perceptibly, and she stared at Shen Xiulan with an expression of profound disbelief, before excitedly transmitting a divine message.

[Shen Xiulan, have you lost your mind?!]

[It is the Old Ancestor’s command; I am powerless to defy it.]

Shen Xiulan pressed a hand to her forehead, her brow furrowed in a thoughtful frown. ‘Do you truly believe I wish for Xian Meng to suffer?’ she mused. ‘I desire her well-being even more ardently than you do.’

‘The Old Ancestor’s decree is unavoidable, and there is indeed wisdom in her words. Given the current pursuit by Zhou Ci, Rou Jianqian, and others, Xian Meng is undeniably vulnerable without formidable strength.’

‘What the Old Ancestor said… No, this will not do. I must return to the sect and deliberate with the Old Ancestor. A disciple of such caliber simply cannot be allowed to suffer any mishap.’

Upon learning that the decision originated from the Old Ancestor herself, Yu Xu Zi immediately bristled with defiance, refusing to accept it.

‘Allowing a disciple of such extraordinary talent to confront Heavenly Chosen Palace and the Southern Family alone? What is that, if not a blatant act of sending her to her demise!’

As the Grand Elder, Yu Xu Zi, despite her reputation as a versatile problem-solver, harbored a profound affection for her sect’s disciples, defending them with a fierce, protective zeal that was second to none.

[Go forth, I wholeheartedly support your endeavor.]

Shen Xiulan secretly harbored a fervent hope that Yu Xu Zi would indeed cause a significant disturbance at the Old Ancestor’s secluded cultivation retreat, thereby prompting the Old Ancestor to revoke her decision.

Yet, while such ideals were beautiful, reality often proved unyieldingly stark.

A streak of iridescent light descended, settling gracefully into Yu Xu Zi’s outstretched hand, and in that very instant, her cultivation was utterly sealed.

“My cultivation—where has it gone?!”

Even as Yu Xu Zi grappled with the perplexing disappearance of her cultivation, the object in her hand dimmed, its radiance fading to reveal a white, character-inscribed jade tablet now clearly visible before her.

“A Red Dust Token?!”

Yu Xu Zi instantly recognized the artifact. The Old Ancestor had actually imposed a Red Dust Token upon her?!

The Twelve Red Dust Tokens were Liu Ruyan’s natal magical treasures, artifacts of Heavenly Grade.

While Heavenly Grade weapons could be acquired, a natal magical treasure achieving Heavenly Grade status typically required immense fortune, often through trials like heavenly tribulations.

The Twelve Red Dust Tokens functioned as a unified entity, capable of transforming into twelve Heavenly Seals, or, more simply, twelve distinct seals: Spirit, Consciousness, and Fate.

The three Spirit seals could suppress cultivators from the Qi Condensation stage up to the Tribulation Transcending stage; the three Consciousness seals could suppress True Immortals up to Immortal Emperors; and the three Fate seals were specifically designed to suppress Dao Venerables.

Only when all twelve tokens were deployed together could they restrain a Quasi-Saint of the Self-Proclamation realm.

Liu Ruyan had employed the Consciousness-type Red Dust Token on Yu Xu Zi, directly sealing her cultivation.

The implication was clear: ‘Do not cause trouble, for I can easily restrain you.’

[I am unable to assist you.]

Shen Xiulan expressed her helplessness, acknowledging there was nothing to be done.

“Then, thank you, Island Master Shen.”

With those final words, Lu Dong departed from East Heart Island.