Although Yelan had made some slight alterations to her appearance, disguising herself to change her demeanor slightly—now looking every bit like a genuine seventeen-year-old girl without the imposing aura of an empress—Zhao Li recognized her at a glance.
The moment Yelan arrived, her eyes immediately found Zhao Li.
Her beautiful crimson eyes, like blooming red lotuses, shifted gently, her gaze traversing the crowd to meet Zhao Li’s in midair.
The two exchanged a knowing smile.
The Asura clan was already renowned for their extraordinary beauty, but Yelan’s smile at this moment was utterly breathtaking. Enough to topple cities and captivate nations.
Even the guests who had come to accompany the Monkey Clan in welcoming the visitors were momentarily entranced.
If it were just outsiders, it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but when Elder Bu Lao saw his own clansmen acting so spellbound, he quickly cleared his throat in warning.
Then, with humble courtesy, he bowed to Yelan and said, “We are deeply honored by your esteemed presence to celebrate this old man’s birthday. The Flower-Fruit Mountain is truly graced by your arrival.”
Yelan clasped her hands politely in return. Though her demeanor was modest, an innate nobility still lingered in her bearing.
With a faint smile, she replied, “You flatter me, Elder Bu Lao. This junior is named Ming Ye. By the decree of our Ancestor, I have come with five clansmen to represent the Asura clan in offering our congratulations.”
Hearing this, Zhao Li couldn’t help but laugh before hurriedly covering her mouth.
Within the Asura clan, the only ones who could rightfully be called Yelan’s “Ancestor” were her father, who had passed away tens of thousands of years ago, and herself.
Was she really taking advantage of herself? Well, at least she wasn’t losing out.
Xiyou couldn’t help but ask, “…What are you laughing at?”
Zhao Li quickly schooled her expression back to its usual impassiveness and said, “Nothing.”
Xiyou scratched his head, inwardly grumbling: Ah, women—such an unfathomable mystery!
Meanwhile, Yelan continued, “We’ve prepared a humble gift. Please accept it as a token of our respect.”
With a wave of her hand, one of the Asura clansmen behind her stepped forward and presented a soul artifact.
The artifact was filled to the brim with rare and precious treasures, making the Asura clan’s gift extraordinarily generous.
Elder Bu Lao couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of such lavish offerings, and his attitude toward Yelan and her companions grew even more deferential.
“Elder Ming, your gift is far too generous. On behalf of the Flower-Fruit Mountain, this old man expresses our deepest gratitude for the Asura clan’s kindness toward the Monkey Clan.”
Unable to discern Yelan’s cultivation level, Elder Bu Lao refrained from addressing her as a junior despite her youthful appearance and instead respectfully called her “Elder Ming.”
The Monkey Clan members promptly followed suit, bowing respectfully.
Yelan raised her hands slightly and said, “You honor us too much, Elder Bu Lao. The Monkey Clan has always been renowned for their righteousness and loyalty. Our Asura clan has long wished to forge ties with you.”
Hearing this, the Monkey Clan members swelled with pride.
The Flower-Fruit Mountain had always upheld “honor and righteousness” as their sacred creed, and though countless clans had praised them for it over the ages, they had long grown indifferent to such flattery.
But now, hearing such words from the Asura clan—a people of immense power—filled them with an unparalleled sense of pride.
Given the Asura clan’s dominance, it should have been the Flower-Fruit Mountain seeking their favor. Yet here was “Elder Ming” speaking of long-held admiration. Truly the highest form of respect.
How could the Monkey Clan not be stirred?
To put it in human terms, it was akin to an emperor telling a commoner, “I wish to be your friend.”
The weight of such words was heavier than Mount Tai.
Elder Bu Lao, too, was deeply moved. Hurriedly, he gestured in invitation and said, “Our Monkey Clan is unworthy of such regard. Ah, esteemed guests, please come inside the hall. This way.”
Yelan nodded with a smile and walked side by side with Elder Bu Lao.
That night, as Lan and the others were approaching Zhao Li’s group, Hei Zhe suddenly darted behind Zhao Li, raising his foot to kick.
But before his foot could connect, Zhao Li suddenly let out an “Ouch!” and flung herself into Lan’s arms.
Startled, Lan extended his arms and caught her steadily.
They had agreed beforehand to pretend not to know each other.
Zhao Li looked up at Lan with a lovestruck expression, her watery eyes blinking repeatedly, while an exaggerated waterfall of drool cascaded from the corner of her mouth.
Lan blinked and stammered, “Are you okay?”
He had noticed Hei Zhe’s little trick from the start and knew Zhao Li had thrown herself forward on purpose.
And now she was deliberately playing the fool with this lovestruck act. It was almost too much for Lan to keep a straight face.
With all that drool, did she think he was some kind of delicious meat?
Adorably ridiculous.
Still, holding her like this felt nice.
Zhao Wu, however, was terrified. He hissed in a sharp, hushed voice, “Li’er!… Get back here now! Don’t get your drool on his clothes!”
The Monkey Clan was equally startled. Old Sage hurriedly interjected, “Tonight is this old man’s birthday banquet, and the children are a bit too excited, playing around. Please forgive any impropriety, Spirit Master.”
As he spoke, his gaze flickered pointedly toward Hei Zhe.
Though Old Sage was only Level 75, he was sharp-eyed and perceptive. Despite being occupied with hosting guests, how could he not notice Hei Zhe’s antics?
That Zhao Li had thrown herself forward was also obvious to him.
But the Fox Clan and the Monkey Clan were as close as family. Why would Old Sage expose her?
Naturally, he would shield her as much as possible.
Zhao Li suddenly snapped out of her daze, smacking her lips and slurping back her drool. She stared blankly at Lan and said, “You’re really handsome.”
Xiyou nearly stumbled.
Everyone knew the Fox Clan prized appearances above all, but who would have thought Princess Zhao Li would swoon like this in such a serious setting?
Zhao Wu’s face turned green. Raising his voice slightly, he scolded, “Li’er! What’s gotten into you? Get back here right now!”
The corners of Lan’s lips curled into a faint smile as he said to Zhao Li, “Thank you. You’re quite adorable yourself.”
The fact that the Asura Clan wasn’t angered eased the tension in the room.
Xiyou stepped forward then, bowing respectfully to Lan. “Esteemed guest, our deepest apologies. She didn’t mean to intrude—she just tripped.”
Even though he knew Hei Zhe had intended to humiliate Zhao Li and provoke the Asura Clan’s wrath, Xiyou couldn’t let the Spirit Cat Clan lose face in such a setting.
Lan replied, “It’s fine.”
Then, softening his voice, he asked Zhao Li, “Did you twist your ankle?”
Without waiting for her to nod, Lan retrieved a medicine bottle from his spirit tool. “This is a special remedy from our Asura Clan. Apply it externally, and you’ll recover quickly.”
The crowd was stunned by “Night’s” gentle demeanor—especially Zhao Wu.
This Asura clansman was so mild-mannered, completely unlike the ruthless, ghostly figures of legend.
Zhao Li accepted the bottle and thanked Lan in a sweet, coquettish voice.
Still nestled in Lan’s arms, she turned to Hei Zhe, squeezing out a few tears and putting on a fragile, damsel-in-distress act. With teary eyes, she whimpered, “Prince Hei Zhe, what have I ever done to you? Why did you try to kick me?”
Everyone present—except for the Asura Clan—was stunned.
Hei Zhe froze.
He never expected this damn fox to dare lodge a complaint in front of so many people. In the past, this fox wouldn’t have had the guts to do such a thing.
Seeing Zhao Li in tears, Yelan’s eyes frosted over with cold fury.
She glared fiercely at Hei Zhe and spat icily, “Do you have a death wish?”
Hei Zhe was terrified, his entire body bristling under Yelan’s overwhelming aura as he shrank into a trembling ball, not daring to move a muscle.
Though Yelan hadn’t released any spiritual energy, the oppressive force radiating from an enraged empress was far beyond what low-level spirit masters like them could endure.
Moreover, Yelan was a member of the Asura imperial family, her innate noble bloodline lending her an imperious majesty that commanded awe even without anger.
Not just Hei Zhe, a mere 25th-level Spirit Leaper, but even the Spirit Kings and Spirit Venerables among the clan leaders present had to summon a trace of their own spiritual energy to resist the chilling, murderous pressure emanating from her.
The Monkey Clan’s unique secret technique—Fiery Golden Eyes—though not as formidable as the Asura King’s illusionary power, which could peer into the past and glimpse the future, possessed the ability to see through deception.
Keen and perceptive, it allowed them to observe what ordinary people “could not see.”
Had Yelan not concealed herself with a divine artifact, and had Old Immortal’s cultivation not been capped at the 75th level—far below Yelan’s—his Fiery Golden Eyes would have instantly pierced through her disguise, revealing her true identity as the Asura Empress.
Thus, to Old Immortal, who saw Yelan as a girl no older than Zhao Li, the fact that she could exude such a terrifying aura without even releasing spiritual energy left him inwardly marveling. No wonder the Asura Clan is hailed as the supreme race of the Wuji Realm—their power is truly monstrous.
“You deliberately kicked this girl toward me—were you trying to make her knock me over and humiliate the Asura Clan in front of everyone?”