Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1561 - 962: Clash of the Immortals

Baili An found himself momentarily stunned, his gaze fixed on the handsome young man in date-colored robes seated above. Little Shuang? How had she managed to infiltrate Fang Geyu’s marriage competition entourage? Young Master Situ Ye of the Nanyin Sea noticed Baili An’s bewildered stare at the date-colored young man, a mocking arrogance clouding his eyes. "It is said that the Vermilion Bird God of the Red Water Divine Continent possesses unparalleled arrogance, yet today, he speaks for a mere mortal. This is quite astonishing. However, since the Vermilion Bird God has intervened, this master shall refrain from holding you accountable for your tardiness. Take your seat, and as an apology, punish yourself with three cups of wine." Vermilion Bird God? Baili An’s gaze subtly shifted, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. He looked at Yin Baishuang with an expression of helpless resignation. Speaking of the Red Water Divine Continent, it is a region within the Upper Clear Immortal Realm, a continent where its master once transformed into a celestial being with a bird’s form. In earlier times, through a fortuitous encounter with the Taiyin Emperor, a drop of Vermilion Bird blood was bestowed upon him. This gift allowed him to shed his demonic divine essence and escape the dominion of the Venerable Immortal wielding the Golden Seal, thereby achieving his cultivation and ascending to godhood. Consequently, the lineage of the Vermilion Bird holds a profound debt to the Nine Nethers. The Taiyin Emperor, incensed by Ying Ji’s marriage into the Xijian Sect, publicly declared his severance of ties with the Central Netherworld Dynasty, vowing never to see them again. Yet, any discerning observer would recognize these declarations as mere expressions of anger. In truth, what father could truly abandon their child? It was conceivable that the current generation’s Vermilion Bird God might still harbor a deep desire to marry Fang Geyu. If his mother were to intervene, bound by that significant past favor, he might be compelled to relinquish the Jade Pendant. Baili An truly had not anticipated Yin Baishuang would choose to join in the amusement. Though her smiling eyes conveyed an air of benevolence, they felt like sharp blades, slicing back and forth across Baili An’s face, unsettling his heart. "Young Master Situ’s words are truly amusing. You persist in referring to me as a mere mortal, yet it is this very mortal who has, like yourself, earned the favor of Fang You, the City Lord, and received the Jade Pendant to become a distinguished guest here. Young Master Situ, with your noble bearing and outstanding qualities, have you managed to procure an additional Jade Pendant from Fang You?" Situ Ye’s gaze shifted to the elegant man holding a golden goblet across the table, his expression growing increasingly grim. "Rong Lijun, what exactly do you imply?" "Nothing in particular, merely a reminder to Young Master Situ that everyone present, having secured a seat at this table, is engaged in fair competition. None are inherently nobler or more common than the other." Rong Lijun appeared somewhat out of place amidst the surrounding atmosphere and individuals. He lounged lazily against plush cushions, clad in a round-collared robe adorned with vibrant red bird motifs, forgoing a crown and instead loosely tying his long hair into a casual high ponytail. His posture was relaxed, his wide sleeves framing a slender waist, and his inherently noble eyes radiated a captivating charm, gazing at Situ Ye with a half-smile. Situ Ye clearly found his charming demeanor highly irritating. Within the entirety of the tower, only Miss Fang Third was female, and the alluring intent radiating from Rong Lijun’s gestures was unmistakably directed towards her. His eyes held unbridled disdain as he coldly scoffed: "Trees have their heights, and people have their ranks; this is an immutable truth. Since creation, through countless chaotic wars, equality has been a notion reserved for the pages of tomes, meant for the ears of ignorant mortals." Rong Li, propping an elbow on a cushion and playfully twirling his goblet, offered a light smile. "Young Master Situ repeatedly mentions 'mortals' and 'ignorant mortals.' However, if my memory serves me correctly, your esteemed father... the Lord of Nanyin Sea, was not originally born a celestial. Before his transcendence, was he not but a humble village merchant? Your contempt for mortals, does it not also betray a deep-seated disdain for your own father?" "You!" "Ah, indeed. Furthermore, even Miss Fang Third, whom you so ardently seek to wed, possesses half mortal blood. If you harbor such strong disapproval, why then did you eagerly journey to Shifang City? Surely you are aware of Shifang City’s regulations. To marry Miss Fang Third, one must first become a member of this Mortal World’s Shifang City." "Rong Li!" Situ Ye’s eyes blazed with anger. "Are Nanyin Sea and your Asheng Sect not rivals? Why, then, have you brought the Vermilion Bird God here to mock me this evening?"

"A crane may dance with elegance but cannot till the soil, while an old ox plows diligently but cannot dance—such is the inherent nature of all beings. It truly is astonishing that Young Master Situ fails to grasp such fundamental principles; these are but hollow words.

I am simply extending some heartfelt counsel. Wherein lies any mockery in that? If my words appear stern, does that not merely serve as testament to their beneficial intent?"

"Have you concluded your verbal sparring?" A gentleman positioned closest to Fang Geyu finally interjected.

This individual possessed comely features, maintaining an air of composed restraint, tinged with a subtle, chilly detachment. Even as he interrupted with his admonishment, his voice flowed with the same pristine smoothness as a water-strider skimming the surface.

The seating arrangement within the tower was not uniform.

Shifang City adheres to a hierarchy of ten esteemed positions, even when extending invitations to all corners, the arrangement is meticulously structured with ten seats at ascending elevations, demarcated by ten distinguished steps of golden jade.

Fang Geyu occupied the uppermost seat, and the seat directly below, separated by a span of ten steps, was designated for the young man clad in white attire and a golden robe.

Despite his lower placement, his vantage point afforded him a commanding perspective over all present.