The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 801

Chapter 801: Chapter 798: Trajectory of the Stars Chapter 801: Chapter 798: Trajectory of the Stars “No, this conference is somewhat different from previous years. Due to the frequent demon disturbances across the land and the instability of the world, the sect did not send out extensive invitations to many sects. Some of them have also experienced some kind of internal changes and sent notifications saying they would not participate in the 'Immortal Apricot Conference' this time. Sister Liu's sect was not among those invited; it is I who invited her to observe and gain experience,” Li Shu shook her head as she spoke.

“I only have the opportunity to observe, not to participate, so at that time, it will be Brother Shen who displays his divine might,” Liu Qing said with a smile.

“I will also cheer for Big Brother Shen,” Li Shu joined in.

“May I ask which sects are attending this conference?” Shen Luo asked with an unconcerned smile.

“Aside from the Great Tang Dynasty Government, Hua Sheng Temple, and our Mount Putuo, there is also the Dragon Palace, Qinglian Temple, Jiuhua Mountain, Giant Sword Sect, Taiying Pavilion, and sects from Mount Emei coming. Each sect is only sending one Nascent Soul Stage disciple, and the number is less than a third of previous years,” Li Shu explained.

“The Dragon Palace is participating, too?” Shen Luo asked in surprise.

“Yes, it is said that the Ninth Prince from the East Sea Dragon Palace will be attending,” Li Shu replied, her expression becoming a bit unnatural.

Shen Luo knew that the relationship between the Li Tang Royal Family and the Dragon Clan was a delicate one. He decided not to pry any further. In his heart, however, he felt a twinge of happiness at the prospect of possibly seeing Ninth Prince Ao Hong.

Moreover, listening to Li Shu, the substantial reduction in participants at the 'Immortal Apricot Conference' was also good news for him. After all, this meant fewer competitors vying for the immortal apricot.

“However, although there are fewer participants this time, those who can come are basically the most outstanding disciples of the same realm from their respective sects. Take our Mount Putuo, for example, Senior Sister Lu Ying is likely to participate, and she is now at the Late Nascent Soul Stage,” continued Li Shu.

“Miss Li, do you happen to have a Daoist Nie Caizhu in your sect?” Shen Luo asked with a slight frown and a smile.

Upon hearing Shen Luo's query, Li Shu suddenly realized something, clapping her hand and saying, “Ah, I almost forgot about Junior Sister Nie. She has now reached the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, but… given her disposition, she probably wouldn't attend the 'Immortal Apricot Conference'…”

Her voice trailed off more and more, sounding almost as if she was talking to herself.

“Cai Zhu is… already at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage?” Shen Luo's heart skipped a beat at the news, but he quickly calmed down and cheered up again.

That year, having been picked out by that mysterious elder and forcibly taken to Mount Putuo for cultivation, she must have had exceptional talent. It wasn't surprising that she had cultivated to the Peak Nascent Soul Stage. After all, even in his dreams, his own cultivation time wasn't long, and yet hadn't he already ascended through Crossing Tribulation?

“Big Brother Shen, why did you suddenly ask about Junior Sister Nie?” Coming back to her senses, Li Shu asked.

“She is my fiancee,” Shen Luo stated indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Li Shu's eyes widened, her pupils quivering as her face expressed utter disbelief.

As for Liu Qing standing aside, her gaze flickered slightly but showed no further reaction.

“You and Junior Sister Nie are… engaged?” Li Shu couldn't help but exclaim.

“A childhood betrothal, settled many years ago,” Shen Luo said calmly, unaffected by her reaction.

After listening, Li Shu remained silent for a long time, digesting the news, then murmured, “No wonder no matter how much effort Brother Zhou Yu put into pleasing her, Junior Sister Nie remained unaffected.”

“Cough cough…” Shen Luo let out a slight embarrassed smile and couldn't help but cough twice.

“This news is quite sudden, I was a bit out of sorts for a moment. I apologize,” Li Shu said slightly embarrassed.

“No need to worry,” Shen Luo said with a smile, shaking his head.

“Big Brother Shen, would you like to see Junior Sister Nie? I'm not familiar with her, but I do know where her Cave Mansion is, and could guide you there,” Li Shu offered earnestly, as if to make amends.

“No need. Now that I am here at Mount Putuo, there's no rush. After the 'Immortal Apricot Conference' concludes in a few days, it won't be too late to meet her then,” Shen Luo waved his hand and said with a smile.

“Alright, then I won't persist further,” said Li Shu.

“Yo, Shen Luo, how come wherever you go, you always have a beauty by your side? Truly making others green with envy,” just then, a teasing voice came from afar.

Shen Luo looked helplessly in the direction of the voice and saw Bai Xiaotian walking over with a red wine gourd in one hand and a fine steel fan in the other.

“Brother Bai,” Li Shu called out from a distance.

“Junior Sister Li…” Bai Xiaotian greeted her with a smile as he approached.

After Li Shu's introduction, Bai Xiaotian and Liu Qing also got to know each other.

“Where have you been?” Shen Luo asked.

“I borrowed a pot of wine from Fellow Zheng Jun of the Giant Sword Sect,” Bai Xiaotian lifted the wine pot in his hand and said with a smile.

“You met an old acquaintance here?” Shen Luo asked in surprise.

“Not an old acquaintance, but a new friend I just made. I smelled the scent of wine from a distance just now and couldn't resist heading over. Fellow Zheng is a generous man, it's like meeting a kindred spirit over wine, haha…” Bai Xiaotian laughed.

“I've heard about this Brother Zheng Jun before; they say he's already reached the Late Nascent Soul Stage, and just two years ago he participated with his elders in thwarting a plot by the Demon Clan, quite a strong figure,” Li Shu mused for a moment and said.

“What, Junior Sister Li, are you here to bring me news?” Bai Xiaotian raised his eyebrows, pretending to be surprised.

“Big Brother Shen doesn't know much about the 'Immortal Apricot Conference', so isn't it good if I can lend a hand?” Li Shu said.

“Haha, that's naturally excellent,” Bai Xiaotian nodded and laughed.

After chatting idly for a while longer, Li Shu and Liu Qing said their goodbyes and left.

“Shen Luo, I never realized before, but you're quite the ladies' man, aren't you?” Bai Xiaotian stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Shen Luo, nudging him with his shoulder and said with a grin.

“What, jealous?” Shen Luo asked.

“Alas, I am now a monk and must restrain my desires,” Bai Xiaotian sighed deeply.

“If that's really the case, shouldn't you be starting with giving up wine?” Shen Luo retorted.

“That's unreasonable. Don't you know 'though meat and wine pass through the body, Buddha stays in the heart'?” Bai Xiaotian said as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Upon hearing this, Shen Luo gave him a sidelong glance and said no more.

“But seriously, why do I feel there's something odd about the way that girl looks at you?” Bai Xiaotian suddenly turned serious, stroking his chin.

“Don't talk nonsense, she is the Princess of the Tang Dynasty,” Shen Luo scolded lightly.

“Not her, I'm talking about the other girl, Liu Qing,” Bai Xiaotian shook his head and said.

“You must have drunk too much, it's becoming more and more far-fetched…” Shen Luo, not wanting to argue further, waved his hand and turned to head back to the tower.

Bai Xiaotian smiled and said nothing more, turning to return to his own tower.