CHAPTER 335: CHAPTER 330: THE COURT ARRIVES

The atmosphere on West Emperor Island was somewhat tense, as news of the West Sea battle had spread, leaving everyone on edge.

However, the subsequent news of court support brought a new sense of hope to the island.

In the skies above the island city, a luxurious flying ship approached. At the forefront of the ship stood a middle-aged man with his hands behind his back, his gaze sharp as lightning, long hair draped over his shoulders, exuding the aura of a superior.

On the ship, a giant character was engraved: Li!

"The court has arrived." The people in Demon City looked up at the warship.

"It’s said that the court has a Demon Slayer Bureau, filled with powerful figures, overseeing countless strong cultivators within the Da Li Dynasty, some of whom are top cultivators," many people looked on with anticipation.

"The court governs boundless lands, sweeping away demons throughout the land, and now, naturally, it can also sweep away the demon scourge of the West Sea."

Even though the West Sea region was never under the court’s control, in this time of crisis, the court’s power has become a source of hope, seen as a lifeline.

The warship sailed forward, heading toward the location of the West Emperor Palace.

Outside the West Emperor Palace, Wenren Zhong had already led a group to welcome them. Upon seeing the silhouette on the distant warship, he immediately bowed respectfully, this Yazhou Prefect now appearing very deferential.

Inside the West Emperor Palace, Liu Zonglin and other cultivators of the West Emperor Palace stood on a high pavilion, gazing at the approaching warship. Although he had not yet agreed with the court, the court had already dispatched troops.

Could it be, as Li Fan speculated, that the Moon Palace and the Nine Infant Great Demon colluded to lead the calamity of the West Sea demons, and in fact, the court’s hand was manipulating things behind the scenes?

"The court has arrived."

Outside the palace where Li Fan was located, Lu Yuan gazed into the distance and said softly. The court’s grand arrival, without any intent to conceal, was evidently meant to assert dominance over the West Sea region.

The warship stopped in the skies outside the West Emperor Palace. The middle-aged man looked down, dressed in a simple white robe, exuding elegance and transcendence. Wenren Zhong dared not slacken in the slightest, bowing respectfully, "Yazhou Prefect Wenren Zhong, greets the Prince."

"Prince?" Liu Zonglin and others looked toward the middle-aged man. There were several princes in the Da Li Dynasty; they didn’t know which one had arrived.

Li Fan had met a prince of a different surname in Chuzhou City before, but it was not this one before them.

Besides, there was a figure beside this prince, whom Li Fan recognized. He had seen him at the Peak of Li Mountain.

The nominal leader of Lingxiao Pavilion, Ye Chaosong.

His surname is Ye, and the Da Li Dynasty’s royal family also bears the surname Ye.

Apart from them, the others on the warship were also top cultivators. Such a powerful lineup arriving in the West Sea, their purpose was obvious.

The Da Li Prince in the white robe cast a cold glance at the West Emperor Palace, and with just one look, it seemed as though the entire West Emperor Palace was under immense pressure. Liu Zonglin felt as if he was also being targeted, and as a Seventh Realm Cultivator, he actually felt a slight oppressiveness.

Liu Zonglin naturally understood what this meant; the newcomer’s strength was far superior to his own.

"Let’s go." Liu Zonglin knew he could no longer feign ignorance, so he stepped out towards the outside of the West Emperor Palace, looking at the warship and saying, "I am Liu Zonglin, the Palace Master of the West Emperor Palace."

"Ye Ke." The man in the white robe spoke indifferently, causing Liu Zonglin’s eyelids to twitch; he had obviously heard this name before.

"Ye Ke is not an Alien King," Li Fan thought to himself when he heard this name. In that case, could this person be the senior uncle of his senior sister?

"Qi Immortal King Ye Ke."

Liu Zonglin’s expression was heavy. The Da Li Dynasty Emperor’s brother, this Qi Immortal King Ye Ke, was extremely legendary. He showed intelligence at a young age, had exceptional talent, and advanced rapidly in cultivation. The Emperor of Da Li claimed he was like an immortal from heaven reborn, thus bestowing upon him the title of Qi Immortal King, demonstrating how high Ye Ke’s talent was.

Of course, it wasn’t just Ye Ke.

The royal lineage of the Da Li Dynasty seemed to have incredible talents in every generation, all of them unprecedented prodigies.

"I heard of the chaos caused by demons in the Land of the West Sea?" Ye Ke looked at Liu Zonglin and spoke, maintaining his disdainful attitude even when facing Liu Zonglin, the Palace Master of the West Emperor Palace. This attitude made some cultivators of the West Emperor Palace unhappy, but given his status, they were helpless.

Now, facing the top factions of the West Sea region—the Moon Palace rebelling and the Sun Palace in jeopardy—they, the weakest of the West Emperor Palace, how could they contend with the court?

Admittedly, now was indeed the court’s best opportunity to unify the West Sea.

"Indeed, if the Prince is willing to lead the court army to slay the demons and quell the unrest, the people of the West Sea region will be immensely grateful." Liu Zonglin said.

"The calamity of the West Sea lies in the lack of unity and leadership in the region. This time, I have come to quell the demonic chaos but also to eradicate the source of West Sea’s unrest. From today on, the West Emperor Palace and West Emperor Island will be under the court’s jurisdiction. Are you willing?" Ye Ke asked, a formless pressure descending upon Liu Zonglin.

Liu Zonglin looked up at Ye Ke and said, "The West Emperor Palace doesn’t belong to me personally, nor does West Emperor Island. For many years, the West Emperor Palace has been a place for cultivators from various sides to practice, leading to what it is today. It does not belong to anyone. However, if any cultivator from the West Emperor Palace wishes to join the court, I won’t stand in the way."

"As for the West Sea’s calamity, if the court is willing to quell it, we would certainly be willing to lend a hand and jointly slay demons."

Ye Ke frowned, was he being refused?

An invisible pressure enveloped the West Emperor Palace, causing the entire palace to feel stifled.

"Is Master Liu intending to let the demons wreak havoc on the West Sea for personal gain?" someone beside Ye Ke spoke coldly.

But Ye Ke raised his hand to stop him and said, "Since Master Liu is unwilling, I won’t force it. The current demonic calamity is vast, and if the forces of the West Sea cannot unite, it would be difficult to quell it with just the court’s strength. I will temporarily stay on West Emperor Island, waiting for Master Liu to change his mind."

With that said, Ye Ke glanced around the West Emperor Palace, then fixed his gaze on a spot.

Outside the hall, Li Fan suddenly felt a pressure. From a great distance, he saw Ye Ke’s gaze directed at him, as if recognizing him at a glance.

Though they had never met, Li Fan could clearly sense that Ye Ke recognized him.

"Come to see me," Ye Ke said simply, then turned and left.

The warship descended onto the city of West Emperor Island, and the entourage from the court found a place to settle down.

People were perplexed, wondering whom the phrase "come to see me" was directed at.

Li Fan naturally knew that the words were meant for him.

The West Emperor Island became lively, and discussions filled the West Emperor Palace.

Li Fan stood outside the hall when Liu Zonglin personally came over to him and said, "There are still people from the court left behind, asking the West Emperor Palace to send someone—they want you to go see him. I refused."

"I have also heard about the matter between the court and Li Mountain, but if they forcibly attempt to take someone, I might not be able to stop it," Liu Zonglin admitted candidly, "Ye Ke’s cultivation realm is above mine."

"Understood," Li Fan nodded. However, Ye Ke had already seen him and yet did not directly demand his presence, which left him curious as to why.

"The people you called for, when will they arrive, and can they counter him?" Liu Zonglin asked.

"It should be soon," Li Fan replied. "The court will not be able to act."

Hearing Li Fan’s words, Liu Zonglin felt slightly reassured. With Li Fan’s confidence, it was clear that the upcoming arrival must be someone extraordinary. Thus, it remained to be seen.