Chapter 25: Water Cloud Tower

Water Cloud Tower was built entirely atop the vast Nine Sun Lake, shrouded in mist and clouds, like a celestial tower in a fairyland.

An ancient, grand ship rode the air currents and flew to the foot of Water Cloud Tower.

“Are you Young Master Ji Ning?” Someone had long been waiting outside Water Cloud Tower.

Ji Ning led a group of Golden Armored Guards off the ship, waved his hand to stow it away, and walked up to the white-robed young man—a Primal Daoist in appearance—who had been waiting. He said, “I am Ji Ning.”

“By my master’s orders, I have been waiting for you, Young Master Ji Ning. Please follow me.” The white-robed youth glanced at the Golden Armored Guards behind Ji Ning and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Anyone who could travel with Golden Armored Guards was no ordinary person—definitely someone with background and backing!

High ministers and officials, whose backing was the Grand Xia Emperor, were granted Golden Armored Guards.

Only favored members of the Grand Xia royal clan could be granted Golden Armored Guards. Ji Ning had them because of Prince Yan’s support.

“Water Cloud Tower is truly magnificent.” A small green snake coiled around Ji Ning’s arm, a snow-white dog walked beside him, and a large group of Golden Armored Guards followed behind, marching through Water Cloud Tower in a grand procession. They all moved as if riding the wind, covering several li in a flash.

The white-robed youth leading the way smiled. “Water Cloud Tower was built by our Zhuanshui clan with boundless wealth, taking over three years to complete. Afterward, we spent endless time meticulously refining it, resulting in the Water Cloud Tower you see today.”

“Truly worthy of the Zhuanshui clan—impressive, impressive.” Ji Ning praised.

This was a powerful tribe that had once contended with the Grand Xia’s royal Xiamang clan for the throne, ranking among the top three tribes in this major world. Its depth was unfathomable. Just looking at the array formations and restrictions on any single building in Water Cloud Tower, one could see they rivaled the mountain gates of top-tier sects. As the Zhuanshui clan’s largest commercial establishment in the Grand Xia capital, they had indeed poured endless effort into it. Ji Ning’s praise came from the heart.

Hearing Ji Ning’s compliment, the white-robed youth smiled. “My master is ahead, having prepared a feast. He’s waiting for you, Young Master Ji Ning.”

“It seems I’m late.” Ji Ning laughed.

Soon, they walked along a long, suspended path, from which they could look down upon the vast, misty lake and the endless fog.

Following the ropeway, they reached a massive, thousand-zhang-tall pavilion, standing alone, connected to the rest of Water Cloud Tower by only a single long path.

Two servants guarded the main entrance, both of whom were Wanxiang Adepts. Upon seeing the white-robed youth, they immediately opened the door with great deference.

“My master is inside,” the white-robed youth said with a smile. “It’s quiet here, and you can enjoy the boundless beauty of Nine Sun Lake.”

Ji Ning led his Golden Armored Guards inside, and the door closed behind them.

“Haha, Brother Ji Ning is truly remarkable. Not long ago, you spent five million catties of liquid essence to buy the Peacock Plume, making your name known in the capital. Now, shortly after entering Prince Yan’s residence, you’re already traveling with Golden Armored Guards. I can’t help but admire you—I’m utterly impressed! What about you, Quge?” A slightly frivolous voice rang out.

A young man in a loose white robe, his long hair casually tied back, walked over barefoot. His eyes were half-drunk and hazy, but his face was full of smiles and warm welcome.

Beside him was a tall, sturdy youth in black, who nodded. “Indeed, impressive. Prince Yan is known for being aloof and cold, and he rarely favors young people. For Brother Ji Ning to earn the right to travel with Golden Armored Guards in just a day or two is truly remarkable.”

The white-robed, barefoot youth seemed frivolous but also unrestrained, while the tall, black-clad youth exuded a sharp, fierce aura.

Behind them followed a man and a woman.

“You flatter me,” Ji Ning said with a smile. The invitation had come from “Zhuanshui Xiaolou,” and Ji Ning naturally knew of him, one of the Four Young Masters of the Grand Xia capital. The barefoot youth in white was Zhuanshui Xiaolou. Though both he and Shaoyan Nong were among the Four Young Masters, the Shaoyan and Zhuanshui clans were mortal enemies, so their relationship was extremely strained.

They often clashed fiercely.

But in terms of skill, personal strength, connections, and clan power, Zhuanshui Xiaolou was a cut above Shaoyan Nong.

“Brother Ji Ning.” The barefoot Zhuanshui Xiaolou warmly took Ji Ning’s hand. “Come, let me introduce you.”

Zhuanshui Xiaolou pointed to the tall youth in black. “This is the true genius of the younger generation of the Tiannong clan—Tiannong Quge! Unlike me, who often attends gatherings, Quge keeps a low profile, focusing on cultivation and tempering himself through adventures. He rarely stays in the capital. He only returned for the Immortal Fortune Conference and, hearing about you, was curious. He specially asked to meet you.”

“Tiannong Quge?” Ji Ning was inwardly surprised.

Among the many candidates most likely to win first place in the Immortal Fortune Conference, though Xiamang Zishan, Cangwu Jiu, Mu Chuanzhen, and others were highly touted, Tiannong Quge, though relatively low-key, was the leading figure of the Tiannong clan’s younger generation. He was considered capable of ranking in the top hundred and even potentially unleashing extraordinary strength—a true genius. His low profile made it hard to gauge his current power.

“Brother Ji Ning.” Tiannong Quge smiled.

“Brother Quge.” Since the other addressed him so warmly as “Brother Ji Ning,” Ji Ning naturally wouldn’t stand on ceremony. Calling him “Daoist Quge” would be seen as unfriendly.

“Come, let me introduce another participant in the Immortal Fortune Conference.” Zhuanshui Xiaolou pointed to a man behind him, dressed in purple, with fair skin and an almost eerily handsome, beautiful face. “This is an old friend of mine—Xiao Lang. He’s a truly first-rate romantic figure. In the capital, many young maidens have their hearts aflutter, wishing to marry him.”

“So this is Xiao Lang?” Ji Ning thought. Xiao Lang was mentioned in the intelligence reports as a very romantic figure with a somewhat twisted personality. Of course, according to the Heavenly Treasures Mountain’s intelligence, Xiao Lang was only briefly noted, not comparable to Tiannong Quge.

“Greetings, Daoist Ji Ning.” Xiao Lang looked at Ji Ning with a half-smile and cupped his hands.

“Daoist Xiao Lang.” Ji Ning nodded.

Tiannong Quge also smiled. “I have a friend I met during my travels. She came with me to the capital and will also participate in the Immortal Fortune Conference.” The red-clad, charming woman beside him stepped forward. “Bo Yan greets Daoist Ji Ning.”

“Daoist Bo Yan.” Ji Ning responded.

Zhuanshui Xiaolou, Tiannong Quge, Xiao Lang, and Bo Yan—Ji Ning marveled inwardly. All four were extraordinary.

Xiao Lang was a romantic with a twisted personality and a strange temper.

Bo Yan was a well-known figure in the North Sea, though her fame was more for her “beauty.”

“Come, let’s sit over there.” Zhuanshui Xiaolou said.

The Golden Armored Guards, Xiaoqing, and Uncle Bai went to sit aside, where a feast was prepared for them. Ji Ning, Zhuanshui Xiaolou, Tiannong Quge, Xiao Lang, and Bo Yan walked to another area.

The five of them sat down separately.

“I had hoped you would stay at my Zhuanshui residence, but you’ve already moved into Prince Yan’s mansion so quickly,” Zhuanshui Xiaolou said with a sigh, then smiled. “If you ever find it unpleasant there, feel free to move out and stay at my place.”

“Prince Yan treats me very well and thinks highly of me, even granting me Golden Armored Guards. How could I let him down?” Ji Ning laughed.

This was the line he and his cousin had agreed upon—to tell outsiders that Prince Yan valued Ji Ning greatly.

“Indeed.” Zhuanshui Xiaolou nodded. He hadn’t really expected to recruit Ji Ning; it was just a casual remark.

“Gulp.”

Xiao Lang, sitting nearby, directly picked up his wine cup and drank. “This Ji Ning has only been cultivating for thirty years—how strong can he be? He only became famous in the capital because he killed Shaoyan Nong, got a lot of treasures, and then spent five million catties of liquid essence on the Peacock Plume. He’s just lucky that Princess Xiyue took a liking to him and brought him to Prince Yan’s mansion. Given how doting Prince Yan is on Princess Xiyue, she probably asked him to assign a group of Golden Armored Guards to follow Ji Ning.”

Xiao Lang looked down on Ji Ning.

He had traveled for years and was far more famous than Ji Ning! He intended to shine in the Immortal Fortune Conference!

Ji Ning?

Just a brat who made a name by killing Shaoyan Nong, relying on a woman to gain Prince Yan’s favor.

In truth, Xiao Lang was jealous. Ji Ning could afford five million catties of liquid essence, which Xiao Lang couldn’t. Leading a group of Golden Armored Guards was so imposing—though he also stayed at the Zhuanshui residence, he couldn’t match Ji Ning’s prestige.

“Lucky kid, no real skill. In time, people will see through your gilded exterior.” Xiao Lang drank his wine, too lazy to talk to Ji Ning.

…

Xiao Lang was naturally aloof and eccentric, so the others didn’t mind. There were plenty of odd-tempered cultivators.

Ji Ning, Zhuanshui Xiaolou, Tiannong Quge, and Bo Yan chatted happily.

“Ji Ning, Water Cloud Tower recently bought some aliens from a small world. That world is quite special, so its life forms are bizarre. These two are among the stronger ones there, both comparable to Wanxiang Adepts.” Zhuanshui Xiaolou pointed to the hundred-zhang arena in the center, where people were carrying in huge iron cages. One cage held a three-zhang-tall golden-haired giant; the other held a creature with a lion’s lower body and a human’s upper body.

“Let’s watch these aliens fight—a little entertainment.” Zhuanshui Xiaolou clapped his hands.

Suddenly, with a whoosh,

A sealing formation rose around the hundred-zhang arena. Inside, the two iron cages opened automatically with a click, and the golden-haired giant and the lion-man, both wearing only leather skirts, charged out.