Chapter 691: Chapter 691: 692 Cheated

Inside the great hall, Li Xiaobai was radiant, unlike Long Xue and Gui Xuan, as most influences from the Illusionary Realm were automatically removed by the System, and the insights were transformed into skills. He retained his memory, but he was not as indulged in it as the other two.

He was still that handsome and charming young man.

“Young Master Li has comprehended the natural ways of the world within the Illusionary Realm and gained cultivation techniques and Divine Skills from it. Moreover, he emerged from the Illusionary Realm World with his own strength, which even I cannot help but admire. Congratulations are indeed in order!”

“I wonder, is Young Master Li satisfied with his journey to the Illusionary Realm?”

The Old Dragon King looked at Li Xiaobai with a smiling gaze and asked.

“Extremely satisfied; the trip was highly rewarding. The cultivation techniques and Divine Skills realized were of immense benefit to me. I’m very thankful to you, Old Dragon King!”

Li Xiaobai smiled, aware that by sending him into the Illusionary Realm, the other party likely intended to help him grasp the cultivation techniques, which was no small favor indeed.

“It’s a pity, during my time in the Illusionary Realm, I came out empty-handed and concluded hastily. This Illusionary Formation was left by my father, who claimed it represented a corner of the Upper Realm.”

The Old Dragon King nonchalantly dropped another bombshell.

Li Xiaobai was surprised, “The world within that Illusionary Realm replicates the Upper Realm? But that was nothing more than the Mortal World!”

“Indeed, my father once tore open the heavens and caught a glimpse of a corner of that world. However, the good times did not last long, as not long after, a powerful being forced him back into the Lower Realm. From then on, he fell silent and passed away from his injuries soon after leaving behind this Illusionary Realm World.”

“I have also inquired about the Upper Realm’s details, but the old man refused to disclose a single word. I suspect that since the Illusionary Realm represents an ordinary world, it implies my father must have seen countries inhabited by mortals in the Upper Realm, and the Spirit Realm Technique and Demon Sealing Sword Evocation must have been two cultivation techniques he found particularly memorable from the Upper Realm.”

“Therefore, I believe that the Upper Realm may not be too different from our world—there are mortals with low cultivation levels as well as powerful beings capable of flight. The main difference is that the Immortal Spirit Qi is purer there, capable of producing higher-level beings,” continued the Old Dragon King.

At this moment, whether the civil and military officials, Long Xue, or Li Xiaobai, all pricked up their ears and listened intently.

The Overlord of the Eastern Sea was disclosing family secrets—his father had once peered into a corner of the Upper Realm. Such secrets were not heard of on ordinary days, and even beings like Liuren and the old beggar could only speculate about the Upper Realm; none had been able to analyze even a glimpse of that sky like the Old Dragon King.

“Does the Old Dragon King know if there are other methods to enter the Upper Realm, aside from breaking through the heavens?”

Li Xiaobai tentatively asked.

Hearing this, the Old Dragon King smiled meaningfully, “You know quite a lot, young man. But, why should I tell you?”

Before Li Xiaobai could answer, he continued, “In the Illusionary Realm World, you and my Xue’er were a perfect match, a heavenly union, and in the end, you even stormed the Golden Imperial Palace in a rage for a beauty’s sake. Although you say you don’t like it, your actions were quite sincere.”

“Now, what do you think of my Xue’er?” asked the Old Dragon King with a light smile, while Long Xue beside him blushed slightly and looked down timidly.

“Within the Illusionary Realm, I have no memory. That I was able to gain insight and elevate myself was all due to Lady Long’s sacrifice, which led to my awakening. I am deeply grateful to Lady Long,” said Li Xiaobai, looking at Long Xue. His fondness for her had indeed surged after the ordeal of the Illusionary Realm.

“I have decided to let Xue’er become your dual cultivation partner. Are you willing?” the Old Dragon King continued.

“To become the son-in-law of the Eastern Sea is an honor for me. But may we wait a bit longer before proceeding with the marriage, giving me time to make some preparations?” Li Xiaobai said with respect.

“Hmm? What preparation is needed for marriage when one bed will suffice?”

“The marriage requires a sense of ceremony, not something to be addressed hastily or carelessly.”

“How long do you want to wait?”

“Until the distribution of the Immortal Spirit Qi comes to an end,” he replied.

“Heh heh, you wish to break through with the help of Immortal Spirit Qi to achieve the status of a Half-step Human Immortal so that this king will no longer be able to do a thing about you, is that right? What a clever calculation you’ve made!”

The Old Dragon King sneered, seeing through the other party’s little scheme in an instant. Ever since he came out from the Illusionary Realm, Li Xiaobai’s demeanor had remained as indifferent as when he had entered, without a hint of the frustration Gui Xuan showed upon leaving, or the despondency of Long Xue. This guy, he simply hadn’t been affected by the Illusionary Realm at all!

“Cough cough, what are you saying, Dragon King…”

Li Xiaobai touched his nose somewhat awkwardly.

“Grandfather, I believe in Young Master Li!”

“I’m willing to wait for that day!”

“I will be there on that day, waiting for Young Master Li’s arrival!”

Long Xue suddenly interrupted from the side, her beautiful eyes filled with resoluteness.

“Xue’er, this fellow is very cunning. If you let him go now, who knows how long it will be until you see him again?”

The Old Dragon King looked at her somewhat puzzled.

Currently, this young man was too slippery. Even for him, it would take some effort to capture him. If the fellow were to seize the Immortal Spirit Qi and achieve Half-step Human Immortal, the Old Dragon King really wasn’t confident he could catch him again.

“No matter, during my time in the Illusionary Realm, I’ve come to deeply understand that although Young Master Li appears unrestrained, his heart is one of deep feelings and righteousness. I believe that Li Xiaobai will definitely keep his promise,” she said softly as she looked at Li Xiaobai.

“Yeah, yeah, I take my promises very seriously,” Li Xiaobai said, nodding in agreement, his eyes filled with approval. It felt good to be trusted, even though he did indeed have a momentary impulse to run away.

“My esteemed subjects, what do you think?” the Old Dragon King asked, looking around.

“We shall follow the little princess’s wishes.”

“We shall leave it to the great king’s decision!”

“We have no objections,” the civil and military officials said in unison. This was the Old Dragon King’s family matter—interfering would be asking for trouble.

Gui Xuan stared intently at the young figure in front. The person standing in that position should have been him, but all because of this outsider, his life had been disrupted, his future destroyed.

“Since this is the case, I too will trust Xue’er’s judgment. Li Xiaobai, your marriage alliance with my Eastern Sea shall be set on the day the battle for the Immortal Spirit Qi ends, how about that?” the Old Dragon King proposed with a shadowy look in his eyes, feeling that this young fellow would likely take the chance to flee.

“Good, many thanks, Dragon King!”

“There’s no time to delay; I’ll take my leave now to prepare,” said Li Xiaobai with a smile appearing on his face, preparing to leave. But just then, a statement from the Old Dragon King made his smile freeze on his face.

“Where do you think you’re going? Until the distribution of Immortal Spirit Qi is over, Young Master Li can just stay as a guest in my Eastern Sea. There’s no need to go anywhere else.”

“Guards, escort Young Master Li into the Celestial Prison. Without my orders, no one is allowed to see him. When the distribution of Immortal Spirit Qi begins, I will let you out myself!”