Chapter 180: Keep the Music Playing, and Keep Dancing!

Time passed swiftly, and soon it was the day of the Li Clan’s grand banquet, inviting guests from across the lands.

The main streets of Luocheng were lined with banquet tables, where the Li Clan offered food and wine to all the city’s citizens. True Law martial artists from far and wide dined side by side with local residents. The entire city was abuzz with merriment, cups clinking and laughter echoing through the air.

Of course, that was if one could ignore the bizarre appearances of the True Law cultivators and the many Luocheng residents whose Dao Physiques had mutated into strange bodily forms.

To a normal person from any other version of the world, this would seem like a monstrous feast overtaking the city, and the delicacies served would be imagined as bloody meals of human flesh.

While the outer city celebrated, the Li Clan’s estate—the true center of the event—held a strange and inexplicable atmosphere.

Under the scorching sun, the Li Clan residence glistened with grandeur. The eaves and jade ornaments sparkled brilliantly. Around the courtyard, strands of demonic qi as thin as hair formed a tightly woven net of shimmering light, casting rainbow hues under the sunlight and sealing the entire banquet area in isolation from the world outside.

Within the estate’s grand hall, representatives of various great factions were seated according to rank, watching the graceful dance of the palace entertainers.

Sunlight filtered through the carved lattice windows but twisted unnaturally as it touched some of the guests.

A True Law cultivator from the Qingshan Qing Clan wore a frost-white robe, each of his gestures exuding a chill that turned nearby warmth into ice.

A noble scion of the Bohai Ye Clan sat draped in luxurious robes, his appearance handsome and flawless, save for the fleeting flash of crimson in his eyes when he raised his wine cup.

Beyond them, representatives from the Tianhe Feng Clan, the Uehara Ma Clan—altogether nine millennia-old families—were present in the hall.

In a dim corner, several grotesque-looking guests chatted and laughed. Yet their shadows under the blazing sun were darker than black, like bottomless abysses. The radiant light cast over them revealed only a creeping sense of gloom.

Everyone’s gaze was drawn toward the seat of honor, their eyes filled with subtle amusement and mockery.

Qing Fengyang of the Qingshan Qing Clan glanced at the sun now hanging directly overhead. Twirling his folding fan with long fingers, he spoke nonchalantly:

“Members of the Li Clan, the auspicious hour has arrived. Why has the clan master not yet appeared?”

The second branch’s Moruo Realm elder, Li Kuang, stiffened and replied respectfully, “The clan master must be attending to urgent matters.”

Another Moruo Realm elder, Li Qie, offered an apologetic smile. “We didn’t expect the clan master to be absent at such an important moment. We beg Young Master Qing’s forgiveness.”

One couldn’t blame the Li Clan elders for their obsequiousness—Qing Fengyang’s background was extraordinary.

As a Moruo Realm expert representing the Qing Clan, he had been chosen as a potential inheritor by a Qing Clan Ancestor nearing the end of his lifespan in the Nether Abyss Realm. Once he overcame the other heirs, Qing Fengyang would take up the Ancestor’s Dao Path and ascend to the Nether Abyss Realm.

Even here, he was among the highest-status individuals.

Ye Qi of the Bohai Ye Clan, in contrast, was an ordinary man—but the silent old man behind him was a Moruo Realm powerhouse.

Ye Qi’s scarlet eyes gleamed as he looked at the empty seat of honor, sneering coldly.

None of the factions were truly surprised by Li Hao’s absence.

The rumor of a false Netherworld envoy had spread for an entire month. If Li Hao were truly connected to the Netherworld, he would have acted by now.

Now, it seemed their original assumption was correct—the Netherworld had long since departed this world. The so-called Ghost God Li Clan was nothing more than a stray dog abandoned by its master.

Li Hao’s final act of resistance—refusing to appear—was merely an attempt to deny the legitimacy of the fake envoy.

But to the major clans, such gestures were meaningless.

Ye Qi chuckled coldly and spoke in a detached tone:

“In that case, let us welcome the esteemed envoy of the Netherworld.”

“Though the Li Clan Master has slighted us, we must not disrespect the envoy.”

“Prepare at once. Bring the envoy forward.”

Voices of agreement rose from the other clan representatives, and the command was passed outside the hall.

Moments later, a young man entered the hall under the escort of a Li Clan elder.

He was handsome, clad in a black long robe adorned with golden patterns, exuding a sense of grandeur. But his demeanor failed to match the splendor of his attire.

Trying his best to appear calm and composed, his eyes nevertheless darted away from the powerful guests—his forced confidence could not hide the guilt in his heart.

A monkey in a crown!

The same phrase echoed in everyone’s minds, drawing sneers to their faces.

No one seemed to remember the devastating power the Netherworld had displayed just half a year ago. All that remained was Li Hao’s retreat and this pathetic, posturing impostor.

“Pfft.”

A snicker sounded from the crowd.

But when Qing Fengyang turned to look, the laughter immediately ceased.

“Greetings, honored guests.”

The fake envoy cupped his fists toward the representatives of the nine great clans. Some responded half-heartedly as if performing in a play, others ignored him altogether, and a few didn’t even bother hiding their disdain.

“As the envoy of the Netherworld, you deserve a seat of honor.”

Though seated below, Qing Fengyang spoke as if he were the host of the event, giving orders on behalf of the Li Clan.

Following his cue, the third branch elder, Li Sheng, quickly led the fake envoy to a small table by the door—barely qualifying as a seat and more fitting for a guard post.

The fake envoy saw nothing wrong and was about to sit down—

When a thunderous shout shook the hall.

“Hold it!”

Like a bolt from the blue, the fierce shout startled every Moruo Realm cultivator present. Even Qing Fengyang’s expression darkened as he turned toward the source.

Stepping into view was none other than Li Hao, the master of the Li Clan.

Though his peak Moruo Realm aura had not yet been released, his mere presence was enough to instill fear among the gathered powerhouses.

Only Qing Fengyang remained composed, smiling warmly.

“Clan Master Li, we’ve been waiting for quite some time.”

“Since you were delayed, we had no choice but to welcome the envoy on your behalf. I hope you won’t mind.”

“Netherworld envoy?” Li Hao’s gaze swept coldly across the hall. “Nonsense. What envoy?”

His words caused the hall to freeze. Even Qing Fengyang’s polite demeanor began to crack.

“The envoy’s visit was proclaimed by your Li Clan.”

“And now you claim there is no envoy. Are you saying the Li Clan fabricated this to deceive us? Or are you just playing us all for fools?”

The hall erupted with angry voices:

“What is the meaning of this, Clan Master Li?”

“Fabricating the Netherworld’s presence to mislead the great clans—what is your true intention?”

“So this so-called Ghost God Li Clan is just a bunch of impostors!”

“Today’s farce must be explained!”

With these accusations, the three Li Clan elders and the fake envoy were completely ignored. All attention focused on Li Hao.

“An explanation?” Li Hao sneered at the gathering of clan representatives. “The real envoy has yet to enter, and already you’re so eager to pass judgment? How unsightly.”

“My reputation matters little. But if you insult the true envoy and provoke the wrath of the Netherworld’s ghost gods, I wonder—will your clans be able to answer for it?”

With that, Li Hao stepped aside and bowed respectfully.

“Please, envoy of the Netherworld—enter the hall.”

Only now did everyone notice the man standing behind Li Hao.

A young man in a dark robe, flowing like shadow in the wind. Subtle patterns on the fabric shifted like swimming dragons. In his hand was an ancient soul banner, its threads outlining a vast continent, with ghostly auras flickering at its edges.

The youth’s presence was ethereal, his eyes dark as the abyss, surrounded by faint spiritual energy. Each step, each motion, radiated quiet majesty.

The moment he appeared, an oppressive force descended upon every soul in the room.

Everyone turned to the banner—and their faces changed.

“That continent on the banner—I saw it when the Netherworld Lord appeared!”

A clamor burst through the hall.

Each person recalled the overwhelming pressure that had once loomed over the entire demon world from that massive, suspended continent.

Though the aura from the banner was only a fraction of the Netherworld Lord’s might, it was still enough to shake every Moruo Realm expert to their core.

Lu Yan strode into the hall, soul banner in hand. The suffocating atmosphere was palpable. None dared to breathe too loudly.

But his gaze was fixed on the fake envoy and Elder Li Sheng, both trembling at the doorway.

His expression calm, Lu Yan raised the soul banner.

“Take this banner, and you shall become the envoy of the Netherworld.”

The fake envoy was petrified, unable to say a word.

Then, the banner tilted toward him.

Everyone felt as if a vast continent was about to fall upon the hall. The suffocating weight bore down directly on their souls.

With each inch the banner lowered, the pressure multiplied.

Even Moruo Realm experts were forced to reveal their true Dao Physiques, shedding human forms to withstand the force. Soul Burial Realm warriors activated their Dao Intents just to stay conscious.

But just as the banner was about to reach the fake envoy—

Lu Yan halted.

“How boring.”

With a soft sigh, he withdrew the banner and stepped forward.

“Thud!”

“Bang!”

Two heavy crashes echoed.

Everyone turned to see the fake envoy collapsed on the floor—dead. This Soul Burial Realm cultivator had perished without even touching the banner.

More shocking still was Elder Li Sheng, who had also fallen, his soul shattered before he could even release his Dao Intent.

A Moruo Realm expert—unworthy to face the banner.

Silence blanketed the hall.

Lu Yan ascended the dais and took the seat of honor.

Looking down upon the assembled forces, his voice was calm and indifferent:

“Keep the music playing. Keep dancing.”

(End of Chapter)