Chapter 185: Eldest Princess, Ouyang Yue'er

Facing Muscle Flaccidity, Zhang Danfeng had not a hint of resistance and directly collapsed on the ground, sprawled at Li Xiaobai's feet.

He felt his mentality had crumbled, full of disbelief on his face.

"How is this possible? Who exactly are you, and why do you have such methods? What is your purpose in approaching the little princess?" he demanded.

"How could you, a State Preceptor who has not even reached the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, possibly understand the world that we are in contact with daily?"

Li Xiaobai shook his head, taking Ouyang Shuanger by the foot to walk into the mansion.

"Young Master Li, big brother Li, let's prioritize peace. My sister and father are really nice people, very knowledgeable and very polite," Ouyang Shuanger said, looking terrified, fearing that if the other party carelessly got rid of royal family members, she would be the one to blame.

"Don't worry, it's all good," Li Xiaobai reassured her.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion, the servants led the two into the main hall, where, seated on the throne of the City Lord's Mansion, was a woman in white dress and gown, wearing a phoenix crown and cloud boots, with a very delicate face expressing an air of unwavering command and a touch of imperial dignity.

Seated beside her was the original City Lord of Ancient Moon City.

"How audacious! Who are you, daring to gaze upon the Eldest Princess' face?" one of the guards shouted angrily, extremely irritated.

Li Xiaobai found it rather absurd in his heart. Was there even a rule about not looking upon a face?

"Big sister, this is my friend Li Xiaobai. He came to Zhenyuan Country for business," Ouyang Shuanger said hurriedly, preempting Li Xiaobai's response, and signaled the guard with her eyes to stand down.

"Li Xiaobai?" the Eldest Princess frowned slightly, feeling the name was somewhat familiar as if she had heard it somewhere but couldn't recall it in the moment.

"Hmph, a mere mortal in common clothing, what business could he possibly have?"

"The little princess must have been deceived by someone," she suggested.

The City Lord, not recognizing Li Xiaobai and only perceiving him as an ordinary mortal, looked contemptuous.

In the past, Li Xiaobai had worn Ye Liangchen's Human Skin Mask in Ancient Moon City, and now that he had removed it, no one recognized him.

"It's true. Young Master Li could provide Zhenyuan Country with a large amount of precious herbs, of very high grades," Ouyang Shuanger said, stealing glances at Li Xiaobai from the corner of her eye, relieved to see no abnormality from him.

"A mere mortal, what fine Spiritual Medicine could he have unearthed? Daring to deceive the little princess—the audacity! Guards, bind him!" the City Lord ordered, waving his hand as a number of Imperial Guards rushed out, spears pointing directly at Li Xiaobai.

"Wait!"

Li Xiaobai's wrist turned over, and a Fire Lotus flower appeared in his hand. The scorching heat washed over everyone, startling them. They all recognized it as a fire-attributed Spiritual Medicine, able to eliminate impurities from the body and even sculpt the Primordial Spirit.

"That's a Fire Lotus!"

"How could you just bring it out like that? The Fire Lotus must be stored in jade containers; exposed like this, much of its effectiveness will fade—quick, put it away!" the City Lord exclaimed, his heart aching at the sight.

Li Xiaobai let out a chuckle and put away the Fire Lotus, "Can we have a proper talk now?"

"I am Ouyang Yue'er, the Eldest Princess of Zhenyuan Country. I wonder who you, Young Master Li, have studied under to possess such skills at such a young age. Quite extraordinary indeed."

Atop the high platform, the Eldest Princess who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.

Li Xiaobai said indifferently, "I am Li Xiaobai, self-taught."

Until now, the Eldest Princess had been playing the role of a bystander, allowing the City Lord to challenge him as she saw fit, probably to test his mettle. Now that she took the initiative to speak, it was clear that she had a great desire for the Fire Lotus.

"How many Fire Lotus flowers do you have?" the Eldest Princess asked with a frown.

"I have dozens, and countless other Spiritual Medicines of the same tier. If it comes to trading, the Spirit Stones would likely amount to tens of millions. Forgive my bluntness, but I would rather negotiate directly with the King of Zhenyuan Country. Despite your remarkable power and influence, Eldest Princess, I fear you may not have the final say," Li Xiaobai said.

"How dare you! The King is busy with myriad affairs; how could he stoop to trade with a nobody like you!" the City Lord roared in anger, pointing at Li Xiaobai as he rebuked.

A strange light flickered through the Eldest Princess's eyes.

"Indeed, if you truly possess such an amount of Spiritual Medicine, I indeed am not in a position to decide. This matter must be reported to my father, the King, for a decision. In two days, you will have an update. For this evening, I shall host a banquet and invite you and my younger sister to join me. How about that?"

"Thank you, Eldest Princess."

Li Xiaobai bowed with his hands clasped, though somewhat puzzled. This opening move seemed off. The people of Zhenyuan Country shouldn't be so easy to talk to, especially a princess. How could she possibly invite the King over to trade with him just because of a single Fire Lotus flower?

There must be some trickery involved, but having the opportunity to have a detailed conversation over a banquet was precisely what he wanted.

Right now, more than trading Spirit Medicines, he wanted to know what had happened in the city, why it was heavily guarded by soldiers, and the current situation of Situ Yanyu's family.

"Someone, take Young Master Li to the guest room. Yue'er, stay with me and let's chat. I've missed you terribly after all these days apart!"

Ouyang Shuanger felt her heart lift with tension; she wasn't foolish and knew that Ouyang Yue'er was trying to separate them.

She wasn't worried about Li Xiaobai; she was concerned about the Eldest Princess and the Imperial Guards of Zhenyuan Country. Li Xiaobai was capable of standing his ground against those in the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, and he even had the backing of that old beggar, a legendary figure. However, in the Secret Realm, she had taken an oath with her Daoist heart, forbidding her from revealing Li Xiaobai's matters. Even if she wanted to warn him, she couldn't speak openly now.

"Hehe, sure, Lady Shuanger. It's a rare chance for sisters to meet; enjoy your time together," Li Xiaobai cheerfully left, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Today was not going to be peaceful.

"Young Master Li is really perceptive. We can discuss the details of the Spiritual Medicine at the banquet this evening."

Ouyang Yue'er smiled in greeting, but in her eyes, a trace of murderous intent flashed by. Anyone daring to act up in her presence only had a one-way path to their demise.

Wanting to trade with the royal family isn't merely about the ante; the innocent are not guilty until they possess a jade of great value, a principle she hoped the other party would comprehend in the netherworld.

"Big sister, aren't you planning to harm Young Master Li? He's quite powerful. It would be better to honestly trade with him."

Ouyang Shuanger looked somewhat anxious.

"How powerful? Does he have the backing of any sect forces?" Ouyang Yue'er inquired.

"I can't say," Ouyang Shuanger said, her expression conflicted since she'd taken an oath.

"Little sister, always remember that you are royal blood of Zhenyuan Country, a descendant of Great Immortal Zhenyuan. How can we allow a nobody to make trouble? This youngster has some resources; I'll find a way to get them. You need not worry. You must be tired from your trip to the Tianbei Secret Realm, so rest well," Ouyang Yue'er said.

Ouyang Yue'er shook her head, not believing Ouyang Shuanger's words. Although she felt the name Li Xiaobai sounded somewhat familiar, the man himself was an individual with no cultivation level to speak of; there was no need to take him seriously.

He didn't have the standing to trade with Zhenyuan Country.