Chapter 446 Cao Youqian: His Eyes Betrayed Him
Early morning, before dawn, in the streets and alleys of the Mad Lion King City. From royalty and nobility down to common peddlers, everyone was discussing what had happened last night.
"Did you all see the sun and moon shining together last night?"
"Naturally, I saw it. With such a commotion last night, how could I not know? Moreover, I have inside information."
"Quick, tell us what you know."
"..."
Within the royal palace. Cao Youqian got up early to cultivate. By the time he finished, the sky was just beginning to brighten. He quietly sat in his seat, drinking morning tea while waiting for news from outside.
A moment later, Babao Great Sage walked in with a smile, giving Cao Youqian a thumbs-up. "Holy Son, you truly live up to your reputation. Last night, with just a slight display of your strength, you left the entire king city in awe."
Cao Youqian played with the teacup in his hand, smiling as he said: "The bait has been cast. Now we wait to see if the fish will bite."
Babao Great Sage asked: "Holy Son, when the time comes, this old man is willing to accompany you."
"That's fine, but you'll need to disguise yourself. It would be best to use a secret treasure to conceal your aura."
Cao Youqian didn't mind giving a share to Babao Great Sage, after all, this was his territory. Babao Great Sage said with a troubled expression: "Holy Son, to be honest with you, we don't practice such things in our Barbarian Continent."
Cao Youqian was speechless. He casually tossed out a jade tablet from his storage ring. "This jade tablet can conceal your aura. Wear it."
"Thank you, Holy Son, for this gift. This old man will serve you with utmost loyalty."
Babao Great Sage happily accepted the jade tablet. Cao Youqian continued: "Spread the word that this Holy Son plans to travel through the Mad Lion Kingdom and is now recruiting attendants."
Babao Great Sage, having lived for over a thousand years and being quite cunning, immediately understood Cao Youqian's meaning. "Give this old man three days, Holy Son, and I will surely select a suitable group of attendants for you."
The corners of Cao Youqian's mouth turned up slightly: "Then I'll wait to see your performance."
"Yes."
Babao Great Sage responded and then turned to leave. The news that the Holy Son was selecting attendants in the Mad Lion Kingdom to travel through various lands quickly spread throughout the country.
The cultivators of the Mad Lion Kingdom and the disciples of the Giant God Academy were excited upon hearing this news. They all rushed to the Giant God Academy's residence to sign up.
Even the followers of the Fire God Sect, who were hiding in the king city, secretly sent people to participate in the selection. Babao Great Sage did not show himself but instead had Xuanjing Great Sage handle this matter. He spent these days in disguise.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. At noon on this day, Cao Youqian appeared outside the city at the Giant God Academy's residence, riding in a luxurious carriage. As soon as he stepped down, he attracted countless gazes.
The Mad Lion King and Xuanjing Great Sage were the first to step forward to greet him. "Holy Son."
"Hmm."
Cao Youqian nodded arrogantly and asked coolly: "Uncle Xuanjing, have you selected the attendants?"
Xuanjing Great Sage said with a smile: "Rest assured, Holy Son. This old man has selected seventy-two attendants for you. They are all first-rate talents and will not disappoint you."
Cao Youqian said with a smile: "Very good, bring them forward."
"Yes."
After responding, Xuanjing Great Sage turned his gaze to the Mad Lion King standing nearby.
The latter then withdrew, and in a short while, he returned with seventy-two young cultivators before Cao Youqian.
Upon seeing Cao Youqian, they all bowed and said: "We greet the Holy Son, Holy Son is unparalleled."
"Rise."
Cao Youqian surveyed everyone present with a condescending gaze. "This Holy Son's journey will involve traveling through various nations to experience the customs of the Barbarian Continent, while also sparring with prodigies and preaching to you all. However, the premise is that you must ensure this Holy Son's comfort. Otherwise, do not blame me for not showing respect to the Mad Lion King or Uncle Xuanjing."
Hearing this, Xuanjing Great Sage and the Mad Lion King couldn't help but smile slightly—the Holy Son was truly giving them face. The group of young cultivators responded in unison: "We obey your command."
"Very well, let us depart."
After speaking, Cao Youqian turned and walked toward his carriage, with the young cultivators following closely behind. Soon, the large procession slowly departed from the king city under the watchful eyes of the masses.
Inside the carriage, Cao Youqian was leisurely playing chess with Song Zhaoyi. After a long while, the carriage door opened. Babao Great Sage, disguised as a coachman, slowly entered: "Holy Son, shall we head directly to the Fire God Sect's stronghold at Yunwu Mountain?"
Cao Youqian smiled and said: "No hurry. Let us wait for the Fire God Sect scum hiding among the seventy-two to reveal himself. We are traveling, so naturally we must first experience the customs of the Mad Lion Kingdom."
Babao Great Sage paused, then asked curiously: "Holy Son, you mean there is a Fire God Sect spy among the seventy-two?"
"Indeed."
Cao Youqian placed a black piece on the chessboard and said: "Though he hides well, his eyes betrayed him. While others look at me with reverence and admiration, his eyes hold excitement and a trace of greed. Though it was fleeting, how could it escape my perception?"
Hearing this, Babao Great Sage immediately gave Cao Youqian a thumbs-up. "The Holy Son has sharp eyes. This old man truly missed that small detail. Then let him enjoy his arrogance for a few days—he will have plenty to cry about later."
...
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed. Along the way, Cao Youqian traveled intermittently, preaching to the group every few days and offering guidance on their cultivation. He soon became familiar with the seventy-two attendants, with many even swearing to serve the Holy Son with their lives.
Cao Youqian paid no mind to these words, treating everyone equally. One evening, the party arrived at the border of the Mad Lion Kingdom. The prince stepped forward and said: "Holy Son, ahead lies Yunwu Mountain. Shall we take a detour or pass through it directly toward the Giant Elephant Kingdom?"
"Why, is there danger in Yunwu Mountain?"
Cao Youqian asked with a smile. The prince replied: "For minor cultivators like us, it is indeed perilous. But for an existence like you, Holy Son, there is naturally no danger whatsoever."
"In that case, let us venture into Yunwu Mountain to see what lies within. We might even encounter opportunities."
Cao Youqian paused and added: "Go ask among the group if anyone is familiar with Yunwu Mountain."
"Yes."
The prince acknowledged and turned away, gathering the attendants together. In less time than it takes to finish a cup of tea, he returned with a hawk-faced cultivator before Cao Youqian.
"Holy Son, his name is Hei Yao. He once lived in Yunwu Mountain for over a decade before joining a sect in our Mad Lion Kingdom. He knows Yunwu Mountain like the back of his hand."
Hearing this, Cao Youqian smiled at Hei Yao and asked: "Is this true?"
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