Chapter 171: Summoned by the White Emperor

The sudden upheaval within the third-rank aristocratic Blue family of Xinyue City finally came to a close. The attitude of Emperor Bai made Lan Tianfang completely abandon any thoughts of resistance. With his own hands, he executed his wife, his four sons, two grandsons, six involved stewards, and two clan uncles. Two of the Blue family's six Void Return realm cultivators perished, while their Dao Integration grand elder remained completely silent from beginning to end.

Because Lan Tianfang chose to end his own life, Lan Mo did not continue to press the past grievances. After all the implicated individuals were successively brought to justice, the matter was finally brought to a close. Having suffered such a catastrophe, the Blue family lost a vast number of elites. Furthermore, with a new helmsman taking office, the entire clan underwent a thorough reshuffling. Had it not been for the presence of that Dao Integration ancestor, the family likely would have fallen from a third-rank noble house down to the lowest tier of the fourth rank.

Of course, all of this had nothing to do with Lan Mo and Ji Mo. Once the Blue family's affairs were settled, a knot in Lan Mo's heart was untied, and her cultivation realm imperceptibly advanced a small step further, unconsciously reaching the peak of the eighth stage of True Condensation. It was estimated that it would not be long before she broke through to the ninth stage of True Condensation. Seeing her like this, Ji Mo felt immensely gratified.

"Unbeknownst to us, we've already stayed in Xinyue City for over ten days. Who knows what that fellow Bai Ze went off to do, to not even show his face once." In the Mo family tavern located in the West Market of Xinyue City, Ji Mo curled up in a corner, pouring Spring Return Brew into her mouth while chatting idly with Lan Mo.

Lan Mo did not reply. For someone with her extreme passion for culinary arts, a love for fine wine was naturally inevitable. Because of this, her entire focus at the moment was concentrated on the contents of the wine cup in her hand. As for Ji Mo's nagging—apologies, she simply hadn't heard a single word. Ji Mo glanced at her, then looked at Little Jin, who was already drinking until her eyes were hazy and unfocused, and rolled her eyes in exasperation: What a pair of drunkards!

"You two sure are leisurely. The entire capital is discussing you right now, yet the few of you are cooped up here drinking." Just as Ji Mo was inwardly grumbling, Bai Ze's voice rang out.

"Oh? Brother Bai, it's been quite a while since you showed your face. How do you have time to come out today?" Hearing Bai Ze's voice, Ji Mo turned her gaze and saw Bai Ze walking over in a leisurely stroll, prompting her to raise an eyebrow and tease him.

"I've been so busy these past few days that my feet haven't touched the ground. How could I be as carefree as you two? My imperial father wants to see you, so he sent me here to summon you." Bai Ze dropped heavily onto a seat opposite her, snatched the wine pitcher from the table, bypassed the cup entirely, and tilted it straight toward his mouth to pour the liquor in.

"Emperor Bai is summoning me? What for? Could it be that because I chopped down his fine granddaughter, he wants to settle accounts with me?" Ji Mo looked at him with a trace of astonishment.

"What nonsense are you talking about? If he really wanted to settle accounts with you, he would have done it back then. Would he have let you roam freely in Xinyue City for so many days?" After gulping down several mouthfuls of wine, Bai Ze raised his head, glared at Ji Mo, and retorted unhappily.

"Then what is he looking for me for? I am merely a commoner with no power, no influence, and no background. I don't possess anything worth plotting against." Ji Mo wore an expression of guarded caution. It was no wonder she harbored such petty suspicions; virtually every member of royalty she had ever encountered, from the mortal realm to the cultivation world, was filled with hidden schemes.

"You reckless girl, your guts are truly huge, daring to wildly fabricate anything about anyone. You've had your drink, now hurry up and come with me!" After chugging the remaining wine in the pitcher, Bai Ze raised a hand and patted it toward Ji Mo, cursing as alcohol fumes wafted from his mouth.

Ji Mo parried his hand with one strike, curled her lips, and said, "Brother Bai, you are an imperial prince after all. In public places, you need to mind your image, your image, understand?" Bai Ze's brows stood on end, poised to rain blows upon her.

Instead of waiting for him, Ji Mo bounced up, leaped a few paces away, stood firm, and waved her hand, saying, "Since it's Emperor Bai's decree, I certainly wouldn't dare keep him waiting. You'd better lead the way quickly."

Once business was brought up, Bai Ze ceased his horseplay. He had been suffocated to the extreme within the imperial palace these past few days, and having this rare opportunity to come out for a breath of fresh air made him feel entirely relaxed. However, remembering that he was about to enter the palace once more, the fellow's face collapsed completely. On the way to the imperial palace, Ji Mo looked at Bai Ze's bitter expression and couldn't help teasing him: "Brother Bai, why are you making such a bitter face? Earlier, seeing Emperor Bai show such favoritism toward you, I actually thought he wanted to change course and establish you as the crown prince!"

"What nonsense are you babbling about? With a personality like mine, how could I possibly become crown prince? My imperial father handled Chi Xia and the crown prince that way primarily for your sake, alright?" Bai Ze glared at her with a helpless expression; he naturally knew what matter Ji Mo was referring to.

"For my sake? How come I never knew I had such great influence? Even though your younger sister here possesses some combat prowess, relying on me alone isn't enough to warrant Emperor Bai making such a grandiose display to win me over, right?" Ji Mo asked in bewilderment.

"You really underestimate yourself. I can't be bothered to argue with you anymore; once you see my imperial father, you'll naturally understand." Bai Ze shook his head and said no more. The Mo family tavern where Ji Mo stayed was not far from the imperial palace. Although Bai Ze and she did not deliberately rush, it still didn't take much time. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the group entered the palace gates.

As one of the four great empires of the East Nether Continent, the Lanfeng Empire's imperial palace was naturally imposing and magnificent, details of which need not be overly elaborated. With Bai Ze leading the way, Ji Mo and her companions encountered no obstructions along the path. Passing through the Qian'an Gate, they headed straight for Emperor Bai's main hall. Just as they reached the exterior of the hall, Ji Mo felt an ineffable, majestic pressure wash over her, causing her footsteps to pause slightly of their own accord.

"Bai Ze, has Fairy Ji arrived? Please have her enter." At that moment, a gentle voice resounded.

"You really have a huge amount of face. The moment you arrive at the hall door, you actually prompt my imperial father to personally invite you in." Bai Ze muttered silently to Ji Mo. Ji Mo pressed her lips together without a word, walking inside alongside Bai Ze, with Lan Mo and Qiu Li following closely behind.

Upon entering the main hall, Ji Mo saw a middle-aged man standing with his hands behind his back, clad in a black-brocade and gold-embroidered dragon robe. He was neither too tall nor too short, neither fat nor thin, and his facial features were not particularly striking. Yet, just by standing there casually, his entire body exuded an oppressive aura that made it difficult for others to breathe. This person was none other than the ruler of the Lanfeng Empire—Emperor Bai.

Ji Mo's gaze fell upon him, and he simultaneously looked toward Ji Mo. The moment their gazes met, Ji Mo felt her breathing stall and her thought processes turn sluggish. She took a deep breath, circulating the Heavenly Fiend Body Refining Art frantically, while the Five Elements Spirit Art also operated at high speed. Bolstered by a surge of spiritual essence transmitted by Xiaobai, her mind instantly cleared, and her breathing and heartbeat returned to normal. Seeing this, a flash of surprise crossed Emperor Bai's eyes.

Ji Mo quietly locked gazes with Emperor Bai for about three breaths of time before averting her eyes. Was this meant to be a show of force? At the moment she lowered her gaze, Ji Mo thought with a trace of mockery.

As if aware of her inner thoughts, the moment Ji Mo's thought arose, Emperor Bai's voice rang out: "Today, I invited Fairy Ji here primarily to discuss with you the upcoming war between the human and demon races. The matter arose hastily, and I hope the Fairy will not take offense!"

"Ji Mo pays her respects to His Sacred Majesty. Your Majesty exaggerates; to be summoned by you is Ji Mo's good fortune!" Hearing this, Ji Mo paused slightly in astonishment, then hurriedly bowed to Emperor Bai. She truly had not expected that the dignified ruler of a first-rank empire would lower his posture to such an extent when facing a minor character like herself. (To be continued...)