Soul Trigger

Chapter 563 Confrontation
Tengjun?

Ji Li examined the stone sculpture that was undergoing a super transformation.

At this moment, the stone sculpture was fully unfolded. Instead of coiling in the sky like a divine dragon, it spread out a pair of wings, which were more than ten meters long.

Is it a clone, or just some kind of puppet infused with consciousness?
While pondering, Ji Li spoke up:

"Nice to meet you."

Shi Long was suddenly taken aback.

Although it is now the Shulong era, not the old Tang Dynasty, when you meet the ruler of a country, the first thing you say is "Hello".
Before Shi Long could speak again, a reprimand came from the side:
"presumptuous."

Ji Li saw a Imperial Guard, as imposing as a tank, appear to his side:
"How can you be so rude when meeting Lord Teng? Even if you can't kneel, you should at least perform a half-kneeling ceremony. What kind of decorum is this, Yuanling's heir?"

Ji Li glanced at him, puzzled.
Is this what my little dad meant by "the emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is"?

During this time, Ji Li also learned a lot about the rules of the Forbidden City. Before leaving, his father also emphasized a lot of things to pay attention to when meeting Teng Jun.

The scene that might unfold before them was exactly as Yuanling King had predicted, but Yuanling King hadn't said he absolutely had to kneel before Tengjun:
"Why are you in such a hurry when no one from above has said anything?"

The turtle general was taken aback by Ji Li's words, and then said in a deep voice:
"I am the Turtle General, and naturally His Majesty's mouthpiece..."

"Alright, Turtle General, it's just a small matter. If you don't want to kneel, then don't kneel."

Tengjun's voice resonated through the blood pool, and the turtle general immediately nodded and took several steps back.

"And King Guling, you should come out too. It must have been hard for you to secretly follow us all this way."

Ji Li turned his head and saw a gray-clad figure already standing to his side.

Of course, the familiar back view, the familiar back of the head, even though we've only met a few times, everything felt familiar.

This is what Prince Yuanling meant by "giving a helping hand".

The stone dragon stirred slightly and slowly took a few steps forward:
"Everyone's in such a hurry. As the heir of Yuanling, do you think I'd just devour him?"

Then he looked down at Ji Li:
"I've been in seclusion recently and haven't been aware of much outside affairs. After hearing what others have said, I can confirm that you do indeed have the makings of a great general. No wonder my wife takes a second look at you."

Ji Li disliked formalities: "So what do you want from me?"

"Not urgent."

The stone dragon paced in the blood pool, revealing its full form to Ji Li:
"What do you think of my incarnation?"

Once fully unfolded, the stone sculpture revealed its original form. It was not entirely a totem of the dragon, but rather a Western-style "ancient dragon" with some dragon elements added to it, making it look quite strange.

Ji Li glanced around casually and was about to speak when he heard Fei Lin's soft whisper in his ear:
"Look closely, this is no ordinary object."

The incarnation used by the Dragon Emperor must be no ordinary object.

However, the meaning of Fei Lin's reminder was somewhat different, which made Ji Li observe for a while longer.

Upon realizing that the development of his own spiritual essence was not restricted, and only after the tortoise general beside him snorted coldly, he brazenly sent his soul trigger perception shockwave through the entire body of the stone dragon.

It was immediately realized that the stone dragon and the blood pool on the ground had a very similar aura; in other words, the two were linked on a spiritual level.

This thing is the core of the blood pool.

"This is 'Xia Long,' a creature I created with a friend when I was studying in Europe in my early years. On the other side of the Forbidden Forest is 'Augus.'"

If Xia Long is a Western-style Chinese product, then Augustus is a Chinese-style Western product.

Teng Jun acted like a real estate agent showing people around his backyard, enthusiastically introducing Ji Li to his landmark buildings in this forbidden forest.

The turtle next to him also licked:

"The fusion of Chinese and Western elements symbolizes His Majesty's grand ambitions and is a manifestation of the exquisite spirit that shines through his inspiration."

Ji Li glanced at him with a strange expression:
Who asked you? But this also made Ji Li notice a small detail.

The three people present did not seem to be affected by their high affinity for spiritual matter, unlike the previous Feathered Dragon Guards.

King Guling is powerful because he is currently the number one face of the Shulong Mingzhao level sect.

The Turtle General is a member of the Imperial Guard, and has the unique ability to communicate with the Vengeful Dragon.

So what was the reason for Tengjun's actions?
Instead of getting down to business, I first showed him the amazing figurines I'd made.
Before coming here, Yuanling Wang told Ji Li that although he was no longer called emperor, Tengjun was still an emperor in reality.

Throughout history, from the early Tang Dynasty to the present, those who have held the position of Tengjun have often harbored the ambitions of dictators.

Although most are powerless due to the dragon veins of the land, this Tengjun truly possesses an ambition that no one before him has ever had.

Therefore, his style of doing things often involves starting important matters from some unimportant places:
"No wonder my wife always gives you a second glance."

These words popped into Ji Li's mind again, and his eyes narrowed instantly.

This guy was aware of his own unique affinity; he was testing, or rather, confirming.

The fact that Tengjun may have been behind the events at Yuanling Prince's Mansion suggests that even though he had only recently emerged from seclusion, he had already studied Ji Li.

The unusual events Ji Li was involved in before all involved a number of people related to the royal family, or perhaps there were other informants, both overt and covert.

Therefore, it was not difficult for Tengjun to notice the strangeness about Ji Li.

However, perceiving is one thing, and confirming is another. People in high positions inevitably have a habit of proceeding cautiously step by step.

Following this line of thought, he first had the Feathered Dragon Guard bring Ji Liji over. Seeing the Feathered Dragon Guard's enthusiastic manner, he confirmed that the strangeness surrounding Ji Liji did indeed exist and was still effective today.

Next was this red bathhouse. It was clearly the meeting place he had designated, yet his wife was soaking in it. This unusual scene was his second test:
A loyal Feathered Dragon Guard, whose only duty was to lead the way, was actually influenced by Ji Li to take advantage of his position and abandon his guiding duties, instead planning to take Ji Li to tour the Forbidden Forest.

If that's the case, then what kind of behavior will his devoted "Empress Teng" exhibit?
The look in Tenghou's eyes just now had already given Tengjun the answer.

She showed Ji Li some intense gazes, and even seemed to be actively trying to get closer. Without considering the underlying reasons, there was nothing wrong with this behavior itself.

Seeing that a colleague's son in the system is handsome, it wouldn't be a problem to go up and say hello.

But she couldn't possibly be unaware that Teng Jun was present, and as his wife, she failed to exercise due respect for his privacy.

This reaction provided Tengjun with a second piece of evidence confirming the powerful "Charming" spiritual quality within Ji Li. Ultimately, to prevent himself from being affected as well, he manifested as a stone dragon, presenting a kind and gentle demeanor to him...

As one of the top figures in a country, he certainly has some skills.

After a brainstorming session, Ji Li truly began to be wary of this "emperor."

This would indeed render his high level of affability ineffective in negotiations.

Seemingly noticing the subtle spiritual fluctuations emanating from Ji Li, Teng Jun's eyes flashed red, revealing a visible smile:

"General Gui is too kind."

He was still responding to the tortoise general's flattery, but after Ji Li lifted a layer of "veil" around him, the smile took on a slightly different meaning.

It's as if it's saying, "I'm glad you discovered that I know about your little tricks."

And the underlying message is:

You can put away your little tricks now; they won't work on me.

These layers of implicit expressions gave Ji Li a familiar feeling—the same arrogant disdain and contempt for him.

And indeed, the World Seal and Ascension Protocol sounded on his arrogant radar:

Arrogance Index +67

(End of this chapter)