The Romantic Cultivator

The next day, a delighted Ji Yuan had immediately brought Tang Manni and Little Jie'Er to look for Xuan Qiaoqiao and Juan Xian'Er.

The reason why Ji Yuan had not sent them back to the Delphi Palace inside the Oracle Gate was because he thought that it may be unwise to do so; if he dies then they would be trapped inside or may even be enslaved by the Abyssals who had the means to capture his skull ring. 

So it was actually better if they were outside when the battle starts. 

The female harpies at the Cathedral of the Songs were all astonished that there were two beautiful maidens in Ji Yuan's personal room.

When Li Yifen had heard of this news, she was dumbfounded as well as it was almost impossible for anyone to be seen coming to the Nightfall Heights without anyone knowing and moreover, they had just appeared in her Cathedral of the Songs without anyone knowing as well.

Xuan Qiaoqiao and Juan Xian'Er were naturally very happy to see Tang Manni and Little Jie'Er as they had been acquainted with one another while they were in the Delphi Palace of Destiny.

It was a surprise to many that the two maidens were actually friends of Xuan Qiaoqiao and Juan Xian'Er.

But because these 2 maidens were their Savior Ji Yuan's friends, no one really questioned who they were.

The 4 maidens were able to mix very well as they soon laughed and chatted among themselves.

Xuan Qiaoqiao and Juan Xian'Er naturally knows that the two extremely beautiful maidens were Ji Yuan's maidens and they could not wait to flatter or to make them as comfortable as possible. After all, they need some allies in Ji Yuan's harem in the future.

Tang Manni and Little Jie'Er could also tell that Ji Yuan likes them too and they as well so they were also friendly toward both Xuan Qiaoqiao and Juan Xian'Er.

Xuan Qiaoqiao and Juan Xian'Er naturally did not dare to tell them or anyone else that Ji Yuan had already banged them hard and that they were also Ji Yuan's maidens now.

Their jovial chatters soon brought the curiosity of Li Yifen and Jun Qianfeng to join them since Ji Yuan was also presented.

Even Ding Xiaoxiao had also joined in. 

Very soon, all 7 of the maidens were smiling or chatting excitingly.

Among the 7 maidens, Ding Xiaoxiao was the most reserve but she seemed to be enjoying listening to their jovial exchanges. 

Ji Yuan felt a little left out…

Although he had felt left out but to the onlookers, he was like the most blessed man that could enjoy the company of 7 most beautiful maidens.

The scene that Ji Yuan was in, was truly a most beautiful scene as the loveliness of the scene captivated any onlookers. 

If Ji Yuan's Brother Xiao Muhan was here, he would be sure to be inspired to paint a painting for this picturesque scene.

It was not before long that their chats became more solemn as Xuan Qiaoqiao told Little Jie'Er and Tang Manni that they were now facing an extermination. So, it may be best that Little Jie'Er and Tang Manni would flee with the weaker cultivators and the little children to somewhere safe.

But Little Jie'Er and Tang Manni insisted on staying and to fight with Ji Yuan and the Ancient Race. 

Ji Yuan did not want Little Jie'Er and Tang Manni to come to any harm and moreover, this was not their world or trial so he quickly protested. "Manni, Little Jie'Er. It is alright. You should take a backseat. I can do the fighting…"

Tang Manni interrupted him with a wry smile, "What? Are you looking down on a former divine consort?" 

"That's right!" Little Jie'Er was also giggling. 

Ji Yuan laughed weakly, "Not that. But this isn't a joke. It is an extermination battle…"

Then he quietly said, "I don't want my maidens to be captured or made into their living cauldrons. Even if I die, I will be a restless spirit if I know that."

Tang Manni and Little Jie'Er were suddenly flushing coyly; it was because Ji Yuan had called them his maidens in front of the other 5 maidens that were presented.

This was noticed by the other 5 maidens as they cast a look of envy on the two of them.

Tang Manni shyly looked at Ji Yuan, "We are cultivators and we need to fight constantly. That is the case even before we have met you. You can't shelter us."

"I won't let them capture me!" Little Jie'Er said firmly to Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan heaved a soft sigh and gave his silent consent; Tang Manni is right. As cultivators, they have to gain experience the hard way at times. He can't stop them just like he can't stop his maidens from entering the trials to find their lucky occurrences. 

This was an excellent opportunity for them to pit their profound cultivations against the abyssal cultivators and to find out their deficiencies. If they did not have this opportunity then they won't be able to improve their profound cultivations.

Juan Xian'Er smiled wryly to Ji Yuan, "Don't worry Ji Yuan. I'll look after Maiden Manni and Maiden Jie'Er for you."

Xuan Qiaoqiao was also smiling, "Don't forget about me as well."

Ji Yuan quickly caught their secret hints and smiled to Tang Manni and Little Jie'Er, "Alright then. Then stay closely to Maiden Xian'Er and the Cardinal Priestess. I want the two of you to help me to protect the Cardinal Priestess then."

The Cardinal Priestess would naturally not be charging into the front line recklessly as she is the figurehead and she would naturally be protected by the Cardinals and several powerful elders. Asking Tang Manni and Little Jie'Er to protect the Cardinal Priestess would mean steering them away from the most dangerous parts of the battle.

Tang Manni and Little Jie'Er smiled as they looked at Xuan Qiaoqiao and Juan Xian'Er, happy that they would all be fighting together.

Li Yifen displayed a wry smile to Ji Yuan, "Don't worry. I'll look after your friends as well."

Jun Qianfeng smiled, "I will slaughter anyone that dares to come close to my Cardinal Priestess too."

She is the Cardinal Confidant and it is her duty to protect the Cardinal Priestess. 

Ding Xiaoxiao asked suddenly, "How many cultivators are there in the Nightfall Heights to fight against the 10 000 or more abyssal cultivators for the upcoming battle?"

Li Yifen answered weakly, "We have around 3300 cultivators at which around 300 are the senior cultivators that are at the seventh realm."

Ding Xiaoxiao said quietly, "Mm, only 300? As far as I know, your Ancient Race is weaker than the great abyssal race in cultivation strength. Their top 6th realm abyssal cultivators will be able to contest with a 7th realm cultivator from your side. How did your race survive this long in the abyssal realm?"

Her frank question caused Li Yifen to look awkward and so were Jun Qianfeng, Juan Xian'Er and Xuan Qiaoqiao.

Li Yifen smiled weakly, "We aren't this weak in the past. The recent deaths of 3 of our half-step immortal cultivators severely weaken us…"

Then she turned to look at Xuan Qiaoqiao before saying awkwardly, "Well, I'm not going to lie to you. We have been paying tributes to the powerful abyssal kingdoms so that they would leave us alone."

This was a candid reply.

Even without the recent deaths of their 3 patriarchs, the Ancient Race at the Nightfall Heights were still a weak power.

Ding Xiaoxiao slowly nodded, "I think that without the natural fortifications of the steep Nightfall Mountains, your Ancient Race will already be wipe out a long time ago."

This is the truth.

Most of the abyssals actually could not fly. Those that can are the high levels and they are too few in numbers to seriously threaten the Ancient Race that are holed in the Nightfall Heights.

That is how the Ancient Race got themselves surrounded by the Nefarious Blood Kingdom as they lost domains after domains over the years until they were left with only the Nightfall Heights. 

The situation was direr than Ji Yuan had expected.

But he grinned wryly to all the maidens, "Don't worry about this. I shall lead the 300 senior cultivators to victory against the Abyssal King Gong Magog."

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Author Note:

1. In the next chapter, the Abyssal King Gong Magog comes invading.