King of Creation

Chapter 1910: Chapter 1895: Southward Journey

"Only two years have passed, yet somehow it feels like I haven’t seen you in over a decade. Plus, the vibe you’re giving off is as if you’ve turned into a different person."

On Five Immortals Island, Mountain God Yi Xun observed the returning Ye Zhen, sizing him up with a face full of astonishment.

Ye Zhen smiled, picked up the cup of Spiritual Tea in front of him, and drank it in one swift motion.

"Really? I haven’t noticed anything. Have I changed?"

"You used to have a mature air about you, but there was still an indelible sense of youth and impulsiveness, a youthful heroism bursting forth with every nod and glance, truly a young heroic spirit.

But now, just two years later, all traces of that youthful heroism have vanished from your eyes, making you seem like a completely different person.

Looking into your eyes, I felt an indescribable kindness, as though your gaze alone assured me that you’re a good person.

It feels like the person sitting before me is not a young hero, but a compassionate sage with great virtue. If I wasn’t sure you’re Count Ye, I’d almost suspect you’re an imposter," Mountain God Yi Xun remarked.

"That’s a bit much..." Ye Zhen chuckled, though he still carried traces of helplessness in his eyes, even after being away from the Yizhi Sand Sea for over a month.

This helplessness stemmed from watching the countless Sha Clan people perish in the Yizhi Sand Sea, unable to intervene.

"You’ve become more mature, more reserved, and there’s a sacred aura about your demeanor," Mountain God Yi Xun noted with curiosity, "I’m suddenly intrigued about what you’ve experienced over these two years."

"It’s not really a secret; if you have the time, head over to the Yizhi Sand Sea to inquire, and you’ll find out," Ye Zhen said.

With that, Ye Zhen raised his tea cup again, saying, "Come, try this Spiritual Tea I brought from the Yizhi Sand Sea and see how it is!"

"Alright!"

Mountain God Yi Xun lifted the tea cup, sniffed it, and surprise flickered in his eyes. He took a sip, then another, and looked at Ye Zhen with utter astonishment, "Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea?"

"The Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea that can extend life, traded at three leaves for one fruit?"

"You actually managed to acquire this rare Spiritual Tea?"

"How much of this Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea did you get?" Mountain God Yi Xun asked Ye Zhen three questions in succession, visibly stunned.

Ye Zhen merely chuckled, "Best not to ask how much I got. But, this pound of Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea, consider it a token of my gratitude for helping with the grain supply matter. Thank you truly."

"A pound?" Mountain God Yi Xun was momentarily petrified.

"How did you get so much?"

After a moment’s daze, Mountain God Yi Xun quickly pieced things together.

"It seems the production of Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea is far greater than what’s being sold on the market. It’s the source that’s being cautious in selling it."

Ye Zhen’s smile appeared to confirm it.

As one of the newly appointed seven giants of the Yizhi Temple, and the one whose status subtly ranked just below the Grand Priest Nahar, Ye Zhen now had the privilege of knowing the top-secret details about the Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea, the temple’s pinnacle Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object.

The plantation for it, much like Spirit Void Fruit, exists in a distinct realm within a Little World, whose environment was chosen specifically for Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea, crafted while refining and integrating the Laws of Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire.

Thus, the production of Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea far exceeds its market appearance, totaling as much as 3,000 pounds annually!

Yet, such a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object loses value if too much is released.

Therefore, Yizhi Temple has been cautious in selling it.

In the past, when Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea was at its least available for sale, not even ten pounds were let out.

The older people grow, the more they fear death.

And the older one gets, the more wealth and resources they acquire, so a period emerged when this life-extending tea was driven to astronomical prices.

Just three leaves could trade for one extremely precious Spirit Void Fruit.

However, the three-leaf-for-one-fruit price was at its peak, and over the years Yizhi Temple gradually increased its sales, bringing the tea’s price back to more stable levels compared to its prior outrageous figures.

Essentially, one or two Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea could trade for five Spirit Void Fruits

And annually, Yizhi Temple released around 500 pounds of Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea internationally.

Still, compared to its production, it’s notably scarce.

This led to Yizhi Temple treating Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea as regular tea internally.

Currently, Ye Zhen holds 300 pounds in his possession, and in future years, he’ll receive around 200 pounds annually.

However, regarding the Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea allotted to each of the seven giants, Yizhi Temple insists it must not be publicly traded on the Primordial Continent.

Even in surrounding small worlds, the sale at any one time should not exceed five pounds, to avoid disrupting the market.

Ye Zhen offered Mountain God Yi Xun a whole pound of Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea as thanks, primarily for the previous aid in acquiring grain supplies.

"I genuinely appreciate this gift, so shamelessly, I shall accept it," Mountain God Yi Xun said, beaming as he received the Sand Sea Golden Lotus Tea, "Now tell me, what are your plans now that you’re back?"

"This time returning...."

Amidst the drifting tea mist, Ye Zhen’s gaze was somewhat unfocused.

"You know I’ve always been searching for Caiyi’s whereabouts. This matter has been weighing on my mind for almost ten years. For ten years, I’ve always wanted to look for Caiyi.

But things like strength, mundane affairs, and establishing a foothold have kept me so occupied that I couldn’t set aside time."

"Indeed, living in this world, it’s not just about living for oneself. There are family, friendship, and various responsibilities that make it hard to break free," Ye Zhen’s words resonated with Mountain God Yi Xun, "Like this old man, I’ve stayed on the Five Immortals Island for over a thousand years...."

"Over a thousand years..."

Ye Zhen slightly tugged at the corner of his mouth, without commenting, and simply continued to speak about his own matters.

"During this period, the fiefdom has been fairly stable, allowing me some freedom. I plan to go out and search for Caiyi’s whereabouts, and also fulfill a promise from years ago," Ye Zhen said.

"How do you plan to search? In this vast stretch of heavens and myriad worlds, finding one person is harder than finding a needle in a haystack a hundred times over," Mountain God Yi Xun said.

"I think the ’South’ character that the Grand Venerable divined for me with the Heavenly Fortune Divine Ability last time was quite accurate, so I plan to head south for the search.

Moreover, I came to the Five Immortals Island for this very matter, to consult Elder Yi on whether you’ve discovered anything or if there are any good suggestions." Ye Zhen inquired.

"Regarding what you entrusted to me, I’ve always had people arranging investigations and keeping an eye out. However, the situation you describe is quite puzzling.

Those born with Five-colored Soul Light are mostly Demon Race with an Ancient Bloodline, as Humans are not born with Five-colored Soul Light.

But as for the Demon Race with an Ancient Bloodline, no matter how strong it is, it is still in the form of a demon when born. Moreover, the stronger the demon, the harder it is for them to shapeshift.

In other words, it’s unlikely to be the Demon Race." Mountain God Yi Xun said.

"Neither Human nor Demon Race...." This answer left Ye Zhen a bit stunned.

"Yes, neither Human nor Demon Race, as for Primordial Creatures, they already disappeared in the Ancient Times. Truly, it’s impossible to determine the target.

However, Mysterious Skills and Techniques emerge endlessly in this world, extraordinary encounters and transformations are hard to predict, nothing is absolute.

Since you’re certain that Caiyi is human, then she can’t escape the realm of Human and Demon Race.

From my analysis, Humans are born with Three-colored Soul Light, even those with Ancient Human Clan bloodline cannot violate this, it’s an iron law of the Heavenly Dao.

That Caiyi, is more likely to have originated from the Demon Race. My suggestion is you better head to the Demon Race territory for the search, you might gain some insight.

And as far as I know, one of the Four Great Demon Realms, the Taimeng Demon Realm, is just south of the Primordial Continent." Mountain God Yi Xun said.

"Demon Race, Taimeng Demon Realm, I understand." Ye Zhen nodded.

...

Three days later, Ye Zhen appeared at the Xiansheng Water Mansion, where Great Sage of Jinghai, Great Sage of the Overturning Sea, Sea-Breaking Great Saint, and his senior sister Liao Feibai and others were seated.

"Fourth Brother, actually, I think if you bring us along this time when you go to the Demon Race, it might be better. After all, you’re heading into the Demon Realm this time. Since we are of Demon Race origin, if anything happens, it would be easier to communicate. At crucial moments, we can also lend a hand." Great Sage of Jinghai said.

"Regarding the Demon Race, I have a few friends myself, and issues that can be resolved through communication shouldn’t be too difficult. If it really comes to a fight, having Wang Baimu, who is about to break through to the Dao Realm by my side, isn’t a small thing.

Moreover, this time I’m mainly looking for someone. My ability to disguise and transform, you all know, poses little danger." Ye Zhen said.

After speaking, Ye Zhen’s gaze turned towards Liao Feibai.

Before Ye Zhen could speak, Liao Feibai spoke, "You are about to travel far, and the Market of Dulong Island and the Two-World Teleportation Formation of Xiansheng Water Mansion require someone to oversee. I have to stay.

Besides, this time I spent over thirty years cultivating intensely in the Mirage Dragon Pearl Sequential Space, and feel that I’ve overdone it. The speed of cultivation advancement is becoming slower and slower.

I need to undergo worldly training for a period before I can return to secluded cultivation!

So this time, just as you set out on your journey, I’ll take the opportunity for some worldly training to accumulate some experience, and at the same time, break through the Dark Palace Realm barrier, before returning to secluded cultivation." Liao Feibai said.

In fact, it was mainly due to one reason that they let Great Sage of Jinghai and senior sister Liao Feibai stay behind this time.

Simply shutting oneself away is not viable.

Especially the higher one’s cultivation, the more experiential learning and worldly insights are needed.

Counting the year of previous secluded cultivation, Great Sage of Jinghai and Liao Feibai have been in seclusion in the Mirage Dragon Pearl Sequential Space for over thirty years, and the cultivation insights accumulated before have been exhausted.

The effects of secluded cultivation are becoming less and less, urgently requiring worldly training.

Simultaneously, since Ye Zhen was about to travel far, there could be no problems at Xiansheng Water Mansion. Hence, it was decided to let them step out of the Mirage Dragon Pearl Sequential Space to stay behind as overseers.

"In that case, the Market of Dulong Island and several Water Mansions will be entrusted to the three elder brothers and senior sister," Ye Zhen stated solemnly.

As Great Sage of Jinghai, Sea-Breaking Great Saint, and Great Sage of the Overturning Sea respectfully clasped their hands, senior sister Liao Feibai said, "If there is any news of Caiyi, notify me at once."

"And, take care on your journey."

"I will...."