The reputation of Marquis Yuetan's Mansion was something that had to be acknowledged. Major powers valued their face, and refusing an invitation could lead to unexpected complications.
Although Jing Yan was injured, he could only suppress his wounds for now and meet with the young lady of the marquis' mansion before dealing with them.
Zhao Xing quickly made his decision. "I have long admired the Marquis' Mansion. Please, Daoist Wang, lead the way."
Outside the Star Wheel Labyrinth, Lu Yuehan had built a luxurious palace. Countless Solar Star Lanterns illuminated the sky, counteracting the rampant Lunar Essence.
Originally, the surroundings of the Star Wheel Labyrinth were barren and ravaged by dust storms. However, after Zhao Xing and Jing Yan emerged, they were greeted with a vibrant landscape—mountains, lakes, trees, flower fields, and spiritual beasts. Nearly an entire commandery's worth of land had been temporarily transformed into a habitable environment.
This method wasn't unfamiliar to Zhao Xing. It was achieved through the Grand Observation Sphere, a treasure frequently used by Shennong of the Heavenly Timing.
Lu Yuehan's version was evidently more advanced, supported by greater resources. As they approached her palace complex, Zhao Xing even spotted a Heavenly Gulu Beast, a creature he hadn't seen in a long time.
"What a grand display," Jing Yan sent a voice transmission. "As expected of a rich young lady—her exploration feels more like a vacation."
"It's quite extravagant," Zhao Xing glanced at the sky. "Each Solar Star Lantern costs at least a million, and a single set is usually enough. But here, she has ten thousand lanterns, all just to improve comfort."
Although Zhao Xing had amassed considerable wealth over the centuries, he still couldn't compare to such a family.
Below them, countless pavilions and palaces were arranged in intricate patterns. Exquisite Dao Soldier Palaces—each a top-tier World Star Dao Weapon—numbered in the hundreds.
Following Wang Yun, they boarded a flying vessel and traveled for fifteen minutes before arriving at Lu Yuehan's residence—Mooncold Palace.
Even in the outer courtyards, there were many mortals bustling about—within the cosmic cultivation hierarchy, anyone below the Spirit Bridge Stage was considered a mortal. Spirit beasts and auspicious clouds floated through the sky, creating a stark contrast to the cold, desolate silence of Southfall No. 88.
When their flying vessel reached a grand gate tower, Zhao Xing and Jing Yan disembarked. The golden and jade inlaid tower exuded a majestic aura.
The welcoming attendants had been prepared in advance, and soon, someone went inside to notify Lu Yuehan.
A band of musicians and dancers played a harmonious welcoming tune, and then Hong Qi personally stepped outside to greet them.
His gaze swept over Zhao Xing, eyes gleaming with interest.
To his surprise, Zhao Xing wasn't Third-Tier—he was merely Second-Tier. More importantly, Hong Qi could tell that Zhao Xing was astonishingly young—just a little over a thousand years old.
Zhao Xing, too, was taken aback.
This seemingly unassuming elder before him was actually a Divine Ability Realm expert, and not just any expert—he was a Scholar of Dao Transmission.
Scholars of Dao Transmission were rare cultivators with a deep understanding of the Dao, capable of deconstructing, analyzing, and storing vast amounts of knowledge.
In the Shangluo Academy of the Xuanhuang Realm, Zhao Xing had seen a Myriad Dao Tree, and these scholars were essentially walking versions of such trees.
Their bodies could even cultivate an actual Dao Tree, which served as their personal Dao Field.
Scholars of Dao Transmission were born, not made—this talent was innate, with only one or two appearing in a population of hundreds of millions.
They were immensely powerful but were also bound by the universal law of the cosmos—throughout their entire lifetime, a Scholar of Dao Transmission could only fight once.
Their role was designated by the cosmos as a "peaceful profession." They possessed extraordinary comprehension, capable of guiding countless cultivators, transmitting countless techniques, and mastering countless schools of thought. However, if they ever engaged in combat, they would immediately violate the laws of the universe, causing their lifespan to drain at an abnormal rate.
Of course, the moment they broke this rule, they would also be at their strongest.
In the Divine Ability Realm, the status of a Scholar of Dao Transmission was incomparable, and Zhao Xing and Jing Yan had never expected to meet one here.
Thus, they immediately saluted him with respect.
However, Hong Qi quickly stopped them. "This sudden invitation is already an imposition—I cannot accept such grand courtesy. Please, do not take offense."
"We wouldn't dare," Zhao Xing and Jing Yan hurriedly returned the gesture.
"My young lady is hospitable and enjoys making connections with the world's heroes. Since fate has brought you here, she wishes to take this opportunity to host you both," Hong Qi said, before his gaze turned toward Jing Yan. "However, it seems that the esteemed guest has suffered some injuries?"
Jing Yan had already suppressed his wounds, restoring his outward appearance and temporarily integrating with a mechanized battle body for his lower half. To an untrained eye, it would seem as though he were merely a Mechanist martial artist.
But Hong Qi, as a Scholar of Dao Transmission, saw through it instantly.
Zhao Xing admitted frankly, "I won't hide it from you, sir—my friend has indeed been injured."
"There is a Third-Tier healer within Mooncold Palace," Hong Qi offered. "If you do not mind, my lady can arrange for treatment."
Jing Yan actually did not want to accept medical help here—free favors often came with the highest price. The debt of gratitude and karma would be difficult to repay, even if he could remove it with an Earth God Pill.
However, refusing outright wasn't an option either.
A Divine Ability Realm cultivator was extending his goodwill—it would be improper to decline.
Even if he didn't want to accept it, he had to.
"I would not dare refuse. My thanks to Lady Lu," Jing Yan bowed obediently.
Since Jing Yan was injured, it wouldn't be appropriate for them to meet Lu Yuehan immediately.
Hong Qi swiftly arranged for Jing Yan to be taken to a resting palace, where a Third-Tier healer was summoned. Zhao Xing, naturally, followed closely behind.
One must always be on guard—if anything went wrong, Zhao Xing's Purple Moon Soul Lamp would activate, shielding both of them.
For the next six months, Zhao Xing remained in the palace, waiting for Jing Yan's recovery.
The Source Poison was incredibly troublesome. Even though only the residual poison remained, the Third-Tier healer had to use their minor divine abilities six times to completely cleanse it.
Afterward, the healing process became much simpler—there were countless spiritual medicines in the cosmos that could regrow an Origin Dao Body.
"Grumble~"
Jing Yan emerged from a crystal pod filled with a green healing solution.
Not far away, Zhao Xing, who had been sitting in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes.
Jing Yan stretched his arms as he stepped out of the crystal pod, his body glistening with the remnants of the green healing solution. He gave a slight flex, feeling the restored strength surging through his limbs. "All healed," he grinned, then, with a cheeky motion, nudged his hips forward. "A brand-new, unopened body."
Zhao Xing rubbed his temples, covering his face with one hand. "I really didn't need to see that."
Jing Yan had always been shameless, and today was no exception.
"Put some damn clothes on," Zhao Xing snapped, throwing a Qiankun Pouch at him.
Jing Yan let out a hearty laugh, then reached into the pouch and retrieved a fresh set of robes, quickly dressing himself. Once he was fully clothed, Zhao Xing stepped out to inform the attendants that Jing Yan had recovered.
Two days later, the attendants came to invite them to a banquet.
Outside the grand banquet hall, Lu Yuehan stood waiting with her people. Only now did Zhao Xing and Jing Yan finally meet the host in person.
Lu Yuehan's long black hair was tied up high, her sharp yet elegant features accentuated by the simple white jade hairpin securing her bun. She wore a sleek, fitted black combat outfit, the fabric subtly rippling in the breeze. A finely embroidered belt cinched at her waist, outlining her slender yet powerful frame and the gentle curve of her chest.
She wore minimal accessories, but every piece was of the highest quality—luxurious without being gaudy.
"Now that's what I call a beauty," Jing Yan sent Zhao Xing a voice transmission.
In the vast cosmos, beauty wasn't judged merely by facial features or body shape—any cultivator could refine their appearance to perfection. Instead, the real measure of attractiveness was how well a person's Dao Body was maintained through cultivation.
Some cultivators might appear flawless on the surface, but their six vital energies were in disorder, and their Qi and blood flow was unbalanced. This was often due to frequent battles, lingering internal injuries, or practicing inferior techniques.
To those with a keen eye, such flaws were as apparent as acne, scars, or asymmetrical features to a mortal.
Lu Yuehan, being in the Second Tier, possessed an exceptionally harmonious six-energy resonance. Due to the nature of her cultivation, she also exuded a uniquely gentle aura.
By cosmic beauty standards, she was at least an eight or nine out of ten.
Lu Yuehan evaluated Zhao Xing and Jing Yan with the same discerning gaze.
To her, Jing Yan ranked around a seven—his extensive combat experience had left subtle traces in his Qi fluctuations, and his demeanor carried a certain carefree recklessness.
Zhao Xing, however, was different. His cultivation in the Self School's Yuanhai Realm naturally enhanced his presence. To Lu Yuehan's eyes, Zhao Xing was a solid eight or higher—a true cosmic pretty boy.
Jing Yan stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Many thanks to Lady Lu for saving my life."
Zhao Xing also bowed respectfully.
Lu Yuehan smiled warmly, her voice smooth as polished jade. "It was nothing worth mentioning. Fate has brought us together. Please, come inside."
She personally led them into a refined guest hall, where eight seats were arranged symmetrically, facing each other from east to west. There was no designated host seat at the center.
This was intentional.
Southfall No. 88 was a public star domain, and Lu Yuehan's choice of seating arrangement subtly indicated that she did not claim ownership over this gathering. The other guests seated in the hall were guest officials of the Marquis' Mansion, including Hong Qi, Wang Yun, and the healer who had treated Jing Yan.
Lu Yuehan herself took a seat at the far end, a sign of respect for the guest officials.
The decor of the guest hall was exquisite. Carved jade statues of celestial beauties stood in elegant poses around the room, each holding fragrant candles that illuminated the chamber as brightly as daylight.
The walls were adorned with multi-treasure display shelves, where an array of rare jewels and precious artifacts sparkled under the candlelight.
Though the hall was not fully enclosed, a flowing water curtain separated it from the outside world, blocking out noise and disturbances. With a simple wave of Lu Yuehan's hand, the spiritual energy levels in the room surged.
In mere moments, the ambient Qi concentration exceeded 200—on par with a high-tier spirit-gathering formation.
Apart from Lu Yuehan, Zhao Xing, and Jing Yan, everyone else in the room was Third Tier, with Hong Qi being an expert of the Divine Ability Realm.
Yet, neither Zhao Xing nor Jing Yan showed any signs of discomfort. Both had seen enough of the cosmic stage to remain composed. After taking their seats, they maintained a calm and natural demeanor.
Lu Yuehan raised her cup. "A toast to Brother Jing's full recovery."
"To your health!" The other guest officials smiled and raised their cups.
"Many thanks, Lady Lu." Jing Yan hurriedly lifted his own cup in response.
Lu Yuehan was exceptionally gracious and well-mannered. A lesser man might have felt overwhelmed by her hospitality, perhaps even feeling compelled to swear allegiance to the Marquis' Mansion as a guest official.
But Zhao Xing remained clear-headed.
Nothing in this world came for free.
The hospitality of powerful aristocratic families always carried an unspoken price.
He was just about to caution Jing Yan when, to his surprise, Jing Yan put down his cup and declared:
"My lady has treated my injuries and welcomed me with such generosity. I, Jing Yan, have nothing else to offer in return, so I shall pledge myself to your service for the next five hundred years to repay this kindness."
Well. That was unexpected.
Jing Yan had just walked himself right into employment.
Then again, it made sense. Lu Yuehan wouldn't care for money, and she certainly wouldn't need burial site secrets. The only meaningful way for Jing Yan to repay the favor was through labor.
Five hundred years was no small commitment.
Zhao Xing considered this timeframe reasonable.
Lu Yuehan, however, was less impressed.
She didn't particularly need a Mechanist like Jing Yan. If Zhao Xing had made this offer, that would have been far more valuable. Still, she maintained her composure and responded gracefully.
She smiled and said, "Brother Jing's willingness to stay is truly my fortune. But let us not speak of servitude—I would rather we sit as equals and explore the mysteries of the Phantom God Star System together."
Jing Yan grinned, then downed his drink in one gulp.
Hong Qi, seeing that Zhao Xing had yet to respond, exchanged a discreet glance with Wang Yun.
Catching the cue, Wang Yun raised his own cup and asked, "Brother Zhao, if you have no pressing matters, why not stay and join Brother Jing? The exploration of Moonfall Mausoleum is perilous, and there's no guarantee that Brother Jing won't encounter similar dangers again. If you travel with us, at least we can look out for each other."
Lu Yuehan's gaze landed on Zhao Xing, her expectant expression betraying her true thoughts.
She definitely wanted Zhao Xing to stay.
A Self School genius Shennong would be an invaluable addition to her team.
After all, she wasn't born and raised in the Marquis' Mansion—she had returned later in life to reclaim her heritage. To establish herself beyond her father's favor, she needed her own power base.
Having Zhao Xing on her side would be a huge advantage.
But Zhao Xing had zero intention of staying.
What kind of joke was this?
A few kind words and a nice banquet, and they expected him to work for free?
The Marquis' Mansion had prestige, sure—but it wasn't that prestigious.
Zhao Xing owed them nothing.
His lips curled into a subtle smirk.
This was going to be interesting.
"Many thanks for your generous invitation, Brother Wang." Zhao Xing raised his cup and said, "However, my strength is mediocre at best. I prefer to act alone and am not skilled at cooperative combat. I fear I would only be a burden to the Marquis' Mansion."
It was an obvious excuse. Zhao Xing had taken down Zeng Zhuo and his group before—even if it had been under special circumstances, there was no way he could be considered weak.
Lu Yuehan didn't seem disappointed, though. If she could convince him with just a few words, that would be too easy—where was the challenge in that?
"Mr. Wang, let's focus on our gathering today and set aside other matters," Lu Yuehan said with a smile.
"You're right, my lady. I'll punish myself with a drink." Wang Yun chuckled and downed his cup in one go.
Once Wang Yun finished drinking, Lu Yuehan continued, "Aside from celebrating Brother Jing's recovery, I also wanted to invite you two to appraise some of the Marquis' Mansion's treasures."
With a wave of her hand, the floor suddenly split open, revealing a long display platform rising in the center of the hall.
On it lay an array of glowing treasures—weapons, battle armor, intricate mechanized constructs, potent medicinal pills, rare spiritual plants, Dao transmission jade slips… At the very end of the platform, there were even three ice coffins, each containing a pair of slumbering twin demons.
Zhao Xing only took one glance before immediately recognizing what they were—top-tier cultivation furnaces.
Each one either possessed a Lunar Dao Body or a Solar Dao Body, with naturally seductive bones and exotic features. Even in deep slumber, they radiated an aura that could easily stir primal desires.
Lu Yuehan's collection of treasures was enough to host a small-scale exhibition.
She called it an appraisal session, but in truth, it was an elaborate attempt to entice them.
More specifically, it was aimed at Zhao Xing.
Half of the displayed items were directly related to or beneficial to a Shennong.
"Brother Zhao, Lady Lu has really put in the effort to recruit you." Jing Yan sent him a voice transmission.
The fact that Zhao Xing was a member of the Purple Moon Mansion wasn't much of an obstacle for the Marquis' Mansion. As long as they could convince him to leave, settling the matter financially afterward wouldn't be a problem.
"She certainly put in some thought," Zhao Xing admitted.
Everything displayed here was something that couldn't be easily obtained through normal channels.
Even Yuanhai Hall didn't sell some of these, and others were one-of-a-kind artifacts.
This was exactly why high-ranking aristocrats loved banquets—they weren't just for socializing; they were crucial platforms for exchanging resources.
Noticing the subtle change in Zhao Xing and Jing Yan's expressions, Lu Yuehan's lips curved into a slight smile. "Feel free to inspect and handle any of the items. If you have any questions, Mr. Hong is here to provide explanations."
Hong Qi nodded slightly. These items had been personally selected by him and had taken half a year to be gathered from various Lu Family treasuries. He was confident that at least one of them would catch Zhao Xing's interest.
Zhao Xing wasn't one to be overly polite—since he was already here, why not take a look?
He and Jing Yan rose from their seats and started inspecting the treasures.
He had to admit—Lu Yuehan had good taste.
"If I were someone who enjoyed the arts, there's a Jiaowei Qin here. It's one of the best replicas ever made." Zhao Xing walked past an ancient guqin, its body carved from phoenix tree wood and strung with flame-thread strings.
Zhao Xing casually plucked a string, and to his surprise, even without any skill in playing, the instrument automatically produced an ethereal melody, playing itself.
"If I were interested in beauty, there are hybrid cultivation furnaces—fox-human hybrids, siren-human hybrids… All of them twins. Especially the sirens—their voices are said to be imbued with Dao resonance, making them the most sought-after companions among the nobility."
Zhao Xing quickly moved past them without lingering. Jing Yan, on the other hand, took a second glance, but in reality, he wasn't affected either.
Hong Qi observed their reactions closely, sending a silent voice transmission to Lu Yuehan with his assessment.
At one point, both Zhao Xing and Jing Yan displayed a look of disdain.
"Brother Zhao, is this… Xuanling Pill?" Jing Yan asked.
Zhao Xing nodded. "Yes. Taking it gives the illusion of ascension, making one feel as if they've attained enlightenment. It's highly addictive."
"Tch, barbaric nations." Jing Yan scoffed.
This substance was strictly forbidden in the Red Star Empire. Anyone caught selling it would face total extermination.
However, in the Xuanling Star Domain, many ancient kingdoms still widely consumed it.
"Brother Zhao, what's this?" Jing Yan pointed to another item.
"Puyuan Mind-Calming Pearl. A Lunar Dao Weapon," Zhao Xing explained. "It prevents Qi deviation, resists illusions, and was originally produced on Puyuan Star in the 'Ciyuan Ancient Kingdom' of the Xuanling Star Domain. However, after eight epochs, Puyuan Star fell into ruin, making this particular version of the pearl extremely rare."
"And this one?"
"Taiji Cosmic Disk. Another Lunar Dao Weapon. It emits polarized meridian light, specialized in breaking Magnetism Golden Bodies, Positive-Negative Five Elements Energy, and high-temperature poison flames. It was crafted by a renowned artifact master from the Primordial Hill, but that master has long since passed away, making these extremely scarce."
"I recognize this one—it must be an Essence-Gathering Cauldron from Origin Heaven Palace, capable of collecting primordial essence."
"Correct."
Zhao Xing and Jing Yan continued inspecting for a while without asking any further questions, which puzzled Lu Yuehan.
To ensure Zhao Xing understood the value of the items, she had even attached labels detailing their rank and rarity.
However, she had left out specific descriptions of their functions, hoping to pique Zhao Xing's curiosity and get him to ask questions.
Yet, so far, the two of them had only observed, without making a single inquiry.
"Mr. Hong, are they just pretending to understand, or are they genuinely knowledgeable?" Lu Yuehan asked via voice transmission.
Hong Qi considered for a moment. "Jing Yan is probably struggling with some of it, but they're definitely communicating through voice transmission. Most likely, Jing Yan is asking, and Zhao Xing is answering."
"Oh?" Lu Yuehan raised an eyebrow. She wouldn't have been surprised if Jing Yan had been the knowledgeable one—after all, he was from the Empire and had broader exposure to rare artifacts.
But Zhao Xing was just a recently ascended native—how could he be the one explaining?
"Anything related to his own faction, he hasn't shown a single trace of doubt. As for other miscellaneous artifacts, he understands most and ignores the ones that don't interest him," Hong Qi analyzed.
His gaze had been locked onto Zhao Xing the entire time. As a Divine Ability scholar, he was exceptionally skilled at reading body language and reactions.
"Miss, this person is not simple at all," Hong Qi remarked. "Wealth does not tempt him, beauty does not cloud his mind, his knowledge is vast, and he carries himself with confidence and composure. Even the way he walks is steady and proper. On the other hand, Jing Yan is somewhat flamboyant."
"Wang Yun, despite being a Fate Officer, seems unable to fully grasp Zhao Xing's fate. It's as if something is obscuring the cause and effect. If you wish to recruit him, Miss, it might prove quite difficult."
Hearing Hong Qi's analysis, Lu Yuehan couldn't help but feel an even greater sense of mystery surrounding Zhao Xing. This only made her more curious.
"The more difficult something is, the more it's worth pursuing," Lu Yuehan transmitted her voice, a trace of excitement hidden in her tone. "Mr. Hong, you must assist me."
"Rest assured, Miss. Let him finish browsing first."
Lu Yuehan had indeed displayed many valuable treasures. If Zhao Xing had simply stumbled upon them while looting ancient ruins, he would have been delighted—after all, who doesn't love wealth? But if these treasures were meant to buy his loyalty, they suddenly seemed much less enticing.
"Even King-tier seedlings are present here. This Demon Heart Radish is an entire tier above Spirit-tier plants, though it's about on par with Moyun Vine."
Plant-based soldiers were categorized into Common, Rare, Spirit, King, Royal, Emperor, Legendary, and Divine tiers. King-tier plants were already among the highest he could access. Anything beyond that was tightly controlled by the royal families of various ancient nations and was practically impossible to purchase. Such plants were not just resources—they were symbols of a ruling power's authority.
Some ancient nations had been built solely around a single Emperor-tier plant, which was why these classifications existed in the first place. These plants were never put up for sale.
If another faction somehow obtained a second specimen of such a plant, the ruling faction would stop at nothing to seize it, ensuring their monopoly remained unchallenged.
"Nothing particularly interesting among the plant soldiers. Let's check out the secret manuals instead," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Among the displayed treasures, many Dao transmission jade slips were present. It wouldn't be surprising if some contained secret techniques from the Self School.
Although Zhao Xing had already obtained the Essence Extraction Divine Ability, it wasn't an all-encompassing solution. The technique had its limitations—it excelled in nurturing Yin-attributed flowering plants and provided detailed insights into life essence partitioning, but for other plant categories, it wasn't as comprehensive.
This was precisely why his mushroom cultivation experiments had led to unpredictable mutant variations. If he had been working with flowering plants, he could have nurtured controllable plant-based soldiers.
Furthermore, Self School techniques weren't just about cultivation—they also contained extremely rare combat arts.
Zhao Xing was in dire need of such techniques. The main issue was that they were incredibly difficult to acquire. If he had been in the Red Star Empire, he might have had a slightly easier time.
Take something as simple as the Coldwater Melon, for example—it was delicious, had heat-relieving properties, and was dirt cheap in the empire. But in ancient nations, its price could be ten to twenty times higher.
As Zhao Xing ran his hand over the displayed jade slips, each one emitted a brief pulse of Dao resonance, allowing him to roughly sense its contents.
If a jade slip were an ordinary book with one hundred pages, he would only get a glimpse of the first two or three pages—just enough to identify its subject matter.
As Zhao Xing stepped into the manuals section, both Hong Qi and Lu Yuehan instinctively focused their attention on him.
This was the most carefully curated section. If Zhao Xing didn't stop to inspect anything here, then their entire investment in recruiting him would essentially be wasted.
One step. Two steps. Three steps… Zhao Xing ran his palm over the jade slips, but did not stop.
A hint of disappointment flickered across Lu Yuehan and Hong Qi's faces.
But then, suddenly, Zhao Xing halted.
"Hmm?"
Lu Yuehan's eyes lit up.
Zhao Xing had picked up a jade slip engraved with intricate Straw Puppet Technique runes.
The fish had finally taken the bait!
For some reason, Lu Yuehan felt strangely emotional at this moment.
She, the third lady of the Marquis of Yuetang's Mansion, had never felt such a thrill before—not even when her treasures had caught the eye of a single man.
And yet, now she was genuinely excited.
The fact that the man who finally took an interest in one of her treasures was only at the Second Stage, made the feeling even more bizarre.
If Zhao Xing was merely pretending to be interested, then he was doing an excellent job—he had already captured Lu Yuehan's attention.
"Zhao Xing, what caught your eye?" Jing Yan, who had been observing from the side, was slightly surprised. The display platform was massive, containing thousands of treasures.
Zhao Xing had ignored everything up until now, only picking up a single, seemingly insignificant Dao transmission jade slip at the very end.
"A Straw Puppet Technique," Zhao Xing replied, somewhat surprised himself. He hadn't expected to find such a rare Straw Puppet Art here.
"Oh?" Jing Yan was well aware of how valuable Straw Puppet Techniques were.
Back in the Starwheel Labyrinth, when they had been looting an ancient tomb, the tomb owner had seven burial palaces, each containing clones. That alone was enough to prove how vital Straw Puppet Techniques were to the Self School.
Even in death, those practitioners made sure to bury their clones alongside them—as if they were safeguarding a second life.
"What kind of Straw Puppet Technique is it?" Jing Yan asked.
Zhao Xing considered for a moment. "A limited variant—Juyang Straw Puppet Technique."
"Never heard of it," Jing Yan shook his head slightly.
"Every profession has its strengths and weaknesses. What's the generally recognized weakness of Shennongs?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Not having a sturdy physique?" Jing Yan guessed.
"Exactly," Zhao Xing said calmly. "Among the three factions of Shennong, the Self School has the frailest bodies. You can't always have your original projection active, nor can you always summon your plant soldiers into battle. There are situations where that would be inconvenient."
"From the moment you activate a projection to the moment your plant army fully materializes, there is a vulnerable time gap—which makes it possible for someone to launch a sneak attack."
"In extreme situations, it might be impossible to deploy a projection at all. For example, if I were to visit a top-tier Realm Star or Star Continent, the pressure alone might suppress my projection, limiting its range and slowing its activation."
"Any significant weakness inevitably leads to workarounds being developed."
"Straw Puppet Techniques are one of those workarounds."
Jing Yan nodded. Every profession had methods to compensate for their shortcomings—martial artists had combat techniques designed to extend their reach, while Shennongs had Straw Puppet Techniques.
"Our Self School has a secret technique that allows us to swap places with a clone in an instant. This adds an extra layer of unpredictability to combat."
"Of course, the clone can't be too weak, or else it won't withstand wide-range attacks, and its usefulness will still be limited."
"Juyang Straw Puppet Technique is developed through research on one of the three core chapters of the Void Ancestor Golden Body Technique—Juyang Clone. It is crafted using pure Yang-origin plants as its foundation."
"If I master it, I'll be able to create a Juyang Clone. Not only will it enhance my combat capabilities, but it will also allow me to move entire realm stars and even explore the sun and the lunar stars in search of hidden treasures and rare materials."
Jing Yan remarked, "Hearing you say that, it really does sound like a treasure."
Zhao Xing had stopped precisely because of this technique.
Having a Juyang Clone would make everything significantly more convenient.
The reason Juyang Straw Puppet Technique was called a limited edition was that it was far rarer than the Void Ancestor Golden Body Technique itself.
The three upper chapters of the Void Ancestor Golden Body Technique were all held by superpower factions, while the middle chapters were monopolized by ancient nations.
Techniques capable of crossing realms like the Juyang Straw Puppet Technique were naturally even more precious.
Zhao Xing wasn't sure if this manual was complete, so he picked up the Dao transmission jade slip and asked Hong Qi, "Mr. Hong, is this truly a Juyang Straw Puppet Technique?"
Hong Qi nodded. "That's right."
Since Zhao Xing had already figured it out, Hong Qi saw no point in exaggerating and simply explained, "The Juyang Straw Puppet Technique was created by a Shennong of the Reincarnation Realm known as Gu Tianyang. According to legend, he was a descendant of Gu Xiao, the God of Shennong."
"A long time ago, Gu Tianyang traveled to a Void Ancestor Star System, where he discovered that the Void Ancestor's flesh had transformed into an entire landmass. From this land, thirty-six types of miraculous Yang-attributed plants had grown.
"Gu Tianyang observed the phenomenon for an entire era before eventually creating three techniques: Pure Yang Straw Puppet, Heavenly Yang Straw Puppet, and Juyang Straw Puppet."
"This is a Grand Divine Ability-level Straw Puppet Technique."
"However, Gu Tianyang later disappeared. His techniques were passed down through different disciples, and after numerous exchanges and losses over time, only the Juyang Straw Puppet Technique remains in a relatively complete form."
"My lady here was fortunate enough to acquire this secret technique."
In truth, this technique had been obtained by Hong Qi himself—it was part of his private collection and had absolutely nothing to do with Lu Yuehan.
But now that he had the opportunity, he made sure to boost Lu Yuehan's prestige as much as possible.
Zhao Xing nodded at his words. "Miss Lu truly has exceptional fortune. May I ask, which stages of the Juyang Straw Puppet Technique have you obtained? And are you willing to sell it? If it's confidential, then I apologize for my abruptness."
Following Hong Qi's guidance, Lu Yuehan immediately responded, "I have obtained the Origin Technique, the Void Technique, and the Lesser Divine Ability stages of the Juyang Straw Puppet Technique. I also have clues leading to the Grand Divine Ability stage."
"As for selling it—Zhao Xing, we share a fated connection! Why talk about money for something as simple as a technique? I'm gifting it to you directly."
"However, I only have the Origin and Void Techniques with me right now. The Lesser Divine Ability stage is stored in my family's treasury. If you are willing, you can begin cultivating here, and I will retrieve it later."
Zhao Xing sighed inwardly at her words.
It was the same excuse he had used earlier—and now Lu Yuehan was using it on him.
Returning to the Marquis's residence to retrieve the technique? When? Where?
Wouldn't that completely depend on whether Zhao Xing was willing to stay?
He was well aware that she was trying to bait him, but the Juyang Straw Puppet Technique was indeed incredibly valuable.
This technique belonged to an entire series.
If he collected the full set, he could obtain the complete Void Ancestor Straw Puppet Technique!
If he missed this opportunity, he had no idea when or where he'd find another chance.
Lu Yuehan was casting a hook, but Zhao Xing had no intention of taking the bait.
Right now, he didn't have enough leverage to force Lu Yuehan into action, but the entire Moonfall Mausoleum was his bargaining chip!
He refused to believe that Lu Yuehan wouldn't be tempted.
Who was baiting who? That remained to be seen.
"It was indeed crude of me to discuss money with you, Miss Lu. I shall graciously accept your generosity," Zhao Xing cupped his hands in gratitude, then took the jade slip and sat down.
Lu Yuehan noticed that Zhao Xing was interested—but not enough to be fully drawn in. She knew that getting a definitive answer today was impossible, but as long as he wasn't leaving, that was already a win.
Her family's wealth was immense, and their resource exchange networks were extensive.
As long as he stayed, there was no way Zhao Xing wouldn't be tempted!
And in the meantime, she could closely observe his abilities.
From that day onward, Zhao Xing remained in Lu Yuehan's camp, studying the Juyang Straw Puppet Technique.
Both he and Lu Yuehan had only just arrived at Southfall Star Continent No. 88, and neither of them planned to leave anytime soon.
Finding a suitable place for cultivation wasn't easy.
Zhao Xing intended to lead Lu Yuehan to excavate several major tombs as part of an exchange of resources.
The first target was the burial site within the Starwheel Labyrinth.
Instead of reporting their findings to higher authorities, Zhao Xing and Jing Yan privately informed Lu Yuehan, letting her know that the tomb had not yet been fully explored.
Originally, Lu Yuehan's team had planned to leave for another location, but after hearing the news, they decided to finish raiding the tomb first, reaping a considerable fortune.
Since Jing Yan had been healed by Lu Yuehan's people, they had no intention of taking a share.
However, Lu Yuehan was exceptionally generous and still divided a portion of the wealth between Jing Yan and Zhao Xing.
Despite this, Zhao Xing's total wealth remained unchanged, as he simply gave his share to Jing Yan.
However, for Zhao Xing personally, the excavation had yielded tremendous gains.
"This expedition to Southfall 88 has been an incredible start."
Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel amazed.
The combined value of Essence Extraction Divine Ability and Juyang Straw Puppet Technique alone was equivalent to all the wealth he had accumulated in the past four hundred years!
"My fortune has reached Derivation Ten. According to Fortune Laws, I should experience a major stroke of luck, and I suppose this is it."
"Lu Yuehan is actually quite generous—she insisted on giving us a share."
Regardless of what he thought about her character, her actions had been straightforward and open, which made it easier for Zhao Xing to stay a little longer.
"If I can acquire the complete technique from her, my foundation will advance significantly. At that point... Hmm?"
Suddenly, Zhao Xing's eyebrows furrowed.
A sense of being watched emerged.
His heartbeat quickened.
Inside his Sea of Consciousness, his Three Divinities Destiny Palace trembled.
His three souls all opened their eyes at once.
"What's going on? Why do I suddenly feel a sense of impending doom?"
Zhao Xing immediately calmed his mind, stabilizing his three souls, but the sense of unease did not fade—in fact, it grew even stronger.
For half a month, Zhao Xing shut himself away, focusing on stabilizing his spirit.
Yet, the feeling of dread not only persisted—it intensified.
Finally, within his Three Divinities Destiny Palace, he saw something.
A causality thread had emerged from his Earth Soul.
And then—it shot outward, rushing beyond his Sea of Consciousness.
"Someone is plotting against me!"
"The Three Divinities Destiny Palace isn't omnipotent. If a Grand Divine Ability Realm or a Dao Domain Realm Fate Master were to target me, their calculations could still be effective."
Zhao Xing watched as the causality thread drifted away beyond his Sea of Consciousness, but he was powerless to stop it.
There was nothing he could do.
"Thankfully, I have the two items Du Yun gifted me, and I'm currently staying by Lu Yuehan's side. That should buy me some time before they make a move."
"Qing Yuzi, what exactly did you take from them? Even Du Yun is getting involved, yet the Dongyan Ancient Clan still refuses to let it go?"
"Old man, you wouldn't actually be as powerful as I've been hyping you up to be, would you?"
...
"Marquis He Yin, this situation is more complicated than we expected."
On the distant Zhiluo Star, a shadowy figure in a black robe stood before Marquis He Yin.
"What do you mean?" Marquis He Yin frowned.
"The information you provided was incorrect. Even our Grand Divine Ability Realm Fate Master failed to track the target's causality." The black-robed figure spoke indifferently.
"That's impossible. He's only at the Second Realm—there's no way that's wrong!"
"Would you like to know why?" The black-robed figure asked.
"Of course."
"Then you'll have to pay." The black-robed figure continued, "Since you're a six-star client of the Shadow Sanctuary, we'll overlook the faulty intelligence you provided. But if you want to know why we failed, you'll need to pay extra."
"How much?" Marquis He Yin asked.
"One billion Red Star Coins, or 1.2 billion Alliance Coins—whichever payment method is more convenient for you."
"What?! Are you insane?!" Marquis He Yin was shocked. "You're charging me this much just to investigate someone at the Second Realm? Am I not a six-star client?!"
In the Xuanling Star Domain, the currency of superpower factions held greater purchasing power and was favored by elite experts.
One Red Star Coin could be exchanged for 350 Yuanhai Coins, meaning he was being charged over 350 billion Yuanhai Coins just for a piece of intelligence.
Zhao Xing was only at the Second Realm!
Why was the fee so astronomical?!
"If you agree to pay, you'll find out." The black-robed figure said indifferently. "If you refuse, the deal is off. Furthermore, because of the additional losses caused by your faulty intelligence, your client rating will receive a negative record."
"Three such marks, and your status will drop, and we won't conduct business with you for ten thousand years."
Marquis He Yin was speechless.
Initially, he hadn't opted for a full commission, preferring to provide the intelligence himself—partly to save money and partly to prevent the Shadow Sanctuary from discovering more than he wanted.
But he hadn't expected things to turn out like this.
"Fine, I'll pay!" Marquis He Yin gritted his teeth. "I want to see exactly what kind of monster this Zhao Xing is that justifies such an absurd price."
The black-robed figure received the payment and quickly responded, "We deployed a Dao Domain Realm expert to capture the target's causality. After running calculations, we found the answer—he has cultivated the Lesser Divine Palace of Reincarnation, Three Divinities Destiny Palace."
"This is the direct reason why the Grand Divine Ability Realm Fate Master's calculations failed."
"Three Divinities Destiny Palace?" Marquis He Yin frowned. This was unexpected.
But as soon as the black-robed figure mentioned it, Marquis He Yin realized that the high price he had paid was justified.
The Three Divinities Destiny Palace was a precursor to the Grand Divine Ability of Reincarnation.
Any matter involving the Reincarnation Divine Palace was bound to escalate in seriousness.
Just 350 billion Yuanhai Coins? Marquis He Yin suddenly felt it was worth it.
"Can the Shadow Sanctuary still proceed with the capture mission?" Marquis He Yin asked.
"We can." The black-robed figure nodded. "Based on our findings, the target is not affiliated with the Reincarnation Divine Palace. He acquired the technique purely by chance. However, the price for the mission will increase."
"How much?"
"The exact amount will be determined later," the black-robed figure paused, then continued, "Du Yun previously dispatched Yaowu Martialist Li Jiu to handle this. We're unsure of the extent of his involvement."
"Your previous deposit was clearly insufficient. We need to confirm Du Yun's stance, which comes at a greater cost. If you wish to proceed, you'll need to pay an additional three billion Red Star Coins—this is just the investigation fee."
"If it turns out that Du Yun is fully committed to protecting the target, the final price will increase accordingly." The black-robed figure explained.
"To capture the target under Du Yun's direct watch and deliver him to you intact, our assessment places the minimum fee at 3 trillion Red Star Coins. Of course, if Du Yun's involvement is minimal, meaning he only assigns subordinates, the total fee won't exceed five billion Red Star Coins."
Hearing this, Marquis He Yin suddenly laughed.
He had never expected that capturing Zhao Xing would come at such a high price.
Of course, this was mainly due to the unexpected variable—Du Yun.
As a top-tier genius of Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, Du Yun had an established record of slaying experts at the Five Elements Dao Domain Realm—and that was years ago.
The Shadow Sanctuary had no choice but to factor him into their calculations.
And this was only to capture someone under Du Yun's watch.
If they were asked to assassinate Du Yun himself?
They wouldn't even consider it for anything less than 30 trillion Red Star Coins!
Why? Because Du Yun was also a high-ranking member of another superpower faction—Origin Heaven Palace.
Killing him would bring unfathomable consequences!
"Damn that incompetent Mo Er!" Marquis He Yin cursed inwardly.
If Mo Er had succeeded back then, they wouldn't be in this mess now.
"You could pay the three billion first and then decide after the investigation." The black-robed figure noticed his hesitation.
"No need to think it over." Marquis He Yin gritted his teeth. "I'll pay the full 3 trillion Red Star Coins upfront. As a six-star client, I'll settle the payment within seventy years."
"But I demand that this full commission is executed as quickly as possible!"
Marquis He Yin had made up his mind.
He would hand over complete control of the operation to the Shadow Sanctuary—he didn't care about the process, only the final result.
That item was too important to the Dongyan Ancient Clan.
While they had alternative options, the substitutes were far inferior.
If they could retrieve the original, not just 3 trillion Red Star Coins—even ten times that amount—the ancient clan would still be willing to pay.
He couldn't afford to delay any longer.
Who knew what new complications would arise if they hesitated?
"Understood." The black-robed figure nodded. "Based on the minimum mission timeframe, we will complete this commission within three hundred years."