The Eternal World had absorbed countless modern fantasy worlds.Among them, modern humans were plentiful.Even though the chaotic era had seen tremendous death and destruction,many still survived.
After all, when pushed to the limit, humans could find a way through anything.Their potential was limitless.
In modern times, cigarettes had become deeply ingrained in daily life.Though the chaotic age had forced many smokers to quit involuntarily,if a non-addictive, cultivation-enhancing spiritual cigarette appeared...Would they resist?
Of course not.
Being able to smoke again while strengthening your cultivation?That was a dream come true.No one would pass that up.
Yi Tianxing was certain—once this spirit smoke hit the market, it would cause a massive stir among the common people.
It would be foolish to miss such an opportunity.
And truthfully, there was no reason not to work with Qian Xiaojia.They weren't enemies, had never fought directly—at most, the Green Emperor had once clashed with him.
For Yi Tianxing, cooperation was no issue.
Face?
In the face of profit, what was face worth?If Qian Xiaojia cared that much about face,he never would've dared approach him.
Qian Xiaojia clearly knew what he was doing.Yi Tianxing wasn't just an individual—he was the ruler of the Great Yi Dynasty,the number one dynasty of the Eternal World.
Its citizens numbered in the billions.And once he returned from the battlefield and released the countless warriorsstored in the Heavenly Treasure Pagoda,that number might climb to tens or even hundreds of billions.
That was an incomprehensibly vast market.
Doing business required stability, and Great Yi offered just that.
On top of that, Great Yi had a natural advantage—the Eternal Coins minted by the dynasty were now widely popular on the battlefield.Even the most powerful races used them.
Elegant in design, yet powerful in value,they were gradually becoming the standard currency of the Eternal World.
Being associated with Great Yi was a priceless opportunity.
Some petty grievance from the past meant little now.
If Spirit Smoke could become popular in Great Yi,it could spread to the entire Eternal World.
"If you're interested, we can discuss this privately afterward,"Qian Xiaojia said excitedly.
But he glanced around, knowing now wasn't the time.Once an agreement was made, there'd be chances later.
The conversation between the two lasted only a moment.
By now, the plaza had filled with over a thousand people.
And among them weren't just yellow-skinned Easterners.There were also blond-haired, blue-eyed Westerners—survivors of the same cataclysm.
Each Heaven's Chosen emitted a strong aura.Clearly, every one of them had carved out their own path.
Yi Tianxing now realized—those he had seen previously were only a small portion of the survivors.
In truth, many Heaven's Chosen had perished over the years—but no one spoke of them.
To see a thousand such individuals gathered here—that was a staggering number.
Though the Eternal World had many surviving races,in the past era, humans were the dominant species,so most Heaven's Chosen were human.
Other species had received fortune as well—but they couldn't become Chosen,and thus would not appear at this gathering.
As time passed, it seemed no more would arrive.
Suddenly, a group of young women in ornate maid uniforms entered the plaza.Each one possessed both stunning beauty and graceful figures—the very best of the best.
One among them stood out above all—clearly someone of higher rank, despite also being a maid.
"Honored guests," she said with a warm smile,"I am Luo Yan, head maid of the Sun Palace.The Palace Master has prepared a banquet in the main hall.Please follow me to be seated."
Her tone was gracious yet confident.She was no mere servant—her cultivation was clearly formidable as well.
She immediately caught many people's eyes.
As her words fell, a massive spatial gateway opened on the plaza.At her signal, the Heaven's Chosen began walking through it.
No one feared a trap.
To attack this many Heaven's Chosen would be suicide.No one could withstand their combined fury.
Yi Tianxing also stepped through the portal,and in the blink of an eye, arrived in a vast golden hall.
Massive golden pillars stood upright throughout the space,each carved with images of Three-Legged Golden Crows—some soaring across the sky,some bathing in the Eastern Sea.
Every mural seemed lifelike,instilling a sense of awe and reverence.
The entire hall radiated an intangible aura of nobility and grandeur.
Numerous tables and chairs had already been prepared.Each table was set for one,and every table had identical contents:
A plate of mulberries—but not ordinary ones.
These fruits glowed a brilliant gold,their surface rippling with flames of pure sunlight.
"Sun Mulberries…"
Yi Tianxing's eyes flashed with recognition.
Through the Wordless Heavenly Tome,he instantly understood what they were:
Sun Mulberries – A primordial spiritual fruit borne from the Fusang Divine Tree.It flowers once every thousand years, bears fruit in another thousand, and ripens in a third.It takes 3,000 years for a harvest.Golden as the sun, brimming with blazing fire essence.It strengthens the liver and kidneys, replenishes fluids, nourishes the body,enhances vision, dispels internal demons, and purifies the flesh.One pound grants 100 years of life.With luck, it may even spark a Sunfire Seed within the user's body.A true innate treasure of heaven and earth.
Yi Tianxing knew immediately—this fruit's value was incalculable.
A single Fusang Divine Tree didn't bear many fruits,yet now a full plate sat before each person.
And each plate held at least a pound—which meant 100 years of extended lifespan,and even a chance to awaken Sunfire within the body.
This was a monumental gesture from Zhao Hao.
"To reap, one must first sow. Zhao Hao isn't here for small things."
Yi Tianxing kept this thought to himself.
This gift alone proved Zhao Hao wasn't someone to underestimate.He understood influence. He understood investment.This wasn't the move of a fool—this was someone with both power and vision.
Naturally, Yi Tianxing didn't act rashly.He would simply observe for now.
Across the hall, other Heaven's Chosen wore similar expressions of surprise.Internally, they were all reassessing Zhao Hao.Whatever their first impressions had been—none dared take him lightly now.
"Brother, I've never seen this fruit before... but it looks delicious.Zhao Hao really pulled out all the stops for this gathering,"Zhao Ziyan whispered beside Yi Tianxing.
"If there's food, eat it."Yi Tianxing chuckled calmly.
He picked up a Sun Mulberry and placed it in his mouth.
The fruit melted on contact,sweet and crisp, with a refreshing yet blazing flavor.
Immediately, his body began to absorb heaven and earth essence,and his physical strength and life force started to grow naturally.
All around, others were tasting the fruit.One by one, their plates emptied.
At that moment, all eyes turned to the throne.
At some unknown point, a man in a golden robe had appeared silently,radiating the presence of a peerless god-king,as if he sat high in the Nine Heavens.
Just sitting there brought a pressure that couldn't be ignored.
"Friends," he said with a smile,"do the Sun Mulberries suit your tastes?"
"I am Zhao Hao, the master of this Sun Palace.Like all of you, I am a Heaven's Chosen.Thank you for coming from afar.This fruit is but a small gift—I hope it brings you joy."
"You're too modest, Brother Zhao,"a middle-aged man said with a smooth smile.
"These mulberries are rare treasures.Receiving such a gift the moment we arrive…It is we who should thank you."
This man was Yang Haifeng,a Heaven's Chosen who had once been a businessman.He'd long since learned to read people, speak well, and navigate politics.
The moment he saw Zhao Hao and the mulberries,he understood: this man had deep foundations.
Naturally, he wished to build a connection.
Zhao Hao smiled and nodded."Perhaps many of you didn't know me before today.But you will remember me soon enough."
"I called you all here for several reasons.We are all Heaven's Chosen—so I won't waste time beating around the bush."