76: This city lord smells foul.

Tingchao Pavilion.

One of Wanghai City's most premium Immortal Caves, situated atop a Floating Immortal Mountain in the eastern part of the city.

This place is not somewhere anyone can live just by having Spirit Stones.

It is the City Lord's Mansion, specifically used to host esteemed guests from top forces in Central State, serving as a sign of prestige.

Right now, this normally cold and aloof immortal residence is occupied by a group of "country bumpkins."

“Oh my heavens!”

Er Gou stepped into the courtyard, completely dumbfounded.

The floor beneath his feet was paved with large slabs of Warm Jade, and the gentle Spiritual Qi seeped up through his soles, flowing straight into his limbs and bones.

Before his eyes were small bridges over flowing water, and magnificent pavilions, every part exquisitely carved and painted, a marvel of craftsmanship.

In the air floated a faint, exotic fragrance that instantly refreshed the mind upon inhaling.

He saw a small tree next to the rock garden, bearing several bright red fruits.

A passing maid casually plucked one, popped it into her mouth without even wiping it, treating it like ordinary fruit.

“Is that... a Profound Rank Spirit Fruit, the Crimson Flame Fruit?”

In the Eastern Barrens, a single Profound Rank Spirit Fruit is enough to cause Golden Core Cultivators to fight desperately over it, yet here, it's just common courtyard decoration?

“How disappointing.”

Wang Duojin stood with his hands behind his back and his belly thrust out, looking like a Wealthy Proprietor inspecting his own estate.

He walked over to the Crimson Flame Fruit tree, pinched a leaf, and sniffed it.

“The tree is a good tree, and the fruit is good fruit.”

“Unfortunately, planting it here just for decoration is a terrible waste of heavenly resources!”

He turned his head and smiled at Li Xuanfeng, who was bowing and following behind him.

“Steward Li, this Tingchao Pavilion is truly excellent.”

“It's just that the Feng Shui is slightly lacking. Look at this tree—it should be planted on the Formation Eye of a Spirit Gathering Formation, and this water should draw from a Nine Heavens Spiritual Spring to raise a few Golden Dragon Fish. That would truly bring in a flood of wealth.”

A fine layer of cold sweat broke out on Li Xuanfeng's forehead.

He understood.

This Young Master was giving him a hint.

He felt the hospitality wasn't high-class enough.

“Young Master Wang is absolutely right! It was my oversight!”

He quickly waved his hand and summoned a Manager.

“Immediately go to the Treasury and retrieve my 'Minor Spirit Gathering Formation' Formation Plate! Also, send the nine 'Red-Bearded Dragon Carp' I keep in the backyard to Tingchao Pavilion as well!”

“Yes!” The Manager dared not delay and rushed off like a shot.

Only then did Wang Duojin nod in satisfaction and pat Li Xuanfeng on the shoulder.

“Steward Li, you are a capable person.”

Ye Chenfeng paid no attention to the farce unfolding here.

He walked by himself toward the edge of the cliff at the far end of the courtyard.

From here, he could overlook the myriad lights of Wanghai City and the magnificent, surging Endless Dead Sea.

The sea breeze blew in, carrying the vigorous Spiritual Qi unique to Central State.

His hand rested on the Wine Gourd at his waist.

His eyes were calm, yet sharp as a blade.

Su Linger, meanwhile, was more interested in the pavilions and terraces.

She walked to a covered walkway, her fingertip tracing the carved pillar.

Intricate soundproofing and calming Runes were inscribed upon it.

The technique was infinitely superior to that of the Formation Masters in the Eastern Barrens.

Zhao Wuyou was the most straightforward.

He simply sat cross-legged on a bluestone in the center of the courtyard, closed his eyes, and began to absorb Qi.

For him, the location made no difference.

As long as there was Spiritual Qi, it was the best place for Cultivation.

Watching this scene, Li Xuanfeng became even more certain of his judgment.

This Myriad Dao Divine Sect was absolutely some hidden Primordial Dao Lineage!

Look at these Personal Disciples.

One, though obsessed with money, was skilled in practical affairs and possessed sharp insight.

One, aloof as an immortal, saw the True Chapter of the Great Dao in the subtle details.

One had Sword Heart Clarity, keeping nothing at heart.

And another, peerlessly domineering, viewed the world as his training ground.

How could such Heart-Nature and such bearing be cultivated by an ordinary Sect?

As for the Sect Master who had yet to appear... Li Xuanfeng dared not imagine.

The more he thought, the more terrified he became.

“Venerable Immortals, the Immortal Caves are ready. Please follow me.”

He lowered his posture even further.

After settling everyone properly, Li Xuanfeng dared not linger and respectfully took his leave.

He still had a more important task: reporting back to the City Lord... In the deep Secret Chamber of the City Lord's Mansion.

The statue of the three-headed, six-armed Demon God seemed to flash with a trace of eerie red light in its eyes.

The old man wearing the City Lord's Official Robe, Wei Zheng, was kneeling before the statue.

A black Water Mirror floated in front of him.

The mirror clearly displayed every movement inside Tingchao Pavilion.

“A bunch of fools.”

Wei Zheng looked at the Myriad Dao Divine Sect Disciples in the mirror, who were overwhelmed and bewildered by Tingchao Pavilion's luxury, his eyes filled with contempt and greed.

“I thought they were some mighty Dragons crossing the river, but they're just a bunch of country bumpkins who haven't seen the world.”

He stuck out his scarlet tongue and licked his dry, cracked lips.

“However, this is good too.”

“The more ignorant they are, the easier it is for them to fall into the trap.”

“That idiot Li Xuanfeng has already been fooled by them. Perfect, I can make him my first chess piece.”

His gaze fell upon the Personal Disciples in the mirror who possessed extraordinary temperaments.

Especially the youth with golden hair and golden eyes.

“The Bloodline of the Primordial Dragon God... truly a premium Offering!”

“And that Sword Cultivator, his Sword Intent is pure, and his Divine Soul is refined.”

“That girl has a power of Extreme Yin and Extreme Cold within her body; it seems she hasn't fully Awakened yet.”

“And that fatty, with his Aura of Wealth, he's practically a walking treasure trove!”

Wei Zheng's breathing grew heavy.

He seemed to already see the scene where he would receive supreme rewards after sacrificing the Divine Souls and Vitality of these Geniuses to Lord Demon.

“Lord Demon, do you see this?”

He kowtowed fanatically to the statue.

“This is the feast I have prepared for you!”

“In three days, the Invitations to the Myriad Treasures Convention will be delivered.”

“I will have Li Xuanfeng personally deliver the Invitations to them.”

“As long as they step into the 'Ten Thousand Demons Blood Sacrifice Grand Formation' I have set up...”

“Everything they possess will become the resources for your descent!”

Inside the Secret Chamber, a sinister wind howled.

The Demon God statue seemed to be silently sneering... Tingchao Pavilion, Main Courtyard.

Chu Xuanjin was lying on his exclusive Rocking Chair.

In his hand, he held a cup of "Cloud Summit Immortal Tea," brewed by a Tingchao Pavilion maid using the local Spiritual Spring water.

The tea was good tea, and the water was good water.

Yet, Chu Xuanjin slightly furrowed his brow.

He set down the teacup, his gaze casually sweeping toward the direction of the City Lord's Mansion.

“There's a fishy smell in this tea.”

He spoke indifferently.

Ye Chenfeng, who was attending to him nearby, was stunned upon hearing this.

“Revered Master, does this tea not suit your taste?”

He picked up the teacup and sniffed it carefully.

The tea fragrance was crisp and refreshing, with no strange odor.

Chu Xuanjin smiled and offered no explanation.

His Heavenly Dao Dharma Eye had long since seen through the entirety of Wanghai City.

Li Xuanfeng's respect was genuine.

The Disciples' shock was also genuine.

Only the direction of the City Lord's Mansion was shrouded in a layer of faint black Devilish Qi, sometimes present, sometimes not.

That Devilish Qi was extremely well hidden.

If he didn't possess the Heavenly Dao Dharma Eye and Mahayana stage Cultivation, he likely wouldn't have noticed it either.

“Interesting.”

Chu Xuanjin picked up the teacup and drained it in one gulp.

“I just switched to a new map, and a Boss is already delivering itself to my doorstep.”

He tapped the armrest.

“Dust Wind.”

“Disciple is here.”

“Go fetch Much Gold.”

“Yes.”

Ye Chenfeng accepted the order and left.

Before long, Wang Duojin came scurrying over, jogging excitedly.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he started shouting excitedly.

“Revered Master! You called for me? Is there some grand scheme for getting rich that you want me to handle?”

“Let me tell you, Central State is paved with gold! I just did a rough calculation, and the daily transaction volume of Wanghai City alone is equal to that of our Eastern Barrens for an entire year!”

“Silence,” Chu Xuanjin glanced at him.

Wang Duojin instantly fell silent, trembling like a cicada in the cold.

“Go do something for your Revered Master.”

Chu Xuanjin's tone was very casual.

“Go find out about the City Lord of Wanghai City, Wei Zheng.”

“I want to know everything about him: his background, Cultivation, relationships, and whether he prefers sweet or savory food.”

“Remember, be fast and be secretive.”

When Wang Duojin heard this, he immediately perked up.

Gathering intelligence?

This was his specialty!

“Revered Master, rest assured!”

He thumped his chest in assurance.

“Forget a mere City Lord, I can even dig up where his ancestors from eighteen generations ago are buried!”

“Go,” Chu Xuanjin waved his hand.

Wang Duojin accepted the order, turned, and was about to leave.

“Wait,” Chu Xuanjin called out to him again.

“What defines secrecy?”

Wang Duojin paused, thought for a moment, and replied, “Without gods knowing or ghosts noticing?”

Chu Xuanjin shook his head.

“Wrong.”

He looked at Wang Duojin, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

“The highest level of secrecy is letting everyone know you are investigating him.”

“But they won't know what you are truly looking for.”

“Go, and make as big a fuss as possible.”

“Just say that Myriad Dao Divine Sect has taken a fancy to Wanghai City.”