176: The allure of Geng Metal and the Ye Family (Royal Family)

Great Jin, Fuzhou.

This was the mandatory path to the Jin Capital, named for its numerous Spiritual Veins and bustling trade.

Ten thousand feet in the air, an ordinary-looking azure flying boat was traveling through the clouds.

"Husband, this Great Jin truly is a sight to behold."

Purple Spirit stood at the bow, looking down through the clouds. Below, cities stood in clusters where Mortals and Cultivators lived together; she could even see some low-level Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators serving as guards or craftsmen in the Mortal cities.

"Behind the prosperity, there must be undercurrents."

Zhou Wannian (Han Li) sat cross-legged on the deck, fiddling with the black token he had obtained from the Demonic Wood Sect Special Envoy.

At this time, he had perfectly disguised his cultivation aura at the Early Core Formation Stage.

This was considered a "backbone strength" in the Great Jin; he wouldn't be looked down upon like those in the Foundation Establishment Stage, nor would he draw attention everywhere like those in the Nascent Soul Stage.

"Ahead is the border between the 'Tianlan Grassland' and the Central Plains."

Zhou Wannian put away the token and looked into the distance.

Just then.

"Gah—!!!"

A piercing bird cry penetrated the clouds, accompanied by violent Spiritual Qi fluctuations coming from ahead.

Zhou Wannian swept his Divine Sense across.

In the airspace ten miles ahead, over a dozen luxuriously designed giant flying carriages bearing golden banners were surrounded by a flock of massive demonic birds with iron-like feathers.

"Iron-Winged Eagles? And they're Rank Four social demonic birds?"

Zhou Wannian was somewhat surprised.

The defense Formation of this convoy was extremely Advanced, and there were even two Cultivators at the Late Core Formation Stage among the guards. Logically, dealing with a flock of Rank Four demonic birds (equivalent to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage) should have been more than enough.

But the strange thing was that those guards seemed to be deliberately hiding their strength, not daring to use high-power Spells, only defending passively, which led to them being suppressed by the demonic birds.

"Interesting."

The corners of Zhou Wannian's mouth curled up slightly.

"Having the strength but refusing to use it, this convoy... is hiding something fishy."

"Purple Spirit, put away the flying boat."

"Let's go join the fun."

...The center of the battlefield.

Inside the defensive circle formed by those dozen or so golden flying carriages.

A young girl dressed in pale yellow palace attire with clear and transcendent beauty was watching the battle outside with a furrowed brow.

"Seventh Uncle, why haven't you used the 'Spirit-Destroying Cannons' yet?" The girl's voice was crisp, yet carried an unquestionable authority.

Beside her, a white-haired old man smiled bitterly. "Eldest Young Miss, this is the territory of the Righteous Path Alliance's 'Haoran Pavilion'. Our identities are sensitive; if we use the Family's iconic Magic Treasures, I'm afraid it will attract the scrutiny of those old pedants."

"Then we just let these beasts keep us surrounded?" the girl said angrily.

"This..." The old man hesitated.

Just then.

Boom!

Suddenly, the largest mutated Iron-Winged Eagle King (Rank Five, equivalent to the Early Core Formation Stage) broke through the guards' line of defense, its steel-like talons lunging fiercely toward the central flying carriage where the girl was.

"Not good! Protect the Young Miss!"

The old man was shocked, but it was already too late to provide aid.

It looked as though those talons were about to shatter the flying carriage's protective shield.

"Vile beast, do not be so arrogant."

A somewhat lazy voice descended from the sky.

Immediately after.

A lotus flower of mixed green and red flames bloomed without warning above the Eagle King's head.

[Qingmu Demonic Fire].

Sizzle—

There was no earth-shaking explosion.

The Rank Five Eagle King, with its astonishing defensive power, didn't even have time to scream the moment it touched the fire lotus; it instantly turned into a pile of ash and scattered with the wind.

An instant kill.

"Who is it?!"

The white-haired old man and the girl looked up at the same time.

A pair of extraordinary Loose Cultivator husband and wife were seen approaching through the air.

The man was in azure robes, holding an eerie green flame in his hand with a calm expression. The woman was in purple, masked, with a long sword on her back, exuding a heroic aura.

"Seeing injustice on the road and drawing one's sword to help."

Zhou Wannian casually threw the fire lotus out.

The fire lotus instantly split into dozens of small flames in the air, landing precisely on those Iron-Winged Eagles.

Crackling sounds echoed.

In just three breaths.

This flock of demonic birds that had caused the convoy such a headache exploded like lit firecrackers, turning into fireballs and falling from the sky like dumplings.

The crisis was instantly resolved... "Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your assistance!"

Though the white-haired old man remained wary, he immediately flew out of the convoy and cupped his hands in greeting.

"This old man is Ye Seven, the manager of this merchant caravan. May I know your honorable name, Fellow Daoist?"

"I am Han Li, a mere overseas Loose Cultivator."

Zhou Wannian returned the greeting, "I was just heading to the Jin Capital to travel and happened to pass by, so I lent a hand."

"So it is Fellow Daoist Han."

Ye Seven's Divine Sense obscurely swept over Zhou Wannian. Finding that the other party was at the Early Core Formation Stage and that his fire Divine Ability was quite extraordinary, his heart settled slightly.

At this moment, the curtain of the central flying carriage was lifted.

The yellow-clad girl stepped out. Although she only had a Late Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, her noble air made people not dare to look directly at her.

"This humble girl is Ye Chuchu. Thank you, Senior Han, for saving our lives."

The girl bowed gracefully, her movements elegant, clearly having received an excellent upbringing.

"It was a small matter, not worth mentioning."

Zhou Wannian waved his hand and turned to leave.

"Since the crisis is resolved, Han will not disturb you further. Farewell."

Playing hard to get.

He knew that what these large families lacked most were Guest Elders who had a clean background, strong power, and no affiliation with major Sects.

As expected.

"Senior, please stay!"

Ye Chuchu suddenly spoke to stop him.

"I see that the direction Senior is heading is also the Jin Capital. These are troubled times, and there are several dangerous places to pass through ahead. If Senior does not mind, would you be willing to travel with us?"

"Travel together?" Zhou Wannian paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "Han is used to being alone and cannot stand being constrained."

"Senior has misunderstood."

Ye Chuchu smiled slightly, a smile that carried a hint of a merchant's shrewdness.

"Our Ye Family has some influence in the Great Jin. If Senior is willing to escort us for a while, upon reaching the Jin Capital, not only will there be a generous gift, but we can also provide Senior with a VIP invitation to the 'Imperial City Auction'."

"Imperial City Auction?"

Zhou Wannian turned around, an "appropriate" look of interest appearing in his eyes.

"I heard that 'geng essence' will appear at that auction?"

Ye Chuchu's eyes lit up.

"Does Senior also practice the Dao of the sword?"

geng essence was a treasure of sharp metal, a top-tier material that could significantly increase the sharpness of Flying Swords when incorporated.

"Indeed," Zhou Wannian nodded.

"What a coincidence."

Ye Chuchu took a brocade box from her Storage Pouch and gently opened a crack.

A piercing golden light instantly shot out.

Inside the box lay a piece of metal the size of a fist, entirely golden and emitting an extreme sharpness.

"This piece of 'geng essence' is a treasure of my Ye Family."

"If Senior is willing to deign to be a 'Guest Elder' of my Ye Family, escorting us to the Jin Capital and helping my Ye Family with a small favor..."

"This piece of geng essence will be the deposit."

Zhou Wannian looked at the piece of geng essence.

In his heart, he was already overjoyed.

The amount of this geng essence was enough for him to reinforce all seventy-two star thunder bee cloud swords! With the addition of geng essence, the power of the Great Geng Sword Formation would increase by at least thirty percent!

"The Ye Family... such a grand gesture."

Zhou Wannian took a deep look at this young girl.

Surnamed Ye.

Handing out top-grade Materials just like that.

Coupled with this luxurious yet low-profile convoy.

If he wasn't mistaken, this wasn't an ordinary merchant caravan at all.

This was the Great Jin's royal Family—the [Ye Family].

The royal Family that was being suppressed by the ten major Sects of the Righteous and Demonic paths, only able to accumulate strength in the shadows, attempting to open the Seal of Kunwu Mountain!

"Interesting."

Zhou Wannian calculated in his mind.

"The Ye Family is currently desperate for manpower, and they hold clues to many ancient ruins (including Kunwu Mountain). By infiltrating the Ye Family, I can not only obtain resources but also follow the trail to find the spatial node leading to the Spirit Realm (which exists within Kunwu Mountain)."

Thinking of this.

A gentle smile appeared on Zhou Wannian's face.

He reached out, and the piece of geng essence flew into his hand.

"Since Young Miss Ye is so sincere."

"If Han were to refuse again, it would seem ungrateful."

"I accept the position of Guest Elder."

...Half an hour later.

Zhou Wannian and Purple Spirit were invited onto the most luxurious central flying carriage.

The interior space was massive, like a mobile palace, extremely luxurious.

"Elder Han, please have some tea."

Ye Chuchu personally poured tea for Zhou Wannian, her attitude respectful yet carrying a hint of testing.

"Elder Han's fire Divine Ability is very unique; it seems to carry a trace of Demonic Qi?"

"Years ago, I killed a transformed fire demon overseas and refined its innate demonic fire, that's all," Zhou Wannian fabricated casually.

"I see."

Ye Chuchu did not press further, but instead took a golden token from her sleeve.

"This is my Ye Family's Guest Elder medallion. With this, Elder Han can freely mobilize any of our Ye Family's peripheral resources in the Jin Capital."

"Thank you."

Zhou Wannian accepted the token.

Just then.

The previously silent Purple Spirit suddenly sent a voice transmission to Zhou Wannian:

"Husband, there is something strange about this carriage."

"What's wrong?"

"Inside a hidden compartment of this carriage... someone is hidden," Purple Spirit's voice was somewhat grave, "and it's a living corpse."

"I know."

Zhou Wannian took a sip of tea without showing any emotion.

His Divine Sense (comparable to the Late Nascent Soul Stage) had long since swept over the entire convoy.

In a hidden slot at the bottom of this flying carriage lay an old man wrapped in Talismans, with no aura whatsoever.

Although the old man appeared dead, there was a faint but extremely resilient vitality circulating within him.

More importantly... the old man's body emitted an aura that resonated with the void heaven cauldron inside Zhou Wannian.

That was—the aura of a replica of a heaven-reaching spirit treasure!

"It seems the Ye Family's trip to the Jin Capital is for a rescue."

Zhou Wannian sneered inwardly.

"Or rather, they're going to deliver a 'key'."

"No matter what they are plotting."

"As long as they don't interfere with my making money, refining swords, and cultivating the Yuan Ci Divine Light."

"If they dare to scheme against me..."

Zhou Wannian touched the seventy-two Flying Swords in his sleeve (which had already begun to quietly absorb that piece of geng essence).

"This Ye Family might just have to change its name to Han."

...Several days later.

A giant city, so majestic it was breathtaking, appeared at the end of the horizon.

The city wall was a hundred zhang high, cast entirely from green gold stone, stretching for thousands of miles like a giant dragon coiled upon the earth.

Above the city, nine golden dragon-shaped Luck-auras rolled in the clouds, emitting a vast imperial pressure.

[Jin Capital].

The number one city of Great Jin.

"We've finally arrived."

Zhou Wannian stood on the carriage shaft, looking at this giant city.

"Old Ghost Xiang said the waters here are deep."

"I'd like to see just how many true dragons and turtles are hiding beneath these waters."