251: Chapter 250 The Messenger

"Liuyun Heaven? Under the rule of the Immortal Emperor Wuhen? What kind of situation exists outside of Liuyun Heaven?"

"Er, this… you also know, I am just a Golden Immortal. I have never left Liuyun Heaven in my entire life, let alone what's outside. I only know the basic situation."

Yuan Chen tapped his fingers slowly on his knee.

Countless pieces of information were rapidly connected, integrated, and organized in his mind.

The Upper Realm is vast, its landscape treacherous, filled with countless experts, and strictly hierarchical, far more complex than the Lower Realm by ten thousand times.

Top clans monopolize core resources, internal factional infighting is constant, and slaughter across the heavens never ceases. If he were to rashly break the barrier and undergo Ascension one day, without roots, support, or connections, he would inevitably be restricted everywhere, facing thorns at every step, and falling into an extremely passive situation.

It seems that his previous thought—to wait until his strength was sufficient before undergoing Ascension—was indeed the correct choice.

During this three-hundred-year buffer period, if he could have a reliable person continuously relay real-time intelligence from the Upper Realm and figure out the movements of powerful factions and experts.

When he finally breaks the barrier and undergoes Ascension, he would know himself and his enemy, ensuring victory in every battle.

And Zhao Miao comes from an orthodox background in the Upper Realm, knows the overall situation of the Upper Realm, has complete networking channels, and his Sect's stance is safe.

Looking at the fellow's current behavior, he seems useful.

With his thoughts fully settled, Yuan Chen raised his eyes to look at the bowing Zhao Miao, his expression calm:

"Zhao Miao, I am giving you an Opportunity to soar to great heights."

Zhao Miao tilted his head: "Huh?"

"From now on, you shall serve as the exclusive Upper Realm intelligence liaison for my Daming Dynasty, with full authority over the intelligence exchange between the two realms. I will cover your travel expenses. You have only one core task: monitor all movements in the Upper Realm in real-time. Any disturbance in the Upper Realm must be compiled in detail and reported truthfully at the first Opportunity. No concealment, no delays, no perfunctory work, and no false reporting."

Zhao Miao looked troubled: "But I have no money, and the Wanxiang Sect has no money either. Gathering intelligence is not a simple job."

He was willing to befriend Yuan Chen and this family of Prodigies, but his strength didn't allow for it.

With his financial situation, he couldn't even afford to ride a flying ship in the Immortal Realm.

Yuan Chen glanced at him sideways: "I will reimburse all your expenses."

After hearing this, Zhao Miao was initially skeptical: "Do you have that much money? The currency used in the Upper Realm is Immortal Crystals. Spirit Stones can be used, but they are severely devalued."

Yuan Chen narrowed his eyes: "You underestimate me. The Medium Grade Immortal Artifact I threw out casually is more than you could save in a lifetime."

"Eh? That's not necessarily true."

Zhao Miao retorted a little, then said seriously: "You are indeed richer than me, but that alone is not enough!"

He chuckled inwardly, 'A country bumpkin from the Lower Realm. Once you reach the Upper Realm, you will realize how ridiculous you are.'

"Are you cursing me in your heart?" Yuan Chen asked, staring at Zhao Miao's expression.

Zhao Miao shook his head righteously: "No!"

Yuan Chen looked at him twice more, then said: "Rest assured, my foundation exceeds your imagination; it's enough to buy your Sect. Just do your job honestly, and when I summon you to the Lower Realm next time, just come down."

"That's no problem!"

Zhao Miao stood bowing to the side and asked tentatively: "Your Majesty has taken root in the Lower Realm to cultivate, without the accumulation of ancient families, without the support of top Sects, and without the blessing of Immortal Realm resources. Yet, the Heaven And Earth Treasure, ancient Supreme treasures, and Secret Realm Opportunity in the Palace Master's hands are shockingly abundant."

"Not to mention the Prodigies of the same generation in the Eastern Wasteland, even the Dragon Clan with its ancient Legacy and the top Sects that have occupied the land for a thousand years, with ten thousand years of accumulated foundation, cannot compare to your personal collection. I even feel that if all the resources accumulated in the entire Lower Realm were gathered together, they wouldn't be as rich as you alone."

"May I ask, where did you get all these things?"

This question was straightforward and genuine, without a shred of malice; it was purely a long-standing confusion in Zhao Miao's heart.

The surrounding factions pricked up their ears one by one; they were curious too, but had never dared to ask.

Hearing this, Yuan Chen's lips curled slightly, and a profound, ambiguous glint flashed in his eyes, but he did not answer directly.

He looked at Zhao Miao quietly, his gaze calm yet carrying a hint of pressure, and said indifferently: "What? Asking this suddenly, are you envious of my family fortune, or jealous of the resources in my hands? Do you want me to fulfill your wish and let you keep Golden Immortal Ao Li company?"

Zhao Miao's face was full of embarrassment: "Just joking! Just joking!" Zhao Miao quickly changed his tune, flattering to change the subject, "Let's talk about the serious business in the Immortal Realm. It was my slip of the tongue; I hope the Palace Master will not take offense."

He hurriedly picked up the previous topic and continued to ask about matters related to the Immortal Realm in depth.

"Your Highness…" Zhao Miao straightened his posture, his tone solemn and respectful. "Don't call me Your Highness anymore; it sounds distant. In the future, just call me Dragon Emperor."

"…" They weren't that familiar yet.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Miao continued: "Then I would like to ask the Dragon Emperor for instructions on one more thing. In the future, when I travel between the two realms to collect intelligence from the heavens, if the upper echelons of the Immortal Realm or the great Immortal Sects and clans ask about the rise of the Palace Master and the Daming Dynasty, how should I respond? Can I report the situation in the Lower Realm truthfully?"

Yuan Chen's gaze was distant, looking toward the vast Void Realm beyond the Nine Heavens clouds, and he said indifferently:

"There is no need to deliberately conceal it, nor is there a need to over-publicize it."

"Too much deliberate concealment is prone to arousing suspicion, and your Sect cannot possibly not know. But if it is over-publicized, exposing the foundation of my Imperial Dynasty and the truth of the mortal world, it will attract the wariness and schemes of the various forces in the Immortal Realm, which would be more trouble than it's worth."

"You just need to grasp the measure, let the Sect know of my existence, and persuade them to cooperate with me."

"By the way, do you have any say?" "A little bit. I have connections at the top; I'll try."

Yuan Chen curled his lips, noncommittal.

Try it then; if it doesn't work, then so be it. Anyway, he wouldn't suffer any losses.

The other side couldn't possibly come down to the Lower Realm to kill him.

Yuan Chen waved his hand slightly, his tone casual: "Just keep this in mind. You can decide on the rest of the trivial matters yourself."

"Alright!" Zhao Miao nodded and seized the Opportunity to speak.

"Dragon Emperor, this subordinate has one more presumptuous request. I dare to beg for the Dragon Emperor's approval." Zhao Miao bowed his head, his tone sincere and earnest.

Yuan Chen looked at him sideways: "Let's hear it."

Having received permission, Zhao Miao took a deep breath and slowly said: "The Zhao Clan previously acted against the tide and became enemies with the Dragon Emperor, committing many mistakes. We deserve death."

"But after all, it is my Zhao clan line, with the same roots. I really cannot bear to see the Zhao Bloodline, which has been passed down for a thousand years, completely severed and extinguished from the mortal world."

"Now the past grievances have all been resolved. I hope the Dragon Emperor will be magnanimous, open the net, forgive the remaining clansmen of this subordinate, and let them live."

Yuan Chen's expression was calm, without a ripple, as if this were just a trivial matter.

He raised his hand indifferently, waved his sleeve casually, and said in a relaxed and calm tone: "A small matter, no need to be so solemn. Since you have already submitted, then let it be."

"Pass the order down: release all remaining members of the Zhao clan."

"Thank you, Dragon Emperor!" Zhao Miao was instantly overjoyed.

This trip to the Lower Realm was truly a full harvest. Not only did he save the remaining clansmen and befriend a Prodigy like Yuan Chen, but he also latched onto a big spender.

Although being supported by someone from the Lower Realm was a bit embarrassing, as long as there was money to be made, it was fine.

The guy throwing out a Medium Grade Immortal Artifact casually was enough to save him hundreds of years of struggle. So good!

He glanced at the large piece of Dragon scale exposed on the city wall: Hmph~

At this moment, all the powerful faction leaders watching from below the high platform felt endless envy in their hearts.

Others saw it very clearly. The current Zhao clan seemed to have only a few people left, broken and withered, like a candle in the wind, just a few insignificant kittens with no hope of rising.

But everyone knew that Zhao Miao was now the exclusive intelligence liaison between the mortal and Immortal Realms appointed by Yuan Chen, the only link between the Daming Dynasty and the Immortal Realm.

With such an Old Ancestor in a high position, holding special privileges, in just a few decades or a century, the Zhao clan, which was on the verge of destruction, would definitely be able to rise rapidly with the help of resources, return to the ranks of the top forces in the Eastern Wasteland, and even surpass its past Peak, with a limitless future!

Everyone sighed in their hearts; this move by Zhao Miao was truly brilliant! Ordinary people couldn't do it.

On the high platform, Zhao Miao calmed his agitated emotions and bowed again: "Dragon Emperor's grace, I will go to the place of detention now, bring back my clansmen, and settle them in!"

"Go." Yuan Chen nodded indifferently.

Subsequently, Yuan Chen raised his hand to signal. Two tall, upright imperial guards with steady auras stepped out in response and stood by, bowing. "Accompany Zhao Miao." "Yes!"

Zhao Miao said no more, bowed respectfully to Yuan Chen, turned around, and followed the two guards, speeding toward the detention area for his clansmen on the outskirts of the Imperial City.

About half an incense stick of time passed in a flash. A figure rose into the air again, stepping on the drifting clouds and clear wind, and quickly returned to the Supreme high platform. It was Zhao Miao, who had returned.

Beside him, a slender and graceful figure followed closely, slowly accompanying him.

The woman wore a simple and elegant white dress, her figure graceful, her posture light, her eyebrows gentle and lively, her temperament cold yet carrying a touch of gentleness and softness.

Zhao Miao led the woman steadily to Yuan Chen. His face changed from the previous respect and sincerity to a slightly fawning, unserious smile. He rubbed his palms together, his posture familiar and slick, deliberately trying to get closer to him.

"Dragon Emperor, this subordinate went to the detention place and brought back all the clansmen. The rest are temporarily settled in the Imperial City courtyard, but I brought back this junior Prodigy of my Zhao clan."

Zhao Miao stepped aside to reveal the woman behind him, his tone full of praise, enthusiastically recommending her: "This woman is the junior with the highest talent, the purest root bones, and the most outstanding appearance in my Zhao clan of this generation, without exception!"

"Not only that, but her appearance, figure, and temperament are rare in the mortal world and unparalleled in the Eastern Wasteland. She is truly a rare, peerless beauty!"

Zhao Miao talked endlessly, praising her highly.

During the gap when they were chatting on the high platform and everyone was watching, Zhao Miao had already figured out some of Yuan Chen's preferences from the subtle chatter and expressions of the various forces.

He knew that although Yuan Chen was a young Supreme, he always favored beauties with outstanding talent, peerless appearance, and a gentle temperament.

Therefore, he specially selected the Zhao clan's top peerless beauty and took the initiative to send her over to make the relationship between the Zhao clan and Yuan Chen closer.

The surrounding people's hearts skipped a beat, and they secretly criticized him, seeing through Zhao Miao's thoughts.

This Zhao Miao is truly too cunning and slick! He is an Immortal, after all; how can he be so shameless?

On the high platform, Zhao Miao was still full of smiles, continuing to earnestly persuade Yuan Chen, his tone incomparably sincere: "Dragon Emperor, my Zhao clan was ignorant and acted against the tide before, committing many mistakes. As the saying goes, it is better to resolve grievances than to knot them. With misunderstandings resolved and grievances dissipated, we should restore our good relations and solidify our bond. After thinking about it repeatedly, the best way is to form a marriage alliance, binding each other with family ties, and completely eliminating all estrangement!"

Yuan Chen sat in the main seat, his gaze falling indifferently on the woman in front of him, examining her carefully.

The woman seemed to notice the Supreme's gaze, but she did not have the slightest bit of timidity or panic; she just lowered her head slightly, her posture dignified and proper.

Such appearance, figure, temperament, and talent—looking at the entire younger generation of the Eastern Wasteland, it was indeed top-tier, impeccable.

A faint appreciation flashed in Yuan Chen's eyes, and then he spoke slowly, his voice gentle and indifferent: "What is your name?"

Hearing this, the woman raised her eyes slightly, her gaze clear and bright, looking at Yuan Chen, who was sitting in the main seat. Her voice was soft, melodious, crisp, and pleasant, like the light ringing of a wind chime: "Replying to the Palace Master, this little woman is Zhao Lingxi."

"Zhao Lingxi…" Yuan Chen murmured the name softly, his lips curling slightly, and he nodded slightly, "Good, accepted."

"Thank you, Dragon Emperor!" Zhao Miao was instantly overjoyed, a huge stone in his heart finally landing, and his whole heart was filled with ecstasy and stability.

Zhao Lingxi's eyebrows curved, and she lowered her head and said: "Lingxi thanks the Palace Master for his favor."

Yuan Chen rubbed his chin, looking at this beauty: "I killed your whole family; you won't secretly poison me, will you?"

"…" Zhao Lingxi was silent for two seconds: "No!"

Yuan Chen nodded, his wrist suddenly reaching out, grasping through the air, precisely catching Zhao Lingxi's slender, white ankle.

"Ugh!" Zhao Lingxi was caught off guard, a light gasp stuck in her throat, and her whole body instantly lost balance.

She had been standing respectfully with her head lowered, her posture proper and defenseless. Suddenly being grabbed by the ankle and lifted into the air, her entire light body was instantly suspended upside down.

Her long hair fell down with a rustle, her black hair flying in the sky, and her originally dignified and elegant white dress slid down slightly. Her figure was disheveled, completely losing the gentle and peerless appearance she had just moments ago, leaving only panic and astonishment.

Zhao Miao's body stiffened, the smile on his face instantly freezing, and he was completely stunned, his mind blank. What are you doing?!

Yuan Chen seemed completely unaware, lifting Zhao Lingxi's body steadily upside down with one hand, his wrist shaking gently, flicking it twice casually.

Ding-ding—two crisp, vibrating sounds rang out.

The clothes around Zhao Lingxi's body vibrated, and several dark-colored Storage Rings slid off one after another.

Clang-clang! Several storage rings flipped in the air and all fell into Yuan Chen's long palm.

Zhao Lingxi, suspended upside down in the air, turned completely pale, her gentle eyes instantly filled with endless panic, no longer having any of the clarity and calmness from before.

Yuan Chen looked down at the several hidden Storage Rings in his palm, his spiritual power slightly spitting out. The fragmented and overbearing Supreme Dao aura instantly swept over and wrapped around them. Without needing to break the complicated Restriction, he violently tore apart the spatial barriers of all the storage rings.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Several storage rings shattered in response, turning into tiny, fragmented spiritual lights that dissipated with the wind.

The next second, Yuan Chen raised his hand, tilted it slightly, and poured it gently toward the ground of the high platform.

Clatter—a dense and chaotic sound of falling suddenly exploded. Countless exquisite jade bottles, pitch-black pill jars, and sealed small glass cups poured out from the broken space, falling like flowing water, smashing heavily onto the bluestone high platform.

"Seven Absolutes Bone-Eroding Powder, Nine Nether Soul-Severing Paste, Thousand-Thread God-Corroding Water, Ten Thousand Gu Heart-Devouring Pill…" He still held the upside-down Zhao Lingxi with one hand, looked at her pale and panicked face, and said unhurriedly: "What is this?"