268: Chapter 268 Cloud Seal Peak

Inside the quiet room, Spiritual Qi swirled like mist. Ye Yisong sat cross-legged, his aura occasionally deep and heavy like an abyss, then surging like a river.

A faint glow radiated from his skin—a sign that the medicinal power of the Tier 5 treasure, the Millennium Snow Ginseng, had not yet been fully refined. Now, aided by the quiet room's Spirit Gathering Formation, it was slowly seeping through his Meridians, nourishing his damaged internal organs and Dantian.

In his mind, the 798 Navigation System remained silent. Only the plea for help once transmitted by the White Lion and the world-destroying pressure of the Demon Emperor lingered, indelible as a brand.

Three days later, the stone door of the secret chamber opened slowly. Ye Yisong walked out, his complexion restored to a healthy ruddiness, and his aura was several times more robust than before entering the Secret Realm, having faintly touched the threshold of the Martial King Realm.

The Zhao Family maid guarding outside saw him emerge and quickly bowed, saying: "Young Master Ye, Young Miss Qingxue and Young Miss Qingyi came twice a few days ago. Seeing that you were in closed-door cultivation, they waited in the courtyard for an hour before leaving on their own."

Ye Yisong nodded, understanding in his heart. His engagement to Zhao Qingxue was merely a Family alliance; the two had no deep relationship. As for that headstrong Zhao Qingyi, she had never thought much of him, a "poor kid from Cang River," and now that he had been unavailable during his closed-door cultivation, she was likely even more resentful.

He did not take this to heart. After freshening up, he headed straight for Zhao Fenghua's Yunzhuan Peak.

In Zhao Fenghua's study, sandalwood incense curled in the air. The old man was holding the Tier 4 Formation Master Legacy Jade Slip, studying it carefully. Seeing Ye Yisong enter, a flash of appreciation crossed his eyes: "Yisong, this trip to the Secret Realm was not in vain. Your aura is much stronger than before."

"This is all thanks to the opportunity given by Grandpa Zhao. I gained something in the Secret Realm and took a few treasure pills, which is why I was able to recover so quickly." Ye Yisong bowed, taking the opportunity to call him "Grandpa," his tone natural.

Zhao Fenghua laughed heartily upon hearing this, stroking his beard: "Good lad, you're quite sensible. You sent this Jade Slip just in time, perfectly filling in some of the gaps in my knowledge of Formations. Grandpa will remember this favor."

As Zhao Fenghua spoke, he took two Formation Plates from his storage ring and handed them over: "This one is a repaired Tier 5 Defensive Formation Plate. The other is a 'Vajra Demon-Breaking Formation Plate' that Grandpa is bestowing upon you extra. It can withstand a strike from a Middle Stage Tier 5 powerhouse and can be used three times. Keep it safe."

Ye Yisong took the Formation Plates, feeling their cold touch. The complex Formation patterns engraved on them shimmered with obscure Spiritual Qi. He was secretly delighted and bowed again to thank him: "Thank you, Grandpa, for your great kindness. This grandson has nothing to repay you with."

"We are already one Family, why the need for thanks?" Zhao Fenghua waved his hand, then changed the subject: "You have gained a lot from this trip to the Secret Realm. You must be thinking of returning to Cangjiang Prefecture, right?"

"Grandpa is wise," Ye Yisong nodded. "My Family members are still worried, and resources in Cangjiang Prefecture are limited. Since I am in Donghai Province, I want to take this opportunity to sell some unused resources in exchange for some cultivation resources, so I can break through to the Martial King Realm sooner."

Zhao Fenghua pondered for a moment and said: "That's fine. The Zhao Family has a merchant ship heading to Nanya Commandery in three days, which will pass through Cangjiang Prefecture. You can travel with the ship; it will be safer with the Zhao Family guards. Within these three days, you are free to enter and exit the Donghai Province market. If you need anything, you can use this token, and the Zhao Family's businesses in the market will facilitate you." As he spoke, he handed over a black gold token engraved with the character "Zhao."

Ye Yisong took the token, feeling grateful: "Thank you, Grandpa, for your thoughtfulness."

After leaving Zhao Fenghua's residence, Ye Yisong did not return directly to his quarters. Instead, he took several Storage Pouches and headed straight for Yuelai Pavilion in the West City.

As the core city of Donghai Province, Kuaiji County's West City was a mix of dragons and snakes. It housed strongholds of various major powers and stalls run by Loose Cultivators. Treasures were dazzling, and risks coexisted with opportunities.

Inside Yuelai Pavilion, the place was bustling with noise, and all kinds of Cultivators were moving about.

Ye Yisong, dressed in green robes with a calm expression, went straight to the trading room on the fourth floor to wait for Brother Shen Jun, having already sent him a message before entering.

He took the unused Talismans from the Secret Realm out of his Storage Pouch, placed them on the table, and waited quietly.

Before entering the Wangchuan Secret Realm, Ye Yisong had specifically made a trip to Yuelai Pavilion to hand in all his Talisman Making tasks for the year.

This was to avoid leaving behind a huge debt and causing a devastating blow to his Family should any accident happen to him in the Secret Realm.

Yuelai Pavilion did not have a rule where the debt disappeared upon death; they would come knocking to "negotiate" the tasks that the Guest Elder needed to complete.

Ye Yisong waited for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before Deacon Yuan Yao, dressed in black, walked in from outside. He informed Ye Yisong that Brother Shen Jun seemed to be tied up with something and had sent him first to attend to Ye Yisong.

"Brother Yuan," Ye Yisong greeted him warmly.

"Brother Ye, it has been a long time. You must have gained a lot from your trip to the Secret Realm, right?" Deacon Yuan Yao looked at Ye Yisong with envy and said.

"Brother Yuan is joking. If given another chance to choose, even if it killed me, I wouldn't step into the Secret Realm again," Ye Yisong said, still feeling lingering fear. He briefly recounted what had happened in the Secret Realm; in any case, these events would spread soon enough.

Hearing Ye Yisong's account, Deacon Yuan Yao was shocked. The Demon Emperor had actually appeared? That was too terrifying!

"Brother Ye, are you here this time to… sell these Talismans and exchange them for cultivation resources?" After chatting for a while, Deacon Yuan Yao asked hesitantly. He remembered that Ye Yisong had already completed his Talisman Making tasks for this year.

"Yes, help me exchange them for some Low Grade cultivation resources and Tier 4 Medicinal Pills," Ye Yisong said. "I will be leaving Donghai Province soon to return to Cangjiang Prefecture, so I want to bring some resources back for the Family."

Deacon Yuan Yao nodded in understanding upon hearing this and said: "Young Master, please wait a moment."

"Brother Ye, my apologies, this older brother arrived late," Brother Shen Jun strode in from outside, a trace of worry not yet fully dissipated from his face.

"It's no trouble. Brother Shen is very busy these days, it's inevitable to have important matters to attend to," Ye Yisong flattered Brother Shen Jun a little. Ever since he had accidentally helped him strike at Ma Kai last time, Brother Shen Jun's influence in Yuelai Pavilion had become increasingly prominent.

"Brother Shen, have you encountered any difficult problems?"

"Sigh, it's because I was gone for a few days, and those money-grubbing subordinates of mine gave me a big surprise," Brother Shen Jun felt inexplicably angry when he mentioned this, wishing he could kick those incompetent ones to death.

"The Governor of Nanya Commandery has ordered one thousand Tier 4 Talismans from us: two hundred High Grade, three hundred Medium Grade, and five hundred Low Grade."

"This would have been a good thing, but Ma Kai in the pavilion recently took an order from Linhai Prefecture, which also requires one thousand five hundred Tier 4 Talismans. Sigh!"

Ye Yisong seemed to understand. Brother Shen Jun might have been set up by Ma Kai again.

Yuelai Pavilion suddenly having an increase of two thousand five hundred Tier 4 Talisman orders in a short time was indeed a bit difficult.

As the centennial beast tide approached, every Talisman Maker had more tasks on hand than before, and there was really no extra room to add additional tasks.

However, he could help Brother Shen Jun overcome this difficulty, and by the way, enrich his own Storage Pouch. It just so happened that he didn't have many Talisman Making Materials left in his Storage Pouch.