Chapter 1079: Selling the House

Chapter 1079: For Sale

The next day, the warm sunlight bathed the entire You Du in its glow. The whole land came alive with the sun's rays, and You Du bustled with activity once more—people setting up stalls, flirting, completing tasks, gambling—everything proceeding in an orderly fashion.

Inside the stone stele, Ye Chen had been sitting cross-legged in meditation all night. Perched on a cloud, he appeared dignified and serene, like an ancient monk in deep contemplation, his body radiating golden light as his golden vital energy surged like the sea. Vaguely, one could see a massive phoenix and a dragon shadow circling his body; the phoenix was Qi Cai, and the dragon was golden, remnants from Ye Chen having absorbed the Qi Cai Feng Huang and Ba Wang Long bloodlines.

Not far away, Xiao Ying watched Ye Chen, its eagle eyes flickering with divine light. Ye Chen had become truly extraordinary.

Pop!

Soon, it seemed something in the void shattered, making Xiao Ying's eyes light up instantly. Ye Chen had broken through; a beam of light rose from his Tian Ling cover toward the sky, advancing his cultivation from Tian Jing first level to Tian Jing second level, and finally stabilizing at the peak of Tian Jing second level.

This might have been Ye Chen's slowest breakthrough yet. A hundred years ago, he was already at Tian Jing first level, and it took a full century to reach Tian Jing second level. This perfectly confirmed that at his level, advancing was like ascending to heaven one step at a time. Moreover, his foundation was incredibly deep and solid, which was another reason for the slow progress.

Of course, the spatial black hole couldn't be overlooked as a factor. In that hundred years of darkness, Ye Chen had endured immense hardship, exhausting his last spirit stone and burning his Sheng Xue just to survive. The lack of nourishment, combined with backlash and hidden injuries, had hindered his breakthrough. Now, by absorbing the Qi Cai Feng Huang blood, he had not only healed his hidden injuries but also pushed his realm beyond its previous peak. This was undoubtedly a stroke of great fortune, making his foundation even more robust.

Huff!

After some time, Ye Chen exhaled a long breath of turbid air and slowly opened his eyes, two beams of tangible divine light shooting from his pupils as if piercing through the void.

At the sight, Xiao Ying spread its wings and landed on Ye Chen's shoulder, letting out joyful eagle cries.

What a blessing!

Ye Chen smiled slightly and glanced at the pile of shattered stone fragments on the ground. The Qi Cai Feng Huang blood sealed within that stone had given him tremendous fortune, and he was even more curious about its origins.

Suddenly, Ye Chen made a firm decision: he would seek out the stall owner again, no matter the cost, to find out where the stone came from. He was certain it was connected to the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Time to make some money!

Clearing his thoughts, Ye Chen stood up and stretched vigorously, feeling inexhaustible divine power coursing through his body.

As he left the stone stele, Ye Chen had transformed into a burly man with a scar on his face. This disguise was for heading to the Mu Jia gambling house to win big—he wasn't about to let yesterday's loss slide.

Ye Chen left, but he hung a wooden sign on the stone stele with two large characters carved on it: Mai Fang.

Ye Chen really intended to sell the house. With the money from the sale plus the source stones he had, he could buy property in You Du's second level heaven. This was all to gain access to the third level heaven and search for the reincarnated one.

Although he believed he could shine in the upcoming alchemist selection and perhaps gain special privileges from the Zhu Jia, he knew nothing was absolute—what if he didn't make it? Ever cautious, he decided to prepare on both fronts and secure a property in the second level heaven first.

By the time he spoke, Ye Chen had already arrived in You Du's second level heaven.

This time, he walked slowly, his gaze scanning the stalls on both sides, hoping to find another treasure. He even paused for a while at the stall from yesterday.

However, Ye Chen wasn't as lucky this time. There were plenty of treasures on the stalls, but none compared to the phoenix blood.

As he continued, Ye Chen spotted the Mu Jia gambling house in the distance.

Let's do this!

Ye Chen cracked his neck and flexed his fists, ready for a big win. He couldn't let yesterday's humiliation go unavenged—the mighty Heavenly Court Holy Lord and the tenth emperor of Great Chu, thrown out like that? Unthinkable.

Early in the morning, the Mu Jia gambling house was still bustling, with people coming and going, most carrying source stones to try their luck, while others who had lost everything the night before cursed nonstop as they left.

Hmm?

Just as Ye Chen stepped forward to enter, he felt a divine light descending from above, landing on him.

Instinctively, he looked up and saw a palm-sized divine mirror floating above the gambling house.

Buzz! Buzz!

The Shen Ji Jing hummed continuously, radiating brilliant divine light and weaving profound Dao rhythms, as if it could reveal all illusions in the world. It was an extraordinary treasure, even making Ye Chen feel a sense of surprise.

There wasn't a Shen Ji Jing here yesterday!

Ye Chen muttered to himself while stroking his chin, then glanced at the mirror before stepping into the gambling house.

Right away, Ye Chen saw someone—it was the purple-robed elder who had dragged him away yesterday.

Seeing the purple-robed elder made Ye Chen's hands itch; that old man was the one who had thrown him out.

Though annoyed, Ye Chen didn't show it and continued walking with a casual swagger. He needed to play the long game—he was here to win money, not fight.

He was disguised and using the Tai Xu soul-concealing technique to avoid being recognized, and he figured the purple-robed elder wouldn't see through it.

"Xiao you, you're here again?"

As he walked, the purple-robed elder blocked Ye Chen's path with a smile.

"What do you mean 'again'? This is my first time."

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously, not really welcome."

The purple-robed elder stroked his beard.

"Running a business and kicking people out? Is that how it works?"

Ye Chen's voice was rough, matching his burly appearance, his face full of menace, like a bandit who lived by the blade—his act was spot-on.

"Our master said that anyone like you spotted in the gambling house gets thrown out."

"I can't believe this—do you even know who I am? I—"

"Of course, I know exactly who you are."

Ye Chen hadn't finished speaking when the purple-robed elder interrupted, lightly flicking his sleeve. Ye Chen's burly disguise instantly reverted to his true appearance.

"I—"

Ye Chen nearly choked, completely caught off guard. The purple-robed elder had recognized him all along, and here he was, putting on this whole performance like a fool.

"Xiao you, coming so early to support us is thoughtful. This old one should show some hospitality."

Seeing Ye Chen's stunned expression, the purple-robed elder's smile widened as he casually raised his palm and slapped Ye Chen's bewildered face with a powerful strike.

Smack!

In the blink of an eye, Ye Chen went flying out of the gambling house.

Whoa!

The entire gambling house froze for a second, but only for a second—everyone was more interested in the dice rolls than in Ye Chen's exit.

Whoa!

Outside the gambling house, Ye Chen picked himself up, his legs wobbling and his head buzzing, stars dancing in his vision.

Hee-hee-hee!

In a private room on the third floor of the Mu Jia gambling house, Mu Wan Qing watched Ye Chen get tossed into the street and burst into laughter. It was just like last night—his pose was impressively dramatic.

"Saintess, this person is indeed quite remarkable."

The purple-robed elder entered, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"Not to mention anything else, his disguise technique is profoundly mysterious. Without the Shen Ji Jing giving prior warning, even my keen eyes would have missed it."

"Of course I know he's not simple."

Mu Wan Qing withdrew her gaze and pulled out a wine gourd from her storage bag.

"I think it's better to befriend someone like him. We can't keep the Shen Ji Jing hanging over the gambling house entrance forever."

"Let's wait and see."

Mu Wan Qing took a swig of wine.

"His background is too mysterious. He could be someone sent by Ku Yue or Xuan Yu and the other imperial brothers. The Mu Jia shadow guards are investigating him. Until we confirm his identity, I won't bring him under Mu Jia's banner."

"I see."

The purple-robed elder slapped his forehead in realization.

"You're right, Saintess."

"Special times call for special measures."

Mu Wan Qing took a deep breath.

"If he's truly innocent, I'll personally apologize to him. I need to build a few trustworthy allies for Xuan Yu."

"Speaking of the Ninth Imperial Prince, his situation is truly precarious."

The purple-robed elder sighed.

"I hear his cultivation has dropped again, and the Zhu Que Jia is gradually stripping his powers. Aside from the title of Ninth Imperial Prince, he has little left. With the other imperial princes pressuring him, it's hard for him to turn things around."

"I believe he'll regain his former glory one day."

Mu Wan Qing's drunken eyes shimmered with determination.

"Saintess, please hear this old one's advice."

The purple-robed elder bowed to Mu Wan Qing.

"For a fallen figure like Xuan Yu, Mu Jia has already faced enormous pressure. Not just the other imperial princes, but even Ku Yue, that seventh-tier alchemist, is beyond what we can handle."

"Don't mention Ku Yue to me."

Mu Wan Qing smashed the wine gourd, her beautiful eyes flashing with icy fury.

"Xuan Yu's downfall is all thanks to him. Just because Xuan Yu injured one of his disciples, he stooped to such lows. He's a disgrace as a senior."

"Still, I say the same thing—stay out of Zhu Que Jia's affairs, Saintess."

"There's no need to discuss it further. Focus on finding the Sheng Xue."

Mu Wan Qing waved him off and turned to leave.