Chapter 1725: Fairy Scattering Flowers
Hundred Flowers Palace.
The Hundred Flowers Fairy, Ji Fanxin, wearing a white veil, sat gracefully across from Zhang Ruochen. Her jade-like hands were soft and seemingly boneless as she gently warmed the renowned Fairy Scattering Flowers wine, known across the realms.
The Fairy Scattering Flowers wine was a divine nectar brewed by Ji Fanxin herself, using petals from a hundred types of sacred flowers. It could only be purchased at the Hundred Flowers Palace’s auction house, and its price was exorbitantly high.
Just being able to drink Fairy Scattering Flowers wine was a dream cherished by countless men.
If one could drink the Fairy Scattering Flowers wine personally warmed by the Hundred Flowers Fairy, many cultivators would likely be willing to pay with their lives.
A single cup from the fairy’s hand surpassed countless worldly pleasures.
Yao Jue Wang and Qian Liwen stood behind the Hundred Flowers Fairy, their postures as steady as pines, but their eyes were extremely vigilant, especially toward the black iron figure standing behind Zhang Ruochen.
“Gurgle, gurgle.”
The wine bubbled as it warmed.
The aroma of the wine was elegant, like a hundred flowers blooming, filling the air with floral fragrance, making one feel as if they were amidst a sea of flowers.
Petals actually began to condense—white, pink, bright red, light purple... petals of various colors drifted through the space, like a fairy scattering flowers.
The Hundred Flowers Fairy filled a cup and handed it to Zhang Ruochen. “Try it.”
Aside from drinking with Feng Yan and Xiang Chunan, Zhang Ruochen rarely indulged in alcohol. Yet, the Fairy Scattering Flowers wine, personally warmed by the Hundred Flowers Fairy, was irresistibly tempting. With just a light sniff, he felt completely intoxicated.
For a man, fine wine and a beautiful woman were the hardest to let down.
And the wine offered by a beautiful woman was even harder to refuse.
Zhang Ruochen took the cold jade night-light cup and took a small sip. Instantly, specks of light flew out from his body, as if he had merged with the sea of petals, feeling light enough to float off the ground.
Zhang Ruochen couldn’t help but exclaim, “Excellent wine.”
The Fairy Scattering Flowers wine surpassed even the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden’s Non-Breaking Precept Wine.
Both were fine wines.
Both women were exceptionally beautiful.
But while the Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden simply loved drinking, the Hundred Flowers Fairy understood how to brew and warm wine. There was still a gap between the two in the way of wine.
“No matter how good the wine, it’s just wine. How could it compare to your impressive methods?” said the Hundred Flowers Fairy.
Zhang Ruochen set down the night-light cup. “What does the fairy mean by that?”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy’s breathtakingly beautiful eyes fixed on the black iron figure behind Zhang Ruochen. “Even the leader of the Ten Thousand Evil Realm has been subdued by you. Isn’t that an impressive method?”
In truth, Zhang Ruochen didn’t want too many cultivators to know Xie Chengzi’s identity. The black armor, a Ten-Thousand Pattern Sacred Artifact, was meant to conceal Xie Chengzi’s aura.
Yet, the Hundred Flowers Fairy was so sharp that she saw through Xie Chengzi’s identity at a glance.
Yao Jue Wang and Qian Liwen both showed shock on their faces, clearly not expecting that a villain like Xie Chengzi would become one of Zhang Ruochen’s guards.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. “Impressive! As a Primordial Ancient Illumination Divine Lotus, it’s no easy feat to hide anything from your immortal eyes.”
“This time, it has nothing to do with my eyesight. It’s because I possess an item that resonates with the evil energy inside Xie Chengzi.”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy produced a dark red iron ring, covered in ancient inscriptions, exuding a chilling evil aura.
That evil aura was of the same origin as the evil energy emanating from Xie Chengzi.
Zhang Ruochen asked, “What is this?”
The black iron figure behind Zhang Ruochen’s eyes turned red, and he said coldly, “So it was you who took the Bloodthirsty Ring I forged.”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy said calmly, “Remember the mass grave of ten thousand corpses I took you to? This iron ring was found at the bottom of that pit, absorbing the blood and sacred energy of those female corpses. It’s still only a semi-finished product.”
The black iron figure quickly bowed to Zhang Ruochen. “Master, the Bloodthirsty Ring is a supreme evil treasure. I gathered countless rare and precious materials to forge it into shape. Once completed, its power would be boundless, capable of striking stars above and suppressing mountains and rivers below.”
Zhang Ruochen waved his hand, signaling him to step back.
Zhang Ruochen could also see that the Bloodthirsty Ring was extraordinary. Though an evil artifact, it was undoubtedly immensely powerful. He said, “A wicked sacred artifact like the Bloodthirsty Ring seems useless in the fairy’s hands.”
“Correct. I have no interest in it. If you want it, just pay me thirty million sacred stones, and I’ll sell it to you,” the Hundred Flowers Fairy said impassively.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Thirty million sacred stones would be more than enough to buy a Five-Shine Ten-Thousand Pattern Sacred Artifact. Fairy, we’re friends, aren’t you trying to rip me off?”
“Is the Bloodthirsty Ring inferior to a Five-Shine Ten-Thousand Pattern Sacred Artifact?”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy’s gaze shifted to the black iron figure.
The black iron figure quickly stepped forward. “Master, let me pay the thirty million sacred stones. We must buy back the Bloodthirsty Ring.”
Zhang Ruochen frowned. “Is this a place for you to speak? Step back.”
Spending thirty million sacred stones wasn’t difficult for Zhang Ruochen.
But if he could haggle, why be a fool?
Now, through the black iron figure’s reaction, the Hundred Flowers Fairy had seen that the Bloodthirsty Ring’s value far exceeded thirty million sacred stones. Haggling with her was no longer possible.
He just hoped she wouldn’t raise the price.
Zhang Ruochen said, “Fine, thirty million sacred stones, deal.”
Not giving the Hundred Flowers Fairy a chance to raise the price, Zhang Ruochen raised both hands, using a space-grabbing technique, and snatched the Bloodthirsty Ring into his hand.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen act, Yao Jue Wang activated his sacred energy, and a powerful sacred might surged toward Zhang Ruochen.
“Stop.”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy shouted lightly.
“Bang.”
Zhang Ruochen tossed out a storage bag containing thirty million sacred stones, landing it before the Hundred Flowers Fairy.
The Hundred Flowers Fairy didn’t even glance at the storage bag, instead staring at Zhang Ruochen with a smile in her beautiful eyes. “What a fine technique of grabbing from a distance. So you’re the famous Lin Yue. I should have guessed earlier. I don’t want these thirty million sacred stones. Give me a thousand drops of divine spring instead.”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy’s true form was a Primordial Ancient Illumination Divine Lotus, and divine spring was highly beneficial to her.
“I knew I couldn’t hide it from the fairy.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “But we already agreed on a price. Thirty million sacred stones it is, and it can’t be changed.”
“Fine.”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy took out the Golden Step Dragon Chariot, holding it in her palm. “The Nine-Dragon Chariot—do you still want to redeem it?”
“Of course,” Zhang Ruochen said.
The Hundred Flowers Fairy said, “Trade it for divine spring.”
Zhang Ruochen gave a bitter smile. “Back when I was in my most difficult time, the fairy lent me a hand. I’ve always remembered that kindness, thinking the fairy was above worldly matters, not driven by profit, a truly remarkable woman of sentiment and righteousness. But... your current actions—aren’t you taking advantage of my predicament?”
“Don’t praise me so highly. I’m not as good as you say.”
Then the Hundred Flowers Fairy added, “But I won’t take advantage of you. You owe me a total of one hundred seventy-two million sacred stones. Just give me five thousand drops of divine spring, and I’ll return the Nine-Dragon Chariot. At the market price of thirty thousand sacred stones per drop of divine spring, my offer is already very, very generous.”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “No, no. While the market price is thirty thousand sacred stones per drop, even if you offered more sacred stones, you probably couldn’t buy a single drop. Has the fairy ever seen anyone sell divine spring? I’ll give you the one hundred seventy-two million sacred stones right now.”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy’s brows furrowed slightly. “Four thousand drops of divine spring.”
Zhang Ruochen took out a storage bag and handed it to the Hundred Flowers Fairy, smiling. “Here’s one hundred eighty million sacred stones. The extra eight million are a gift to thank the fairy for your generous help back then.”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy looked a bit deflated. “You’ve collected so much divine spring. Is it really that hard to sell me four thousand drops?”
Zhang Ruochen’s smile faded, and he said bitterly, “If I truly had over a hundred thousand drops of divine spring, given our friendship, I’d sell you not just four thousand, but even ten thousand drops. But to be honest, I’m just collecting divine spring for someone else. The divine spring I have on me now doesn’t even total ten thousand drops.”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy seemed thoughtful. “Someone else? The Thousand Star Heavenly Maiden or Mo Xiaogu?”
Zhang Ruochen’s mind flashed with the moving figure of the Heavenly Beginning Fairy, and a smile appeared on his face. He shook his head. “I really can’t say. I hope the fairy understands.”
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen was telling the truth, the Hundred Flowers Fairy didn’t press further and returned the Golden Step Dragon Chariot to him. “Returning it to its rightful owner.”
Zhang Ruochen took the Golden Step Dragon Chariot, feeling elated. “To be honest, when the fairy rides the Golden Step Dragon Chariot, it’s quite majestic, like a beautiful empress on a tour. But I’m puzzled—riding it would undoubtedly reveal your connection to me. Aren’t you afraid of being targeted by the Heavenly Realm Faction?”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy said, “In the mist sea on the fourth level of the Truth Divine Temple, I realized something. As a cultivator, one should act freely, not always be timid and restrained. A dragon lurking in the abyss, if it hides too long, loses its edge and dares not soar through the nine heavens. Being targeted by the Heavenly Realm Faction might not be a bad thing—it’s a form of tempering and challenge. Besides, the Thousand Stamen Realm is a key member of the Demon God Realm Faction and isn’t afraid of the Heavenly Realm Faction.”
“The fairy has already reached the fourth level of the Truth Divine Temple?” Zhang Ruochen was astonished.
After all, Zhang Ruochen was still on the third level, the Thick Earth Small World, and even so, his mastery of the Way of Truth surpassed ninety-nine percent of cultivators in the Truth Heaven Domain.
The fourth level of the Truth Divine Temple was likely only accessible to the top ten divine transmission disciples.
The Hundred Flowers Fairy said, “During my last seclusion, I happened to comprehend the two realms of the third level, so I went to take a look at the fourth.”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “Still, something’s off. With the fairy’s cultivation level and mastery of the Way of Truth, even crossing the eighth sea region to reach the ninth should be possible. Why are you still stuck at the seventh?”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy gave Zhang Ruochen a deep look, then petals flew out, enveloping the two of them. Yao Jue Wang, Qian Liwen, Xie Chengzi, and the others vanished from sight.
Only then did the Hundred Flowers Fairy speak. “Because of the Truth Esoterica.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes narrowed sharply.
The Hundred Flowers Fairy continued, “Though a cultivator should act freely and not always be timid, they can’t push themselves to death either, right? You crossed the Truth Sea far too conspicuously.”
…
Tonight, Xiao Yu will reveal some spoilers on the WeChat public account regarding issues readers have been concerned about.
For example: Eight hundred years ago, is Ming Emperor’s wife, Zhang Ruochen’s biological mother, still alive?
Another example: When will Zhang Ruochen’s master, Xuanji Sword Saint, and his disciple, Han Xue, reappear?
Another example: What was the great task Ming Emperor assigned to the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion when they took the treasury of the Holy Bright Central Empire?
…
Tonight, Xiao Yu will answer these questions one by one. Readers who want to know can search for “Feitian Yu” on WeChat and follow.