"Xingyu, you also practice the Sword Dao?"
Deng Xiuxian spoke with practiced ease, his tone full of self-satisfaction. "The Sword Dao of the Myriad Phenomena Sword Academy does have some merit, but there are still certain flaws in its teachings…"
Yang Cheng quietly shook his head from the side.
Tang Xingyu had already reached the second stage of the Insight God Realm. Her Sword Dao comprehension was profound and refined. Yet this Deng Xiuxian was showing off his shallow knowledge before her—it was like swinging a wooden sword in front of a sword god.
Tang Xingyu kept a polite smile on her lips, but her heart remained utterly calm.
At that moment, a disciple from the Star Sea Chamber of Commerce hurried over and whispered a few words into Deng Xiuxian's ear.
Deng Xiuxian's brows furrowed slightly. He then stood up and said to the group, "I have some matters to handle. I'll take my leave first."
Before leaving, he gave Tang Xingyu another charming smile. "Xingyu, when there's time, we should properly discuss the Sword Dao together."
After he was gone, Tang Xingyu turned to Liu Hongfu, frowning slightly. "Hongfu-jie, you'd better be more careful around this Deng Xiuxian."
But Liu Hongfu waved it off with a smile. "Xingyu, you're overthinking it. Xiuxian just has a proud nature, but he's actually a good person. He treats me very well."
Seeing her response, Tang Xingyu didn't bother saying more.
After cultivating for eight years on Reincarnation Mountain, her feelings toward Liu Hongfu had long since faded into indifference.
—
Elsewhere, Deng Xiuxian arrived at a secluded pavilion.
A subordinate was already waiting for him. As soon as Deng entered, the man hurriedly handed him a stack of documents. "Elder, this is the information we found on the Earth Spirit Heart Pill and that Master Yang."
Deng Xiuxian took the documents and flipped through them quickly. The more he read, the darker his expression grew.
The records contained detailed descriptions of the Earth Spirit Heart Pill, but as for its creator, Master Yang, there were only a few vague lines, each one ambiguous and unclear.
"Useless trash."
He tossed the documents onto the table with a cold expression. "The Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy actually sealed all information related to this Master Yang? Keep investigating. No matter what methods you use, I want his true identity uncovered."
A greedy light flickered in his eyes. "The value of the Earth Spirit Heart Pill is beyond measure. This time, our Star Sea Chamber of Commerce must have it."
The subordinate nodded immediately and retreated.
Deng Xiuxian clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes narrowing with a cold gleam. If he could seize control of the formula for refining the Earth Spirit Heart Pill, his status within the Star Sea Chamber of Commerce would rise to an entirely new level.
—
At the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy, in Yang Cheng's residence.
Lin Shu entered quickly and bowed. "Your Highness, I've gathered some information about Deng Xiuxian and the Star Sea Chamber of Commerce."
"Oh?" Yang Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it."
"On the surface, Deng Xiuxian is an elder of the Chamber of Commerce," Lin Shu said gravely. "But in truth, he's a core member of Star Sea Tower. The Star Sea Chamber of Commerce may appear to be a legitimate trading organization in the Horn Constellation Realm, but behind the scenes, they're little more than a den of bandits. Star Sea Tower is their secret arm—responsible for assassinations, robberies, and all sorts of dirty work. Their methods are extremely vicious. Over the years, countless cultivators have died at their hands."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "I suspect that Deng Xiuxian came here for the Earth Spirit Heart Pill. Should I send people to watch him?"
Yang Cheng's expression didn't change. Instead, he smiled faintly. "No need."
His tone was calm but carried an undeniable authority. "If they dare to make a move, just kill them."
Lin Shu showed no surprise at all and bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Highness."
—
By the banks of the Wudong River, the River-Viewing Tower had become even more luxurious than before.
In the topmost private room, one could overlook the entire stretch of the Wudong River, its shimmering waves glowing under the light.
Inside, Cang Xuanji sat gracefully by the window.
She wore a moon-white long dress, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, her skin fair as snow. Her eyes carried a faint frost, exuding an untouchable chill. She looked like a divine figure carved from ice and jade.
Even in silence, her presence radiated a noble and sacred air that no one would dare offend.
Across from her sat a young girl dressed in a light yellow gown.
The girl looked to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. Her skin was fair and almost translucent, her eyes clear as a mountain stream, and her bearing pure and unblemished, as if untouched by the dust of the mortal world. Every movement she made carried a natural grace, like that of a noble swan gliding across still waters.
"Miss Jiang, please have some tea."
Cang Xuanji lifted her hand and poured a cup of clear tea for the young girl. The liquid was jade-green and fragrant. "This is Spring Rain Tea, unique to the Wasteland Realm. It may not be as precious as the spiritual teas of the Horn Constellation Realm, but it has its own distinct charm."
The girl was none other than Jiang Li, the pearl of the Jiang family from the Central Domain of the Horn Constellation Realm.
She lifted the teacup delicately and took a small sip. A faint glimmer of surprise crossed her eyes. "It's quite good—fresh, mellow, with the earthy scent of rain-soaked soil. Compared to the spiritual teas of the Central Domain, it feels more natural, wilder, and purer."
Her movements were elegant and composed, the very image of a refined lady from an illustrious family.
Cang Xuanji set down the teapot and asked calmly, "Miss Jiang, your status is noble. Why would you suddenly come to a place like the Wasteland Realm?"
Jiang Li placed her teacup down softly. "I came to find my fiancé."
"Fiancé?" Cang Xuanji was slightly taken aback. "May I ask who that is?"
"Dongfang Sheng," Jiang Li said with calm honesty. "He's the young master of the White Fish Society in the Western Region."
Surprise flickered in Cang Xuanji's eyes.
She had some impression of Dongfang Sheng—among the disciples of the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy, he was rather unremarkable, barely noticeable at all. She never expected him to be the heir of the White Fish Society, much less that he was engaged to the cherished daughter of the Central Domain's Jiang family.
"I see," Cang Xuanji said with a slight nod. "Searching for someone is fine, but the Wasteland Realm is no ordinary backwater. You'll need to keep a low profile while acting here."
"Hmph."
A middle-aged woman in a gray robe standing behind Jiang Li suddenly spoke up. Her aura was restrained yet sharp, and her eyes glinted with a keen edge. "What do you mean by that, Miss Cang? Are you suggesting there's someone in this barren realm who could possibly threaten my young lady?"
Jiang Li immediately interjected, "Aunt Ping, mind your manners."
She turned back to Cang Xuanji with an apologetic smile. "Please don't take offense, Miss Cang. Aunt Ping speaks bluntly, but she's incredibly powerful. Below the Yin God Realm, there are few who could stand against her."
Cang Xuanji didn't seem offended. Her tone, however, grew more serious. "Offending most people here might not matter. But there's one person you must absolutely never provoke."
"Who?" Meng Ping asked in a low, steady voice.
"The Crown Prince of Great Zhou—Yang Cheng."
Cang Xuanji enunciated each word clearly.
Meng Ping's expression turned solemn at once. It was clear she had heard that name before.
Jiang Li blinked in confusion. "Aunt Ping, do you know this person?"
Meng Ping didn't answer her directly. Instead, she looked at Cang Xuanji, a glint of battle spirit flickering in her eyes. "Miss Cang, to tell the truth, I've admired the Crown Prince of Great Zhou for quite some time. I would very much like the chance to exchange a few moves with him."
Jiang Li's surprise deepened.
From their conversation, it seemed this Crown Prince of Great Zhou was someone from the Wasteland Realm. But how could someone from such a remote place earn Aunt Ping's respect—someone so powerful that few below the Yin God Realm could challenge her?
Cang Xuanji lifted her teacup again, her voice unhurried. "If you truly wish to meet him, that's quite easy. The Crown Prince of Great Zhou is currently at the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy, serving as the instructor of the Pill Institute."
At those words, Meng Ping's face stiffened instantly, her mouth half open yet speechless.
Moments later, Jiang Li and Meng Ping left the River-Viewing Tower and stepped into an ornate carriage waiting outside.
As the carriage began to move slowly down the riverside road, Jiang Li couldn't help but ask, "Aunt Ping, is this Yang Cheng really that formidable?"