At the Ninth Inn, Lin Cheng personally hosted a banquet in honor of Ye Futian and the visitors from the ancient royal family of Duan.
Many cultivators in the inn were paying attention to this meeting. They had guessed where the group of people came from, and now, all of Ninth Street was closely watching their interactions.
At the banquet, Lin Cheng personally poured wine for the young couple who sat in the main seats. Ye Futian didn’t know how to address them but heard the young man smile and said, “I think Master Qi must have guessed a thing or two, so elder doesn’t need to hide it.”
Lin Cheng smiled and nodded. He gestured with his hand and said politely, “Your Highness, please.”
The young man nodded with a smile and cast a glance at Ye Futian. As expected, Ye Futian’s expression remained steady. “The master must have already guessed who we are.”
“Tianyi Pavilion is the number one trading pavilion on Ninth Street, and both of you were able to command the Pavilion Master of Tianyi Pavilion. Who else could you be other than the cultivators from the ancient royal family? But, of course, I have no idea as to your actual identities.” Ye Futian didn’t continue with his pompous facade. Facing those from the ancient royal family, it would be preposterous for him to continue with this act.
On Giant Gods Continent, the ancient royal family of Duan was a peak existence. No matter how powerful an alchemy grandmaster might be, his status would not be higher than that of the man in front of him.
“I am Duan Yi, and this is my sister Duan Shang, and we are members of the ancient royal family.” The young man introduced themselves to Ye Futian, looking very polite and courteous, without the hubris of being a descendent of the Duan family.
The ancient royal family of Duan had many descendants, and the competitions were fierce among them. Of course, what they were pursuing was not power but cultivation. In the cultivating world, power was determined by cultivation level, and a powerful alchemy grandmaster could provide great benefits to cultivation, thus, a subject for recruitment.
Therefore, Duan Yi had displayed enough respect toward Ye Futian without the slightest exhibition of superiority.
“Your Highnesses,” Ye Futian bowed slightly with his hands together. They came from the ancient royal family and had the surname of Duan. Their identities were beyond doubt. Now that he had come into contact with the prince and princess of the ancient royal family, his plan was halfway there.
He could even take them down right now, but it would be complicated. Moreover, he wouldn’t get away easily because he still needed assistance from Old Ma.
The most important part of the plan was to tease out important figures from the ancient royal family. Now that Duan Yi and Duan Shang were right in front of him, his plan was on track, as long as there were no unexpected events.
“Master is overly courteous.” Duan Yi waved his hand and said, “Master’s alchemy technique is so outstanding that it’s unfathomable we have never heard of your name before. Where is the master cultivating?”
“I’m not a cultivator of the Giant Gods Continent and have been traveling around the Shangqing Domain in search of medicinal plants and to practice alchemy. Now that my alchemy technique has gotten better, I came to the Giant Gods City for some hard-to-find materials, “Ye Futian replied.
“No wonder.” Duan Yi nodded, “It is true that only the main continent of the Upper Nine Heavens has the possibility of finding Phoenix Marrow of 10,000 Years. Is the master intent on making the Immortal Elixir?”
“So, Your Highness is aware?” Ye Futian looked at the other.
“This Immortal Elixir is said to be capable of life and death, as well as growing flesh from scratch, a truly divine potion. I heard from the elders in the palace that the Phoenix Marrow of 10,000 Years is its main medicinal ingredient. Why is the master so eager for the Immortal Elixir?” Duan Yi asked again.
“I have been seriously injured before, which left a major defect in my Great Path, so I require the Immortal Elixir.” Ye Futian turned his eyes to look at other places. Duan Yi looked at Ye Futian’s face and said understandingly, “I am too nosey. Let me drink up as an apology.” As he finished speaking, he drained the content of the cup by himself.
“No worries, Your Highness,” Ye Futian said.
“The master is outstanding in both alchemy and cultivation. I am curious as to who had the pleasure of calling you their disciple?” Duan Shang regarded Ye Futian with her beautiful eyes and asked. Duan Yi raised his brows slightly; this was also the question he wanted to ask, but it was better for Duan Shang to pose it.
It was hardly possible for such a formidable character to cultivate independently; there were not many like him in all of the Giant Gods Continent. In addition to his excellent alchemical ability, his Great Path of cultivation was also flawless.
If Ye Futian had a master, the person must be someone extremely eminent, and it was possible that they would have heard of the person too.
Ye Futian directed his gaze at Duan Shang. Under the stare of those eyes peeking out beneath the mask, Duan Shang felt an invisible pressure. Ye Futian’s eyes seemed to be bottomless, as vast as a starry sky.
Duan Shang had a feeling that this grandmaster must not be very advanced in age.
“My master prefers peace and quiet without being disturbed. He instructed me that I may only reveal his identity to extremely close confidantes and to bring them to see him,” Ye Futian replied pleasantly. Duan Shang was a little stunned, and she then avoided Ye Futian’s eyes after that. His explanation seemed reasonable, but why was it that she felt something was out of place?
However, many hermits cultivated in seclusion. Perhaps, Ye Futian’s master was one of them, which was not entirely surprising.
“If so, we won’t inquire further.” Duan Yi said, “Is the master comfortable staying here? If you came to the palace as our guest, it would allow us to host the master properly.”
“That’s quite alright. This inn is pretty good, and Elder Lin is taking good care of me.” Ye Futian responded with a smile and thought that there was no way he would go to the palace. If he did, he would be under their control.
“Alright then. After I get back, I will search for the Phoenix Marrow of 10,000 Years for the master.” Duan Yi didn’t skip a beat. Although Ye Futian had pulled back in his swagger, the arrogance in his bones was still there. Even with them, there was not the slightest hint of fawning. It was as if their status as prince and princess was not enough for him to lower himself in any way.
But because of this, Duan Yi felt that Ye Futian was more than what met the eye, and perhaps his master was really someone even more prestigious, which would explain his confidence.
They chatted for a while longer before Duan Yi and Duan Shang bid their farewell. When they left, Ye Futian added, “Even if the Phoenix Marrow of 10,000 Years cannot be found, please be sure to send word so that if I leave, I will have a chance to say goodbye to Your Highness.”
The two nodded slightly as Ye Futian’s eyes fell on Duan Shang, making her feel a little peculiar.
“No problem, even if we don’t find it, we will visit the master soon,” Duan Yi replied.
“Since we are friends, no need to be so formal. If your Highness doesn’t think I am being too bold, perhaps you may address me as Brother Qi,” Ye Futian continued.
“If Brother Qi doesn’t mind, it is the best.” Duan Yi smiled heartily. “If so, we will visit Brother Qi again tomorrow.”
“Very well.” Ye Futian nodded. “Goodbye, Brother Duan and Princess Shang.”
The two left and headed towards the palace. Duan Yi smiled and said, “Master Qi is quite interesting. He calls me Brother Duan but addressed you as Princess Shang. His way of talking was quite amusing.”
Duan Shang’s expression was cold when she said, “I feel this man was a little unusual.”
“Indeed.” Duan Yi nodded. “A such a powerful alchemy grandmaster is unfathomable. If he wanted, he could go to any top principalities. I wonder if he has wanted anything else other than the Phoenix Marrow of 10,000 years.”
“Mmm,” Duan Shang acknowledged.
“It’s fine. We’ll have to investigate him a little more,” Duan Yi said. He smiled and told the person behind him, “After we get back, send a few cultivators of the Ninth Realm from the palace to Ninth Street. Remember to tell them to act normally and don’t do anything. Just be ready for our orders.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” The man behind him nodded.
“I’m curious about where this master really comes from,” Duan Yi said with a smile. He had completely lost the friendly and insouciant guise that he wore when he was with Ye Futian. He seemed calculating.
In the Ninth Inn, Ye Futian returned to his room after the others had left. He closed the door and took out the communication device as a divine consciousness shot into it, transmitting a message.
After he sent out the message, a light lit up from the device as the response was transmitted back. Ye Futian put away the device, then closed his eyes to meditate.
He must act quickly this time, and they couldn’t afford any delays that would give way to unforeseen changes. If he was careless, failure was all but certain.
On this day, a major event concerning the ancient royal family of Duan occurred in the Giant Gods City. The envoy from Four Corner Village arrived at the ancient royal family and demanded the release of their people. Just recently, news from Four Corner Village had spread to Giant Gods Continent, and many powerful figures in Giant Gods City had heard about it by now. The presence of the envoy from Four Corner Village caused quite a stir.
After Zhang Ye arrived at the palace, he was not received by the Overlord of the ancient royal family. Instead, a prince met with him, and as expected, did not agree to hand over the hostages. However, Zhang Ye was allowed to see Fang Gai and his son to ensure their wellbeing. It was obvious that they just wanted the divine techniques, which Fang Gai refused to give up. As long as they could get their hands on the divine techniques, they would release the hostages.
Zhang Ye proposed to communicate with Four Corner Village and settled down in the palace. At the same time, he sent back the latest information, which was also shared with Ye Futian. He was relieved to know that Fang Gai and his son were still alive and well, although this was expected.
Next, it all hinged on his plan. In a way, Zhang Ye would be facing some danger, but nothing would happen to Zhang Ye as long as the plan succeeded.
Ye Futian continued making panacea in the inn. Many from Ninth Street requested to see him, but Ye Futian had declined all such requests. Those who wanted to see him had no choice but to leave, unaware that Ye Futian’s refusal to meet with them was his attempt of not getting anyone else in trouble later on!
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