After one night, the next day, the Snow Clan guide came to their residence and led them towards the clan’s main hall. It was clear the Snow Clan had finished their discussions and were ready to trade with them.
Arriving at the largest building in the Snow Clan’s territory, the guide gestured for the two of them to enter and then retreated. The clan’s main hall, much like the Sky Hall of the Wan Hen Sect, was not a place one could enter freely.
Walking into this huge palace built of ice and snow, someone naturally led the two to the discussion hall and arranged for them to be seated.
Many Snow Clan members were already seated in the discussion hall. They couldn’t help but size up the newly arrived Lin Wuxi and Yu Huang. Young people capable of researching the Ice Wind Formation and possessing Cloud Stones—only a few could be found in the entire cultivation world.
The one seated in the main position was clearly the Snow Clan Chief. The Chief looked at them, smiled, and nodded. He said to Yu Huang, “Elder Xue Li has told me about your matter. Our clan does indeed have the Snow Lotus Fruit, and we are willing to exchange it with you two for the Cloud Stone and the Ice Wind Formation diagram. But now, I still want to solemnly ask you two again: are you truly sure you want to exchange for our Snow Lotus Fruit?”
“Yes,” Yu Huang nodded. At the same time, she took out the Cloud Stone from her storage bag. “We do indeed need the Snow Lotus Fruit. This is the Cloud Stone. After we receive the Snow Lotus Fruit, I will also give you the method for drawing the Ice Wind Formation.”
The Chief took the Cloud Stone and examined it. Confirming it was genuine, he nodded. With a call, a Snow Clan member came in carrying a tray with the Snow Lotus Fruit, placed it in front of Yu Huang, and gestured for her to inspect it.
The Snow Clan had always been known for their excellent reputation. Yu Huang didn’t inspect it closely and instead cupped her fists. “Yu Huang thanks all you Snow Clan seniors. Soon, it will be my master’s birthday banquet. On behalf of the Wan Hen Sect, I would like to invite the Snow Clan. I hope all seniors will honor us with your presence at our sect.” Just like last time, Yu Huang didn’t bow. Instead, several invitation cards slowly floated towards all the Snow Clan members present.
The Snow Clan Chief nodded with satisfaction and replied, “In that case, please thank the Sect Master of Wan Hen Sect on our behalf, Fairy Yu Huang. The Snow Clan will definitely attend the celebration.”
Having obtained the snow lotus fruit, Yu Huang and Lin Wuxi had completed their mission for the Snow Mountain trip. There was no need to stay any longer. After bidding farewell to the Snow Clan, Yu Huang rode Lin Wuxi’s Qingyu Brush, heading to their next destination: the South Sea.
The South Sea, as its name implied, was a vast expanse of water located in the southern part of the cultivation world. Both the flounder and blue pearls they sought could be found there.
Flounder were low-level demonic beasts in the cultivation world, often lurking in the deep sea. Although not particularly powerful, these fish were skilled at concealment, incredibly fast in the water, and agile. Even if encountered, ordinary cultivators found them difficult to capture. Coupled with their scarcity, they had become one of the rare materials in the cultivation world.
As for blue pearls, they only appeared in areas of the sea where spiritual energy was abundant. Due to their extreme sensitivity to spiritual energy, they were even rarer materials to find than flounder.
Traveling from the Tianshan Mountain Range in the far north to the South Sea at the southernmost tip of the cultivation world was too far for them to fly directly. They had to use teleportation arrays. Teleportation arrays were scarce in the cultivation world, so for shorter distances, cultivators usually flew on their swords. However, this journey was clearly too long for Lin Wuxi and Yu Huang to undertake by sword; the cultivation world was vast, and such a trip would utterly exhaust them.
First, they flew on their swords to the nearest teleportation point. Teleportation arrays were usually located in cities established by cultivators. The Tianshan Mountain Range were an important resource-gathering area for cultivators, and nearby stood a small city named Tianhua City. Its streets crisscrossed, lined with numerous shops, and teemed with bustling crowds, making it exceedingly lively.
However, the two didn’t linger. They headed straight for the teleportation array. They did need to purchase some items for their trip to the South Sea, but they decided against buying them in the towns near the Snow Mountains. It would be more appropriate to make their purchases in Haoyue City, on the other side of the teleportation array.
There weren’t many people around the teleportation array platform. After all, the cultivation world was fraught with danger, and leaving a familiar place for a distant, unknown one was not a simple or enjoyable undertaking.
After paying the required spirit stones for the teleportation array, someone activated it for them. Following a series of complex and intricate operations, the teleportation array finally lit up. A few minutes later, Lin Wuxi and Yu Huang arrived in Haoyue City, situated on the shores of the South Sea.
Haoyue City was different from Tianhua City. Being located in the south, Haoyue City possessed a warmth that Tianhua City lacked, with blue skies, white clouds, and a sea breeze carrying the scent of salt and moisture. The city evidently held no animosity towards strangers.
Stepping off the teleportation array, Lin Wuxi inhaled the fresh air, her spirits lifting. She smiled at Yu Huang and said, “The weather is so lovely. How about we go shopping on the streets first and then find a place to rest later?”
Yu Huang evidently enjoyed such weather too. She nodded slightly and replied, “Alright.” The two of them then headed towards the bustling street in the distance.
Suddenly, Yu Huang felt a stir in her heart. She raised her hand and caught a flying sword message from the Wanhen Sect. The sword was golden, used exclusively for transmitting extremely important sect information. If intercepted, it would self-destruct, destroying the message it carried. It was of an extremely high grade and, naturally, quite valuable.
After reading the message, Yu Huang destroyed the letter and fell into deep thought. She discreetly sent a voice transmission to Lin Wuxi, explaining a few matters, then continued towards the street as if nothing had occurred, intending to purchase the supplies needed for their journey to the South Sea.
They needed quite a few materials for the trip to the South Sea. Common items like water-repelling beads, night-luminescent pearls, tanks for holding fish, and various other miscellaneous supplies all had to be acquired. Therefore, they planned to spend the day shopping and set off for the South Sea the next morning.
The streets of Haoyue City were lined with shops displaying large signboards, as well as small, casually set-up stalls. Regardless, everywhere was bustling with people, creating a very lively atmosphere.
“Could that be The Boundless Fairy up ahead?” a questioning voice came from in front of them.
Lin Wuxi turned to look and saw that the speaker was a young cultivator dressed in light blue robes. He was accompanied by several companions of similar age, all of whom were looking towards them with curious expressions.
“Are you from the Haoyue Sect?” Yu Huang asked, noticing their attire.
The Haoyue Sect was a cultivation sect second only to the three major sects. It was established within Haoyue City and managed all the city’s affairs.
“It truly is The Boundless Fairy!” The young man exclaimed with delight. “I am Chen Haolin, Young Sect Master of the Haoyue Sect. It is an honor to meet The Boundless Fairy here.”
She hadn’t expected him to be the Young Sect Master of Haoyue City’s ruling sect, Yu Huang thought. The title ‘Young Sect Master’ is more common in cultivation families. For instance, in the Wanhen Sect, even though I am the designated successor to the Sect Leader position, I’m not called Young Sect Master. This is because the Wanhen Sect is a very orthodox cultivation sect with few family-based factions. The Haoyue Sect, despite being a sect, seems to operate more like a cultivation family, hence the use of the title ‘Young Sect Master’.
This self-proclaimed Young Sect Master must undoubtedly be the son of the current Sect Master.
“I didn’t realize you were Uncle Chen’s son. Please convey my greetings to him, Young Master Chen,” Yu Huang said.
“There’s no rush. In fact, I was just about to invite The Boundless Fairy to our residence. Perhaps you could convey your greetings to my father in person?” Chen Haolin asked, smiling at Yu Huang.
“Very well.” Yu Huang nodded, suspecting the Haoyue Sect had matters to discuss with her.
Chen Haolin led Yu Huang and Lin Wuxi to a magnificent estate in Haoyue City. After passing through several corridors, they arrived at the main hall of the residence. A middle-aged man with an air of immortal grace was seated there. Seeing the three of them arrive, he nodded, gesturing for Lin Wuxi and Yu Huang to take their seats.
This must be Chen Yuan, the Sect Master of Haoyue, they thought. Both paid their respects and sat in the guest seats, looking at Chen Yuan and waiting for him to speak.
Chen Yuan indeed had matters to discuss with Yu Huang. Once they were seated, he began slowly, “To tell you the truth, Fairy, I invited you here because I do have something to discuss. Not long ago, I heard that your esteemed sect is preparing to cooperate with demonic cultivators. I wonder if this is true?”
Yu Huang was inwardly amazed at how well-informed the Haoyue Sect was. In such a short time, they had already learned about the Wanhen Sect’s intention to cooperate with demonic cultivators. Although the Wanhen Sect hadn’t deliberately concealed this matter, neither had they widely publicized it. For the Haoyue Sect, located far in the south, to learn of it so quickly, their information network is clearly not to be underestimated.
While thinking this, Yu Huang smiled and said, “This matter is of great importance, and our sect is still deliberating on it. May I ask, Sect Master Chen, from where did you hear this news?”
Chen Yuan stroked his beard and replied, “I merely overheard some disciples discussing it idly. On another note, The Boundless Fairy, what brings you to our city this time? The Haoyue Sect holds some sway here. If there is anything we can do to assist you, the Haoyue Sect will certainly do its utmost to help.”
“Well…” Yu Huang thought for a moment, then replied, “Very well, in that case, I shall humbly accept your offer. My martial sister and I have come this time seeking two materials: flounder and blue pearls from the South Sea. We are not very familiar with this area. I was wondering if Sect Master Chen could inform us about the general locations where these two materials can be found?”
“Flounder and blue pearls?” Chen Yuan smiled. “As it happens, I do have a pair of flounder. I’m just not sure what use you have for them, Fairy. Perhaps the Haoyue Sect can offer some modest assistance.” With a wave of his hand, a porcelain fish tank materialized before him, containing exactly two flounder.
“Thank you for your kind offer, Sect Master.” Yu Huang hesitated for a moment, then said, “These fish are merely for refining some common medicinal pills; it’s nothing for you to concern yourself with. As for accepting these fish as a gift, I absolutely cannot. However, I happen to have two Wucao plants, and I would be willing to trade them with you, Sect Master, for these flounder.” As she spoke, two stalks of withered grass, emitting a faint spiritual energy, appeared in her hand. They were indeed Wucao.
“Haha, excellent!” Chen Yuan laughed. “You are very considerate, Fairy. In that case, I won’t refuse. I am willing to trade for this Wucao.” After a pause, Chen Yuan added, “To be honest, it’s rather embarrassing, but I don’t have any blue pearls in stock. However, a few days ago, my disciples discovered a new secret realm in the sea. There might be blue pearls inside. Would The Boundless Fairy be interested in trying your luck there?”
Blue pearls grew in the deep sea and were extremely sensitive to the surrounding spiritual energy. Thus, almost all discovered blue pearls were found within small secret realms on the seabed. The best way to find blue pearls was indeed to venture into such secret realms.
Yu Huang nodded. “In that case, thank you for your kindness, Sect Master.” Since the Sect Master of Haoyue had extended such a warm invitation, Yu Huang found it difficult to refuse.
“Today happens to be when the secret realm is open. This way, Fairy, please.”
Following Chen Yuan, Yu Huang boarded Lin Wuxi’s flying sword, and they flew towards the South Sea.
Chen Yuan glanced at Lin Wuxi but said nothing, merely leading the way ahead.
