Chapter 745

When Li Yi arrived at Xiu Xiang's home with twelve cultivation experts, Xiu Xiang was both astonished and deeply delighted—he had long known that Li Yi had seized Chishan Mountain and become a regional lord.

"Da Yi, it is a joy to see you again—no, I should now call you Shan Zhu." Xiu Xiang's face beamed with warmth: "Nanshan Bo once said you would not only become a regional lord but also a regional deity. I never doubted his words, but I never imagined this day would come so soon."

Li Yi smiled and said, "Had it not been for the help of the Shang Zhu back then, I would not have become Shan Zhu so quickly. This time, returning to Shenmu City from Chishan Mountain, I actually need your assistance with something."

"This matter is somewhat troublesome, but in Shenmu City I have no one else I can trust—so I must rely on you."

"Our bond has reached the point where we can entrust our lives to each other, Da Yi. Whatever you need, I will pledge without hesitation," Xiu Xiang said solemnly.

Li Yi nodded slightly, then asked, "Xiu Xiang, do you know how to smelt Chi Jin?"

"Of all metals, Chi Jin is the most precious. It is inherently indestructible; to melt it, you must use the leaves of the divine tree within Shenmu City. Burn those leaves in the furnace to produce golden flames—heat rivaling the sun—only then can Chi Jin be melted and forged into weapons." As Shang Zhu, Xiu Xiang clearly knew this well.

"That is why the leaves of the divine tree are so precious. Da Yi, now that you are the lord of Chishan Mountain, have you come to Shenmu City to purchase divine tree leaves? If so, I can help."

Li Yi shook his head, then gestured behind him.

Two cultivation experts immediately brought forward two injured, unconscious men and threw them to the ground.

"Xiu Xiang, these are the Divine Blood warriors of the Shenmu lineage," Li Yi said. "They challenged me, the new Shan Zhu, but were defeated. The leader, a direct descendant of the Divine Blood, is dead. The remaining two I captured. I intend to trade their lives for divine tree leaves from the Shenmu warrior clans. Do you think this will succeed?"

Xiu Xiang froze upon hearing this, glancing between Li Yi and the two unconscious Divine Blood warriors on the ground.

One warrior's skin bore golden leaf-like patterns—undoubtedly a direct descendant of the Shenmu lineage. The other flowed with golden-yellow blood.

Identity could be faked, but bloodline could never be forged.

These two Divine Blood warriors are both Shan Zhu-level experts. One is even a direct descendant. Although the Shenmu warriors are numerous, their direct bloodline remains rare. If we trade their lives, I'm certain the elders of the Shenmu lineage will gladly pay a sufficient quantity of divine tree leaves. Da Yi, leave this to me. Give me three days—I will bring you a substantial ransom.

Xiu Xiang's eyes gleamed; his talents as Shang Zhu now fully activated as he calculated how to extract maximum profit from these two men's lives.

Li Yi asked, "Will there be danger in making this trade?"

"Da Yi, rest assured. As Shang Zhu, I go to negotiate. The Shenmu lineage will not harm me—they will grant me proper respect. For if I am killed, no Shang Zhu in the world will ever trade with the Shenmu lineage again. When their warriors fall into trouble, none will come to their aid," Xiu Xiang said with grave seriousness.

"Rest assured, Big Yi. As a merchant lord, I go to trade with the Divine Wood lineage—they won't harm me, and they'll grant me the respect I deserve, for I saved two of their wounded warriors. If I were killed, no merchant lord in the world would ever trade with the Divine Wood lineage again, and when their warriors later fall into trouble, no other merchant lord will come to their aid," Xiu Xiang said with great seriousness.

No wonder the Shang Zhu's status was so unique—he now understood a little better.

"Da Yi, please stay here for a few days. I will set this matter in motion immediately." Xiu Xiang then moved at once, clearly recognizing Li Yi's urgent need for the divine tree leaves.

He immediately summoned several servants and guards, brought forth exotic beasts, and departed with the two unconscious Divine Blood warriors.

He did not rush to the city lord's mansion to petition the Shenmu elders; instead, he sought out a respected intermediary to accompany him.

After Xiu Xiang left, Li Yi said, "Senior elders, let us stay here for two or three days. Once we obtain the divine tree leaves, we will depart."

"Da Yi, this place seems ordinary, yet it is extraordinary—especially this ancient tree. Though not as miraculous as the divine tree, it has long been bathed in its aura and is now a treasure tree in its own right."

"Indeed, this old man has noticed it too. This great tree emits a peculiar spiritual energy—one that nourishes the cultivation master's Primordial Spirit flower. Living here, even mortals may extend their lifespan."

"Such a land nurtured by heaven and earth, occupied by ignorant barbarians, is a waste. If we could seize this place, it could become a new Dao Court."

"To seize this place, even Mahayana-level strength may not suffice."

The cultivation experts discussed among themselves, quickly recognizing the peculiar nature of the ancient tree in Xiu Xiang's courtyard, and sensing the astonishing density of the spiritual energy here.

Even though each was a Three Flower Realm expert, they now felt greed rising—wanting to seize this entire city.

Yet they clearly understood that, with their current strength, even united, they could not possibly capture Shenmu City. Only upon becoming a Dao-attained one might they claim such a paradise.

Yet Li Yi smiled and said, "If you senior elders are interested in this place, you may claim it after you attain Dao."

"Da Yi speaks wisely," said Shen Xu Daoist, his gaze flickering. "And after crossing over, attaining Dao is not so difficult. This place may yet belong to us. And even if we fail to attain Dao, do we not still have Da Yi? When he one day gathers the Three Flowers into the Cauldron and directs the Five Qi toward the Source, who will be his match in this city?"

"Tai Yi speaks wisely. Moreover, after crossing over, achieving the Dao isn't difficult at all. This land may well belong to us one day. And even if we fail to attain the Dao, isn't there still Tai Yi? When he one day unites his Three Flowers and gathers his Five Qi, who in this city will be his match?" said Shen Xu Daoist, his gaze flickering.

After all, a cultivator with sixty major acupoints, possessing Divine Blood, yet already possessing Three Flower-level strength at the Five Qi stage—his combat potential after breaking through would be unimaginable.

"Since Da Yi says he will rest here for a few days, then let us take this opportunity to cultivate and restore our strength," the other cultivation experts said, unwilling to waste such a perfect cultivation opportunity.

They flew onto the trunk of the ancient tree, sat down, and immediately began their Qi absorption techniques.

Invisible streams of heavenly energy converged upon them.

Within moments, each cultivation expert was surrounded by a faint glow; their Primordial Spirit flowers atop their heads began to bloom anew, as if after a long drought, finally receiving rain.

Shenmu City itself carried a cosmic energy field—its spiritual energy was nearly inexhaustible. Even twelve cultivators could not deplete it, let alone hundreds.

No matter how much they breathed in, the surrounding spiritual energy remained abundant.

This discovery filled each cultivation expert with silent awe.

Li Yi, seeing the experts cultivating, did not disturb them. He returned to his former quarters.

In this small courtyard, he met E Ji and Su Ji, the two beauties, as well as Dou Kun, the Grand Priest, and Shan Guo, the former warrior of Shoushan Village.

They had changed greatly in the time apart.

Li Yi had previously taught the Immortal cultivation method to Grand Priest Dou Kun, who in turn taught it to everyone.

In this environment, though the Immortal method was known for its slow progress, Dou Kun—now Grand Priest—had begun to reverse aging, just as Nanshan Bo had. The deathly aura had vanished from his body; his wrinkles disappeared; he radiated vibrant vitality.

Under these conditions, though the cultivation methods of the Immortals were known for their slow progress, Dou Kun, as Grand Sacrificer, began to reverse aging like Nan Shan Bo—his deathly aura vanished, his wrinkles disappeared, and he radiated a vibrant, youthful energy.

Dou Kun had reached the Golden Core stage.

That was indeed fast.

But upon reflection, Li Yi understood: Shenmu City was a paradise, and Dou Kun, as Grand Priest, had already possessed considerable strength. Now merely supplementing with Immortal cultivation, his latent potential had been unlocked—his progress was naturally swift.

Judging by his pace, he would soon condense a Nascent Soul and challenge Soul Transformation.

"Master, you've finally returned," E Ji and Su Ji said joyfully upon seeing Li Yi. Their figures were light, their skin glowing, their waists supple, exuding a faint aura of immortality.

Though they had not reached Golden Core, they were both Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Li Yi nodded: "I'm only staying a few days. Afterward, you will come with me to Chishan Mountain. I am now its Shan Zhu—this will be our home. Unless something unforeseen occurs, we will remain there for a long time."

Li Yi nodded: "I'm only staying a few days this time. Afterward, you'll all leave Shenmu City with me and head to Chishan Mountain. I'm now the Mountain Lord of Chishan—that will be our home from now on. Unless something unexpected happens, we'll stay there a long time."

They had heard from Xiu Xiang that Da Yi had become a regional lord. Now they were the concubines of a Shan Zhu—their status had changed utterly. Even Xiu Xiang treated them with great respect.

"Shan Zhu of Chishan Mountain—what a glorious title," Dou Kun smiled. "It is a treasure mountain. Perhaps one day a great city will be built here. The Da Yi lineage will surely rise."

Shan Guo, standing nearby, widened his eyes.

Unknowingly, Da Yi had become a regional lord, planning to build a great city and establish his own Divine Blood lineage.

As a former female warrior of Shoushan Village, Shan Guo found it hard to believe all this was real.

Then Dou Kun added, "Master, perhaps you should buy several more beauties in Shenmu City to take back to Chishan Mountain. Only with enough women can you produce many Divine Blood descendants—and they will take great pride in it. E Ji and Su Ji alone are not enough."

Then Dou Kun added: "Master, perhaps you should buy several beautiful concubines in Shenmu City and take them back to Chishan Mountain. Only with enough women can you produce numerous divine-blooded offspring, and they'll take pride in it. E and Su alone aren't enough."

"Master, E Ji and I can handle the purchase of beauties—we will ensure your satisfaction," E Ji and Su Ji replied without objection, volunteering to find more beautiful women for him.

Li Yi said, "We'll discuss this later. Chishan Mountain is not yet stable; it's not suitable to bring too many women. For now, E Ji and Su Ji are enough."

Dou Kun nodded: "Your words are wise, Master. But reproduction and lineage are vital matters. Please pay close attention. Many powerful tribes declined due to insufficient reproduction. The decline of Divine Blood families stems from too few Divine Blood warriors."

"Very well. I'll remember this. Thank you, Grand Priest, for the reminder," Li Yi nodded.

"Good, I'll remember this. Thank you, Grand Sacrificer, for the reminder," Li Yi nodded.

After all, in this barbaric world, it was indeed true.

After all, it is indeed so in this wild world.