Chapter 748: Harvest and Relocation

When Xiu Xiang stepped out of the governor's mansion carrying a thousand divine wood leaves and a branch of divine wood, he finally exhaled in relief.

Although he knew the Wise Ones of the Divine Wood lineage would inevitably ransom Mu Shu and Mu Tuo, two Divine Blood warriors, he still had to risk his life—only by winning could he depart safely with a rich reward.

If he lost, Xiu Xiang would die inside the governor's mansion.

"Xiu Xiang, your price is too greedy—I truly fear the Divine Wood warriors will kill you on the spot," Mu Sang Gong could not help saying: "Asking for a thousand divine wood leaves is acceptable, but that one branch could easily cost you your life."

"Fortunately, the Grand Sacrificer Mu Wu of the Divine Wood lineage did not lose his reason—he was willing to pay this price for the two Divine Blood warriors."

Xiu Xiang laughed and said: "I carry the blood of the Merchant Lord. If I cannot trust my own judgment, I would have died long ago. Besides, this deal is no loss to the Divine Wood lineage—they are two Mountain Lord-level Divine Blood warriors. I even think this reward is insufficient."

Mu Sang Gong was astonished: "Xiu Xiang, your strength is far too weak to capture those two Divine Blood warriors. I saw the wounds on Mu Tuo and Mu Shu—they were defeated by another powerful Divine Blood warrior. You didn't do this for yourself; you're acting on behalf of some powerful Divine Blood warrior behind you."

"If so, why risk your own life for such a rich reward?"

He could not understand why Xiu Xiang, as a Merchant Lord, would go to such lengths.

Xiu Xiang laughed again: "I seek fame that endures for ten thousand generations, and to befriend a god of this land—what is this danger? My life was saved by another; now is the time to repay. I only regret my weakness—otherwise, I would have demanded far more."

He felt the reward he demanded was within his expectations—not astonishingly generous. Had his status or strength within Divine Wood City been greater, this trip would have yielded far more.

Upon hearing this, Mu Sang Gong sighed: "You are unlike other Merchant Lords—you will surely achieve extraordinary things. Perhaps one day, all Merchant Lords across the land will bear your name."

"It is inevitable," Xiu Xiang did not reject Mu Sang Gong's prophecy—he believed it would surely come to pass.

Mu Sang Gong now gazed anxiously at the magnificent divine tree behind him. For some reason, he felt dread for the future of the Divine Wood lineage—just like this tree, when it reaches its peak of flourishing, decline becomes unavoidable.

"At least I won't live to see the Divine Wood lineage's downfall," he comforted himself.

As the carriage continued forward.

At a crossroad in Divine Wood City, Xiu Xiang and Mu Sang Gong parted ways. He hurried home with his servants and guards, filled with joy.

Before he even neared his gate,

atop the lush ancient tree in his courtyard, figures resembling Grand Sacrificers all opened their eyes in unison—their gazes sharp as lightning, stern and scorching as the sun.

Instinctively, one felt fear.

Xiu Xiang knew these were followers of Da Yi—powerful Sacrificers.

He steadied his spirit and stepped into his home.

The cultivators of the Three Flowers Realm immediately withdrew their gazes. Clearly, under their control, every movement nearby was within their perception—if a strong enemy came, they would confront him at once, buying time for Tai Yi to flee Divine Wood City.

After all, doing business on another's territory was extremely risky.

Fortunately,

nothing of the sort had occurred.

"Da Yi, Da Yi, are you there? I have not disappointed you—I returned the two Divine Blood warriors to the governor's mansion and secured a rich reward."

Xiu Xiang rushed excitedly into the courtyard where Li Yi resided.

Li Yi sat in the courtyard, eating delicious exotic beast meat. Though he no longer needed it to replenish his blood qi, he had eaten so much of it before that he had grown fond of this world's food.

The moment Li Yi heard Xiu Xiang's voice, he immediately set down everything and went to meet him: "Xiu Xiang, how many divine wood leaves did you get for those two Divine Blood warriors?"

He cared deeply about this.

Without divine wood leaves, he could not smelt Chi Jin or forge Chi Jin Dao artifacts.

Xiu Xiang laughed and summoned two Chi Jin chests from his storage talisman, then pointed to one: "This chest contains a thousand divine wood leaves—enough for you to use for a long time."

"This other chest holds a branch of divine wood—the most precious treasure in Divine Wood City."

Xiu Xiang was most satisfied with the divine wood branch.

For its value far surpassed that of a thousand leaves—divine wood leaves fell every year and were not scarce, but the tree grew extremely slowly; the branch was the true treasure.

"A divine wood branch?" Li Yi stared at the branch sealed in Chi Jin, his expression uncertain.

Though he did not know what the branch could do, he sensed the astonishing energy radiating from the Chi Jin chest—greater than that of a complete wonder, like a fragment of the sun, radiating endless light and heat, impossible to ignore.

"Indeed a treasure," Li Yi touched the Chi Jin chest, feeling intense heat.

This heat was not from flame—it was an illusion caused by overwhelming energy.

One could imagine that if this chest were opened, everything nearby would be incinerated by its power. The people of Divine Wood City were unaffected because the tree was too distant—their great distance weakened the energy.

Added to that, the people of this world possessed astonishing physiques, allowing them to live normally.

"Truly astonishing—a branch. No wonder it rivals the greatest treasures born of heaven and earth," said the Divine Woman Yun Feizi, drawn by the energy, stepping forward to examine it.

Li Yi asked: "Divine Woman, what use can this object serve?"

Yun Feizi stared for a moment, then said: "It must be used to forge a supreme treasure. Tai Yi, you once held a divine bow, but lacked arrows. If this branch were forged into arrows, it would grant unimaginable, terrifying power."

Forge arrows?

Li Yi froze for a moment, then his heart stirred.

Yun Feizi's suggestion was excellent—if he forged this branch into arrows, he would possess an unparalleled weapon.

"I must consult the Artisan of Heaven," he said, immediately storing both chests inside his Five Elements Bracelet.

Then he turned to Xiu Xiang: "Demanding such a rich reward from the Divine Wood lineage will surely offend them—and invite retaliation. Therefore, I wish you to leave Divine Wood City with me and come to Chishan Mountain."

"I cannot give you much now, but I will share Chishan Mountain's wealth with you—you will become a wealthy Merchant Lord. Do not cling to Divine Wood City. When I am strong enough, I will return to this great city, crush the Divine Wood lineage, and seize this divine tree."

Li Yi finished speaking and looked up at the distant, extraordinary divine tree.

Hearing this, Xiu Xiang felt an inexplicable surge within him—he realized this was an opportunity.

Though leaving Divine Wood City meant abandoning much, the place he was going was Chishan Mountain—the true source of Chi Jin. With his merchant skills, he would amass great wealth in no time—this was unquestionable.

"Da Yi, if you invite me to Chishan Mountain, how could I refuse?" Xiu Xiang agreed at once, delighted: "I am ready to move my entire household."

Li Yi said immediately: "Good. Then prepare quickly—we depart at once. This is still Divine Wood City; my killing of the Divine Wood lineage's blood heirs will soon be known. If exposed, disaster will follow."

"I understand. Please give me a little time to prepare," Xiu Xiang said, then rushed off in haste.

He immediately summoned his guards, servants, and concubines to pack valuables for the move.

He also left several loyal servants behind to guard the house—there might yet be a chance to return.

Not long after, once Xiu Xiang had finished packing, Li Yi immediately activated the Cloud Soaring Technique.

A massive auspicious cloud coalesced in midair, lifting Xiu Xiang's entire household into the sky.

"Let's go—return to Chishan Mountain." With his goal achieved, Li Yi wasted no time, fleeing as swiftly as possible to avoid complications.

Even if the Divine Wood lineage later traced them, they would find only an empty house guarded by a few loyal old servants. If they wished to retaliate, they would have to go to Chishan Mountain.

And in time, once the Chi Jin Dao artifacts were forged and the cultivators of this End-Era restored their realms,

the overall strength of Chishan Mountain would reach a terrifying level.

The Divine Wood lineage would think twice before confronting Chishan Mountain.

Therefore, gaining strength quickly was vital.

With the Cloud Soaring Technique fully unleashed, the white cloud returned to Chishan Mountain in moments. Li Yi delivered everyone to Chishan City and settled Xiu Xiang's household.

To show sincerity,

Li Yi directly used the House-Building Technique, leveling a patch of land and constructing for Xiu Xiang a grand, imposing mansion.

Xiu Xiang was deeply moved and expressed his gratitude to Li Yi.

Yet these were trivial matters—Li Yi merely wished to repay kindness, for the divine wood leaves he had obtained had greatly aided him, even determining the future survival of Chishan Mountain.