Chapter 209: Encountering the Golden Cicada at the Rakshasa Sea Market [45k]

Fang Longye's eyes were bright and clear, his thoughts turning.

He calculated in his heart: "Based on the time, it seems the Human Race dynasty in Nanzhan Buzhou is still under the reign of Han Wudi, right?"

He looked at Peony Fairy not far away, who was playing a drinking game with several other female immortals, and sighed in his heart: "I just don't know if I can make it in time for the opportunity of Dongfang Shuo stealing the Flat Peach! Dongfang Shuo was a person from the time of Han Wudi, humorous in character and skilled in speech. Legend has it that he lost his mother when he was young and was raised by a neighbor."

"Later, he received the help of a white ape to go to the Heavenly Palace to seek assistance, and happened to encounter the Queen Mother of the West holding the Pan Tao Banquet. He then stole and ate a Fairy Peach at Yaochi and was captured by the guardian deity to be brought before the Queen Mother of the West."

"He argued with humorous words, saying things that made the Queen Mother of the West not only pardon his crime but also bestow upon him immortal wine and immortal delicacies."

In Fang Longye's past life, this legend had a long history, and countless paintings had been created by the common people because of it.

Among those portraits, most depicted a white ape carrying an old man on its back, the old man having a Wine Gourd tied to his waist and a Fairy Peach on his back, or the old man escaping with a Fairy Peach in his mouth.

"It's a bit risky~" Fang Longye pondered in his heart while stroking the brush-sized Panlong Spear in his hand.

According to the historical records of his past life, there was only a difference of a few years in age between Han Wudi and Dongfang Shuo.

Right now, Han Jingdi had already been enthroned in the Underworld's Great Han Dragon Court for many years, which meant Han Wudi was already roughly in his prime.

That Dongfang Shuo naturally must have reached adulthood as well.

Although in the folk imagery of his past life, the Dongfang Shuo carried by the white ape was mostly depicted as an old man, in reality, Dongfang Shuo could not have been that old when he stole the peach.

It is quite possible he was just a teenager, or perhaps not even an adult yet.

There is no need for any records to corroborate this. Just looking at the appearance, between a young lad and a withered old man, which one is more likely to win the favor of a mature woman like the Queen Mother of the West is self-evident.

Anyway, applying it to himself.

If an eighty-year-old crone ran into his territory, stealing and pilfering, and was then caught and brought before him, only to tell a few jokes at the end and expect him to let bygones be bygones.

Just thinking about it, it's impossible.

If you were a beautiful young girl, that would be a different story.

Therefore, counting on Dongfang Shuo to mooch a Flat Peach is likely hopeless.

As for why he was so obsessed with this Flat Peach, it was not because of the impression from the Journey to the West of his past life.

Rather, it was because he had learned about the details of many famous treasures of Honghuang from the books in the Demon Master Mansion.

Spirit Treasures, divine weapons, Spiritual Roots, precious medicines... all-encompassing.

Among them, the Flat Peach was prominently listed.

The Ren Water Flat Peach is produced by the Innate Spiritual Root, the Ren Shui Pan Tao Tree, and has infinite miraculous uses.

Even the products derived from its origin are top-tier treasures.

The Innate Spiritual Root, the Ren Shui Pan Tao Tree, was transformed by the Queen Mother of the West using great Dharma into three thousand six hundred trees.

One thousand two hundred trees have small flowers and fruits, ripening every three thousand years; those who eat them become immortals and attain the Dao, their bodies becoming healthy and light.

One thousand two hundred trees have layered flowers and sweet fruits, ripening every six thousand years; those who eat them ascend to the clouds and attain eternal youth.

One thousand two hundred trees have purple patterns and yellow pits, ripening every nine thousand years; those who eat them live as long as heaven and earth, and as long as the sun and moon.

A three-thousand-year Flat Peach, eating it, one attains immortality in a single thought.

A six-thousand-year Flat Peach, eating it, one gains a glimpse of a True Immortal.

A nine-thousand-year Flat Peach, eating it, one immediately becomes a Golden Immortal.

Fang Longye had struggled so hard for so long just to be promoted to a Golden Immortal, only to find it was something others could achieve by swallowing a nine-thousand-year Flat Peach.

One can see the efficacy of this Flat Peach.

Of course, if it were only this, as a Golden Immortal, Fang Longye would not still be dwelling on the Flat Peach.

This Ren Water Flat Peach, besides increasing Dharma power, extending life, and elevating one's realm, has another function.

That is, it can purify a cultivator's essence, energy, and spirit, allowing them to achieve a qualitative leap.

It can be said that this Flat Peach is the best auxiliary supreme treasure for a Heavenly Immortal Path cultivator to survive the Three Calamities, which is exactly what Fang Longye needs.

This is also the reason why the Pan Tao Banquet of the Queen Mother of the West is so famous.

In fact, at the beginning, after Fang Longye received the Fusang Glazed Fruit gifted by Lu Ya, he had not failed to try to trade for such spirit fruits as the Flat Peach through his Golden Finger.

As a result, he failed!

Yes, the Equivalent Balance, which could even trade for items from other worlds, actually failed! Although Fang Longye could trade for Flat Peaches from other worlds through his Golden Finger.

For example, the Flat Peaches from the world of Buddhist-is-Dao.

But he could not trade for the Flat Peaches of this world, and the Flat Peaches from other worlds, once they arrived in this world, had their characteristics greatly discounted.

Or else the efficacy of the spirit fruit would become completely contrary to expectations.

Can you imagine a Flat Peach that acts entirely as an aphrodisiac?

It was only at this moment that Fang Longye realized the Golden Finger he relied on did not seem all that reliable.

What happened to "nothing cannot be traded"?

As a result, just this? It was also because of this.

Fang Longye truly began to hold a skeptical attitude toward the inference that "the Equivalent Balance, and even his own transmigration, was the handiwork of Xihuang of this world after he transcended."

Before that.

Even though Lu Ya was adamant, speculation was speculation after all, and Fang Longye had preconceived notions that the great powers of this world had misidentified it, and it was entirely their own imagination.

But after this, after the "Golden Finger" had a malfunction that wasn't quite a malfunction, Fang Longye shifted from a "go along with the mistake" attitude to one of skepticism.

"Sister Peony, why are you being so unreasonable!"

"If you lose, you have to honor the bet~"

"Don't run, it was agreed that I would draw a little turtle on your face~"

A burst of laughter interrupted Fang Longye's deep thoughts.

Fang Longye woke up, withdrew the distracting thoughts in his heart, and began to rethink the initial problem.

"Fortunately, even if I can't follow the young Dongfang Shuo to mooch a Flat Peach, I can still learn from him how to sneak into the Heavenly Palace and how to steal a Flat Peach."

As for whether Wangmu would discover it, that was not important.

"Dongfang Shuo, a mere crosstalk performer, could make Wangmu beam with joy. If it were me, who knows, Wangmu might even invite me to be an honored guest on the spot."

Do not think him audacious; thinking about it was not against the law, anyway.

Even Ximen Qing, a mere local wealthy man, dared to speak wildly; Fang Longye had not even spoken it aloud, merely fantasizing in his heart about the scene with a woman three hundred billion years his senior.

What harm could there be in that?

As for why he associated the act of Dongfang Shuo stealing peaches with Peony Fairy just by seeing her.

It was simply because through Peony Fairy, he thought of Donghua Dijun. Then, a flash of inspiration struck, and he remembered that in the original *Journey to the West* from his past life, when Sun Wukong knocked over the Ginseng Fruit Tree and went to the East Sea Three Immortal Islands to seek a cure for the tree, he encountered Dongfang Shuo, the disciple of Donghua Dijun.

Two thieves, engaging in witty banter there.

Only then did he recall that in the current Human Race dynasty of Nanzhan Buzhou, Han Wudi was still on the throne, which was not far from the time Dongfang Shuo stole the peaches.

Regardless of whether it was late or not, a secret path that could sneak into the Heavenly Palace was worth his effort to seek out this founding master of the crosstalk world.

Clang—

It was Peony Fairy, having shaken off the entanglement of Yang Chan, casually picking up an exquisite precious bell and shaking it.

It was as if thunder had suddenly erupted, from top to bottom, a sheet of gold and fire illuminating all directions.

Clusters of light flickered on and off.

In an instant, the noisy atmosphere was swept away.

All around fell silent.

"Today, Dragon Lord graces Hundred Flower Valley with his presence; it truly makes the humble abode shine."

"You little girls, do not look at Dragon Lord as being born of the Dragon Clan; he is different from those of his kin who only think about their lower halves."

"Dragon Lord is quite learned and has delved deeply into poetry and prose."

"Holding this Curved Water Flowing Cup today is just the right time. It is the perfect chance for you little girls to witness Dragon Lord's talent."

Peony Fairy pointed at the Curved Water Flowing Cup setup before her and smiled at the group of flower fairies.

Beside her, Fang Longye's expression stiffened. Again?

Peony Fairy turned her head to look at Fang Longye, her eyes flowing with brilliance and colorful light, and said, "Originally, I only wanted these little girls to offer some songs and dances for Dragon Lord."

"But I never expected to learn from Sister Chan'er that Dragon Lord has quite a deep study of poetry and prose."

"I trust Dragon Lord will not blame me for acting on my own initiative?"

Surveying the surroundings, he saw those flower fairies, upon hearing that his literary talent was good, each revealing looks of admiration.

Fang Longye sighed inwardly: why were these female immortals, one and all, such literary young women?

Was there no one who liked watching him brandish blades and spears?

That was what he was actually good at! Fang Longye felt like crying without tears; had he known, he would not have put on such a show of literary flair in front of Yang Chan.

However, at the thought of so many beauties, large and small, all revealing expressions of worship.

He still gritted his teeth and replied with a smile, "Since the Fairy thinks highly of me, then I shall make a fool of myself!"

Above the firmament, layers of Divine Light trailed, stretching for more than a thousand feet, gorgeous and colorful, like a rainbow bridge, and a Treasure Chariot traveled along with the Divine Light.

The Treasure Chariot was very spacious, with a curved-handle canopy at the back, standing tall like a pine, decorated magnificently, with soft carpets laid inside and incense burners lit, the smoke curling.

In the Treasure Chariot, there sat a man and a woman, looking quite intimate.

Only, looking closely, one would realize this intimacy did not resemble the affection between a man and a woman, but rather like the friendship between companions.

And this man and woman were none other than Fang Longye and Yang Chan, who had come out of Hundred Flower Valley.

It was just that after that Curved Water Flowing Cup banquet, Yang Chan had mysteriously told Fang Longye that she wanted to take him to a good place.

"Um, Fairy~ why are we coming to this East Sea? Didn't I tell you? I am from the East Sea myself~"

Seeing the Treasure Chariot flying all the way to the East Sea, Fang Longye could not help but ask.

"Relax! Don't worry~ the place I'm taking you to, I guarantee you've never seen it."

Yang Chan had one arm draped over his shoulder, while the other held a wine pot, sipping the Hundred Flower Immortal Brew in small mouthfuls.

She leaned in close to him, her breath like orchids, and said, "The place I want to take you is called Rakshasa Sea Market; it has almost everything inside, and it's so much fun~"

"Rakshasa Sea Market?"

Fang Longye's brows twitched.

"What, you've heard of it? That shouldn't be~ didn't you come from the direction of Aolai Kingdom?"

Yang Chan was puzzled for a moment, but without holding back, she immediately gave Fang Longye an introduction.

After listening, Fang Longye finally understood. This had nothing to do with the Rakshasa Sea Market in *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*~

The Rakshasa Sea Market that Yang Chan spoke of was a sea market jointly established by the Asura and the East Sea Dragon Clan.

Well, that was what they claimed.

In reality, it was the Asura who had forcibly pierced through the barrier between Youming and the Earth Immortal Realm, occupying a sea area of the East Sea Dragon Clan on their own authority.

Then, they tossed a few scraps to the East Sea Dragon Palace, making the Dragon Clan provide the people and the labor to help build such a sea market.

It could be considered a tentacle of the Nether Blood Sea reaching into the Earth Immortal Realm.

Of course, whether the East Sea Dragon Clan felt aggrieved or not, the immortals and gods of the entire universe did not care.

Anyway, after the Rakshasa Sea Market was established, the absolute freedom it advertised did attract the attention of a host of immortals and gods.

People born into the world have various bonds. Even immortals and gods cannot be completely free to do whatever they want.

But in the Rakshasa Sea Market, there was nothing you couldn't think of, and nothing you couldn't do.

Relying on this point, the Rakshasa Sea Market had become a den of iniquity that a host of immortals and gods yearned for.

Even if the great powers at the very top issued prohibitions, a host of immortals and gods would still sneak in to visit.

Fang Longye observed Yang Chan, who was becoming more and more excited as she spoke.

His expression turned strange.

How should one put it?

Previously, he had only thought that Yang Chan possessed a young girl's temperament, being somewhat eccentric and rather lively.

But looking at it now, where is this the kind-hearted Third Holy Mother! She doesn't seem to have even a shred of kindness about her~

This is clearly a little Demoness with a wicked nature! One must know, after listening to her detailed introduction, Fang Longye naturally understood what kind of place this Rakshasa Sea Market really was.

This Rakshasa Sea Market is clearly a demon den that allows immortals and gods to vent their desires and satisfy their various dark thoughts.

Whatever the darkest and most evil things in human nature are, they are mere child's play in the Rakshasa Sea Market.

Not every immortal or god cultivates the path of the Supreme Forgetting of Emotions. The desires and evil thoughts of most immortals and gods are far more complex and intense than those of mortals.

It is just that, most of the time, immortals and gods restrain themselves~

And the Rakshasa Sea Market happens to provide such a place for immortals and gods to indulge themselves.

Hmm, I have to say, it is indeed the style of the Asura clan.

It is worthy of being the model of the Blood Sea Demon Race.

As for whether it would be wiped out by others? Having already arrived at his destination, Fang Longye looked at the blood-colored killing sword above the Rakshasa Sea Market and understood the source of the Rakshasa Sea Market's confidence.

The Blood Sea surged, its waves crimson.

Contrasting with the clear, azure East Sea water all around, it appeared exceptionally bewitching.

They collided, annihilating everything.

Cold, ghostly light fell from above into it, silent and soundless.

A vast, peerless city floated above the Blood Sea.

A total of one hundred and eight astonishing chains, bronze in color and of unknown tens of thousands of miles in length, crisscrossed and intertwined; one end was tied to the bottom of the Rakshasa Sea, and the other end was fastened to the city to prevent it from drifting away.

Above the city gate hung a black plaque, and the ram-horn-like characters upon it, stroke by stroke, were stained with blood and carried a murderous aura.

Rakshasa Sea Market!

A fierce sword hung quietly above the Rakshasa Sea Market, suppressing everything~ It was very similar to the Double-Stranded Sword in the hands of the Tie Shan that Fang Longye had encountered earlier.

Only, the difference was that the kind of restrained yet unyielding murderous aura and ferocity was thousands and tens of thousands of times stronger than the fierce sword in the hands of the Tie Shan.

No, thousands or tens of thousands of times is not enough to describe the gap between the two. Strictly speaking, the two cannot be compared at all.

How can the light of a firefly be mentioned in the same breath as the bright moon! Just by standing there quietly, it filled the endless space with ferocity and murderous intent.

This is a fierce sword, a blood sword, a killing sword.

Rare in the world, with monstrous fierce might.

"Abi—"

Feeling the name of the sword clearly reflected in the depths of his heart, Fang Longye could not help but mutter.

Ding-dang—

But as soon as the words left his mouth, these two characters seemed to draw upon some existence in the dark.

The fierce sword floating above the city shook slightly, as if it were about to awaken, and its fierce aura grew even stronger.

Yang Chan was startled; her dark eyebrows were dyed blood-red, and her long eyelashes also became crimson as blood.

She hurriedly reached out her fair hand to cover Fang Longye's mouth, and in great alarm said: "Don't talk nonsense! Otherwise, if you die under this sword, even a Great Divine Ability user won't be able to save you."

After spending some effort to dispel that encroaching power and restore her normal appearance.

Yang Chan turned her head to look at Fang Longye, and with lingering fear said: "I told you on the way not to recite the sword's name. Do you not have ears?"

In front of Fang Longye, she who had always maintained a fearless posture, at this moment, lost all color in her face.

Fang Longye moved his gaze away from that fierce sword, enduring the sharp pain in his eyes, and as if he hadn't heard, said: "This should just be a projection, right?"

"Otherwise?" Yang Chan rolled her eyes irritably and said: "If it were really the original body, the two of us would have died long ago!"

"Don't look at this as just a projection of that Ancestor's personal sword blade; if fully activated, it is more than enough to kill a Great Luo."

"So, this Rakshasa Sea Market—"

Just as the two were talking, suddenly there was the sound of Brahma and Buddhist chanting, and after a moment, every word floated with fragrance.

They immediately paused their conversation and both turned their heads to look.

They saw indescribable Buddhist light rising, forming a thousand-petaled precious lotus, several acres in size, with star wheels of varying sizes intersecting around it, upon which sat a monk.

With a cinnabar dot between his brows, he was truly extremely handsome, and his whole body was suffused with glazed Buddhist light.

The scriptures were etched into his bones, and the light was auspicious and marvelous.

The swastika symbol was in his hand, upright and bright.

Yet, despite such a solemn and dignified appearance, Fang Longye could not see the slightest sense of stability or gravity in him.

Instead, he felt that this monk was so carefree and joyful that it was hard to describe, as if he were going to a brothel.

It did not fit his impression of people from Fomen at all.

"Eh?"

Seeing this monk whiz past them, Yang Chan's eyes lit up.

She couldn't help but excitedly say: "It's Jinchanzi! It's quite a coincidence to run into him today. It seems there is another good show to watch!"

She reached out and pulled Fang Longye's sleeve, urgently saying: "Stop looking at that sword! What is there to look at? Hurry up and follow him; if we go late, there won't be any room left to watch the show!"

Fang Longye, dazed and confused, followed Yang Chan into the city before them.

(End of chapter)