Chapter 125: Hua Tiandou vs Fang Han! Meng Shaobai!

The countless great and small nations across the Xuanhuang Great World are scattered like stars on a board, spread everywhere.

But the strength of these nations is generally weak, their populations composed of common folk from the Mortal Secret Realm.

Even within the royal families, those who have entered the Shentong Secret Realm are as rare as phoenix feathers.

Some nations have not a single Shentong cultivator.

Hence they are called secular.

The Great Xuan Empire, however, is entirely different.

It dominates the central Xuanhuang Great World; both its vast territory and massive population are incomparable to any other nation.

The Great Xuan Empire also surpasses the other nations in one respect: its strength.

For example, a warrior of Tenfold Mortal Body could hold high office such as Grand General in the Great Li Dynasty, yet in the Great Xuan Empire he would be nothing more than a minor role like a constable.

Its strength is evident.

Especially the imperial family, which is not even a fraction less than the Feather Ascension Sect.

It is worth noting that the Great Xuan Empire is a subordinate force of the Taiyi Sect, yet for some reason the two are not particularly close.

The Taiyi Sect rarely interferes with the Empire's development, allegedly due to a decree passed down from the Celestial Realm.

Moreover, the Great Xuan Empire is the largest market in the Xuanhuang Great World, where free cultivators, the myriad schools, demonic sects, monster paths, and even the ancient giants of the Eternal Life Secret Realm conduct trade whenever there is demand.

Because most of the Empire's major cities host the three largest merchant guilds in the world: the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, the Six Paths Alliance, and the Nine Tripod Pavilion.

The three guilds contain countless heavenly materials, earthly treasures, pills and magical artifacts.

Each year they remit heavy taxes to the Great Xuan Empire and the Taiyi Sect, with official endorsement; no one dares to act recklessly within the guilds.

For example, the Mysterious Turtle Pavilion built by Wan Gui Immortal Island at sea was modeled after the Empire's three major guilds.

But compared with the three guilds, the Mysterious Turtle Pavilion is merely a rural vegetable market.

Chen Zheng is now heading to a branch of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, one of the three guilds.

He flies through the sky; though not at full speed, his pace is astonishingly fast, covering tens of thousands of li in each instant.

Below, the mountains and nations on the earth rush away at high speed.

At the same time, via a communication token, he chats intermittently with Jia Lan.

Jia Lan, angry, said: "Husband, that scoundrel Hua Tiandou returned to the sect and claimed that the demonic aura on your Zhengqi Peak is heavy and must be destroyed. Fortunately I went to the Feather Ascension Heavenly Palace and asked Elder Tian Xing to intervene, which stopped him. Yet Hua Tiandou issued a decree, giving you one month to hand over the Nine-Palace Golden Pagoda and bow to admit fault, only then will he spare you."

Chen Zheng replied: "No problem. Stay on Jia Lan Peak and cultivate your Great Strength Shentong; don't worry about Hua Tiandou for now. When I return to the sect, I'll make that person kneel and repent."

"Hmm."

Jia Lan added: "Hua Tiandou must have taken the wrong medicine; lately he says he will rectify the bad atmosphere in our Feather Ascension Sect, and has severely punished a batch of disciples practicing Demonic Cultivation and using demonic treasures, even stripping many of their martial arts. Even Fang Han, who had just been promoted to a true‑transmission disciple and was sent by the elder to the Heavenly Demon Battlefield to suppress the suddenly rebellious Great Virtue Heavenly Demon King and rescue many inner‑gate candidates, was punished by Hua Tiandou on the Heavenly Demon Battlefield."

"Oh?" a strange look flashed in Chen Zheng's eyes.

Jia Lan said: "Hua Tiandou surely knows you and Fang Han are close, so he took his anger out on Fang Han, snatching his Seven‑Demon Gourd on the Heavenly Demon Battlefield. Fang Han, angry, argued with Hua Tiandou, but was forced to kneel on the ground under the eyes of thousands of outer‑disciple witnesses…"

Before she finished, Chen Zheng interjected: "Then Fang Han, unwilling to be humiliated, swore to the heavens to challenge Hua Tiandou and settle a death‑match ten years later, right?"

Jia Lan, astonished, asked: "This just happened less than an hour ago; how do you know?"

Chen Zheng gave no answer, only shook his head.

Fang Han and Hua Tiandou—one is the reincarnated spirit vessel of the Eternal Life Sect, the other a malignant tumor within that sect; they are naturally antagonistic, and any encounter can only lead to trouble.

Only the plot had long been scrambled by Chen Zheng, chaotic beyond belief, yet it still matches the original work exactly, which he did not expect.

Jia Lan added: "But you're wrong about one thing; Fang Han's challenge to Hua Tiandou is not in ten years but in three. Fang Han says you and Wan Lianshan once made a three‑year pact in the Linglong Blessing Land, and he intends to follow suit, killing Hua Tiandou himself after three years to regain his lost dignity."

Chen Zheng raised an eyebrow: "Is that so?"

Fang Han is currently only Shentong First Rank, perhaps already advanced to Second Rank using the Yin‑Yang Ten‑Thousand‑Life Pill, but catching up to—or surpassing—Hua Tiandou in three years would be no small difficulty.

Nevertheless, as the reincarnated spirit vessel of the Eternal Life Sect, Fang Han might be able to achieve it.

Whether he can or cannot, it makes no difference.

Chen Zheng has already made up his mind: once he returns to the Feather Ascension Sect, he will cut down Hua Tiandou, seize everything from him, force him to kneel and harshly humiliate him, and see whether he can still be arrogant.

"Is that Tai Bai City ahead?"

After a few more words with Jia Lan, Chen Zheng reached the territory of the Great Xuan Empire, vaguely sensing a deep force on the distant horizon suppressing the earth's vital energy.

It was an extremely magnificent structure.

From afar, the grand building was pure white.

The closer he flew, the clearer it became: the white edifice was a massive wall, hundreds of zhang tall, spotless, resembling a white dragon coiled on the ground.

Within that wall, huge palaces rose from the ground like towering peaks.

Below the many towering peaks, the vast streets were swarming with ant‑like crowds; tall buildings stood side by side, and rivers coursed through the city, their blue waves rippling.

In the sky, people flew in and out, some landing within the city, others departing.

Such a sight cannot be seen in any other nation under heaven.

Moreover, the city is colossal, spanning tens of thousands of li north‑to‑south, larger than many dynasties; ordinary cultivators cannot even glimpse its end.

"Tai Bai City is merely a second‑tier city of the Great Xuan Empire, yet it boasts such scenery; I wonder how magnificent the Xuanhuang Capital at the Empire's heart must be."

Chen Zheng sighed, flew into the city's sky, and descended downward.

Just as he landed on the vast street, intending to ask someone where the Heavenly Dao Pavilion was, a surprised voice nearby called out: "Sir, are you the Chen Zheng gentleman who ascended the Heaven‑Stepping Ladder and crushed ten thousand foes with a single strike?"

Chen Zheng turned his head and saw a mansion by the road, gilded and resplendent, unmistakably the residence of a high official.

The mansion's doors opened wide, and a dozen people emerged, each aura harmonious and in communion with the heavens, all Shentong Fifth Rank Celestial Realm cultivators, led by a young man wearing a jade crown and dressed splendidly.

The speaker was the man in splendid robes.

"Indeed I am Chen, may I ask who you are?"

Chen Zheng did not know the man, but noting his courteous manner, he replied casually.

It was natural that someone could recognize him, after all he was now a celebrity of both size and stature.

"Truly you are Master Chen! I, Ji Mengyi, have met you before." The man in splendid robes displayed a smile brighter than a chrysanthemum, stepped forward and performed a bow.

The group of cultivators behind him followed, each bowing respectfully and silently appraising Chen Zheng as if they were looking at some exotic animal. "So it's Brother Meng Yi, I've heard of you for a long time, indeed."

Chen Zheng smiled and nodded; as for who he truly was, he did not know.

He could see that his cultivation was not low, and more than ten Celestial Being Realm cultivators flanked him, so his identity was certainly unusual.

Then, with a thought, he searched the myriad worlds and found this person's basic information.

This Ji Meng Yi indeed had some pedigree; he was one of the many princes of the Great Xuan Empire, styled Prince Yi, and ranked around the middle among the princes.

It was also timely to ask him for directions.

"Young Master Chen, no need for formalities; just call me Meng Yi." Prince Yi's smile widened, speaking familiarly: "You are also heading to Heaven Dao Hall for the Treasure Sale Convention, aren't you? It is said that this convention has many fine items, drawing countless Free Cultivators from across the world, and many young masters like yourself, as well as great sect true‑lineage members and Elders, have arrived."

Chen Zheng nodded: "I am indeed going to Heaven Dao Hall to trade some items."

Prince Yi's eyes flashed with pleasure, and he said warmly: "I happen to be preparing to go to Heaven Dao Hall; would you like to accompany me?"

"Sure."

From then on, Chen Zheng and Prince Yi's party took to the air, heading toward Heaven Dao Hall.

Looking at…

He could tell that this person wanted to win him over.

It's normal; the Great Xuan Empire has many princes, and over a hundred have reached the Shen Tong Mi Jing, each with numerous followers, all vying for the throne.

This is the same principle as the true‑lineage disciples of the Feather Ascension Gate seeking the headmaster's seat.

Only, most true‑lineage members of the Feather Ascension Gate are accustomed to going solo, whereas these princes of the Great Xuan Empire like to form factions.

The more than ten Celestial Being Realm cultivators beside Prince Yi are apparently Free Cultivators he has recruited from unknown sources; their magical power is modest, far inferior to Immortal Fu Shou and Immortal Bai Zhan.

Soon, Chen Zheng, following Prince Yi's party, arrived above a massive shop.

The shop spanned a ten‑mile‑long street, enormous in scale; its walls were bright red, and at the entrance stood two jade‑carved qilins dozens of zhang tall, while along both sides a line of guards clad in bright‑yellow vests, each cultivated to the Tenfold Physical Body Realm, stood watch.

Above the shop hung a massive plaque bearing three soaring dragon‑and‑phoenix characters spelling "Heaven Dao Hall", its grandeur exuding an overwhelming aura of dominance.

Just from the plaque's imposing presence, Chen Zheng knew that the scribe's cultivation level was still above his own.

At this moment, the entrance to Heaven Dao Hall was a continuous stream of cultivators, along with many clad in great sect uniforms, handing out invitation cards as they entered.

Chen Zheng had no invitation.

But Prince Yi did.

And as soon as they arrived, a designated attendant from Heaven Dao Hall came out to greet them, leading the group inside toward the venue of the Treasure Sale Convention.

However, Chen Zheng had no interest in the so‑called Treasure Sale Convention; he himself had come to sell treasures.

The treasures sold at Heaven Dao Hall were merely artifacts or regional‑grade pills, nothing compared to the treasures he possessed.

Thus, upon entering Heaven Dao Hall, Chen Zheng bluntly told the green‑clad guide woman: "Take me to your highest official; I have a batch of treasures to sell."

"Prince Yi, this…"

The green‑clad woman hesitated, looking at Prince Yi; in her eyes, the party was centered on Prince Yi.

Prince Yi hurriedly said: "You need not attend to me; Young Master Chen is your most honored guest. Go tell your highest official to come out at once!"

"Very well, I will report at once!" the green‑clad woman hurried away.

A moment later, a curvaceous middle‑aged beauty was summoned by the green‑clad woman, recognized Chen Zheng's identity, and led him into a grand hall.

Prince Yi and his retinue followed.

As for attending the Treasure Sale Convention, that had been cast aside; forging a good relationship with Chen Zheng was now paramount.

Inside the hall, everyone took their seats according to rank.

The lady smiled and introduced herself: "Daoist friend Chen, I am Shi San Niang, one of the chief officials of this Heaven Dao Hall. What treasures do you wish to sell? Rest assured, Heaven Dao Hall can accommodate any treasure."

With those words, Prince Yi and the others looked at Chen Zheng with curious eyes, wondering what kind of treasures this newly famed legend would produce.

Whoosh!

Chen Zheng waved his hand casually, and artifact after artifact materialized in succession, piling into a mountain that sent treasure light soaring through the hall, nearly blinding the onlookers.

"What? So many artifacts!"

"One, five, ten, twenty exquisite treasures! I have lived over five hundred years and have never seen so many exquisite treasures!"

"Sigh, those are the Five Prison King Cauldrons, Huatiandu's Nine Palace Golden Tower, Wan Qin's Golden Jiaobian! Moreover, there are over five hundred lower, middle, and upper‑grade treasures. Young Master Chen, have you plundered an entire Great Immortal Sect…?"

The more than ten subordinates behind Prince Yi bulged their eyes out, nearly dropping to the ground.

Although Prince Yi was a prince with abundant wealth and possessed exquisite treasures, he felt a dizzying sensation at that moment.

And Shi San Niang, who had just claimed Heaven Dao Hall could handle any treasure, leapt violently from her seat, her face shocked and breathing rapid.

After more than ten breaths, Shi San Niang finally managed to restrain her shock and apologetically said, "Daoist friend Chen, the batch of artifacts you are selling is of such immense value that this branch of Heaven Dao Hall lacks enough pills to purchase them. We must go to the headquarters in Xuan Huang City to complete the transaction. If you are willing, I will escort you through the hall's teleportation gate to the headquarters."

Chen Zheng frowned and said, "A mere tens of billions of business, and your Heaven Dao Hall can't even handle it, yet you still need to go to headquarters?"

Shi San Niang heard this and felt both embarrassed and helpless.

Prince Yi and the others cast a strange look toward Chen Zheng.

"Listen to what Chen Zheng is saying!"

Hundreds of years ago, the Wild Demon Sect's "Wild Emperor" came to Heaven Dao Hall, seeking to purchase pills for his hundreds of thousands of disciples, offering a few exquisite treasures such as the Five Prison King Cauldrons in exchange. In a single day, Heaven Dao Hall produced ten billion White Sun Pills for the Wild Emperor. When this story spread through the cultivation world, many were astonished and praised Heaven Dao Hall for its vast wealth.

But now, a business worth several times ten billion, Chen Zheng dismisses as "mere".

If the Wild Emperor were to learn of this, what a predicament it would be!

"Enough."

Chen Zheng shook his head and asked the embarrassed Shi San Niang, "Can my Feather Ascension Gate companions Meng Shaobai and Immortal Xuan Tie attend the Treasure Sale Convention in your hall?"

"They are in the VIP room of the Treasure Sale Convention venue," Shi San Niang hesitated a moment, then nodded.

According to protocol, a guest's information cannot be disclosed casually, especially a distinguished guest like Meng Shaobai.

But Chen Zheng is such a major client; she does not want to lose him. If this deal goes through, the commission would equal decades of profit.

Moreover, Chen Zheng is unfathomable and formidable; she dares not offend him, so she can only sell Meng Shaobai.

Moreover, Chen Zheng and Meng Shaobai are from the same sect, so their relationship should be good; I trust that after Meng Shaobai knows, he won't blame her.

Chen Zheng said offhand, "Go call them over; after that I'll go with you to the Heaven Dao Pavilion headquarters."

(End of chapter)