Chapter 220

Standing before Chen Zheng was this……

No, to be precise, it was a youth with his back to Chen Zheng, wearing a red headscarf, whose bearing was lofty and extraordinary, his features striking, appearing extremely remarkable.

Moreover, beside the red-headscarf youth stood two men, shoulder to shoulder with him; one had an otherworldly visage, his azure cloud-patterned robe exuding a faint medicinal fragrance, while the other was burly and mighty, his aura overbearing, like a war god.

Behind the three followed more than ten people with seven sparkling tiny star insignias pinned to their chests, and they were none other than the extraordinarily noble Seven-Star Treasure Refining Masters.

One must know, within the Treasure-Splitting Rock there are many treasure-refining workshops, each housing over a hundred thousand refiners, yet those who can reach Seven-Star are few and far between, all of exalted standing, second only to the Venerables who oversee the workshops, showing just how rare Seven-Star Treasure Refining Masters are.

It is no exaggeration to say that any Seven-Star Treasure Refining Master from Treasure-Splitting Rock, upon entering any major world, could become an honored guest of the top powers, sitting on equal footing with figures of the Three Saints of Ascension, chatting and laughing freely.

Yet now, more than ten venerable Seven-Star Treasure Refining Masters follow behind the three youths like a retinue serving their master, and no one knows where these three youths come from, yet their entourage is so grand?

Could they be the sons of three great figures?

The three youths bear no grudge against Chen Zheng, do not know each other, and certainly did not intentionally block his path.

In fact, the three youths were much like Chen Zheng: seeing the throng of treasure refiners presenting gifts to Young Lady Mi Bao, they grew impatient, wanted to push through the crowd and cut in line, and happened to end up in front of Chen Zheng.

"Move aside!"

The three youths swaggered forth, releasing their aura to shove aside the throng ahead, forcibly carving a path, and walked toward Young Lady Mi Bao at the front.

"Who the hell isn't following the rules, trying to cut in line?... Uh..." A Seven-Star Treasure Refining Master who had been shoved aside looked displeased, about to unleash a tirade, but the moment he saw the three youths he fell silent, as if they made him wary.

"Look, it's Xing Shao, Yao Shao, and Dou Shao—the three young masters of our treasure-refining workshop, known as the Workshop's Three Young Masters! It's said they are not only high-star treasure refiners, but their backgrounds are extraordinary, all being spoiled heirs from other major worlds!"

"I know this: Xing Shao is the son of the Palace Master Xing Yuan of the Boundless Star Palace; Yao Shao is the Young Master of the Medicine God Valley; Dou Shao is the Crown Prince of the Fighting God Empire. Their factions are on good terms with Treasure-Splitting Rock, have business dealings, and all admire Young Lady Mi Bao, so they came as treasure refiners to win her favor. I wonder what gift they'll present this time to win her heart."

"When the Workshop's Three Young Masters make a move, it will certainly be extraordinary. However, they might vie for Young Lady Mi Bao's affection before her, so there'll be a good show to watch..."

Upon seeing Xing Shao, Yao Shao, and Dou Shao ahead, the crowd of treasure refiners needed no prompting from the three youths; they voluntarily made way, exchanging covert remarks.

As the three young masters heard the murmurs in the crowd, their demeanor grew ever more arrogant, their stride exuding a dragon-and-tiger vigor that seemed to swallow the world.

Especially the central Xing Shao, seemingly intent on showing off, a flash of pride crossed his eyes as a exquisite jade box appeared in his hand.

Swish!

The box lid opened automatically, revealing an exquisitely crafted ring that, when slightly shaken, caused runes to flash and shift colors across its surface, instantly forming a phoenix three thousand zhang tall, its feathers resplendent in seven colors, its light awe-inspiring—truly a world‑rare Seven‑Colored Phoenix, the exclusive mount of ancient fairies, long vanished from the mortal realm.

"Hiss... it's the Mysterious Woman True Phoenix Ring! Legend says it was personally forged by the Human Emperor in antiquity to commemorate the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman; though Xing Shao's is not the genuine article, it would still require capturing thirty‑six phoenixes to have a hope of refining it."

Countless treasure refiners turned pale at the sight of the ring in Xing Shao's hand, realizing that no gift they had prepared could compare, and were instantly seized with envy and jealousy that made their teeth itch.

Even Yao Shao and Dou Shao beside him showed a wary look in their eyes.

"Hehe, you're still far from matching me in a contest." Xing Shao took in everyone's reactions, growing ever more pleased.

Especially the reactions of his two "great rivals" beside him filled him with utter delight, secretly exciting him: "This time I will surely seize first place, win Young Lady Mi Bao, and have the Treasure Lord agree to a marriage alliance. When I return to the Boundless Star Palace, my father will surely be overjoyed, bequeathing me the palace lordship and the Primordial Chaos Boundless Diagram. I will then use the Nine Yang Holy Water in the Pure Yang Hall and Treasure‑Splitting Rock's vast resources to enter seclusion, attain the Celestial Immortal realm, become the foremost person of the Boundless Grand World. Then I can sweep the Eternal Demon Hall of the Underground World and achieve the grand feat of invading the Mysterious Yellow Grand World."

The more Xing Shao thought, the more excited he became, his crooked grin about to split to his ears—when suddenly a mighty aura swept from behind like a star‑sea tempest, vast and inconceivable, sweeping him into the crowd as if sweeping away trash.

Not only him, but Yao Shao and Dou Shao standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder were also hit by that aura, flung into the crowd, knocking many treasure refiners flat on their backs, each seeing stars.

It was obvious that the one who struck was Chen Zheng.

He had just learned from Yuan Potian about the source of all evil, and was eager to go seek it, but these three so‑called Workshop Three Young Masters were utterly irritating, wasting his time, so he had no choice but to blast them aside.

Swish!

Before anyone could react, Chen Zheng, dragging Yuan Potian along, surged through the thick crowd and reached the front.

Here it was quite open; a throne stood in the center, upon which Young Lady Mi Bao sat upright, eyes closed, showing no reaction, as if immersed in cultivation.

To her left and right stood the Venerables who oversee the various treasure‑refining workshops.

Meanwhile, the Divine Beast Jiang Ang, who had been there earlier, led dozens of attendants holding jade registers, tallying the gifts piled into mountain‑like heaps nearby, then recording the presenters' names and their gifts in the jade registers, to be shown later to Young Lady Mi Bao.

Among the many Venerables, Ming Zun, who oversees Chen Zheng's workshop, saw Chen Zheng suddenly step forward and felt pleased; he could not resist sending a mental message: "Xuan Zhen, what treasure are you presenting to the young lady? Give me the lowdown, so I can speak well of you before her later."

Chen Zheng seemed not to hear, having no intention of responding to Ming Zun, and with Yuan Potian strode straight to Divine Beast Jiang Ang and the others, saying casually: "I am Yang Xuan Zhen, he is Yuan Buddi, and this is the gift we have carefully prepared for Young Lady Mi Bao—may she enjoy ten thousand years of life."

He flicked his sleeve, and two white low‑grade Dao artifact flying swords shot out from his cuff, landing atop one of the gift‑mound hills.

Then, without waiting for Divine Beast Jiang Ang to speak, he gave Yuan Buddi a glance and turned to walk back into the crowd.

"Is this the rare treasure he painstakingly refined in seclusion?" Ming Zun stared at the two white flying swords on the gift mound, and everyone stood dumbfounded.

That day in the treasure‑refining workshop, Chen Zheng had clapped his chest and promised him he would surely forge a rare treasure to present, win Young Lady Mi Bao's favor, and bring him glory.

Chen Zheng is a Seven‑Star peak treasure refiner, capable of casually crafting high‑grade Dao artifacts of fine quality.

He trusted Chen Zheng quite a bit, so he gave him a token representing his status, allowing Chen Zheng to freely pick workshop refiners to assist him.

The refining materials stored in the workshop's vault were also freely available for Chen Zheng to draw upon.

He had never inquired about Chen Zheng's refining work.

He had essentially granted Chen Zheng great convenience and autonomy, merely awaiting the day of the gift‑presentation, hoping Chen Zheng would bring him a surprise.

Who would have thought Chen Zheng would send nothing but a low‑grade Dao artifact, the most ordinary kind, clearly a shoddy, low‑quality product at a glance?

What kind of surprise is this?

It's nothing but shock!

"What the hell is Yang Xuan Zhen up to!" Ming Zun's heart surged with anger; he really wanted to rush forward, grab Chen Zheng's collar, and give him a stern dressing‑down.

But he forced himself to hold back.

If a commotion arose and Young Lady Mi Bao learned that his subordinate Seven‑Star treasure refiner had sent only a low‑grade Dao artifact, it would be disastrous.

The other Venerables would also mock him.

He would lose all face.

Better to wait until this passes, then talk things over with Chen Zheng.

He struggled to feign nonchalance, praying that Divine Beast Jiang Ang and the others tallying the gifts would pay no heed to Chen Zheng's low‑grade Dao artifact.

Please, don't!

Yet an accident still occurred—not from Divine Beast Jiang Ang and company, but from among the treasure‑refiner crowd.

Someone let out a roar that shook the entire venue: "Yang Xuan Zhen, with your Seven‑Star treasure‑refining skill, you actually produced only this low‑grade treasure to give Young Lady Mi Bao—I see clearly you are deliberately insulting her; you must be a spy sneaked into our Treasure‑Splitting Rock!"

The shouter was Xing Shao, who burst from the crowd and barred Chen Zheng's path as he was about to leave the Myriad Treasure Tower Ship, staring at him like a venomous snake, as if trying to stare him to death.

He, the son of the illustrious Wuji Star Palace master, at the crucial moment of winning Miss Mi Bao's heart, was ambushed by Chen Zheng with despicable tactics, left bruised and humiliated, his face covered in dust.

This hatred cannot be borne!

If this weren't inside Fenbao Rock, no one could act; he insists on beheading Chen Zheng to use as a urinal.

"He…"

Ming Zun, hearing Star Young Master accuse Chen Zheng of the crime of rape, furrowed his brows, about to say that Chen Zheng was personally recruited into the Refining Treasure Secret Factory and was not guilty of that crime.

But suddenly someone else stepped forward, standing beside Star Young Master, it was Yao Young Master: "Indeed, Miss, how revered you are, being a Void Immortal, how could such a rape insult you?"

Dou Young Master also stepped out, his cold gaze fixed on Chen Zheng: "Rape is unforgivable, we must extract his soul, torture him with cruel methods, then annihilate his entire clan."

"No, that would be too easy for the rapist," Yao Young Master shook his head, saying in a low voice: "In Yao Divine Valley we excel at creating medicine people; we can place blood‑sucking marrow‑seed into all his major acupoints, using his own vital blood as nourishment for the herb, whose roots will embed deep into his bones and soul, sucking his marrow, drawing his divine abilities, extracting his soul, making him feel unprecedented pain."

"Fine, once Miss Mi Bao gives the order, this rapist will be handed over to Brother Yao for processing, so he can see his situation clearly and never offend great figures like us in his next life." Star Young Master and Dou Young Master sneered.

"Everyone, cease the clamor…"

"Are the three of you worthless done talking? If you're finished, then you may die."

A female and a male voice sounded simultaneously, belonging to Miss Mi Bao and Chen Zheng.

The woman, at some point, opened her eyes, her dark brows slightly furrowed, seeming displeased with what was happening in the arena.

Chen Zheng, simple and brutal, spoke, and in the meantime his arm shot out so fast that everyone present couldn't react, and he seized Yao Young Master in his hand.

"How dare you grapple me? You're utterly lawless! Let go of me, I am of Yao Divine Valley…" Yao Young Master was shocked and pale.

He hadn't expected Chen Zheng to be so strong, still daring to strike him inside Fenbao Rock, and while struggling he tried to announce his lineage.

Unfortunately, it was already too late.

He hadn't finished speaking when a soft "pop" sound was heard, and the person was incinerated by the flames erupting from Chen Zheng's hand, reduced to nothing.

"What?"

All the surrounding Refining Treasure Masters, the divine beast Jiang Ang, Ming Zun, Star Young Master, Dou Young Master, even Miss Mi Bao, were all stunned.

It should be known that within Fenbao Rock, even a True Immortal of the Tenfold Longevity Path dares not act recklessly; doing so leads to death, as precedent shows.

Tens of thousands of years ago, a Demonic Path True Immortal, while bidding for treasures at Fenbao Rock's auction, clashed with others, couldn't restrain himself, and was instantly slain by the treasure master with a thunderous strike.

So how could a Seventh‑Star Refining Treasure Master like Chen Zheng have the courage to kill inside Fenbao Rock?

Has he gone insane?

"Your turn."

As everyone was shocked, Chen Zheng reached out again, this time grabbing Dou Young Master.

"I am in the Realm of the King of Worlds, a hundred times stronger than a Yao Immortal Master, impossible for you to kill! Dou God Shock! Dou God Breaks Prison! Battle Through the Heavens…"

Dou Young Master, terrified, roared and unleashed the supreme art of the Dou God Empire, the Dou God Thirteen Forms, each move exquisite, as if an ancient Dou God possessed him.

Yet it was useless; Chen Zheng seized him, true fire burned him, turning him to ash.

"Save me…"

Seeing his two companions die on the spot without any chance to fight back, Star Young Master was terrified, his soul fled, and he rushed toward Miss Mi Bao.

Yet he still could not escape doom, as Chen Zheng grabbed his neck in one hand, lifting him like a dead dog.

"Esteemed fellow cultivator…"

Miss Mi Bao finally awoke from the turmoil, rose abruptly, intending to stop Chen Zheng, but saw his eyes, as cold as the Nine Abyss, sweep over her; she felt suffocated, her soul nearly frozen, as if speaking another word would invite his lethal gaze.

She instantly fell silent, her whole body stiff, cold sweat pouring down, soaking her close‑fitting clothes.

The woman was drenched.

Only then did Chen Zheng withdraw his gaze from her, his eyes landing on Star Young Master, and he asked, "Are you the son of Star Source?"

"Yes, Star Source is my father; he is a Supreme True Immortal, master of the Mixed Origin Wuji Diagram. If you dare kill me, he certainly will not let you go!" Star Young Master, thinking Chen Zheng feared Star Source, regained some composure and issued a fierce threat.

Chen Zheng gave a noncommittal smile, waved his hand, and a vivid light‑shadow appeared before Star Young Master, depicting a colossal hand that shattered the cosmic barrier, descended upon the Wuji Great World, and with a single move, the Sea‑Swallowing Boundless Assault annihilated the entire Wuji Star Palace clan.

"You…"

Star Young Master watched the ever‑changing scene, seeing his father finally erased by a drop of seawater, his face drained of all color.

All thoughts vanished; he collapsed.

"The Wuji Star Palace was completely wiped out?" Ming Zun and the others, along with the Refining Treasure Masters, swallowed hard.

"The Wuji Star Palace was destroyed by Young Master Chen? He's already that powerful, even stronger than the sect leader! If so, perhaps he can elevate me from the Mixed Cave Realm to Void Immortal, then to True Immortal!" Nearby, Yuan Potian trembled wildly, then excited again.

"Who is he, that can with a single hand eradicate the Wuji Star Palace?" Miss Mi Bao also saw the scene, her face horrified and even wetter.

She vaguely sensed that, though she couldn't see the hand's owner in the vision, that hand was Chen Zheng's.

"You may go down and accompany your father."

Chen Zheng dispersed the vision, true fire surged from his hand, and the desperate Star Young Master was incinerated. (End of chapter)