Chapter 500: Star Bank

A borderland.

The universe seemed torn apart, revealing countless semi-transparent wounds.

From these wounds glowed a pale, misty light, with faint dark shadows within.

Only when drawing closer did one realize these were countless cult-follower species of evil gods, screaming and wailing as they surged out of the borderland.

And then… they simply dissolved into nothingness.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

At the edge of the borderland, the void shimmered, revealing two sea-tribe beings.

One of them had gills on his face, strikingly handsome, with thirteen multicolored scales on his forehead, radiating rainbow light.

The other was a mermaid, her golden hair curled and glossy.

"The borderland has appeared again… It seems another Fa-Zhu Realm cultivator has perished; his inner divine realm collapsed and merged with this region of the universe…"

The male sea-tribe being sighed.

Fa-Zhu Realm cultivators open up internal realms, internal universes, inner divine realms... they are all the same thing: internal worlds.

But such worlds have a flaw—they cannot form independent realms or universes; they must rely on the true universe.

Once the cultivator dies, his internal divine realm collapses and, upon merging with the true universe, forms a borderland. Some fortunate beings escape, becoming terrible disasters.

For example, the disaster once suffered by the Great Xia planet originated from the inner universe of the Yuan Yan Palace Master.

Of course, this is both disaster and opportunity.

Perhaps… the legacy of the Fa-Zhu Realm cultivator is hidden within!

Thus, it attracts powerful beings.

Most of the Creator's inner universe collapsed, and the borderland manifested in territory controlled by the sea tribes—naturally, sea-tribe experts arrived.

"But…"

The mermaid raised her hand, and a multicolored bubble appeared, enclosing a fleshy sphere covered in countless human limbs.

Suddenly, eyes opened across the sphere, unleashing evil, insane psychic assaults.

The mermaid felt nothing; she merely watched the multicolored bubble drift out of the borderland, where the evil god cultist dissolved into nothingness, then spoke: "Illusory Law… these creations are illusions; thus, upon entering the true universe, they dissolve into nothingness… This is good—it means they cannot cause large-scale disasters in nearby star regions. We can breathe easier."

"Few cultivators achieve Fa-Zhu Realm through Illusory Law… We should investigate thoroughly. Perhaps we can identify the cultivator and gain some benefits."

The male sea-tribe being mused aloud.

"Heh… Such Fa-Zhu Realm cultivators? My disciples have collected tens of millions already. It's unlikely they left behind any legacy or treasures."

The mermaid flicked her tail; the cosmic void rippled like water as she dove in and vanished—teleportation.

The male sea-tribe being sighed again and turned to leave.

Before departing, he glanced and saw a space fortress burst out of the borderland.

On its hull, blue-star script was engraved: "Space Seventh Fleet."

Its entire form was sleek, silver-white, radiating sci-fi and mechanical beauty, surrounded by numerous escort mechs.

But once it entered the cosmos, it too dissolved into nothingness, leaving not a single trace…

"Even their technological creations are mediocre—barely reaching mid-level civilization standards?"

The male sea-tribe being shook his head, his body turning into a blue streak of light and vanishing…

…

Meanwhile.

Star Bank.

This bank was not operated by the sea tribe, but by the universe's peak civilization—the Star Civilization—with branches across most star regions.

Its presence on Green Water Planet was an unexpected stroke of luck.

Not long after, Fang Xing completed his procedures and stepped out of the Star Bank.

"The Star Bank's efficiency is too slow—just selling a few trinkets, yet they claim local reserves of Source Crystals are insufficient and must be shipped from another planet… a month's wait…"

Fang Xing was speechless, yet he knew this was normal.

He needed a large quantity of Source Crystals; if anything went wrong, even wiping out Green Water Planet wouldn't cover the loss.

This wasn't just numbers on an account—it required actual extraction of Source Crystals.

At that point, even Neutron-Star level guardians of the 12th Realm, or even Fa-Zhu Realm cultivators, might take notice.

"Speaking of which, though I haven't broken through yet, with a complete Law, I'm at least a Black Hole-level entity…"

"Some oaths were sworn by Li Ying, but since I received benefits, I should prepare accordingly."

After all, the Dao of Cause and Effect is profoundly mysterious—even if Fang Xing used his golden finger to deceive the Great Dao of Cause and Effect, he couldn't deceive himself!

Who knows if these "threads of cause and effect" will manifest when he transcends?

"Fortunately, it's not complicated—just a few minor tasks… First: the cause and effect of Yuan Zhong Divine Temple—kill the enemy of the Gray Robe Marquis, Blood Origin Mountain Lord. Second: the cause and effect of Yuan Yan Palace—easier still; just assist one Yuan Yan Beast once…"

As for reviving the Gray Robe Marquis?

He lacked the strength; he never considered it, nor did it cause him any psychological resistance.

"Hmm… If I help the Gray Robe Marquis avenge himself, Yuan Zhong Divine Temple naturally becomes mine—no need to argue. I should inquire about Great Xia Planet's status…"

With this thought, he turned to the sea-tribe woman following him: "Are there any convenient places nearby to gather information?" The sea-tribe woman, having received his bribe, thought earnestly: "In our city, it's the 'Zhen Bao Zhai.' Rumor says its behind-the-scenes connections are immense, with special channels linking every corner of the Deep Sea Civilization—communication is extremely fast… It also deals in intelligence and goods, but… some dealings are gray."

This was a black-market merchant, prone to black-on-black betrayals.

"No problem. Take me there."

Fang Xing waved dismissively, and the sea-tribe woman used her multicolored bubble to carry him to a gleaming, shell-shaped building.

As usual, he told her to wait outside and walked in alone.

"Esteemed guest, how may I serve you?"

As Fang Xing entered, a sea-tribe woman greeted him.

Though every scale on her body appeared lifelike, he knew this was a puppet automaton.

"A 10th Realm puppet?"

He glanced and thought: "Indeed—the Deep Sea Civilization far surpasses the Blue Star Federation. They can effortlessly produce puppets at this level and use them as receptionists…"

"I wish to sell a trinket and purchase some information."

Fang Xing spoke calmly.

"Please follow me."

The sea-tribe woman immediately led Fang Xing into a giant pearl.

Once the pearl sealed shut, no sound escaped from outside.

"This is a specially designed secure chamber. Only I am trading with you now… Everything I say is under the highest intelligence monitoring of 'Zhen Bao Zhai'…"

The sea-tribe woman's expression suddenly turned rigid: "What item do you intend to sell, guest?"

"This…"

Fang Xing raised his hand and released a dull, gray fruit.

He'd sold more trinkets at the Star Bank; here, he only intended to offload minor items for pocket money.

The sea-tribe woman's eyes flashed with luminous blue light as she scanned the dull fruit; vast data streamed, performing comparisons:

"The item you intend to sell is a 'Gray Source Fruit,' matured and well-preserved… Estimated value: 700 million Source Coins, or 7 trillion Deep Sea Coins."

The sea-tribe puppet paused: "Due to the transaction's scale, your privilege level has been upgraded—you are now a 'Nine-Scale' client of Zhen Bao Zhai."

Behind the scenes, information was already transmitted to Zhen Bao Zhai's true owner.

Fang Xing even sensed a higher intelligence had temporarily seized control of the female sea-tribe puppet's authority to negotiate with him.

"Respected Nine-Scale VIP, per our establishment's rules, a 10% handling fee applies. Final offer: 6. trillion Deep Sea Coins. How does this suit you?"

The puppet sea-tribe woman spoke solemnly.

"Fine. But I don't want Deep Sea Coins—convert it all to Source Coins… I know you don't have that much in reserve. No cash—just transfer it."

Fang Xing spoke casually.

His account was naturally at the Star Bank. In the vast true universe, countless interstellar wanderers existed; identity verification was lax.

"Source Coins?"

The sea-tribe puppet hesitated.

…

Deep within Zhen Bao Zhai.

A young sea-tribe man with ten scales on his forehead stared fixedly at the screen: "Source Coins? He wants Source Coins… He's a sea-tribe—why not Deep Sea Coins? And the official exchange rate is outdated; the black market has already shifted…"

He wanted to refuse the deal, yet felt reluctant: "Gray Source Fruit is crucial—it could determine whether I advance further. Fortunately, transfers are allowed. I can temporarily borrow funds. If he demanded cash, hardly anyone on Green Water Planet could afford it…"

"This sea-tribe is unfamiliar…"

The sea-tribe youth stared at Fang Xing's image, fingers flying across controls, eyes gleaming with cunning.

…

【Ding. Your account has received 630 million Source Coins.】

Fang Xing glanced at his Star Bank card, nodded, and handed the Gray Source Fruit to the sea-tribe puppet: "Pleasure doing business… By the way, I'd like to purchase some intelligence."

"Your Highness, please speak."

The sea-tribe woman smiled charmingly, now far more respectful than before.

"I wish to acquire intelligence on the Yuan Yan Beast race… and any recent data on Yuan Yan Beasts."

Fang Xing interlaced his fingers.

He didn't mention Great Xia Planet—it was merely a quasi-universal primitive civilization; a sea-tribe member inquiring about such a civilization would seem suspicious and attract unwanted attention.

Yuan Yan Beasts, however, posed no such concern.

The Yuan Yan Beast is of the lineage of cosmic monsters, possessing extraordinary innate talent and well-suited to be cultivated as a pet or avatar...

The sea tribe woman immediately sent a piece of intelligence.

After a brief inquiry, she spoke directly: "In two hundred and ninety-seven cosmic days, at the Multiverse Auction on the planet 'Bilan Star,' a slave Yuan Yan Beast will be auctioned—it is still a cub, having just ascended to Satellite Level, and is highly suitable for any form of cultivation..."

(End of Chapter)