Chapter 262

The visitor was a beautiful woman of twenty-six or twenty-seven, with an oval face and a pair of eyes as clear as water. She wore a lotus-white brocade dress, and a pale-water ancient jade was tied around her slender waist.

Her figure was graceful and lithe, and her temperament was gentle and refined.

Yet, as her gaze shifted, there was a faint hint of shrewdness and agility, suggesting she was not as easily deceived as her appearance might imply.

Behind the woman followed several pretty maidservants in colorful clothes, holding fans and baskets, making for quite a grand display.

As for Peng Qing, who had just gone out, he followed closely behind, not daring to lift his head.

Fearing he might offend the person in front of him, he kept his eyes fixed on his own toes, his expression extremely respectful, with sweat faintly visible on his temples...

"I dare not accept your instruction; you truly humble this servant, honored guest."

Hearing this, the woman covered her lips and smiled lightly, her gaze sweeping over Chen Hang from head to toe in a brief moment.

Afterward, she walked gracefully to the side of the table. Without needing to give an order, the maidservants behind her understood immediately and brought out fruits and tea, serving them one by one.

"I wonder if you, honored guest, know the origin of this Year-End Review?"

Amidst the curling fragrance of tea, the woman swayed her water sleeves, made a gesture of invitation, and asked with a charming smile.

"I have heard a little."

Seeing this, Chen Hang did not decline. He unfurled his sleeves, sat across from the woman, and after a moment of contemplation, said:

"I hear it was initiated by several elders of the Twelve Great Clans. Although on the surface they claim they do not wish for the figures of the Nine Continents and Four Seas to remain hidden and nameless.

That brilliant talents and romantic figures should have their fame crown the universe and be spread to future generations, so that all under heaven may know them...

But the inner intent is merely to use fame as bait, hoping to trick the disciples of the Eight Sects and Six Factions into fighting to the death for a hollow name.

If they are weak and I am strong, the ones who benefit in the end are naturally the Great Clans.

However, looking at the results, although this scheme is an open plot, it is indeed shallow in wisdom, far too dismissive of the people of the world..."

The Eight Sects and Six Factions have been able to persist from the ancient Daoist Court era to this day.

The monsters, demons, and underhanded schemes they have seen are already as numerous as carp crossing a river, impossible to exhaust.

The hidden agenda behind this Year-End Review naturally could not deceive their eyes and ears.

In the mere three periods since its list was first opened, the people behind the selection of those on the list.

Have been changed from the several elders of the Twelve Great Clans.

To those True Ones within the Eight Sects and Six Factions who are fond of meddling and possess magic powers...

And those True Ones who love excitement, after obtaining the nod from the North Pole Garden, specifically circled mountains and enclosed valleys in North Hao Continent, raising a pavilion and palace that reached straight into the sky, calling it the "View of Nothingness" as their Daoist site.

Every time the Year-End arrives.

Which is the first day of the year.

The True Ones of the View of Nothingness will order the young acolytes to post the Golden List outside the mountain gate.

Ordering all large and small cultivation households in the Xudu world to come and copy the names on the list, so that everyone may know them.

Because this Golden List is only released at the Year-End, it inherited the old precedent of the Great Clans and is also called the Year-End Review.

And the Year-End Review is further subdivided into four lists, from the Purple Palace to the Soul Spirit realm.

Each list has thirty-six rankings.

The Embryonic Breathing, Qi Cultivation, and Foundation Establishment realms are the beginning of the Immortal Dao, and it is difficult to see any clues.

People in these three realms are naturally skipped and not mentioned.

As for those above the Soul Spirit realm, the Immortal Dao True Lords of the Return to Emptiness and Pure Yang realms.

Out of respect for the honored ones, it is truly inconvenient to make a clear distinction of high and low with great fanfare.

So they are simply hidden, and no list is opened for them...

And since the "View of Nothingness" was completed in North Hao Continent.

With the True Ones of the Eight Sects and Six Factions checking and balancing each other, and occasionally with Dao Lords like Tai Wen Miao Cheng and Xuanming Wuxian personally presiding.

This "Year-End Review".

Has truly become an elegant affair that rewards Daoist conduct and encourages the juniors.

No matter who it is, once they are on the list, their name is spread throughout the seas, and the whole universe hears of it.

From then on, their prestige is immense, unrivaled for a time!

And at this moment.

Upon hearing Chen Hang's voice.

The woman smiled slightly, and after detailing how the Year-End Review initiated by the Great Clans had been completely transformed by the Eight Sects and Six Factions, she then said:

"Since the Year-End Review is now different from the past, Chen Hang's sudden rise to such a high position will naturally arouse suspicion in many people...

Not to mention that the commentary on him is also strange, which makes people even more curious and wanting to see his true face."

Chen Hang lowered his eyelids slightly, his gaze hidden beneath his long, thick eyelashes.

He glanced at the unfurled Purple Palace list of the Year-End Review, his brows twitching.

Name: Chen Hang.

Cultivation: Purple Palace Second Layer.

Profound Art: "The Scripture of the Primordial Truth as Spoken by the Dao Lord of the Divine House and Mystic Brilliance"...

Battle Results: Defeated Sima Quantong, Wang Dian, and others during Foundation Establishment, forcefully crushing the crowd of cultivators, thus becoming famous in the Four Courtyards of Yuchen, praised by Huo Mi of the Ten Directions Hall as "Victor of the Dao Struggle."

Entered the Flowing Fire Macro-Transformation Fan Dongtian in the Purple Palace, matched the many with the few, struck the strong with the weak, never failing in battle, his sharpness difficult to withstand.

Ranking: Purple Palace Eleventh.

Commentary: The bending of the inchworm is to seek extension; the hibernation of the dragon and snake is to preserve the body. He probes for the truth through doubt, observes before acting; when he acts, his power is like thunder and lightning, like a quake and rage. Firm and persevering, it can be said that he has fully attained the virtue of metal.

(Note: His spirit is free and easy, his appearance calm and quiet, his bearing outstanding; he is naturally of the class of immortals from the Jade Forest, detached from the world, not inferior to his father.)

"Purple Palace Eleventh... The so-called public discussion is probably for this reason."

Chen Hang said.

This Year-End Review left quite a bit of blank space regarding his Purple Palace battle results.

As for how he matched the many with the few, struck the strong with the weak, and exactly which experts he defeated.

It was not mentioned in detail.

And looking around.

In the Nine Continents and Four Seas of the Xudu world, there are more than a million High Practitioners in the Purple Palace realm! Yet only thirty-six people can make the list!

Chen Hang's sudden emergence.

Arousing suspicion and curiosity among people is naturally within reason.

However, the person behind the ranking of this Year-End Review should not have expected.

That not long after Chen Hang left the Flowing Fire Macro-Transformation Fan Dongtian, he had already cultivated the fourth realm of Sword Dao, proving his ability to become one with the sword.

Otherwise, this ranking should have been able to move forward by one or two...

"This Purple Palace ranking is only one thing; why it would arouse public discussion, the commentary also played a role in fanning the flames, contributing quite a bit of effort."

The woman smiled and said:

"Immortal of the Jade Forest, detached from the world... In the past, the Year-End Review commentary rarely had such praising words, and even more so regarding appearance.

Seeing these words, not only are many female cultivators in the East Sea curious and wanting to see Chen Hang's true face, even this servant has become interested in him."

"Year-End elegant review... Regardless of Daoist conduct and magic power, why would it involve skin and appearance?"

Chen Hang was silent for a moment and said.

"This is indeed rare. Since the completion of the 'View of Nothingness', in these infinite years, there have only been six or seven men who were specifically mentioned for their appearance when they first made the Year-End Review... That deceased Daoist Junyao of Yuchen, and the Yuanshu Zhenjun Yushu of the Innate Demon Sect, are both among them."

The woman said:

"And now a Chen Hang has been added, which is also a rare thing."

Chen Hang's gaze converged, and he did not say much.

And at this time, the woman took the initiative to speak, probing:

"This servant is Xue Wan'er, one of the four managers of this Cangxiao Tower. You, honored guest, look quite unfamiliar. I wonder which great sect you come from? Perhaps your sect has some friendship with the owner behind us."

Hearing this, Chen Hang just smiled slightly.

Afterward, Xue Wan'er threw out a few more topics, but Chen Hang only responded briefly, often stopping at critical junctures.

Seeing that his mouth was very tight and she was afraid she couldn't get anything out of him, Xue Wan'er felt a little helpless, but she didn't dwell on it. She just clapped her hands lightly, and the maidservants behind her respectfully handed over two exquisite sleeve bags.

"I have personally brought the things you wanted, honored guest. You might as well count them to see if there are any mistakes."

She said.

Hearing this, Chen Hang did not put on airs. He nodded slightly and opened the sleeve bags.

The first sleeve bag contained thirty Yellow Pool Pills, the size of pigeon eggs, bright yellow and luminous throughout.

Looking closely, one could see several yellow clouds the size of fingernails lingering on them, a very delicate appearance.

When Chen Hang was at the Earth Abyss Golden Drum Cave, he had followed Cui Jingzhong to learn the Dao of external alchemy, and he had taught him everything he knew.

Because the future was uncertain at that time.

He had even faintly thought of using alchemy as a foundation for his life, wanting to use alchemy to earn resources for cultivation...

But after entering the Yuchen Lower Courtyard for cultivation by mistake, this thought gradually faded.

However, although he didn't spend much effort on alchemy later, his discernment was still there.

After a careful investigation, he knew that these thirty Yellow Pool Pills were not crudely made low-grade goods, but could already be called top-tier. He put them away and picked up the second sleeve bag.

But this time.

After counting the number of talisman coins inside.

Chen Hang suddenly smiled and shook his head, saying:

"Wrong."

"Wrong?" Xue Wan'er's expression did not change.

"Too many."

Chen Hang looked at her:

"After deducting the thirty Yellow Pool Pills, it shouldn't be this amount. Even if Cangxiao Tower is an industry of the Dragon Clan, with a large family and business, I'm afraid it can't afford such generous giving, right?"

"As you said, honored guest, but this is not a favor, just a return of courtesy."

Xue Wan'er's beautiful eyes drifted toward Chen Hang, and she smoothed her hair and said:

"You acted righteously on the sea boat earlier, not only saving the lives of everyone on that ship but also maintaining the face of the Chen Yuquan Immortal Market. As for these Yellow Pool Pills, they are just what should be given, please do not decline."

"So that's how it is. This matter spread quickly."

Hearing this, Chen Hang smiled, cupped his hands in thanks, and did not decline, accepting them generously.

Seeing that Chen Hang did not drag things out or pretend to be noble and decline a few times.

Xue Wan'er was also happy that he was straightforward, and her heart relaxed slightly.

The gift of the Yellow Pool Pills was not her idea.

Even though she was one of the four major managers of Cangxiao Tower, she did not have such great authority. This was the instruction of the three managers of the Chen Yuquan Immortal Market, ordering her to complete this matter and ensure it was done properly.

And seeing Chen Hang put away the two sleeve bags, Xue Wan'er spoke again:

"Before coming here, this servant received a message from the three managers of the Immortal Market. If you have any requests, honored guest, I must do my best to agree..."

At this point.

Xue Wan'er's voice paused slightly, and after glancing at Chen Hang with a half-smile, she continued:

"I wonder what else you want, honored guest? You might as well say it all at once."

Since entering the quiet room, she had always maintained a dignified and gentle demeanor.

This glance revealed a bit of charm that went into the bones, soul-stirring, making it difficult for people to hold themselves back.

Peng Qing, not far away, clearly lacked willpower; his face was red and his heart was hot, and he stared fixedly at his toes, not daring to lift his head.

"What a powerful charm technique... If it were during a battle, and the enemy was dazed for a moment, I'm afraid the situation would be dangerous."

Chen Hang turned a blind eye to this, just praised it in his heart, and then asked with a light smile:

"Anything is possible?"

"That also depends on what you want, honored guest... If you want this Cangxiao Tower, even if I have the heart, I'm afraid I can't give it to you."

Xue Wan'er rolled her eyes at Chen Hang.

"I wonder if your tower has 'Purple Bright Flowing Pearls' and 'Cloud Beam Gypsum'?"

Chen Hang pondered for a moment and added:

"If there is still the Essence of the Innate Five Elements, that would be even better."

Even though Peng Qing had been respectfully lowering his head and looking straight ahead, he couldn't help but widen his pupils and look at Chen Hang in surprise upon hearing this.

And those maidservants also had different expressions.

Although Xue Wan'er was a little moved, thinking of Chen Hang's sword escape, she was not surprised. After thinking about it, she apologized:

"Because Purple Bright Flowing Pearls have the effect of extending life, there is usually no stock in the tower. If you want to buy this treasure, honored guest, I'm afraid you will have to wait until the tower's treasure meeting opens.

Although Cloud Beam Gypsum is slightly inferior, because the people of the Rouxuan Mansion have been searching for this item with all their might recently, wanting to use this medicine to repair one of their heavy treasures, I'm afraid there is not much left in the entire East Sea.

As for the Essence of the Innate Five Elements..."

Xue Wan'er shook her head, it went without saying.

Although Purple Bright Flowing Pearls and Cloud Beam Gypsum are precious and extraordinary.

But compared to the Essence of the Innate Five Elements, they are more than a notch inferior.

Like these rare treasures of heaven and earth, even if the Dragon Palace has a large family and business, they rarely take them out for sale, only hiding them in the inner treasury, or keeping them for their own use, or giving them away to do a great favor.

"Regarding the Essence of the Innate Five Elements. What if I can trade item for item?"

At this time.

Chen Hang suddenly spoke.

Hearing this, Xue Wan'er was truly surprised.

She looked at Chen Hang solemnly, and after a long while, she said slowly:

"Are you serious, honored guest? It just so happens that one of the old managers in my Immortal Market is seeking this treasure for his offspring and has exhausted his efforts. However, the Essence of the Innate Water and Wood Elements is not needed..."

"I happen to be lacking Water, and among the Five Elements, only Earth is still in surplus."

Chen Hang smiled.

Seeing that his face was full of composure and ease, not like a pretense.

Even if he exposed that he held such a heavy treasure as the Essence of the Innate Five Elements, he was still calm, clearly having his own trump cards to deal with it.

Such a demeanor.

Only strengthened Xue Wan'er's guess, believing that Chen Hang must have an extraordinary background.

However, the Essence of the Innate Five Elements is of great importance and is not all hers; she still needs to discuss it with that old manager of the Immortal Market to see his idea.

After apologizing, Xue Wan'er hurried out of the door to find that manager of the Immortal Market.

Chen Hang raised his teacup, just touched his lips slightly, and then picked up the Year-End Review again, continuing to flip through it.

And half an hour later.

Xue Wan'er returned to the quiet room, but in her hand was a jade plate, on which was a brocade box the size of a palm.

Seeing the brocade box handed over, Chen Hang opened it and looked.

Instantly, there was a blue brilliance like washing, as if mercury was spilled on the ground, illuminating the whole room, and even his body felt a bit lighter, floating like an immortal.

"The Profound Que Ganoderma of Water?"

Chen Hang's gaze moved.

When he looked up and saw Xue Wan'er looking at him, he also took a jade box from his sleeve and handed it over.

"Yellow Dragon Gall?"

After seeing the object in the box, Xue Wan'er was also happy, her eyes bright.

(End of chapter)