King of Creation Chapter 1636: 1621: Has the Bounty Been Answered?

“Share the good news first. Regardless of the bad news that comes next, we can savor a brief moment of joy,” Ye Zhen remarked, taking a sip of the spiritual tea prepared by Mountain God Yi Xun.

Mountain God Yi Xun lifted the Jade Pot to top off Ye Zhen’s cup and replied, “I figured you’d want the bad news upfront.” He added, “Truth be told, the bad news is intertwined with the good news.”

“Your tea is excellent, Elder. So, what’s the news?” Ye Zhen inquired.

“Recall the reward you posted at the yearly auction?” Mountain God Yi Xun brought up abruptly.

Ye Zhen’s face froze momentarily, and he straightened up, eyes locking onto Mountain God Yi Xun. “Elder Yi, has someone responded to my reward already?”

Merely half a year had passed, and a claimant appearing so quickly truly surprised Ye Zhen.

The bounty Ye Zhen had offered sought a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object capable of restoring origin power, particularly of Water or Wood attribute, presenting a formidable challenge.

“Indeed, news has arrived, and it counts as good tidings for you. Yet, the news in essence turns out to be rather grim,” Mountain God Yi Xun explained.

“Explain how?” Ye Zhen pressed, his stare unwavering on Mountain God Yi Xun.

“Roughly a month back, a martial artist visited the Five Immortals Hall, declaring his intent to claim your reward. Our staff adhered to protocol, interrogating and logging the particulars.

Regrettably, they merely claimed verbally to possess a Wood-attribute Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object that restores origin power, refusing to reveal its identity, discovery site, or harvesting challenges.

They failed even to supply the Spirit Shadow of the item, the barest prerequisite for validation.

Thus, we set aside their reward claim for now.” Yi Xun’s voice changed as he continued, “Drawing from Five Immortals Hall’s vast experience with countless rewards over the years, such individuals typically seek to swindle the bounty.

Yet strangely, after postponing their bid, this fellow displayed unexpected earnestness.

He kept insisting that if you or we doubted his honesty, you could meet him directly to discuss.

He stressed that even without pursuing the reward, he desired a meeting with you to dispel any mistrust.” Mountain God Yi Xun tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table out of habit. “The reward overseers at Five Immortals Hall scrutinized his behavior and uncovered his real motives.”

“Real motives?”

“Precisely. They concluded his main goal was simply to encounter you. Put another way, he harbors hidden agendas toward you,” Mountain God Yi Xun declared.

“What exactly do they seek from me?” Ye Zhen questioned.

“Beyond the Spirit Void Fruit, what else?” Mountain God Yi Xun answered bluntly.

“This year’s Spirit Void Fruit harvest has plummeted, driving prices through the roof. Post-auction, its value has tripled and continues climbing.

Market sightings remain scarce, just isolated fruits or pairs at most; never exceeding five, much less thirty.

Your offer of thirty outright drew eyes from those speculating you hold a vast reserve of Spirit Void Fruit, prompting their reward grab!” Mountain God Yi Xun concluded, gazing sharply at Ye Zhen.

Ye Zhen’s gaze flickered. “Elder Yi, you don’t suspect that of me too, do you?”

“It’s not merely my view; the reward managers share it. They urged me to contact you, my ‘old acquaintance,’ suggesting you capitalize by offloading leftover Spirit Void Fruits at peak rates for massive gains.

Failing that, when the shortage lifts and supply rebounds, prices will crash, leading to steep losses.” Yi Xun counseled, eyeing Ye Zhen.

“You wouldn’t rat me out, right?” Ye Zhen grinned. Truthfully, Ye Zhen longed to inform Yi Xun that Spirit Void Fruit supply recovery was virtually impossible.

For the Spirit Void Orchard, a prime source under the Three-eyed Demon Clan, had been utterly destroyed by Ye Zhen.

During the annual auction attendance, Ye Zhen had planned an anonymous posting of thirty Spirit Void Fruits as reward but paused upon hearing of Five Immortals Hall’s internal troubles.

Even before, thirty Spirit Void Fruits held great worth, and with diminishing supply, their value soared higher.

Under anonymity, who could guarantee Five Immortals Hall wouldn’t fake a claim?

Losing thirty to deceit wouldn’t sting Ye Zhen, but the reward’s purpose mattered deeply, aimed at securing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects to rouse the Little Demon.

After deliberation, Ye Zhen chose neither to flaunt his Spirit Void Fruit stash nor let the reward languish. Hence, he enlisted Mountain God Yi Xun’s aid.

After all, as a Five Immortals Heavenly Destiny Hall member, and having beheld the hall venerable’s Heavenly Fortune Divine Ability, Ye Zhen deemed Yi Xun reliable.

In the end, Ye Zhen had Mountain God Yi Xun release the reward as from his longtime ally, resulting in today’s events.

“Never,” Mountain God Yi Xun chuckled. “How could I, a man of honor, sell out anyone—especially a promising youth like you?” Yi Xun responded with layered meaning.

“I do possess some remaining Spirit Void Fruit, though scant. Reserved for my cultivation needs. Roughly this amount.” Ye Zhen raised two fingers.

Ye Zhen trusted Yi Xun, yet reassurance was still prudent.

“Twenty? Not abundant, yet ample for most martial artists.”

Ye Zhen blinked repeatedly without retorting. In reality, he meant two hundred, but with Yi Xun mistaking it for twenty, Ye Zhen let it slide.

Grinning, Ye Zhen produced two Spirit Void Fruits and set them before Mountain God Yi Xun.

Mountain God Yi Xun arched a brow. “What’s the intent here? What sort of man do you imagine me to be?”

“Elder Yi, merely a token from this junior. I’ve imposed on you greatly. Refuse them, and how can I request further favors? Also, for my Dulong Island Market, if feasible, might you dispatch additional elite forces? My own expert pool remains rather thin.” Ye Zhen requested.

“Regarding Dulong Island Market, rest assured I’ll prioritize it. Beyond those already dispatched, I’ve summoned several secluded cultivator brethren from Tianyun Hall to train nearby when possible. Any crisis will summon swift aid.” Yi Xun assured.

“Secluded cultivator brethren?”

Ye Zhen’s pupils contracted sharply. Mountain God Yi Xun’s revelation carried weight. What realm did Mountain God Yi Xun occupy? Ninth Stage Realm King Realm pinnacle, a single stride from Half-step Dao Realm.

Thus, whom he called brethren must wield at least Half-step Dao Realm might, likely full Dao Realm.

In essence, Ye Zhen’s Dulong Island Market gained formidable safeguards.

With Five Immortals Hall powerhouses present, any dire event could hold the line for Senior Sister Liao Feibai and allies to withdraw safely.

“In that light, you simply must take them. This junior faces endless woes. If you won’t…”

Following Ye Zhen’s flattery and pleas, Mountain God Yi Xun finally accepted the pair of Spirit Void Fruits with reluctance.

“Ye, I’ll engrave this kindness. Money holds no sway for me, but Spirit Void Fruit I desperately require. These two could propel me toward Dao Realm’s doorstep at a pivotal juncture. I won’t forget.” Yi Xun vowed.

“Elder Yi, I hold eighteen more. Need extras? I can spare a few.” Ye Zhen proposed immediately.

Mountain God Yi Xun grew flustered; even two from Ye Zhen stirred discomfort. More would smack of greed.

Truth was, Ye Zhen puzzled over Mountain God Yi Xun’s unusual favor. A nagging disquiet lingered.

Thus, Ye Zhen aimed to offer perks as gratitude and to forge ties.

Given Ye Zhen’s wealth, gifting a hundred or hundred-eighty Spirit Void Fruits meant little. The Cloud Winged Tiger King Kitten devoured hundreds daily now. Handing Yi Xun one or two hundred posed no strain.

Yet caution prevailed; Ye Zhen refrained from excess.

Yi Xun wasn’t naive. Overabundance would expose Ye Zhen’s vast hoard.

Greed might stir in Yi Xun, or leaks could invite catastrophe.

“Enough chit-chat. On your Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects reward: our assessment flags an eighty-to-ninety percent risk. Best dismiss it for lacking criteria, thwarting any schemes.” Yi Xun advised.

Ye Zhen frowned. “Elder Yi, but suppose they hold genuine leads? You know how vital those clues are to me.”

“Hmm…”

“Probability’s low, yet not zero. Thus, I’ll direct the reward handlers to reply thus to the enigmatic claimant:

State the evaluator deemed their submission too vague, devoid of useful intel, invalidating the reward.

Further, demand specifics: the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects’ nature, Spirit Shadows thereof plus sites, extraction hazards, and lurking perils.

Only then will the reward activate.”

“This ensures any true leads on your needed Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects won’t slip away,” Mountain God Yi Xun stated deliberately.

Ye Zhen pondered deeply. Initially inclined to meet despite risks, memories of past lures—like the Blue-scaled Dragon King’s trap over Caiyi’s location—validated Mountain God Yi Xun’s prudence.

“Very well, follow Elder Yi’s plan.”

“Excellent!”

Mountain God Yi Xun nodded gravely, his face sobering. “Now, lad, be frank: how assured are you of victory in tomorrow night’s clash?”