King of Creation Chapter 1652: 1637: Tianyun Hall's Reward

Within the residence of Mountain God Yi Xun, he sat across from Ye Zhen, who had secretly entered via the underground passage. Before them lay several delicate appetizers and a jug of spirit wine cherished by Yi Xun for many years.

“Your reputation has truly stirred up waves today, yet why hide your real identity?

Should you have disclosed your true self, with your rank as a Third-class Earl of North Sea plus your power to resist Middle Late Stage Realm King Realm warriors, no one daring to eye your Market of Dulong Island would act lightly, right?”

“Frankly, I've pondered long and still can't grasp what downside revealing your identity brings?” Mountain God Yi Xun remarked, his face etched with confusion.

Ye Zhen didn't hurry to reply. Instead, he lifted his cup lightly, downed the fragrant spirit wine in a single swallow, sensing a blazing trail ignite from his throat to his belly. As the liquor converted, he breathed out a sharp burst of wine vapor.

Invigorating!

Mountain God Yi Xun's query posed a tough challenge for Ye Zhen to address.

Mountain God Yi Xun spoke true. On Primordial Continent, folks revered power above all, and status counted as power too.

Publicly announcing his identity would bring pure gains without drawbacks.

Yet Ye Zhen juggled far too many entangled interests right now.

Leaving aside other matters, while Marquis of Yellow Wind Ming Tang drew breath, Ye Zhen couldn't expose himself.

Unless Marquis of Yellow Wind Ming Tang proved a complete idiot, he'd zero in on Ye Zhen's True Profound Continent. That realm stood as a fresh, untapped Little World.

Lacking powerhouses, unified empires, or faiths, any finder would crave its rich spoils.

Identity bared, Ming Tang would probe deep into the Ye Zhen-linked Market of Dulong Island, and spotting Xiansheng Water Mansion might unravel every tie Ye Zhen held.

Thus exposed fully, Ye Zhen would face dire peril.

“Elder Yi, this issue's too intricate—best not to pry. Plus, it demands your silence on the matter.”

With those words, Ye Zhen flicked his hand, unleashing ten casks of Five-clawed Silver Dragon essence blood amid the wine-scented air, setting them before Mountain God Yi Xun.

“So, youngster, is this a bribe for this elder, or payment to zip my lips?” Mountain God Yi Xun teased.

Ye Zhen offered a helpless grin, “Bribing you, Elder? That's beyond my means. True Dragon Essence Blood like this won't seal your mouth.

Didn't you hand out the ten casks I supplied earlier today? Lacking your support, I couldn't have claimed the Five-clawed Silver Dragon essence blood from battling Yuann Yinying.

I've reaped huge gains thanks to you, Elder, so naturally, I won't let you come out short.”

Hearing that, Mountain God Yi Xun laughed heartily, “I handed you the edge, so you owe this old fellow a massive return. Know our Five Immortals Hall's net earnings from just this single evening?”

“How much?”

“Nine hundred and eighty million High Grade Spiritual Stones—rounded off! That's nearly the full net profit from every Five Immortals Hall venture over a decade!” Mountain God Yi Xun declared.

“Just ten years' worth? Hardly impressive, eh?” Ye Zhen wore an easy expression, unshaken by the figure; previously, he'd seized riches exceeding twenty million High Grade Spiritual Stones from the Heavenly Temple Branch.

He could amass such sums solo with ease, rendering ten years' profits unremarkable in his view.

“Hardly impressive?” Mountain God Yi Xun's eyes bulged wide.

“Grasp how organizations handle finances and capital flow? Understand what a ten-year net income windfall means for a major power?” Mountain God Yi Xun shot back.

“What exactly?”

“Power!”

“Might!”

“Clout!”

“Dominance!”

“A sudden influx of ten years' net income equips our Five Immortals Hall with excess funds for growth, top-tier cultivation materials, broader lands and domains.

It lets Five Immortals Hall nurture more elites.

Bolstered by this vast Spirit Stones reserve, we could elevate at least three, maybe four, Dao Realm powerhouses.”

Here, Mountain God Yi Xun fondled his beard grinning, “Still, candidates worthy of Dao Realm breakthroughs remain scarce.

Choosing which half-step Dao Realm cultivators to propel fully will spark debate. This round, Tianyun Hall holds the edge for sure.

Who knows—perhaps even this old man's Dao Realm ascension lies in reach.”

“Cheers!”

Mountain God Yi Xun hoisted his cup anew, “Truth be told, the elder never foresaw this twist. Your moonlit clash unwittingly swayed the power struggle among Five Immortals Hall's five halls.

It propelled Tianyun Hall's rise sharply, while slamming Cui Shi of Ming Mountain Hall.

Little wonder the Venerable calls you….” At that, Yi Xun halted abruptly, as if tongue-tied.

“Calls me what?” Ye Zhen probed, puzzled.

Mountain God Yi Xun eyed Ye Zhen slyly and drawled, “Fortunate General!”

“Fortunate General? Never crossed my mind.”

“Not noticing proves you're perfect for it. Regardless, tagging along with you netted this old man massive wins.”

“Fear not—in half a month's time, I'll quash all opposition, placing at least one Dao Realm expert publicly at Market of Dulong Island.

We'll also ramp up operations there.

Further, Five Immortals Hall's land convoys will scout fresh paths linking to North Sea County and swiftly plant branches.” Yi Xun assured.

Ye Zhen beamed, “Branches in North Sea County? Excellent news. Your trade lines will surely boom my North Sea County fast.”

“Boom? Far beyond that!” Mountain God Yi Xun rapped the table, “Across Primordial Continent, County-tier lands hosting Five Immortals Hall branches numbered just two before.

North Sea County claims the third!”

Noting Ye Zhen's grateful gesture, Yi Xun waved it off, “Save your thanks! Call it fair trade. You've boosted Tianyun Hall immensely; this elder won't shortchange you! And furthermore….”

There, Yi Xun unleashed beams from several Dao Talismans, sealing the study utterly.

“On today's events, the Venerable decreed your feats as Tianyun Hall’s Hidden Cultivation Disciple shine bright, with today's aid to Tianyun Hall logged in confidential records.

Thus, the Venerable dispatched a Talisman Summoning, advancing your Hidden Cultivation Disciple rank and granting the Five-colored Three Immortals Token.” Yi Xun announced.

“Oh!”

Ye Zhen shrugged indifferently, unmoved.

This nonchalance nearly sparked curses from Mountain God Yi Xun.

Unfazed by the Five-colored Three Immortals Token?

Countless Five Immortals Hall disciples toiled a millennium for one such token. Yi Xun himself clutched only a Five-colored Four Immortals Token bearing the Venerable’s aura seal!