King of Creation Chapter 1656 - 1641: The Shopkeeper in Charge of Dulong Island

"Another matter?" As Mountain God Yi Xun uttered these words, Ye Zhen’s face stiffened, leaving him puzzled for an instant about exactly what Yi Xun meant.

"The counterfeit silver plate you bought at the Five Immortals Island yearly auction—didn’t you request my help to trace the origins of its engraved array?" Mountain God Yi Xun prompted.

"Counterfeit silver plate?"

The moment Mountain God Yi Xun brought it up, Ye Zhen instantly recalled it tied into the hints for locating the remaining All Heavens Corner Plates.

Lately, events had piled up relentlessly, making Ye Zhen neglect this particular concern.

"Half a year back, after you brought it up, I dispatched commands for appraisers across our sites to watch for that distinctive engraved array.

As you’re aware, the bulk of appraisers in Five Immortals Hall come from our Tianyun Hall, and my directives sped up the investigation dramatically.

Half a month prior, an appraiser at our West Sea outpost spotted a strikingly similar array in a leftover auction batch.

After meticulous examination, it matched the counterfeit silver plate’s array by ninety percent. Top appraisers from Tianyun Hall inspected both personally and confirmed they came from the same craftsman.

Your counterfeit silver plate’s array just misses some title details compared to ours.

Following the trail, we learned the engraved array was made by an artifact refiner called Xuan Xi, and crucially, his creations first surfaced over thirty thousand years ago.

What’s more, they were top-notch, mostly mid-grade and high-grade suppressing devices, plus a handful of Acquired Spirit Treasures that once created quite a sensation. Yet, for the past few thousand years, none of his works have shown up publicly." Mountain God Yi Xun explained.

"So, you have no leads on him either?" Ye Zhen inquired.

At these words, Mountain God Yi Xun nodded, "Correct, though tracking down an artifact grandmaster like Xuan Xi remains feasible.

It’s far easier than hunting for that Caiyi you seek.

Should you wish to locate him, I’ll assist." Yi Xun proposed.

"Please proceed—even if I can’t meet this artifact grandmaster Xuan Xi, connecting with him would be ideal. If feasible, I have queries for him." Ye Zhen replied.

Mountain God Yi Xun nodded, "Certainly, but you understand that pinpointing someone demands the full resources of Five Immortals Hall, beyond just Tianyun Hall’s own resources.

As Grand Deacon, I can oversee the effort, yet the expenses involved must fall to you, and they won’t be trivial."

Without completing his thought, Mountain God Yi Xun chuckled, "Given your present fortune, these costs won’t faze you, and I’ll inform you when payment’s due."

Due to his fondness for Ye Zhen, Mountain God Yi Xun couldn’t resist offering extra counsel, urging Ye Zhen to stay vigilant, particularly against the Holy Eagle Family.

The Holy Eagle Family, enduring from antiquity to now, carries real weight and won’t endure setbacks passively.

Though this incident might not stir the Holy Eagle Family elders into action, neither Yuann Hongying nor Yuann Yinying will let it slide unanswered, so Ye Zhen must remain on high alert.

After gratefully receiving Mountain God Yi Xun’s advice and taking leave, Ye Zhen slipped away from Five Blessings Inn via the Innate Five Elements Escape Method.

Exactly as Mountain God Yi Xun warned, the Five-clawed Silver Dragon’s True Dragon Essence Blood on Ye Zhen would draw countless covetous gazes, hence the cautionary note.

Naturally, the optimal approach would involve openly auctioning the Five-clawed Silver Dragon’s True Dragon Essence Blood through Five Immortals Hall.

Since the Five-clawed Silver Dragon’s True Dragon Essence Blood held vital value for Ye Zhen, he opted against auctioning and departed discreetly.

Per the update from Great Zhou’s Grand Overseer of Internal Affairs, Yu Chao’en, Ye Zhen had a full month remaining, no urgency to depart immediately.

Still, this journey back to Luo Yi, the Imperial Capital, for his duty report carried immense weight and implications, demanding thorough preparations from Ye Zhen.

Furthermore, the prior Blue-scaled Dragon King episode had stirred Dulong Island’s market and the Sky Wing Three Saints, so Ye Zhen needed to return, share intel, check on the Blue-scaled Dragon King’s recent Primordial Spirit activities, and devise fitting countermeasures.

Only by resolving these matters could Ye Zhen confront the formidable Heavenly Temple without distraction.

With Cloud Winged Tiger King Kitten’s cultivation surging ahead, the Void-Breaking Black Tiger King bloodline had also advanced noticeably lately. The kitten soared at remarkable speed, its air-breaking noise growing ever fainter.

Flying so covertly, the kitten evaded notice from traveling experts, allowing Ye Zhen’s group to arrive at Dulong Island without incident.

The market of Dulong Island marked Ye Zhen’s initial destination upon return.

"Senior sister, where are you? I’m back." On arrival, Ye Zhen promptly dispatched a talisman message to Liao Feibai.

After over half a year apart—nearing a full year—it’d be a lie to claim no longing.

As the proverb states, brief separations bring joy greater than newlyweds.

Yet during this near-year absence, Dulong Island’s market had undergone massive change, now brimming with structures, skies thick with martial artists—busy yet orderly—and constant foot traffic through the ruins market below.

Far more thriving than when Ye Zhen departed nearly a year earlier.

Senior sister Liao Feibai responded swiftly to the talisman, her words carrying urgency, "Your timing’s spot on—rush to Sky Wing Commerce Hall now."

Ye Zhen’s face changed, and in a blur, he streaked as light toward the market of Dulong Island’s central edifice, headquarters of Sky Wing Commerce there.

But right as Ye Zhen neared the Sky Wing Commerce headquarters airspace, six light streams burst from within, intercepting his path.

At the forefront stood two mid-stage Realm King Realm experts unfamiliar to Ye Zhen, flanked by four Dark Palace Realm warriors—two of whom Ye Zhen vaguely remembered as Seven Surnamed clan folk from Dulong Island.

"Honored guest, this central zone of Dulong Island’s market remains closed to business. No loitering allowed." The lead Realm King Realm powerhouse declared.

Observing this, Ye Zhen nodded approvingly. They appeared to be market guards, performing their roles earnestly.

"I am...."

Before Ye Zhen finished, the two familiar Dark Palace Realm Seven Surnamed clan members lit up with recognition, "We greet the Second Shopkeeper!"

They quickly briefed the two Realm King Realm powerhouses, "Sirs, he’s no stranger—this is our Second Shopkeeper of Dulong Island’s market; the whole place is his."

"I’m Di Kuohai, Second Shopkeeper of Sky Wing Commerce. You might not recognize me, but all inside Sky Wing Commerce will." Ye Zhen stated smilingly.

Ye Zhen assumed this would clear his entry, yet the lead Realm King Realm powerhouse scoffed, eyes rolling as he barked, "Shopkeeper or Second Shopkeeper—what’s that matter? Dulong Island’s market now falls under my family’s Shopkeeper, and entry depends on him!"

Instantly, Ye Zhen’s gaze sharpened, flashing with perilous intent!