C635 Great Profit!!
Fong Zhong, a peak cultivator at the Yang God Stage!
As a member of both the Babel Chamber of Commerce and a Wind Chanter, Fong Zhong was a legendary figure renowned for his playful engagement with the world and his highly effective approach to cultivation.
Gao Qin was a trusted confidant of Fong Zhong.
In that moment, Fong Zhong's image appeared in a crystal ball conjured by Zhu Peining. Despite the vast distance separating them, he met with Yu Yuan in an extraordinary manner, chuckling as he spoke, "Brother Yu, the Chamber has aptly named you the God of Plagues. Just look at what's happened. After your visit to the Desolate Swamp, the Sword Prison was raided from beyond the heavens, allowing countless devils to escape."
"And to think, the evil statue has found its way into the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area."
"The turmoil on the Profound Sky Continent and the strife among the empires can all be traced back to you, Brother Yu!"
These were Fong Zhong's opening words to Yu Yuan.
Yuan Lianyao, who was meditatively refining a pellet to benefit her Yin God, couldn't help but glance over upon hearing Fong Zhong's remarks.
Zhu Peining's smile was tinged with bitterness as she urged, "Let's focus on the matter at hand, sir."
"Ah, yes, the matter at hand is of the utmost importance!" Fong Zhong replied, tapping his head inside the crystal ball and adopting a more solemn demeanor. "Yu Yuan, if you trust me, share what you know about President Lyi, whom you encountered in the Great Swamp. You must be aware that President Lyi was the former helmsman of our Chamber. Frankly, I've always held President Lyi in high regard."
"The Babel Chamber of Commerce owes its current scale and stature, along with many of its ironclad rules, to President Lyi's leadership."
"My admiration for President Lyi is profound! Had he not been exiled, had he not joined forces with the devils in the Outland Star River, our Chamber could have ascended to the top tier of the Quietus Continent's factions, alongside the likes of the Devil Palace and the Demon Palace."
"We're eager to learn everything about President Lyi and, depending on the significance of the information, we'll offer you a fair price."
"What do you say, Brother Yu?" Fong Zhong's tone was earnest.
After a moment's consideration, Yu Yuan nodded with a smile and began, "President Lyi seems to be the mastermind behind a mysterious force. Whether he's the top figure, I can't say for sure. But Tan Yuan, Shen Feiqing, the Silvermoon Queen, and others are likely connected to him. He's also rallied individuals from the Bright Sect, the Ghoul Glyph Sect, and the Nagas, including Loong Yang..."
As Yu Yuan pondered, he briefly recounted his experiences in the Great Swamp.
He spoke of the pact between President Lyi and the Desolate God, the collaboration between two masters of spatial power, the control of the Yin Corpse King by the Chaos Roc, the death of Chi Hongyi, the escapes of Lvliu, Zhongli, and Xi Quan, and the capture of Loong Jie.
He also mentioned the exchange between the Chaos Roc and President Lyi, hinting at their acquaintance, and the deep connections between President Lyi and the Heavenly Demon that emerged from the Nether Abyss and possessed Lim Zhuyun.
It took him a full half-hour to thoroughly explain the matters concerning President Lyi.
Throughout his account, Fong Zhong and Zhu Peining refrained from interrupting, listening intently without a hint of impatience.
When Yu Yuan paused, Fong Zhong's image in the crystal ball remained silent, seemingly processing the information about President Lyi and quietly contemplating the implications.
After a considerable pause, Feng Zhong's voice emerged from within the crystal ball, "Little Zhu, how much does Yu Yuan owe the Babel Chamber of Commerce in Spirit Stones?"
"In terms of Spirit Stones, the total is 180,000, which includes the spiritual materials Qin Yun used for his breakthrough to the Soul Wandering Stage, as well as the medicinal herbs and rare elixirs he later withdrew," Zhu Peining responded promptly.
"Consider the debt cleared, and let's give Yu Yuan an additional 20,000 Spirit Stones for the total value of this information," Feng Zhong declared decisively. He then smiled and nodded at Yu Yuan, adding, "We'll catch up another time."
Clearly, he was eager to relay the fresh intelligence to the senior members of the chamber of commerce.
"Should I note this on the ledger, or would you prefer the actual items?" inquired Zhu Peining.
"Just put it on the ledger," Yu Yuan replied with a smile.
"The chamber of commerce holds President Lyi in high regard. Any information concerning him commands a premium price," Zhu Peining elaborated. "To think, the intel provided in just half an hour fetched a whopping 200,000 Spirit Stones."
She couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy.
"Sister Yuan, would you consider staying on to fully recuperate?" Yu Yuan asked.
"Of course," Zhu Peining answered with a smile. "Rest assured, we'll be sending the bill for this to the Red Devil Sect. They're wealthy and influential, and they place great value on Miss Yuan. We won't miss out on the protection fee they owe us."
"Understood."
After exchanging a few comforting words with Yuan Lianyao, Yu Yuan left the secret chamber.
...
Within the majestic hall of the Demon Palace in Spider City, the Raven Lord and the Python Queen, Xu Zixi, sat in contemplation.
"The dynamics within the Boundless Land are becoming increasingly opaque," the Raven Lord lamented with a furrowed brow. "I've just learned that Sky Tiger Lord sustained injuries in the Outland Star River."
Xu Zixi was taken aback. "Who inflicted the wounds?"
The White Divine Tiger, a Tenth Level Demon God of the Demon Palace, was the most formidable demon to emerge from their ranks in a millennium.
His injury beyond the Star River was a matter of grave consequence.
"The unmentionable sect is asserting its dominance in the Outland Star River with growing vigor," the Raven Lord, an Eighth Level Great Demon with a long life behind him, was privy to ancient secrets. "When that bronze coffin shattered the seals of the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area and surged into the Outland Star River four years ago, I suspected they'd be thrown into turmoil."
With a sigh and a wry smile, the Raven Lord said, "It's like the three upper sects, the Devil Palace, and the Demon Palace—when they face external threats, they band together in unity. That sect, with its various factions, has now coalesced because of the bronze coffin. They've abandoned the idea of a single, independent Sect Master or Divine King. Now, they're making decisions through collective discussion."
"After coming together, they've launched a counterattack, revealing an astonishing strength!"
He mentioned the might of the Divine Soul Sect but left out who had harmed the White Divine Tiger.
"Does the Desolate God have any connection to them?" Xu Zixi inquired in a soft voice.
"What do you think?" the Raven Lord huffed, giving her a chilly stare. "The Desolate God rose to prominence after the Demon Phoenix and before Lord Sky Tiger. During their reign over the Boundless Land, the Desolate God frequented the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. Aware of their assault and banishment beyond the heavens, the Desolate God consequently sealed off the Great Swamp."
"For many subsequent years, the Desolate God avoided any dealings with the Demon Palace or other sects."
"If the Desolate God takes their side, their potential return to the Boundless Land could signify a major shift."
The Raven Lord, too, felt the weight of this looming uncertainty.
"With the might of the three upper sects, the Devil Palace, and the Demon Palace, how could the Primordial Spirit Stage and Demon Gods possibly lose?" Xu Zixi declared.
"Facing the entire Boundless Land as their adversary, they alone would naturally stand no chance of victory," the Raven Lord replied, his expression darkening. "But the growing evidence suggests they're forging close ties with the Outland Devaputra and the Galaxy Alien Race. Some are even leaning towards forming alliances with these external powers."
Xu Zixi's face fell at the implications.
She was acutely aware that if the remnants of the Divine Soul Sect were in league with the Outland Devaputra and the Galaxy Alien Race, the sects of the Boundless Land would face grim odds.
"Zhan Tianxiang, Zhao Yafu, and the younger members of the Demon Clan will soon convene in Spider City," the Raven Lord continued, returning to the matter at hand. "The three upper sects, the seven lower sects, the Devil Palace, and other sects' younger generations will follow suit. The Spirit Void Sect's space teleportation array will transport them to the eastern frontiers of the Luan Bird Empire to defend several strategic points."
"Will the younger ones be able to handle it?" Xu Zixi voiced his concern.
"If they perish, it's because they lacked the strength and didn't deserve to live," Raven said with an icy, merciless expression. "Lord Golden Elephant has mentioned that Yu Yuan is welcome to join them if he chooses."
