C910 The Joy of Spring

The woman, cloaked in a gray-green robe, pushed back her hood to reveal the weathered visage of an elder.

Her ears were elongated and pointed, her eyes a matching shade of green to her hair, and her frame was slender—a quintessential member of the Dark Elfkind.

She fixed her gaze on the necklace gracing Lulu's neck and, in the slightly stilted language of the Boundless Land, inquired, "Priestess, what is your connection to him? Does he still reside in this realm?"

Upon witnessing her true form, Lulu felt a surge of excitement. The presence of the Dark Elfkind stirred a sense of kinship within her, drawing her instinctively closer. "I... I'm not sure who you mean by 'priestess,'" she confessed.

"Your necklace," the woman pressed.

"It's an oddity my mother left me," Lulu explained, removing the necklace from around her neck and clutching it in her hand. As the Dark Elfkind blood within her stirred, the silver necklace erupted in a dazzling display of light.

Those of profound cultivation could immediately perceive the essence of the woodlands around them—the trees, flowers, and grasses of the nearby mountains and valleys—releasing their life force.

Specks of this wood essence, like tender green droplets of light drawn to Lulu and her necklace, showered upon her, seeping into the now luminescent green amulet.

In the Chilly Wind Valley of the Jade Peak, Lulu's depleted strength began to replenish rapidly.

The necklace, now a shade of verdant green, bore delicate leafy patterns that seemed to carry the imprints of the Dark Elfkind's millennia of wisdom from the Outland Star River.

The aged Dark Elfkind woman watched the spectacle unfold before her, deeply moved by the sight.

Her emerald eyes sparkled with an astonishing fervor as she exclaimed, "You are the High Priest's offspring!"

Before Lulu could respond, the woman abruptly turned to Yu Yuan. "I know of you, Yu Yuan; you're a steward of this land. Mr. Yan has spoken of you. And I am the chieftain of the Dark Elfkind in this world. Trust me, I mean her no harm. I simply wish to find a secluded spot here to discuss certain matters with her."

With a gesture, she pointed to a dense cluster of trees within the forest. "There!"

Yu Yuan scrutinized the indicated area and could make out other Dark Elfkinds among the trees, craning their necks in anticipation, as if eagerly awaiting something momentous.

Among them were Dark Elfkinds of all ages, a small group of about a dozen, engaged in conversation in their own hauntingly beautiful tongue.

In their eyes, there was a mix of doubt, suspicion, anticipation, and amazement.

It seemed that the grass and trees of the Evil Sect's forest were exuding a green vitality, sensed by their bloodlines, all because of the necklace in Lulu's hand.

"A relic, our clan's long-lost relic!"

Shock painted Lulu's face as she followed the Dark Elfkind girl's guidance, looking into the woods. She could overhear the Dark Elfkind's conversation and, to her surprise, she understood them. "Brother Yu, they're saying this necklace is a relic lost by their clan!"

"Such a unique bloodline!" Shi Yuxuan murmured in awe.

As the Medicine Sect's master, he noticed the subtle changes in the forest's flora when Lulu presented the leaf-shaped necklace, and he recognized her extraordinary value.

"Yu Yuan, this girl is an invaluable gem to the Medicine God Sect, to our Medicine Sect, and indeed to any family of herbalists!" Shi Yuxuan declared, his excitement palpable.

The elderly Dark Elfkind woman's expression chilled at his words, casting an unhappy glance at the Medicine Sect's master.

Sensing her displeasure and hostility, Shi Yuxuan felt a shiver in his spine and promptly fell silent.

"Lulu, go with her," Yu Yuan nodded. "As long as you stay within the Evil Sect, you'll be safe. I trust they have good intentions toward you."

"I sense it too," Lulu whispered, and then she was led by the hand of the Dark Elfkind woman, descending from Evil Peak.

"Blood God Cult, Filthy Spirit Sect, Clouds Sect, Artifact Sect..." Shi Yuxuan stood at the mountain's brink, surveying the representatives from the various factions, nodding to himself.

A visionary gleam filled his eyes, as if he could see the Medicine Sect's boundless future.

Before arriving, he had been filled with trepidation...

At the trade fair hosted by the Evil Sect, a gathering for all the races across the galaxy, he, as the Medicine Sect's leader, had received some intel. He had assumed that with the five supreme forces overseeing, no sect would dare to attend.

Had it not been for the Medicine God Sect's challenge and the courage given by the appearances of Lvliu and Xi Quan, he might not have had the boldness to make a stand alongside Yu Yuan.

As Shi Yuxuan watched members from the Blood God Cult, Filthy Spirit Sect, Ghoul Glyph Sect, and Ancient Desolate Sect emerge in the valley, a sense of tranquility washed over him.

"Maybe, just maybe, the dawn of a new era is truly upon us!" he thought to himself with a surge of excitement.

After a dramatic pause, President Lyi came to a halt midair, giving the crowd time to process his words.

Moments later, he spoke again, "All clans are welcome to barter goods directly, or you may use our services for the exchange!"

He then fell silent, gesturing to his confidants to circulate among the crowd and convey the finer points of the trading regulations.

Yu Yuan listened with rapt attention.

From Zhou Wen's additional details, he learned that President Lyi had carved out a new domain in the Outland Star River, and the fledgling Babel Chamber of Commerce had already grown to a considerable size.

The Babel Chamber of Commerce had amassed an array of exotic spiritual materials from various races, now on display across numerous halls for visitors from the Boundless Land to peruse at their leisure.

Spirit Stones were the universal currency of choice.

Moreover, President Lyi had established a free trade zone where foreigners from the Outland Star River, delegates from different sects, and even solitary cultivators could set up their own stalls to sell spiritual materials and artifacts. They were also free to hoist banners detailing the items they urgently sought.

President Lyi had even made sure that the foreign races learned the human tongue, ensuring that the native practitioners could understand them.

The layout of the chambers and palaces on Evil Peak, much like those in the southern region of the Quietus Continent, were nearly identical, with sections dedicated to pellets, spiritual materials, artifacts, arrays, and various other items.

Indeed, the current headquarters of the Babel Chamber of Commerce and the arrangement on Babel Island were all crafted by President Lyi's own hand.

"The vast expanse of the starry sky offers a treasure trove of spiritual materials, exotic flora, rare herbs, metal ores, unique crystals, ancient beast carcasses, bones, and even Galaxy Ancient Starships—all up for trade," marveled Luo Yue, who had remained on Evil Peak. "The Divine Soul Sect, in collaboration with President Lyi, has truly achieved a monumental feat. It's beyond what I ever imagined possible—a celebration of this magnitude right here in our own Boundless Land!"

"Yu Yuan!"

Xie Binn from the Small Thunder Sky Sect, accompanied by Lee Yu and a taciturn elder in the late Yang God Stage, ascended Evil Peak. "Allow me to introduce our current Sect Master of the Small Thunder Sky Sect—Rong Xun. Sect Master, this is Yu Yuan, the direct disciple of the Medicine God, Hong Qi."

Lee Yu, who had joined them on the journey, couldn't help but smile upon seeing Yu Yuan again.

Rong Xun, a man of few words and somewhat reserved, quickly offered his thanks with humility, "I appreciate your hospitality."

"Senior, you are too kind!" Yu Yuan responded with equal courtesy.

Yu Yuan was familiar with Rong Xun, a man of integrity though not particularly extraordinary. Following the decline of the Small Thunder Sky Sect, Rong Xun had shouldered immense pressure with great fortitude.

"I owe you my thanks." Rong Xun bowed slightly, then glanced toward the Blood God Cult. "The Ice Thunder Mark was returned by the Blood God Cult. They claimed it was out of respect for you that they restored it to its rightful owner."

Yu Yuan was taken aback.

"It was indeed returned." Xie Binn spread his hands, revealing the luminous Ice Thunder Mark. "The Blood God Cult explained that they coveted the Ice Thunder Mark to prepare for the upheaval in Horror Land. Once the conflict with the ghosts and gods concluded, they resolved to return the Ice Thunder Mark."

At this point, Xie Binn huffed, "It's good they returned it on their own accord; otherwise, I would have reclaimed it eventually!"

"Hahaha! Xie Binn, don't get ahead of yourself! Even a hundred years from now, your Little Clouds Sect would struggle to rival the Blood God Cult." With a thunderous crash, Zhongli made his entrance.

On the mountain peak, Shi Yuxuan, Qin Yun, Lee Yu, and the others staggered and struggled to remain upright as Zhongli landed.

The potent fist intent that emanated from Zhongli seemed to rip through the very fabric of space, causing the winds to roar across the summit of Evil Peak.

"Could you perhaps try to accumulate some good karma?" Rong Xun said, exasperated.

As the Sect Master of the Little Clouds Sect, his confidence in attending this illustrious event stemmed from the support of Zhongli.

Few people were aware that in his youth, he had formed a close bond with Zhongli. They had collaborated on numerous trials, but he was not as fortunate or gifted. Despite being the same age, he couldn't match Zhongli's achievements in cultivation or combat prowess.

Had Zhongli not wandered into the outer realms and been detained in Sword Prison, the Thunder Sect would have never dared to oppress him so.

"I just can't stand Xie Binn," Zhongli said with a grin. "So, Yu, have you made up your mind? Would you like to become my disciple and harness your formidable strength to unlock the gateway to the Primordial Spirit Stage?"

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