East Sea

The Taiyang Star leapt from the sea surface, with all other stars hiding behind the Heavenly Vault.

Above the endless azure waves of the East Sea, an island of exquisite magnificence was also slowly taking solid form from its ethereal state.

Pavilions and towers adorned cliff tops, while the resplendent Heavenly Palace dotted the mountain peaks.

A seven-colored light descended from the sky, landing before Biyou Palace.

Once the light dispersed, it revealed an imposing and upright figure.

The dozing Water Fire Boy was startled awake, spotting a black-haired youth with the Upper Pure Lotus Crown on his head and garbed in a Red White Crane Silk Robe. The young Daoist, with his sword-like brows slightly raised, was none other than the Saint of the Jie Sect, the Tongtian Sect Hierarch.

But now, his handsome and upright cheeks did not have the warm smile of before, nor the casual freedom and vividness. Instead, he bore a somewhat grim expression.

The Water Fire Boy didn't think too much of it, and quickly prostrated on the ground before the Tongtian Sect Hierarch, joyfully exclaiming, "Master, you've returned!"

The Tongtian Sect Hierarch hummed in acknowledgment, glanced at the Water Fire Boy, and then said in a low voice, "Go tell Vice Sect Hierarch Yu Yuan to leave immediately... No! Have him rush back to Penglai Island immediately and tell him the Sect Hierarch has pressing matters to discuss with him!"

"Um?"

The Water Fire Boy looked up at the Tongtian Sect Hierarch with some confusion but ultimately suppressed his doubts and respectfully responded, "This servant is on his way!"

After speaking, he respectfully took his leave and rode a gust of Green Cloud straight towards the West.

The Tongtian Sect Hierarch watched his departing figure, his eyes flickering with light.

Now murderous, now gentle and clear.

...

At midday on this day, Yu Yuan was discussing with Wen Zhong whether the newly produced paper should be controlled or traded to Great Shang in order to obtain various resources.

Linhuan Pass is located in the southeastern part of the Southern Continent, below the mouth of the Huai River entering the sea.

The environment here is truly perfect!

Or rather, the natural environment of the entire Primordial Heaven and Earth is exceedingly perfect.

There's no pollution here, all retaining the most pristine scenery.

Although the mountains are huge and towering, and the rivers are raging and wide, similarly, the plains are also boundless.

The fields cultivated at Linhuan Pass are mostly flat and fertile plains!

The vastness of such plains is immeasurable, with some extending tens of thousands of miles wide!

In such a society with extremely low productivity, to plant such a large area of land naturally requires a large population and numerous tools.

Both Great Xia and Great Shang have been vigorously promoting the slavery system to maintain productivity.

Over time, those nobles who possessed a large number of slaves became the biggest beneficiaries, fully grasping a wealth of resources.

What Wen Zhong wanted to do was to trade with those nobles and exchange resources.

Taking the ceramics, tea, silk, paper, and other novel and useful items produced by Linhuan Pass as bargaining chips for trade, he believed he could certainly surprise the nobles and have them willingly exchange with him.

Just at that moment, a streak of light suddenly flew from the sky, heading straight for Linhuan Pass.

Yu Yuan looked up and saw a delicate-looking Daoist boy riding a Green Cloud from east to west.

The boy was dressed in an emerald-colored robe, with a blue Qiankun Bag at his waist, and wearing lotus-hued Cloud Boots. With a handsome face and a divine presence, he exuded an immortal aura.

"Disciple pays respect to the Vice Sect Hierarch!" The boy arrived before Yu Yuan, giving him a salute.

This boy was the Tongtian Sect Hierarch's attendant, known by the Daoist name Water Fire.

Yu Yuan nodded slightly, introducing him to Wen Zhong.

"Why have you come here suddenly? Is there any news?" Yu Yuan asked curiously.

"Master has instructed me to report to you that he has returned from the Outer Heaven Chaos and requests your immediate presence back at Penglai Island," replied the Water Fire Boy in a serious manner.

"Master, my teacher, has returned?" Yu Yuan asked, both startled and delighted.

The Water Fire Boy nodded and said, "Yes, Master has just returned and immediately ordered me to pass on the decree to summon you back."

Yu Yuan took out two Flat Peaches from the Qiankun Ruyi Bag and casually handed them to the Water Fire Boy.

"Thank you, Master brother!"

The Water Fire Boy took the Flat Peaches, his face flush with excitement.

Although he was an attendant by the Saint's side, he was merely a boy and could only stay in Biyou Palace without being tasked, having no chance to venture out, and had only heard of but had never tasted the Spirit Fruit like Flat Peach.

"There's no need for thanks," said Yu Yuan with a smile.

Water Fire Boy pocketed the Flat Peaches, thought for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "Vice Sect Hierarch, there's something I'm not sure whether I should say..."

Yu Yuan's heart stirred, smilingly replying, "Speak freely, no worries."

The Water Fire Boy whispered, "I don't know if it's just an illusion, but I always feel that Master seems a bit off since his return."

"Hmm?"

Yu Yuan's brow furrowed slightly.

But the Water Fire Boy did not say more, instead bowing respectfully to Yu Yuan and saying his farewells, "If the Vice Sect Hierarch has nothing else, then I shall return."

"Be cautious on the way," Yu Yuan offered caution.

"Understood!" The Water Fire Boy affirmed, then riding the Green Cloud, left toward the east.

Yu Yuan watched his retreating figure, exhaling a sigh.

The words of the Water Fire Boy had made him more vigilant.

After all, the Water Fire Boy was the attendant by the Tongtian Sect Hierarch's side, having followed him for who knows how many years.

If there truly were any changes with the Tongtian Sect Hierarch, he would certainly be the first to know.

Linhuan Pass wasn't too far from Penglai Island, so there was no rush to set off.