An ancient demon beast that had achieved human form over a thousand years ago now sat in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, chatting and laughing with Ji Xia.
"In the damp climate of our Southern Forbidden Forest, many cold-resistant, non-toxic fungi thrive. These mushrooms, unwanted by the Southern Forbidden demons, have become rampant. If the Lord of Tai Cang needs them, I can have my people gather and deliver them to you," Pei Heng said, wiping his plate clean and drinking a cup of rice wine with satisfaction, his eyes narrowing as he spoke to Ji Xia.
A faint smile played on Ji Xia's lips. This meeting with the ruler of the Southern Forbidden Forest seemed harmonious. Their conversation ranged from the history of Tai Cang to the secrets of the Southern Forbidden Forest, and in what felt like the blink of an eye, an hour passed.
Outside the palace, the darkened sky was filled with swirling snow. In Tai City, able-bodied citizens had been dispatched to clear the main roads and streets of snow to prevent it from accumulating and burying houses.
Under Ji Xia's governance, following deliberation with two high ministers and several key officials, the policy of distributing rice per household was maintained as a form of basic welfare. Thanks to the bounty of spiritual crystals stored in Ji Xia's Void Ring and the miraculous Ten Thousand Grain Treasure Vase, ordinary rice was no longer a precious commodity.
However, other goods like vegetables and meat required labor in exchange. Citizens could earn these by helping the Jiangu people build homes, clearing streets, or assisting with governmental duties, among other tasks.
Initially, Ji Xia considered introducing a monetary system to Tai Cang, but his ambitions extended beyond this kingdom. He hoped to create a currency with intrinsic value that couldn't be counterfeited. Once Tai Cang thrived, this currency could circulate across all nations within its sphere of influence!
These plans remained in their infancy. Achieving such a monumental goal required sustained effort from Tai Cang.
"Lord Ji Xia, do you wonder why I came to visit you?" Pei Heng's voice interrupted Ji Xia's thoughts. He looked at Ji Xia with a steady gaze, waiting for a response.
Ji Xia composed himself and, after some thought, replied, "Senior, I truly cannot fathom why a demon beast of your stature, a peerless force within ten thousand miles, would visit the court of a fledgling nation to converse with a novice cultivator who has only just ascended to the Divine Power Realm."
"Don't belittle yourself," Pei Heng said with a slight smile. "Yesterday, a great change seemed to occur in the heavens and earth. While surveying the realm with my spiritual senses, I noticed you breaking through to the Divine Power Realm. The density of your spiritual essence was remarkable—far exceeding even that of cultivators with five spiritual marks!"
He sighed wistfully. "Had it not been for the sudden celestial anomaly overshadowing your breakthrough phenomenon, I might have witnessed an extraordinary spectacle."
Ji Xia humbly replied, "You flatter me, Senior."
"Flatter you? I never flatter," Pei Heng said solemnly. "Ji Xia, I believe you are a genius."
His expression grew serious as he continued, "Half a year ago, I happened to pass over Tai City. Out of boredom, I observed its inhabitants with my spiritual senses and saw you. At that time, you had no spiritual energy—no sign of cultivation at all.
"But now, you've shattered the mundane barrier and ascended to the Divine Power Realm, your cultivation unfathomably strong!"
Ji Xia remained composed, sipping his wine.
Pei Heng, as though reading his thoughts, smiled. "There's no need to be nervous. I mean no harm. I understand you must have your secrets, but tell me—what cultivator of true power has none?"
Ji Xia responded respectfully, "Your insight is remarkable, Senior. You see through people's hearts and carry the aura of a true master."
Pei Heng chuckled at the compliment. "Whether it's innate talent, a powerful inheritance, or fortuitous encounters with rare treasures, it matters not. Luck is, after all, a form of strength.
"I've seen many so-called geniuses with magical artifacts at their disposal who make no significant progress. To achieve such power in such a short time—even with the aid of rare treasures or secret techniques—is no small feat."
Ji Xia asked, "What, then, is the purpose of your visit to Tai Cang, Senior?"
Pei Heng laughed heartily. "Indeed, it's time to discuss business."
With a snap of his fingers, the surroundings dimmed as shadows enveloped the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Moments later, the darkness gave way to radiant light, revealing a colossal azure mansion towering before Ji Xia.
The grand structure radiated a faint spiritual energy, its centerpiece a towering blue pagoda piercing the clouds.
"This is the Azure Luan Mansion, my spiritual abode," Pei Heng explained with a smile. "While your palace was pleasant, it isn't suited for serious discussions. Why don't we continue in my mansion?"
Ji Xia gazed at the magnificent edifice, awe filling his heart. This spiritual mansion, belonging to a cultivator in the Spirit Mansion Realm, represented a milestone he too would one day aspire to reach.
Nodding in agreement, Ji Xia followed Pei Heng into the mansion.
Inside, the opulence was breathtaking. Jade pillars, exquisite furnishings, sapphire altars, and countless treasures adorned the interior. Every item seemed infused with abundant spiritual energy—gentle yet immense, like rivers lying dormant, waiting to unleash their overwhelming force.
The two sat across from each other at a pavilion within the mansion. Pei Heng snapped his fingers again, summoning a wine vessel and two cups.
He poured the wine himself, sliding one cup to Ji Xia. "Please."
Ji Xia accepted without hesitation, draining the cup in one motion.
A surge of pure, potent spiritual energy coursed through his body, spreading to his limbs and bones. Even the Great Sun Spirit Furnace at the center of his spirit wheel seemed invigorated. Two golden crows emerged, enveloping the energy in golden flames before refining it and integrating it into his spiritual wheel.
"This wine was brewed from the bones of a thousand-zhang sea whale I slew, reduced to the size of a fist and refined into a spiritual elixir. Blended with other flavorful ingredients, it's a rare treasure," Pei Heng explained.
"For ordinary beings, a sip could connect them to spiritual energy and set them on the path of cultivation. For most cultivators, it would significantly enhance their progress. Even for Divine Power cultivators, its benefits are immense.
"Your spiritual energy is uniquely dense, so the effects may be limited. But for most in your realm, a single sip is worth two or three years of painstaking cultivation."
Pei Heng observed Ji Xia's reaction and added, "I see even you find this wine valuable. For someone like you, such a boost is no small matter."
Indeed, Ji Xia felt a surge of progress toward inscribing his first spiritual mark.