Conversation

"Murong Zhi? Heavens, he's actually Murong Zhi of the Murong Family!"

"I've heard his legend. He began refining qi at six, successfully condensed a qi vortex at twelve, and became a Dou Zhe. At his coming-of-age ceremony at sixteen, he became the foremost member of the Murong Family with the cultivation of a Two Star Dou Master. He is now twenty."

Famous people were always easy to remember. Murong Zhi himself possessed exceptional talent, and with the Murong Family's deliberate promotion, his reputation naturally rang far and wide.

"Is he really that famous?"

"Doesn't sound familiar to me?"

There were also many people in the crowd who paid no attention to current affairs. They focused more on their own lives, and what concerned them was mostly related to daily living. As for these famous figures and notable events, they knew little about them.

"That just shows how ignorant you are. Young Master Zhi is incredibly famous. His talent is outstanding, and some time ago, Marquis Anyang even took a liking to him and accepted him as a personal disciple. Surely you've heard of Marquis Anyang, right?" Some people beside them explained smugly.

"Wow, Marquis Anyang? Of course I've heard of him—one of the Seven Dou Emperors of the Izumo Empire. I never expected this Murong Zhi to be so impressive that Marquis Anyang would take a liking to him," someone said in sudden realization.

"The Murong Family isn't simple either. More than ten years ago, they had a Dou Wang powerhouse overseeing them. But during a mission to kill a Dou Wang from the Jia Ma Empire, he perished. Ah, what a pity," someone said, shaking his head mournfully.

"Heh, what's there to pity? Isn't the Murong Family doing just fine now? Their Precious Jade Workshops are spread throughout the Izumo Empire, controlling more than half of the empire's economic lifelines. With King Yanling backing them, they're living quite well these days," someone said.

Murong Zhi showed no reaction to the discussions around him. His identity drew attention wherever he went, and he had long since grown accustomed to it.

With a powerful background, outstanding talent, and handsome looks, he was someone born with a golden spoon in his mouth. His starting point was already the endpoint most people dreamed of.

Suddenly, Murong Zhi noticed something in the crowd, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

"This woman possesses an extraordinary aura, charming yet not vulgar, like a red lotus. Judging by her presence, she actually gives me a faint sense of pressure. At such a young age, she has already attained this level of cultivation. She is truly exceptional and worth befriending," Murong Zhi thought.

At this moment, Chen Cheng also noticed Murong Zhi's gaze turning in his direction. More precisely, Murong Zhi's attention was fixed on Red Serpent.

Murong Zhi approached them with a smile.

"Greetings, miss. I am Murong Zhi. May I have the honor of making your acquaintance?" Murong Zhi was handsome and refined, with impeccable manners that gave him an elegant and easygoing air.

"Hehe, whether I can get acquainted with you depends on my master's wishes."

Red Serpent's sweet, naturally seductive voice rang out.

Red Serpent was not at all surprised that someone had approached her. She had absolute confidence in her appearance. It was perfectly normal for her to attract a few self-important people in a crowd.

Murong Zhi's expression changed slightly at her words.

"Master?"

That form of address was truly unexpected.

With Red Serpent's talent, she was certainly no inferior to Murong Zhi. Yet such a heavenly maiden actually called someone else her master.

Murong Zhi's gaze shifted slightly as he casually sized up the two people beside Red Serpent.

Although Huang Yaoshi possessed an extraordinary bearing and somewhat resembled a reclusive master beyond the mundane world, he was merely an old man whose cultivation had only reached Da Dou Shi. What right did he have to become Red Serpent's master?

Chen Cheng, however, possessed an outstanding temperament and faintly exuded the air of a distinguished noble family. Though Murong Zhi could not sense the slightest trace of Dou Qi from him, he was certain that Chen Cheng was no ordinary person.

"To have such a beauty by your side, little brother, truly makes this foolish elder brother envious," Murong Zhi said in a modest tone.

"There is a teahouse ahead. Would you honor me with a conversation?" Murong Zhi asked.

"Young Master Murong has invited me. How could I refuse?" Chen Cheng replied with a smile.

From the chatter of the passersby, Chen Cheng had already learned that Murong Zhi held no small status in the Izumo Empire. Chen Cheng knew far too little about this world, so befriending him would be a good opportunity to obtain some information from him.

In a private room of the teahouse.

Chen Cheng and Murong Zhi sat facing each other. Red Serpent and Huang Yaoshi stood to Chen Cheng's left and right behind him, while Murong Zhi's several servants stood elsewhere in the private room.

"I still do not know little brother's esteemed name. Please forgive my discourtesy," Murong Zhi said, holding a teacup with elegant poise.

"My name is Chen Cheng. Brother Murong thinks too highly of me; I truly dare not accept such praise," Chen Cheng said.

"Chen?"

When Chen Cheng revealed his surname, Murong Zhi set down his teacup and looked at him in confusion. "May I ask what relationship you have with the Chen Family of Yanling County?"

Chen Cheng was extraordinary himself, and he had two Da Dou Shi guards by his side. Murong Zhi could not help but speculate that Chen Cheng's identity was of great importance.

Naturally, Chen Cheng had never heard of the Chen Family of Yanling County. Nor did he need to borrow another's prestige, so he answered truthfully, "None."

"Hehe."

Murong Zhi poured himself another cup of tea. Though he did not entirely believe him, it was not convenient to ask further.

Whether Chen Cheng was concealing his identity or truly had no connection to the Chen Family, it had little to do with him.

"I feel an immediate affinity with little brother Chen and wish to befriend you. What do you think?" Murong Zhi said with a warm smile, raising his teacup.

"That is exactly what I had in mind. I have only just arrived here, so I hope Brother Murong will offer me much guidance," Chen Cheng said politely.

"Of course, of course," Murong Zhi said.

"And these two are?" Murong Zhi's gaze settled on Red Serpent once more as he asked.

"They are my subordinates, Red Serpent and Huang Yaoshi," Chen Cheng introduced.

As Chen Cheng introduced them, Red Serpent and Huang Yaoshi both bowed to Murong Zhi in greeting, and Murong Zhi returned their greetings one by one.

After all, the two possessed the cultivation of Da Dou Shi. Even within the Murong Family, such strength commanded considerable status. Their abilities were enough to earn Murong Zhi's attention.

Seeing that Red Serpent had no intention of speaking with him, Murong Zhi stopped paying her excessive attention.

To him, Red Serpent was merely a woman. Given Murong Zhi's standing in the Murong Family, getting women was far too easy. He had no desire to spend too much time on them.

He was a merchant, after all, and valued profit above all else. Compared to that, the mysterious Chen Cheng seemed far more valuable. He believed that if he could befriend Chen Cheng, there would be no shortage of benefits in the future.

"To be frank, this elder brother came here this time because I have an important matter to attend to," Murong Zhi said after a while.

"For Murong to call it an important matter, it must be something extraordinary," Chen Cheng said.

"Hehe."

Murong Zhi smiled and continued, "It isn't exactly a secret. I imagine Brother Chen has also heard that, within the Green Ridge Mountain Range, there is a magical beast about to advance to a Sixth Order Magical Beast."

Murong Zhi spoke as though the matter were already widely known, with no need for concealment whatsoever. Yet Chen Cheng knew nothing about this so-called Sixth Order Magical Beast. He had been here far too briefly; even if there had been major news, he had not had time to ask around.

"A Sixth Order Magical Beast?"

A trace of doubt arose in Chen Cheng's heart.

A magical beast of this level was already comparable to a human Dou Huang, and was exceedingly rare in this region.

This region included the Izumo Empire, Jia Ma Empire, Yan Luo Empire, and Mulan Empire. Of the Sixth Order Magical Beasts Chen Cheng had heard of, there were only two.

One was the Amethyst Winged Lion King of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, while the other was the Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast of the Gama Empire Royal Family.

Of course, Medusa Queen could not truly be considered a magical beast in the strictest sense.

The significance of a Sixth Order Magical Beast in this region was simply too great.

"This is a poison-attributed magical beast. If a poison master can refine it, it will provide an immense boost to their poison arts," Murong Zhi continued.

"My master intends to kill it after it advances to a Sixth Order Magical Beast. This elder brother came here ahead of time precisely to make some preparations for my master," Murong Zhi said.

Hunting a Sixth Order Magical Beast? What tremendous ambition.

Chen Cheng could not help thinking to himself.

Chen Cheng had learned from passersby that Murong Zhi's master was Marquis Anyang, a powerful Dou Huang.

But even so, hunting a magical beast of the same rank would not be easy.

Magical beasts were inherently far stronger than humans in terms of physique. Even a newly advanced Sixth Order Magical Beast was comparable to a human two- or three-star Dou Huang.

In the original work, when Yun Yun went looking for trouble with the Amethyst Winged Lion King, she had only intended to seize the Amethyst Spirit Crystal. She did not possess the ability to kill the Amethyst Winged Lion King.

Yet now, this Dou Huang-level Marquis Anyang boldly intended to hunt a Sixth Order Magical Beast.

"Haha, Little Brother Chen, don't tell me you don't believe it," Murong Zhi said with a laugh, seemingly noticing the disbelief on Chen Cheng's face.

"You have never met my master, so it is only natural that you do not understand his strength. Let me tell you, my master's methods are heaven-defying. He is by no means comparable to ordinary Dou Huangs. Even among those veteran Dou Huangs who have long been famous, few are a match for my master," Murong Zhi said proudly.

Having a Dou Huang as one's master was indeed something worth taking pride in.

"With such bearing, I truly would like to witness Marquis Anyang's prowess," Chen Cheng said with a hint of jest.

"Haha, there will be a chance. My master will arrive in Linshi Town before long. When the time comes, this elder brother will introduce you to him," Murong Zhi said.

"In that case, many thanks," Chen Cheng said gratefully.