On the largest cliff in the Negative-Origin Secret Realm, the earthcore lion-origin fruit tree spread its enormous canopy, casting swathes of spiritual radiance beneath it.
At that moment, two figures sat facing each other at a stone table before the tree. One held back the brocade sleeve of his Daoist robe and poured crimson spirit wine from a jade flask into a cup. He was Return-to-Zen, whom the Ye Family had arranged to send back to his clan.
"Brother Yellow Earth, this wine is Drunken Dragon Saliva, an upper-grade sixth-stage spirit wine brewed over a hundred years from moonlight dew, three-thousand-year vermilion fruit, earth flood-dragon blood, and various other spirit materials. Drinking it burns the heart and sears the soul as though swallowing fire, yet savoring it reveals an endlessly sweet, mellow flavor. Even among the Human Race, such spirit wine is rarely seen..."
As Return-to-Zen explained, the middle-aged figure's interest indeed grew. He lifted the cup brimming with crimson wine, sniffed it first, then drained it in one gulp.
Feeling its flavor in his throat and the spiritual essence surging in his belly, he praised it lavishly.
"Excellent, Clan Brother Return-to-Zen. Now that you've made contact with the Yuan Family of the humans' Azure Cloud Prefecture, you'll surely have countless treasures and spiritual goods in the future. Be sure to look after us when the time comes."
Hearing the reply from the man before him, Return-to-Zen inwardly let out a long breath of relief.
Several years had passed since he had gone to present treasures to Demon Lord Jinling. Because the demon lord had harbored suspicions, Return-to-Zen had spent that time cultivating, not daring to contact him on his own initiative. He had, however, distributed quite a few spirit pills and treasures within the clan.
Yet after receiving no