Rumor Pavilion, the Western Sea's Few Dragon Rabbits

As they approached the Dragon Palace, the various sights on Crystal Mountain became increasingly clear.

It is covered with coral plants and seashell forests, layer upon layer, strung together, quite exquisite and luxurious, presenting an exotic beauty that is not found on land.

Even Fang Shu, who considered himself well-informed, felt his eyes had been opened at this moment.

Fortunately, the process of entering the Dragon Palace was no different from that on land. After a simple inspection, he and Che Luanshan were placed into the mountain.

During this time, because of his dragon son and grandson attire, he received some preferential treatment, and the Immortal cultivator he encountered were all quite polite to him.

Upon entering the mountain, Fang Shu discovered that the entire Crystal Mountain had been hollowed out, its interior winding and intricate, somewhat resembling a honeycomb or anthill, and becoming even more massive as one descended.

Furthermore, the entire center of the mountain is hollow all the way down, making this crystal mountain look less like a mountain and more like an artificial pagoda.

At this moment, Fang Shu came to his senses and secretly asked Che Luanshan, "Is this really the Dragon Palace? Do the Dragon Palace Master and the dragons live down here?"

Che Luanshan immediately nodded and shook his head, explaining, "Reporting to the master, this mountain is merely a part of the Dragon Palace, more specifically, it's called Sea Market."

The true Dragon Palace is not just underground, but encompasses an area of a thousand miles around this place.

The other party suddenly raised his hand and pointed to the dark seawater. "If you use your eyesight, you can occasionally see light surging below, which is the true location of the Dragon Palace."

Legend has it that this Dragon Palace is both Secret Realm and not Secret Realm, where all the dragon sons and grandsons live, as if in a fairyland, with treatment and privileges beyond our imagination.

From Che Luanshan's words, Fang Shu could clearly sense the longing and yearning in his voice.

Fang Shu stared at the dark seabed, his heart filled with unease.

Is the Dragon Palace a Secret Realm?

He couldn't help but think of the little Secret Realm on his own Five Villages Abbey.

Because of the presence of the Old Mountain Lord, the small Secret Realm is partially revealed on the mountaintop, making the spiritual land on the mountaintop quite different from other areas on the mountain. It is rich and pure, truly a first-class place for planting medicinal herbs and for secluded cultivation.

If the Dragon Palace were like this, then Dragon Palace scenery would probably far exceed the imagination of the Western Sea Immortal cultivator.

However, when Fang Shu inquired more carefully about the situation inside the Dragon Palace and the plight of the dragons, Che Luanshan was speechless for a moment and could no longer say anything.

Fortunately, the other party led Fang Shu to a place in Crystal Mountain and suddenly pointed and said, "If the master has any questions, he can ask them in this pavilion."

Rumor has it that the origins of this place are no less than those of Divine Immortal Dao Vein; you can ask about anything and buy anything, but they don't deal in tangible goods like Spirit Stone, Law Artifact, or elixirs; they only deal in intangible things like secrets and Cultivation Method.

Fang Shu looked up and saw the three characters "Rumor Pavilion".

He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

He had happened to hear a little about this pavilion.

This pavilion is renowned in numerous vernacular novels, and even many Immortal cultivator's real travelogues mention it extensively.

It is a well-known place for selling information in the Outer World. Rumor has it that the Immortal cultivator behind the pavilion are not just one, but more than one, Refining Spirit Immortal.

However, Fang Shu was skeptical of this claim.

In recent years, this pavilion has gradually disappeared from the Western Continent, especially in the mountain gates and markets of several Divine Immortal sects. They do not dare to act openly and honestly, but only dare to hide their true intentions.

"Could it be that the Immortal cultivator behind the pavilion are sea Divine Immortal, which is why their influence on land has waned somewhat?" he wondered to himself.

Immediately, Fang Shu readily complied and strolled into the Rumor Pavilion.

Upon entering the pavilion, he was immediately enveloped by numerous array formations, and a wooden puppet stepped forward to separate Fang Shu and Che Luanshan and guide them inside.

Inside a quiet room, Fang Shu sat cross-legged, with a small altar in front of him that resembled a shrine.

Suddenly, a small doll on top came to life and opened its mouth, saying, "Honorable guest, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner."

"We can ask you anything, and we can sell you anything. I wonder what worries you may have?"

The little doll's voice, babbling and cooing like a child's, was quite strange.

Fang Shu only glanced at it, without even needing to use his Divine Sense to examine it, and knew that someone must Spirit Transformation sense from a distance.

Without making a sound, he first inquired about any major events that had recently occurred in the Western Sea.

With a thud, as soon as he finished speaking, a government gazette was spat out of the doll's mouth and landed in front of Fang Shu.

"I would be grateful for one hundred Spirit Stone."

This price is really expensive. Buying nine more portions would be equivalent to buying a regular Golden Core Law Artifact.

However, Fang Shu for a moment, then flicked his sleeves and tossed the hundred taels of Top-grade Spirit Stone onto the table. He then, in front of the villain...

I opened the seal on the official gazette and began to read it carefully.

Soon, the various events that had recently occurred on the Western Sea began to surface in his mind.

Besides text, it also contains various images and sounds, allowing people to experience the scene as if they were there, making it more intuitive than ordinary Jade Slip, which is quite remarkable.

Among these matters, big and small, Fang Shu suddenly spotted a familiar figure.

The man was dressed in a Daoist robe and looked young, appearing to be under twenty years old. However, he exuded a sharp aura, and with every move he made, extremely fierce sword light would fly out.

Even if you only see it in the official gazette, it seems as if it could fly out and sever a person's neck.

And this person was none other than Fang Shu himself.

He immediately became interested and carefully read through all the images in the official gazette, during which he could also hear the breathing sounds from multiple Immortal cultivator perspectives.

This was the first time he had ever looked at himself from someone else's perspective.

To be fair, although his trip to Shattered Star Sea Market was ruined by that old man Shattered Star, he didn't lose face despite the defeat.

Moreover, according to the official gazette, his reputation and influence have gradually spread throughout the Western Sea. Even ordinary drinkers in the city know that a fierce True Immortal has come from the Vast Sea, who dares to kill even True Dragon.

In this official gazette, Rumor Pavilion revealed Fang Shu's background in more detail.

Among the information was his identity as Profound Teaching True Disciple, but this news item was marked with the words "to be confirmed."

If customers are willing to spend Spirit Stone, they can obtain more detailed information, and may even ask someone from the Rumor Pavilion to make a special trip to inquire about the matter and commission intelligence.

With this official gazette as a reference, Fang Shu immediately gained some understanding of the strength of the Rumor Pavilion.

"This place has managed to operate for so many years; it must have some tricks up its sleeve," he thought to himself.

Immediately, Fang Shu could no longer hold back and immediately revealed all the information he needed to the small figurine on the altar.

He sought elixirs and medicines, consulted divination and fortune-telling, and even inquired about the origins of Che Luanshan from the Rumor Pavilion.

To his somewhat surprise, the pavilion actually contained information about Che Luanshan.

Although the intelligence was rudimentary and differed somewhat from what Che Lianshan himself had revealed, it was generally correct.

Just as he described himself, this person was originally from a terrestrial Outer Dao, who later made a living by sailing in the Western Sea. By chance, he obtained Great Elixir from a sea monster, thus entering the realm of False Core.

In addition, Fang Shu also inquired about the True Dragon Zigong, and learned from the little puppet the name of the Refining Spirit Old Dragon behind the True Dragon Zigong.

"The Sea-Garrisoning Divine Immortal, is it? --- Though not Divine Immortal of the Dragon Palace, he is still Refining Spirit Immortal has received an imperial decree from the Dragon Palace and enjoys offerings."

He pondered this in his heart.

What made Fang Shu feel both relieved and anxious was...

This Sea-Garrisoning Divine Immortal indeed had numerous dragon sons and grandsons under his command, with no fewer than a dozen at the True Immortal level. Among them, the True Dragon Zigong was relatively young and did not particularly catch the eye of the old Sea-Dwelling Dragon.

But now that this scoundrel has been murdered, there's no need for the old dragon stationed at the sea to intervene. His nominal brothers and sisters have already issued a warrant for his Fang Shu, the mastermind, to pieces to set things right.

On the offering table, the little puppet shook its head and said, "According to our intelligence reports, recently quite a few ships from the Vast Sea Immortal Prefecture have been attacked by the Sea-Garrisoning Dragon Prefecture, and some disciples of the Vast Sea Immortal Prefecture have even been killed, but no True Immortal have fallen yet."

The head of Shattered Star Sea Market was also caught up in the mess, facing numerous troubles. Although the True Immortal of True Immortal Shattered Star invited many immortals to a banquet, asking everyone to help identify the true cause of death of the True Dragon Zigong, and even made oaths and vows.

However, the dragon sons and grandsons Sea-Garrisoning Dragon Prefecture didn't quite believe this. True Dragon had already spoken, saying that even though this matter was unrelated to Shattered Star, since the True Dragon Zigong had died in the Shattered Star Sea Market, it proved that this Sea Market was incapable of maintaining stability in the Western Sea and should be abolished.

A series of words came out of the little doll's mouth.

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu couldn't help but feel smug.

That old man with the Daoist name "Shattered Star" deserved it; he insisted on standing up to stop him.

Otherwise, if this old man had simply watched as the True Dragon Zigong was captured alive by him without intervening, the trouble would have been much less.

Furthermore, as long as the True Dragon Zigong has not escaped into the formation of Shattered Star Sea Market, and the Shattered Star Immortal cultivator do not intervene, then nominally the life or death of this fiend is none of the concern of Shattered Star Sea Market.

With a clang, the hundred Spirit Stone that Fang Shu had placed on the offering table disappeared once again.

The little doll on the table immediately shut up, only putting on a stiff smile as it faced Fang Shu: "If you need anything else, please feel free to add Spirit Stone."

At this moment, Fang Shu pondered for a moment.

He suddenly extended his Divine Sense and landed it on the little doll, seemingly trying to investigate the doll's background.

The little doll swayed, its two lacquered eyes darting around before fixing itself on Fang Shu, its expression instantly changing to one of resentment.

But the next moment, Fang Shu's telepathic message caused the puppet's expression to change, turning into one of confusion.

"Within this Dragon Palace Sea Market, are there any great Dao of Alchemy skilled in refining flesh and blood pills?"

Ideally, they should be of human origin, and preferably have had some past conflicts with the Dragon Clan.

The doll's eyes were still fixed on Fang Shu, as if it were frozen in place.

However, Fang Shu could clearly sense that the puppet had instantly become more lively, indicating that the Immortal cultivator behind it had devoted more of their energy to it.

Just as Fang Shu thought his request was somewhat contradictory and was about to reduce it, the little doll regained its spirit and immediately replied, "Yes, of course I have it. Thank you—eight hundred Spirit Stone!"

Upon hearing the figure of eight hundred taels, Fang Shu raised an eyebrow.

At this price, it's only two hundred taels short of the cost of a Golden Core Law Artifact.

Fang Shu said calmly, "I'm just asking about someone. I can ask at the Rumor Pavilion, and I might be able to ask at teahouses and taverns as well."

Fellow Daoist, please do not overcharge your customers.

The little puppet suddenly rose from the shrine and walked to the offering table, bowing respectfully to Fang Shu: "Sir, you flatter me. Teahouses and taverns have their merits, but our establishment has its own unique charm. The price is reasonable, and after-sales service is guaranteed, ensuring you have no worries."

Fang Shu raised his eyelids slightly upon hearing this.

He hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand and pointed, placing eight hundred taels of Spirit Stone on the table.

The Spirit Stone made the puppet of the Rumor Pavilion's eyes light up. It immediately reached into its mouth, took out a slip of paper, and respectfully handed it to Fang Shu: "Please rest assured, sir. This person once had a blood feud with the Dragon Clan, and all his relatives, friends, and disciples were wiped out. But in the entire Western Sea, only this Dragon Palace can protect him."

This person has not left the Dragon Palace for three hundred years. You only need to bring the mark of my Rumor Pavilion to find him, and the news will not be leaked."

These words eased Fang Shu's expression, and he nodded, acknowledging that the eight hundred taels of Spirit Stone were not a bad expense.

Then, as he stood up, it seemed he had finished his business and was about to take his leave.

But then, as if he had just remembered something, he made a Method Formula seal, and a portrait suddenly appeared in front of him.

Fang Shu asked, "Has this dragon species ever visited the Dragon Palace? And it probably came from the Vast Sea within the last hundred years."

To his disappointment, the little doll carefully examined the portrait he had given it and shook its head.

Moreover, the other party did not even give a vague answer, but stated directly. "No."

The origins of all the dragons of the Western Sea are information that our organization has always valued most highly. Unless they were born within the Dragon Palace or Dragon Mansion and have never shown themselves, our organization cannot possibly overlook them.

Upon hearing such certainty, Fang Shu's expression froze, and his heart sank.

He both doubted the accuracy of the information he had gathered in the past and suspected that the person in his mind had perished halfway to the Western Sea Dragon Palace.

Fortunately, the puppet from the Rumor Pavilion suddenly said, "By the way, within the last hundred years, the number of dragon species similar to the Dragon Rabbit that have reached the Western Sea is very small, only seventy-one."

"I wonder if you've mistaken me for someone else?"

These words calmed Fang Shu down slightly.

He pondered some information he had gathered in the Vast Sea, and suddenly raised his hand to wipe away the portrait in front of him.

Fang Shu didn't say anything more, and said with a faint smile, "Perhaps."

He was about to take out more Spirit Stone to pay the bill, but the puppet from the Rumor Pavilion shook its head. "There's no need to waste spirit Spirit Stone on such news, consider it a gift to you."

Thank you.

Fang Shu did not refuse. He cupped his hands in greeting, pushed open the door, and left Rumor Pavilion.

And then he left.

Deep within the Rumor Pavilion, a scholar-like Immortal cultivator suddenly opened his eyes.

As the other person raised their hand, a portrait appeared in front of them. They examined it repeatedly, their eyes revealing a hint of doubt.

The man muttered to himself, "Such a dragon's offspring is truly unprecedented—how could it have caught the eye of a Profound Teaching True Disciple?"

The portrait depicted a Dragon Rabbit with a short tail, a three-lobed mouth, and golden-red eyes. It was the very Fang Shu one that Fang Shu and Bai Yangyang had rescued years ago.