At that moment, hearing the system's voice, Ye Xingchen immediately shouted excitedly:
"System, merge the Sword Domain!"
Ding! The system is merging the Sword Domain. Congratulations to the host on successfully merging the Sword Domain. Because the host possesses the Great Dao Chaos Physique and heaven-defying luck, you have directly comprehended its highest level, the Domain Realm.
The instant the system finished speaking, Ye Xingchen discovered that deep within his sea of consciousness, a Sword Domain emanating the breath of death had appeared in the left hand of the supremely domineering Divine Nascent Soul seated there with a majestic expression.
Divine radiance shimmered all over this Sword Domain, yet within it lay the icy chill of death, the opposite of the True Explanation of Alchemy in its right hand, which emanated a rich breath of life.
With one on the left and the other on the right, they made Ye Xingchen's Divine Nascent Soul resemble a deity commanding life and death, radiating an unchallengeable majesty that inspired awe.
Sensing the supremely majestic Divine Nascent Soul within his sea of consciousness, Ye Xingchen's lips curled slightly. Now he could easily control others' lives and deaths with either hand. The feeling was simply too wonderful.
Picking up his fishing rod, he leisurely made his way to the pavilion in the middle of the lake. This place had already become Ye Xingchen's exclusive spot. Lying comfortably on a chair, Ye Xingchen cast his line.
Recalling the newlywed gift package the system had rewarded him with last night, Ye Xingchen spoke directly to the system:
"System, open the newlywed gift package!"
Ding! The system is opening the newlywed gift package. Congratulations to the host on receiving the gift package reward-one million bottles of supreme-grade divine wine. Ding! The system is opening the newlywed gift package. Congratulations to the host on receiving the gift package reward-one million supreme-grade immortal stones.
After waiting a while, Ye Xingchen found that the system had actually fallen silent, leaving him slightly stunned.
"System, this is the newlywed gift package you rewarded me with? You only gave this young master a million bottles of wine?! One million supreme-grade immortal stones?
"Although this wine should be good, isn't it a little stingy to reward me with just these two things? You should at least give me some Heavenly Dao Grade martial techniques, pills for comprehension and aptitude, or something!!"
Ding! Please note, host: the newlywed gift package is a gift from the system for the host's marriage, not a reward from the host's luck-based sign-in. Furthermore, this wine has been improved by the system and is unique throughout the Divine Desolation Continent. After drinking it, its fragrance fills the air, and its flavor is rich and mellow. It can also rapidly replenish the Immortal Spirit Power within the body and increase cultivation, making it comparable to immortal-grade pills. If the host dislikes it, this system can take it back!
Hearing the system's words, Ye Xingchen's eyes lit up. This wine was good! After the system's improvements, it was already comparable to immortal-grade pills. Only a fool would refuse it!
"I like it! This host likes it! As expected of a system product-badass! This host loves it! Don't take it back, whatever you do! Don't take it back!"
Hearing that the system intended to reclaim the reward, Ye Xingchen immediately spoke up.
System: ...
Looking at the millions of bottles of supreme-grade divine wine specially made by the system, along with the millions of supreme-grade immortal stones in the system space, Ye Xingchen was overjoyed.
He recalled the wine brewed by the Demon Race that he had drunk yesterday. Not only had it tasted bitter and bland, but its alcohol content had also been extremely low, as though he had taken a sip of Chinese medicine with a faint hint of wine. It was truly unacceptable to a wine lover like Ye Xingchen.
Lying on the chair, Ye Xingchen casually took a bottle from the system space, held it in his hand, and examined it carefully.
The bottle was the color of white jade and gave off a soft glow. It was actually made from spirit stones. This was truly lavish, using the Spiritual Qi within the spirit stones to nourish the wine at every moment. It would have been strange if it were not supreme-grade.
Throughout the Divine Desolation Continent, any fine wine worthy of being stored in spirit stones was the best of the best. Moreover, the main currency used for trade on the Divine Desolation Continent was spirit stones.
Of course, there were also extremely rare immortal stones and divine stones. Spirit stones could be used not only for trade but also for cultivation, accelerating one's cultivation speed. Unless they belonged to a top faction or were a supreme powerhouse, practically no one would use spirit stones to store wine. It was simply wasteful.
This showed just how astonishing the system's wedding gift to him was. Leaving aside the fine wine within, those million bottles made from spirit stones were already a considerable fortune.
There were also one million supreme-grade immortal stones. This reward alone was enough to drive countless people mad.
Yet he had still been dissatisfied. He really had been like a snake trying to swallow an elephant, insatiable in his greed. At that moment, Ye Xingchen instantly realized he had gotten carried away. After silently berating himself, he opened the bottle and poured a mouthful straight into his mouth.
Just as the system had said, the wine was rich and mellow on the tongue. Its flavor was like a God Realm above the clouds, each sip seemingly savoring the charm of glittering stars. Its unique interweaving of sweetness and tartness and its velvety texture made one feel as though strolling through the long river of time.
Most importantly, the wine contained rich Immortal Spirit Qi, just as one would expect of something improved by the system. Although it did little for Ye Xingchen because his strength was too great, to others, it was a supreme-grade divine brew.
After just one sip, Ye Xingchen had already determined that this wine was effective even for Immortal Emperor powerhouses, and could gradually increase their cultivation as well. Combined with its rich, soft flavor and overflowing fragrance, it deserved to be called a supreme-grade divine brew.
Before he knew it, the divine wine in Ye Xingchen's hand was already half gone. It was indeed delicious, but its alcohol content was also high. After putting the remaining half bottle into the system space, Ye Xingchen slowly closed his eyes and actually fell into a deep sleep.
When Ye Xingchen woke, he discovered that the sky had already darkened. Stars glittered across the heavens, and a huge moon hung high in the nine heavens.
Only then did Ye Xingchen notice a familiar figure sitting quietly beside him. Discovering that Ye Xingchen had awakened, she turned and looked at him tenderly.
"Husband, you're awake?!"
Hearing Luo Qingshan's words, Ye Xingchen looked at the breathtakingly beautiful woman before him, his heart filled with tenderness.
"When did you get here, wife? Why didn't you wake your husband?"
"Shan'er only arrived a little while ago. You were sleeping so soundly that I couldn't bear to disturb you. I had nothing to do anyway. I just wanted to stay with you."
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words, Luo Qingshan's lips curled slightly as she spoke softly.
Yet in Luo Qingshan's eyes, Ye Xingchen caught a deeply hidden trace of exhaustion, anger, and helplessness. Perhaps afraid of worrying him, Luo Qingshan showed none of it outwardly.
Seeing that Luo Qingshan had no intention of speaking about it, Ye Xingchen reached out and took her delicate hand, turning to look at her tenderly.
"Wife, is something troubling you?! Can you tell your husband about it?!"
Hearing her husband's words, a trace of hesitation flashed through Luo Qingshan's eyes. Although her husband possessed astonishing literary talent, his strength was truly too low. Even if she told him, he could not resolve it. Why make him worry along with her?
She turned to look at the man of peerless bearing beside her and was just about to say nothing was wrong, only to see the boundless tenderness in her husband's eyes. For a moment, Luo Qingshan could not bear to lie to Ye Xingchen.
Seeing the struggle in Luo Qingshan's eyes, Ye Xingchen smiled faintly and took her hand. Amid Luo Qingshan's shy cry of surprise, he pulled her straight into his arms. Looking at the bashful Demon Race empress, Ye Xingchen felt a sense of accomplishment rise within him.
"Wife, you and I are husband and wife, one flesh. You can tell your husband anything. Although my strength is low, perhaps there are things I can help you with! After all, three cobblers together can match a Zhuge Liang!"
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words, Luo Qingshan patted his chest in protest. Having spent many years among the Human Race, Luo Qingshan naturally knew this human saying, and said bashfully:
"You're the cobbler!"
After saying this, Luo Qingshan actually burst out laughing, her originally troubled mood instantly improving considerably.
Looking at her smiling husband, Luo Qingshan gave Ye Xingchen a charming roll of her eyes before speaking:
"I originally didn't want to tell you, so you wouldn't have to worry along with Shan'er. But since you've asked, Shan'er doesn't want to lie to you."
Glancing at Ye Xingchen, who was listening attentively, Luo Qingshan continued softly:
"Although our Demon Race can raise our realms by absorbing the Immortal Spirit Power in the air, we still need many spirit stones to assist our cultivation."
"Besides, many pills also have to be purchased with spirit stones, such as pills to restore the Immortal Spirit Power within the body, pills to restore Qi and blood, pills to heal injuries, and so on."
"You should know that on the Divine Desolation Continent today, all those who can become alchemists are human. Even among the Human Race, alchemists are extremely rare. You could say that even the most ordinary alchemist is someone the major factions fight madly over."
"Fortunately, although our Demon Race cannot refine pills, there are countless spiritual herbs and immortal medicines throughout Demon Race territory."
"We often exchange these spiritual herbs and immortal medicines with the Human Race for spirit stones, allowing our people to improve their cultivation and also to purchase all the various pills we need from the Human Race."
At this point, Ye Xingchen saw a trace of anger and unwillingness flash through Luo Qingshan's eyes. He gently patted her hand and smiled tenderly.
"Did the Human Race people coming to purchase our medicinal ingredients force their prices down considerably? Is that why you're so angry, wife?"
Seeing the anger in Luo Qingshan's eyes, Ye Xingchen instantly guessed the reason and spoke with a light smile.
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words, Luo Qingshan nodded slightly and said somewhat helplessly:
"I once went to the Human Race, hoping to hire an alchemist. Even when I offered the greatest benefits I could, not a single alchemist was willing to come to the Demon Race. Now our Demon Race sits on a mountain of treasure, possessing endless spiritual medicines, yet we cannot be self-sufficient. We can only let the humans keep forcing down medicinal prices, without any way to stop them!"
Hearing Luo Qingshan's somewhat helpless words, Ye Xingchen merely smiled faintly.
"Wife, is this all that's troubling you?! Couldn't we simply stop selling to them? Can't we go sell them in Human Race territory ourselves?"
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words, Luo Qingshan said:
"Shan'er once thought the same thing and took people to Human Race territory to sell medicinal ingredients ourselves. However, practically all the alchemists among the Human Race come from the Supreme Purity Palace. No one is willing, or no one dares, to buy the Demon Race's medicinal ingredients. Even though our ingredients are far more potent than the Human Race's, no one is willing to purchase them! They're afraid of offending the Supreme Purity Palace!"
Hearing Luo Qingshan's words, Ye Xingchen understood instantly. This was a textbook monopoly strategy.
They knew perfectly well that the Demon Race needed spirit stones but had no alchemists, and could only earn spirit stones by selling medicinal ingredients to sustain the needs of its people.
As the Human Race's foremost alchemy faction, the Supreme Purity Palace held the say. Wasn't the price of medicinal ingredients entirely up to them? They had seized the Demon Race by its weak spot!
Thinking of this, Ye Xingchen looked at the anger in Luo Qingshan's eyes, smiled faintly, and said:
"Wife, the people coming to our Demon Race to purchase medicinal ingredients are from the Supreme Purity Palace, aren't they?"
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words, Luo Qingshan nodded and gave a soft "Mm."
Seeing his wife so troubled and helpless, Ye Xingchen felt unhappy. They were simply bullying others too far. Bullying anyone else was fine, but bullying his wife was absolutely out of the question.
"Wife, do you trust your husband?"
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words and seeing his serious expression, Luo Qingshan smiled faintly and said softly:
"You're Shan'er's husband, the person closest to Shan'er. Of course Shan'er trusts you."
Hearing Luo Qingshan's words, Ye Xingchen felt a surge of pride. He was the only one capable of bringing out this side of the Demon Race empress.
Ye Xingchen knew very well that, as the Demon Race empress, Luo Qingshan was undoubtedly a woman possessed of an emperor's commanding presence.
Yet now she lay in his arms like an ordinary young woman, revealing her truest self. She acted this way because, in her heart, Luo Qingshan regarded him as the person she loved most.
At that moment, hearing Luo Qingshan's words, Ye Xingchen's heart filled with tenderness, and he said to her:
"Wife, those people from the Supreme Purity Palace haven't left yet, have they?"
"Mm. The price they've pushed for this time is truly too low, so Shan'er hasn't agreed yet. Tomorrow at the latest, if we still haven't reached an agreement, they'll probably leave. All these medicinal ingredients the Demon Race has gathered will probably go to waste."
Hearing the helplessness in Luo Qingshan's words, Ye Xingchen held her tightly and said softly:
"Since you trust your husband, leave tomorrow's medicinal ingredient matter to me. You needn't worry about the rest, wife. Your husband will resolve this for you!"
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words, a flash of tenderness passed through Luo Qingshan's eyes. Although she knew that even if Ye Xingchen went, he would not be able to resolve the medicinal ingredient matter, she still nodded.
That was because Luo Qingshan did not want to make Ye Xingchen lose face at that moment. Having spent over a decade among the Human Race, Luo Qingshan understood very well that human men cared most about their dignity.
Since her husband wanted to do something for her, Luo Qingshan would only support him wholeheartedly. At worst, she would shoulder it for him in the end.
Seeing Luo Qingshan nod, Ye Xingchen swept her up into his arms amid her startled cries and headed toward the Phoenix Perch Palace.
At that moment, Luo Qingshan hid bashfully in Ye Xingchen's arms, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
The scene shifted.
In a luxurious room, a white-haired old man with a face full of wrinkles sat smugly drinking fragrant tea. The presence radiating from his body revealed that he was actually an Immortal Sovereign powerhouse.
Beside him, a middle-aged man was also wreathed in smiles as he spoke smugly to the white-haired old man:
"Father, this time we've forced down the price of the Demon Race's medicinal ingredients again. We can make another fortune. The Demon Race sits on a mountain of treasure but doesn't have a single alchemist, so they can only let us keep squeezing them. As long as they still need pills and spirit stones, they have no choice but to sell their medicinal ingredients to us!"
Hearing the middle-aged man's words, the white-haired old man grew even more pleased and said leisurely:
"This price has already reached the Demon Race's bottom line. If Luo Qingshan still doesn't agree tomorrow, we'll raise the price a little. After all, not only are the Demon Race's medicinal ingredients several times more potent than the Human Race's, but their price is also only one-fifth that of the Human Race's medicinal ingredients!"
Hearing the white-haired old man's words, the middle-aged man nodded, then continued:
"I heard this Luo Qingshan actually got married, and the Great Dao even descended in person to congratulate her. I wonder just who managed to take such a beauty into his possession!"
At that moment, recalling Luo Qingshan's perfect figure, the middle-aged man's eyes shone with burning desire.
"Hmph! You had better not harbor any crooked ideas. Luo Qingshan is, after all, the empress of an entire race. The reason she treats us so courteously is that she needs something from us."
"Otherwise, do you think the empress of a race would receive us personally every time?! And endure our unreasonable demands again and again?"
"If the Demon Race had even one alchemist, Luo Qingshan wouldn't receive us personally, much less tolerate our unreasonable behavior."
"She would probably have thrown us, father and son, straight out of Demon Race territory long ago! So you'd better put away those little thoughts of yours. Luo Qingshan is no pushover. She is the Demon Race empress renowned throughout the Human Race!"
Hearing his father's words, the middle-aged man instantly came to his senses. He gave an embarrassed smile and said nothing more, though a trace of burning desire remained hidden deep in his eyes.