"Then tell me, which two places are they?"
Because of his encounter with the Insect Clan, Chen Mu also became interested in these alien Sage. Perhaps with good luck, he could even obtain something similar to Ninth-Grade Spirit Stone.
"Like that Insect Clan Sage, we at the Eight Directions Chamber of Commerce don't know much about these two places."
So, brother, I'm not asking you to drive them away this time. If you sense anything amiss, feel free to abandon the attempt. Your safety must be your top priority.
Hou Sailei's tone was heavy and sincere.
"I understand. Then tell me everything you know."
Chen Mu nodded.
"The first place is the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree on Five Splendors Mountain. Just half a month ago, an old man stayed there. He meditates and drinks tea under the tree every day, and no matter how much our people try to persuade him, he refuses to leave."
Hou Sailei spoke with a helpless expression.
"He was very mild-mannered and did not kill anyone, but the Sage of my merchant guild went to see him and admitted that he was no match for him."
Chen Mu nodded, signaling him to continue.
"The last place is a valley not far from the World Tree. The valley is rich in Spiritual Qi and full of vitality, which is very suitable for plant growth. It is one of the most important medicinal gardens in our line of work."
Five days ago, a powerful woman arrived and drove us all out of the house.
We still don't know what happened inside.
Hou Sailei finished speaking, he toasted Chen Mu with another glass of wine and explained, "Neither of them shows any obvious hostility. They might leave on their own after a while."
So when you go, you must be very polite; if it really doesn't work, then just give up.
The Central Province have been peaceful for nearly ten thousand years. Many mines and lands have owners, and the ownership of these properties has been registered with the Ministry of Revenue of the Haotian Empire by the Eight Directions Trading Company Guild.
Otherwise, if Haotian Empire government were to develop all industries, it would be impossible to manage them all.
In theory Hou Sailei could also seek help from the Haotian Empire's government to drive away the invaders, but recently the world has undergone great changes, and the Haotian Empire's government is too busy to help itself. The soldiers they sent were just ragtag troops who couldn't be of any help at all.
Chen Mu shrugged indifferently, indicating that he knew, but when he heard Hou Sailei mention the World Tree, he couldn't help but ask.
Where is the World Tree? Is it far from here?
"It's not far, just over ten thousand li to the north, very close to the Heavenly Emperor City. Once you've resolved the issues there, we can meet up in the Heavenly Emperor City together."
With the troublemaking Sage dealt with, Hou Sailei was relieved and could accompany Chen Mu to the Heavenly Emperor City, acting as Chen Mu guide.
"Alright! I'll take care of this tomorrow. As for where to meet, we'll contact each other using a communication talisman."
A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Chen Mu's eyes; it was for the World Tree.
Legend has it that in ancient times, mortals and gods lived in two separate worlds, completely isolated from each other and without interference.
The World Tree serves as a bridge connecting the Pan Emperor Continent and the Heavenly Realm. The only way for ordinary people to reach the Heavenly Realm is to climb the World Tree.
Therefore, the World Tree has become a symbol of people's pursuit of beauty, full of mythological color, and is a sacred tree representing auspiciousness.
As a cultivator, Chen Mu naturally wouldn't completely believe in myths.
The reason he wanted to see the World Tree was mainly because he suspected that his father was in the Primordial Heavenly Realm.
The World Tree is the only passage to the Primordial Heavenly Realm, but it's unknown whether the World Tree can still lead to the Primordial Heavenly Realm now.
The next day, Chen Mu set off early in the morning for Five Splendors Mountain.
Five Splendors Mountain is a famous mountain with strange rocks and beautiful scenery. It has many unique natural landscapes, and people often travel from afar to visit and broaden their horizons.
With tourists comes consumption, Eight Directions Trading Company seized the opportunity to buy many properties in Five Splendors Mountain. Among them, the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree, which has been growing for three thousand years, is one of their most important properties in Five Splendors Mountain.
The Dao Comprehension Tea Tree is a unique spiritual plant. It has no seeds and cannot be transplanted. It only grows in places where spiritual energy converges and the Great Dao is concentrated.
The newly grown Dao Comprehension Tea Tree is already comparable to a seventh or eighth grade spiritual material, and after a thousand years of growth, it is comparable to a sacred medicine. A three-thousand-year-old Dao Comprehension Tea Tree is considered a fine product even among sacred medicines.
However, the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree is not a single plant that can produce a miraculous medicine. Instead, it can continuously produce tea leaves. The effects of the tea leaves are much weaker than those of a miraculous medicine. Only through long-term tea drinking will one see significant results.
Legend has it that in the Primordial Heavenly Realm, there exists an Ancient Dao Comprehension Tea Tree. If Sage were to drink a sip of its tea, it would greatly benefit their future ascension to godhood.
With a whoosh, Chen Mu landed on the ground just before reaching the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree, then hiked up the mountain to see the old man who occupied the tea tree.
Halfway up a cliff face, there is a huge rock protruding out, and the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree grows on that rock.
This mountainside is hundreds of meters above the ground, and it would be difficult for someone without any cultivation to climb up. However, for someone of Chen Mu's level, it was as easy as walking on flat ground.
Chen Mu walked step by step through the air and soon arrived beside the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree.
"You were also invited by the Eight Directions Chamber of Commerce?"
The old man sitting cross-legged under the tree opened his eyes and looked at Chen Mu.
"That's right. Judging from your aura, you don't seem to be from the Pan Emperor Continent."
"I come from the Immortal Martial Continent, and I am definitely not from here."
The old man was quite frank and directly told Chen Mu about his background.
Human Clan is a very large race with footprints in many planes of the universe. Chen Mu had also heard of the Immortal Martial Continent, which was a very prosperous middle plane. The beings in that plane all valued martial arts, and their martial prowess was even comparable to some weaker higher planes.
"Senior, you've been here for half a month now, isn't it about time you left?"
Chen Mu didn't mince words and directly stated his purpose.
"Hehe, young people just have a short temper."
"Alright then, take one punch from me. As long as you don't back down, I'll leave."
The old man was clearly a martial arts fanatic. He felt that Chen Mu was quite skilled and wanted to spar with him.
"No problem. If you can't accept it, I'll gladly give it to you as a gift."
Chen Mu thought about it for a moment, then felt that he was at a disadvantage, and spoke up.
"So, in that sense, we have a bet. It doesn't seem right for you not to give me any stakes at all, does it?"
Upon hearing this, the old man burst into hearty laughter. "You're right, if it's a bet, there must be a stake!"
As he spoke, he took out a secret manual from his personal spatial magic treasure and placed it on the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree.
"This is a martial art I created myself. Although it is not considered profound, it is quite different from the use of Spiritual Power in your Pan Emperor Continent. I think it will be helpful to you."
"I'm using this to wager on your Dao Comprehension Tea Tree. Do you have any objections?"