Dao Comprehension Tea Emerges, and the Melon-Eating Crowd

The canyon secret realm was a circular, tiered landscape divided into an outer region, an inner region, and a core.

After entering the canyon secret realm, the members of the Yuan Clan appeared at random locations throughout its outer region. At that moment, people were fighting in the skies, forests, and lakes of the outer region. Yuan Zhexian appeared by a small lake and looked at two people fighting on it. Then he saw a grass-shaped object at the center of the lake, radiating blue light. This was... the Icewater Cold Spirit Sacred Herb! It could not only strengthen the spiritual power of a person with a water attribute, but also give them an additional attribute when consumed, turning water into ice.

Hmm. This Icewater Cold Spirit Sacred Herb would be a nice gift for Yan'er. With that, he flashed forward, ready to pick it.

"How dare you, you little thief!" Two furious shouts rang out. Yuan Zhexian did not even want to turn his head and continued picking the Icewater Cold Spirit Sacred Herb. Just then, a bolt of lightning and a wind blade shot straight at him. Yuan Zhexian picked the Icewater Cold Spirit Sacred Herb with one hand and waved the other lightly. The lightning and wind blade coming at him vanished.

When Yuan Zhexian finished picking it and turned around, the two exclaimed in surprise, "The Yuan Clan's divine son! We ran into him just as we found a sacred herb. What rotten luck." Seeing their surprised expressions, Yuan Zhexian said calmly, "I'll be taking the Icewater Cold Spirit Sacred Herb. You two carry on." He then made to fly away. But the two blocked his path and said, "Divine son of the Yuan Clan, you can leave, but leave the Icewater Cold Spirit Sacred Herb behind."

"Ah. Men die for wealth, just as birds die for food. Don't you understand that?" His Double Pupils directly opened the Red Lotus Space, and the two men's expressions went blank in an instant, drool streaming from their mouths. They had already become idiots.

Afterward, he continued strolling around the secret realm, looking for anything else worthwhile.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. Five people appeared in front of Yuan Zhexian as he wandered. They released powerful presences and looked at him coldly. "Divine son of the Yuan Clan, you dared to use one of our dragon bloodline as a draft beast. Today we will slay you to avenge the humiliation of our dragon bloodline."

Looking at the five peerless prodigies of the True Dragon Clan, Yuan Zhexian said indifferently, "You lot? Slay me? Are you playing around?"

"Stop acting so arrogant! We've already used a secret method to summon Lord Dragon Son. All we need to do is hold you here. Once Lord Dragon Son arrives, you'll surely die."

"Oh... you seem awfully confident in that dragon son of yours." Yuan Zhexian was amused by their words.

"That's right. The dragon son of our True Dragon Clan is an Innate Six-Clawed Golden Dragon, invincible under the heavens. If he arrives, you'll surely be mercilessly killed."

At that moment, another peerless prodigy of the True Dragon Clan spoke up. "We don't need Lord Dragon Son. The five of us can destroy you ourselves."

"I really don't know where you get the confidence to boast that you'll destroy me," Yuan Zhexian said, shaking his head.

"Enough talk. Attack!"

One of the five struck first. With a raise of his hand, a dragon claw appeared, burning with red flames. The intense heat raised the temperature all around them considerably. Then he roared at Yuan Zhexian, "Dragon Flame Claw!"

Looking at the fiery dragon claw flying toward him, Yuan Zhexian neither dodged nor evaded. He simply extended a finger and flicked it, sending the Dragon Flame Claw bouncing back at its wielder.

The True Dragon Clan prodigy thought the rebounding Dragon Flame Claw was the same as the one he had unleashed, so he prepared to use Dragon Flame Claw again to counter it. Little did he know that Yuan Zhexian had infused it with the power of his Double Pupils the instant he flicked it back. The rebounding Dragon Flame Claw was a little stronger than the one he had unleashed himself. It slammed into the peerless dragon prodigy, sending blood spraying as he fell injured to the ground.

Seeing Yuan Zhexian injure their companion so easily, the other four peerless prodigies of the True Dragon Clan all unleashed their ultimate moves, preparing to attack together.

At that moment, Yuan Zhexian said coldly, "I thought you were more formidable than this. How boring. Disappear." As he finished speaking, starlight flashed in his Double Pupils. The bodies of the four preparing their combined attack and the one lying on the ground burst apart on the spot, sending flesh and blood flying. It was a gruesome sight. Looking at the five who had exploded, Yuan Zhexian suddenly covered his forehead with his hand. "Oh man, I forgot. I should have left their corpses intact. Once they revealed their true forms after death, I could have tasted dragon meat. I heard it's exceptionally delicious, and eating it can also increase blood Qi and spiritual power. How could I forget? Ah, what a pity."

With that, he vanished in a flash. About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, Ao Xu, the True Dragon Clan's dragon son, arrived. Seeing that his clansmen had become flesh and blood scattered across the ground, he flew into a towering rage, his presence furious. Powerful currents of air leveled all the surrounding woods. He roared at the heavens, "Yuan Zhexian, if I don't slay you, I'm unworthy of being the True Dragon Clan's dragon son!" He immediately used a secret method to send word to the other members of the True Dragon Clan, telling them to abandon their opportunities at once and gather around him, then go looking for the Yuan Clan.

Yuan Zhexian reappeared atop a waterfall. Looking at the water plunging straight down and the scenery in the distance, he sighed. "Ah, it's been a long time since I've seen such beautiful scenery."

As soon as he spoke, a voice suddenly sounded beside him. "I didn't expect the Yuan Clan's divine son to have such refined interests. I thought cultivators spent every day either on the road to cultivation or on the road to battle, never stopping to appreciate the beauty of the world."

Yuan Zhexian glanced over and saw a man in jade-colored robes. He had a handsome face, sharply defined features, a high nose, red lips and white teeth, and eyes sparkling with intelligence. He was youthful, masculine, and dashing. This was Jun Yichen, the Jun Lineage's divine son and Desolate Ancient Sacred Body.

Still looking at the distant scenery, Yuan Zhexian said indifferently without turning his head, "Oh, Divine Son Jun, you waited here for me. I'm afraid it wasn't simply to admire the scenery."

"I've long heard that the Yuan Clan's divine son is terrifyingly strong, invincible in battle, and capable of suppressing and killing all. I've admired you for a long time, so I came especially to make your acquaintance."

"Divine Son Jun, whatever it is, just say it," Yuan Zhexian said, getting straight to the point.

Seeing Yuan Zhexian get straight to the point, Jun Yichen stopped beating around the bush. "I came this time to tell you about an opportunity, Divine Son Yuan."

"An opportunity?" Yuan Zhexian asked in puzzlement.

"Yes, that's right."

Still puzzled, Yuan Zhexian asked, "Since it's an opportunity, why don't you keep it all to yourself, Divine Son Jun? Why share it with me?"

"Here's the matter. In seven days, Dao Comprehension Tea is about to emerge in the inner region of the secret realm."

"Dao Comprehension Tea?" Yuan Zhexian exclaimed in surprise. He knew about this tea. It was a peerless treasure that not only allowed one to comprehend the great Dao of heaven and earth, increasing a cultivator's strength and helping them break through bottlenecks, but could also increase a cultivator's physical strength and speed. Even more remarkably, it could enhance a cultivator's comprehension. It was one of the greatest peerless treasures under heaven. Even Great Emperors would go mad for it.

Jun Yichen continued, "With the emergence of the Dao Comprehension Tea, countless prodigies and monstrous geniuses are heading there, all hoping for a share. I'm alone and lack the strength, so I'd like to invite you, Divine Son Yuan, to fight for it with me. Afterward, we'll split it four to six. I take four, you take six. How about it?"

Hearing Jun Yichen's words, Yuan Zhexian smiled. "Divine Son Jun, you said it yourself: I'm invincible in battle and can sweep aside all enemies. So why should I cooperate with you?"

Jun Yichen said helplessly, "I knew you wouldn't agree so easily."

"How about this? I'll make you a promise," Jun Yichen continued.

Curious, Yuan Zhexian said, "Oh? What kind of promise could make me join forces with you to fight for the Dao Comprehension Tea? I'm very curious."

Jun Yichen then said mysteriously, "It's about your father, Yuan Changsheng."

"Oh? What about my father?" Yuan Zhexian asked.

"The ten shackles!"

Jun Yichen had barely finished speaking.

Boom! A terrifying presence erupted from Yuan Zhexian's body. Jun Yichen looked at him in mild surprise and marveled that the Yuan Clan's divine son truly was terrifyingly strong.

Jun Yichen and Yuan Changsheng both possessed the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body. After the rules of heaven and earth changed and Spiritual Qi grew thin following the Desolate Ancient Era, the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body came to have ten shackles in total. The first seven required a vast amount of resources to break, while the final three required heaven-defying comprehension and opportunities. Only after breaking all ten shackles could one attain the Great Accomplishment Sacred Body, whose combat power could rival a Great Emperor's.

Yuan Changsheng had now broken nine shackles, but he had made no progress on the last one for tens of thousands of years. Even if he entered the Quasi-Emperor realm, his lifespan would be only two hundred thousand years. If he did not break the tenth shackle, Yuan Changsheng's only end would be to pass away when his lifespan ran out. This was absolutely unacceptable to Yuan Zhexian, which was why he had become so agitated that his presence erupted.

Jun Yichen was different. He had been born with all ten shackles broken and an innate Great Accomplishment Sacred Body. If he did not fall and his cultivation advanced, he would surely become a Great Emperor in the future. His talent and aptitude were no worse than Ji Jingtian's.

So when Yuan Zhexian heard this, he said without hesitation, "All right, I agree. If you can really help my father resolve the matter of the ten shackles, I'll accept you as a friend."

"All right." Seeing how readily Yuan Zhexian agreed, Jun Yichen said, "Then, seven days from now, I'll wait for you where the Dao Comprehension Tea emerges."

"All right."

With that, Jun Yichen vanished in a flash of golden light.

After Jun Yichen left, Yuan Zhexian said to himself, "The matter of the tenth shackle on Father's sacred body is resolved. I feel much more at ease. There are still seven days left. Where should I go next?" The corners of his mouth lifted in a faint smile. Then he, too, vanished from the spot.

On a vast grassland in the outer region of the secret realm, many people stood watching two figures wage an earth-shaking battle ahead. Some whispered among themselves, while others roared with laughter. Some had even taken tables from their spatial treasures and sat on the ground, eating and drinking wine as they listened to the accounts of those beside them and watched the distant battle. They were utterly comfortable, having completely forgotten that the secret realm was a cruel place of life-and-death battles over opportunities.

Yuan Zhexian squeezed into the crowd. By now, however, he had disguised himself as an utterly ordinary-looking person. After all, his appearance was far too conspicuous, and who did not recognize him? With seven days left before the Dao Comprehension Tea appeared, he had disguised himself to pass the boring time and reduce unnecessary trouble.

Yuan Zhexian asked a thin man beside him, who had the face of a crafty merchant, "Fellow melon-eater, what's going on up ahead?"

The man said in puzzlement, "Fellow melon-eater?"

"That's right. We're part of the melon-eating crowd, so aren't we fellow melon-eaters?"

The man spoke as though he had discovered a new world. "Fellow melon-eater! What a novel term. You must be quite knowledgeable, fellow Daoist." He then explained what had happened. One of the two was the divine son of the Fallen God Pavilion, and the other was the holy son of the Illusory Moon Spirit Heaven. They were loving and killing each other over a mysterious pearl.

"Loving and killing each other? I don't understand," Yuan Zhexian said in puzzlement.

The Illusory Moon Spirit Heaven was a sacred land that accepted only female disciples. But one day, while the Illusory Moon Spirit Lord was traveling, she picked up a baby boy. She sent spiritual power into him and discovered that his foundation was exceptionally strong. Bound by the rules of the Illusory Moon Spirit Heaven, yet unwilling to part with a baby boy of such great talent, she steeled herself and took him back.

Under the Illusory Moon Spirit Lord's careful tutelage, the boy grew up and gradually displayed exceptional talent and aptitude, becoming a peerless monstrous genius of his age. But because he had lived among women for so long, both his mind and his manner of dress became like a woman's. More importantly, when the boy grew up, his features were exceptionally delicate and handsome. Dressed as a woman, he was extraordinarily beautiful and charmingly delicate. From then on, the boy developed a taste for the pleasures of the cut sleeve. This boy was the holy son of the Illusory Moon Spirit Heaven.

Then the Spirit Heaven's holy son went out into the world and met the Godfall Pavilion's divine son, who was also traveling at the time. The two hit it off and spent their days and nights together. After several days, feelings developed between them.

So, on a dark and windy night, the two drank and talked. Slightly tipsy, the Godfall Pavilion's divine son prepared to take their relationship a step further. He pushed the Spirit Heaven's holy son onto the bed. Looking at the charmingly delicate "beauty," the Godfall Pavilion's divine son burned with lust. With one hand, he undid his own clothes, while the other helped the Spirit Heaven's holy son undress.

At that moment, the Godfall Pavilion's divine son widened his eyes and hastily backed away. Pointing at the Spirit Heaven's holy son in disbelief, he said, "You... you... you..."

A "big bird" stood out. The Godfall Pavilion's divine son was so frightened that he sobered up. The Spirit Heaven's holy son, who had been ready to enjoy the pleasures of fish and water, saw that the Godfall Pavilion's divine son had still made no move. He opened his eyes and looked at the divine son's face, full of anger, confusion, and distress. He stood up and said anxiously, "Divine Son... I..."

Looking at the Spirit Heaven's holy son, who was even "bigger" than he was, the Godfall Pavilion's divine son said in furious exasperation, "You... you're actually a man..."

The Spirit Heaven's holy son hurriedly replied, "Divine Son, I... I truly love you. I can do it."

"You can do it, my ass! I ********"

"You bitch! I... I..." The Godfall Pavilion's divine son was so angry he could no longer speak. Finally, he spat out, "Bitch, I never want to see you again!" Then he angrily stormed out.

Looking at the Godfall Pavilion's divine son, who had so betrayed him, the heartbroken Spirit Heaven's holy son lay on the bed, a vicious look appearing in his eyes.

The two next met just now, as the mysterious pearl happened to emerge. They had already parted on bad terms, and when they met again, they were enemies. One resented being deceived, and the other resented being betrayed, so they drew their swords against each other. On top of that, a spirit treasure had emerged, and everyone wanted to fight for it. That was how they came to be loving and killing each other now.

Yuan Zhexian understood. People in this world, it turned out, were just like those in his previous life: they too liked eating melons. He then asked, "How do you know all this so clearly?"

The man replied, "Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Quan Anwang. My insider information is the most reliable. Fellow Daoist, this is my communication stone. Whatever you want to learn or know, I can tell you. All you need to pay is one little middle-grade spirit stone."

Never mind middle-grade spirit stones-even high-grade and supreme-grade spirit stones were piled like mountains in Yuan Zhexian's spatial ring. Still, he acknowledged Quan Anwang's professional ability. After all, the man had just told the story of those two as though he had witnessed it himself.