Chapter 425: Marquis Shao Fei

Chapter 425: Chapter 425: Marquis Shao Fei

In the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty's capital, Li Huo Holy Capital, inside a tavern:

"This is a ten-thousand-year-old Polygonum multiflorum. You won't find another like it in all of Li Huo Holy Capital," a boastful man declared, displaying a large piece of the root.

"Ten thousand years? Only ten thousand? Haha!"

"Why are you laughing?"

"Ten thousand years? The ten largest auction houses in Li Huo Holy Capital each have treasures over twenty thousand years old. Not to mention the various noble families and even the royal family," someone laughed.

"That's right, a ten-thousand-year-old Polygonum multiflorum? The emperor has a Millennium Tree that blooms once every thousand years and bears fruit once every thousand years, with five fruits each time. Your Polygonum multiflorum? Even a hundred ten-thousand-year-old ones can't compare to a single Millennium Fruit," someone else jeered.

"Hmph, rarity determines value. If this were the last ten-thousand-year-old Polygonum multiflorum in the world, it would be priceless," the man stubbornly replied.

"Yes, rarity determines value, but your item isn't rare. The Millennium Fruit is the rare one. Haha."

"That's not true!" At this moment, a man in the corner shook his head, holding a cup of wine.

"Uh?" The crowd turned to look at him curiously.

"The rarest item isn't the Millennium Fruit. No matter how powerful the Millennium Fruit is, there are substitutes for it. It can be replaced in quality and quantity, and it still has a price," the man in the corner said, shaking his head.

"Oh? Are you saying there's something in this world that can't be replaced?"

"It's not a heavenly treasure, but a type of elixir, unique in the world, something everyone dreams of. A priceless treasure!" the man explained.

"What kind of elixir?" The crowd's interest was piqued, and they all stared at the man in the corner.

"The Elixir of Immortality!" the man declared.

"The Elixir of Immortality? Hahaha, are you crazy? There's no such thing as an Elixir of Immortality in this world!"

"Impossible! If there were, why would anyone bother cultivating?"

The crowd shook their heads, looking at the man in the corner as if he were a fool.

"No, there is an Elixir of Immortality. And it won't be long before it arrives in Li Huo Holy Capital," the man insisted.

Despite their disbelief, the fantastical nature of the claim made everyone curious.

"Are you saying it will come to Li Huo Holy Capital?"

"Yes, do any of you know of 'Zhong Shan'?" the man in the corner asked. Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

"Zhong Shan? The Heaven Collapse Plan? The Eastern Duke of the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty?" one well-informed person quickly responded.

When he mentioned Zhong Shan, the crowd nodded in recognition. The Heaven Collapse Plan, which had toppled a powerful imperial dynasty in less than four years, was well-known among those who pursued fame and fortune.

"I've heard that Zhong Shan is currently on a diplomatic mission to the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty and will arrive in Li Huo Holy Capital soon," the man in the corner continued.

"What does that have to do with the Elixir of Immortality?"

"The Elixir of Immortality is in his possession!" the man said firmly.

The crowd exchanged glances. Though they didn't believe in an Elixir of Immortality, the man in the corner's confident assertion made them pay attention.

Could there really be an Elixir of Immortality in this world?

"Commander, in just a few days, we'll reach a city in the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty. At that point, we can request the local garrison to escort us," Shui Wuhen said with a smile.

"Escort?" Zhong Shan looked at Shui Wuhen with a hint of surprise. Shui Wuhen's wisdom had noticeably improved lately.

As they spoke, a streak of light flashed in the distance. About three hundred people were flying towards them.

With a wave of Zhong Shan's hand, the entire army came to a halt.

The group of three hundred paused momentarily before flying swiftly to Zhong Shan's army.

This group wore the official uniforms of the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty. The leader, dressed in luxurious garments, looked like a significant official. His hair was tied back with a purple-gold cord, giving him a carefree appearance.

The leader looked at Zhong Shan's army and squinted slightly, "Who are you?"

"We are envoys from the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty," Shui Wuhen promptly replied.

"Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty? Do you have credentials?" the official asked with mild suspicion.

Shui Wuhen quickly prepared to show the diplomatic credentials.

However, Zhong Shan grabbed Shui Wuhen's right hand, signaling him to wait.

"Who are you?" Zhong Shan asked.

Surprised, the young official turned his hand, revealing his official seal.

"I am Marquis Shao Fei of the Da Li Heavenly Dynasty," the official declared.

"Marquis!" one of his subordinates urged impatiently, as if pressed for time.

Marquis Shao Fei ignored the urging and looked at Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan was slightly surprised by how readily the official showed his seal.

Shui Wuhen examined the seal and nodded to Zhong Shan, confirming its authenticity.

At Zhong Shan's signal, Shui Wuhen handed over the diplomatic credentials to Marquis Shao Fei.

Marquis Shao Fei carefully inspected the credentials.

"Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty, Duke of the East, Zhong Shan?" Shao Fei remarked with mild surprise.

"That is indeed me," Zhong Shan replied with a smile.

"My apologies, I have long heard of a peerless hero from the Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty. I am delighted to meet you today. The emperor specifically assigned me to guard this area, and it is a pleasure to escort such distinguished envoys," Shao Fei said with a smile.

"Thank you for your efforts," Zhong Shan nodded, though internally he was filled with curiosity. No one knew their exact route; how could this be such a coincidence?

"Before we proceed, I must ask Duke Zhong to wait briefly. I am here to capture a group of rebels," Shao Fei explained.

"Rebels?" Zhong Shan asked, surprised.

"Yes, we have about half an hour. I request that your army retreat a hundred miles to avoid alarming the rebels," Shao Fei said sincerely.

"Very well," Zhong Shan nodded. With a wave of his hand, Shui Wuhen immediately commanded the army to retreat.

(Continued in the next chapter)