Chapter 1558: Distinguishing Truth from Falsehood
Mindong Market.
Located approximately 200,000 li east of Blood Brilliance City, it served as a satellite city to the capital.
Though modest in scale, covering only about 110 li, Mindong Market was directly administered by the Divine Blood Gate.
The market primarily catered to low-tier cultivators. Due to their limited strength, these cultivators often faced dangers when traveling long distances to Blood Brilliance City, forcing them to conduct their transactions here instead.
Additionally, illicit goods unsuitable for Blood Brilliance City’s markets often found their way to Mindong Market and similar satellite cities.
Despite its small size, most major shops from Blood Brilliance City maintained branch stores in Mindong Market to gather spiritual objects and intelligence.
Song Wen entered an intelligence shop. As a young attendant hurried forward to greet him, a middle-aged male cultivator in the early nascent soul stage blocked his path.
The middle-aged cultivator waved his hand, signaling the attendant to withdraw, then personally stepped forward, cupping his hands in a respectful bow.
“This humble one is Chen Ming, the steward of this establishment. May I inquire as to the purpose of Senior’s esteemed visit?”
From Chen Ming’s perspective, Song Wen wore a green robe and a mask, his aura deep and unfathomable, clearly a senior expert who wished to conceal his identity.
“Though your Hall of Myriad Affairs isn’t directly affiliated with the Divine Blood Gate, it still enjoys considerable renown in Blood Brilliance City,” Song Wen said coldly. “Yet here at your branch store, you lack the basic decorum to discuss business in the main hall?”
Chen Ming’s smile stiffened, and he quickly apologized.
“My junior was presumptuous. Please forgive my impudence, Senior. Please move to the secret chamber for a more private discussion.”
“Lead the way,” Song Wen said.
“Yes, sir!”
Chen Ming guided Song Wen to the secret chamber in the rear courtyard.
After inviting Song Wen to sit, serving him tea, and pouring water, Chen Ming bowed respectfully.
“May I ask what instructions you have for me, Senior?”
“Sit,” Song Wen gestured to the wooden chair beside him.
“Thank you, Senior,” Chen Ming said, taking his seat as instructed.
“I have a business proposal for the Hall of Myriad Affairs,” Song Wen began, “but not for this branch in Mindong Market. I wish to discuss it with the main store in Blood Brilliance City.”
Chen Ming’s expression turned troubled.
“Senior, with all due respect, I am merely the steward of this branch. I dare not commit the main store to any business deal.”
“Rest assured,” Song Wen said. “I only require the Hall of Myriad Affairs to transmit a piece of information. Moreover, this information will greatly benefit your organization, likely bringing you substantial profits.”
“Is this true, Senior?” Chen Ming’s interest was immediately piqued.
Transmitting information was no difficult task. For the right price in spirit stones, the Hall of Myriad Affairs could make the entire Azure Wutong Province aware of anything.
As for the “substantial profits” Song Wen mentioned, Chen Ming remained skeptical.
The Hall of Myriad Affairs possessed countless secrets, with earth-shattering revelations rotting away in its archives. What value could there be in information that was voluntarily offered and even requested to be disseminated?
Chen Ming rubbed his fingers together, probing cautiously, “May I ask what message you wish to convey, Senior?”
“Life-Replenishing Fruit,” Song Wen replied coolly. “This old man possesses a Life-Replenishing Fruit and wishes to exchange it for ten Sky-Blue Glazed Fruits and a wisp of Taiyin Netherfire. I require the Hall of Myriad Affairs to transmit this information to certain high-ranking members of the Divine Blood Gate—specifically, those seeking longevity extension.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Ming’s pupils constricted sharply, and he unconsciously straightened his posture.
“Senior, do you truly possess a Life-Replenishing Fruit?”
A sardonic smile curled Song Wen’s lips.
“Steward Chen, whether this old man possesses a Life-Replenishing Fruit or not is hardly the Hall of Myriad Affairs’ concern, is it? You collect spirit stones to disseminate information; once the transaction is complete, your duty ends. The truth or falsehood of the message is irrelevant to you. Those interested in the Life-Replenishing Fruit will judge its authenticity for themselves.”
Chen Ming paused, then chuckled awkwardly.
“Senior’s words are indeed wise. However, if we could confirm the existence of the Life-Replenishing Fruit in your possession, this information would become priceless and far more credible to the Divine Blood Gate’s powerful figures. Your request would naturally have a much higher chance of success.”
“That’s nothing for Steward Chen to worry about,” Song Wen said, producing a storage pouch from his sleeve. The pouch floated gently toward Chen Ming.
“This storage pouch contains an image stone recording the Life-Replenishing Fruit. There are also five Communication Jade Slips from this old man. If anyone in Blood Brilliance City wishes to trade with me, they can easily contact me through these slips. Additionally, the pouch contains ten thousand high-grade spirit stones as payment for this transaction with your esteemed establishment. What do you think, Steward Chen?”
Chen Ming didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he retrieved the image stone from the storage pouch.
After channeling a wisp of spiritual power into it, an image materialized in the secret chamber: the Life-Replenishing Fruit nestled within a jade box.
The fruit shimmered with iridescent colors, while the jade box glowed with a radiant luster.
Though Chen Ming knew of the Life-Replenishing Fruit, he had only seen descriptions and illustrations in ancient texts, never the real thing.
Thus, based solely on this brief image, he couldn’t verify the authenticity of the “spirit fruit” within the jade box.
However, the jade box itself was clearly of superior quality. Its radiant glow reflected upon the “spirit fruit,” making it appear extraordinary.
Chen Ming ceased channeling spiritual power into the image stone, and the image vanished abruptly.
“Very well,” Chen Ming said, storing the image stone in his storage pouch. “Senior, I will boldly accept this business on behalf of the main store.”
“In that case, this old one should take his leave.”
Song Wen wasted no time, rising to his feet and heading for the exit.
“Senior,” Chen Ming called out, hurrying to his feet as well. “May I ask for your esteemed name?”
“Gou Jun.”
Song Wen’s feet didn’t falter as he pointed a finger at the stone door of the secret chamber.
The door swung open with a resounding clack.
Song Wen strode through the doorway, quickly exiting the rear courtyard and entering the main hall.
“Senior, safe travels,” Chen Ming’s voice echoed from behind as Song Wen ascended into the air, soaring skyward.
Chen Ming watched Song Wen’s receding figure, a glint of calculation flashing in his eyes.
He was disappointed he hadn’t managed to confirm whether the man truly possessed the Life-Replenishing Fruit. If he had, that information alone would have been worth at least a million high-grade spirit stones.
Still, the man had referred to himself as “this old one,” suggesting the face beneath the mask belonged to an elderly man.
But if he was an old man with little lifespan remaining, why would he offer such a priceless longevity-extending treasure like the Life-Replenishing Fruit for trade?
Could it be… he’s on the verge of a breakthrough? Or is he just a pawn running errands for someone else? Or perhaps, realizing he has no hope of advancing, he seeks to leave a legacy for future generations?
Chen Ming pondered endlessly, yet the reason remained elusive. A strange excitement stirred within him.
After all, this involved a peerless treasure capable of extending one’s lifespan by 3,600 years.
Even a mortal who consumed the Life-Replenishing Fruit would gain 3,600 years of longevity.
Chen Ming’s agitation refused to subside, but the truth about the fruit’s effects on mortals was far from what he imagined.
A mortal’s frail body simply couldn’t withstand the immense spiritual energy contained within the Life-Replenishing Fruit. Forcing it down would only cause their body to explode and kill them.
Moreover, even if a mortal somehow gained 3,600 years of lifespan, it would be a mere facade. A mortal’s body, inherently prone to illness and sustained by coarse grains, would inevitably deteriorate over time. At most, within two or three centuries, their body would become withered and near death.
In truth, cultivators faced a similar predicament.
Take, for example, a Body Integration Stage cultivator, who supposedly possessed a lifespan of ten thousand years. Yet, if their cultivation went awry or they suffered grievous injuries in battle, causing a massive loss of vital energy, their lifespan would plummet, preventing them from ever reaching ten thousand years.
(End of the Chapter)