Celestial Fragrance Tower, the top Spiritual Cuisine Workshop in Black Jiao Immortal City, is known for its signature demon beast dishes.
When Li Jizhou and Ji Yue arrived, there was already someone waiting in the private room at the top floor.
"Brother Zhao, sorry to keep you waiting. We ran into Fellow Daoist Huang and got delayed for a moment, hope you don't mind." Ji Yue smiled charmingly.
"Allow me to introduce you two. This is Zhao Tianyuan, and this is Fellow Daoist Huang from Huang Mountain."
"Pleased to meet you."
"Pleasure is mine!"
Li Jizhou and Zhao Tianyuan exchanged formalities.
"Meeting is fate, Brother Huang, please!" Zhao Tianyuan welcomed, though annoyance inexplicably crept into his heart as he spoke.
Brother Huang? Imperial Brother? For twenty years, this was the term he despised most.
He was originally the Second Prince of the Cangming Dynasty, and after the incident with the Crown Prince, he was the most likely to inherit the throne.
However, out of nowhere appeared an illegitimate child of the Cangming Saint Emperor, who had supposedly been groomed as the heir for thirty years. By rank, he was the Second Prince's elder brother, necessitating him to be called Imperial Brother.
The only turning point was the emergence of the Moon Worship Dynasty's Quasi-Immortal Artifact, the Guanghan Seal, twenty years ago. The Cangming Emperor decreed that whichever prince could obtain it would be made heir.
But after twenty years of coming here, he had gained nothing.
After they were seated, Zhao Tianyuan ordered the food to be served.
It was all the top signature dishes of Celestial Fragrance Tower, such as braised Tier Three Purple-Gold Lion's Head, clear-steamed Tier Three Zenith Chicken Dragon, and stir-fried Tier Three Golden Eel...
The feast was worth a thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones, which few local Loose Cultivators could afford.
Yet, for Zhao Tianyuan, it was simply because this was the best around.
"Fellow Daoist Huang, feel free and at ease, no need to be reserved."
Though unsure of Li Jizhou's background, being associated with the Fifth Princess of the Great Xia Dynasty indicated extraordinary status to him. A Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment cultivation was not surprising, but his identity was certainly remarkable.
Could he be a prince from another dynasty in Central State?
With doubts in his heart, he maintained a calm exterior and refrained from probing.
Most descendants of noble families coming to the Yan Kingdom these days were deliberately playing dumb, knowing what the others knew without revealing it.
After some pleasantries, Ji Yue got to the point: "Brother Zhao, there's an auction tonight featuring puppets made by Master Chang Chun himself. Are you interested?"
Zhao Tianyuan waved dismissively: "A mere Tier Two puppet, even if made by that thief's own hands, what is its worth?"
While speaking, Zhao Tianyuan watched Li Jizhou's reaction closely.
Li Jizhou slightly raised an eyebrow, showing his intrigue: "Brother Zhao, I've noticed that Qi Kingdom's cultivators, and indeed most in the Eastern Desolation, hold Master Chang Chun in high regard. From where comes your accusation of thief?"
Zhao Tianyuan smiled faintly: "Fellow Daoist Huang might not know. Master Chang Chun merely pilfered the Moon Worship Dynasty's relics; otherwise, how could someone with a Lower-grade Spirit Root have forged an Immortal Golden Core?"
Li Jizhou nodded in agreement: "Indeed, that is true; the Guanghan Seal has emerged, and it must have been among the Moon Worship Dynasty's relics he acquired."
"Hehe, I beg to differ. The Moon Worship Dynasty has fallen for tens of thousands of years. Its relics are ownerless. Whoever finds them, how could they be deemed a thief? What do you say, Brother Zhao?" Ji Yue, knowing the other's identity, questioned with a deliberate smile.
In the Central State royal circles, it's widely known that the Cangming Dynasty usurped the Moon Worship Dynasty's fate.
"Haha, if Red Moon Fairy says so, then it is so; if she says not, then it is not." Zhao Tianyuan was highly cooperative with Ji Yue, without refutation.
"Brother Zhao, do you have any new leads?" Ji Yue asked with a smile.
Zhao Tianyuan spread his hands: "From his birthplace at the Inverted Mountain market in Qi Kingdom to here, I've searched countless times. I've even soul-searched most who have had contact with him, yet not a shred of valuable clues. The greatest possibility still lies in the swamp."
"However, according to his path, he had already condensed the Immortal Golden Core before entering the swamp. So, I believe his greatest chance was not in the swamp."
"So you think the thief's greatest opportunity was in the Fire Domain?" Zhao Tianyuan asked with a smile.
Ji Yue nodded, not denying it.
"Unfortunately, those closely tied to him are tightly held by the Jiang family, making soul-searching impossible. Otherwise, there would sure be traces to follow."
"Yes, Yu Ziyu was once the Valley Master of Qingyin Valley and initially cohabited with the thief in the Inverted Mountain market. Their bond is significant, and she surely knows the secrets.
Then there's Zhou Cang, Ye Jingyu, especially Ye Jingyu; he had entered the Fire Domain several times and gained opportunities there." Zhao Tianyuan gnashed his teeth in hatred.
"There's also Jiang Li, whom Master Chang Chun harvested original water essence from, most intimate. And years ago, when Master Chang Chun was establishing his Foundation, Jiang Li was cultivating on the island with him, suggesting Master Chang Chun might have acquired opportunities in the Sea Domain."
"Hmph, the Jiang family won't last much longer!" Zhao Tianyuan suddenly sneered.
Ji Yue's beautiful eyes widened: "Oh? Brother Zhao, do you have any news?"
Zhao Tianyuan smiled faintly: "After the thief died twenty years ago, the Jiang family took in his followers. Its motive is obvious.
For twenty years, other forces have searched in vain for the thief's trace, focusing previously on his Spirit Pet, neglecting his old acquaintances,
Now that the trace of that beast cannot be found, many are growing impatient. The Jiang family's obstinacy has depleted others' patience, and actions are imminent."
"Hehe, but the Jiang family is an ancient ascendant Immortal Race, with a Quasi-Immortal Artifact guarding the clan. Don't other forces fear the Jiang family's Profound Celestial Mirror?" Ji Yue laughed lightly, evidently well-informed about the Sacred Lands of the Eastern Desolation Central Domain's Immortal Races.
Zhao Tianyuan flattered with a smile: "Red Moon Fairy is indeed insightful. True, the Jiang family's Profound Celestial Mirror is indeed a great deterrent.
However, Red Moon Fairy might know why several major family Sacred Lands in the Eastern Desolation Central Domain, although possessing Quasi-Immortal Artifacts, cannot rule a domain like Central State's royal families, but reside in the Eastern Desolation instead.
Though the Eastern Desolation's Quasi-Immortal Artifacts are as powerful as Central State royal families', the major difference is that one can be used indefinitely while the other has usage limits."
Ji Yue was mildly startled at his words, as this was something she hadn't understood before.
Li Jizhou also came to a sudden realization.
So, the Quasi-Immortal Artifacts in the Eastern Desolation Central Domain family Sacred Lands are similar to forbidden items: their power matches Quasi-Immortal Artifacts, but each use consumes the internal Restriction?
"Brother Zhao, do you have any secrets? Would other forces go to such lengths over a few who have old ties with Master Chang Chun? Furthermore, Quasi-Immortal Artifacts have little additional value for those who already possess them; having one versus having two makes little difference!" Ji Yue retorted.
Then she didn't wait for Zhao Tianyuan to reply, and smiled again with deliberate provocation: "To my knowledge, apart from the Cangming Dynasty, which lacks a Quasi-Immortal Artifact, other forces owning Quasi-Immortal Artifacts aren't particularly keen on the Guanghan Seal, are they?"
Zhao Tianyuan paused slightly, and finally nodded with an awkward smile: "Indeed!"
"What I know is not just about the Guanghan Seal, but... the Potion of Immortality!"