Chapter 148: Cunning Persuasion

"That is the Void Creation Qi."

The snow-white little squirrel gnawed on a pine nut and replied indifferently.

"Void... Cre-a-tion?"

The youth in purple murmured, repeating the words, before his eyes suddenly widened.

"The Void Creation Qi, ranked first among the imperial-category precious qi? Reputed to be able to erase the traces of time and create something out of nothing? Isn't that something only that old man in the Nine-Star City can refine?"

"Could it be you haven't heard? That old man has a descendant whom he treasures like the apple of his eye, the very pearl in his palm."

"Him?"

The youth in purple looked at Feng Shang with glowing eyes. "I've heard he is destined to inherit the positions of the Starry Sky Pagoda and the Ultimate Cosmos. To think I would meet him here. Back then, when my mother traveled to the firmament, she requested a strand of the Ten-Sun Tyrannical Annihilation Qi from the Nine-Star City along the way. Later, when she encountered a calamity, she ingested this Qi, and her combat power multiplied tenfold, directly tearing a hole in the Five Elements Heaven that has yet to heal."

The snow-white little squirrel stuck out its tip of a tongue, finished its last pine nut, and said, "Knowing that is enough. With a person like him, befriend him if you can. However, I hear this young master has exceptionally high standards."

"Could it be that I am unworthy of being his friend?"

The youth in purple smiled with confidence. "The Nine-Star City and the various cultivation realms have always maintained a relationship of mutual benefit. Once I reveal my identity, he will certainly be more than willing to befriend me."

"Then go give it a try," the snow-white squirrel said.

...

The Cheng-huang glared, its nostrils flaring as golden flames puffed out. A prominent, bright red bump throbbed on its forehead, sending waves of sharp pain. Right now, it stared with utmost resentment at the youth before it.

Feng Shang smiled faintly.

He peeled the little silver pig away from his thigh, pinched one of its curled tails, and placed it on the ground. Who would have thought that this innocent and honest little pig would still cling tightly to Feng Shang's ankle.

Seeing this, Feng Shang was truly out of ideas.

"Back in the ancient immortal era, a mortal rescued an old ox from a mud pit, only to discover that it was your ancestor from eighteen generations ago, the ancient Cheng-huang. In gratitude, the old Cheng-huang allowed the mortal to ride him, and from then on, the mortal embarked on the path of immortals. That mortal's cultivation was simply extraordinary, propelling him all the way to the rank of Immortal King. Ever since then, the story of your ancestor and the mortal became a celebrated tale. I fished you out of the sea of stars, which shows we share a bond of fate. Won't you let me have a ride as well?"

Feng Shang smiled warmly at the Cheng-huang, actually making up a story on the spot.

Hearing this, the Cheng-huang's anger subsided slightly. It pondered for a long time, half-believing and half-doubting, wondering to itself: *I was born from the Mountain and Sea Mirror; where on earth would I have an ancestor from eighteen generations ago?*

"Where on earth would I have ancestors eighteen generations back?"

"The Mountain and Sea Mirror was born in the ancient immortal era and is a supreme treasure from the other end of the spiritual energy universe. When the ancient immortal era came to a close, the Saint Hua used this mirror to summon the souls of myriad beasts and spirits. Your Cheng-huang bloodline shook the ancient immortal era, and being no small matter, naturally you entered within it..."

Feng Shang let out a soft sigh.

"Is that so?"

The Cheng-huang's eyes lit up. To be fair, Feng Shang had a rather slick tongue, successfully duping the Cheng-huang into believing it, while also stirring up a deep sense of pride regarding its own bloodline.

"Be a good boy, let me have a ride, won't you?" Feng Shang smiled.

The Cheng-huang frowned, remembering that earlier when it was fast asleep, it had been disturbed by this very scoundrel, leaving a giant bump on its forehead that hurt like hell. Its expression instantly turned cold.

"Kid, my ancestor was rescued, but I was beaten to a pulp by you! What we share isn't fate; it's a debt of gratitude and resentment!"

Feng Shang put on a straight face and said with utmost solemnity, "I am saving you! Just open your eyes and look around. Which of them isn't coveting your Cheng-huang bloodline? If I hadn't woken you up in time and hauled you up, you would sooner or later have been captured by some ferocious fiend and drained of your bloodline."

"Is that so?"

The Cheng-huang looked skeptical, feeling no matter how it looked at it, this kid was no different from anyone else around here, equally drooling over and coveting its Cheng-huang bloodline...

"Naturally!"

Feng Shang's words were earnest and his demeanor unwavering. "Not only am I going to save you, but I'm also going to save the other Mountain and Sea Spirits! There is a villainous faction nearby called the Bloodline Demonic Sect, which specializes in acquiring Mountain and Sea Spirits at high prices. Look at this fishing rod; it's the very weapon used to capture your kind!"

"Put that way, I'm in grave danger!"

The Cheng-huang was startled. It looked around, and sure enough, everyone was holding a fishing rod. It hastily asked, "How can I trust you? What if you also..."

Feng Shang smiled and lifted the little silver pig. "Look, this little fellow relies on and trusts me so much. How could I possibly associate with ferocious fiends?"

The Cheng-huang glanced at the little silver pig, which hurriedly nodded, though its expression still carried a trace of worry.

"If you still don't believe me, I will send you into the Void Creation World. Inside, the birds sing and the flowers fragrance, spiritual energy is abundant, and there are countless cosmos crystals. You can enjoy yourself to your heart's content inside, and absolutely no one will disturb you. Just remember my kindness, and when you come out in a few days, let me have a ride."

As he spoke, Feng Shang sliced open a spatial rift, and the Cheng-huang peered inside.

It truly was a wonderful place. Within, silver torrents cascaded as waterfalls, immortal mist permeated the air, countless towering and exquisite peaks stood tall, and piles upon piles of glittering stones rested on the ground.

These glittering stones were crystals of spiritual energy, enough to last for several lifetimes without running out.

The Cheng-huang's appetite was whetted, and it said, "Alright then, I'll go sit inside your world and see if you're lying to me. Besides, this sea of stars isn't safe anymore anyway."

Feng Shang smiled as he watched the Cheng-huang enter.

The spirits born from the Mountain and Sea Mirror did not ascend step by step through rigorous trials; lacking worldly sophistication, they naturally failed to notice the numerous loopholes in Feng Shang's words.

This particular Cheng-huang had a stubborn and rigid temperament. If forced to submit, it would likely rather die than comply. But through subtle influence and by gaining its trust, riding it would naturally be a breeze.

"Legend has it that those who ride a Cheng-huang will never have their vitality fade. No matter how difficult it is to break through cultivation bottlenecks, they will possess endless years and eventually encounter that glimmer of an opportunity."

"Not only that, but a dying cultivation master who drains the essence and spirit of a Cheng-huang can extend his life by hundreds of millions of years. If he manages to make a breakthrough during this period, he can completely escape his fatal tribulation."

"..."

Numerous cultivators discussed animatedly. It was impossible not to feel envious; owning a Cheng-huang and slowly training it was tantamount to gaining an extra life in the future.

"Let's continue."

Feng Shang picked up the fishing rod, preparing to catch the next Mountain and Sea Spirit, when he suddenly saw a youth in purple flying over from afar.

"Is this brother Feng Shang of the Nine-Star City? I am Ye Jiushang of the Mingu Cultivation Realm. I have long admired the reputation of the Star-Refining Master, and to meet by chance today, you truly are a peerless talent."

The youth in purple was as refined as jade. He cupped his fists toward Feng Shang, wearing a gentle smile.

Mingu, one of the Imperial Realms?

Feng Shang nodded slightly. Having never had any intersections with him, he hadn't expected to be recognized nonetheless. He waved his hand to part the protective screen of immortal clouds, clearing out a space.

"Please, have a seat."

"Pardon the intrusion."

The youth in purple smiled gently, friendly and approachable, holding a folding fan in his hand as he struck up a conversation. This young master Feng was actually not as arrogant as the rumors suggested; he was quite easy to get along with.

"How did Brother Ye know my background?" Feng Shang asked.

"Heh, just now when I saw the young master make your move, a mysterious star-refining precious qi soared into the sky, and I sensed a very particular aura. I pondered and figured it must be the Void Creation Qi," the youth in purple smiled lightly.

"So that's how it was."

Feng Shang understood. Immediately afterward, his piercing gaze swept toward the top of the youth in purple, where an exquisite piece of purple jade floated, casting down wisps of heavenly fortune.