The Sacred Mysterious Pearl is said to possess the power to prolong life and preserve eternal youth; it is a treasure coveted by countless women.
"Princess, this is a top-grade Sacred Mysterious Pearl. Please accept it as a small token of my esteem."
Jin Ye smiled, presenting the pearl to Jiang Ruoxi with a look of smug satisfaction.
Chapter 14: When it Comes to Marriage, Love is What Matters Most
"A Sacred Mysterious Pearl! And a top-grade one at that!"
"Who is this young man? He is incredibly generous!"
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Many people gathered around, their eyes wide; many of the women present looked on with envy.
"That's Jin Ye, the prince of the Jin Kingdom!" someone remarked, recognizing him.
"So he’s the Jin prince. No wonder he’s so bold!"
"The young lady is Princess Jiang Ruoxi of the Jiang Kingdom. She is blessed with extraordinary talent and peerless beauty. Only a woman like that deserves such a precious gift."
As the crowd buzzed with discussion, the smile on Jin Ye’s face grew even more smug. This was exactly the effect he wanted—to have everyone believe that he was the only one worthy of the Jiang Princess, and the further word spread, the better.
"Who is the boy standing next to the princess?"
"I don't know, never seen him. Probably a servant."
A few practitioners from the Chu Kingdom were present and recognized Chu Yu.
"It’s Chu Yu, the Ninth Prince of the Chu Kingdom."
"The Ninth Prince? The one who had his Emperor Bone stripped and his Dao Wheel crippled?"
"That’s him, all right."
"Isn’t he supposed to be under house arrest at the Martial King’s estate? What is he doing in the imperial city?"
The news of the Chu Emperor naming the Third Prince, Chu Lingfeng, as his heir and banishing Chu Yu to house arrest had long since spread to the surrounding kingdoms.
Jiang Ruoxi merely glanced at the top-grade Sacred Mysterious Pearl. Her delicate face remained unmoved, her eyes cold, dismissive. In her heart, no rare treasure or display of wealth could ever compare to Chu Yu's sincerity.
Jin Ye was not discouraged. He continued to hold the pearl out, assuming Jiang Ruoxi was simply playing hard to get. He didn't believe there was a woman in this world who could remain unmoved by a top-grade Sacred Mysterious Pearl.
Unfortunately, Jin Ye was destined to be disappointed.
Moments later, the two sugar figurines Chu Yu had ordered were ready—modeled after him and Jiang Ruoxi. It had to be said that the old craftsman’s skills were exquisite; the figurines were remarkably lifelike, capturing their likenesses perfectly.
"The sugar figurines are ready," Chu Yu said coolly.
Jiang Ruoxi’s frost-like expression melted instantly into a smile. She took the two figurines from Chu Yu’s hand, clearly overjoyed.
"Brother Chu Yu, here is the one that looks like me. Take it. Once you eat it, I’ll be yours," Jiang Ruoxi laughed.
The scene erupted in shock. To the Princess of the Jiang Kingdom, the unimaginably rare Sacred Mysterious Pearl wasn't worth as much as a sugar figurine?
"Brother Chu Yu, let's go." Being stared at by so many people was truly irritating.
Jin Ye’s face turned livid. In front of the entire crowd, Jiang Ruoxi had humiliated him completely.
"Jiang Ruoxi, what is the meaning of this? Are you insulting my Jin Kingdom?" Jin Ye roared.
"This is all just your own wishful thinking. I suggest you stop wasting your efforts. If I cannot be with Brother Chu Yu, I wouldn't be happy even if you gave me mountains of gold and silver. When it comes to marrying a man, liking him is what matters most," Jiang Ruoxi said coldly.
"Jin Ye, a good dog doesn't block the road. Please step aside!" Chu Yu said indifferently, a flicker of anger in his heart.
"Chu Yu, don't get cocky too soon. Today, I’ll show a cripple without a Dao Wheel what true strength in the Dao Pattern Realm looks like!"
Driven by shame and rage, Jin Ye blocked Chu Yu’s path. Golden patterns swirled around his body as his Dao Wheel hovered in the air, manifesting a gleaming golden blade.
"You want a fight?"
Chu Yu’s expression turned icy. The Burning Heaven Dao Wheel emerged, as dazzling as a scorching sun, sending a wave of intense heat sweeping across the area.
"This is... a Dao Wheel? How is that possible?"
Incredulity washed over Jin Ye. Wasn't this brat supposed to have had his Dao Wheel destroyed? Once crippled, a Dao Wheel could never be reformed. What was happening here?
Then, a vicious look twisted Jin Ye’s face. The light from his own Dao Wheel intensified. "I’ll destroy your Dao Wheel again today. Let’s see if you can reform it a second time!"
The gleaming golden blade, carrying a sharp, cutting edge, descended toward Chu Yu.
The expressions of everyone present shifted. The power of someone who had just entered the Dao Pattern Realm was enough to sweep aside any practitioner in the Inscription Realm.
"Sword Spirit, assist me!" Chu Yu commanded. Great power surged through his body, and a vast, scorching aura erupted from the Burning Heaven Sword.
He slashed outward, a crimson sword light soaring into the sky, as terrifying as a burning mountain or a boiling sea. It collided with Jin Ye’s Dao Wheel.
BOOM!
A heaven-shaking roar echoed through the area. Visible shockwaves of violent energy tore through the surroundings, causing onlookers to stumble and retreat in terror.
Then, under dozens of stunned gazes, the golden blade shattered with a loud bang!
"How is this possible?!"
A cry of horror escaped Jin Ye’s lips as he staggered back several steps, looking as if he had seen a ghost. As a practitioner of the Dao Pattern Realm, he didn't lose his composure entirely. Gold light flared from his Dao Wheel, and another golden blade began to manifest at a speed visible to the naked eye, preparing for another strike.
Just then, Chu Yu appeared directly in front of him.
He was too fast. Before Jin Ye could react, Chu Yu had clamped his hand firmly around his throat. The Devouring Dao Wheel manifested above Chu Yu’s head, terrifying as a black hole, unleashing a devouring force that engulfed Jin Ye’s body.
"Another Dao Wheel?"
Jin Ye’s face flushed red, and he could barely breathe. Seeing the two Dao Wheels on Chu Yu, his pupils contracted violently.
"Twin Dao Wheels!"
"It’s actually the legendary Twin Dao Wheels!"
"The fabled Twin Dao Wheels... they’re on the Ninth Prince of the Chu Kingdom!"
An uproar broke out among the onlookers. Everyone stared, eyes wide, fixed on the two wheels, as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing. If those born with an Emperor Bone were destined to be Supremes, then those who possessed Twin Dao Wheels were destined to transcend even them!
"Twin Dao Wheels... I never expected Brother Chu Yu to reform two of them!" Jiang Ruoxi’s eyes were wide with shock. Seeing Chu Yu turn misfortune into a blessing and gain the Twin Dao Wheels made her heart swell with excitement.
"Now, I’ll let you taste the feeling of having your Dao Wheel destroyed. Let’s see if you have as much luck as I did!" Chu Yu said coldly, proceeding to devour Jin Ye’s cultivation and his Dao Wheel.
The Dao Wheel was connected to a practitioner's foundation and bloodline. The moment it was lost, Jin Ye’s face turned deathly pale, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Let’s go."
Following this, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Chu Yu and Jiang Ruoxi left the scene. After they departed, the site remained in a state of chaos. Jin Ye was a prince of a kingdom, yet Chu Yu had destroyed his Dao Wheel as promised—his methods were truly ruthless.
"The Third Prince of the Chu Kingdom, Chu Lingfeng, has already cultivated a True Dragon Dao Wheel and gained the Emperor Bone; he is destined to be a Supreme. Who would have thought the Ninth Prince, stripped of that bone, would reform Twin Dao Wheels!"
"Two Supremes in one kingdom—this is terrifying. Within a hundred years, the Chu Kingdom will likely dominate the Eastern Wilderness."
"I wouldn't be so sure. Two tigers fighting will result in death or injury. The Chu Kingdom might be headed for chaos!"
***
Chu Yu and Jiang Ruoxi walked along, laughing and chatting as if nothing had happened. Having arrived in the Wilderness City with less than ten days left before the Wèncāng Pavilion admissions, Chu Yu no longer felt the need to hide his identity or the fact that he had reformed his Dao Wheels.
Once word reached the Chu imperial capital, the entire kingdom would be shaken. He wondered what kind of expressions the Chu Emperor, Chu Lingfeng, Concubine Hua, the royal court, and the Hua Clan would wear.
The two walked slowly and soon arrived at the Wilderness City trade market. Apart from the Yúnxuān Pavilion, the market was the most famous spot in the city. While the former was known for its beautiful women, the latter was the largest trading hub within the region of the Wèncāng Pavilion.
On the surface, the Treasure Pavilion was the biggest shop in the city, offering high-quality, guaranteed goods, but in reality, the trade market was far more popular. In the market, a mundane-looking item could fetch an astronomical price, and a rare treasure could remain hidden due to various reasons. Generally, the market was a mixed bag, governed by an unspoken rule: "Once bought, it cannot be returned." Every year, countless people lost their shirts, while others, relying on keen eyes and experience, filled their pockets with gold.
Since Chu Yu had come to the Wilderness City, it would be a shame not to wander through the trade market. Before they even entered, he could hear the roaring, mountain-like clamor of the crowd—it was indeed bustling.
The items in the market were mostly cultivation resources, ranging from the bizarre to the rare. Even items at the level of Saint-grade treasures were not uncommon here.
"Heh, this place is mildly interesting. Although in my eyes it’s all junk, for a brat like you, it counts as a treasure trove," the arrogant voice of the Sky-Swallowing Beast echoed in Chu Yu’s mind.
This creature had once been the most fearsome entity of the ancient world. Though it had lost its immense cultivation while being reborn through the power of reincarnation, its spirit remained, along with its extensive knowledge.
"I’ll help you hunt for treasure, but I want half of the harvest. What do you think?"
Chu Yu’s eyes brightened. Since escaping the Martial King’s estate, he lacked cultivation resources. Although he had looted storage artifacts from various experts in the Cangyun Mountains and found some spiritual herbs, as well as obtaining Fire Essence Crystals and Marrow in the Red Flame Valley, it was still a drop in the bucket for him. He had no reason to refuse the beast’s proposal.
At one stall, Chu Yu picked up a pitch-black stone, half a meter wide and incredibly heavy.
"Oh, young man, you have a keen eye! This stone is indestructible; it resists blades, spears, fire, and water. Even a peerless treasure couldn't leave a scratch on it. You won't regret buying this!" The stall owner, having nothing else to say about the dull, unappealing stone, could only brag about its hardness.
"How much?" Chu Yu asked.
The owner held up five fingers. "One price: one thousand Profound Spirit Stones!"
When this was heard, everyone around them looked over. One thousand Profound Spirit Stones was an outrageous price. Even a fool knew the stone wasn't worth it. However, nobody intervened—it was the market's rule to let buyers beware.
Chapter 15: The Trade Market, Finding a Formation Ring
"I'll take it!" Chu Yu said.
"Splendid! Young man, you have an extraordinary temperament—very generous indeed." The owner was overjoyed. Seeing the young face and unfamiliar attire, he had assumed this was a novice and tried to fleece him, never expecting the boy to actually bite.
The onlookers erupted.
"What a fool, he actually bought it."
"He just lost everything!"
"Looks like his first time. Consider it a lesson learned."
"That's a pretty expensive lesson."
After paying, Chu Yu drew his Burning Heaven Sword and split the stone in two.
*Clang!*
A crisp sound echoed as the rock fell apart, releasing a vast wave of heaven-and-earth energy and Dao aura.
"There’s something inside!"
"What a powerful aura!"
Everyone was stunned, and the stall owner’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. At the center of the stone sat a crystal the size of a fist, clear and translucent. It was a Saint Mysterious Stone, and based on the aura it emitted, it was worth at least one seventh-grade Saint medicine! Any Saint medicine was worth over ten thousand Profound Spirit Stones.
"To think there was a Saint Mysterious Stone hidden in that rock!"
"He increased his money tenfold—what a haul!"
The market was in an uproar, everyone staring in disbelief. The stall owner's expression shifted from ecstasy to a deathly pale, his heart filled with regret.
"Young man, you have a sharp eye," a calm, blue-robed elder said. He seemed unassuming, yet possessed a sense of being unfathomable.
"You are too kind, sir. It was just good luck."
What followed could not be explained away by "luck." Chu Yu bought over a dozen items, each one a valuable treasure that fetched at least five times its price. Many began following him; this boy was unbelievable. Even veterans who had spent decades in the market didn't have such an eye for treasure. Everyone was dying to know how he did it.
"That blue ring—buy it. It’s useful for you," the Sky-Swallowing Beast said.
Chu Yu glanced at a stall nearby. In a corner, he spotted an unremarkable blue ring, covered in rust and age. The stall owner was a shifty-eyed old man who had already noticed the youth’s exceptional luck. Seeing Chu Yu look at his stall, he became wary.
"Young master, what would you like to buy?"
"Just browsing." Chu Yu picked up a few items casually before pointing to the purple ring. "How much for this ring?"
The owner’s eyes darted around, and he grinned. "Young master has a sharp eye! Of everything on my stall, this ring is the most special. It contains a hidden secret. Since you’ve taken a fancy to it, you clearly have great discernment. Five thousand Profound Spirit Stones, and it’s yours!"
Chu Yu frowned. Five thousand was far too expensive—the owner was clearly lying. If the old man couldn't tell the ring was special, he certainly hadn't seen through any "hidden secrets."
"Where did you get this ring?" Chu Yu asked.
"I bought it from someone else. According to him, he picked it up from an isolated grave north of the Cangyun Mountains."
"I'll take it!" Chu Yu didn't haggle. If the Sky-Swallowing Beast wanted it, it was worth more than five thousand stones.
Seeing how readily Chu Yu paid, the owner grinned broadly. Even five stones would have been a windfall; he had already inspected it and found it to be an ordinary ring, not a storage artifact at all.
After buying the ring, Chu Yu left.
"Brother Chu Yu, did we lose money on this?" Jiang Ruoxi asked.
"I don't think so." Chu Yu followed the method the Sky-Swallowing Beast had taught him and dripped a drop of blood onto the ring.
Instantly, a fierce blue light erupted from the metal. The formerly plain ring was now covered in mysterious patterns. It was a formation ring, housing a fragment of a foreign flame's core. If the formation were activated, the power it unleashed would be no less than a full-force blow from a Void Dao Realm expert.
This was incredibly useful for Chu Yu right now. With this ring, even if he encountered an expert from the Void Dao Realm sent by Chu Lingfeng, he would have the ability to protect himself.
"The patterns on the ring are damaged. It can be used at most three times," the beast noted.
Chu Yu nodded. Three times was enough for him.
Just then, the figure of Liu Shaoqing suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Brat, I’ve finally caught you! You might not know, but this market is the territory of the Treasure Pavilion!" Liu Shaoqing said, his voice laced with venom. He looked pale and weak, but he had insisted on coming himself despite his injuries to seek revenge. Behind him stood eight Treasure Pavilion guards, all experts above the Dao Pattern Realm, along with two Void Dao Realm powerhouses.
This time, Liu Shaoqing was fully prepared.
"What do you want?" Chu Yu asked, his gaze cold.
"Simple. Break your own legs, and I’ll spare your life!" Liu Shaoqing sneered. His eyes then drifted to Jiang Ruoxi, filled with lust. "You’ve got quite the luck, having such a beautiful woman following you faithfully. If you let her sleep with me and keep me happy, maybe I’ll leave you one leg!"
"Go to hell!"
Chu Yu, consumed by rage, felt a murderous glint flare in his eyes. His temperament shifted completely, like a maddened lion, as he charged toward Liu Shaoqing.
The two Dao Pattern Realm guards moved to shield Liu Shaoqing. But Chu Yu was too fast. Before they could even mobilize their Dao Wheels, they lashed out in a panic. Chu Yu summoned his Devouring Dao Wheel behind him, his body covered in black runes. As he extended his hand, a massive black claw slammed down onto them!
*BOOM!*
A deafening roar followed as the ground collapsed, and the two guards were flattened instantly.
Simultaneously, Chu Yu’s Burning Heaven Dao Wheel flared like a sun. He gripped his sword and lunged at Liu Shaoqing.
"Quick! Stop him! Stop him!" Liu Shaoqing screamed, his face ashen as he scrambled backward.