Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Yun Province, although not far from Qingmo Province, was much more prosperous, resembling the difference between a village and a city.

Su Han and Gong Ming traveled stealthily, finally returning to the territory of Yun Province. This was Su Han’s first visit. The region was characterized by its plains, where the land stretched unbroken to the horizon, offering extremely broad views. Scattered across the vast landscape were low hills and full-flowing rivers. The environment was ideal and abounded with Spiritual Energy, resulting in a profusion of goods. Along the way, Su Han saw many fertile fields.

Where goods were abundant, trade naturally flourished. Commerce was booming throughout Yun Province; merchants could be seen everywhere, from the provincial capital to the small countryside towns.

Cang City was the largest city within Yun Province and also its capital. Due to its advantageous geographical location, rich environment, and bustling commerce, Yun Province was under the control of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Within its territory, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion was the largest power, similar to the Seven Stars Sect in Qingzhou and the Heavenly Demon Cult in Mozhou.

Upon entering Yun Province, Su Han and Gong Ming were finally safe. The pair found a Branch Pavilion of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion and subsequently took a specialized route to Cang City.

Su Han and Gong Ming hitched a ride on a large merchant ship bound for Cang City. Onboard, Master Gong Ming began to explain the internal structure of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Aside from his Divine Sense, which was difficult to restore, he had mostly recovered from his other injuries.

”Our Myriad Treasures Pavilion spans over five hundred Daozhou in the Eastern Region, with countless branches. However, these are divided into major and minor branches. We are just a minor branch, mainly in charge of business in the five Daozhou of Yun, Qing, Mo, Han, and Jin.”

Through Master Gong Ming’s introduction, Su Han gained a general understanding of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion’s internal structure. The Head Pavilion Master was Empress Duobao, with two Deputy Pavilion Masters under her, both of whom were powerful experts at the Saint Realm Ninth Layer. Below them were major and minor branches, responsible for the trade in ten and five Daozhou, respectively. Beneath the branches were the supervisors for each Daozhou, who were in charge of business in a single Daozhou and wielded significant power. Below them were the Pavilion Masters of the various Branch Pavilions.

Although the Myriad Treasures Pavilion had been established for only over a thousand years, it had already grown into a colossal entity on par with the Four Great Imperial Clans, albeit one more focused on commerce.

Saint You Heng was the head of a minor branch, managing the business in five Daozhou. Since Qingzhou was also within his jurisdiction, he had always been paying close attention to Su Han.

”Mr. Su, if you have the time, I would like to spar with you in the Formation Path,” Master Gong Ming said. ”The suggestions for improvement you gave me last time were excellent, and I wish to discuss them with you further.”

Master Gong Ming was devoted to the Formation Path and was a true Array Master. He had been willing to travel to the distant East Sea to save Su Han, firstly to repay his kindness, and secondly in the hope of regularly exchanging insights on the Formation Path. After all, someone so young with such profound Formation Mastery was exceedingly rare. If he could exchange ideas with Su Han often, perhaps his own mastery would improve even more quickly.

”You are too kind, Master Gong Ming. After I meet with Saint You Heng and Tongyan, I will be available anytime,” Su Han replied.

Master Gong Ming had risked his life to save him from the East Sea, a debt Su Han took to heart. A simple discussion about the Formation Path was the least he could do. Besides, he had inherited the memories of the white-haired man, and his Formation Mastery was exceptionally high, bordering on perfection. Offering Master Gong Ming some pointers and suggestions is a small way to express my gratitude.

The merchant ship, despite being loaded with a large amount of cargo, was not slow. Seven days later, Su Han got his first glimpse of Cang City.

It was the largest city Su Han had ever seen. At first glance, it resembled a colossal black beast lying dormant on the ground, ready to awaken at any moment to wage war against heaven and earth. The black city walls, forged from a peculiar metal, emitted a faint metallic luster. They bore countless marks of a long and turbulent history, each scar telling a story of tribulations endured.

Cang City was vast, covering an extensive area; it even contained mountains and forests within its walls. A thousand-meter-wide river meandered through the city, and the merchant ship sailed along this great river, entering the docks of Cang City.

Before they even disembarked, a rich aura of mortal life washed over them—a lively cacophony of hawking, shouting, and quarreling. The air was filled with various scents: the fragrance of food, the aroma of strong liquor, the smell of women’s rouge and powder, and the fresh perfume of flowers and plants. The entire city possessed a profound historical depth combined with the novelty of the present, a convergence that had forged this great metropolis.

”Cang City has a permanent population of over ten million,” Master Gong Ming, who had lived here for many years and was incredibly familiar with it, began to explain to Su Han. ”It is a large city and the commercial center for several surrounding Daozhou. If you wish to purchase anything, this is the best place for it.”

Afterward, the two of them left the merchant ship and headed straight for the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in the center of Cang City.

Su Han had seen many Branch Pavilions of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, such as the one in the Tianqing Dynasty or the one in Qian Yuan City outside the Seven Stars Sect, but none could compare to this one. The palatial complex was magnificent and grand, featuring gardens, artificial hills, flowing streams, and countless other extraordinary sights. This is no mere Branch Pavilion—it’s an imperial palace! If a minor branch of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion is already this luxurious, I can only imagine how astonishing the headquarters must be. Then again, the Head Pavilion Master is Empress Duobao, so their headquarters must be within the Great Emperor’s Void Realm, right?

”Master Gong Ming has returned!”

Master Gong Ming clearly held a high status here, as many people bowed and greeted him respectfully along the way. Soon, he brought Su Han to Saint You Heng’s workplace. The saint had already received the news and was waiting for them. Besides Saint You Heng, Tongyan, whom Su Han had not seen in a long time, was also present.

”Pavilion Master, I have fulfilled my mission and successfully brought Mr. Su back!” Master Gong Ming reported, bowing respectfully to Saint You Heng.

Saint You Heng was clad in luxurious robes. He had sharp brows that slanted toward his temples and a handsome, jade-like complexion, exuding a refined and easygoing temperament. He seemed every inch the modest gentleman, much like a learned scholar well-versed in poetry and literature.

”Master Gong Ming, you have endured great hardship on this trip,” Saint You Heng said with a nod as he took out an exquisitely crafted pill bottle and handed it over. ”I am already aware of the circumstances. This is a Spirit Nourishing Holy Pill. It can nurture the Sea of Consciousness and restore Divine Sense, so it should be helpful to you.”

He had learned that Gong Ming had used a Forbidden Technique, consuming a great deal of his Divine Sense, and had specially prepared this pill for him. Although this was only an Intermediate Grade Holy Pill, it was exceedingly rare and invaluable due to the scarcity of its ingredients. Gong Ming was surprised, but he did not refuse. After thanking Saint You Heng, he placed the pill bottle into his Storage Ring.

After seeing to Master Gong Ming, Saint You Heng finally turned to Su Han with a slight smile. ”Hello, Su Han. This is our third meeting.”

This young man has truly given me a great surprise!