Chapter 787

Chapter 787: Ancient Cang Realm

Admiring the vast starry sky, Xu Fan polished off an entire roasted lamb leg and downed a pack of beer.

"*Burp*"

A satisfied expression spread across Xu Fan’s face.

At that moment, Xu Fan seemed just like an ordinary mortal; there was no trace of spiritual energy emanating from him, inside or out, top to bottom.

This was Xu Fan’s latest creation, the True Essence of Returning to Humanity.

He had sealed his soul and body to the level of a mortal, allowing him to perceive the myriad paths of all things more deeply.

But clearly, Xu Fan had found another use for it.

After sealing himself into a mortal state, Xu Fan felt as if he had stepped into a whole new world.

In the guest hall, Master Qianling arrived for a visit.

"Grand Elder, my third brother sent me here this time," Master Qianling said, sounding a bit embarrassed.

"We’ve been friends for so many years; there’s no need to feel awkward," Xu Fan replied with a smile.

"Well then, could you lower the commission rate for that cross-realm trade platform? My third brother has been pestering me nonstop."

"Your commission is thirty percent, right?" Xu Fan thought for a moment. He had specifically instructed Pang Fu to offer a discount to a few familiar trading guilds.

"Yes, it’s already a discounted rate. A typical large trading guild would still make a profit," Master Qianling said, scratching his head helplessly.

"The issue is that our sect’s trading guild isn’t performing well. They only engage in basic buying and selling, which can’t compare to the truly large trading guilds."

"Then just replace them; don’t force it. Qianling Sect is a top-tier sect; finding a business genius shouldn’t be difficult," Xu Fan said, surprised.

"My third brother’s judgment hasn’t been great these past few years. The so-called business talents he’s found are practically a joke," Master Qianling complained.

"In that case, I won’t lower the commission rate for the platform. Instead, I’ll have Pang Fu mentor your guild supervisor," Xu Fan decided after some thought.

"That works too. Thank you, Grand Elder," Master Qianling replied.

It was then that Master Qianling noticed Xu Fan had completely transformed into a mortal.

"Grand Elder, what kind of ability are you practicing that’s turned you into a mortal?" Master Qianling asked curiously.

In the eyes of the Great Ascension Masters, ascending from a mortal to an immortal is easy, but descending from an immortal to a mortal is as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

At that moment, Xu Fan gave Master Qianling the impression of being entirely mortal.

"Recently, I wanted to observe the world from a mortal’s perspective, so I developed this ability," Xu Fan explained with a smile.

"A mortal’s perspective? That feels like a lifetime ago," Master Qianling reminisced.

He remembered being discovered for his talent by an elder of Qianling Sect at the age of six and brought back to the sect.

From that day on, he was no longer an ordinary person.

"Would you like to experience it too, Respected Elder?"

Xu Fan drew symbols in the air, gathering spiritual energy in the hall, and a spell appeared in Master Qianling’s hand.

"Crush this, and you’ll experience ten days of mortal life," Xu Fan said.

"Mortal life? Thank you, Grand Elder."

After reminiscing about the past, the two parted ways. Before leaving, Master Qianling asked for a jar of Tianyang Wine, claiming it was to help the eldest replenish his energy.

Xu Fan watched Master Qianling’s departing figure and remarked lightly, "This old friend seems to be holding something back. I wonder what else he wanted to say."

"I think he might be considering a visit to the South Mountain Realm," Li Xingci suggested, having stood by quietly earlier.

"I doubt it. Even if he wanted to, the teleportation formation alone would likely deter him," Xu Fan responded, shaking his head.

"Master, there’s something I need to talk to you about," Li Xingci said.

"What’s on your mind?"

"After I passed my second tribulation, I haven’t been able to sense when the third one will occur," Li Xingci shared, looking troubled.

"Ah, I see. Don’t worry; your third tribulation is likely to take place in the Cycle of Rebirth," Xu Fan explained, having learned this after his studies in the South Mountain Realm.

For a prodigy specializing in the Path of Reincarnation, the third tribulation often occurs in the Cycle of Rebirth.

"Cycle of Rebirth…" Li Xingci’s expression turned bitter. He was certain that certain individuals would interfere during his tribulation.

"You have about three years left. When the time comes, I’ll accompany you to the Cycle of Rebirth to ensure your safety," Xu Fan assured him, curious about who would dare to challenge him.

"Thank you, Master."

"Think nothing of it," Xu Fan said before he teleported away to the Elder Council headquarters.

Meanwhile, in the small world housing the Ten Thousand Star Ship, Ming Kong was conducting a thorough inspection.

Xu Fan appeared next to avatar number two.

"Good work, quite speedy," Xu Fan complimented with a smile.

"Just a small task," avatar number two replied, grinning.

Soon after, Ming Kong emerged from the Ten Thousand Star Ship.

"Thank you, Grand Elder, and thank you, Master Number Two," Ming Kong expressed his gratitude, his face still showing signs of surprise.

Having heard about the repair of the Ten Thousand Star Ship while chasing the beast race in the demon realm, Ming Kong had hurried back through the void.

With the ship repaired, he could now venture beyond the cultivation world to find the Four Phase City of the beast race and engage in trade with other middle thousand worlds.

"Just a minor effort," Xu Fan said modestly.

"Grand Elder, would you be interested in exploring the star region?" Ming Kong invited.

Xu Fan’s interest was piqued. He found the star region more intriguing than collaborating with the South Mountain Realm against the other two realms.

"Certainly, though I occasionally venture outside the cultivation world, I never stray too far," Xu Fan admitted.

Sometimes, out of boredom, he would teleport beyond the cultivation world to observe the star region.

Despite his curiosity about the distant star region, an instinct warned him against venturing too deep, as it harbored great fears.

"It’s been a while since I last visited the Ancient Cang Realm. Grand Elder, please give me three days to prepare, and then we can depart," Ming Kong said.

"What is the Ancient Cang Realm? Another middle thousand world?" Xu Fan inquired with interest.

"Yes, aside from the demon realm, the Ancient Cang Realm is the closest middle thousand world to the cultivation world. It’s also the trading hub of this star region, with a round trip taking two years," Ming Kong explained, mentioning that he had previously operated the Ten Thousand Star Ship during the time of the Upper Zun.

"A two-year round trip is manageable," Xu Fan considered, viewing it as an opportunity for a long journey.

"Grand Elder, if you have any unused celestial tools, bring them along. They’re highly sought after at the Ancient Cang Realm’s trading center, as are pills that enhance comprehension," Ming Kong advised.

Xu Fan nodded in understanding.

In the underground space of Hidden Spirit Island, avatar number one and number two were gazing at the spirit ore for celestial tools in the small world created by the grapes, somewhat stunned.

"Let’s use these spirit ores to turn Hidden Spirit Island into our most fortified base," Xu Fan suggested with a smile, observing their astonishment.

"If you hadn’t explained, I would have thought you’d raided a middle thousand world," avatar number two exclaimed.

"Main body, consider creating another avatar; otherwise, we won’t be able to fully exploit these spirit ores."