Chapter 406: Ghost Shadow Master

"Uncle Xia... at the Black Moon Grand Hall? Here?" Yun Che was surprised. Six months ago, after returning to Flowing Cloud City, he first went to the Xia family, only to learn that Xia Hongyi had long since left home to search for Xia Yuanba, who had gone missing. The servant boy who remained at the Xia family told him that Xia Hongyi had taken out a black crescent-shaped object while packing. At that time, he suspected it was related to the Black Moon Merchant Guild and guessed that Xia Hongyi might be trying to find Xia Yuanba through the guild.

He never imagined that Xia Hongyi had actually stayed at the Black Moon Merchant Guild.

And this was not just one of the Black Moon's numerous branches spread across the Profound Sky Continent... this was the mythical Black Moon Grand Hall!

Only extraordinary individuals could remain here. Clearly, Xia Hongyi's connection with the Black Moon Merchant Guild was anything but simple.

"If you wish to see him, this old man can personally take you there now," Zi Ji said with a chuckle. "I'm sure he'll be extremely happy to see you."

Yun Che's expression became incredibly complex. After a long silence, he slowly sat down and asked, "Is Uncle Xia doing well here?"

"Whether he's doing well or not, only he knows," Zi Ji replied. "But here, he is at least stable and and won't be bullied by anyone."

Yun Che nodded, muttering to himself, "That's good. Knowing Uncle Xia is safe, I feel relieved... I was the one who brought Yuanba to the Blue Wind Profound Palace, and I was the one who brought him to Heavenly Sword Villa. If he had stayed in New Moon City, none of what happened later would have occurred. Before I find Yuanba, I have no face to meet him... Senior Zi, please tell me about Yuanba. I know his abilities very well, so how could he possibly have startled half of Divine Phoenix City?"

"Two years ago, a foreign youth arrived in Divine Phoenix City. On his first day, and every day thereafter, he would challenge the city's renowned sects."

"He... challenged sects?"

"That's right. Unfortunately, his profound strength was too weak, and he was easily severely injured by his opponents. But the next day, he would show up at their doors, still injured, to challenge them again. The result, of course, was even more injuries. On the third day, he would still go to challenge them and be beaten to the brink of death by impatient opponents... Although his profound strength was low, his physique was extremely unusual. Despite injuries that should have been fatal, he could still stand up the next day and challenge them again. There was even one instance where he suffered two large bloodied holes from an attack, yet he still didn't die. Initially, people thought he was a madman, but day after day, month after month, no one considered him a madman anymore. People who are persistent in pursuing power are not uncommon, but to be so persistent to this extent, even this old man has only seen it once in his life."

Yun Che: "..."

"He stayed in Divine Phoenix City for three months, carrying extremely severe injuries every day. There was barely a single intact spot on his body, yet he would always drag his heavily injured body to seek out opponents he couldn't possibly defeat. Among those he challenged, there were certainly some who were impatient or malicious and wanted to kill him. However, no matter how severe his injuries were, he simply wouldn't die. Over the course of three months, people's perception of him shifted from mockery to shock. Then, one day, after three months, he suddenly vanished from Divine Phoenix City without a trace. By today, he should have been forgotten. However, this old man can confirm that he wasn't secretly harmed by someone, otherwise he would never have escaped Black Moon's watchful eyes."

Yun Che's emotions became incredibly complex. Although Xia Yuanba was unusually tall and gave off an oppressive aura, influenced by Xia Hongyi, his temperament was exceptionally gentle, his mind simple, and he never wished to contend with others. Yet, the Xia Yuanba described by Zi Ji was an absolute madman. Yun Che knew very well why Xia Yuanba had undergone such a drastic change...

"...Senior Zi, thank you for telling me all this. I appreciate your trouble." Yun Che stood up.

Zi Ji rose as well, smiling, "No need to be polite. It's an honor for our Black Moon to serve esteemed guests."

Yun Che understood why Zi Ji was so polite to him. For the Black Moon Merchant Guild to have developed to its current state, it naturally possessed mature methods of survival. For individuals of exceptional talent who might someday reach the pinnacle of the Profound Sky, Black Moon naturally treated them differently, not only providing the utmost service but also eager to have them owe a favor.

"Oh, right," Yun Che suddenly remembered something else. "Senior Zi, have you ever heard of the 'Netherworld Udumbara Flower'?"

The Netherworld Udumbara Flower was one of three items Jasmine needed him to obtain within thirty years: one Netherworld Udumbara Flower, three profound cores of Tyrannical Profound Beasts, and seventy jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystals.

"Netherworld Udumbara Flower?" A thoughtful expression appeared on Zi Ji's face. A moment later, he slowly said, "This old man is indeed aware of that flower. It's an extremely yin, evil, and wicked object that only grows in places of extreme malevolence. It blooms only once every twenty-four years and withers within three days. It's so terrifying that merely approaching it, let alone touching it, will cause nether energy to invade the body and damage the soul. In mild cases, it causes prolonged unconsciousness; in severe cases, it can turn one into a living dead, or even lead to immediate death. Other than that, I've never heard of it having any positive value. Why are you looking for this flower?"

"This junior naturally has a special use for it. If Senior knows of its whereabouts, please inform me."

Zi Ji thought for a moment, then shook his head. "The last recorded sighting of a Netherworld Udumbara Flower was thirteen hundred years ago. Since then, there have been no further records or legends about it. The human population on the Profound Sky Continent has been growing; the current number of humans is four times that of a thousand years ago. Consequently, the continent's yang energy far surpasses its yin energy. Perhaps the Netherworld Udumbara Flower has become forever extinct on the Profound Sky Continent because of this."

"...Thank you for the information, Senior. I'll take my leave now."

He had unexpectedly learned some news about Xia Yuanba. While it made his mood somewhat heavy, it was also a small comfort... No wonder he had been unable to find any trace of Xia Yuanba within the Blue Wind Nation. It turned out that after leaving Heavenly Sword Villa, he had actually come to the Divine Phoenix Empire.

The Divine Phoenix Empire, after all, was a place where profound strength levels were far superior to those in the Blue Wind Nation. Had he come here to pursue power out of extreme sorrow and self-blame...?

Little Fairy, where are you now...?

Divine Phoenix Sect.

As the start date of the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament drew closer, Feng Xichen's mood grew more anxious by the day. The humiliating scenes from that day constantly irritated his nerves. After finally informing Feng Ximing about Yun Che yesterday, he became even more restless.

Because what he had described to Feng Ximing was vastly different from the truth of several months ago, and while he was certain that if Yun Che truly came to Divine Phoenix City, the Divine Phoenix Sect would never spare him, he couldn't help but worry that Yun Che might speak of that day's events during the ranking tournament. If the incident from that day were to be revealed publicly, the mark of disgrace would not only be etched into his soul but would forever be carved onto his face.

The door was pushed open, and a tall figure, accompanied by a wave of scorching fire, stepped inside. The agitated Feng Xichen quickly turned. Just as he was about to erupt in anger, he saw the entering figure. His surging fury immediately receded, and he quickly bowed forward, "Your son greets Your Majesty."

"Rise," Feng Hengkong said, raising a hand and getting straight to the point. "Ximing has already told me in detail about your encounter in the Blue Wind Nation several months ago. Although you've kept it hidden until now, it's understandable. I'm not here to blame you."

Feng Xichen hastily replied, "Your son thanks Your Majesty for your grace... However, even though Your Majesty doesn't blame me, my heart feels even more ashamed, and I have countless regrets."

"Hmph!" Feng Hengkong's face was filled with anger. "I never imagined that a mere Blue Wind Emperor would have such audacity! Rest assured, the humiliation you suffered in Blue Wind, I will reclaim it for you a thousandfold within three years. At that time, the Blue Wind Emperor can be handed over to you for whatever disposition you choose. As for that boy named Yun Che... Hmph, didn't he declare he would participate in the ranking tournament? Very good, I shall wait to see how he performs on the stage!"

Feng Xichen's heart was half joyous, half panicked. "Your son thanks Your Majesty for your immense favor... Your son's humiliation is a minor matter, but the bloodline of our Divine Phoenix Sect is of paramount importance. Why doesn't Your Majesty have someone secretly deal with Yun Che before the ranking tournament?"

"No need!" Feng Hengkong waved his hand dismissively. "Is a mere profound practitioner from Blue Wind worthy of our Divine Phoenix Sect specially targeting him in secret? That would simply be demeaning to our Divine Phoenix Sect's status! The Seven Nations Ranking Tournament has always been a performance for our Divine Phoenix Sect. Without some amusement and diversion, it would be quite boring! I actually hope this Yun Che can perform exceptionally well then; he must not disappoint me."

"Your Majesty's words are extremely wise," Feng Xichen said, lowering his head.

"Xichen, what were the results of your investigation into the theft at the Phoenix Jade Palace that I tasked you with?" Feng Hengkong's expression visibly darkened as he brought this up.

"Your son has already identified the thief..."

Feng Xichen had barely finished half his sentence when Feng Hengkong suddenly whirled around. "Who is it?! How dare they be so audacious as to steal from my Divine Phoenix Sect!"

The reason for his fury was not only the thief's audacity but also his shock at the thief's terrifying ability. What kind of place was his Divine Phoenix Sect? Let alone an outsider, even a flying insect would be noticed immediately upon entry. Yet, this thief had managed to infiltrate the Phoenix Jade Palace, which stored various treasures, without anyone noticing... If he hadn't accidentally triggered an invisible profound formation while stealing, no one would have even known that the Phoenix Jade Palace had been infiltrated.

What shocked him even more was that after triggering the profound formation and alerting all the sect's experts, the thief had managed to escape unharmed while surrounded by countless Phoenix powerhouses... This feat was almost impossible, even for a true Sovereign Emperor.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger... In the entire Divine Phoenix Empire, only one person is capable of such a feat..." Feng Xichen looked up, frowning. "Hua Minghai."

"Hua Minghai?" Feng Hengkong's face darkened, then he quickly reacted. "The 'Ghost Shadow Saint Hand' Hua Minghai!?"

"Exactly!" Feng Xichen nodded. "Throughout the world, only this person can do it. Hua Minghai's profound strength cultivation is unremarkable, but his movement technique and speed are unparalleled under heaven. He is also extremely skilled in concealment, stealth, disguise, and mimicry. His ability to escape is beyond compare..."

"Say no more." Feng Hengkong raised a hand. "I have, of course, heard that name. Hua Minghai, known as the 'Number One Thief under Heaven' and the 'Ghost Shadow Saint Hand'! It is said that this thief has never failed to steal anything he targets, let alone being caught; no one has even seen his true appearance. Hmph... I didn't expect this scoundrel to be audacious enough to provoke my Divine Phoenix Sect! Does he truly believe there's no one in this world who can do anything to him?!"