Chapter 758: 郗菁

“In about half a day, we should reach Xuanzhou City.”

Inside the spacious carriage, Yi Qiushui looked at Zhou Yuan, who was seated cross-legged, and spoke softly. Her voice held a well-concealed trace of relief, indicating that the journey had been quite stressful for her.

Beside Yi Qiushui, Yi Dong’er held her hand. Her large, clear eyes were filled with admiration as she looked at Zhou Yuan. She had learned about the battle that erupted last night after being brought back.

Zhou Yuan nodded upon hearing this. He felt slightly uncomfortable looking at the carriage, which carried a faint, delicate scent of a young woman. This was, after all, Yi Qiushui’s living space, and previously, not even Mu Chao, let alone him, had been granted the privilege of entering.

“This journey truly owes a great deal to Brother Zhou Yuan. Our Yi family will never forget your great kindness,” Yi Qiushui said with a faint smile.

“I merely took payment to resolve a problem,” Zhou Yuan shook his head, not taking credit. If he hadn't fortunately encountered the Yi sisters, it was hard to say what his situation would be now. If he had been unlucky, he might even have been swallowed alive by a Genesis Beast in the wilderness.

“Miss Yi…”

“If Brother Zhou Yuan doesn't mind, you can just call me Qiushui,” Yi Qiushui said, her small hand, like white jade, calmly picked up the teapot and poured a fragrant cup of tea for Zhou Yuan. “Of course, if Brother Zhou Yuan feels that Qiushui's previous hospitality was inadequate and holds a grudge, Qiushui can apologize.”

Zhou Yuan scratched his head. He realized Yi Qiushui was truly no simple character; she could block all his words with just a few phrases. No wonder Qiu Ji said the Yi family was able to establish themselves so quickly in Little Xuanzhou, with Yi Qiushui playing an indispensable role. Zhou Yuan also understood that the main reason for Yi Qiushui's significant change in attitude towards him was the recognition of his demonstrated strength. However, he didn't find Yi Qiushui overly pragmatic because of this. There was no such thing as unprovoked kindness in this world, and besides, he and Yi Qiushui had only just met.

“Alright, Qiushui,” Zhou Yuan ultimately didn't overthink it and nodded with a smile.

Yi Qiushui intended to befriend him, but similarly, Zhou Yuan also considered her a worthwhile person to befriend. As a newcomer, having a somewhat trustworthy friend would also be beneficial to him.

Yi Qiushui smiled faintly, her beautiful eyes sparkling enchantingly. It was clear she was in a good mood, knowing that Zhou Yuan's acceptance meant they could become friends. As for Zhou Yuan, who came from another heaven realm and had displayed astonishing talent, she clearly held some curiosity.

“Qiushui… I've just arrived in the Tianyuan Region and don't know the specifics of this place. Could you perhaps tell me a bit, so I don't accidentally offend someone I shouldn't?” Zhou Yuan asked with a calm smile.

After their relationship progressed, he could learn about the current situation in the Tianyuan Region. This was his actual reason for approaching Yi Qiushui today. He needed to understand all of this before reaching Xuanzhou City to decide his future plans.

Yi Qiushui wasn't surprised by his question. After all, Zhou Yuan was from another heaven realm, and upon arriving in an unfamiliar place, the immediate priority was naturally to understand the local power distribution.

“The Tianyuan Region was founded by Grand Elder Cang Yuan; you probably know that much…” As Yi Qiushui spoke of Grand Elder Cang Yuan, a look of reverence appeared on her pretty face, as he was a renowned figure across all heavens.

“Unfortunately, Grand Elder Cang Yuan left Hunyuantian many years ago and hasn't been heard from since. There are even rumors that he has passed away…” Yi Qiushui sighed softly. This was the main reason for some of the unrest in the Tianyuan Region in recent years.

“If Grand Elder Cang Yuan has been missing for so many years, then who governs the Tianyuan Region now?” Zhou Yuan asked.

“Below Grand Elder Cang Yuan is the Grand Council. When the Grand Elder is absent, the Grand Council governs the Tianyuan Region… The current Grand Council has five seats. Beneath the Grand Council is the Elder Group, and below that are the nine hundred prefectures of the Tianyuan Region. Each prefecture has a Prefecture Lord, and our Little Xuanzhou is one of them.”

“Nine hundred prefectures?” Zhou Yuan was startled. There were actually nine hundred prefectures like Little Xuanzhou in the Tianyuan Region? The Tianyuan Region was truly vast and immense! According to his estimation, the power of this single region alone could probably contend with the entire Cangxuan Heaven… What's more, there were eight other colossal entities like the Tianyuan Region within Hunyuantian! Such strength truly made it the foremost among all heavens; no wonder it could serve as a major base against the Saint Race.

Zhou Yuan's eyes showed thought, and after a moment, he asked again: “Who holds the five seats on the Grand Council?”

Yi Qiushui extended her slender, jade-like fingers, counting them one by one: “The Tianling Sect, the Bai Clan, the Xuanjing Clan, and the Mu Clan… These four major powers followed Grand Elder Cang Yuan when he established the Tianyuan Region. They also have ancient foundations, and the origins of the three clans’ bloodlines were even created by Saints. Although these Saints have long perished, the bloodlines they left behind are still extraordinary.”

Zhou Yuan was somewhat moved. The so-called Bai, Xuanjing, and Mu clans had actually produced Saints in the past? This was truly remarkable. It was extraordinary, especially considering that the entire Cangxuan Heaven had only ever seen one Saint, Patriarch Cang Xuan!

“And the last one?”

“The last one is Lord Xi Jing,” Yi Qiushui chuckled softly. When she mentioned Lord Xi Jing, there was an obvious look of respect on her cheeks.

“Xi Jing?” Zhou Yuan was somewhat surprised because she was the only one among the five Grand Council members to be listed by her personal name.

Seeing his expression, Yi Qiushui knew what he was thinking. She immediately chuckled and said, “Lord Xi Jing doesn't need to have any specific power base, because her master is Grand Elder Cang Yuan. She is one of the Grand Elder’s two direct disciples.”

As she spoke of Xi Jing, Zhou Yuan could see the yearning and respect on Yi Qiushui's pretty face.

A flicker of subtle excitement passed through Zhou Yuan’s eyes. He had finally reached the main point! But then, he sensed something amiss and couldn't help but ask, “She? This direct disciple of Grand Elder Cang Yuan is a woman?” But Master Cang Yuan had said before that he only had two senior brothers?!

Yi Qiushui looked at Zhou Yuan with a hint of displeasure and said, “What’s wrong with her being a woman? Do you look down on women?!” It should be known that countless young women throughout the Tianyuan Region regarded Xi Jing as an object of worship and an aspiration, and Yi Qiushui herself was among them!

Zhou Yuan was utterly bewildered. What exactly was going on? Was it not a senior brother, but a senior sister instead?!