Outside the shop.

"Master... are fifty diamond coins a lot?"

"..."

"Master, is the Lime Foundation Herb worth that much?"

"..."

"Mas-" "Shut up!"

"..."

Heading back to the cave in silence, Wu Tian saw Guizou look infuriated. After some time, as he was busy traveling through the rough path of the unclaimed forest, he heard Guizou. "I guess our luck ends here. If we want that herb, we'll have to steal it! Luckily there are other ways. The Lime Foundation Herb is not needed until the fifth layer of the [Ten Paths Method], but with how barren the Mortal Land is... well..."

"The bigger issue is most definitely if we have to get ones like that. Kid, we have a lot of time ahead. Well, not you, but whatever. So, we'll see how it goes first. Realistically, getting your hands on a couple hundreds diamond coins, if they are as valuable as I guessed, isn't impossible as a Warrior, but it shouldn't be easy either. That's some real money right there." Wu Tian was surprised by how Guizou did not brag this time, until... "Of course for me it's nothing. I was really rich back then. But that's a story for another time." Seeing the brat sigh at his words, Guizou spoke as Wu Tian made his way into the cave. "I said I was going to tell you more earlier. Do you want to know about the Tehma Portal?"

After a clear nod, Guizou gathered his thought before parting his lips. "The Tehma Portal was created by the Great Emperor Tehma of old. I don't know who this Tehma was, but they certainly became a legend. The portal is gigantic, as tall as a small mountain, and is oval in shape. Space bends inside of it, and it looks fantastic. The blue shine of its warping insides is hypnotic. Also, the place where it was built, if still there, is quite the sight as well." Thinking a few minutes more, he followed. "To know if you found the Tehma Portal's location, you have to feel these words. A mountain for a titan, a crown of mountains for servants. A city carved into the earth, freed from the rules of monarchs, facing the maw of space, beneath the bright Heavens birthing the living stars flying across the sky."

Expecting it already, Guizou saw Wu Tian look ahead confused. But he dared not forget these words. He could already imagine it.

"The Tehma Portal may be barren by now, or maybe completely destroyed. But it is still a historical ruin even if so."

"As for its use, well, like I said, it's the easiest way back and forth the Fairy Land. If you are a Nine Stars, you can use it freely both ways. If you are not that strong, you can get help, but that's very unlikely. If you are stronger than that, you can go in, but not go back."

"Master, is it possible to become as strong as you were without going to the Fairy Land?" Guizou approved of such a thinking process. "If only. The Mortal Land's Qi is sparse and of low quality. You could technically become a Great Emperor, but your strength would be lacking, your methods non existent and your lifespan would take a huge blow. At the higher levels, it really becomes important to use quality Qi. But even if you could, I'm not sure if it would be possible to actually accomplish either. After a certain level, legends say that you will be forced to ascend to the Fairy Land anyway."

Wu Tian was lost in thoughts. In the meantime, Guizou returned to the pendant with a reminder. "Let's go back tomorrow and ransack the gambling house. No need to pull any punches. We might even need to leave town soon. We'll slowly creep closer to the Tehma Portal if possible."

.

.

.

The next day, Wu Tian entered the gambling house. He looked around and found Jiang. "I'm here to play." Seeing him take out ten gold coins as if it was nothing, Jiang began to sweat. He gazed down at the dark pouch filled to the brim with wealth in worry. He was about to ask for help when Wu Tian grabbed him by the collar, forcing his face close to his own. "Don't even try. I'm going to play here, and I'm going to win. Don't you dare do anything stupid. Does your gambling house refuse guests? Does it refuse customers? I never cheated, so why do you look at me like this? Am I not welcomed? Should I tell the entire town how this gambling house discriminates against winners?"

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Jiang gulped a few times, slowly nodding. He clearly looked displeased, but dared not raise a fuss. Last time you ran away, but if you really want to mess with me, I will call the boss and get you on your knees even if I have to cry for the next month!

Mistaking Jiang's determined look for one of understanding, Wu Tian resumed his steady walk. A bit deeper into the den, he sat at a table. Since this game was easy to win, why not continue?

Guizou on the other hand looked worried. "It might blow out of proportion in the end. We're going to make enemies now. If we're lucky, they have no backing. If they do, we might have to lay low for a few years. I hope that you're ready, we won't leave this place without having sucked their treasury dry! I want you to poach every single coin! Be it copper, silver, gold, platinum, diamond and everything else! All of them! You hear me!"

Wu Tian smirked with a fervent nod. His eyes were clear, ready to cause trouble.

.

.

.

In some unknown palace. The walls were pristine, the ceiling was sky high. Faint orange lights dimly shone, barely lighting up the place enough to see. It was as if a fireplace was gently embracing this space that appeared to be a magnificent and humongous hall. A luxurious red curtain was covering a quarter of it, shielding the staircase and what should most likely be a giant throne behind it.

Far away, two doors of an impressive size were knocked upon. The sound echoed in the silence. A bewitching female voice rang out in response. "Come in."

The doors opening ever so slowly, a black robed man walked ahead with his head hung low. His footsteps were loud yet ethereal. He moved extremely fast with very nimble movements. His respectful attitude was directed at the people behind the curtain. He knew two orange lights to be flamingly illuminating the throne hidden beyond. If he dared to raise his head, he would be able to see two giant dark and blurry silhouettes shaped from these sources of light.

As he arrived near the staircase's very first giant step, he bent his knee, his right fist clenched and on the floor.

His head still hung low, he awaited.

A rough male voice was then heard after some time. "You may speak."

Without delaying any further, the black robed man immediately parted his lips. "I completed my assignment and killed Guizou."

Silence.

It took another couple hours before the rough voice continued to echo within the minds of all present. "Even though you might think otherwise, Great Emperor Guizou is not to be underestimated. I cannot shake this unease I feel about his life and death. I am uncertain. Are you certain?"

The black robed man remained silent for a few minutes before speaking once more. "I predicted this outcome. I never underestimated him. As we speak, thousands of my undercover assassins are rummaging throughout the Fairy Land. If Your Eternal Grace is willing to wait a few days, then I will be able to give you a satisfactory answer."

"Hmm..." The voice pondered. Four hours later, the voice resounded across the hall. "Very well! We shall wait..."

A couple of days later, a knock came from behind the doors. Ever since the beginning, none had moved or spoken. This knock broke a long lasting silence, the doors slowly opening.

Another black robed man knelt on all fours, swiftly crawling from respect. After barely entering the hall, the man spoke with fanaticism. "Your Eternal Majesty! I came here to report our investigation. Nine Skies Great Emperor Guizou of the Fairy Land has been pronounced dead. We have searched for the past centuries and found nothing hinting at a survival of any kind. At least, not in the Fairy Land. We are however unable to cross the portal due to our cultivation bases. Should we send qualified people on the other side for further investigation? Or should we seal our cultivations and enter ourselves?"

Another silence emerging, the rough voice was heard after only one hour of patience. "Good job. I still believe him to be tricky. Heed my words! Send two gold envoys to the Mortal Land along twenty Masters!"

The leader of the newly arrived man, the black robed man near the staircase, was utterly shocked. His Eternal Majesty wants to send two Lord level figures? Envoys should have the Heavenly Crest as well. Would it not endanger them for no real benefits? Why does His Eternal Majesty think so highly of a little Great Emperor?

"Right away, Your Eternal Majesty!" The crawling man then retreated, always facing the curtain without daring to raise his head.

The remaining black robed man, Guizou's killer, was not impressed by the envoys' cultivation bases. Simply put, they were weak. However, it was another story when it came to the Mortal Land. A Lord could very well dominate the entire Mortal Land if they so desired. The only reason they even had the chance was because of the Heavenly Crest. The only issue was...

They were rare!

The Heavenly Crest was extremely precious and could not be transferred, only inherited through rigorous qualifications. Sending two of them for a random Great Emperor was not worthy of their status.

Still waiting, the black robed man heard the rough voice again. "You will be rewarded with a Three Layered Illumination Pill. After digesting your reward, prepare to go back and warm my son's seat. It will be a great tempering of his mind to control the Fairly Land. Be careful of your presence, I cannot push this scenario any further myself. If you believe possible, do not act in person."

The black robed man dared not question, lowing his head even further. "As Your Eternal Majesty instructs!"