Chapter 129: Extorting a Fortune

"Back then, when I asked you to sever the karmic threads, you swore up and down that it was foolproof and without the slightest possibility of an oversight. Now that trouble has broken out, you want to wash your hands of it and stay out of the matter?"

Da Jiuxing spoke with righteous indignation, pressing the old slovenly man hard.

"How can you blame this on me? If that brat Feng hadn't been so flashy and left a trail, the Prime Universe Sect wouldn't have found out even after another entire epoch," the old slovenly man retorted, his beard twitching and eyes wide with anger.

"I don't care. You are responsible for this. Until this matter is resolved, I am cutting off your supply of wine!" Da Jiuxing resorted to shamelessness, letting out an overbearing and aging hump.

"You... you are utterly shameless! When you begged me back then, your face plastered with smiles, groveling and flattering me, you've completely forgotten all of that!" The old slovenly man grew furious. He could joke about anything, but he could never tolerate anyone joking about his wine.

Da Jiuxing was momentarily startled, but quickly recovered.

"Who groveled and flattered, with a smile plastered on their face?"

"You!" the old slovenly man barked, his face twisting.

"Old wine-fiend, you sponge off my food and drink, and now you even dare to slander my innocence? How arrogant!" Da Jiuxing pointed at the old man, his finger trembling with anger.

"Bah! A hypocrite chasing after undeserved fame."

"White-haired brute, gray-bearded old thief!"

"..."

A war of words erupted. The two old men argued until their faces were red and their necks thick.

The Myriad Origin God Tree let out a soft sigh.

"You two, things have reached this point. You'd better figure out how to solve the problem. Before long, that female saint from the Universe Sect will descend upon Nine-Stars City."

The hostilities ceased.

Da Jiuxing pondered for a moment, and a golden-red jar appeared in his hand. He said, "Old wine-fiend, this is Time-Flow Gold, specially given as a tribute to me by a little fellow from the past. If you smooth this matter over, I'll gift it to you, and I won't cut off your wine supply in the future. How about it?"

The old slovenly man’s eyes darted around. He took the jar into his arms, suspiciously broke the seal, and sniffed it twice. Instantly, a brilliant light flashed in his eyes. "This was brewed by the Fifth-Generation Flower Lord! You actually have such good stuff."

"However, I can't handle this matter."

"Why?"

"That female saint is clearly coming for you. Once she learns the true identity of brat Feng, if she has any sense, she definitely won't start a conflict. She's probably secretly overjoyed in her heart."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Seizing the weakness of your most doted-on grandson—if it were me, I'd want to extort a fortune from you."

"Makes sense. Since you're of no use, hand the wine back then," Da Jiuxing said without anger, casting a faint glance at the old slovenly man.

"Don't!"

"The Fifth-Generation Flower Lord's fairy dance left a fragrance unlike any other. Time-Flow Gold passed through her hands can cleanse divine bones with just a single cup, leaving an intoxicating fragrance that lingers all over the body. It is an absolute masterpiece for tasting and appreciation." The old slovenly man clutched the jar tightly as if it were his baby.

Da Jiuxing sneered, "Covered by the heaven-reaching stench on your body, no matter how fragrant it is, it's useless. Since you can't help with this matter, return this jar of wine to me so I can use it to cleanse the divine bones of the younger generation in my Star-Refining Realm."

"Who says I can't help?"

The old slovenly man grew annoyed and said, "This time that female saint is coming to fleece you twice. First, for brat Feng's sabotage of the Prime Universe Sect; second, to blackmail you over his relationship with you. Both of these will undoubtedly be exorbitant demands."

"What solution do you have?"

"I'll make her fleece you only once, and furthermore... she won't even dare to fleece you."

Reluctantly, the old slovenly man groped around in his pocket, pulled out an object, and tossed it to Da Jiuxing with a disgruntled look.

"Hmph, you truly didn't disappoint me." Da Jiuxing weighed and twirled the object in his hand, his eyes lighting up as he took in its appearance.

...

A divine flower lotus platform materialized from the void, descending upon the Nine-Stars Domain. Immortal light circulated within it, dazzling and resplendent, upon which stood a peerless and transcendent young maiden.

"What a solidly fortified divine city."

Her calm and elegant eyes were bright as she overlooked the scene from above.

In the distance, nine silver aurora stars floated in the air, slowly orbiting Nine-Stars City.

Above the divine city stood a towering star pagoda, soaring to an unknown number of tens of thousands of feet. Its entire body was mottled, showing a deep dark-blue and light-black hue. The surface had accumulated a considerable amount of stardust over the passage of time, entwined with wisps of primal chaos aura, possessing the majestic presence of the peak of a great world.

"Hahaha, Cult Master Danya has arrived, and I failed to welcome you from afar! Please forgive my discourtesy, please forgive me."

A deep, hearty laugh from an old man suddenly rang out from within the star pagoda, then spread across the vast divine city, audible everywhere.

At that very instant, those diligent star-refining masters who toiled year-round studying stellar arts, as well as the distinguished guests from various factions residing in the divine city's immortal gardens, were startled. They all turned their gazes toward the upper levels of the Starry Heaven Pagoda.

They saw a moon-white figure appear before the body of the Starry Heaven Pagoda—immortal-like in bearing, with hair as white as frost and a benevolent, smiling face.

"What's happening?"

"That is Lord Jiuzun! Heavens, I have lived in the Star City for hundreds of years, and this is the first time I've ever laid eyes upon Lord Jiuzun's appearance."

The city's residents were astonished, staring fixedly at the figure, unable to look away for a long time. This elusive grandmaster of star-refining had rarely ever appeared in plain sight of the masses.

Danya was slightly surprised. She had restrained her aura all the way, and had only just arrived in this stellar domain, yet Jiuzun had gone out of his way to put on such a welcoming spectacle.

"Lord Jiuzun, greetings."

"I heard that three months ago, the Prime Universe Sect manifested sanctity, and divine music echoed across the starry firmament for a full day and more. After much inquiry, I learned it was Cult Master Danya. It is a pity that I was away as a guest at the time and missed the opportunity to witness the Cult Master ascending to the throne," Da Jiuxing said with a smile.

Danya's beautiful eyes flickered. Given this old star-refining master's status, he didn't need to flatter her like this. Could it be that he had already guessed she had seen through the true identity of that troublemaker?

Were they maintaining a tacit understanding?

Danya smiled, her expression very sweet: "Lord Jiuzun flatters me. While traveling outside, I discovered an interesting tidbit, and I believe Lord Jiuzun would find it quite fascinating. If Lord Jiuzun has the leisure, might I invite myself into the Starry Heaven Pagoda to sit and chat? I shall tell you all about it slowly."

"Is that so?" Da Jiuxing feigned great interest and said, "Please, come right in. I am quite bored here in the tower, so Cult Master Danya must tell me all the details."

"Naturally." Danya's smile grew even sweeter.

Green peaks stood lush and verdant, birds sang and flowers fragranced the air, and white auspicious clouds of spiritual energy drifted across the sky, from which wisps of refreshing coolness drifted downward. This was a world located on the seventh level of the Starry Heaven Pagoda.

"What interesting news did Cult Master Danya discover out there?"

At a pavilion halfway up the mountain, Da Jiuxing gazed up at the sky.

"Over the past few years, many factions in the spiritual energy universe were turned upside down because of a single person. Numerous treasures were stolen, holy lands desecrated, and the culprit even left behind a stele to mock them. Everyone harbors a deep hatred for him. Has Lord Jiuzun heard of this?"

"Um, regarding that... I have caught wind of it."

Da Jiuxing coughed twice.

"Coincidentally, when I was passing through the Primeval Domain, I encountered a young man. On him, I sensed a familiar aura, identical to the divination I performed that day. He possesses an ultimate control-type supreme treasure aura—"

"Ahem, very well, Cult Master Danya, there is no need to continue. I already understand the purpose of your visit."

Da Jiuxing interrupted her, unwilling to listen further. He turned around, pondered slightly, and asked, "What conditions does Cult Master Danya have in order to seal your lips and keep this matter quiet?"

Danya giggled. Though her cheeks still retained a trace of girlish innocence, she already possessed a peerlessly alluring and charming demeanor. Cutting straight to the point, she said, "I wish to ask two things of Lord Jiuzun."