Ripping Off the Phoenix Emperor

Since the old man insisted, I proceeded to show what alchemy with desert flowers looks like.

I pulled one out from my storage ring and proceeded to use my flames.

Melting the flower into essence and then starting to feed it with catalyst essence then proceeded to add vitality roots until the flower's absorption could not take it anymore.

Once it was done I proceeded to refine the essence into a pill. 

When it landed on my hand I used the purifying flames to make the dark orange into a light one.

"Here you go." As I handed over the pill to the dumbstruck Leader of the Guild, the Emperor of the Phoenix Empire spoke first as he was excited as well.

"...beautiful…your flame manipulation… it's simply…art." He said with some awe. 

"Umm…I guess? It is? I try to pour my sense into the flames and dissolve the materials in the best and quickest way." I summoned my fire and made it move how I wanted.

"Indeed. We noticed it, your understanding of the fire is simply astounding! If not for your recent addition to the Supreme Ocean Palace I would have offered you the highest position possible in my sect just from your fire understanding!" 

Damn…he is serious.

*Hmph!*

"Long'er deserves the best there is. Simply being Elder in Phoenix Sect is not good enough. Your family rules through Phoenix Blood. He would never gain a high position." Sovereign of the Seas said with a snort.

Did she call me Long'er? That's a quick rise through the ranks… 

"...Things can be arranged, My Divine Phoenix Empire rewards those who contribute to the Sect and the Empire. Regardless, this doesn't matter anymore. Instead, Young Master Long, what other pills do you possess that my Empire could buy? What is this white one?" 

The Emperor quickly moved to the next topic which was the white purifying pills. Thankfully I didn't keep a lot of these as they most likely are the most powerful of mine… 

"These…I assume…nothing we talk about here will go to the public? More specifically outside the Phoenix Sect and the Ocean Palace?"

All three got quite serious.

"You don't need to worry about the Supreme Ocean Palace Long'er you are its Future Master." the lady said with a tranquil tone.

"And you know the guild, we keep things tight-lipped unless there is some sort of advantage to be gained." Zi Ji said from the side.

"...You can trust my Phoenix Empire as well. We don't easily share secrets."

*Sigh*

'Not that I can easily walk around this issue…'

"It's a purifying pill. It removes impurities from one's body." 

My words got them slightly confused. It appears they didn't catch the drift I was talking about.

"I assume this is the reason why you control your flames like this?"

"Partially, but it appears the real point didn't get to you three yet. You see, when someone is born he is born with impurities. Those impurities clog Profound Veins—" 

At that moment all three of their profound energies got chaotic for a second.

The Sovereign Lady swiftly appeared in front of me and scanned my body. 

"...Y-Y-Your Profound Entrances…Heavens…Heavens…" 

The lady took a step back from me, her body slightly lost its balance for a second.

Zi Ji appeared next to me as well, he scanned my body as well.

"This… this is…unbelievable…"

Thankfully the Phoenix Emperor controlled himself and didn't scan me…

"Long'er… do you understand what 54 opened entrances mean?"

"...By the Phoenix…" The Emperor said from the side as he had a shell-shocked and utterly baffled realisation.

"No bottlenecks, I understand. I started my cultivation with 11 opened Profound Entrances, I understand enough." 

"...Truly genius…" Zi Ji said with awe.

"More like resourcefulness, but anyway…" I said with a sigh as I looked at the white pills.

"The process is not instantaneous, I took baths with the purifying grass, it took around 3 to 4 days of constant bathing while taking the pills. You need to circulate the purifying energy through your veins." I explained to the trio.

"What miraculous pills!"

"Not truly…they are quite basic. But anyway. I suppose I could give some of these to you three. It should help you Senior reach the next small stage." I said that specifically to Zi Ji.

"Hahaha! So you noticed my bottleneck?" The old man said with laughter.

"Yes, I could sense an imbalance in your Profound Energy. One more opened Profound Entrance should allow you to break into the next small realm."

As I said that I gave him one of the white pills.

"Try out."

The old man took the pill with a shaky hand. While his wife walked next to me. Assuming she will protect me from his Profound energy when he has that breakthrough. 

Zi Ji quickly dropped into Lotus position before swallowing the pill. For a moment he closed his eyes and started to circulate his Profound Energy.

Even when it's internal circulation I could feel the sheer presence of that highly compressed Profound Energy.

At that moment the lady next to me pulled out a communication talisman.

"Deploy a barrier around my current area."

She sent a message and a few seconds later, my senses picked up something from around the warehouse.

"Those are [Sovereign Profound] elders of my Supreme Ocean Palace, our Palace are experts in barrier creation."  She explained to me patiently. Though she didn't do more as Zi Ji's profound energy surged. The Lady then channelled her Profound energy around me, creating a cocoon.

The old man's power surged as he just had a breakthrough!

"Hahaha! This old man has reached [Ninth of Sovereign Profound]!"

"Congratulations, Senior," I said with quite a happy tone. It's nice to see my stuff working even on [Sovereign Profound]!

"Please! Call this old man, Grandpa!" 

"..."

"He is right. Since you are my successor it makes me your Grandmother." 

"..."

*Cough*

"...This Junior congratulates the Guild Leader with a successful breakthrough."

Feng Hengkong said with a sweaty forehead, he resisted that surge of power somehow.

Well, he is a peak Overlord existence.

"Hmm, yes." The old man ignored the Emperor and looked at me.

"I insist Long'er." The Guild leader said with a frown.

"...as you wish Grandpa…" I said with a sigh.

"Good! Now let's discuss these miraculous pills!" The old man grinned quite silly, he looked younger by several years.

"Indeed! I want to know the details! Zi Ji, how many entrances did that single pill open?"

"Two, one is the one I have been trying to open for decades. The purifying energy simply removed whatever was blocking the entrance."

"...Marvellous!" My new grandmother said with an excited tone. I didn't expect her to sound like this…

Feng Hengkong nodded with awe at the side. The Emperor was impressed by the looks of it. I guess it's a big thing for these big shots…

"Yes. Though some of them take much longer to open as there are more impurities in one's body. This is why it takes this long."

"I see. It makes sense."

"Then we should not waste time." The pair said that and then looked at me.

"...I suppose, I should ask servants to prepare bath tubes for you two?"

"Yes. Once I have all the entrances open, I will transfer you as many contribution points as you want in the Supreme Ocean Palace, Long'er!"

"And the next ten orders from Black Moon guild will be on the house!"

*Sigh*

"Fine…there is no need to rush this…" I sighed and went over and picked a few white pills.

"You will use around 4 per day with the baths. The servants know how to prepare the baths since my grandfather and granduncles used these baths."

"..."

"...Long'er how many people in your clan have Heavenly God's Spiritual Veins?" My new Grandmother asked me with bated breath.

"...Around 13? I asked them a few days ago, so it could be more now." I said with a casual shrug.

"..."

"..."

"..."

*Cough*

"While you arrange these baths why don't we discuss the prices of these pills."

The pair of [Sovereign Profound] looked at the Phoenix Emperor when he asked me.

"I don't think there is something you can offer Feng Hengkong for such miraculous medicine." The Sovereign of the Seas said with quite a serious tone.

"...This…just ask, we could arrange something. My Empire is vast, there should be some unique resources we could arrange."

The Emperor said with a frown.

"I suppose…not that the pill is difficult. I would expect some fire-related herbs and grasses from your Empire."

"Long'er! You are far too lenient!" 

"...How? I am using grass I found in a water stream outside my clan grounds. I am basically ripping him off." I said with a frown. 

"Doesn't matter! Your art and proficiency made it work! Feng Hengkong! Your daughter! She will be engaged to my Long'er!" My grandmother snapped at the Phoenix Emperor.

I coughed when I heard that! W-What!?

"W-What?" I exclaimed with shock.

"It's only fair! You are my successor, you are required to have a harem of beauties. I won't accept anything less!"

"This…" 

As far as I recall Feng Hengkong won't easily hand over Feng Xue'er, as he would rather make part of his Empire burn first.

"Xue'er is only 13, below the age of marriage. I don't think Young Master Long would wait, that's why, I can give 10 Phoenix maidens, two Emperor Profound weapons of your choice, and any fire-related grass, herbs, and fruits.

For 30 purifying pills?" 

Hearing the offer, I gulped down. For a second Imagined myself surrounded by beauties… and the only thing I will give to him is grass I picked up at the edge of a water stream?

"...Long'er it's your choice."

"It's fine, Grandmother. Since Phoenix Emperor knows, he would buy another batch. By that point, I would have something better created. I haven't experimented much with Purifying Grass since I had my Profound Veins opened for a while." 

"..."

"..."

"..."

The trio looked dumbstruck, especially Phoenix Emperor who looked like he had swallowed a lemon.

"True, I forgot about that. My Long'er is a genius. Very well then, Feng Hengkong, we accept this deal." My new Grandmother casually nodded. There was a certain glint in her eyes. She wants me to continue to rip off the Phoenix Empire…

"Of course. It's a deal then."

I nodded and walked over to the bowls with the white pills and proceeded to count them. Eventually, I got thirty, I pulled out a leather sack and stuffed them inside.

Once done I walked over and gave them to Feng Hengkong.

There was a weird look on his face. He doesn't like the sack? Well, I don't have bottles and stuff… glass is quite expensive. 

"Apart from the purifying pills, you want 300 sensitivity pills and another 80 of the upgraded Vitality pills."

I collected all the pills for him, it took a while but it was done. Once I handed it over to him I asked like any good merchant.

"Anything else?"

"No. This will be enough. This Emperor has things to arrange. Your money and other things will be handed over to Black Moon Guild. The 10 maidens will be brought to you in person in a month or so. My Phoenix Empire needs to prepare them."

"That's fine. I am in no rush. I will be here."

"We are most gracious with your desire to trade, we shall take our leave." 

The Phoenix Emperor then did a simple bow to the couple before leaving swiftly.

"...I guess he truly wanted to start his cultivation," I mumbled to myself. It was quite cool to have the Emperor of the greatest Empire around in my humble abode.

"Not quite, he is not used to being in the lower end of the trade. With us around here he could not do aggressive negotiations. Not that he will be able to do it in the future as well.

You effectively have made the Divine Phoenix Empire weaker in any future transactions." She proudly said to me as she put her hands on my shoulders…she once again scanned my Profound Veins…

Is this some sort of hobby of hers now?

"I suppose. Now let me make some more purifying pills." As I said that I proceeded to walk over and start making the pills.

In just under ten minutes I had around 15 done. It should be enough for now.

While I did that the pair looked at my work. 

As I was done and brought the pills over, Zi Ji asked a question. 

"Won't the baths wield similar results?"

"...Not quite… the grass starts losing its effective energy the moment it is cut… I rejuvenate this energy with my Purifying Profound energy which I developed by copying this grass. I effectively immediately restore it before making them into pills."

"...I see… it makes sense now…"

"Hmm?"

"It's interesting because it's such basic grass. Alchemists would have discovered this use long ago."

"Doubtful…to my knowledge and what I read in the shop book Black Moon Guild doesn't sell anything average or below average. Such a thing reflects the mentality of Cultivators."

For a second the old man looked ashamed but he quickly nodded.

"True. Regardless I can rest easy knowing the Phoenix Empire didn't earn anything extra."

"They shouldn't, from the Emperor's reaction they would not know how to create these pills. Their flames are not gentle enough." 

**Snort**

The pair snorted with amusement. 

Well, it's time to wrap this up.

~~~~~~Evening, Same Day~~~~~~

Xia Qingyue frowned for a moment before her eyes opened. For a moment she looked confused… 

"...Husband?"

That moment she moved, changing her position into a sitting one. Her eyes ended up on the window. She could see that it was…morning?

Slowly she tried to move out of the bed, but her legs ended up giving in.

The girl collapsed on the ground.

Another deep frown appeared on her face, it was pushing down the embarrassment she was feeling.

*Knock*

"...Lady Xiao are you alright?"

A smile curled on Xia Qingyue's face. Oh, how she dreamed of being called that!

"...I am fine…Dongling…can you come in?"

"Of course…"

Her maid walked in… she saw how her mistress looked. There was a certain look on her face accompanied by a blush.

"...It appears I was not successful." The black-haired girl said to her maid with a disappointed sigh.

"It depends…Young Master is still away. He was away the whole day with the guests from Divine Phoenix Empire and Supreme Ocean Palace."

"..."

Xia Qingyue's eyes bulged out. Those guests were from the Phoenix Empire and EVEN a Sacred Ground!

At that moment she felt like shit! What kind of Lady Xiao is she if she can't greet such guests!? 

At that moment she felt like killing herself right on the spot!

"...Y-You said the whole…day…"

"Yes. It's already evening."

The black-haired girl felt even worse…

At that moment she channelled some of her Profound Energy, regaining some control over her body. With shaky legs, she got up.

"...Help me dress up…I need to look presentable to my husband when he returns."

"Of course."

~~~~~~Xiao Long~~~~~~

As I returned home, I was mentally tired. The whole day was like a whirlwind. Becoming Young Master of the Supreme Ocean Palace…

Now that's quite a wedding gift… I still haven't proceeded with this information. Then tons of gifts I got, dealing with the Phoenix Emperor…meeting the new Elders from Supreme Ocean Palace.

Gaining another Bodyguard…an elder in late [Sovereign Profound] 

It's one thing after another.

But thankfully I was back…

The moment I saw my wife, she went on her knees and her forehead touched the ground.

What now…

"Qingyue asks for forgiveness for failing to do her duty!"

Oh…right…girls take their responsibilities extremely seriously in this place…

In other words…she is extremely disappointed in herself for passing out in the middle of getting fucked into oblivion… 

Truly… traditionalists for the win…

I went over to her and got down on one knee.

"Raise your head."

This means I need to take her seriously otherwise it would be like spitting in her face for all that effort she is putting in.

Thankfully I was slightly trained in this by the elders… but damn it's so strange.

As the beauty raised her head she looked devastated by her failures.

"It's fine. It's only one day."

"B-But…I failed to keep up, I slept over when such impressive guests were visiting…"

"It's fine. They didn't mind that you were asleep. In truth, they are happy that you are keeping up as long as you did." I said that with a slightly weirded-out expression… I still remember what my new grandmother said. 

"You will have your chance. After all, I was named the next Master of the Supreme Ocean Palace." 

*Gasp*

"...Husband… are you serious?"

I grimaced hearing that…yeah…I am still baffled just like you are.

"Very… look…" I pulled out a jade pendant with the Ocean symbol on it. It was an exquisite-looking item.

"This is the symbol of Young Master, the next Sovereign of the Seas. The current leader Qu Fengyi even adopted me as her Grandson. In other words… it's as real as it gets…

It makes you my darling wife the Young Mistress of the Supreme Ocean Palace."

The girl gulped down with some nervousness before getting serious once more.

"...I understand… I won't fail…ever…again!"

I shook my head when I heard that.

"Don't worry failure breeds determination for improvement. You should fail from time to time so that you can improve yourself."

With a slow nod, my wife processed this information.

"Good, now get up. I am extremely tired and I need that rest."

"Qingyue understands! Let me help you rest!"

With a rejuvenated vigour, she got up and on her feet and proceeded to gently guide me to the living room where I will be pampered by her attention.

'What a long day… I hope no more craziness for at least a few more days…' I thought to myself as I ended up sitting in a comfortable seat.