Chapter 891: Anxious Earth God

The barrier Ji Yuan had in mind was naturally the incredibly weighty and wondrous Two Worlds Mountain, guarded by the true immortal master Zhong Pingxiu, who had indirectly helped Ji Yuan comprehend the versatile mystical art of Dream Wandering.

More than a thousand years ago, Zhong Pingxiu obtained a partial lineage from a branch of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. This allowed him to remedy deficiencies in his cultivation and achieve enlightenment, indicating a deep connection with the Pavilion. However, that particular branch had long since separated from the Pavilion and gone into hiding, to the extent that even those currently within the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets were unaware of its existence.

In fact, Zhong Pingxiu could be considered an ancestral figure to the entire Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. His cultivation was unmatched, and his age was beyond reckoning. Ji Yuan pondered how the Pavilion's members would react if Zhong Pingxiu ever decided to meet them: would they demand the return of their lineage, or would they revere him as an ancestor?

Ji Yuan spent most of his time traveling during this trip. He returned to Kuinan Commandery City on the fourth night, finding Mud Dust Temple completely quiet. As he naturally couldn't use the main entrance, he descended directly from the sky towards the monk's cell where he was staying.

Before he even landed, Ji Yuan sensed someone outside the courtyard, specifically, someone underground.

Ji Yuan landed in the courtyard, then sat on the veranda, looking towards the gate.

"Come in."

The local earth deity, who had been waiting underground outside the courtyard, suddenly heard Ji Yuan's voice and instantly perked up. He hadn't known when Mr. Ji returned, but he dared not hesitate, immediately emerging from the ground.

A wisp of green smoke rose from the ground, manifesting into a small, elderly man holding a wooden staff just outside the courtyard. He took small, quick steps into the monk's cell courtyard, and upon seeing Ji Yuan sitting on the veranda, he immediately bowed respectfully.

"This humble deity greets Mr. Ji."

Ji Yuan did not stand, but from his seated position on the veranda, he cupped his hands in return.

"Earth God, are you waiting here because you need something from me?"

"Ah, haha, Mr. Ji has been back for a few days, and this humble deity hasn't yet paid his respects. I merely came to greet you; there's nothing else."

Ji Yuan nodded.

"Alright, it's late. Now that we've met, Earth God, you should go back and rest early."

It didn't matter whether the Earth God slept or not, but since Ji Yuan had spoken, he couldn't very well remain. He simply offered an awkward smile and bowed again.

"Then, then this humble deity shall take his leave..."

Watching the Earth God slowly retreat, Ji Yuan smiled and spoke again just as the deity reached the doorway.

"Earth God, if you have any difficulties, you might as well tell me."

The Earth God's steps halted, and his face lit up with joy. He quickly turned back into the courtyard, bowing once more.

"Mr. Ji, this humble deity knows your magical powers are profound. There is something that has been weighing heavily on my mind. I don't ask for your certain help, but I just wanted to speak to you about it."

"Speak."

"Yes!"

Seeing that Ji Yuan showed no impatience, the Earth God took a few steps closer.

"Mr. Ji, you once gave this humble deity twelve Dharma Coins..."

"Have you used them?"

Hearing the Earth God hesitate, Ji Yuan asked. The deity nodded.

"Have you used them all?"

Ji Yuan asked again. The deity's expression turned awkward; he nodded, then shook his head.

"This humble deity naturally understands that Dharma Coins are extraordinary treasures, capable of saving lives at critical moments. However, my cultivation is meager, and I don't truly need so many of these treasures. Keeping a few as offerings would be sufficient for a century. The rest, I wished to use to exchange for items that would aid my cultivation..."

The Earth God carefully observed Ji Yuan's expression, fearing that Mr. Ji would be angry about his intention to part with the Dharma Coins. Fortunately, Ji Yuan's face remained calm, and he nodded, saying,

"Indeed, that is also a path of cultivation, and there's no problem with it. So, did you acquire the items you desired?"

The Earth God's face showed indignation, and his fists clenched.

"This humble deity was tasked by Mr. Ji to watch over Xiao Lifeng, so I naturally dared not leave. Therefore, over a month ago, I sent one of my descendants to Duikui Peak, hoping to exchange for some suitable items, preferably a treasure like an Earth Elemental Stone..."

Ji Yuan's brows furrowed slightly. He didn't know where Duikui Peak was, but he understood the "purchasing power" of his Dharma Coins. An Earth Elemental Stone certainly wasn't worthy.

"How many did your descendant take with him?"

"Six Dharma Coins... Although no one recognized the treasure there, he still managed to exchange them for an Earth Elemental Stone about the size of a small bowl. Its quality was decent, rich in earth elemental essence, and with not too many impurities..."

Ji Yuan couldn't help but sigh. "Not many impurities?" He had actually exchanged them for an Earth Elemental Stone that still contained impurities.

"Earth God, do you know that one hundred of my Dharma Coins can be exchanged for a fist-sized Mountain God Jade in the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, a famous immortal sect establishment? You exchanged six for an impure Earth Elemental Stone. Oh dear..."

While an Earth Elemental Stone is a decent earth-element spiritual item, it cannot compare to pure earth elemental essence, nor to superior earth spiritual treasures like Mountain God Stones. Compared to the rare Mountain God Jade, the difference is like heaven and earth.

While Ji Yuan knew he had gotten a bargain when he acquired the Mountain God Jade, that was his personal experience. To others, Dharma Coins were exceedingly rare and precious treasures, valued for their scarcity.

"What? A Mountain... Mountain God Jade?"

The Earth God was utterly stunned. Legend had it that Mountain God Jade was formed from the crystallized essence of great mountain gods and mighty earth spirits upon their demise, containing profound Daoist principles. It was no longer merely a treasure; it was practically a divine artifact!

"Oh no!"

After recovering his wits, the Earth God was overcome with extreme regret, pulling at his beard and slapping his knees.

"Alright, the Earth Elemental Stone your descendant wanted, they gave it to him. It was a willing transaction. If you want me to help you get it back, I don't have the time for such matters."

The Earth God admitted that the other party didn't recognize the Dharma Coins. Ji Yuan felt that if the Earth God lost out on this transaction, then so be it. Even if the other party had realized the Dharma Coins were valuable, surely the Earth God himself knew? Once a deal is made, there's no regretting it. To be honest, Ji Yuan truly hadn't expected anyone to actually sell the Dharma Coins he had given.

"Oh, Mr. Ji!"

The Earth God cupped his hands and bowed repeatedly to Ji Yuan.

"How could this humble deity dare trouble Mr. Ji with such a demeaning task? It's just that my descendant, unfortunately, let slip that I still possessed Dharma Coins. A few days ago, King Du suddenly sent someone to find me, saying he wanted to exchange for my remaining six Dharma Coins, explicitly offering a price that would satisfy me. Of course, this humble deity refused, but my refusal changes nothing..."

Ji Yuan looked calmly at the Earth God.

"So, you're saying they want to force a sale?"

"Exactly! But the situation is beyond my control. This humble deity dares not conflict with King Du... I've been agonizing over this for a long time; it has robbed me of my peace."

The other party must have used the Dharma Coins, realized their extraordinary nature, and were now even willing to use force against a local earth deity. This was clearly no longer a fair transaction.

"Tell me about this King Du."

The Earth God was overjoyed. If Mr. Ji was asking this, it was highly likely he had decided to intervene. If he could also retrieve the previous six Dharma Coins, that would be even better.

"To answer Mr. Ji, King Du is a cultivated wild boar demon, said to have cultivated for six or seven hundred years. Duikui Peak is a mountain near the Southern Wilderness Mountains, and King Du has established a market there, imitating the immortal port markets. Many demon cultivators and rogue cultivators frequent it, and it has accumulated a certain reputation over the years..."

"Oh?"

Ji Yuan's face showed contemplation; he hadn't expected it to truly be a market established by demons.

"King Du said he would definitely visit me within ten days. He claimed I could ask for anything, but there was one condition he insisted upon: I *must* sell the remaining six Dharma Coins. He even threatened to have mortal ruffians tear down my Earth Temple and overturn my incense burner! Kuinan City has long been without a City God; how can this humble deity possibly stop him?"

"Hmph, preposterous!"

Ji Yuan let out a cold snort. Indeed, demonic natures were difficult to tame; after gaining power, they even dared to bully deities. He looked at the Earth God and said,

"I will handle this matter."

"Thank you, Mr. Ji, thank you, Mr. Ji! If you hadn't returned, this humble deity wouldn't have known what to do..."

The Earth God knew very well that although there was a powerful protector in the city, it was uncertain if he would protect only Lifeng and not the Earth God, nor could he necessarily control King Du. Mr. Ji, however, was a true immortal master, capable of commanding deities at will and even refining astonishing treasures like Dharma Coins. Ten wild boar demons couldn't even compare to him.

Over a thousand *li* away, in a deep mountain range, Duikui Peak appeared to be shrouded in darkness. However, beneath a shadowy enchantment, it was brightly lit inside, with many spacious caves resembling dwellings with doors and windows, and also some constructed buildings, both crude and refined, some even adorned with lanterns.

This market was quite large, encompassing over a hundred buildings and caves of various sizes. Everything from taverns and inns to barter markets was available, and it was bustling with a constant stream of visitors.

Deep within one of the caves, a corpulent man, bare-chested and pot-bellied, lay diagonally on a beast-skin stone couch, gulping down wine.

"Hahahahaha, wonderful! Simply wonderful! If this matter succeeds, I will surely be rewarded, and perhaps even advance further! Bring more wine!"

"Yes, yes!"

Just then, a subordinate with a pointed chin and long nose rushed in from outside. He exchanged glances with a junior demon who was fetching wine, then approached King Du and whispered a few words in his ear. The king's body trembled, and he immediately stared at the subordinate with wide eyes.

"What did you say? Is that true?"

"Absolutely true, Your Majesty! I have a brother who once saw it at an immortal port. That Dharma Coin was stored in the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, regarded as a supreme treasure of immeasurable value. It's said to be extremely rare, something ordinary people rarely encounter. It's refined by enlightened masters using secret techniques, its full name is Qiankun Ruyi Coin, and it's exceedingly difficult to find in the world!"

"Ah? This is even more valuable than I imagined! Oh no, the six I already handed over..."

King Du slapped his thigh fiercely, filled with vexation, while the subordinate beside him chuckled.

"Your Majesty, doesn't that old Earth God of South Kuinan City still have some? Let's just go quickly seize them. This time, we won't have to..."

Before the subordinate could finish his sentence, a white blur suddenly flew towards him, giving him no time to react.

"Smack—"

One side of his face felt as if it had been struck by a rolling boulder. The subordinate spun twice and flew backward, landing with a "thud" two zhang away.

King Du maintained the posture of having just swung his hand, his face absolutely furious.

"Idiot! Mortals call foolish people 'stupid pigs,' and I'm a wild boar who achieved enlightenment, yet you treat me like an idiot? That old Earth God has twelve Qiankun Ruyi Coins. He's just a minor earth deity; how could he possibly acquire twelve? And he came to me to exchange them for an Earth Elemental Stone?"

"I, I don't know... But, but he has them, we can just go seize, no, exchange for them..."

The junior demon on the ground, blood trickling from his mouth, shakily stood up, covering his face as he cautiously replied.

"Idiot! Incurably stupid! Don't mention this to anyone. Get out—and where's the wine—"

The subordinate's body trembled, and he quickly fled in a panic.