[Chapter: 35: Jing Hongchen arrives]
"One hundred thousand years..."
Such an existence is still too distant and not something they can plan for.
"Lord Martial God, may I... ask for your guidance on the next step of my training?"
Tang Ya has good intentions and naturally would not harm ordinary people or even soul masters who bear no grudge against her.
However, her method of practicing the Dark Blue Silver King does carry a somewhat "sinister" aura.
If this were to happen at Shrek Academy, even if she retained her sanity, she might still be mistaken for an evil soul master.
Upon hearing this, Zhongli folded his arms, stroked his chin, and said, "From a general rational perspective, your martial soul is not selective. Whether it consumes humans, soul beasts, or even animals, it will accept them willingly."
"Huh?"
Tang Ya, Bei Bei, and Huo Yuhao were taken aback. After listening to Zhongli's words, their perspectives suddenly broadened.
Indeed, why had they instinctively thought only of ordinary people or soul masters?
Why not target soul beasts and animals instead?
As if struck by a thought, Zhongli's eyes brightened. He glanced at Huo Yuhao and the other two, then added, "Of course, indiscriminately killing soul beasts and animals is also wrong."
"I recall that Yuhao is skilled at grilling fish. Why not open a grilled fish restaurant and let Tang handle the fresh fish?"
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao and Tang Ya were initially confused but soon had a moment of clarity!
Tang Ya could gain "experience points" by killing fish, and Huo Yuhao could sell the grilled fish to satisfy hunger.
This way, it wouldn't involve harming innocents and could also generate income.
"As expected of you, Lord Martial God!" ×3
The three of them thought to themselves, their admiration for Zhongli growing even more.
"Um... Lord Martial God, Yuhao grills the fish and Xiaoya kills them, so what should I do?"
Bei Bei scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Now that the three of them were in this together, each with a role, he couldn't just sit back and collect money, could he?
"Fishing is also an art."
Zhongli patted Bei Bei's shoulder, then waved to Paimon, preparing to leave.
"My three friends, you should apply for a shop while there are still some available."
With that, Zhongli waved to the trio and departed gracefully with Paimon.
"Fishing?"
Bei Bei's eyes twitched, feeling a bit numb, yet he sensed a deeper meaning in Zhongli's words.
Is fishing really an art?
Watching Zhongli leave, Huo Yuhao opened his mouth slightly, as if wanting to say something but hesitating.
He had wanted to ask about training methods, but Zhongli had already walked away.
"Is grilling fish also an art?"
After a while, Huo Yuhao murmured to himself.
"Alright, let's go apply for a store first. If we're late, there won't be any left."
Tang Ya said excitedly.
Being able to improve her strength while enjoying delicious grilled fish was like a dream come true!
Three days later, the entire Liyue began to operate officially, welcoming a new "guest."
The guest was short, and wore a pair of glasses on his nose. It was clear at a glance that he was not from the Douluo Continent.
"Is this Liyue…?"
The old man stared at the scene before him, momentarily stunned.
It had only been a short time, yet Liyue had already been established and was operating officially.
Even the Sun-Moon Empire couldn't have built a city like this so quickly!
"Hello, sir. Are you here in Liyue for sightseeing or for other business?"
It had only been three days, and there were no free shops or residences left in all of Liyue Harbor.
The receptionists had also adjusted their tone accordingly.
Hearing this, the old man glanced sideways at the receptionist and couldn't help but feel a sense of approval.
People from the former Douluo Continent would often give him disdainful looks because he was from the Sun Moon Empire.
The receptionist, however, greeted him with a warm smile.
"I am Jing Hongchen, the head of Illustrious Virtue Hall from the Sun Moon Empire. I have come to visit Lord Martial God. May I ask if you could arrange an introduction for me?"
Jing Hongchen spoke without a change in expression.
His surname was Hongchen, and his given name was Jing.
Upon hearing this, the receptionist's expression remained calm.
Since becoming a receptionist in Liyue, she has encountered many distinguished guests.
For example, the princess of the Star Luo Empire, the leader and elders of the Nine Treasure Glazed Sect, and others.
Therefore, the receptionist showed no surprise or astonishment at the arrival of the head of Illustrious Virtue Hall.
"Lord Jing Hongchen, there are many people who wish to visit Lord Martial God every day. Unfortunately, Lord Martial God cannot receive all of them."
Jing Hongchen: "???"
Upon reflection, this seemed reasonable.
"I am here to meet Lord Martial God on behalf of the Sun Moon Empire. This is not a personal matter..."
Receptionist: "…"
"Mr. Jing Hongchen, I will need to submit your request to Star Tian Quan for review. Once approved, it will be forwarded to Lord Martial God. Please wait here for now, and I will provide you with a response shortly."
Jing Hongchen felt a slight numbness in his head, his eyes twitching faintly, but he eventually nodded in agreement.
He reminded himself to adjust his mindset. After all, if an ordinary person wished to meet the ruler of a nation, could they simply do so on a whim?
In the presence of a legendary god, even someone of Jing Hongchen's stature, a ninth-level soul engineer and the head of Illustrious Virtue Hall, was nothing more than an ordinary individual.
Had he not come as a representative of the Sun-Moon Empire, the receptionist might not have even bothered to inform him.
As the receptionist departed, Jing Hongchen stood at the port, taking in the sights of Liyue.
Just then, a small fishing boat caught his attention.
The young man aboard the boat exuded an air of elegance, carrying himself with the grace of a scholarly family.
Though young, his strength appeared to be around the Soul Ancestor level.
Holding a harpoon, his expression bore a look of worldly wisdom...
"Fishing truly is an art. If I hadn't bought some fish from other fishermen, I would have returned empty-handed."
The young man murmured to himself. As the boat approached the port, he set down his harpoon, carried his fresh catch ashore, and made his way toward the bustling streets.
"This young man is extraordinary!"
Jing Hongchen adjusted his glasses, a glint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
The young man's physique was more robust than that of his own grandson at the same level, and there was an aura of latent power surrounding him.
"Liyue, truly remarkable Liyue!"
Jing Hongchen sighed, wondering why such talented youths were absent in his Sun-Moon Empire.
Was it that they lacked the desire to cultivate their soul power?
Or was it their inherent talent, which paled in comparison to that of the Douluo Continent, forcing them to rely on drugs to aid their training?
However, the use of such drugs inevitably came with drawbacks, which would manifest in the later stages of cultivation.
While everyone seemed indifferent to this reality, deep down, they were simply powerless to change it.
Zhongli soon received the information from Tian Quan and learned of Jing Hongchen's arrival. The news surprised him slightly.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhongli decided to meet this "treasure-giving old man."