Chapter 0542: Lingering Fragrance of Wine

"Oh!! Please, come in."

Yi Tianxing nodded and spoke calmly.

With a wave of his hand, maids swiftly came forward to clear the bowls and dishes before him and replaced them with a few spiritual fruits. Everything was tidied up flawlessly.

"My lord, I, Ye Zhiqiu, have returned once again."Ye Zhiqiu grinned as he strode over, a trace of confidence in his expression.

"How did it go?" Yi Tianxing asked.

"Everything unfolded exactly as Mister Mao predicted. After I approached the Ironhoof Tribe, I carefully scouted the area and indeed found the valley with a spring. I located the Wine Spring, and using the Earthburrow Technique, I silently stole the spring's source from underground. Just then, the Minotaurs and Werewolves arrived almost simultaneously. A fierce conflict broke out due to a misunderstanding. The Minotaurs collapsed the valley, burying many of the wolves and werewolves beneath it. Now, a deep and irreconcilable blood feud has formed between the two tribes. Their struggle will undoubtedly drag on for a long time. Mister Mao's plan is already more than halfway complete."

Ye Zhiqiu's eyes were filled with admiration.

He had always admired learned strategists. Under Mao Sui's plan, he had easily turned two alien tribes into mortal enemies. From now on, it would be nearly impossible to reconcile. It was the classic case of using one's enemies to destroy each other—killing with a borrowed blade. By pushing the relatively neutral Ironhoof Tribe to counter the Bloodclaw Tribe, which held an ancestral grudge against the human race, a delicate balance had been achieved. Although the method wasn't exactly honorable, when it came to the future of one's race, morality was meaningless. Calculating against one's allies wasn't inherently wrong—it wasn't about lacking respect for allies, but about the reality that all alliances were based on equal strength. The stronger side led; the weaker followed.

The Minotaurs and Werewolves already had existing tensions. Their actions had simply ignited what was already simmering beneath the surface. By leveraging this tension, what might have taken years to erupt had been brought forward in an instant.

Moreover, Xuanhuang City wasn't just sitting on the sidelines—it had supported the Ironhoof Tribe by opening trade and providing resources, subtly strengthening their position. These seemingly minor actions could influence the tide of battle and might even determine victory or defeat.

With Xuanhuang City's backing, if the Ironhoof Tribe still couldn't suppress the Bloodclaw Tribe, that would be the real joke.

On this foundation of victory, the Ironhoof Tribe would also reap tremendous benefits.

It was a classic win-win. The only caveat was that the Ironhoof Tribe had now been pulled over to Xuanhuang City's side—which was precisely Mao Sui's goal.

Now that the opportunity had been seized, the next step in Mao Sui's plan was to draw the Ironhoof Tribe completely onto the war chariot—formally becoming allies. If not allies, at least friends.

"The methods of a Vertical-Horizontal strategist are truly formidable. Stirring conflict between two major tribes and provoking war right on arrival. If all goes well, the Ironhoof Tribe will become an ally. One move, multiple gains. Mister Mao's contribution is immense. He must be honored upon his return."Yi Tianxing nodded inwardly. Mao Sui was bold yet meticulous, quick-thinking and adaptable.

To find the opportunity and spark the conflict in such a short time was no easy feat. It might seem simple, but in someone else's hands, it likely would have failed.

The ability to adapt on the fly was invaluable.

"Indeed. I believe Mister Mao will complete this mission perfectly," Ye Zhiqiu agreed, full of confidence in Mao Sui.

"Did you retrieve the spring?" Yi Tianxing asked.

"Of course. It's right here."

Ye Zhiqiu immediately pulled out a large basin made of crystal stone from his storage pouch. Inside, a transparent spring source glimmered faintly with golden light. It naturally absorbed the surrounding Heaven and Earth energy, and fine streams of spring water gently bubbled from it. The flow was slow, almost sluggish.

This was because the spring had been separated from the earth and was now sealed inside the basin. Spring sources couldn't remain away from the land—or the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth—for long, or they would deteriorate. This basin, forged from crystal stone, acted as a container, its internal spiritual energy sufficient to keep the spring source intact. Only when that energy was exhausted would it begin to degrade.

"What a rich wine aroma. So this is the Wine Spring's source—a rare treasure of Heaven and Earth. A true peerless wonder!"

The basin was set on the table. Looking closely, the spring water shimmered with an amber glow—evidence of its mystical nature. Combined with the intoxicating wine fragrance, its allure was irresistible.

Neither the Minotaurs nor the Werewolves could ever imagine that the stolen spring had ended up in Xuanhuang City. If they found out, even the Minotaurs might turn against the city in fury.

"This spring must not be exposed lightly. Even if it is, we must have a legitimate excuse. We can't let the Minotaurs suspect us. For now, I believe it's best to keep it hidden. The more secret, the better," Cai Yan suggested after examining the spring.

There were things you could do but must never speak of. That distinction made all the difference.

"Agreed. The Wine Spring must not be revealed lightly. Find a secure location within the City Lord's Mansion to store it and keep it confidential for now. With this spring, our city's Heroic Bloodwine can evolve into Spirit Wine. We can even develop many new varieties,"Yi Tianxing said after some thought.

There was no place safer than the City Lord's Mansion. There, no foreign race would discover the Wine Spring. Even if they brewed wine with it, they could simply claim it came from a unique treasure. If they could avoid exposure, they would.

Especially since the Wine Spring's potential was vast—it could generate continuous value for Xuanhuang City and yield boundless profit.

"If there's nothing else, I'll return to the Skytower Pavilion to train. Even that guy, Fu Hongxue, has broken through. If I don't catch up, I'll fall behind. I can't allow that."Ye Zhiqiu's eyes gleamed with fighting spirit. Fu Hongxue's breakthrough had clearly put pressure on him.

"This mission earns you a batch of merit points. Go to the Hall of Merit to claim them, then head to the Ten Thousand Treasures Hall to exchange for a batch of Heavenly Gang Pills. With those, your cultivation will advance quickly,"Yi Tianxing advised.

Although members of the Skytower Pavilion never complained, Yi Tianxing had decreed that all operatives would receive merit points for each mission—just like bounty hunters. The only difference was that these missions were harder, more dangerous, and more secretive—directly tied to the interests of Xuanhuang City and Yi Tianxing.

"Heh, Heavenly Gang Pills used to be rare. Didn't expect them to be openly exchangeable this time. I'm gonna eat one and toss one just for fun!"

Ye Zhiqiu was visibly excited.

Completing the mission and earning merit points was one thing—but the fact that Heavenly Gang Pills were now available was a huge boon to many in the city. These pills greatly aided rune condensation and the forging of the Sea of Transformation Pool. They had always been scarce, reserved for high-level officials, and even then, in extremely limited quantities.

But now, not only were Yellow-grade pills available, even Profound-grade ones could be obtained. The difference in quality was like night and day.

He was determined to exchange for a whole batch.

Pills without dregs or toxicity were priceless treasures.

——

Ye Zhiqiu departed.

But just as he was leaving the City Lord's Mansion, an elderly man standing near the plaza suddenly brightened. His nose twitched repeatedly as if he were sniffing out a unique scent in the air.

"Wine. That aroma—it's wine. But such a peculiar fragrance… There's none of the heat of man-made brews, only a natural mellow sweetness. Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. I've never smelled anything like this before. Only the Monkey Wine I once encountered could compare. What kind of wine could this be?"

The old man murmured as he watched Ye Zhiqiu's departing back.

He was certain—it was the first time he had encountered such a scent. A divine-grade wine, neither fiery nor faint, yet containing vast potential within.

"No… no, this isn't wine. Or rather—it is, but not just wine. It's a supreme treasure of wine. If used to brew wine, the result would be unmatched in the world."

His eyes sparkled with growing desire.

"Lingering Wine Fragrance… That trace came only from Ye Zhiqiu's clothes. The real source must be inside the City Lord's Mansion. A supreme treasure of the Wine Dao lies there."

He took another deep sniff, but could sense nothing further.

Under the mystical power of the palace's divine trees, everything inside the City Lord's Mansion was veiled like flowers in the mist—utterly obscure. Not just sound, but even scent could be completely sealed. Even with a smell-based divine sense, nothing could be perceived.

A flicker of hesitation appeared in the old man's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolve. Without another word, he turned and headed straight for the Hall of Recruitment.

One could not simply walk into the City Lord's Mansion unless they held an important position in the city. It wasn't a place for ordinary people—it was the central core of Xuanhuang City.

The only legitimate way inside was to be acknowledged through the Hall of Recruitment.

Once accepted, entry into the Mansion would follow naturally.

That was clearly the old man's plan.

His steps were steady—far more composed than many cultivators. Each step exuded a grounded and solid presence.