The First Installment) Merely from Cao Guofeng’s narration, the Nine Nethers First Young Master sounded truly insane; not only carving out a private domain but also intending to use it as a springboard to forge further channels connecting to other spaces. What an immense undertaking! Jun Moxie was utterly awestruck by the figure from ten millennia past.

“In short, this place is in no way different from the original Xuanxuan Continent. The Illusionary Manor can be considered another Great Thousand World! Perhaps its area is slightly smaller than the Xuanxuan Continent, but it definitely won’t be much smaller!”

Cao Guofeng smiled faintly. “Thus, what the common folk call the Ethereal Illusionary Manor—making it seem like a small place, perhaps just a single mansion—is utterly mistaken! How could our Ethereal Illusionary Manor possibly be compared to a mere trio of Holy Lands?”

There was a clear tone of arrogance in Cao Guofeng’s statement, but Jun Moxie found it perfectly reasonable. The Ethereal Illusionary Manor controlled an entire vast world. Could the Three Great Holy Lands manage that?

“I’ve been cooped up for days and feel stifled. I want to go out for a walk, is that allowed?” Jun Moxie made his request.

“No problem!” Cao Guofeng agreed readily. “However, your body hasn't fully recovered, so don’t wander too far. I’ll assign two people to follow you. Just take a casual stroll, don’t overexert yourself, and remember to return early.”

“Understood.” Jun Moxie agreed casually, though his mind was racing: I wonder if there are specific national or regional divisions here? I’ll go out, take a look around, treat it like sightseeing…

“Oh, yes, one crucial point... it is best that you avoid the Illusionary Manor Main Palace for the time being.” Cao Guofeng cautioned solemnly. “That is the place you emerged from after your last recovery. That location is the very foundation of our Ethereal Illusionary Manor, housing countless rare treasures—the rich inheritance left behind by the Nine Nethers First Young Master back then. But... it is also accompanied by countless dangers!”

He warned with great gravity, “The moment anyone is observed attempting to approach that place, or trying to cause disruption... regardless of who they are, execute them without question! Even if you were my direct disciple, or the possessor of the Ethereal Constitution, the guardians will show no mercy. You are new here and ignorant of the rules; if you accidentally cause disaster, no one can save you.”

“Oh, the Illusionary Manor Main Palace, that’s the place that produces that certain fruit, right?” Jun Moxie asked with seemingly innocent curiosity. “That fruit is truly disgusting! It’s not even as good as an apple. It smells nice, but the taste makes one want to gag. Does anyone actually desire that thing?…”

“Nonsense, you insolent brat!” Cao Guofeng flinched in alarm. “That fruit is the ultimate treasure of this manor! Countless people dream of obtaining it, and you dare call it tasteless? I have endured eight hundred years of seasonal cycles here, and I haven't even tasted one! Don't be so ungrateful, you don't appreciate the fortune you have...”

Cao Shenghuang paused before continuing, “However, the fruit tree isn't actually inside that palace... you grew up in the mountains, didn't you? How could a fruit tree possibly grow inside a palace?”

“But palaces always have rear gardens and such; that’s common sense, isn’t it?…” Jun Moxie retorted.

“What common sense? You know nothing! That’s merely a garden. How could exotic spiritual fruits be cultivated there? Has anyone ever seen a towering tree planted inside a palace?” Cao Guofeng scolded, half-crying, half-laughing.

“Oh, so the tree is quite large then,” Jun Moxie continued to probe.

“Of course it’s large! That tree is already ten thousand years old; how could it be small? Even Ginseng, after ten millennia, should grow into a humanoid shape with nascent sentience! Not to mention the Seven-Colored Divine Apricot, which already had several thousand years of age when it was transplanted?”

“So... with over ten thousand years of age, the fruit ripens and falls, and the fallen seed sprouts a new tree. Since it has had over ten thousand years, it should have developed into an entire orchard by now, right? Why can't even someone of your esteemed status eat it? That makes no sense!” Jun Moxie steered the conversation around slyly.

“Do you think this is an apple or a hawthorn? If this thing were easy to cultivate, there would be groves of them already! But up to now, we have only managed to successfully cultivate two saplings, and even those are only barely surviving. Whether they can bear fruit is still uncertain... As for the one that does bear fruit, it remains the original one only. And it only yields fruit once every five hundred years... each time, it produces a mere fourteen fruits! That means, calculating by the ‘Seven in Unity’ standard, it yields only two fruits in five hundred years! Half of five centuries’ accumulation has been used on you, kid, and you still spew such nonsense!” Cao Guofeng grumbled resentfully.

“So few? How can it be so few?” Jun Moxie exclaimed in genuine shock. This time, it wasn't an act! Two fruits every five hundred years... this efficiency seemed too low! Immortal Zhen Yuan’s Ginseng Fruit could yield thirty at once... not to mention the Queen Mother’s Divine Peaches... Two... how could that be enough? And it seems only one set remains right now...

“Such heavenly materials and earthly treasures—do you think they grow on trees?” Cao Guofeng replied irritably. “Furthermore, for the last two thousand years, the fruits it yielded had to supply one set to the Three Great Holy Lands, meant for Qiao Ying of the Insightful Eye to use in the War of Seizing the Heavens. This effectively means it yields only one fruit every five hundred years! Over several millennia, only three or four sets have accumulated. You arrive and consume one set, and what more do you want?”

Jun Moxie stared blankly at Cao Guofeng, a dark line forming on his forehead. If that were the case... what was the use of my coming here? Even if I looted everything... there would only be three sets... entirely insufficient to share around, and I would then face endless pursuit from the Illusionary Manor...

If Cao Guofeng knew the thoughts swirling in his disciple's mind, he would surely erupt in a fit of rage and immediately expel the novice he had just treasured—expel him for thinking of it as communal food, wanting to divide it equally!

“Go clear your head. From now on, you will reside permanently in the Illusionary Manor. Under normal circumstances, unless your cultivation reaches the Divine Profound Realm, you won’t be allowed out for trials. Even if you go out, you must conceal your identity as much as possible...” Cao Guofeng smiled. “Actually, there isn’t much difference between being here and the Xuanxuan Continent; there is still a Jianghu (martial world) existing. You must be aware of this. It’s just that under the powerful suppression of the Illusionary Manor, no one dares to act recklessly.”

“Is that so!” Jun Moxie was very curious. “Just how many people are there in the Illusionary Manor in total?”

“I haven’t done a precise count, but there should be several million, I suppose,” Cao Guofeng replied. “Oh yes, there is one thing you must remember when you go out. There are a few individuals you absolutely cannot provoke, at least not until your strength reaches consummation.”

“Cannot provoke?” Jun Moxie’s eyebrows involuntarily twitched. “Who are they? Do they have powerful backing?”

“Even my own disciples cannot provoke them, so naturally, they have formidable backing. Leading the list is a young man who always wears black clothing. This boy’s surname is Zhan, Zhan Yushu. This person is the direct great-grandson of Zhan Tianya, the Chief Grand Elder of the Illusionary Manor. Speaking of which, Elder Zhan is highly respected within the Manor, and his profound martial arts have long surpassed the ordinary Saint Emperor level. However, the Elder has one flaw—he is fiercely protective of his own, especially this great-grandson. Therefore, Zhan Wushu is rarely provoked by anyone in the Illusionary Manor. Even those who could afford to provoke him wouldn't bother over such a small fry, as it’s not worth the trouble. Cao Guofeng sighed slightly. “In truth, it’s not just Zhan Yushu; people in the Illusionary Manor tend to avoid provoking any member of the Zhan family. This has led to the Zhan family becoming one of the few major clans in the Manor, second only to the Main Palace. In fact, apart from being overprotective, Elder Zhan is otherwise a very respectable senior...”

Jun Moxie nodded. “Zhan Yushu, the boy in black—I’ve noted him.”

Cao Guofeng smiled with deep satisfaction, believing his beloved disciple had heeded his warning and would certainly avoid provoking Zhan Yushu. Little did he know that ever since Jun Moxie heard how few Seven-Colored Divine Fruits there were in total, anger had surged within him, giving rise to wicked intent, compounded by overwhelming frustration. If he couldn't vent some of it now, how could he dispel his internal gloom? Not provoke him? Ha! I dare provoke the entire Illusionary Manor, and I’m currently in the process of provoking it wildly—what is some insignificant Zhan Yushu in comparison?

“Earlier you mentioned a few people; I assume there are others!” Jun Moxie asked with great interest. His expression was cautious and humble, as if determined to remember and strictly avoid provoking them. In reality, his calculation was that he must memorize them well, specifically to go and provoke anyone he could provoke, and if there was no opportunity, he would definitely create one to provoke them resolutely! Cause an uproar, turn everything upside down, and then just storm his way out!

“There is indeed one other person. This one is also a youth, and truth be told, he is more low-key than Zhan Yushu, which is why he ranks second. But this one is far more ruthless than Zhan Yushu. Although he doesn't strike easily, once he does, his actions are exceptionally decisive and brutal, often resulting in death. Moreover, this boy is pathologically lustful, so you must be even more careful of him, especially concerning the subject of women. If possible, try not to come into conflict with him! Young men are full of youthful vigor and most easily run into trouble in this regard, but you must remember, your goal is the pinnacle of peerlessness, not some beautiful wife or concubine!”

Cao Guofeng spoke with a peculiar tone, seemingly expressing great annoyance. “Everyone in the Illusionary Manor already knows you possess the legendary Ethereal Constitution. The outside world must be paying close attention to you. We old folks know your potential, but those juniors—every single one of them was once a favored child of heaven. Your sudden ascension above them naturally breeds resentment. Furthermore... because of your aptitude, I believe many young ladies... will take an interest in you.”

Cao Guofeng’s expression when saying this was akin to looking at his own handsome and suave son, who certainly wouldn't have trouble finding a wife—filled with complacency and pride. “You can choose, or you can choose not to. You should know that these past few days, because you were recovering from serious injuries, we declined numerous visitors. Otherwise, those who wished to claim you as a son-in-law might already have been lining up outside your door...”

Jun Moxie was dumbfounded. It was just an Ethereal Constitution; even if it was heaven-defying, it was only the possessor of a special physical type, no different than blood types on Earth, perhaps. But here, it was such a hot commodity to this degree... (To be continued; if you wish to know what happens next, please support the author and purchase the genuine version!)