The incident caused quite a stir.
Basically, the entire Immortal Realm learned about the Heaven Pill Gate's ferry being ambushed.
The medicinal pills were stolen, but no one died because the ferry was unmanned, launched by the Medicine Ancestor of Heaven Pill Gate himself. With only pills aboard, Emperor Bixuan from the Divine Realm simply took all the pills.
This incident not only humiliated the Heaven Pill Gate but also shamed the entire Treasure Ring Scale State. The fact that they couldn't even protect relief supplies meant for another state within their own territory further highlighted the incompetence of Treasure Ring Scale State's cultivators.
The emperors of Treasure Ring Scale State were immediately enraged and rushed to the frontlines, demanding death battles with the pill-stealing Divine Realm emperor in the Small World.
The Divine Realm emperor naturally refused but showed himself to mock the emperors of Treasure Ring Scale State.
"It's laughable that you blame me for taking what you couldn't protect yourselves. Here's a suggestion - apologize to me now, and I'll return half the pills, haha."
"Old Bi Xuan, don't be too arrogant. One day, I will surely slay you and drag your soul to the Heaven Pill Gate to apologize!"
Emperor Bixuan, long-renowned in the Divine Realm, sneered and mocked everyone further.
"You Immortal Realm cultivators always love speaking such meaningless words. Even bringing up 'one day' - if you have the ability, come slay me now. Don't talk about 'one day' - it's just laughable."
Instead of engaging in battle, he merely stood there making sarcastic remarks, his smile growing wider as he watched the Immortal Realm cultivators' anger rise, then continued with disdain.
"You Immortal Realm emperors are truly just lackeys. Getting so worked up over Heaven Pill Gate being robbed, haha! Tell that Medicine Ancestor from Heaven Pill Gate to come - I'll kill him right here, and then let's see how you lackeys serve your master!"
...
"Did the Divine Realm emperor really say that?" Chen Xia asked calmly.
Huang Qingyue furrowed her delicate brows beside him and nodded, "It's all over the Treasure Ring Scale State. If it's reached East Jia State now, cultivators in other states must know about it too."
After speaking, she frowned deeper and gritted her teeth, "Brother Chen, that old bastard is too arrogant! Just wait, I'll go get the ultimate treasure from the Ninth Mountain. We must kill this old bastard for daring to speak about you like that."
"No." Chen Xia waved his hand, his expression serene as he spoke softly, "Qingyue, one should maintain a low profile in life. Why bring out the ultimate treasure from the Ninth Mountain for such a small matter? Just come with me to Treasure Ring Scale State."
"Am I going to help kill this old bastard too? That works. I know quite a few emperors in Treasure Ring Scale State. This Bi Xuan's actions have damaged their face, so those emperors will surely help," Huang Qingyue said with a smile.
"No need for that." Chen Xia waved his hand again, "Just the two of us is enough. We'll divide the work - you'll be in charge of cheering, I'll handle the fighting."
"Huh?" Huang Qingyue was stunned. Though she knew Chen Xia was powerful, she still worried, "Brother Chen, are you sure we don't need to invite other emperors? Old Bi Xuan is a veteran emperor after all, he does have some skills, or he wouldn't dare to be so arrogant."
"Oh, that does sound troublesome. In that case, you'll need to work harder - just cheer louder," Chen Xia replied, as if speaking to a child.
As for this veteran emperor business, he really didn't take it seriously. He had killed enough veteran emperors on the frontlines of the Great Heaven to form two mahjong tables, with substitutes to spare.
This battlefield between the Divine Realm and Immortal Realm seemed like child's play to him, barely worth mentioning.
Although he was currently under surveillance by the Immortal Realm's will, killing a Divine Realm veteran emperor should be fine, since they were both outsiders.
There was no rush for this trip. Chen Xia planned to travel alongside the next medicine transport ferry, wait for Emperor Bixuan to attempt another robbery, and then pleasantly send him on his way.
A visitor arrived during these peaceful days.
The Grand Elder of the Ninth Mountain came to visit, mainly looking for Huang Qingyue. Upon seeing her, he immediately frowned.
"What's wrong with you, running off without a word? Fine, you ran away, but why stay away so long? Are you an unleashed wild horse or a free bird?"
"Both, both," Huang Qingyue replied with an embarrassed smile. She still deeply respected the Grand Elder, as he was currently in charge of the Ninth Mountain and was like a mentor to her.
"Always glib with your tongue. Tell me, what are you really doing here?" the Grand Elder asked with furrowed brows. He knew Huang Qingyue well - though lively in nature, she wouldn't wander without purpose.
"Just... looking... for someone..." Huang Qingyue stammered, her eyes wandering, avoiding the Grand Elder's gaze.
"Looking for a medicine seller?" the Grand Elder's frown deepened.
"He's not just a medicine seller!" Huang Qingyue frowned and protested.
The Grand Elder's gaze intensified as he replied sternly.
"The entire East Jia State is buying this person's pills now. If he's not a medicine seller, who is he? His background is unclear, and the source of his pills is even more suspicious. The Immortal Realm is at war now and has no time to investigate him, but once the war ends, he must be investigated. You shouldn't associate too much with such a person."
"Brother Chen is doing good deeds, selling pills at such low prices. All cultivators in the Immortal Realm should be grateful to him!" Huang Qingyue protested again.
"Brother Chen? Is this the mortal boy you used to always talk about?" the Grand Elder asked dubiously.
"He's not a mortal boy anymore! Brother Chen is incredibly powerful now, he can chase down and fight emperors, much more impressive than the prodigies of these realms."
The Grand Elder shook his head and advised gently.
"Ah, child, child. After all these years, do you really believe he still remembers the old times? Isn't he just sweet-talking you while plotting for his own benefit?"
"Besides, no matter how high his cultivation, he's just an ordinary emperor at best, barely ranking among the bottom of the Immortal Realm's top powers. Is that really so impressive? I think not."
Huang Qingyue's expression turned serious as she crossed her arms and said sternly,
"Don't try to shake my faith."
How could she believe such things? Besides, Brother Chen was wealthy now, why would he need to seek benefits from her? Nonsense.
"Sigh..." the Grand Elder sighed again, seemingly giving up on persuading her, and shook his head.
"I won't try to convince you anymore. If you really believe in him, bring him to the Ninth Mountain someday. If he can successfully climb the mountain, then I, and even the entire Ninth Mountain, will acknowledge him."
"You are, after all, a cultivator of the Ninth Mountain. Surely you want the Ninth Mountain's approval?"
This was indeed true. Huang Qingyue nodded and asked, "Elder, won't you meet Brother Chen? He's inside... refining medicine."
The Grand Elder waved his hand, "No need. If he's more than just a medicine seller, we'll meet eventually. If not..."
He left his sentence unfinished and turned to leave.
The unspoken half carried many implications, left for individual interpretation.