"One of the attendants doesn't seem to be on the list. Could it be a Body Integration cultivator secretly nurtured by the imperial court, or someone at the Tribulation Transcendence stage?" Lu Yang felt the latter was more likely.
"Speaking of which, are there any legends about longevity medicines in the East Sea?"
Li Haoran nodded. "There are, quite a few, in fact."
"For instance, legend says that deep within Yingzhou Island's rank-eight spirit vein grows an immortal herb of longevity, planted in antiquity by Supreme Changqing."
Lu Yang turned his awareness back into his spiritual space to consult the knowledgeable insider. "Who was Supreme Changqing?"
The Immortal Fairy was currently diving into the sea to catch fish, blowing bubbles as she spoke: "A half-immortal who possessed the Longevity Dao Fruit. He even claimed he was going to contest the Dao fruit's position with me, so this immortal knocked him flat with two punches. He couldn't take a beating at all."
Li Haoran added, "Another example is in the northern corner of the East Sea, where there is a mysterious island that appears only at high tide during the turn of the year. The island is fraught with peril, with endless ferocious beasts guarding an immortal herb at its center. Consuming that herb lets one ascend in broad daylight and live forever."
"And at the very bottom of the East Sea, there is an extinct volcano with embers piled high within its crater. Blooming amid the embers is a fiery-red flower—its species and effects unknown, nor does anyone know whether it grants longevity."
"And also..."
Li Haoran rattled off more than a dozen legends in a single breath.
"There are too many races in the East Sea, making communication difficult, which leads to all kinds of bizarre legends."
"Back when Qin Haoran visited the East Sea, he went to most of those legendary places. Every one of them was fake."
Had there truly been an immortal herb, Qin Haoran would have risked his life to pluck one; a single blossom could have settled more than half of the Nine Nether Cult's debts.
Qin Haoran had even considered sneaking into a place like the depths of Yingzhou Island's spirit vein.
Yet that vein was Yingzhou Island's lifeblood, and the Island Master of Yingzhou was at the Tribulation Transcendence stage; Qin Haoran feared he might have the life to get in, but no life to get out.
The group was thoroughly relaxed, eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves for most of the day.
"Careful. True Monarch Canyue is heading this way," Su Yiren cautioned.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than an emaciated cultivator stopped in front of Lu Yang and the others.
"The Second Prince requests your presence. Might you honor us by accompanying me?"
"How does the Second Prince know we're here?" Man Gu was surprised. The Second Prince's methods were truly remarkable—he had only just arrived at Penglai Island, yet he already knew where they were.
Li Haoran sent a helpless voice transmission: "Because Senior Brother Lu Yang used the Arhat Fist."
Cultivators in the East Sea might not know, but what Great Xia cultivator didn't know that Lu Yang's fists specialized in curing thick heads of hair?
The commotion at the Immortal Appraisal Assembly had been so huge that the slightest inquiry would reveal Lu Yang was present.
Still, he was the Second Prince after all. Even if his status couldn't match Lu Yang's as Yun Zhi's junior brother, face still had to be given.
"Let's go, then," Lu Yang smiled, wanting to see what this Second Prince wanted.
This was not the first time Lu Yang had seen Second Prince Jiang Zhu. The Second Prince had been Great Xia's representative at the founding ceremony of the Demon Empire; however, back then, the prince had watched eagerly from below the platform while Lu Yang, the Young Cult Master, displayed supreme might upon it.
True Monarch Canyue led the group into the most luxurious restaurant on Penglai Island's outer ring.
Upon seeing Lu Yang and the others arrive, the Second Prince beamed and stepped forward to welcome Lu Yang.
"I have long heard of Fellow Daoist Lu Yang's great name, and meeting you today proves you are indeed extraordinary."
Lu Yang noticed the table was laden with dishes.
Seeing this, the Second Prince assumed Lu Yang was fond of gourmet delicacies and said modestly, "I merely ordered a few dishes at random. Please don't take offense, Fellow Daoist Lu."
Though he claimed to have ordered them casually, every one of them was actually a signature specialty of this establishment.
Lu Yang said nothing. He was a polite person. Combined, this entire table of dishes couldn't compare to a twenty-year white crucian carp, so he tried his best not to hold the Second Prince's lack of sophistication against him.
Chapter 823