A trace of wisdom flickered in her eyes.This woman was not as simple as she appeared.
At the very least, her intellect was far above others. Foxfolk minds were, by nature, known for their cunning and trickery—capable of calculating countless turns in a single thought. She had clearly figured out the crux of the matter before coming here.
More than that, she had chosen to be among the first to arrive at Ice City.
"Hmm, is there really anything worthwhile among the human race?"A foxfolk expert questioned doubtfully.
To them, humans had always been weak prey—born with fragile bodies, so frail that they hardly warranted attention. Some even proposed that if all the alien races joined forces, they could completely annihilate humanity.
However, they had done their research before coming.
It was true that some among the humans possessed strength—Xuanhuang City being a prime example.
Xuanhuang City was like a sacred site for the human race, having risen by trampling over the corpses of countless alien foes. Its power was such that even combined assaults from several alien factions could not breach its defenses. On the contrary, it had often forced them into retreat, killing and maiming along the way. Its most terrifying trait was that every soldier in the city was a cultivator, and their combined strength was overwhelming.
That was precisely why the Foxfolk took this trade fair seriously and had come ahead of others.
With Xuanhuang City's power, it was impossible they would bring out anything ordinary. If they did, it would disgrace not just themselves, but the entire human race. A failed trade fair would shatter their prestige—and Yi Tianxing's along with it—turning them into a laughingstock.
"Do not underestimate the human race. It's said that among them, many top-tier experts exist. But due to the Heavenly Dao's restrictions, they've sealed themselves within the Immortal Sects, unable to step out. Otherwise, the current balance of power might not be as it is. The true heritage of humanity lies within the Immortal Sects."The woman said meaningfully, clearly aware of deeper truths beyond the surface.
"Who goes there?"
On the city wall, Wang Dahu shouted sternly.
All around, crossbowmen stood ready, cold eyes scanning the area. Their bolts were already nocked—if trouble arose, they would unleash a deadly barrage in an instant.
The success of the trade fair depended on strength. Without it, how could one ensure fair trade or protect one's own interests? In this world, steel was confidence.
"This is our Foxfolk Lady, Hu Li. She's here to attend the trade fair. What, are you saying she's not allowed entry?"A foxfolk warrior narrowed his eyes and spoke loudly.
"Of course she may enter. But once inside, do not cause trouble. If anything happens, don't say we didn't warn you. Fighting is forbidden within the city."Wang Dahu said solemnly.
The city gates had never been closed. As long as permission was granted, entry was unrestricted.
Hearing this, Hu Li nodded inwardly. Without hesitation, she took the lead and entered Ice City.
Upon stepping inside, a chill lingered in the air—but it wasn't freezing cold. For cultivators, a little cold was nothing; if anything, it helped them stay mentally alert.
"There's nothing here."Some of the Foxfolk frowned in confusion.
There were no buildings in sight—just empty space. The stalls around them seemed like mere decorations.
"Wait—there are people. Barbarians."
"What's that shiny stuff—money? So gold and dazzling! It's piled like a mountain. I can feel pure energy from it. This isn't ordinary currency."
"Look at those raised platforms—they're covered with goods. So many goods!"
"Oh no! Run! I saw that dog. It's lying right beneath the coin mountain, not moving—it looks like it's asleep!"
As they approached the center of Ice City, the eyes of the Foxfolk lit up with surprise and excitement. They saw towering mounds of Eternal Coins, and high platforms loaded with countless items—treasures of every kind. Just as promised: weapons, artifacts, pills, talismans—everything imaginable was on display.
The gleaming warblades and crossbows were enough to make their scalps tingle. One glance told them these were battlefield killers.
But nothing was more terrifying than the Green Emperor lying next to the coin mountain.
The moment they saw him, all greed and ambition in the eyes of the Foxfolk vanished.
Who would've thought that this nightmare would reappear—right in front of them, dozing like a loyal guard dog. The fear it evoked nearly swallowed their sanity.
They shivered instinctively.
No one dared entertain wicked thoughts in front of the Green Emperor. The mere memory of his singing gave them headaches.
Post-traumatic stress, without a doubt.
They instinctively took a few steps back, but soon realized—this dog must be human-owned, likely bred and raised as a war pet. Their contempt for the human race evaporated completely, replaced by a deep sense of caution.
"May I ask, are you the Lord of Xuanhuang City—Yi Tianxing, Daoist Yi?"Hu Li's eyes swept the crowd and landed on Yi Tianxing. She smiled as she approached and asked. His aura stood out—impossible to miss. He was like a crane among chickens, radiating presence.
"I am Yi Tianxing. You've come for the trade fair, then? If you see anything you need, feel free to purchase—no restrictions. However, all transactions must be made in Eternal Coins. We do not support barter here."Yi Tianxing said calmly.
Although her face was veiled, it was easy to tell she was a stunning beauty. Still, his expression didn't change.
"Hu Li of the Foxfolk greets Lord Yi. I wonder what kind of treasures are available here. If the prices are right and the quality is good, our Foxfolk are ready to make bulk purchases."Hu Li said with a light smile, clearly intrigued.
As she spoke, she also observed her surroundings. She had already seen many barbarian cultivators excitedly purchasing goods.
Crossbows, blades, spears, bows—all high quality.
Even bone porcelain bowls and accessories were beautifully crafted.
A strong desire grew within her. These were items few other races could produce.
Cloud brocades and mist silks—one glance and she already adored them.
"Miss Hu may browse freely. If something catches your eye, feel free to purchase."Yi Tianxing replied with a faint smile, saying no more.
Hu Li sensed that Yi Tianxing wasn't interested in deep conversation and didn't insist. She simply smiled, bowed lightly, and moved on to browse the nearby platforms.
"What a powerful war crossbow—this thing is terrifying. With these bolts, even a cultivator below the Divine Sea realm would be in danger. If deployed on the battlefield in large numbers, these could unleash a storm of death."A Foxfolk observer couldn't take his eyes off the Divine Machine Crossbow, already calculating the battlefield impact.
"What a sharp Scorpion Warblade! The Scorpion race uses these—lightweight yet lethally sharp. They're also coated with poison. Total killing tools."
As they examined each weapon, the Foxfolk minds naturally began running simulations—if they equipped their armies with these tools, how much stronger would they become?
Then they thought of the human soldiers they had seen—equipped with equally fine weapons and armor. That realization made their hearts skip a beat.
Their earlier contempt for the humans vanished completely, replaced by deep apprehension.
"These ceramics are so exquisite! Are these the famed human porcelains? Beautiful! Eating and drinking with these would be more regal than royalty!"
Many Foxfolk couldn't tear their eyes away from the fine bone porcelain. The desire in their hearts only grew.
They had no resistance against such refined beauty.
"Talismans—so many talismans! They're not high-grade, but they still contain magical power. Used en masse, the destructive force would be massive."
"Is that… food? It glows… and contains spiritual energy? I've never eaten anything like that in my life. Incredible. Are humans truly so clever and skillful?"
As the Foxfolk wandered the fair, exclamations of wonder echoed constantly.
One astonishing item after another sat openly displayed, available in bulk. The implications were clear—the human race was not to be underestimated.
"The human race truly is terrifying… the ability to forge tools, treasures, wonders… their creativity alone is a deadly advantage."
As Hu Li continued browsing, that thought echoed in her mind.
..................
Chapter 478.5 : Fox Heart Fruit
The most terrifying aspect of the Human Race is not merely its reproductive ability or sheer numbers, but its astonishing creativity and boundless imagination. More importantly, among humans, there are always countless geniuses who not only possess imagination but also the ability to create and bring ideas to life. In the end, they produce all kinds of items and establish a civilization that belongs to humanity.
Other races also have civilizations, but compared to the brilliance of the Human Race, they appear rather insignificant.
Their achievements are often limited to a single aspect.
For example, the Dwarf Race—their entire civilization is embodied in forging. Their forging techniques are indeed extraordinary, even outstanding to a certain extent, making it difficult for other races to match them.
But among humans, there are powerful artifact casters and top-tier refiners.
In some respects, these are no less impressive than the dwarves and can even rival them.
Then there is the Goblin Race, known for their dexterous hands and ingenuity. They have a natural advantage in crafting various tools, many of which possess incredible power. For instance, the goblin war chariot Yi Tianxing obtained earlier integrates mechanical engineering and runic techniques into one, making it a terrifying weapon on the battlefield.
Yet humans also possess mechanical arts. The Mohist School, in particular, stands at the pinnacle. It is said that the mechanical puppets they create can dominate battlefields, unstoppable and immeasurably powerful. Their craftsmanship is no less profound than that of the goblins.
The most frightening trait of humanity is its inclusiveness.
They can learn nearly any skill and incorporate it into their own civilization. What other races have, humans also have; what humans have, other races may not. This inclusiveness and powerful learning ability are what allow human civilization to flourish in full bloom, dazzling and magnificent.
"Humans must not be underestimated. Blind suppression and hostility toward them will inevitably bring enormous hidden dangers in the future—perhaps even disastrous consequences. Rather than making enemies, it is better to befriend them. Our Foxfolk are not known for combat strength; avoiding conflict with the strong is fundamental to our survival and reproduction. The potential of the Human Race is immense. Now that Xuanhuang City has grown, it is best to establish friendly relations."
Hu Li pondered silently.
Just from the things within Ice City, one could already see signs of the Human Race's rise. Hu Li had also read ancient texts within her clan and knew that humanity's former glory was far beyond what was currently displayed. When the myriad worlds merged, humans in most realms were considered a major race. Those now appearing on the Eternal Continent were merely ordinary humans—physically weak and untrained.
The true powerhouses were confined within immortal sect grotto-heavens and could not step outside.
Otherwise, humanity would not be in its current state.
Of course, the other races were not lacking in experts either. With the fusion of countless worlds, masters were everywhere, and powerful figures emerged endlessly. No race could claim absolute supremacy on the Eternal Continent.
"This Eternal Coin is exquisitely crafted and contains pure energy. When used in cultivation, it can even enhance the speed of practice. Compared to the old barter system, it is countless times better."
After receiving the Eternal Coins, Hu Li's beautiful eyes shimmered with a strange light.
Such currency was absolutely unprecedented. Not only was it convenient for trade, but it was also easier to accept. She had a feeling that Eternal Coins might become the mainstream currency in the future, sought after by countless cultivators.
"This Xuanhuang City harbors great ambition. Once Eternal Coins are fully accepted by all races, its influence will undergo a tremendous transformation. Yi Tianxing's ambitions are far from simple—his thoughts are unfathomable."
Thoughts continuously flashed through Hu Li's mind, colliding and sparking new insights.
Meanwhile, her hands never stopped moving.
Exquisite cloud brocade, mist brocade, delicate bone china, and various utensils made from it—at first glance, Hu Li could already tell these items would have an enormous market.
There were also all kinds of prepared delicacies.
And military equipment needed for war—bows, crossbows, arrows—these were undoubtedly invaluable tools on the battlefield.
After nearly an hour, the Foxfolk departed with a large quantity of goods. Each of them wore smiles on their faces. The items they had purchased far exceeded expectations. Before coming, they could never have imagined acquiring so many treasures.
"Very good. Now it depends on the effect after the Foxfolk return to Rock City. Success or failure hinges on this. Whether we can fully establish our reputation depends on this moment."
Yi Tianxing stood on the city wall, watching the departing Foxfolk.
In his hand appeared a snow-white fruit. On its surface was the image of a fox, vivid and lifelike, exuding a peculiar spiritual charm.
This was the Fox Heart Fruit, one of the items provided by the Foxfolk in trade.
It was said that the Fox Heart Fruit Tree was born from the burial grounds of the Foxfolk, nurtured by the hot blood from their hearts. Foxes are among the most cunning and complex creatures, their hearts ever-changing and difficult to fathom. A spiritual tree formed from the essence of Foxfolk corpses naturally possessed extraordinary and mysterious properties.
Its growth was also extremely sinister.
It was said that from the moment the tree bloomed, strange phenomena would appear. Every night, the howls of foxes could be heard, as if thousands of foxes were gathering together—an eerie and unusual sight.
Under normal conditions, the tree would take a thousand years to bloom, another thousand years to bear fruit, and yet another thousand years to mature.
However, the Foxfolk used a forbidden method—watering it with the blood of various living beings.
By using the vitality within the blood, they could rapidly accelerate its growth.
A process that would normally take thousands of years could be shortened to just one or two years, or even less, provided there was sufficient blood nourishment.
The matured Fox Heart Fruit was even more extraordinary.
After consumption, it could clear the mind and aid in comprehending the Dao, enhance vitality and strengthen the heart. There was even a chance of obtaining a special flame called Fox Heart Fire. It could turn a dull person intelligent, as if suddenly enlightened. One's thoughts would become more agile, greatly improving comprehension of cultivation techniques and combat skills.
Moreover, since it was born from the Foxfolk, it contained a special power that could enhance a man's charm, even making him more handsome. For women, it would not only increase their beauty and charm but also grant them an innate seductive aura.
A completely ordinary woman could instantly become someone capable of captivating countless men.
It could be used for alchemy or brewing wine. If refined into pills, its medicinal effects and value could increase several or even dozens of times.
It was an extremely precious spiritual fruit.
This time, the Foxfolk had brought out quite a large quantity—several hundred fruits in exchange for a substantial amount of Eternal Coins.
The goods they purchased piled up like mountains.
"Unfortunately, the Fox Heart Fruit cannot be cultivated. If it were possible to obtain a Fox Heart Fruit Tree, it might produce fruits continuously. Without the need for blood sacrifices, the dantian life aperture alone could accelerate its growth beyond normal limits."
These few hundred fruits would eventually be used up.
"Brother Yi, I see you intend to sell the goods produced in Xuanhuang City to other races. How about I, Old Niu, bring my people to promote them? We could take a trip to Rock City—wear armor, carry weapons. I refuse to believe those cultivators from various races could resist the temptation."
Niu Ben walked up to Yi Tianxing and said.
The Barbarians were straightforward, but not foolish. Fools do not survive. While they might not fuss over many things, they observed everything clearly and understood quite well.
Yi Tianxing's establishment of a trade market, combined with what they had seen in the city, had already led Niu Ben to his own conclusions.
"No need. With the Foxfolk present, the cultivators of Rock City will not be able to resist. The Foxfolk are clever—especially that young lady Hu Li. She is exceptionally perceptive."
Yi Tianxing smiled calmly, unconcerned.
With the Foxfolk's intelligence, they would naturally make the right choice.
Rock City.
The Foxfolk returned without difficulty.
Their return immediately attracted the attention of many other races. Their trip to Ice City had not been a secret—countless eyes had been watching, eager to learn what they encountered there. Were there really treasures in the human trade market? What kind of items were available? Was it worth going?
As soon as they returned, many races began questioning them.
The Foxfolk did not hide anything—these matters could not be concealed anyway. Instead, they began showing off.
Some held up snow-white, jade-like porcelain bowls, plates, and wine pots, adorned with exquisite patterns, and loudly said:
"Do you know what this is? Porcelain—from the Human Race's bone china! Look at these patterns—peonies, lifelike and beautiful! And it's not even expensive—just a few Eternal Coins!"
Others brought out jars of fine wine, breaking the seal. A rich aroma spread through the air.
"Do you know what this is? This is wine brewed by humans! Made from premium grains using special techniques. The taste is pure, without any impurities—far better than the horse piss we used to drink! This is called 'Hero's Blood'—a drink for men! It's countless times better than any wine I've had before!"
As the fragrance drifted, many among the other races who loved alcohol couldn't help but swallow, their cravings ignited.
Alcohol was loved by many races—some even could not live without it.
But there were differences in quality.
And from the aroma alone, this wine was clearly extraordinary.
(End of Chapter)