"Don't rush, everyone gets a chance. Up to ten guests can synthesize at once. Rest assured, I do fair business with all—no tricks, no scams. Synthesis depends on luck and character. May fortune smile on all of you today."
Yi Tianxing chuckled as he spoke.
With a wave of his hand, he released additional Creation Cube projections—no more, no less than ten—allowing ten customers to synthesize simultaneously. Naturally, this also meant his earning speed increased tenfold.
And that was, of course, a good thing.
Yi Tianxing didn't lack money. In fact, he lacked none of it. With Eternal Coins in hand, he could travel the world unhindered. Money had never been a problem. But many things couldn't be obtained with money alone.
Take the various treasures and rare resources of the Underworld, for example—retrieving them in the mortal realm would be nearly impossible.
Now that he had the opportunity, it was only natural to rake in everything he could—to enrich his collection and avoid returning from the Underworld empty-handed.
"Boss, I want to synthesize. Here's your fee."
"I'm in too. How can I miss out on something so novel? I've been dissatisfied with the quality of some of my old collections. Might as well use them for synthesis. If I end up with high-grade materials, it's a win."
"Sure, there's a bit of gambling involved, but the success rate's decent. Out of ten tries, at least two or three should succeed. No way we're losing out. Let's do it!"
Underworld cultivators stepped forward one after another to participate in the synthesis.
Xuan Yin Stones, Yellow Spring Sands, Ghost Spirit Bones—all kinds of materials were brought out. Naturally, a portion of those went straight into Yi Tianxing's hands. He simply watched as a massive number of heavenly materials and treasures were acquired without any cost. A truly no-capital, all-profit business.
He was accepting so many materials that his hands were almost cramping.
Of course, synthesis wasn't guaranteed. Many materials turned to dust and slag, prompting sighs from the crowd. But when synthesis succeeded, it drew envious looks.
And indeed, several quality treasures were synthesized—completely transformed, like rebirth.
The crowd's desire was ignited. Some even began experimenting with their own custom synthesis formulas, using different materials in hopes of discovering new outcomes. But without the correct formulas, the Creation Cube's synthesis success rate couldn't be applied, and incompatible materials would always fail. Only with the correct formula could success be ensured.
Unsurprisingly, Yi Tianxing had become the center of attention for the entire evening.
Unnoticed, the Creation Cube had never once stopped operating since the beginning. It was constantly active. And as the gathering neared its end, a sudden change occurred.
A figure dressed in a crimson robe appeared before them.
The surrounding underworld cultivators, initially clustered around, instinctively showed fear and caution, quickly stepping aside. Clearly, they recognized the newcomer.
"Red Robe Ghost King."
Yi Tianxing's pupils narrowed. The red robe alone was enough to identify his status. To command such fear among the surrounding cultivators, his identity had to be extraordinary.
The aura emanating from the man was deep and terrifying, posing a genuine threat even to Yi Tianxing. This was no ordinary figure.
"You claim this thing can synthesize anything?" the Red Robe Ghost King asked with a tone of dominance.
"Not everything—living beings can't be synthesized. But aside from that, most items can be, though the success rate varies," Yi Tianxing replied calmly.
The Red Robe Ghost King was fully red—not just his robe, but his face too. But unlike Guan Yu's noble redness, this one was marked by twisting fiery blood patterns, giving him a grotesque and intimidating appearance. His presence radiated silent authority.
Unfortunately, that meant nothing to Yi Tianxing.
The Ghost King didn't hesitate. He pulled out several crimson crystals and placed them into the Creation Cube.
A flash of light—and only worthless slag remained. The synthesis had failed. But the Red Robe Ghost King didn't react; he simply pulled out more crimson fire crystals and repeated the process.
On the fourth attempt, light flashed again—and this time, a more brilliant, sparkling red crystal emerged. Flames danced within it, radiating with divine energy.
"A Fire Spirit Crystal! The lower-grade ones have been upgraded into a superior-grade Fire Spirit Crystal! Damn—these are filled with fire-elemental law and Dao resonance. The higher the quality, the more laws are embedded. Refining them boosts magical power and Dao comprehension—it's an incredible cultivation treasure. Especially for the Red Robe Ghost King. He values these deeply."
Someone in the crowd recognized the treasure—a precious and rare resource with significant value and effect.
"Good. A superior Fire Spirit Crystal. To think such a thing could be synthesized... This power is truly miraculous." The Ghost King's eyes gleamed as he turned to Yi Tianxing.
"Young man, come to Scarlet Flame City with me. I promise you boundless riches and luxury as long as you help me synthesize."
He made a direct offer.
"No." Yi Tianxing rejected flatly. "You're welcome to synthesize at Yellow Springs Inn, but I won't join any faction. Not even your Scarlet Flame City. That will never change."
Who did this Ghost King think he was?
Yi Tianxing's tone was cold and unyielding.
The Ghost King's face darkened. "Boy, do you not know my name? The entire region fears me. No one dares ignore my invitation. You're the first."
He was visibly unhappy now. It wasn't just a rejection—Yi Tianxing hadn't even considered it.
"Oh ho? Red Robe, are you planning to abduct someone at Yellow Springs Inn? Did you forget what kind of place this is? And threatening my friend in front of me... That's bold, isn't it?"
A voice laced with sarcasm and menace echoed across the square.
A man clad in black combat attire, a dark cloak draped over his shoulders, and a black short rifle strapped to his leg, stepped forward. There was a mischievous look on his face, but his brows held a sharp, icy edge.
"Zhao Li."
The Red Robe Ghost King's flaming facial patterns flared to life. "You're interfering with me now?"
"So what if I am?" Zhao Li twirled his weapon casually. "Red Robe, you've been exposed. You dared to snatch souls from us Soul Ferrymen, huh? You've got guts—stealing the Yin-Yang Token, forcibly capturing mortal souls, even unleashing a night parade of a hundred ghosts and calling down underworld troops? I wouldn't dare do half of that. You're a special kind of mad."
Zhao Li's smile was cold.
"Hmph, don't meddle in my affairs, Zhao Li. That Yin-Yang Token was something I picked up. And as for traveling to the mortal realm—no one has jurisdiction over that right now. The Underworld is still in chaos. I'm a Ghost King, and none of you Ferrymen or Ghost Wardens have authority over me. According to the rules, whoever has the Yin-Yang Token qualifies as a Warden."
Red Robe snorted.
"Oh? So you want to refine souls and cultivate forbidden arts? No rush. You can't fight in Yellow Springs Inn, so I won't deal with you now. But go home and wait, Red Robe—the Ghost Warden army is coming. Let's see how you, a mere Ghost King, stand against us. I hope you're ready. Don't blame me for not giving you a chance."
Zhao Li smiled, spinning his gun faster. The implied threat was unmistakable.
"Hmph!!" the Red Robe Ghost King sneered, eyes flashing with danger. In the end, he turned and left. He dared not attack here—fighting in Yellow Springs Inn came with unbearable consequences.
And that wasn't a threat. That was fact.
"Daoist Yi, never thought we'd meet again in the Underworld. Seems fate really wants us to cross paths. How about we head up for a drink? This time, I'll treat. The chef here is no worse than the one at Yin-Yang Inn. I'll even pour you a bowl of Meng Po Soup."
Zhao Li smiled oddly at Yi Tianxing.
Truth be told, even he had been shocked when he saw him. This wasn't the mortal world—it was the Underworld.
How could a living person still be alive here, not just surviving, but thriving?
Clearly, Yi Tianxing was no ordinary man.
And the Creation Cube in his hands—Zhao Li remembered it vividly. He'd once traded it away… back when it was a cursed, money-sucking disaster that turned him into a broke man. To see it now, transformed into such a powerful artifact, was nothing short of unbelievable.