Xu Guang lowered his eyes and scanned over him, with a hint of a smile.

Tao Gu smiled ingratiatingly, introducing these items, treasures containing the aura of the Immortal Venerable.

Alchemy, artifact refining, and even treasures capable of tempering true intent were introduced one by one.

"You know quite a bit, been around?"

Tao Gu, like a lapdog, came to Xu Guang's side, "Master, you truly have divine foresight. I used to follow a Great Demon King when I was young, but after that Great Demon King was killed, I followed a clansman to become an Honored Guest Elder for the Marsh Croc Dragon branch. Not daring to say I know the heavens, but I know many secrets of the sea tribes. Feel free to ask anything you wish to know."

She was petite, appearing only about one and a half meters tall, but her face was finely crafted like a snake, a lolita figure with a mature face. Standing firm with chest out and head held high, she resembled a small dog looking at its loyal master.

"You little thing, quite interesting indeed."

Xu Guang didn't expect that this captive he casually caught would be so interesting. Trust wasn't in question, but having such a little thing was at least entertaining.

Along the way, Tao Gu kept telling Xu Guang what she knew about these palace complexes.

"Master, there are four categories of palaces in this Celestial Capital. The first category is the large palaces. The larger the palace, especially those named by the Immortal Venerable's hand, the longer the Immortal Venerable stayed within, the richer their lingering aura. Every thousand years, more treasures are produced, and occasionally some treasures used by the Immortal Venerable, containing divine will, could temper martial intent for Martial Artists and refine divine intent for Qi Refiners.

However, these palaces are monopolized by major pirate forces and the true dragon races of the sea tribe, not allowing anyone to enter. I heard there are Immortal Puppets guarding within, and the spirits of Immortal Venerable's treasures could be more dangerous than a First Grade encounter.

These palaces are only twelve, known as the Twelve Towers.

The second category is medium and small palaces. The plaques were refined in batches by the Immortal Venerable, these generally lack treasures used by the Immortal Venerable, but have first-grade invincible Immortal Puppet servants, posing considerable threat. Generally contested by certain sea pirates and tribes, these are the bloodiest battlefields whenever the Celestial Capital opens.

The third category is like this one, where the Immortal Venerable rarely visits. These usually served as residences for the warriors under the Immortal Venerable and the humble abode for mortals seeking their audience. Since the entire Celestial Capital was refined by the Immortal Venerable, sometimes spiritual objects are born in these palaces, mostly found on the periphery and regarded as private properties by minor powers with backgrounds.

The fourth category is the most special—the four palaces at the center of the Celestial Capital. They don't open with each opening of the Celestial Capital, requiring certain fortune. Even top-tier geniuses suffer heavy casualties when a palace does open, because these are the Immortal Venerable's usual residences, the aura is most intense, and many treasures personally handled by the Immortal Venerable can be found here."

Xu Guang nodded in understanding, "You do know quite a bit."

Tao Gu smiled ingratiatingly, "These are top-secret information of major forces. I was only selected by the Marsh Croc Dragon tribe because a clansman entered, and learned of them before entering."

Xu Guang fell into contemplation.

He wondered if Liu Chuan knew about this and why he didn't tell him earlier outside?

And those things Liu Chuan wanted, in which buildings or palaces could they be found?

Tao Gu noticed Xu Guang deep in thought, dared not disturb him, and stood by like a small and obedient follower.

"Unblemished Star Core, Taiyi Heavenly Mustache, Star God External Touch, have you heard of these?"

Tao Gu was surprised by the words, "I've heard of them. The Unblemished Star Core and Star God External Touch are treasures that can only be obtained from the Star-Picking Tower among the Twelve Towers. The specifics are unknown, but they have always been occupied by the Liu Dragon clan, who have conducted numerous slaughters for them.

Taiyi Heavenly Mustache I haven't heard of, but anything with 'Taiyi' isn't an ordinary object. Among the Four Palaces, there is one called Taiyi Palace."

Hearing this, Xu Guang's expression suddenly darkened.

He knew the treasures Liu Chuan wanted would be valuable, but didn't realize they'd be this rare.

The Liu Dragon clan, one of the sixteen royal sea tribes, strong and deep-rooted, on par with the North Polar Six Courts, Penglai Palace, and such.

To obtain the Unblemished Star Core and Star God External Touch, one would have to confront the Liu Dragon clan.

Yet this is the vast sea, even if successful, facing the Liu Dragon clan's pursuit on the sea...

Xu Guang shuddered a bit.

And Taiyi Palace, Tao Gu said it opens infrequently. Since the Twelve Towers could have treasures attaining spirit, wouldn't these annual residences of the Immortal Venerable have divine objects attaining spirit?

Damn it!

That damn Liu Chuan, getting involved in all sorts of troublesome things.

He felt tricked. Although Xu Guang believed his moral standards to be above-average compared to ordinary cultivators, always valuing promises,

Yet, for such a clearly suicidal promise, Xu Guang couldn't fulfill it.

He would only take a look at the Star-Picking Tower and Taiyi Palace, that would be fulfilling his duty to Liu Chuan.

As for what the two from the Purple Dipper would think...

Xu Guang couldn't care less.

"Master, you... are you alright?"

Tao Gu watched Xu Guang's changing expression and felt an ominous premonition in her heart.

This young man isn't planning to target the Star-Picking Tower, is he?

Her eyes turned, contemplating something.

If this person was seeking death, she had to find a way to notify the Liu Dragon clan.

Suddenly, she felt a weight on her head, as if a large hand was patting her, like petting a small dog.

"You're quite good, knowledgeable. How is the search of this pavilion?"

Tao Gu quickly adjusted her emotions and quietly responded, "This is the outermost area, the precious items are already in your hands."

"Then onto the next one," Xu Guang pondered, "Well, something similar in power to this is fine."

"Alright."

Xu Guang took the treasures handed to him by Tao Gu, casually looking through them, finding many that could currently enhance him.

He directly swallowed a piece of reishi containing the aura of the Immortal Venerable, transforming it into qi and blood and Source Qi, spreading throughout his body.

As one newly entered First Grade, under the suppression of two true intents, with a complete Divine Soul, he could advance at any time.

This place was indeed suitable for him, feeling the strengthening of his physical qi and blood and Source Qi, Xu Guang planned to first seize the perimeter, elevating his cultivation to the peak of First Grade.

Moreover, with his Qi Refiner cultivation, after years focused on Martial Dao, the level of Divine Soul was already sufficient for rapid progress.

By then, supposed Jiang Nan Zun, supposed sea tribe geniuses, he would face them confidently.

If combined with Zhuge Wuliang, in this First Grade world, Xu Guang feared no one.

The Celestial Capital's opening lasts for half a year, with at least five months left in it.

Thus, the current goals were twofold, seek as many treasures as possible and... meet up with Zhuge Wuliang.

Half an hour later.

Xu Guang exhaled deeply, feeling the abundant power within, a smile on his face,

His foundation now substantial, he just needed ample resources to advance, this Celestial Capital was practically his paradise.

Half a day later.

In a small building controlled by the sea tribe, corpses littered the ground, blood flowed like a river.

The black-clad youth sat like a demon on top of the Blood River, eyes closed, a blood lotus shimmering at his brow.

Behind him stood an exquisite, petite girl in pink, pitifully like a maid.

'Interesting, the Red Lotus Karmic Fire is stirring, Martial Dao true intent, is it?'

"Then... continue killing."

As he stood up, Tao Gu couldn't help but shiver.

The oncoming aura of slaughter shocked her.

How many people had been killed?

Who is this person in front of her?

She had seen many called geniuses among the great sea tribes and pirate bands ruling the seas, those with strong powers.

But...

None seemed to give as much pressure as this young man before her.

First Grade could be this strong?

"The next target, which tribe is it?"

Tao Gu returned to her senses and timidly said, "A branch of the Cold Moon Dragon tribe, I've heard there's a pure-blooded Cold Moon Dragon Vein..."

A glimmer of light flashed in Xu Guang's eyes.

With such progress, he couldn't forget his good brother, General Wei. Many of these sea tribes have dragon attributes, collecting more True Dragon Blood would be a good thing.