"That's right. We do need the Three-Light Divine Water," said Sang Yunyun, her voice calm yet heavy."Our clan's Spirit Mulberry Trees have mysteriously been tainted by the Aura of Decline and Tribulation (衰劫之气). Many trees are already withering. If we can't remove this aura, we'll be forced to abandon our homeland and migrate elsewhere."
She spoke frankly to Zhen Deqiong, knowing he was trustworthy among the Wandering Merchants. If he didn't have it, perhaps he could contact others who might.
But if no help came, relocation would be their only option—a painful one.
After all, the Aura of Decline had seeped into the land itself. There was no way to know which trees were tainted and which weren't. They would likely have to abandon all the mulberry trees and start over elsewhere—a loss so catastrophic the Silkworm Clan might not survive it.
"A treasure like the Three-Light Divine Water… I'm afraid I don't have any," Zhen Deqiong said with a sigh."And contacting others in the Merchant Alliance will take time. Even if they have it, the amount would be very limited. This isn't a common item."
Zhen drew in a breath. Even a single strand of the Aura of Decline was a devastating force. To cleanse it would require more than ordinary means.
"How long would it take… to call someone else over?"
"At least three years."
That was far too long.
"Three years…" Sang Yunyun murmured bitterly."By then, the Spirit Mulberry Forest will be gone. The water may come—but it'll be too late."
At that moment, a calm voice joined the conversation:
"Fellow Daoist, are you looking for Three-Light Divine Water?"
It was Yi Tianxing, who had been quietly observing nearby.
Zhen Deqiong smiled and introduced him.
"This is Yi Tian, a Daoist I met on the road. His strength is extraordinary—certainly not an ordinary cultivator."
Sang Yunyun's eyes lit up. If Zhen had spoken so highly of him, perhaps this mysterious man truly had such a treasure.
"Could it be… that you actually have the Three-Light Divine Water?"
She stared intently at Yi Tianxing.
"Indeed, I do," he replied with a light smile.
What?!
Sang Yunyun practically rushed forward, unable to hide her shock.
This was something she would never have dared to hope for. And yet—here he was, speaking the words she had dreamed of hearing.
Even with her calm nature, her heart pounded wildly. This wasn't a personal matter—it concerned the future of her entire clan.
"Perhaps we should speak somewhere private," Yi Tianxing suggested mildly.
"Of course. We have many quiet guest chambers. Please follow me."
This was their chance—their lifeline. She wouldn't let it slip away.
"Congratulations to both of you," Zhen Deqiong said, smiling warmly.
After all, if the Silkworm Clan survived, so too would their divine silks—and the business opportunities that came with them.
Yi Tianxing followed Sang Yunyun deep into the Silkworm Clan's territory, entering a treehouse pavilion filled with elegance and natural grace. Everything within was serene and refined.
Inside, the two sat opposite each other. Sang Yunyun brewed tea—a rare Golden Sun Spirit Tea, its leaves a golden hue.
This tea could nourish the blood, enhance vitality, and accelerate cultivation—a true treasure among teas.
"What an exquisite tea," Yi Tianxing commented after a sip.
He could feel the power surging through him. Even this one cup boosted his strength by ten thousand jin, and the Sunlight energy nurtured his life essence.
"If this tea were brewed with a divine water like the Three-Light Water… its flavor would ascend to new heights."
With a flick of his wrist, Yi Tianxing placed a small jade gourd on the table.
"Such as… this one."
Sang Yunyun's gaze immediately locked on the gourd. Her eyes seemed to pierce through it, desperate to confirm its contents.
"Is that… really the Three-Light Divine Water?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Yes," Yi Tianxing replied with a calm nod.
She stared at it for a long moment, eyes burning with desire—but she didn't reach for it.
She couldn't. To take such a treasure without proper exchange would disgrace her entire clan.
"If you're willing to part with that gourd, our Silkworm Clan will pay a price worthy of it," Sang Yunyun said firmly."You may have heard of our famed Brocade Heavenly Silkworm Robe (锦绣天衣). But do you know its true secret?"
"I'd love to hear it," Yi Tianxing said with genuine interest.
"The Brocade Heavenly Robe is not merely a celestial garment. It fuses with the wearer's skin, becoming part of their very flesh and membrane."
"Once integrated, it grants the body extraordinary defenses: impervious to blades, immune to fire and water, with natural spiritual absorption abilities akin to a gathering formation."
"It nurtures the body, enhances cultivation, sharpens one's senses toward Heavenly Dao, and even warns of danger—allowing one to escape in advance."
"It is the perfect treasure for Qi cultivators, whose bodies are usually more fragile.With one robe, even they can gain the physical resilience of body refiners."
Sang Yunyun's tone was filled with solemn pride.
She wasn't exaggerating. For many cultivators, this robe could literally mean the difference between life and death, between a shattered path and immortality.
Yi Tianxing nodded appreciatively.
"Indeed. A treasure like this is not inferior to any spiritual treasure, even comparable to a Innate Spirit Treasure ."
But he had no intention of using it himself.
His physical body was already supreme—a treasure in its own right. Still, in the Great Yi Dynasty, there were many who could use such a divine item.
As for the Three-Light Divine Water—his Three-Light Gourd could generate more over time. It was precious, yes—but renewable.
"I agree to the exchange. The Brocade Robe for this gourd of divine water," he said with a smile."However, I do have one more request—and whether you agree or not will not affect this transaction."
"Please speak, Daoist Yi," Sang Yunyun replied solemnly.
"To be frank, I am a member of the Imperial Bloodline of the Great Yi Sacred Court, personally conferred the title Free King (逍遥王) by the Sacred King himself.My journey has two purposes: to gain experience, and to seek worthy allies."
"Your clan is exceptional—peaceful, refined, and gifted with a unique art that produces heavenly silks. In all the realm, none can match you.Thus, I would like to propose an alliance between the Great Yi and the Silkworm Clan."
"Mutual cooperation.
Mutual exchange.
And in times of danger, the Great Yi shall aid your people.In return, we ask for exclusive trade rights for your silks and related treasures."
His tone was calm but firm. This was his true goal all along.
Conquest wasn't the only path. A wise ruler knew when to offer an outstretched hand instead of a blade.