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The East Sea.
An unremarkable stretch of ocean, an unnamed small island, desolate and barren, with only jagged rocks jutting from the ground.
Several Gu Immortals descended gracefully from high above.
They were none other than Fang Yuan, Flower Butterfly Fairy, Bee General, and their group.
"To think a trade gathering of this scale would be held on such a remote, uninhabited island," Fang Yuan remarked as he set foot on the island, a hint of wonder in his voice.
"Brother Chu, there's a reason for that. Historically, the location for such large-scale trade gatherings is always decided just a few days in advance, to prevent anyone from harboring ill intentions," a Gu Immortal beside Fang Yuan answered.
This Gu Immortal was a man of average height and build, neither fat nor thin, with above-average but fairly ordinary features. The only thing that stood out was his broad nostrils.
This was none other than the famous Seventh Transformation Space Dao Gu Immortal of the East Sea — Miao Ming Shen.
Judging purely by appearance, there was nothing remarkable about him. But after interacting with him, even though their time together had been brief, Fang Yuan could sense his many extraordinary qualities. He was not someone to be underestimated.
After Fang Yuan, under the identity of Chu Ying, saved Flower Butterfly Fairy and Bee General, he learned about the trade gathering.
Subsequently, Fang Yuan accompanied Flower Butterfly Fairy and Bee General to meet Miao Ming Shen.
Miao Ming Shen agreed without a moment's hesitation to Fang Yuan's request to attend the gathering: "Friend, you've assisted me twice and shown Little Butterfly and Little Bee the grace of saving their lives. A mere trade gathering — how could I refuse? Please, do honor us with your presence!"
He was a Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal powerhouse, while Chu Ying was a secluded cultivator with no notable reputation. Yet Miao Ming Shen put on no airs whatsoever, remaining warm and approachable. His words were courteous and heartfelt.
And so, Fang Yuan came with Miao Ming Shen to this place to attend the trade gathering.
The four of them had just set foot on the island when a Gu Immortal emerged from among the jagged rocks.
"So it's you, Miao Ming Shen," called out a Gu Immortal with an oversized head and diminutive body — a dwarf-like figure — in a booming voice. [Wen Xue Lou]
"Haha, Tu Tou Tuo, long time no see!" Miao Ming Shen greeted him with boundless enthusiasm, laughing heartily as he strode forward to meet him.
"Come, let me introduce you. This is Chu Ying, a secluded cultivator of the East Sea, and this is Tu Tou Tuo — a rare Earth Dao Grandmaster in our East Sea," Miao Ming Shen continued.
"Greetings, Immortal Friend Tu," Fang Yuan said courteously, though his expression remained wooden, perfectly disguised as a solitary recluse unaccustomed to socializing, without the slightest flaw.
Tu Tou Tuo looked Fang Yuan over a few times, then bared his mouthful of yellow teeth and grinned. "Looks like you've gotten Miao Ming Shen's recommendation and this is your first time at a gathering like this, eh? Haha, back in the day, I was also brought in through Miao Ming Shen's introduction."
Tu Tou Tuo was equally polite in his demeanor.
He thought to himself: "Miao Ming Shen's eye for people has never been wrong. Anyone he recommends is without exception an outstanding individual. This Chu Ying may look unremarkable and have no reputation to speak of, but if Miao Ming Shen thinks highly of him, he certainly won't be simple."
While thinking this, Tu Tou Tuo spoke again: "Follow me down. I was the first to arrive and had nothing to do, so I carved out a space underground to pass the time."
"I appreciate your trouble, Brother Tu. Actually, this time I'm the one organizing the gathering..." Miao Ming Shen immediately flattered.
"Haha. It's just a small underground cave — no trouble at all. Let's go!" Upon seeing Miao Ming Shen, Tu Tou Tuo acted like an old friend had arrived, grabbing his arm and leading him underground.
Wherever his footstep fell, the solid ground melted and flowed like water, forming a spacious passage that led straight down to the island's depths.
Tu Tou Tuo and Miao Ming Shen walked ahead, while Fang Yuan, Bee General, and Flower Butterfly Fairy followed behind.
Tu Tou Tuo and Miao Ming Shen conversed as they walked.
Miao Ming Shen's social skills were extraordinary, making Tu Tou Tuo laugh again and again, his booming laughter echoing through the underground chambers.
Moreover, Miao Ming Shen did not neglect Fang Yuan — he periodically turned his head to speak to him. His words seemed plain and unremarkable on the surface, yet were delivered so naturally that Fang Yuan never felt left alone or ignored.
The underground cave was indeed unremarkable, but it made up for it in spaciousness.
A raised platform sat at the center, with several stone chairs arranged below it, all of them broad and generously sized. The chairs were carved with patterns — flowing lines like water currents, smooth and graceful — revealing Tu Tou Tuo's deep aesthetic sensibility and meticulous nature.
Fang Yuan quietly counted and found there were only six stone chairs in total.
"So this trade gathering was originally planned for just six participants. Flower Butterfly Fairy and Bee General don't count — once the gathering begins, they'll leave and stand guard outside," Fang Yuan speculated silently.
"A newcomer has arrived, so I'll add another chair." Tu Tou Tuo lightly stamped his foot, and immediately a mound of earth rose from the ground. The mound then flowed like water, shifting and reshaping itself.
In the blink of an eye, it transformed into another stone chair, as though it had been carefully sculpted by a master craftsman.