Without delay, Shen Xu used a temporary contract to bind the water element fire, and soon after, the space collapsed, and everyone returned to the ocean.

Six hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

During that time, the group explored the Eastern Blue Ocean and harvested countless treasures.

Although most of the treasures were useless to them, they were worth spirit stones, and the group didn’t let them go.

[Ayuan, how should we hold the auction?] He asked.

After all, they were wanted and openly holding an auction would attract unnecessary trouble.

[The best way is to make a deal with the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.] Zhen Yuan said.

[The Myriad Treasures Pavilion always holds an auction before the opening of the Xuanwu secret realm. Should we wait for that auction?] The double asked, and Zhen Yuan nodded.

[It’s the biggest auction in the Tianxuan continent, so our treasures will attract higher prices.] He said, and Shen Xu agreed before speaking.

[The auction will be in five thousand years. We have time to collect more treasures.] He said.

[Mmh.] Zhen Yuan nodded, looking around with a distracted expression.

"I think it’s that courtyard." He said, pointing at a small gate.

"It should be." Shen Xu agreed and led the way.

Soon after, the double tapped on the protective formation and thirty breaths later, the formation opened, and the two went inside.

"Long time no see." Dongfang Jing greeted with a happy expression.

"It’s really been a long time." Shen Xu said, recalling that they had last met almost ten thousand years ago at the Golden Rock Island.

Thinking this, Shen Xu looked at the Dongfang couple and smiled with a satisfied expression.

"Your cultivation has improved." He said, and the Dongfang Jing chuckled.

"We were lucky, but it’s nothing compared to you." He said, and Shen Xu smiled.

In just ten thousand years, Dongfang Jing and Chen Yi were at the peak stage of the Mahayana realm, showing that they had encountered an incredible opportunity.

However, neither Shen Xu nor Zhen Yuan asked about it.

After all, it was taboo to ask cultivators about their opportunities and secrets.

"Come inside first." Chen Yi said, and the four walked to a stone table in the backyard.

After that, Chen Yi poured wine, and the four sat in companionable silence.

"What are your plans?" Shen Xu asked, looking at Dongfang Jing and Chen Yi.

"We will retreat when we get the divine ascension grass." Chen Yi said, and Dongfang Jing agreed.

Hearing this, Shen Xu nodded but looked at the two with a solemn expression.

"Is something wrong?" Dongfang Jing asked, and Shen Xu shook his head before speaking.

"You can retreat on our portable mountain if you don’t mind." The double offered, and the Dongfang couple couldn’t help but be surprised.

Zhen Yuan and Shen Xu had long discussed this matter.

On one hand, the couple was their only friends, and on the other, they were allies and would rely on each other in the Xuanwu secret realm.

Most importantly, the mountain was independent from the Chaos Flame space, so letting them retreat there wouldn’t expose important secrets.

Considering this, Zhen Yuan and Shen Xu decided to let the couple retreat there so that they could advance before the Xuanwu secret realm.

"We are willing to swear an oath of secrecy. We will never reveal your secrets to anyone and will never betray you in this life." Dongfang Jing said, and Chen Yi nodded.

Although Shen Xu didn’t mention it, Dongfang Jing and Chen Yi were not stupid and knew that the mountain was definitely not ordinary.

Since the Zhen couple treated them sincerely, they were willing to reciprocate that sincerity with an oath of secrecy.

"The divine ascension grass will allow you to directly advance to the peak-stage of the tribulation transcending realm. However, you still need to rely on yourself to achieve true enlightenment. Otherwise, ascending and grasping a star of immortality will not be easy." Shen Xu said, and Dongfang Jing nodded.

"We didn’t expect to advance so soon, so we planned to go to the temple of chants after exiting the Xuanwu secret realm." Dongfang Jing said and frowned.

"Ayuan and I will head there in a short while. You can join us when you are out of seclusion." Shen Xu said.

After that, the four drank wine and chatted, and when the time came, the Dongfang couple handed over a storage ring with embarrassed expressions.

"Is it really okay to use spirit stones to buy the grass?" Dongfang Jing asked.

After all, the divine ascension grass was a priceless treasure that could be found but never sought.

If taken to auction, the grass could be exchanged for countless treasures, so the Dongfang couple were a little uneasy when Shen Xu asked for spirit stones.

"Everyone in my family has already become a peak-stage tribulation transcending realm cultivator and can’t use ordinary treasures. Spirit stones are more useful." The double said and shrugged.

Hearing this, the Dongfang couple exchanged a glance and nodded.

"We will remember this favour." Chen Yi said.

"Have you prepared everything, or do you need more time to prepare for your retreat?" Zhen Yuan asked.

"We have been preparing for the past six hundred years." Dongfang Jing said.

After that, Shen Xu took out a formation disk and looked at the two.

"We usually keep our portable mountain on this formation disk." He said, and without waiting for their reaction, he collected everyone, soon appearing on a mountain.

"Some of the courtyards are occupied, but you can choose any of the empty ones." Shen Xu said, pointing at a row of courtyards.

The mountain originally had four courtyards.

However, in their free time, the triplets and Mo Ling built more courtyards near the mountain peak.

"You can also freely use any of the spirit grasses and spiritual fruits growing on this mountain." The double said, and Dongfang Jing raised an eyebrow.

"You are generous." He said, and Shen Xu chuckled.

"Our cultivation is high, and Ayuan and I can’t use most of these resources." He said, and the couple understood.

"Thank you." They said with grateful expressions.

"Cultivate well if you want to thank us." Shen Xu said.