Depthless Hunger

The Verdant River sect was one of the most prestigious in all the Southern Rivers, acknowledged as one of the Great Rivers worthy of the name. It had vast holdings across the south, including great treasures, rich fields, and qi-rich forests.

And yet, as their patriarch ventured to the great city, he did so as a supplicant.

There was one unquestionably dominant power within the entire Southern Rivers region: the Masterful Crown clan. Their estates were yet larger, their power unchallenged, the Great Rivers nothing but their tributaries. The great palace atop the highest cliffs of Floodisle City was a paradise unto itself, towering over even the wealthiest districts, with its great balcony hall looking out over the entire city and even the entire region.

When the patriarch entered, he was welcomed, of course. The patriarch of the Verdant River sect was an essential part of their strength, and one of the most powerful cultivators in the Southern Rivers. Yet he swallowed when it came time for him to present his report to the great Patriarch Yul of the Masterful Crown clan.

"The Loam of the Gods is still the greatest Insanity on the continent," the Verdant River patriarch said, his voice very dry. "But we can only use it to create extraordinary qi pills at carefully prepared times of year. If you truly want more of the immortality elixir, I fear it will require a great deal of time..."

"Yes, about that." Patriarch Yul waved his sleeve, encouraging another group forward. "My son has been examining your new elixir, even taken some himself, and is not impressed."

"That's right!" Yul Wei Ren, the heir to the entire Masterful Crown clan and thus all of the Southern Rivers, stepped forward and spat. "It tastes awful, for one. I've gotten a lot stronger with an immortal body, but cultivation is even more obnoxious than before. If this is the best the Loam of the Gods can do, is it really an Insanity? Doesn't seem like much compared to the Impossible Elixir!"

The patriarch of the Verdant River sect went pale and his pupils constricted. He was a Sky Soul, and a formidable one, but here in the heart of Masterful Clan power, if Patriarch Yul decided against him... it would not be a fortunate turn.

"Forgive me for any foul taste, young master." The Verdant River patriarch bowed deeply. "If we had known someone as important as you was going to taste it, we would have made the immortality elixir more palatable."