Stranger Danger

"What is the Gold Making Spring? Where did it come from?" Ye Qing asked.

"That, I do not know. There are a lot of rumors regarding its origin."

Feng Qingyou took a moment to compose her thoughts before answering, "Some people say that the Gold Making Spring is a wisp of spirituality of the Treasure Bowl belonging to the God of Wealth of the ancient Heavens. It somehow fell to the world of mortals and transformed into the Gold Making Spring."

"Some people claimed that there used to be an Ancient-class Stranger who possessed the power to transform everything around it into gold in the olden days. Later, a Colossus slew it and refined it into the Gold Making Spring."

"Some people also said that the Gold Making Spring is an innate spiritual object that came to be when the world was created."

"There are many versions of the origin of the Gold Making Spring, but it is impossible to know which one is true, and which one isn't."

Ye Qing rubbed his nose with a smirk. "Huh. Doesn't that mean that the Gold Making Spring doesn't originally belong to the Gold Maker Sect?"

Feng Qingyou replied smilingly, "Indeed, I heard that the ancestor of the Gold Maker Sect had stolen the Gold Making Spring from another before founding his sect. So, what happened to the Gold Maker Sect is just karma."

Feng Qingyou didn't mean anything by it, but sometimes a person's words could be completely misinterpreted by another. That was why Jin Wanliang's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He thought:Are they taking a page out of the ancestors of the Gold Maker Sect and Gold Island? Are they plotting to steal the Gold Making Spring?!

He... could not accuse them of being immoral. His own ancestor was a thief. If he could steal another person's fortune, why can't others do the same to them?

As for stopping Feng Qingyou and Ye Qing by force, the thought didn't even cross his mind. At his level, he couldn't even fill the gap between their teeth!

Should I report this to the Profound Alliance?

A ruthless idea suddenly bloomed in Jin Wanliang's mind. He could use them to rescue his parents first. Then, he could contact the Sages of the Profound Alliance in secret and kill them both.

This way, he would save his parents and secure the Gold Making Spring, killing two birds with one stone.

Of course, this was just a rough idea. He would need to refine it until it was perfect. Otherwise, it would result in his demise and even the annihilation of Gold Island.

Unfortunately—or fortunately—for Wan Jinliang, the thought had just appeared in his head when Ye Qing's ridiculing voice entered his ears:

"Plotting to silence us already, Scion Jin? Are you that afraid that we would take the Gold Making Spring from you?"

Jin Wanliang subconsciously looked up and met Ye Qing's eyes by accident. They were full of ridicule, but also so bright and clear it was as if they could see through a person's heart.

At that moment, Jin Wanliang felt as if his thoughts and conspiracies were completely seen through by Ye Qing. Not even a sliver of it was hidden from Ye Qing's gaze.

Sweat ran down his forehead like a waterfall as Jin Wanliang turned as white as a sheet.

"This junior deserves death! This junior—"

"Ah, quit it. I was just joking with you."

Ye Qing interrupted him before continuing in a joking tone, "I won't lie to you, I am pretty curious about your Gold Making Spring. That is all, however. I have no intention of taking it from you."

"When the matter regarding your parents is settled, and if you are okay with it, then we would like you to bring us to the Gold Making Spring for a look. That is all we ask."

"Of course that's fine!"

Jin Wanliang looked like he had been pardoned from death. "It would be my honor!"

Despite Ye Qing's joking tone, Jin Wanliang knew that he was anything but. The young man had truly guessed his thoughts and was using this opportunity to give him a warning. He was telling him not to judge them by his own mean character, and definitely not overestimate his own intelligence and power.

Jin Wanliang had never understood Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou's power—utterly unfathomable and terrifying—than now. That was why he severed all of his evil thoughts and became even more respectful and cautious than he already was.

While they were chatting, the ship had moored itself to the port.

Gold Island was not as overcrowded as Floating Island, but it was still jam-packed with people and activities. The people and ships came and went seemingly without end.

Naturally, a strict process must be followed before one could enter or leave Gold Island. In fact, their procedures were even stricter than Floating Island's. Thankfully, the presence of Jin Wanliang was enough to save them the trouble. He openly and flamboyantly led them straight into Gold Island.

After they entered the city, Jin Wanliang's golden ship transformed into a luxurious golden horse carriage. It was drawn by nine horses, and the carriage itself was made of nine birds. The ride was as high profile as it could get.

The capital city of Gold Island was named Gold City. It was yet another down-to-earth name, but it wasn't a lie.

The entire city—the walls, the houses, the buildings, the streets, the trees and more—were all golden bright like they were forged from gold.

Every structure and house in Gold City was massive and exquisitely designed. The streets were wide and tidy. Every citizen looked well-fed and wore fine garments, and neither Ye Qing nor Feng Qingyou was able to spot a poor person anywhere. There were no thieves, no purse-snatchers, no beggars. It was very different from the overcrowded, chaotic, and sometimes filthy streets of Floating Island.

Of course, this did not mean that poverty did not exist in Gold Island. It was just that there were no poor people in Gold City.

Gold Island had five cities in total, namely one capital city and four auxiliary cities. The main city was Gold City, and the other four cities were built around it.

Most of the people living on Gold Island lived in the other four cities. That was true for the merchants and travelers as well. No one was allowed to enter or leave Gold City without permission.

Only the wealthiest or most influential persons of Gold Island or an honored guest was allowed to reside in Gold City.

Of course, the wealthiest, most influential, and most powerful family in Gold City was the Jin Clan. They had ruled Gold Island for many generations.

As Jin Wanliang was the oldest son of the current island lord, he was of course one of the most important people in the Jin Clan.

That was why Jin Wanliang could ride a carriage through Gold City unimpeded and in an extremely high-profile fashion. No one dared to stop him or even interact with him.

It didn't take long for the horse carriage to enter the city lord residence.

"The young master is back!"

They had just crossed the threshold when countless servants and female attendants rushed over to attend to him. It was quite an impressive sight.

Jin Wanliang paid them no attention though. With Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou by his side, he made a beeline for his parents' living quarters.

The city lord residence of Gold Island was just as luxurious as Gold City. The buildings, the environment; everything oozed luxury, nobility, refinement and culture.

But unlike Gold City, a lot of lush, colorful plants were growing in the city lord residence. They weren't turned into gold like almost everything else in Gold Island. Their presence made the residence look a lot more vibrant and tasteful.

"Young master..."

A young man walked up to them after Jin Wanliang arrived at a courtyard named Peaceful Garden.

The young man looked to be in his thirties. He had sharp, straight eyebrows and star-like eyes. He looked handsome, and his aura marked him as a Great Trueman.

"Why are you here?"

Jin Wanliang shot him a look before striding toward the courtyard. "Where are my parents? Are they inside?"

The man blocked his way and said, "Foster father and mother are currently in secluded cultivation. You should not disturb them, young master."

"Secluded cultivation again?" Jin Wanliang looked displeased. "The last time I came, they were in secluded cultivation. Now, they're in secluded cultivation again? When will they be done?"

Jin Wanliang tried to pull the young man's arm away and continue his walk toward the courtyard, but the young man did not move a muscle. He continued to stop Jin Wanliang from going inside.

"What is the meaning of this, Jin Qianshan?" Jin Wanliang stared at him with a frown.

The young man, Jin Qianshan, replied coldly, "Please don't misunderstand, young master. Foster father and mother are in secluded cultivation. In fact, they are at a critical juncture. They do not wish to be disturbed by anyone at this time. Please understand!"

"I don't believe you." Jin Wanliang's brow wrinkled deeply as he growled, "Let go."

Jin Qianshan still did not move.