Chapter 712: Trading Flesh for Wine

The forest was vast, comparable to a primary main plane. What concerned Ye Feng even more was its shape—a three-dimensional trapezoid. Upon closer inspection, it resembled a gigantic pyramid, missing only its apex. Yet it still had distinct layers; Ye Feng could detect three layers in total. Each layer housed beings of the same cosmic realm. The weakest were on the first layer, all being monsters with cultivation levels ranging from True Entry to True Return, possessing two planes within them. The second layer consisted entirely of monsters with cultivation levels from True Veneration to True Concealment, each having three planes. The third layer was occupied by magical beasts at the True Breakthrough realm, with four planes each.

What was even more astonishing was that starting from the third layer upward, the pyramid transcended the plane barriers of the True Realm and existed in another plane. To be precise, the pyramid wasn’t entirely part of the True Realm but was embedded within it.

Ye Feng also discovered that a layer of restrictions covered the area outside the forest. He quickly deciphered their meaning: the only way out was to find the door at the highest layer of the pyramid. Only then did he realize how much effort Immortal had put into protecting his two brothers.

Shaking his head helplessly, Ye Feng flashed himself to the third layer. Using his spiritual power to investigate further, he located the exit. However, he didn’t rush to leave but first examined the monsters on that layer.

There were millions of magical beasts at the True Breakthrough realm across the entire third layer. This number was terrifying—likely less than half of the total number of humans at that realm combined.

Frowning slightly, Ye Feng killed a dozen of them and threw their corpses into his storage ring before leaving. He then headed straight for the largest city nearby.

After asking around, Ye Feng quickly found the city’s premier tavern—the Tianxiang Pavilion. Legend said its wine was brewed by the giant ape-like monsters of the True Veneration realm, known as Ape Stone Wine. Only one drop could be produced every ten thousand years, and it took over a hundred million years to brew a single jar, making it extremely rare.

Ye Feng wasn’t worried about not being able to afford it. After slaughtering the Shangguan family, he had inherited all their wealth, so he had enough money to buy several jars.

Entering the tavern, he sat down casually and said, “Server, bring me a jar of Ape Stone Wine.”

Unexpectedly, as soon as he spoke, the entire tavern fell silent, and everyone turned to look at him.

“Did I say something wrong?” Ye Feng looked puzzled, frowning slightly at the unimpressed waiter.
Soon, bursts of laughter filled the restaurant.
“It seems to be another country bumpkin…”
“Did he really think anyone could drink Yuan Shi wine?”
…
The waiter came over, a bit embarrassed. “Sir, you must be from out of town, right? We don’t sell Yuan Shi wine here.”
“Don’t sell it? Has no one ever drunk your restaurant’s signature drink?” Ye Feng still frowned, not understanding what the waiter meant.
“That’s the thing, sir,” the waiter quickly explained. “The Yuan Shi wine here is only exchangeable, not for sale.”
“Oh, and what can be used in exchange?” Ye Feng became curious. It was the first time he had heard of such a rule.
“Ingredients can be used in exchange. Aside from those rare treasures, the most common are the corpses of monsters. A complete corpse of a monster at the early stage of the Chongzhen realm can be exchanged for one bottle of wine; at the middle stage, three bottles; at the later stage, five bottles; at the peak stage, ten bottles. A complete corpse of a monster at the early stage of the Cangzhen realm can be exchanged for one jar of wine; at the middle stage, three jars; at the later stage, eight jars; at the peak stage, fifteen jars. As for corpses of monsters at the Pozhen realm, those at the early stage can be exchanged for thirty jars, those at the middle stage for a hundred jars, those at the later stage for five hundred jars, and those at the peak stage for three thousand jars. But we’ve only received corpses of monsters at the middle stage of the Pozhen realm so far.” The waiter explained in detail.
“I see. I haven’t killed any at the peak stage yet because I saw many who could potentially break through to become first-class warriors anytime. It would be a shame to kill them…” Ye Feng murmured, resting his chin in his hand, then turned to the waiter. “So two corpses of monsters at the later stage of the Pozhen realm could be exchanged for a thousand jars of wine?”
“Uh…” The waiter was stunned by the question and took a while before nodding. “Yes, that’s possible.”
“Is there a quieter place here?” Ye Feng stood up and asked.
“A quieter place?” The waiter was puzzled again.
“Monsters at the later stage of the Pozhen realm are usually quite large.” Ye Feng glanced around. “The first floor of your restaurant can’t hold them all.”
“Please come to our backyard,” the waiter finally realized.
Seeing there was entertainment to watch, everyone put down their food and followed Ye Feng and the waiter to the backyard of the restaurant.
Ye Feng followed the waiter to the backyard and looked around. It was quite spacious, with an elegant layout—perfect for those staying there to take a leisurely walk.

Finding a clearing, Ye Feng took out two corpses of late True Breakthrough realm monsters from his storage ring. The entire backyard immediately erupted in excitement, and the shop assistant was utterly stunned. “Good heavens, is that a Poison Swamp Snake Crocodile?” “And that one, the Thousand Poison Centipede…” These two monsters were undoubtedly the top hunters among those in the True Breakthrough realm, belonging to the apex of the food chain. Moreover, both were poisonous; ordinary True Breakthrough realm warriors would hardly survive if infected by their toxins. As for those below the True Breakthrough realm, even a slight touch would turn their bodies into pus instantly. Still, Ye Feng knew that these two monsters were extremely delicious. Their toxins weren’t in their bodies but in their fangs and claws. Additionally, as apex predators, they had consumed many nutritious foods, making them highly nourishing. Ye Feng had originally killed these monsters to use as ingredients for himself, Nian Cangsheng, and Wu Kuang as accompaniments to drink. But now, for the sake of good wine, sacrificing two of them wasn’t a problem—he could always go back and catch more. After confirming the rank of the two monsters before him, the shop assistant hurriedly reported to the shop owner. Following the owner’s instructions, a thousand jars of wine were prepared. After storing the wine, Ye Feng left under the owner’s enthusiastic farewell. In just a few breaths, Ye Feng re-entered that special forest and sent a message to the palace from afar, “The good wine is here!”