Targeted by the Tian Household Again

Xiao Mingshu looked at Shen Jingchuan and said seriously, "Okay."

Shen Jingchuan... Really...? Is my older sister that fierce?

Huan'er??? Miss, are you finally speaking your mind? If this works out, wouldn't I be...?

In the following days, Shen Jingchuan did not rush to return to Yuxi Prefecture.

He knew in his heart that once that auction was over, it wouldn't just be the Wang Household family keeping an eye on him. The Tian Household, and those eyes that had been alerted by his flaunting of wealth, were probably all watching from the shadows.

He became increasingly cautious.

When going out during the day, he first uses a technique to change his aura, changing his face and clothes to be inconspicuous, even concealing his cultivation level to appear unremarkable, before slowly wandering around the market.

He didn't compete with others on price; he simply kept a low profile, buying and selling goods in small increments.

He had poured 80,000 Spirit Stones into the Spirit Vein, and now he was penniless, his pockets were emptier than his face. He had to make the most of these few days to earn some Spirit Stones to protect himself.

That evening, he returned to his cave abode, sat cross-legged in the Spirit Gathering Formation, and refined one High-Grade Spirit Concentrating Pill after another, working tirelessly to condense his divine soul.

With each night of cultivation, that Divine Sense became more solid and profound.

In the northwest corner of Spirit Creek Market, there is the best inn in the market, named Soaring Clouds Inn.

At this moment, in the most secluded and luxurious suite at the back of the inn, the lights were on, but it was eerily quiet.

Tian Chengye, the elder of the Tian family of Qi State, was sitting in the main seat in the hall.

He was at the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer, and was about to enter the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. He was considered a prominent figure in the Tian Household's generation.

The head of the Tian Household family has a deeper cultivation level, already at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and the clan's Supreme Elder has recently been promoted to Golden Core True Person. The Tian Household is currently enjoying its most prosperous period.

Standing opposite him were two Lineage members who had accompanied him, one named Tian Zheng and the other Tian Ming. Both were at the Qi Refining Great Perfection and had come with him on this training trip.

The two of them held their breath, not daring to even lift their heads.

The atmosphere in the hall was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

Tian Chengye held his teacup, motionless for a long time, his face so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.

Tian Chengye's trip was specifically for that First-Tier Spirit Vein.

The Tian Household had already received news that First-Tier Spirit Vein was going to be auctioned.

Who would have thought that what they were so determined to obtain would be snatched away by a Mid-Stage Qi Refining cultivator surnamed Shen?

He revealed Tian Household Lineage's status as a Golden Core cultivator at the auction, and the man surnamed Shen didn't even blink, grabbing the bids without hesitation.

Having traveled the world for many years, Tian Chengye was a seasoned veteran, not a naive newcomer. The more experienced he was, the more uneasy he felt.

These days he didn't rush to leave, but stayed in the inn, letting Tian Zheng and Tian Ming take turns going out to scout.

In the hall, he held a teacup and spoke with a cold face.

"Tell me, what have you found out?"

Tian Zheng stepped forward and reported with his head bowed.

"Reporting to Fifth Elder, that man's name is Shen Jingchuan. These days, he's been heavily reselling pills in Spirit Creek Market. Although each transaction isn't large, he frequently changes his identity and makes frequent moves, so his business is quite substantial."

"Strangely, he also traded in everyday items, like mirrors and watches."

"He also has a partnership with True Person Moxuan is behind the market. He owns shares in the Returning Geese Tower, where the auction is being held this time."

Tian Ming hesitated for a moment before adding a comment.

"Also... there are some rumors circulating that this person surnamed Shen isn't alone, but rather has Lineage behind him. However, no matter how hard you try to find out more, you can't get any further details."

Tian Chengye's face darkened.

"You didn't find out what the cultivation level of the patriarch who is in charge of the Shen Lineage is?"

Both of them lowered their heads, and neither dared to speak.

"You don't even know where the Shen Household has settled down or where their roots are?"

The hall was deathly silent.

Tian Chengye sneered.

"Two useless people."

Tian Zheng and Tian Ming lowered their heads even further, not daring to breathe.

After a while, Tian Zheng finally mustered the courage to speak.

"Fifth Elder, what... what do we do next? Should we still make a move?"

Tian Chengye did not answer immediately.

He raised his hand and rubbed his temples repeatedly, his brow furrowing into a knot, as if he were weighing things over.

The hall was silent for a long time before he suddenly lowered his hand, as if he had made up his mind.

"Let's do it. Never mind."

"As you all know, the clan's population is growing rapidly, and one First-Tier Spirit Vein is simply not enough."

"The Supreme Elder has already entered the Golden Core. To support a Golden Core True Person, at the very least, one needs a Second-Tier Spirit Vein."

"But where can we find Second-Tier Spirit Vein? Over the years, we've emptied our savings and are now drowning in debt to support our ancestor's advancement. Second-Tier Spirit Vein costs tens of millions of Spirit Stones. Even if we did find one, could we afford it?"

He gritted his teeth.

"I made a solemn pledge before I left home; I was determined to bring the Spirit Vein back no matter what. I thought a broken spiritual vein would fetch at most fifty or sixty thousand Spirit Stones, and a complete Spirit Vein would only be worth one hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Who knew it would come down to this price?"

Tian Ming hesitated for a moment, but still mustered up his courage and spoke.

"Fifth Elder, we still haven't even figured out the true strength of the Shen Household. What if... what if we've offended someone we can't afford to offend..."

He hadn't spent much time training outside, but he had learned the importance of caution along the way, and his voice was full of hesitation.

Tian Chengye glanced at him.

"Promising."

"Let me ask you, in the entire Great Qian Kingdom, how many Golden Core Lineage are truly worthy of being called great?"

Tian Ming was taken aback and didn't dare to reply.

Tian Chengye asked and answered his own question.

"There are only a few families on the surface, and we know their surnames and roots like the back of our hand. Is there a single one surnamed Shen among them?"

"No."

"So, no matter how strong the Shen Household is, how strong can they really be? At best, they're just some Foundation Establishment Lineage that popped up out of nowhere, relying on their measly money to get in touch with True Person Moxuan."

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"A Foundation Establishment Lineage dares to steal from my Tian Household?"

Tian Zheng quickly chimed in from the side.

"Fifth Elder is right. At the auction, we revealed the Tian Household's resources, yet he still dared to raise the price. In my opinion, the Shen Household probably does have some money and connections, but they may not know their own limitations."

Tian Chengye snorted coldly.

"Forget about foundations and Spirit Veins, we must bring them back."

"Starting tomorrow, you'll continue to follow him. Wherever he goes, you go. Don't lose him."

Tian Ming: "Yes, there's one more thing. I discovered today that there's another group of people staying at this inn, also keeping an eye on that guy surnamed Shen."

Tian Chengye looked up.

"Oh? Who is it?"

Tian Ming: "His surname is Wang, from a nearby cultivation Lineage. They're the ones who bought that Longevity-Extending Pill at the auction."

Tian Chengye snorted and picked up his teacup.

"Nothing to worry about; just a small family in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, trying to maintain appearances."

He took a sip of tea.

"How many have come? What are their cultivation levels?"

Tian Ming made a hand gesture.

"There are five in total. The leader is at the Qi Refining Great Perfection, and the remaining four include one at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and three at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining."

Tian Chengye raised his eyelids slightly.

Have they found you?

Tian Ming shook his head.

"No, we saw them from a distance, we didn't get close, they didn't notice us at all."

Tian Chengye smiled and put down his teacup.

"It seems we're not the only ones eyeing this guy surnamed Shen."

He tapped his finger on the table.

"Keep an eye on those members of the Wang Household. Don't let them cause trouble. Besides them, there are probably others lurking in the shadows. Keep your eyes peeled and watch carefully lately."