Family Order

Under the clear, cold moonlight and the bright lamps of the hall.

Chen Heng's gaze fell upon two figures in the backyard courtyard of the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion.

The newcomer had a gloomy gaze, a gaunt figure, and wore black clothing with unremarkable features.

It was the Fourth Elder of the Chen Family, Chen Xinshen, whom he knew quite well. Chen Xinshen was responsible for gathering external intelligence and transmitting important clan messages.

The other person, with his back to Chen Heng, was Chen Xingshan, the shopkeeper of the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion.

"Xingshan, why isn't Mingheng at the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion? It's late at night, and he's not staying in the pavilion to cultivate. Where did he go?"

"Don't tell me he's picked up the bad habit of visiting brothels and discussing Dao in hidden rooms."

Fourth Elder Chen Xinshen stood with one hand behind his back, looking sternly at Chen Xingshan, who was observing his nose with his eyes and his eyes with his nose.

Seeing this, Chen Xingshan thought to himself, This is bad. Clan nephew Mingheng has just taken leave recently. I always thought he acted prudently, so I didn't ask for the reason or his destination.

Could he have really been lured away by those seductive women from the hidden rooms?

The Fourth Elder is in charge of intelligence gathering, so he must have a reason. The family values clan nephew Mingheng highly. I can't be careless for even a moment...

Just as he was contemplating how to excuse Chen Heng, a light cough suddenly sounded in his ear.

The two looked towards the sound and saw Chen Heng emerging from the shadows of the back door.

He tucked his head in and said softly, "Fourth Elder, do you need something?"

Chen Heng's tone was very low, with a hint of guilt, as if he had been caught doing something wrong. Although he hadn't picked up the habit of visiting brothels and discussing Dao, he had indeed just emerged from a place of indulgence.

The Fourth Elder glanced at Chen Heng's attire, a black robe, and then silently sniffed the air.

There was a scent of perfume that clearly didn't belong to the people of the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion. Although it was faint, Chen Xinshen, responsible for external intelligence, was very sensitive to such anomalies.

He gave Chen Heng a deep look and then said, "Brother Xingshan, you go back to your room first. I have something to discuss with Mingheng."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xingshan could only quickly return to his room, not daring to delay.

Although he was also a direct descendant cultivator of the Chen Family's "Xing" generation and a few years older than Chen Xinshen, his cultivation talent was not high. Otherwise, why would he be confined to the business world?

In terms of clan status, how could he compare to a clan elder?

To put it bluntly, if he hadn't had some talent in artifact refining, he wouldn't even be in charge of the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion.

This was the reality for most immortal cultivation families; all treatment was determined by cultivation realm.

Moreover, the other party had called him "Brother" in front of a junior, giving him face and status. If he stayed any longer, he would truly be clueless.

After Chen Xingshan left, the Fourth Elder, whose gaze was always gloomy, let out a cold snort.

"Mingheng, what were you doing so late at night?"

After speaking, he stared intently at Chen Heng, exuding immense pressure.

Chen Xinshen, responsible for external intelligence gathering, was naturally skilled in interrogation. If Chen Heng lied to him, he would be able to discern it.

Seeing this, Chen Heng let out a long sigh and said with a straight face, "Reporting to the Fourth Elder, I went to the Ghost Alley Entrance."

Chen Xinshen frowned and retorted, "Why would you go to the black market for no reason? Have you ever lacked resources from the clan?"

"I wouldn't dare hide it from the Elder. I was looking for the sequels to the Water Fire Defense Scripture and the Fiery Eyes Water Ape Transformation. These two cultivation methods are very compatible with me."

"I happened to have some spare Spirit Stones, so I wanted to try my luck at the black market."

Everything Chen Heng said was the truth, and he had a clear conscience.

Of course, he hadn't revealed the entire truth.

Even Ancestor Chen Tianrui only knew that he had schemed against Luo Yu Lei on Bamboo Branch Mountain and didn't know the full story.

Wen Ning's existence was naturally kept secret.

Having her apply for the position of talisman master at the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion was simply for convenience in future dealings.

Looking at Chen Heng's sincere expression, Chen Xinshen's face softened slightly, and he said unhurriedly, "Don't think about getting the sequels to these two cultivation methods from anywhere else; they are in the hands of the Luo Family."

"Back then, in the Water Fire Superior's separate dwelling, the Chen Family obtained the upper volume of the cultivation method, and the Luo Family obtained the lower volume. The clan elders even killed one of their Foundation Establishment Ancestors."

"This created quite a feud. The Luo Family wouldn't let it out, even if they left it to gather dust in the Scripture Pavilion."

Chen Heng's eyebrows twitched upon hearing this. He had never heard of these minor past events before.

"So that's how it is. Thank you for clarifying, Elder."

Chen Xinshen waved his hand and continued, "I'm here to transfer you back to Jade Spring Mountain."

Chen Heng was taken aback by this statement. "Why is that? I haven't caused any trouble for the Artifact Pavilion, have I?"

"That's not the reason. After you came to the Artifact Pavilion, the pavilion's sales increased significantly. The clan knows about it, and you'll receive a reward upon returning to the mountain."

"The main reason is that the opening for disciples at the Azure Profound Sect is less than half a year away. The Elder Council has decided to have you return to the mountain for cultivation in advance."

"If you have nothing else to do, you'll return to Jade Spring Mountain with me tomorrow."

Chen Heng had nothing else to do, so he readily agreed.

Seeing this, Chen Xinshen patted his shoulder, then merged into the shadows and disappeared from Chen Heng's sight.

Chen Heng's lips twitched. This seemed to be a quirk of the elder in charge of external intelligence gathering; he liked to walk in the shadows.

Not long after.

A brief message was sent to Flower Language Pavilion.

In the talisman-making room, Wen Ning sat upright before her desk, holding a talisman brush and sketching talismans on talisman paper, her expression focused.

After all, in three days, she planned to go to the Jade Spring Artifact Pavilion to apply for the position of enshrined talisman master for the Chen Family.

Although it hadn't been long since her talisman-making skills broke through to high-grade first-tier, if she hadn't encountered a series of events, she might have found a place long ago.

This was the confidence that came with mastering a cultivation skill.

Now that Chen Heng had made arrangements, she naturally wouldn't shop around.

Besides, she had heard in the market that the Chen Family treated their enshrined members well, so it was a good place to go.

At this moment, Wen Ning sensed that the sub-talisman left by Chen Heng was heating up slightly. She couldn't be bothered with the unfinished talisman.

She quickly put down the talisman brush in her hand, took out the sub-talisman, and began to check the content Chen Heng had sent.

"The plan has changed. The clan wants me to return to Jade Spring Mountain early for secluded cultivation. You can go ahead to the Azure Profound Market, established under the Azure Profound Sect. In half a year, I will use the Azure Profound Golden Token to directly join the Azure Profound Sect."

"If I continue to stay in the Southern Foothills Market, it will be of no use to me."

"If you have any shortages of Spirit Stones, magical artifacts, or other resources, you can inform me now."

Unlike the Southern Foothills Market, a small to medium-sized market town where even Foundation Establishment true cultivators rarely appeared, the Azure Profound Market under the Azure Profound Sect was the foremost large market town in the Moon Gazing Mountain Range.

Not only was there a Violet Palace Venerable stationed there long-term, Foundation Establishment true cultivators were relatively common cultivators in the Azure Profound Market, and even Violet Palace Venerables could occasionally be spotted.

Similarly, the pressure to survive was far higher than in the Southern Foothills Market.

As a high-grade first-tier talisman master, it was relatively easy for Wen Ning to find a livelihood in the Southern Foothills Market, but it wouldn't be as easy to go to the Azure Profound Market.

Moreover, she would need to rent a cultivation cave dwelling.

In the short term, she would definitely need a considerable sum of Spirit Stones to survive.

Chen Heng had considered this point, which was why he had specifically sent the message.

After pondering for a moment, Wen Ning replied: "I don't need Spirit Stones for now, but I urgently need a flying magical artifact for travel and a defensive magical artifact for self-defense."

She still had five hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, enough to survive in the Azure Profound Market.

However, traveling from the Southern Foothills Market to the Azure Profound Market would require a magical artifact for travel and defense.

Chen Heng did not reply to the message. Wen Ning, however, began to wonder if she had asked for too much and displeased him.

After all, among all magical artifacts, defensive magical artifacts for saving lives and flying magical artifacts for escaping were the most precious.

The next day.

Before dawn, Wen Ning, who hadn't slept all night, sensed someone entering Flower Language Pavilion directly.

She was stunned for a moment, then realized that Chen Heng had come to find her directly.

This was because only he possessed the token that allowed direct entry into Flower Language Pavilion.

Without bothering to tidy up, Wen Ning, looking slightly haggard, immediately went to meet him. She saw Chen Heng already standing in the courtyard, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Wen Ning, here, this is a high-grade first-tier magical artifact I refined for you overnight—the Water Cloud Hood. It can be used for both flight and defense. Additionally, here are one thousand low-grade Spirit Stones."

Seeing this, Wen Ning solemnly accepted the magical artifact and Spirit Stones from Chen Heng, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at him. She bowed gracefully and said, "Wen Ning thanks Young Master!"

Chen Heng didn't say much, only patted her perky backside before turning and leaving with a flourish.