From Wei Yu's form of address for the two peak Spirit Severing stage elders before him, Qin Fengming immediately discerned their relationship with the Linghan Merchant Alliance.
Elder Hong was naturally a member of the Linghan Merchant Alliance, and apparently the person in charge of this branch.
As for Elder Pang, he clearly was not a cultivator of the Linghan Merchant Alliance.
"Earlier, I already explained that Fellow Daoist Pang merely took out that one piece of refining material. It wasn't enough to exchange for that spirit herb with me. If he can find another material, I can grit my teeth and reluctantly part with it. I came back because of this Qin fellow cultivator."
Wei Yu glanced at the peak Spirit Severing stage elder and spoke in a tone that left no room for negotiation.
He had not immediately explained the purpose of Qin Fengming's visit, which naturally further indicated that this cultivator surnamed Pang was not a member of the Linghan Merchant Alliance.
"Greetings, Elder Hong. This is Qin Fengming, Fellow Daoist Qin, whom I mentioned in my earlier transmission. Fellow Daoist Qin, this is Hong Zhengdao, Elder Hong of our Linghan Merchant Alliance branch. He is the person in charge of the branch." Huang Qizhi also stepped forward several paces and spoke. His tone was clearly several degrees more courteous than Wei Yu's.
"Oh? This Qin fellow cultivator looks unfamiliar. I'm Pang Ran, a member of the Qinglan Merchant Alliance. For you to enter this place, it seems Fellow Daoist Qin's background is far from ordinary." Elder Pang ignored Wei Yu's discourteous words and glanced at Qin Fengming, speaking with slight surprise.
"Hahaha, Brother Pang, this Qin fellow cultivator is indeed extraordinary. Although he is only at the mid stage, his Pill Dao attainment is quite remarkable.