Not Worth Mentioning

Qing City, Within a secluded and spacious courtyard, Shen Shiying was bowing, respectfully reporting something to the middle-aged man seated at the head of the table.

If one were to listen closely, they would hear frequent mentions of Great Bay Village, Shen Changchuan, Yao Beast attacks, and losses in his words.

After a long while, the middle-aged man at the head of the table nodded slightly, his lips moving.

Though his words were unclear, they caused Shen Shiying to break out in a cold sweat, his legs weakening as he almost knelt on the ground, lowering his head and repeatedly explaining himself.

After a long while, the Transport Commissioner waved his hand, finally allowing Shen Shiying to withdraw.

Walking out of the courtyard gate, Shen Shiying's legs felt weak, and his back was drenched in cold sweat.

"Damn it! I shouldn't have volunteered for that task back then!"

"Regretting my arrogance and showing off!"

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, unable to suppress his regret, even cursing himself inwardly.

The task of submitting the spirit grain from the area near Great Bay Village, he had applied for it himself.

Using the excuse that he had served there before and understood the area better than others, he had easily taken on the task.

The reason he did so was partly fueled by a desire to return home in glory and show off in front of Shen Changchuan, the 'enemy' who had taken their position.

And so it was, not long ago, after seeing the "miserable state" of Great Bay Village's operations under Shen Changchuan, he felt a sense of satisfaction, so much so that he felt the bottleneck that had prevented his breakthrough for years had subtly loosened.

But he had never expected, that such a huge pit lay hidden within!

As soon as he returned, he was directly summoned by the Transport Commissioner himself to be questioned about matters related to Shen Changchuan!

The Transport Commissioner, who managed transport and submitted spirit grain, was a family elder at the Out of Body Stage!

Within the Shen family, he was a truly important figure!

Being summoned by such a powerful figure brought Shen Shiying no excitement, only endless dread.

He was merely a cultivator at the Qi Gathering Fourth Level, not even qualified to be their dog.

Being summoned alone like this meant he might be caught up in some incident.

Shen Shiying dared not conceal anything, and recounted everything he saw and guessed at Great Bay Village to the Transport Commissioner in meticulous detail.

"Could it be that Shen Changchuan is also involved with some faction within the family?"

"Even a son born to a concubine is still the Patriarch's own son, truly not to be underestimated!"

"I just hope it doesn't involve me. My small frame can't withstand such a storm!"

Recalling Shen Changchuan's sensitive identity, Shen Shiying wished he could slap himself.

Damn it!

Serves you right for being smug!

Not only might he be caught in some upper-level vortex this time, but he was also reprimanded by the Transport Commissioner.

"Alas, this trip was all for nothing."

The profits he had made this time would likely have to be given away!

Shen Shiying sighed.

He didn't know if the Transport Commissioner's reprimand was for him to keep quiet about this matter or for some other reason, but regardless, he didn't dare to keep the spirit stones and spirit herbs he had received.

Such a powerful figure could crush him as easily as crushing an ant.

Just thinking about the benefits he had received, Shen Shiying felt a pang of heartache.

This lucrative position, which he had finally obtained, was originally intended to supplement his purse, but now...

Forget it, I won't think about it anymore.

This is truly unlucky. I should try to have as little to do with those kinds of people in the future!

Shen Shiying left in annoyance.

At this moment, in the courtyard, the Transport Commissioner took out a yellow talisman and left a few words within it using his Spiritual Sense:

"Shen Changchuan is located in Great Bay Village. However, he is ambitious but incompetent, with lofty ideals but little skill. He is already struggling to manage a mere twelve mu of spirit fields, so he is not a threat.

After leaving the message, he infused Magical Power into it. The talisman then lit up with a yellow glow, transformed into a stream of light, and shot into the void, disappearing without a trace.

Actually, he had also vaguely sensed from the words of that junior cultivator named Shen Shiying that something seemed amiss.

Under normal circumstances, he should have sent someone or gone to investigate himself.

But that First Madam, without any proof, had asked him to probe the background of her illegitimate son, and hadn't even offered a single spirit stone.

He had only reluctantly agreed out of consideration for the Heir Apparent.

He was too lazy to go personally.

"Heh, this woman only has this much insight and bearing. She's actually being pushed into a frenzy by a mere illegitimate son and is worried others might do the same."

Thinking of that jealous First Madam, and the recent uproar in Tiannan City.

The Transport Commissioner couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

If it weren't for her good background and her capable son, there's no way such a matriarch could hold onto her position.

The Transport Commissioner shook his head, muttering to himself.

As for Shen Changchuan, he cared about him even less.

So what if he had some hidden talents?

Great Bay Village, with its mere twelve mu of spirit fields, and the surrounding area being barren.

A shallow pond could never raise a true dragon.

The boy's limit would be Qi Gathering Late-stage his entire life.

He wasn't worth mentioning at all.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Shen Changchuan, deep in the dense forest, was still unaware that he had narrowly escaped a disaster.

But at this moment, his brow was tightly furrowed.

Because he had encountered trouble, and it was big trouble.

Looking up, he saw towering cliffs rising on both sides, blocking out the sun, leaving only a sliver of sky in between.

This was the destination marked on the map given by Zhao Hantao.

Zhao Hantao had not played any tricks on the map.

All the way here, apart from the occasional attacks from low-level wild Yao Beasts, Shen Changchuan had arrived safely without any major incidents.

Gazing into the canyon rift, with the enhanced vision from the Spirit Eye Technique, Shen Changchuan could vaguely see the ruins of a cave dwelling standing between the cliffs, several miles away!

But the problem now was, besides seeing the cave dwelling ruins, he also saw a new Yao Beast nest.

The Yao Beast nest was built directly above the ruins!

Only a few hundred meters apart!

And the owner of the nest, Shen Changchuan recognized him.

It was an acquaintance he had fought not long ago—the Gale Falcon!

"Why did that guy build its nest there!"

Shen Changchuan hid in the dense forest, watching from several miles away as a Gale Falcon in its nest tore into and swallowed the flesh and blood of a large python.

His expression grew grim.

This was a completely unexpected turn of events.

It was somewhat coincidental.

But then again, it wasn't surprising.

Great Bay Village had never been attacked by Gale Falcons before, which proved this one was new to the area.

And this cliff canyon, known as "One Line Sky," was indeed a suitable place for such a flying Yao Beast to build its nest.

It was located deep in the mountains, far from human settlements, and the surrounding spiritual energy was quite good.

It was perfectly normal for it to establish its nest here.

But the problem was, with that guy guarding the ruins, Shen Changchuan was in trouble.

"What should I do?"

For a moment, Shen Changchuan murmured to himself, feeling a headache coming on as he looked at the Gale Falcon.