"Hmph, do you think just any faction can take advance orders for thousand-year spirit herbs? Even the ancient families of Tianlan Star can't do that. Thousand-year spirit herbs are hard to come by, and who would sell them lightly—especially in bulk? Immortal Herb Pavilion even takes orders for rare thousand-year spirit herbs. I suspect it's backed by one of the Five Great Immortal Clans: the Ximen Family. The ancestors of the Five Great Immortal Clans all ascended to the Immortal Realm and were mighty cultivators with deep foundations. It's said that the most powerful, the Ximen Family, controls an entire starfield, using more than a dozen Cultivation Stars as planting bases for spirit herbs and plants. The Ximen Family keeps an especially low profile, never revealing their real names. They also have a tradition of sending their younger members out to gain experience. Shi Yue may well be a member of the Ximen Family."
"You know well that the Tianlan Starfield is a tangled web, and countless people covet my position and want to take it for themselves. I've managed to hold on to my position as Mountain Lord of Black Lotus Mountain not only because I'm at the Void Refining Stage, but, more importantly, because I have ties to the Lin Family, one of the Five Great Immortal Clans. Without that backing, someone would have replaced me long ago. Remember my words: you may only befriend Shi Yue. You must not offend him." Liao Junci's expression was grave.
Chen Qingyun's heart tightened. He nodded and answered, "Yes, I'll obey."
"That's all for now. I'm still outside handling some affairs and will return later. You can hold on to the Three-Glow Lotus for me."
"Yes, I'll obey your decree, High Person."
The Black Mirror blurred, its light dimmed, and Liao