"Fellow Daoist Shi, are you free right now? I have something I'd like to discuss with you in person."
"Sure, come on over!"
Shi Yue assumed it was about building the marketplace, so he nodded and agreed.
Not long afterward, Ning Wuque arrived at the Immortal Herb Palace. This time, he hadn't brought any guards, only a refined young man in blue robes.
"Fellow Daoist Ning, who is this?" Shi Yue asked, giving the young man in blue a curious once-over.
The young man didn't look very old, but he had a cultivation level at the Nascent Soul Late Stage. His every gesture radiated an air of nobility, making it clear he was no ordinary cultivator.
"I'm Jiang Dong, from Miyang Star. A pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Shi." The young man in blue cupped his fists and greeted him politely.
Shi Yue looked displeased. For one thing, Ning Wuque hadn't explained himself and had taken it upon himself to bring Jiang Dong to the Immortal Herb Palace. Shi Yue disliked that attitude. For another, as far as he knew, Jiang Dong had been engaged to Qu Feiyan long ago, but had later broken off the engagement himself, leaving her humiliated. Naturally, Shi Yue had no particular fondness for Jiang Dong.
Ning Wuque had been watching Shi Yue the whole time. Seeing his displeasure, he hurried to explain, "Fellow Daoist Shi, Fellow Daoist Jiang has been a friend of mine for many years. He's long admired you and has come especially to pay you a visit today. The Jiang Family would also like to work with the Immortal Herb Palace."
Jiang Dong shot Ning Wuque a grateful look, then turned to Shi Yue and said earnestly, "Fellow Daoist Shi, our Jiang Family has considerable influence in the Tianlan Star