Green Scale Soft Armor

"I have come to purchase some Blood Coagulation Pills. May I ask if this Martial Master Chamber of Commerce accepts the sponsorship token of the Xiang City Chen Clan for a discount?"

Zhou Yun produced the sponsorship token Chen Jingping had given him, figuring that if it worked in the Black Stone Martial Hall cafeteria, it should be valid elsewhere as well.

"Junior Brother Zhou actually possesses a sponsorship token from Senior Brother Chen's family?"

Shen Qingxue was utterly astonished. She had assumed Zhou Yun helped the Chen family simply because of his close personal friendship with Chen Jingping, never imagining he was already a martial artist sponsored by Chen Jingping.

In that case, when she had wanted to sponsor Zhou Yun back then, it was Chen Jingping who had cut in first...

"Senior Brother Chen, truly a cunning calculation..."

Shen Qingxue felt a flicker of inexplicable irritation, but it quickly subsided. Her expression returned to normal as she said:

"Tokens from major families in the main city are naturally accepted... Is Junior Brother Zhou looking to break through to a new realm? Our chamber has pills specifically designed for crossing the threshold, refined from century-old medicinal herbs..."

"Oh? There is such a thing?"

Zhou Yun became interested. He had come specifically to purchase resources for breaking into the Dark Force realm, so if there were more suitable pills, that would be perfect.

As for the bottleneck of reaching the peak of Bright Force, the energy in his dantian was already as thick as five fingers; breaking through to the peak was merely a matter of following the natural flow.

About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea later, Zhou Yun arrived at the entrance of the chamber with his selected pills.

"Many thanks for your recommendations today, Senior Sister Shen. I had no idea pills like the Blood Solidification Pill existed; I am truly ignorant."

Shen Qingxue smiled faintly. "Junior Brother Zhou, you are too modest. It is merely my duty."

With that, she signaled to an elderly steward nearby, who immediately stepped forward to present a shimmering Green Scale Soft Armor.

"This item is called the Green Scale Soft Armor, a mid-grade inner garment. It can deflect thirty percent of the impact from energy, as well as blunt force from fists and weapons... Consider it repayment for the life-saving favor you did for me last time."

Zhou Yun instinctively took the armor, feeling its intense chill; it seemed to be forged from some kind of cold iron.

In the sweltering heat of the dog days of summer, it even provided a certain degree of relief from the heat.

"Many thanks, Senior Sister. I shall accept your kindness without further ceremony."

Zhou Yun did not stand on formality and accepted the item.

Had Shen Qingxue not gifted it to him, he would have intended to purchase an inner vest anyway, so this saved him a significant sum of silver.

Besides, given Senior Sister Shen's status, gifting such a treasure shouldn't be a major burden for her... If he refused, it would only seem ungracious.

"I am glad you like it... I have matters to attend to in the chamber, so I will not keep you."

Shen Qingxue's lips curled into a faint smile, but she quickly turned serious. "Recently, Senior Brother Wang Lan has been investigating the Shen Family affair with me. If you have no pressing business, Junior Brother, it is best to stay within the martial hall and minimize your time outside."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I shall return to the martial hall now."

Zhou Yun cupped his hands in a salute and left with the Green Scale Soft Armor.

"The Xiang City Wang Clan, the Chen Clan... and the Shen Family lineage."

Shen Qingxue watched Zhou Yun's retreating figure, feeling that this junior brother's strength was far deeper than she had imagined.

Perhaps it was because the impression of him killing a Dark Force expert that night had left too deep a mark...

"Since the soft armor has been given, the debt of gratitude is settled."

Shen Qingxue refocused her mind. She understood that she could not afford to dwell on other matters; becoming the Chief Escort of the Sky Sea Escort Agency was the most important thing.

As for other budding possibilities, they would have to wait for another day.

"I have now prepared five Blood Coagulation Pills and three Blood Solidification Pills. This should be enough to break through to the Dark Force."

Zhou Yun returned to the martial hall in the Chen family carriage and was currently taking stock of his haul in the courtyard.

He laid all the pills out on a small table, rubbing his chin. "It cost twenty-one taels of silver in total—fifteen taels for the five Blood Coagulation Pills, and two taels each for the Blood Solidification Pills..."

"If not for Senior Sister Shen's advice, who would have thought that when breaking into the Dark Force, one must prevent the energy from becoming too violent after the breakthrough, which could cause the blood to boil and potentially damage one's foundation..."

Zhou Yun felt a sense of relief; it was fortunate he hadn't acted in haste and had prepared in advance.

He put away the pills and silver and was just about to begin his training in the center of the courtyard when a series of knocks echoed at the gate.

"This is..."

Zhou Yun opened the gate to find an unfamiliar inner-hall disciple.

"You are Zhou Yun, right? Master Liang wants you to come to the Martial Hall. He says County Magistrate Liu has brought people to see you."

After the inner-hall disciple finished speaking, he leaned in to whisper a warning before leaving: "These people do not seem to have come with good intentions. You should prepare yourself."

"Many thanks for the warning."

Zhou Yun cupped his hands, but his brow furrowed.

"It seems they have come regarding the escort mission from last time. That County Magistrate Liu's son died on the road, and I wonder how Senior Sister Shen handled that side of things..."

With a rough idea of the situation, Zhou Yun did not sit idly by. He tidied his attire and hurried toward the Martial Hall.

As soon as he arrived, he saw a middle-aged man he had previously encountered at the White Phoenix Martial Hall sitting there, accompanied by a hunched, gray-robed elder.

This man was lean of build, his narrow eyes calm and rippleless, yet he exuded an aura of oppressive authority.

Although he was merely a seventh-rank official who had not even crossed the threshold of the martial path, his mere presence was enough to make one feel immense pressure.

As for the grey-robed old man, he seemed truly like an ordinary elder, standing beside County Magistrate Liu as if a gust of wind might blow him away.

"Master Liang, is this your beloved disciple?"

County Magistrate Liu's tone was devoid of fluctuation; having watched the exchange of blows at White Phoenix Martial Hall, he seemed to have deliberately changed into casual attire.

"Every disciple of Black Stone Martial Hall is a student of Liang Wanshan, and Zhou Yun is naturally no exception."

Liang Wanshan sipped his tea, his master's aura slowly unfurling, his tone flat yet imposing.

"I wonder, what brings County Magistrate Liu to visit?"

Sitting right beside the master, County Magistrate Liu was naturally the first to feel that pressure, yet he merely chuckled.

"What brings me here? Nothing in particular, I simply wish to ask Master Liang for an explanation regarding my son."

"In the business of escorting, death and injury are common... this is something you, I, and your deceased son were all aware of."

Liang Wanshan's aura did not diminish in the slightest as he continued to sip his tea.

"Aware, indeed... but it is precisely because I, Liu Bomin, am aware of certain things that I must seek justice!"

County Magistrate Liu suddenly slammed the table and stood up, glaring with rage. "I had no intention of interfering in the affairs between your Black Stone Martial Hall and the Shen Family... but to dare touch my son? Do you truly think I, Liu Bomin, have no means at my disposal!"

"Lord Liu, this is Black Stone Martial Hall; do not let your anger overstep its bounds."

Liang Wanshan's brows furrowed, wisps of steam rising from the teacup in his hand as visible force swirled around his body.

"Young Friend Liang, using a master's aura against a mere mortal is somewhat beneath your station."

At this moment, the grey-robed old man chuckled, and grey-white force erupted from his body, faintly forming a standoff against Liang Wanshan.

Seeing this scene from the entrance of the martial hall, Zhou Yun's vigilance toward the grey-robed old man rose by more than a notch.

A Transformation Force master; this man was undoubtedly a Transformation Force master as well!

"Zhou Yun, come and explain the sequence of events to County Magistrate Liu."

Liang Wanshan set down his teacup, and he and the grey-robed old man simultaneously withdrew their master-level auras.

At this moment, the gazes of all three people present turned toward Zhou Yun.