Heavenly Mystery Tower, a Charlatan?

"Good stuff!"

Li Tianyuan clicked his tongue in admiration and immediately put it on.

Once he wore the Heavenly Mystery Jade Robe, it fit him perfectly, its luster shimmering. His bearing changed at once, taking on something of an immortal sage's air.

"It fits pretty well. Just what I'd expect from a system reward."

Li Tianyuan looked himself up and down, thoroughly satisfied, then strode away.

Over ten days later, in Suotuo City of the Balak Kingdom, under the Heaven Dou Empire.

A small shop named Heavenly Mystery Tower opened in a corner of the bustling market district.

The shop was small and looked rather ordinary from outside. A wooden sign bearing the words "Heavenly Mystery Tower" hung above the entrance, while a wooden pole beside it flew a blue-green banner.

Written on it was a line: "Peer into heaven's mysteries; no calculation leaves anything amiss."

Passersby glanced at the sign with curiosity in their eyes, but none entered.

Inside the shop, Li Tianyuan sat before a long desk, his expression placid as he waited for someone brought to him by fate.

After arriving in Suotuo City a few days earlier, he had surveyed the area and taken over a small storefront, deciding to use his Martial Soul's power to open Heavenly Mystery Tower.

For one thing, he needed to earn his bread; for another, it gave him something to do.

At the same time, he was waiting for his own opportunity.

The shop had been open for two days, yet he could count its visitors on one hand.

Li Tianyuan was in no hurry. Whenever he had nothing to do, he sat at the desk and studied heaven's mysteries.

Before long, a middle-aged man who looked like a wealthy merchant hurried over with several servants. Upon reaching the shop, he straightened his clothes to make himself look more dignified before entering.

"Mr. Li, your calculations truly are divine!"

"I've found that money. I came especially to thank you."

Upon seeing Li Tianyuan, the middle-aged man spoke with great respect and courtesy.

Li Tianyuan glanced at him. This was a customer who had come yesterday seeking a reading to locate some lost money.

He had performed a Divination.

And calculated the whereabouts of that money.

After receiving his answer, the wealthy merchant had hurried home, half believing and half doubting.

He had not expected him to return.

Judging by his appearance, he had clearly found the money.

"No matter. As long as you found the money, all is well."

Despite the man's respectful, courteous manner, Li Tianyuan remained as composed as ever.

With his current abilities, his Divination of ordinary matters was essentially never wrong.

Otherwise, he would not have set up Heavenly Mystery Tower here.

"Mr. Li, you truly are a divine man."

"A small token of thanks. Please forgive its inadequacy."

The wealthy merchant did not dare neglect the courtesies. He took a money pouch from inside his clothes, placed it on the desk, and cupped his hands.

Li Tianyuan glanced at the pouch and lightly tapped his fingers. He immediately calculated that it contained twenty Gold Soul Coins, a fairly substantial sum.

It seemed this fellow knew how to act.

"In that case, it would be discourteous of me to refuse."

Li Tianyuan accepted the money pouch.

Living expenses in Suotuo City were rather high. Since someone was offering him a token of thanks, he would take it.

"You're too kind, Mr. Li."

Seeing him accept it, the wealthy merchant beamed.

He had spent years navigating the world of commerce, yet this was the first time he had encountered such an extraordinary man.

He needed to establish a good relationship. Perhaps he would have to seek his help again someday.

"Think nothing of it."

Li Tianyuan smiled.

"By the way, Mr. Li, do you have any further instructions?"

The wealthy merchant asked again.

"Nothing else. However, if you think my Divination is good, you could recommend me to your friends and relatives. That would be a favor to me."

Li Tianyuan said.

Business here was truly rather poor, and he urgently needed some referrals.

"No problem. Leave it to me."

"A divine man like you deserves to be known by everyone in Suotuo City."

"Once I return, I'll be sure to spread the word about you."

The wealthy merchant patted his chest.

"Actually, sir, why don't I hire a few people to promote you on the streets?"

"What do you think?"

The wealthy merchant's expression was somewhat ingratiating.

"Then I'm sorry for the trouble."

Li Tianyuan smiled.

"It's no trouble. You did me an enormous favor, sir. It was as good as saving my life. Such a little matter is hardly worth mentioning."

The wealthy merchant smiled broadly before hurriedly withdrawing.

Once outside, he called over several servants and began having them beat gongs and drums along the street to promote Heavenly Mystery Tower.

"Mr. Li of Heavenly Mystery Tower makes wondrous, divine calculations! Go get a reading if you need one!"

"A divine man has appeared at Heavenly Mystery Tower!"

The clamor of gongs and drums on the street attracted quite a few people's attention.

"Wondrous, divine calculations? What Street Swindler has crawled out to harm people this time?"

"Probably another swindler."

"Do you even need to ask? This same routine crops up in Suotuo City every year."

The passersby all scoffed.

"You haven't even met him, so stop talking nonsense! If the gentleman at Heavenly Mystery Tower hears you, you'll have more trouble than you can carry!"

The people promoting the shop could not help snapping back.

"Oh? If he really were a divine man, his name would have spread throughout Suotuo City long ago. Why would it take until now?"

"Exactly. One look tells you he's a charlatan!"

The people around them sneered.

"Who are you calling a charlatan?"

"That Heavenly Mystery Tower or whatever is a scam!"

For a time, both sides traded barbs before outright fighting, and the crowd of spectators grew ever larger.

"Heavenly Mystery Tower? Just hearing that name tells you it's a charlatan's scam!"

"Hmph, I'll go smash the place up right now. Let's see him keep deceiving people!"

At that moment, a delicate young girl with exquisite features and skin as white as lychee flesh stood on the street in a perfectly fitted white dress, a peculiar curve lifting the corners of her lips.

She decided to go smash the Street Swindler's signboard.

A short while later, she arrived outside Heavenly Mystery Tower.

"Such a tiny little place, and he dares call himself a divine man? He really knows how to boast!"

Even more disdain filled the girl's eyes.

She straightened her slender neck and entered Heavenly Mystery Tower like a white peacock.

Once inside, she took a look.

She saw a young man sitting before a long desk. He wore a jade-colored robe, his ink-black hair pinned up with a jade hairpin, and his exceptionally handsome face bore a calm, otherworldly air!

At the sight of such a man, a blush involuntarily appeared on the girl's pretty face.

She had never seen such a handsome man!

There had never been a man like him in her entire sect, either.

For some reason, her heart thumped wildly. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

By then, Li Tianyuan had noticed the girl entering and asked, "Have you come for a Divination?"

His voice was as warm and smooth as jade, making her feel as though she were basking in a spring breeze.

The girl's heart fluttered even more.

Fortunately, she had cultivation, and after a while, she forcibly calmed herself down.

"You're the gentleman from Heavenly Mystery Tower?"

The girl looked at Li Tianyuan and asked with a touch of haughty coyness.

"That's right."

Li Tianyuan nodded slightly.

"Good. I suspect you're a Street Swindler."

"Do you admit it?!"

The girl pointed at Li Tianyuan and demanded rather imperiously.

“Street Swindler? Little girl, have you come to wreck my business?”

Li Tianyuan looked at her, a cold smile appearing on his face.