You Buy, I Sell-A Higher Class!
At the bow--
Qin Lu was disheveled with loose hair, clad in a black robe, and profound Qi circulated unceasingly...
His might had already reached the limit of what was advancing.
He only awaited finding a Qi Condensation object to once again attempt a breakthrough, to reverse True Essence and practice Spiritual Power in reverse!
Only then could he undergo transformation and forge Qi Condensation--
"How is it?"
Hearing this--
Chu Shan stepped forward, lowered his head, and replied: "Sixth Young Master, everything is going smoothly. He is intently cultivating in Deer Valley, so I imagine there is no cause for worry in the short term..."
Qin Lu nodded slightly, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth:
"You have certainly gone to the trouble."
"Rest assured, as long as the Chu Household does not rebel for a single day, I shall protect your lineage so that its incense and ancestral fire are never extinguished..."
"Besides, you and I have known each other for over ten years, and a basic level of trust still exists. I hope your Chu Household will not 'disappoint' me..."
"Yes, Shan understands."
The words stopped at the point of suggestion--
Especially with the final sentence, where Qin Lu slightly emphasized the word "disappointment".
Chu Shan instantly felt his heart tremble and grow cold!
He already understood in his heart, bowed respectfully, and then silently withdrew...
Coupled with the rumors from a few days ago--
Young Patriarch Qin Xiao had made a secret visit for inspection. It seemed that some malfeasance had been uncovered within his Chu Household, otherwise Qin Lu would not have made such an explicit statement...
Over these past years, the Chu Household had come to power in a single day.
With many people and mixed interests, he figured some sordid deeds had been exposed...
And brought about the displeasure of the Qin Family!
"The Qin laws are strict; how could they be child's play?"
"It seems that for certain people, after living the good life for too long, they have begun looking for trouble!"
"When this trip ends, do not let me catch them..."
Chu Shan gazed into the distance at the mountains and waters, inevitably harboring some pent-up Qi in his heart.
Why was it that in this world, there were always people who were arrogant, self-deprecating, and simply had to court death? Living well-wasn't that good?
Mud that could not be plastered onto a wall was truly exasperating!
The flock of geese flew north, and the large boat sailed south.
The waters of the Ying River stretched for a thousand miles, their waves magnificent, nourishing the magnificent rivers and mountains...
The fleet sailed south, buying and selling, and the ports and towns along the way were all places of wealth...
Passing small, self-contained cities, resting a while, trading what one had for what one lacked, merchants inquiring about prices, selling magical pills and medicines in exchange for spiritual materials and old herbs, they forged pacts and formed trade routes...
They did not meddle in the power of governance, seeking only shared wealth.
The years of cultivation were all for longevity, and harmony brings wealth was the right path...
Even heaven feels emotion and grows old; seeking common ground while reserving differences is the business way...
If you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, block the river, bar the road, and throw your weight around, then our Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce also knows a thing or two about fists and kicks, and will gladly offer instruction!
The large boats collided fiercely, and hand-to-hand combat broke out instantly.
Hundreds of black-armored men were like heavenly soldiers, killing people like cutting hemp and slaughtering cattle and sheep; dozens of warriors were like heavenly generals, with all sorts of ways to die-take your pick!
The bandit leader still refused to give up, wielding a saber to leap and slash at Qin Lu.
What a pity!
He was no longer like a youth out traveling, and ended up shitting and pissing in his trousers; a Qing Centipede instantly drilled into his brain, torturing the bandit leader and causing him to chop off his own head...
He acted as a nightstool for someone else.
The large boat headed south, entering the commandery prefecture.
The spiritual Qi instantly soared a hundred feet high, with picturesque mountains and rivers visible everywhere...
Along the river sat hundreds of family villages, mostly with immortal slaves viewed as provisions...
Passing Huang Family Village by chance, they traded pills for a wooden stake; after some carving and meticulous polishing, they looked closely-it was Yellow Flower Osmanthus Forest Wood!
A second-tier inferior-grade precious spiritual material, its market price could offset fifteen spiritual stones.
Dao fortune was flourishing!
Half a month later--Longchuan Prefecture.
The end of the Ying River emptied into a vast marsh named Yun-chuan Lake, stretching for tens of miles around, nurturing thousands of living creatures, which was why a port was built there...
Its name: Yunchuan Port!
Just a few li south of Yunchuan Port lay the new city recently built by the Xuan River Zhang Clan...
Named: Xuan City!
The city was incomparably prosperous, with the coming and going of people rivaling Yingchuan County City; its daily throughput reached tens of thousands of souls, and over one hundred thousand people resided here long-term!
Beneath it, nearly a hundred True Martial factions sprouted internally, all growing in dependence upon it...
The Xuan River Zhang Clan could also be considered to shake the local region with their might!
At that moment--
Looking out into the distance, hundreds of soldiers formed an array to welcome them, full of awe-inspiring momentum like heroic lions and fierce tigers, truly an intrepid force!
All who gazed upon them looked on with utmost reverence from afar...
When the distant giant beasts swam closer, dozens of giant boats finally came ashore, lowered their gangways, and hundreds of black-armored soldiers rapidly assembled!
Echoing the military array not far away from a distance, their Qi was majestic and stern...
"Hahahaha!"
"It has been a long time, Brother Wang Jian!"
"Hearing that Alchemist Qin was leaving the mountains to head south, our lineage instructed me early on to wait here in welcome."
Hearing this--
Wang Jian stood erect at the front of the army, looked at the newcomer, cupped his hands in greeting, and replied with a solemn expression:
"Sorry for the trouble, Brother Ruoxuan."
With that--
A black-robed figure slowly descended the gangway, black hair fluttering in the wind, with a Qing Centipede slithering up and down, crouching on his shoulder and baring its claws...
Seeing this, Zhang Ruoxuan hurried forward and performed the grand junior bow.
"This junior greets Senior Qin!"
"This junior is Zhang Xuan's nephew, Zhang Ruoxuan, waiting to welcome Senior's grand arrival..."
Seeing this--
Qin Lu smiled faintly and nodded, glancing over to see his Qi full and overflowing, clearly having reached the breakthrough bottleneck, possessing superior aptitude...
Then he tossed out a small bottle and said:
"The younger generation is formidable, truly a fine steed."
"This Yi Wood Spirit Pill is specially used for breaking through realms, and it suits you just right."
Zhang Ruoxuan was startled, caught the porcelain bottle, and his expression instantly turned to great joy!
This Yi Wood Profound Pill was a first-tier superior-grade medicinal pill, a precious treasure for breaking through bottlenecks in the True Martial Realm. A single pill was worth three spirit stones, and the Qin family rarely let them flow outward!
A trace of wild joy flashed in his eyes, and his attitude toward him grew increasingly respectful...
In his heart, he thought: This Alchemist Qin is truly as the rumors say-of extraordinary bearing and peerless talent, a person of great generational talent...
He was actually able to see at a glance that I had encountered a bottleneck in my breakthrough... his cultivation has probably already reached the True Martial Completion realm!
To be able to cultivate to such a realm at this age, one would imagine his talent is certainly not inferior...
I fear he is merely awaiting the fortuitous opportunity of Qi Condensation!
If he can achieve Qi Condensation, then he will have hopes of becoming a Rank-2 Alchemist, and his future will undoubtedly be boundless!
Thinking up to this point--
Zhang Ruoxuan felt that perhaps his lineage could walk a bit closer to the Qin family...
For example, through marriage!
Among the second generation of the Qin family, whether it was the eldest young master Qin Xiao or the second young master Qin Hui, both were fine candidates and worth investing in.
In the future, the two lineages would complement each other, and they could also rely on each other for an extra layer of support.
After all--
Even though the Zhang Clan was honored as an immortal lineage, they stood solitary and single-handed compared to the other old-standing factions...
They were somewhat at a disadvantage, and a single tree cannot form a boat.
If they could have a Rank-2 Alchemist as an in-law, things would be entirely different, and the various benefits brought about behind the scenes went without saying...
At this--
Zhang Ruoxuan bowed respectfully and sincerely, his words affectionate:
"Thank you, Senior!"
"If there is ever a time when the junior's services are needed, Senior need only speak, and the junior will certainly handle things splendidly for Senior!"
"Come!"
"Please, Senior, move to the banquet; the lineage has already prepared a feast for Senior Qin to wash away the dust of travel!"
Seeing that the Zhang family youngster knew how to conduct himself so well--
The smile on Qin Lu's face did not diminish, and he gladly accepted...
Afterward--
It was nothing more than eating more high-class food, a full Manchu-Han feast of rare delicacies from mountains and seas...
The people accompanying him in drinking were all eminent figures of high standing.
They ate spiritual-Qi-abundant demon beast meat, and drank exquisitely brewed ten-year-old imbued spirit wine...
The foot-washing and bathing were tended by maidens from prominent families, and the foot-massage techniques were performed by arts-master immortal maidens. High-end, grand, and classy, how could that tiny Yingchuan County...
Compare to this?